Transcriptional control of the forkhead thyroid transcription factor TTF-2 by thyrotropin, insulin, and insulin-like growth factor I

The hormonal regulation of both thyroglobulin and thyroperoxidase promoter activity in FRTL-5 thyroid cells takes place, at least in part, through a hormone-responsive element to which the thyroid transcription factor TTF-2 binds. The TTF-2 cDNA, encoded by the titf2 locus, has recently been cloned and classified as a member of the forkhead transcription factor family. Here, we demonstrate that TTF-2 mRNA levels become undetectable in FRTL-5 thyroid cells cultured for 4 days in 0.2% serum and in the absent of thyrotropin (TSH) and insulin. Addition of TSH, insulin or insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) to the culture medium increases the levels of this transcription factor in a dose- and time-dependent manner and requires ongoing protein synthesis. The TSH effect is greater than that produced by insulin or IGF-I and is similar to the effect produced by the cAMP analog forskolin. The TSH and insulin effects are additive. In all cases, the mRNA levels increase is accompanied by an increase in transcription rate, as demonstrated by run-off assays. These data demonstrate that the TTF-2 mRNA is under tight hormonal control. This is consistent with an important role for TTF-2 as a mediator of the transcriptional activation of thyroid-specific genes (thyroglobulin and thyroperoxidase) by TSH via cAMP and by insulin through the IGF-I receptor

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

Biogeography of orchids and their pollination syndromes in small Mediterranean islands

Aims Despite the research on orchid in insular conditions, few studies are focused on the spatial distribution of their reproductive syndromes across complex insular systems. By using island species-area relationships (ISAR), we explore orchid biogeography in the Central Western-Mediterranean islands. In this study, we aim to investigate variation in ISARs using orchid pollination mechanisms as proxies to establish permanent populations explaining how the c and z parameters of ISARs vary among island types and pollination strategies and defining the most influential factors in shaping orchids' distribution.LocationMediterranean Basin.TaxonOrchidaceae. MethodsChecklist of native orchids was obtained for 112 islands of Central-Western Mediterranean Basin. The Arrhenius power function (S=c center dot Az$$S=c\cdotp {A}z$$) was used to fit ISARs for the total number of orchids as well as for functional groups defined by the pollination strategies, across different island types. We used GLM to investigate the relation between pollination syndromes with area and isolation as well as elevation, island origin, taxa richness of the source area and habitat diversity.ResultsWe found that ISARs differ between continental and volcanic islands depending on isolation. The z-value was found to be higher for more specialized strategies while the c-value increases from autogamy to allogamy, supporting the role of these two parameters in understanding distributional dynamics. Distance from the mainland is a negative predictor for all the strategies except when deception is decoupled; island area is a positive predictor only for allogamic, deceptive and food deceptive strategies, while habitat diversity is a positive predictor for allogamic, rewarding and deceptive strategies. Main Conclusions Pollination syndromes contribute in explaining the distribution of orchids in insular conditions. Furthermore, we identified differences in ISARs across pollination syndromes in which the intercept increases when the pollination shifts from a generalist to a more specialized one

Aragonite in Roman Wall Paintings of the VIII° Regio, Aemilia, and X° regio, Venetia et Histria

ABSTRACT In the Roman wall paintings different white colours were used, named Paraetonium, Melinum, Anularia, Eretria, Argentaria, etc. FTIR, Raman spectroscopy and X-Ray diffraction were applied to study different white pigments, such as calcite, aragonite, dolomite and huntite, white carbonates present in archaeological findings from roman walls in the Mediterranean region. This study showed that it is possible to distinguish and identify these components in white colours. About 450 samples of Roman wall paintings were analysed and it was observed that often aragonite is associated to precious coloured pigments. On the basis of the obtained results some considerations about the period in which the different kinds of white pigments were used are proposed

Финансово-экономический механизм функционирования кредитных союзов в Украине

Цель статьи - исследование финансово-экономического механизма функционирования кредитных союзов как альтернативного финансирования населения, что позволяет максимально приблизить финансовые услуги к потребителям, создать надлежащие условия для долгосрочного кредитования с применением современной рыночной инфраструктуры и финансовых инструментов

Epiphytic lichens of the sacred natural site "Bosco di Sant'Antonio" (Majella National Park - Abruzzo)

Sacred Natural Sites are relevant for biodiversity conservation, as in the case of forest sites that, across centuries, developed old growth structures and are now crucial for the conservation of epiphytic lichens and other specialized forest organisms. In this study, we investigated the epiphytic lichen flora of a small forest patch included in the Majella National Park (Abruzzo), whose old growth features and naturalness reflect its long lasting spiritual role that perfectly fits with the concept of Sacred Natural Site. Results revealed that the "Bosco di Sant'Antonio" hosts a rich and interesting epiphytic lichen flora, thus indicating the potential of this Sacred Natural Site for lichen conservation. Fifty-six species were found including two species newly recorded in Abruzzo, two red-listed species, and the sensitive species Lobaria pulmonaria. This study corroborates the hypothesis that sacred forest sites are relevant for the conservation of specialized epiphytic lichens. In particular, in the Italian forest landscape where old-growth stands are practically absent, sacred forest sites may provide unique old-growth structures and buffer anthropogenic disturbance

