Sample records for exceptional specific activity

  1. The Ventral Anterior Temporal Lobe has a Necessary Role in Exception Word Reading.

    PubMed

    Ueno, Taiji; Meteyard, Lotte; Hoffman, Paul; Murayama, Kou

    2018-06-06

    An influential account of reading holds that words with exceptional spelling-to-sound correspondences (e.g., PINT) are read via activation of their lexical-semantic representations, supported by the anterior temporal lobe (ATL). This account has been inconclusive because it is based on neuropsychological evidence, in which lesion-deficit relationships are difficult to localize precisely, and functional neuroimaging data, which is spatially precise but cannot demonstrate whether the ATL activity is necessary for exception word reading. To address these issues, we used a technique with good spatial specificity-repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS)-to demonstrate a necessary role of ATL in exception word reading. Following rTMS to left ventral ATL, healthy Japanese adults made more regularization errors in reading Japanese exception words. We successfully simulated these results in a computational model in which exception word reading was underpinned by semantic activations. The ATL is critically and selectively involved in reading exception words.

  2. 14 CFR § 1203.400 - Specific classifying guidance.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... and operational information and material, and in some exceptional cases scientific information falling... activities), intelligence sources or methods, or cryptology; (d) Foreign relations or foreign activities of the United States, including confidential sources; (e) Scientific, technological, or economic matters...

  3. Preschool Curriculum for Exceptional Children.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Kelley-Saur, Cheryl

    The curriculum guide for use with preschool handicapped children provides 28 activity units as well as general teaching suggestions. An initial section covers ideas for adapting activities to specific handicapping conditions including the visually impaired, hearing impaired, physically handicapped, and mentally disabled. Subsections also cover…

  4. 36 CFR 215.2 - Definitions.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ..., AND APPEAL PROCEDURES FOR NATIONAL FOREST SYSTEM PROJECTS AND ACTIVITIES § 215.2 Definitions. Address... specific project or activity. Categorically excluded (CE)—Proposed actions, which do not individually or... Responsible Official on a proposed action subject to this part, except for projects requiring an EIS which...

  5. 14C content in vegetation in the vicinities of Brazilian nuclear power reactors.

    PubMed

    Dias, Cíntia Melazo; Santos, Roberto Ventura; Stenström, Kristina; Nícoli, Iêda Gomes; Skog, Göran; da Silveira Corrêa, Rosangela

    2008-07-01

    (14)C specific activities were measured in grass samples collected around Brazilian nuclear power reactors. The specific activity values varied between 227 and 299 Bq/kg C. Except for two samples which showed (14)C specific activities 22% above background values, half of the samples showed background specific activities, and the other half had a (14)C excess of 1-18%. The highest specific activities were found close to the nuclear power plants and along the main wind directions (NE and NNE). The activity values were found to decrease with increasing distance from the reactors. The unexpectedly high (14)C excess values found in two samples were related to the local topography, which favors (14)C accumulation and limits the dispersion of the plume. The results indicate a clear (14)C anthropogenic signal within 5 km around the nuclear power plants which is most prominent along northeastwards, the prevailing wind direction.

  6. 44 CFR 7.920 - Rules against discrimination.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ...) Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Age in Programs or Activities Receiving Federal Financial Assistance From FEMA... section are limited by the exceptions contained in §§ 7.921 and 7.922 of these regulations. (a) General... Federal financial assistance. (b) Specific rules: A recipient may not, in any program or activity...

  7. 44 CFR 7.920 - Rules against discrimination.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ...) Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Age in Programs or Activities Receiving Federal Financial Assistance From FEMA... section are limited by the exceptions contained in §§ 7.921 and 7.922 of these regulations. (a) General... Federal financial assistance. (b) Specific rules: A recipient may not, in any program or activity...

  8. 40 CFR 721.5310 - Neononanoic acid, ethenyl ester.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ... end of each work shift.), (a)(2)(ii) (With the exception of laboratory activities, full body chemical... weighted by the proportion of each substance present in the total daily amount released. (b) Specific...

  9. 40 CFR 721.4215 - Hexanedioic acid, diethenyl ester.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ... of each work shift.), (a)(2)(ii) (With the exception of laboratory activities, full body chemical... weighted by the proportion of each substance present in the total daily amount released. (b) Specific...

  10. 40 CFR 721.4215 - Hexanedioic acid, diethenyl ester.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ... of each work shift.), (a)(2)(ii) (With the exception of laboratory activities, full body chemical... weighted by the proportion of each substance present in the total daily amount released. (b) Specific...

  11. 40 CFR 721.5310 - Neononanoic acid, ethenyl ester.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ... end of each work shift.), (a)(2)(ii) (With the exception of laboratory activities, full body chemical... weighted by the proportion of each substance present in the total daily amount released. (b) Specific...

  12. 40 CFR 721.4215 - Hexanedioic acid, diethenyl ester.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ... of each work shift.), (a)(2)(ii) (With the exception of laboratory activities, full body chemical... weighted by the proportion of each substance present in the total daily amount released. (b) Specific...

  13. 40 CFR 721.5310 - Neononanoic acid, ethenyl ester.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ... end of each work shift.), (a)(2)(ii) (With the exception of laboratory activities, full body chemical... weighted by the proportion of each substance present in the total daily amount released. (b) Specific...

  14. Characterizing interactions in online social networks during exceptional events

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Omodei, Elisa; De Domenico, Manlio; Arenas, Alex

    2015-08-01

    Nowadays, millions of people interact on a daily basis on online social media like Facebook and Twitter, where they share and discuss information about a wide variety of topics. In this paper, we focus on a specific online social network, Twitter, and we analyze multiple datasets each one consisting of individuals' online activity before, during and after an exceptional event in terms of volume of the communications registered. We consider important events that occurred in different arenas that range from policy to culture or science. For each dataset, the users' online activities are modeled by a multilayer network in which each layer conveys a different kind of interaction, specifically: retweeting, mentioning and replying. This representation allows us to unveil that these distinct types of interaction produce networks with different statistical properties, in particular concerning the degree distribution and the clustering structure. These results suggests that models of online activity cannot discard the information carried by this multilayer representation of the system, and should account for the different processes generated by the different kinds of interactions. Secondly, our analysis unveils the presence of statistical regularities among the different events, suggesting that the non-trivial topological patterns that we observe may represent universal features of the social dynamics on online social networks during exceptional events.

  15. 40 CFR 721.4250 - Hexanoic acid, 2-ethyl-, ethenyl ester.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ... end of each work shift.), (a)(2)(ii) (With the exception of laboratory activities, full body chemical... by the proportion of each substance present in the total daily amount released. (b) Specific...

  16. 40 CFR 721.4250 - Hexanoic acid, 2-ethyl-, ethenyl ester.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ... end of each work shift.), (a)(2)(ii) (With the exception of laboratory activities, full body chemical... by the proportion of each substance present in the total daily amount released. (b) Specific...

  17. 40 CFR 721.4250 - Hexanoic acid, 2-ethyl-, ethenyl ester.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ... end of each work shift.), (a)(2)(ii) (With the exception of laboratory activities, full body chemical... by the proportion of each substance present in the total daily amount released. (b) Specific...

  18. A Haloalkane Dehalogenase from a Marine Microbial Consortium Possessing Exceptionally Broad Substrate Specificity.

    PubMed

    Buryska, Tomas; Babkova, Petra; Vavra, Ondrej; Damborsky, Jiri; Prokop, Zbynek

    2018-01-15

    The haloalkane dehalogenase enzyme DmmA was identified by marine metagenomic screening. Determination of its crystal structure revealed an unusually large active site compared to those of previously characterized haloalkane dehalogenases. Here we present a biochemical characterization of this interesting enzyme with emphasis on its structure-function relationships. DmmA exhibited an exceptionally broad substrate specificity and degraded several halogenated environmental pollutants that are resistant to other members of this enzyme family. In addition to having this unique substrate specificity, the enzyme was highly tolerant to organic cosolvents such as dimethyl sulfoxide, methanol, and acetone. Its broad substrate specificity, high overexpression yield (200 mg of protein per liter of cultivation medium; 50% of total protein), good tolerance to organic cosolvents, and a broad pH range make DmmA an attractive biocatalyst for various biotechnological applications. IMPORTANCE We present a thorough biochemical characterization of the haloalkane dehalogenase DmmA from a marine metagenome. This enzyme with an unusually large active site shows remarkably broad substrate specificity, high overexpression, significant tolerance to organic cosolvents, and activity under a broad range of pH conditions. DmmA is an attractive catalyst for sustainable biotechnology applications, e.g., biocatalysis, biosensing, and biodegradation of halogenated pollutants. We also report its ability to convert multiple halogenated compounds to corresponding polyalcohols. Copyright © 2018 American Society for Microbiology.

  19. Biologically active LIL proteins built with minimal chemical diversity

    PubMed Central

    Heim, Erin N.; Marston, Jez L.; Federman, Ross S.; Edwards, Anne P. B.; Karabadzhak, Alexander G.; Petti, Lisa M.; Engelman, Donald M.; DiMaio, Daniel

    2015-01-01

    We have constructed 26-amino acid transmembrane proteins that specifically transform cells but consist of only two different amino acids. Most proteins are long polymers of amino acids with 20 or more chemically distinct side-chains. The artificial transmembrane proteins reported here are the simplest known proteins with specific biological activity, consisting solely of an initiating methionine followed by specific sequences of leucines and isoleucines, two hydrophobic amino acids that differ only by the position of a methyl group. We designate these proteins containing leucine (L) and isoleucine (I) as LIL proteins. These proteins functionally interact with the transmembrane domain of the platelet-derived growth factor β-receptor and specifically activate the receptor to transform cells. Complete mutagenesis of these proteins identified individual amino acids required for activity, and a protein consisting solely of leucines, except for a single isoleucine at a particular position, transformed cells. These surprisingly simple proteins define the minimal chemical diversity sufficient to construct proteins with specific biological activity and change our view of what can constitute an active protein in a cellular context. PMID:26261320

  20. The neural architecture of expert calendar calculation: a matter of strategy?

    PubMed

    Fehr, Thorsten; Wallace, Gregory L; Erhard, Peter; Herrmann, Manfred

    2011-08-01

    Savants and prodigies are individuals with exceptional skills in particular mental domains. In the present study we used functional magnetic resonance imaging to examine neural correlates of calendar calculation in two individuals, a savant with Asperger's disorder and a self-taught mathematical prodigy. If there is a modular neural organization of exceptional performance in a specific mental domain, calendar calculation should be reflected in a considerable overlap in the recruitment of brain circuits across expert individuals. However, considerable individual differences in activation patterns during calendar calculation were noted. The present results indicate that activation patterns produced by complex mental processing, such as calendar calculation, seem to be influenced strongly by learning history and idiosyncratic strategy usage rather than a modular neural organization. Thus, well-known individual differences in complex cognition play a major role even in experts with exceptional abilities in a particular mental domain and should in particular be considered when examining the neural architecture of complex mental processes and skills.

  1. Conditional Reasoning in Autism: Activation and Integration of Knowledge and Belief

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    McKenzie, Rebecca; Evans, Jonathan St. B. T.; Handley, Simon J.

    2010-01-01

    Everyday conditional reasoning is typically influenced by prior knowledge and belief in the form of specific exceptions known as counterexamples. This study explored whether adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD; N = 26) were less influenced by background knowledge than typically developing adolescents (N = 38) when engaged in conditional…

  2. 40 CFR 158.500 - Toxicology data requirements table.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... that apply to an individual test and include specific conditions, qualifications, or exceptions to the designated test in the table are listed in paragraph (e) of this section. (b) Use patterns. (1) Food use...; PAIRA=Pure active ingredient radio-labeled; Choice=Choice of several test substances depending on study...

  3. 40 CFR 158.500 - Toxicology data requirements table.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ... that apply to an individual test and include specific conditions, qualifications, or exceptions to the designated test in the table are listed in paragraph (e) of this section. (b) Use patterns. (1) Food use...; PAIRA=Pure active ingredient radio-labeled; Choice=Choice of several test substances depending on study...

  4. 40 CFR 158.500 - Toxicology data requirements table.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... that apply to an individual test and include specific conditions, qualifications, or exceptions to the designated test in the table are listed in paragraph (e) of this section. (b) Use patterns. (1) Food use...; PAIRA=Pure active ingredient radio-labeled; Choice=Choice of several test substances depending on study...

  5. 40 CFR 158.500 - Toxicology data requirements table.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ... that apply to an individual test and include specific conditions, qualifications, or exceptions to the designated test in the table are listed in paragraph (e) of this section. (b) Use patterns. (1) Food use...; PAIRA=Pure active ingredient radio-labeled; Choice=Choice of several test substances depending on study...

  6. Famous Presidents Unit, Third Grade.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Nowlin, Isabel

    This teaching unit is composed of six parts: (1) content outline, (2) unit goals, (3) objectives, (4) activities, (5) evaluation plan, and (6) bibliography. The content of the unit centers on the lives of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. Specifically it investigates what made these men exceptional heroes, and it differentiates between facts…

  7. The Quality Assurance of Degree Education in Canada

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Baker, Donald N.; Miosi, Terry

    2010-01-01

    Under the Canadian constitution, responsibility for education is assigned to the provinces. In some provinces, universities are based in institution-specific statutes, in others, in system-wide legislation. Except for the provinces of Alberta and British Columbia, the provinces leave the quality assurance of academic activities to the…

  8. Endophytic fungus Phomopsis liquidambari and different doses of N-fertilizer alter microbial community structure and function in rhizosphere of rice

    PubMed Central

    Siddikee, Md. Ashaduzzaman; Zereen, Mst Israt; Li, Cai-Feng; Dai, Chuan-Chao

    2016-01-01

    Microbial community structure and functions of rhizosphere soil of rice were investigated after applying low and high doses of nitrogenous fertilizer and Phomopsis liquidambari. Average well color development, substrate richness, catabolic diversity and soil enzymes activities varied after applying N-fertilizer and P. liquidambari and were greater in P. liquidambari treated soil than only N-fertilization. Multivariate analysis distinctly separated the catabolic and enzymes activity profile which statistically proved alteration of microbial functional diversity. Nitrogen fertilizer altered microbial community structure revealed by the increased content of total PLFAs, specific subgroup marker PLFAs except fungal PLFAs and by the decreased ratio of G+/G−, sat/monunsat, iso/anteiso, F/B except trans/cis while P. liquidambari inoculation enhanced N-fertilization effect except increased fungal PLFA and decreased trans/cis. PCA using identified marker PLFAs revealed definite discrimination among the treatments which further statistically confirmed structural changed of microbial community. Nitrogenase activity representative of N-fixing community decreased in N-fertilizer treatment while P. liquidambari inoculation increased. In short, application of P. liquidambari with low doses of N-fertilizer improved rice growth and reduced N-fertilizer requirement by increasing enzymes activities involved in C, N and P cycling, structural and functional diversity of microbes, nitrogenase activity involved in N2 fixation and accumulation of total-N. PMID:27596935

  9. Assessment of Nanobiotechnology-Targeted siRNA Designed to inhibit NF-kappaB Classical and Alternative Signaling in Breast Tumor Macrophages

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2013-07-01

    expression of key proteins within each pathway to examine their individual and combined roles with respect to potential breast cancer immunotherapy. We...selected as our initial targets the IKKβ activator (canonical) or p52 (alternative) proteins . In order to harness inhibition of these pathways to...intended to knockdown protein expression of NF-κB modulators with exceptional specificity for TAMs. TAM-specific nanoparticle targeting offers an

  10. Quantitation of fibroblast activation protein (FAP)-specific protease activity in mouse, baboon and human fluids and organs.

    PubMed

    Keane, Fiona M; Yao, Tsun-Wen; Seelk, Stefanie; Gall, Margaret G; Chowdhury, Sumaiya; Poplawski, Sarah E; Lai, Jack H; Li, Youhua; Wu, Wengen; Farrell, Penny; Vieira de Ribeiro, Ana Julia; Osborne, Brenna; Yu, Denise M T; Seth, Devanshi; Rahman, Khairunnessa; Haber, Paul; Topaloglu, A Kemal; Wang, Chuanmin; Thomson, Sally; Hennessy, Annemarie; Prins, John; Twigg, Stephen M; McLennan, Susan V; McCaughan, Geoffrey W; Bachovchin, William W; Gorrell, Mark D

    2013-01-01

    The protease fibroblast activation protein (FAP) is a specific marker of activated mesenchymal cells in tumour stroma and fibrotic liver. A specific, reliable FAP enzyme assay has been lacking. FAP's unique and restricted cleavage of the post proline bond was exploited to generate a new specific substrate to quantify FAP enzyme activity. This sensitive assay detected no FAP activity in any tissue or fluid of FAP gene knockout mice, thus confirming assay specificity. Circulating FAP activity was ∼20- and 1.3-fold less in baboon than in mouse and human plasma, respectively. Serum and plasma contained comparable FAP activity. In mice, the highest levels of FAP activity were in uterus, pancreas, submaxillary gland and skin, whereas the lowest levels were in brain, prostate, leukocytes and testis. Baboon organs high in FAP activity included skin, epididymis, bladder, colon, adipose tissue, nerve and tongue. FAP activity was greatly elevated in tumours and associated lymph nodes and in fungal-infected skin of unhealthy baboons. FAP activity was 14- to 18-fold greater in cirrhotic than in non-diseased human liver, and circulating FAP activity was almost doubled in alcoholic cirrhosis. Parallel DPP4 measurements concorded with the literature, except for the novel finding of high DPP4 activity in bile. The new FAP enzyme assay is the first to be thoroughly characterised and shows that FAP activity is measurable in most organs and at high levels in some. This new assay is a robust tool for specific quantitation of FAP enzyme activity in both preclinical and clinical samples, particularly liver fibrosis.

  11. Quantitation of fibroblast activation protein (FAP)-specific protease activity in mouse, baboon and human fluids and organs☆

    PubMed Central

    Keane, Fiona M.; Yao, Tsun-Wen; Seelk, Stefanie; Gall, Margaret G.; Chowdhury, Sumaiya; Poplawski, Sarah E.; Lai, Jack H.; Li, Youhua; Wu, Wengen; Farrell, Penny; Vieira de Ribeiro, Ana Julia; Osborne, Brenna; Yu, Denise M.T.; Seth, Devanshi; Rahman, Khairunnessa; Haber, Paul; Topaloglu, A. Kemal; Wang, Chuanmin; Thomson, Sally; Hennessy, Annemarie; Prins, John; Twigg, Stephen M.; McLennan, Susan V.; McCaughan, Geoffrey W.; Bachovchin, William W.; Gorrell, Mark D.

    2013-01-01

    The protease fibroblast activation protein (FAP) is a specific marker of activated mesenchymal cells in tumour stroma and fibrotic liver. A specific, reliable FAP enzyme assay has been lacking. FAP's unique and restricted cleavage of the post proline bond was exploited to generate a new specific substrate to quantify FAP enzyme activity. This sensitive assay detected no FAP activity in any tissue or fluid of FAP gene knockout mice, thus confirming assay specificity. Circulating FAP activity was ∼20- and 1.3-fold less in baboon than in mouse and human plasma, respectively. Serum and plasma contained comparable FAP activity. In mice, the highest levels of FAP activity were in uterus, pancreas, submaxillary gland and skin, whereas the lowest levels were in brain, prostate, leukocytes and testis. Baboon organs high in FAP activity included skin, epididymis, bladder, colon, adipose tissue, nerve and tongue. FAP activity was greatly elevated in tumours and associated lymph nodes and in fungal-infected skin of unhealthy baboons. FAP activity was 14- to 18-fold greater in cirrhotic than in non-diseased human liver, and circulating FAP activity was almost doubled in alcoholic cirrhosis. Parallel DPP4 measurements concorded with the literature, except for the novel finding of high DPP4 activity in bile. The new FAP enzyme assay is the first to be thoroughly characterised and shows that FAP activity is measurable in most organs and at high levels in some. This new assay is a robust tool for specific quantitation of FAP enzyme activity in both preclinical and clinical samples, particularly liver fibrosis. PMID:24371721

  12. Exceptional oxygen reduction reaction activity and durability of platinum–nickel nanowires through synthesis and post-treatment optimization

    DOE PAGES

    Alia, Shaun M.; Ngo, Chilan; Shulda, Sarah; ...

    2017-04-11

    For the first time, extended nanostructured catalysts are demonstrated with both high specific activity (>6000 μA cm Pt –2 at 0.9 V) and high surface areas (>90 m 2 g Pt –1). Platinum–nickel (Pt—Ni) nanowires, synthesized by galvanic displacement, have previously produced surface areas in excess of 90 m 2 g Pt –1, a significant breakthrough in and of itself for extended surface catalysts. Unfortunately, these materials were limited in terms of their specific activity and durability upon exposure to relevant electrochemical test conditions. Through a series of optimized postsynthesis steps, significant improvements were made to the activity (3-fold increasemore » in specific activity), durability (21% mass activity loss reduced to 3%), and Ni leaching (reduced from 7 to 0.3%) of the Pt—Ni nanowires. Finally, these materials show more than a 10-fold improvement in mass activity compared to that of traditional carbon-supported Pt nanoparticle catalysts and offer significant promise as a new class of electrocatalysts in fuel cell applications.« less

  13. Exceptional oxygen reduction reaction activity and durability of platinum–nickel nanowires through synthesis and post-treatment optimization

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Alia, Shaun M.; Ngo, Chilan; Shulda, Sarah

    For the first time, extended nanostructured catalysts are demonstrated with both high specific activity (>6000 μA cm Pt –2 at 0.9 V) and high surface areas (>90 m 2 g Pt –1). Platinum–nickel (Pt—Ni) nanowires, synthesized by galvanic displacement, have previously produced surface areas in excess of 90 m 2 g Pt –1, a significant breakthrough in and of itself for extended surface catalysts. Unfortunately, these materials were limited in terms of their specific activity and durability upon exposure to relevant electrochemical test conditions. Through a series of optimized postsynthesis steps, significant improvements were made to the activity (3-fold increasemore » in specific activity), durability (21% mass activity loss reduced to 3%), and Ni leaching (reduced from 7 to 0.3%) of the Pt—Ni nanowires. Finally, these materials show more than a 10-fold improvement in mass activity compared to that of traditional carbon-supported Pt nanoparticle catalysts and offer significant promise as a new class of electrocatalysts in fuel cell applications.« less

  14. 10 CFR 50.13 - Attacks and destructive acts by enemies of the United States; and defense activities.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... LICENSING OF PRODUCTION AND UTILIZATION FACILITIES Requirement of License, Exceptions § 50.13 Attacks and... construct and operate a production or utilization facility, or for an amendment to such license, is not required to provide for design features or other measures for the specific purpose of protection against...

  15. 12 CFR 269b.520 - Exceptions to hearing officer's report.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... fact and law relied on in support of the position taken on each question, with specific page reference... set forth specifically the questions of procedure, fact, law, or policy to which exceptions are taken...; (3) The exceptions shall designate by precise citation of page the portions of the record relied on...

  16. Is it meaningful to distinguish between generalized and specific Internet addiction? Evidence from a cross-cultural study from Germany, Sweden, Taiwan and China.

    PubMed

    Montag, Christian; Bey, Katharina; Sha, Peng; Li, Mei; Chen, Ya-Fei; Liu, Wei-Yin; Zhu, Yi-Kang; Li, Chun-Bo; Markett, Sebastian; Keiper, Julia; Reuter, Martin

    2015-03-01

    It has been hypothesized that two distinctive forms of Internet addiction exist. Here, generalized Internet addiction refers to the problematic use of the Internet covering a broad range of Internet-related activities. In contrast, specific forms of Internet addiction target the problematic use of distinct online activities such as excessive online video gaming or activities in social networks. The present study investigates the relationship between generalized and specific Internet addiction in a cross-cultural study encompassing data from China, Taiwan, Sweden and Germany in n = 636 participants. In this study, we assessed - besides generalized Internet addiction - addictive behavior in the domains of online video gaming, online shopping, online social networks and online pornography. The results confirm the existence of distinct forms of specific Internet addiction. One exception, however, was established in five of the six samples under investigation: online social network addiction correlates in large amounts with generalized Internet addiction. In general, it is of importance to distinguish between generalized and specific Internet addiction. Copyright © 2014 Wiley Publishing Asia Pty Ltd.

  17. Task-specific Dystonias

    PubMed Central

    Torres-Russotto, Diego; Perlmutter, Joel S.

    2009-01-01

    Task-specific dystonias are primary focal dystonias characterized by excessive muscle contractions producing abnormal postures during selective motor activities that often involve highly skilled, repetitive movements. Historically these peculiar postures were considered psychogenic but have now been classified as forms of dystonia. Writer’s cramp is the most commonly identified task-specific dystonia and has features typical of this group of disorders. Symptoms may begin with lack of dexterity during performance of a specific motor task with increasingly abnormal posturing of the involved body part as motor activity continues. Initially, the dystonia may manifest only during the performance of the inciting task, but as the condition progresses it may also occur during other activities or even at rest. Neurological exam is usually unremarkable except for the dystonia-related abnormalities. Although the precise pathophysiology remains unclear, increasing evidence suggests reduced inhibition at different levels of the sensorimotor system. Symptomatic treatment options include oral medications, botulinum toxin injections, neurosurgical procedures, and adaptive strategies. Prognosis may vary depending upon body part involved and specific type of task affected. Further research may reveal new insights into the etiology, pathophysiology, natural history, and improved treatment of these conditions. PMID:18990127

  18. Neuronal and Cardiovascular Potassium Channels as Therapeutic Drug Targets

    PubMed Central

    Humphries, Edward S. A.

    2015-01-01

    Potassium (K+) channels, with their diversity, often tissue-defined distribution, and critical role in controlling cellular excitability, have long held promise of being important drug targets for the treatment of dysrhythmias in the heart and abnormal neuronal activity within the brain. With the exception of drugs that target one particular class, ATP-sensitive K+ (KATP) channels, very few selective K+ channel activators or inhibitors are currently licensed for clinical use in cardiovascular and neurological disease. Here we review what a range of human genetic disorders have told us about the role of specific K+ channel subunits, explore the potential of activators and inhibitors of specific channel populations as a therapeutic strategy, and discuss possible reasons for the difficulty in designing clinically relevant K+ channel modulators. PMID:26303307

  19. 12 CFR 263.39 - Exceptions to recommended decision.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... exceptions and briefs in support of exceptions must set forth page or paragraph references to the specific parts of the administrative law judge's recommendations to which exception is taken, the page or...

  20. 12 CFR 263.39 - Exceptions to recommended decision.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... exceptions and briefs in support of exceptions must set forth page or paragraph references to the specific parts of the administrative law judge's recommendations to which exception is taken, the page or...

  1. Changes of circulatory and nervous diseases mortality patterns during periods of exceptional solar events

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Podolska, Katerina

    2017-04-01

    The paper contains a statistical analysis of exceptional solar events and daily numbers of deaths from diseases from ICD-10 group VI. Diseases of the nervous system, group IX. Diseases of the circulatory system, and overall daily numbers of deaths in the Czech Republic. It is demonstrated that neurological diseases exhibit greater instability during the period of rising and falling solar activity. Specifically, we study the daily number of deaths separately for both sexes at the age groups under 39 and 40+ during the Solar Cycles No. 23 and No. 24. We focus mainly on exceptional solar events such as a "Bastille Day event" on July 14, 2000 (class X5), "Halloween solar storm" on October 28, 2003 (class X17), and events on January 7, 1997, April 2, 2000 (class X20), or September 7, 2005 (class X15). Special attention is given to "St. Patrick's Day storm" on March 17, 2015, the strongest geomagnetic storm of the Solar Cycle No. 24 that occurred following a coronal mass ejection (CME). We investigate changes in daily numbers of deaths during 1 month before and 1 month after these exceptional solar events. We take specific storm dynamics of geophysical parameters into consideration, and we also apply the results of risky characteristics of expositions by ionospheric and geomagnetic parameters. It is verified that, for diseases of the nervous system, women are generally more sensitive than men. On the contrary, this differences between men and women are not found for diseases of the circulatory system. Our findings suggest that the impact of hazardous space weather conditions on human health depends on the specific course and strength of individual solar storm.

  2. Role of Proteases in Extra-Oral Digestion of a Predatory Bug, Andrallus spinidens

    PubMed Central

    Zibaee, Arash; Hoda, Hassan; Mahmoud, Fazeli-Dinan

    2012-01-01

    Roles of salivary proteases in the extra-oral digestion of the predatory bug, Andrallus spinidens Fabricius (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) were studied by using 2% azocasein as a general substrate and specific protease substrates, as well as synthetic and endogenous inhibitors. It was found that salivary glands of A. spinidens have two anterior, two lateral, and two posterior lobes. Azocasein was used to measure the activity of general proteases in the salivary glands using different buffer solutions. The enzyme had the highest activity at pH 8. General protease activity was highest at 40 °C and was stable for 6–16 hours. The use of specific substrates showed that trypsin-like, chymotrypsin-like, aminopeptidase, and carboxypeptidase are the active proteases present in salivary glands, by the maximum activity of trypsin-like protease in addition to their optimal pH between 8–9. Ca2+ and Mg2+ increased proteolytic activity about 216%, while other ions decreased it. Specific inhibitors including SBTI, PMSF, TLCK, and TPCK significantly decreased enzyme activity, as well as the specific inhibitors of methalloproteases including phenanthroline, EGTA, and TTHA. Extracted endogenous trypsin inhibitors extracted from potential prey, Chilo suppressalis, Naranga aenescens, Pieris brassicae, Hyphantria cunea, and Ephestia kuhniella, had different effects on trypsin-like protease activity of A. spinidens salivary glands. With the exception of C. suppressalis, the endogenous inhibitors significantly decreased enzyme activity in A. spinidens. PMID:22954419

  3. Effects of truncation of the peptide chain on the secondary structure and bioactivities of palmitoylated anoplin.

    PubMed

    Salas, Remmer L; Garcia, Jan Kathryne D L; Miranda, Ana Carmela R; Rivera, Windell L; Nellas, Ricky B; Sabido, Portia Mahal G

    2018-06-01

    Anoplin (GLLKRIKTLL-NH 2 ) is of current interest due to its short sequence and specificity towards bacteria. Recent studies on anoplin have shown that truncation and acylation compromises its antimicrobial activity and specificity, respectively. In this study, truncated analogues (pal-ano-9 to pal-ano-5) of palmitoylated anoplin (pal-anoplin) were synthesized to determine the effects of C-truncation on its bioactivities. Moreover, secondary structure of each analogue using circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy was determined to correlate with bioactivities. Interestingly, pal-anoplin, pal-ano-9 and pal-ano-6 were helical in water, unlike anoplin. In contrast, pal-ano-8, pal-ano-7 and pal-ano-5, with polar amino acid residues at the C-terminus, were random coil in water. Nevertheless, all the peptides folded into helical structures in 30% trifluoroethanol/water (TFE/H 2 O) except for the shortest analogue pal-ano-5. Hydrophobicity played a significant role in the enhancement of activity against bacteria E. coli and S. aureus as all lipopeptides including the random coil pal-ano-5 were more active than the parent anoplin. Meanwhile, the greatest improvement in activity against the fungus C. albicans was observed for pal-anoplin analogues (pal-ano-9 and pal-ano-6) that were helical in water. Although, hydrophobicity is a major factor in the secondary structure and antimicrobial activity, it appears that the nature of amino acids at the C-terminus also influence folding of lipopeptides in water and its antifungal activity. Moreover, the hemolytic activity of the analogues was found to correlate with hydrophobicity, except for the least hemolytic, pal-ano-5. Since most of the analogues are more potent and shorter than anoplin, they are promising drug candidates for further development. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Inc.

  4. 29 CFR 102.46 - Exceptions, cross-exceptions, briefs, answering briefs; time for filing; where to file; service...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... support of the position taken on each question, with specific page reference to the record and the legal... set forth specifically the questions of procedure, fact, law, or policy to which exception is taken...; (iii) shall designate by precise citation of page the portions of the record relied on; and (iv) shall...

  5. 29 CFR 102.46 - Exceptions, cross-exceptions, briefs, answering briefs; time for filing; where to file; service...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... support of the position taken on each question, with specific page reference to the record and the legal... set forth specifically the questions of procedure, fact, law, or policy to which exception is taken...; (iii) shall designate by precise citation of page the portions of the record relied on; and (iv) shall...

  6. What started your labor? Responses from mothers in the third pregnancy, infection, and nutrition study.

    PubMed

    Bovbjerg, Marit L; Evenson, Kelly R; Bradley, Chyrise; Thorp, John M

    2014-01-01

    Many behaviors and substances have been purported to induce labor. Using data from the Third Pregnancy, Infection, and Nutrition cohort, we focus on 663 women who experienced spontaneous labor. Of the women who reported a specific labor trigger, 32% reported physical activity (usually walking), 24% a clinician-mediated trigger, 19% a natural phenomenon, 14% some other physical trigger (including sexual activity), 12% reported ingesting something, 12% an emotional trigger, and 7% maternal illness. With the exceptions of walking and sexual intercourse, few women reported any one specific trigger, although various foods/substances were listed in the "ingesting something" category. Discussion of potential risks associated with "old wives' tale" ways to induce labor may be warranted as women approach term.

  7. Hierarchy within the mammary STAT5-driven Wap super-enhancer

    PubMed Central

    Zeng, Xianke; Wang, Chaochen; Metser, Gil; Hennighausen, Lothar

    2016-01-01

    Super-enhancers comprise of dense transcription factor platforms highly enriched for active chromatin marks. A paucity of functional data led us to investigate their role in the mammary gland, an organ characterized by exceptional gene regulatory dynamics during pregnancy. ChIP-Seq for the master regulator STAT5, the glucocorticoid receptor, H3K27ac and MED1, identified 440 mammary-specific super-enhancers, half of which were associated with genes activated during pregnancy. We interrogated the Wap super-enhancer, generating mice carrying mutations in STAT5 binding sites within its three constituent enhancers. Individually, only the most distal site displayed significant enhancer activity. However, combinatorial mutations showed that the 1,000-fold gene induction relied on all enhancers. Disabling the binding sites of STAT5, NFIB and ELF5 in the proximal enhancer incapacitated the entire super-enhancer, suggesting an enhancer hierarchy. The identification of mammary-specific super-enhancers and the mechanistic exploration of the Wap locus provide insight into the complexity of cell-specific and hormone-regulated genes. PMID:27376239

  8. Effect of Rhizosphere Enzymes on Phytoremediation in PAH-Contaminated Soil Using Five Plant Species

    PubMed Central

    Liu, Rui; Dai, Yuanyuan; Sun, Libo

    2015-01-01

    A pot experiment was performed to study the effectiveness of remediation using different plant species and the enzyme response involved in remediating PAH-contaminated soil. The study indicated that species Echinacea purpurea, Festuca arundinacea Schred, Fire Phoenix (a combined F. arundinacea), and Medicago sativa L. possess the potential for remediation in PAH-contaminated soils. The study also determined that enzymatic reactions of polyphenol oxidase (except Fire Phoenix), dehydrogenase (except Fire Phoenix), and urease (except Medicago sativa L.) were more prominent over cultivation periods of 60d and 120d than 150d. Urease activity of the tested species exhibited prominently linear negative correlations with alkali-hydrolyzable nitrogen content after the tested plants were cultivated for 150d (R2 = 0.9592). The experiment also indicated that alkaline phosphatase activity in four of the five tested species (Echinacea purpurea, Callistephus chinensis, Festuca arundinacea Schred and Fire Phoenix) was inhibited during the cultivation process (at 60d and 120d). At the same time, the study determined that the linear relationship between alkaline phosphatase activity and effective phosphorus content in plant rhizosphere soil exhibited a negative correlation after a growing period of 120d (R2 = 0.665). Phytoremediation of organic contaminants in the soil was closely related to specific characteristics of particular plant species, and the catalyzed reactions were the result of the action of multiple enzymes in the plant rhizosphere soil. PMID:25822167

  9. 12 CFR 1209.54 - Exceptions to recommended decision.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... exceptions must set forth page or paragraph references to the specific parts of the presiding officer's recommendations to which exception is taken, the page or paragraph references to those portions of the record.... Exceptions and briefs in support shall not exceed a total of 30 pages, except by leave of the Director on...

  10. 40 CFR 50.14 - Treatment of air quality monitoring data influenced by exceptional events.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... specific air pollution concentration at a particular air quality monitoring location. (2) Demonstration to... exceptional event caused a specific air pollution concentration in excess of one or more national ambient air... specific air pollution concentration in excess of one or more national ambient air quality standards at a...

  11. Gene–Physical Activity Interactions: Overview of Human Studies

    PubMed Central

    Rankinen, Tuomo; Bouchard, Claude

    2009-01-01

    Physical activity level is an important component of the total daily energy expenditure and as such contributes to body weight regulation. A body of data indicates that the level of physical activity plays a role in the risk of excessive weight gain, in weight loss programs, and particularly in the prevention of weight regain. Most studies dealing with potential gene–physical activity interaction effects use an exercise and fitness or performance paradigm as opposed to an obesity-driven model. From these studies, it is clear that there are considerable individual differences in the response to an exercise regimen and that there is a substantial familial aggregation component to the observed heterogeneity. Few studies have focused on the role of specific genes in accounting for the highly prevalent gene–exercise interaction effects. Results for specific genes have been inconsistent with few exceptions. Progress is likely to come when studies will be designed to truly address gene–exercise or physical activity interaction issues and with sample sizes that will provide adequate statistical power. PMID:19037212

  12. A mixed-method analysis of free-time involvement and motivation among adolescents in Cape Town, South Africa

    PubMed Central

    Palen, Lori-Ann; Caldwell, Linda L.; Smith, Edward A.; Gleeson, Sarah L.; Patrick, Megan E.

    2012-01-01

    Using focus group (N = 114) and survey (N = 946) data, this study employed Self-Determination Theory (SDT) as an organizing framework to examine free-time use and motivation among predominantly mixed-race adolescents from one area in South Africa. Adolescents reported participating in a broad range of activities, with socializing, media use, sports, risk behaviour, and performing arts being most frequently mentioned. All of the motivation types proposed by SDT were spontaneously mentioned by focus group participants. Free time was most strongly characterized by intrinsic motivations, such as competence, relatedness, and positive affect. Activities were also seen as a way to achieve outside goals. With few exceptions, multiple motivations were identified for the same activities, and specific motivations were reported across multiple activity types. The findings suggest that positive motivational experiences were not limited to a specific subset of activities. However, future longitudinal research on participation, motivation, and outcomes is needed to determine the developmental implications of different forms of free-time motivation. PMID:23055820

  13. Acid phosphatase activity in liver macrophage aggregates as a marker for pollution-induced immunomodulation of the non-specific immune response in fish

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Broeg, Katja

    2003-10-01

    The activity of acid phosphatase in liver macrophage aggregates (MA-AP) of different fish species was used as a marker for a pollution-induced modulation of the digestive capacity of phagocytes, since functions of the non-specific immune response play a central role in the maintenance of animals' health. Based upon the investigation of more than 900 individual flounders (Platichthys flesus) and mullets (Liza aurata), natural variations, gender-specific differences and pollution-induced alterations in AP activity are demonstrated in this study. MA-AP activity was dependent on temperature and season but, nevertheless, distinctions between differently polluted areas were visible in all sampling campaigns with lowest MA-AP activity in fish from the polluted areas of the German Bight and the Israeli coast of the Mediterranean Sea. For organochlorine contaminants, as well as for mercury and copper, a significant correlation could be observed between residue concentrations in fish tissues and MA-AP activity. In all cases, except mercury which showed a positive correlation, AP activity was suppressed in animals with a high contaminant burden. MA-AP activity turned out to give reliable and consistent results for a quantification of immunomodulation in both fish species.

  14. Structure-Activity Relationship Study on Isothiocyanates: Comparison of TRPA1-Activating Ability between Allyl Isothiocyanate and Specific Flavor Components of Wasabi, Horseradish, and White Mustard.

    PubMed

    Terada, Yuko; Masuda, Hideki; Watanabe, Tatsuo

    2015-08-28

    Allyl isothiocyanate (ITC) (4) is the main pungent component in wasabi, and it generates an acrid sensation by activating TRPA1. The flavor and pungency of ITCs vary depending on the compound. However, the differences in activity to activate TRPA1 between ITCs are not known except for a few compounds. To investigate the effect of carbon chain length and substituents of ITCs, the TRPA1-activiting ability of 16 ITCs was measured. Since most of the ITCs showed nearly equal TRPA1-activiting potency, the ITC moiety is likely the predominant contributor to their TRPA1-activating abilities, and contributions of other functional groups to their activities to activate TRPA1 are comparatively small.

  15. [An experimental study of effects of active-heating-system for extravehicular spacesuit gloves on working performance].

    PubMed

    Ding, Li; Han, Long-zhu; Yang, Chun-xin; Yang, Feng; Yuan, Xiu-gan

    2005-02-01

    To observe the effects of active heating system for spacesuit gloves on extravehicular working performance. After analyzing the factors with gloves influence on the working performance, the effects of active heating system for gloves were studied experimentally with aspects to fatigue, hand strength, dexterity and tactile sensing. 1) Heating-system had not influence to grip; 2) Heating-system had 17% influence to fatigue except specific person; 3) Nut assembly and nipping pin showed that heating-system had little influence to dexterity; 4) Apperceiving shape of object and two-point distance showed heating-system had little influence to tactility. The active heating method is rational and has little influence on working performance.

  16. Long-Term Kinetics of Serum and Xanthoma Cholesterol Radioactivity in Patients with Hypercholesterolemia

    PubMed Central

    Samuel, Paul; Perl, William; Holtzman, Charles M.; Rochman, Norman D.; Lieberman, Sidney

    1972-01-01

    In four patients with hypercholesterolemia (type II hyperlipoproteinemia) and xanthomatosis the decay of serum cholesterol specific activity was followed for 53-63 wk after pulse labeling. Specific activity of biopsied xanthoma cholesterol was measured four times in the course of the study. The xanthoma specific activity curve crossed and thereafter remained above the serum specific activity curve. The average ratio of xanthoma to serum specific activity was 4.7 at the end of the study. The final half-time of the xanthoma decay curves was significantly greater (average: 200 days) than the slowest half-time of serum specific activity decay (average: 93 days). The data were analyzed by input-output analysis and yielded the following results. The average value for the total input rate of body cholesterol (IT) (sum of dietary and biosynthesized cholesterol) was 1.29 g/day. The average size of the rapidly miscible pool of cholesterol (Ma) was 55.7 g. and of the total exchangeable body mass of cholesterol (M) 116.5 g. The average value of M - Ma (remaining exchangeable mass of cholesterol) was 60.8 g. The derived values for exchangeable masses of cholesterol, in the present patients with marked hypercholesterolemia, were significantly larger than in a group of patients with normal serum lipids in previous studies. One of the four patients died of a sudden acute myocardial infarction 53 wk after pulse labeling. Specific activity of aortic wall and atheroma cholesterol was 3.12 times that of serum. The ratio was close to 2 for adipose tissue and spleen, and was slightly above 1 or was close to unity in most other organs studied, with the exception of brain which showed a ratio of 0.19. PMID:5009114

  17. 12 CFR 19.39 - Exceptions to recommended decision.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... support of exceptions must set forth page or paragraph references to the specific parts of the administrative law judge's recommendations to which exception is taken, the page or paragraph references to those...

  18. 12 CFR 19.39 - Exceptions to recommended decision.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... support of exceptions must set forth page or paragraph references to the specific parts of the administrative law judge's recommendations to which exception is taken, the page or paragraph references to those...

  19. 12 CFR 19.39 - Exceptions to recommended decision.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... support of exceptions must set forth page or paragraph references to the specific parts of the administrative law judge's recommendations to which exception is taken, the page or paragraph references to those...

  20. 12 CFR 390.68 - Exceptions to recommended decision.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... support of exceptions must set forth page or paragraph references to the specific parts of the administrative law judge's recommendations to which exception is taken, the page or paragraph references to those...

  1. 12 CFR 19.39 - Exceptions to recommended decision.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... support of exceptions must set forth page or paragraph references to the specific parts of the administrative law judge's recommendations to which exception is taken, the page or paragraph references to those...

  2. Salinity dependent Na+-K+ATPase activity in gills of the euryhaline crab Chasmagnathus granulata.

    PubMed

    Schleich, C E; Goldemberg, L A; López Mañanes, A A

    2001-09-01

    The occurrence and response of Na+-K+ATPase specific activity to environmental salinity changes were studied in gill extracts of all of the gills of the euryhaline crab Chasmagnathus granulata from Mar Chiquita coastal lagoon (Buenos Aires Province, Argentina). All of the gills exhibited a salinity dependent Na+-K+ATPase activity, although the pattern of response to environmental salinity was different among gills. As described in other euryhaline crabs highest Na+-K+ATPase specific activity was found in posterior gills (6 to 8), which, with exception of gill 6, increased upon acclimation to reduced salinity. However, a high increase of activity also occurred in anterior gills (1 to 5) in diluted media. Furthermore, both short and long term differential changes of Na+-K+ATPase activity occurred among the gills after the transfer of crabs to reduced salinity. The fact that variations of Na+-K+ATPase activity in the gills were concomitant with the transition from osmoconformity to ionoregulation suggests that this enzyme is a component of the branchial ionoregulatory mechanisms at the biochemical level in this crab.

  3. 12 CFR 1780.54 - Exceptions to recommended decision.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... set forth page or paragraph references to the specific parts of the presiding officer's recommendations to which exception is taken, the page or paragraph references to those portions of the record.... Exceptions and briefs in support shall not exceed a total of 30 pages, except by leave of the Director on...

  4. 12 CFR 1780.54 - Exceptions to recommended decision.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... set forth page or paragraph references to the specific parts of the presiding officer's recommendations to which exception is taken, the page or paragraph references to those portions of the record.... Exceptions and briefs in support shall not exceed a total of 30 pages, except by leave of the Director on...

  5. Neural network versus activity-specific prediction equations for energy expenditure estimation in children.

    PubMed

    Ruch, Nicole; Joss, Franziska; Jimmy, Gerda; Melzer, Katarina; Hänggi, Johanna; Mäder, Urs

    2013-11-01

    The aim of this study was to compare the energy expenditure (EE) estimations of activity-specific prediction equations (ASPE) and of an artificial neural network (ANNEE) based on accelerometry with measured EE. Forty-three children (age: 9.8 ± 2.4 yr) performed eight different activities. They were equipped with one tri-axial accelerometer that collected data in 1-s epochs and a portable gas analyzer. The ASPE and the ANNEE were trained to estimate the EE by including accelerometry, age, gender, and weight of the participants. To provide the activity-specific information, a decision tree was trained to recognize the type of activity through accelerometer data. The ASPE were applied to the activity-type-specific data recognized by the tree (Tree-ASPE). The Tree-ASPE precisely estimated the EE of all activities except cycling [bias: -1.13 ± 1.33 metabolic equivalent (MET)] and walking (bias: 0.29 ± 0.64 MET; P < 0.05). The ANNEE overestimated the EE of stationary activities (bias: 0.31 ± 0.47 MET) and walking (bias: 0.61 ± 0.72 MET) and underestimated the EE of cycling (bias: -0.90 ± 1.18 MET; P < 0.05). Biases of EE in stationary activities (ANNEE: 0.31 ± 0.47 MET, Tree-ASPE: 0.08 ± 0.21 MET) and walking (ANNEE 0.61 ± 0.72 MET, Tree-ASPE: 0.29 ± 0.64 MET) were significantly smaller in the Tree-ASPE than in the ANNEE (P < 0.05). The Tree-ASPE was more precise in estimating the EE than the ANNEE. The use of activity-type-specific information for subsequent EE prediction equations might be a promising approach for future studies.

  6. 29 CFR 458.89 - Contents of exceptions to Administrative Law Judge's recommended decision and order.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ... Matters § 458.89 Contents of exceptions to Administrative Law Judge's recommended decision and order. (a) Exceptions to an Administrative Law Judge's recommended decision and order shall: (1) Set forth specifically... 29 Labor 2 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false Contents of exceptions to Administrative Law Judge's...

  7. 29 CFR 458.89 - Contents of exceptions to Administrative Law Judge's recommended decision and order.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ... Matters § 458.89 Contents of exceptions to Administrative Law Judge's recommended decision and order. (a) Exceptions to an Administrative Law Judge's recommended decision and order shall: (1) Set forth specifically... 29 Labor 2 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false Contents of exceptions to Administrative Law Judge's...

  8. 29 CFR 458.89 - Contents of exceptions to Administrative Law Judge's recommended decision and order.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ... Matters § 458.89 Contents of exceptions to Administrative Law Judge's recommended decision and order. (a) Exceptions to an Administrative Law Judge's recommended decision and order shall: (1) Set forth specifically... 29 Labor 2 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false Contents of exceptions to Administrative Law Judge's...

  9. 48 CFR 1509.507-2 - Contract clause.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-10-01

    ...) solicitations and contracts, except Site Specific solicitations and contracts. The term “RAC” in the Limitation of Future Contracting clauses includes not only RAC solicitations and contracts but other long term..., except site specific solicitations and contracts. The term “ERRS” in the Limitation of Future Contracting...

  10. 48 CFR 1509.507-2 - Contract clause.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-10-01

    ...) solicitations and contracts, except Site Specific solicitations and contracts. The term “RAC” in the Limitation of Future Contracting clauses includes not only RAC solicitations and contracts but other long term..., except site specific solicitations and contracts. The term “ERRS” in the Limitation of Future Contracting...

  11. 48 CFR 1509.507-2 - Contract clause.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ...) solicitations and contracts, except Site Specific solicitations and contracts. The term “RAC” in the Limitation of Future Contracting clauses includes not only RAC solicitations and contracts but other long term..., except site specific solicitations and contracts. The term “ERRS” in the Limitation of Future Contracting...

  12. 48 CFR 1509.507-2 - Contract clause.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-10-01

    ...) solicitations and contracts, except Site Specific solicitations and contracts. The term “RAC” in the Limitation of Future Contracting clauses includes not only RAC solicitations and contracts but other long term..., except site specific solicitations and contracts. The term “ERRS” in the Limitation of Future Contracting...

  13. 22 CFR 1423.27 - Contents of exceptions to the Administrative Law Judge's decision.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-04-01

    ... shall: (1) Set forth specifically the questions upon which exceptions are taken; (2) Identify that part... citation of page the portions of the record relied on, state the grounds for the exceptions, and include...

  14. 22 CFR 1423.27 - Contents of exceptions to the Administrative Law Judge's decision.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-04-01

    ... shall: (1) Set forth specifically the questions upon which exceptions are taken; (2) Identify that part... citation of page the portions of the record relied on, state the grounds for the exceptions, and include...

  15. 22 CFR 1423.27 - Contents of exceptions to the Administrative Law Judge's decision.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-04-01

    ... shall: (1) Set forth specifically the questions upon which exceptions are taken; (2) Identify that part... citation of page the portions of the record relied on, state the grounds for the exceptions, and include...

  16. A systematic review of job-specific workers' health surveillance activities for fire-fighting, ambulance, police and military personnel.

    PubMed

    Plat, M J; Frings-Dresen, M H W; Sluiter, J K

    2011-12-01

    Some occupations have tasks and activities that require monitoring safety and health aspects of the job; examples of such occupations are emergency services personnel and military personnel. The two objectives of this systematic review were to describe (1) the existing job-specific workers' health surveillance (WHS) activities and (2) the effectiveness of job-specific WHS interventions with respect to work functioning, for selected jobs. The search strategy systematically searched the PubMed, PsycINFO and OSH-update databases. The search strategy consisted of several synonyms of the job titles of interest, combined with synonyms for workers' health surveillance. The methodological quality was checked. At least one study was found for each of the following occupations fire fighters, ambulance personnel, police personnel and military personnel. For the first objective, 24 studies described several job-specific WHS activities aimed at aspects of psychological, 'physical' (energetic, biomechanical and balance), sense-related, environmental exposure or cardiovascular requirements. The seven studies found for the second objective measured different outcomes related to work functioning. The methodological quality of the interventions varied, but with the exception of one study, all scored over 55% of the maximum score. Six studies showed effectiveness on at least some of the defined outcomes. The studies described several job-specific interventions: a trauma resilience training, healthy lifestyle promotion, physical readiness training, respiratory muscle training, endurance and resistance training, a physical exercise programme and comparing vaccines. Several examples of job-specific WHS activities were found for the four occupations. Compared to studies focusing on physical tasks, a few studies were found that focus on psychological tasks. Effectiveness studies for job-specific WHS interventions were scarce, although their results were promising. We recommend studying job-specific WHS in effectiveness studies.

  17. Hierarchy within the mammary STAT5-driven Wap super-enhancer.

    PubMed

    Shin, Ha Youn; Willi, Michaela; HyunYoo, Kyung; Zeng, Xianke; Wang, Chaochen; Metser, Gil; Hennighausen, Lothar

    2016-08-01

    Super-enhancers comprise dense transcription factor platforms highly enriched for active chromatin marks. A paucity of functional data led us to investigate the role of super-enhancers in the mammary gland, an organ characterized by exceptional gene regulatory dynamics during pregnancy. ChIP-seq analysis for the master regulator STAT5A, the glucocorticoid receptor, H3K27ac and MED1 identified 440 mammary-specific super-enhancers, half of which were associated with genes activated during pregnancy. We interrogated the Wap super-enhancer, generating mice carrying mutations in STAT5-binding sites within its constituent enhancers. Individually, the most distal site displayed the greatest enhancer activity. However, combinatorial mutation analysis showed that the 1,000-fold induction in gene expression during pregnancy relied on all enhancers. Disabling the binding sites of STAT5, NFIB and ELF5 in the proximal enhancer incapacitated the entire super-enhancer. Altogether, these data suggest a temporal and functional enhancer hierarchy. The identification of mammary-specific super-enhancers and the mechanistic exploration of the Wap locus provide insights into the regulation of cell-type-specific expression of hormone-sensing genes.

  18. Chromatin structure of the LCR in the human β-globin locus transcribing the adult δ- and β-globin genes.

    PubMed

    Kim, Seoyeon; Kim, Yea Woon; Shim, Sung Han; Kim, Chul Geun; Kim, Aeri

    2012-03-01

    The β-like globin genes are transcribed in a developmental stage specific fashion in erythroid cells. The specific transcription of globin genes is conferred by the locus control region (LCR), but the chromatin structure of the LCR in the human adult β-globin locus transcribing the δ- and β-globin genes is not clear. Here, we employed hybrid MEL cells that contain a human chromosome 11. The δ- and β-globin genes were highly transcribed in hybrid MEL/ch11 cells after transcriptional induction. LCR HS3 and HS2 were strongly occupied by erythroid specific transcriptional activators and co-factors in the induced locus. These HSs, but not HS4 and HS1, were in close proximity with the active globin genes as revealed by high resolution 3C experiments. The active features at HS3 were markedly established after transcriptional induction, while HS2 was in a relatively active conformation before the induction. Unexpectedly, HS1 did not show notable active features except histone hyperacetylation. Taken together, the LCR of the human β-globin locus transcribing the adult δ- and β-globin genes has HS specific chromatin structure. The structure at each HS, which is different from the locus transcribing the fetal globin genes, might relate to its role in transcribing the adult genes. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  19. 18 CFR 385.2003 - Specifications (Rule 2003).

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... paper. (c) Filing via the Internet. (1) All documents filed under this Chapter may be filed via the Internet except those listed by the Secretary. Except as otherwise specifically provided in this Chapter, filing via the Internet is in lieu of other methods of filing. Internet filings must be made in...

  20. A Model of Twice-Exceptionality: Explaining and Defining the Apparent Paradoxical Combination of Disability and Giftedness in Childhood

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Ronksley-Pavia, Michelle

    2015-01-01

    The literature on twice-exceptionality suggests one of the main problems facing twice-exceptional children is that there is no consensus on the definition of the terms "disability" or "giftedness" and, consequently, the term "twice-exceptional". Endeavoring to define these specific terms loops back on itself to…

  1. 22 CFR 1423.28 - Briefs in support of exceptions; oppositions to exceptions; cross-exceptions.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-04-01

    ..., presenting clearly the points of fact and law relied on in support of the position taken on each question, with specific page reference to the transcript and the legal or other material relied on. (b) Any party...

