Modulation of CP2 Family Transcriptional Activity by CRTR-1 and Sumoylation

CRTR-1 is a member of the CP2 family of transcription factors. Unlike other members of the family which are widely expressed, CRTR-1 expression shows specific spatio-temporal regulation. Gene targeting demonstrates that CRTR-1 plays a central role in the maturation and function of the salivary glands and the kidney. CRTR-1 has also recently been identified as a component of the complex transcriptional network that maintains pluripotency in embryonic stem (ES) cells. CRTR-1 was previously shown to be a repressor of transcription. We examine the activity of CRTR-1 in ES and other cells and show that CRTR-1 is generally an activator of transcription and that it modulates the activity of other family members, CP2, NF2d9 and altNF2d9, in a cell specific manner. We also demonstrate that CRTR-1 activity is regulated by sumoylation at a single major site, residue K30. These findings imply that functional redundancy with other family members may mask important roles for CRTR-1 in other tissues, including the blastocyst stage embryo and embryonic stem cells

Bone morphogenetic protein-2 gene controls tooth root development in coordination with formation of the periodontium

Formation of the periodontium begins following onset of tooth-root formation in a coordinated manner after birth. Dental follicle progenitor cells are thought to form the cementum, alveolar bone and Sharpey's fibers of the periodontal ligament (PDL). However, little is known about the regulatory morphogens that control differentiation and function of these progenitor cells, as well as the progenitor cells involved in crown and root formation. We investigated the role of bone morphogenetic protein-2 (Bmp2) in these processes by the conditional removal of the Bmp2 gene using the Sp7-Cre-EGFP mouse model. Sp7-Cre-EGFP first becomes active at E18 in the first molar, with robust Cre activity at postnatal day 0 (P0), followed by Cre activity in the second molar, which occurs after P0. There is robust Cre activity in the periodontium and third molars by 2 weeks of age. When the Bmp2 gene is removed from Sp7(+) (Osterix(+)) cells, major defects are noted in root, cellular cementum and periodontium formation. First, there are major cell autonomous defects in root-odontoblast terminal differentiation. Second, there are major alterations in formation of the PDLs and cellular cementum, correlated with decreased nuclear factor IC (Nfic), periostin and α-SMA(+) cells. Third, there is a failure to produce vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) in the periodontium and the pulp leading to decreased formation of the microvascular and associated candidate stem cells in the Bmp2-cKO(Sp7-Cre-EGFP). Fourth, ameloblast function and enamel formation are indirectly altered in the Bmp2-cKO(Sp7-Cre-EGFP). These data demonstrate that the Bmp2 gene has complex roles in postnatal tooth development and periodontium formation

Anonymous Women? A Scoping Review of the Experiences of Women in Gamblers Anonymous (GA)

Women are participating in gambling at levels approaching those of men, and although levels of disordered gambling remain lower in women than in men, significant numbers are affected. Gamblers Anonymous (GA) is a mainstay of help to problem gamblers in many countries. A scoping review was conducted which specifically addressed the experiences of women who attend GA. Within the 25 identified relevant studies, only two reported empirical data on the specific numbers of women attending. A range of barriers still remain to the participation of women in these communities. These include ‘external’ barriers such as lack of referral and signposting, lack of accessible meetings, and costs of travel; ‘internal’ barriers such as shame, stigma, and fear of disclosure; and features of the GA meetings and discourse, such as a climate which is dismissive of women’s experiences

A survey for variable young stars with small telescopes: VIII — Properties of 1687 Gaia selected members in 21 nearby clusters

The Hunting Outbursting Young Stars (HOYS) project performs long-term, optical, multi- filter, high cadence monitoring of 25 nearby young clusters and star forming regions. Utilising Gaia DR3 data we have identified about 17000 potential young stellar members in 45 coherent astrometric groups in these fields. Twenty one of them are clear young groups or clusters of stars within one kiloparsec and they contain 9143 Gaia selected potential members. The cluster distances, proper motions and membership numbers are determined. We analyse long term ( 7 yr) V, R, and I-band light curves from HOYS for 1687 of the potential cluster members. One quarter of the stars are variable in all three optical filters, and two thirds of these have light curves that are symmetric around the mean. Light curves affected by obscuration from circumstellar materials are more common than those affected by accretion bursts, by a factor of 2 – 4. The variability fraction in the clusters ranges from 10 to almost 100 percent, and correlates positively with the fraction of stars with detectable inner disks, indicating that a lot of variability is driven by the disk. About one in six variables shows detectable periodicity, mostly caused by magnetic spots. Two thirds of the periodic variables with disk excess emission are slow rotators, and amongst the stars without disk excess two thirds are fast rotators – in agreement with rotation being slowed down by the presence of a disk

