The explosive growth in genomic (and soon, expression and proteomic) data, exemplified by the Hum... more The explosive growth in genomic (and soon, expression and proteomic) data, exemplified by the Human Genome Project, is a fertile domain for the application of multi-agent information gathering technolgies. Furthermore, hundreds of smaller-profile, yet still economically important organisms are being studied that require the efficient and inexpensive automated analysis tools that multiagent approaches can provide. In this paper we give a progress report on the use of the DECAF multi-agent toolkit to build reusable information gathering systems for bioinformatics. We will briefly summarize why bioinformatics is a classic application for information gathering, how DECAF supports it, and recent extensions underway to support new analysis paths for genomic information.
KHAN, S. AND M. E. SMITH. Actions of b-endorphin peptides on the contractions of mouse diaphragm ... more KHAN, S. AND M. E. SMITH. Actions of b-endorphin peptides on the contractions of mouse diaphragm muscle. PEPTIDES 18(1) 87-92, 1997.-The effect of derivatives of b-endorphin on the contractile response to indirect stimulation in mouse diaphragm muscle was studied to determine whether the action of the peptide to increase muscle tension is an opioid effect. b-Endorphin(1-27), b-endorphin(30-31), and a b-endorphin(28-31) analogue all increased the amplitude of the contractions. The C-terminal peptides were more potent than b-endorphin or b-endorphin(1-27). The b-endorphin(28-31) analogue, like bendorphin, decreased the time to peak but b-endorphin(1-27) did not. The effect of b-endorphin(1-27), but not that of the bendorphin(28-31) analogue, was blocked by naloxone. Thus, b-endorphin acts on muscle via both opioid and nonopioid receptors.
Background: In most countries, socio-demographic factors influence the incidence of burns in chil... more Background: In most countries, socio-demographic factors influence the incidence of burns in children. The aims of this literature review were therefore to identify which of those factors are linked to an increase in the prevalence and identify ways of enhancing burn prevention programmes and preventing practices which play a role in the occurrence of burns in children. Method: A comprehensive search (no time limit) of primary studies, titles and abstracts was undertaken in the following electronic databases; MEDLINE, CINAHL, ERIC, Cochrane Library, PsychInfo and Google Scholar. Results: Socio-demographic factors which were linked to an increased incidence of burns include low household income, living in deprived areas, living in rented accommodation, young mothers, single-parent families and children from ethnic minorities. The level of parental education, parental occupation, and the type and size of accommodation were also cited. Conclusion: A range of socio-demographic factors result in an increase in the prevalence of burns, and the risk is even greater in children who are exposed to a number of these factors. Such information will be useful for planning prevention strategies and identifying further research questions that need to be answered.
beta-Endorphin and a C-terminal analogue have been shown to decrease muscle fatigue and increase ... more beta-Endorphin and a C-terminal analogue have been shown to decrease muscle fatigue and increase glucose uptake in muscles of normal mice. In order to provide evidence whether these peptides might be useful in muscle-wasting conditions and whether the two actions of the peptides are interdependent, the effect of beta-endorphin on muscle fatigue and glucose uptake was studied using isolated hemidiaphragm preparations of dystrophic mice as well as normal mice. Muscle contractions were elicited by high-frequency stimulation of the phrenic nerve. Glucose uptake was measured using (nonmetabolizable) 2-deoxy-D-[1-(3)H]glucose. beta-Endorphin and the C-terminal analogue reduced fatigue in normal muscles of males but not females. Insulin had no effect in either sex. The peptides increased 2-deoxyglucose uptake in contracting and noncontracting muscles of normal males and females. beta-Endorphin reduced fatigue and increased deoxyglucose uptake in dystrophic muscles. The effect on fatigue was not due to increased glucose uptake, as the energy substrate present was pyruvate. Nerve stimulation released beta-endorphin immunoreactivity from intramuscular nerves of dystrophic mice. It is hypothesized that beta-endorphin released from motor nerves as well as from the pituitary could be responsible for improving muscle function during exercise. beta-Endorphin or analogues could have therapeutic use in muscle-wasting disease.
Summary: We have developed a web tool to predict Gene Ontology (GO) terms. The tool accepts an in... more Summary: We have developed a web tool to predict Gene Ontology (GO) terms. The tool accepts an input DNA or protein sequence, and uses BLAST to identify homologous sequences in GO annotated databases. A graph is returned to the user via email. Availability: The tool is freely available at: http://udgenome.ags.udel.edu/frm_go.html/
The seeds of Ochradenus arabicus, a medicinally important plant endemic to Saudi Arabia, become d... more The seeds of Ochradenus arabicus, a medicinally important plant endemic to Saudi Arabia, become dormant and thus do not germinate easily. An attempt was made to improve seed germination and break the dormancy. The seeds were subjected to 2 plant growth regulators [GA3 (25-500 µM) and BAP (25-350 µM)] and two chemicals (KNO3 and thiourea) at 0.1-0.5% concentrations. Germination of seed was recorded after 20 days of sowing the seed in different treatments. Maximum germination was obtained by GA3 at 100µM, ...
