Typical Family Research Articles

Isolation and functional characterization of DNA damage repair protein (DRT) from Lepidium latifolium L.

We have isolated and in silico characterized a cold regulated plastocyanin encoding gene from Lepidium latifolium L designated as LlaDRT. Its cDNA sequence (JN214346) consists of a 504bp ORF, 48 and 205bp of 5′ and 3′ UTR regions, respectively encoding a protein of 17.07KDa and pI 4.95. In silico and phylogenetic analysis of LlaDRT suggested that the protein has features of a typical plastocyanin family member and of a nearest relative of the predominant isoform of Arabidopsis (PETE2) plastocyanin. Validation of stress response of LlaDRT by qPCR under different abiotic stress regulators viz salicylic acid, jasmonic acid, calcium chloride, ethylene and abscisic acid revealed its possible regulation and crosstalk amongst different pathways.

High resolution structure of cleaved Serpin 42 Da from Drosophila melanogaster.

BackgroundThe Drosophila melanogaster Serpin 42 Da gene (previously Serpin 4) encodes a serine protease inhibitor that is capable of remarkable functional diversity through the alternative splicing of four different reactive centre loop exons. Eight protein isoforms of Serpin 42 Da have been identified to date, targeting the protease inhibitor to both different proteases and cellular locations. Biochemical and genetic studies suggest that Serpin 42 Da inhibits target proteases through the classical serpin ‘suicide’ inhibition mechanism, however the crystal structure of a representative Serpin 42 Da isoform remains to be determined.ResultsWe report two high-resolution crystal structures of Serpin 42 Da representing the A/B isoforms in the cleaved conformation, belonging to two different space-groups and diffracting to 1.7 Å and 1.8 Å. Structural analysis reveals the archetypal serpin fold, with the major elements of secondary structure displaying significant homology to the vertebrate serpin, neuroserpin. Key residues known to have central roles in the serpin inhibitory mechanism are conserved in both the hinge and shutter regions of Serpin 42 Da. Furthermore, these structures identify important conserved interactions that appear to be of crucial importance in allowing the Serpin 42 Da fold to act as a versatile template for multiple reactive centre loops that have different sequences and protease specificities.ConclusionsIn combination with previous biochemical and genetic studies, these structures confirm for the first time that the Serpin 42 Da isoforms are typical inhibitory serpin family members with the conserved serpin fold and inhibitory mechanism. Additionally, these data reveal the remarkable structural plasticity of serpins, whereby the basic fold is harnessed as a template for inhibition of a large spectrum of proteases by reactive centre loop exon ‘switching’. This is the first structure of a Drosophila serpin reported to date, and will provide a platform for future mutational studies in Drosophila to ascertain the functional role of each of the Serpin 42 Da isoforms.

Overexpression, purification, and characterization of Paenibacillus cell surface-expressed chitinase ChiW with two catalytic domains.

Paenibacillus sp. strain FPU-7 produces several different chitinases and effectively hydrolyzes robust chitin. Among the P. FPU-7 chitinases, ChiW, a novel monomeric chitinase with a molecular mass of 150 kDa, is expressed as a cell surface molecule. Here, we report that active ChiW lacking the anchoring domains in the N-terminus was successfully overproduced in Escherichia coli and purified to homogeneity. The two catalytic domains at the C-terminal region were classified as typical glycoside hydrolase family 18 chitinases, whereas the N-terminal region showed no sequence similarity to other known proteins. The vacuum-ultraviolet circular dichroism spectrum of the enzyme strongly suggested the presence of a β-stranded-rich structure in the N-terminus. Its biochemical properties were also characterized. Various insoluble chitins were hydrolyzed to N,N'-diacetyl-D-chitobiose as the final product. Based on amino acid sequence similarities and site-directed mutagenesis, Glu691 and Glu1177 in the two GH-18 domains were identified as catalytic residues.

Characterization of beta‐glucosidase from Physarum polycephalum (LB141)

