Motor regulation results in distal forces that bend partially disintegrated Chlamydomonas axonemes into circular arcs

The bending of cilia and flagella is driven by forces generated by dynein motor proteins. These forces slide adjacent microtubule doublets within the axoneme, the motile cytoskeletal structure. To create regular, oscilla- tory beating patterns, the activities of the axonemal dyneins must be coordinated both spatially and temporally. It is thought that coordination is mediated by stresses or strains, which build up within the moving axoneme, and somehow regulate dynein activity. While experimenting with axonemes subjected to mild proteolysis, we observed pairs of doublets associate with each other and form bends with almost constant curvature. By model- ing the statics of a pair of filaments, we show that the activity of the motors concentrates at the distal tips of the doublets. Furthermore, we show that this distribution of motor activity accords with models in which curvature, or curvature-induced normal forces, regulates the activity of the motors. These observations, together with our theoretical analysis, provide evidence that dynein activity can be regulated by curvature or normal forces, which may, therefore, play a role in coordinating the beating of cilia and flagella

Elements of young adult literature in texts used in Malaysian secondary schools

This article presents the results of a study to determine the extent to which the themes, issues and portrayal of young adult characters in the novels used in the Malaysian secondary school English Language classroom fulfilled the criteria of Young Adult Literature (YAL). The novels studied were Step by Wicked Step (A.Fine, 1996), Catch us if You Can (K. McPhail, 2004) and The Curse ( S.A. Lee, 2010). Sampling was purposeful and data came from participants’ journal reflections and qualitative interviews. The findings showed that the themes in all three novels complied to the general list of themes common to YAL with family relationships and determination being the most prominent. The depiction of an adolescent protagonist who is strong and perceptive is evident in all three novels. However the young adult protagonist’s voice, conflict between dependence and independence and the journey towards maturing characteristic of YAL is only distinct in Step by Wicked Step and Catch us if You Can. Description of the young adult protagonists’ appearance and mannerisms was also limited in all the novels

The catfish resources

widely distributed in the tropical Indo-Pacific and they constitute a regular, sometimes dominant, component of the demersal fish landhigs along the Indian Coast. Species of the genus Tachysurus contribute nearly 99% of the catfish catch, particularly T. thalassinus. T. tenuispinis, T. serratus and T. dussumieri. Osteogeneiosus militaris also forms a fishery along the northwest coast

Effect of turmeric and curcumin on BP-DNA adducts

Many human cancers that are widely prevalent today can be prevented through modifications in life-styles, of which diet appears to be an important agent. Several dietary constituents modulate the process of carcinogenesis and prevent genotoxicity. Many plant constituents including turmeric appear to be potent antimutagens and antioxidants. Therefore the modulatory effects of turmeric and curcumin on the levels of benzo[a]pyrene induced DNA adducts in the livers of rats were studied by the newly developed 32P-postlabelling assay method. Turmeric when fed at 0.1, 0.5 and 3% and the active principle of turmeric (curcumin) when fed at a level of 0.03% in the diet for 4 weeks significantly reduced the level of BP-DNA adducts including the major adduct dG-N2-BP, formed within 24 h in response to a single i.p. injection of benzo[a]pyrene. The significance of these effects in terms of the potential anticarcinogenic effects of turmeric is discussed. Further, these results strengthen the various other biological effects of turmeric which have direct relevance to anticarcinogenesis and chemoprevention

High Resolution Vascular Imaging of the Rat Spine using Liposomal Blood Pool MR Agent

High resolution, vascular magnetic resonance imaging of the spine region in small animals poses several challenges. The small anatomical features, extravascular diffusion, and the low signal-to-noise ratio limit the use of conventional contrast agents. We hypothesize that a long circulating, intravascular liposomal-encapsulated MR contrast agent (liposomal-Gd) would facilitate visualization of small anatomical features of the perispinal vasculature not visible with conventional contrast agent (Gd-DTPA)

