University of Massachusetts Boston

About: University of Massachusetts Boston is a education organization based out in Boston, Massachusetts, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Health care. The organization has 6541 authors who have published 12918 publications receiving 411731 citations. The organization is also known as: UMass Boston.

Poly(A) shortening accompanies the activation of translation of five mRNAs during spermiogenesis in the mouse.

Abstract: I have compared the quantity and the length of the poly(A) tracts of five haploid-expressed mRNAs in the polysomal and nonpolysomal fractions of round and elongating spermatids in mice: transition proteins 1 and 2, protamines 1 and 2, and an unidentified mRNA of about 1050 bases. Postmitochondrial supernatants of highly enriched populations of round and elongating spermatids (early and late haploid spermatogenic cells) were sedimented on sucrose gradients, and the size and amount of each mRNA in gradient fractions were analyzed in Northern blots. In round spermatids, all five mRNAs are restricted to the postpolysomal fractions, but in elongating spermatids about 30–40% of each mRNA is associated with the polysomes. The distribution of these mRNAs in sucrose gradients suggests that all five mRNAs are stored in a translationally repressed state in round and early elongating spermatids, and that they become translationally active in middle and late elongating spermatids. The translationally repressed forms of all five mRNAs are long and homogenous in size, whereas the polysomal forms are shorter and more heterogenous due to shortening of their poly(A) tracts. The relationship between translational activity and poly(A) size exemplified by these five mRNAs may be typical of mRNAs which are translationally repressed in round spermatids and translationally active in elongating spermatids.

Generalized isolation level definitions

Abstract: Commercial databases support different isolation levels to allow programmers to trade off consistency for a potential gain in performance. The isolation levels are defined in the current ANSI standard, but the definitions are ambiguous and revised definitions proposed to correct the problem are too constrained since they allow only pessimistic (locking) implementations. This paper presents new specifications for the ANSI levels. Our specifications are portable: they apply not only to locking implementations, but also to optimistic and multi-version concurrency control schemes. Furthermore, unlike earlier definitions, our new specifications handle predicates in a correct and flexible manner at all levels.

Meta-analysis of acquisition and fluency math interventions with instructional and frustration level skills: Evidence for a skill-by-treatment interaction

Abstract: Implementation of effective interventions relies on the use of assessment data to adequately describe the learning problem and offer potential solutions. The use of curriculum-based assessment and ...

Flow induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition, cellular heterogeneity and biomarker modulation in 3D ovarian cancer nodules

Abstract: Seventy-five percent of patients with epithelial ovarian cancer present with advanced-stage disease that is extensively disseminated intraperitoneally and prognosticates the poorest outcomes. Primarily metastatic within the abdominal cavity, ovarian carcinomas initially spread to adjacent organs by direct extension and then disseminate via the transcoelomic route to distant sites. Natural fluidic streams of malignant ascites triggered by physiological factors, including gravity and negative subdiaphragmatic pressure, carry metastatic cells throughout the peritoneum. We investigated the role of fluidic forces as modulators of metastatic cancer biology in a customizable microfluidic platform using 3D ovarian cancer nodules. Changes in the morphological, genetic, and protein profiles of biomarkers associated with aggressive disease were evaluated in the 3D cultures grown under controlled and continuous laminar flow. A modulation of biomarker expression and tumor morphology consistent with increased epithelial–mesenchymal transition, a critical step in metastatic progression and an indicator of aggressive disease, is observed because of hydrodynamic forces. The increase in epithelial–mesenchymal transition is driven in part by a posttranslational up-regulation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression and activation, which is associated with the worst prognosis in ovarian cancer. A flow-induced, transcriptionally regulated decrease in E-cadherin protein expression and a simultaneous increase in vimentin is observed, indicating increased metastatic potential. These findings demonstrate that fluidic streams induce a motile and aggressive tumor phenotype. The microfluidic platform developed here potentially provides a flow-informed framework complementary to conventional mechanism-based therapeutic strategies, with broad applicability to other lethal malignancies.

Oncology patients' perceptions of quality nursing care

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to analyze theoretically oncology patients' perceptions of the attributes and outcomes of quality nursing care. The grounded theory method as described by Strauss and Corbin (1998) was used. The purposive sample comprised 22 oncology patients being treated at an urban medical center; they were interviewed using a semistructured schedule. Eight attributes of quality nursing care emerged from the data. From the patient's perspective, excellent care was characterized by professional knowledge, continuity, attentiveness, coordination, partnership, individualization, rapport, and caring. In addition, two outcomes of quality care included increased fortitude and a sense of well-being with its constituents of trust, optimism, and authenticity. These findings can inform investigations of how oncology patients may experience “being well cared-for” by nurses. © John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Res Nurs Health 23:179–190, 2000