Control of steroid receptor dynamics and function by genomic actions of the cochaperones p23 and Bag-1L

Molecular chaperones encompass a group of unrelated proteins that facilitate the correct assembly and disassembly of other macromolecular structures of which they themselves do not remain a part. Chaperones associate with a large and diverse set of cofactors termed cochaperones that regulate their function and specificity. Chaperones and cochaperones regulate the activity of several classes of signaling molecules, including steroid receptors. Upon binding ligand, steroid receptors interact with discrete nucleotide sequences within the nucleus to control the expression of diverse physiological and developmental genes. Molecular chaperones and cochaperones are typically known to provide the correct conformation for ligand binding by the steroid receptors. While this contribution is widely accepted, recent studies have reported that they further modulate steroid receptor action outside ligand binding. Specifically, they are thought to contribute to receptor turnover, transport of the receptor to different subcellular localizations, recycling of the receptor on chromatin and stabilization of receptor DNA binding. In addition to these combined effects with molecular chaperones, cochaperones have additional functions that are independent of molecular chaperones, some of which impact steroid receptor action. Two well-studied examples are the cochaperones p23 and Bag-1L, which have been identified as modulators of steroid receptor activity in the nucleus. Understanding details of their regulatory action will provide new therapeutic opportunities for controlling steroid receptor action independent of the widespread effects of molecular chaperones

Effective Print Media Relations Practices of Georgia\u27s Rural High-Performing Principals: Three Case Studies

Previous researchers (Scott, 2005; Mobley, 2007; Oplatka, 2007; Bagin, Gallagher, & Moore, 2008) have illustrated the impact of journalists and newspapers on the public’s perception of a principal’s effectiveness. However, prior studies have focused on higher education, funding, and urban areas. Therefore, the purpose of this qualitative study was to determine the perceived best print media relations practices from the viewpoints of identified high-performing principals, print media professionals, and parents. This qualitative study employed a multi-case study design with purposive sampling. Principals from one elementary school, one middle school, and one high school who had been named to the Georgia high-performance schools list were interviewed for this study, as were focus groups of parents in the schools led by the principals and also journalists assigned to cover the principals’ schools. The audiotaped interviews were transcribed and coded for patterns in responses, from which major themes were developed. Newspaper content analysis of one calendar year’s artifacts was also conducted for each of the newspapers. Findings revealed four major themes: the responsibility of the media; the unique connection between rural newspapers, schools, and community; practices for relationship building; and impact on public opinion of schools’ effectiveness. Though participants agreed that the primary responsibility of newspapers was to disseminate information, journalists’ responses indicated a responsibility to champion educational causes, to protect the students and staff, to spur uninvolved parents to action, and to act as the conscience of school boards. In these rural communities, a close relationship built upon trust, candor, and shared experiences defined the connection between schools and newspapers. Principals fostered the affiliations by providing information for articles, making staff accessible, and removing barriers to communication

Prepuberal levels of gonadotrophins and their relationship to the hypothalamo-hypophoseal response to a 17B-Estradiol challenge and performance criteria in the beef heifer

