Devaluation by Omission: Limited Identity Options Elicit Anger and Increase Identification.

In the present research, we explored social-identity threat caused by subtle acts of omission, specifically situations in which social-identity information is requested but one's identity is not among the options provided. We predicted that being unable to identify with one's group-that is, in the demographics section of a survey-may signal social-identity devaluation, eliciting negative affect (e.g.

Signaling Creative Genius: How Perceived Social Connectedness Influences Judgments of Creative Potential.

In today's knowledge economy, effectively signaling one's creative potential can be advantageous. Five experiments demonstrate that cues signaling a person's separateness from others (as opposed to social connectedness) boost evaluations of their creative potential. "Lone" targets-engaging in activities alone-were judged more likely to generate creative ideas compared with targets engaging in identical activities with others.

The role of stress mindset in shaping cognitive, emotional, and physiological responses to challenging and threatening stress.

Background And Objectives: Prior research suggests that altering situation-specific evaluations of stress as challenging versus threatening can improve responses to stress. The aim of the current study was to explore whether cognitive, physiological and affective stress responses can be altered independent of situation-specific evaluations by changing individuals' mindsets about the nature of stress in general.

Design: Using a 2 × 2 design, we experimentally manipulated stress mindset using multi-media film clips orienting participants (N = 113) to either the enhancing or debilitating nature of stress.

Multiparameter RNA and codon optimization: a standardized tool to assess and enhance autologous mammalian gene expression.

Autologous expression of recombinant human proteins in human cells for biomedical research and product development is often hampered by low expression yields limiting subsequent structural and functional analyses. Following RNA and codon optimization, 50 candidate genes representing five classes of human proteins--transcription factors, ribosomal and polymerase subunits, protein kinases, membrane proteins and immunomodulators--all showed reliable, and 86% even elevated expression. Analysis of three representative examples showed no detrimental effect on protein solubility while unaltered functionality was demonstrated for JNK1, JNK3 and CDC2 using optimized constructs.

TOR-dependent reduction in the expression level of Rrn3p lowers the activity of the yeast RNA Pol I machinery, but does not account for the strong inhibition of rRNA production.

Ribosome biogenesis is tightly linked to cellular growth. A crucial step in the regulation of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene transcription is the formation of the complex between RNA polymerase I (Pol I) and the Pol I-dependent transcription factor Rrn3p. We found that TOR inactivation leads to proteasome-dependent degradation of Rrn3p and a strong reduction in initiation competent Pol I-Rrn3p complexes affecting yeast rRNA gene transcription.

Structure and organization of coat proteins in the COPII cage.

COPII-coated vesicles export newly synthesized proteins from the endoplasmic reticulum. The COPII coat consists of the Sec23/24-Sar1 complex that selects cargo and the Sec13/31 assembly unit that can polymerize into an octahedral cage and deform the membrane into a bud. Crystallographic analysis of the assembly unit reveals a 28 nm long rod comprising a central alpha-solenoid dimer capped by two beta-propeller domains at each end.

The composition of the RNA polymerase I transcription machinery switches from initiation to elongation mode.

The amounts of RNA polymerase I (Pol I) and basal rDNA transcription factors were determined in yeast whole cell extracts. A 17-fold excess of Pol I was found compared to the Pol I-specific initiation factors upstream activating factor (UAF) and core factor (CF) which underlines that both initiation factors interact with a minor fraction of Pol I when rDNA transcription is active. Surprisingly, Rrn3p, another Pol I-specific initiation factor, is more abundant in cell lysates than UAF and CF.

Dephosphorylation of RNA polymerase I by Fcp1p is required for efficient rRNA synthesis.

Differently phosphorylated forms of RNA polymerase (Pol) II are required to guide the enzyme through the transcription cycle. Here, we show that a phosphorylation/dephosphorylation cycle is also important for RNA polymerase I-dependent synthesis of rRNA precursors. A key component of the Pol II transcription system is Fcp1p, a phosphatase that dephosphorylates the C-terminal domain of the largest Pol II subunit.

Impaired collateral artery development in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Objective: To determine whether collateral artery development is impaired in spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) relative to normotensive (WKY) rats.

Methods: Sequential mesenteric arteries were ligated to create a collateral pathway responsible for the perfusion of approximately 50 first-order arterioles. Collateral development was assessed by measurement of in vivo arterial diameter before and 1 week after ligation.

Differential roles of phosphorylation in the formation of transcriptional active RNA polymerase I.

Regulation of rDNA transcription depends on the formation and dissociation of a functional complex between RNA polymerase I (pol I) and transcription initiation factor Rrn3p. We analyzed whether phosphorylation is involved in this molecular switch. Rrn3p is a phosphoprotein that is predominantly phosphorylated in vivo when it is not bound to pol I.

Neuronal localization of the TNFalpha converting enzyme (TACE) in brain tissue and its correlation to amyloid plaques.

The tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha converting enzyme (TACE) can cleave the cell-surface ectodomain of the amyloid-beta precursor protein (APP), thus decreasing the generation of amyloid-beta (Abeta) by cultured non-neuronal cells. While the amyloidogenic processing of APP in neurons is linked to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD), the expression of TACE in neurons has not yet been examined. Thus, we assessed TACE expression in a series of neuronal and non-neuronal cell types by Western blots.

