bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Rhetoric of Luke’s Passion
Authors: Rice Peter
Published: May 2013

Working from Mark’s Passion Narrative, Luke shapes much of his own Passion account according to the headings of the ancient rhetorical technique “common-place,” as described in the progymnasmata tradition. The headings of common-place include the opposite, comparison, way of thinking, pity, final headings, and ekphrasis. Luke employs this technique because it is designed to amplify the guilt of those who have committed crimes—in this case, the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem, especially the Temple authorities, regarding Jesus’ execution. Thus Luke paints a positive portrayal of the opposites against which the leaders have offended (Jesus the sage and Jewish hero, and Jesus’ service-based kingdom); presents a comparison with the Jewish leaders and four other questionable individual or groups, always to the Jerusalem authorities’ disadvantage; attacks the leaders’ way of thinking, especially by noting its alignment with Satanic will; makes an appeal to pity to his listeners through Jesus’ words and actions after being condemned; paints Jesus’ execution as a thorough affront to the final headings of justice and expedience; and not only retains but also augments ekphrastic elements from Mark’s Passion. The sum effect is a Passion Narrative which turns the rhetorical screws, amplifying the guilt of Jerusalem’s leaders regarding Jesus’ death. Luke likely shapes his rhetoric in this way at least in part as a response to the polemical context in which he writes his Gospel, responding especially to problems of theodicy.
Distribution of southern sting nematode, Ibipora lolii (Nematoda: Belonolaimidae), on turfgrass in Australia and its taxonomic relationship to other belonolaimids
Authors: Stirling Graham R. , Stirling A. Marcelle , Giblin-Davis Robin M. , Ye Weimin , Porazinska Dorota L. , Nobbs Jackie M. , Johnston Kenneth J.
Published: May 2013

Molecular evidence from sequences of three regions of ribosomal DNA (partial SSU, ITS-1, 5.8S and ITS-2, and D2/D3 expansion segments of LSU) is presented to show that the two belonolaimids described from turfgrass in Australia (Ibipora lolii and Morulaimus gigas) are identical. Morulaimus gigas is therefore considered a junior synonym of I. lolii. The decision to place the nematode in Ibipora rather than Morulaimus is supported by molecular studies which showed that I. lolii is not closely related to Morulaimus or Carphodorus, two belonolaimid genera that are only found in Australia. Survey data are presented to show that I. lolii is widespread on turfgrass around Newcastle in New South Wales and in Perth, Western Australia, where the infested area is increasing rapidly, largely because the nematode is being spread in planting material. Ibipora lolii damages all turfgrass species but is particularly damaging to kikuyu grass (Pennisetum clandestinum), the main grass used for sporting fields and recreational areas in warm regions of Australia. Data from an experiment in pots also show that the nematode multiplies to damaging levels on sugarcane. Symptoms on grasses are similar to those caused by the sting nematode, Belonolaimus longicaudatus, in south-eastern USA, but because the two nematodes are taxonomically different, I. lolii is referred to as the southern sting nematode. Ibipora lolii was not found in surveys of natural vegetation on the east and west coasts of Australia, suggesting that it is an introduced species, possibly originating in South America or the Caribbean, where other Ibipora species are found.
Description of Ruehmaphelenchus formosanus n. sp. (Tylenchina: Aphelenchoididae) isolated from Euwallacea fornicates from Taiwan
Authors: Kanzaki Natsumi , Masuya Hayato , Taki Hisatomo , Okabe Kimiko , Chen Chi-Yu
Published: May 2013

ARuehmaphelenchusspecies was isolated from an ambrosia beetle,Euwallacea fornicates, during a biodiversity survey of entomophilic nematodes in Taichung, Taiwan. The new species is characterised by a unique tail morphology in both males and females, and a unique spicule morphology in males. The male spicule has clear dorsal and ventral limbs (connected by a blade-like cuticle), a triangular membrane-like structure on its sides, and short, conspicuous, laterally oriented, projections at the distal end. In a molecular phylogenetic tree, inferred from near-full-length small subunit (SSU: 18S) and D2/D3 expansion segments of the large subunit (LSU: 28S) of ribosomal RNA, the new species and other nominal and undescribedRuehmaphelenchusspecies formed a well supported clade withinBursaphelenchus. Although this result supports a previous study that suggested thatRuehmaphelenchusis a junior synonym ofBursaphelenchus, the generic relationship betweenRuehmaphelenchusandBursaphelenchusremains somewhat uncertain. Therefore,R. formosanusn. sp. is described as a member ofRuehmaphelenchus, although this should be regarded as a tentative placement.
Culture and the Public: A Yiddish Perspective
Authors: Veidlinger Jeffrey
Published: May 2013