Reproductive efficiency is a major concern in the production of livestock. In an effort to determine if predictive criteria for reproductive performance could be developed in the prepuberal female bovine, heifers were used to establish and compare prepuberal LH and FSH secretion profiles and evaluate the hypothalamic response to an E2 (17β-estradiol) challenge. This information was then related to reproductive performance through the first calving. Blood samples were collected at various prepuberal ages to establish profiles of LH and FSH secretion. The E2 challenge was effected by injecting 1 mg of Eg2-benzoate intramuscularly and collect-ing blood samples at 8, 11 and 14 hours after injection. Radioimmunoassays (RIAs) were developed to measure plasma levels of LH and FSH. Ages studied ranged from 5 to 424 days. A significant difference (P\u3e0.01) in levels could be seen between the pre- (31±14 days) and post- (387±±22 days) weaning periods. Mean FSH level for the age-range studied was 12±5.6 ng/ml with a range of 3.8 to 39.7 ng/ml. LH averaged 388±271 pg/ml with a range of 135 to 3148 pg/ml and was significantly higher (P\u3e0.01) during the post-weaning period (387±22 days). A comparison of the hormonal profiles of the heifers with the highest and lowest levels of FSH and LH secretion during the first 100 days after birth revealed that the FSH levels of the respective groups were significantly different (P\u3c0.01) but the LH levels were not (P\u3e0.10). The effect of E2 on LH secretion was significant (P\u3c0.01) but it was not for FSH secretion. Ages tested ranged from 117 to 193 days. Of the 38 animals tested, 20 did not respond, 16 responded positively (any level 2 or more times greater than the 8 hr sample but less than 10 ng/ml) and 2 responded with a preovulatory-like LH surge (LH peaks ≥10 ng/ml, Schillo et al., 1983). The number of responders was evenly distributed throughout all of the ages tested. Responses of higher magnitude occurred between the ages of 162 to 193 days. Although the FSH response was not signifi-cant, 4 of the 38 animals responded positively to the E2 challenge. The responses occurred between 162 and 193 days of age. Of the 41 heifers used to relate prepuberal LH and FSH secretion to reproductive performance, 19 calved within one estrous cycle of one another, 2 were open and 20 were exposed to an infertile bull which made them ineligible for further study. Due to the low number of animals studied, no significant differences (P\u3e0.10) between the heifers that calved and those open were observed in either the profile of LH or FSH secretion. Although not statistically significant, FSH concentration was higher in the heifers that calved. Comparing the prepuberal E2 challenge to reproductive performance showed that the heifers that calved had a higher LH response. This difference was not significant compared to the open heifers, which was probably due to an insufficient number of animals. The results suggest that prepuberal FSH concentrations are higher in heifers that calve. Fertile heifers also respond to the Eg challenge with higher levels of LH. Further study is needed to validate the results, but at this point there seems to be potential for developing predictive criteria, based on prepuberal gonadotrophin levels, for reproductive performance

The potential impact on Florida-based marina and boating industries of a post-embargo Cuba: an analysis of geographic, physical, policy and industry trends

The information in this Technical Paper addresses the future of the US-Cuban marina and recreational boating industries from the geographic, physical, policy making and economic perspectives for a post-embargo Cuba. Each individual paper builds on the presentations made at the workshop, the information obtained in the subsequent trip to Cuba and presents in detailed form information which we hope is useful to all readers. (147pp.

Effect of selected enzymes on the quality and structural attributes of white salted and yellow alkaline Asian noodles