On occurrence of certain biotoxins along the Kerala Coast

Occurrence of algal blooms has been reported from the coastal regions of Kerala. A study was conducted to collect detailed information on location and seasonality of the incidence of PSP and DSP toxins in-the bivalves of (his region for providing advance warning to avoid shellfish poisoning. A database on the hydrographic parameters in relation to algal blooms and toxic blooms at selected stations, which are sites of frequent blooms in the past years, was prepared

Being Motivated to Protect : The Influence of Sexual Communal Motivations on Sexual Risk Taking

College-aged students are a high-risk population for unplanned pregnancy with 40% of women between the ages of 18-20 experiencing an unplanned pregnancy. This can cause physical, mental, and emotional stress resulting in withdrawal from college for the student. Communal motivation (being oriented towards other’s needs) positively predicts condom use. WISE interventions, a simple yet impactful type of interventions targeted towards addressing a problem, have been shown to be successful. Participants completed a sexual risk behavior measure, sexual risk-taking measure and communal motivations (CM) measure following a sexual health video, and reflection activity were participants either applied the sexual health information to their relationship (experimental) or reflected on the sexual health material presented (control). CM was positively correlated with number of sexual partners in the past 3 months, r(262) = .162,

Fishery resources of the Exclusive Economic Zone of the northwest coast of India

For well over two decades now, trawling operations, both exploratory and commercial, have been going on along the north-western region, off the Goa, Maha rashtra and Gujarat coasts (15°-24°N). A historical resimie of trawling in India has been given by Jayaraman et al. (1959) in their account of the demersal fishery resources of the shelf waters of this area, for the period 1950 to 1955. Similar accoimts on the distribution patterns of major exploited fisheries for 1961-1967 and 1968-1970, have been given by Rao (1969) and Rao et al. (1966, 1972) and Nair (1974). Apart from the above accoimts on the fisheries in general, detailed studies on the pattern of distribution and abundance of individual species have been reported by Rao (1965— Pseudosciaena' diacanthus), Kagwade (1973—Polynemus heptadactylus), Deshmukh (1973—Pomadasys hasta), Kaikini (1974—Lactarius lactarius) and Kagwade {1966—prawns), as also (Prabhu and Dhawan, 1974)— regional fisheries off Goa. The results of these studies, based on bottom-trawling operations mostly in regions less than 80 metres in depth, have given us a fair knowledge of the demersal resources potential of this region

Relationship of cognitive function in patients with schizophrenia in remission to disability: a cross-sectional study in an Indian sample

Background: Cognitive deficits in various domains have been consistently replicated in patients with schizophrenia. Most studies looking at the relationship between cognitive dysfunction and functional disability are from developed countries. Studies from developing countries are few. The purpose of the present study was to compare the neurocognitive function in patients with schizophrenia who were in remission with that of normal controls and to determine if there is a relationship between measures of cognition and functional disability. <p/>Methods: This study was conducted in the Psychiatric Unit of a General Hospital in Mumbai, India. Cognitive function in 25 patients with schizophrenia in remission was compared to 25 normal controls. Remission was confirmed using the brief psychiatric rating scale (BPRS) and scale for the assessment of negative symptoms (SANS). Subjects were administered a battery of cognitive tests covering aspects of memory, executive function and attention. The results obtained were compared between the groups. Correlation analysis was used to look for relationship between illness factors, cognitive function and disability measured using the Indian disability evaluation and assessment scale. <p/>Results: Patients with schizophrenia showed significant deficits on tests of attention, concentration, verbal and visual memory and tests of frontal lobe/executive function. They fared worse on almost all the tests administered compared to normal controls. No relationship was found between age, duration of illness, number of years of education and cognitive function. In addition, we did not find a statistically significant relationship between cognitive function and scores on the disability scale. <p/>Conclusion: The data suggests that persistent cognitive deficits are seen in patients with schizophrenia under remission. The cognitive deficits were not associated with symptomatology and functional disability. It is possible that various factors such as employment and family support reduce disability due to schizophrenia in developing countries like India. Further studies from developing countries are required to explore the relationship between cognitive deficits, functional outcome and the role of socio-cultural variables as protective factors