A survey for variable young stars with small telescopes – VIII. Properties of 1687 Gaia selected members in 21 nearby clusters

The Hunting Outbursting Young Stars (HOYS) project performs long-term, optical, multi-filter, high cadence monitoring of 25 nearby young clusters and star forming regions. Utilising Gaia DR3 data we have identified about 17000 potential young stellar members in 45 coherent astrometric groups in these fields. Twenty one of them are clear young groups or clusters of stars within one kiloparsec and they contain 9143 Gaia selected potential members. The cluster distances, proper motions and membership numbers are determined. We analyse long term (≈ 7 yr) V, R, and I-band light curves from HOYS for 1687 of the potential cluster members. One quarter of the stars are variable in all three optical filters, and two thirds of these have light curves that are symmetric around the mean. Light curves affected by obscuration from circumstellar materials are more common than those affected by accretion bursts, by a factor of 2 – 4. The variability fraction in the clusters ranges from 10 to almost 100 percent, and correlates positively with the fraction of stars with detectable inner disks, indicating that a lot of variability is driven by the disk. About one in six variables shows detectable periodicity, mostly caused by magnetic spots. Two thirds of the periodic variables with disk excess emission are slow rotators, and amongst the stars without disk excess two thirds are fast rotators – in agreement with rotation being slowed down by the presence of a disk

Toward specific detection of Dengue virus serotypes using a novel modular biosensor

Arthropod-borne diseases affect a significant portion of the world's population. Dengue fever, a viral disease carried by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, is one of the most wide-spread, with many fatalities evident each year. To date, Dengue viral diagnostic technologies have been too complex, time-consuming and expensive to be widely deployed, particularly in developing countries where the disease is most prevalent.Here we demonstrate a modular biosensor that is able to rapidly identify sequences associated with the Dengue virus genome. The biosensor consists of an oligonucleotide linker module, an aptamer/restriction endonuclease signal transducer and a fluorescent signalling molecule. The linker molecule has a simple stem/loop conformation and comprises a target-complementary moiety within the loop and a trigger moiety within the stem. When bound to the target nucleic acid, the trigger strand of the denatured stem can bind to the aptamer within the signal transducer. Disruption of the aptamer releases the restriction endonuclease EcoRI from aptamer-mediated inhibition. Active EcoRI is able to rapidly cleave multiple signalling molecules to generate a detectable signal.The biosensor was able to detect sequences derived from each of the four Dengue virus serotypes with a great degree of specificity. Along with sequences specific to each serotype, a pan-Dengue sequence, common to all serotypes, was also detected. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Factors influencing adults who participate in a physical activity coaching intervention: a theoretically informed qualitative study

Objective: Behaviour change interventions targeting changes in physical activity (PA) can benefit by examining the underlying mechanisms that promote change. This study explored the use of the Capability, Opportunity, Motivation and Behaviour (COM-B) model and the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) to code and contextualise the experiences of participants who completed a PA coaching intervention underpinned by motivational interviewing and cognitive-behavioural therapy.  Design: Semistructured interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of participants. Setting Interviews were conducted in a tertiary hospital in regional Victoria, Australia.  Participants: Eighteen participants who completed a PA coaching intervention were interviewed. The participants were recruited into the coaching intervention because they were insufficiently physically active at the time of recruitment.  Results: Thirteen (72%) participants were women and the average age of participants was 54 (±5) years. Four participant themes mapped directly onto five components of the COM-B model, and ten of the TDF domains. Increases in PA were influenced by changes in motivation and psychological capability. The autonomy-supportive PA coaching intervention helped to evoke participants' own reasons (and motives) for change and influenced PA behaviours. Participants reflected on their own social and/or professional strengths, and used these skills to set appropriate PA goals and action plans. The structure of the PA coaching intervention provided clarity on session determinants and a framework from which to set an appropriate agenda. Relational components (eg, non-judgemental listening, collaboration) were continually highlighted as influential for change, and should be considered in future behaviour change intervention design. Conclusions: We demonstrate the beneficial effect of using theory-informed behaviour change techniques, and delivering them in a style that promotes autonomy and relatedness. The views of participants should be a key consideration in the design and implementation of PA coaching interventions.</p