In Vitro Analysis of the Thyroid Hormone Receptor in Mitochondrial Transcription

The central dogma theory relates how DNA is transcribed into messenger RNA (mRNAs) and then translated into proteins. Since the nucleus contains the majority of the DNA in cells, research related to transcription and translation focuses on these processes within the nucleus and cytosol; however, these processes are also taking place within the mitochondrial organelle. Mitochondria are most widely known for their essential role in producing energy for the cell, but the organelle also contains its own small, circular genome. Transcription of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) follows similar mechanisms as does transcription of nuclear DNA. During this essential process, specific mitochondrial transcription factors, such as TFAM and TFB2M, regulate the attachment of the mitochondrial RNA polymerase (POLRMT) to the promoter and initiation of transcription. With a fully functioning mitochondrial RNA polymerase, transcription is properly conducted, and transcripts can be translated to protein by the mitochondrial ribosome. Mitochondrial transcription is a major regulatory process within the organelle, and determining transcription factors involved in this control point is important for understanding mitochondrial function and many diseases relating to mitochondrial dysfunction. Numerous transcription factors are found both in the nucleus as well as in the mitochondria where their function is not well understood. One such transcription factor is the thyroid hormone receptor. Previous research suggests that when the hormone triiodothyronine (T3) is present and taken up in cells, mitochondrial transcription increases. The mechanism behind the T3 stimulation of transcription is thought to be a coordinated effect by interacting with both the mitochondrial and nuclear thyroid hormone receptor. Our aim is to analyze the level of interaction that the mitochondrial thyroid hormone receptor (mt-TRalpha1) has with the mitochondrial DNA and other core mitochondrial transcription factors in the presence and absence of the T3 hormone. With this information, we further understand another component of mitochondrial transcription that could have implications in mitochondrial dysfunction and disease

Scaling from single-point sap velocity measurements to stand transpiration in a multi-species deciduous forest: uncertainty sources, stand structure effect, and future scenarios impacts

ABSTRACT A major challenge in studies estimating stand water use in mixed-species forests is how to effectively scale data from individual trees to the stand. This is the case for forest ecosystems in the northeastern USA where differences in water use among species and across different size classes have not been extensively studied, despite their relevance for a wide range of ecosystem services. Our objectives were to assess the importance of different sources of variability ontranspiration upscaling and explore the potential impacts of future shifts in species composition on forest water budget. We measured sap velocity in five tree species (Fagus grandiflora, Acer rubrum, A. saccharum, Betula alleghaniensis, B. papyrifera) in a mature and young stand in NH (USA). Our results showed that the greatest potential source of error was radial variability and that tree size was more important than species in determining sap velocity. Total sapwood area was demonstrated to exert a strong controlling influence on transpiration, varying depending on tree size and species. We conclude that the effect of potential species shifts on transpirationwill depend on the sap velocity, determined mainly by radial variation and tree size, but also on the sapwood area distribution in the stand

Scaling from single-point sap velocity measurements to stand transpiration in a multi-species deciduous forest: uncertainty sources, stand structure effect, and future scenarios impacts

ABSTRACT A major challenge in studies estimating stand water use in mixed-species forests is how to effectively scale data from individual trees to the stand. This is the case for forest ecosystems in the northeastern USA where differences in water use among species and across different size classes have not been extensively studied, despite their relevance for a wide range of ecosystem services. Our objectives were to assess the importance of different sources of variability ontranspiration upscaling and explore the potential impacts of future shifts in species composition on forest water budget. We measured sap velocity in five tree species (Fagus grandiflora, Acer rubrum, A. saccharum, Betula alleghaniensis, B. papyrifera) in a mature and young stand in NH (USA). Our results showed that the greatest potential source of error was radial variability and that tree size was more important than species in determining sap velocity. Total sapwood area was demonstrated to exert a strong controlling influence on transpiration, varying depending on tree size and species. We conclude that the effect of potential species shifts on transpirationwill depend on the sap velocity, determined mainly by radial variation and tree size, but also on the sapwood area distribution in the stand

Mean value approximation for closed queueing networks with multi server stations

We fonnulate an approximate recursive relation for the sojourn time, queuelength and throughput of a multi server station, embedded in a closed queueing network. Based on that relation, we derive a mean value approximation and formulate a Schweitzer approximation for solving large networks. Numerical examples show that the approximate mean value algorithm yields accurate results

Conflict in the Somali World & How It Is Resolved Through The Use Of Proverb as an Artistic Discourse Strategy

