54,365 research outputs found
Multiple functions of LIM domain-binding CLIM/NLI/Ldb cofactors during zebrafish development
No full textThe crucial involvement of CLIM/NLI/Ldb cofactors for the exertion of the biological activity of LIM homeodomain transcription factors (LIM-HD) has been demonstrated. In this paper we show that CLIM cofactors are widely expressed during zebrafish development with high protein levels in specific neuronal cell types where LIM-HD proteins of the Isl class are synthesized. The overexpression of a dominant-negative CLIM molecule (DN-CLIM) that contains the LIM interaction domain (LID) during early developmental stages of zebrafish embryos results in an impairment of eye and midbrain-hindbrain boundary (MHB) development and disturbances in the formation of the anterior midline. On a cellular level we show that the outgrowth of peripheral but not central axons from Rohon Beard (RB) and trigeminal sensory neurons is inhibited by DN-CLIM overexpression. We demonstrate a further critical role of CLIM cofactors for axonal outgrowth of motor neurons. Additionally, DN-CLIM overexpression causes an increase of Isl-protein expression levels in specific neuronal cell types, likely due to a protection of the DN-CLIM/LIM-HD complex from proteasomal degradation. Our results demonstrate multiple roles of the CLIM cofactor family for the development of entire organs, axonal outgrowth of specific neurons and protein expression levels
A comment on "Intergenerational equity: sup, inf, lim sup, and lim inf"
Get PDFWe reexamine the analysis of Chambers (Social Choice and Welfare, 2009), that produces a characterization of a family of social welfare functions in the context of intergenerational equity: namely, those that coincide with either the sup, inf, lim sup, or lim inf rule. Reinforcement, ordinal covariance, and monotonicity jointly identify such class of rules. We show that the addition of a suitable axiom to this three properties permits to characterize each particular rule. A discussion of the respective distinctive properties is provided.Social welfare function; Intergenerational equity; Lim sup ; Lim inf
Four and a half LIM protein 1C (FHL1C)
Get PDFFour-and-a-half LIM domain protein 1 isoform A (FHL1A) is predominantly expressed in skeletal and cardiac muscle. Mutations in the FHL1 gene are causative for several types of hereditary myopathies including X-linked myopathy with postural muscle atrophy (XMPMA). We here studied myoblasts from XMPMA patients. We found that functional FHL1A protein is completely absent in patient myoblasts. In parallel, expression of FHL1C is either unaffected or increased. Furthermore, a decreased proliferation rate of XMPMA myoblasts compared to controls was observed but an increased number of XMPMA myoblasts was found in the G(0)/G(1) phase. Furthermore, low expression of K(v1.5), a voltage-gated potassium channel known to alter myoblast proliferation during the G(1) phase and to control repolarization of action potential, was detected. In order to substantiate a possible relation between K(v1.5) and FHL1C, a pull-down assay was performed. A physical and direct interaction of both proteins was observed in vitro. In addition, confocal microscopy revealed substantial colocalization of FHL1C and K(v1.5) within atrial cells, supporting a possible interaction between both proteins in vivo. Two-electrode voltage clamp experiments demonstrated that coexpression of K(v1.5) with FHL1C in Xenopus laevis oocytes markedly reduced K(+) currents when compared to oocytes expressing K(v1.5) only. We here present the first evidence on a biological relevance of FHL1C
The influence of high-intensity exercise training on the W(lim)-T(lim) relationship