  2. 22 CFR 1423.28 - Briefs in support of exceptions; oppositions to exceptions; cross-exceptions.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-04-01

    ..., presenting clearly the points of fact and law relied on in support of the position taken on each question, with specific page reference to the transcript and the legal or other material relied on. (b) Any party...

  3. 22 CFR 1423.28 - Briefs in support of exceptions; oppositions to exceptions; cross-exceptions.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-04-01

    ..., presenting clearly the points of fact and law relied on in support of the position taken on each question, with specific page reference to the transcript and the legal or other material relied on. (b) Any party...

  4. 16 CFR 313.13 - Exception to opt out requirements for service providers and joint marketing.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... 16 Commercial Practices 1 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Exception to opt out requirements for service providers and joint marketing. 313.13 Section 313.13 Commercial Practices FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION REGULATIONS UNDER SPECIFIC ACTS OF CONGRESS PRIVACY OF CONSUMER FINANCIAL INFORMATION Exceptions § 313.13 Exception to opt out requirements for...

  5. Roles of Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Phosphate (NADPH) Oxidase in Angiogenesis: Isoform-Specific Effects

    PubMed Central

    Wang, Haibo; Hartnett, M. Elizabeth

    2017-01-01

    Angiogenesis is the formation of new blood vessels from preexisting ones and is implicated in physiologic vascular development, pathologic blood vessel growth, and vascular restoration. This is in contrast to vasculogenesis, which is de novo growth of vessels from vascular precursors, or from vascular repair that occurs when circulating endothelial progenitor cells home into an area and develop into blood vessels. The objective of this review is to discuss the isoform-specific role of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase (NOX) in physiologic and pathologic angiogenesis and vascular repair, but will not specifically address vasculogenesis. As the major source of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in vascular endothelial cells (ECs), NOX has gained increasing attention in angiogenesis. Activation of NOX leads to events necessary for physiologic and pathologic angiogenesis, including EC migration, proliferation and tube formation. However, activation of different NOX isoforms has different effects in angiogenesis. Activation of NOX2 promotes pathologic angiogenesis and vascular inflammation, but may be beneficial in revascularization in the hindlimb ischemic model. In contrast, activation of NOX4 appears to promote physiologic angiogenesis mainly by protecting the vasculature during ischemia, hypoxia and inflammation and by restoring vascularization, except in models of oxygen-induced retinopathy and diabetes where NOX4 activation leads to pathologic angiogenesis. PMID:28587189

  6. 40 CFR 158.2150 - Microbial pesticides nontarget organisms and environmental fate data requirements table.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ... product. Notes that apply to an individual test including specific conditions, qualifications, or exceptions to the designated test are listed in paragraph (e) of this section. (b) Use patterns. Aquatic uses... ingredient; All=All of the above. Specific conditions, qualifications, or exceptions to the designated test...

  7. 49 CFR 105.35 - Serving documents in PHMSA proceedings.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... following methods, except where a different method of service is specifically required: (1) Registered or... document by one of the following methods, except where a different method of service is specifically... at http://www.regulations.gov. [67 FR 42951, June 25, 2002, as amended at 72 FR 55682, Oct. 1, 2007] ...

  8. Laboratory investigations of the trail-following responses of four species of leaf-cutting ants with notes on the specificity of a trail pheromone of Atta texana (Buckley)

    Treesearch

    S. W. Robinson; John C. Moser; M. S. Blum; E. Amante

    1974-01-01

    Interspecific trail following activity of poison sac contents from four species of leaf-cutting ants was investigated. with only one exception, all the species teste followed trails made from each others poison sac contents. however when the ants were given a choice of following one of two separate trails, clear differences were shown in the poison sac contents of the...

  9. 26 CFR 1.367(a)-2 - Exception for transfers of property for use in the active conduct of a trade or business.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-04-01

    ... 26 Internal Revenue 4 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false Exception for transfers of property for use in the active conduct of a trade or business. 1.367(a)-2 Section 1.367(a)-2 Internal Revenue INTERNAL...) Effects on Corporation § 1.367(a)-2 Exception for transfers of property for use in the active conduct of a...

  10. Effect of seasonality and Cr(VI) on starch-sucrose partitioning and related enzymes in floating leaves of Salvinia minima.

    PubMed

    Rosa, Mariana; Prado, Carolina; Chocobar-Ponce, Silvana; Pagano, Eduardo; Prado, Fernando

    2017-09-01

    Effects of seasonality and increasing Cr(VI) concentrations on leaf starch-sucrose partitioning, sucrose- and starch-related enzyme activities, and carbon allocation toward leaf development were analyzed in fronds (floating leaves) of the floating fern Salvinia minima. Carbohydrates and enzyme activities of Cr-exposed fronds showed different patterns in winter and summer. Total soluble sugars, starch, glucose and fructose increased in winter fronds, while sucrose was higher in summer ones. Starch and soluble carbohydrates, except glucose, increased under increasing Cr(VI) concentrations in winter fronds, while in summer ones only sucrose increased under Cr(VI) treatment. In summer fronds starch, total soluble sugars, fructose and glucose practically stayed without changes in all assayed Cr(VI) concentrations. Enzyme activities related to starch and sucrose metabolisms (e.g. ADPGase, SPS, SS and AI) were higher in winter fronds than in summer ones. Total amylase and cFBPase activities were higher in summer fronds. Cr(VI) treatment increased enzyme activities, except ADPGase, in both winter and summer fronds but no clear pattern changes were observed. Data of this study show clearly that carbohydrate metabolism is differently perturbed by both seasonality and Cr(VI) treatment in summer and winter fronds, which affects leaf starch-sucrose partitioning and specific leaf area (SLA) in terms of carbon investment. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

  11. Protein Stabilization and Enzyme Activation in Ionic Liquids: Specific Ion Effects

    PubMed Central

    Zhao, Hua

    2015-01-01

    There are still debates on whether the hydration of ions perturbs the water structure, and what is the degree of such disturbance; therefore, the origin of Hofmeister effect on protein stabilization continues being questioned. For this reason, it is suggested to use the ‘specific ion effect’ instead of other misleading terms such as Hofmeister effect, Hofmeister series, lyotropic effect, and lyotropic series. In this review, we firstly discuss the controversial aspect of inorganic ion effects on water structures, and several possible contributors to the specific ion effect of protein stability. Due to recent overwhelming attraction of ionic liquids (ILs) as benign solvents in many enzymatic reactions, we further evaluate the structural properties and molecular-level interactions in neat ILs and their aqueous solutions. Next, we systematically compare the specific ion effects of ILs on enzyme stability and activity, and conclude that (a) the specificity of many enzymatic systems in diluted aqueous IL solutions is roughly in line with the traditional Hofmeister series albeit some exceptions; (b) however, the specificity follows a different track in concentrated or neat ILs because other factors (such as hydrogen-bond basicity, nucelophilicity, and hydrophobicity, etc) are playing leading roles. In addition, we demonstrate some examples of biocatalytic reactions in IL systems that are guided by the empirical specificity rule. PMID:26949281

  12. 49 CFR 172.519 - General specifications for placards.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... meeting the specifications of this section which were in effect on October 1, 2001, (such as, a placard... 12.7 mm (0.5 inches) from each edge. (2) Except as otherwise provided in this subpart, the hazard... to the edge of the placard in the area designated on each placard except the color on the CORROSIVE...

  13. 49 CFR 172.519 - General specifications for placards.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-10-01

    ... meeting the specifications of this section which were in effect on October 1, 2001, (such as, a placard... 12.7 mm (0.5 inches) from each edge. (2) Except as otherwise provided in this subpart, the hazard... to the edge of the placard in the area designated on each placard except the color on the CORROSIVE...

  14. 49 CFR 172.519 - General specifications for placards.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-10-01

    ... meeting the specifications of this section which were in effect on October 1, 2001, (such as, a placard... 12.7 mm (0.5 inches) from each edge. (2) Except as otherwise provided in this subpart, the hazard... to the edge of the placard in the area designated on each placard except the color on the CORROSIVE...

  15. 49 CFR 172.519 - General specifications for placards.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-10-01

    ... meeting the specifications of this section which were in effect on October 1, 2001, (such as, a placard... 12.7 mm (0.5 inches) from each edge. (2) Except as otherwise provided in this subpart, the hazard... to the edge of the placard in the area designated on each placard except the color on the CORROSIVE...

  16. Transcriptionally Active Heterochromatin in Rye B Chromosomes[W

    PubMed Central

    Carchilan, Mariana; Delgado, Margarida; Ribeiro, Teresa; Costa-Nunes, Pedro; Caperta, Ana; Morais-Cecílio, Leonor; Jones, R. Neil; Viegas, Wanda; Houben, Andreas

    2007-01-01

    B chromosomes (Bs) are dispensable components of the genomes of numerous species. Thus far, there is a lack of evidence for any transcripts of Bs in plants, with the exception of some rDNA sequences. Here, we show that the Giemsa banding-positive heterochromatic subterminal domain of rye (Secale cereale) Bs undergoes decondensation during interphase. Contrary to the heterochromatic regions of A chromosomes, this domain is simultaneously marked by trimethylated H3K4 and by trimethylated H3K27, an unusual combination of apparently conflicting histone modifications. Notably, both types of B-specific high copy repeat families (E3900 and D1100) of the subterminal domain are transcriptionally active, although with different tissue type–dependent activity. No small RNAs were detected specifically for the presence of Bs. The lack of any significant open reading frame and the highly heterogeneous size of mainly polyadenylated transcripts indicate that the noncoding RNA may function as structural or catalytic RNA. PMID:17586652

  17. Syncope or seizure? The diagnostic value of the EEG and hyperventilation test in transient loss of consciousness.

    PubMed Central

    Hoefnagels, W A; Padberg, G W; Overweg, J; Roos, R A; van Dijk, J G; Kamphuisen, H A

    1991-01-01

    In a prospective study of consecutive patients (age 15 or over) with transient loss of consciousness 45 patients had a history of seizure and 74 patients had a history of syncope. All patients had an EEG, ECG, laboratory tests and a hyperventilation test and were followed for an average of 14.5 months. Epileptiform activity in the interictal EEG had a sensitivity of 0.40 and a specificity of 0.95 for the diagnosis of a seizure. Epileptiform activity nearly doubled the probability of a seizure in doubtful cases. If no epileptiform activity was found, this probability remained substantially the same. The hyperventilation test had a sensitivity of 0.57 and a specificity of 0.84 for the diagnosis of syncope. A positive test increased the probability of syncope half as much in doubtful cases. A negative test did not exclude syncope. Laboratory tests were not helpful except for an ECG which was helpful in elderly patients. PMID:1800665

  18. Application Protocol, Initial Graphics Exchange Specification (IGES), Layered Electrical Product

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    O`Connell, L.J.

    1994-12-01

    An application protocol is an information systems engineering view of a specific product The view represents an agreement on the generic activities needed to design and fabricate the product the agreement on the information needed to support those activities, and the specific constructs of a product data standard for use in transferring some or all of the information required. This application protocol describes the data for electrical and electronic products in terms of a product description standard called the Initial Graphics Exchange Specification (IGES). More specifically, the Layered Electrical Product IGES Application Protocol (AP) specifies the mechanisms for defining andmore » exchanging computer-models and their associated data for those products which have been designed in two dimensional geometry so as to be produced as a series of layers in IGES format The AP defines the appropriateness of the data items for describing the geometry of the various parts of a product (shape and location), the connectivity, and the processing and material characteristics. Excluded is the behavioral requirements which the product was intended to satisfy, except as those requirements have been recorded as design rules or product testing requirements.« less

  19. Layered Electrical Product Application Protocol (AP). Draft: Initial Graphics Exchange Specification (IGES)

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Not Available

    1994-09-01

    An application protocol is an information systems engineering view of a specific product. The view represents an agreement on the generic activities needed to design and fabricate the product, the agreement on the information needed to support those activities, and the specific constructs of a product data standard for use in transfering some or all of the information required. This applications protocol describes the data for electrical and electronic products in terms of a product description standard called the Initial Graphics Exchange Specification (IGES). More specifically, the Layered Electrical Product IGES Application Protocol (AP) specifies the mechanisms for defining andmore » exchanging computer-models and their associated data for those products which have been designed in two dimensional geometry so as to be produced as a series of layers in IGES format. The AP defines the appropriateness of the data items for describing the geometry of the various parts of a product (shape and location), the connectivity, and the processing and material characteristics. Excluded is the behavioral requirements which the product was intended to satisfy, except as those requirements have been recorded as design rules or product testing requirements.« less

  20. Synergistic anti-tumor therapy by a comb-like multifunctional antibody nanoarray with exceptionally potent activity

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Li, Huafei; Sun, Yun; Chen, Di; Zhao, He; Zhao, Mengxin; Zhu, Xiandi; Ke, Changhong; Zhang, Ge; Jiang, Cheng; Zhang, Li; Zhang, Fulei; Wei, Huafeng; Li, Wei

    2015-10-01

    Simultaneously blocking multiple mediators offers new hope for the treatment of complex diseases. However, the curative potential of current combination therapy by chronological administration of separate monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) or multi-specific mAbs is still moderate due to inconvenient manipulation, low cooperative effectors, poor pharmacokinetics and insufficient tumor accumulation. Here, we describe a facile strategy that arms distinct mAbs with cooperative effectors onto a long chain to form a multicomponent comb-like nano mAb. Unlike dissociative parental mAbs, the multifunctional mAb nanoarray (PL-RB) constructed from type I/II anti-CD20 mAbs shows good pharmacokinetics. This PL-RB simultaneously targets distinct epitopes on a single antigen (Ag) and neighboring Ags on different lymphocytes. This unique intra- and intercellular Ag cross-linking endows the multifunctional mAb nanoarray with potent apoptosis activity. The exceptional apoptosis, complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC), antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) that are synchronously evoked by the nano PL-RB are further synergistically promoted via enhanced permeability and retention (EPR), which resulted in high intratumor accumulation and excellent anti-lymphoma efficiency.

  1. Synergistic anti-tumor therapy by a comb-like multifunctional antibody nanoarray with exceptionally potent activity.

    PubMed

    Li, Huafei; Sun, Yun; Chen, Di; Zhao, He; Zhao, Mengxin; Zhu, Xiandi; Ke, Changhong; Zhang, Ge; Jiang, Cheng; Zhang, Li; Zhang, Fulei; Wei, Huafeng; Li, Wei

    2015-10-28

    Simultaneously blocking multiple mediators offers new hope for the treatment of complex diseases. However, the curative potential of current combination therapy by chronological administration of separate monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) or multi-specific mAbs is still moderate due to inconvenient manipulation, low cooperative effectors, poor pharmacokinetics and insufficient tumor accumulation. Here, we describe a facile strategy that arms distinct mAbs with cooperative effectors onto a long chain to form a multicomponent comb-like nano mAb. Unlike dissociative parental mAbs, the multifunctional mAb nanoarray (PL-RB) constructed from type I/II anti-CD20 mAbs shows good pharmacokinetics. This PL-RB simultaneously targets distinct epitopes on a single antigen (Ag) and neighboring Ags on different lymphocytes. This unique intra- and intercellular Ag cross-linking endows the multifunctional mAb nanoarray with potent apoptosis activity. The exceptional apoptosis, complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC), antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) that are synchronously evoked by the nano PL-RB are further synergistically promoted via enhanced permeability and retention (EPR), which resulted in high intratumor accumulation and excellent anti-lymphoma efficiency.

  2. Biochemical and molecular characterization of the isocitrate dehydrogenase with dual coenzyme specificity from the obligate methylotroph Methylobacillus Flagellatus.

    PubMed

    Romkina, Anastasia Y; Kiriukhin, Michael Y

    2017-01-01

    The isocitrate dehydrogenase (MfIDH) with unique double coenzyme specificity from Methylobacillus flagellatus was purified and characterized, and its gene was cloned and overexpressed in E. coli as a fused protein. This enzyme is homodimeric,-with a subunit molecular mass of 45 kDa and a specific activity of 182 U mg -1 with NAD+ and 63 U mg -1 with NADP+. The MfIDH activity was dependent on divalent cations and Mn2+ enhanced the activity the most effectively. MfIDH exhibited a cofactor-dependent pH-activity profile. The optimum pH values were 8.5 (NAD+) and 6.0 (NADP+).The Km values for NAD+ and NADP+ were 113 μM and 184 μM respectively, while the Km values for DL-isocitrate were 9.0 μM (NAD+), 8.0 μM (NADP+). The MfIDH specificity (kcat/Km) was only 5-times higher for NAD+ than for NADP+. The purified MfIDH displayed maximal activity at 60°C. Heat-inactivation studies showed that the MfIDH was remarkably thermostable, retaining full activity at 50°C and losting ca. 50% of its activity after one hour of incubation at 75°C. The enzyme was insensitive to the presence of intermediate metabolites, with the exception of 2 mM ATP, which caused 50% inhibition of NADP+-linked activity. The indispensability of the N6 amino group of NAD(P)+ in its binding to MfIDH was demonstrated. MfIDH showed high sequence similarity with bacterial NAD(P)+-dependent type I isocitrate dehydrogenases (IDHs) rather than with eukaryotic NAD+-dependent IDHs. The unique double coenzyme specificity of MfIDH potentially resulted from the Lys340, Ile341 and Ala347 residues in the coenzyme-binding site of the enzyme. The discovery of a type I IDH with double coenzyme specificity elucidates the evolution of this subfamily IDHs and may provide fundamental information for engineering enzymes with desired properties.

  3. Enzymatic specificity of three ribosome-inactivating proteins against fungal ribosomes, and correlation with antifungal activity.

    PubMed

    Park, Sang-Wook; Stevens, Noah M; Vivanco, Jorge M

    2002-12-01

    Ribosome-inactivating proteins (RIPs) are enzymes that cleave a specific adenine base from the highly conserved sarcin/ricin (S/R) loop of the large ribosomal RNA, thus arresting protein synthesis at the translocation step. In the present study, we employed three RIPs to dissect the antifungal activity of RIPs as plant defense proteins. We measured the catalytic activity of RAT (the catalytic A-chain of ricin from Ricinus communis L.), saporin-S6 (from Saponaria officinalis L.), and ME (RIP from Mirabilis expansa R&P) against intact ribosomal substrates isolated from various pathogenic fungi. We further determined the enzymatic specificity of these three RIPs against fungal ribosomes, from Rhizoctonia solani Kuhn, Alternaria solani Sorauer, Trichoderma reesei Simmons and Candida albicans Berkhout, and correlated the data with antifungal activity. RAT showed the strongest toxicity against all tested fungal ribosomes, except for the ribosomes isolated from C. albicans, which were most susceptible to saporin. RAT and saporin showed higher enzymatic activity than ME against ribosomes from all of the fungal species assayed, but did not show detectable antifungal activity. In contrast, ME showed substantial inhibitory activity against fungal growth. Using N-hydroxysuccinimide-fluorescein labeling of RIPs and fluorescence microscopy, we determined that ME was targeted to the surface of fungal cells and transferred into the cells. Thus, ME caused ribosome depurination and subsequent fungal mortality. In contrast, saporin did not interact with fungal cells, correlating with its lack of antifungal activity.

  4. Characterization of the Serratia marcescens SdeCDE multidrug efflux pump studied via gene knockout mutagenesis.

    PubMed

    Begic, Sanela; Worobec, Elizabeth A

    2008-05-01

    Serratia marcescens is an important nosocomial agent having high antibiotic resistance. A major mechanism for S. marcescens antibiotic resistance is active efflux. To ascertain the substrate specificity of the S. marcescens SdeCDE efflux pump, we constructed pump gene deletion mutants. sdeCDE knockout strains showed no change in antibiotic susceptibility in comparison with the parental strains for any of the substrates, with the exception of novobiocin. In addition, novobiocin was the only antibiotic to be accumulated by sdeCDE-deficient strains. Based on the substrates used in our study, we conclude that SdeCDE is a Resistance-Nodulation-Cell Division family pump with limited substrate specificity.

  5. Does the presence and mix of destinations influence walking and physical activity?

    PubMed

    King, Tania Louise; Bentley, Rebecca Jodie; Thornton, Lukar Ezra; Kavanagh, Anne Marie

    2015-09-17

    Local destinations have previously been shown to be associated with higher levels of both physical activity and walking, but little is known about how specific destinations are related to activity. This study examined associations between types and mix of destinations and both walking frequency and physical activity. The sample consisted of 2349 residents of 50 urban areas in metropolitan Melbourne, Australia. Using geographic information systems, seven types of destinations were examined within three network buffers (400 meters (m), 800 m and 1200 m) of respondents' homes. Multilevel logistic regression was used to estimate effects of each destination type separately, as well as destination mix (variety) on: 1) likelihood of walking for at least 10 min ≥ 4/week; 2) likelihood of being sufficiently physically active. All models were adjusted for potential confounders. All destination types were positively associated with walking frequency, and physical activity sufficiency at 1200 m. For the 800 m buffer: all destinations except transport stops and sports facilities were significantly associated with physical activity, while all except sports facilities were associated with walking frequency; at 400 m, café/takeaway food stores and transport stops were associated with walking frequency and physical activity sufficiency, and sports facilities were also associated with walking frequency. Strongest associations for both outcomes were observed for community resources and small food stores at both 800 m and 1200 m. For all buffer distances: greater mix was associated with greater walking frequency. Inclusion of walking in physical activity models led to attenuation of associations. The results of this analysis indicate that there is an association between destinations and both walking frequency and physical activity sufficiency, and that this relationship varies by destination type. It is also clear that greater mix of destinations positively predicts walking frequency and physical activity sufficiency.

  6. 12 CFR 908.64 - Exceptions to recommended decision.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... forth page or paragraph references to the specific parts of the presiding officer's recommendations to which exception is taken, the page or paragraph references to those portions of the record relied upon... and briefs in support shall not exceed a total of 30 pages, except by leave of the Finance Board on...

  7. 12 CFR 908.64 - Exceptions to recommended decision.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... forth page or paragraph references to the specific parts of the presiding officer's recommendations to which exception is taken, the page or paragraph references to those portions of the record relied upon... and briefs in support shall not exceed a total of 30 pages, except by leave of the Finance Board on...

  8. 77 FR 29680 - Buy American Exceptions Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2012-05-18

    ... Recovery Formula and Competition (CFRFC) grant funds. Specifically, an exception was granted to the Hammond... American Heartland Homes One project. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Donald J. LaVoy, Deputy Assistant..., using CFRFC grant funds, in connection with the American Heartland Homes One project. The exception was...

  9. The role of the left anterior temporal lobe in exception word reading: reconciling patient and neuroimaging findings.

    PubMed

    Wilson, Maximiliano A; Joubert, Sven; Ferré, Perrine; Belleville, Sylvie; Ansaldo, Ana Inés; Joanette, Yves; Rouleau, Isabelle; Brambati, Simona Maria

    2012-05-01

    Semantic dementia (SD) is a neurodegenerative disease that occurs following the atrophy of the anterior temporal lobes (ATLs). It is characterised by the degradation of semantic knowledge and difficulties in reading exception words (surface dyslexia). This disease has highlighted the role of the ATLs in the process of exception word reading. However, imaging studies in healthy subjects have failed to detect activation of the ATLs during exception word reading. The aim of the present study was to test whether the functional brain regions that mediate exception word reading in normal readers overlap those brain regions atrophied in SD. In Study One, we map the brain regions of grey matter atrophy in AF, a patient with mild SD and surface dyslexia profile. In Study Two, we map the activation pattern associated with exception word compared to pseudoword reading in young, healthy participants using fMRI. The results revealed areas of significant activation in healthy subjects engaged in the exception word reading task in the left anterior middle temporal gyrus, in a region observed to be atrophic in the patient AF. These results reconcile neuropsychological and functional imaging data, revealing the critical role of the left ATL in exception word reading. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  10. INSECTICIDAL AND OXIDATIVE EFFECTS OF AZADIRACHTIN ON THE MODEL ORGANISM Galleria mellonella L. (LEPIDOPTERA: PYRALIDAE).

    PubMed

    Dere, Beyza; Altuntaş, Hülya; Nurullahoğlu, Z Ulya

    2015-07-01

    The insecticidal effects, specifically, changes in hemolymph total protein and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, and antioxidant enzyme activities of azadirachtin (AZA) given to the wax moth, Galleria mellonella L. (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) larvae via force feeding were investigated. Bioassays showed that the LD50 and LD99 (lethal dose) values of AZA were 2.1 and 4.6 μg/larva, respectively. Experimental analyses were performed with five doses of AZA (0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, and 3 μg/larva). Total protein level in larval hemolymph increased at all AZA doses at 24 h whereas a considerable decrease was observed at 2 and 3 μg/larva doses, and only an increase displayed at 1.5 μg/larva at 72 h. The level of MDA increased at 2 and 3 μg/larva doses at 24 h compared with controls. This trend was also observed at 1.5, 2, and 3 μg/larva doses at 72 h and MDA levels were lower when compared with those of 24 h at all doses except for 1.5 μg/larva dose. Catalase activity decreased at 1, 1.5, and 2 μg/larva doses at 24 h whereas increased at all doses except for 0.5 μg/larva at 72 h compared with controls. AZA led to a decline in superoxide dismutase activity at all experimental doses at 24 and 72 h except for 3 μg/larva doses at 72 h. An increase in glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activity was evident at all AZA doses at 24 h. AZA displayed 68% decline in GST activity at 72 h post treatments when compared to 24 h. Consequently, We infer that the toxicity of AZA extends beyond its known actions in molting processes to redox homeostasis. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  11. Prefusion F-specific antibodies determine the magnitude of RSV neutralizing activity in human sera.

    PubMed

    Ngwuta, Joan O; Chen, Man; Modjarrad, Kayvon; Joyce, M Gordon; Kanekiyo, Masaru; Kumar, Azad; Yassine, Hadi M; Moin, Syed M; Killikelly, April M; Chuang, Gwo-Yu; Druz, Aliaksandr; Georgiev, Ivelin S; Rundlet, Emily J; Sastry, Mallika; Stewart-Jones, Guillaume B E; Yang, Yongping; Zhang, Baoshan; Nason, Martha C; Capella, Cristina; Peeples, Mark E; Ledgerwood, Julie E; McLellan, Jason S; Kwong, Peter D; Graham, Barney S

    2015-10-14

    Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is estimated to claim more lives among infants <1 year old than any other single pathogen, except malaria, and poses a substantial global health burden. Viral entry is mediated by a type I fusion glycoprotein (F) that transitions from a metastable prefusion (pre-F) to a stable postfusion (post-F) trimer. A highly neutralization-sensitive epitope, antigenic site Ø, is found only on pre-F. We determined what fraction of neutralizing (NT) activity in human sera is dependent on antibodies specific for antigenic site Ø or other antigenic sites on F in healthy subjects from ages 7 to 93 years. Adsorption of individual sera with stabilized pre-F protein removed >90% of NT activity and depleted binding antibodies to both F conformations. In contrast, adsorption with post-F removed ~30% of NT activity, and binding antibodies to pre-F were retained. These findings were consistent across all age groups. Protein competition neutralization assays with pre-F mutants in which sites Ø or II were altered to knock out binding of antibodies to the corresponding sites showed that these sites accounted for ~35 and <10% of NT activity, respectively. Binding competition assays with monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) indicated that the amount of site Ø-specific antibodies correlated with NT activity, whereas the magnitude of binding competed by site II mAbs did not correlate with neutralization. Our results indicate that RSV NT activity in human sera is primarily derived from pre-F-specific antibodies, and therefore, inducing or boosting NT activity by vaccination will be facilitated by using pre-F antigens that preserve site Ø. Copyright © 2015, American Association for the Advancement of Science.

  12. Putative storage root specific promoters from cassava and yam: cloning and evaluation in transgenic carrots as a model system.

    PubMed

    Arango, Jacobo; Salazar, Bertha; Welsch, Ralf; Sarmiento, Felipe; Beyer, Peter; Al-Babili, Salim

    2010-06-01

    A prerequisite for biotechnological improvements of storage roots is the availability of tissue-specific promoters enabling high expression of transgenes. In this work, we cloned two genomic fragments, pMe1 and pDJ3S, controlling the expression of a gene with unknown function from cassava (Manihot esculenta) and of the storage protein dioscorin 3 small subunit gene from yam (Dioscorea japonica), respectively. Using beta-glucuronidase as a reporter, the activities of pMe1 and pDJ3S were evaluated in independent transgenic carrot lines and compared to the constitutive CaMV35S and the previously described cassava p15 promoters. Activities of pMe1 and pDJ3S in storage roots were assessed using quantitative GUS assays that showed pDJ3S as the most active one. To determine organ specificities, uidA transcript levels in leaves, stems and roots were measured by real-time RT-PCR analyses showing highest storage root specificity for pDJ3S. Root cross sections revealed that pMe1 was highly active in secondary xylem. In contrast, pDJ3S was active in all root tissues except for the central xylem. The expression patterns caused by the cassava p15 promoter in carrot storage roots were consistent with its previously described activities for the original storage organ. Our data demonstrate that the pDJ3S and, to a lesser extent, the pMe1 regulatory sequences represent feasible candidates to drive high and preferential expression of genes in carrot storage roots.

  13. 46 CFR 97.15-1 - Application.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ..., Drills, and Inspections § 97.15-1 Application. (a) Except as specifically noted, the provisions of this... reasonable and practicable with the exception that the logging of information is not required. ...

  14. Identification and biochemical characterization of the fructokinase gene family in Arabidopsis thaliana

    DOE PAGES

    Riggs, John W.; Cavales, Philip C.; Chapiro, Sonia M.; ...

    2017-04-26

    Background Fructose is an abundant sugar in plants as it is a breakdown product of both major sucrose-cleaving enzymes. To enter metabolism, fructose is phosphorylated by a fructokinase (FRK). Known FRKs are members of a diverse family of carbohydrate/purine kinases known as the phosphofructokinase B (pfkB) family. The complete complement of active fructokinases has not been reported for any plant species. Results Protein sequence analysis of the 22 Arabidopsis thaliana pfkB members identified eight highly related predicted proteins, including one with previously demonstrated FRK activity. For one, At1g50390, the predicted open reading frame is half the size of active FRKs,more » and only incompletely spliced RNAs were identified, which led to a premature stop codon, both indicating that this gene does not produce active FRK. The remaining seven proteins were expressed in E. coli and phosphorylated fructose specifically in vitro leading us to propose a unifying nomenclature (FRK1–7). Substrate inhibition was observed for fructose in all FRKs except FRK1. Fructose binding was on the same order of magnitude for FRK1–6, between 260 and 480 μM. FRK7 was an outlier with a fructose Km of 12 μM. ATP binding was similar for all FRKs and ranged between 52 and 280 μM. YFP-tagged AtFRKs were cytosolic, except plastidic FRK3. T-DNA alleles with non-detectable wild-type RNAs in five of the seven active FRK genes produced no overt phenotype. We extended our sequence comparisons to include putative FRKs encoded in other plant sequenced genomes. We observed that different subgroups expanded subsequent to speciation. Conclusions Arabidopsis thaliana as well as all other plant species analyzed contain multiple copies of genes encoding FRK activity. Sequence comparisons among multiple species identified a minimal set of three distinct FRKs present on all species investigated including a plastid-localized form. The selective expansion of specific isozymes results in differences in FRK gene number among species. AtFRKs exhibit substrate inhibition, typical of their mammalian counterparts with the single AtFRK1 lacking this property, suggesting it may have a distinct in vivo role. Results presented here provide a starting point for the engineering of specific FRKs to affect biomass production.« less

  15. Identification and biochemical characterization of the fructokinase gene family in Arabidopsis thaliana

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Riggs, John W.; Cavales, Philip C.; Chapiro, Sonia M.

    Background Fructose is an abundant sugar in plants as it is a breakdown product of both major sucrose-cleaving enzymes. To enter metabolism, fructose is phosphorylated by a fructokinase (FRK). Known FRKs are members of a diverse family of carbohydrate/purine kinases known as the phosphofructokinase B (pfkB) family. The complete complement of active fructokinases has not been reported for any plant species. Results Protein sequence analysis of the 22 Arabidopsis thaliana pfkB members identified eight highly related predicted proteins, including one with previously demonstrated FRK activity. For one, At1g50390, the predicted open reading frame is half the size of active FRKs,more » and only incompletely spliced RNAs were identified, which led to a premature stop codon, both indicating that this gene does not produce active FRK. The remaining seven proteins were expressed in E. coli and phosphorylated fructose specifically in vitro leading us to propose a unifying nomenclature (FRK1–7). Substrate inhibition was observed for fructose in all FRKs except FRK1. Fructose binding was on the same order of magnitude for FRK1–6, between 260 and 480 μM. FRK7 was an outlier with a fructose Km of 12 μM. ATP binding was similar for all FRKs and ranged between 52 and 280 μM. YFP-tagged AtFRKs were cytosolic, except plastidic FRK3. T-DNA alleles with non-detectable wild-type RNAs in five of the seven active FRK genes produced no overt phenotype. We extended our sequence comparisons to include putative FRKs encoded in other plant sequenced genomes. We observed that different subgroups expanded subsequent to speciation. Conclusions Arabidopsis thaliana as well as all other plant species analyzed contain multiple copies of genes encoding FRK activity. Sequence comparisons among multiple species identified a minimal set of three distinct FRKs present on all species investigated including a plastid-localized form. The selective expansion of specific isozymes results in differences in FRK gene number among species. AtFRKs exhibit substrate inhibition, typical of their mammalian counterparts with the single AtFRK1 lacking this property, suggesting it may have a distinct in vivo role. Results presented here provide a starting point for the engineering of specific FRKs to affect biomass production.« less

  16. Predicting the impact of mutations on the specific activity of Bacillus thermocatenulatus lipase using a combined approach of docking and molecular dynamics.

    PubMed

    Yukselen, Onur; Timucin, Emel; Sezerman, Ugur

    2016-10-01

    Lipases are important biocatalysts owing to their ability to catalyze diverse reactions with exceptional substrate specificities. A combined docking and molecular dynamics (MD) approach was applied to study the chain-length selectivity of Bacillus thermocatenulatus lipase (BTL2) towards its natural substrates (triacylglycerols). A scoring function including electrostatic, van der Waals (vdW) and desolvation energies along with conformational entropy was developed to predict the impact of mutation. The native BTL2 and its 6 mutants (F17A, V175A, V175F, D176F, T178V and I320F) were experimentally analyzed to determine their specific activities towards tributyrin (C4) or tricaprylin (C8), which were used to test our approach. Our scoring methodology predicted the chain-length selectivity of BTL2 with 85.7% (6/7) accuracy with a positive correlation between the calculated scores and the experimental activity values (r = 0.82, p = 0.0004). Additionally, the impact of mutation on activity was predicted with 75% (9/12) accuracy. The described study represents a fast and reliable approach to accurately predict the effect of mutations on the activity and selectivity of lipases and also of other enzymes. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

  17. Activity of dual SRC-ABL inhibitors highlights the role of BCR/ABL kinase dynamics in drug resistance

    PubMed Central

    Azam, Mohammad; Nardi, Valentina; Shakespeare, William C.; Metcalf, Chester A.; Bohacek, Regine S.; Wang, Yihan; Sundaramoorthi, Raji; Sliz, Piotr; Veach, Darren R.; Bornmann, William G.; Clarkson, Bayard; Dalgarno, David C.; Sawyer, Tomi K.; Daley, George Q.

    2006-01-01

    Mutation in the ABL kinase domain is the principal mechanism of imatinib resistance in patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia. Many mutations favor active kinase conformations that preclude imatinib binding. Because the active forms of ABL and SRC resemble one another, we tested two dual SRC-ABL kinase inhibitors, AP23464 and PD166326, against 58 imatinib-resistant (IMR) BCR/ABL kinase variants. Both compounds potently inhibit most IMR variants, and in vitro drug selection demonstrates that active (AP23464) and open (PD166326) conformation-specific compounds are less susceptible to resistance than imatinib. Combinations of inhibitors suppressed essentially all resistance mutations, with the notable exception of T315I. Guided by mutagenesis studies and molecular modeling, we designed a series of AP23464 analogues to target T315I. The analogue AP23846 inhibited both native and T315I variants of BCR/ABL with submicromolar potency but showed nonspecific cellular toxicity. Our data illustrate how conformational dynamics of the ABL kinase accounts for the activity of dual SRC-ABL inhibitors against IMR-mutants and provides a rationale for combining conformation specific inhibitors to suppress resistance. PMID:16754879

  18. THE SEROLOGICAL SPECIFICITY OF PARTICULATE COMPONENTS DERIVED FROM VARIOUS NORMAL MAMMALIAN ORGANS

    PubMed Central

    Henle, Werner; Chambers, Leslie A.; Groupé, Vincent

    1941-01-01

    1. Particles derived from filtrates of organ suspensions by high speed centrifugation were serologically active as shown by agglutination and complement fixation techniques. Particles from brain, liver, lung, kidney, heart muscle, spleen, testicle, and pancreas of various species have been studied. 2. All particles showed a certain degree of organ specificity with the exception of pancreas. Cross-reactions occurred between the particles from various organs from one species, which were more marked when complement fixation technique was employed than by the agglutination test. However, agglutination always appeared earlier and was stronger, and complement fixation was positive in higher dilutions of antigen in the presence of homologous antiserum than with heterologous antisera. 3. The cross-reactions did not depend on the occasional precipitins for serum and the agglutinins for the red cells of the species from which the particles were derived, nor did they bear a relation to Wassermann and Forssman antibodies present in some of the sera. 4. The organ specific differentiation of the particles from various organs could more clearly be demonstrated by two means: The antiserum could be diluted in such a way that only the homologous reaction still showed a positive result while the cross-reactions had become negative; or the cross-reacting antibodies could be absorbed by heterologous particles and the homologous reaction was still more or less intact. 5. In addition to the organ specific differentiation, most particles were found to exhibit species specificity. While the particles derived from kidney, lung, testicle, and heart muscle aggregated only in the presence of the antiserum against the corresponding organ particles from the homologous species, brain particles reacted with brain antisera against both homologous and heterologous species alike. Absorption of brain particle antisera with brain preparations from a heterologous species removed all antibodies. Liver particle preparations showed an intermediate position in that all liver preparations with the exception of rabbit liver particles were aggregated by any liver particle antiserum. However, absorption with liver particles from a heterologous species left a distinct species specific reaction in the serum. 6. The antigens involved are all destroyed by heating to 100° C. for a few minutes with the exception of brain particles, which after 20 minutes at 100° C. still gave complement fixation almost to the same strength as the untreated controls. 7. Alcoholic and ether extracts of brain reacted with the brain particle antisera only. All alcoholic or ether extracts of other organs gave no complement fixation. None of the various other organ particle antisera tested contained antibodies for these extracts. 8. The relationship between the heat-stable and the alcohol-soluble brain particle antigen studied by absorption technique revealed that there were two antigens present, both organ specific and independent of the species, the one alcohol- and ether-soluble, the other not soluble in these solvents but heat stable. Some of the sera showed besides a few species specific antibodies. 9. Preliminary evidence has been gathered to show that no iso-immunization could be obtained with any one of the organ particles. As far as cytotoxic activity of the sera is concerned only the kidney particle antisera have been studied for nephrotoxins; these failed to reveal any such activity in the mouse. PMID:19871150

  19. Mutation of the 3-Phosphoinositide-Dependent Protein Kinase 1 (PDK1) Substrate-Docking Site in the Developing Brain Causes Microcephaly with Abnormal Brain Morphogenesis Independently of Akt, Leading to Impaired Cognition and Disruptive Behaviors

    PubMed Central

    Cordón-Barris, Lluís; Pascual-Guiral, Sònia; Yang, Shaobin; Giménez-Llort, Lydia; Lope-Piedrafita, Silvia; Niemeyer, Carlota; Claro, Enrique; Lizcano, Jose M.

    2016-01-01

    The phosphoinositide (PI) 3-kinase/Akt signaling pathway plays essential roles during neuronal development. 3-Phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase 1 (PDK1) coordinates the PI 3-kinase signals by activating 23 kinases of the AGC family, including Akt. Phosphorylation of a conserved docking site in the substrate is a requisite for PDK1 to recognize, phosphorylate, and activate most of these kinases, with the exception of Akt. We exploited this differential mechanism of regulation by generating neuron-specific conditional knock-in mice expressing a mutant form of PDK1, L155E, in which the substrate-docking site binding motif, termed the PIF pocket, was disrupted. As a consequence, activation of all the PDK1 substrates tested except Akt was abolished. The mice exhibited microcephaly, altered cortical layering, and reduced circuitry, leading to cognitive deficits and exacerbated disruptive behavior combined with diminished motivation. The abnormal patterning of the adult brain arises from the reduced ability of the embryonic neurons to polarize and extend their axons, highlighting the essential roles that the PDK1 signaling beyond Akt plays in mediating the neuronal responses that regulate brain development. PMID:27644329

  20. 16 CFR Appendix G5 to Part 305 - Boilers-Gas (Except Steam)

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... 16 Commercial Practices 1 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Boilers-Gas (Except Steam) G5 Appendix G5 to Part 305 Commercial Practices FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION REGULATIONS UNDER SPECIFIC ACTS OF CONGRESS RULE... Appendix G5 to Part 305—Boilers—Gas (Except Steam) Manufacturer's rated heating capacities (Btu's/hr...

  1. 12 CFR 747.39 - Exceptions to recommended decision.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... set forth page or paragraph references to the specific parts of the administrative law judge's recommendations to which exception is taken, the page or paragraph references to those portions of the record...

  2. 12 CFR 747.39 - Exceptions to recommended decision.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... set forth page or paragraph references to the specific parts of the administrative law judge's recommendations to which exception is taken, the page or paragraph references to those portions of the record...

  3. 12 CFR 747.39 - Exceptions to recommended decision.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... set forth page or paragraph references to the specific parts of the administrative law judge's recommendations to which exception is taken, the page or paragraph references to those portions of the record...

  4. The Gaia mission a rich resource for outreach activities

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    O'Flaherty, K. S.; Douglas, J.; Prusti, T.

    2008-07-01

    Space science missions, and astronomy missions in particular, capture the public imagination at all levels. ESA's Gaia mission is no exception to this. In addition to its key scientific goal of providing new insight into the origin, formation, and evolution of the Milky Way, Gaia also touches on many other scientific topics of broad appeal, for example, solar system objects, stars (including rare and exotic ones), dark matter, gravitational light bending. The mission naturally provides a rich resource for outreach possibilities whether it be to the general public, or to specific interest groups, such as scientists from other fields or educators. We present some examples of possible outreach activities for Gaia.

  5. Fasting mediated increase in p-BAD(ser155) and p-AKT(ser473) in the prefrontal cortex of mice.

    PubMed

    Pitchaimani, Vigneshwaran; Arumugam, Somasundaram; Thandavarayan, Rajarajan Amirthalingam; Karuppagounder, Vengadeshprabhu; Sreedhar, Remya; Afrin, Rejina; Harima, Meilei; Suzuki, Hiroshi; Miyashita, Shizuka; Nomoto, Mayumi; Sone, Hirohito; Suzuki, Kenji; Watanabe, Kenichi

    2014-09-05

    BAD-deficient mice and fasting have several common functional roles in seizures, beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) uptake in brain and alteration in counterregulatory hormonal regulation during hypoglycemia. Neuronal specific insulin receptor knockout (NIRKO) mice display impaired counterregulatory hormonal responses during hypoglycemia. In this study we investigated the fasting mediated expression of p-BAD(ser155) and p-AKT(ser473) in different regions of brain (prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, midbrain and hypothalamus). Fasting specifically increases p-BAD(ser155) and p-AKT(ser473) in prefrontal cortex and decreases in other regions of brain. Our results suggest that fasting may increase the uptake BHB by decreasing p-BAD(ser155) in the brain during hypoglycemia except prefrontal cortex and it uncovers specific functional area of p-BAD(ser155) and p-AKT(ser473) that may regulates counter regulatory hormonal response. Overall in support with previous findings, fasting mediated hypoglycemia activates prefrontal cortex insulin signaling which influences the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus mediated activation of sympathoadrenal hormonal responses. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

  6. Hours spent and energy expended in physical activity domains: results from the Tomorrow Project cohort in Alberta, Canada.

    PubMed

    Csizmadi, Ilona; Lo Siou, Geraldine; Friedenreich, Christine M; Owen, Neville; Robson, Paula J

    2011-10-10

    Knowledge of adult activity patterns across domains of physical activity is essential for the planning of population-based strategies that will increase overall energy expenditure and reduce the risk of obesity and related chronic diseases. We describe domain-specific hours of activity and energy expended among participants in a prospective cohort in Alberta, Canada. The Past Year Total Physical Activity Questionnaire was completed by 15,591 Tomorrow Project® participants, between 2001 and 2005 detailing physical activity type, duration, frequency and intensity. Domain-specific hours of activity and activity-related energy expenditure, expressed as a percent of total energy expenditure (TEE) (Mean (SD); Median (IQR)) are reported across inactive (<1.4), low active (1.4 to 1.59), active (1.6 to 1.89) and very active (≥ 1.9) Physical Activity Level (PAL = TEE:REE) categories. In very active women and amongst all men except those classified as inactive, activity-related energy expenditure comprised primarily occupational activity. Amongst inactive men and women in active, low active and inactive groups, activity-related energy expenditure from household activity was comparable to, or exceeded that for occupational activity. Leisure-time activity-related energy expenditure decreased with decreasing PAL categories; however, even amongst the most active men and women it accounted for less than 10 percent of TEE. When stratified by employment status, leisure-time activity-related energy expenditure was greatest for retired men [mean (SD): 10.8 (8.5) percent of TEE], compared with those who were fully employed, employed part-time or not employed. Transportation-related activity was negligible across all categories of PAL and employment status. For the inactive portion of this population, active non-leisure activities, specifically in the transportation and occupational domains, need to be considered for inclusion in daily routines as a means of increasing population-wide activity levels. Environmental and policy changes to promote active transport and workplace initiatives could increase overall daily energy expenditure through reducing prolonged sitting time.

  7. Design Exception In-Service Monitoring Program Development

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    2017-05-01

    This study evaluates various possible program designs for in-service monitoring of design exceptions (DEs) for the Georgia Department of Transportation. The study recommends a multitier stepwise approach to the evaluation of DEs. Specifically, the pr...

  8. The Study of Success of Individuals with Exceptional Needs in Tennessee Virtual Academy in Grades 5-8

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Vernon, Nichole

    2013-01-01

    The purpose of this study was to examine the success of students in Exceptional Education in Tennessee Virtual Academy. Students participating in this study are in grades 5-8, have a diagnosis of Specific Learning Disabilities, residents of Tennessee, currently enrolled in Tennessee Virtual Academy, and received Exceptional Education services.…

  9. Report of the Council for Exceptional Children's Task Force on Policy Issues Relating to the Management of Students with Communicable Diseases.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Council for Exceptional Children, Reston, VA.

    How schools can effectively work with exceptional students who have communicable diseases was the focus of an eight-member Task Force appointed by the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) Governmental Relations Committee. Its report begins with an overview of existing guidelines and defines specific communicable diseases (Hepatitis B,…

  10. 26 CFR 1.367(a)-2 - Exception for transfers of property for use in the active conduct of a trade or business.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-04-01

    ... 26 Internal Revenue 4 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Exception for transfers of property for use in the active conduct of a trade or business. 1.367(a)-2 Section 1.367(a)-2 Internal Revenue INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY (CONTINUED) INCOME TAX (CONTINUED) INCOME TAXES (Continued) Effects on Corporation § 1.367(a)-2 Exception...

  11. 26 CFR 1.367(a)-2 - Exception for transfers of property for use in the active conduct of a trade or business.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-04-01

    ... 26 Internal Revenue 4 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Exception for transfers of property for use in the active conduct of a trade or business. 1.367(a)-2 Section 1.367(a)-2 Internal Revenue INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY (CONTINUED) INCOME TAX (CONTINUED) INCOME TAXES (CONTINUED) Effects on Corporation § 1.367(a)-2 Exception...

  12. Association of Immunological Cell Profiles with Specific Clinical Phenotypes of Scleroderma Disease

    PubMed Central

    Calzada, David; Mayayo, Teodoro; González-Rodríguez, María Luisa; Rabasco, Antonio María; Lahoz, Carlos

    2014-01-01

    This study aimed to search the correlation among immunological profiles and clinical phenotypes of scleroderma in well-characterized groups of scleroderma patients, comparing forty-nine scleroderma patients stratified according to specific clinical phenotypes with forty-nine healthy controls. Five immunological cell subpopulations (B, CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells, NK, and monocytes) and their respective stages of apoptosis and activation were analyzed by flow cytometry, in samples of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Analyses of results were stratified according to disease stage, time since the diagnosis, and visceral damage (pulmonary fibrosis, pulmonary hypertension, and cardiac affliction) and by time of treatment with corticosteroids. An increase in the percentages of monocytes and a decrease in the B cells were mainly related to the disease progression. A general apoptosis decrease was found in all phenotypes studied, except in localized scleroderma. An increase of B and NK cells activation was found in patients diagnosed more than 10 years ago. Specific cell populations like monocytes, NK, and B cells were associated with the type of affected organ. This study shows how, in a heterogeneous disease, proper patient's stratification according to clinical phenotypes allows finding specific cellular profiles. Our data may lead to improvements in the knowledge of prognosis factors and to aid in the analysis of future specific therapies. PMID:24818126

  13. Chemical analysis and potential endocrine activities of aluminium coatings intended to be in contact with cosmetic water.

    PubMed

    Bou-Maroun, Elias; Dahbi, Laurence; Gomez-Berrada, Marie-Pierre; Pierre, Philippine; Rakotomalala, Sandrine; Ferret, Pierre-Jacques; Chagnon, Marie-Christine

    2017-10-25

    The objective of the work was to check the presence of Non-Intended Added Substances (NIAS) with hormonal activities in aluminium coatings extracts coded: AA, BBF, MC and RR, furnished by four different suppliers. Water samples were prepared at room temperature or at 40°C for three months to verify the storage effect on the coatings. Solid phase extraction was used to concentrate and to extract coating substances. Hormonal activities were checked in vitro using reporter gene bioassays. Except BBF, all extracts induced a weak but significant estrogenic agonist activity in the human cell line. Using an estrogenic antagonist (ICI-182, 780), the answer was demonstrated specific in the bioassay. RR was the only extract to induce a concentration dependent anti-androgenic response in the MDA-KB2 cell line. Analysis performed using GC-MS and HPLC-MS detected 12 substances in most of the extracts. 8 NIAS were present. Among them, 4 were identified with certainty: HMBT, BGA, DCU and BPA. Estrogenic potency was BPA>DCU>BGA>HMBT. HMBT was also anti-androgenic at high concentration. Combining chemical analysis and bioassays data, we demonstrated that in the RR and the RR40 extracts, the observed estrogenic response was mainly due to BPA, the anti-androgenic activity of RR could be due to a synergism between HMBT and BPA. For MC and AA, estrogenic responses appear to be due to the presence of DCU. Except BBF, storage conditions tended to increase estrogenic activities in all extracts. However, in term of risk assessment, activities observed were negligible. This work demonstrated that sensitive bioassays are pertinent tools in complement to chemical analysis to monitor and check the presence of NIAS with hormonal activity in coating extracts. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  14. DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Sallach, D .L.; Decision and Information Sciences; Univ. of Chicago

    Randall Collins has introduced a simplified model of emotional dynamics in which emotional energy, heightened and focused by interaction rituals, serves as a common denominator for social exchange: a generic form of currency, except that it is active in a far broader range of social transactions. While the scope of this theory is attractive, the specifics of the model remain unconvincing. After a critical assessment of the currency theory of emotion, a field model of emotion is introduced that adds expressiveness by locating emotional valence within its cognitive context, thereby creating an integrated orientation field. The result is a modelmore » which claims less in the way of motivational specificity, but is more satisfactory in modeling the dynamic interaction between cognitive and emotional orientations at both individual and social levels.« less

  15. Homing endonucleases from mobile group I introns: discovery to genome engineering

    PubMed Central

    2014-01-01

    Homing endonucleases are highly specific DNA cleaving enzymes that are encoded within genomes of all forms of microbial life including phage and eukaryotic organelles. These proteins drive the mobility and persistence of their own reading frames. The genes that encode homing endonucleases are often embedded within self-splicing elements such as group I introns, group II introns and inteins. This combination of molecular functions is mutually advantageous: the endonuclease activity allows surrounding introns and inteins to act as invasive DNA elements, while the splicing activity allows the endonuclease gene to invade a coding sequence without disrupting its product. Crystallographic analyses of representatives from all known homing endonuclease families have illustrated both their mechanisms of action and their evolutionary relationships to a wide range of host proteins. Several homing endonucleases have been completely redesigned and used for a variety of genome engineering applications. Recent efforts to augment homing endonucleases with auxiliary DNA recognition elements and/or nucleic acid processing factors has further accelerated their use for applications that demand exceptionally high specificity and activity. PMID:24589358

  16. Cells adapted to the proteasome inhibitor 4-hydroxy- 5-iodo-3-nitrophenylacetyl-Leu-Leu-leucinal-vinyl sulfone require enzymatically active proteasomes for continued survival.

    PubMed

    Princiotta, M F; Schubert, U; Chen, W; Bennink, J R; Myung, J; Crews, C M; Yewdell, J W

    2001-01-16

    The proteasome is the primary protease used by cells for degrading proteins and generating peptide ligands for class I molecules of the major histocompatibility complex. Based on the properties of cells adapted to grow in the presence of the proteasome inhibitor 4-hydroxy-5-iodo-3-nitrophenylacetyl-Leu-Leu-leucinal-vinyl sulfone (NLVS), it was proposed that proteasomes can be replaced by alternative proteolytic systems, particularly a large proteolytic complex with a tripeptidyl peptidase II activity. Here we show that NLVS-adapted cells retain sensitivity to a number of highly specific proteasome inhibitors with regard to antigenic peptide generation, accumulation of polyubiquitinated proteins, degradation of p53, and cell viability. In addition, we show that in the same assays (with a single minor exception), NLVS-adapted cells are about as sensitive as nonselected cells to Ala-Ala-Phe-chloromethylketone, a specific inhibitor of tripeptidyl peptidase II activity. Based on these findings, we conclude that proteasomes still have essential proteolytic functions in adapted cells that are not replaced by Ala-Ala-Phe-chloromethylketone-sensitive proteases.

  17. 30 CFR 817.57 - Hydrologic balance: Surface activities in or adjacent to perennial or intermittent streams.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ... activities in or adjacent to perennial or intermittent streams. (a)(1) Buffer requirement. Except as provided... section 402 or 404 of the Clean Water Act. (b) Exception. The buffer requirement of paragraph (a) of this...

  18. 30 CFR 817.57 - Hydrologic balance: Surface activities in or adjacent to perennial or intermittent streams.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ... activities in or adjacent to perennial or intermittent streams. (a)(1) Buffer requirement. Except as provided... section 402 or 404 of the Clean Water Act. (b) Exception. The buffer requirement of paragraph (a) of this...

  19. Practical and ethical considerations for using social media in community consultation and public disclosure activities.

    PubMed

    Galbraith, Kyle L

    2014-10-01

    Social media are becoming increasingly integrated into both the clinical and the research dimensions of emergency medicine. They can provide methods for sharing crucial information to targeted individuals or groups in a rapid fashion. As a result, investigators conducting emergency research under the exception from prospective informed consent requirements are beginning to turn to social media platforms as they engage in required community consultation and public disclosure activities before their research begins. At present, there are limited data regarding how effectively social media have been used for performing those consultation and disclosure activities. This article offers investigators four specific areas to consider before using social media in consultation and outreach efforts. First, understand the forms of outreach social media platforms can provide. Second, recognize how those outreach methods relate to the specific goals of community consultation and public disclosure. Third, consider whether or not the intended audiences of community consultation and public disclosure will be available via social media. Finally, think about how social media outreach efforts will be measured and assessed before consultation and disclosure activities are under way. © 2014 by the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine.

