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The school choice program in Massachusetts instituted in 1991 gave parents the right to enroll their child at public schools outside their home district Districts have to compete with each other to help retain as well as attract more students in this program. Therefore, the open enrollment policy creates winners (districts gaining more students than they lose) and losers (districts losing more students than they gain) in the education market place. This paper examines what characteristics distinguish winners from losers. An insight into the characteristics of winners and losers is crucial in assessing the value of open enrollment as a strategy that improves educational quality and for implementing future incentives. The results suggest that a given district's probability of winning depends not only on its own characteristics but also on the characteristics of neighboring districts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polyols or sugar alcohols, a group of reduced calorie sweeteners, are the natural and nutritive sweeteners. These are neither sugars nor alcohols; rather they are a group of low-digestible carbohydrates which can be used instead of sucrose. They occur naturally in foods and come from plant products such as fruit and berries. They are used in food as sweeteners and bulking agents. Polyols have slightly reduced sweetness and caloric values compared to sucrose. Polyols available as either in solid crystalline form or syrups are emerging as a sugar replacer as well as a sugar substitute. Low sugar or low calorie is a top ranked market trend for bakery sector. Polyols offer the baker a versatile range of ingredients to boost the available portfolio of products. They would provide the functional benefits to bakery goods when the sugars used are replaced with polyols. This review focuses on some recent studies carried out on sucrose replacement with polyols in baked products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to describe and analyze those US colleges and universities that are participating in the Green Power Partnership (GPP). GPP is a voluntary environmental program initiated by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 2001 to help increase the use of green power (electricity produced from solar, wind, geothermal, biogas, biomass, and low-impact small hydroelectric sources) among US organizations. Design/methodology/approach – The paper draws on literature in voluntary environmental programs to develop an understanding as to what types of campuses might be most likely to partner with the US Government to be leaders in the use of green power. It then characterizes partner campuses based on institutional, geographical, financial, student specific and sustainability variables. The study draws attention to the GPP participants that are also signatories of the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment (ACUPCC). This provides leeway into future research that would benefit from investigating the motivations for and constraints to such dual commitments. Findings – The analysis reveals that GPP partners are primarily private, four-year institutions located in the northeast region. These campuses show a high level of awareness for the environment and vested interest on part of the students, as evidenced by the dominance of environmental studies in the curriculum, student-run organizations dedicated to sustainability issues, and adoption of green fees. Further, they are actively involved in the generation and use of electricity from renewable sources and more than two-thirds have also signed the PCC. Originality/value – This study is the first to explore EPA's GPP program with respect to the participation of higher education institutions (HEIs) in this program. It serves as a pioneer study, exploring a voluntary partnership between the US Government and the higher education sector and contributes to the understanding of the vital role of higher education in the development and deployment of renewable energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By establishing multi-omics pipelines, we uncover overexpression and gene copy-number alterations of nucleoporin-93 (NUP93), a nuclear pore component, in aggressive human mammary tumors. NUP93 overexpression enhances transendothelial migration and matrix invasion in vitro , along with tumor growth and metastasis in animal models. These findings are supported by analyses of two sets of naturally occurring mutations: rare oncogenic mutations and inactivating familial nephrotic syndrome mutations. Mechanistically, NUP93 binds with importins, boosts nuclear transport of importins' cargoes, such as β-catenin, and activates MYC. Likewise, NUP93 overexpression enhances the ultimate nuclear transport step shared by additional signaling pathways, including TGF-β/SMAD and EGF/ERK. The emerging addiction to nuclear transport exposes vulnerabilities of NUP93-overexpressing tumors. Congruently, myristoylated peptides corresponding to the nuclear translocation signals of SMAD and ERK can inhibit tumor growth and metastasis. Our study sheds light on an emerging hallmark of advanced tumors, which derive benefit from robust nucleocytoplasmic transport. [Display omitted] • Multi-omics pipelines associate NUP93 overexpression with aggressive breast cancers • NUP93 enhances nuclear transport of specific metastasis mediators (e.g., β-catenin) • Peptides inhibiting translocation of these mediators inhibit metastasis in animals • Unblocked nucleocytoplasmic transport emerges as a hallmark of advanced cancers Nataraj et al. develop multi-omics pipelines, which uncover critical roles of nucleoporin-93 (NUP93), a component of the nuclear pore complex, in metastasis of breast cancer. NUP93 