No full textWhen exercise to exhaustion is performed using at least two different intensities, work to fatigue (W(lim)) can be expressed as a linear function of time to fatigue (T(lim)). Whereas the slope of this function is related to endurance ability, the y-intercept is associated with the potential to perform high intensity interval exercise. The purpose of the present investigation was to determine the influence of 8-wk intermittent high-intensity exercise training on the y-intercept derived from the W(lim)-T(lim) relationship. Eight healthy, untrained male students (19.1 +/- 0.6 yr) completed five 60-s bouts of maximal exercise on the cycle ergometer, three times a week, for 8 wk. Seven controls avoided regular activity for the same period. Prior to and immediately following the training period, the W(lim)-T(lim) relationship, VO2max, and total work completed in five 60-s exercise bouts on the cycle ergometer were determined. Correlational analysis established relationships between the y-intercept and total work accomplished in the interval test pre- (r = 0.90; P < 0.01; N = 15) and post-training (r = 0.92; P < 0.0 1; N = 15), confirming that the y-intercept is related to the ability to perform exercise of this nature. Moreover, the ''anaerobic'' energy yield, calculated from total work and oxygen consumed during the interval exercise, was also related to the y-intercept (r = 0.78; P < 0.01). Interval training significantly increased both the y-intercept (P = 0.0015) and total work accomplished in the interval test (P = 0.001), while the slope of the W(lim)-T(lim) relationship (critical power) remained unchanged. Changes in the y-intercept were correlated to changes in total work accomplished (r = 0.85; P < 0.01). Furthermore, peak post-exercise plasma lactate concentration resulting from the interval task increased from 12.2 +/- 1.6 to 16.3 +/- 0.9 mmol.-1 (P = 0.003), while oxygen consumed during this exercise demand was not significantly changed with training (P = 0. 166). The present study has demonstrated that not only does the y-intercept of the W(lim)-T(lim) relationship provide a measure of the ability to undertake repeated bouts of maximal, high intensity exercise, but that this particular characteristic is also responsive to exhaustive interval training
Early growth response gene-2 (Egr-2) regulates the development of B and T cells
No full textThe study was supported by Arthritis Research UK.
Copyright @ 2011 Li et al.BACKGROUND: Understanding of how transcription factors are involved in lymphocyte development still remains a challenge. It has been shown that Egr-2 deficiency results in impaired NKT cell development and defective positive selection of T cells. Here we investigated the development of T, B and NKT cells in Egr-2 transgenic mice and the roles in the regulation of distinct stages of B and T cell development. METHODS AND FINDINGS: The expression of Egr1, 2 and 3 were analysed at different stages of T and B cell development by RT-PCT and results showed that the expression was strictly regulated at different stages. Forced expression of Egr-2 in CD2+ lymphocytes resulted in a severe reduction of CD4+CD8+ (DP) cells in thymus and pro-B cells in bone marrow, which was associated with reduced expression of Notch1 in ISP thymocytes and Pax5 in pro-B cells, suggesting that retraction of Egr-2 at the ISP and pro-B cell stages is important for the activation of lineage differentiation programs. In contrast to reduction of DP and pro-B cells, Egr-2 enhanced the maturation of DP cells into single positive (SP) T and NKT cells in thymus, and immature B cells into mature B cells in bone marrow. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate that Egr-2 expressed in restricted stages of lymphocyte development plays a dynamic, but similar role for the development of T, NKT and B cells.This article is provided by the Brunel Open Access publishing fund
Measurement of the ratio of branching fractions B(B0→K∗0γ )/B(B0s→φγ ) and the directCP asymmetry inB 0→K∗0γ
Get PDFThe ratio of branching fractions of the radiative B decays B0→K⁎0γ and B0s→ϕγ has been measured using an integrated luminosity of 1.0 fb−1 of pp collision data collected by the LHCb experiment at a centre-of-mass energy of s√=7TeV. The value obtained is
B(B0→K⁎0γ)B(B0s→ϕγ)=1.23±0.06(stat.)±0.04(syst.)±0.10(fs/fd),
where the first uncertainty is statistical, the second is the experimental systematic uncertainty and the third is associated with the ratio of fragmentation fractions fs/fd. Using the world average value for B(B0→K⁎0γ), the branching fraction B(B0s→ϕγ) is measured to be (3.5±0.4)×10−5.
The direct CP asymmetry in B0→K⁎0γ decays has also been measured with the same data and found to be
ACP(B0→K⁎0γ)=(0.8±1.7(stat.)±0.9(syst.))%.