  20. EEG frequency tagging using ultra-slow periodic heat stimulation of the skin reveals cortical activity specifically related to C fiber thermonociceptors

    PubMed Central

    Colon, Elisabeth; Liberati, Giulia; Mouraux, André

    2017-01-01

    The recording of event-related brain potentials triggered by a transient heat stimulus is used extensively to study nociception and diagnose lesions or dysfunctions of the nociceptive system in humans. However, these responses are related exclusively to the activation of a specific subclass of nociceptive afferents: quickly-adapting thermonociceptors. In fact, except if the activation of Aδ fibers is avoided or if A fibers are blocked, these responses specifically reflect activity triggered by the activation of Type 2 quickly-adapting A fiber mechano-heat nociceptors (AMH-2). Here, we propose a novel method to isolate, in the human electroencephalogram (EEG), cortical activity related to the sustained periodic activation of heat-sensitive thermonociceptors, using very slow (0.2 Hz) and long-lasting (75 s) sinusoidal heat stimulation of the skin between baseline and 50°C. In a first experiment, we show that when such long-lasting thermal stimuli are applied to the hand dorsum of healthy volunteers, the slow rises and decreases of skin temperature elicit a consistent periodic EEG response at 0.2 Hz and its harmonics, as well as a periodic modulation of the magnitude of theta, alpha and beta band EEG oscillations. In a second experiment, we demonstrate using an A fiber block that these EEG responses are predominantly conveyed by unmyelinated C fiber nociceptors. The proposed approach constitutes a novel mean to study C fiber function in humans, and to explore the cortical processing of tonic heat pain in physiological and pathological conditions. PMID:27871921

  1. To each its own? Gender differences in affective, autonomic, and behavioral responses to same-sex and opposite-sex visual sexual stimuli.

    PubMed

    Sarlo, Michela; Buodo, Giulia

    2017-03-15

    A large body of research on gender differences in response to erotic stimuli has focused on genital and/or subjective sexual arousal. On the other hand, studies assessing gender differences in emotional psychophysiological responding to sexual stimuli have only employed erotic pictures of male-female couples or female/male nudes. The present study aimed at investigating differences between gynephilic men and androphilic women in emotional responding to visual sexual stimuli depicting female-male, female-female and male-male couples. Affective responses were explored in multiple response systems, including autonomic indices of emotional activation, i.e., heart rate and skin conductance, along with standardized measures of valence and arousal. Blood pressure was measured as an index of autonomic activation associated with sexual arousal, and free viewing times as an index of interest/avoidance. Overall, men showed gender-specific activation characterized by clearly appetitive reactions to the target of their sexual attraction (i.e., women), with physiological arousal discriminating female-female stimuli as the most effective sexual cues. In contrast, women's emotional activation to sexual stimuli was clearly non-specific in most of the considered variables, with the notable exception of the self-report measures. Overall, affective responses replicate patterns of gender-specific and gender-nonspecific sexual responses in gynephilic men and androphilic women. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  2. The effect of aging on the brain network for exception word reading.

    PubMed

    Provost, Jean-Sebastien; Brambati, Simona M; Chapleau, Marianne; Wilson, Maximiliano A

    2016-11-01

    Cognitive and computational models of reading aloud agree on the existence of two procedures for reading. Pseudowords (e.g., atendier) are correctly read through subword processes only while exception words (e.g., pint) are only correctly read via whole-words processes. Regular words can be correctly read by means of either way. Previous behavioral studies showed that older adults relied more on whole-word processing for reading. The aim of the present fMRI study was to verify whether this larger whole-word reliance for reading in older adults was reflected by changes in the pattern of brain activation. Both young and elderly participants read aloud pseudowords, exception and regular words in the scanner. Behavioral results reproduced those of previous studies showing that older adults made significantly less errors when reading exception words. Neuroimaging results showed significant activation of the left anterior temporal lobe (ATL), a key region implicated in whole-word reading for exception word reading in both young and elderly participants. Critically, ATL activation was also found for regular word reading in the elderly. No differences were observed in the pattern of activation between regular and pseudowords in the young. In conclusion, these results extend evidence on the critical role of the left ATL for exception word reading to elderly participants. Additionally, our study shows for the first time from a developmental point of view that the behavioral changes found in reading during normal aging also have a brain counterpart in the reading network changes that sustain exception and regular word reading in the elderly. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  3. Pesticide Risk Indicators: Unidentified Inert Ingredients Compromise Their Integrity and Utility

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Surgan, Michael; Condon, Madison; Cox, Caroline

    2010-04-01

    Pesticide Risk Indicators (PRIs) are widely used to evaluate and compare the potential health and environmental risks of pesticide use and to guide pest control policies and practices. They are applied to agricultural, landscape and structural pest management by governmental agencies, private institutions and individuals. PRIs typically assess only the potential risks associated with the active ingredients because, with few exceptions, pesticide manufacturers disclose only the identity of the active ingredients which generally comprise only a minor portion of pesticide products. We show that when inert ingredients are identified and assessed by the same process as the active ingredient, the product specific risk can be much greater than that calculated for the active ingredient alone. To maintain transparency in risk assessment, all those who develop and apply PRIs or make decisions based on their output, should clearly disclose and discuss the limitations of the method.

  4. Cognitive and metacognitive activity in mathematical problem solving: prefrontal and parietal patterns.

    PubMed

    Anderson, John R; Betts, Shawn; Ferris, Jennifer L; Fincham, Jon M

    2011-03-01

    Students were taught an algorithm for solving a new class of mathematical problems. Occasionally in the sequence of problems, they encountered exception problems that required that they extend the algorithm. Regular and exception problems were associated with different patterns of brain activation. Some regions showed a Cognitive pattern of being active only until the problem was solved and no difference between regular or exception problems. Other regions showed a Metacognitive pattern of greater activity for exception problems and activity that extended into the post-solution period, particularly when an error was made. The Cognitive regions included some of parietal and prefrontal regions associated with the triple-code theory of (Dehaene, S., Piazza, M., Pinel, P., & Cohen, L. (2003). Three parietal circuits for number processing. Cognitive Neuropsychology, 20, 487-506) and associated with algebra equation solving in the ACT-R theory (Anderson, J. R. (2005). Human symbol manipulation within an 911 integrated cognitive architecture. Cognitive science, 29, 313-342. Metacognitive regions included the superior prefrontal gyrus, the angular gyrus of the triple-code theory, and frontopolar regions.

  5. Some medicinal plants as immunostimulant for fish.

    PubMed

    Dügenci, Süheyla Karataş; Arda, Nazli; Candan, Akin

    2003-09-01

    Immunostimulant effects of the dietary intake of various medicinal plant extracts on fish, rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), were investigated. For this purpose fish were fed with diets containing aqueous extracts of mistletoe (Viscum album), nettle (Urtica dioica), and ginger (Zingiber officinale). Food containing lyophilized extracts of these plants as 0.1 and 1% was used at a rate of 2% of body weight per day for three weeks. At the end of the experimental period, various parameters of non-specific defence mechanisms, including extracellular and intracellular respiratory burst activities, phagocytosis in blood leukocytes and total plasma protein level were examined. Specific growth rates (SGRs) and condition factors (CFs) of the fish were also measured. Plant materials tested for immunostimulatory food additives caused an enhanced extracellular respiratory burst activity (P<0.001) compared to the control group. Especially the rainbow trout fed with a diet containing 1% aqueous extract of powdered ginger roots for three weeks exhibited a significant non-specific immune response. Phagocytosis and extracellular burst activity of blood leukocytes were significantly higher in this group than those in the control group. All plant extracts added to fish diet increased the total protein level in plasma except 0.1% ginger. The highest level of plasma proteins was observed in the group fed with 1% ginger extract containing feed.

  6. Differential inhibition of activity, activation and gene expression of MMP-9 in THP-1 cells by azithromycin and minocycline versus bortezomib: A comparative study

    PubMed Central

    Knoops, Sofie; Aldinucci Buzzo, João L.; Boon, Lise; Martens, Erik; Opdenakker, Ghislain; Kolaczkowska, Elzbieta

    2017-01-01

    Gelatinase B or matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) (EC 3.4.24.35) is increased in inflammatory processes and cancer, and is associated with disease progression. In part, this is due to MMP-9-mediated degradation of extracellular matrix, facilitating influx of leukocytes into inflamed tissues and invasion or metastasis of cancer cells. MMP-9 is produced as proMMP-9 and its propeptide is subsequently removed by other proteases to generate proteolytically active MMP-9. The significance of MMP-9 in pathologies triggered the development of specific inhibitors of this protease. However, clinical trials with synthetic inhibitors of MMPs in the fight against cancer were disappointing. Reports on active compounds which inhibit MMP-9 should be carefully examined in this regard. In a considerable set of recent publications, two antibiotics (minocycline and azythromycin) and the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib, used in cancers, were reported to inhibit MMP-9 at different stages of its expression, activation or activity. The current study was undertaken to compare and to verify the impact of these compounds on MMP-9. With exception of minocycline at high concentrations (>100 μM), the compounds did not affect processing of proMMP-9 into MMP-9, nor did they affect direct MMP-9 gelatinolytic activity. In contrast, azithromycin specifically reduced MMP-9 mRNA and protein levels without affecting NF-κB in endotoxin-challenged monocytic THP-1 cells. Bortezomib, although being highly toxic, had no MMP-9-specific effects but significantly upregulated cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) activity and PGE2 levels. Overall, our study clarified that azithromycin decreased the levels of MMP-9 by reduction of gene and protein expression while minocycline inhibits proteolytic activity at high concentrations. PMID:28369077

  7. The effects of arm movement on reaction time in patients with latent and active upper trapezius myofascial trigger point.

    PubMed

    Yassin, Marzieh; Talebian, Saeed; Ebrahimi Takamjani, Ismail; Maroufi, Nader; Ahmadi, Amir; Sarrafzadeh, Javad; Emrani, Anita

    2015-01-01

    Myofascial pain syndrome is a significant source of mechanical pain. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of arm movement on reaction time in females with latent and active upper trapezius myofascial trigger point. In this interventional study, a convenience sample of fifteen women with one active MTP, fifteen women with one latent MTP in the upper trapezius, and fifteen normal healthy women were participated. Participants were asked to stand for 10 seconds in an erect standing position. Muscle reaction times were recorded including anterior deltoid (AD), cervical paraspinal (CP) lumbar paraspinal (LP), both of upper trapezius (UT), sternocleidomastoid (SCM) and medial head of gastrocnemius (GcM). Participants were asked to flex their arms in response to a sound stimulus preceded by a warning sound stimulus. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA Test. There was significant differences in motor time and reaction time between active and control groups (p< 0.05) except for GcM. There was no significant difference in motor time between active and passive groups except for UT without MTP and SCM (p< 0.05). Also, there were no significant differences in motor times between latent MTP and control groups. Furthermore, there was no significant difference in premotor times between the three groups. The present study shows that patients with active MTP need more time to react to stimulus, but patients with latent MTP are similar to healthy subjects in the reaction time. Patients with active MTP had less compatibility with environmental stimulations, and they responded to a specific stimulation with variability in Surface Electromyography (SEMG).

  8. Effects of KCNQ channel modulators on the M-type potassium current in primate retinal pigment epithelium.

    PubMed

    Pattnaik, Bikash R; Hughes, Bret A

    2012-03-01

    Recently, we demonstrated the expression of KCNQ1, KCNQ4, and KCNQ5 transcripts in monkey retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and showed that the M-type current in RPE cells is blocked by the specific KCNQ channel blocker XE991. Using patch-clamp electrophysiology, we investigated the pharmacological sensitivity of the M-type current in isolated monkey RPE cells to elucidate the subunit composition of the channel. Most RPE cells exhibited an M-type current with a voltage for half-maximal activation of approximately -35 mV. The M-type current activation followed a double-exponential time course and was essentially complete within 1 s. The M-type current was inhibited by micromolar concentrations of the nonselective KCNQ channel blockers linopirdine and XE991 but was relatively insensitive to block by 10 μM chromanol 293B or 135 mM tetraethylammonium (TEA), two KCNQ1 channel blockers. The M-type current was activated by 1) 10 μM retigabine, an opener of all KCNQ channels except KCNQ1, 2) 10 μM zinc pyrithione, which augments all KCNQ channels except KCNQ3, and 3) 50 μM N-ethylmaleimide, which activates KCNQ2, KCNQ4, and KCNQ5, but not KCNQ1 or KCNQ3, channels. Application of cAMP, which activates KCNQ1 and KCNQ4 channels, had no significant effect on the M-type current. Finally, diclofenac, which activates KCNQ2/3 and KCNQ4 channels but inhibits KCNQ5 channels, inhibited the M-type current in the majority of RPE cells but activated it in others. The results indicate that the M-type current in monkey RPE is likely mediated by channels encoded by KCNQ4 and KCNQ5 subunits.

  9. Cancer treatment by photodynamic therapy combined with NK-cell-line-based adoptive immunotherapy

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Korbelik, Mladen; Sun, Jinghai

    1998-05-01

    Treatment of solid cancers by photodynamic therapy (PDT) triggers a strong acute inflammatory reaction localized to the illuminated malignant tissue. This event is regulated by a massive release of various potent mediators which have a profound effect not only on local host cell populations, but also attract different types of immune cells to the treated tumor. Phagocytosis of PDT-damaged cancerous cells by antigen presenting cells, such as activated tumor associated macrophages, enables the recognition of even poorly immunogenic tumors by specific immune effector cells and the generation of immune memory populations. Because of its inflammatory/immune character, PDT is exceptionally responsive to adjuvant treatments with various types of immunotherapy. Combining PDT with immuneactivators, such as cytokines or other specific or non-specific immune agents, rendered marked improvements in tumor cures with various cancer models. Another clinically attractive strategy is adoptive immunotherapy, and the prospects of its use in conjunction with PDT are outlined.

  10. 78 FR 77334 - Small Business Size Standards: Construction

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-12-23

    ... Dredging and Surface Cleanup Activities, an ``exception'' under Other Heavy and Civil Engineering... ``exception'' under Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction (NAICS 238910), from $20 million to $30... exception under Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction (NAICS 238910) and retain the current size...

  11. 5 CFR 2422.31 - Application for review of a Regional Director Decision and Order.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... specify the matters and rulings to which exception(s) is taken, include a summary of evidence relating to any issue raised in the application, and make specific reference to page citations in the transcript...

  12. 5 CFR 2422.31 - Application for review of a Regional Director Decision and Order.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... specify the matters and rulings to which exception(s) is taken, include a summary of evidence relating to any issue raised in the application, and make specific reference to page citations in the transcript...

  13. 21 CFR 82.5 - General specifications for straight colors.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-04-01

    ... percent. (ii) Arsenic (as As2O3), not more than 0.00014 percent. (iii) Heavy metals (except Pb and As) (by.... (iii) Heavy metals (except Pb and As) (by precipitation as sulfides), not more than 0.003 percent. (3...

  14. 21 CFR 82.5 - General specifications for straight colors.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-04-01

    ... percent. (ii) Arsenic (as As2O3), not more than 0.00014 percent. (iii) Heavy metals (except Pb and As) (by.... (iii) Heavy metals (except Pb and As) (by precipitation as sulfides), not more than 0.003 percent. (3...

  15. 21 CFR 82.5 - General specifications for straight colors.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-04-01

    ... percent. (ii) Arsenic (as As2O3), not more than 0.00014 percent. (iii) Heavy metals (except Pb and As) (by.... (iii) Heavy metals (except Pb and As) (by precipitation as sulfides), not more than 0.003 percent. (3...

  16. Beyond Fluorescent Proteins: Hybrid and Bioluminescent Indicators for Imaging Neural Activities.

    PubMed

    Wang, Anqi; Feng, Jiesi; Li, Yulong; Zou, Peng

    2018-04-18

    Optical biosensors have been invaluable tools in neuroscience research, as they provide the ability to directly visualize neural activity in real time, with high specificity, and with exceptional spatial and temporal resolution. Notably, a majority of these sensors are based on fluorescent protein scaffolds, which offer the ability to target specific cell types or even subcellular compartments. However, fluorescent proteins are intrinsically bulky tags, often insensitive to the environment, and always require excitation light illumination. To address these limitations, there has been a proliferation of alternative sensor scaffolds developed in recent years, including hybrid sensors that combine the advantages of synthetic fluorophores and genetically encoded protein tags, as well as bioluminescent probes. While still in their early stage of development as compared with fluorescent protein-based sensors, these novel probes have offered complementary solutions to interrogate various aspects of neuronal communication, including transmitter release, changes in membrane potential, and the production of second messengers. In this Review, we discuss these important new developments with a particular focus on design strategies.

  17. 30 CFR 282.21 - Plans, general.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... 30 Mineral Resources 2 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Plans, general. 282.21 Section 282.21 Mineral... § 282.21 Plans, general. (a) No exploration, testing, development, or production activities, except preliminary activities, shall be commenced or conducted on any lease except in accordance with a plan...

  18. Effect of Different Parts (Leaf, Stem and Stalk) and Seasons (Summer and Winter) on the Chemical Compositions and Antioxidant Activity of Moringa oleifera

    PubMed Central

    Shih, Ming-Chih; Chang, Cheng-Ming; Kang, Sue-Ming; Tsai, Min-Lang

    2011-01-01

    Moringa oleifera, Lam. (Moringaceae) is grown world-wide in the tropics and sub-tropics of Asia and Africa and contains abundant various nutrients. This study describes the effect of different parts (leaf, stem and stalk) and seasons (summer and winter) on the chemical compositions and antioxidant activity of M. oleifera grown in Taiwan. The results showed that the winter samples of Moringa had higher ash (except the stalk part), calcium and phenolic compounds (except the leaf part) and stronger antioxidative activity than summer samples. The methanolic extract of Moringa showed strong scavenging effect of DPPH radicals and reducing power. The trend of antioxidative activity as a function of the part of Moringa was: leaf > stem > stalk for samples from both seasons investigated. The Moringa extract showed strong hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity and high Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) activity except the stalk part. PMID:22016645

  19. The effects of estrogen receptors α- and β-specific agonists and antagonists on cell proliferation and energy metabolism in human bone cell line.

    PubMed

    Somjen, D; Katzburg, S; Sharon, O; Grafi-Cohen, M; Knoll, E; Stern, N

    2011-02-01

    In cultured human osteoblasts estradiol-17β (E2) modulated DNA synthesis, the specific activity of creatine kinase BB (CK), 12 and 15 lipoxygenase (LO) mRNA expression and formation of 12- and 15-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (HETE). We now investigate the response of human bone cell line (SaOS2) to phytoestrogens and estrogen receptors (ER)-specific agonists and antagonists. Treatment of SaSO2 with E2, 2,3-bis (4-hydroxyphenyl)-propionitrile (DPN; ERβ-specific agonist), 4,4',4″-[4-propyl-(1H)-pyrazol-1,3,5-triyl] tris-phenol (PPT; ERα-specific agonist), biochainin A (BA), daidzein (D), genistein (G) and raloxifene (Ral) showed increased DNA synthesis and CK. Ral inhibited completely all stimulations except DPN and to some extent D. The ERα-specific antagonist methyl-piperidino-pyrazole (MPP) and the ERβ-specific antagonist 4-[2-phenyl-5,7-bis (tri-fluoro-methyl) pyrazolo [1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl] phenol (PTHPP) inhibited DNA synthesis, CK and reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation induced by estrogens according to their receptors affinity. The LO inhibitor baicaleine inhibited only E2, DPN and G's effects. E2 and Ral unlike all other compounds had no effect on ERα mRNA expression, while ERβ mRNA expression was stimulated by all compounds. All compounds modulated the expression of 12LO and 15LO mRNA, except E2, PPT and Ral for 12LO, and 12- and 15-HETE productions and stimulated ROS formation which was inhibited by NADPH oxidase inhibitors diphenyleneiodonium chloride (DPI) and N-acetyl cysteine and the estrogen inhibitor ICI. DPI did not affect hormonal-induced DNA and CK. In conclusion, we provide evidence for the separation of mediation via ERα and ERβ pathways in the effects of estrogenic compounds on osteoblasts, but the role of LO/HETE/ROS is unclear. Copyright © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

  20. Pyroptosis: Gasdermin-Mediated Programmed Necrotic Cell Death.

    PubMed

    Shi, Jianjin; Gao, Wenqing; Shao, Feng

    2017-04-01

    Pyroptosis was long regarded as caspase-1-mediated monocyte death in response to certain bacterial insults. Caspase-1 is activated upon various infectious and immunological challenges through different inflammasomes. The discovery of caspase-11/4/5 function in sensing intracellular lipopolysaccharide expands the spectrum of pyroptosis mediators and also reveals that pyroptosis is not cell type specific. Recent studies identified the pyroptosis executioner, gasdermin D (GSDMD), a substrate of both caspase-1 and caspase-11/4/5. GSDMD represents a large gasdermin family bearing a novel membrane pore-forming activity. Thus, pyroptosis is redefined as gasdermin-mediated programmed necrosis. Gasdermins are associated with various genetic diseases, but their cellular function and mechanism of activation (except for GSDMD) are unknown. The gasdermin family suggests a new area of research on pyroptosis function in immunity, disease, and beyond. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  1. Chlorination of humic materials: Byproduct formation and chemical interpretations

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Reckhow, D.A.; Singer, P.C.; Malcolm, R.L.

    1990-01-01

    Ten aquatic humic and fulvic acids were isolated and studied with respect to their reaction with chlorine. Yields of TOX, chloroform, trichloroacetic acid, dichloroacetic acid, dichloroacetonitrile, and 1,1,1-trichloropropanone were measured at pH 7 and 12. Humic acids produced higher concentrations than their corresponding fulvic acids of all byproducts except 1,1,1-trichloropropanone. Chlorine consumption and byproduct formation were related to fundamental chemical characteristics of the humic materials. A statistical model was proposed for activated aromatic content based on 13C NMR and base titration data. The values estimated from this model were found to be well correlated with chlorine consumption. Specific byproduct formation was related to UV absorbance, nitrogen content, or the activated aromatic content. ?? 1990 American Chemical Society.

  2. Antimicrobial activity and properties of irreversible hydrocolloid impression materials incorporated with silver nanoparticles.

    PubMed

    Ginjupalli, Kishore; Alla, Rama Krishna; Tellapragada, Chaitanya; Gupta, Lokendra; Upadhya Perampalli, Nagaraja

    2016-06-01

    Conventional spray and the immersion disinfection of irreversible hydrocolloid impression materials may lead to dimensional changes. The purpose of this in vitro study was to investigate the antimicrobial activity and properties of irreversible hydrocolloid impression materials incorporated with silver nanoparticles. The antimicrobial activity and properties of 2 commercially available irreversible hydrocolloid impression materials were evaluated after incorporating varying concentrations of silver nanoparticles. Antimicrobial activity was determined using the disk diffusion method. The gel strength, permanent deformation, flow, and gelation time were measured according to American Dental Association specification #18. Analysis of variance was used to identify the significant differences within and across the groups (α=.05). Adding silver nanoparticles to irreversible hydrocolloid impression materials resulted in superior antimicrobial activity without adversely affecting their properties. Adding silver nanoparticles to Zelgan significantly increased the gel strength compared with the control group, except at 5 wt%. However, the gel strength of Tropicalgin was unaffected except at 5 wt%. An increase in the permanent deformation was found with the incorporation of silver nanoparticles in both Zelgan and Tropicalgin. The flow of Zelgan increased with the incorporation of silver nanoparticles, whereas a decrease in the flow of Tropicalgin was observed at 1 wt% and 2 wt%. An increase in the gelation time of both Zelgan and Tropicalgin was observed with the incorporation of silver nanoparticles. Based on this in vitro study, silver nanoparticles can be incorporated into irreversible hydrocolloid impression materials as antimicrobial agents without adversely affecting their properties. Copyright © 2016 Editorial Council for the Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  3. The Summer Learning of Exceptional Students

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Gershenson, Seth; Hayes, Michael S.

    2017-01-01

    The summer activities and summer learning of exceptional students--students who have an individualized education plan or who are English-language learners--are potentially important yet understudied. We analyze nationally representative survey data to fill this gap. Exceptional students are significantly less likely than their mainstream…

  4. Structure-activity relationships of 4-hydroxyalkenals in the conjugation catalysed by mammalian glutathione transferases.

    PubMed Central

    Danielson, U H; Esterbauer, H; Mannervik, B

    1987-01-01

    The substrate specificities of 15 cytosolic glutathione transferases from rat, mouse and man have been explored by use of a homologous series of 4-hydroxyalkenals, extending from 4-hydroxypentenal to 4-hydroxypentadecenal. Rat glutathione transferase 8-8 is exceptionally active with the whole range of 4-hydroxyalkenals, from C5 to C15. Rat transferase 1-1, although more than 10-fold less efficient than transferase 8-8, is the second most active transferase with the longest chain length substrates. Other enzyme forms showing high activities with these substrates are rat transferase 4-4 and human transferase mu. The specificity constants, kcat./Km, for the various enzymes have been determined with the 4-hydroxyalkenals. From these constants the incremental Gibbs free energy of binding to the enzyme has been calculated for the homologous substrates. The enzymes responded differently to changes in the length of the hydrocarbon side chain and could be divided into three groups. All glutathione transferases displayed increased binding energy in response to increased hydrophobicity of the substrate. For some of the enzymes, steric limitations of the active site appear to counteract the increase in binding strength afforded by increased chain length of the substrate. Comparison of the activities with 4-hydroxyalkenals and other activated alkenes provides information about the active-site properties of certain glutathione transferases. The results show that the ensemble of glutathione transferases in a given species may serve an important physiological role in the conjugation of the whole range of 4-hydroxyalkenals. In view of its high catalytic efficiency with all the homologues, rat glutathione transferase 8-8 appears to have evolved specifically to serve in the detoxication of these reactive compounds of oxidative metabolism. PMID:3426557

  5. Seventh National Conference on Physical Activity for the Exceptional Individual.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Los Angeles County Superintendent of Schools, CA. Div. of Special Education.

    A variety of physical activities and their applications to special education situations are presented and discussed in this collection of papers. Topics include--games for exceptional populations, mime and movement, behavioral management techniques, motor development programs for the handicapped, teacher and student motivation, yoga for the…

  6. 12 CFR 1228.1 - Definitions.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... continuing basis each time a property is transferred (except for transfers specifically excepted) for a period of time or indefinitely. A private transfer fee does not include fees, charges, payments, or other... SECURITY INTERESTS IN, MORTGAGES ON PROPERTIES ENCUMBERED BY CERTAIN PRIVATE TRANSFER FEE COVENANTS AND...

  7. Identification of exosite residues of factor Xa involved in recognition of PAR-2 on endothelial cells.

    PubMed

    Manithody, Chandrashekhara; Yang, Likui; Rezaie, Alireza R

    2012-03-27

    Recent results have indicated that factor Xa (FXa) cleaves protease-activated receptor 2 (PAR-2) to elicit protective intracellular signaling responses in endothelial cells. In this study, we investigated the molecular determinants of the specificity of FXa interaction with PAR-2 by monitoring the cleavage of PAR-2 by FXa in endothelial cells transiently transfected with a PAR-2 cleavage reporter construct in which the extracellular domain of the receptor was fused to cDNA encoding for alkaline phosphatase. Comparison of the cleavage efficiency of PAR-2 by a series of FXa mutants containing mutations in different surface loops indicated that the acidic residues of 39-loop (Glu-36, Glu-37, and Glu-39) and the basic residues of 60-loop (Lys-62 and Arg-63), 148-loop (Arg-143, Arg-150, and Arg-154), and 162-helix (Arg-165 and Lys-169) contribute to the specificity of receptor recognition by FXa on endothelial cells. This was evidenced by significantly reduced activity of mutants toward PAR-2 expressed on transfected cells. The extent of loss in the PAR-2 cleavage activity of FXa mutants correlated with the extent of loss in their PAR-2-dependent intracellular signaling activity. Further characterization of FXa mutants indicated that, with the exception of basic residues of 162-helix, which play a role in the recognition specificity of the prothrombinase complex, none of the surface loop residues under study makes a significant contribution to the activity of FXa in the prothrombinase complex. These results provide new insight into mechanisms through which FXa specifically interacts with its macromolecular substrates in the clotting and signaling pathways.

  8. Evolution of the eukaryotic ARP2/3 activators of the WASP family: WASP, WAVE, WASH, and WHAMM, and the proposed new family members WAWH and WAML

    PubMed Central

    2012-01-01

    Background WASP family proteins stimulate the actin-nucleating activity of the ARP2/3 complex. They include members of the well-known WASP and WAVE/Scar proteins, and the recently identified WASH and WHAMM proteins. WASP family proteins contain family specific N-terminal domains followed by proline-rich regions and C-terminal VCA domains that harbour the ARP2/3-activating regions. Results To reveal the evolution of ARP2/3 activation by WASP family proteins we performed a "holistic" analysis by manually assembling and annotating all homologs in most of the eukaryotic genomes available. We have identified two new families: the WAML proteins (WASP and MIM like), which combine the membrane-deforming and actin bundling functions of the IMD domains with the ARP2/3-activating VCA regions, and the WAWH protein (WASP without WH1 domain) that have been identified in amoebae, Apusozoa, and the anole lizard. Surprisingly, with one exception we did not identify any alternative splice forms for WASP family proteins, which is in strong contrast to other actin-binding proteins like Ena/VASP, MIM, or NHS proteins that share domains with WASP proteins. Conclusions Our analysis showed that the last common ancestor of the eukaryotes must have contained a homolog of WASP, WAVE, and WASH. Specific families have subsequently been lost in many taxa like the WASPs in plants, algae, Stramenopiles, and Euglenozoa, and the WASH proteins in fungi. The WHAMM proteins are metazoa specific and have most probably been invented by the Eumetazoa. The diversity of WASP family proteins has strongly been increased by many species- and taxon-specific gene duplications and multimerisations. All data is freely accessible via http://www.cymobase.org. PMID:22316129

  9. Signalling through NK1.1 triggers NK cells to die but induces NK T cells to produce interleukin-4.

    PubMed

    Asea, A; Stein-Streilein, J

    1998-02-01

    In vivo inoculation of specific antibody is an accepted protocol for elimination of specific cell populations. Except for anti-CD3 and anti-CD4, it is not known if the depleted cells are eliminated by signalling through the target molecule or through a more non-specific mechanism. C57BL/6 mice were inoculated with anti-natural killer (NK1.1) monoclonal antibody (mAb). Thereafter spleen cells were harvested, stained for both surface and intracellular markers, and analysed by flow cytometry. As early as 2 hr post inoculation, NK cells were signalled to become apoptotic while signalling through the NK1.1 molecule activated NK1.1+ T-cell receptor (TCR)+ (NK T) cells to increase in number, and produce interleukin-4 (IL-4). Anti NK1.1 mAb was less efficient at signalling apoptosis in NK cells when NK T-cell deficient [beta 2-microglobulin beta 2m-deficient] mice were used compared with wild type mice. Efficient apoptotic signalling was restored when beta 2m-deficient mice were reconstituted with NK T cells. NK-specific antibody best signals the apoptotic process in susceptible NK cells when resistant NK T cells are present, activated, and secrete IL-4.

  10. The T-cell-specific adapter protein family: TSAd, ALX, and SH2D4A/SH2D4B.

    PubMed

    Lapinski, Philip E; Oliver, Jennifer A; Bodie, Jennifer N; Marti, Francesc; King, Philip D

    2009-11-01

    Adapter proteins play key roles in intracellular signal transduction through complex formation with catalytically active signaling molecules. In T lymphocytes, the role of several different types of adapter proteins in T-cell antigen receptor signal transduction is well established. An exception to this is the family of T-cell-specific adapter (TSAd) proteins comprising of TSAd, adapter protein of unknown function (ALX), SH2D4A, and SH2D4B. Only recently has the function of these adapters in T-cell signal transduction been explored. Here, we discuss advances in our understanding of the role of this family of adapter proteins in T cells. Their function as regulators of signal transduction in other cell types is also discussed.

  11. Pathological Outcome following Radical Prostatectomy in Men with Prostate Specific Antigen Greater than 10 ng/ml and Histologically Favorable Risk Prostate Cancer.

    PubMed

    Yu, Jiwoong; Kwon, Young Suk; Kim, Sinae; Han, Christopher Sejong; Farber, Nicholas; Kim, Jongmyung; Byun, Seok Soo; Kim, Wun-Jae; Jeon, Seong Soo; Kim, Isaac Yi

    2016-05-01

    Active surveillance is now the treatment of choice in men with low risk prostate cancer. Although there is no consensus on which patients are eligible for active surveillance, prostate specific antigen above 10 ng/ml is generally excluded. In an attempt to determine the validity of using a prostate specific antigen cutoff of 10 ng/ml to counsel men considering active surveillance we analyzed a multi-institution database to determine the pathological outcome in men with prostate specific antigen greater than 10 ng/ml but histologically favorable risk prostate cancer. We queried a prospectively maintained database of men with histologically favorable risk prostate cancer who underwent radical prostatectomy between 2003 and 2015. The cohort was categorized into 3 groups based on prostate specific antigen level, including low-less than 10 ng/ml, intermediate-10 or greater to less than 20 and high-20 or greater. Associations of prostate specific antigen group with adverse pathological and oncologic outcomes were analyzed. Of 2,125 patients 1,327 were categorized with histologically favorable risk disease. However on multivariate analyses the rates of up staging and upgrading were similar between the intermediate and low prostate specific antigen groups. In contrast compared to the intermediate prostate specific antigen group the high group had higher incidences of up staging (p = 0.02) and upgrading to 4 + 3 or greater disease (p = 0.046). Biochemical recurrence-free survival rates revealed no pairwise intergroup differences except between the low and high groups. Patients with preoperatively elevated prostate specific antigen between 10 and less than 20 ng/ml who otherwise had histologically favorable risk prostate cancer were not at higher risk for adverse pathological outcomes than men with prostate specific antigen less than 10 ng/ml. Copyright © 2016 American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  12. 18 CFR 1304.203 - Vegetation management.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-04-01

    ...) Fertilizers and herbicides shall not be applied within the SMZ or elsewhere on TVA land, except as specifically approved in the Vegetative Management Plan. (m) Restricted use herbicides and pesticides shall not be applied on TVA-owned shoreland except by a State certified applicator. All herbicides and...

  13. 18 CFR 1304.203 - Vegetation management.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-04-01

    ...) Fertilizers and herbicides shall not be applied within the SMZ or elsewhere on TVA land, except as specifically approved in the Vegetative Management Plan. (m) Restricted use herbicides and pesticides shall not be applied on TVA-owned shoreland except by a State certified applicator. All herbicides and...

  14. 18 CFR 1304.203 - Vegetation management.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-04-01

    ...) Fertilizers and herbicides shall not be applied within the SMZ or elsewhere on TVA land, except as specifically approved in the Vegetative Management Plan. (m) Restricted use herbicides and pesticides shall not be applied on TVA-owned shoreland except by a State certified applicator. All herbicides and...

  15. 12 CFR 1228.1 - Definitions.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... of title to real estate, and payable on a continuing basis each time a property is transferred (except for transfers specifically excepted) for a period of time or indefinitely. A private transfer fee... SECURITY INTERESTS IN, MORTGAGES ON PROPERTIES ENCUMBERED BY CERTAIN PRIVATE TRANSFER FEE COVENANTS AND...

  16. ABO alleles are linked with haplotypes of an erythroid cell-specific regulatory element in intron 1 with a few exceptions attributable to genetic recombination.

    PubMed

    Nakajima, T; Sano, R; Takahashi, Y; Watanabe, K; Kubo, R; Kobayashi, M; Takahashi, K; Takeshita, H; Kominato, Y

    2016-01-01

    Recent investigation of transcriptional regulation of the ABO genes has identified a candidate erythroid cell-specific regulatory element, named the +5·8-kb site, in the first intron of ABO. Six haplotypes of the site have been reported previously. The present genetic population study demonstrated that each haplotype was mostly linked with specific ABO alleles with a few exceptions, possibly as a result of hybrid formation between common ABO alleles. Thus, investigation of these haplotypes could provide a clue to further elucidation of ABO alleles. © 2015 International Society of Blood Transfusion.

  17. Implementation of the Exception from Informed Consent Regulations in a Large Multicenter Emergency Clinical Trials Network; the RAMPART Experience

    PubMed Central

    Silbergleit, Robert; Biros, Michelle H.; Harney, Deneil; Dickert, Neal; Baren, Jill

    2012-01-01

    Clinical trials investigating therapies for acutely and critically ill and injured patients in the earliest phases of treatment often can only be performed under regulations allowing for exception from informed consent (EFIC) for emergency research. Implementation of these regulations in multicenter clinical trials involves special challenges and opportunities. The Rapid Anticonvulsant Medication Prior to Arrival Trial (RAMPART), the first EFIC trial conducted by the Neurological Emergencies Treatment Trials (NETT) network, combined centralized resources and coordination with retention of local control and flexibility to facilitate compliance with the EFIC regulations. Specific methods used by the NETT included common tools for community consultation and public disclosure, sharing of experiences and knowledge, and reporting of aggregate results. Tracking of community consultation and public disclosure activities and feedback facilitates empirical research on EFIC methods in the network and supports quality improvements for future NETT trials. The NETT model used in RAMPART demonstrates how EFIC may be effectively performed in established clinical trial networks. PMID:22506949

  18. Neural network-based QSAR and insecticide discovery: spinetoram

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sparks, Thomas C.; Crouse, Gary D.; Dripps, James E.; Anzeveno, Peter; Martynow, Jacek; DeAmicis, Carl V.; Gifford, James

    2008-06-01

    Improvements in the efficacy and spectrum of the spinosyns, novel fermentation derived insecticide, has long been a goal within Dow AgroSciences. As large and complex fermentation products identifying specific modifications to the spinosyns likely to result in improved activity was a difficult process, since most modifications decreased the activity. A variety of approaches were investigated to identify new synthetic directions for the spinosyn chemistry including several explorations of the quantitative structure activity relationships (QSAR) of spinosyns, which initially were unsuccessful. However, application of artificial neural networks (ANN) to the spinosyn QSAR problem identified new directions for improved activity in the chemistry, which subsequent synthesis and testing confirmed. The ANN-based analogs coupled with other information on substitution effects resulting from spinosyn structure activity relationships lead to the discovery of spinetoram (XDE-175). Launched in late 2007, spinetoram provides both improved efficacy and an expanded spectrum while maintaining the exceptional environmental and toxicological profile already established for the spinosyn chemistry.

  19. Serving Exceptional Children. A Report to the Idaho Legislature, January 2004.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Idaho State Department of Education, 2004

    2004-01-01

    This report provides information on 2002-2003 school year activities involving exceptional students. The term "exceptional students" refers to individuals with disabilities or gifts and talents who have unique needs that require specially designed instruction, administrative accommodations, or curriculum modifications in order to receive an…

  20. 43 CFR 17.311 - Exceptions to the rules against age discrimination.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... 43 Public Lands: Interior 1 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Exceptions to the rules against age... Age Standards for Determining Age Discrimination § 17.311 Exceptions to the rules against age... against age discrimination: Normal operation or statutory objective of any program or activity. A...

  1. 43 CFR 17.311 - Exceptions to the rules against age discrimination.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-10-01

    ... 43 Public Lands: Interior 1 2012-10-01 2011-10-01 true Exceptions to the rules against age... Age Standards for Determining Age Discrimination § 17.311 Exceptions to the rules against age... against age discrimination: Normal operation or statutory objective of any program or activity. A...

  2. 43 CFR 17.311 - Exceptions to the rules against age discrimination.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-10-01

    ... 43 Public Lands: Interior 1 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Exceptions to the rules against age... Age Standards for Determining Age Discrimination § 17.311 Exceptions to the rules against age... against age discrimination: Normal operation or statutory objective of any program or activity. A...

  3. 43 CFR 17.311 - Exceptions to the rules against age discrimination.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-10-01

    ... 43 Public Lands: Interior 1 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Exceptions to the rules against age... Age Standards for Determining Age Discrimination § 17.311 Exceptions to the rules against age... against age discrimination: Normal operation or statutory objective of any program or activity. A...

  4. 43 CFR 17.311 - Exceptions to the rules against age discrimination.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... 43 Public Lands: Interior 1 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Exceptions to the rules against age... Age Standards for Determining Age Discrimination § 17.311 Exceptions to the rules against age... against age discrimination: Normal operation or statutory objective of any program or activity. A...

  5. Drug discovery for neglected tropical diseases at the Sandler Center.

    PubMed

    Robertson, Stephanie A; Renslo, Adam R

    2011-08-01

    The Sandler Center's approach to target-based drug discovery for neglected tropical diseases is to focus on parasite targets that are homologous to human targets being actively investigated in the pharmaceutical industry. In this way we attempt to use both the know-how and actual chemical matter from other drug-development efforts to jump start the discovery process for neglected tropical diseases. Our approach is akin to drug repurposing, except that we seek to repurpose leads rather than drugs. Medicinal chemistry can then be applied to optimize the leads specifically for the desired antiparasitic indication.

  6. Drug discovery for neglected tropical diseases at the Sandler Center

    PubMed Central

    Robertson, Stephanie A; Renslo, Adam R

    2011-01-01

    The Sandler Center’s approach to target-based drug discovery for neglected tropical diseases is to focus on parasite targets that are homologous to human targets being actively investigated in the pharmaceutical industry. In this way we attempt to use both the know-how and actual chemical matter from other drug-development efforts to jump start the discovery process for neglected tropical diseases. Our approach is akin to drug repurposing, except that we seek to repurpose leads rather than drugs. Medicinal chemistry can then be applied to optimize the leads specifically for the desired antiparasitic indication. PMID:21859302

  7. Activity of Posaconazole and Other Antifungal Agents against Mucorales Strains Identified by Sequencing of Internal Transcribed Spacers▿

    PubMed Central

    Alastruey-Izquierdo, Ana; Castelli, Maria Victoria; Cuesta, Isabel; Monzon, Araceli; Cuenca-Estrella, Manuel; Rodriguez-Tudela, Juan Luis

    2009-01-01

    The antifungal susceptibility profiles of 77 clinical strains of Mucorales species, identified by internal transcribed spacer sequencing, were analyzed. MICs obtained at 24 and 48 h were compared. Amphotericin B was the most active agent against all isolates, except for Cunninghamella and Apophysomyces isolates. Posaconazole also showed good activity for all species but Cunninghamella bertholletiae. Voriconazole had no activity against any of the fungi tested. Terbinafine showed good activity, except for Rhizopus oryzae, Mucor circinelloides, and Rhizomucor variabilis isolates. PMID:19171801

  8. Activity of posaconazole and other antifungal agents against Mucorales strains identified by sequencing of internal transcribed spacers.

    PubMed

    Alastruey-Izquierdo, Ana; Castelli, Maria Victoria; Cuesta, Isabel; Monzon, Araceli; Cuenca-Estrella, Manuel; Rodriguez-Tudela, Juan Luis

    2009-04-01

    The antifungal susceptibility profiles of 77 clinical strains of Mucorales species, identified by internal transcribed spacer sequencing, were analyzed. MICs obtained at 24 and 48 h were compared. Amphotericin B was the most active agent against all isolates, except for Cunninghamella and Apophysomyces isolates. Posaconazole also showed good activity for all species but Cunninghamella bertholletiae. Voriconazole had no activity against any of the fungi tested. Terbinafine showed good activity, except for Rhizopus oryzae, Mucor circinelloides, and Rhizomucor variabilis isolates.

  9. Comparative Normal/Failing Rat Myocardium Cell Membrane Chromatographic Analysis System for Screening Specific Components That Counteract Doxorubicin-Induced Heart Failure from Acontium carmichaeli

    PubMed Central

    2015-01-01

    Cell membrane chromatography (CMC) derived from pathological tissues is ideal for screening specific components acting on specific diseases from complex medicines owing to the maximum simulation of in vivo drug-receptor interactions. However, there are no pathological tissue-derived CMC models that have ever been developed, as well as no visualized affinity comparison of potential active components between normal and pathological CMC columns. In this study, a novel comparative normal/failing rat myocardium CMC analysis system based on online column selection and comprehensive two-dimensional (2D) chromatography/monolithic column/time-of-flight mass spectrometry was developed for parallel comparison of the chromatographic behaviors on both normal and pathological CMC columns, as well as rapid screening of the specific therapeutic agents that counteract doxorubicin (DOX)-induced heart failure from Acontium carmichaeli (Fuzi). In total, 16 potential active alkaloid components with similar structures in Fuzi were retained on both normal and failing myocardium CMC models. Most of them had obvious decreases of affinities on failing myocardium CMC compared with normal CMC model except for four components, talatizamine (TALA), 14-acetyl-TALA, hetisine, and 14-benzoylneoline. One compound TALA with the highest affinity was isolated for further in vitro pharmacodynamic validation and target identification to validate the screen results. Voltage-dependent K+ channel was confirmed as a binding target of TALA and 14-acetyl-TALA with high affinities. The online high throughput comparative CMC analysis method is suitable for screening specific active components from herbal medicines by increasing the specificity of screened results and can also be applied to other biological chromatography models. PMID:24731167

  10. 5 CFR 2422.31 - When do you file an application for review of a Regional Director Decision and Order?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... rulings to which exception(s) is taken, include a summary of evidence relating to any issue raised in the application, and make specific references to page citations in the transcript if a hearing was held. An...

  11. 5 CFR 2422.31 - When do you file an application for review of a Regional Director Decision and Order?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... rulings to which exception(s) is taken, include a summary of evidence relating to any issue raised in the application, and make specific references to page citations in the transcript if a hearing was held. An...

  12. 40 CFR 180.151 - Ethylene oxide; tolerances for residues.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ...) PESTICIDE PROGRAMS TOLERANCES AND EXEMPTIONS FOR PESTICIDE CHEMICAL RESIDUES IN FOOD Specific Tolerances..., except basil 7 Licorice, roots 7 Peppermint, tops, dried 7 Sesame, seed 7 Spearmint, tops, dried 7... 19, dried, except basil 940 Licorice, roots 940 Peppermint, tops, dried 940 Sesame, seed 940...

  13. 40 CFR 180.151 - Ethylene oxide; tolerances for residues.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ...) PESTICIDE PROGRAMS TOLERANCES AND EXEMPTIONS FOR PESTICIDE CHEMICAL RESIDUES IN FOOD Specific Tolerances..., except basil 7 Licorice, roots 7 Peppermint, tops, dried 7 Sesame, seed 7 Spearmint, tops, dried 7... 19, dried, except basil 940 Licorice, roots 940 Peppermint, tops, dried 940 Sesame, seed 940...

  14. 40 CFR 180.151 - Ethylene oxide; tolerances for residues.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ...) PESTICIDE PROGRAMS TOLERANCES AND EXEMPTIONS FOR PESTICIDE CHEMICAL RESIDUES IN FOOD Specific Tolerances..., except basil 7 Licorice, roots 7 Peppermint, tops, dried 7 Sesame, seed 7 Spearmint, tops, dried 7... 19, dried, except basil 940 Licorice, roots 940 Peppermint, tops, dried 940 Sesame, seed 940...

  15. 40 CFR 180.151 - Ethylene oxide; tolerances for residues.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ...) PESTICIDE PROGRAMS TOLERANCES AND EXEMPTIONS FOR PESTICIDE CHEMICAL RESIDUES IN FOOD Specific Tolerances..., except basil 7 Licorice, roots 7 Peppermint, tops, dried 7 Sesame, seed 7 Spearmint, tops, dried 7... 19, dried, except basil 940 Licorice, roots 940 Peppermint, tops, dried 940 Sesame, seed 940...

  16. 40 CFR 180.151 - Ethylene oxide; tolerances for residues.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ...) PESTICIDE PROGRAMS TOLERANCES AND EXEMPTIONS FOR PESTICIDE CHEMICAL RESIDUES IN FOOD Specific Tolerances..., except basil 7 Licorice, roots 7 Peppermint, tops, dried 7 Sesame, seed 7 Spearmint, tops, dried 7... 19, dried, except basil 940 Licorice, roots 940 Peppermint, tops, dried 940 Sesame, seed 940...

  17. 40 CFR 65.44 - External floating roof (EFR).

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ... external floating roof except for automatic bleeder vents (vacuum breaker vents) and rim space vents does... floating roof shall meet the following specifications: (i) Except for automatic bleeder vents (vacuum breaker vents) and rim space vents, each opening in the noncontact external floating roof shall provide a...

  18. 40 CFR 65.44 - External floating roof (EFR).

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ... external floating roof except for automatic bleeder vents (vacuum breaker vents) and rim space vents does... floating roof shall meet the following specifications: (i) Except for automatic bleeder vents (vacuum breaker vents) and rim space vents, each opening in the noncontact external floating roof shall provide a...

  19. 40 CFR 65.44 - External floating roof (EFR).

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ... external floating roof except for automatic bleeder vents (vacuum breaker vents) and rim space vents does... floating roof shall meet the following specifications: (i) Except for automatic bleeder vents (vacuum breaker vents) and rim space vents, each opening in the noncontact external floating roof shall provide a...

  20. 45 CFR 1176.8 - Exceptions.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... ENDOWMENT FOR THE HUMANITIES PART-TIME CAREER EMPLOYMENT § 1176.8 Exceptions. (a) The Personnel Officer may... of time to meet heavy workloads, perform special assignments, permit employee training, etc., the... but specific and must state the exact time frame for the increase in hours above 32 hours per week...

  1. Hours spent and energy expended in physical activity domains: Results from The Tomorrow Project cohort in Alberta, Canada

    PubMed Central

    2011-01-01

    Background Knowledge of adult activity patterns across domains of physical activity is essential for the planning of population-based strategies that will increase overall energy expenditure and reduce the risk of obesity and related chronic diseases. We describe domain-specific hours of activity and energy expended among participants in a prospective cohort in Alberta, Canada. Methods The Past Year Total Physical Activity Questionnaire was completed by 15,591 Tomorrow Project® participants, between 2001 and 2005 detailing physical activity type, duration, frequency and intensity. Domain-specific hours of activity and activity-related energy expenditure, expressed as a percent of total energy expenditure (TEE) (Mean (SD); Median (IQR)) are reported across inactive (<1.4), low active (1.4 to 1.59), active (1.6 to 1.89) and very active (≥ 1.9) Physical Activity Level (PAL = TEE:REE) categories. Results In very active women and amongst all men except those classified as inactive, activity-related energy expenditure comprised primarily occupational activity. Amongst inactive men and women in active, low active and inactive groups, activity-related energy expenditure from household activity was comparable to, or exceeded that for occupational activity. Leisure-time activity-related energy expenditure decreased with decreasing PAL categories; however, even amongst the most active men and women it accounted for less than 10 percent of TEE. When stratified by employment status, leisure-time activity-related energy expenditure was greatest for retired men [mean (SD): 10.8 (8.5) percent of TEE], compared with those who were fully employed, employed part-time or not employed. Transportation-related activity was negligible across all categories of PAL and employment status. Conclusion For the inactive portion of this population, active non-leisure activities, specifically in the transportation and occupational domains, need to be considered for inclusion in daily routines as a means of increasing population-wide activity levels. Environmental and policy changes to promote active transport and workplace initiatives could increase overall daily energy expenditure through reducing prolonged sitting time. PMID:21985559

  2. Auxin acts as a local morphogenetic trigger to specify lateral root founder cells

    PubMed Central

    Dubrovsky, Joseph G.; Sauer, Michael; Napsucialy-Mendivil, Selene; Ivanchenko, Maria G.; Friml, Jiří; Shishkova, Svetlana; Celenza, John; Benková, Eva

    2008-01-01

    Plants exhibit an exceptional adaptability to different environmental conditions. To a large extent, this adaptability depends on their ability to initiate and form new organs throughout their entire postembryonic life. Plant shoot and root systems unceasingly branch and form axillary shoots or lateral roots, respectively. The first event in the formation of a new organ is specification of founder cells. Several plant hormones, prominent among them auxin, have been implicated in the acquisition of founder cell identity by differentiated cells, but the mechanisms underlying this process are largely elusive. Here, we show that auxin and its local accumulation in root pericycle cells is a necessary and sufficient signal to respecify these cells into lateral root founder cells. Analysis of the alf4–1 mutant suggests that specification of founder cells and the subsequent activation of cell division leading to primordium formation represent two genetically separable events. Time-lapse experiments show that the activation of an auxin response is the earliest detectable event in founder cell specification. Accordingly, local activation of auxin response correlates absolutely with the acquisition of founder cell identity and precedes the actual formation of a lateral root primordium through patterned cell division. Local production and subsequent accumulation of auxin in single pericycle cells induced by Cre-Lox-based activation of auxin synthesis converts them into founder cells. Thus, auxin is the local instructive signal that is sufficient for acquisition of founder cell identity and can be considered a morphogenetic trigger in postembryonic plant organogenesis. PMID:18559858

  3. LCR 5' hypersensitive site specificity for globin gene activation within the active chromatin hub.

    PubMed

    Peterson, Kenneth R; Fedosyuk, Halyna; Harju-Baker, Susanna

    2012-12-01

    The DNaseI hypersensitive sites (HSs) of the human β-globin locus control region (LCR) may function as part of an LCR holocomplex within a larger active chromatin hub (ACH). Differential activation of the globin genes during development may be controlled in part by preferential interaction of each gene with specific individual HSs during globin gene switching, a change in conformation of the LCR holocomplex, or both. To distinguish between these possibilities, human β-globin locus yeast artificial chromosome (β-YAC) lines were produced in which the ε-globin gene was replaced with a second marked β-globin gene (β(m)), coupled to an intact LCR, a 5'HS3 complete deletion (5'ΔHS3) or a 5'HS3 core deletion (5'ΔHS3c). The 5'ΔHS3c mice expressed β(m)-globin throughout development; γ-globin was co-expressed in the embryonic yolk sac, but not in the fetal liver; and wild-type β-globin was co-expressed in adult mice. Although the 5'HS3 core was not required for β(m)-globin expression, previous work showed that the 5'HS3 core is necessary for ε-globin expression during embryonic erythropoiesis. A similar phenotype was observed in 5'HS complete deletion mice, except β(m)-globin expression was higher during primitive erythropoiesis and γ-globin expression continued into fetal definitive erythropoiesis. These data support a site specificity model of LCR HS-globin gene interaction.

  4. Utilizing Social Media for Community Consultation and Public Disclosure in Exception from Informed Consent Trials

    PubMed Central

    Stephens, Shannon W.; Williams, Carolyn; Gray, Randal; Kerby, Jeffrey D.; Wang, Henry E.; Bosarge, Patrick L.

