DNA Sequence Determinants Controlling Affinity, Stability and Shape of DNA Complexes Bound by the Nucleoid Protein Fis.

The abundant Fis nucleoid protein selectively binds poorly related DNA sequences with high affinities to regulate diverse DNA reactions. Fis binds DNA primarily through DNA backbone contacts and selects target sites by reading conformational properties of DNA sequences, most prominently intrinsic minor groove widths. High-affinity binding requires Fis-stabilized DNA conformational changes that vary depending on DNA sequence. In order to better understand the molecular basis for high affinity site recognition, we analyzed the effects of DNA sequence within and flanking the core Fis binding site on binding affinity and DNA structure. X-ray crystal structures of Fis-DNA complexes containing variable sequences in the noncontacted center of the binding site or variations within the major groove interfaces show that the DNA can adapt to the Fis dimer surface asymmetrically. We show that the presence and position of pyrimidine-purine base steps within the major groove interfaces affect both local DNA bending and minor groove compression to modulate affinities and lifetimes of Fis-DNA complexes. Sequences flanking the core binding site also modulate complex affinities, lifetimes, and the degree of local and global Fis-induced DNA bending. In particular, a G immediately upstream of the 15 bp core sequence inhibits binding and bending, and A-tracts within the flanking base pairs increase both complex lifetimes and global DNA curvatures. Taken together, our observations support a revised DNA motif specifying high-affinity Fis binding and highlight the range of conformations that Fis-bound DNA can adopt. The affinities and DNA conformations of individual Fis-DNA complexes are likely to be tailored to their context-specific biological functions

Blood and Steel

I will have the man from the field, cried Industry— And a peaceful nation answered, No, leave the farmer. He must feed his country! Then give me the artist and musician— They are soft, but I will make them strong. ..

Sand and Salt Water

LUE-GREEN, white-capped ocean stretched to meet the horizon. The wind dried my lips; and coarse, golden sand burned my bare feet. I must remember this exactly as it is— the taste of salt, the color of the sky—the richness of it, the haze where it meets the ocean, I thought. This last swim must be perfect. ..

Development and feasibility testing of an education program to improve knowledge and self-care among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients with heart failure

INTRODUCTION: There is a 70% higher age-adjusted incidence of heart failure (HF) among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, three times more hospitalisations and twice as many deaths as among non-Aboriginal people. There is a need to develop holistic yet individualised approaches in accord with the values of Aboriginal community health care to support patient education and self-care. The aim of this study was to re-design an existing HF educational resource (Fluid Watchers-Pacific Rim) to be culturally safe for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, working in collaboration with the local community, and to conduct feasibility testing.  METHODS: This study was conducted in two phases and utilised a mixed-methods approach (qualitative and quantitative). Phase 1 used action research methods to develop a culturally safe electronic resource to be provided to Aboriginal HF patients via a tablet computer. An HF expert panel adapted the existing resource to ensure it was evidence-based and contained appropriate language and images that reflects Aboriginal culture. A stakeholder group (which included Aboriginal workers and HF patients, as well as researchers and clinicians) then reviewed the resources, and changes were made accordingly. In Phase 2, the new resource was tested on a sample of Aboriginal HF patients to assess feasibility and acceptability. Patient knowledge, satisfaction and self-care behaviours were measured using a before and after design with validated questionnaires. As this was a pilot test to determine feasibility, no statistical comparisons were made.  RESULTS: Phase 1: Throughout the process of resource development, two main themes emerged from the stakeholder consultation. These were the importance of identity, meaning that it was important to ensure that the resource accurately reflected the local community, with the appropriate clothing, skin tone and voice. The resource was adapted to reflect this, and members of the local community voiced the recordings for the resource. The other theme was comprehension; images were important and all text was converted to the first person and used plain language. Phase 2: Five Aboriginal participants, mean age 61.6±10.0 years, with NYHA Class III and IV heart failure were enrolled. Participants reported a high level of satisfaction with the resource (83.0%). HF knowledge (percentage of correct responses) increased from 48.0±6.7% to 58.0±9.7%, a 20.8% increase, and results of the self-care index indicated that the biggest change was in patient confidence for self-care, with a 95% increase in confidence score (46.7±16.0 to 91.1±11.5). Changes in management and maintenance scores varied between patients.  CONCLUSIONS: By working in collaboration with HF experts, Aboriginal researchers and patients, a culturally safe HF resource has been developed for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients. Engaging Aboriginal researchers, capacity-building, and being responsive to local systems and structures enabled this pilot study to be successfully completed with the Aboriginal community and positive participant feedback demonstrated that the methodology used in this study was appropriate and acceptable; participants were able to engage with willingness and confidence

Inhibitory effect and preliminary phytochemicalscreening of some ornamental plants against somebacteria pathogens

Background: Bacterial resistance to the drugs known for their treatment is on the increase, thereforesuggesting the need to search for dependable natural products as alternative for cure and prevention.Efforts in this regard have focused on plants because of their use historically and the large portionsof the world’s population relying on plants for the treatment of infectious and non-infectious diseases.Methods: Some ornamental plants’ extracts in compares with commercial antibiotics were testedin vitro on Salmonella typhi, Salmonella typhimurium, Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcusepidermidisfor medicinal values. Quantitative and qualitative phytochemicals; free radicalscavenging capacity, ferric reducing antioxidant property and hydroxyl radical scavenging of theplants’ extracts were determined by chemical methods.Results: Varied degrees of inhibition and in some cases resistance were observed with the extractson the four bacteria species. However, highest inhibition of 30.33±0.35 mm was recorded on Salmonella typhimurium, followed by S. epidermidis with zone of 30.00±0.00 mm both withH. crepitans extract. Cotrimozazole most inhibited Salmonella typhimurium with a zone of 29 mm and followed by ofloxacin with a zone of 27.33 mm on S. epidermidis. MIC activity of the extract wasbetween 12.5 – 50 mg/ml and MBC activity from 25 – 100 mg/ml.Conclusions: Valuableantibacterial effect of the plants’ extracts correlating with the phytochemicalsand antioxidants potentials, suggest the plants acceptability for folklore and could be of universalrecognition for handling diseases that plaque around us mostly in some urban and rural communitieswhere modern medicine are not affordable and accessible by the poo

The Iowa Homemaker vol.15, no.8

Let Cupid Be Host at Your Valentine Buffet Supper, page 2 His Pin Is Anchored, page 3 $30,000 a Year for Clothes?, page 4 Don’t Be Savage, page 5 What’s What in Business Letters, page 5 Tick! Tock!, page 6 Watch Your Knives and Forks, page 7 The Coffee Hour, page 7 Sugar, Spice and All Things Nice, page 8 The Pie Has It, page 9 Eleven Grads in Demonstration Work, page 10 Home Economic’s Evolution from Tents, page 12 Centerpiece of Flowers, page 14 Dress for Comfort, page 1