This article explores the concept of the public as imagined by two prominent Yiddish cultural critics, Shmuel Niger and Mikhl Weichert. The article argues that both were heavily influenced by the Russian critical tradition, and were intimately engaged with the question of the relationship between culture and the public. Both adopted scholarly modes of discourse in their works, while seeking to use their criticism to bring together a Yiddish public that was conscious of itself as a public. Both saw an intimate relationship between culture, scholarship and the public.
Osmundea sanctarum sp. nov. (Ceramiales, Rhodophyta) from the southwestern Atlantic Ocean
Authors: ROCHA-JORGE RENATO , CASSANO VALÉRIA , BARROS-BARRETO MARIA BEATRIZ , DÍAZ-LARREA JHOANA , SENTÍES ABEL , GIL-RODRÍGUEZ MARIA CANDELARIA , FUJII MUTUE TOYOTA
Published: May 2013

An ongoing phycological survey in the Laje de Santos Marine State Park (LSMSP) of São Paulo in southeastern Brazil revealed a previously undescribed species of Osmundea (Rhodophyta, Rhodomelaceae), which was found in the subtidal zone at a depth of 7 to 20 m. Morphological studies conducted on Osmundea specimens collected in the LSMSP revealed characteristics typical of the genus Osmundea, including two pericentral cells per each axial segment and tetrasporangia cut off randomly from cortical cells. The phylogenetic position of this species was inferred by analysis of chloroplast-encoded rbcL gene sequences from 37 taxa, including one Rhodomelaceae and one Ceramiaceae as outgroups. The Brazilian species of Osmundea formed a well-supported clade with the ‘Spectabilis’ group from the coast of Pacific North America, composed of O. spectabilis, O. blinksii, O. splendens and O. sinicola. The present species, however, diverged greatly from the ‘Spectabilis’ group representatives (5.4–7.1%), which confirms that it constitutes a different taxonomic entity, herein proposed as the new species Osmundea sanctarum M.T. Fujii & Rocha-Jorge. This is the first report of a member of Osmundea related to the ‘Spectabilis’ group in the South Atlantic Ocean.
Review of the genus Loxocephala Schaum, 1850 (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha: Eurybrachidae) with description of three new species from China
Authors: WANG MENGLIN , WANG YINGLUN
Published: May 2013

The genus Loxocephala Schaum, 1850 is reviewed. Three new species: L. rugosa sp. nov., L. verticalis sp. nov. and L. mangkangensis sp. nov. are described from China. L. perpunctata Jacobi, 1944 and L. sinica Chou & Huang, 1985 are given supplementary descriptions. In addition, according to the male genitalia, L. sinica sichuanensis Chou & Huang, 1985 is upgraded to species level: L. sichuanensis Chou & Huang, 1985 stat. nov. A key to all the known species of the genus is provided.
Revision of the European species of Calotelea Westwood (Hymenoptera: Platygastroidea)
Authors: POPOVICI OVIDIU ALIN , MASNER LUBOMIR , NOTTON DAVID G. , POPOVICI MARIANA
Published: May 2013

The European species of Calotelea are reviewed: previously known species are redescribed; two new species are de-scribed: Calotelea carbonaria n. sp. and Calotelea laminata n. sp.; and a key to all species is given. Calotelea affinis Ko-zlov & Kononova is a junior synonym of Calotelea elegans (Masi) syn. nov. and Calotelea ruficollis (Szelényi) is transferred to Calliscelio comb. nov. Calotelea laminata n. sp. is the first species of Calotelea belonging to the ocularis group to be recorded from Europe. A morphometric analysis is made of the metasoma of females of all European species of Calotelea.
Three new species of Collembola from soils of Mediterranean cork-oak forests of Sicily (Italy)
Authors: GIUGA LUCA , JORDANA RAFAEL
Published: May 2013