Physarum polycephalum, which is one of the true slime molds, has a unique life cycle that includes plasmodia, sclerotia, spores, and amoebae. Furthermore, the plasmodia cultured in liquid medium form a small lump called microplasmodia. The microplasmodia secrete a large amount of slime that includes the various proteins such as beta‐glucosidase: intracellular soluble, membrane‐bound, and secretory enzymes. Previously, we had reported that the membrane‐bound beta‐glucosidase BglM1, which has a molecular mass of 130 kDa, has a unique primary structure. The structure of BglM1 consists mainly of two regions: the N‐terminal region, which contains a typical glycosyl hydrolase family 3 domains and the C‐terminal region, which has a unique sequence that is unrelated to hydrolytic reactions. Notably, the C‐terminal region of BglM1 contains two calx‐beta motifs known as calcium binding sites, an RGD sequence, and a transmembrane region. In this study, we focus on the characteristics of a secretory enzyme that may be a membrane‐free type of BglM1.The molecular mass of the secretory enzyme purified in the presence of Ca ion and absence of Ca ion is 130 and 95 kDa, respectively. The 130kDa molecules react with antibodies that are specific for the BglM1 N‐terminal and C‐terminal regions. However, the 95kDa molecules are not detected by the C‐terminal antibody. These results indicate that in the absence of Ca ion, the 130kDa molecules are unstable and are degraded to 95kDa molecules. The kinetics data obtained from the 95 and 130kDa molecules showed that the calx region plays an important role on the stability and function of the enzyme. Further, to clarify the physiological functions of BglM1 with a calx region and of the secretory form, we assessed their mRNA expression during the Physarum cell cycle.

A study of subsurface wastewater infiltration systems for distributed rural sewage treatment

Three types of subsurface wastewater infiltration systems (SWIS) were developed to study the efficiency of organic pollutant removal from distributed rural sewage under various conditions. Of the three different layered substrate systems, the one with the greatest amount of decomposed cow dung (5%) and soil (DCDS) showed the highest removal efficiency with respect to total nitrogen (TN), where the others showed no significant difference. The TN removal efficiency was increased with an increasing filling height of DCDS. Compared with the TN removal efficiency of 25% in the system without DCDS, the removal efficiency of the systems in which DCDS filled half and one fourth of the height was increased by 72% and 31%, respectively. Based on seasonal variations in the discharge of the typical rural family, the SWIS were run at three different hydraulic loads of 6.5, 13 and 20 cm/d. These results illustrated that SWIS could perform well at any of the given hydraulic loads. The results of trials using different inlet configurations showed that the effluent concentration of the contaminants in the system operating a multiple-inlet mode was much lower compared with the system operated under single-inlet conditions. The effluent concentration of a pilot-scale plant achieved the level III criteria specified by the Surface Water Quality Standard at the initial stage.

A common single nucleotide polymorphism impairs B-cell activating factor receptor's multimerization, contributing to common variable immunodeficiency

A common single nucleotide polymorphism impairs B-cell activating factor receptor's multimerization, contributing to common variable immunodeficiency

EPA-1194 – Comparative study of static and dynamic family representations in psychosomatic families. case study

A well-functioning family system is able to change over time, while a dysfunctional one rigidly insists on its behaviour patterns well accustomed to. Thus all the family members become essential parts of this unfavourable condition. The aim of our study was to explore the psychosomatic family members’ static and dynamic mental representations about their family. There were altogether three families in our study, one of them with an asthmatic person and the other one with a young adult with panic disorder. The members of the third family were healthy people. Gehring's (2010) Family System Test (FAST) - a figural technique - was used to explore the individuals’ family representations. Later the dynamic form of the test was also applied. The results showed more rigid family structure in the cases of the psychosomatic patients. While the family members’ static representations were more comparable in the typical and ideal situations in the family with an asthmatic young person, the panic patient's typical and conflict family representations demonstrated more similarity. In addition, this representation rather reflected the healthy family members’ mental representation in the family with a panic patient, while in the other case the joint representation of the family members was influenced by the asthmatic young man to a greater extent. The observed types of the family structure confirm the different static representations and cognitive processes by the family members, which raises the significance of the effect of the analysed psychosomatic disorders on the given family system.

Positive and Negative Family Emotional Climate Differentially Predict Youth Anxiety and Depression via Distinct Affective Pathways

A socioaffective specificity model was tested in which positive and negative affect differentially mediated relations of family emotional climate to youth internalizing symptoms. Participants were 134 7(th)-9(th) grade adolescents (65 girls; 86 % Caucasian) and mothers who completed measures of emotion-related family processes, experienced affect, anxiety, and depression. Results suggested that a family environment characterized by maternal psychological control and family negative emotion expressiveness predicted greater anxiety and depression, and was mediated by experienced negative affect. Conversely, a family emotional environment characterized by low maternal warmth and low positive emotion expressiveness predicted only depression, and was mediated through lowered experienced positive affect. This study synthesizes a theoretical model of typical family emotion socialization with an extant affect-based model of shared and unique aspects of anxiety and depression symptom expression.

