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Changes in the potential quantum yield of photosystem II and the integrity of cell membranes relative to the elemental content of the epilithic desert lichen Ramalina maciformis.

The present study used the epilithic fruticose lichen Ramalina maciformis to investigate the occurrence of mineral elements, including heavy metals, at a distance of up to 50 km from the industrial region in Ramat Hovav in the Negev Desert, Israel. The major objective of this study was an analytical comparison of elemental content and physiological parameters of lichen vitality, apart from a test of the applicability of this specific lichen in investigations of air pollution. The Ca, Cr, Cu, K, Mg, Na, Pb, S, Sr, and Zn content of thalli from the unpolluted Tellalim site collected in August 1997, transferred to 24 biomonitoring sites, and retrieved in April 1998 was analyzed in comparison with the following parameters: The potential quantum yield of photosystem 11 (PSII), and the integrity of cell membranes. Transplanted thalli in several sites at Ramat Hovav accumulated large amounts of most of the elements. The K content of the transplants located in the polluted sites indicated a leakage of this element, because this content was lower than that of thalli in unpolluted sites. Calcium, Cu, Mn, and Na showed an inverse correlation with the K content of the lichen. Calcium, Cu, and Sr showed an inverse correlation with the Fv/Fm ratio expressing the potential quantum yield of PSII. Calcium, Cr, Cu, Mg, Na, S, and Sr showed a positive correlation with the electrical conductivity corresponding with cell-membrane disintegration. The present study demonstrated a meaningful connection between enlarged concentrations of certain elements and physiological phenomena. The capability of the lichen to detect air pollution was found to be satisfactory. The dispersion of airborne heavy metals was found, however, to be local and limited to a few hundred meters from the source of pollution.

Air Pollutants↗

[Intra-analyzer temporary connections in the visual system].

The possibility of setting up intraanalyser temporary connections integrating the activity of various elements within the central part of the visual analyser at a neuronal level was studied in acute experiments on unanaesthetized immobilized cats. In the given model of temporary connection the unit activity in the lateral geniculate bodies (LGB) was investigated. Electrical stimulation of the superior colliculi was used as a conditioned stimulus, and illumination of the receptive fields of the studied LGB neurones, as an unconditioned one. In the process of conditioning, 10 to 11% of learning elements were revealed in LGB. The possibility is discussed of integration of learning elements into a definite microsystem achieving the process of temporary connection closing in the visual analyser in the course of conditioning.

Animals↗

Synthetic diffractive elements for security applications realized on an enhanced integral dot-matrix system.

One of the important fields of application of synthetic diffractive structures is optical document security. Several methods of security enhancement of diffractive elements for security applications are presented, namely, high carrier-frequency cryptograms and noise-covered elements are introduced. Structures are designed with respect to the fabrication on special enhanced integral dot-matrix system.

Journal Article↗

The 17-kb Tam1 element of Antirrhinum majus induces a 3-bp duplication upon integration into the chalcone synthase gene.

The DNA sequence of the termini and the flanking regions of the 17-kb transposable element Tam1 was determined. Tam1 is integrated in the chalcone synthase gene of the niv-53 mutant of Antirrhinum majus. The element has a 13-bp perfect inverted repeat at its termini and appears to induce a 3-bp duplication of the target site upon integration. The DNA sequence of a niv revertant was analyzed and found to differ from the wild-type sequence by an additional 2 bp that seem to derive from the target site duplication. Stretches of homologous sequences have been found between the ends of Tam1, within each terminus of the element, and between the termini and target site sequences. Structural similarities between the ends of Tam1 and the Spm-18 element of Zea mays reflect a possible horizontal spread of a common progenitor.

Journal Article↗

Component summation or configuration in human eyelid conditioning depends upon stimulus properties.

