A map of community-based obesity prevention initiatives in Australia following obesity funding 2009-2013.

Obesity is the single biggest public health threat to developed and developing economies. In concert with healthy public policy, multi-strategy, multi-level community-based initiatives appear promising in preventing obesity, with several countries trialling this approach. In Australia, multiple levels of government have funded and facilitated a range of community-based obesity prevention initiatives (CBI), heterogeneous in their funding, timing, target audience and structure. This paper aims to present a central repository of CBI operating in Australia during 2013, to facilitate knowledge exchange and shared opportunities for learning, and to guide professional development towards best practice for CBI practitioners.

A strong provably secure IBE scheme without bilinear map

Identity-based encryption (IBE) allows one party to send ciphered messages to another using an arbitrary identity string as an encryption key. Since IBE does not require prior generation and distribution of keys, it greatly simplifies key management in public-key cryptography. According to the Menezes-Okamoto-Vanstone (MOV) reduction theory, the IBE scheme based on bilinear map loses the high efficiency of elliptic curve because of the requirement of large security parameters. Therefore, it is important to build a provably secure IBE scheme without bilinear map. To this end, this paper proposes an improved IBE scheme that is different from the previous schemes because this new scheme does not use symmetric encryption algorithm. Furthermore, it can be proven to be secure against adaptively chosen identity and chosen plaintext attacks in the standard model. Elaborated security and performance analysis demonstrate that this new scheme outperforms the previous ones in terms of the time complexity for encryption and decryption.

Detailed Map and Recreational Suitability Assessment of the Colby Trail System

This map is designed as a resource for students and the public to use and develop a better understanding of the trails system on the Colby Campus. I used a Garmin GPSmap 60CS to chart all the trails on Runnals Hill and in the Arboretum. Then, using ArcGIS, I compiled the tracked trails and laid them over an aerial photo of the campus. Because many of the trails are hard to find, I took digital photos of each trail entry to help the user locate them. Then, by taking note of the grade and width of the trail, I decided which trails were suitable for certain activities. This gives users an idea of where to go for walking, running, mountain biking, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing.

February 2011: National Broadband Map

http://digitalcommons.winthrop.edu/dacusdocsnews/1050/thumbnail.jpg

Phylogenetic structure of Guinea-Bissau ethnic groups for mitochondrial DNA and Y chromosome genetic systems

The maternal and paternal genetic profile of Guineans is markedly sub-Saharan West African, with the majority of lineages belonging to L0-L3 mtDNA sub-clusters and E3a-M2 and E1-M33 Y chromosome haplogroups. Despite the sociocultural differences among Guinea-Bissau ethnic groups,marked by the supposedly strict admixture barriers, their genetic pool remains largely common. Their extant variation coalesces at distinct timeframes, from the initial occupation of the area to later inputs of people. Signs of recent expansion in mtDNA haplogroups L2a-L2c and NRY E3a-M2 suggest population growth in the equatorial western fringe, possibly supported by an early local agricultural centre, and to which the Mandenka and the Balanta people may relate. Non-West African signatures are traceable in less frequent extant haplogroups, fitting well with the linguistic and historical evidence regarding particular ethnic groups: the Papel and Felupe-Djola people retain traces of their putative East African relatives; U6 and M1b among Guinea-Bissau Bak-speakers indicate partial diffusion to Sahel of North African lineages; U5b1b lineages in Fulbe and Papel represent a link to North African Berbers, emphasizing the great importance of post-glacial expansions; exact matches of R1b-P25 and E3b1-M78 with Europeans likely trace back to the times of the slave trade.

Fucana ativa via das Map quinases e inibe a proliferação de células de ovário de hamster chinês (CHO)

Fucan is a term used to denominate L-fucose rich sulfated polysaccharides. The fucans have been studied due their pharmacological activities like antithrombotic, antiproliferative and antioxidant. We have extracted three fucan fractions from the brown seaweed Spatoglossum schröederi. These fucans were denominated Fuc B 1, Fuc B 1.5 and Fuc B 2. The chemical analyzes show that the fucans have very similar composition as demonstrated by agarose electrophoresis gel, sugar and sulfate content. The antiproliferative effect was determined by MTT and BrdU methodologies in CHO cells. The inhibition of proliferation effect of the three fractions was about 40%. Therefore this we proceed just with the Fuc B 2 due the higher yield. There is no apoptosis indication using the anexin V/propidium iodide test. We found a cell cycle phase G1 arrest. The western blotting show that the PKC; pFAK; pERK 1/2 are activated when the cells were treated with fucans. The treatement with inhibitor of MAPK PD98059 extinguished the fucan effect. These results indicates that fucan act by the ERK pathway inducing the cell death.

The bacterial chromosome segregation protein Spo0J spreads along DNA from parS nucleation sites

Regulation of chromosome inheritance is essential to ensure proper transmission of genetic information. To accomplish accurate genome segregation, cells organize their chromosomes and actively separate them prior to cytokinesis. In Bacillus subtilis the Spo0J protein is required for accurate chromosome segregation and it regulates the developmental switch from vegetative growth to sporulation. Spo0J is a DNA-binding protein that recognizes at least eight identified parS sites located near the origin of replication. As judged by fluorescence microscopy, Spo0J forms discrete foci associated with the oriC region of the chromosome throughout the cell cycle. In an attempt to determine the mechanisms utilized by Spo0J to facilitate productive chromosome segregation, we have investigated the DNA binding activity of Spo0J. In vivo we find Spo0J associates with several kilobases of DNA flanking its specific binding sites (parS) through a parS-dependent nucleation event that promotes lateral spreading of Spo0J along the chromosome. Using purified components we find that Spo0J has the ability to coat non-specific DNA substrates. These 'Spo0J domains' provide large structures near oriC that could potentially demark, organize or localize the origin region of the chromosome.