Assessment of Vehicle and Restraint Design Changes for Mitigating Rear Seat Occupant Injuries

Objective: Investigate the combined effects of belt geometry, seat substructure, and seat belt pretensioners and load limiters on rear seat occupant injury risk.Methods: An instrumented Hybrid III 5th percentile adult female dummy was subjected to simulated frontal impacts (Δv = 45.8 km/h, peak acceleration = 27.1 g). Testing was conducted on a rear seat of a typical family sedan with modifications allowing for adjustment in upper anchorage position, mounting of an antisubmarining seat pan, and the use of seat belt pretensioners with load limiters.Results: Dummy seated posture had the strongest effect on submarining. Seat belt pretensioners with load limiters reduced head and femur excursion and decreased chest injury measurements but did not prevent submarining. The antisubmarining seat pan, on the other hand, prevented submarining in one case but could not prevent submarining with the dummy in a slouched posture. Upper anchorage position resulting in poor belt geometry was shown to increase both chest injury measures and submarining.Conclusions: The results from this study demonstrate the importance of an upright seated posture and the potential benefits of including adjustable upper anchorages to allow good sash belt fit, antisubmarining seat pans, belt buckles positioned near the seat bight, and seat belts with pretensioners and load limiters for rear seat occupants. These data can be used to inform the design of a system of restraints to reduce injuries to rear seat occupants.

Pancreatic β cell proliferation by intermittent hypoxia via up-regulation of Reg family genes and HGF gene

AimsAlthough accumulating evidence suggests the associations between sleep apnea syndrome (SAS) and type 2 diabetes, the direct effect of intermittent hypoxia (IH) on pancreatic β cell proliferation remains a missing piece of the puzzle. Main methodsRat RINm5F β cells, hamster HIT-T15 β cells, and human 1.1B4 β cells were exposed to normoxia (21% O2, 5% CO2, and balance N2), to sustained hypoxia (SH: 1% O2, 5% CO2, and balance N2), or to intermittent hypoxia (IH: 64 cycles of 5 min SH and 10 min normoxia) for 24 h. After the treatment, cellular proliferation and apoptosis were measured by WST-8 assay and TUNEL method, respectively. The expression of regenerating gene (Reg) family, interleukin (IL)-6, and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) was determined by real-time RT-PCR. Key findingsThe cellular proliferation of HIT-T15, RINm5F and 1.1B4 cells by IH was significantly increased, whereas apoptosis of these cells was unchanged. Real-time RT-PCR revealed that the mRNA levels of Reg family genes, IL-6, a typical Reg family gene inducer, and HGF, an inhibitor of high-concentration of Reg protein-induced apoptosis, were increased in IH-treated cells. In addition, siRNAs against rat Reg family genes except for PAP I/Reg 2 attenuated IH-induced β cell proliferation. SignificanceIH stress stimulates pancreatic β cell to induce IL-6 gene expression. By the IL-6 stimulation, β cells over-express Reg family genes as well as HGF gene. Reg family proteins stimulate β cell proliferation and HGF inhibits apoptosis of β cells. As a result, β cell numbers are increased by IH.

Phylogenetics and Gene Structure Dynamics of Polygalacturonase Genes in Aspergillus and Neurospora crassa.

Polygalacturonase (PG) gene is a typical gene family present in eukaryotes. Forty-nine PGs were mined from the genomes of Neurospora crassa and five Aspergillus species. The PGs were classified into 3 clades such as clade 1 for rhamno-PGs, clade 2 for exo-PGs and clade 3 for exo- and endo-PGs, which were further grouped into 13 sub-clades based on the polypeptide sequence similarity. In gene structure analysis, a total of 124 introns were present in 44 genes and five genes lacked introns to give an average of 2.5 introns per gene. Intron phase distribution was 64.5% for phase 0, 21.8% for phase 1, and 13.7% for phase 2, respectively. The introns varied in their sequences and their lengths ranged from 20 bp to 424 bp with an average of 65.9 bp, which is approximately half the size of introns in other fungal genes. There were 29 homologous intron blocks and 26 of those were sub-clade specific. Intron losses were counted in 18 introns in which no obvious phase preference for intron loss was observed. Eighteen introns were placed at novel positions, which is considerably higher than those of plant PGs. In an evolutionary sense both intron loss and gain must have taken place for shaping the current PGs in these fungi. Together with the small intron size, low conservation of homologous intron blocks and higher number of novel introns, PGs of fungal species seem to have recently undergone highly dynamic evolution.