The experiment reviewed here merges Garner's (1974) distinction of separable and integral stimulus properties with the field of Pavlovian eyelid conditioning with human subjects. According to one rule, two sets of stimuli (separable vs integral) were constructed. A differential compound conditioning procedure was used with one group of subjects being trained with a subset of the separable material and then tested with a new subset. The same procedure was used with a second group but with integral material. The experiment showed a reversal of conditioning effects, depending on the properties of stimuli. Separable compounds showed results as predicted by elementistic conditioning theories: the associative values of the elements summed up. With integral compounds, the associative values of the elements were irrelevant. Instead, integral compounds were processed and classified primarily on the basis of similarity.

Arousal↗

Convergent validation of information processing constructs with Pavlovian methodology.

These two experiments introduce a new nonverbal measure of stimulus structure by merging Garner's (1974) distinction of separable and integral stimulus properties with the field of Pavlovian conditioning. According to one rule, two sets of stimulus (separable vs. integral) were constructed. In each experiment a differential compound conditioning procedure was used with one group of subjects who were trained with a subset of the separable material and then were tested with an unfamiliar subset. The same procedure was used with a second group but with integral materials. Both experiments showed a reversal of conditioning effects, depending on the properties of the stimuli. Separable compounds showed results as predicted by elementaristic conditioning theories: The associative values of the elements summed up. With integral compounds, the associative values of the elements were irrelevant. Instead, integral compounds were processed and classified primarily on the basis of similarity.

Adult↗

Distribution and characterization of plasmid-related sequences in the chromosomal DNA of different thermophilic Methanobacterium strains.

The genomes of several thermophilic members of the genus Methanobacterium were analyzed for homology to the related restriction-modification plasmids pFV1 and pFZ1 from M. thermoformicicum strains THF and Z-245, respectively. Two plasmid regions, designated FR-I and FR-II, could be identified with chromosomal counterparts in six Methanobacterium strains. Multiple copies of the pFV1-specific element FR-I were detected in the M. thermoformicicum strains CSM3, FF1, FF3 and M. thermoautotrophicum delta H. Sequence analysis showed that one FR-I element had been integrated in almost identical sequence contexts into the chromosomes of the strains CSM3 and delta H. Comparison of the FR-I elements from these strains with that from pFV1 revealed that they consisted of two subfragments, boxI (1118 bp) and boxII (383 bp), the order of which is variable. Each subfragment was identical on the sequence level with the corresponding plasmid-borne element and was flanked by terminal direct repeats with the consensus sequence A(A/T)ATTT. These results suggest that FR-I represents a mobile element. FR-II was located on both plasmids pFV1 and pFZ1, and on the chromosome of M. thermoformicicum strains THF, CSM3 and HN4. Comparison of the nucleotide sequences of the two plasmid FR-II copies and that from the chromosome of strain CSM3 showed that the FR-II segments were approximately 2.5-3.0 kb in size and contained large open reading frames (ORFs) that may encode highly related proteins with an as yet unknown function.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Transposon-induced alterations in the promoter region affect transcription of the chalcone synthase gene of Antirrhinum majus.

Four solid-colour revertants were isolated from the highly variegated niv-53::Tam1 mutant, in which the transposable element Tam1 is integrated in the promoter region of the chalcone synthase (chs) gene. DNA sequence analysis revealed that in all four lines the Tam1 element was deleted together with flanking nucleotides of the chs promoter. In one case the TATA box of the chs gene was removed resulting in extremely low expression of the gene, and initiation of transcription occurring at a new position. The other three deletions defined a sequence motif (TAC-CAT) which is apparently required for maximal gene expression. Thus transposable elements seem to be useful for probing gene structure, in this case the signal structure in the promoter region, by virtue of imprecise excision.

Acyltransferases↗

Human DNA quantitation using Alu element-based polymerase chain reaction.