Three new species of soil Collembola from cork-oak (Quercus suber) forests located in eastern Sicily (Italy) are described: Neonaphorura alicatai sp. nov., Friesea guarinoi sp. nov. and Arrhopalites antonioi sp. nov..
A Climatology of the Structure, Evolution, and Propagation of Midlatitude Cyclones in the Southeast United States
Authors: Ferreira Rosana Nieto , Hall Linwood , Rickenbach Thomas M.
Published: May 2013

The seasonal and interannual variability of the structure, evolution, and propagation of midlatitude cyclones in the southeast United States are studied using a composite analysis. In the upper levels, the composites show that the axis of the wintertime upper-level trough remains north–south oriented and propagates eastward along 40°N, while the summertime upper-level trough has a much slower propagation at a farther north latitude and an axis that is tilted in the northeast–southwest direction. Upper-level circulation changes are consistent with a shift from wintertime “cyclonic behavior” to summertime “anticyclonic behavior” midlatitude cyclones. Significant changes in the low-level structure and precipitation patterns of midlatitude cyclones ensue from these upper-level changes. While the winter composite is characterized by eastward-propagating midlatitude cyclones that extend deep into the subtropics, the summer composite is characterized by semistationary midlatitude troughs that only briefly skirt the subtropics. Wintertime precipitation occurs only in and ahead of the surface low pressure center, whereas summertime precipitation occurs in all days of the composite. As a result, over 70% (30%) of wintertime (summertime) precipitation in the Carolinas occurs on days when midlatitude cyclones are present. The wintertime composites also show that midlatitude cyclones produce more precipitation on the windward side of the Appalachians than over the Carolinas, suggesting a rain shadow effect of the mountains.

The ENSO-related variability of the structure, evolution, and propagation of midlatitude cyclones shows the presence of a more intense and southward-displaced upper-level jet, stronger midlatitude cyclones, and more intense precipitation over a larger area during El Niño than La Niña or normal years.
The Different Impact of Positive-Neutral and Negative-Neutral ENSO Regimes on Australian Tropical Cyclones
Authors: Chand Savin S. , Tory Kevin J. , McBride John L. , Wheeler Matthew C. , Dare Richard A. , Walsh Kevin J. E.
Published: May 2013

The number of tropical cyclones (TCs) in the Australian region exhibits a large variation between different ENSO regimes. While the difference in TC numbers and spatial distribution of genesis locations between the canonical El Niño and La Niña regimes is well known, the authors demonstrate that a statistically significant difference in TC numbers also exists between the recently identified negative-neutral and positive-neutral regimes. Compared to the negative-neutral and La Niña regimes, significantly fewer TCs form in the Australian region during the positive-neutral regime, particularly in the eastern subregion. This difference is attributed to concomitant changes in various large-scale environmental conditions such as sea level pressure, relative vorticity, vertical motion, and sea surface temperature.
Insights into organ-specific pathogen defense responses in plants: RNA-seq analysis of potato tuber-Phytophthora infestans interactions
Authors: Gao Liangliang , Tu Zheng Jin , Millett Benjamin P , Bradeen James M
Published: May 2013

Background

The late blight pathogenPhytophthora infestanscan attack both potato foliage and tubers. Although interaction transcriptome dynamics between potato foliage and various pathogens have been reported, no transcriptome study has focused specifically upon how potato tubers respond to pathogen infection. When inoculated withP. infestans, tubers of nontransformed ‘Russet Burbank’ (WT) potato develop late blight disease while those of transgenic ‘Russet Burbank’ line SP2211 (+RB), which expresses the potato late blight resistance geneRB(Rpi-blb1), do not. We compared transcriptome responses toP. infestansinoculation in tubers of these two lines.

Results

We demonstrated the practicality of RNA-seq to study tetraploid potato and present the first RNA-seq study of potato tuber diseases. A total of 483 million paired end Illumina RNA-seq reads were generated, representing the transcription of around 30,000 potato genes. Differentially expressed genes, gene groups and ontology bins that exhibited differences between the WT and+RBlines were identified.P. infestanstranscripts, including those of known effectors, were also identified.