overexpression in aggressive tumors unblocks nucleocytoplasmic transport of several transcription mediators, including β-catenin. Accordingly, specific inhibitors of NUP93-assisted transport can reduce metastasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Selection of initiation sites for DNA replication in eukaryotes is determined by the interaction between the origin recognition complex (ORC) and genomic DNA. In mammalian cells, this interaction appears to be regulated by Orc1, the only ORC subunit that contains a bromo-adjacent homology (BAH) domain. Since BAH domains mediate protein–protein interactions, the human Orc1 BAH domain was mutated, and the mutant proteins expressed in human cells to determine their affects on ORC function. The BAH domain was not required for nuclear localization of Orc1, association of Orc1 with other ORC subunits, or selective degradation of Orc1 during S-phase. It did, however, facilitate reassociation of Orc1 with chromosomes during the M to G1-phase transition, and it was required for binding Orc1 to the Epstein–Barr virus oriP and stimulating oriP-dependent plasmid DNA replication. Moreover, the BAH domain affected Orc1's ability to promote binding of Orc2 to chromatin as cells exit mitosis. Thus, the BAH domain in human Orc1 facilitates its ability to activate replication origins in vivo by promoting association of ORC with chromatin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A simple, precise, accurate and rugged reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method has been developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of five permeability model compounds, viz. antipyrine, metoprolol, ketoprofen, furosemide and phenol red. The method was intended to standardize rat in situ single-pass intestinal perfusion studies to assess the intestinal permeability of drugs in the market as well as new chemical entities. Optimum resolution was achieved by gradient elution on a Symmetry Shield C-18 analytical column with the mobile phase consisting of a mixture of aqueous potassium dihydrogen orthophosphate (pH 5.5; 0.01 m) and methanol at a flow rate of 1.5 mL/min. The retention times of antipyrine, metoprolol, ketoprofen, phenol red and furosemide were about 9, 12, 13, 16 and 17 min, respectively. Data acquisition was carried out using a photo diode array detector in the wavelength range 210-600 nm. Extraction of chromatograms was carried out by timed wavelength. Data obtained in all studies indicated that the method was suitable for the intended purpose. The validated method was found to be linear and precise in the working range. Suitability of storage under various conditions and freeze/thaw impact at cold temperature were established to ensure complete sample recovery without any stability issues. Recovery very close to the spiked amounts indicated that the method was highly accurate and suitable for use on routine basis. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The direct-methods program MULTAN88 has been applied successfully to redetermine the structure of a protein, cupredoxin amicyanin, containing 808 non-H atom sites, one Cu atom and 132 ordered water molecules in the asymmetric unit using data at 1.31 Å resolution. Starting with initially random phases, useful phase sets selected by figures of merit could be obtained from multiple trials. The E maps corresponding to the best eight phase sets in order of combined figures of merit (CFOM2) revealed a distorted tetrahedral geometry around the Cu site. The phase estimates from the metal and a few neighbouring atoms in the initial E map corresponding to the set with the highest CFOM2 could be improved by the density-modification procedure PERP and led to an interpretable electron-density map. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cancer immunotherapy focuses on inhibitors of checkpoint proteins, such as programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1). Unlike RAS-mutated lung cancers, EGFR mutant tumors have a generally low response to immunotherapy. Because treatment outcomes vary by EGFR allele, intrinsic and microenvironmental factors may be involved. Among all non-immunological signaling pathways surveyed in patients' datasets, EGFR signaling is best associated with high PD-L1. Correspondingly, active EGFRs stabilize PD-L1 transcripts and depletion of PD-L1 severely inhibits EGFR-driven tumorigenicity and metastasis in mice. The underlying mechanisms involve the recruitment of phospholipase C-γ1 (PLC-γ1) to a cytoplasmic motif of PD-L1, which enhances PLC-γ1 activation by EGFR. Once stimulated, PLC-γ1 activates calcium flux, Rho GTPases, and protein kinase C, collectively promoting an aggressive phenotype. Anti-PD-L1 antibodies can inhibit these intrinsic functions of PD-L1. Our results portray PD-L1 as a molecular amplifier of EGFR signaling and improve the understanding of the resistance of EGFR+ tumors to immunotherapy. [Display omitted] • Unlike promoter-mediated PD-L1 induction by IFN-γ, EGFR rapidly stabilizes PD-L1 mRNA • Once induced, PD-L1 enhances metastasis in vivo and chemotaxis toward EGF • PD-L1 physically binds with and enhances activation of phospholipase C-γ1 by EGFR • PLC-γ1 binds a PD-L1's cytoplasmic segment implicated in protection from cytotoxicity Unlike patients expressing mutant KRAS, patients with lung cancer harboring EGFR mutations are relatively resistant to immunotherapy. Because responses differ by EGFR allele, Ghosh et al. investigate the EGFR-to-PD-L1 axis. They report a three-way collaboration among EGFR, PD-L1, and phospholipase C-γ1. Targeting this triad may enhance responses to immunotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Microbe-mediated redox transformation of arsenic (As) leading to its mobilization has