Non-canonical activation of Notch signaling/target genes in vertebrates

Evolutionarily conserved Notch signaling orchestrates diverse physiological mechanisms during metazoan development and homeostasis. Classically, ligand-activated Notch receptors transduce the signaling cascade through the interaction of DNA-bound CBF1-co-repressor complex. However, recent reports have demonstrated execution of a CBF1-independent Notch pathway through signaling cross-talks in various cells/tissues. Here, we have tried to congregate the reports that describe the non-canonical/CBF1-independent Notch signaling and target gene activation in vertebrates with specific emphasis on their functional relevance.     

Effect of acrylonitrile on trehalase,phosphorylase and acetylcholinesterase activities inTribolium castaneum Herbst andTrogoderma granarium Everts

Summary Acrylonitrile inhibited trehalase and phosphorylases in larvae and adults ofTribolium castaneum. InTrogoderma granarium larvae phosphorylases alone were inhibited. Acetylcholinesterase was not affected.Acknowledgments. We thank Dr R. Radhakrishnamurthy for his suggestions.     

Knowledge Management for Social Workers Involved in Disaster Planning and Response in Malaysia: An Action Research Approach

This paper explores the idea of using a knowledge management system to support disaster planning and response (DPR) efforts for social workers involved in such efforts in Malaysia. The study was funded by the Government of Malaysia. Canonical Action Research was used to conduct the study. The Malaysian Association of Social Workers (MASW) was the client organization. The study began with problem formulation to ascertain issues inherent in DPR within the MASW. The next phase of the research, involved action planning—the team considered implementing a web-based knowledge management (KM) system to support DPR efforts for the organization. Post intervention, we conducted an evaluation of our action, based on interviews with key members affiliated to the MASW. Our findings are in tandem with prior work that has examined the role and relevance of KM systems in light of DPR efforts. The client organization in general forms the view that KM systems can support DPR efforts by providing vital information (pertaining to DPR) and assist the overall coordination and planning efforts for the organization.     

Calcium oxalate urolithiasis in mice lacking anion transporter Slc26a6

Urolithiasis is one of the most common urologic diseases in industrialized societies. Calcium oxalate is the predominant component in 70-80% of kidney stones, and small changes in urinary oxalate concentration affect the risk of stone formation. SLC26A6 is an anion exchanger expressed on the apical membrane in many epithelial tissues, including kidney and intestine. Among its transport activities, SLC26A6 mediates Cl(-)-oxalate exchange. Here we show that mutant mice lacking Slc26a6 develop a high incidence of calcium oxalate urolithiasis. Slc26a6-null mice have significant hyperoxaluria and elevation in plasma oxalate concentration that is greatly attenuated by dietary oxalate restriction. In vitro flux studies indicated that mice lacking Slc26a6 have a defect in intestinal oxalate secretion resulting in enhanced net absorption of oxalate. We conclude that the anion exchanger SLC26A6 has a major constitutive role in limiting net intestinal absorption of oxalate, thereby preventing hyperoxaluria and calcium oxalate urolithiasis.     

Hes-1 regulates the excitatory fate of neural progenitors through modulation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tlx3 (HOX11L2)</Emphasis> expression

Tlx3 (HOX11L2) is regarded as one of the selector genes in excitatory versus inhibitory fate specification of neurons in distinct regions of the nervous system. Expression of Tlx3 in a post-mitotic immature neuron favors a glutamatergic over GABAergic fate. The factors that regulate Tlx3 have immense importance in the fate specification of glutamatergic neurons. Here, we have shown that Notch target gene, Hes-1, negatively regulates Tlx3 expression, resulting in decreased generation of glutamatergic neurons. Down-regulation of Hes-1 removed the inhibition on Tlx3 promoter, thus promoting glutamatergic differentiation. Promoter–protein interaction studies with truncated/mutated Hes-1 protein suggested that the co-repressor recruitment mediated through WRPW domain of Hes-1 has contributed to the repressive effect. Our results clearly demonstrate a new and unique role for canonical Notch signaling through Hes-1, in neurotransmitter/subtype fate specification of neurons in addition to its known functional role in proliferation/maintenance of neural progenitors.     

Green synthesized ZnO nanoparticles against bacterial and fungal pathogens

Zinc oxide nanoparticles are known to be one of the multifunctional inorganic nanoparticles with effective antibacterial activity. This study aims to determine the antimicrobial efficacy of green and chemical synthesized ZnO nanoparticle against various bacterial and fungal pathogens. Various microbiological tests were performed using varying concentrations of green and chemical ZnO NPs with sizes 40 and 25 nm respectively. Results prove that green ZnO nanoparticles show more enhanced biocidal activity against various pathogens when compared to chemical ZnO nanoparticles. Also effectiveness of nanoparticles increases with increasing particle dose, treatment time and synthesis method. In addition, the current study has clearly demonstrated that the particle size variation and surface area to volume ratio of green ZnO nanoparticle are responsible for significant higher antimicrobial activity. From the results obtained it is suggested that green ZnO NPs could be used effectively in agricultural and food safety applications and also can address future medical concerns.     

Growth and properties of semi-organic nonlinear optical crystal: L-Glutamic acid hydrochloride

Semiorganic nonlinear optical crystal of L-Glutamic acid hydrochloride(LGHC) was grown from aqueous solution by slow evaporation technique. Single crystal X-ray Diffraction analysis confirms that LGHC crystallizes in orthorhombic system with noncentrosymmetric space group P2_12_12_1. The powder X-ray diffraction study confirms the crystallinity of the grown crystal. The fundamental functional groups of the grown crystals were analyzed by Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopic analysis in the range of 450–4000 cm~(-1). The range of optical transmission was ascertained using UV–vis–NIR studies. The Refractive Index of the LGHC crystal was found to be 1.4. The second harmonic generation efficiency of the LGHC was determined using Kurtz and Perry powder technique and it was 0.5 times greater than that of the KDP crystal. Thermo Gravimetric Analysis(TGA) and Differential Thermal Analysis(DTA) were used to study thermal behavior of the sample. The dielectric behavior and ac conductivity of the sample were studied as a function of frequency for different temperatures. The mechanical strength of the crystal was determined by Vicker's Hardness test. The elastic stiffness constant and yield strength of the sample was calculated.     

Predecessors of the giant 1960 Chile earthquake

It is commonly thought that the longer the time since last earthquake, the larger the next earthquake's slip will be. But this logical predictor of earthquake size, unsuccessful for large earthquakes on a strike-slip fault, fails also with the giant 1960 Chile earthquake of magnitude 9.5 (ref. 3). Although the time since the preceding earthquake spanned 123 years (refs 4, 5), the estimated slip in 1960, which occurred on a fault between the Nazca and South American tectonic plates, equalled 250-350 years' worth of the plate motion. Thus the average interval between such giant earthquakes on this fault should span several centuries. Here we present evidence that such long intervals were indeed typical of the last two millennia. We use buried soils and sand layers as records of tectonic subsidence and tsunami inundation at an estuary midway along the 1960 rupture. In these records, the 1960 earthquake ended a recurrence interval that had begun almost four centuries before, with an earthquake documented by Spanish conquistadors in 1575. Two later earthquakes, in 1737 and 1837, produced little if any subsidence or tsunami at the estuary and they therefore probably left the fault partly loaded with accumulated plate motion that the 1960 earthquake then expended.