The AvonLea Point

Abstract

The authors define a readily distinguished type of small, triangular, side-rotched projectile point previously assigned to the Late Prehistoric Period of the northwestern Plains but which was thought too generalized to be used in studies of cultural and ethnic affiliation.

Type sites are described, geographical distributions made, and factors considered which may have influenced the development of this point type in southwestern Saskatchewan.

It is concluded that the Avonlea point is sufficiently unique and temporally delimited to serve as a useful marker for the early Late Prehistoric Period in the northwestern Plains.     

The ant-tribe Leptothoracini in Turkey (Hymenoptera,Formicidae)

Abstract

A review is given of the state of knowledge of the 16 or more species of the ant tribe Leptothoracini that are known to occur in Turkey, together with a map of the published records and a list of new finds.     

Cancer cells resist hyperthermia due to its obstructed activation of caspase 3

AimIt is well known that inducing hyperthermia is a type of cancer treatment but some research groups indicate that this treatment is not effective. This article finds and explains the mechanism of this treatment and its possible problems.BackgroundHyperthermia is commonly known as a state when the temperature of the body rises to a level that can threaten one’s health. Hyperthermia is a type of cancer treatment in which body tissue is exposed to high temperatures (up to 45 °C). Research has shown that high temperatures can damage and kill cancer cells, usually with minimal injury to normal tissues. However, this mechanism is not known.Materials and MethodsWe recently treated cancer cells with different temperatures ranging from 37 °C to 47 °C and further measured their caspase 3 secretion by ELISA, western blot and cell survival rate by microscope.ResultsWe found that most cancer cells are able to resist hyperthermia more than normal cells most likely via non-activation of caspase3. We also found that hyperthermia-treated (≥41°) cancer cells extend a long pseudopod-like extension in comparison to the same cancer cells under normal conditions.ConclusionOur data here indicates that cancer cells have resistance to higher temperatures compared to normal cells via non-activation of caspase 3. This is a significant issue that needs to be brought to attention as the medical community has always believed that a high temperature treatment can selectively kill cancer/tumor cells. Additionally, we believe that the pseudopod-like extensions of hyperthermia-treated cancer cells must be related to its resistance to hyperthermia.     

Impact of Race/Ethnicity on the Efficacy and Safety of Commonly used Insulin Regimens: A Post HOC Analysis of Clinical Trials in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

ObjectiveTo explore the impact of race/ethnicity on the efficacy and safety of commonly used insulin regimens in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.MethodsIn this post hoc analysis, pooled data from 11 multinational clinical trials involving 1455 patients with type 2 diabetes were used to compare specific insulin treatments in Latino/Hispanic, Asian, African-descent, and Caucasian patients. Insulin treatments included once daily insulin glargine or neutral protamine Hagedorn (BASAL), insulin lispro mix 75/25 twice daily (LMBID), or insulin lispro mix 50/50 three times daily (LMTID).ResultsRace/ethnicity was associated with significant outcome differences for each of the insulin regimens. BASAL therapy was associated with greater improvement in several measures of glycemic control among Latino/Hispanic patients compared with Caucasian patients (lower end point hemoglobin A1c, greater reduction in hemoglobin A1c from baseline, and a larger proportion of patients achieving hemoglobin A1c level < 7%). In contrast, LMBID therapy was associated with higher end point hemoglobin A_1c and a smaller decrease in hemoglobin A_1c from baseline in Latino/Hispanic and Asian patients than in Caucasian patients. Furthermore, fewer Asian patients attained a hemoglobin A_1c level < 7% than did Caucasians patients. For LMTID therapy, hemoglobin A_1c outcomes were comparable across patient groups. Fasting blood glucose and glycemic excursions varied among racial/ethnic groups for the 3 insulin regimens. Weight change was comparable among racial/ethnic groups in each insulin regimen. During treatment with LMTID, Asian patients experienced higher incidence and rate of severe hypoglycemia than Caucasian patients.ConclusionsLatino/Hispanic, Asian, and African-descent patients with type 2 diabetes show different metabolic responses to insulin therapy, dependent in part on insulin type and regimen intensity. (Endocr Pract. 2010: 818-828:pp)     

野生建兰根系共生真菌群落结构及生物学功能

[目的]为探究建兰Cymbidium ensifolium根系共生真菌群落结构及生物学功能.[方法]利用高通量测序技术和FunGulid数据库,对来自湖南省(HN)、福建省(FJ)、贵州省(GZ)和云南省(YN)的4个样品的野生建兰根围土壤、根表和根内3个生态位的共生真菌种群结构与功能进行鉴定和预测.[结果]建兰根系共...     