Development of Y-chromosome-Specific SCAR Markers Conserved in Taurine, Zebu and Bubaline Cattle

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Chromosome polymorphism in the Brazilian dwarf brocket deer, Mazama nana (Mammalia, Cervidae)

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Mechanism of anticlastogenicity of Agaricus blazei Murill mushroom organic extracts in wild type CHO (K-1) and repair deficient (xrs5) cells by chromosome aberration and sister chromatid exchange assays

Agaricus blazei Murill is a medicinal mushroom native to Brazil. The present work assessed the clastogenic and anticlastogenic potential of organic extracts (ethanol and chloroform/methanol) from the lineage AB97/11 in chinese hamster CHO-K-1 (wild type) and CHO-xrs5 (repair deficient) cells using the chromosome aberration (CA) and sister chromatid exchange (SCE) assays. In these experimental conditions were observed: (a) anticlastogenic effect at concentrations of 0.06 and 0.09% of the EtOH extract and at the 0.03 and 0.06% concentrations of the C/MetOH extract in CHO-K-1; (b) absence of protector effect on CHO-xrs5 cells; and (c) absence of protector effect in the SCE assay. These results indicate that organic extracts of A. blazei lineage AB97/11 present bio-antimutagenic type protective activity. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. B.V. All rights reserved.

Mapping of quantitative trait loci controlling tick [Riphicephalus (Boophilus) microplus] resistance on bovine chromosomes 5, 7 and 14

Differences in domestication and selection processes have contributed to considerable phenotypic and genotypic differences between Bos taurus and Bos indicus cattle breeds. of particular interest in tropical and subtropical production environments are those genetic differences between subspecies that underlie the phenotypic extremes in tolerance and susceptibility to parasite infection. In general, B. taurus cattle are more susceptible to ectoparasites than B. indicus cattle in tropical environments, and much of this difference is under genetic control. To identify genomic regions involved in tick resistance, we developed a B. taurus x B. indicus F-2 experimental population to map quantitative trait loci (QTL) for resistance to the Riphicephalus (Boophilus) microplus tick. About 300 individuals were measured for parasite load in two seasons (rainy and dry) and genotyped for 23 microsatellite markers covering chromosomes 5, 7 and 14. We mapped a suggestive chromosome-wide QTL for tick load in the rainy season (P < 0.05) on chromosome 5. For the dry season, suggestive (P < 0.10) chromosome-wide QTL were mapped on chromosomes 7 and 14. The additive effect of the QTL on chromosome 14 corresponds to 3.18% of the total observed phenotypic variance. Our QTL-mapping study has identified different genomic regions controlling tick resistance; these QTL were dependent upon the season in which the ticks were counted, suggesting that the QTL in question may depend on environmental factors.

Origin and differentiation of a sex chromosome system in Parodon hilarii (Pisces, Parodontidae). Satellite DNA, G- and C-banding

A satellite DNA sequence of Parodon hilarii ( named pPh2004) was isolated, cloned and sequenced. This satellite DNA is composed of 200 bp, 60% AT rich. In situ hybridization ( FISH) results revealed that the satellite DNA pPh2004 is located in the terminal regions of several chromosomes, forming highly evident blocks in some and punctual marks in others. The comparison between the FISH and C-banding results showed that the location of this satellite DNA coincides with that of most terminal heterochromatins. However, some regions are only marked by FISH whereas other regions are only marked by C-banding. The possible existence of more than one satellite DNA family could explain these partial differences. The in situ hybridization with the satellite DNA and the G- and C-bandings confirmed the presence of a sex chromosome system of the ZZ/ZW type in P. hilarii, as well as the correct identification of the Z chromosome in the karyotype. This chromosome displays a segment of terminal heterochromatin in the long arm, similar to the segment observed in the short arm of the W chromosome, also showing a G- banding pattern similar to that of the short arm and part of the long arm of the W chromosome. A hypothesis on the origin of the W chromosome from an ancestral chromosome similar to the Z chromosome is presented.

Structural and functional evidence that a B chromosome in the characid fish Astyanax scabripinnis is an isochromosome

Astyanax scabripinnis possesses a widespread polymorphism for metacentric B chromosomes as large as the largest chromosome pair in the A complement. on the basis of C-banding pattern, it was hypothesized that these B chromosomes are isochromosomes that have arisen by means of centromere misdivision and chromatid nondisjunction. In the present paper we test this hypothesis by analysing (i) the localization of a repetitive DNA sequence on both B chromosome arms, and (ii) synaptonemal complex formation, in order to test the functional homology of both arms. Genomic DNA digested with KpnI and analysed by gel electrophoresis showed fragments in a ladder-like pattern typical of tandemly repetitive DNA. These fragments were cloned and their tandem organization in the genome was confirmed. A 51-bp long consensus sequence, which was AT-rich (59%) and contained a variable region and two imperfect reverse sequences, was obtained. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) localized this repetitive DNA into noncentromeric constitutive heterochromatin which encompasses the terminal region of some acrocentric chromosomes, the NOR region, and interstitial polymorphic heterochromatin in chromosome 24. Most remarkably, tandem repeats were almost symmetrically placed in the two arms of the B chromosome, with the exception of two additional small clusters proximally located on the slightly longer arm. Synaptonemal complex (SC) analysis showed 26 completely paired SCs in males with 1B. The ring configuration of the B univalent persisting until metaphase I suggests that the two arms formed chiasmata. All these data provided strong support for the hypothesis that the B chromosome is an isochromosome.