    2016-01-01

    Background The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Department of Health and Human Services outline regulations allowing an Exception From Informed Consent (EFIC) for research conducted in an emergency settings. Acute care clinical trials utilizing EFIC must include community consultation and public disclosure (CC/PD) activities. We describe our experience using social media to facilitate the CC/PD process in two trauma resuscitation clinical trials. Methods We conducted local CC/PD activities for two multicenter trauma clinical trials, Pragmatic, Randomized Optimal Platelet and Plasma Ratios (PROPPR) and Prehospital Tranexamic Acid Use for Traumatic Brain Injury (ROC TXA). As part of the CC/PD process, we developed research study advertisements using the social media website Facebook. The Facebook advertisements directed users to a regional study website that contained trial information. We targeted the advertisements to specific demographic users, in specific geographic areas. We analyzed the data using descriptive statistics. Results During the study periods, the PROPPR Facebook advertisement was displayed 5,001,520 times, (12 displays per target population) with 374 individuals selected the advertisement. The ROC-TXA Facebook advertisement was displayed 3,806,448 times (8 per target population) with 790 individuals selecting the advertisement. Respondents to both Facebook advertisements were mostly male (52.6%), with the highest proportion between the ages 15-24 (28.2%). Collectively, 26.9% of individuals that clicked on the Facebook advertisement, spent > 3 minutes on the study website [3min – 49 min]. Commonly accessed webpages were “Contact Us” (PROPPR 5.5%, TXA 7.7%), “Study-specific FAQs” (PROPPR 2.4%), ROC-TXA 6.7%) and “Opt-Out of Research” (PROPPR 2.5%, ROC-TXA 3.8%). Of 51 total individuals viewing the opt-out of research information (PROPPR 19, ROC-TXA 32), Time spent on that specific page was modest (PROPPR 62 seconds, ROC-TXA 55 seconds), with no individuals requesting to opt-out of either study participation. Conclusion In clinical trauma trials, using EFIC, social media may provide a viable option for facilitating the CC/PD process. Level Of Evidence Descriptive Study, Level IV. PMID:26998781

  5. Using social media for community consultation and public disclosure in exception from informed consent trials.

    PubMed

    Stephens, Shannon W; Williams, Carolyn; Gray, Randal; Kerby, Jeffrey D; Wang, Henry E; Bosarge, Patrick L

    2016-06-01

    The US Food and Drug Administration and the Department of Health and Human Services outline regulations allowing an exception from informed consent (EFIC) for research conducted in an emergency setting. Acute care clinical trials using EFIC must include community consultation and public disclosure (CC/PD) activities. We describe our experience using social media to facilitate the CC/PD process in two trauma resuscitation clinical trials. We conducted local CC/PD activities for two multicenter trauma clinical trials, Pragmatic, Randomized Optimal Platelet and Plasma Ratios (PROPPR) and Prehospital Tranexamic Acid Use for Traumatic Brain Injury (ROC-TXA). As part of the CC/PD process, we developed research study advertisements using the social media Web site Facebook. The Facebook advertisements directed users to a regional study Web site that contained trial information. We targeted the advertisements to specific demographic users, in specific geographic areas. We analyzed the data using descriptive statistics. During the study periods, the PROPPR Facebook advertisement was displayed 5,001,520 times (12 displays per target population) with 374 individuals selecting the advertisement. The ROC-TXA Facebook advertisement was displayed 3,806,448 times (8 per target population) with 790 individuals selecting the advertisement. Respondents to both Facebook advertisements were mostly male (52.6%), with the highest proportion between the ages 15 years and 24 years (28.2%). Collectively, 26.9% of individuals that clicked on the Facebook advertisement spent more than 3 minutes on the study Web site (3-49 minutes). Commonly accessed Web pages were "contact us" (PROPPR, 5.5%; ROC-TXA, 7.7%), "study-specific FAQs" (PROPPR, 2.4%; ROC-TXA, 6.7%), and "opt out of research" (PROPPR, 2.5%; ROC-TXA, 3.8%). Of 51 total individuals viewing the opt out of research information (PROPPR, 19; ROC-TXA, 32), time spent on that specific page was modest (PROPPR, 62 seconds; ROC-TXA, 55 seconds), with no individuals requesting to opt out of either study participation. In clinical trauma trials using EFIC, social media may provide a viable option for facilitating the CC/PD process.

  6. Trail-following in termites: Evidence for a multicomponent system.

    PubMed

    Kaib, M; Bruinsma, O; Leuthold, R H

    1982-09-01

    Several African termite species from different subfamilies and different habitats are sensitive to trail-active extracts or to naturally laid trails from other species. Using single-extract bioassays, it is shown that the response threshold for trail-following is nearly identical for all tested species (except forHodotermes mossambicus). However, when termite workers have a choice between trails from their own species and from other species, conspecific trail-following is exclusively observed. This phenomenon can be counteracted by dilution (1∶10) of the conspecific trail-pheromone extract. Tests of the trail activity of various synthetic alcohols show that among these, the highest sensitivity of termite workers is to (Z)-3-dodecen-1-ol. Based on our experimental data, we postulate that, in addition to a generally active trail-pheromone constituent (an unsaturated primary C12 alcohol) or a pool of chemically closely related alcohols, other species-specific components are present in termite trails.

  7. An ecoimmunological approach to study evolutionary and ancient links between coagulation, complement and Innate immunity

    PubMed Central

    Kasetty, Gopinath; Alyafei, Saud; Smeds, Emanuel; Salo-Ahen, Outi M. H.; Hansson, Stefan R.; Egesten, Arne; Herwald, Heiko

    2018-01-01

    ABSTRACT Coagulation, complement, and innate immunity are tightly interwoven and form an alliance that can be traced back to early eukaryotic evolution. Here we employed an ecoimmunological approach using Tissue Factor Pathway Inhibitor (TFPI)-1-derived peptides from the different classes of vertebrates (i.e. fish, reptile, bird, and mammals) and tested whether they can boost killing of various human bacterial pathogens in plasma. We found signs of species-specific conservation and diversification during evolution in these peptides that significantly impact their antibacterial activity. Though all peptides tested executed bactericidal activity in mammalian plasma (with the exception of rodents), no killing was observed in plasma from birds, reptiles, and fish, pointing to a crucial role for the classical pathway of the complement system. We also observed an interference of these peptides with the human intrinsic pathway of coagulation though, unlike complement activation, this mechanism appears not to be evolutionary conserved. PMID:29473457

  8. Stabilizing nanostructured solid oxide fuel cell cathode with atomic layer deposition.

    PubMed

    Gong, Yunhui; Palacio, Diego; Song, Xueyan; Patel, Rajankumar L; Liang, Xinhua; Zhao, Xuan; Goodenough, John B; Huang, Kevin

    2013-09-11

    We demonstrate that the highly active but unstable nanostructured intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cell cathode, La0.6Sr0.4CoO3-δ (LSCo), can retain its high oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity with exceptional stability for 4000 h at 700 °C by overcoating its surfaces with a conformal layer of nanoscale ZrO2 films through atomic layer deposition (ALD). The benefits from the presence of the nanoscale ALD-ZrO2 overcoats are remarkable: a factor of 19 and 18 reduction in polarization area-specific resistance and degradation rate over the pristine sample, respectively. The unique multifunctionality of the ALD-derived nanoscaled ZrO2 overcoats, that is, possessing porosity for O2 access to LSCo, conducting both electrons and oxide-ions, confining thermal growth of LSCo nanoparticles, and suppressing surface Sr-segregation is deemed the key enabler for the observed stable and active nanostructured cathode.

  9. A meta-analysis of 25 years of mood-creativity research: hedonic tone, activation, or regulatory focus?

    PubMed

    Baas, Matthijs; De Dreu, Carsten K W; Nijstad, Bernard A

    2008-11-01

    This meta-analysis synthesized 102 effect sizes reflecting the relation between specific moods and creativity. Effect sizes overall revealed that positive moods produce more creativity than mood-neutral controls (r= .15), but no significant differences between negative moods and mood-neutral controls (r= -.03) or between positive and negative moods (r= .04) were observed. Creativity is enhanced most by positive mood states that are activating and associated with an approach motivation and promotion focus (e.g., happiness), rather than those that are deactivating and associated with an avoidance motivation and prevention focus (e.g., relaxed). Negative, deactivating moods with an approach motivation and a promotion focus (e.g., sadness) were not associated with creativity, but negative, activating moods with an avoidance motivation and a prevention focus (fear, anxiety) were associated with lower creativity, especially when assessed as cognitive flexibility. With a few exceptions, these results generalized across experimental and correlational designs, populations (students vs. general adult population), and facet of creativity (e.g., fluency, flexibility, originality, eureka/insight). The authors discuss theoretical implications and highlight avenues for future research on specific moods, creativity, and their relationships.

  10. Cells adapted to the proteasome inhibitor 4-hydroxy- 5-iodo-3-nitrophenylacetyl-Leu-Leu-leucinal-vinyl sulfone require enzymatically active proteasomes for continued survival

    PubMed Central

    Princiotta, Michael F.; Schubert, Ulrich; Chen, Weisan; Bennink, Jack R.; Myung, Jayhyuk; Crews, Craig M.; Yewdell, Jonathan W.

    2001-01-01

    The proteasome is the primary protease used by cells for degrading proteins and generating peptide ligands for class I molecules of the major histocompatibility complex. Based on the properties of cells adapted to grow in the presence of the proteasome inhibitor 4-hydroxy-5-iodo-3-nitrophenylacetyl-Leu-Leu-leucinal-vinyl sulfone (NLVS), it was proposed that proteasomes can be replaced by alternative proteolytic systems, particularly a large proteolytic complex with a tripeptidyl peptidase II activity. Here we show that NLVS-adapted cells retain sensitivity to a number of highly specific proteasome inhibitors with regard to antigenic peptide generation, accumulation of polyubiquitinated proteins, degradation of p53, and cell viability. In addition, we show that in the same assays (with a single minor exception), NLVS-adapted cells are about as sensitive as nonselected cells to Ala-Ala-Phe-chloromethylketone, a specific inhibitor of tripeptidyl peptidase II activity. Based on these findings, we conclude that proteasomes still have essential proteolytic functions in adapted cells that are not replaced by Ala-Ala-Phe-chloromethylketone-sensitive proteases. PMID:11149939

  11. Clofilium inhibits Slick and Slack potassium channels.

    PubMed

    de Los Angeles Tejada, Maria; Stolpe, Kathleen; Meinild, Anne-Kristine; Klaerke, Dan A

    2012-01-01

    Slick and Slack high-conductance potassium channels have been recently discovered, and are found in the central nervous system and in the heart. Both channels are activated by Na(+) and Cl(-), and Slick channels are also inhibited by adenosine triphospate (ATP). An important role of setting the resting membrane potential and controlling the basal excitability of neurons has been suggested for these channels. In addition, no specific blockers for these channels are known up to the present. With the purpose of studying the pharmacological characteristics of Slick and Slack channels, the effects of exposure to the antiarrhythmic compound clofilium were evaluated. Clofilium was able to modulate the activity of Slick and Slack channels effectively, with a stronger effect on Slack than Slick channels. In order to evaluate the pharmacological behavior of Slick and Slack channels further, 38 commonly used potassium channel blockers were tested. Screening of these compounds did not reveal any modulators of Slick and Slack channels, except for clofilium. The present study provides a first approach towards elucidating the pharmacological characteristics of Slick and Slack channels and could be the basis for future studies aimed at developing potent and specific blockers and activators for these channels.

  12. Prediction of active sites of enzymes by maximum relevance minimum redundancy (mRMR) feature selection.

    PubMed

    Gao, Yu-Fei; Li, Bi-Qing; Cai, Yu-Dong; Feng, Kai-Yan; Li, Zhan-Dong; Jiang, Yang

    2013-01-27

    Identification of catalytic residues plays a key role in understanding how enzymes work. Although numerous computational methods have been developed to predict catalytic residues and active sites, the prediction accuracy remains relatively low with high false positives. In this work, we developed a novel predictor based on the Random Forest algorithm (RF) aided by the maximum relevance minimum redundancy (mRMR) method and incremental feature selection (IFS). We incorporated features of physicochemical/biochemical properties, sequence conservation, residual disorder, secondary structure and solvent accessibility to predict active sites of enzymes and achieved an overall accuracy of 0.885687 and MCC of 0.689226 on an independent test dataset. Feature analysis showed that every category of the features except disorder contributed to the identification of active sites. It was also shown via the site-specific feature analysis that the features derived from the active site itself contributed most to the active site determination. Our prediction method may become a useful tool for identifying the active sites and the key features identified by the paper may provide valuable insights into the mechanism of catalysis.

  13. Controlling Distributed Planning

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Clement, Bradley; Barrett, Anthony

    2004-01-01

    A system of software implements an extended version of an approach, denoted shared activity coordination (SHAC), to the interleaving of planning and the exchange of plan information among organizations devoted to different missions that normally communicate infrequently except that they need to collaborate on joint activities and/or the use of shared resources. SHAC enables the planning and scheduling systems of the organizations to coordinate by resolving conflicts while optimizing local planning solutions. The present software provides a framework for modeling and executing communication protocols for SHAC. Shared activities are represented in each interacting planning system to establish consensus on joint activities or to inform the other systems of consumption of a common resource or a change in a shared state. The representations of shared activities are extended to include information on (1) the role(s) of each participant, (2) permissions (defined as specifications of which participant controls what aspects of shared activities and scheduling thereof), and (3) constraints on the parameters of shared activities. Also defined in the software are protocols for changing roles, permissions, and constraints during the course of coordination and execution.

  14. 14 CFR 1252.201 - Exceptions to the rules against age discrimination.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... 14 Aeronautics and Space 5 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Exceptions to the rules against age... NONDISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF AGE IN PROGRAMS OR ACTIVITIES RECEIVING FEDERAL FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE Standards for Determining Age Discrimination § 1252.201 Exceptions to the rules against age discrimination. (a) Definitions...

  15. 14 CFR § 1252.201 - Exceptions to the rules against age discrimination.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... 14 Aeronautics and Space 5 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Exceptions to the rules against age... ADMINISTRATION NONDISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF AGE IN PROGRAMS OR ACTIVITIES RECEIVING FEDERAL FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE Standards for Determining Age Discrimination § 1252.201 Exceptions to the rules against age...

  16. 14 CFR 1252.201 - Exceptions to the rules against age discrimination.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... 14 Aeronautics and Space 5 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Exceptions to the rules against age... NONDISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF AGE IN PROGRAMS OR ACTIVITIES RECEIVING FEDERAL FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE Standards for Determining Age Discrimination § 1252.201 Exceptions to the rules against age discrimination. (a) Definitions...

  17. 14 CFR 1252.201 - Exceptions to the rules against age discrimination.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... 14 Aeronautics and Space 5 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Exceptions to the rules against age... NONDISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF AGE IN PROGRAMS OR ACTIVITIES RECEIVING FEDERAL FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE Standards for Determining Age Discrimination § 1252.201 Exceptions to the rules against age discrimination. (a) Definitions...

  18. Mechanisms contributing to the dopamine induction of crawl-like bursting in leech motoneurons.

    PubMed

    Crisp, Kevin M; Gallagher, Brian R; Mesce, Karen A

    2012-09-01

    Dopamine (DA) activates fictive crawling behavior in the medicinal leech. To identify the cellular mechanisms underlying this activation at the level of crawl-specific motoneuronal bursting, we targeted potential cAMP-dependent events that are often activated through DA(1)-like receptor signaling pathways. We found that isolated ganglia produced crawl-like motoneuron bursting after bath application of phosphodiesterase inhibitors (PDIs) that upregulated cAMP. This bursting persisted in salines in which calcium ions were replaced with equimolar cobalt or nickel, but was blocked by riluzole, an inhibitor of a persistent sodium current. PDI-induced bursting contained a number of patterned elements that were statistically similar to those observed during DA-induced fictive crawling, except that one motoneuron (CV) exhibited bursting during the contraction rather than the elongation phase of crawling. Although DA and the PDIs produced similar bursting profiles, intracellular recordings from motoneurons revealed differences in altered membrane properties. For example, DA lowered motoneuron excitability whereas the PDIs increased resting discharge rates. We suggest that PDIs (and DA) activate a sodium-influx-dependent timing mechanism capable of setting the crawl rhythm and that multiple DA receptor subtypes are involved in shaping and modulating the phase relationships and membrane properties of cell-specific members of the crawl network to generate crawling.

  19. "They Will Leave You Lost": Experiences of a Gifted Black Male with a Traumatic Brain Injury

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Mayes, Renae D.

    2018-01-01

    An increased body of research on twice exceptionality provides insight on recruitment and retention issues concerning gifted students with dis/abilities, particularly those with specific learning dis/abilities, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or autism spectrum disorder. However, little research on twice exceptionality incorporates…

  20. Sexual scripts among young heterosexually active men and women: continuity and change.

    PubMed

    Masters, N Tatiana; Casey, Erin; Wells, Elizabeth A; Morrison, Diane M

    2013-01-01

    Whereas gendered sexual scripts are hegemonic at the cultural level, research suggests they may be less so at dyadic and individual levels. Understanding "disjunctures" between sexual scripts at different levels holds promise for illuminating mechanisms through which sexual scripts can change. Through interviews with 44 heterosexually active men and women aged 18 to 25, the ways young people grappled with culture-level scripts for sexuality and relationships were delineated. Findings suggest that, although most participants' culture-level gender scripts for behavior in sexual relationships were congruent with descriptions of traditional masculine and feminine sexuality, there was heterogeneity in how or whether these scripts were incorporated into individual relationships. Specifically, three styles of working with sexual scripts were found: conforming, in which personal gender scripts for sexual behavior overlapped with traditional scripts; exception-finding, in which interviewees accepted culture-level gender scripts as a reality, but created exceptions to gender rules for themselves; and transforming, in which participants either attempted to remake culture-level gender scripts or interpreted their own nontraditional styles as equally normative. Changing sexual scripts can potentially contribute to decreased gender inequity in the sexual realm and to increased opportunities for sexual satisfaction, safety, and well-being, particularly for women, but for men as well.

  1. The relationship between the behavioral activity and the underwater vocalization of the beluga whale ( Delphinapterus leucas)

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Panova, E. M.; Belikov, R. A.; Agafonov, A. V.; Bel'Kovich, V. M.

    2012-02-01

    The underwater vocalizations of the beluga whale summering in Onega Bay (64°24'N, 35°49'E) were recorded in June-July of 2008. The vocalizations were classified into five major whistle types, four types of pulsed tones, click series, and noise vocalizations. To determine the relationship between the behavioral activity and the underwater vocalizations, a total of fifty-one 2 minute-long samples of the audio records were analyzed in the next six behavioral contexts: directional movements, quiet swimming, resting, social interactions, individual hunting behavior, and the exploration of hydrophones by beluga whales. The overall vocalization rate and the percentage of the main types of signals depend on the behavior of the belugas. We suggest that one of the whistle types (the "stereotype whistle") is used by belugas for long-distance communications, while other whistle types (with the exception of "squeaks") and three types of pulsed tones (with the exception of "vowels") are used for short distance communication. The percentage of "squeaks" and "vowels" was equally high in all the behavioral situations. Thus, we assume that "squeaks" are contact signals. "Vowels" have a specific physical structure and probably play a role in identification signals. A high rate of the click series was observed in the process of social interactions.

  2. Involvement & Participation. National Conference on Physical Activity for the Exceptional Individual (11th, San Diego, California, November 19-20, 1982).

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Greaves, Edward R.; Richmond, Alan

    This publication contains papers, presented at a conference about physical activities for the exceptional individual, concerning: (1) student interest/motivation; (2) swimming; (3) games; (4) wheelchairs; (5) movement education; (6) physical stress and bone growth; (7) parent involvement; (8) meningomyelocele; (9) blind athletes; (10) Project…

  3. Homology modeling, simulation and molecular docking studies of catechol-2, 3-Dioxygenase from Burkholderia cepacia: Involved in degradation of Petroleum hydrocarbons.

    PubMed

    Ajao, At; Kannan, M; Yakubu, Se; Vj, Umoh; Jb, Ameh

    2012-01-01

    Catechol 2, 3-dioxygenase is present in several types of bacteria and undergoes degradation of environmental pollutants through an important key biochemical pathways. Specifically, this enzyme cleaves aromatic rings of several environmental pollutants such as toluene, xylene, naphthalene and biphenyl derivatives. Hence, the importance of Catechol 2, 3-dioxygenase and its role in the degradation of environmental pollutants made us to predict the three-dimensional structure of Catechol 2, 3-dioxygenase from Burkholderia cepacia. The 10ns molecular dynamics simulation was carried out to check the stability of the modeled Catechol 2, 3- dioxygenase. The results show that the model was energetically stable, and it attains their equilibrium within 2000 ps of production MD run. The docking of various petroleum hydrocarbons into the Catechol 2,3-dioxygenase reveals that the benzene, O-xylene, Toluene, Fluorene, Naphthalene, Carbazol, Pyrene, Dibenzothiophene, Anthracene, Phenanthrene, Biphenyl makes strong hydrogen bond and Van der waals interaction with the active site residues of H150, L152, W198, H206, H220, H252, I254, T255, Y261, E271, L276 and F309. Free energy of binding and estimated inhibition constant of these compounds demonstrates that they are energetically stable in their binding cavity. Chrysene shows positive energy of binding in the active site atom of Fe. Except Pyrene all the substrates made close contact with Fe atom by the distance ranges from 1.67 to 2.43 Å. In addition to that, the above mentioned substrate except pyrene all other made π-π stacking interaction with H252 by the distance ranges from 3.40 to 3.90 Å. All these docking results reveal that, except Chrysene all other substrate has good free energy of binding to hold enough in the active site and makes strong VdW interaction with Catechol-2,3-dioxygenase. These results suggest that, the enzyme is capable of catalyzing the above-mentioned substrate.

  4. Homology modeling, simulation and molecular docking studies of catechol-2, 3-Dioxygenase from Burkholderia cepacia: Involved in degradation of Petroleum hydrocarbons

    PubMed Central

    Ajao, AT; Kannan, M; Yakubu, SE; VJ, Umoh; JB, Ameh

    2012-01-01

    Catechol 2, 3-dioxygenase is present in several types of bacteria and undergoes degradation of environmental pollutants through an important key biochemical pathways. Specifically, this enzyme cleaves aromatic rings of several environmental pollutants such as toluene, xylene, naphthalene and biphenyl derivatives. Hence, the importance of Catechol 2, 3-dioxygenase and its role in the degradation of environmental pollutants made us to predict the three-dimensional structure of Catechol 2, 3-dioxygenase from Burkholderia cepacia. The 10ns molecular dynamics simulation was carried out to check the stability of the modeled Catechol 2, 3- dioxygenase. The results show that the model was energetically stable, and it attains their equilibrium within 2000 ps of production MD run. The docking of various petroleum hydrocarbons into the Catechol 2,3-dioxygenase reveals that the benzene, O-xylene, Toluene, Fluorene, Naphthalene, Carbazol, Pyrene, Dibenzothiophene, Anthracene, Phenanthrene, Biphenyl makes strong hydrogen bond and Van der waals interaction with the active site residues of H150, L152, W198, H206, H220, H252, I254, T255, Y261, E271, L276 and F309. Free energy of binding and estimated inhibition constant of these compounds demonstrates that they are energetically stable in their binding cavity. Chrysene shows positive energy of binding in the active site atom of Fe. Except Pyrene all the substrates made close contact with Fe atom by the distance ranges from 1.67 to 2.43 Å. In addition to that, the above mentioned substrate except pyrene all other made π-π stacking interaction with H252 by the distance ranges from 3.40 to 3.90 Å. All these docking results reveal that, except Chrysene all other substrate has good free energy of binding to hold enough in the active site and makes strong VdW interaction with Catechol-2,3-dioxygenase. These results suggest that, the enzyme is capable of catalyzing the above-mentioned substrate. PMID:23144539

  5. Structural Basis for the Catalytic Activity of Human SER/THR Protein Phosphatase-5

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Swingle, M. R.; Honkanen, R.; Ciszak, E.

    2004-01-01

    Serinekhreonine protein phosphatase-5 (PP5) affects many signaling networks that regulate cell growth. Here we report the 1.6 Angstrom resolution crystal structure of PP5 catalytic domain with metal and phosphate ions in the active site. The structure reveals a mechanism for PPS-mediated catalysis that requires the precise positioning of two metal ions within a conserved Asp(sup 271)-M(sub 1),-M(sub 2)-His(sup 427)-W(sup 2)-His(sup 304)-Asp(sup 274) catalytic motif, and provides a structural basis for the exceptional catalytic proficiency of protein phosphatases placing them among the most powerful catalysts. Resolution of the entire C-terminus revealed a novel subdomain, and the structure of PP5 should aid development of specific inhibitors.

  6. Three exploratory studies of relations between young adults' preference for activities involving a specific sense modality and sensory attributes of early memories.

    PubMed

    Westman, A S; Stuve, M

    2001-04-01

    Three studies explored whether young adults' preference for using a sense modality, e.g., hearing, correlated with presence or clarity of attributes of that sense modality in earliest memories from childhood, elementary school, or high school. In Study 1, 75 graduates or seniors in fine arts, fashion merchandising, music, conducting, or dance showed no greater frequency or clarity of any modality's sensory attributes. In Study 2, 213 beginning university students' ratings of current importance of activities emphasizing a sense modality correlated with sensory contents of recollections only for smell and taste. In Study 3, 102 beginning students' ratings of current enjoyment in using a sense modality and sensory contents of recollections were correlated and involved every modality except vision.

  7. Unrivaled combination of surface area and pore volume in micelle-templated carbon for supercapacitor energy storage

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Pokrzywinski, Jesse; Keum, Jong K.; Ruther, Rose E.

    Here, we created Immense Surface Area Carbons (ISACs) by a novel heat treatment that stabilized the micelle structure in a biological based precursor prior to high temperature combined activation – pyrolysis. While displaying a morphology akin to that of commercial activated carbon, ISACs contain an unparalleled combination of electrochemically active surface area and pore volume (up to 4051 m 2 g –1, total pore volume 2.60 cm 3 g –1, 76% small mesopores). The carbons also possess the benefit of being quite pure (combined O and N: 2.6–4.1 at%), thus allowing for a capacitive response that is primarily EDLC. Testedmore » at commercial mass loadings (~10 mg cm –2) ISACs demonstrate exceptional specific capacitance values throughout the entire relevant current density regime, with superior rate capability primarily due to the large fraction of mesopores. In the optimized ISAC, the specific capacitance ( C g) is 540 F g –1 at 0.2 A g –1, 409 F g –1 at 1 A g –1 and 226 F g –1 at a very high current density of 300 A g –1 (~0.15 second charge time). At intermediate and high currents, such capacitance values have not been previously reported for any carbon. Tested with a stable 1.8 V window in a 1 M Li 2SO 4 electrolyte, a symmetric supercapacitor cell yields a flat energy–power profile that is fully competitive with those of organic electrolyte systems: 29 W h kg –1 at 442 W kg –1 and 17 W h kg –1 at 3940 W kg –1. The cyclability of symmetric ISAC cells is also exceptional due to the minimization of faradaic reactions on the carbon surface, with 80% capacitance retention over 100 000 cycles in 1 M Li 2SO 4 and 75 000 cycles in 6 M KOH.« less

  8. Unrivaled combination of surface area and pore volume in micelle-templated carbon for supercapacitor energy storage

    DOE PAGES

    Pokrzywinski, Jesse; Keum, Jong K.; Ruther, Rose E.; ...

    2017-05-23

    Here, we created Immense Surface Area Carbons (ISACs) by a novel heat treatment that stabilized the micelle structure in a biological based precursor prior to high temperature combined activation – pyrolysis. While displaying a morphology akin to that of commercial activated carbon, ISACs contain an unparalleled combination of electrochemically active surface area and pore volume (up to 4051 m 2 g –1, total pore volume 2.60 cm 3 g –1, 76% small mesopores). The carbons also possess the benefit of being quite pure (combined O and N: 2.6–4.1 at%), thus allowing for a capacitive response that is primarily EDLC. Testedmore » at commercial mass loadings (~10 mg cm –2) ISACs demonstrate exceptional specific capacitance values throughout the entire relevant current density regime, with superior rate capability primarily due to the large fraction of mesopores. In the optimized ISAC, the specific capacitance ( C g) is 540 F g –1 at 0.2 A g –1, 409 F g –1 at 1 A g –1 and 226 F g –1 at a very high current density of 300 A g –1 (~0.15 second charge time). At intermediate and high currents, such capacitance values have not been previously reported for any carbon. Tested with a stable 1.8 V window in a 1 M Li 2SO 4 electrolyte, a symmetric supercapacitor cell yields a flat energy–power profile that is fully competitive with those of organic electrolyte systems: 29 W h kg –1 at 442 W kg –1 and 17 W h kg –1 at 3940 W kg –1. The cyclability of symmetric ISAC cells is also exceptional due to the minimization of faradaic reactions on the carbon surface, with 80% capacitance retention over 100 000 cycles in 1 M Li 2SO 4 and 75 000 cycles in 6 M KOH.« less

  9. Brain regional acetylcholinesterase activity and muscarinic acetylcholine receptors in rats after repeated administration of cholinesterase inhibitors and its withdrawal

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Kobayashi, Haruo; Suzuki, Tadahiko; Sakamoto, Maki

    Activity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and specific binding of [{sup 3}H]quinuclidinyl benzilate (QNB), [{sup 3}H]pirenzepine (PZP) and [{sup 3}H]AF-DX 384 to muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mAChR) preparations in the striatum, hippocampus and cortex of rats were determined 1, 6 and 11 days after the last treatment with an organophosphate DDVP, a carbamate propoxur or a muscarinic agonist oxotremorine as a reference for 7 and 14 days. AChE activity was markedly decreased in the three regions 1 day after the treatment with DDVP for 7 and 14 days with a gradual recovery 6 to 11 days, and much less decreased 1, 6 andmore » 11 days after the treatment with propoxur for 7 days but not for 14 days in the hippocampus and cortex. The binding of [{sup 3}H]-QNB, PZP and AF-DX 384 in the three regions was generally decreased by the treatment with DDVP for 7 and 14 days. Such down-regulations were generally restored 6 or 11 days after the treatment for 7 but not for 14 days. The down-regulation or up-regulation as measured by [{sup 3}H]-QNB, PZP and AF-DX 384 was observed 1, 6 or 11 days after treatment with propoxur for 7 days and/or 14 days. Repeated treatment with oxotremorine produced similar effects except AChE activity to DDVP. These results suggest that repeated inhibition of AChE activity may usually cause down-regulation of mAChRs with some exception in the hippocampus when a reversible antiChE propoxur is injected.« less

  10. Validation study of Polar V800 accelerometer.

    PubMed

    Hernández-Vicente, Adrián; Santos-Lozano, Alejandro; De Cocker, Katrien; Garatachea, Nuria

    2016-08-01

    The correct quantification of physical activity (PA) and energy expenditure (EE) in daily life is an important target for researchers and professionals. The objective of this paper is to study the validity of the Polar V800 for the quantification of PA and the estimation of EE against the ActiGraph (ActiTrainer) in healthy young adults. Eighteen Caucasian active people (50% women) aged between 19-23 years wore an ActiTrainer on the right hip and a Polar V800 on the preferred wrist during 7 days. Paired samples t-tests were used to analyze differences in outcomes between devices, and Pearson's correlation coefficients to examine the correlation between outcomes. The agreement was studied using the Bland-Altman method. Also, the association between the difference and the magnitude of the measurement (heteroscedasticity) was examined. Sensitivity, specificity and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC-AUC value) were calculated to evaluate the ability of the devices to accurately define a person who fulfills the recommendation of 10,000 daily steps. The devices significantly differed from each other on all outcomes (P<0.05), except for Polar V800's alerts vs. ActiTrainer's 1 hour sedentary bouts (P=0.595) and Polar V800's walking time vs. ActiTrainer's lifestyle time (P=0.484). Heteroscedasticity analyses were significant for all outcomes, except for Kcal and sitting time. The ROC-AUC value was fair (0.781±0.048) and the sensitivity and specificity was 98% and 58%, respectively. The Polar V800 accelerometer has a comparable validity to the accelerometer in free-living conditions, regarding "1 hour sedentary bouts" and "V800's walking time vs. ActiTrainer's lifestyle time" in young adults.

  11. Developing high-resolution urban scale heavy-duty truck emission inventory using the data-driven truck activity model output

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Perugu, Harikishan; Wei, Heng; Yao, Zhuo

    2017-04-01

    Air quality modelers often rely on regional travel demand models to estimate the vehicle activity data for emission models, however, most of the current travel demand models can only output reliable person travel activity rather than goods/service specific travel activity. This paper presents the successful application of data-driven, Spatial Regression and output optimization Truck model (SPARE-Truck) to develop truck-related activity inputs for the mobile emission model, and eventually to produce truck specific gridded emissions. To validate the proposed methodology, the Cincinnati metropolitan area in United States was selected as a case study site. From the results, it is found that the truck miles traveled predicted using traditional methods tend to underestimate - overall 32% less than proposed model- truck miles traveled. The coefficient of determination values for different truck types range between 0.82 and 0.97, except the motor homes which showed least model fit with 0.51. Consequently, the emission inventories calculated from the traditional methods were also underestimated i.e. -37% for NOx, -35% for SO2, -43% for VOC, -43% for BC, -47% for OC and - 49% for PM2.5. Further, the proposed method also predicted within ∼7% of the national emission inventory for all pollutants. The bottom-up gridding methodology used in this paper could allocate the emissions to grid cell where more truck activity is expected, and it is verified against regional land-use data. Most importantly, using proposed method it is easy to segregate gridded emission inventory by truck type, which is of particular interest for decision makers, since currently there is no reliable method to test different truck-category specific travel-demand management strategies for air pollution control.

  12. Validation of a motor activity system by a robotically controlled vehicle and using standard reference compounds.

    PubMed

    Patterson, John P; Markgraf, Carrie G; Cirino, Maria; Bass, Alan S

    2005-01-01

    A series of experiments were undertaken to evaluate the accuracy, precision, specificity, and sensitivity of an automated, infrared photo beam-based open field motor activity system, the MotorMonitor v. 4.01, Hamilton-Kinder, LLC, for use in a good laboratory practices (GLP) Safety Pharmacology laboratory. This evaluation consisted of two phases: (1) system validation, employing known inputs using the EM-100 Controller Photo Beam Validation System, a robotically controlled vehicle representing a rodent and (2) biologic validation, employing groups of rats treated with the standard pharmacologic agents diazepam or D-amphetamine. The MotorMonitor's parameters that described the open-field activity of a subject were: basic movements, total distance, fine movements, x/y horizontal ambulations, rearing, and total rest time. These measurements were evaluated over a number of zones within each enclosure. System validation with the EM-100 Controller Photo Beam Validation System showed that all the parameters accurately and precisely measured what they were intended to measure, with the exception of fine movements and x/y ambulations. Biologic validation using the central nervous system depressant diazepam at 1, 2, or 5 mg/kg, i.p. produced the expected dose-dependent reduction in rat motor activity. In contrast, the central nervous system stimulant D-amphetamine produced the expected increases in rat motor activity at 0.1 and 1 mg/kg, i.p, demonstrating the specificity and sensitivity of the system. Taken together, these studies of the accuracy, precision, specificity, and sensitivity show the importance of both system and biologic validation in the evaluation of an automated open field motor activity system for use in a GLP compliant laboratory.

  13. [Effect of citric acid stimulation on salivary alpha-amylase, total protein, salivary flow rate and pH value in Pi deficiency children].

    PubMed

    Yang, Ze-min; Chen, Long-hui; Lin, Jing; Zhang, Min; Yang, Xiao-rong; Chen, Wei-wen

    2015-02-01

    To compare the effect of citric acid stimulation on salivary alpha-amylase (sAA), total protein (TP), salivary flow rate, and pH value between Pi deficiency (PD) children and healthy children, thereby providing evidence for Pi controlling saliva theory. Twenty PD children were recruited, and 29 healthy children were also recruited at the same time. Saliva samples from all subjects were collected before and after citric acid stimulation. The sAA activity and amount, TP contents, salivary flow rate, and pH value were determined and compared. (1) Citric acid stimulation was able to significantly increase salivary flow rate, pH value, sAA activities, sAA specific activity and sAA amount (including glycosylated and non-glycosylated sAA amount) in healthy children (P<0.05), while it could markedly increase salivary flow rate, pH value, and glycosylated sAA levels in PD children (P<0.05); (2) Although there was no statistical difference in determined salivary indices between the two groups (P>0.05), salivary indices except salivary flow rate and glycosylated sAA levels decreased more in PD children. There was statistical difference in sAA activity ratio, sAA specific activity ratio, and the ratio of glycosylated sAA levels between PD children and healthy children (P<0.05). PD children had decreased response to citric acid stimulation.

  14. In vitro antibacterial activity and beta-lactamase stability of CP-70,429 a new penem antibiotic.

    PubMed

    Minamimura, M; Taniyama, Y; Inoue, E; Mitsuhashi, S

    1993-07-01

    In in vitro susceptibility tests, the new penem CP-70,429 showed potent antibacterial activity against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria except Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Xanthomonas maltophilia. CP-70,429 was stable to various types of beta-lactamases except for the enzyme from X. maltophilia and was 16- to 128-fold more active than the other compounds against beta-lactamase-producing strains of Enterobacter cloacae and Citrobacter freundii.

  15. In vitro antibacterial activity and beta-lactamase stability of CP-70,429 a new penem antibiotic.

    PubMed Central

    Minamimura, M; Taniyama, Y; Inoue, E; Mitsuhashi, S

    1993-01-01

    In in vitro susceptibility tests, the new penem CP-70,429 showed potent antibacterial activity against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria except Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Xanthomonas maltophilia. CP-70,429 was stable to various types of beta-lactamases except for the enzyme from X. maltophilia and was 16- to 128-fold more active than the other compounds against beta-lactamase-producing strains of Enterobacter cloacae and Citrobacter freundii. PMID:8363389

  16. The history of AIDS exceptionalism.

    PubMed

    Smith, Julia H; Whiteside, Alan

    2010-12-03

    In the history of public health, HIV/AIDS is unique; it has widespread and long-lasting demographic, social, economic and political impacts. The global response has been unprecedented. AIDS exceptionalism--the idea that the disease requires a response above and beyond "normal" health interventions--began as a Western response to the originally terrifying and lethal nature of the virus. More recently, AIDS exceptionalism came to refer to the disease-specific global response and the resources dedicated to addressing the epidemic. There has been a backlash against this exceptionalism, with critics claiming that HIV/AIDS receives a disproportionate amount of international aid and health funding.This paper situations this debate in historical perspective. By reviewing histories of the disease, policy developments and funding patterns, it charts how the meaning of AIDS exceptionalism has shifted over three decades. It argues that while the connotation of the term has changed, the epidemic has maintained its course, and therefore some of the justifications for exceptionalism remain.

  17. Modulation by Melatonin of the Pathogenesis of Inflammatory Autoimmune Diseases

    PubMed Central

    Lin, Gu-Jiun; Huang, Shing-Hwa; Chen, Shyi-Jou; Wang, Chih-Hung; Chang, Deh-Ming; Sytwu, Huey-Kang

    2013-01-01

    Melatonin is the major secretory product of the pineal gland during the night and has multiple activities including the regulation of circadian and seasonal rhythms, and antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. It also possesses the ability to modulate immune responses by regulation of the T helper 1/2 balance and cytokine production. Autoimmune diseases, which result from the activation of immune cells by autoantigens released from normal tissues, affect around 5% of the population. Activation of autoantigen-specific immune cells leads to subsequent damage of target tissues by these activated cells. Melatonin therapy has been investigated in several animal models of autoimmune disease, where it has a beneficial effect in a number of models excepting rheumatoid arthritis, and has been evaluated in clinical autoimmune diseases including rheumatoid arthritis and ulcerative colitis. This review summarizes and highlights the role and the modulatory effects of melatonin in several inflammatory autoimmune diseases including multiple sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes mellitus, and inflammatory bowel disease. PMID:23727938

  18. Dimerization of the voltage-sensing phosphatase controls its voltage-sensing and catalytic activity.

    PubMed

    Rayaprolu, Vamseedhar; Royal, Perrine; Stengel, Karen; Sandoz, Guillaume; Kohout, Susy C

    2018-05-07

    Multimerization is a key characteristic of most voltage-sensing proteins. The main exception was thought to be the Ciona intestinalis voltage-sensing phosphatase (Ci-VSP). In this study, we show that multimerization is also critical for Ci-VSP function. Using coimmunoprecipitation and single-molecule pull-down, we find that Ci-VSP stoichiometry is flexible. It exists as both monomers and dimers, with dimers favored at higher concentrations. We show strong dimerization via the voltage-sensing domain (VSD) and weak dimerization via the phosphatase domain. Using voltage-clamp fluorometry, we also find that VSDs cooperate to lower the voltage dependence of activation, thus favoring the activation of Ci-VSP. Finally, using activity assays, we find that dimerization alters Ci-VSP substrate specificity such that only dimeric Ci-VSP is able to dephosphorylate the 3-phosphate from PI(3,4,5)P 3 or PI(3,4)P 2 Our results indicate that dimerization plays a significant role in Ci-VSP function. © 2018 Rayaprolu et al.

  19. Biochemical and Genetic Evidence for the Presence of Multiple Phosphatidylinositol- and Phosphatidylinositol 4,5-Bisphosphate-Specific Phospholipases C in Tetrahymena▿‡

    PubMed Central

    Leondaritis, George; Sarri, Theoni; Dafnis, Ioannis; Efstathiou, Antonia; Galanopoulou, Dia

    2011-01-01

    Eukaryotic phosphoinositide-specific phospholipases C (PI-PLC) specifically hydrolyze phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate [PtdIns(4,5)P2], produce the Ca2+-mobilizing agent inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate, and regulate signaling in multicellular organisms. Bacterial PtdIns-specific PLCs, also present in trypanosomes, hydrolyze PtdIns and glycosyl-PtdIns, and they are considered important virulence factors. All unicellular eukaryotes studied so far contain a single PI-PLC-like gene. In this report, we show that ciliates are an exception, since we provide evidence that Tetrahymena species contain two sets of functional genes coding for both bacterial and eukaryotic PLCs. Biochemical characterization revealed two PLC activities that differ in their phosphoinositide substrate utilization, subcellular localization, secretion to extracellular space, and sensitivity to Ca2+. One of these activities was identified as a typical membrane-associated PI-PLC activated by low-micromolar Ca2+, modestly activated by GTPγS in vitro, and inhibited by the compound U73122 [1-(6-{[17β-3-methoxyestra-1,3,5(10)-trien-17-yl]amino}hexyl)-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione]. Importantly, inhibition of PI-PLC in vivo resulted in rapid upregulation of PtdIns(4,5)P2 levels, suggesting its functional importance in regulating phosphoinositide turnover in Tetrahymena. By in silico and molecular analysis, we identified two PLC genes that exhibit significant similarity to bacterial but not trypanosomal PLC genes and three eukaryotic PI-PLC genes, one of which is a novel inactive PLC similar to proteins identified only in metazoa. Comparative studies of expression patterns and PI-PLC activities in three T. thermophila strains showed a correlation between expression levels and activity, suggesting that the three eukaryotic PI-PLC genes are functionally nonredundant. Our findings imply the presence of a conserved and elaborate PI-PLC-Ins(1,4,5)P3-Ca2+ regulatory axis in ciliates. PMID:21169416

  20. 46 CFR 170.160 - Specific applicability

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... 46 Shipping 7 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Specific applicability 170.160 Section 170.160 Shipping COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED) SUBDIVISION AND STABILITY STABILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL INSPECTED VESSELS Weather Criteria § 170.160 Specific applicability (a) Except as provided...

  1. Purification and characterization of the enzyme cholesterol oxidase from a new isolate of Streptomyces sp.

    PubMed

    Praveen, Vandana; Srivastava, Akanksha; Tripathi, C K M

    2011-11-01

    An extracellular cholesterol oxidase (cho) enzyme was isolated from the Streptomyces parvus, a new source and purified 18-fold by ion exchange and gel filtration chromatography. Specific activity of the purified enzyme was found to be 20 U/mg with a 55 kDa molecular mass. The enzyme was stable at pH 7.2 and 50 °C. The enzyme activity was inhibited in the presence of Pb(2+), Ag(2+), Hg(2+), and Zn(2+) and enhanced in the presence of Mn(2+). The enzyme activity was inhibited by the thiol-reducing reagents (DTT, β-mercaptoethanol), suggesting that disulfide linkage is essential for the enzyme activity. The enzyme activity was found to be maximum in the presence of Triton X-100 and X-114 detergents whereas sodium dodecyl sulfate fully inactivated the enzyme. The enzyme showed moderate stability towards all organic solvents except acetone, benzene, chloroform and the activity increased in the presence of isopropanol and ethanol. The K(m) value for the oxidation of cholesterol by this enzyme was 0.02 mM.

  2. 18 CFR 1309.6 - Is the normal operation or statutory objective of any program or activity an exception to the...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-04-01

    ... 18 Conservation of Power and Water Resources 2 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Is the normal operation... discrimination? 1309.6 Section 1309.6 Conservation of Power and Water Resources TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY... activity an exception to the rules against age discrimination? A recipient is permitted to take an action...

  3. 18 CFR 1309.6 - Is the normal operation or statutory objective of any program or activity an exception to the...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... 18 Conservation of Power and Water Resources 2 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Is the normal operation... discrimination? 1309.6 Section 1309.6 Conservation of Power and Water Resources TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY... activity an exception to the rules against age discrimination? A recipient is permitted to take an action...

  4. 39 CFR 952.25 - Exceptions to initial decision or tentative decision.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ... subject index of the matters presented, with page references; a table of cases alphabetically arranged; a list of statutes and texts cited with page references; (2) A concise abstract or statement of the case... relied upon in support of or in opposition to each exception taken, together with specific references to...

  5. 39 CFR 952.25 - Exceptions to initial decision or tentative decision.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ... subject index of the matters presented, with page references; a table of cases alphabetically arranged; a list of statutes and texts cited with page references; (2) A concise abstract or statement of the case... relied upon in support of or in opposition to each exception taken, together with specific references to...

  6. 39 CFR 959.24 - Exceptions to initial decision or tentative decision.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ... matter in the order indicated: (1) A subject index of the matters presented, with page references; a table of cases alphabetically arranged; a list of statutes and texts cited, with page references. (2) A... of law relied upon in support of, or in opposition to, each exception taken, together with specific...

  7. 39 CFR 959.24 - Exceptions to initial decision or tentative decision.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... matter in the order indicated: (1) A subject index of the matters presented, with page references; a table of cases alphabetically arranged; a list of statutes and texts cited, with page references. (2) A... of law relied upon in support of, or in opposition to, each exception taken, together with specific...

  8. 39 CFR 959.24 - Exceptions to initial decision or tentative decision.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ... matter in the order indicated: (1) A subject index of the matters presented, with page references; a table of cases alphabetically arranged; a list of statutes and texts cited, with page references. (2) A... of law relied upon in support of, or in opposition to, each exception taken, together with specific...

  9. 26 CFR 1.11-1 - Tax on corporations.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-04-01

    ... 26 Internal Revenue 1 2011-04-01 2009-04-01 true Tax on corporations. 1.11-1 Section 1.11-1... Corporations § 1.11-1 Tax on corporations. (a) Every corporation, foreign or domestic, is liable to the tax imposed under section 11 except (1) corporations specifically excepted under such section from such tax...

  10. 26 CFR 1.11-1 - Tax on corporations.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-04-01

    ... 26 Internal Revenue 1 2014-04-01 2013-04-01 true Tax on corporations. 1.11-1 Section 1.11-1... Corporations § 1.11-1 Tax on corporations. (a) Every corporation, foreign or domestic, is liable to the tax imposed under section 11 except (1) corporations specifically excepted under such section from such tax...

  11. 26 CFR 1.11-1 - Tax on corporations.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... 26 Internal Revenue 1 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 true Tax on corporations. 1.11-1 Section 1.11-1... Corporations § 1.11-1 Tax on corporations. (a) Every corporation, foreign or domestic, is liable to the tax imposed under section 11 except (1) corporations specifically excepted under such section from such tax...

  12. 26 CFR 1.11-1 - Tax on corporations.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-04-01

    ... 26 Internal Revenue 1 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Tax on corporations. 1.11-1 Section 1.11-1... Corporations § 1.11-1 Tax on corporations. (a) Every corporation, foreign or domestic, is liable to the tax imposed under section 11 except (1) corporations specifically excepted under such section from such tax...

  13. 26 CFR 1.11-1 - Tax on corporations.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-04-01

    ... 26 Internal Revenue 1 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Tax on corporations. 1.11-1 Section 1.11-1... Corporations § 1.11-1 Tax on corporations. (a) Every corporation, foreign or domestic, is liable to the tax imposed under section 11 except (1) corporations specifically excepted under such section from such tax...

  14. A HAND FULL OF MUSIC.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    DIVISION OF INSTRUCTION; DIVISION OF SPECIAL EDUCATION

    A BROCHURE HAS BEEN PREPARED TO GIVE TEACHERS OF EXCEPTIONAL CHILDREN SOME INFORMATION ABOUT MANY INSTRUMENTS WHICH CAN BE USED IN THE CLASSROOM. IT IS NOTED THAT EXCEPTIONAL CHILDREN, IN COMMON WITH THEIR NORMAL CLASSMATES, HAVE A LOVE OF BEAUTIFUL MUSIC AND INTRIGUING SOUNDS. MANY OF THEM HAVE SPECIFIC MUSICAL TALENTS, AND MOST OF THEM HAVE BEEN…

  15. 7 CFR 1753.38 - Procurement procedures.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... specifications and equipment requirements (required only for projects expected to exceed $500,000 or 25% of the... technology. (ii) The borrower shall review in detail all exceptions to the P&S. No exceptions will be... only for projects that are expected to exceed $500,000 or 25% of the loan, whichever is less), sealed...

  16. 7 CFR 1753.38 - Procurement procedures.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... specifications and equipment requirements (required only for projects expected to exceed $500,000 or 25% of the... technology. (ii) The borrower shall review in detail all exceptions to the P&S. No exceptions will be... only for projects that are expected to exceed $500,000 or 25% of the loan, whichever is less), sealed...

  17. 7 CFR 1753.38 - Procurement procedures.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... specifications and equipment requirements (required only for projects expected to exceed $500,000 or 25% of the... technology. (ii) The borrower shall review in detail all exceptions to the P&S. No exceptions will be... only for projects that are expected to exceed $500,000 or 25% of the loan, whichever is less), sealed...

  18. 7 CFR 1753.38 - Procurement procedures.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... specifications and equipment requirements (required only for projects expected to exceed $500,000 or 25% of the... technology. (ii) The borrower shall review in detail all exceptions to the P&S. No exceptions will be... only for projects that are expected to exceed $500,000 or 25% of the loan, whichever is less), sealed...

  19. Identifying Twice-Exceptional Children and Three Gifted Styles in the Japanese Primary Science Classroom

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Sumida, Manabu

    2010-01-01

    Children with mild developmental disorders sometimes show giftedness. In this study, an original checklist was developed to identify gifted characteristics specific to science learning among twice-exceptional primary school children in Japan. The checklist consisted of 60 items on Attitudes, Thinking, Skills, and Knowledge/Understanding. A total…

  20. HIF evaluation of In-Situ Aqua TROLL 400

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Tillman, Evan F.

    2017-10-18

    The In-Situ Aqua TROLL 400 (Aqua TROLL 400) was tested at the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Hydrologic Instrumentation Facility (HIF) against known standards over the Aqua TROLL 400’s operating temperature to verify the manufacturer’s stated accuracy specifications and the USGS recommendations for pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), and specific conductance (SC). The Aqua TROLL 400 manufacturer’s specifications are within the USGS recommendations for all parameters tested, except for DO, which is outside the USGS recommendation at DO concentrations of 8.0 milligrams per liter (mg/L) and higher. The Aqua TROLL 400 was compliant with Serial Digital Interface at 1200 baud (SDI-12) version 1.3. During laboratory testing of pH, the Aqua TROLL 400 sonde met the U.S. Geological Survey “National Field Manual for the Collection of Water-Quality Data” (NFM) recommendations for pH at all values tested, except at 4 degrees Celsius (°C) at pH 9.395 and pH 3.998. The Aqua TROLL 400 met the manufacturer specifications for pH at all values tested, except for pH buffers 3.998, 9.395, and 10.245 at 4 °C; pH 2.990 and 3.998 at 15 °C; and pH 3.040 at 40 °C. The Aqua TROLL 400 met the NFM recommendations at 93.7 percent of the SC values tested and met the manufacturer’s accuracy specifications at 56.3 percent of the SC values tested. During the laboratory testing for DO, the Aqua TROLL 400 met the manufacturer specifications, except at 5.55 mg/L, and met the NFM recommendations at all concentrations tested. An Aqua TROLL 400 was field tested at USGS Station 02492620, National Space Technology Laboratories (NSTL) Station, Mississippi, on the Pearl River for 6 weeks and showed good agreement with the well-maintained site sonde data for pH, DO, temperature, and SC.

  1. Characterization of the intrinsic activity for a novel class of cannabinoid receptor ligands: Indole Quinuclidine analogues

    PubMed Central

    Franks, Lirit N.; Ford, Benjamin M.; Madadi, Nikhil R.; Penthala, Narsimha R.; Crooks, Peter A.; Prather, Paul L.

    2014-01-01

    Our laboratory recently reported that a group of novel indole quinuclidine analogues bind with nanomolar affinity to cannabinoid type-1 and type-2 receptors. This study characterized the intrinsic activity of these compounds by determining whether they exhibit agonist, antagonist, or inverse agonist activity at cannabinoid type-1 and/or type-2 receptors. Cannabinoid receptors activate Gi/Go-proteins that then proceed to inhibit activity of the downstream intracellular effector adenylyl cyclase. Therefore, intrinsic activity was quantified by measuring the ability of compounds to modulate levels of intracellular cAMP in intact cells. Concerning cannabinoid type-1 receptors endogenously expressed in Neuro2A cells, a single analogue exhibited agonist activity, while eight acted as neutral antagonists and two possessed inverse agonist activity. For cannabinoid type-2 receptors stably expressed in CHO cells, all but two analogues acted as agonists; these two exceptions exhibited inverse agonist activity. Confirming specificity at cannabinoid type-1 receptors, modulation of adenylyl cyclase activity by all proposed agonists and inverse agonists was blocked by co-incubation with the neutral cannabinoid type-1 antagonist O-2050. All proposed cannabinoid type-1 receptor antagonists attenuated adenylyl cyclase modulation by cannabinoid agonist CP-55,940. Specificity at cannabinoid type-2 receptors was confirmed by failure of all compounds to modulate adenylyl cyclase activity in CHO cells devoid of cannabinoid type-2 receptors. Further characterization of select analogues demonstrated concentration-dependent modulation of adenylyl cyclase activity with potencies similar to their respective affinities for cannabinoid receptors. Therefore, indole quinuclidines are a novel structural class of compounds exhibiting high affinity and a range of intrinsic activity at cannabinoid type-1 and type-2 receptors. PMID:24858620

  2. Structure, kinetic characterization and subcellular localization of the two ribulose 5-phosphate epimerase isoenzymes from Trypanosoma cruzi

    PubMed Central

    Gonzalez, Soledad Natalia; Valsecchi, Wanda Mariela; Maugeri, Dante; Delfino, José María; Cazzulo, Juan José

    2017-01-01

    The enzyme of the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) ribulose-5-phosphate-epimerase (RPE) is encoded by two genes present in the genome of Trypanosoma cruzi CL Brener clone: TcRPE1 and TcRPE2. Despite high sequence similarity at the amino acid residue level, the recombinant isoenzymes show a strikingly different kinetics. Whereas TcRPE2 follows a typical michaelian behavior, TcRPE1 shows a complex kinetic pattern, displaying a biphasic curve, suggesting the coexistence of -at least- two kinetically different molecular forms. Regarding the subcellular localization in epimastigotes, whereas TcRPE1 is a cytosolic enzyme, TcRPE2 is localized in glycosomes. To our knowledge, TcRPE2 is the first PPP isoenzyme that is exclusively localized in glycosomes. Over-expression of TcRPE1, but not of TcRPE2, significantly reduces the parasite doubling time in vitro, as compared with wild type epimastigotes. Both TcRPEs represent single domain proteins exhibiting the classical α/β TIM-barrel fold, as expected for enzymes with this activity. With regard to the architecture of the active site, all the important amino acid residues for catalysis -with the exception of M58- are also present in both TcRPEs models. The superimposition of the binding pocket of both isoenzyme models shows that they adopt essentially identical positions in the active site with a residue specific RMSD < 2Å, with the sole exception of S12, which displays a large deviation (residue specific RMSD: 11.07 Å). Studies on the quaternary arrangement of these isoenzymes reveal that both are present in a mixture of various oligomeric species made up of an even number of molecules, probably pointing to the dimer as their minimal functional unit. This multiplicity of oligomeric species has not been reported for any of the other RPEs studied so far and it might bear implications for the regulation of TcRPEs activity, although further investigation will be necessary to unravel the physiological significance of these structural findings. PMID:28207833

  3. Structure, kinetic characterization and subcellular localization of the two ribulose 5-phosphate epimerase isoenzymes from Trypanosoma cruzi.