The explosive growth in genomic (and soon, expression and proteomic) data, exemplified by the Hum... more The explosive growth in genomic (and soon, expression and proteomic) data, exemplified by the Human Genome Project, is a fertile domain for the application of multi-agent information gathering technolgies. Furthermore, hundreds of smaller-profile, yet still economically important organisms are being studied that require the efficient and inexpensive automated analysis tools that multiagent approaches can provide. In this paper we give a progress report on the use of the DECAF multi-agent toolkit to build reusable information gathering systems for bioinformatics. We will briefly summarize why bioinformatics is a classic application for information gathering, how DECAF supports it, and recent extensions underway to support new analysis paths for genomic information.
KHAN, S. AND M. E. SMITH. Actions of b-endorphin peptides on the contractions of mouse diaphragm ... more KHAN, S. AND M. E. SMITH. Actions of b-endorphin peptides on the contractions of mouse diaphragm muscle. PEPTIDES 18(1) 87-92, 1997.-The effect of derivatives of b-endorphin on the contractile response to indirect stimulation in mouse diaphragm muscle was studied to determine whether the action of the peptide to increase muscle tension is an opioid effect. b-Endorphin(1-27), b-endorphin(30-31), and a b-endorphin(28-31) analogue all increased the amplitude of the contractions. The C-terminal peptides were more potent than b-endorphin or b-endorphin(1-27). The b-endorphin(28-31) analogue, like bendorphin, decreased the time to peak but b-endorphin(1-27) did not. The effect of b-endorphin(1-27), but not that of the bendorphin(28-31) analogue, was blocked by naloxone. Thus, b-endorphin acts on muscle via both opioid and nonopioid receptors.
Background: In most countries, socio-demographic factors influence the incidence of burns in chil... more Background: In most countries, socio-demographic factors influence the incidence of burns in children. The aims of this literature review were therefore to identify which of those factors are linked to an increase in the prevalence and identify ways of enhancing burn prevention programmes and preventing practices which play a role in the occurrence of burns in children. Method: A comprehensive search (no time limit) of primary studies, titles and abstracts was undertaken in the following electronic databases; MEDLINE, CINAHL, ERIC, Cochrane Library, PsychInfo and Google Scholar. Results: Socio-demographic factors which were linked to an increased incidence of burns include low household income, living in deprived areas, living in rented accommodation, young mothers, single-parent families and children from ethnic minorities. The level of parental education, parental occupation, and the type and size of accommodation were also cited. Conclusion: A range of socio-demographic factors result in an increase in the prevalence of burns, and the risk is even greater in children who are exposed to a number of these factors. Such information will be useful for planning prevention strategies and identifying further research questions that need to be answered.
beta-Endorphin and a C-terminal analogue have been shown to decrease muscle fatigue and increase ... more beta-Endorphin and a C-terminal analogue have been shown to decrease muscle fatigue and increase glucose uptake in muscles of normal mice. In order to provide evidence whether these peptides might be useful in muscle-wasting conditions and whether the two actions of the peptides are interdependent, the effect of beta-endorphin on muscle fatigue and glucose uptake was studied using isolated hemidiaphragm preparations of dystrophic mice as well as normal mice. Muscle contractions were elicited by high-frequency stimulation of the phrenic nerve. Glucose uptake was measured using (nonmetabolizable) 2-deoxy-D-[1-(3)H]glucose. beta-Endorphin and the C-terminal analogue reduced fatigue in normal muscles of males but not females. Insulin had no effect in either sex. The peptides increased 2-deoxyglucose uptake in contracting and noncontracting muscles of normal males and females. beta-Endorphin reduced fatigue and increased deoxyglucose uptake in dystrophic muscles. The effect on fatigue was not due to increased glucose uptake, as the energy substrate present was pyruvate. Nerve stimulation released beta-endorphin immunoreactivity from intramuscular nerves of dystrophic mice. It is hypothesized that beta-endorphin released from motor nerves as well as from the pituitary could be responsible for improving muscle function during exercise. beta-Endorphin or analogues could have therapeutic use in muscle-wasting disease.
Summary: We have developed a web tool to predict Gene Ontology (GO) terms. The tool accepts an in... more Summary: We have developed a web tool to predict Gene Ontology (GO) terms. The tool accepts an input DNA or protein sequence, and uses BLAST to identify homologous sequences in GO annotated databases. A graph is returned to the user via email. Availability: The tool is freely available at: http://udgenome.ags.udel.edu/frm_go.html/
The seeds of Ochradenus arabicus, a medicinally important plant endemic to Saudi Arabia, become d... more The seeds of Ochradenus arabicus, a medicinally important plant endemic to Saudi Arabia, become dormant and thus do not germinate easily. An attempt was made to improve seed germination and break the dormancy. The seeds were subjected to 2 plant growth regulators [GA3 (25-500 µM) and BAP (25-350 µM)] and two chemicals (KNO3 and thiourea) at 0.1-0.5% concentrations. Germination of seed was recorded after 20 days of sowing the seed in different treatments. Maximum germination was obtained by GA3 at 100µM, ...
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