Conclusion

Faster and stronger activation of defense related genes, gene groups and ontology bins correlate with successful tuber resistance againstP. infestans. Our results suggest that the hypersensitive response is likely a general form of resistance against the hemibiotrophicP. infestans—even in potato tubers, organs that develop below ground.
LMNA mutations in Polish patients with dilated cardiomyopathy: prevalence, clinical characteristics, and in vitro studies
Authors: Saj Michal , Bilinska Zofia T , Tarnowska Agnieszka , Sioma Agnieszka , Bolongo Pierrette , Sobieszczanska-Malek Malgorzata , Michalak Ewa , Golen Dorota , Mazurkiewicz Lukasz , Malek Lukasz , Walczak Ewa , Fidzianska Anna , Grzybowski Jacek , Przybylski Andrzej , Zielinski Tomasz , Korewicki Jerzy , Tesson Frederique , Ploski Rafal
Published: May 2013

Background

LMNA mutations are most frequently involved in the pathogenesis of dilated cardiomyopathy with conduction disease. The goal of this study was to identify LMNA mutations, estimate their frequency among Polish dilated cardiomyopathy patients and characterize their effect both in vivo and in vitro.

Methods

Between January, 2008 and June, 2012 two patient populations were screened for the presence of LMNA mutations by direct sequencing: 66 dilated cardiomyopathy patients including 27 heart transplant recipients and 39 dilated cardiomyopathy patients with heart failure referred for heart transplantation evaluation, and 44 consecutive dilated cardiomyopathy patients, referred for a family evaluation and mutation screening.

Results

We detected nine non-synonymous mutations including three novel mutations: p.Ser431*, p.Val256Gly and p.Gly400Argfs*11 deletion. There were 25 carriers altogether in nine families. The carriers were mostly characterized by dilated cardiomyopathy and heart failure with conduction system disease and/or complex ventricular arrhythmia, although five were asymptomatic. Among the LMNA mutation carriers, six underwent heart transplantation, fourteen ICD implantation and eight had pacemaker. In addition, we obtained ultrastructural images of cardiomyocytes from the patient carrying p.Thr510Tyrfs*42. Furthermore, because the novel p.Val256Gly mutation was found in a sporadic case, we verified its pathogenicity by expressing the mutation in a cellular model.

Conclusions

In conclusion, in the two referral centre populations, the screening revealed five mutations among 66 heart transplant recipients or patients referred for heart transplantation (7.6%) and four mutations among 44 consecutive dilated cardiomyopathy patients referred for familial evaluation (9.1%). Dilated cardiomyopathy patients with LMNA mutations have poor prognosis, however considerable clinical variability is present among family members.
Calcium and vitamin D intakes in children: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Cosenza Linda , Pezzella Vincenza , Nocerino Rita , Di Costanzo Margherita , Coruzzo Anna , Passariello Annalisa , Leone Ludovica , Savoia Marcella , Del Puente Antonio , Esposito Antonella , Terrin Gianluca , Berni Canani Roberto
Published: May 2013

Background

Calcium (Ca2+) and vitamin D (VitD) play an important role in child health. We evaluated the daily intake of Ca2+ and VitD in healthy children. Moreover, we demonstrate the efficacy of Ca2+ and VitD supplementation.

Methods

Daily Ca2 + and VitD intake was evaluated in consecutive healthy children through a validated questionnaire. Subjects with <70% of dietary reference intakes (DRIs) of Ca2+ and VitD were invited to participate in a prospective randomized trial with 2 groups of nutritional intervention: Group 1, dietary counseling aiming to optimize daily Ca2+ and VitD intake plus administration of a commercially available Ca2 + and VitD supplementation product; Group 2, dietary counseling alone. At the enrollment (T0) and after 4 months (T1) serum 25(OH) Vitamin D levels were assessed.

