State University of New York System

About: State University of New York System is a education organization based out in Albany, New York, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Poison control. The organization has 54077 authors who have published 78070 publications receiving 2985160 citations.

A three-hybrid system to detect RNA-protein interactions in vivo

Abstract: RNA-protein interactions are pivotal in fundamental cellular processes such as translation, mRNA processing, early development, and infection by RNA viruses. However, in spite of the central importance of these interactions, few approaches are available to analyze them rapidly in vivo. We describe a yeast genetic method to detect and analyze RNA-protein interactions in which the binding of a bifunctional RNA to each of two hybrid proteins activates transcription of a reporter gene in vivo. We demonstrate that this three-hybrid system enables the rapid, phenotypic detection of specific RNA-protein interactions. As examples, we use the binding of the iron regulatory protein 1 (IRP1) to the iron response element (IRE), and of HIV trans-activator protein (Tat) to the HIV trans-activation response element (TAR) RNA sequence. The three-hybrid assay we describe relies only on the physical properties of the RNA and protein, and not on their natural biological activities; as a result, it may have broad application in the identification of RNA-binding proteins and RNAs, as well as in the detailed analysis of their interactions.

Epidemiologic studies of modifiable factors associated with cognition and dementia: systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract: Cognitive impairment, including dementia, is a major health concern with the increasing aging population. Preventive measures to delay cognitive decline are of utmost importance. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most frequent cause of dementia, increasing in prevalence from 40% above 85 years of age. We systematically reviewed selected modifiable factors such as education, smoking, alcohol, physical activity, caffeine, antioxidants, homocysteine (Hcy), n-3 fatty acids that were studied in relation to various cognitive health outcomes, including incident AD. We searched MEDLINE for published literature (January 1990 through October 2012), including cross-sectional and cohort studies (sample sizes > 300). Analyses compared study finding consistency across factors, study designs and study-level characteristics. Selecting studies of incident AD, our meta-analysis estimated pooled risk ratios (RR), population attributable risk percent (PAR%) and assessed publication bias. In total, 247 studies were retrieved for systematic review. Consistency analysis for each risk factor suggested positive findings ranging from ~38.9% for caffeine to ~89% for physical activity. Education also had a significantly higher propensity for “a positive finding” compared to caffeine, smoking and antioxidant-related studies. Meta-analysis of 31 studies with incident AD yielded pooled RR for low education (RR = 1.99; 95% CI: 1.30-3.04), high Hcy (RR = 1.93; 95% CI: 1.50-2.49), and current/ever smoking status (RR = 1.37; 95% CI: 1.23-1.52) while indicating protective effects of higher physical activity and n-3 fatty acids. Estimated PAR% were particularly high for physical activity (PAR% = 31.9; 95% CI: 22.7-41.2) and smoking (PAR%=31.09%; 95% CI: 17.9-44.3). Overall, no significant publication bias was found. Higher Hcy levels, lower educational attainment, and decreased physical activity were particularly strong predictors of incident AD. Further studies are needed to support other potential modifiable protective factors, such as caffeine.

Structure of rapidly quenched Al-Mn.

Abstract: We report electron-microscopy and high-resolution x-ray-scattering measurements of rapidly quenched ${\mathrm{Al}}_{6}$Mn. The electron-diffraction pattern shows icosahedral symmetry. Peaks in the x-ray-diffraction pattern can be indexed to a mixture of fcc Al and a phase whose reciprocal lattice is described by a sum of icosahedral vectors. The half-width of the sharpest x-ray peak is 0.01 ${\mathrm{\AA{}}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$. A comparison is made with current theories of quasicrystalline order.

Effects of a Preschool Mathematics Curriculum: Summative Research on the Building Blocks Project

Abstract: This study evaluated the efficacy of a preschool mathematics program based on a comprehensive model of developing research-based software and print curricula. Building Blocks, funded by the National Science Foundation, is a curriculum development project focused on creating research-based, technology-enhanced mathematics materials for pre-K through grade 2. In this article, we describe the underlying principles, development, and initial summative evaluation of the first set of resulting materials as they were used in classrooms with children at risk for later school failure. Experimental and comparison classrooms included two principal types of public preschool programs serving low-income families: state funded and Head Start prekindergarten programs. The experimental treatment group score increased significantly more than the comparison group score; achievement gains of the experimental group approached the sought-after 2-sigma effect of individual tutoring. This study contributes to research showing that focused early mathematical interventions help young children develop a foundation of informal mathematics knowledge, especially for children at risk for later school failure.