Wheat and wheat products represent a major food staple consumed around the world. Asian noodles account for the end-use of at least twelve percent of all wheat produced globally. Whereas there has been extensive research into the role and significance of enzymes in the utilisation of wheat flour in bread-making, less is known of their role in Asian noodles. Accordingly, this study has been based on the hypothesis that some enzymes will have a significant impact on the quality characteristics of at least some styles of Asian noodle products. Five enzymes were selected for study: α-amylase, lipase, lipoxygenase, peroxidase and ascorbic acid oxidase. The focus has been on the processing of white salted and yellow alkaline styles of Asian noodles and the role of the enzymes in relation to the quality attributes of these products has been systematically investigated. The quality aspects encompass colour and colour stability, texture, cooking properties as well as structural characteristics of the products. As a part of the preliminary phases of the investigation, procedures for analysis and assessment of flours and noodles have been evaluated. In particular, for the textural properties of noodles, results were obtained with the TA-XT2 Texture Analyser using both a flat cylinder probe, to measure noodle hardness, and also a cutting blade measuring noodle firmness. In addition, various approaches were trialled for sample preparation and presentation in the use of scanning electron microscopy for the investigation of noodle structure. In order to measure the activity of the enzymes in flours and noodle products, assay procedures were set up and validated. These were then used for the analysis of a series of commercial flours and the levels of activity in each of the flours was relatively low indicating that they had been milled from wheat which had not been subjected to preharvest sprouting. α-Amylase was measured using the Ceralpha method and two different sources of exogenous α-amylase (bacterial and barley) were added to noodle formulations. In preliminary experiments various levels of α-amylase incorporation were compared and the impact on texture measured. Both sources of α-amylase resulted in softer noodle products. Adverse effects of the preparations on colour were observed in fresh noodles, although the differences were less obvious when noodles were cooked or dried immediately after preparation. Cooking losses were higher in noodles incorporating amylase, particularly the bacterial preparation. These impacts were reflected in changes in the appearance of starch granules in scanning electron micrographs of the noodles. Three different lipase preparations were studied and their incorporation had only minor effects on texture of noodles. Addition of wheat germ lipase resulted in slightly softer noodles, fungal lipase caused slightly harder noodles, while addition of porcine pancreas lipase gave harder noodles in the raw state and softer noodles after cooking. Similarly variable results were observed when colour and colour stability were evaluated, and there were no adverse effects upon cooking quality of Asian noodles. Two different preparations of horseradish peroxidase were investigated and both resulted in adverse effects on colour including at all stages of storage. One of the preparations resulted in softer noodles when texture was measured using the cylinder method and in firmer noodles when the blade attachment was applied. Neither the surface appearance of noodles nor the cooking properties were altered by the addition of peroxidase to the formulations. Different levels of addition of ascorbic acid oxidase from Cucurbita species showed only minor effects on characteristics for both styles of noodles. Incorporation of this enzyme resulted in lower lightness values but there was little effect on yellowness. Discolouration of noodle sheets was faster and more obvious at 25°C and compared to the storage of noodles at 4°C. The cooking qualities of noodles did not change upon addition of the oxidase. Activity of the enzyme lipoxygenase was measured spectrophotometrically using linoleic acid as substrate. Upon addition to the noodle formulations the enzyme preparation from soy bean resulted in slightly harder and firmer noodles. Colour and colour stability were not enhanced by the addition of lipoxygenase and significantly higher yellowness values were measured in some samples. This enzyme did not adversely impact upon the cooking or structural properties of either style of noodles. Some of the enzymes studied here demonstrated undesirable impacts on one or another aspect of noodle quality, particularly producing darkening or soft textural characteristics. Enzymes that might usefully be considered at lower levels of addition are ascorbic acid oxidase, porcine pancreas lipase and lipoxygenase. These three had no negative effects upon texture, structure or cooking quality of noodles. Visually the colour properties were not adversely impacted and instrumental assessment indicated brighter noodle sheet colours. At lower levels of addition, these three enzymes provide enhancement of noodle quality. On the other hand peroxidase, the two amylases and lipases affected the colour and colour stability of noodles. It was observed that the amylase preparations did result in pronounced softening of noodles. However, the data indicate that the adverse impact attributed to this enzyme when flour from sprouted wheat is used in noodle processing, are probably due to enzyme activities other than α-amylase

In-Plane Conductivity Anisotropy in Underdoped Cuprates in the Spin-Charge Gauge Approach

Applying the recently developed spin-charge gauge theory for the pseudogap phase in cuprates, we propose a self-consistent explanation of several peculiar features of the far-infrared in-plane AC conductivity, including a broad peak as a function of frequency and significant anisotropy at low temperatures, along with a similar temperature-dependent in-plane anisotropy of DC conductivity in lightly doped cuprates. The anisotropy of the metal-insulator crossover scale is considered to be responsible for these phenomena. The obtained results are in good agreement with experiments. An explicit proposal is made to further check the theory.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures, to appear in Phys. Rev.