Results

We evaluated 150 healthy children (male 50%, mean age 10 years); at baseline a low VitD intake was observed in all subjects (median 0.79 μg/die, IQR 1.78; range 0.01-5.02); this condition was associated with Ca2+ intake <70% of the DRIs in 82 subjects (55%). At baseline serum 25(OH)D levels were low (<30 ng/ml) in all study subjects and after 4 months of nutritional intervention, a normalization of serum 25(OH)D levels (≥30 ng/ml) was observed in all children in Group 1 and in only one subject in Group 2 [Group 1: T1 33.8 ng/ml (IQR 2.5) vs Group 2: T1 24.5 ng/ml (IQR 5.2), p <0.001].

Conclusions

Adequate Ca2+ and VitD intakes are difficult to obtain through dietary counseling alone in pediatric subjects. Oral supplementation with of Ca2+ and VitD is a reliable strategy to prevent this condition.

Trial registration

The study was registered in Clinical Trials Protocol Registration System (ID number: NCT01638494).
Expression level of the growth factor progranulin is related with development of systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Qiu Feng , Song Lijun , Ding Feng , Liu Huaxiang , Shu Qiang , Yang Ning , Liu Weiwei , Li Xingfu
Published: May 2013

Background

This study is to investigate the expression of progranulin (PGRN) in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients and the effect of glucocorticoid (GC) treatment on its expression.

Methods

Thirty newly diagnosed severe SLE patients and 30 healthy subjects were enrolled in this study. The serum levels of PGRN and the inflammatory factors of SLE were detected by ELISA and the mRNA expression of these proteins were detected by real-time PCR.

Results

The serum levels of PGRN, IL-6, PR3, TNFR, TNF-α and anti-dsDNA antibody in SLE patients were increased significantly compared with healthy controls (P < 0.05). The relative expression of PGRN mRNA was increased by 4.88-fold in pre-treatment SLE patients compared with controls (P < 0.05). After prednisone treatment, the serum levels of PGRN decreased significantly, and the relative expression of PGRN mRNA was decreased by 1.34-fold compared with the untreated controls (P < 0.01). Moreover, Serum concentration of PGRN was correlated with serum levels of IL-6, TNF-α, TNFR and anti-dsDNA antibody in both pre-treatment and post-treatment SLE patients.

Conclusions

PGRN is up-regulated in the SLE patients and is correlated with pro-inflammatory cytokines and anti-dsDNA antibody. Glucocorticoids can down-regulate the expression of PGRN in SLE patients.

Virtual slides

http://www.diagnosticpathology.diagnomx.eu/vs/1562484036905973
RVD: a command-line program for ultrasensitive rare single nucleotide variant detection using targeted next-generation DNA resequencing
Authors: Cushing Anna , Flaherty Patrick , Hopmans Erik , Bell John M , Ji Hanlee P
Published: May 2013

Background

Rare single nucleotide variants play an important role in genetic diversity and heterogeneity of specific human disease. For example, an individual clinical sample can harbor rare mutations at minor frequencies. Genetic diversity within an individual clinical sample is oftentimes reflected in rare mutations. Therefore, detecting rare variants prior to treatment may prove to be a useful predictor for therapeutic response. Current rare variant detection algorithms using next generation DNA sequencing are limited by inherent sequencing error rate and platform availability.

Findings

Here we describe an optimized implementation of a rare variant detection algorithm called RVD for use in targeted gene resequencing. RVD is available both as a command-line program and for use in MATLAB and estimates context-specific error using a beta-binomial model to call variants with minor allele frequency (MAF) as low as 0.1%. We show that RVD accepts standard BAM formatted sequence files. We tested RVD analysis on multiple Illumina sequencing platforms, among the most widely used DNA sequencing platforms.

Conclusions

RVD meets a growing need for highly sensitive and specific tools for variant detection. To demonstrate the usefulness of RVD, we carried out a thorough analysis of the software’s performance on synthetic and clinical virus samples sequenced on both an Illumina GAIIx and a MiSeq. We expect RVD can improve understanding the genetics and treatment of common viral diseases including influenza. RVD is available at the following URL:http://dna-discovery.stanford.edu/software/rvd/.
Cytotoxic activities of phytochemicals from Ferula species
Authors: Valiahdi Seied Mojtaba , Iranshahi Mehrdad , Sahebkar Amirhossein
Published: May 2013

Background

Ferula species are reputed in folk medicine for the treatment of a variety of disorders. There have been sporadic reports on the chemopreventive and chemosensitizing activities of some terpenoid coumarin derivatives from the genus Ferula. The present study investigated the cytotoxic activity of 11 phytochemicals (conferone, farnesiferol A, acantrifoside E, mogoltadone, diversin, galbanic acid, herniarin, 7-isopentenyloxycoumarin, umbelliprenin, stylosin and tschimgine) from Ferula species together with a newly synthesized prenylated derivative of curcumin (gercumin II).