Human forensic casework requires sensitive quantitation of human nuclear DNA from complex sources. Widely used commercially available systems detect both nonhuman and human primate DNA, often require special equipment, and have a detection limit of approximately 0.1ng. Multicopy Alu elements include recently integrated subfamilies that are present in the human genome but are largely absent from nonhuman primates. Here, we present two Alu element-based alternative methods for the rapid identification and quantitation of human DNA, inter-Alu PCR and intra-Alu PCR. Using SYBR green-based detection, the effective minimum threshold level for human DNA quantitation was 0.01ng using inter-Alu- and 0.001ng using intra-Alu-based PCR. Background cross-amplification with nonhuman DNA templates was detected at low levels using inter-Alu-based PCR, but was negligible using intra-Alu-based PCR. These Alu-based methods have several advantages over currently available systems. First, the assays are PCR based and no additional unique equipment is required. Second, the high copy number of subfamily-specific Alu repeats in the human genome makes these assays human specific within a very sensitive linear range. The introduction of these assays to forensic laboratories will undoubtedly increase the sensitivity and specificity of human DNA detection and quantitation from complex sources.

Alu Elements↗

[The strategies of gene prolong expression in mammals].

Gene therapy holds great promises to a variety of inherited diseases. However, the limitations on extended and consistent foreign gene expression has severely hampered the development of applicable gene therapy approaches. Technologies are reviewed here including transponson integration, biolistic measures that pulse the naked plasmid into living organs, or the integration of eukaryotic cis elements into introns, 3' untranslated regions, or the integration of the EBV sequences, which could assist in the prolonged gene expression of the introduced foreign genes. These strategies may significantly promote the progresses of gene therapy.

Animals↗

Integrated treatment ameliorates negative symptoms in first episode psychosis--results from the Danish OPUS trial.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of integrated treatment on negative, psychotic and disorganised symptoms in patients with first episode psychosis. METHOD: A RCT comparing integrated treatment (IT) with standard treatment (ST) was conducted, including 547 patients, aged 18-45, diagnosed with schizophrenia spectrum disorders. All patients were assessed with SCAN, SAPS and SANS at entry and after 1 and 2 years. The IT consisted of assertive community treatment, multifamily groups, psycho-education and social skills training, and the caseload was 1:10 compared with 1:25 in ST. Since attrition was considerable, a mixed model analysis with repeated measurements was used to examine the possible effects of IT statistically. RESULTS: IT reduced both negative and positive symptoms significantly better than ST. Most marked were the results from the negative dimension, where all five global scores from SANS had a significantly better reduction in IT. Sub-analyses did not single out any one element in the integrated treatment that could explain this result. CONCLUSION: Integrated treatment significantly reduced both negative and psychotic symptoms, assumably due to the different psychosocial treatment elements that were provided in the IT. The results indicate that the integrated approach is crucial, since, most likely, many aspects of the integrated treatment have contributed to the reduction of symptoms.

Adolescent↗

Hos2 and Set3 promote integration of Ty1 retrotransposons at tRNA genes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

The yeast LTR retrotransposon Ty1 integrates preferentially into regions upstream of tRNA genes. The chromatin structure of transcriptionally active tRNA genes is known to be important for Ty1 integration, but specific chromatin factors that enhance integration at tRNA genes have not been identified. Here we report that the histone deacetylase, Hos2, and the Trithorax-group protein, Set3, both components of the Set3 complex (Set3C), enhance transposition of chromosomal Ty1 elements by promoting integration into the upstream region of tRNA genes. Deletion of HOS2 or SET3 reduced the mobility of a chromosomal Ty1his3AI element about sevenfold. Despite the fact that Ty1his3AI RNA, total Ty1 RNA, and total Ty1 cDNA levels were not reduced in hos2delta or set3delta mutants, transposition of endogenous Ty1 elements into the upstream regions of tRNA(Gly) genes was substantially decreased. Furthermore, when equivalent numbers of Ty1HIS3 mobility events launched from a pGAL1:Ty1his3AI plasmid were analyzed, only one-quarter to one-half as many were found upstream of tRNA(Gly) genes in a hos2delta or set3delta mutant than in a wild-type strain. Chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis revealed that Hos2 is physically associated with tRNA genes. Taken together, our results support the hypothesis that Hos2 and Set3 function at tRNA genes to promote Ty1 integration.