Partition-Migration in Bengal: Political Schism and Regional-Cultural Divide

A colossal influx of Hindus from East Bengal (EB) to West Bengal (WB) was evidenced as a consequence of communal riots and partition-migration during 1946-1947. In WB alone, an estimated 3 million uprooted EB Hindus became 'refugee-migrants' (coerced to flee their homeland and eventually settled as migrants). Initially, the EB Hindus were struggling to resettle in Kolkata and its vicinities. However, their resettlement effort was partially dented by the inimical attitude of the WB Hindus for economic reason. Socio-cultural issues further exacerbated the cleavage between the locals and the settlers. These factors resulted in a new phase of regional communal categorisation between the EB and WB Hindus against the conventional Hindu-Muslim conflict. Subsequently, regional differences and sense of exclusion were reflected in their attitudes of retaining own family values, marriage practices and distinct cultural identities. This paper attempts to analyse the EB Hindus' tendency of maintaining typical family norms and continuity of their cultural traits amidst the WB local culture in Kolkata. A theoretical discussion will be carried out on symbolic construction of community and social exclusion and variance.

Influence of Hydrological Situations on Benthic Organisms in a Small River in Saxony (Germany)

Abstract This research was focused on the relationship between river discharge and organism drift. It was carried out for three years in a small heavily modified river in Saxony (Germany). The amount and species composition of drifting invertebrates were observed, depending on discharge and flow velocity. A station was installed where the flow velocity was continually measured and drifting organisms were caught with nets. An inventory of the aquatic community (benthic invertebrates) was taken to determine the species living in the river at the research station. The highest drift density measured was 578 organisms per m3 at a flow velocity of 0.90 m s-1, the mainly drifting organisms were Chironomidae. Different organisms groups started drifting at different flow velocities. Heavy impacts, such as dredging the river and flood waves, affected the aquatic ecosystems and severely changed the aquatic community regarding the number and the diversity. Some of the aquatic invertebrates such as the Anthothecata completely disappeared after dredging. It was found that many different terrestrial organisms were part of the drift. The typical family of soil biota Collembola represented the largest share.

Structural Basis for Interaction between Mycobacterium smegmatis Ms6564, a TetR Family Master Regulator, and Its Target DNA

Master regulators, which broadly affect expression of diverse genes, play critical roles in bacterial growth and environmental adaptation. However, the underlying mechanism by which such regulators interact with their cognate DNA remains to be elucidated. In this study, we solved the crystal structure of a broad regulator Ms6564 in Mycobacterium smegmatis and its protein-operator complex at resolutions of 1.9 and 2.5 Å, respectively. Similar to other typical TetR family regulators, two dimeric Ms6564 molecules were found to bind to opposite sides of target DNA. However, the recognition helix of Ms6564 inserted only slightly into the DNA major groove. Unexpectedly, 11 disordered water molecules bridged the interface of TetR family regulator DNA. Although the DNA was deformed upon Ms6564 binding, it still retained the conformation of B-form DNA. Within the DNA-binding domain of Ms6564, only two amino acids residues directly interacted with the bases of cognate DNA. Lys-47 was found to be essential for the specific DNA binding ability of Ms6564. These data indicate that Ms6564 can bind DNA with strong affinity but makes flexible contacts with DNA. Our study suggests that Ms6564 might slide more easily along the genomic DNA and extensively regulate the expression of diverse genes in M. smegmatis.

Marine teleost ortholog of catalase from rock bream (Oplegnathus fasciatus): Molecular perspectives from genomic organization to enzymatic behavior with respect to its potent antioxidant properties

Catalases are well known antioxidant enzymes that can mainly dismutate hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen in order to prevent oxidative stress. The complete genomic DNA (gDNA) sequence of the catalase gene from rock bream (Oplegnathus fasciatus) was identified from our custom-constructed BAC genomic DNA library and designated as RbCat. RbCat consists of 13 exons, separated by 12 introns, within a 13,722-bp gDNA sequence. The complete cDNA sequence (3303 bp) of RbCat is comprised of a 1581-bp coding region, encoding a peptide of 527 amino acids (aa) in length, with a predicted molecular mass of 60 kDa and a theoretical isoelectric point of 8.34. The anticipated promoter region of RbCat contains several transcription factor-binding sites, including sites that bind with immune- and antioxidant-responsive signaling molecules, suggesting its substantial transcriptional regulation. RbCat resembles the typical catalase family signature, i.e., it is composed of the catalase proximal active site motif along with a catalase proximal heme-ligand signature motif and shares great homology with its fish counterparts. According to multiple sequence alignment, functionally important amino acids present in RbCat were thoroughly conserved among its vertebrate counterparts. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that RbCat evolved from a vertebrate origin, and further positioned it in the fish clade. Recombinant RbCat had noticeable peroxidase activity against its substrate, hydrogen peroxide, in a dose-dependent manner. However, it demonstrated substantial peroxidase activity within a broad range of temperatures and pH values. Constitutive RbCat mRNA expression of different magnitudes was detected in a tissue-specific manner, suggesting its diverse role in physiology with respect to the tissue type. Moreover, immune challenge experiments using Edwardsiella tarda and rock bream iridovirus (RBIV) as live pathogens and polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid and lipopolysaccharide as mitogens revealed that the transcription of RbCat can be modulated by immune stimulation. Collectively, the results obtained in this study suggest that RbCat can function as a potent antioxidant enzyme in rock bream and may play a role in post-immune responses with respect to its peroxidase activity.