Both measurements are the most precise to date and are in agreement with the previous experimental results and theoretical expectations
Dispelling the Myths Behind First-author Citation Counts
Get PDFWe conducted a full-scale evaluative citation analysis study of scholars in the XML research field to explore just how different from each other author rankings resulting from different citation counting methods actually are, and to demonstrate the capability of emerging data and tools on the Web in supporting more realistic citation counting methods. Our results contest some common arguments for the continued
use of first-author citation counts in the evaluation of scholars, such as high correlations between author rankings by first-author citation counts and other citation
counting methods, and high costs of using more realistic citation counting methods that are not well-supported by the ISI databases. It is argued that increasingly available digital full text research papers make it possible for citation analysis studies to go beyond what the ISI databases have directly supported and to employ more
sophisticated methods
Goniozus mesolevis Lim, sp. nov.
No full textGoniozus mesolevis Lim, sp. nov. (Figs 25–32) Type materials. Holotype. KOREA: JN: Ƥ, Pungsan, Dado, Naju, MT, 30.viii– 9.ix. 2005, S. B. Yu leg (KFRI). Paratypes. KOREA: Seoul: Ƥ, Cheongyangri, Dongdaemun, MT, 12–20.ix. 2005, D. P. Lyu leg. (KFRI). GG: Ƥ, Gwanak arboretum, Manan, Anyang, MT, 31 viii– 14.ix. 2007, J. O. Lim leg. (SNU). GW: Ƥ, Jinae, Dong, Chuncheon, MT, 2–10.vii. 2005, S. J. Jang leg. (KFRI); Ƥ, ditto, MT, 16–30.vi. 2006, S. J. Jang leg. (SNU); Ƥ, ditto, MT, 31.vii– 12.viii. 2007, S. J. Jang leg. (KFRI). CN: Ƥ, Donam, Banpo, Gongju, MT, 2–9.viii. 2005, Y. T. Kim leg. (KFRI); 2 Ƥ, ditto, MT, 23–29.vii. 2007, Y. T. Kim leg. (KFRI). GB: Ƥ, Namsa, Hyeongok, Kyeongju, MT, 11–18.viii. 2005, J. T. Kim leg. (SNU); 2 Ƥ, ditto, MT, 25.viii– 2.ix. 2005, J. T. Kim leg. (SNU); Ƥ, ditto, MT, 30.vi– 14.vii. 2005, J. T. Kim leg. (SNU). GN: 5 Ƥ, Dapcheon, Ibanseong, Jinju, MT, 12–26.ix. 2005, B. G. Ahn leg. (KFRI); 2 Ƥ, ditto, MT, 29.viii– 12.ix. 2005, B. G. Ahn leg. (KFRI); 2 Ƥ, ditto, MT, 11–28.vi. 2007, B. G. Ahn leg. (KFRI). JB: Ƥ, Majeong, Buk, Jeongeub, MT, 12–19.vii. 2005, J. W. Park leg. (KFRI); 4 Ƥ, ditto, MT, 19–26.vii. 2005, J. W. Park leg. (KFRI); 3 Ƥ, ditto, MT, 20–27.ix. 2005, J. W. Park leg. (KFRI); Ƥ, ditto, MT, 2–9.viii. 2005, J. W. Park leg. (KFRI); Ƥ, ditto, MT, 5–12.vii. 2005, J. W. Park leg. (KFRI). JN: Ƥ, Pungsan, Dado, Naju, MT, 25.vii– 8.viii. 2005, S. B. Yu leg. (KFRI); Ƥ, ditto, MT, 8–16.viii. 2005, S. B. Yu leg. (KFRI); 9 Ƥ, ditto, MT, 9–30.ix. 2005, S. B. Yu leg. (KFRI); Ƥ, ditto, MT, 25–31.viii. 2007, S. B. Yu leg. (KFRI). Diagnosis. This species species is similar to G. kusigematii Terayama, 1999 from Japan by having basal triangle area on propodeal disc absent, by longitudinal smooth area which get wide distally on propodeal disc, but can be easily distinguished from it by mandible black (yellow in G. k u s i g e m a t i i), by compound eye with short hairs (compound eye without hairs in G. kusigematii), by transverse carina on propodeal disc present only postero-lateral corner (transverse carina complete in G. k u s i g e m a t i i). Description. FEMALE (holotype). Body length 3.7 mm long. LFW 2.0 mm. Color. Head: mandible black, antenna yellow except flagellomere 5 to 11 and dorsal surface of basal half of scape castaenous. Mesosoma: black; fore wing subhyaline, veins pale castaneous; legs castaenous except coxa, tibia and tarsi yellow; tarsal claw dark castaenous. Metasoma: dark castaneous except distal surface of terga 2 to terminal pale castaenous. Head (Figs 26–28): 1.0 × as long as wide, coriaceous; lateral margin