Tulane University

About: Tulane University is a education organization based out in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Blood pressure. The organization has 24478 authors who have published 47205 publications receiving 1944993 citations. The organization is also known as: University of Louisiana.

Evolutionary and biomedical implications of a Schistosoma japonicum complementary DNA resource

Abstract: Schistosoma japonicum causes schistosomiasis in humans and livestock in the Asia-Pacific region. Knowledge of the genome of this parasite should improve understanding of schistosome-host interactions, biomedical aspects of schistosomiasis and invertebrate evolution. We assigned 43,707 expressed sequence tags (ESTs) derived from adult S. japonicum and their eggs to 13,131 gene clusters. Of these, 35% shared no similarity with known genes and 75% had not been reported previously in schistosomes. Notably, S. japonicum encoded mammalian-like receptors for insulin, progesterone, cytokines and neuropeptides, suggesting that host hormones, or endogenous parasite homologs, could orchestrate schistosome development and maturation and that schistosomes modulate anti-parasite immune responses through inhibitors, molecular mimicry and other evasion strategies.

Differential distribution of endomorphin 1- and endomorphin 2-like immunoreactivities in the CNS of the rodent.

Abstract: Endomorphins are endogenous peptides that have high affinity and selectivity for the mu-opiate receptor and potent analgesic activity. The distributions of endomorphin 1 (Tyr-Pro-Trp-Phe-NH2; EM1) and endomorphin 2 (Tyr-Pro-Phe-Phe-NH2; EM2) in the rat central nervous system were determined by immunocytochemistry with two antisera, each demonstrating clear preference for the target antigen. Perikarya expressing EM2-like immunoreactivity were present in the posterior hypothalamus, whereas those expressing EM1-like immunoreactivity were present in both the posterior hypothalamus and the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS). EM1-like immunoreactivity was more widely and densely distributed throughout the brain than was EM2-like immunoreactivity, whereas EM2-like immunoreactivity was more prevalent in the spinal cord than was EM1-like immunoreactivity. The greatest density of EM1-like-immunoreactive fibers was detected in the parabrachial nucleus and the NTS, with notable staining in the septum, diagonal band, bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, organum vasculosum, nucleus of Meynert, paraventricular thalamic nucleus, posterior hypothalamic nucleus, periaqueductal gray, locus coeruleus, nucleus accumbens, and amygdala. The greatest density of EM2-like-immunoreactive fibers was detected in the superficial laminae of the spinal cord dorsal horn and the nucleus of the spinal trigeminal tract. The overall pattern of immunoreactivities was similar in rat, mouse, and guinea pig, but some differences were observed. In many but not in all locations, immunoreactive fibers were prominently present in regions in which mu receptors are reported to be concentrated. The neuroanatomical results suggest that endomorphins participate in modulating nociceptive and autonomic nervous system processes and responsiveness to stress.

Role of the J-domain in the cooperation of Hsp40 with Hsp70

Abstract: The Escherichia coli Hsp40 DnaJ and Hsp70 DnaK cooperate in the binding of proteins at intermediate stages of folding, assembly, and translocation across membranes. Binding of protein substrates to the DnaK C-terminal domain is controlled by ATP binding and hydrolysis in the N-terminal ATPase domain. The interaction of DnaJ with DnaK is mediated at least in part by the highly conserved N-terminal J-domain of DnaJ that includes residues 2–75. Heteronuclear NMR experiments with uniformly 15N-enriched DnaJ2–75 indicate that the chemical environment of residues located in helix II and the flanking loops is perturbed on interaction with DnaK or a truncated DnaK molecule, DnaK2–388. NMR signals corresponding to these residues broaden and exhibit changes in chemical shifts in the presence of DnaK(MgADP). Addition of MgATP largely reversed the broadening, indicating that NMR signals of DnaJ2–75 respond to ATP-dependent changes in DnaK. The J-domain interaction is localized to the ATPase domain of DnaK and is likely to be dominated by electrostatic interactions. The results suggest that the J-domain tethers DnaK to DnaJ-bound substrates, which DnaK then binds with its C-terminal peptide-binding domain.

Successful Succession in Family Business

Abstract: Successful succession of CEOs is a crucial goal for family firms: without the next generations leadership and direct management, the firm cannot survive as a family firm, let alone maintain its character. When owner-managers retire, more than two-thirds of family firms cease or pass to new owners; less than one-third are continued by the next generation (Beckhard and Dyer, 1983; Emshwiller, 1989; Lansberg, 1988). If the owners of the firm want it to remain under family ownership and direction, then succession becomes a crucial strategic issue. For roughly nine out of ten U.S. businesses that are familyowned and run (a higher proportion in the rest of the free world), continuity is an issue. For family firms, successful succession begins many years before an offspring takes over as CEO. It is the lengthiest strategic process for family firms. It is a time when the old must help the young with educational and operational challenges, for potential successors must learn to take advantage of their families' values and special competencies as well as to develop their own expertise. The succession process in family firms involves numerous participants. The behavior and expectations of the CEO parent and employed offspring are affected by other family members, other executives in the firm, suppliers, bankers, and customers (Figure 1). For the succession process to unfold smoothly, key participants must come to feel comfortable with one another. This article presents a framework integrating the factors affectingsuccession and focuses on those factors that can be controlled by core players.1 Keyplayers must also deal effectivelywith uncontrollable environmental factors that influence the firm, but they should 110t pretend to manage them.i Our framework can be used as a checklist to help parents and offspring assess their succession process and identify major conflicts. Use it to indicate directions for positive change.

Perceived discrimination as worldview threat or worldview confirmation: implications for self-esteem.

Abstract: In 3 studies, the authors tested the hypothesis that discrimination targets' worldview moderates the impact of perceived discrimination on self-esteem among devalued groups. In Study 1, perceiving discrimination against the ingroup was negatively associated with self-esteem among Latino Americans who endorsed a meritocracy worldview (e.g., believed that individuals of any group can get ahead in America and that success stems from hard work) but was positively associated with self-esteem among those who rejected this worldview. Study 2 showed that exposure to discrimination against their ingroup (vs. a non-self-relevant group) led to lower self-esteem, greater feelings of personal vulnerability, and ingroup blame among Latino Americans who endorsed a meritocracy worldview but to higher self-esteem and decreased ingroup blame among Latino Americans who rejected it. Study 3 showed that compared with women informed that prejudice against their ingroup is pervasive, women informed that prejudice against their ingroup is rare had higher self-esteem if they endorsed a meritocracy worldview but lower self-esteem if they rejected this worldview. Findings support the idea that perceiving discrimination against one's ingroup threatens the worldview of individuals who believe that status in society is earned but confirms the worldview of individuals who do not.