become a serious environmental concern in various subsurface ecosystems especially within the alluvial aquifers. However, detailed taxonomic and eco-physiological attributes of indigenous bacteria from As impacted aquifer of Brahmaputra river basin has remained under-studied. Results: A newly isolated As-resistant and -transforming facultative anaerobic bacterium IIIJ3–1 from As-contaminated groundwater of Jorhat, Assam was characterized. Near complete 16S rRNA gene sequence affiliated the strain IIIJ3–1 to the genus Bacillus and phylogenetically placed within members of B. cereus sensu lato group with B. cereus ATCC 14579(T) as its closest relative with a low DNA-DNA relatedness (49.9%). Presence of iC17:0, iC15:0 fatty acids and menaquinone 7 corroborated its affiliation with B. cereus group, but differential hydroxy-fatty acids, C18:2 and menaquinones 5 & 6 marked its distinctiveness. High As resistance [Maximum Tolerable Concentration = 10 mM As3+, 350 mM As5+], aerobic As3+ (5 mM) oxidation, and near complete dissimilatory reduction of As 5+ (1 mM) within 15 h of growth designated its physiological novelty. Besides O2, cells were found to reduce As5+, Fe3+, SO42−, NO3−, and Se6+ as alternate terminal electron acceptors (TEAs), sustaining its anaerobic growth. Lactate was the preferred carbon source for anaerobic growth of the bacterium with As5+ as TEA. Genes encoding As5+ respiratory reductase (arr A), As3+ oxidase (aioB), and As3+ efflux systems (ars B, acr3) were detected. All these As homeostasis genes showed their close phylogenetic lineages to Bacillus spp. Reduction in cell size following As exposure exhibited the strain's morphological response to toxic As, while the formation of As-rich electron opaque dots as evident from SEM-EDX possibly indicated a sequestration based As resistance strategy of strain IIIJ3–1. Conclusion: This is the first report on molecular, taxonomic, and ecophysiological characterization of a highly As resistant, As3+ oxidizing, and dissimilatory As5+ reducing Bacillus sp. IIIJ3–1 from As contaminated sites of Brahmaputra river basin. The strain's ability to resist and transform As along with its capability to sequester As within the cells demonstrate its potential in designing bioremediation strategies for As contaminated groundwater and other ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant growth and development are governed by selective protein synthesis and degradation. Ubiquitination mediated protein degradation is governed by activating enzyme E1 followed by conjugating enzyme E2 and E3 ligase. Plant Armadillo (ARM) repeat/U-box (PUB) protein family is one of the important classes of E3 ligase. We studied the function of AtPUB2 by loss-of-function (knockout and knock down mutants) and gain-of-function (CaMV 35S promoter driven overexpression lines) approach in Arabidopsis. Under normal growth condition, we observed that loss-of-function mutant plants did not show any significant difference in growth when compared with wild-type possibly due to functional redundancy between PUB2 and PUB4. However, AtPUB2-OE lines exhibit early flowering and improved vegetative growth. Also, AtPUB2-OE seedlings showed sensitive phenotype in the presence of exogenous cytokinin. We found that AtPUB2 expression is induced under oxidative stress. Subcellular localization analysis shows that AtPUB2 is predominantly localized in the nucleus. We performed the phenotypic analysis under oxidative stress condition induced by methyl viologen (MV) and observed that overexpression lines display tolerance to oxidative stress in light and dark conditions. Furthermore, we found less amount of ROS accumulation, enhanced proline accumulation and decreased levels of MDA after MV treatment in AtPUB2-OE lines. PUB2-OE lines showed enhanced oxidative stress marker genes expression. By in vitro auto-ubiquitination assay, we also show that it possesses the E3 ligase activity. Overall, our findings suggest the possible role of AtPUB2 in plants ability to tolerate oxidative stress by enhancing the activity of antioxidant enzymes, which in turn improves ROS scavenging activity and homeostasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In allergic inflammatory diseases, histamine plays a significant role. Histamine H1 receptor antagonists, also referred to as antihistamines, have been used to treat allergies for a long time. They are believed to work by inhibiting the inflammatory responses brought on by the release of histamine. Mast cells, basophils, lymphocytes, and other reservoirs contain granules that release histamine, a short peptide with inherent vasoactive properties. Histamine interacts with histamine receptors to control a number of cellular processes involved in the control of allergic inflammation and the immune system. Here, we examine mounting evidence that histamine does, in fact, play a part in inflammation and the regulation of immune function in these disorders. In particular, the identification of the fourth histamine receptor (H4) and its widespread expression on immunological and inflammatory cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A number of indolizines and pyrrolo[1,2-a]quinolines/isoquinolines were prepared from phenacyl pyridinium, quinolinium and isoquinolinium salts derived fromthe reaction of the heterocycles with 2-bromo acetophenone with alkynes and alkenes using amberlite–IRA-402 (OH) ion exchange resin as the base. Antibacterial and antifungal studies were carried out against thirteen bacterial and four fungal strains, which revealed that three derivatives (4a, 4b, 7a) out of fifteen are effective against all the thirteen strains and one derivative, 10, showed dual antibactericidal and antifungal efficacy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]