Improving the Museum Experiences of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and Their Families: An Exploratory Examination of Their Motivations and Needs and Using Web‐based Resources to Meet Them

AbstractThrough a partnership with a local school, the Smithsonian Institution and the Information Policy and Access Center at the University of Maryland conducted an exploratory study to examine the motivations and needs of families visiting museums with children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs). This study represents one of the first undertakings to study visitors with ASDs, especially children, through a primarily qualitative data collection. Interest‐driven enjoyment emerged as a primary motivation, though to relax and to socialize outside of the family boundaries were not ranked as important motives for visiting museums. Children, who were directly interviewed, gave positive assessments of their museum experiences, while parents commented that challenges, both museum‐ and family‐related (crowds, loud noise, not feeling welcome, and a child's unpredictable behavior) surfaced in public settings like museums. Parents desired a “typical family outing” with their ASDs child, stating that manageable and safe environments helped families experience a museum.

Family Constellations and Life Satisfaction in Europe

Existing research on family and well-being has generally focused on the traditional family, and has largely ignored the increasing diversity in family forms and relations. Our aim in this paper is to help fill this gap by investigating the extent of the relationship between living arrangements and life satisfaction (LS) in Europe. We examined variations in life satisfaction by applying a multilevel approach (i.e., individuals nested in countries) to data from the 2007 European Quality of Life Survey. First, we found that levels of life satisfaction among families consisting of couples with children were significantly higher than among people in other (less typical) family arrangements. Second, our results illustrate that after the socioeconomic situation of the family was taken into account, the influence of family status on LS disappeared almost completely. Overall, our findings suggest that the lower levels of life satisfaction experienced by people living in atypical families can be largely attributed to their weaker socioeconomic position.

Prospects for collaboration between the veterinary professions in the United States and China

Family farming is still the heart of rural China, supporting millions of families, with the typical family farm raising animals and growing crops suitable to the local climatic conditions and fulfilling the needs of local markets. But over the next 10 years, China is expected to experience the greatest degree of urbanization in world history. According to the McKinsey Global Health Institute, 1 the population of China will grow by approximately 350 million by 2025, with a billion people living in cities and 221 cities having a population of a million people or more. This trend toward urbanization is expected to be accompanied by a rapid increase in the size of the middle class, with an attendant tremendous increase in the demand for highquality protein. To meet increasing consumer demands, more Chinese veterinarians will be needed to assist with food animal production. In addition, although most Chinese veterinarians currently work in the areas of food safety, research, government, and agriculture, the increase in the number of middle-income and upper-income families will also result in an increase in the number of pets and an increase in the demand for small animal veterinarians. Given these trends, there is great potential for collaborative efforts of mutual interest and benefit to the US and Chinese veterinary professions. In this article, we explore some of those areas of potential collaboration.

The age of plenty [Issue intro.

Summary form only given, as follows. We think of things like nuclear submarines and luxury cars as emblems of technological sophistication. But turn your attention now to an ordinary local supermarket in any developed country. It probably stocks 15,000 to 50,000 different products, including items like organic red quinoa and Tahitian vanilla beans. In the produce section are about 100 different kinds of fruits and a like number of vegetables. The packaged food section has snacks that are scientifically formulated to trigger addictive responses while retaining their freshness for months, if not years. And it is all ridiculously cheap: A typical family in a developed country spends less than 15 percent of its disposable income on food. We are rich in food beyond all prior dreams, and yet there is a swelling chorus of worry that we are headed for catastrophe, as population growth and climate change threaten food security. That anxiety is misplaced. It is true that we need new technologies to grow more and better food using fewer chemicals and less land, water, energy, labor, and capital, while causing less damage to the environment. But as we show in this issue, it is also a fact that those technologies are now being developed, tested, or applied all over the world.

AB0396 Patients with rheumatoid arthritis – general psychological characteristics

ObjectivesTo assess psychological characteristics of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).Methods30 patients were included (3 male, 27 female, mean age 56.8 years) with proven diagnosis of RA (according to the 1987...