Lentils protein isolate as a fermenting substrate for the production of bioactive peptides by lactic acid bacteria and neglected yeast species

In the current trend where plant-based foods are preferred over animal-based foods, pulses represent an alternative source of protein but also of bioactive peptides (BPs). We investigated the pattern of protein hydrolysis during fermentation of red lentils protein isolate (RLPI) with various lactic acid bacteria and yeast strains. Hanseniaspora uvarum SY1 and Fructilactobacillus sanfranciscensis E10 were the most proteolytic microorganisms. H. uvarum SY1 led to the highest antiradical, angiotensin-converting enzyme-inhibitory and antifungal activities, as found in low molecular weight water soluble extracts (LMW-WSE). The 2039 peptide sequences identified by LMW-WSE were screened using BIOPEP UWM database, and 36 sequences matched with known BPs. Fermentation of RLPI by lactic acid bacteria and yeasts generated 12 peptides undetected in raw RLPI. Besides, H. uvarum SY1 led to the highest abundance (peak areas) of BPs, in particular with antioxidant and ACE-inhibitory activities. The amino acid sequences LVR and LVL, identified in the fermented RLPI, represent novel findings, as they were detected for the first time in substrates subjected to microbial fermentation. KVI, another BP highly characteristic of RLPI-SY1, was previously observed only in dried bonito. 44 novel potential BPs, worthy of further characterization, were correlated with antifungal activity

Experimenting clinical pathways in general practice: a focus group investigation with Italian General Practitioners

Background. Clinical governance is considered crucial in primary care. Since 2005, clinical pathways have been experimentally implemented at the Local Health Authority of Monza Brianza (ASLMB), Italy, to develop general practitioners\u2019 (GPs) care of patients affected by some chronic diseases. The experimentation was aimed at introducing clinical governance in primary care, increasing GPs\u2019 involvement in the care of their patients, and improving both patients\u2019 and professionals\u2019 satisfaction. In the period 2005-2006, 12% of the 763 employed GPs in the ASLMB were involved in the experiment, while this percentage increased to 15-20% in 2007-2008. Design and Methods. Twenty-four GPs were purposively sampled, randomly divided into two groups and asked to participate in focus groups (FGs) held in 2008, aimed at evaluating their perception of the experiment. The FGs were audio-recorded, dialogues were typed out and undergone to a thematic analysis, according to the Interpretative Phenomenological Approach. Results. Four major themes emerged: i) clinical pathways can result in GPs working in a more efficient and effective fashion; ii) they can assure higher levels of both patient and professional satisfaction, since they sustain a caring approach and strengthen the GPs\u2019 role; iii) nevertheless, clinical pathways increase the bureaucratic workload and problems can arise in relationships among GPs and the LHA; iv) the implementation of clinical pathways can be improved, especially by reducing bureaucracy and by assuring their continuity. Conclusions. Managerial aspects should be considered with care in order to experimentally introduce clinical pathways in general practice, and continuity of the experimentation should be guaranteed to improve GPs\u2019 adherence and commitment

eXeRCISeS FOR PAReTIC UPPeR LIMb AFTeR STROKe: A COMbINeD VIRTUAL-ReALITY AND TeLeMeDICINe APPROACH

Objective: Telerehabilitation enables a remotely controlled programme to be used to treat motor deficits in post-stroke patients. The effects of this telerehabilitation approach were compared with traditional motor rehabilitation methods. Design: Randomized single-blind controlled trial. Patients: A total of 36 patients with mild arm motor impairments due to ischaemic stroke in the region of the middle cerebral artery. Methods: The experimental treatment was a virtual realitybased system delivered via the Internet, which provided motor tasks to the patients from a remote rehabilitation facility. The control group underwent traditional physical therapy for the upper limb. Both treatments were of 4 weeks duration. All patients were assessed one month prior to therapy, at the commencement and termination of therapies and one month post-therapy, with the Fugl-Meyer Upper Extremity, the ABILHAND and the Ashworth scales. Results: Both rehabilitative therapies significantly improved all outcome scores after treatment, but only the Fugl-Meyer Upper Extremity scale showed differences in the comparison between groups. Conclusion: Both strategies were effective, but the experimental approach induced better outcomes in motor performance. These results may favour early discharge from hospital sustained by a telerehabilitation programme, with potential beneficial effects on the use of available resources