157 research outputs found
Cryptic Transcription and Early Termination in the Control of Gene Expression
Recent studies on
yeast transcriptome have revealed the presence
of a large set of RNA polymerase II transcripts
mapping to intergenic and antisense regions or
overlapping canonical genes. Most of these
ncRNAs (ncRNAs) are subject to termination by
the Nrd1-dependent pathway and rapid degradation
by the nuclear exosome and have been dubbed cryptic unstable transcripts (CUTs). CUTs are often
considered as by-products of transcriptional
noise, but in an increasing number of cases they
play a central role in the control of gene
expression. Regulatory mechanisms involving
expression of a CUT are diverse and include
attenuation, transcriptional interference, and
alternative transcription start site choice.
This review focuses on the impact of cryptic
transcription on gene expression, describes the
role of the Nrd1-complex as the main actor in
preventing nonfunctional and potentially
harmful transcription, and details a few systems
where expression of a CUT has an essential
regulatory function. We also summarize the most
recent studies concerning other types of ncRNAs
and their possible role in
regulation
Quantitative image analysis of intra-tumoral bFGF level as a molecular marker of paclitaxel resistance
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The role of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) in chemoresistance is controversial; some studies showed a relationship between higher bFGF level and chemoresistance while other studies showed the opposite finding. The goal of the present study was to quantify bFGF levels in archived tumor tissues, and to determine its relationship with chemosensitivity.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We established an image analysis-based method to quantify and convert the immunostaining intensity of intra-tumor bFGF to concentrations; this was accomplished by generating standard curves using human xenograft tumors as the renewable tissue source for simultaneous image analysis and ELISA. The relationships between bFGF concentrations and tumor chemosensitivity of patient tumors (n = 87) to paclitaxel were evaluated using linear regression analysis.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The image analysis results were compared to our previous results obtained using a conventional, semi-quantitative visual scoring method. While both analyses indicated an inverse relationship between bFGF level and tumor sensitivity to paclitaxel, the image analysis method, by providing bFGF levels in individual tumors and therefore more data points (87 numerical values as opposed to four groups of staining intensities), further enabled the quantitative analysis of the relationship in subgroups of tumors with different pathobiological properties. The results show significant correlation between bFGF level and tumor sensitivity to the antiproliferation effect, but not the apoptotic effect, of paclitaxel. We further found stronger correlations of bFGF level and paclitaxel sensitivity in four tumor subgroups (high stage, positive p53 staining, negative aFGF staining, containing higher-than-median bFGF level), compared to all other groups. These findings suggest that the relationship between intra-tumoral bFGF level and paclitaxel sensitivity was context-dependent, which may explain the previous contradictory findings on the merit of using plasma or urine bFGF level as a prognostic indicator.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The present study established a quantitative image analysis method that enabled the measurement of intratumoral bFGF level in archived tissues. The ability to quantify a potential biomarker provided the opportunity to study the relationship between the biomarker and chemosensitivity in tumor subgroups and thereby enabled hypothesis generation for additional translational research.</p
Sex differences in aggressivity and the effects of social isolation in the anabantoid fish, Macropodus opercularis
The aggressivity of adult males and females was evaluated by measuring (1) the frequency of aggressive displays that individuals made toward a mirror image stimulus following varying periods of social isolation, (2) the display frequency in brief, unisexual and bisexual bouts with live opponents, and (3) the reinforcing effects of mirror image stimulation on performance of an approach response. Isolation up to seven days increased aggressivity in both sexes. Males performed lateral display toward a mirror image or a live conspecific more frequently than females. Mirror image stimulation also was a stronger positive reinforcer in males than in females.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/22302/1/0000746.pd
Exploring the use of emoji as a visual research method for eliciting young children’s voices in childhood research
03004430.2016.1219730“This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in Early Child Development and Care on 17 Aug 2016, available online: http://www.tandfonline.com/10.1080/03004430.2016.1219730"
This author accepted manuscript is made available following 18 month embargo from date of publication (August 2017) in accordance with the publisher’s archiving policyRecognition of the need to move from research on children to research with children has prompted significant theoretical and methodological debate as to how young children can be positioned as active participants in the research process. Visual research methods such as drawing, photography, and videography have received substantive attention in child-centred research paradigms. However, despite their increasing ubiquity in young children’s lifeworlds, technology or media-based visual materials have received little interest. This article reports on a study which used emoji as a visual research method for eliciting young children’s (aged three to five years) understandings and experiences of well-being. Findings elucidate the capacity of emoji as a visual research method for eliciting children’s voices, and considerations for its use in child research