Association of yeast RNA polymerase I with a nucleolar substructure active in rRNA synthesis and processing.

A novel ribonucleoprotein complex enriched in nucleolar proteins was purified from yeast extracts and constituents were identified by mass spectrometry. When isolated from rapidly growing cells, the assembly contained ribonucleic acid (RNA) polymerase (pol) I, and some of its transcription factors like TATA-binding protein (TBP), Rrn3p, Rrn5p, Rrn7p, and Reb1p along with rRNA processing factors, like Nop1p, Cbf5p, Nhp2p, and Rrp5p. The small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) U3, U14, and MRP were also found to be associated with the complex, which supports accurate transcription, termination, and pseudouridylation of rRNA.

Wall remodeling after wall shear rate normalization in rat mesenteric arterial collaterals.

Previous studies have demonstrated endothelial and smooth muscle hyperplasia occur during arterial luminal expansion associated with elevation of arterial wall shear rates. The current study investigated whether remodeling induced by elevated wall shear would ultimately result in a vessel with intimal and medial cell densities and other wall characteristics similar to control arteries. A rat mesenteric model was used in which collateral wall shear is restored to normal 4 weeks after arterial occlusion.

Experimental repair of venous valvular insufficiency using a cryopreserved venous valve allograft aided by a distal arteriovenous fistula.

Purpose: To evaluate the patency and hemodynamic impact of a cryopreserved allograft venous valve transplanted to the superficial femoral vein (SFV) of a canine insufficiency model aided by a distal arteriovenous fistula (dAVF).

Methods: Eight greyhounds had intravenous hemodynamic parameters measured (venous filling time [VFT], 90% of venous refilling time [VRT90], and simulated ambulatory venous pressure [AVP]) before (T0) and after complete hindlimb venous valvulotomy (T1) to produce venous insufficiency. Simultaneously, a valve-containing vein segment was harvested from the opposite SFV or external jugular vein (n = 1) and cryopreserved.

Wall remodeling during luminal expansion of mesenteric arterial collaterals in the rat.

Wall remodeling associated with rapid luminal enlargement of collateral mesenteric arteries in rats was investigated 1 and 4 weeks after creation of a collateral pathway by ligating three to four sequential arteries. Paired observations were made of inner diameters of collateral and normal arteries in the same animals. Arterial blood flow was measured at the final observation.

Early collateral and microvascular adaptations to intestinal artery occlusion in rat.

The technique to repeatedly observe exactly the same vessels in the rat intestine was used to investigate vascular compensation during the 1st wk after abrupt arterial ligation. A collateral-dependent tissue region was created by ligation of three to four sequential intestinal arteries. At the center of the collateral-dependent region, arterial pressure decreased from 96 +/- 3.

The occurrence of treponemes and their spherical bodies on polytetrafluoroethylene membranes.

The occurrence of small (diameter 0.125 micrometers) and large (diameter 0.27 micrometers) treponemal species on expanded polytetrafluoroethylene membranes were demonstrated in vivo.

The paperless essay: one way to teach writing and computer skills in medical school.

We designed an assignment for first-year medical students that included instruction in writing and in computer use, two important subjects that are usually neglected in the traditional curriculum. As part of a neuroscience course, students wrote an essay using a word processor and submitted it to the instructor via the campus computer network. If requested by the instructor, the students submitted a revision of their essays without a grade penalty.

[Intensive studies seminar for dental prophylaxis].

The significant role oral prophylactic measures play in the prevention of caries and periodontal disease and the importance of continuing systematic treatment for patients suffering from periodontitis have been scientifically documented in clinical studies. Practical application of this knowledge on a day-to-day basis in dental offices has thus far been hampered by the shortage of appropriately trained personnel. In September 1989, the Zahnärztekammer Berlin founded the "Intensive Studies Seminar for Dental Prophylaxis".

Evaluation of computer case simulations for teaching clinical pathology to second-year medical students.

A computer-assisted learning program for teaching clinical pathology to second year medical students has been developed and evaluated. These programs are designed to be used as supplements to formal lectures, laboratory exercises, and small group discussions. Students are given case histories and asked to select differential diagnoses, order and interpret laboratory and diagnostic tests, and make final diagnostic conclusions.

Stimulus equivalence and transitive associations: A methodological analysis.

When a number of two-stimulus relations are established through training within a set of stimuli, other two-stimulus relations often emerge in the same set without direct training. These, termed "transitive stimulus relations," have been demonstrated with a variety of visual and auditory stimuli. The phenomenon has served as a behavioral model for explaining the emergence of rudimentary comprehension and reading skills, and the development of generative syntactic repertoires.

Response rate, latency, and resistance to change.

Pigeons were trained on a multiple variable-interval/variable-interval schedule with pacing contingencies that generated high response rates in one component and low response rates in the other. Timeout periods separated the schedule components. During resistance-to-change tests, response-independent food was presented during the timeout periods, and the duration of that food presentation was varied among test sessions.