convex, posterior margin straight, postero-lateral corner forming round angle in dorsal view; lateral surface smooth and polished. Mandible with four minute teeth. Clypeus well-developed, frontal angle right; fronto-clypeal median longitudinal carina weakly developed, exceeding antennal socket. First antennal segment in ratio of 2.4: 1.1: 1.0: 1.2: 1.1 in length; from scape to flagellomere 3 and 11 2.2, 1.4, 1.4, 1.3, 1.5 and 2.0 × as long as wide, Frons and vertex coriaceous with sub-erect and relatively dense punctures, aparted from each other by 1.0–2.0 × as wide as their maximum diameter. WF 1.3 × LE, WF 0.7 × WH. Compound eye 0.35 mm long with short erect hairs. LE 1.6 × OOL, WF 1.9 × WOT. Frontal angle of ocellar triangle obtuse, POL 2.3 × AOL, OOL 0.9 × WOT. Vertex coriaceous with four long hairs on occipital margin. Mesosoma (Figs 29–31): Pronotum coriaceous, 0.6 × as long as wide with sparse hairs, antero-lateral corner obtuse. Mesoscutum coriaceous; notauli absent; parapsidal furrows thin and anteriorly divergent. Scutellum polish and coriaceous with sparse small punctures; scutellar pit elliptical, oblique and connected by 3.8 × as wide as their maximum diameter. Propodeal disc 0.5 × as long as wide, lateral carina complete, transverse carina present only postero-lateral corner; disc coriaceous except median longitudinal smooth surface, distally broaden in dorsal view; declivity coriaceous with complete marginal carina; lateral surface coriaceous. Fore wing with hairs and closed areolet; radial vein roundly curved; pterostigma 0.18 mm long; metacarpo absent. Metasoma (Fig. 32): Tergite 1 smooth and polished without fine punctures and microreticulation. Terga 2–4 smooth and polished with very fine and few punctures and sparse hairs on lateral surface. Terga 5 to terminal with sparse hairs on distal surface. MALE. Unknown. Distribution. Korea (CN, GB, GG, GN, GW, JB, JN, Seoul).Published as part of Lim, Jongok & Lee, Seunghwan, 2012, Review of Goniozus Förster, 1856 (Hymenoptera: Bethylidae) of Korea, with descriptions of two new species, pp. 43-57 in Zootaxa 3414 on pages 51-53, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.21079
Interdependence of Radiative and Nonradiative Decay Rates of the Lowest Excited States as Revealed by the Fluorescence of Dinaphthylalkanes
No full textT-cell lymphoma clonality by copy number variation analysis of T-cell receptor genes
Get PDFT-cell lymphomas arise from a single neoplastic clone and exhibit identical patterns of deletions in T-cell receptor (TCR) genes. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) data represent a treasure trove of information for the development of novel clinical applications. However, the use of WGS to identify clonal T-cell proliferations has not been systematically studied. In this study, based on WGS data, we identified monoclonal rearrangements (MRs) of T-cell receptors (TCR) genes using a novel segmentation algorithm and copy number computation. We evaluated the feasibility of this technique as a marker of T-cell clonality using T-cell lymphomas (TCL, n = 44) and extranodal NK/T-cell lymphomas (ENKTLs, n = 20), and identified 98% of TCLs with one or more TCR gene MRs, against 91% detected using PCR. TCR MRs were absent in all ENKTLs and NK cell lines. Sensitivity-wise, this platform is sufficiently competent, with MRs detected in the majority of samples with tumor content under 25% and it can also distinguish monoallelic from biallelic MRs. Understanding the copy number landscape of TCR using WGS data may engender new diagnostic applications in hematolymphoid pathology, which can be readily adapted to the analysis of B-cell receptor loci for B-cell clonality determination
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