Young Children’s Health and Wellbeing Across the Transition to School: A Critical Interpretive Synthesis
This article has been published in a revised form in Children Australia http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/cha.2016.4. This version is free to view and download for private research and study only. Not for re-distribution, re-sale or use in derivative works. © The Author(s) 2016.This paper reports on the systematic search and review of the literature relating to the health and wellbeing of young children across the transition to school. It identified 56 papers (including empirical studies, reviews, commentaries, and reports) relevant to the research questions and completed an interpretive systematic review to ascertain the current state of the literature. The review employed the Critical Interpretive Synthesis (CIS) method to allow for a rigorous and systematic review of a disparate literature which stretches across several disciplines. The findings are presented in seven thematic categories: current conceptualisations of health and wellbeing, assessment and measurement, ‘school readiness’, service integration, transition actors, ‘at risk’ children, and child voice. These findings illustrate the ways in which concepts have been constructed, identified, and operationalised in early years research, practice, and policy. Moreover, it highlights that ‘what is known’ can be used to inform the review or implementation of services, practices, and partnerships that support child health and wellbeing during the transition to school
Dolores Keane in concert (poster)
Poster for the concert held on Saturday 27 February 1999 at Wembley Conference Centre, organised by The Irish Chaplaincy
An FCER2 polymorphism is associated with increased oral leukotriene receptor antagonists and allergic rhinitis prescribing
The Fc Fragment of IgE Receptor II (FCER2) is expressed in several cells, such as macrophages, eosinophils, B cells and platelets. Studies have suggested that FCER2 is involved in the regulation of IgE responses, growth and differentiation of T and B cells, cellular adherence and antigen presentation. The activation of the receptor results in down-regulation of IgE-mediated immune responses. Two studies found that individuals with asthma on inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) with the CC genotype of the rs28364072 polymorphism had a two-fold increased odds of asthma exacerbations and uncontrolled asthma than individuals with at least one copy of the T allele (CT/TT)
Birds and bioenergy within the americas: A cross‐national, social–ecological study of ecosystem service tradeoffs
Although renewable energy holds great promise in mitigating climate change, there are socioeconomic and ecological tradeoffs related to each form of renewable energy. Forest‐related bioenergy is especially controversial, because tree plantations often replace land that could be used to grow food crops and can have negative impacts on biodiversity. In this study, we examined public perceptions and ecosystem service tradeoffs between the provisioning services associated with cover types associated with bioenergy crop (feedstock) production and forest habitat‐related supporting services for birds, which themselves provide cultural and regulating services. We combined a social survey‐based assessment of local values and perceptions with measures of bioenergy feedstock production impacts on bird habitat in four countries: Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, and the USA. Respondents in all countries rated birds as important or very important (83–99% of respondents) and showed lower enthusiasm for, but still supported, the expansion of bioenergy feedstocks (48–60% of respondents). Bioenergy feedstock cover types in Brazil and Argentina had the greatest negative impact on birds but had a positive impact on birds in the USA. In Brazil and Mexico, public perceptions aligned fairly well with the realities of the impacts of potential bioenergy feedstocks on bird communities. However, in Argentina and the USA, perceptions of bioenergy impacts on birds did not match well with the data. Understanding people’s values and perceptions can help inform better policy and management decisions regarding land use changes
Sepsis: when a simple infection becomes deadly
The immune system plays a crucial role in maintaining a healthy body by working around the clock to recognize and respond to infection. Inflammation is part of the immune system’s protective response to an infection. The inflammatory response is incredibly powerful, so much so that it can damage the body’s cells if it is not tightly controlled. Sometimes, inflammation affects the whole body—this is called sepsis. The powerful and complex mechanisms in place to wipe out the infection can cause serious damage to healthy cells and tissues. Uncontrolled inflammation can cause irreversible damage to the body’s organs, such as the kidneys, eventually causing organs to shut down. If sepsis is not treated rapidly, it can lead to death. In this article, we describe the symptoms and diagnosis of sepsis and some of the current research being performed to better understand this dangerous process
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