Community-based Adapted Tango Dancing for Individuals with Parkinson's Disease and Older Adults

Adapted tango dancing improves mobility and balance in older adults and additional populations with balance impairments. It is composed of very simple step elements. Adapted tango involves movement initiation and cessation, multi-directional perturbations, varied speeds and rhythms. Focus on foot placement, whole body coordination, and attention to partner, path of movement, and aesthetics likely underlie adapted tango’s demonstrated efficacy for improving mobility and balance. In this paper, we describe the methodology to disseminate the adapted tango teaching methods to dance instructor trainees and to implement the adapted tango by the trainees in the community for older adults and individuals with Parkinson’s Disease (PD). Efficacy in improving mobility (measured with the Timed Up and Go, Tandem stance, Berg Balance Scale, Gait Speed and 30 sec chair stand), safety and fidelity of the program is maximized through targeted instructor and volunteer training and a structured detailed syllabus outlining class practices and progression.     

Impact of Light and Temperature on the Uptake of Algal Symbionts by Coral Juveniles

The effects of temperature and light on the breakdown of the coral-Symbiodinium symbiosis are well documented but current understanding of their roles during initial uptake and establishment of symbiosis is limited. In this study, we investigate how temperature and light affect the uptake of the algal symbionts, ITS1 types C1 and D, by juveniles of the broadcast-spawning corals Acropora tenuis and A. millepora. Elevated temperatures had a strong negative effect on Symbiodinium uptake in both coral species, with corals at 31°C showing as little as 8% uptake compared to 87% at 28°C. Juveniles in high light treatments (390 µmol photons m⁻² s⁻¹) had lower cell counts across all temperatures, emphasizing the importance of the light environment during the initial uptake phase. The proportions of the two Symbiodinium types taken up, as quantified by a real time PCR assay using clade C- and D-specific primers, were also influenced by temperature, although variation in uptake dynamics between the two coral species indicates a host effect. At 28°C, A. tenuis juveniles were dominated by C1 Symbiodinium, and while the number of D Symbiodinium cells increased at 31°C, they never exceeded the number of C1 cells. In contrast, juveniles of A. millepora had approximately equal numbers of C1 and D cells at 28°C, but were dominated by D at 30°C and 31°C. This study highlights the significant role that environmental factors play in the establishment of coral-Symbiodinium symbiosis and provides insights into how potentially competing Symbiodinium types take up residence in coral juveniles.     

Prolactin,hypercalcemia and corpuscles of stannius in seawater eels

In intact eels in sea water (SW), ovine prolactin (PRL) treatment induces hypercalcemia, but its mechanism of action, which is discussed, remains to be defined. Corpuscles of Stannius (CSt) are modified simultaneously: two cell categories then become evident. The first cell type (type 1) predominates; it has an oval shape and large granules, it shows a nuclear and nucleolar hypertrophy and a mitotic activity, and appears greatly stimulated by PRL; it may elaborate a hypocalcemic factor (hypocalcin) which would compensate for the PRL-induced hypercalcemia. A similar effect, although slightly less intense, is detected in hypophysectomized-PRL treated eels in SW. A second cell type (type 2), is more elongated, smaller in size, and has an oval nucleus and fine granules. Scarcely less active in SW, it is significantly stimulated by PRL despite an increased blood sodium and potassium level. This experiment does not help to clarify its function.     