    PubMed

    Gonzalez, Soledad Natalia; Valsecchi, Wanda Mariela; Maugeri, Dante; Delfino, José María; Cazzulo, Juan José

    2017-01-01

    The enzyme of the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) ribulose-5-phosphate-epimerase (RPE) is encoded by two genes present in the genome of Trypanosoma cruzi CL Brener clone: TcRPE1 and TcRPE2. Despite high sequence similarity at the amino acid residue level, the recombinant isoenzymes show a strikingly different kinetics. Whereas TcRPE2 follows a typical michaelian behavior, TcRPE1 shows a complex kinetic pattern, displaying a biphasic curve, suggesting the coexistence of -at least- two kinetically different molecular forms. Regarding the subcellular localization in epimastigotes, whereas TcRPE1 is a cytosolic enzyme, TcRPE2 is localized in glycosomes. To our knowledge, TcRPE2 is the first PPP isoenzyme that is exclusively localized in glycosomes. Over-expression of TcRPE1, but not of TcRPE2, significantly reduces the parasite doubling time in vitro, as compared with wild type epimastigotes. Both TcRPEs represent single domain proteins exhibiting the classical α/β TIM-barrel fold, as expected for enzymes with this activity. With regard to the architecture of the active site, all the important amino acid residues for catalysis -with the exception of M58- are also present in both TcRPEs models. The superimposition of the binding pocket of both isoenzyme models shows that they adopt essentially identical positions in the active site with a residue specific RMSD < 2Å, with the sole exception of S12, which displays a large deviation (residue specific RMSD: 11.07 Å). Studies on the quaternary arrangement of these isoenzymes reveal that both are present in a mixture of various oligomeric species made up of an even number of molecules, probably pointing to the dimer as their minimal functional unit. This multiplicity of oligomeric species has not been reported for any of the other RPEs studied so far and it might bear implications for the regulation of TcRPEs activity, although further investigation will be necessary to unravel the physiological significance of these structural findings.

  4. Enhancement of the antimicrobial properties of orthorhombic molybdenum trioxide by thermal induced fracturing of the hydrates.

    PubMed

    Shafaei, Shahram; Van Opdenbosch, Daniel; Fey, Tobias; Koch, Marcus; Kraus, Tobias; Guggenbichler, Josef Peter; Zollfrank, Cordt

    2016-01-01

    The oxides of the transition metal molybdenum exhibit excellent antimicrobial properties. We present the preparation of molybdenum trioxide dihydrate (MoO3 × 2H2O) by an acidification method and demonstrate the thermal phase development and morphological evolution during and after calcination from 25 °C to 600 °C. The thermal dehydration of the material was found to proceed in two steps. Microbiological roll-on tests using Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were performed and exceptional antimicrobial activities were determined for anhydrous samples with orthorhombic lattice symmetry and a large specific surface area. The increase in the specific surface area is due to crack formation and to the loss of the hydrate water after calcination at 300 °C. The results support the proposed antimicrobial mechanism for transition metal oxides, which based on a local acidity increase as a consequence of the augmented specific surface area. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  5. Antagonism of the morphine-induced locomotor activation of mice by fructose: comparison with other opiates and sugars, and sugar effects on brain morphine.

    PubMed

    Brase, D A; Ward, C R; Bey, P S; Dewey, W L

    1991-01-01

    The mouse locomotor activation test of opiate action in a 2+2 dose parallel line assay was used in a repeated testing paradigm to determine the test, opiate and hexose specificities of a previously reported antagonism of morphine-induced antinocociception by hyperglycemia. In opiate specificity studies, fructose (5 g/kg, i.p.) significantly reduced the potency ratio for morphine and methadone, but not for levorphanol, meperidine or phenazocine when intragroup comparisons were made. In intergroup comparisons, fructose significantly reduced the potencies of levorphanol and phenazocine, but not methadone or meperidine. In hexose/polyol specificity studies, tagatose and fructose significantly reduced the potency ratio for morphine, whereas glucose, galactose, mannose and the polyols, sorbitol and xylitol, caused no significant decrease in potency. Fructose, tagatose, glucose and mannose (5 g/kg, i.p.) were tested for effects on brain morphine levels 30 min after morphine (60 min after sugar), and all four sugars significantly increased brain morphine relative to saline-pretreated controls. It is concluded that the antagonism of morphine by acute sugar administration shows specificity for certain sugars and occurs despite sugar-induced increases in the distribution of morphine to the brain. Furthermore, the effects of fructose show an opiate specificity similar to that of glucose on antinociception observed previously in our laboratory, except that methadone was also significantly inhibited in the present study, when a repeated-testing experimental design was used.

  6. Synergistic control of protein kinase Cgamma activity by ionotropic and metabotropic glutamate receptor inputs in hippocampal neurons.

    PubMed

    Codazzi, Franca; Di Cesare, Alessandra; Chiulli, Nino; Albanese, Alberto; Meyer, Tobias; Zacchetti, Daniele; Grohovaz, Fabio

    2006-03-29

    Conventional protein kinase C (PKC) isoforms are abundant neuronal signaling proteins with important roles in regulating synaptic plasticity and other neuronal processes. Here, we investigate the role of ionotropic and metabotropic glutamate receptor (iGluR and mGluR, respectively) activation on the generation of Ca2+ and diacylglycerol (DAG) signals and the subsequent activation of the neuron-specific PKCgamma isoform in hippocampal neurons. By combining Ca2+ imaging with total internal reflection microscopy analysis of specific biosensors, we show that elevation of both Ca2+ and DAG is necessary for sustained translocation and activation of EGFP (enhanced green fluorescent protein)-PKCgamma. Both DAG production and PKCgamma translocation were localized processes, typically observed within discrete microdomains along the dendritic branches. Markedly, intermediate-strength NMDA receptor (NMDAR) activation or moderate electrical stimulation generated Ca2+ but no DAG signals, whereas mGluR activation generated DAG but no Ca2+ signals. Both receptors were needed for PKCgamma activation. This suggests that a coincidence detection process exists between iGluRs and mGluRs that relies on a molecular coincidence detection process based on the corequirement of Ca2+ and DAG for PKCgamma activation. Nevertheless, the requirement for costimulation with mGluRs could be overcome for maximal NMDAR stimulation through a direct production of DAG via activation of the Ca2+-sensitive PLCdelta (phospholipase Cdelta) isoform. In a second important exception, mGluRs were sufficient for PKCgamma activation in neurons in which Ca2+ stores were loaded by previous electrical activity. Together, the dual activation requirement for PKCgamma provides a plausible molecular interpretation for different synergistic contributions of mGluRs to long-term potentiation and other synaptic plasticity processes.

  7. 24 CFR 1000.36 - How long must a recipient retain records regarding exceptions made to the conflict of interest...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... 24 Housing and Urban Development 4 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false How long must a recipient retain records regarding exceptions made to the conflict of interest provisions? 1000.36 Section 1000.36 Housing... AMERICAN HOUSING ACTIVITIES General § 1000.36 How long must a recipient retain records regarding exceptions...

  8. Transitory microbial habitat in the hyperarid Atacama Desert

    PubMed Central

    Schulze-Makuch, Dirk; Wagner, Dirk; Mangelsdorf, Kai; Devine, Kevin G.; de Vera, Jean-Pierre; Parro, Victor; Kaupenjohann, Martin; Galy, Albert; Schneider, Beate; Airo, Alessandro; Frösler, Jan; Davila, Alfonso F.; Arens, Felix L.; Cáceres, Luis; Cornejo, Francisco Solís; Carrizo, Daniel; Dartnell, Lewis; DiRuggiero, Jocelyne; Ganzert, Lars; Gessner, Mark O.; Grathwohl, Peter; Guan, Lisa; Heinz, Jacob; Hess, Matthias; Keppler, Frank; Maus, Deborah; McKay, Christopher P.; Meckenstock, Rainer U.; Montgomery, Wren; Oberlin, Elizabeth A.; Probst, Alexander J.; Sáenz, Johan S.; Sattler, Tobias; Schirmack, Janosch; Sephton, Mark A.; Schloter, Michael; Uhl, Jenny; Valenzuela, Bernardita; Vestergaard, Gisle; Wörmer, Lars; Zamorano, Pedro

    2018-01-01

    Traces of life are nearly ubiquitous on Earth. However, a central unresolved question is whether these traces always indicate an active microbial community or whether, in extreme environments, such as hyperarid deserts, they instead reflect just dormant or dead cells. Although microbial biomass and diversity decrease with increasing aridity in the Atacama Desert, we provide multiple lines of evidence for the presence of an at times metabolically active, microbial community in one of the driest places on Earth. We base this observation on four major lines of evidence: (i) a physico-chemical characterization of the soil habitability after an exceptional rain event, (ii) identified biomolecules indicative of potentially active cells [e.g., presence of ATP, phospholipid fatty acids (PLFAs), metabolites, and enzymatic activity], (iii) measurements of in situ replication rates of genomes of uncultivated bacteria reconstructed from selected samples, and (iv) microbial community patterns specific to soil parameters and depths. We infer that the microbial populations have undergone selection and adaptation in response to their specific soil microenvironment and in particular to the degree of aridity. Collectively, our results highlight that even the hyperarid Atacama Desert can provide a habitable environment for microorganisms that allows them to become metabolically active following an episodic increase in moisture and that once it decreases, so does the activity of the microbiota. These results have implications for the prospect of life on other planets such as Mars, which has transitioned from an earlier wetter environment to today’s extreme hyperaridity. PMID:29483268

  9. Transitory microbial habitat in the hyperarid Atacama Desert.

    PubMed

    Schulze-Makuch, Dirk; Wagner, Dirk; Kounaves, Samuel P; Mangelsdorf, Kai; Devine, Kevin G; de Vera, Jean-Pierre; Schmitt-Kopplin, Philippe; Grossart, Hans-Peter; Parro, Victor; Kaupenjohann, Martin; Galy, Albert; Schneider, Beate; Airo, Alessandro; Frösler, Jan; Davila, Alfonso F; Arens, Felix L; Cáceres, Luis; Cornejo, Francisco Solís; Carrizo, Daniel; Dartnell, Lewis; DiRuggiero, Jocelyne; Flury, Markus; Ganzert, Lars; Gessner, Mark O; Grathwohl, Peter; Guan, Lisa; Heinz, Jacob; Hess, Matthias; Keppler, Frank; Maus, Deborah; McKay, Christopher P; Meckenstock, Rainer U; Montgomery, Wren; Oberlin, Elizabeth A; Probst, Alexander J; Sáenz, Johan S; Sattler, Tobias; Schirmack, Janosch; Sephton, Mark A; Schloter, Michael; Uhl, Jenny; Valenzuela, Bernardita; Vestergaard, Gisle; Wörmer, Lars; Zamorano, Pedro

    2018-03-13

    Traces of life are nearly ubiquitous on Earth. However, a central unresolved question is whether these traces always indicate an active microbial community or whether, in extreme environments, such as hyperarid deserts, they instead reflect just dormant or dead cells. Although microbial biomass and diversity decrease with increasing aridity in the Atacama Desert, we provide multiple lines of evidence for the presence of an at times metabolically active, microbial community in one of the driest places on Earth. We base this observation on four major lines of evidence: ( i ) a physico-chemical characterization of the soil habitability after an exceptional rain event, ( ii ) identified biomolecules indicative of potentially active cells [e.g., presence of ATP, phospholipid fatty acids (PLFAs), metabolites, and enzymatic activity], ( iii ) measurements of in situ replication rates of genomes of uncultivated bacteria reconstructed from selected samples, and ( iv ) microbial community patterns specific to soil parameters and depths. We infer that the microbial populations have undergone selection and adaptation in response to their specific soil microenvironment and in particular to the degree of aridity. Collectively, our results highlight that even the hyperarid Atacama Desert can provide a habitable environment for microorganisms that allows them to become metabolically active following an episodic increase in moisture and that once it decreases, so does the activity of the microbiota. These results have implications for the prospect of life on other planets such as Mars, which has transitioned from an earlier wetter environment to today's extreme hyperaridity. Copyright © 2018 the Author(s). Published by PNAS.

  10. Transitory microbial habitat in the hyperarid Atacama Desert

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Schulze-Makuch, Dirk; Wagner, Dirk; Kounaves, Samuel P.; Mangelsdorf, Kai; Devine, Kevin G.; de Vera, Jean-Pierre; Schmitt-Kopplin, Philippe; Grossart, Hans-Peter; Parro, Victor; Kaupenjohann, Martin; Galy, Albert; Schneider, Beate; Airo, Alessandro; Frösler, Jan; Davila, Alfonso F.; Arens, Felix L.; Cáceres, Luis; Solís Cornejo, Francisco; Carrizo, Daniel; Dartnell, Lewis; DiRuggiero, Jocelyne; Flury, Markus; Ganzert, Lars; Gessner, Mark O.; Grathwohl, Peter; Guan, Lisa; Heinz, Jacob; Hess, Matthias; Keppler, Frank; Maus, Deborah; McKay, Christopher P.; Meckenstock, Rainer U.; Montgomery, Wren; Oberlin, Elizabeth A.; Probst, Alexander J.; Sáenz, Johan S.; Sattler, Tobias; Schirmack, Janosch; Sephton, Mark A.; Schloter, Michael; Uhl, Jenny; Valenzuela, Bernardita; Vestergaard, Gisle; Wörmer, Lars; Zamorano, Pedro

    2018-03-01

    Traces of life are nearly ubiquitous on Earth. However, a central unresolved question is whether these traces always indicate an active microbial community or whether, in extreme environments, such as hyperarid deserts, they instead reflect just dormant or dead cells. Although microbial biomass and diversity decrease with increasing aridity in the Atacama Desert, we provide multiple lines of evidence for the presence of an at times metabolically active, microbial community in one of the driest places on Earth. We base this observation on four major lines of evidence: (i) a physico-chemical characterization of the soil habitability after an exceptional rain event, (ii) identified biomolecules indicative of potentially active cells [e.g., presence of ATP, phospholipid fatty acids (PLFAs), metabolites, and enzymatic activity], (iii) measurements of in situ replication rates of genomes of uncultivated bacteria reconstructed from selected samples, and (iv) microbial community patterns specific to soil parameters and depths. We infer that the microbial populations have undergone selection and adaptation in response to their specific soil microenvironment and in particular to the degree of aridity. Collectively, our results highlight that even the hyperarid Atacama Desert can provide a habitable environment for microorganisms that allows them to become metabolically active following an episodic increase in moisture and that once it decreases, so does the activity of the microbiota. These results have implications for the prospect of life on other planets such as Mars, which has transitioned from an earlier wetter environment to today’s extreme hyperaridity.

  11. Rickettsial infection of the central nervous system: the role of prompt antimicrobial therapy.

    PubMed

    Shaked, Y

    1991-04-01

    Rickettsial diseases of man, which are prevalent in all the continents (except Antartica) continue to be a major health problem in tropical and temperate parts of the world. Rickettsioses must be considered in every traveller seeking medical attention soon after returning from endemic areas, since the disease can be associated with significant morbidity. When a definite diagnosis has been made by specific serological tests, prompt antimicrobial therapy is indicated. A tetracycline should be regarded as the drug of choice due to its high efficacy, low toxicity, superior in vitro activity and the possibility of relapse which can follow chloramphenicol therapy.

  12. Breaking the Dogma of Aldolase Specificity: Simple Aliphatic Ketones and Aldehydes are Nucleophiles for Fructose-6-phosphate Aldolase.

    PubMed

    Roldán, Raquel; Sanchez-Moreno, Israel; Scheidt, Thomas; Hélaine, Virgil; Lemaire, Marielle; Parella, Teodor; Clapés, Pere; Fessner, Wolf-Dieter; Guérard-Hélaine, Christine

    2017-04-11

    d-Fructose-6-phosphate aldolase (FSA) was probed for extended nucleophile promiscuity by using a series of fluorogenic substrates to reveal retro-aldol activity. Four nucleophiles ethanal, propanone, butanone, and cyclopentanone were subsequently confirmed to be non-natural substrates in the synthesis direction using the wild-type enzyme and its D6H variant. This exceptional widening of the nucleophile substrate scope offers a rapid entry, in good yields and high stereoselectivity, to less oxygenated alkyl ketones and aldehydes, which was hitherto impossible. © 2017 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  13. τ kinases in the rat heat shock model: Possible implications for Alzheimer disease

    PubMed Central

    Shanavas, Alikunju; Papasozomenos, Sozos Ch.

    2000-01-01

    We have previously shown, by using the phosphate-dependent anti-τ antibodies Tau-1 and PHF-1, that heat shock induces rapid dephosphorylation of τ followed by hyperphosphorylation in female rats. In this study, we analyzed in forebrain homogenates from female Sprague–Dawley rats the activities of extracellular signal regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK), glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β), cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (Cdk5), cAMP-dependent protein kinase A (PKA), and Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) at 0 (n = 5), 3 (n = 4), 6 (n = 5), and 12 (n = 5) h after heat shock and in non-heat-shocked controls (n = 5). Immunoprecipitation kinase assays at 0 h showed suppression of the activities of all kinases except of GSK-3β, which showed increased activity. At 3–6 h, the activities of ERK1/2, JNK, Cdk5, and GSK-3β toward selective substrates were increased; however, only JNK, Cdk5, and GSK-3β but not ERK1/2 were overactivated toward purified bovine τ. At 3–6 h, kinase assays specific for PKA and CaMKII showed no increased activity toward either τ or selective substrates. All of eight anti-τ antibodies tested showed dephosphorylation at 0 h and hyperphosphorylation at 3–6 h, except for 12E8, which showed hyperphosphorylation also at 0 h. Immunoblot analysis using activity-dependent antibodies against ERK1/2, JNK, and GSK-3β confirmed the above data. Increased activation and inhibition of kinases after heat shock were statistically significant in comparison with controls. Because τ is hyperphosphorylated in Alzheimer disease these findings suggest that JNK, GSK-3β, and Cdk5 may play a role in its pathogenesis. PMID:11121021

  14. 26 CFR 1.367(a)-2T - Exception for transfers of property for use in the active conduct of a trade or business...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... Procedure 68-23 that tax avoidance was not one of the principal purposes of the transaction. (e) Special... Revenue INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY (CONTINUED) INCOME TAX (CONTINUED) INCOME TAXES Effects on Corporation § 1.367(a)-2T Exception for transfers of property for use in the active...

  15. Discrimination and divergence among Lactobacillus plantarum-group (LPG) isolates with reference to their probiotic functionalities from vegetable origin.

    PubMed

    Devi, Sundru Manjulata; Aishwarya, Subramanian; Halami, Prakash M

    2016-12-01

    The present study was aimed to evaluate the diversity and probiotic properties of Lactobacillus plantarum-group cultures from vegetable origin. First, genotypic diversity of L. plantarum (n=34) was achieved by PCR of Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA and recA gene-specific multiplex PCR. The isolates were segregated into five groups namely, Lactobacillus pentosus, Lactobacillus paraplantarum, Lactobacillus arizonensis, Lactobacillus plantarum subsp. plantarum and argentoratensis. Further discrimination was achieved by restriction fragment length polymorphism of probiotic adhesion genes viz.fbp, mub and msa gene. As determined by nucleotide sequence analysis and bioinformatics Pfam database, the putative Fbp protein had only one FBP domain, whereas Mub protein had 8-10 MUB domain repeats. However, L. pentosus (except CFR MFT9), L. plantarum subsp. argentoratensis (except CFR MFT5) and L. arizonensis (except CFR MFT2) isolates gave no amplicon for the tested marker genes. Selected cultures (n=15) showed tolerance to simulated digestive fluids (20-85%), exhibited auto-aggregation (10-77%), cellular hydrophobicity (12-78%), and broad spectrum of anti-microbial activity. Concurrently, high adherence capacity to mucin was achieved for L. plantarum subsp. plantarum (MCC 2974 and CFR MFT1) and L. paraplantarum (MTCC 9483, MCC 2977, MCC 2978), which had an additional MUB domain repeat. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

  16. Genetic Signatures of Exceptional Longevity in Humans

    PubMed Central

    Sebastiani, Paola; Solovieff, Nadia; DeWan, Andrew T.; Walsh, Kyle M.; Puca, Annibale; Hartley, Stephen W.; Melista, Efthymia; Andersen, Stacy; Dworkis, Daniel A.; Wilk, Jemma B.; Myers, Richard H.; Steinberg, Martin H.; Montano, Monty; Baldwin, Clinton T.; Hoh, Josephine; Perls, Thomas T.

    2012-01-01

    Like most complex phenotypes, exceptional longevity is thought to reflect a combined influence of environmental (e.g., lifestyle choices, where we live) and genetic factors. To explore the genetic contribution, we undertook a genome-wide association study of exceptional longevity in 801 centenarians (median age at death 104 years) and 914 genetically matched healthy controls. Using these data, we built a genetic model that includes 281 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and discriminated between cases and controls of the discovery set with 89% sensitivity and specificity, and with 58% specificity and 60% sensitivity in an independent cohort of 341 controls and 253 genetically matched nonagenarians and centenarians (median age 100 years). Consistent with the hypothesis that the genetic contribution is largest with the oldest ages, the sensitivity of the model increased in the independent cohort with older and older ages (71% to classify subjects with an age at death>102 and 85% to classify subjects with an age at death>105). For further validation, we applied the model to an additional, unmatched 60 centenarians (median age 107 years) resulting in 78% sensitivity, and 2863 unmatched controls with 61% specificity. The 281 SNPs include the SNP rs2075650 in TOMM40/APOE that reached irrefutable genome wide significance (posterior probability of association = 1) and replicated in the independent cohort. Removal of this SNP from the model reduced the accuracy by only 1%. Further in-silico analysis suggests that 90% of centenarians can be grouped into clusters characterized by different “genetic signatures” of varying predictive values for exceptional longevity. The correlation between 3 signatures and 3 different life spans was replicated in the combined replication sets. The different signatures may help dissect this complex phenotype into sub-phenotypes of exceptional longevity. PMID:22279548

  17. Exception for Limited Contact Activities and Irrigation Tasks under the Worker Protection Standard

    EPA Pesticide Factsheets

    An exception to the worker protection standard allows, under specified conditions, workers to enter pesticide treated areas during an REI to perform certain tasks. Learn about the necessary conditions.

  18. 46 CFR 164.009-3 - Noncombustible materials not requiring specific approval.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... Merchant Vessels § 164.009-3 Noncombustible materials not requiring specific approval. The following noncombustible materials may be used in merchant vessel construction though not specifically approved under this subpart: (a) Sheet glass, block glass, clay, ceramics, and uncoated fibers. (b) All metals, except...

  19. 48 CFR 452.211-72 - Statement of Work/Specifications.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 4 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Statement of Work... Statement of Work/Specifications. As prescribed in 411.171, insert the following clause: Statement of Work... facilities (except as otherwise specified), to perform the Statement of Work/Specifications referenced in...

  20. Stressor specificity of central neuroendocrine responses: implications for stress-related disorders.

    PubMed

    Pacák, K; Palkovits, M

    2001-08-01

    Despite the fact that many research articles have been written about stress and stress-related diseases, no scientifically accepted definition of stress exists. Selye introduced and popularized stress as a medical and scientific idea. He did not deny the existence of stressor-specific response patterns; however, he emphasized that such responses did not constitute stress, only the shared nonspecific component. In this review we focus mainly on the similarities and differences between the neuroendocrine responses (especially the sympathoadrenal and the sympathoneuronal systems and the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenocortical axis) among various stressors and a strategy for testing Selye's doctrine of nonspecificity. In our experiments, we used five different stressors: immobilization, hemorrhage, cold exposure, pain, or hypoglycemia. With the exception of immobilization stress, these stressors also differed in their intensities. Our results showed marked heterogeneity of neuroendocrine responses to various stressors and that each stressor has a neurochemical "signature." By examining changes of Fos immunoreactivity in various brain regions upon exposure to different stressors, we also attempted to map central stressor-specific neuroendocrine pathways. We believe the existence of stressor-specific pathways and circuits is a clear step forward in the study of the pathogenesis of stress-related disorders and their proper treatment. Finally, we define stress as a state of threatened homeostasis (physical or perceived treat to homeostasis). During stress, an adaptive compensatory specific response of the organism is activated to sustain homeostasis. The adaptive response reflects the activation of specific central circuits and is genetically and constitutionally programmed and constantly modulated by environmental factors.

  1. 49 CFR 179.400-8 - Thickness of plates.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... Specification for Cryogenic Liquid Tank Car Tanks and Seamless Steel Tanks (Classes DOT-113 and 107A) § 179.400... welded joints, except that for seamless heads, E = 1.0. (b) The minimum wall thickness, after forming, of..., except that for seamless heads, E=1.0. (c) The minimum wall thickness, after forming, of a flanged and...

  2. Expert-Recommended Strategies for Teaching the Twice-Exceptional Student in the General Education Classroom

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Moody, Cherylynn Jody

    2014-01-01

    Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the best practice strategies, those that bring the most value for the twice-exceptional (2e) student (giftedness with autism spectrum disorder [ASD], attention deficit hyperactivity disorder [ADHD], specific learning disabilities [SLD], and/or emotional and behavioral disorder [EBD]) in the…

  3. 49 CFR 173.12 - Exceptions for shipment of waste materials.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... impracticable, an equivalent (except for closure) open head drum may be used for the hazardous waste. (b) Lab....101 Hazardous Materials Table may be used in place of specific chemical names, when two or more... exceeding 4 L (1 gallon) rated capacity, or metal or plastic, not exceeding 20 L (5.3 gallons) rated...

  4. The Danger-to-Self-or-Others Exception to Confidentiality. ACA Legal Series, Volume 8.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Ahia, C. Emmanuel; Martin, Dan

    A counselor's obligation to safeguard information shared in counseling has clinical, ethical, and legal implications. This volume focuses on the duty-to-warn exception in client confidentiality. It provides general ethical and legal guidelines and, where possible, specific information to help the practitioner make good choices. It is intended for…

  5. The Interaction of Language-Specific and Universal Factors during the Acquisition of Morphophonemic Alternations with Exceptions

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Baer-Henney, Dinah; Kügler, Frank; van de Vijver, Ruben

    2015-01-01

    Using the artificial language paradigm, we studied the acquisition of morphophonemic alternations with exceptions by 160 German adult learners. We tested the acquisition of two types of alternations in two regularity conditions while additionally varying length of training. In the first alternation, a vowel harmony, backness of the stem vowel…

  6. The Relationship between Self-Concept, Ability, and Academic Programming among Twice-Exceptional Youth

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Foley-Nicpon, Megan; Assouline, Susan G.; Fosenburg, Staci

    2015-01-01

    Researchers investigated the self-concept profiles of twice-exceptional students in relationship to their cognitive ability and participation in educational services. All subjects (N = 64) had high ability (IQ score at or above the 90th percentile) and were diagnosed with either an autism spectrum disorder (ASD; n = 53) or specific learning…

  7. A Meta-Exploration of WISC-R Factor Score Profiles as a Function of Diagnosis And Intellectual Level.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Short, Robert H.; And Others

    In spite of massive research efforts, no clear conclusions have been reached with regard to whether specific exceptional groups demonstrate Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised (WISC-R) profiles that reliably differentiate them from normative or other exceptional groups. This study applied multivariate clustering and profile analysis…

  8. 26 CFR 31.3401(a)-2 - Exclusions from wages.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... 26 Internal Revenue 15 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Exclusions from wages. 31.3401(a)-2 Section 31... Collection of Income Tax at Source § 31.3401(a)-2 Exclusions from wages. (a) In general. (1) The term “wages... specifically excepted from wages under section 3401(a). (2) The exception attaches to the remuneration for...

  9. 76 FR 26178 - Modifications to Treatment of Aircraft and Vessel Leasing Income

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2011-05-06

    ... circumstances whereby the rents are derived as a result of the performance of marketing functions by the lessor CFC with respect to the leased property (the marketing exception). Sec. 1.954-2(c)(1)(iv). Specifically, a lessor satisfies the marketing exception if the lessor, through its own officers or staff of...

  10. A unique combination of genetic systems for the synthesis of trehalose in Rubrobacter xylanophilus: properties of a rare actinobacterial TreT.

    PubMed

    Nobre, Ana; Alarico, Susana; Fernandes, Chantal; Empadinhas, Nuno; da Costa, Milton S

    2008-12-01

    Trehalose is the primary organic solute in Rubrobacter xylanophilus under all conditions tested, including those for optimal growth. We detected genes of four different pathways for trehalose synthesis in the genome of this organism, namely, the trehalose-6-phosphate synthase (Tps)/trehalose-6-phosphate phosphatase (Tpp), TreS, TreY/TreZ, and TreT pathways. Moreover, R. xylanophilus is the only known member of the phylum Actinobacteria to harbor TreT. The Tps sequence is typically bacterial, but the Tpp sequence is closely related to eukaryotic counterparts. Both the Tps/Tpp and the TreT pathways were active in vivo, while the TreS and the TreY/TreZ pathways were not active under the growth conditions tested and appear not to contribute to the levels of trehalose observed. The genes from the active pathways were functionally expressed in Escherichia coli, and Tps was found to be highly specific for GDP-glucose, a rare feature among these enzymes. The trehalose-6-phosphate formed was specifically dephosphorylated to trehalose by Tpp. The recombinant TreT synthesized trehalose from different nucleoside diphosphate-glucose donors and glucose, but the activity in R. xylanophilus cell extracts was specific for ADP-glucose. The TreT could also catalyze trehalose hydrolysis in the presence of ADP, but with a very high K(m). Here, we functionally characterize two systems for the synthesis of trehalose in R. xylanophilus, a representative of an ancient lineage of the actinobacteria, and discuss a possible scenario for the exceptional occurrence of treT in this extremophilic bacterium.

  11. Marijuana's acute effects on cognitive bias for affective and marijuana cues.

    PubMed

    Metrik, Jane; Aston, Elizabeth R; Kahler, Christopher W; Rohsenow, Damaris J; McGeary, John E; Knopik, Valerie S

    2015-10-01

    Marijuana produces acute increases in positive subjective effects and decreased reactivity to negative affective stimuli, though may also acutely induce anxiety. Implicit attentional and evaluative processes may explicate marijuana's ability to acutely increase positive and negative emotions. This within-subjects study examined whether smoked marijuana with 2.7-3.0% delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), relative to placebo, acutely changed attentional processing of rewarding and negative affective stimuli as well as marijuana-specific stimuli. On 2 separate days, regular marijuana users (N = 89) smoked placebo or active THC cigarette and completed subjective ratings of mood, intoxication, urge to smoke marijuana, and 2 experimental tasks: pleasantness rating (response latency and perceived pleasantness of affective and marijuana-related stimuli) and emotional Stroop (attentional bias to affective stimuli). On the pleasantness rating task, active marijuana increased response latency to negatively valenced and marijuana-related (vs. neutral) visual stimuli, beyond a general slowing of response. Active marijuana also increased pleasantness ratings of marijuana images, although to a lesser extent than placebo due to reduced marijuana urge after smoking. Overall, active marijuana did not acutely change processing of positive emotional stimuli. There was no evidence of attentional bias to affective word stimuli on the emotional Stroop task with the exception of attentional bias to positive word stimuli in the subgroup of marijuana users with cannabis dependence. Marijuana may increase allocation of attentional resources toward marijuana-specific and negatively valenced visual stimuli without altering processing of positively valenced stimuli. Marijuana-specific cues may be more attractive with higher levels of marijuana craving and less wanted with low craving levels. (c) 2015 APA, all rights reserved).

  12. LCR 5′ hypersensitive site specificity for globin gene activation within the active chromatin hub

    PubMed Central

    Peterson, Kenneth R.; Fedosyuk, Halyna; Harju-Baker, Susanna

    2012-01-01

    The DNaseI hypersensitive sites (HSs) of the human β-globin locus control region (LCR) may function as part of an LCR holocomplex within a larger active chromatin hub (ACH). Differential activation of the globin genes during development may be controlled in part by preferential interaction of each gene with specific individual HSs during globin gene switching, a change in conformation of the LCR holocomplex, or both. To distinguish between these possibilities, human β-globin locus yeast artificial chromosome (β-YAC) lines were produced in which the ε-globin gene was replaced with a second marked β-globin gene (βm), coupled to an intact LCR, a 5′HS3 complete deletion (5′ΔHS3) or a 5′HS3 core deletion (5′ΔHS3c). The 5′ΔHS3c mice expressed βm-globin throughout development; γ-globin was co-expressed in the embryonic yolk sac, but not in the fetal liver; and wild-type β-globin was co-expressed in adult mice. Although the 5′HS3 core was not required for βm-globin expression, previous work showed that the 5′HS3 core is necessary for ε-globin expression during embryonic erythropoiesis. A similar phenotype was observed in 5′HS complete deletion mice, except βm-globin expression was higher during primitive erythropoiesis and γ-globin expression continued into fetal definitive erythropoiesis. These data support a site specificity model of LCR HS-globin gene interaction. PMID:23042246

  13. Marijuana’s Acute Effects on Cognitive Bias for Affective and Marijuana Cues

    PubMed Central

    Metrik, Jane; Aston, Elizabeth R.; Kahler, Christopher W.; Rohsenow, Damaris J.; McGeary, John E.; Knopik, Valerie S.

    2015-01-01

    Marijuana produces acute increases in positive subjective effects and decreased reactivity to negative affective stimuli, though may also acutely induce anxiety. Implicit attentional and evaluative processes may explicate marijuana’s ability to acutely increase positive and negative emotions. This within-subjects study examined whether smoked marijuana with 2.7–3.0 % delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), relative to placebo, acutely changed attentional processing of rewarding and negative affective stimuli as well as marijuana-specific stimuli. On two separate days, regular marijuana users (N=89) smoked placebo or active THC cigarette and completed subjective ratings of mood, intoxication, urge to smoke marijuana, and two experimental tasks: Pleasantness Rating (response latency and perceived pleasantness of affective and marijuana-related stimuli) and Emotional Stroop (attentional bias to affective stimuli). On the Pleasantness Rating task, active marijuana increased response latency to negatively-valenced and marijuana-related (vs. neutral) visual stimuli, beyond a general slowing of response. Active marijuana also increased pleasantness ratings of marijuana images, although to a lesser extent than placebo due to reduced marijuana urge after smoking. Overall, active marijuana did not acutely change processing of positive emotional stimuli. There was no evidence of attentional bias to affective word stimuli on the Emotional Stroop task with the exception of attentional bias to positive word stimuli in the subgroup of marijuana users with cannabis dependence. Marijuana may increase allocation of attentional resources towards marijuana-specific and negatively-valenced visual stimuli without altering processing of positively-valenced stimuli. Marijuana-specific cues may be more attractive with higher levels of marijuana craving and less wanted with low craving levels. PMID:26167716

  14. Antigen challenge leads to in vivo activation and elimination of highly polarized TH1 memory T cells

    PubMed Central

    Hayashi, Nobuki; Liu, Dacai; Min, Booki; Ben-Sasson, Shlomo Z.; Paul, William E.

    2002-01-01

    TH1 memory T cells derived from T cell receptor transgenic mice, in which the T cell antigen receptor is specific for a cytochrome C peptide in association with I-Ek, were transferred into normal B10.A mice and allowed to adopt a resting phenotype. When challenged, 30–60 days after transfer, with i.v. cytochrome C, the transgenic cells rapidly became activated, expressed mRNA for IFNγ, and began to divide. However, after 48 h, the frequency of the cells fell progressively, reaching levels only slightly above the limit of detection by day 8 and thereafter remain depressed for up to 90 days. The remaining cells were anergic as shown by limitation in proliferation and IFNγ production in response to in vitro antigen stimulation. Even if challenged with antigen emulsified in complete Freund's adjuvant, the overall pattern was similar, except that in the draining lymph nodes, the surviving antigen-specific cells were not anergic, although spleen cells were still strikingly anergic. Thus, antigenic challenge of mice possessing resting memory TH1 CD4 T cells leads to the unanticipated loss of most of the specific cells and an apparent depletion rather than enhancement of immunologic memory. PMID:11959916

  15. Control of RNA synthesis in Escherichia coli after a shift to higher temperature.

    PubMed Central

    Ryals, J; Little, R; Bremer, H

    1982-01-01

    Parameters of RNA synthesis were measured after a temperature upshift in a pair of Escherichia coli B/r strains that are isogenic except for having relA and relA+ loci, to examine the cause for a reported anomaly in the correlation between guanosine tetraphosphate (ppGpp) and stable RNA (rRNA, tRNA) synthesis under such conditions. Two main results were: (i) the specific stable RNA gene activity (stable RNA per total RNA synthesis) correlated in the conventionally expected fashion with the level of ppGpp but was obscured by a nonspecific increase in the RNA chain elongation rate due to the higher temperature; (ii) the temperature upshift caused a transient reduction in the RNA polymerase activity (transcribing per total enzyme) that accounts for the previously observed oscillating RNA synthesis rate after a temperature shift. PMID:6179925

  16. Non-specific adsorption of complement proteins affects complement activation pathways of gold nanomaterials.

    PubMed

    Quach, Quang Huy; Kah, James Chen Yong

    2017-04-01

    The complement system is a key humoral component of innate immunity, serving as the first line of defense against intruders, including foreign synthetic nanomaterials. Although gold nanomaterials (AuNMs) are widely used in nanomedicine, their immunological response is not well understood. Using AuNMs of three shapes commonly used in biomedical applications: spherical gold nanoparticles, gold nanostars and gold nanorods, we demonstrated that AuNMs activated whole complement system, leading to the formation of SC5b-9 complex. All three complement pathways were simultaneously activated by all the AuNMs. Recognition molecules of the complement system interacted with all AuNMs in vitro, except for l-ficolin, but the correlation between these interactions and corresponding complement pathway activation was only observed in the classical and alternative pathways. We also observed the mediating role of complement activation in cellular uptake of all AuNMs by human U937 promonocytic cells, which expresses complement receptors. Taken together, our results highlighted the potential immunological challenges for clinical applications of AuNMs that were often overlooked.

  17. Natural and anthropogenic radioactivity in the environment of Kopaonik mountain, Serbia.

    PubMed

    Mitrović, Branislava; Ajtić, Jelena; Lazić, Marko; Andrić, Velibor; Krstić, Nikola; Vranješ, Borjana; Vićentijević, Mihajlo

    2016-08-01

    To evaluate the state of the environment in Kopaonik, a mountain in Serbia, the activity concentrations of (4) K, (226)Ra, (232)Th and (137)Cs in five different types of environmental samples are determined by gamma ray spectrometry, and radiological hazard due to terrestrial radionuclides is calculated. The mean activity concentrations of natural radionuclides in the soil are higher than the global average. However, with an exception of two sampling locations, the external radiation hazard index is below one, implying an insignificant radiation hazard. Apart from (40)K, content of the natural radionuclides is predominantly below minimum detectable activities in grass and cow milk, but not in mosses. Although (137)Cs is present in the soil, grass, mosses and herbal plants, its specific activity in cow milk is below minimum detectable activity. Amongst the investigated herbal plants, Vaccinium myrtillus L. shows accumulating properties, as a high content of (137)Cs is detected therein. Therefore, moderation is advised in consuming Vaccinium myrtillus L. tea. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  18. Antigenic properties of the envelope of influenza virus rendered soluble by surfactant-solvent systems

    PubMed Central

    Larin, N. M.; Gallimore, P. H.

    1971-01-01

    Dissociating chemical treatments employing surfactant-solvent systems were applied to purified influenza A and B viruses to obtain viral preparations possessing a significantly higher or lower haemagglutinating activity than the intact virus. All preparations, whether with high or low haemagglutinating activity, with the exception of envelope protein solubilized by Triton X-100, were significantly lacking in the ability to excite the formation of haemagglutination-inhibiting and virus-neutralizing antibodies in inoculated ferrets. In contrast to other treatments, Triton X-100 treatment of virus significantly enhanced the antigenicity of viral protein as judged by virus neutralization and haemagglutination inhibition tests. Yet the haemagglutinating activity of the envelope protein solubilized with Triton X-100 was about 1% that of the intact virus. Results suggest that the correlation assumed to exist between the haemagglutinating activity of influenza virus and its ability to excite the formation of humoral antibodies is coincidental. Another important point is that the specific antigenicity of viral protein may be lost or enhanced owing to effects, other than solubilization, by surface-active agents. PMID:5291750

  19. 24 CFR 1000.34 - What factors must be considered in making an exception to the conflict of interest provisions?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... 24 Housing and Urban Development 4 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false What factors must be considered in making an exception to the conflict of interest provisions? 1000.34 Section 1000.34 Housing and Urban... ACTIVITIES General § 1000.34 What factors must be considered in making an exception to the conflict of...

  20. Outdoor passive air monitoring of semi volatile organic compounds (SVOCs): a critical evaluation of performance and limitations of polyurethane foam (PUF) disks.

    PubMed

    Bohlin, P; Audy, O; Škrdlíková, L; Kukučka, P; Přibylová, P; Prokeš, R; Vojta, Š; Klánová, J

    2014-03-01

    The most commonly used passive air sampler (PAS) (i.e. polyurethane foam (PUF) disk) is cheap, versatile, and capable of accumulating compounds present both in gas and particle phases. Its performance for particle associated compounds is however disputable. In this study, twelve sets of triplicate PUF-PAS were deployed outdoors for exposure periods of 1-12 weeks together with continuously operated active samplers, to characterize sampling efficiency and derive sampling rates (RS) for compounds belonging to 7 SVOC classes (including particle associated compounds). PUF-PAS efficiently and consistently sampled polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and eight novel brominated flame retardant (nBFR) compounds. Low accuracy and lack of sensitivity was observed for most polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins/furans PCDD/Fs and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) (under the conditions of this study), with the exception of some congeners which may be used as qualitative markers for their respective classes. Application of compound specific RS was found crucial for all compounds except PCBs. Sampling efficiency of the particle associated compounds was often low.

  1. 75 FR 70783 - Excepted Service; Consolidated Listing of Schedules A, B, and C Exceptions

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-11-18

    ... and communications intelligence activities/functions. (2) Positions involved in intelligence-related... Communications Agency-- (1) Not to exceed 10 positions at grades GS-10/15 to staff and support the Crisis...

  2. 31 CFR 510.305 - Licenses; general and specific.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ... 31 Money and Finance:Treasury 3 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false Licenses; general and specific. 510.305 Section 510.305 Money and Finance: Treasury Regulations Relating to Money and Finance (Continued... Definitions § 510.305 Licenses; general and specific. (a) Except as otherwise specified, the term license...

  3. 31 CFR 510.305 - Licenses; general and specific.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... 31 Money and Finance:Treasury 3 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Licenses; general and specific. 510.305 Section 510.305 Money and Finance: Treasury Regulations Relating to Money and Finance (Continued... Definitions § 510.305 Licenses; general and specific. (a) Except as otherwise specified, the term license...

  4. 31 CFR 510.305 - Licenses; general and specific.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ... 31 Money and Finance:Treasury 3 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false Licenses; general and specific. 510.305 Section 510.305 Money and Finance: Treasury Regulations Relating to Money and Finance (Continued... Definitions § 510.305 Licenses; general and specific. (a) Except as otherwise specified, the term license...

  5. Effects of dietary chitosan and Bacillus subtilis on the growth performance, non-specific immunity and disease resistance of cobia, Rachycentron canadum.

    PubMed

    Geng, Xu; Dong, Xiao-Hui; Tan, Bei-Ping; Yang, Qi-Hui; Chi, Shu-Yan; Liu, Hong-Yu; Liu, Xian-Qin

    2011-09-01

    The present study was performed to investigate the effects of various levels of dietary Bacillus subtilis and chitosan on the growth performance, non-specific immunity and protection against Vibrio harveyi infection in cobia, Rachycentron canadum. Fish were fed with the control diet and six different experimental diets containing three graded levels of B. subtilis at 2 × 10(10) CFU g(-1) (0.0, 1.0, 2.0 g kg(-1) diet) for each of two levels of chitosan (3.0 and 6.0 g kg(-1) diet). The results of 8 weeks feeding trial showed that the survival rate ranged from 81.3% to 84.0% with no significant difference (P > 0.05). The SGR (%) in the fish fed with dietary treatments was significantly higher than that of the control fish except diet 6 group with 2.0 g kg(-1)B. subtilis and 3.0 g kg(-1) chitosan. The serum lysozyme activities were significantly higher in 6.0 g kg(-1) chitosan groups and no significant differences were observed among B. subtilis levels. The serum ACP activities were significantly higher in 3.0 g kg(-1) chitosan groups at 0.0 and 1.0 g kg(-1)B. subtilis levels; at low chitosan level, the cobia fed diets with 1.0 g kg(-1)B. subtilis had significantly higher serum ACP activity, but at high chitosan level, the cobia fed diets with 2.0 g kg(-1)B. subtilis had significantly higher serum ACP activity. The phagocytosis and respiratory burst activity in the fish fed with dietary treatments was significantly higher than that of the control fish except diet 3 group with 6.0 g kg(-1) chitosan. Moreover, fish fed the diet containing 2.0 g kg(-1)B. subtilis and 6.0 g kg(-1) chitosan had significantly higher post-challenge survival on the 7th day following V. harveyi infection and post-challenge survival showed clearly the synergistic effect of chitosan and B. subtilis. Based on these results, the combination of 1.0 g kg(-1)B. subtilis and 6.0 g kg(-1) chitosan is optimal for the growth, innate immunity and disease resistance of cobia with an 8-week oral administration. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  6. Temporal redistribution of inhibition over neuronal subcellular domains underlies state-dependent rhythmic change of excitability in the hippocampus

    PubMed Central

    Somogyi, Peter; Katona, Linda; Klausberger, Thomas; Lasztóczi, Bálint; Viney, Tim J.

    2014-01-01

    The behaviour-contingent rhythmic synchronization of neuronal activity is reported by local field potential oscillations in the theta, gamma and sharp wave-related ripple (SWR) frequency ranges. In the hippocampus, pyramidal cell assemblies representing temporal sequences are coordinated by GABAergic interneurons selectively innervating specific postsynaptic domains, and discharging phase locked to network oscillations. We compare the cellular network dynamics in the CA1 and CA3 areas recorded with or without anaesthesia. All parts of pyramidal cells, except the axon initial segment, receive GABA from multiple interneuron types, each with distinct firing dynamics. The axon initial segment is exclusively innervated by axo-axonic cells, preferentially firing after the peak of the pyramidal layer theta cycle, when pyramidal cells are least active. Axo-axonic cells are inhibited during SWRs, when many pyramidal cells fire synchronously. This dual inverse correlation demonstrates the key inhibitory role of axo-axonic cells. Parvalbumin-expressing basket cells fire phase locked to field gamma activity in both CA1 and CA3, and also strongly increase firing during SWRs, together with dendrite-innervating bistratified cells, phasing pyramidal cell discharge. Subcellular domain-specific GABAergic innervation probably developed for the coordination of multiple glutamatergic inputs on different parts of pyramidal cells through the temporally distinct activity of GABAergic interneurons, which differentially change their firing during different network states. PMID:24366131

  7. The Community Balance and Mobility Scale: A Pilot Study Detecting Impairments in Military Service Members With Comorbid Mild TBI and Psychological Health Conditions.

    PubMed

    Pape, Marcy M; Williams, Kathy; Kodosky, Paula N; Dretsch, Michael

    2016-01-01

    To compare the capacity of the Community Balance and Mobility Scale (CB&M) to identify balance and mobility deficits in Service Members (SMs) with mild traumatic brain injury and comorbid psychological health conditions (mTBI/PH) to other commonly used balance assessments. A clinical research institute that provides a 4-week, outpatient, interdisciplinary program for active-duty SMs with mTBI/PH. A nonrandomized, cross-sectional design that compared multiple measures between 2 groups-active duty SMs with (n = 8) and without (n = 8) the dual diagnosis of mTBI/PH. Gait speed, Activities-specific Balance Confidence scale (ABC), Functional Gait Assessment (FGA), and CB&M to assess functional balance among the community-dwelling, TBI population. Across all measures, the mTBI/PH group performed significantly worse (P ≤ .01) with the exception of the FGA. The abilities of all objective measures to distinguish participants with mTBI/PH from healthy controls ranged from fair to excellent (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.66-0.94). However, the CB&M showed the largest group differences in effect size (d = 2.6) and had the highest discriminate ability (AUC = 0.98; sensitivity 100%; specificity 88%). The CB&M appears to have higher sensitivity and specificity than other measures of balance in SMs with mTBI/PH. A higher cut score for the CB&M is needed for this population.

  8. Metabolic rate in different rat brain areas during seizures induced by a specific delta opiate receptor agonist.

    PubMed

    Haffmans, J; De Kloet, R; Dzoljic, M R

    1984-06-04

    The glucose utilization during specific delta opiate agonist-induced epileptiform phenomena, determined by the [14C]2-deoxyglucose technique (2-DG), was examined in various rat brain areas at different time intervals. The peak in EEG spiking response and the most intensive 2-DG uptake occurred 5 min after intraventricular (i.v.t.) administration of the delta opiate receptor agonist. The most pronounced 2-DG uptake at this time interval can be observed in the subiculum, including the CA1 hippocampal area, frontal cortex and central amygdala. A general decrease of glucose consumption, compared to control values, is observed after 10 min, in all regions, with exception of the subiculum. Since functional activity and 2-DG uptake are correlated, we suggest that the subiculum and/or CA1 area, are probably the brain regions most involved in the enkephalin-induced epileptic phenomena.

  9. Mutants of Cre recombinase with improved accuracy

    PubMed Central

    Eroshenko, Nikolai; Church, George M.

    2013-01-01

    Despite rapid advances in genome engineering technologies, inserting genes into precise locations in the human genome remains an outstanding problem. It has been suggested that site-specific recombinases can be adapted towards use as transgene delivery vectors. The specificity of recombinases can be altered either with directed evolution or via fusions to modular DNA-binding domains. Unfortunately, both wildtype and altered variants often have detectable activities at off-target sites. Here we use bacterial selections to identify mutations in the dimerization surface of Cre recombinase (R32V, R32M, and 303GVSdup) that improve the accuracy of recombination. The mutants are functional in bacteria, in human cells, and in vitro (except for 303GVSdup, which we did not purify), and have improved selectivity against both model off-target sites and the entire E. coli genome. We propose that destabilizing binding cooperativity may be a general strategy for improving the accuracy of dimeric DNA-binding proteins. PMID:24056590

  10. Space platform expendables resupply concept definition study. Volume 3: Work breakdown structure and work breakdown structure dictionary

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    1984-01-01

    The work breakdown structure (WBS) for the Space Platform Expendables Resupply Concept Definition Study is described. The WBS consists of a list of WBS elements, a dictionary of element definitions, and an element logic diagram. The list and logic diagram identify the interrelationships of the elements. The dictionary defines the types of work that may be represented by or be classified under each specific element. The Space Platform Expendable Resupply WBS was selected mainly to support the program planning, scheduling, and costing performed in the programmatics task (task 3). The WBS is neither a statement-of-work nor a work authorization document. Rather, it is a framework around which to define requirements, plan effort, assign responsibilities, allocate and control resources, and report progress, expenditures, technical performance, and schedule performance. The WBS element definitions are independent of make-or-buy decisions, organizational structure, and activity locations unless exceptions are specifically stated.

  11. Hydrolytic properties and substrate specificity of the foot-and-mouth disease leader protease.

    PubMed

    Santos, Jorge A N; Gouvea, Iuri E; Júdice, Wagner A S; Izidoro, Mario A; Alves, Fabiana M; Melo, Robson L; Juliano, Maria A; Skern, Tim; Juliano, Luiz

    2009-08-25

    Foot-and-mouth disease virus, a global animal pathogen, possesses a single-stranded RNA genome that, on release into the infected cell, is immediately translated into a single polyprotein. This polyprotein product is cleaved during synthesis by proteinases contained within it into the mature viral proteins. The first cleavage is performed by the leader protease (Lb(pro)) between its own C-terminus and the N-terminus of VP4. Lb(pro) also specifically cleaves the two homologues of cellular eukaryotic initiation factor (eIF) 4G, preventing translation of capped mRNA. Viral protein synthesis is initiated internally and is thus unaffected. We used a panel of specifically designed FRET peptides to examine the effects of pH and ionic strength on Lb(pro) activity and investigate the size of the substrate binding site and substrate specificity. Compared to the class prototypes, papain and the cathepsins, Lb(pro) possesses several unusual characteristics, including a high sensitivity to salt and a very specific substrate binding site extending up to P(7). Indeed, almost all substitutions investigated were detrimental to Lb(pro) activity. Analysis of structural data showed that Lb(pro) binds residues P(1)-P(3) in an extended conformation, whereas residues P(4)-P(7) are bound in a short 3(10) helix. The specificity of Lb(pro) as revealed by the substituted peptides could be explained for all positions except P(5). Strikingly, Lb(pro) residues L178 and L143 contribute to the architecture of more than one substrate binding pocket. The diverse functions of these two Lb(pro) residues explain why Lb(pro) is one of the smallest, but simultaneously most specific, papain-like enzymes.

  12. Heterologous expression of lipases YLIP4, YLIP5, YLIP7, YLIP13, and YLIP15 from Yarrowia lipolytica MSR80 in Escherichia coli: Substrate specificity, kinetic comparison, and enantioselectivity.

    PubMed

    Syal, Poonam; Gupta, Rani

    2017-11-01

    Five lipase genes, ylip4, ylip5, ylip7, ylip13, and ylip15, from Yarrowia lipolytica MSR80 were cloned and expressed in the pEZZ18-HB101 system. The lipases shared maximum sequence identity with Candida galli lipase, whereas they shared structural similarity with YLIP2 of Y. lipolytica CLIB122. The enzymes, purified using IgG sepharose, had specific activities in the range of 7-25 U mg -1 . Biochemical characteristics of all the lipases varied with respect to thermostability, substrate specificity, and enantioselectivity. All the enzymes were most active at neutral or slightly alkaline pH and were stable in the pH range 3.0-8.0, except YLIP4, which showed 50% stability at pH 10.0. Temperature optima of all the lipases varied from 30 to 50 ºC. YLIP15 and YLIP13 were most thermostable with a t 1/2 of 138 and 112 Min, respectively, at 60 °C. The lipases exhibited varied substrate specificity on p-nitrophenyl esters ranging from short-chain specificity (YLIP15), mid-chain specificity (YLIP4, YLIP5, YLIP7), and long-chain specificity (YLIP13). Catalytic efficiency on p-nitrophenylcaprate was highest for YLIP13 (67 × 10 3 mM -1 min -1 ) and lowest for YLIP15 (6.7 × 10 3 mM -1 min -1 ). YLIP13 was S-enantioselective, and YLIP15 was R-enantioselective with enantiomeric excess of 53 and 36%, respectively. Of all five lipases, YLIP13 and YLIP15 could be considered as industrially important enzymes as they were thermostable and enantioselective. © 2016 International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.

  13. Expression, Gene Cloning, and Characterization of Five Novel Phytases from Four Basidiomycete Fungi: Peniophora lycii, Agrocybe pediades, a Ceriporia sp., and Trametes pubescens

    PubMed Central

    Lassen, Søren F.; Breinholt, Jens; Østergaard, Peter R.; Brugger, Roland; Bischoff, Andrea; Wyss, Markus; Fuglsang, Claus C.