Alleles↗

Genetic instability in Drosophila melanogaster: P-element mutagenesis by gene conversion.

We report the molecular characterization of several P element-induced mutations and their revertants at the yellow (y) locus of Drosophila melanogaster. One of the mutants analyzed, y76d28, results from the insertion of a P element into the 5'-transcribed, untranslated portion of the y gene. Sequence analysis of several revertants of y76d28 shows that P excision occurs imprecisely. These events result in insertion of additional ATG codons in the y locus mRNA but are without phenotypic effect. In addition, we describe the molecular structure of P-associated mutations induced in a near wild-type revertant of y76d28 that carries an internally deleted 0.4-kilobase P element in the 5' noncoding region. Sequence analysis of two of these mutants demonstrates that they arose as a result of the integration of a larger P element at the exact location as in the parental stock without the 8-base-pair additional duplication associated with P insertions. The phenotype of these y alleles is dependent on the size and orientation of the integrated P element. We infer that P-element replacement in these mutants has occurred by a recombination/gene conversion mechanism.

Alleles↗

Excision, transfer, and integration of NBU1, a mobilizable site-selective insertion element.

The Bacteroides species harbor a family of conjugative transposons called tetracycline resistance elements (Tcr elements) that transfer themselves from the chromosome of a donor to the chromosome of a recipient, mobilize coresident plasmids, and also mediate the excision and circularization of members of a family of 10- to 12-kbp insertion elements which share a small region of DNA homology and are called NBUs (for nonreplicating Bacteroides units). The NBUs are sometimes cotransferred with Tcr elements, and it was postulated previously that the excised circular forms of the NBUs were plasmidlike forms and were transferred like plasmids and then integrated into the recipient chromosome. We used chimeric plasmids containing one of the NBUs, NBU1, and a Bacteroides-Escherichia coli shuttle vector to show that this hypothesis is probably correct. NBU1 contained a region that allowed mobilization by both the Tcr elements and IncP plasmids, and we used these conjugal elements to allow us to estimate the frequencies of excision, mobilization, and integration of NBU1 in Bacteroides hosts to be approximately 10(-2), 10(-5) to 10(-4), and 10(-2), respectively. Although functions on the Tcr elements were required for the excision-circularization and mobilization of NBU1, no Tcr element functions were required for integration into the recipient chromosome. Analysis of the DNA sequences at the integration region of the circular form of NBU1, the primary insertion site in the Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron 5482 chromosome, and the resultant NBU1-chromosome junctions showed that NBU1 appeared to integrate into the primary insertion site by recombining within an identical 14-bp sequence present on both NBU1 and the target, thus leaving a copy of the 14-bp sequence at both junctions. The apparent integration mechanism and the target selection of NBU1 were different from those of both XBU4422, the only member of the conjugal Tcr elements for which these sequences are known, and Tn4399, a mobilizable Bacteroides transposon. The NBUs appear to be a distinct type of mobilizable insertion element.

Bacteroides↗

[Psychosomatic rehabilitation: inpatient integrated brief psychotherapy in neuro-orthopedic psychosomatic medicine].

Presented is a brief in-patient psychotherapy concept practiced in the framework of psychosomatic rehabilitation. The clinic's main focus is the treatment of patients with subjective health problems and disorders of the musculoskeletal system and sense organs ("neuroorthopaedic psychosomatics"). The conceptual development has been geared both to the specific requirements of the patient population and to the time-limiting and structural factors in psychosomatic rehabilitation. The structural conditions as well as the elements of the integrative therapy approach are set out, with group psychotherapy combining verbal and body-oriented therapy elements the central emphasis. The concept also accommodates the various stages of motivation among our patients. The entire range of supportive therapies, in particular physiotherapy, form an integral part of this concept. This integration of verbal and body-oriented therapy is hoped to enable the fragmentations and compartmentalizations, both with our patients and in the therapeutic team, to be overcome.