There are many conflicts in the world and especially in Somalia and there are attempts on how to solve them. From the point of view our modern world, solutions to the conflicts are usually sought or left with the United Nations to put in place a peace keeping force or a modern super power state to build coolation of governments to bring a regime change. The study adopts a complete departure and tests a different approach so as to contribute to whatever existing knowledge we have on how to solve conflicts. The study examines the proverb as an artistic discourse strategy in conflict resolution among the Somalis. It explores ways elders use proverbs to hammer points during peace negotiation meetings. To achieve its objectives, the study adopts a composite approach combing Ethno-poetics and Semiotic theories. The study is about the Somali Proverb. The research is based on Northern Region of Kenya where the ethnic Somalis concentrate, however, materials were also collected from inside Somalia, along the Kenyan-Somali border. Thirty two men and twelve women, who are considered opinion leaders, were interviewed. Forty six proverbs were collected through field research and analysed. The researcher actively participated in peace meetings where live performances of the proverb were recorded. The results of the study reveal that he proverb is used to resolve conflicts. In other words, the study tests the role and significance of the Somali proverb in conflict resolution meetings. The study recommends that there is need for a more thorough socio-literacy methodology applied to analyse the functions style and performance of the proverb which include both verbal and non-verbal. Key words: conflict, proverbs, resolution, function

Is emamectin benzoate effective against the different stages of Spodoptera exigua (Hübner) (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae)?

peer-reviewedThis work was partially supported by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (project AGL 2007-66130-C03-02 to P. Medina). F. Amor and P. Bengochea acknowledge the ministry of Education and Culture and the Technical University of Madrid (UPM) for the doctoral fellowships. Special thanks to Syngenta Agro S.A. for their support.The beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua (Hübner) (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae), is a major polyphagous pest in greenhouses and open fields worldwide and also a main problem in sweet pepper greenhouses. The effectiveness of the pesticide emamectin benzoate was tested in the laboratory on different stages of S. exigua using different concentrations and uptake routes. After dipping young (48-h-old) S. exigua eggs in emamectin benzoate at 0.5, 1 and 1.5 mg/L a.i. the chemical did not exhibit any ovicidal activity. There was, however, progressive neonate mortality at all concentrations, culminating at 72 hours after hatching, when 100% of the larvae from the treated young eggs died. Second and fourth instar S. exigua larvae did not exhibit significant mortality when exposed to the inert surfaces which were treated. In contrast, ingesting a diet contaminated with 0.5 mg/L a.i. of emamectin benzoate caused 100% mortality in L2 and L4 larvae 24 and 72 hours after ingestion, respectively. The LC50 value of the compound against L4 larvae that fed on sprayed sweet pepper leaves for 24 hours was 0.81 mg/L a.i.. When adults were fed on a solution of 0.5 mg/L a.i., there was a reduction in the female and male lifespan of 29.3% and 55.3%, respectively. Fecundity was reduced by more than 99%. These data suggest that emamectin benzoate is not only a useful insecticide when ingested by beet armyworm larvae but it also has ovolarvicidal and adult activity.Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovatio

AI for Hate Speech Detection in Social Media

The main goal of this work focuses on solving the problem of analyzing the data coming from Social Media and exploring the mechanisms for the extraction and representation of knowledge from all the different disciplines outside the world of information Technologies. Soft Computing and Big Data techniques are used to deal with the challenges mentioned. This paper shows a mechanism to detect hate speech in Social Media using Soft Computing and Sentiment Analysis, and it also stablishes the base of a doctoral thesis.Instituto de Investigación en InformáticaInstituto de Investigación en Informátic

Quantification of Phenotypic Change Resulting in Sensitization of Primary Sensory Neurons due to Oxidative Stress

84% of the population will suffer from low back pain at some point in their lives, and 39% of the cases may be related to pain originating from the intervertebral disc (IVD) also known as discogenic pain. Age or injury can cause progressive degeneration of the IVD, and this can allow innervation by nociceptive (pain-sensing) neurons from the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) into the inner IVD.6 Long-term exposure to pain-inducing stimuli can cause nociceptor sensitization, manifested as increased pain sensation in response to non-painful or painful stimuli.7 Sensitization results in the nociceptors responding more strongly to a stimulus, and the activation energy required for response is reduced.8 During IVD degeneration, inflammation and oxidative stress create excess reactive oxygen species (ROS) .9 ROS such as superoxide may play a role in nociceptive signaling and lead to nociceptor sensitization.8 ROS are involved in the chronic pain that results from nerve injury or inflammation in many contexts and may be involved in discogenic pain as well.10 The focus of this study is to determine if long-term oxidative stress causes a change in the DRG nociceptive neuron phenotype related to sensitization. This would increase the expression of pain-related ion channels and lower the neuronal activation threshold. 1. DePalma et al. (2011) 2. Balague et al. (2012) 3. Zhang et al. (2010) 4. Humzah et al. (1988) 5. Ohtori et al. (2015) 6. Yang et al. (2018) 7. Woolf et al. (2010) 8. Chung et al. (2004) 9. Nasto et al. (2013) 10. Yowtak et al. (2011