    2001-01-01

    Phytases catalyze the hydrolysis of phosphomonoester bonds of phytate (myo-inositol hexakisphosphate), thereby creating lower forms of myo-inositol phosphates and inorganic phosphate. In this study, cDNA expression libraries were constructed from four basidiomycete fungi (Peniophora lycii, Agrocybe pediades, a Ceriporia sp., and Trametes pubescens) and screened for phytase activity in yeast. One full-length phytase-encoding cDNA was isolated from each library, except for the Ceriporia sp. library where two different phytase-encoding cDNAs were found. All five phytases were expressed in Aspergillus oryzae, purified, and characterized. The phytases revealed temperature optima between 40 and 60°C and pH optima at 5.0 to 6.0, except for the P. lycii phytase, which has a pH optimum at 4.0 to 5.0. They exhibited specific activities in the range of 400 to 1,200 U · mg, of protein−1 and were capable of hydrolyzing phytate down to myo-inositol monophosphate. Surprisingly, 1H nuclear magnetic resonance analysis of the hydrolysis of phytate by all five basidiomycete phytases showed a preference for initial attack at the 6-phosphate group of phytic acid, a characteristic that was believed so far not to be seen with fungal phytases. Accordingly, the basidiomycete phytases described here should be grouped as 6-phytases (EC 3.1.3.26). PMID:11571175

  14. Combating HER2-overexpressing breast cancer through induction of calreticulin exposure by Tras-Permut CrossMab

    PubMed Central

    Zhang, Fan; Zhang, Jie; Liu, Moyan; Zhao, Lichao; LingHu, RuiXia; Feng, Fan; Gao, Xudong; Jiao, Shunchang; Zhao, Lei; Hu, Yi; Yang, Junlan

    2015-01-01

    Although trastuzumab has succeeded in breast cancer treatment, acquired resistance is one of the prime obstacles for breast cancer therapies. There is an urgent need to develop novel HER2 antibodies against trastuzumab resistance. Here, we first rational designed avidity-imporved trastuzumab and pertuzumab variants, and explored the correlation between the binding avidity improvement and their antitumor activities. After characterization of a pertuzumab variant L56TY with potent antitumor activities, a bispecific immunoglobulin G-like CrossMab (Tras-Permut CrossMab) was generated from trastuzumab and binding avidity-improved pertuzumab variant L56TY. Although, the antitumor efficacy of trastuzumab was not enhanced by improving its binding avidity, binding avidity improvement could significantly increase the anti-proliferative and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) activities of pertuzumab. Further studies showed that Tras-Permut CrossMab exhibited exceptional high efficiency to inhibit the progression of trastuzumab-resistant breast cancer. Notably, we found that calreticulin (CRT) exposure induced by Tras-Permut CrossMab was essential for induction of tumor-specific T cell immunity against tumor recurrence. These data indicated that simultaneous blockade of HER2 protein by Tras-Permut CrossMab could trigger CRT exposure and subsequently induce potent tumor-specific T cell immunity, suggesting it could be a promising therapeutic strategy against trastuzumab resistance. PMID:25949918

  15. Prey specificity, comparative lethality and compositional differences of coral snake venoms.

    PubMed

    Jorge da Silva, N; Aird, S D

    2001-03-01

    Toxicities of crude venoms from 49 coral snake (Micrurus sp.) populations, representing 15 nominal taxa, were examined in both laboratory mice and in native prey animals and compared with data gathered from two non-micrurine elapids and a crotalid, which served as outgroups. These venoms were further compared on the basis of 23 enzymatic activities. Both toxicities and enzymatic activities were analyzed with respect to natural prey preferences, as determined from stomach content analyses and literature reports. Venoms of nearly all Micrurus for which prey preferences are known, are more toxic to natural prey than to non-prey species. Except for amphisbaenians, prey are more susceptible to venoms of Micrurus that feed upon them, than to venoms of those that eat other organisms. All venoms were more toxic i.v.>i.p.>i.m. Route-specific differences in toxicity are generally greatest for preferred prey species. Cluster analyses of venom enzymatic activities resulted in five clusters, with the fish-eating M. surinamensis more distant from other Micrurus than even the crotalid, Bothrops moojeni. Ophiophagous and amphisbaenian-eating Micrurus formed two close subclusters, one allied to the outgroup species Naja naja and the other to the fossorial, ophiophagous Bungarus multicinctus. Prey preference is shown to be the most important determinant of venom composition in Micrurus.

  16. Tissue-specific and pathogen-induced regulation of a Nicotiana plumbaginifolia beta-1,3-glucanase gene.

    PubMed Central

    Castresana, C; de Carvalho, F; Gheysen, G; Habets, M; Inzé, D; Van Montagu, M

    1990-01-01

    The Nicotiana plumbaginifolia gn1 gene encoding a beta-1,3-glucanase isoform has been characterized. The gn1 product represents an isoform distinct from the previously identified tobacco beta-1,3-glucanases. By expressing gn1 in Escherichia coli, we have determined directly that the encoded protein does, indeed, correspond to a beta-1,3-glucanase. In N. plumbaginifolia, gn1 was found to be expressed in roots and older leaves. Transgenic tobacco plants containing the 5'-noncoding region of gn1 fused to the beta-glucuronidase (GUS) reporter gene also showed maximum levels of GUS activity in roots and older leaves. No detectable activity was present in the upper part of the transgenic plants with the exception of stem cells at the bases of emerging shoots. The expression conferred by the gn1 promoter was differentially induced in response to specific plant stress treatments. Studies of three plant-bacteria interactions showed high levels of GUS activity when infection resulted in a hypersensitive reaction. Increased gene expression was confined to cells surrounding the necrotic lesions. The observed expression pattern suggests that the characterized beta-1,3-glucanase plays a role both in plant development and in the defense response against pathogen infection. PMID:2152158

  17. Biochemical characterisation of the esterase activities of wine lactic acid bacteria.

    PubMed

    Matthews, Angela; Grbin, Paul R; Jiranek, Vladimir

    2007-11-01

    Esters are an important group of volatile compounds that can contribute to wine flavour. Wine lactic acid bacteria (LAB) have been shown to produce esterases capable of hydrolysing ester substrates. This study aims to characterise the esterase activities of nine LAB strains under important wine conditions, namely, acidic conditions, low temperature (to 10 degrees C) and in the presence of ethanol (2-18% v/v). Esterase substrate specificity was also examined using seven different ester substrates. The bacteria were generally found to have a broad pH activity range, with the majority of strains showing maximum activity close to pH 6.0. Exceptions included an Oenococcus oeni strain that retained most activity even down to a pH of 4.0. Most strains exhibited highest activity across the range 30-40 degrees C. Increasing ethanol concentration stimulated activity in some of the strains. In particular, O. oeni showed an increase in activity up to a maximum ethanol concentration of around 16%. Generally, strains were found to have greater activity towards short-chained esters (C2-C8) compared to long-chained esters (C10-C18). Even though the optimal physicochemical conditions for enzyme activity differed from those found in wine, these findings are of potential importance to oenology because significant activities remained under wine-like conditions.

  18. The dynamic opponent relativity model: an integration and extension of capacity theory and existing theoretical perspectives on the neuropsychology of arousal and emotion.

    PubMed

    Comer, Clinton S; Harrison, Patti Kelly; Harrison, David W

    2015-01-01

    Arousal theory as discussed within the present paper refers to those mechanisms and neural systems involved in central nervous system activation and more specifically the systems involved in cortical activation. Historical progress in the evolution of arousal theory has led to a better understanding of the functional neural systems involved in arousal or activation processes and ultimately contributed much to our current theories of emotion. Despite evidence for the dynamic interplay between the left and right cerebral hemispheres, the concepts of cerebral balance and dynamic activation have been emphasized in the neuropsychological literature. A conceptual model is proposed herein that incorporates the unique contributions from multiple neuropsychological theories of arousal and emotion. It is argued that the cerebral hemispheres may play oppositional roles in emotion partially due to the differences in their functional specializations and in their persistence upon activation. In the presence of a threat or provocation, the right hemisphere may activate survival relevant responses partially derived from hemispheric specializations in arousal and emotional processing, including the mobilization of sympathetic drive to promote heightened blood pressure, heart rate, glucose mobilization and respiratory support necessary for the challenge. Oppositional processes and mechanisms are discussed, which may be relevant to the regulatory control over the survival response; however, the capacity of these systems is necessarily limited. A limited capacity mechanism is proposed, which is familiar within other physiological systems, including that providing for the prevention of muscular damage under exceptional demand. This capacity theory is proposed, wherein a link may be expected between exceptional stress within a neural system and damage to the neural system. These mechanisms are proposed to be relevant to emotion and emotional disorders. Discussion is provided on the possible role of currently applied therapeutic interventions for emotional disorders.

  19. Retrospective case evaluation of gender differences in sports injuries in a Japanese sports medicine clinic.

    PubMed

    Iwamoto, Jun; Takeda, Tsuyoshi; Sato, Yoshihiro; Matsumoto, Hideo

    2008-12-01

    Although both gender- and sports-specific injuries exist among athletes, gender differences in the types of injuries caused by sports activities, except for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury and anterior knee pain, are not well established. An observational study with a retrospective case-series design was conducted to investigate gender-specific differences in the types of injuries sustained while engaging in sports activities common to both males and females. We analyzed injuries sustained during sports activities including basketball, volleyball, tennis, skiing, track and field, and swimming, using data on age, sex, sports activities, activity levels, and sports injuries that had been computerized at our sports medicine (orthopedics) clinic. Inclusion criteria were sports activities that had a record of >100 injuries in total and athletes aged <50 years who were engaging in only 1 sports activity. We determined the absolute number of patients in each category and their percentage (proportion) of our cohort. The proportions of common injuries caused by sports activities were investigated, and gender-specific differences in the types of common injuries caused by sports activities were clarified. The Fisher exact test was used to determine the significance (P < 0.01) of the gender-specific differences in the types of sports injuries. According to our database, during the 14-year period between October 1992 and December 2006, a total of 2,989 athletes (1,624 males and 1,365 females) aged <50 years who engaged in 1 of the 6 sports activities described consulted our sports medicine clinic. The most common sports injuries were ACL injury (14.3%) and knee pain (13.7%), followed by ankle sprain (9.4%), lumbar disc disease (7.0%), meniscus injury (5.1%), stress fracture (2.9%), low back pain (2.5%), patellar tendinitis (2.1%), injury of the medial collateral ligament of the knee (2.0%), lumbar spondylolysis (1.7%), and muscle strain (1.5%). Among these 11 types of sports injuries, a significantly higher proportion of females who engaged in basketball (24.4% vs 10.5%), volleyball (20.5% vs 4.5%), or skiing (41.4% vs 26.5%) presented with an ACL injury, compared with their male counterparts (all, P < 0.001). There was also a significantly higher proportion of females than of males among the track and field athletes who presented with stress fractures (18.7% vs 3.9%; P < 0.001). The findings of this retrospective study suggest that there are gender-specific differences in the types of injuries sustained during sports activities.

  20. 23 CFR 655.603 - Standards.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-04-01

    ... includes toll roads and roads within shopping centers, airports, sports arenas, and other similar business... without access restrictions. Except for gated toll roads, roads within private gated properties where... period. (c) Color specifications. Color determinations and specifications of sign and pavement marking...

  1. 23 CFR 655.603 - Standards.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-04-01

    ... includes toll roads and roads within shopping centers, airports, sports arenas, and other similar business... without access restrictions. Except for gated toll roads, roads within private gated properties where... period. (c) Color specifications. Color determinations and specifications of sign and pavement marking...

  2. 23 CFR 655.603 - Standards.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-04-01

    ... includes toll roads and roads within shopping centers, airports, sports arenas, and other similar business... without access restrictions. Except for gated toll roads, roads within private gated properties where... period. (c) Color specifications. Color determinations and specifications of sign and pavement marking...

  3. 23 CFR 655.603 - Standards.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-04-01

    ... includes toll roads and roads within shopping centers, airports, sports arenas, and other similar business... without access restrictions. Except for gated toll roads, roads within private gated properties where... period. (c) Color specifications. Color determinations and specifications of sign and pavement marking...

  4. Altered cytochrome P450 activities and expression levels in the liver and intestines of the monosodium glutamate-induced mouse model of human obesity.

    PubMed

    Tomankova, Veronika; Liskova, Barbora; Skalova, Lenka; Bartikova, Hana; Bousova, Iva; Jourova, Lenka; Anzenbacher, Pavel; Ulrichova, Jitka; Anzenbacherova, Eva

    2015-07-15

    Cytochromes P450 (CYPs) are enzymes present from bacteria to man involved in metabolism of endogenous and exogenous compounds incl. drugs. Our objective was to assess whether obesity leads to changes in activities and expression of CYPs in the mouse liver, small intestine and colon. An obese mouse model with repeated injection of monosodium glutamate (MSG) to newborns was used. Controls were treated with saline. All mice were sacrificed at 8 months. In the liver and intestines, levels of CYP mRNA and proteins were analyzed using RT-PCR and Western blotting. Activities of CYP enzymes were measured with specific substrates of human orthologous forms. At the end of the experiment, body weight, plasma insulin and leptin levels as well as the specific content of hepatic CYP enzymes were increased in obese mice. Among CYP enzymes, hepatic CYP2A5 activity, protein and mRNA expression increased most significantly in obese animals. Higher activities and protein levels of hepatic CYP2E1 and 3A in the obese mice were also found. No or a weak effect on CYPs 2C and 2D was observed. In the small intestine and colon, no changes of CYP enzymes were detected except for increased expression of CYP2E1 and decreased expression of CYP3A mRNAs in the colon of the obese mice. Results of our study suggest that the specific content and activities of some liver CYP enzymes (especially CYP2A5) can be increased in obese mice. Higher activity of CYP2A5 (CYP2A6 human ortholog) could lead to altered metabolism of drug substrates of this enzyme (valproic acid, nicotine, methoxyflurane). Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  5. Change of heavy metal speciation, mobility, bioavailability, and ecological risk during potassium ferrate treatment of waste-activated sludge.

    PubMed

    Yu, Ming; Zhang, Jian; Tian, Yu

    2018-05-01

    The effects of potassium ferrate treatment on the heavy metal concentrations, speciation, mobility, bioavailability, and environmental risk in waste-activated sludge (WAS) at various dosages of potassium ferrate and different treatment times were investigated. Results showed that the total concentrations of all metals (except Cd) were decreased slightly after treatment and the order of metal concentrations in WAS and treated waste-activated sludge (TWAS) was Mg > Zn > Cu > Cr > Pb > Ni > Cd. Most heavy metals in WAS remained in TWAS after potassium ferrate treatment with metal residual rates over 67.8% in TWAS. The distribution of metal speciation in WAS was affected by potassium ferrate treatment. The bioavailability and the mobility of heavy metals (except Mg) in TWAS were mitigated, compared to those in WAS. Meanwhile, the environmental risk of heavy metals (except Pb and Cu) was alleviated after potassium ferrate treatment.

  6. Structural Bioinformatics-Based Prediction of Exceptional Selectivity of p38 MAP Kinase Inhibitor PH-797804

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Xing, Li; Shieh, Huey S.; Selness, Shaun R.

    2009-07-24

    PH-797804 is a diarylpyridinone inhibitor of p38{alpha} mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase derived from a racemic mixture as the more potent atropisomer (aS), first proposed by molecular modeling and subsequently confirmed by experiments. On the basis of structural comparison with a different biaryl pyrazole template and supported by dozens of high-resolution crystal structures of p38{alpha} inhibitor complexes, PH-797804 is predicted to possess a high level of specificity across the broad human kinase genome. We used a structural bioinformatics approach to identify two selectivity elements encoded by the TXXXG sequence motif on the p38{alpha} kinase hinge: (i) Thr106 that serves as themore » gatekeeper to the buried hydrophobic pocket occupied by 2,4-difluorophenyl of PH-797804 and (ii) the bidentate hydrogen bonds formed by the pyridinone moiety with the kinase hinge requiring an induced 180{sup o} rotation of the Met109-Gly110 peptide bond. The peptide flip occurs in p38{alpha} kinase due to the critical glycine residue marked by its conformational flexibility. Kinome-wide sequence mining revealed rare presentation of the selectivity motif. Corroboratively, PH-797804 exhibited exceptionally high specificity against MAP kinases and the related kinases. No cross-reactivity was observed in large panels of kinase screens (selectivity ratio of >500-fold). In cellular assays, PH-797804 demonstrated superior potency and selectivity consistent with the biochemical measurements. PH-797804 has met safety criteria in human phase I studies and is under clinical development for several inflammatory conditions. Understanding the rationale for selectivity at the molecular level helps elucidate the biological function and design of specific p38{alpha} kinase inhibitors.« less

  7. 30 CFR 816.57 - Hydrologic balance: Activities in or adjacent to perennial or intermittent streams.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ... or adjacent to perennial or intermittent streams. (a)(1) Buffer requirement. Except as provided in... section 402 or 404 of the Clean Water Act. (b) Exception. The buffer requirement of paragraph (a) of this...

  8. 30 CFR 816.57 - Hydrologic balance: Activities in or adjacent to perennial or intermittent streams.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ... or adjacent to perennial or intermittent streams. (a)(1) Buffer requirement. Except as provided in... section 402 or 404 of the Clean Water Act. (b) Exception. The buffer requirement of paragraph (a) of this...

  9. 44 CFR 80.19 - Land use and oversight.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... activities; wetlands management; nature reserves; cultivation; grazing; camping (except where adequate...: Walled buildings, levees, dikes, or floodwalls, paved roads, highways, bridges, cemeteries, landfills... allowable uses. (2) No new structures or improvements will be built on the property except as indicated...

  10. Exceptions to the Stark law: practical considerations for surgeons.

    PubMed

    Satiani, Bhagwan

    2006-03-01

    The purpose of this study was to provide an understanding of the applicable legislative exceptions to prohibitions under the Stark law, which governs common legitimate business relationships in surgical practice. Stark I and II prohibits all referrals (and claims) for the provision of designated health services for federal reimbursement if a physician or immediate family member has any financial relationship with the entity. Regardless of intent (unlike the antikickback statute), any financial relationship is illegal unless specifically excepted by statute. These exceptions are relevant to ownership, compensation arrangements, or both. The most important ones relevant to surgeons are as follows: physician service exception (services rendered in an intragroup referral); in-office ancillary services exception (office-based vascular laboratory); the whole hospital exception (ownership interest in a hospital or department); lease exception (conditions that must be met for a lease not to be considered illegal); bona fide employment exception (important to academic medical centers); personal services arrangement exception (vascular laboratory medical directorship); physician incentive plans exception (if volume or value of referrals are an issue); hospital-affiliated group practice exception (physician services billed by a hospital); recruitment arrangement exception (inducements by hospitals to relocate); items/services exception (transcription services purchased from a hospital); fair market value exception (covers services provided to health care entities); indirect compensation arrangements (dealings between a hospital and entity owned by physicians); and academic medical centers exception (new phase II rules broaden the definition of academic medical centers and ease the requirement that practice plans be tax-exempt organizations, among other changes. Although expert legal advice is required for navigation through the maze of Stark laws, it is incumbent on surgeons in private practice and at academic centers to have basic knowledge of exceptions under this burdensome statute. Antikickback "safe harbors" provide some protection against possible Stark violations. Penalties for violating Stark laws are severe, including fines of up to $15,000 per service and the economic threat of exclusion from participation in federal health care programs.

  11. A fully human monoclonal antibody with novel binding epitope and excellent neutralizing activity to multiple human IFN-α subtypes: A candidate therapy for systemic lupus erythematosus.

    PubMed

    Du, Peng; Xu, Lei; Qiu, Weiyi; Zeng, Dadi; Yue, Junjie; Wang, Shuang; Huang, Peitang; Sun, Zhiwei

    2015-01-01

    Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic, heterogeneous autoimmune disease short of effective therapeutic agents. A multitude of studies of SLE in the last decade have accentuated a central role of the interferon alpha (IFN-α) pathway in SLE pathogenesis. We report here a candidate therapeutic neutralizing antibody, AIA22, with a different binding epitope and discrepant neutralizing profile from the anti-multiple IFN-α subtype antibodies currently in clinical trials. AIA22 specifically interacts with multiple IFN-α subtypes, binds to the type I IFN receptor 2 (IFNAR2) recognition region of IFN-α (considered a novel antigen epitope), and effectively neutralizes the activity of almost all of the IFN-α subtypes (with the exception of IFN-α7) both in vitro and in vivo. Concurrently, structural modeling and computational design yielded a mutational antibody of AIA22, AIAmut, which exhibited substantially improved neutralizing activity to multiple IFN-α subtypes.

  12. Effects of probiotic supplementation over 5 months on routine haematology and clinical chemistry measures in healthy active adults.

    PubMed

    Cox, A J; West, N P; Horn, P L; Lehtinen, M J; Koerbin, G; Pyne, D B; Lahtinen, S J; Fricker, P A; Cripps, A W

    2014-11-01

    Use of probiotic-containing foods and probiotic supplements is increasing; however, few studies document safety and tolerability in conjunction with defined clinical end points. This paper reports the effects of 150 days of supplementation with either a single- (Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis Bl-04) or a double-strain (Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis Bi-07) probiotic on routine haematology and clinical chemistry measures in healthy active adults. Pre- to post-intervention changes in laboratory measures were determined and compared between supplement and placebo groups. Overall there were few differences in routine haematology and clinical chemistry measures between supplement and placebo groups post-intervention. Exceptions included plasma calcium (P=0.03) and urea (P=0.015); however, observed changes were small and within assay-specific laboratory reference ranges. These data provide evidence supporting the use of these probiotic supplements over a period of 5 months in healthy active adults without obvious safety or tolerability issues.

  13. Antimicrobial Substances for Food Packaging Products: The Current Situation.

    PubMed

    Pellerito, Alessandra; Ameen, Sara M; Micali, Maria; Caruso, Giorgia

    2018-04-04

    Antimicrobial substances are widely used in many anthropic activities, including sanitary and military services for the human population. These compounds are also known to be used in food production, agricultural activities, and partially correlated industrial sectors. However, there are concerns regarding the link between the abuse of antimicrobial agents in these ambits and the possible detection of antibiotic-resistant microorganisms. Modern food and beverage products are generally found on the market as prepackaged units, with several exceptions. Consequently, positive and negative features of a specific food or beverage should be considered as the result of the synergic action of different components, including the container (or the assembled sum of packaging materials). At present, the meaning of food container also includes the creation and development of new packaging materials that are potentially able to interact with the contained food. "Active" packaging systems can be realized with antimicrobial substances. On the other hand, a careful evaluation of risks and advantages correlated with antimicrobial agents is needed because of possible negative and/or unexpected failures.

  14. Planarians as models of cadmium-induced neoplasia provide measurable benchmarks for mechanistic studies.

    PubMed

    Voura, Evelyn B; Montalvo, Melissa J; Dela Roca, Kevin T; Fisher, Julia M; Defamie, Virginie; Narala, Swami R; Khokha, Rama; Mulligan, Margaret E; Evans, Colleen A

    2017-08-01

    Bioassays of planarian neoplasia highlight the potential of these organisms as useful standards to assess whether environmental toxins such as cadmium promote tumorigenesis. These studies complement other investigations into the exceptional healing and regeneration of planarians - processes that are driven by a population of active stem cells, or neoblasts, which are likely transformed during planarian tumor growth. Our goal was to determine if planarian tumorigenesis assays are amenable to mechanistic studies of cadmium carcinogenesis. To that end we demonstrate, by examining both counts of cell populations by size, and instances of mitosis, that the activity of the stem cell population can be monitored. We also provide evidence that specific biomodulators can affect the potential of planarian neoplastic growth, in that an inhibitor of metalloproteinases effectively blocked the development of the lesions. From these results, we infer that neoblast activity does respond to cadmium-induced tumor growth, and that metalloproteinases are required for the progression of cancer in the planarian. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  15. The preliminary evaluation of degradation of substance P(SP) fragment's analogue less than Glu SP6-11 in the subcellular fractions from different areas of rat brain.

    PubMed

    Turski, W A; Lachowicz, L; Koziołkiewicz, W

    1985-01-01

    Peptidase(s) activity of different subcellular fractions isolated from cortex, hippocampus, midbrain, thalamus with hypothalamus, cerebellum and medulla oblongata exerted against less than Glu SP6-11 (3H-Phen8) was evaluated in "low-ionic" and similar (in composition) to both extracellular and intracellular conditions. The incubation of less than Glu SP6-11 with different fractions leaves the hexapeptide undegraded in the studied conditions in most cases. Peptidases activity results in the formation of the first of all C-terminal and exceptionally "internal" labelled products. Labelled N-terminal products were not seen. The most effective degradation in vitro of less than Glu SP6-11 takes place, in the majority of cases, in "low ionic" conditions when compared to those similar to extra or intracellular ones. The biggest total (per 1 g of wet mass) and specific activities against less than Glu SP6-11 can be shown in the hippocampus areas.

  16. SIG Galileo final converter. Technical summary report

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Hinderman, J.D.

    1979-05-01

    The report summarizes significant events, activities and achievements on the SIG/Galileo Converter Program at 3M Company during the period June 1, 1978 through May 15, 1979. A stop work order was received from DOE on January 29, 1979 and all subsequent work and close out activities targeted for completion by May 15, 1979. Section A describes, in detail, the component configurations developed and proposed for the SN-1 converter. This converter was the Flight Design with the possible exception of N-leg improvements and a cold frame-housing interface processing change. Included at the end of the converter description is the status ofmore » the design at the time of the stop work order. In Section B, the activities performed to accomplish the design goals are described as they occurred. Section C lists all pertinent documentation which was developed and issued relating to the design of the converter. This includes drawings, specifications, procedures and analysis. Operating requirements for the SN-1 converter are given.« less

  17. 9 CFR 78.11 - Cattle moved to a specifically approved stockyard not in accordance with this part.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... (INCLUDING POULTRY) AND ANIMAL PRODUCTS BRUCELLOSIS Restrictions on Interstate Movement of Cattle Because of Brucellosis § 78.11 Cattle moved to a specifically approved stockyard not in accordance with this part. Cattle, except brucellosis reactors and brucellosis exposed cattle, which are moved interstate to a specifically...

  18. 9 CFR 78.11 - Cattle moved to a specifically approved stockyard not in accordance with this part.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... (INCLUDING POULTRY) AND ANIMAL PRODUCTS BRUCELLOSIS Restrictions on Interstate Movement of Cattle Because of Brucellosis § 78.11 Cattle moved to a specifically approved stockyard not in accordance with this part. Cattle, except brucellosis reactors and brucellosis exposed cattle, which are moved interstate to a specifically...

  19. 9 CFR 78.11 - Cattle moved to a specifically approved stockyard not in accordance with this part.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... (INCLUDING POULTRY) AND ANIMAL PRODUCTS BRUCELLOSIS Restrictions on Interstate Movement of Cattle Because of Brucellosis § 78.11 Cattle moved to a specifically approved stockyard not in accordance with this part. Cattle, except brucellosis reactors and brucellosis exposed cattle, which are moved interstate to a specifically...

  20. 40 CFR 261.38 - Exclusion of comparable fuel and syngas fuel.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ... J/g). (B) Viscosity. The viscosity must not exceed: 50 cS, as-fired. (ii) Constituent specifications..., except as provided by paragraph (a)(3)(ii) of this section: (ii) Blending to meet the viscosity specification. A hazardous waste blended to meet the viscosity specification for comparable fuel shall: (A) As...

  1. 40 CFR 261.38 - Exclusion of comparable fuel and syngas fuel.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ... J/g). (B) Viscosity. The viscosity must not exceed: 50 cS, as-fired. (ii) Constituent specifications..., except as provided by paragraph (a)(3)(ii) of this section: (ii) Blending to meet the viscosity specification. A hazardous waste blended to meet the viscosity specification for comparable fuel shall: (A) As...

  2. 40 CFR 261.38 - Exclusion of comparable fuel and syngas fuel.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ... J/g). (B) Viscosity. The viscosity must not exceed: 50 cS, as-fired. (ii) Constituent specifications..., except as provided by paragraph (a)(3)(ii) of this section: (ii) Blending to meet the viscosity specification. A hazardous waste blended to meet the viscosity specification for comparable fuel shall: (A) As...

  3. Influence of caecal microflora and of two dietary protein levels on the adaptation of the exocrine pancreas: comparative study in germ-free and conventional rats.

    PubMed

    Lhoste, E F; Catala, I; Fiszlewicz, M; Gueugneau, A M; Popot, F; Vaissade, P; Corring, T; Szylit, O

    1996-03-01

    Dietary proteins are degraded by both endogenous enzymes and the caecal microflora. In conventional rats the enzyme content of the pancreas depends on the amount of dietary protein. The influence of the caecal microflora on this process is unknown. We report here the effect of the caecal microflora on pancreatic enzymes (proteases, amylase (EC 3.2.1.1), lipase (EC 3.1.1.3)) and on colonic metabolites (NH3, urea, short-chain fatty acids). Germ-free and conventional male Fischer rats were fed for 3 weeks with a diet containing 220 or 450 g protein/kg provided as a mixture of fish concentrate and soyabean isolate. The excretion of NH3 and the pH were specifically increased by the high-protein diet in the germ-free rats. The higher production of isobutyrate, valerate and isovalerate in conventional rats fed on the high-protein diet reflected a high bacterial proteolytic activity since these short-chain fatty acids are specific indicators of this activity. The microflora hydrolysed urea to NH3 and maintained the pH at neutrality whatever the amount of protein in the diet since there were changes in germ-free rats but not in conventional ones. In germ-free rats, amylase, trypsin (EC 3.4.21.4), elastase (EC 3.4.21.36) and carboxypeptidase A (EC 3.4.17.1) specific activities were significantly lower than in conventional rats. The adaptation of the pancreas to the 450 g protein/kg diet was not impaired by the bacterial status except for the specific activity of chymotrypsin (EC 3.4.21.1) which was more increased by this diet in germ-free than in conventional rats. Moreover, the specific activity of lipase increased only in conventional rats fed on the 450 g protein/kg diet. In conclusion, we observed a relationship between the enzyme content of the pancreas and the presence or absence of the caecal microflora suggesting that bacterial fermentation influences pancreatic function.

  4. Agreement between BMI and body fat obesity definitions in a physically active population.

    PubMed

    Porto, Luiz Guilherme G; Nogueira, Rosenkranz M; Nogueira, Eugênio C; Molina, Guilherme E; Farioli, Andrea; Junqueira, Luiz Fernando; Kales, Stefanos N

    2016-01-01

    Body mass index (BMI) is a widely used proxy of body composition (BC). Concerns exist regarding possible BMI misclassification among active populations. We compared the prevalence of obesity as categorized by BMI or by skinfold estimates of body fat percentage (BF%) in a physically active population. 3,822 military firefighters underwent a physical fitness evaluation including cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) by the 12 min-Cooper test, abdominal strength by sit-up test (SUT) and body composition (BC) by BF% (as the reference), as well as BMI. Obesity was defined by BF% > 25% and BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2. Agreement was evaluated by sensitivity and specificity of BMI, positive and negative predictive values (PPV/NPV), positive and negative likelihood (LR+/LR-), receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and also across age, CRF and SUT subgroups. The prevalence of obesity estimated by BMI (13.3%) was similar to BF% (15.9%). Overall agreement was high (85.8%) and varied in different subgroups (75.3-94.5%). BMI underestimated the prevalence of obesity in all categories with high specificity (≥ 81.2%) and low sensitivity (≤ 67.0). All indices were affected by CRF, age and SUT, with better sensitivity, NPV and LR- in the less fit and older groups; and higher specificity, PPV and LR+ among the fittest and youngest groups. ROC curves showed high area under the curve (≥ 0.77) except for subjects with CRF ≥ 14 METs (= 0.46). Both measures yielded similar obesity prevalences, with high agreement. BMI did not overestimate obesity prevalence. BMI ≥ 30 was highly specific to exclude obesity. Because of systematic under estimation, a lower BMI cut-off point might be considered in this population.

  5. 46 CFR 170.160 - Specific applicability.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-10-01

    ...) A vessel that performs one of the simplified stability proof tests described in subpart C of part... COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED) SUBDIVISION AND STABILITY STABILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL INSPECTED VESSELS Intact Stability Criteria § 170.160 Specific applicability. (a) Except...

  6. 46 CFR 170.160 - Specific applicability.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ...) A vessel that performs one of the simplified stability proof tests described in subpart C of part... COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED) SUBDIVISION AND STABILITY STABILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL INSPECTED VESSELS Intact Stability Criteria § 170.160 Specific applicability. (a) Except...

  7. 46 CFR 170.160 - Specific applicability.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-10-01

    ...) A vessel that performs one of the simplified stability proof tests described in subpart C of part... COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED) SUBDIVISION AND STABILITY STABILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL INSPECTED VESSELS Intact Stability Criteria § 170.160 Specific applicability. (a) Except...

  8. 46 CFR 170.160 - Specific applicability.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-10-01

    ...) A vessel that performs one of the simplified stability proof tests described in subpart C of part... COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED) SUBDIVISION AND STABILITY STABILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL INSPECTED VESSELS Intact Stability Criteria § 170.160 Specific applicability. (a) Except...

  9. 49 CFR 179.201-5 - Postweld heat treatment and corrosion resistance.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... SPECIFICATIONS FOR TANK CARS Specifications for Non-Pressure Tank Car Tanks (Classes DOT-111AW and 115AW) § 179... thereto must be postweld heat treated as a unit at the proper temperature except as indicated below. Tanks...

  10. Isolation and characterization of two novel root-specific promoters in rice (Oryza sativa L.).

    PubMed

    Li, Yuanya; Liu, Shaojun; Yu, Zhiming; Liu, Yu; Wu, Ping

    2013-06-01

    Novel root-specific promoters are important for developing methods to drive root-specific gene expression for nutrient and water absorption. RT-PCR (reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction) analysis identified high expression levels of Os03g01700 and Os02g37190 in root tissues across developmental stages in comparison with the constitutive genes OsAct1 (rice Actin1 gene), OsUbi1 (rice polyubiquitin rubi1 gene), and OsCc1 (rice cytochrome c gene). The copy numbers of Os03g01700 and Os02g37190 were evaluated by qRT-PCR. The results showed that Os03g01700 and Os02g37190 transcripts were highly accumulated in the examined root tissues but were not detected in young embryos or leaves at the indicated days after germination or in the panicle, in contrast to the ubiquitous expression of OsAct1, OsUbi1, and OsCc1. Additionally, the promoter regions of these two genes were linked to the GUSplus reporter gene and transformed into rice. GUS staining of the transgenic plants showed that the Os03g01700 and Os02g37190 promoters were active in primary and secondary roots throughout the developmental stages, except in root hairs. The GUSPlus transcript levels were also highly root-specific in the transgenic rice. Overall, the two promoters are highly active in the root tissues of rice and can be useful for the root-specific enhancement of target gene(s). Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

  11. Antimicrobial Activity of Medicinal Plants Correlates with the Proportion of Antagonistic Endophytes

    PubMed Central

    Egamberdieva, Dilfuza; Wirth, Stephan; Behrendt, Undine; Ahmad, Parvaiz; Berg, Gabriele

    2017-01-01

    Medicinal plants are known to harbor potential endophytic microbes, due to their bioactive compounds. In a first study of ongoing research, endophytic bacteria were isolated from two medicinal plants, Hypericum perforatum and Ziziphora capitata with contrasting antimicrobial activities from the Chatkal Biosphere Reserve of Uzbekistan, and their plant-specific traits involved in biocontrol and plant growth promotion were evaluated. Plant extracts of H. perforatum exhibited a remarkable activity against bacterial and fungal pathogens, whereas extracts of Z. capitata did not exhibit any potential antimicrobial activity. Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometry (MS) was used to identify plant associated culturable endophytic bacteria. The isolated culturable endophytes associated with H. perforatum belong to eight genera (Arthrobacter, Achromobacter, Bacillus, Enterobacter, Erwinia, Pseudomonas, Pantoea, Serratia, and Stenotrophomonas). The endophytic isolates from Z. capitata also contain those genera except Arthrobacter, Serratia, and Stenotrophomonas. H. perforatum with antibacterial activity supported more bacteria with antagonistic activity, as compared to Z. capitata. The antagonistic isolates were able to control tomato root rot caused by Fusarium oxysporum and stimulated plant growth under greenhouse conditions and could thus be a cost-effective source for agro-based biological control agents. PMID:28232827

  12. Use of Biomarkers to Guide Decisions on Adjuvant Systemic Therapy for Women With Early-Stage Invasive Breast Cancer: American Society of Clinical Oncology Clinical Practice Guideline.

    PubMed

    Harris, Lyndsay N; Ismaila, Nofisat; McShane, Lisa M; Andre, Fabrice; Collyar, Deborah E; Gonzalez-Angulo, Ana M; Hammond, Elizabeth H; Kuderer, Nicole M; Liu, Minetta C; Mennel, Robert G; Van Poznak, Catherine; Bast, Robert C; Hayes, Daniel F

    2016-04-01

    To provide recommendations on appropriate use of breast tumor biomarker assay results to guide decisions on adjuvant systemic therapy for women with early-stage invasive breast cancer. A literature search and prospectively defined study selection sought systematic reviews, meta-analyses, randomized controlled trials, prospective-retrospective studies, and prospective comparative observational studies published from 2006 through 2014. Outcomes of interest included overall survival and disease-free or recurrence-free survival. Expert panel members used informal consensus to develop evidence-based guideline recommendations. The literature search identified 50 relevant studies. One randomized clinical trial and 18 prospective-retrospective studies were found to have evaluated the clinical utility, as defined by the guideline, of specific biomarkers for guiding decisions on the need for adjuvant systemic therapy. No studies that met guideline criteria for clinical utility were found to guide choice of specific treatments or regimens. In addition to estrogen and progesterone receptors and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2, the panel found sufficient evidence of clinical utility for the biomarker assays Oncotype DX, EndoPredict, PAM50, Breast Cancer Index, and urokinase plasminogen activator and plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 in specific subgroups of breast cancer. No biomarker except for estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 was found to guide choices of specific treatment regimens. Treatment decisions should also consider disease stage, comorbidities, and patient preferences. © 2016 by American Society of Clinical Oncology.

  13. Use of Biomarkers to Guide Decisions on Adjuvant Systemic Therapy for Women With Early-Stage Invasive Breast Cancer: American Society of Clinical Oncology Clinical Practice Guideline

    PubMed Central

    Harris, Lyndsay N.; McShane, Lisa M.; Andre, Fabrice; Collyar, Deborah E.; Gonzalez-Angulo, Ana M.; Hammond, Elizabeth H.; Kuderer, Nicole M.; Liu, Minetta C.; Mennel, Robert G.; Van Poznak, Catherine; Bast, Robert C.; Hayes, Daniel F.

    2016-01-01

    Purpose To provide recommendations on appropriate use of breast tumor biomarker assay results to guide decisions on adjuvant systemic therapy for women with early-stage invasive breast cancer. Methods A literature search and prospectively defined study selection sought systematic reviews, meta-analyses, randomized controlled trials, prospective-retrospective studies, and prospective comparative observational studies published from 2006 through 2014. Outcomes of interest included overall survival and disease-free or recurrence-free survival. Expert panel members used informal consensus to develop evidence-based guideline recommendations. Results The literature search identified 50 relevant studies. One randomized clinical trial and 18 prospective-retrospective studies were found to have evaluated the clinical utility, as defined by the guideline, of specific biomarkers for guiding decisions on the need for adjuvant systemic therapy. No studies that met guideline criteria for clinical utility were found to guide choice of specific treatments or regimens. Recommendations In addition to estrogen and progesterone receptors and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2, the panel found sufficient evidence of clinical utility for the biomarker assays Oncotype DX, EndoPredict, PAM50, Breast Cancer Index, and urokinase plasminogen activator and plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 in specific subgroups of breast cancer. No biomarker except for estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 was found to guide choices of specific treatment regimens. Treatment decisions should also consider disease stage, comorbidities, and patient preferences. PMID:26858339

  14. Equality Act 2010: knowledge, perceptions and practices of occupational physicians.

    PubMed

    Masupe, T; Parker, G

    2013-04-01

    Historically, many prospective employees in Great Britain have undergone pre-employment health screening (PEHS) assessments before a job offer. Section 60 of the Equality Act 2010 stipulates that PEHS assessments before a job offer may contravene the disability provisions of the Act except under specific circumstances. PEHS assessments in the current format may not fully comply with the provisions of the legislation. To describe the knowledge, perceptions and practices of occupational health physicians in UK following implementation of the Equality Act 2010. Data were collected through an anonymous online survey of occupational health physicians (OHPs) actively reporting to the Occupational Physicians Reporting Activity (OPRA) at the Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health, the University of Manchester. There were 126 responses available for analysis (response rate 43%). Most participants (81%) were accredited occupational health specialists providing occupational health advice to various industry sectors; 96% reported involvement in PEHS assessments; 81% reported awareness of section 60 of the Equality Act 2010. Further analysis of these participants revealed varying knowledge levels and practices relating to specific requirements of section 60. Changes in professional practice resulting from the Act were reported by 38%, while 46% reported no change. There have been minimal immediate changes to PEHS practices by OHPs in response to section 60 of the Act. Some OHPs displayed inadequate knowledge of specific requirements of section 60 of the Act. OHPs could benefit from further training on specific requirements of this legislation.

  15. 28 CFR 42.711 - Exception; authorized by law.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ... 28 Judicial Administration 1 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false Exception; authorized by law. 42.711 Section 42.711 Judicial Administration DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE NONDISCRIMINATION; EQUAL EMPLOYMENT... Activities; Implementation of the Age Discrimination Act of 1975 Standards for Determining Age Discrimination...

  16. A Proposed System for Differentiating Elementary Mathematics for Exceptionally Able Students.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Sirr, Palma M.

    1984-01-01

    A pilot mathematics project for one exceptionally able elementary student expanded to include other students and schools. Project activities included a needs assessment and development of a learning center approach and materials to differentiate the core elementary mathematics curriculum. (CL)

  17. Energy Emergency Management Information System (EEMIS): Functional requirements

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    1980-10-01

    These guidelines state that in order to create the widest practicable competition, the system's requirements, with few exceptions, must be expressed in functional terms without reference to specific hardware or software products, and that wherever exceptions are made a statement of justification must be provided. In addition, these guidelines set forth a recommended maximum threshold limit of annual contract value for schedule contract procurements.

  18. A Portrait of Elementary Visual Arts Educators: Investigating the Pedagogy, Characteristics and Beliefs of Three Exceptional Elementary Art Teachers

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Hunter-Doniger, Tracey

    2012-01-01

    This qualitative research study explores the characteristics and pedagogical practices of three exceptional elementary art teachers. From this collective inquiry of case studies, three factors specific to these art teachers began to surface time and time again. These are the Context Driven A.R.T. Factors. A.R.T. is an acronym for Advocacy,…

  19. 46 CFR 27.211 - What are the specifications for fuel systems on towing vessels whose construction was contracted...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... construction was contracted for on or after January 18, 2000? (a) You must ensure that, except for the... restrictions. Neither you nor the master or person in charge may use fuel other than bunker C or diesel, except...; (iv) Is fabricated with an inner tube and a cover of synthetic rubber or other suitable material...

  20. Hydrolases of Hysterothylacium aduncum (Nematoda).

    PubMed

    Zółtowska, Krystyna; Dmitryjuk, Małgorzata; Rokicki, Jerzy; Lopieńska-Biernat, Elzbieta

    2007-01-01

    Enzymatic activity is an indicator of an organism's metabolic rate which depends on, i.e., environmental conditions, developmental stage, physiological stage, and sex. The API ZYM test was applied to compare activities of 19 hydrolases of female and male Hysterothylacium aduncum. Sexually mature nematodes were isolated from eelpout individuals caught in the Gulf of Gdańsk. Enzymatic activity of the hydrolases and the protein content was determined in nematode extracts using API ZYM and Bradford's method, respectively. The females and males tested showed a total of 13 enzymes to be active. The males showed additionally the presence of alpha-fucosidase. Acidic and alkaline phosphatases had very high activities in both sexes; short-chain fatty acid esterases, leucine and valine aminopeptidases, alpha-glucosidase, and N-acetylglucosaminidase were highly active. H. aduncum showed no trypsin- and chymotrypsin-specific activities; similarly, no activity of alpha-galactosidase, alpha-mannosidase, and beta-glucuronidase was revealed. Except for lipase (C14), hydrolases were more active in females than in males, which is related to metabolic rate being higher in females due to their reproductive function. Comparison of the results obtained with earlier data produced with API ZYM allowed suggesting that the hydrolase pattern may be more affected by habitat in the host than by the taxonomic affiliation of nematode.

  1. Transcultural adaptation and psychometric properties of Spanish version of Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire: the PregnActive project.

    PubMed

    Oviedo-Caro, Miguel Ángel; Bueno-Antequera, Javier; Munguía-Izquierdo, Diego

    2018-03-19

    To transculturally adapt the Spanish version of Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire (PPAQ) analyzing its psychometric properties. The PPAQ was transculturally adapted into Spanish. Test-retest reliability was evaluated in a subsample of 109 pregnant women. The validity was evaluated in a sample of 208 pregnant women who answered the questionnaire and wore the multi-sensor monitor for 7 valid days. The reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient), concordance (concordance correlation coefficient), correlation (Pearson correlation coefficient), agreement (Bland-Altman plots) and relative activity levels (Jonckheere-Terpstra test) between both administrations and methods were examined. Intraclass correlation coefficients between both administrations were good for all categories except transportation. A low but significant correlation was found for total activity (light and above) whereas no correlation was found for other intensities between both methods. Relative activity levels analysis showed a significant linear trend for increased total activity between both methods. Spanish version of PPAQ is a brief and easily interpretable questionnaire with good reliability and ability to rank individuals, and poor validity compared with multi-sensor monitor. The use of PPAQ provides information of pregnancy-specific activities in order to establish physical activity levels of pregnant women and adapt health promotion interventions. Copyright © 2018 SESPAS. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

  2. Physical activity monitoring in patients with peripheral arterial disease: validation of an activity monitor.

    PubMed

    Fokkenrood, H J P; Verhofstad, N; van den Houten, M M L; Lauret, G J; Wittens, C; Scheltinga, M R M; Teijink, J A W

    2014-08-01

    The daily life physical activity (PA) of patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) may be severely hampered by intermittent claudication (IC). From a therapeutic, as well as research, point of view, it may be more relevant to determine improvement in PA as an outcome measure in IC. The aim of this study was to validate daily activities using a novel type of tri-axial accelerometer (Dynaport MoveMonitor) in patients with IC. Patients with IC were studied during a hospital visit. Standard activities (locomotion, lying, sitting, standing, shuffling, number of steps and "not worn" detection) were video recorded and compared with activities scored by the MoveMonitor. Inter-rater reliability (expressed in intraclass correlation coefficients [ICC]), sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive values (PPV) were calculated for each activity. Twenty-eight hours of video observation were analysed (n = 21). Our video annotation method (the gold standard method) appeared to be accurate for most postures (ICC > 0.97), except for shuffling (ICC = 0.38). The MoveMonitor showed a high sensitivity (>86%), specificity (>91%), and PPV (>88%) for locomotion, lying, sitting, and "not worn" detection. Moderate accuracy was found for standing (46%), while shuffling appeared to be undetectable (18%). A strong correlation was found between video recordings and the MoveMonitor with regard to the calculation of the "number of steps" (ICC = 0.90). The MoveMonitor provides accurate information on a diverse set of postures, daily activities, and number of steps in IC patients. However, the detection of low amplitude movements, such as shuffling and "sitting to standing" transfers, is a matter of concern. This tool is useful in assessing the role of PA as a novel, clinically relevant outcome parameter in IC. Copyright © 2014 European Society for Vascular Surgery. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  3. Characterization of the activation of small GTPases by their GEFs on membranes using artificial membrane tethering.

    PubMed

    Peurois, François; Veyron, Simon; Ferrandez, Yann; Ladid, Ilham; Benabdi, Sarah; Zeghouf, Mahel; Peyroche, Gérald; Cherfils, Jacqueline

    2017-03-23

    Active, GTP-bound small GTPases need to be attached to membranes by post-translational lipid modifications in order to process and propagate information in cells. However, generating and manipulating lipidated GTPases has remained difficult, which has limited our quantitative understanding of their activation by guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) and their termination by GTPase-activating proteins. Here, we replaced the lipid modification by a histidine tag in 11 full-length, human small GTPases belonging to the Arf, Rho and Rab families, which allowed to tether them to nickel-lipid-containing membranes and characterize the kinetics of their activation by GEFs. Remarkably, this strategy uncovered large effects of membranes on the efficiency and/or specificity in all systems studied. Notably, it recapitulated the release of autoinhibition of Arf1, Arf3, Arf4, Arf5 and Arf6 GTPases by membranes and revealed that all isoforms are efficiently activated by two GEFs with different regulatory regimes, ARNO and Brag2. It demonstrated that membranes stimulate the GEF activity of Trio toward RhoG by ∼30 fold and Rac1 by ∼10 fold, and uncovered a previously unknown broader specificity toward RhoA and Cdc42 that was undetectable in solution. Finally, it demonstrated that the exceptional affinity of the bacterial RabGEF DrrA for the phosphoinositide PI(4)P delimits the activation of Rab1 to the immediate vicinity of the membrane-bound GEF. Our study thus validates the histidine-tag strategy as a potent and simple means to mimic small GTPase lipidation, which opens a variety of applications to uncover regulations brought about by membranes. © 2017 The Author(s); published by Portland Press Limited on behalf of the Biochemical Society.

  4. Neurocognitive mechanisms of mathematical giftedness: A literature review.

    PubMed

    Zhang, Li; Gan, John Q; Wang, Haixian

    2017-01-01

    Mathematically gifted children/adolescents have demonstrated exceptional abilities and traits in logical reasoning, mental imagery, and creative thinking. In the field of cognitive neuroscience, the past studies on mathematically gifted brains have concentrated on investigating event-related brain activation regions, cerebral laterality of cognitive functions, functional specialization that is uniquely dedicated for specific cognitive purposes, and functional interactions among discrete brain regions. From structural and functional perspectives, these studies have witnessed both "general" and "unique" neural characteristics of mathematically gifted brains. In this article, the theoretical background, empirical studies, and neurocognitive mechanisms of mathematically gifted children/adolescents are reviewed. Based on the integration of the findings, some potential directions for the future research are identified and discussed.

  5. Deletion of Wiskott–Aldrich syndrome protein triggers Rac2 activity and increased cross-presentation by dendritic cells

    PubMed Central

    Baptista, Marisa A. P.; Keszei, Marton; Oliveira, Mariana; Sunahara, Karen K. S.; Andersson, John; Dahlberg, Carin I. M.; Worth, Austen J.; Liedén, Agne; Kuo, I-Chun; Wallin, Robert P. A.; Snapper, Scott B.; Eidsmo, Liv; Scheynius, Annika; Karlsson, Mikael C. I.; Bouma, Gerben; Burns, Siobhan O.; Forsell, Mattias N. E.; Thrasher, Adrian J.; Nylén, Susanne; Westerberg, Lisa S.

    2016-01-01

    Wiskott–Aldrich syndrome (WAS) is caused by loss-of-function mutations in the WASp gene. Decreased cellular responses in WASp-deficient cells have been interpreted to mean that WASp directly regulates these responses in WASp-sufficient cells. Here, we identify an exception to this concept and show that WASp-deficient dendritic cells have increased activation of Rac2 that support cross-presentation to CD8+ T cells. Using two different skin pathology models, WASp-deficient mice show an accumulation of dendritic cells in the skin and increased expansion of IFNγ-producing CD8+ T cells in the draining lymph node and spleen. Specific deletion of WASp in dendritic cells leads to marked expansion of CD8+ T cells at the expense of CD4+ T cells. WASp-deficient dendritic cells induce increased cross-presentation to CD8+ T cells by activating Rac2 that maintains a near neutral pH of phagosomes. Our data reveals an intricate balance between activation of WASp and Rac2 signalling pathways in dendritic cells. PMID:27425374

  6. Parthenolide, a sesquiterpene lactone, expresses multiple anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory activities.

    PubMed

    Mathema, Vivek Bhakta; Koh, Young-Sang; Thakuri, Balkrishna Chand; Sillanpää, Mika

    2012-04-01

    Parthenolide, a naturally occurring sesquiterpene lactone derived from feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium), exhibits exceptional anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties, making it a prominent candidate for further studies and drug development. In this review, we briefly investigate molecular events and cell-specific activities of this chemical in relation to cytochrome c, nuclear factor kappa-light-chain enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB), signal transduction and activation of transcription (STAT), reactive oxygen species (ROS), TCP, HDACs, microtubules, and inflammasomes. This paper reports that parthenolide shows strong NF-κB- and STAT-inhibition-mediated transcriptional suppression of pro-apoptotic genes. This compound acts both at the transcriptional level and by direct inhibition of associated kinases (IKK-β). Similarly, this review discusses parthenolide-induced ROS-mediated apoptosis of tumor cells via the intrinsic apoptotic signaling pathway. The unique ability of this compound to not harm normal cells but at the same time induce sensitization to extrinsic as well as intrinsic apoptosis signaling in cancer cells provides an important, novel therapeutic strategy for treatment of cancer and inflammation-related disorders.

  7. Directing Reaction Pathways through Controlled Reactant Binding at Pd-TiO2 Interfaces.

    PubMed

    Zhang, Jing; Wang, Bingwen; Nikolla, Eranda; Medlin, J Will

    2017-06-01

    Recent efforts to design selective catalysts for multi-step reactions, such as hydrodeoxygenation (HDO), have emphasized the preparation of active sites at the interface between two materials having different properties. However, achieving precise control over interfacial properties, and thus reaction selectivity, has remained a challenge. Here, we encapsulated Pd nanoparticles (NPs) with TiO 2 films of regulated porosity to gain a new level of control over catalyst performance, resulting in essentially 100 % HDO selectivity for two biomass-derived alcohols. This catalyst also showed exceptional reaction specificity in HDO of furfural and m-cresol. In addition to improving HDO activity by maximizing the interfacial contact between the metal and metal oxide sites, encapsulation by the nanoporous oxide film provided a significant selectivity boost by restricting the accessible conformations of aromatics on the surface. © 2017 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  8. Myasthenia gravis: long-term prognostic value of thymus lactate dehydrogenase isoenzyme pattern of hyperplastic thymus and thymoma.

    PubMed Central

    Szathmáry, I; Selmeci, L; Pósch, E; Szobor, A; Molnár, J

    1985-01-01

    Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) isoenzyme pattern and the percent of H-subunit content were determined in the thymus of 62 patients (55 with hyperplasia, 7 with tumours) after thymectomy. An increase in LDH1 relative activity indicates that in the thymus of patients with myasthenia gravis the ratio of mature differentiated thymocytes was higher than in the thymus of control subjects. LDH isoenzyme profiles of thymus tumours were similar to those described in other neoplasms, except that thymomas with apparent predominance of epithelial cells and with minimal lymphocytic reaction exhibited a marked elevation only in LDH2 relative activity, presumably associated with the specific (secretory) function of epithelial cells. The elevation of H-subunit content, a parameter characteristic of both thymic components (lymphoid and epithelial), correlated closely with a poor clinical condition in patients several years after surgery. PMID:4031927

  9. 26 CFR 1.367(a)-2T - Exception for transfers of property for use in the active conduct of a trade or business...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-04-01

    ... 26 Internal Revenue 4 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Exception for transfers of property for use in the active conduct of a trade or business (temporary). 1.367(a)-2T Section 1.367(a)-2T Internal Revenue INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY (CONTINUED) INCOME TAX (CONTINUED) INCOME TAXES (Continued) Effects on Corporation § 1.367(a)...

  10. 26 CFR 1.367(a)-2T - Exception for transfers of property for use in the active conduct of a trade or business...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-04-01

    ... 26 Internal Revenue 4 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Exception for transfers of property for use in the active conduct of a trade or business (temporary). 1.367(a)-2T Section 1.367(a)-2T Internal Revenue INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY (CONTINUED) INCOME TAX (CONTINUED) INCOME TAXES Effects on Corporation § 1.367(a)-2T Exceptio...

  11. 26 CFR 1.367(a)-2T - Exception for transfers of property for use in the active conduct of a trade or business...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-04-01

    ... 26 Internal Revenue 4 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Exception for transfers of property for use in the active conduct of a trade or business (temporary). 1.367(a)-2T Section 1.367(a)-2T Internal Revenue INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY (CONTINUED) INCOME TAX (CONTINUED) INCOME TAXES (CONTINUED) Effects on Corporation § 1.367(a)...

  12. The heritability of aptitude and exceptional talent across different domains in adolescents and young adults.

    PubMed

    Vinkhuyzen, Anna A E; van der Sluis, Sophie; Posthuma, Danielle; Boomsma, Dorret I

    2009-07-01

    The origin of individual differences in aptitude, defined as a domain-specific skill within the normal ability range, and talent, defined as a domain specific skill of exceptional quality, is under debate. The nature of the variation in aptitudes and exceptional talents across different domains was investigated in a population based twin sample. Self-report data from 1,685 twin pairs (12-24 years) were analyzed for Music, Arts, Writing, Language, Chess, Mathematics, Sports, Memory, and Knowledge. The influence of shared environment was small for both aptitude and talent. Additive and non-additive genetic effects explained the major part of the substantial familial clustering in the aptitude measures with heritability estimates ranging between .32 and .71. Heritability estimates for talents were higher and ranged between .50 and .92. In general, the genetic architecture for aptitude and talent was similar in men and women. Genetic factors contribute to a large extent to variation in aptitude and talent across different domains of intellectual, creative, and sports abilities.