Adult↗

Isolation and analysis of retroviral integration targets by solo long terminal repeat inverse PCR.

Upon retroviral infection, the genomic RNA is reverse transcribed to make proviral DNA, which is then integrated into the host chromosome. Although the viral elements required for successful integration have been extensively characterized, little is known about the host DNA structure constituting preferred targets for proviral integration. In order to elucidate the mechanism for the target selection, comparison of host DNA sequences at proviral integration sites may be useful. To achieve simultaneous analysis of the upstream and downstream host DNA sequences flanking each proviral integration site, a Moloney murine leukemia virus-based retroviral vector was designed so that its integrated provirus could be removed by Cre-loxP homologous recombination, leaving a solo long terminal repeat (LTR). Taking advantage of the solo LTR, inverse PCR was carried out to amplify both the upstream and downstream cellular flanking DNA. The method called solo LTR inverse PCR, or SLIP, proved useful for simultaneously cloning the upstream and downstream flanking sequences of individual proviral integration sites from the polyclonal population of cells harboring provirus at different chromosomal sites. By the SLIP method, nucleotide sequences corresponding to 38 independent proviral integration targets were determined and, interestingly, atypical virus-host DNA junction structures were found in more than 20% of the cases. Characterization of retroviral integration sites using the SLIP method may provide useful insights into the mechanism for proviral integration and its target selection.

Animals↗

beta-Endorphin as One of Important Integral Parts of Tactivin.

The discovery of opioid ligand, beta-endorphin (betaEPh), in tactivin widens our knowledge about peptides synthesized by the thymus and allows to study new aspects of integration of the principal elements of immune and nervous systems within the integral immunoneuroendocrine network. Various produced lots of tactivin contain from 2 to 5 pM/l of betaEPh which provides a number of properties of this preparation. betaEPh is an important integral part of tactivin, as the action of tactivin "purified" of betaEPh truly differs from the effects of the total preparation: both in the norm (57 healthy children) and in pathology (30 patients with pyelonephritis), these preparations acted in vitro in different ways on lymphocytes with phenotypes CD3(+), CD4(+), CD8(+), CD38(+), CD22(+). Their influence on the functional activity of monocytes of the peripheral blood differed as well. All these effects of total tactivin and betaEPh-free tactivin were partially realized through &mgr;- and delta-opioid receptors. So, the removal of betaEPh did not "liberate" tactivin from displaying opioid activity, and consequently tactivin contains not only betaEPh, but also other ligands of &mgr;- and delta-types. Tactivin produces a direct and pronounced effect on monocytes of peripheral blood of healthy people and patients. The sensitivity of immunocompetent cells to betaEPh has been shown to be at the various levels and paradoxicality of action of this ligand may be related to the heterogeneity of receptors, through which betaEPh reveals its influence. A wide range of biological activity of tactivin and betaEPh with respect to standard parameters of healthy children is fair and its expediency is obvious as the immunocompetent cells of a healthy child can't help reacting to the peptides incoming from the thymus into blood in cases of antigenic or non-specific responses. One can evaluate the "contribution" of betaEPh to the size and importance of generalized effect of tactivin, as well as the role of intersystemic mediator betaEPh probably may include the initiation and coordination of immunotropic and bioregulating properties of thymic preparation.

Journal Article↗

Intact EAV-HP endogenous retrovirus in Sonnerat's jungle fowl.

The EAV-HP group of chicken endogenous retrovirus elements was previously shown to be defective, with large deletions of the pol gene. In this report, we demonstrate that genomes of other Gallus species also maintain EAV-HP elements with similar deletions. The chicken EAV-HP1 locus was detected in both red (Gallus gallus gallus) and Sonnerat's (Gallus sonneratii) jungle fowl with identical integration sites, indicating that these elements had integrated before separation of the Gallus species. Furthermore, we demonstrate for the first time that the G. sonneratii genome carries EAV-HP elements with intact pol regions.

Animals↗