Condition Relative to Phenotype for Bass Populations in Southern Arkansas Lakes

Southern Arkansas reservoir largemouth bass populations (Micropterus salmoides) are often supplemented with stocks of Florida bass (M. floridanus) in an attempt to boost the frequency of hybrid and trophy bass. Stocking rates of Florida bass among these lakes are highly variable. We determined bass phenotype composition among 12 lake populations based upon stocking protocols: exclusively Florida bass, primarily Florida bass, mixed stocking protocol and primarily largemouth bass. We also compared condition among phenotypes (n =2,100) to test for hybrid or phenotype vigor. Mean relative weight of bass for most lakes but SWEPCO Lake (mean Wr = 72) were ≥ 90. Phenotype frequencies were inconsistent with FB stocking histories. No lake population was comprised only with pure Florida bass despite four of the lakes being stocked solely with this bass species. Numbers of F1 hybrid bass were low for all lake samples. Relative weight among phenotypes was also inconsistent among lake samples, allowing no conclusions to be made regarding relative weight and hybrid vigor or phenotype. Further testing increasing both the number of lake samples and sample size within lakes may provide insight into these questions of stocking effectiveness of Florida bass and hybrid or phenotype vigor

Microvascular Arteriovenous Shunting is a Probable Pathogenetic Mechanism in Erythromelalgia

Erythromelalgia is a condition consisting of red, warm, and burning painful extremities. Symptoms are relieved by cold and aggravated by heat. A wide variety of etiologic conditions can cause erythromelalgia, but one common pathogenetic mechanism, microvascular arteriovenous shunting, has been hypothesized. The aim of this study was to test this hypothesis. Quantification of skin microvascular perfusion using laser Doppler perfusion imaging and skin temperature at rest and after central body heating was performed in 14 patients with erythromelalgia and 11 controls. Attacks of erythromelalgia were induced in eight patients after heat provocation. In the plantar region of the foot, the location of numerous anatomical arteriovenous shunts, these patients significantly increased the skin perfusion as compared with asymptomatic patients with erythromelalgia and controls. In the dorsal region with few arteriovenous shunts no significant differences between the groups were demonstrated. The results show a relation between clinical symptoms and increased perfusion in the region of numerous anatomical arteriovenous shunts, and support the hypothesis of increased thermoregulatory arteriovenous shunt flow during attacks in primary erythromelalgia

The Interaction between the Forkhead Thyroid Transcription Factor TTF-2 and the Constitutive Factor CTF/NF-1 Is Required for Efficient Hormonal Regulation of the Thyroperoxidase Gene Transcription

The forkhead thyroid-specific transcription factor TTF-2 is the main mediator of thyrotropin and insulin regulation of thyroperoxidase (TPO) gene expression. This function depends on multimerization and specific orientation of its DNA-binding site, suggesting that TTF-2 is part of a complex interaction network within the TPO promoter. This was confirmed by transfection experiments and by protein-DNA interaction studies, which demonstrated that CTF/NF1 proteins bind 10 base pairs upstream of the TTF-2- binding site to enhance its action in hormone-induced expression of the TPO gene. GST pull-down assays showed that TTF-2 physically interacts with CTF/NF1 proteins. In addition, we demonstrate that increasing the distance between both transcription factors binding sites by base pair insertion results in loss of promoter activity and in a drastic decrease on the ability of the promoter to respond to the hormones. CTF/NF1 is a family of transcription factors that contributes to constitutive and cell-type specific gene expression. Originally identified as factors implicated in the replication of adenovirus, this group of proteins (CTF/NF1-A, -B, -C, and - X) is now known to be involved in the regulation of several genes. In contrast to other reports regarding the involvement of these proteins in inducible gene expression, we show here that members of this family of transcription factors are regulated by hormones. With the use of specific CTF/NF1 DNA probes and antibodies we demonstrate that CTF/NF1-C is a thyrotropin-, cAMP-, and insulin-inducible protein. Thus CTF/NF1 proteins do not only mediate hormone-induced gene expression cooperating with TTF-2, but are themselves hormonally regulated. All these findings are clearly of important value in understanding the mechanisms governing the transcription regulation of RNA polymerase II promoters, which often contain binding sites for multiple transcription factors