Extrusion/spheronization of pectin-based formulations. II. Effect of additive concentration in the granulation liquid

Purpose. The aim of this study was to improve the formation of spherical pectin pellets by investigating the effect of additive concentration in the granulation liquid on the shape and size of the products as well as by identifying an optimal additive concentration.Methods. High-methoxylated, low-methoxylated, and amidated low-methoxylated pectin types were evaluated in combination with different concentrations of methanol, ethanol, citric acid, lactic acid, and calcium chloride. Pellets were prepared in a power-consumption-controlled twin-screw extruder, then spheronized and dried. The moisture content of the extrudate was determined, and the final products were characterized by image analysis and sieving analysis. A cloud point test was employed for the identification of an optimal additive concentration.Results. The concentration of additive in the granulation liquid affected the moisture content of the extrudate and the shape, size, and mechanical stability of the pectin pellets. Improvements in the pellet characteristics are dependent on the pectin type employed. The 2 low-methoxylated pectins were more sensitive to concentration changes than was the high-methoxylated type. Above a certain threshold concentration, the quality of the pellets are improved. This additive concentration differs according to type of pectin and type of additive.Conclusion. It was demonstrated that there is a concentration-dependent interaction between pectin and substances added to the granulation liquid that can be utilized to improve the formation of spherical pectin pellets.     

La vegetazione della Pineta dannunziana (Pescara)

Abstract

The vegetation of the Pescara pinewood. The littoral pinewood at Pescara, about 35 hectares wide, is entirely comprised within the urban environment of this city. It is a seminatural environment and its better preserved portion is a wood for which the phytosociological studies point out three main aspects: a) hygrophilous wood evolving towards Carici-Fraxinetum angustifoliae Pedrotti 1970 b) a mediterranean maquis type of vegetation; c) vegetation of Prunetalia spinosa type.

In the residual retrodunal sectors an impoverished garigue predominates. Pinus halepensis Miller is self-renovating in the open xerophilus areas, while it tends to disappear in the hygrophilous zones.     

Fast dynamics perturbation analysis for prediction of protein functional sites

Background  

We present a fast version of the dynamics perturbation analysis (DPA) algorithm to predict functional sites in protein structures. The original DPA algorithm finds regions in proteins where interactions cause a large change in the protein conformational distribution, as measured using the relative entropy D _x . Such regions are associated with functional sites.     

Morpho-histochemical characterization of salivary gland cells of males of the tick <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rhipicephalus</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">sanguineus</Emphasis> (Acari: Ixodidae) at different feeding stages: description of new cell types

This study describes the changes undergone by cells of the salivary glands of unfed and feeding (at day two and four post-attachment) Rhipicephalus sanguineus males, as well as new cell types. In unfed males, types I and II acini are observed with cells “undifferentiated”, undefined 1 and 2 (the latter, with atypical granules), a, c1 and c3; type III is composed of cells d and e; and type IV present cells g. In males at day two post-attachment, type I acini exhibit the same morphology of unfed individuals. An increase in size is observed in types II, III, and IV, as cells are filled with secretion granules. Some granules are still undergoing maturation. In type II acinus, cells a, b and c1–c8 are observed. Cells c7 and c8 are described for the first time. Cells c7 are termed as such due to the addition of polysaccharides in the composition of the secretion granules (in unfed individuals, they are termed undefined 1). Type III acini exhibit cells d and e completely filled with granules, and in type IV, cells g contain granules in several stages of maturation. In males at day four post-attachment, type I acini do not exhibit changes. Granular acini exhibit cells with fewer secretion granules, which are already mature. In type II acini, cells a, b, c1–c5 are present, type III exhibit cells d and e, and type IV contain cells g with little or no secretion. This study shows that in the salivary glands of R. sanguineus males, cells a, c1, and c3 of type II acinus, and cells d and e of type III do not exhibit changes in granular content, remaining continuously active during the entire feeding period. This indicates that during the intervals among feeding stages, gland cells reacquire the same characteristics found in unfed individuals, suggesting that they undergo reprogramming to be active in the next cycle.     