  13. Porphyromonas gulae Has Virulence and Immunological Characteristics Similar to Those of the Human Periodontal Pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis.

    PubMed

    Lenzo, Jason C; O'Brien-Simpson, Neil M; Orth, Rebecca K; Mitchell, Helen L; Dashper, Stuart G; Reynolds, Eric C

    2016-09-01

    Periodontitis is a significant problem in companion animals, and yet little is known about the disease-associated microbiota. A major virulence factor for the human periodontal pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis is the lysyl- and arginyl-specific proteolytic activity of the gingipains. We screened several Porphyromonas species isolated from companion animals-P. asaccharolytica, P. circumdentaria, P. endodontalis, P. levii, P. gulae, P. macacae, P. catoniae, and P. salivosa-for Lys- and Arg-specific proteolytic activity and compared the epithelial and macrophage responses and induction of alveolar bone resorption of the protease active species to that of Porphyromonas gingivalis Only P. gulae exhibited Lys-and Arg-specific proteolytic activity. The genes encoding the gingipains (RgpA/B and Kgp) were identified in the P. gulae strain ATCC 51700 and all publicly available 12 draft genomes of P. gulae strains. P. gulae ATCC 51700 induced levels of alveolar bone resorption in an animal model of periodontitis similar to those in P. gingivalis W50 and exhibited a higher capacity for autoaggregation and binding to oral epithelial cells with induction of apoptosis. Macrophages (RAW 264.7) were found to phagocytose P. gulae ATCC 51700 and the fimbriated P. gingivalis ATCC 33277 at similar levels. In response to P. gulae ATCC 51700, macrophages secreted higher levels of cytokines than those induced by P. gingivalis ATCC 33277 but lower than those induced by P. gingivalis W50, except for the interleukin-6 response. Our results indicate that P. gulae exhibits virulence characteristics similar to those of the human periodontal pathogen P. gingivalis and therefore may play a key role in the development of periodontitis in companion animals. Copyright © 2016, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

  14. Porphyromonas gulae Has Virulence and Immunological Characteristics Similar to Those of the Human Periodontal Pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis

    PubMed Central

    Lenzo, Jason C.; O'Brien-Simpson, Neil M.; Orth, Rebecca K.; Mitchell, Helen L.; Dashper, Stuart G.

    2016-01-01

    Periodontitis is a significant problem in companion animals, and yet little is known about the disease-associated microbiota. A major virulence factor for the human periodontal pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis is the lysyl- and arginyl-specific proteolytic activity of the gingipains. We screened several Porphyromonas species isolated from companion animals—P. asaccharolytica, P. circumdentaria, P. endodontalis, P. levii, P. gulae, P. macacae, P. catoniae, and P. salivosa—for Lys- and Arg-specific proteolytic activity and compared the epithelial and macrophage responses and induction of alveolar bone resorption of the protease active species to that of Porphyromonas gingivalis. Only P. gulae exhibited Lys-and Arg-specific proteolytic activity. The genes encoding the gingipains (RgpA/B and Kgp) were identified in the P. gulae strain ATCC 51700 and all publicly available 12 draft genomes of P. gulae strains. P. gulae ATCC 51700 induced levels of alveolar bone resorption in an animal model of periodontitis similar to those in P. gingivalis W50 and exhibited a higher capacity for autoaggregation and binding to oral epithelial cells with induction of apoptosis. Macrophages (RAW 264.7) were found to phagocytose P. gulae ATCC 51700 and the fimbriated P. gingivalis ATCC 33277 at similar levels. In response to P. gulae ATCC 51700, macrophages secreted higher levels of cytokines than those induced by P. gingivalis ATCC 33277 but lower than those induced by P. gingivalis W50, except for the interleukin-6 response. Our results indicate that P. gulae exhibits virulence characteristics similar to those of the human periodontal pathogen P. gingivalis and therefore may play a key role in the development of periodontitis in companion animals. PMID:27354442

  15. Spatiotemporal regulation of ERK2 by dual specificity phosphatases.

    PubMed

    Caunt, Christopher J; Armstrong, Stephen P; Rivers, Caroline A; Norman, Michael R; McArdle, Craig A

    2008-09-26

    Although many stimuli activate extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2), the kinetics and compartmentalization of ERK1/2 signals are stimulus-dependent and dictate physiological consequences. ERKs can be inactivated by dual specificity phosphatases (DUSPs), notably the MAPK phosphatases (MKPs) and atypical DUSPs, that can both dephosphorylate and scaffold ERK1/2. Using a cell imaging model (based on knockdown of endogenous ERKs and add-back of wild-type or mutated ERK2-GFP reporters), we explored possible effects of DUSPs on responses to transient or sustained ERK2 activators (epidermal growth factor and phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate, respectively). For both stimuli, a D319N mutation (which impairs DUSP binding) increased ERK2 activity and reduced nuclear accumulation. These stimuli also increased mRNA levels for eight DUSPs. In a short inhibitory RNA screen, 12 of 16 DUSPs influenced ERK2 responses. These effects were evident among nuclear inducible MKP, cytoplasmic ERK MKP, JNK/p38 MKP, and atypical DUSP subtypes and, with the exception of the nuclear inducible MKPs, were paralleled by corresponding changes in Egr-1 luciferase activation. Simultaneous removal of all JNK/p38 MKPs or nuclear inducible MKPs revealed them as positive and negative regulators of ERK2 signaling, respectively. The effects of JNK/p38 MKP short inhibitory RNAs were not dependent on protein neosynthesis but were reversed in the presence of JNK and p38 kinase inhibitors, indicating DUSP-mediated cross-talk between MAPK pathways. Overall, our data reveal that a large number of DUSPs influence ERK2 signaling. Together with the known tissue-specific expression of DUSPs and the importance of ERK1/2 in cell regulation, our data support the potential value of DUSPs as targets for drug therapy.

  16. 50 CFR 218.84 - Mitigation.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-10-01

    ... aircraft conducting high-frequency or non-hull-mounted mid-frequency active sonar activities associated... or aircraft conducting high-frequency active sonar activities associated with anti-submarine warfare...). (2) High-frequency and non-hull mounted mid-frequency active sonar (except helicopter dipping). (3...

  17. 7 CFR 58.930 - Official test methods.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ..., GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR APPROVED PLANTS AND STANDARDS FOR GRADES OF DAIRY PRODUCTS 1 General Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Operations and Operating Procedures § 58.930 Official test methods. (a) Chemical. Chemical analysis, except where otherwise prescribed...

  18. 7 CFR 58.930 - Official test methods.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ..., GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR APPROVED PLANTS AND STANDARDS FOR GRADES OF DAIRY PRODUCTS 1 General Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Operations and Operating Procedures § 58.930 Official test methods. (a) Chemical. Chemical analysis, except where otherwise prescribed...

  19. 7 CFR 58.930 - Official test methods.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ..., GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR APPROVED PLANTS AND STANDARDS FOR GRADES OF DAIRY PRODUCTS 1 General Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Operations and Operating Procedures § 58.930 Official test methods. (a) Chemical. Chemical analysis, except where otherwise prescribed...

  20. 7 CFR 58.930 - Official test methods.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ..., GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR APPROVED PLANTS AND STANDARDS FOR GRADES OF DAIRY PRODUCTS 1 General Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Operations and Operating Procedures § 58.930 Official test methods. (a) Chemical. Chemical analysis, except where otherwise prescribed...

  1. 7 CFR 58.930 - Official test methods.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ..., GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR APPROVED PLANTS AND STANDARDS FOR GRADES OF DAIRY PRODUCTS 1 General Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service 1 Operations and Operating Procedures § 58.930 Official test methods. (a) Chemical. Chemical analysis, except where otherwise prescribed...

  2. Processing Binding Relations in Specific Language Impairment

    PubMed Central

    Hestvik, Arild; Seiger-Gardner, Liat; Almodovar, Diana

    2016-01-01

    Purpose This sentence processing experiment examined the abilities of children with specific language impairment (SLI) and children with typical language development (TD) to establish relations between pronouns or reflexives and their antecedents in real time. Method Twenty-two children with SLI and 24 age-matched children with TD (7;3–10;11 [years;months]) participated in a cross-modal picture priming experiment to determine whether they selectively activated the correct referent at the pronoun or reflexive in sentences. Triplets of auditory sentences, identical except for the presence of a pronoun, a reflexive, or a noun phrase along with a picture probe were used. Results The children with TD were slightly more accurate in their animacy judgments of pictures, but the groups exhibited the same reaction time (RT) pattern. Both groups were slower for sentences with pronouns than with reflexives or noun phrases. The children with SLI had longer RTs than their peers with TD. Conclusions Children with SLI activated only the appropriate antecedent at the pronoun or reflexive, reflecting intact core knowledge of binding as was true for their TD peers. The overall slower RT for children with SLI suggests that any deficit may be the result of processing deficits, perhaps attributable to interference effects. PMID:27788275

  3. PROFILE: Tourism Contribution to Agro-Ecosystems Conservation: The Case of Lesbos Island, Greece.

    PubMed

    Loumou; Giourga; Dimitrakopoulos; Koukoulas

    2000-10-01

    / The modernization of agriculture and the development of other economic sectors have prompted the abandonment of cultivated areas, which are marginally productive. Specifically, olive groves in Greece are transformed into pastures due to their location in inaccessible mountainous regions where breeding and raising of sheep and goats are the main economic activities. Overgrazing degrades the environment, exhausts natural resources, and prevents natural regeneration. The Greek islands have limited possibilities of development, except for their coastal areas where the growth of tourism is possible.The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of tourism activities on olive tree cultivation and the human population of the island of Lesbos. The presence or absence of tourism is related with the maintenance or abandonment of olive tree cultivation and population changes for each community. A spatial segregation of the island is evident, related to tourist development, olive tree cultivation, and population change. The results of the study demonstrate that in communities where tourism plays an important role olive tree cultivation is preserved and the population is stable. The preservation of the agro-ecosystem is assured while the olive groves remain productive. Simultaneously, the landscape, which provides specific attractions for tourism, is not altered.

  4. Broad H3K4me3 is associated with increased transcription elongation and enhancer activity at tumor suppressor genes

    PubMed Central

    Chen, Kaifu; Chen, Zhong; Wu, Dayong; Zhang, Lili; Lin, Xueqiu; Su, Jianzhong; Rodriguez, Benjamin; Xi, Yuanxin; Xia, Zheng; Chen, Xi; Shi, Xiaobing; Wang, Qianben; Li, Wei

    2016-01-01

    Tumor suppressors are mostly defined by inactivating mutations in tumors, yet little is known about their epigenetic features in normal cells. Through integrative analysis of 1,134 genome-wide epigenetic profiles, mutations from >8,200 tumor-normal pairs, and our experimental data from clinical samples, we discovered broad H3K4me3 (wider than 4 kb) as the first epigenetic signature for tumor suppressors in normal cells. Broad H3K4me3 is associated with increased transcription elongation and enhancer activity together leading to exceptionally high gene expression, and is distinct from other broad epigenetic features, such as super-enhancers. Broad H3K4me3 conserved across normal cells may represent pan-cancer tumor suppressors, such as P53 and PTEN, whereas cell-type-specific broad H3K4me3 may indicate cell-identity genes and cell-type-specific tumor suppressors. Furthermore, widespread shortening of broad H3K4me3 in cancers is associated with repression of tumor suppressors. Together, the broad H3K4me3 epigenetic signature provides mutation-independent information for the discovery and characterization of novel tumor suppressors. PMID:26301496

  5. 28 CFR 42.715 - Burden of proof regarding exceptions.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ... 28 Judicial Administration 1 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false Burden of proof regarding exceptions. 42.715 Section 42.715 Judicial Administration DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE NONDISCRIMINATION; EQUAL EMPLOYMENT... Activities; Implementation of the Age Discrimination Act of 1975 Standards for Determining Age Discrimination...

  6. 22 CFR 1104.4 - Permit requirements and exceptions.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-04-01

    ... Section 1104.4 Foreign Relations INTERNATIONAL BOUNDARY AND WATER COMMISSION, UNITED STATES AND MEXICO... those activities might incidentally result in the disturbance of archaeological resources. General earth... excavation and/or removal as used in this part. This exception does not, however, affect the Commissioner's...

  7. 22 CFR 1104.4 - Permit requirements and exceptions.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-04-01

    ... Section 1104.4 Foreign Relations INTERNATIONAL BOUNDARY AND WATER COMMISSION, UNITED STATES AND MEXICO... those activities might incidentally result in the disturbance of archaeological resources. General earth... excavation and/or removal as used in this part. This exception does not, however, affect the Commissioner's...

  8. 22 CFR 1104.4 - Permit requirements and exceptions.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-04-01

    ... Section 1104.4 Foreign Relations INTERNATIONAL BOUNDARY AND WATER COMMISSION, UNITED STATES AND MEXICO... those activities might incidentally result in the disturbance of archaeological resources. General earth... excavation and/or removal as used in this part. This exception does not, however, affect the Commissioner's...

  9. Pharmacologically relevant receptor binding characteristics and 5alpha-reductase inhibitory activity of free Fatty acids contained in saw palmetto extract.

    PubMed

    Abe, Masayuki; Ito, Yoshihiko; Oyunzul, Luvsandorj; Oki-Fujino, Tomomi; Yamada, Shizuo

    2009-04-01

    Saw palmetto extract (SPE), used widely for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) has been shown to bind alpha(1)-adrenergic, muscarinic and 1,4-dihydropyridine (1,4-DHP) calcium channel antagonist receptors. Major constituents of SPE are lauric acid, oleic acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid and linoleic acid. The aim of this study was to investigate binding affinities of these fatty acids for pharmacologically relevant (alpha(1)-adrenergic, muscarinic and 1,4-DHP) receptors. The fatty acids inhibited specific [(3)H]prazosin binding in rat brain in a concentration-dependent manner with IC(50) values of 23.8 to 136 microg/ml, and specific (+)-[(3)H]PN 200-110 binding with IC(50) values of 24.5 to 79.5 microg/ml. Also, lauric acid, oleic acid, myristic acid and linoleic acid inhibited specific [(3)H]N-methylscopolamine ([(3)H]NMS) binding in rat brain with IC(50) values of 56.4 to 169 microg/ml. Palmitic acid had no effect on specific [(3)H]NMS binding. The affinity of oleic acid, myristic acid and linoleic acid for each receptor was greater than the affinity of SPE. Scatchard analysis revealed that oleic acid and lauric acid caused a significant decrease in the maximal number of binding sites (B(max)) for [(3)H]prazosin, [(3)H]NMS and (+)-[(3)H]PN 200-110. The results suggest that lauric acid and oleic acid bind noncompetitively to alpha(1)-adrenergic, muscarinic and 1,4-DHP calcium channel antagonist receptors. We developed a novel and convenient method of determining 5alpha-reductase activity using LC/MS. With this method, SPE was shown to inhibit 5alpha-reductase activity in rat liver with an IC(50) of 101 microg/ml. Similarly, all the fatty acids except palmitic acid inhibited 5alpha-reductase activity, with IC(50) values of 42.1 to 67.6 microg/ml. In conclusion, lauric acid, oleic acid, myristic acid, and linoleic acid, major constituents of SPE, exerted binding activities of alpha(1)-adrenergic, muscarinic and 1,4-DHP receptors and inhibited 5alpha-reductase activity.

  10. Shipping emissions over Europe: A state-of-the-art and comparative analysis

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Russo, M. A.; Leitão, J.; Gama, C.; Ferreira, J.; Monteiro, A.

    2018-03-01

    Several emission inventories exist for Europe, which include emissions originating from ship traffic in European sea areas. However, few comparisons of these inventories, in particular focusing on specific emission sectors like shipping, exist in literature. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to review and compare commonly used, and freely available, emission inventories available for the European domain, specifically for shipping and its main pollutants (NOx, SOx and PM10). Five different inventories were considered which include shipping activity: 1) EMEP; 2) TNO-MACC_III; 3) E-PRTR; 4) EDGAR and 5) STEAM. The inventories were initially compared in terms of total emission values and their spatial distribution. The total emission values are largely in agreement (with the exception of E-PRTR), however, the spatial representation shows significant differences in the emission distribution, in particular over the Mediterranean region. As for the contribution of shipping to overall emissions, this sector represent on average 16%, 11% and 5% of total NOx, SOx and PM10 emissions, respectively. Recommendations are given regarding the specific use of each available inventory.

  11. The PP1 binding code: a molecular-lego strategy that governs specificity.

    PubMed

    Heroes, Ewald; Lesage, Bart; Görnemann, Janina; Beullens, Monique; Van Meervelt, Luc; Bollen, Mathieu

    2013-01-01

    Ser/Thr protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) is a single-domain hub protein with nearly 200 validated interactors in vertebrates. PP1-interacting proteins (PIPs) are ubiquitously expressed but show an exceptional diversity in brain, testis and white blood cells. The binding of PIPs is mainly mediated by short motifs that dock to surface grooves of PP1. Although PIPs often contain variants of the same PP1 binding motifs, they differ in the number and combination of docking sites. This molecular-lego strategy for binding to PP1 creates holoenzymes with unique properties. The PP1 binding code can be described as specific, universal, degenerate, nonexclusive and dynamic. PIPs control associated PP1 by interference with substrate recruitment or access to the active site. In addition, some PIPs have a subcellular targeting domain that promotes dephosphorylation by increasing the local concentration of PP1. The diversity of the PP1 interactome and the properties of the PP1 binding code account for the exquisite specificity of PP1 in vivo. © 2012 The Authors Journal compilation © 2012 FEBS.

  12. Supporting documentation for requested exceptions to standing orders 96-36 (East) and 96-34 (West)

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Schofield, J.S.

    1997-01-16

    On November 1, 1996 the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Richland Operations Office (RL) approved the Flammable Gas Unreviewed Safety Question (USQ) (Wagoner 1996). The Tank Waste Remediation System issued (Hall 1996) two standing orders (96-36 East; and 96-34 West) to implement the requirements and authorization for continued operations included in the RL letter (Wagoner 199E). These standing orders included several requirements for the control of ignition sources (Appendix B, Section 7.0 ``Ignition Source Controls``) that include requirements for the design and operation of ``...equipment and materials used in the conduct of work...`` in Tank Farms. A verbatim compliance reviewmore » of these ignition source controls identified several pieces of equipment and materials which have been used routinely in Tanks Farms for many years in support of safe operation that either could not: meet the equivalent design or safety provisions included in the standing orders (Hall 1996), or 21. be modified in a timely manner to meet safety and programmatic commitments. When the standing order was prepared it was anticipated that there would be a need to approve temporary exceptions. Appendix B, Section 7.0 of the standing order (Hall 1996) reads in part as follows: ``For activities where compliance will require modification to equipment or new materials, any temporary exceptions specifically allowed by RL until full compliance with the standing order is accomplished, are listed in Table 3.`` This document provides a specific listing of the items of equipment or material that could not meet the above two criteria. Also included in a table for each item is the following information: 1. the applicable control in the standing orders that could not be met, 2. under what conditions (when) the control could not be met, 3. a discussion of the applicability of the standing order, 4. a discussion of the risk associated with continued use of the equipment or material, and 5. a discussion of the impact of not allowing continued use of the equipment or material. The purpose of this supporting document is to provide a record of the information used to support a decision to grant temporary exceptions to the requirements in the standing order.« less

  13. [Effect of bemethyl on cytochrome P-450-dependent monoxygenases in the human liver and lymphocytes].

    PubMed

    Sorokina, E A; Sibiriak, S V; Sergeeva, S A

    2002-01-01

    Effects of the actoprotector bemithyl (50 mg/kg, p.o.) upon a single or five-fold administration on the cytochrome P-450 and b5 content and the isoform-specific and nonspecific monooxygenase activity [aminopyrine-N-demethylase, aniline-p-hydroxylase, 4-nitroanisole-o-demethylase,2,5-diphenyloxazole-p-hydroxylase, 7-ethoxyresorufin-o-deethylase (EROD), benzyloxyresorufin-o-debenzylase (BROD)] in rat liver were evaluated. In addition, the influence of bemithyl (0.(1)-100 microM) on the development of EROD and BROD activity was studied on the mitogen-stimulated human lymphocytes in vitro. Administered in rats, bemithyl exhibited the properties of a cytochrome P-450 inductor of the mixed type, which was manifested by an increase in the total cytochrome P-450 content in liver microsomes and in the monooxygenase activity related to both Ah-receptor-dependent and -independent isoforms (except for the aniline-p-hydroxylase activity). The induction of the monooxygenase activity realized by Ah-receptor-dependent isoforms (4-nitroanisole-o-demethylase, 2,5-diphenyloxazole-p-hydroxylase, and EROD activity) was more pronounced, reaching maximum upon a single drug administration. Acting upon the human lymphocytes in vitro, high concentrations of bemithyl increased expression of the EROD activity, while low drug concentrations stimulated the BROD activity.

  14. Complex bud architecture and cell‐specific chemical patterns enable supercooling of Picea abies bud primordia

    PubMed Central

    Munkler, Caspar; Resnyak, Anna; Zimmermann, Sonja; Tuong, Tan D.; Gierlinger, Notburga; Müller, Thomas; Livingston, David P.; Neuner, Gilbert

    2017-01-01

    Abstract Bud primordia of Picea abies, despite a frozen shoot, stay ice free down to −50 °C by a mechanism termed supercooling whose biophysical and biochemical requirements are poorly understood. Bud architecture was assessed by 3D—reconstruction, supercooling and freezing patterns by infrared video thermography, freeze dehydration and extraorgan freezing by water potential measurements, and cell‐specific chemical patterns by Raman microscopy and mass spectrometry imaging. A bowl‐like ice barrier tissue insulates primordia from entrance by intrinsic ice. Water repellent and densely packed bud scales prevent extrinsic ice penetration. At −18 °C, break‐down of supercooling was triggered by intrinsic ice nucleators whereas the ice barrier remained active. Temperature‐dependent freeze dehydration (−0.1 MPa K−1) caused accumulation of extraorgan ice masses that by rupture of the shoot, pith tissue are accommodated in large voids. The barrier tissue has exceptionally pectin‐rich cell walls and intercellular spaces, and the cell lumina were lined or filled with proteins, especially near the primordium. Primordial cells close to the barrier accumulate di, tri and tetrasaccharides. Bud architecture efficiently prevents ice penetration, but ice nucleators become active inside the primordium below a temperature threshold. Biochemical patterns indicate a complex cellular interplay enabling supercooling and the necessity for cell‐specific biochemical analysis. PMID:28960368

  15. A disease-specific measure of health-related quality of life in adults with chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura: psychometric testing in an open-label clinical trial.

    PubMed

    Mathias, Susan D; Bussel, James B; George, James N; McMillan, Robert; Okano, Gary J; Nichol, Janet L

    2007-05-01

    The Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura Patient Assessment Questionnaire (ITP-PAQ) was developed to assess disease-specific quality of life (QoL) in adults with ITP. It is a 44-item questionnaire that includes scales for physical health (symptoms, fatigue/sleep, bother, and activity), emotional health (psychological and fear), overall QoL, social activity, women's reproductive health, and work. A previous study reported preliminary evidence of its reliability and validity. The present study was conducted to ascertain the responsiveness (ability to detect a clinically important treatment effect), reliability, and validity of the ITP-PAQ and to corroborate the earlier findings. The women's reproductive health scale was evaluated for psychometric evidence of the existence of separate menstrual symptoms and fertility subscales. The ITP-PAQ was evaluated in the context of an ongoing open-label extension study assessing the tolerability and durability of increases in the platelet count with AMG 531 (a thrombopoiesis peptibody that increases platelet production by targeting the thrombopoietin receptor) administered by subcutaneous injection once weekly in adult patients with ITP It was self-administered at baseline and at weeks 4, 12, and 24. The responsiveness of the questionnaire was evaluated by calculating and comparing the change scores of patients who showed clinical improvement-categorized as platelet responders (those with a platelet count > or =50 x 10(9) cells/L and a doubling of baseline values at week 24) and durable platelet responders (those with a platelet count > or =50 x 10(9) cells/L and a doubling of baseline values on > or =6 occasions during weeks 17-24)-with the change scores of patients wh did not show clinical improvement. The reliability (internal consistency and test-retest) and validity (convergent, discriminant, and known groups) of the questionnaire were also evaluated. Validity was examined in terms of correlations between the ITP-PAQ and the 36-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36), a generic measure of health-related QoL. Thirty-four patients completed the ITP-PAQ. Most of the scales were found capable of detecting clinically important treatment effects, with the scales for symptoms, fatigue/sleep, bother, and activity being particularly responsive. All scales were found to have internal consistency reliability (Cronbach's alpha, 0.700-0.950), with the exceptions of the menstrual symptoms subscale (0.988 and 0.959 at weeks 12 and 24, respectively) and the work scale (0.691 at week 24). Test-retest reliability was acceptable (intraclass correlation coefficient, 0.725-0.867), with the exceptions of the scales for symptoms (0.677) and women's reproductive health (0.592) and the fertility subscale (0.171). Construct validity was supported by correlations between specific ITP-PAQ and SF-36 scales, with the exceptions of the menstrual symptoms and fertility subscales. Discriminant validity was reported for the symptoms, fatigue/sleep, bother, and activity scales. Durable platelet responders had significantly better scores than nonresponders on the symptoms (P = 0.022), bother (P = 0.008), psychological (P = 0.033), and overall QoL scales (P = 0.032). Compared with those who had undergone splenectomy, patients without splenectomy had significantly higher scores on the women's reproductive health scale (P = 0.03). The results of this analysis indicate that the ITP-PAQ has acceptable responsiveness, reliability, and validity. Further study of the minimal clinically important difference in ITP-PAQ scale scores is needed.

  16. The Self-Identified Skills and Competencies of First-Line Nurse Managers

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1992-06-01

    teaching, with the exception of evaluation of patient education classes and materials. 17 Human Resources Development. 1) selection. with the exception of...specifically being able to evaluate patient education classes and materials; and 2) evaluating results, by being able to monitor the quality of care...for patient education materials and classes to be used on the unit. 2. Evaluate patient and family teaching including discharge planning. 3. Evaluate

  17. 28 CFR 42.712 - Exception; normal operation or statutory objective.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ... objective. 42.712 Section 42.712 Judicial Administration DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE NONDISCRIMINATION; EQUAL... Programs or Activities; Implementation of the Age Discrimination Act of 1975 Standards for Determining Age Discrimination § 42.712 Exception; normal operation or statutory objective. (a) A recipient may take an action...

  18. 28 CFR 42.713 - Exception; reasonable factors other than age.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ... age. 42.713 Section 42.713 Judicial Administration DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE NONDISCRIMINATION; EQUAL... Programs or Activities; Implementation of the Age Discrimination Act of 1975 Standards for Determining Age Discrimination § 42.713 Exception; reasonable factors other than age. (a) A recipient may take an action...

  19. 76 FR 19177 - Agency Information Collection Activities: Notice of Request for Extension of Currently Approved...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2011-04-06

    ..., except Federal holidays. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Greg Wolf, 202-366-4655, Department of...., Washington, DC 20590, Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title..., American Samoa, Northern Mariana Islands, and the Virgin Islands. Estimated Average Annual Burden: The...

  20. 15 CFR 922.184 - Prohibited activities.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... MANAGEMENT NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY PROGRAM REGULATIONS Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine... to approach, within the Sanctuary, by any means, within 100 yards of any humpback whale except as... Sanctuary within 1,000 feet of any humpback whale except as necessary for takeoff or landing from an airport...

  1. 15 CFR 922.184 - Prohibited activities.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... MANAGEMENT NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY PROGRAM REGULATIONS Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine... to approach, within the Sanctuary, by any means, within 100 yards of any humpback whale except as... Sanctuary within 1,000 feet of any humpback whale except as necessary for takeoff or landing from an airport...

  2. 15 CFR 922.184 - Prohibited activities.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... MANAGEMENT NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY PROGRAM REGULATIONS Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine... to approach, within the Sanctuary, by any means, within 100 yards of any humpback whale except as... Sanctuary within 1,000 feet of any humpback whale except as necessary for takeoff or landing from an airport...

  3. 15 CFR 922.184 - Prohibited activities.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... MANAGEMENT NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY PROGRAM REGULATIONS Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine... to approach, within the Sanctuary, by any means, within 100 yards of any humpback whale except as... Sanctuary within 1,000 feet of any humpback whale except as necessary for takeoff or landing from an airport...

  4. 15 CFR 922.184 - Prohibited activities.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... MANAGEMENT NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY PROGRAM REGULATIONS Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine... to approach, within the Sanctuary, by any means, within 100 yards of any humpback whale except as... Sanctuary within 1,000 feet of any humpback whale except as necessary for takeoff or landing from an airport...

  5. A family longevity selection score: ranking sibships by their longevity, size, and availability for study.

    PubMed

    Sebastiani, Paola; Hadley, Evan C; Province, Michael; Christensen, Kaare; Rossi, Winifred; Perls, Thomas T; Ash, Arlene S

    2009-12-15

    Family studies of exceptional longevity can potentially identify genetic and other factors contributing to long life and healthy aging. Although such studies seek families that are exceptionally long lived, they also need living members who can provide DNA and phenotype information. On the basis of these considerations, the authors developed a metric to rank families for selection into a family study of longevity. Their measure, the family longevity selection score (FLoSS), is the sum of 2 components: 1) an estimated family longevity score built from birth-, gender-, and nation-specific cohort survival probabilities and 2) a bonus for older living siblings. The authors examined properties of FLoSS-based family rankings by using data from 3 ongoing studies: the New England Centenarian Study, the Framingham Heart Study, and screenees for the Long Life Family Study. FLoSS-based selection yields families with exceptional longevity, satisfactory sibship sizes and numbers of living siblings, and high ages. Parameters in the FLoSS formula can be tailored for studies of specific populations or age ranges or with different conditions. The first component of the FLoSS also provides a conceptually sound survival measure to characterize exceptional longevity in individuals or families in various types of studies and correlates well with later-observed longevity.

  6. Spermicidal activity of some halides.

    PubMed

    Narayan, J P; Singh, J N

    1979-01-01

    Though most of the metallic ions are spermicidal in action, the present investigation emphasises the spermicidal activity of anions. Among the inorganic compounds screened at 4 concentrations (0.01%, 0.1%, 1% and 5%) halides are mainly spermicidal, except NaCl, KCl & CsCl which are spermiostatic; sulphates and nitrates are mainly spermiostatic except ZnSO4 at 1% concentration and above; CuSO4, Al2 (SO4)3, Uo2(NO3)2.6H2O and AgNO3 at 5% concentration where they become spermicidal.

  7. Citrus tristeza virus (CTV) Causing Proteomic and Enzymatic Changes in Sweet Orange Variety “Westin”

    PubMed Central

    Dória, Milena Santos; de Sousa, Aurizângela Oliveira; Barbosa, Cristiane de Jesus; Costa, Márcio Gilberto Cardoso; Gesteira, Abelmon da Silva; Souza, Regina Martins; Freitas, Ana Camila Oliveira; Pirovani, Carlos Priminho

    2015-01-01

    Citrus Tristeza disease, caused by CTV (Citrus tristeza virus), committs citrus plantations around the world and specifically attacks phloem tissues of the plant. The virus exists as a mixture of more or less severe variants, which may or may not cause symptoms of Tristeza. The objective of this study was to analyze the changes caused by CTV in the proteome of stems of sweet orange, as well as in the activity and gene expression of antioxidant enzymes. The CTV-infected sweet orange displayed mild symptoms, which were characterized by the presence of sparse stem pitting throughout their stems. The presence of virus was confirmed by RT-PCR. Proteomic analysis by 2DE-PAGE-MS / MS revealed the identity of 40 proteins differentially expressed between CTV- infected and -non-infected samples. Of these, 33 were up-regulated and 7 were down-regulated in CTV-infected samples. Among the proteins identified stands out a specific from the virus, the coat protein. Other proteins identified are involved with oxidative stress and for this their enzymatic activity was measured. The activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) was higher in CTV-infected samples, as catalase (CAT) showed higher activity in uninfected samples. The activity of guaiacol peroxidase (GPX) did not vary significantly between samples. However, ascorbate peroxidase (APX) was more active in the infected samples. The relative expression of the genes encoding CAT, SOD, APX and GPX was analyzed by quantitative real time PCR (RT-qPCR). The CTV-infected samples showed greater accumulation of transcripts, except for the CAT gene. This gene showed higher expression in the uninfected samples. Taken together, it can be concluded that the CTV affects the protein profile and activity and gene expression of antioxidant enzymes in plants infected by this virus. PMID:26207751

  8. Transient gestational and neonatal hypothyroidism-induced specific changes in androgen receptor expression in skeletal and cardiac muscles of adult rat.

    PubMed

    Annapoorna, K; Anbalagan, J; Neelamohan, R; Vengatesh, G; Stanley, J; Amudha, G; Aruldhas, M M

    2013-03-01

    The present study aims to identify the association between androgen status and metabolic activity in skeletal and cardiac muscles of adult rats with transient gestational/neonatal-onset hypothyroidism. Pregnant and lactating rats were made hypothyroid by exposing to 0.05% methimazole in drinking water; gestational exposure was from embryonic day 9-14 (group II) or 21 (group III), lactational exposure was from postnatal day 1-14 (group IV) or 29 (group V). Serum was collected for hormone assay. Androgen receptor status, Glu-4 expression, and enzyme activities were assessed in the skeletal and cardiac muscles. Serum testosterone and estradiol levels decreased in adult rats of groups II and III, whereas testosterone remained normal but estradiol increased in group IV and V, when compared to coeval control. Androgen receptor ligand binding activity increased in both muscle phenotypes with a consistent increase in the expression level of its mRNA and protein expressions except in the forelimb of adult rats with transient hypothyroidism (group II-V). Glut-4 expression remained normal in skeletal and cardiac muscle of experimental rats. Specific activity of hexokinase and lactate dehydrogenase increased in both muscle phenotypes whereas, creatine kinase activity increased in skeletal muscles alone. It is concluded that transient gestational/lactational exposure to methimazole results in hypothyroidism during prepuberal life whereas it increases AR status and glycolytic activity in skeletal and cardiac muscles even at adulthood. Thus, the present study suggests that euthyroid status during prenatal and early postnatal life is essential to have optimal AR status and metabolic activity at adulthood. © Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.

  9. Knee joint stabilization therapy in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee: a randomized, controlled trial.

    PubMed

    Knoop, J; Dekker, J; van der Leeden, M; van der Esch, M; Thorstensson, C A; Gerritsen, M; Voorneman, R E; Peter, W F; de Rooij, M; Romviel, S; Lems, W F; Roorda, L D; Steultjens, M P M

    2013-08-01

    To investigate whether an exercise program, initially focusing on knee stabilization and subsequently on muscle strength and performance of daily activities is more effective than an exercise program focusing on muscle strength and performance of daily activities only, in reducing activity limitations in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) and instability of the knee joint. A single-blind, randomized, controlled trial involving 159 knee OA patients with self-reported and/or biomechanically assessed knee instability, randomly assigned to two treatment groups. Both groups received a supervised exercise program for 12 weeks, consisting of muscle strengthening exercises and training of daily activities, but only in the experimental group specific knee joint stabilization training was provided. Outcome measures included activity limitations (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index - WOMAC physical function, primary outcome), pain, global perceived effect and knee stability. Both treatment groups demonstrated large (∼20-40%) and clinically relevant reductions in activity limitations, pain and knee instability, which were sustained 6 months post-treatment. No differences in effectiveness between experimental and control treatment were found on WOMAC physical function (B (95% confidence interval - CI) = -0.01 (-2.58 to 2.57)) or secondary outcome measures, except for a higher global perceived effect in the experimental group (P = 0.04). Both exercise programs were highly effective in reducing activity limitations and pain and restoring knee stability in knee OA patients with instability of the knee. In knee OA patients suffering from knee instability, specific knee joint stabilization training, in addition to muscle strengthening and functional exercises, does not seem to have any additional value. Dutch Trial Register (NTR) registration number: NTR1475. Copyright © 2013 Osteoarthritis Research Society International. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  10. Citrus tristeza virus (CTV) Causing Proteomic and Enzymatic Changes in Sweet Orange Variety "Westin".

    PubMed

    Dória, Milena Santos; Sousa, Aurizângela Oliveira de; Barbosa, Cristiane de Jesus; Costa, Márcio Gilberto Cardoso; Gesteira, Abelmon da Silva; Souza, Regina Martins; Freitas, Ana Camila Oliveira; Pirovani, Carlos Priminho

    2015-01-01

    Citrus Tristeza disease, caused by CTV (Citrus tristeza virus), committs citrus plantations around the world and specifically attacks phloem tissues of the plant. The virus exists as a mixture of more or less severe variants, which may or may not cause symptoms of Tristeza. The objective of this study was to analyze the changes caused by CTV in the proteome of stems of sweet orange, as well as in the activity and gene expression of antioxidant enzymes. The CTV-infected sweet orange displayed mild symptoms, which were characterized by the presence of sparse stem pitting throughout their stems. The presence of virus was confirmed by RT-PCR. Proteomic analysis by 2DE-PAGE-MS / MS revealed the identity of 40 proteins differentially expressed between CTV- infected and -non-infected samples. Of these, 33 were up-regulated and 7 were down-regulated in CTV-infected samples. Among the proteins identified stands out a specific from the virus, the coat protein. Other proteins identified are involved with oxidative stress and for this their enzymatic activity was measured. The activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) was higher in CTV-infected samples, as catalase (CAT) showed higher activity in uninfected samples. The activity of guaiacol peroxidase (GPX) did not vary significantly between samples. However, ascorbate peroxidase (APX) was more active in the infected samples. The relative expression of the genes encoding CAT, SOD, APX and GPX was analyzed by quantitative real time PCR (RT-qPCR). The CTV-infected samples showed greater accumulation of transcripts, except for the CAT gene. This gene showed higher expression in the uninfected samples. Taken together, it can be concluded that the CTV affects the protein profile and activity and gene expression of antioxidant enzymes in plants infected by this virus.

  11. Characterization of a cis-acting element involved in cell-specific expression of the zebrafish brain aromatase gene.

    PubMed

    Le Page, Yann; Menuet, Arnaud; Kah, Olivier; Pakdel, Farzad

    2008-10-01

    The cytochrome P450 Aromatase is the key enzyme catalyzing the conversion of androgens into estrogens. In zebrafish, the brain aromatase is encoded by cyp19b. Expression of cyp19b is restricted to radial glial cells bordering forebrain ventricles and is strongly stimulated by estrogens during development. At the promoter level, we have previously shown that an estrogen responsive element (ERE) is required for induction by estrogens. Here, we investigated the role of ERE flanking regions in the control of cell-specific expression. First, we show that a 20 bp length motif, named G x RE (glial x responsive element), acts in synergy with the ERE to mediate the estrogenic induction specifically in glial cells. Second, we demonstrate that, in vitro, this sequence binds factors exclusively present in glial or neuro-glial cells and is able to confer a glial specificity to an artificial estrogen-dependent gene. Taken together, these results contribute to the understanding of the molecular mechanisms allowing cyp19b regulation by estrogens and allowed to identify a promoter sequence involved in the strong estrogen inducibility of cyp19b which is specific for glial cells. The exceptional aromatase activity measured in the brain of teleost fish could rely on such mechanisms.

  12. Differential immune gene expression profiles in susceptible and resistant full-sibling families of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) challenged with infectious pancreatic necrosis virus (IPNV).

    PubMed

    Reyes-López, Felipe E; Romeo, Jose S; Vallejos-Vidal, Eva; Reyes-Cerpa, Sebastián; Sandino, Ana M; Tort, Lluis; Mackenzie, Simon; Imarai, Mónica

    2015-11-01

    This study aims to identify at the expression level the immune-related genes associated with IPN-susceptible and resistant phenotypes in Atlantic salmon full-sibling families. We have analyzed thirty full-sibling families infected by immersion with IPNV and then classified as resistant or susceptible using a multivariate survival analysis based on a gamma-Cox frailty model and the Kaplan-Meier mortality curves. In four families within each group head kidneys were pooled for real-time PCR and one-color salmon-specific oligonucleotide microarray (21K) analysis at day 1 and 5 post-infection. Transcripts involved in innate response (IL-6, IFN-α), antigen presentation (HSP-70, HSP-90, MHC-I), TH1 response (IL-12, IFN-γ, CRFB6), immunosuppression (IL-10, TGF-β1) and leukocyte activation and migration (CCL-19, CD18) showed a differential expression pattern between both phenotypes, except in IL-6. In susceptible families, except for IFN-γ, the expressions dropped to basal values at day 5 post-infection. In resistant families, unlike susceptible families, levels remained high or increased (except for IL-6) at day 5. Transcriptomic analysis showed that both families have a clear differential expression pattern, resulting in a marked down-regulation in immune related genes involved in innate response, complement system, antigen recognition and activation of immune response in IPN-resistant. Down-regulation of genes, mainly related to tissue differentiation and protein degradation metabolism, was also observed in resistant families. We have identified an immune-related gene patterns associated with susceptibility and resistance to IPNV infection of Atlantic salmon. This suggests that a limited immune response is associated with resistant fish phenotype to IPNV challenge while a highly inflammatory but short response is associated with susceptibility. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  13. Redox-active triazatruxene-based conjugated microporous polymers for high-performance supercapacitors† †Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Synthetic procedures and characterization data for all new compounds; general experimental method; thermogravimetry curves; PXRD patterns; SEM and TEM images; XPS spectra. See DOI: 10.1039/c6sc05532j Click here for additional data file.

    PubMed Central

    Li, Xiang-Chun; Zhang, Yizhou; Wang, Chun-Yu; Wan, Yi

    2017-01-01

    Conjugated polymers (CPs) have been intensively explored for various optoelectronic applications in the last few decades. Nevertheless, CP based electrochemical energy storage devices such as supercapacitors remain largely unexplored. This is mainly owing to the low specific capacitance, poor structural/electrochemical stability, and low energy density of most existing CPs. In this contribution, a novel set of redox-active conjugated microporous polymers, TAT-CMP-1 and TAT-CMP-2, based on nitrogen-rich and highly conductive triazatruxene building blocks, were successfully designed and synthesized to explore their potential application as efficient and stable electrode materials for supercapacitors. Despite a moderate surface area of 88 m2 g–1 for TAT-CMP-1 and 106 m2 g–1 for TAT-CMP-2, exceptional specific capacitances of 141 F g–1 and 183 F g–1 were achieved at a current density of 1 A g–1. The resulting polymers exhibited unusually high areal specific capacitance (>160 μF cm–2), which is attributed to the pseudocapacitance resulting from redox-active structures with high nitrogen content. More importantly, the TAT-CMP-2 electrode exhibits excellent cycling stability: only 5% capacitance fading is observed after 10 000 cycles at a high current density of 10 A g–1, enabling the possible use of these materials as electrodes in electrochemical devices. PMID:28451362

  14. The Evolution of the FT/TFL1 Genes in Amaranthaceae and Their Expression Patterns in the Course of Vegetative Growth and Flowering in Chenopodium rubrum.

    PubMed

    Drabešová, Jana; Černá, Lucie; Mašterová, Helena; Koloušková, Pavla; Potocký, Martin; Štorchová, Helena

    2016-10-13

    The FT/TFL1 gene family controls important aspects of plant development: MFT-like genes affect germination, TFL1-like genes act as floral inhibitors, and FT-like genes are floral activators. Gene duplications produced paralogs with modified functions required by the specific lifestyles of various angiosperm species. We constructed the transcriptome of the weedy annual plant Chenopodium rubrum and used it for the comprehensive search for the FT/TFL1 genes. We analyzed their phylogenetic relationships across Amaranthaceae and all angiosperms. We discovered a very ancient phylogenetic clade of FT genes represented by the CrFTL3 gene of C. rubrum Another paralog CrFTL2 showed an unusual structural rearrangement which might have contributed to the functional shift. We examined the transcription patterns of the FT/TFL1 genes during the vegetative growth and floral transition in C. rubrum to get clues about their possible functions. All the genes except for the constitutively expressed CrFTL2 gene, and the CrFTL3 gene, which was transcribed only in seeds, exhibited organ-specific expression influenced by the specific light regime. The CrFTL1 gene was confirmed as a single floral activator from the FT/TFL1 family in C. rubrum Its floral promoting activity may be counteracted by CrTFL1 C. rubrum emerges as an easily manipulated model for the study of floral induction in weedy fast-cycling plants lacking a juvenile phase. Copyright © 2016 Drabesova et al.

  15. Assessment of Nanobiotechnology-Targeted siRNA Designed to Inhibit NF-kappaB Classical And Alternative Signaling in Breast Tumor Macrophages

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2012-07-01

    tumor microenvironment we intend to deliver siRNA specifically to tumor- associated-macrophages ( TAMs ). Therefore, the proposed work seeks to synthesize...characterize and assess multifunctional nanoparticles for siRNA delivery specifically to tumor-associated-macrophages ( TAMs ). The nanoparticles...knockdown protein expression of NF-κB modulators with exceptional specificity for TAMs . TAM -specific nanoparticle targeting offers an innovative approach

  16. Photodynamic therapy for cancer and activation of immune response

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Mroz, Pawel; Huang, Ying-Ying; Hamblin, Michael R.

    2010-02-01

    Anti-tumor immunity is stimulated after PDT for cancer due to the acute inflammatory response, exposure and presentation of tumor-specific antigens, and induction of heat-shock proteins and other danger signals. Nevertheless effective, powerful tumor-specific immune response in both animal models and also in patients treated with PDT for cancer, is the exception rather than the rule. Research in our laboratory and also in others is geared towards identifying reasons for this sub-optimal immune response and discovering ways of maximizing it. Reasons why the immune response after PDT is less than optimal include the fact that tumor-antigens are considered to be self-like and poorly immunogenic, the tumor-mediated induction of CD4+CD25+foxP3+ regulatory T-cells (T-regs), that are able to inhibit both the priming and the effector phases of the cytotoxic CD8 T-cell anti-tumor response and the defects in dendritic cell maturation, activation and antigen-presentation that may also occur. Alternatively-activated macrophages (M2) have also been implicated. Strategies to overcome these immune escape mechanisms employed by different tumors include combination regimens using PDT and immunostimulating treatments such as products obtained from pathogenic microorganisms against which mammals have evolved recognition systems such as PAMPs and toll-like receptors (TLR). This paper will cover the use of CpG oligonucleotides (a TLR9 agonist found in bacterial DNA) to reverse dendritic cell dysfunction and methods to remove the immune suppressor effects of T-regs that are under active study.

  17. Performance on cognitive tests, instrumental activities of daily living and depressive symptoms of a community-based sample of elderly adults in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

    PubMed Central

    Lima, Christina Martins Borges; Alves, Heloisa Veiga Dias; Mograbi, Daniel Correa; Pereira, Flávia Furtado; Fernandez, Jesus Landeira; Charchat-Fichman, Helenice

    2017-01-01

    Objective To describe the performance on basic cognitive tasks, instrumental activities of daily living, and depressive symptoms of a community-based sample of elderly adults in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) who participated in multiple physical, social, and cognitive activities at government-run community centers. Methods A total of 264 educated older adults (> 60 years of age of both genders) were evaluated by the Brief Cognitive Screening Battery (BCSB), Lawton's and Pfeffer's activities of daily living indexes, and the Geriatric Depressive Scale (GDS). Results The mean age of the sample was 75.7 years. The participants had a mean of 9.3 years of formal education. With the exception of the Clock Drawing Test (CDT), mean scores on the cognitive tests were consistent with the values in the literature. Only 6.4% of the sample had some kind of dependence for activities of daily living. The results of the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15) indicated mild symptoms of depression in 16.8% of the sample Conclusion This study provided important demographic, cognitive, and functional characteristics of a specific community-based sample of elderly adults in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. PMID:29213494

  18. Degradation capacities of bacteria and yeasts isolated from the gut of Dendroctonus rhizophagus (Curculionidae: Scolytinae).

    PubMed

    Briones-Roblero, Carlos I; Rodríguez-Díaz, Roberto; Santiago-Cruz, José A; Zúñiga, Gerardo; Rivera-Orduña, Flor N

    2017-01-01

    Bark beetles (Curculionidae: Scolytinae) feed on the xylem and phloem of their host, which are composed of structural carbohydrates and organic compounds that are not easily degraded by the insects. Some of these compounds might be hydrolyzed by digestive enzymes produced by microbes present in the gut of these insects. In this study, we evaluated the enzymatic capacity of bacteria (Acinetobacter lwoffii, Arthrobacter sp., Pseudomonas putida, Pseudomonas azotoformans, and Rahnella sp.) and yeasts (Candida piceae, Candida oregonensis, Cyberlindnera americana, Zygoascus sp., and Rhodotorula mucilaginosa) isolated from the Dendroctonus rhizophagus gut to hydrolyze cellulose, xylan, pectin, starch, lipids, and esters. All isolates, with the exception of C. piceae, showed lipolytic activity. Furthermore, P. putida, P. azotoformans, C. americana, C. piceae, and R. mucilaginosa presented amylolytic activity. Esterase activity was shown by A. lwoffii, P. azotoformans, and Rahnella sp. Cellulolytic and xylanolytic activities were present only in Arthrobacter sp. and P. azotoformans. The pectinolytic activity was not recorded in any isolate. This is the first study to provide evidence on the capacity of microbes associated with the D. rhizophagus gut to hydrolyze specific substrates, which might cover part of the nutritional requirements for the development, fitness, and survival of these insects.

  19. Accessing the exceptional points of parity-time symmetric acoustics

    PubMed Central

    Shi, Chengzhi; Dubois, Marc; Chen, Yun; Cheng, Lei; Ramezani, Hamidreza; Wang, Yuan; Zhang, Xiang

    2016-01-01

    Parity-time (PT) symmetric systems experience phase transition between PT exact and broken phases at exceptional point. These PT phase transitions contribute significantly to the design of single mode lasers, coherent perfect absorbers, isolators, and diodes. However, such exceptional points are extremely difficult to access in practice because of the dispersive behaviour of most loss and gain materials required in PT symmetric systems. Here we introduce a method to systematically tame these exceptional points and control PT phases. Our experimental demonstration hinges on an active acoustic element that realizes a complex-valued potential and simultaneously controls the multiple interference in the structure. The manipulation of exceptional points offers new routes to broaden applications for PT symmetric physics in acoustics, optics, microwaves and electronics, which are essential for sensing, communication and imaging. PMID:27025443

  20. 29 CFR 1926.500 - Scope, application, and definitions applicable to this subpart.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ... protection requirements for employees performing steel erection work (except for towers and tanks) are... protection systems, except in relation to steel erection activities and the use of equipment covered by... refusal, breakage, or separation of component parts. Load refusal is the point where the ultimate strength...

  1. 29 CFR 1926.500 - Scope, application, and definitions applicable to this subpart.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... protection requirements for employees performing steel erection work (except for towers and tanks) are... protection systems, except in relation to steel erection activities and the use of equipment covered by... refusal, breakage, or separation of component parts. Load refusal is the point where the ultimate strength...

  2. 29 CFR 1926.500 - Scope, application, and definitions applicable to this subpart.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ...) Fall protection requirements for employees performing steel erection work (except for towers and tanks... protection systems, except in relation to steel erection activities. (b) Definitions. Anchorage means a... component parts. Load refusal is the point where the ultimate strength is exceeded. Free fall means the act...

  3. 29 CFR 1926.500 - Scope, application, and definitions applicable to this subpart.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ... protection requirements for employees performing steel erection work (except for towers and tanks) are... protection systems, except in relation to steel erection activities and the use of equipment covered by... refusal, breakage, or separation of component parts. Load refusal is the point where the ultimate strength...

  4. 77 FR 37735 - Agency Information Collection Activities: Request for Comments for a New Information Collection

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2012-06-22

    ... p.m. ET, Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael... from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: Customer Satisfaction Surveys. Background: Executive Order 12862, ``Setting Customer Service Standards...

  5. 10 CFR 835.604 - Exceptions to posting requirements.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... 10 Energy 4 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Exceptions to posting requirements. 835.604 Section 835.604 Energy DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY OCCUPATIONAL RADIATION PROTECTION Posting and Labeling § 835.604... components which have been activated (i.e., such as by being exposed to neutron radiation or particles...

  6. 10 CFR 835.604 - Exceptions to posting requirements.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... 10 Energy 4 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Exceptions to posting requirements. 835.604 Section 835.604 Energy DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY OCCUPATIONAL RADIATION PROTECTION Posting and Labeling § 835.604... components which have been activated (i.e., such as by being exposed to neutron radiation or particles...

  7. 10 CFR 835.604 - Exceptions to posting requirements.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... 10 Energy 4 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Exceptions to posting requirements. 835.604 Section 835.604 Energy DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY OCCUPATIONAL RADIATION PROTECTION Posting and Labeling § 835.604... components which have been activated (i.e., such as by being exposed to neutron radiation or particles...

  8. 10 CFR 835.604 - Exceptions to posting requirements.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... 10 Energy 4 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Exceptions to posting requirements. 835.604 Section 835.604 Energy DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY OCCUPATIONAL RADIATION PROTECTION Posting and Labeling § 835.604... components which have been activated (i.e., such as by being exposed to neutron radiation or particles...

  9. 10 CFR 835.604 - Exceptions to posting requirements.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... 10 Energy 4 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Exceptions to posting requirements. 835.604 Section 835.604 Energy DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY OCCUPATIONAL RADIATION PROTECTION Posting and Labeling § 835.604... components which have been activated (i.e., such as by being exposed to neutron radiation or particles...

  10. Feeling Abnormal: Simulation of Deviancy in Abnormal and Exceptionality Courses.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Fernald, Charles D.

    1980-01-01

    Describes activity in which student in abnormal psychology and psychology of exceptional children classes personally experience being judged abnormal. The experience allows the students to remember relevant research, become sensitized to the feelings of individuals classified as deviant, and use caution in classifying individuals as abnormal.…

  11. 15 CFR 922.92 - Prohibited or otherwise regulated activities.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... Trade (Continued) NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE OCEAN AND... has been collected from the Sanctuary. (6) Using any fishing gear within the Sanctuary except rod and...) Possessing or carrying any fishing gear within the Sanctuary except: (i) Rod and reel, and handline gear; (ii...

  12. 15 CFR 922.92 - Prohibited or otherwise regulated activities-Sanctuary-wide.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... OCEAN AND COASTAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY PROGRAM REGULATIONS Gray's Reef National... has been collected from the Sanctuary. (6) Using any fishing gear within the Sanctuary except rod and...) Possessing or carrying any fishing gear within the Sanctuary except: (i) Rod and reel, and handline gear; (ii...

  13. 15 CFR 922.92 - Prohibited or otherwise regulated activities-Sanctuary-wide.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... OCEAN AND COASTAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY PROGRAM REGULATIONS Gray's Reef National... has been collected from the Sanctuary. (6) Using any fishing gear within the Sanctuary except rod and...) Possessing or carrying any fishing gear within the Sanctuary except: (i) Rod and reel, and handline gear; (ii...

  14. 15 CFR 922.92 - Prohibited or otherwise regulated activities-Sanctuary-wide.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... OCEAN AND COASTAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY PROGRAM REGULATIONS Gray's Reef National... has been collected from the Sanctuary. (6) Using any fishing gear within the Sanctuary except rod and...) Possessing or carrying any fishing gear within the Sanctuary except: (i) Rod and reel, and handline gear; (ii...

  15. 77 FR 42559 - End-User Exception to the Clearing Requirement for Swaps

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2012-07-19

    ...-owners to support their general business activities, rather than to finance purchases from its member... using non-cleared swaps to hedge risks associated with their underlying business, such as manufacturing... (IPM&CSA) stated that the end-user exception should be narrowly tailored to businesses that produce...

  16. 75 FR 74062 - Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Exceptions or...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-11-30

    ... Alternatives to Labeling Requirements for Products Held by the Strategic National Stockpile AGENCY: Food and... regulations related to the exceptions or alternatives to labeling requirements for products held by the... for Products Held by the Strategic National Stockpile--(OMB Control Number 0910-0614)-- Extension...

  17. 50 CFR 216.27 - Release, non-releasability, and disposition under special exception permits for rehabilitated...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-10-01

    ... rehabilitated marine mammal for any activity authorized under subpart D in lieu of animals taken from the wild... disposition under special exception permits for rehabilitated marine mammals. 216.27 Section 216.27 Wildlife and Fisheries NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE, NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION...

