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Exercise No. 1
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Last Submission Date: 1st September, 2015
Submission Date:
/
/2015
Total Mark: 100 (90+10 for submitting on time)
Exercise 1.
Williams syndrome and oxytocin: research with Internet tools Oxytocin-neurophysin 1 is a
protein expressed in the hypothalamus of the brain. It is cleaved into two different proteins: the 9
amino acid oxytocin and the 94 amino acid neurophysin. Oxytocin causes the smooth muscle of
the uterus to contract during labor and has been used for years to induce labor in both humans
and animals. Oxytocin has also been shown to have effects on behavior. In fact, the popular press
often refers to it as the “trust hormone” and experiments support this claim.
Williams syndrome is a disorder characterized by both physical features and developmental
delays. The OMIM database entry includes a description of individuals with Williams syndrome
as “empathetic, loquacious, and sociable.” The behavior also includes a tendency to trust others,
and some have drawn comparisons between Williams syndrome and the effects of oxytocin.
In this series of exercises, the various tools covered in this chapter are to be employed to explore
both oxytocin and Williams syndrome.
Question 1 (Mark 5)
The bond between the domesticated dog and their owner can be quite strong. It is also believed
that owning and interacting with a dog can lower blood pressure, increase longevity, and give the
owner a feeling of well-being. Could it be that some of these physiological effects are mediated
by the dog inducing the production of oxytocin in the owner? Search PubMed for evidence.
Solution:
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Exercise No. 1
Question 2 (Mark 5)
Oxytocin has been shown to induce trust, even when money is concerned. By administering an
oxytocin nasal spray to experimental subjects, oxytocin has been shown to make people more
willing to share money with strangers. Search PubMed for articles pertaining to this topic and
others related to trust.
Solution:
Question 3 (Mark 5)
Find the human oxytocin Gene record at the NCBI. What is the official gene symbol for this
gene?
Solution:
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Exercise No. 1
Question 4 (Mark 10)
Using the UniGene Website, what human tissues are known to express oxytocin?
Solution:
Question 5 (Mark 10)
Oxytocinase is an enzyme that degrades oxytocin. Using www.ihop-net.org, find the current
official symbol for this human protein. Sorting the reference sentences by date, what are some of
the earliest names used for this protein?
Solution:
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Exercise No. 1
Question 6 (Mark 10)
Using the uspto.gov Website, find a patent where oxytocin is used to induce labor in farm
animals. In what year was this patent issued?
Solution:
Question 7 (Mark 10)
Using the OMIM Website, can you find any diseases associated with oxytocin?
Solution:
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Exercise No. 1
Question 8 (Mark 10)
Using the NIH RePORTER Website, are there any grant applications on Williams syndrome?
Solution:
Question 9 (Mark 10)
Using the OMIM Website, can you find any records associated with Williams syndrome? Make
sure your strategy does not result in a number greater than 50 hits. What is the proper name for
this syndrome?
Solution:
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Exercise No. 1
Question 10 (Mark 5)
There is an article in the New England Journal of Medicine on Williams syndrome written by a
Dr. Barbara Pober. Construct a specific search of PubMed to find this article.
Solution:
Question 11 (Mark 10)
A characteristic of those afflicted by Williams syndrome is excessive trust and acceptance of
strangers. Using any tool you were introduced to in this chapter, can you find any connection
between Williams syndrome and oxytocin?
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Exercise No. 1
Note:
You have to sumbit the Exercise by 1st of September as hard copy.
The questions word format has been uploaded in Word File.
Write Solution and solve the question just after the Question.
If you want to paste anything use the PrtSc function in your PC key board.
Submission after the deadline, your mark will be zero.
Try to do this homework sincerely, because exercise reflects your exams question pattern
(Class test and Exam).
7. Solution will be provided you after the Deadline.
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