雷火灸五脏背俞穴对气虚型非小细胞肺癌患者化疗后癌因性疲乏的临床疗效评价

摘要 目的：探讨雷火灸五脏背俞穴对气虚型非小细胞肺癌（NSCLC）患者化疗后癌因性疲乏的临床疗效。方法：选取2020年3月~2022年5月期间我院收治的NSCLC患者93例,采用随机数字表法分为对照组（n=46,接受常规治疗）和观察组（n=47,在对照组的基础上接受雷火灸五脏背俞穴治疗）。对比两组简明疲乏量表（BFI）评分、中医证候积分、血液流变学指标、T淋巴细胞亚群指标、生活质量评分。结果：观察组治疗7 d后及治疗14 d后BFI评分均低于对照组同期（P<0.05）。观察组治疗14 d后腹胀纳呆、胸闷气短、神疲乏力、久嗽痰稀、浮肿便溏评分低于对照组同期（P<0.05）。观察组治疗14 d后高切全血黏度、低切全血黏度、红细胞压积、血浆黏度低于对照组同期（P<0.05）。观察组治疗14 d后CD8⁺低于对照组同期,CD3⁺、CD4⁺、CD4⁺/CD8⁺高于对照组同期（P<0.05）。观察组治疗14 d后功能、肺癌附加症状、生理、社会/家庭、情感评分高于对照组同期（P<0.05）。结论：雷火灸五脏背俞穴可有效减轻气虚型NSCLC患者化疗后癌因性疲乏症状,调节血液流变学水平和免疫功能,改善患者的生活质量。     

Unhooking Dynamics of U-Shaped DNA Molecule Undergoing Gel Electrophoresis

Abstract

It has been found that DNA molecules are often hooked around obstacles in a U-shaped configuration in gel electrophoresis. To understand the dynamics of the unhooking of U-shaped DNA molecules undergoing gel electrophoresis, we have examined the length changes of the longer and shorter arms of the U-shape as a function of time. Two types of unhooking have been found. In one type, the length changes of both arms are expontential in time but with different time constants. In another type, the length changes of the shorter arm is exponential and that of the longer one is linear with time. The interpretation is that the extent of stretch of the spring-like DNA chain decreases as the length difference between the two arms increases during the unhooking processes, and that the frictions at the pivot point can be relatively large depending upon the local structure of the gel. The friction coefficient at the pivot point is estimated to be v₀ = (2.98±1.42)X10^?5 g/sec.     

Optimal sequence alignment using affine gap costs

When comparing two biological sequences, it is often desirable for a gap to be assigned a cost not directly proportional to its length. If affine gap costs are employed, in other words if opening a gap costsv and each null in the gap costsu, the algorithm of Gotoh (1982,J. molec. Biol. 162, 705) finds the minimum cost of aligning two sequences in orderMN steps. Gotoh's algorithm attempts to find only one from among possibly many optimal (minimum-cost) alignments, but does not always succeed. This paper provides an example for which this part of Gotoh's algorithm fails and describes an algorithm that finds all and only the optimal alignments. This modification of Gotoh's algorithm still requires orderMN steps. A more precise form of path graph than previously used is needed to represent accurately all optimal alignments for affine gap costs.     

Has multiculturalism failed in Britain?

Abstract

This paper subjects the criticisms advanced against multiculturalism to empirical test. It asks whether ethno-religious groups lead ‘parallel lives’ and, in consequence, fail to integrate with the wider society. It looks in particular at the alleged corrosive effects of multiculturalism, specifically at the maintenance of an ethnic rather than a British identity, social distance from white people and willingness to contemplate violent protest, but finds that all groups alike have displayed major change across the generations in the direction of a British identity and reduced social distance. It finds no evidence that rates of intergenerational change have been slower among ethno-religious groups that have made successful claims for cultural recognition. In contrast, lower levels of integration are associated with perceptions of individual or group discrimination.     

The origin of the dog revisited

Abstract

The most widely accepted hypothesis of the origin of the dog, Canis familiaris, is that the dog is a domesticated gray wolf, Canis lupus. This paper reviews the evidence for this conclusion, finds many unanswered questions and conceptual gaps in the wolf origin hypothesis, and explores the alternative hypothesis that the most likely ancestor of the domestic dog was a medium-size, generalist canid.     

Cosynthesis of erythromycin A N-oxide by mutants ofSaccharopolyspora erythraea blocked in erythromycin production

The production of erythromycin A (1) and free erythronolide B (2) inSaccharopolyspora erythraea BTCC-2 is accompanied by formation of erythromycin A N-oxide (3) and other minor components, the ratio of yields of1 and3 being 97:3. Erythromycin-blocked mutants of type I (impaired in some unidentified steps prior to lactone synthesis) and type II (accumulating only2) cosynthesized both1 and the accompanying metabolites, but the ratio of1 and3 changed to 70:30. In pure cultures of type I, exogenous2 was converted to1 and minor components in ratios typical of the strain BTCC-2, whereas mutants of type II were effective convertors of1 to3.     