  18. 50 CFR 216.27 - Release, non-releasability, and disposition under special exception permits for rehabilitated...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... rehabilitated marine mammal for any activity authorized under subpart D in lieu of animals taken from the wild... disposition under special exception permits for rehabilitated marine mammals. 216.27 Section 216.27 Wildlife and Fisheries NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE, NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION...

  19. 50 CFR 216.27 - Release, non-releasability, and disposition under special exception permits for rehabilitated...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-10-01

    ... rehabilitated marine mammal for any activity authorized under subpart D in lieu of animals taken from the wild... disposition under special exception permits for rehabilitated marine mammals. 216.27 Section 216.27 Wildlife and Fisheries NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE, NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION...

  20. 50 CFR 216.27 - Release, non-releasability, and disposition under special exception permits for rehabilitated...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-10-01

    ... rehabilitated marine mammal for any activity authorized under subpart D in lieu of animals taken from the wild... disposition under special exception permits for rehabilitated marine mammals. 216.27 Section 216.27 Wildlife and Fisheries NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE, NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION...

  1. 21 CFR 201.314 - Labeling of drug preparations containing salicylates.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... aspirin, salicylamide, other salicylates, and combinations) must conspicuously bear, on a clearly... reach of children [highlighted in bold type],” except that if the article is an aspirin preparation, it...) Aspirin tablets sold as such and containing no other active ingredients, except tablets which cannot be...

  2. 21 CFR 201.314 - Labeling of drug preparations containing salicylates.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-04-01

    ... aspirin, salicylamide, other salicylates, and combinations) must conspicuously bear, on a clearly... reach of children [highlighted in bold type],” except that if the article is an aspirin preparation, it...) Aspirin tablets sold as such and containing no other active ingredients, except tablets which cannot be...

  3. 21 CFR 201.314 - Labeling of drug preparations containing salicylates.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-04-01

    ... aspirin, salicylamide, other salicylates, and combinations) must conspicuously bear, on a clearly... reach of children [highlighted in bold type],” except that if the article is an aspirin preparation, it...) Aspirin tablets sold as such and containing no other active ingredients, except tablets which cannot be...

  4. 21 CFR 201.314 - Labeling of drug preparations containing salicylates.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-04-01

    ... aspirin, salicylamide, other salicylates, and combinations) must conspicuously bear, on a clearly... reach of children [highlighted in bold type],” except that if the article is an aspirin preparation, it...) Aspirin tablets sold as such and containing no other active ingredients, except tablets which cannot be...

  5. 21 CFR 201.314 - Labeling of drug preparations containing salicylates.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-04-01

    ... aspirin, salicylamide, other salicylates, and combinations) must conspicuously bear, on a clearly... reach of children [highlighted in bold type],” except that if the article is an aspirin preparation, it...) Aspirin tablets sold as such and containing no other active ingredients, except tablets which cannot be...

  6. Changes in Adenosine Deaminase Activity in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Effect of DPP-4 Inhibitor Treatment on ADA Activity.

    PubMed

    Lee, Jae-Geun; Kang, Dong Gu; Yu, Jung Re; Kim, Youngree; Kim, Jinsoek; Koh, Gwanpyo; Lee, Daeho

    2011-04-01

    Dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP-4, also known as CD26) binds with adenosine deaminase (ADA) to activate T lymphocytes. Here, we investigated whether ADA activity is specifically affected by treatment with DPP-4 inhibitor (DPP4I) compared with other anti-diabetic agents. Fasting ADA activity, in addition to various metabolic and biochemical parameters, were measured in 262 type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients taking various anti-diabetic agents and in 46 non-diabetic control subjects. ADA activity was increased in T2DM patients compared with that in non-diabetic control subjects (mean±standard error, 23.1±0.6 U/L vs. 18.6±0.8 U/L; P<0.05). ADA activity was correlated with fasting plasma glucose (r=0.258, P<0.05), HbA1c (r=0.208, P<0.05), aspartate aminotransferase (r=0.325, P<0.05), and alanine aminotransferase (r=0.248, P<0.05). Compared with the well-controlled T2DM patients (HbA1c<7%), the poorly controlled group (HbA1c>9%) showed significantly increased ADA activity (21.1±0.8 U/L vs. 25.4±1.6 U/L; P<0.05). The effect of DPP4I on ADA activity in T2DM patients did not differ from those of other oral anti-diabetic agents or insulin. T2DM patients on metformin monotherapy showed a lower ADA activity (20.9±1.0 U/L vs. 28.1±2.8 U/L; P<0.05) compared with that of those on sulfonylurea monotherapy. Our results show that ADA activity is increased in T2DM patients compared to that in non-diabetic patients, is positively correlated with blood glucose level, and that DPP4I has no additional specific effect on ADA activity, except for a glycemic control- or HbA1c-dependent effect.

  7. 48 CFR 1852.228-76 - Cross-waiver of liability for space station activities.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... product or process except when such development is for Space Station-related activities in implementation...) All activities related to ground support, test, training, simulation, or guidance and control...

  8. An interplay of fusiform gyrus and hippocampus enables prototype- and exemplar-based category learning.

    PubMed

    Lech, Robert K; Güntürkün, Onur; Suchan, Boris

    2016-09-15

    The aim of the present study was to examine the contributions of different brain structures to prototype- and exemplar-based category learning using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Twenty-eight subjects performed a categorization task in which they had to assign prototypes and exceptions to two different families. This test procedure usually produces different learning curves for prototype and exception stimuli. Our behavioral data replicated these previous findings by showing an initially superior performance for prototypes and typical stimuli and a switch from a prototype-based to an exemplar-based categorization for exceptions in the later learning phases. Since performance varied, we divided participants into learners and non-learners. Analysis of the functional imaging data revealed that the interaction of group (learners vs. non-learners) and block (Block 5 vs. Block 1) yielded an activation of the left fusiform gyrus for the processing of prototypes, and an activation of the right hippocampus for exceptions after learning the categories. Thus, successful prototype- and exemplar-based category learning is associated with activations of complementary neural substrates that constitute object-based processes of the ventral visual stream and their interaction with unique-cue representations, possibly based on sparse coding within the hippocampus. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  9. Alkali- and Sulfur-Resistant Tungsten-Based Catalysts for NOx Emissions Control.

    PubMed

    Huang, Zhiwei; Li, Hao; Gao, Jiayi; Gu, Xiao; Zheng, Li; Hu, Pingping; Xin, Ying; Chen, Junxiao; Chen, Yaxin; Zhang, Zhaoliang; Chen, Jianmin; Tang, Xingfu

    2015-12-15

    The development of catalysts with simultaneous resistance to alkalis and sulfur poisoning is of great importance for efficiently controlling NOx emissions using the selective catalytic reduction of NOx with NH3 (SCR), because the conventional V2O5/WO3-TiO2 catalysts often suffer severe deactivation by alkalis. Here, we support V2O5 on a hexagonal WO3 (HWO) to develop a V2O5/HWO catalyst, which has exceptional resistance to alkali and sulfur poisoning in the SCR reactions. A 350 μmol g(-1) K(+) loading and the presence of 1,300 mg m(-3) SO2 do not almost influence the SCR activity of the V2O5/HWO catalyst, and under the same conditions, the conventional V2O5/WO3-TiO2 catalysts completely lost the SCR activity within 4 h. The strong resistance to alkali and sulfur poisoning of the V2O5/HWO catalysts mainly originates from the hexagonal structure of the HWO. The HWO allows the V2O5 to be highly dispersed on the external surfaces for catalyzing the SCR reactions and has the relatively smooth surfaces and the size-suitable tunnels specifically for alkalis' diffusion and trapping. This work provides a useful strategy to develop SCR catalysts with exceptional resistance to alkali and sulfur poisoning for controlling NOx emissions from the stationary source and the mobile source.

  10. Earth Observatory Satellite system definition study. Report no. 5: System design and specifications. Part 1: Observatory system element specifications

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    1974-01-01

    The performance, design, and quality assurance requirements for the Earth Observatory Satellite (EOS) Observatory and Ground System program elements required to perform the Land Resources Management (LRM) A-type mission are presented. The requirements for the Observatory element with the exception of the instruments specifications are contained in the first part.

  11. The three-dimensional structure of the native ternary complex of bovine pancreatic procarboxypeptidase A with proproteinase E and chymotrypsinogen C.

    PubMed Central

    Gomis-Rüth, F X; Gómez, M; Bode, W; Huber, R; Avilés, F X

    1995-01-01

    The metalloexozymogen procarboxypeptidase A is mainly secreted in ruminants as a ternary complex with zymogens of two serine endoproteinases, chymotrypsinogen C and proproteinase E. The bovine complex has been crystallized, and its molecular structure analysed and refined at 2.6 A resolution to an R factor of 0.198. In this heterotrimer, the activation segment of procarboxypeptidase A essentially clamps the other two subunits, which shield the activation sites of the former from tryptic attack. In contrast, the propeptides of both serine proproteinases are freely accessible to trypsin. This arrangement explains the sequential and delayed activation of the constituent zymogens. Procarboxypeptidase A is virtually identical to the homologous monomeric porcine form. Chymotrypsinogen C displays structural features characteristic for chymotrypsins as well as elastases, except for its activation domain; similar to bovine chymotrypsinogen A, its binding site is not properly formed, while its surface located activation segment is disordered. The proproteinase E structure is fully ordered and strikingly similar to active porcine elastase; its specificity pocket is occluded, while the activation segment is fixed to the molecular surface. This first structure of a native zymogen from the proteinase E/elastase family does not fundamentally differ from the serine proproteinases known so far. Images PMID:7556081

  12. Default mode of brain function in monkeys.

    PubMed

    Mantini, Dante; Gerits, Annelis; Nelissen, Koen; Durand, Jean-Baptiste; Joly, Olivier; Simone, Luciano; Sawamura, Hiromasa; Wardak, Claire; Orban, Guy A; Buckner, Randy L; Vanduffel, Wim

    2011-09-07

    Human neuroimaging has revealed a specific network of brain regions-the default-mode network (DMN)-that reduces its activity during goal-directed behavior. So far, evidence for a similar network in monkeys is mainly indirect, since, except for one positron emission tomography study, it is all based on functional connectivity analysis rather than activity increases during passive task states. Here, we tested whether a consistent DMN exists in monkeys using its defining property. We performed a meta-analysis of functional magnetic resonance imaging data collected in 10 awake monkeys to reveal areas in which activity consistently decreases when task demands shift from passive tasks to externally oriented processing. We observed task-related spatially specific deactivations across 15 experiments, implying in the monkey a functional equivalent of the human DMN. We revealed by resting-state connectivity that prefrontal and medial parietal regions, including areas 9/46d and 31, respectively, constitute the DMN core, being functionally connected to all other DMN areas. We also detected two distinct subsystems composed of DMN areas with stronger functional connections between each other. These clusters included areas 24/32, 8b, and TPOC and areas 23, v23, and PGm, respectively. Such a pattern of functional connectivity largely fits, but is not completely consistent with anatomical tract tracing data in monkeys. Also, analysis of afferent and efferent connections between DMN areas suggests a multisynaptic network structure. Like humans, monkeys increase activity during passive epochs in heteromodal and limbic association regions, suggesting that they also default to internal modes of processing when not actively interacting with the environment.

  13. WRI1-1, ABI5, NF-YA3 and NF-YC2 increase oil biosynthesis in coordination with hormonal signaling during fruit development in oil palm.

    PubMed

    Yeap, Wan-Chin; Lee, Fong-Chin; Shabari Shan, Dilip Kumar; Musa, Hamidah; Appleton, David Ross; Kulaveerasingam, Harikrishna

    2017-07-01

    The oil biosynthesis pathway must be tightly controlled to maximize oil yield. Oil palm accumulates exceptionally high oil content in its mesocarp, suggesting the existence of a unique fruit-specific fatty acid metabolism transcriptional network. We report the complex fruit-specific network of transcription factors responsible for modulation of oil biosynthesis genes in oil palm mesocarp. Transcriptional activation of EgWRI1-1 encoding a key master regulator that activates expression of oil biosynthesis genes, is activated by three ABA-responsive transcription factors, EgNF-YA3, EgNF-YC2 and EgABI5. Overexpression of EgWRI1-1 and its activators in Arabidopsis accelerated flowering, increased seed size and oil content, and altered expression levels of oil biosynthesis genes. Protein-protein interaction experiments demonstrated that EgNF-YA3 interacts directly with EgWRI1-1, forming a transcription complex with EgNF-YC2 and EgABI5 to modulate transcription of oil biosynthesis pathway genes. Furthermore, EgABI5 acts downstream of EgWRKY40, a repressor that interacts with EgWRKY2 to inhibit the transcription of oil biosynthesis genes. We showed that expression of these activators and repressors in oil biosynthesis can be induced by phytohormones coordinating fruit development in oil palm. We propose a model highlighting a hormone signaling network coordinating fruit development and fatty acid biosynthesis. © 2017 The Authors The Plant Journal © 2017 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  14. Default Mode of Brain Function in Monkeys

    PubMed Central

    Mantini, Dante; Gerits, Annelis; Nelissen, Koen; Durand, Jean-Baptiste; Joly, Olivier; Simone, Luciano; Sawamura, Hiromasa; Wardak, Claire; Orban, Guy A.; Buckner, Randy L.; Vanduffel, Wim

    2013-01-01

    Human neuroimaging has revealed a specific network of brain regions—the default-mode network (DMN)—that reduces its activity during goal-directed behavior. So far, evidence for a similar network in monkeys is mainly indirect, since, except for one positron emission tomography study, it is all based on functional connectivity analysis rather than activity increases during passive task states. Here, we tested whether a consistent DMN exists in monkeys using its defining property. We performed a meta-analysis of functional magnetic resonance imaging data collected in 10 awake monkeys to reveal areas in which activity consistently decreases when task demands shift from passive tasks to externally oriented processing. We observed task-related spatially specific deactivations across 15 experiments, implying in the monkey a functional equivalent of the human DMN. We revealed by resting-state connectivity that prefrontal and medial parietal regions, including areas 9/46d and 31, respectively, constitute the DMN core, being functionally connected to all other DMN areas. We also detected two distinct subsystems composed of DMN areas with stronger functional connections between each other. These clusters included areas 24/32, 8b, and TPOC and areas 23, v23, and PGm, respectively. Such a pattern of functional connectivity largely fits, but is not completely consistent with anatomical tract tracing data in monkeys. Also, analysis of afferent and efferent connections between DMN areas suggests a multisynaptic network structure. Like humans, monkeys increase activity during passive epochs in heteromodal and limbic association regions, suggesting that they also default to internal modes of processing when not actively interacting with the environment. PMID:21900574

  15. On the definition and interpretation of voice selective activation in the temporal cortex

    PubMed Central

    Bethmann, Anja; Brechmann, André

    2014-01-01

    Regions along the superior temporal sulci and in the anterior temporal lobes have been found to be involved in voice processing. It has even been argued that parts of the temporal cortices serve as voice-selective areas. Yet, evidence for voice-selective activation in the strict sense is still missing. The current fMRI study aimed at assessing the degree of voice-specific processing in different parts of the superior and middle temporal cortices. To this end, voices of famous persons were contrasted with widely different categories, which were sounds of animals and musical instruments. The argumentation was that only brain regions with statistically proven absence of activation by the control stimuli may be considered as candidates for voice-selective areas. Neural activity was found to be stronger in response to human voices in all analyzed parts of the temporal lobes except for the middle and posterior STG. More importantly, the activation differences between voices and the other environmental sounds increased continuously from the mid-posterior STG to the anterior MTG. Here, only voices but not the control stimuli excited an increase of the BOLD response above a resting baseline level. The findings are discussed with reference to the function of the anterior temporal lobes in person recognition and the general question on how to define selectivity of brain regions for a specific class of stimuli or tasks. In addition, our results corroborate recent assumptions about the hierarchical organization of auditory processing building on a processing stream from the primary auditory cortices to anterior portions of the temporal lobes. PMID:25071527

  16. The Interaction of Language-Specific and Universal Factors During the Acquisition of Morphophonemic Alternations With Exceptions.

    PubMed

    Baer-Henney, Dinah; Kügler, Frank; van de Vijver, Ruben

    2015-09-01

    Using the artificial language paradigm, we studied the acquisition of morphophonemic alternations with exceptions by 160 German adult learners. We tested the acquisition of two types of alternations in two regularity conditions while additionally varying length of training. In the first alternation, a vowel harmony, backness of the stem vowel determines backness of the suffix. This process is grounded in substance (phonetic motivation), and this universal phonetic factor bolsters learning a generalization. In the second alternation, tenseness of the stem vowel determines backness of the suffix vowel. This process is not based in substance, but it reflects a phonotactic property of German and our participants benefit from this language-specific factor. We found that learners use both cues, while substantive bias surfaces mainly in the most unstable situation. We show that language-specific and universal factors interact in learning. Copyright © 2014 Cognitive Science Society, Inc.

  17. The RNA-binding protein tristetraprolin schedules apoptosis of pathogen-engaged neutrophils during bacterial infection

    PubMed Central

    Ebner, Florian; Ivin, Masa; Kratochvill, Franz; Gratz, Nina; Villunger, Andreas; Sixt, Michael

    2017-01-01

    Protective responses against pathogens require a rapid mobilization of resting neutrophils and the timely removal of activated ones. Neutrophils are exceptionally short-lived leukocytes, yet it remains unclear whether the lifespan of pathogen-engaged neutrophils is regulated differently from that in the circulating steady-state pool. Here, we have found that under homeostatic conditions, the mRNA-destabilizing protein tristetraprolin (TTP) regulates apoptosis and the numbers of activated infiltrating murine neutrophils but not neutrophil cellularity. Activated TTP-deficient neutrophils exhibited decreased apoptosis and enhanced accumulation at the infection site. In the context of myeloid-specific deletion of Ttp, the potentiation of neutrophil deployment protected mice against lethal soft tissue infection with Streptococcus pyogenes and prevented bacterial dissemination. Neutrophil transcriptome analysis revealed that decreased apoptosis of TTP-deficient neutrophils was specifically associated with elevated expression of myeloid cell leukemia 1 (Mcl1) but not other antiapoptotic B cell leukemia/lymphoma 2 (Bcl2) family members. Higher Mcl1 expression resulted from stabilization of Mcl1 mRNA in the absence of TTP. The low apoptosis rate of infiltrating TTP-deficient neutrophils was comparable to that of transgenic Mcl1-overexpressing neutrophils. Our study demonstrates that posttranscriptional gene regulation by TTP schedules the termination of the antimicrobial engagement of neutrophils. The balancing role of TTP comes at the cost of an increased risk of bacterial infections. PMID:28504646

  18. Laser light and magnetic field stimulation effect on biochemical, enzymes activities and chlorophyll contents in soybean seeds and seedlings during early growth stages.

    PubMed

    Asghar, Tehseen; Jamil, Yasir; Iqbal, Munawar; Zia-Ul-Haq; Abbas, Mazhar

    2016-12-01

    Laser and magnetic field bio-stimulation attracted the keen interest of scientific community in view of their potential to enhance seed germination, seedling growth, physiological, biochemical and yield attributes of plants, cereal crops and vegetables. Present study was conducted to appraise the laser and magnetic field pre-sowing seed treatment effects on soybean sugar, protein, nitrogen, hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) ascorbic acid (AsA), proline, phenolic and malondialdehyde (MDA) along with chlorophyll contents (Chl "a" "b" and total chlorophyll contents). Specific activities of enzymes such as protease (PRT), amylase (AMY), catalyst (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxides (POD) were also assayed. The specific activity of enzymes (during germination and early growth), biochemical and chlorophyll contents were enhanced significantly under the effect of both laser and magnetic pre-sowing treatments. Magnetic field treatment effect was slightly higher than laser treatment except PRT, AMY and ascorbic acid contents. However, both treatments (laser and magnetic field) effects were significantly higher versus control (un-treated seeds). Results revealed that laser and magnetic field pre-sowing seed treatments have potential to enhance soybean biological moieties, chlorophyll contents and metabolically important enzymes (degrade stored food and scavenge reactive oxygen species). Future study should be focused on growth characteristics at later stages and yield attributes. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  19. Evaluation of Cobas Integra 800 under simulated routine conditions in six laboratories.

    PubMed

    Redondo, Francisco L; Bermudez, Pilar; Cocco, Claudio; Colella, Francesca; Graziani, Maria Stella; Fiehn, Walter; Hierla, Thomas; Lemoël, Gisèle; Belliard, AnneMarie; Manene, Dieudonne; Meziani, Mourad; Liebel, Maryann; McQueen, Matthew J; Stockmann, Wolfgang

    2003-03-01

    The new selective access analyser Cobas Integra 800 from Roche Diagnostics was evaluated in an international multicentre study at six sites. Routine simulation experiments showed good performance and full functionality of the instrument and provocation of anomalous situations generated no problems. The new features on Cobas Integra 800, namely clot detection and dispensing control, worked according to specifications. The imprecision of Cobas Integra 800 fulfilled the proposed quality specifications regarding imprecision of analytical systems for clinical chemistry with few exceptions. Claims for linearity, drift, and carry-over were all within the defined specifications, except urea linearity. Interference exists in some cases, as could be expected due to the chemistries applied. Accuracy met the proposed quality specifications, except in some special cases. Method comparisons with Cobas Integra 700 showed good agreement; comparisons with other analysis systems yielded in several cases explicable deviations. Practicability of Cobas Integra 800 met or exceeded the requirements for more than 95% of all attributes rated. The strong points of the new analysis system were reagent handling, long stability of calibration curves, high number of tests on board, compatibility of the sample carrier to other Roche systems, and the sample integrity check for more reliable analytical results. The improvement of the workflow offered by the 5-position rack and STAT handling like on Cobas Integra 800 makes the instrument attractive for further consolidation in the medium-sized laboratory, for dedicated use of special analytes, and/or as back-up in the large routine laboratory.

  20. Stage and season effects on cell cycle and apoptotic activities of germ cells and Sertoli cells during spermatogenesis in the spiny dogfish (Squalus acanthias).

    PubMed

    McClusky, L M

    2005-01-01

    To understand the processes involved in the spatial and temporal maturation of testicular cells in Squalus acanthias, we used standard morphometry, proliferating-cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end-labelling (TUNEL) immunohistochemistry. Except for immature spermatocysts (germinal zone, GZ; early-stage pre-meiotic, E-PrM), the number of cysts in all subsequent stages and the total number of cysts in the spermatogenic progression varied seasonally. The spermatogenic cycle spans about 2 years and is interrupted by germcell clone deletion via apoptosis at the mitosis-meiosis transition in April/May, manifesting as a zone of degeneration (ZD). Rate of displacement of the ZD across the testis diameter indicates that late-stage premeiotic (L-PrM) generations 12-13 require 9-10 months to reach the mature-spermatid stage. Also, the number of cysts completing spermatogenesis is approximately 4-5-fold less than the number that entered spermatogenesis proper 2 years earlier. Pronounced gonocytogenesis in the germinal ridge was coincident with ZD formation in April/May, but it was absent in the fall when mature spermatogonial and meiotic activities had resumed. Whereas strong Sertoli cell PCNA immunoreactivity dominated the GZ cyst cell-cycle activities throughout the year, except during the spring/summer months, the spermatogonial- and Sertoli-cell PCNA indices in E-PrM cysts were inversely related. PCNA immunoreactivity in spermatocytes was seasonal and dependent on the stage of meiosis. TUNEL labelling was limited to spermatogonia and increased stage-dependently in the PrM region (L-PrM = mid-stage PrM >E-PrM >GZ), correlating with ZD formation, in a season-dependent manner. Results imply that effects of normal regulatory factors in Squalus are stage- and process-specific.

  1. Hanford Site near-facility environmental monitoring annual report, calendar year 1997

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Perkins, C.J.

    1998-07-28

    Near-facility environmental monitoring provides a means to measure the impacts of operations, waste management, and remediation activities on the environment adjacent to facilities and ensure compliance with local, state, and federal environmental regulations. Specifically, near-facility environmental monitoring monitors new and existing sites, processes, and facilities for potential impacts and releases; fugitive emissions and diffuse sources associated with contaminated areas, facilities (both active and those undergoing surveillance and maintenance), and environmental restoration activities. External radiation, ambient air particulates, ground and surface water, soil, sediment, and biota (plants and animals) are sampled or monitored. Parameters include, as appropriate, radionuclides; radiation fields; chemicalmore » or physical constituents, such as nitrates; pH; and water temperature. All ambient air results were below the US Department of Energy (DOE) Derived Concentration Guides (DCGs). Groundwater concentrations at the two wells at the 107-N Facility were below both the DOE DCG and US Environmental Protection Agency Interim Drinking Water Standards for gamma emitting radionuclides. Soil and vegetation results were generally within historic ranges and mostly below the Accessible Soil Concentration limits (included in HNF-PRO-454, Inactive Waste Sites) with the exception of one soil sampling location at 1 00 N Area. External radiation fields continued an overall downward trend. Surface water disposal unit samples (water, sediment, and aquatic vegetation) showed radionuclide concentrations below their respective DCG and Accessible Soil Concentration limits. The 100 N Area Columbia river shoreline springs results were below DCGs with the exception of one Sr concentration. More than 4,600 ha (11,300 acres) of radiologically controlled areas were surveyed in 1997, approximately the same as in 1996.« less

  2. Lactobacillus acidophilus CL1285, Lactobacillus casei LBC80R and Lactobacillus rhamnosus CLR2 improve quality-of-life and IBS symptoms: a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled study.

    PubMed

    Preston, K; Krumian, R; Hattner, J; de Montigny, D; Stewart, M; Gaddam, S

    2018-06-11

    A combination of Lactobacillus acidophilus CL1285, Lactobacillus casei LBC80R and Lactobacillus rhamnosus CLR2 was compared to placebo for relief of symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). A total of 113 subjects at 3 clinical sites were randomised in a 2:1 ratio and followed for 12 weeks. Subjects ingested either 2 capsules of active study product, containing 50×10 9 cfu of live organisms, or 2 placebo capsules daily. Endpoints included improvement in abdominal pain, days of pain, distention, stool consistency and frequency, quality of life (QOL), and adequate relief (AR) of IBS symptoms. IBS subtypes constipation (IBS-C), diarrhoea (IBS-D), and mixed (IBS-M) were evaluated separately; the effect of gender was also examined. For all efficacy endpoints improvement of 30% or more vs placebo was considered clinically significant. With the exception of pain intensity and AR, the endpoints demonstrated a therapeutic advantage of active over placebo for IBS symptoms in at least some subject subgroups. The IBS-D and female subgroups showed the largest and most consistent effects. Stool frequency and consistency were evaluated in the IBS-C and IBS-D subgroups, and improvement of active vs placebo was noted in both. QOL improvement was seen overall and in specific domains. Adverse events (AEs) were limited to 7 subjects; all were of mild or moderate intensity except one, severe cramping. Four AEs in the same subject in the placebo group were judged to be related to study product; these resolved by the end of study. There were no serious AEs.

  3. 40 CFR 50.14 - Treatment of air quality monitoring data influenced by exceptional events.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... EPA's satisfaction that emissions from fireworks displays caused a specific air pollution... to EPA's satisfaction that such event caused a specific air pollution concentration at a particular... pollution concentration in excess of one or more national ambient air quality standards at a particular air...

  4. 45 CFR 670.17 - Specific issuance criteria.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... CONSERVATION OF ANTARCTIC ANIMALS AND PLANTS Native Mammals, Birds, Plants, and Invertebrates § 670.17 Specific issuance criteria. With the exception of specially protected species of mammals, birds, and plants..., birds, or plants are taken than are necessary to meet the purposes set forth in paragraph (a) of this...

  5. 40 CFR 799.12 - Test results.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ... 40 Protection of Environment 32 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false Test results. 799.12 Section 799.12...) IDENTIFICATION OF SPECIFIC CHEMICAL SUBSTANCE AND MIXTURE TESTING REQUIREMENTS General Provisions § 799.12 Test results. Except as set forth in specific chemical test rules in subpart B of this part, a positive or...

  6. 40 CFR 799.12 - Test results.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... 40 Protection of Environment 32 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Test results. 799.12 Section 799.12...) IDENTIFICATION OF SPECIFIC CHEMICAL SUBSTANCE AND MIXTURE TESTING REQUIREMENTS General Provisions § 799.12 Test results. Except as set forth in specific chemical test rules in subpart B of this part, a positive or...

  7. 49 CFR 179.220-18 - Bottom outlets.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-10-01

    ... ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (CONTINUED) SPECIFICATIONS FOR TANK CARS Specifications for Non... their attachments shall be secured to car by at at least 3/8-inch chain, or its equivalent, except that... jacketed, in which case the breakage groove or its equivalent must be below the steam chamber but above the...

  8. Plant growth-promoting activities of Streptomyces spp. in sorghum and rice.

    PubMed

    Gopalakrishnan, Subramaniam; Srinivas, Vadlamudi; Sree Vidya, Meesala; Rathore, Abhishek

    2013-01-01

    Five strains of Streptomyces (CAI-24, CAI-121, CAI-127, KAI-32 and KAI-90) were earlier reported by us as biological control agents against Fusarium wilt of chickpea caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceri (FOC). In the present study, the Streptomyces were characterized for enzymatic activities, physiological traits and further evaluated in greenhouse and field for their plant growth promotion (PGP) of sorghum and rice. All the Streptomyces produced lipase, β-1-3-glucanase and chitinase (except CAI-121 and CAI-127), grew in NaCl concentrations of up to 6%, at pH values between 5 and 13 and temperatures between 20 and 40°C and were highly sensitive to Thiram, Benlate, Captan, Benomyl and Radonil at field application level. When the Streptomyces were evaluated in the greenhouse on sorghum all the isolates significantly enhanced all the agronomic traits over the control. In the field, on rice, the Streptomyces significantly enhanced stover yield (up to 25%; except CAI-24), grain yield (up to 10%), total dry matter (up to 18%; except CAI-24) and root length, volume and dry weight (up to 15%, 36% and 55%, respectively, except CAI-24) over the control. In the rhizosphere soil, the Streptomyces significantly enhanced microbial biomass carbon (except CAI-24), nitrogen, dehydrogenase (except CAI-24), total N, available P and organic carbon (up to 41%, 52%, 75%, 122%, 53% and 13%, respectively) over the control. This study demonstrates that the selected Streptomyces which were antagonistic to FOC also have PGP properties.

  9. The utilization of the acyl-CoA and the involvement PDAT and DGAT in the biosynthesis of erucic acid-rich triacylglycerols in Crambe seed oil.

    PubMed

    Furmanek, Tomasz; Demski, Kamil; Banaś, Walentyna; Haslam, Richard; Napier, Jonathan; Stymne, Sten; Banaś, Antoni

    2014-04-01

    The triacylglycerol of Crambe abyssinica seeds consist of 95% very long chain (>18 carbon) fatty acids (86% erucic acid; 22:1∆13) in the sn-1 and sn-3 positions. This would suggest that C. abyssinica triacylglycerols are not formed by the action of the phospholipid:diacylglycerol acyltransferase (PDAT), but are rather the results of acyl-CoA:diacylglycerol acyltransferase (DGAT) activity. However, measurements of PDAT and DGAT activities in microsomal membranes showed that C. abyssinica has significant PDAT activity, corresponding to about 10% of the DGAT activity during periods of rapid seed oil accumulation. The specific activity of DGAT for erucoyl-CoA had doubled at 19 days after flowering compared to earlier developmental stages, and was, at that stage, the preferred acyl donor, whereas the activities for 16:0-CoA and 18:1-CoA remained constant. This indicates that an expression of an isoform of DGAT with high specificity for erucoyl-CoA is induced at the onset of rapid erucic acid and oil accumulation in the C. abyssinica seeds. Analysis of the composition of the acyl-CoA pool during different stages of seed development showed that the percentage of erucoyl groups in acyl-CoA was much higher than in complex lipids at all stages of seed development except in the desiccation phase. These results are in accordance with published results showing that the rate limiting step in erucic acid accumulation in C. abyssinica oil is the utilization of erucoyl-CoA by the acyltransferases in the glycerol-3-phosphate pathway.

  10. Defective activity of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes in children with chronic active EBV infection and in their parents.

    PubMed

    Fujieda, M; Wakiguchi, H; Hisakawa, H; Kubota, H; Kurashige, T

    1993-10-01

    Antibodies of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), EBV-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (EBVCTL) activity and the lymphocyte subset of CTL were examined in 13 Japanese children with chronic active EBV infection (CAEBV) and their parents (eight fathers and 10 mothers). Anti-virus-capsid antigen (VCA)-IgG antibody titers ranged from 1:640 to 1:5120 in the patients with CAEBV and from 1:40 to 1:640 in the parents. While anti-VCA-IgM antibody was detected in three patients, anti-VCA-IgA antibody in five and anti-early-antigen (EA)-IgG antibody in 11, no antibody was detected in the parents except anti-EA antibody, which was positive in the mothers of cases 5 and 13 (1:10 and 1:40). Anti-EBV-associated nuclear antigen (EBNA) antibody was < or = 1:10 in six out of 13 patients with CAEBV and in 10 out of 18 parents tested. Epstein-Barr virus activity was significantly lower (P < 0.005) both in the children with CAEBV and in their parents than in seropositive age-matched controls. Proportions of a CTL subset (CD8+ CD11- lymphocytes) in the patients with CAEBV were significantly higher (P < 0.005) than in controls, while those in the parents were at the same level as in controls. Defective EBVCTL activity and anti-EBNA-antibody responses were frequently observed both in children with CAEBV and in their parents, which may suggest that the abnormal immune response to EBV may be based on a familial disorder, though no familial involvement has been reported in Japanese children with CAEBV.

  11. Immunofluorescence detection of nitrogenase proteins in whole cells.

    PubMed

    Rennie, R J

    1976-12-01

    Fluorescent antibodies (FA) prepared against the Mo-Fe and Fe proteins of nitrogenase from Klebsiella pneumoniae M5aI were used to detect these protein components in toluene-treated whole cells that were actively reducing acetylene. The FA were highly specific, staining only nitrogenase component proteins originating from Klebsiella. Cross-reactions between the FA and purified nitrogenase proteins from other dinitrogen-fixing micro-organisms did not occur, except in the case of Bacillus polymyxa. The tests rapidly and accurately assayed the component proteins in Klebsiella mutants and derivatives to which Klebsiella nif genes had been transferred either by plasmid or by other means. Cross-reactions also indicated the degree of relatedness between nitrogenase proteins from dinitrogen-fixing micro-organisms of various origins.

  12. Selection of cholera toxin specific IgNAR single-domain antibodies from a naïve shark library.

    PubMed

    Liu, Jinny L; Anderson, George P; Delehanty, James B; Baumann, Richard; Hayhurst, Andrew; Goldman, Ellen R

    2007-03-01

    Shark immunoglobulin new antigen receptor (IgNAR, also referred to as NAR) variable domains (Vs) are single-domain antibody (sdAb) fragments containing only two hypervariable loop structures forming 3D topologies for a wide range of antigen recognition and binding. Their small size ( approximately 12kDa) and high solubility, thermostability and binding specificity make IgNARs an exceptional alternative source of engineered antibodies for sensor applications. Here, two new shark NAR V display libraries containing >10(7) unique clones from non-immunized (naïve) adult spiny dogfish (Squalus acanthias) and smooth dogfish (Mustelus canis) sharks were constructed. The most conserved consensus sequences derived from random clone sequence were compared with published nurse shark (Ginglymostoma cirratum) sequences. Cholera toxin (CT) was chosen for panning one of the naïve display libraries due to its severe pathogenicity and commercial availability. Three very similar CT binders were selected and purified soluble monomeric anti-CT sdAbs were characterized using Luminex(100) and traditional ELISA assays. These novel anti-CT sdAbs selected from our newly constructed shark NAR V sdAb library specifically bound to soluble antigen, without cross reacting with other irrelevant antigens. They also showed superior heat stability, exhibiting slow loss of activity over the course of one hour at high temperature (95 degrees C), while conventional antibodies lost all activity in the first 5-10min. The successful isolation of target specific sdAbs from one of our non-biased NAR libraries, demonstrate their ability to provide binders against an unacquainted antigen of interest.

  13. Biopolymer-nanocarbon composite electrodes for use as high-energy high-power density electrodes

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Karakaya, Mehmet; Roberts, Mark; Arcilla-Velez, Margarita; Zhu, Jingyi; Podila, Ramakrishna; Rao, Apparao

    2014-03-01

    Supercapacitors (SCs) address our current energy storage and delivery needs by combining the high power, rapid switching, and exceptional cycle life of a capacitor with the high energy density of a battery. Although activated carbon is extensively used as a supercapacitor electrode due to its inexpensive nature, its low specific capacitance (100-120 F/g) fundamentally limits the energy density of SCs. We demonstrate that a nano-carbon based mechanically robust, electrically conducting, free-standing buckypaper electrode modified with an inexpensive biorenewable polymer, viz., lignin increases the electrode's specific capacitance (~ 600-700 F/g) while maintaining rapid discharge rates. In these systems, the carbon nanomaterials provide the high surface area, electrical conductivity and porosity, while the redox polymers provide a mechanism for charge storage through Faradaic charge transfer. The design of redox polymers and their incorporation into nanomaterial electrodes will be discussed with a focus on enabling high power and high energy density electrodes. Research supported by US NSF CMMI Grant 1246800.

  14. K-Ras protein as a drug target.

    PubMed

    McCormick, Frank

    2016-03-01

    K-Ras proteins are major drivers of human cancers, playing a direct causal role in about one million cancer cases/year. In cancers driven by mutant K-Ras, the protein is locked in the active, GTP-bound state constitutively, through a defect in the off-switch mechanism. As such, the mutant protein resembles the normal K-Ras protein from a structural perspective, making therapeutic attack extremely challenging. K-Ras is a member of a large family of related proteins, which share very similar GDP/GTP-binding domains, making specific therapies more difficult. Furthermore, Ras proteins lack pockets to which small molecules can bind with high affinity, with a few interesting exceptions. However, new insights into the structure and function of K-Ras proteins reveal opportunities for intervention that were not appreciated many years ago, when efforts were launched to develop K-Ras therapies. Furthermore, K-Ras undergoes post-translational modification and interactions with cellular signaling proteins that present additional therapeutic opportunities, such as specific binding to calmodulin and regulation of non-canonical Wnt signaling.

  15. Crystal Structure of a Legionella pneumophila Ecto -Triphosphate Diphosphohydrolase, A Structural and Functional Homolog of the Eukaryotic NTPDases

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Vivian, Julian P.; Riedmaier, Patrice; Ge, Honghua

    2010-04-19

    Many pathogenic bacteria have sophisticated mechanisms to interfere with the mammalian immune response. These include the disruption of host extracellular ATP levels that, in humans, is tightly regulated by the nucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolase family (NTPDases). NTPDases are found almost exclusively in eukaryotes, the notable exception being their presence in some pathogenic prokaryotes. To address the function of bacterial NTPDases, we describe the structures of an NTPDase from the pathogen Legionella pneumophila (Lpg1905/Lp1NTPDase) in its apo state and in complex with the ATP analog AMPPNP and the subtype-specific NTPDase inhibitor ARL 67156. Lp1NTPDase is structurally and catalytically related to eukaryotic NTPDasesmore » and the structure provides a basis for NTPDase-specific inhibition. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the activity of Lp1NTPDase correlates directly with intracellular replication of Legionella within macrophages. Collectively, these findings provide insight into the mechanism of this enzyme and highlight its role in host-pathogen interactions.« less

  16. In vitro stimulation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from HIV- and HIV+ chancroid patients by Haemophilus ducreyi antigens.

    PubMed Central

    Van Laer, L; Vingerhoets, J; Vanham, G; Kestens, L; Bwayo, J; Otido, J; Piot, P; Roggen, E

    1995-01-01

    The cellular immune responses to fractionated Haemophilus ducreyi antigens, coated on latex beads, were assessed in patients with chancroid and in controls, using an in vitro lymphocyte proliferation assay. Several fractions of H. ducreyi antigen revealed stimulating activity. However, only the molecular size ranges 91-78 kD, 59-29 kD, and 25-21 kD induced proliferation that may be specifically related to H. ducreyi infection. Lymphocytes from four HIV- patients, successfully treated for chancroid, were not stimulated by H. ducreyi antigen. In general, lymphocytes from HIV+ chancroid patients were less responsive to H. ducreyi antigen compared with those from HIV- chancroid patients. However, two HIV-infected patients showed exceptionally strong responses to high molecular weight fractions. To our knowledge this is the first report demonstrating that H. ducreyi contains specific T cell-stimulating antigens. Based on this work, further identification and purification of the T cell antigens is feasible. PMID:7586673

  17. In vitro stimulation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from HIV- and HIV+ chancroid patients by Haemophilus ducreyi antigens.

    PubMed

    Van Laer, L; Vingerhoets, J; Vanham, G; Kestens, L; Bwayo, J; Otido, J; Piot, P; Roggen, E

    1995-11-01

    The cellular immune responses to fractionated Haemophilus ducreyi antigens, coated on latex beads, were assessed in patients with chancroid and in controls, using an in vitro lymphocyte proliferation assay. Several fractions of H. ducreyi antigen revealed stimulating activity. However, only the molecular size ranges 91-78 kD, 59-29 kD, and 25-21 kD induced proliferation that may be specifically related to H. ducreyi infection. Lymphocytes from four HIV- patients, successfully treated for chancroid, were not stimulated by H. ducreyi antigen. In general, lymphocytes from HIV+ chancroid patients were less responsive to H. ducreyi antigen compared with those from HIV- chancroid patients. However, two HIV-infected patients showed exceptionally strong responses to high molecular weight fractions. To our knowledge this is the first report demonstrating that H. ducreyi contains specific T cell-stimulating antigens. Based on this work, further identification and purification of the T cell antigens is feasible.

  18. Morphology and the Strength of Intermolecular Contact in Protein Crystals

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Matsuura, Yoshiki; Chernov, Alexander A.

    2002-01-01

    The strengths of intermolecular contacts (macrobonds) in four lysozyme crystals were estimated based on the strengths of individual intermolecular interatomic interaction pairs. The periodic bond chain of these macrobonds accounts for the morphology of protein crystals as shown previously. Further in this paper, the surface area of contact, polar coordinate representation of contact site, Coulombic contribution on the macrobond strength, and the surface energy of the crystal have been evaluated. Comparing location of intermolecular contacts in different polymorphic crystal modifications, we show that these contacts can form a wide variety of patches on the molecular surface. The patches are located practically everywhere on this surface except for the concave active site. The contacts frequently include water molecules, with specific intermolecular hydrogen-bonds on the background of non-specific attractive interactions. The strengths of macrobonds are also compared to those of other protein complex systems. Making use of the contact strengths and taking into account bond hydration we also estimated crystal-water interfacial energies for different crystal faces.

  19. A Selected Guide to Government Agencies Concerned with Exceptional Children.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Glassman, Lynne, Comp.; Erickson, Donald, Comp.

    The compilation of information on government agencies concerned with exceptional children is based on data available as of April 1971. Intended as a resource guide for persons involved in activities for the handicapped, the directory provides basic information on a broad spectrum of government programs: the Special Education Instructional Material…

  20. 32 CFR 935.152 - Activities for which permit is required.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ..., offered, or sold for human consumption (except for personal or family use). (b) The practice of any... any human or animal remains, except that fish and bait scrap may be buried at beaches where fishing is..., storing, generating, or disposing of hazardous materials. (g) Importing of solid wastes and importing...

  1. 32 CFR 935.152 - Activities for which permit is required.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ..., offered, or sold for human consumption (except for personal or family use). (b) The practice of any... any human or animal remains, except that fish and bait scrap may be buried at beaches where fishing is..., storing, generating, or disposing of hazardous materials. (g) Importing of solid wastes and importing...

  2. PEEEC [Project for Early Education of Exceptional Children] Outreach: Annual Report 1980-1981.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Millican, Jerri; Kibler, Robert G.

    The document consists of the final report of the PEEEC (Project for Early Education of Exceptional Children) Outreach program, a program to stimulate high quality programs for preschool handicapped children and families in Kentucky. Following a definition of terms are sections outlining goals, objectives, and activities of three program…

  3. 75 FR 7278 - Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Exception From...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-02-18

    ... the general requirements for informed consent to permit the use of investigational in vitro diagnostic... general requirements for informed consent, to permit the use of investigational in vitro diagnostic... exception to the general rule that informed consent is required for the use of an investigational in vitro...

  4. 77 FR 47439 - Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request; Notice of...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2012-08-08

    ... for OMB Review; Comment Request; Notice of Research Exception Under the Genetic Information... Research Exception under the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008,'' to the Office [email protected] . Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3507(a)(1)(D). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title I of the Genetic...

  5. 34 CFR 110.13 - Exceptions to the rules against age discrimination: Reasonable factors other than age.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ... 34 Education 1 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false Exceptions to the rules against age discrimination: Reasonable factors other than age. 110.13 Section 110.13 Education Regulations of the Offices of the... AGE IN PROGRAMS OR ACTIVITIES RECEIVING FEDERAL FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE Standards for Determining Age...

  6. 10 CFR 1040.87 - Exceptions to the rules against age discrimination. Reasonable factors other than age.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... 10 Energy 4 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Exceptions to the rules against age discrimination. Reasonable factors other than age. 1040.87 Section 1040.87 Energy DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY (GENERAL PROVISIONS) NONDISCRIMINATION IN FEDERALLY ASSISTED PROGRAMS OR ACTIVITIES Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Age-Age...

  7. 34 CFR 110.13 - Exceptions to the rules against age discrimination: Reasonable factors other than age.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... 34 Education 1 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Exceptions to the rules against age discrimination: Reasonable factors other than age. 110.13 Section 110.13 Education Regulations of the Offices of the... AGE IN PROGRAMS OR ACTIVITIES RECEIVING FEDERAL FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE Standards for Determining Age...

  8. A Study Exploring Exceptional Education Pre-Service Teachers' Mathematics Anxiety

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Gresham, Gina

    2010-01-01

    Fifty-two exceptional education pre-service teachers getting a K-6 endorsement were involved in this study that investigated the changes in levels of mathematics anxiety before and after a mathematics methods course for education majors. The changes were measured with respect to the use of manipulatives and other activities to make mathematics…

  9. 76 FR 23819 - Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission for Office of Management and Budget Review...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2011-04-28

    ... Request; Exceptions or Alternatives to Labeling Requirements for Products Held by the Strategic National... ``Exceptions or Alternatives to Labeling Requirements for Products Held by the Strategic National Stockpile... written comments on the collection of information by May 31, 2011. ADDRESSES: To ensure that comments on...

  10. Exploring Portfolios in the Elementary Classroom with Students with Disabilities/Exceptionalities: Timely or Time-Consuming?

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Thompson, S. Anthony; Baumgartner, Lynsey

    2008-01-01

    In the inclusive/special education literature, practitioners often claim that using portfolios is excessively time-intensive, while other researchers lay claim to positive possibilities for students with disabilities/exceptionalities, such as increased self-esteem, internal locus of control, choice-making, and active participation in learning. To…

  11. Facile synthesis of pristine graphene-palladium nanocomposites with extraordinary catalytic activities using swollen liquid crystals

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Vats, T.; Dutt, S.; Kumar, R.; Siril, P. F.

    2016-09-01

    Amazing conductivity, perfect honeycomb sp2 arrangement and the high theoretical surface area make pristine graphene as one of the best materials suited for application as catalyst supports. Unfortunately, the low reactivity of the material makes the formation of nanocomposite with inorganic materials difficult. Here we report an easy approach to synthesize nanocomposites of pristine graphene with palladium (Pd-G) using swollen liquid crystals (SLCs) as a soft template. The SLC template gives the control to deposit very small Pd particles of uniform size on G as well as RGO. The synthesized nanocomposite (Pd-G) exhibited exceptionally better catalytic activity compared with Pd-RGO nanocomposite in the hydrogenation of nitrophenols and microwave assisted C-C coupling reactions. The catalytic activity of Pd-G nanocomposite during nitrophenol reduction reaction was sixteen times higher than Pd nanoparticles and more than double than Pd-RGO nanocomposite. The exceptionally high activity of pristine graphene supported catalysts in the organic reactions is explained on the basis of its better pi interacting property compared to partially reduced RGO. The Pd-G nanocomposite showed exceptional stability under the reaction conditions as it could be recycled upto a minimum of 15 cycles for the C-C coupling reactions without any loss in activity.

  12. Anti-bacterial activity of intermittent preventive treatment of malaria in pregnancy: comparative in vitro study of sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine, mefloquine, and azithromycin

    PubMed Central

    2010-01-01

    Background Intermittent preventive treatment of malaria with sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) is recommended for the prevention of malaria in pregnancy in sub-Saharan Africa. Increasing drug resistance necessitates the urgent evaluation of alternative drugs. Currently, the most promising candidates in clinical development are mefloquine and azithromycin. Besides the anti-malarial activity, SP is also a potent antibiotic and incurs significant anti-microbial activity when given as IPTp - though systematic clinical evaluation of this action is still lacking. Methods In this study, the intrinsic anti-bacterial activity of mefloquine and azithromycin was assessed in comparison to sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine against bacterial pathogens with clinical importance in pregnancy in a standard microdilution assay. Results SP was highly active against Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pneumoniae. All tested Gram-positive bacteria, except Enterococcus faecalis, were sensitive to azithromycin. Additionally, azithromycin was active against Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Mefloquine showed good activity against pneumococci but lower in vitro action against all other tested pathogens. Conclusion These data indicate important differences in the spectrum of anti-bacterial activity for the evaluated anti-malarial drugs. Given the large scale use of IPTp in Africa, the need for prospective clinical trials evaluating the impact of antibiotic activity of anti-malarials on maternal and foetal health and on the risk of promoting specific drug resistance of bacterial pathogens is discussed. PMID:21029476

  13. Impact of study design on development and evaluation of an activity-type classifier.

    PubMed

    van Hees, Vincent T; Golubic, Rajna; Ekelund, Ulf; Brage, Søren

    2013-04-01

    Methods to classify activity types are often evaluated with an experimental protocol involving prescribed physical activities under confined (laboratory) conditions, which may not reflect real-life conditions. The present study aims to evaluate how study design may impact on classifier performance in real life. Twenty-eight healthy participants (21-53 yr) were asked to wear nine triaxial accelerometers while performing 58 activity types selected to simulate activities in real life. For each sensor location, logistic classifiers were trained in subsets of up to 8 activities to distinguish between walking and nonwalking activities and were then evaluated in all 58 activities. Different weighting factors were used to convert the resulting confusion matrices into an estimation of the confusion matrix as would apply in the real-life setting by creating four different real-life scenarios, as well as one traditional laboratory scenario. The sensitivity of a classifier estimated with a traditional laboratory protocol is within the range of estimates derived from real-life scenarios for any body location. The specificity, however, was systematically overestimated by the traditional laboratory scenario. Walking time was systematically overestimated, except for lower back sensor data (range: 7-757%). In conclusion, classifier performance under confined conditions may not accurately reflect classifier performance in real life. Future studies that aim to evaluate activity classification methods are warranted to pay special attention to the representativeness of experimental conditions for real-life conditions.

  14. Whole-Brain Mapping of Neuronal Activity in the Learned Helplessness Model of Depression.

    PubMed

    Kim, Yongsoo; Perova, Zinaida; Mirrione, Martine M; Pradhan, Kith; Henn, Fritz A; Shea, Stephen; Osten, Pavel; Li, Bo

    2016-01-01

    Some individuals are resilient, whereas others succumb to despair in repeated stressful situations. The neurobiological mechanisms underlying such divergent behavioral responses remain unclear. Here, we employed an automated method for mapping neuronal activity in search of signatures of stress responses in the entire mouse brain. We used serial two-photon tomography to detect expression of c-FosGFP - a marker of neuronal activation - in c-fosGFP transgenic mice subjected to the learned helplessness (LH) procedure, a widely used model of stress-induced depression-like phenotype in laboratory animals. We found that mice showing "helpless" behavior had an overall brain-wide reduction in the level of neuronal activation compared with mice showing "resilient" behavior, with the exception of a few brain areas, including the locus coeruleus, that were more activated in the helpless mice. In addition, the helpless mice showed a strong trend of having higher similarity in whole-brain activity profile among individuals, suggesting that helplessness is represented by a more stereotypic brain-wide activation pattern. This latter effect was confirmed in rats subjected to the LH procedure, using 2-deoxy-2[18F]fluoro-D-glucose positron emission tomography to assess neural activity. Our findings reveal distinct brain activity markings that correlate with adaptive and maladaptive behavioral responses to stress, and provide a framework for further studies investigating the contribution of specific brain regions to maladaptive stress responses.

  15. 26 CFR 53.4941(d)-2 - Specific acts of self-dealing.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... 26 Internal Revenue 17 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Specific acts of self-dealing. 53.4941(d)-2...) MISCELLANEOUS EXCISE TAXES (CONTINUED) FOUNDATION AND SIMILAR EXCISE TAXES Taxes on Self-Dealing § 53.4941(d)-2 Specific acts of self-dealing. Except as provided in § 53.4941(d)-3 or § 53.4941(d)-4: (a) Sale or exchange...

  16. 26 CFR 53.4941(d)-2 - Specific acts of self-dealing.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-04-01

    ... 26 Internal Revenue 17 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Specific acts of self-dealing. 53.4941(d)-2...) MISCELLANEOUS EXCISE TAXES (CONTINUED) FOUNDATION AND SIMILAR EXCISE TAXES Taxes on Self-Dealing § 53.4941(d)-2 Specific acts of self-dealing. Except as provided in § 53.4941(d)-3 or § 53.4941(d)-4: (a) Sale or exchange...

  17. 26 CFR 53.4941(d)-2 - Specific acts of self-dealing.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-04-01

    ... 26 Internal Revenue 17 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Specific acts of self-dealing. 53.4941(d)-2...) MISCELLANEOUS EXCISE TAXES (CONTINUED) FOUNDATION AND SIMILAR EXCISE TAXES Taxes on Self-Dealing § 53.4941(d)-2 Specific acts of self-dealing. Except as provided in § 53.4941(d)-3 or § 53.4941(d)-4: (a) Sale or exchange...

  18. 26 CFR 53.4941(d)-2 - Specific acts of self-dealing.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-04-01

    ... 26 Internal Revenue 17 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Specific acts of self-dealing. 53.4941(d)-2...) MISCELLANEOUS EXCISE TAXES (CONTINUED) FOUNDATION AND SIMILAR EXCISE TAXES Taxes on Self-Dealing § 53.4941(d)-2 Specific acts of self-dealing. Except as provided in § 53.4941(d)-3 or § 53.4941(d)-4: (a) Sale or exchange...

  19. 26 CFR 53.4941(d)-2 - Specific acts of self-dealing.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-04-01

    ... 26 Internal Revenue 17 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false Specific acts of self-dealing. 53.4941(d)-2...) MISCELLANEOUS EXCISE TAXES (CONTINUED) FOUNDATION AND SIMILAR EXCISE TAXES Taxes on Self-Dealing § 53.4941(d)-2 Specific acts of self-dealing. Except as provided in § 53.4941(d)-3 or § 53.4941(d)-4: (a) Sale or exchange...

  20. Urease activity in different soils of Egypt.

    PubMed

    el-Shinnawi, M M

    1978-01-01

    Samples from two depths (0--15 and 15--30 cm) of five Egyptian soils: sandy, calcareous, fertile alluvial, saline alluvial, and alkali alluvial were tested for urease activity. Samples were treated with farmyard manure at rates of 0 and 0.5% C, and moisture at levels of 50, 65, and 80% of the water holding capacity. The studied Egyptian soils showed different activities of urease. Decreases in the values were shown by depth of sampling and varied in their intensities according to soil type, except for saline soil which revealed an opposite trend by the higher activity of its sub-surface layer. Order of activity was the following: fertile, saline, alkali, calcareous, and sandy soil. Farmyard manure slightly increased the activity of the enzyme. Incubation of moistened samples revealed that the optimum moisture content was 50% of W.H.C. for the tested soils, except for saline which showed best results at 65% of W.H.C.

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