Lactose repressor hinge domain independently binds DNA

The short 8–10 amino acid “hinge” sequence in lactose repressor (LacI), present in other LacI/GalR family members, links DNA and inducer‐binding domains. Structural studies of full‐length or truncated LacI‐operator DNA complexes demonstrate insertion of the dimeric helical “hinge” structure at the center of the operator sequence. This association bends the DNA ～40° and aligns flanking semi‐symmetric DNA sites for optimal contact by the N‐terminal helix‐turn‐helix (HtH) sequences within each dimer. In contrast, the hinge region remains unfolded when bound to nonspecific DNA sequences. To determine ability of the hinge helix alone to mediate DNA binding, we examined (i) binding of LacI variants with deletion of residues 1–50 to remove the HtH DNA binding domain or residues 1–58 to remove both HtH and hinge domains and (ii) binding of a synthetic peptide corresponding to the hinge sequence with a Val52Cys substitution that allows reversible dimer formation via a disulfide linkage. Binding affinity for DNA is orders of magnitude lower in the absence of the helix‐turn‐helix domain with its highly positive charge. LacI missing residues 1–50 binds to DNA with ～4‐fold greater affinity for operator than for nonspecific sequences with minimal impact of inducer presence; in contrast, LacI missing residues 1–58 exhibits no detectable affinity for DNA. In oxidized form, the dimeric hinge peptide alone binds to O1 and nonspecific DNA with similarly small difference in affinity; reduction to monomer diminished binding to both O1 and nonspecific targets. These results comport with recent reports regarding LacI hinge interaction with DNA sequences.     

A Single Administration of CRISPR/Cas9 Lipid Nanoparticles Achieves Robust and Persistent In Vivo Genome Editing

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Differential Effect of Sodium and Magnesium on the Pituitary of Goldfish Adapted to Calcium-Free Environments

Adaptation to deionized water (DW) affects several cell types in the goldfish. The pars intermedia PAS-positive cells are highly stimulated. Their low response or the absence of changes in goldfish kept in 1/3 Ca-free seawater (SW) and in Ca-free SW-adapted eels, respectively, suggest that sodium and/or magnesium are interfering. To test this hypothesis, young goldfish were adapted to DW supplemented or not with sodium (50 and 140 mM) for 8 and 16 days or with magnesium (16.5 and 50 mM) for 16 and 30 days. Cytological and morphometric studies of the pituitary showed that prolactin (PRL) cell activity was reduced by sodium. Thyrotropic (TSH) cells were stimulated. The activity of melanocyte-stimulating (MSH) cells increased in DW + Na+. Stimulation of the pars intermedia PAS+ cells in DW was partly inhibited by adding sodium; the cellular and nuclear areas increased only moderately, the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) was not conspicuous and mitotic activity disappeared. In DW + Mg²⁺ the activity of PRL, TSH and MSH cells tended to be lower after a long-term adaptation. The response of the PAS+ cells was as high as that noted in DW; complete degranulation, enlargement of the ER and important mitotic activity. Differential responses to Na+ and Mg²⁺ are not due to pH differences in the solutions. External sodium is able then to reduce the response of the PAS+ cells in a Ca-free environment, while magnesium is not inhibitory. Other cell types are also affected by high levels of Na+ and Mg²⁺.     

Effect of 17 α-Methyltestosterone on the Cytology of the Pituitary and the Liver,and on Plasma Electrolytes in Male Silver Eels

Male silver eels kept in fresh water were injected with 17α-methyltestosterone (MT). They received 5, 10, 15 or 20 injections (8 μg/g every other day) or 6 or 9 injections (4 μg/g or 2.5 μg/g once a week). Compared to solvent-injected controls, the treated eels showed changes in the pituitary: prolactin, corticotropic, thyrotropic and melanotropic cells were stimulated. Gonadotropic cells had enlarged nuclei, but synthesis and storage of granules and large globules were not evident, despite the progressive testicular maturation. High doses of MT induced a liver hypertrophy, a drop in plasma osmolarity and sodium level. An increase in plasma calcium level is possibly involved in the reduced activity of PAS-positive Ca-sensitive cells of the pars intermedia. These responses, previously observed in estradiol (E2) treated eels, may suggest that MT is aromatized in the brain and/or the pituitary. However, the considerable stimulation of GTH cells which always occurs in E2-treated eels is absent in MT-treated eels. With lower doses of MT, changes in the pituitary and the testis were similar to those produced by high doses, although the Ca-sensitive cells were more active. The decrease in plasma osmolarity and sodium level was less marked, plasma calcium was slightly reduced and the liver was not modified. There is no clear evidence in favour of E2 production. These data suggest that MT may stimulate the gonad directly, in agreement with biochemical data by Dufour et al. (1983).