Spatial arrangement of LD motif-interacting residues on focal adhesion targeting domain of Focal Adhesion Kinase determine domain-motif interaction affinity and specificity

BackgroundLeucine rich Aspartate motifs (LD motifs) are molecular recognition motifs on Paxillin that recognize LD-motif binding domains (LDBD) of a number of focal adhesion proteins in order to carry out downstream signaling and actin cytoskeleton remodeling. In this study, we identified structural features within LDBDs that influence their binding affinity with Paxillin LD motifs.MethodsVarious point mutants of focal adhesion targeting (FAT) domain of Focal Adhesion Kinase (FAK) were created by moving a key Lysine residue two and three helical turns in order to match the unique conformations as observed in LDBDs of two other focal adhesion proteins, Vinculin and CCM3.ResultsThis led to identify a mutant of FAT domain of FAK, named as FAT(NV) (Asn992 of FAT domain was replaced by Val), with remarkable high affinity for LD1 (K_d = 1.5 μM vs no-binding with wild type) and LD2 peptides (K_d = 7.2 μM vs 63 μM with wild type). Consistently, the focal adhesions of MCF7 cells expressing FAK(NV) were highly stable (turnover rate = 1.25 × 10⁻⁵ μm²/s) as compared to wild type FAK transfected cells (turnover rate = 1.5 × 10⁻³ μm²/s).ConclusionsWe observed that the relative disposition of key LD binding amino-acids at LDBD surface, hydrophobic burial of long Leucine side chains of LD-motifs and complementarity of charged surfaces are the key factors determining the binding affinities of LD motifs with LDBDs.General significanceOur study will help in protein engineering of FAT domain of FAK by modulating FAK-LD motif interactions which have implications in cellular focal adhesions and cell migration.     

Association of systolic blood pressure with macrovascular and microvascular complications of type 2 diabetes (UKPDS 36): prospective observational study

ObjectiveTo determine the relation between systolic blood pressure over time and the risk of macrovascular or microvascular complications in patients with type 2 diabetes.DesignProspective observational study.Setting23 hospital based clinics in England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.Participants4801 white, Asian Indian, and Afro-Caribbean UKPDS patients, whether randomised or not to treatment, were included in analyses of incidence; of these, 3642 were included in analyses of relative risk.ResultsThe incidence of clinical complications was significantly associated with systolic blood pressure, except for cataract extraction. Each 10 mm Hg decrease in updated mean systolic blood pressure was associated with reductions in risk of 12% for any complication related to diabetes (95% confidence interval 10% to 14%, P<0.0001), 15% for deaths related to diabetes (12% to 18%, P<0.0001), 11% for myocardial infarction (7% to 14%, P<0.0001), and 13% for microvascular complications (10% to 16%, P<0.0001). No threshold of risk was observed for any end point.ConclusionsIn patients with type 2 diabetes the risk of diabetic complications was strongly associated with raised blood pressure. Any reduction in blood pressure is likely to reduce the risk of complications, with the lowest risk being in those with systolic blood pressure less than 120 mm Hg.     

Assortative versus selective mating: Is the distinction worthwhile?

Abstract

The study examines the distinction between assortative and selective mating made by Lewontin, Kirk, and Crow in 1968 and finds it unproductive. Not only has the difference been ignored on many occasions even as it was invoked, but maintaining it obscures several useful properties of both nonrandom mating schemes and some formally equivalent systems such as fertility selection. The elucidation of these similarities could have accelerated the work of population biologists.     

Mexico'S unilateral claim to a 200‐mile exclusive economic zone: Its international significance

Abstract

The purpose of this work is twofold. First, to analyze the general significance, from an international point of view, of the unilateral establishment by Mexico of its 200‐mile Exclusive Economic Zone as from June 6, 1976, in order to conclude on both its legality and its opportunity, within the framework of, respectively, the present standing of the emerging rules of the new law of the sea and the stage at which the Third United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea finds itself after four sessions of negotiations. The arguments resorted to by Mexico in order to defend the legality and opportunity of its claim are analyzed in detail. Secondly, a study is made on whether or. not the unilateral claim of establishment of the Exclusive Economic Zone is contrary to Mexico's traditional law of the sea practice, this practice consisting of a permanent policy by Mexico, throughout its independent life, of waiting for international agreements to be concluded, or for international customs to be definitely shaped, before proceeding to the unilateral delimitation of its marine zones.