Methods

Cytotoxic activity of phytochemicals was evaluated against ovarian carcinoma (CH1), lung cancer (A549) and melanoma (SK-MEL-28) cell lines using MTT assay.

Results and conclusion

Overall, moderate cytotoxic activity was observed from the tested compounds with IC50 values in the micromolar range. The highest activity against CH1 and A549 lines was from conferone while stylosin and tschimgine were the most potent compounds against SK-MEL-28 line. In conclusion, the findings of the present investigation did not support a potent cytotoxic activity of the tested phytochemicals against CH1, A549 and SK-MEL-28 cell lines. With respect to previous reports, the beneficial impact of these phytochemicals in cancer therapy may be more attributable to their chemopreventive or chemosensitizing activity rather than direct cytotoxic effects.
The Molecular Biology of Nucleotide Excision Repair of DNA: Recent Progress
Authors: Friedberg Errol C.
Published: May 2013

Recent years have witnessed significant progress towards understanding the molecular mechanism of nucleotide excision repair in living cells. Biochemical studies in Escherichia coli, and genetic and molecular studies in lower and higher eukaryotes have revealed an unexpected complexity suggesting interesting protein-protein and protein-DNA interactions. This review considers selected aspects of nucleotide excision repair in E. coli, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and mammalian cells, with a particular emphasis on new observations and on models that may provide explanations for the complexity evident from genetic and biochemical studies.
Molecular Evidence for Cleavage of Intradimer Phosphodiester Linkage as a Novel Step in Excision Repair of Cyclobutyl Pyrimidine Photodimers in Cultured Human Cells
Authors: Paterson M. C. , Middlestadt M. V. , Macfarlane S. J. , Gentner N. E. , Weinfeld M. , Eker A. P. M.
Published: May 2013

A re-analysis of the metabolic fate of ultraviolet light (u.v.)-induced cyclobutyl pyrimidine dimers in the DNA of dermal fibroblasts from patients with different genetic forms of xeroderma pigmentosum (XP), a rare cancer-prone skin disorder, has provided new insight into the mode of dimer repair in normal human cells. When DNA isolated from post-u.v. incubated cultures was subjected to enzymic photoreactivation (PR) to probe dimer authenticity, single-strand scissions were produced in the damaged DNA of incubated XP group A and D cells, but not in DNA from XP group C cells or normal controls. Since enzymic PR treatment ruptures only the cyclobutane ring, these results suggested that in dimer excision-defective XP group A and D strains, the intradimer phosphodiester bond may have been cleaved without site restoration. Such a cleavage event had not previously been detected; the possibility that this reaction may be an early step in the normal excision-repair process is supported by the observed release of free thymidine (dThd) and its monophosphate (TMP), but not of thymine, upon photochemical reversal of the dimercontaining excision fragments isolated from post-u.v. incubated normal cells. The combined number of dThd and TMP molecules released was equal to ≈ 80% of the number of dimers photoreversed; for such release to occur, the dimer must both be at one end of an excised fragment and contain an internal phosphodiester break. Taken together, these data lead us to propose a novel model for dimer repair in human cells in which hydrolysis of the intradimer phosphodiester linkage precedes the concerted action of a generalized ‘bulky lesion-repair complex’ involving conventional strand incision/lesion excision/repair resynthesis/strand ligation reactions.
Molecular Studies on the Nature of the Repair Defect in Ataxia-Telangiectasia and Their Implications for Cellular Radiobiology
Authors: Debenham P. G. , Webb M. B. T. , Jones N. J. , Cox R.
Published: May 2013

We have utilized DNA transfer and recombinant DNA techniques to probe DNA double-strand break repair in the human ionizing radiation-sensitive genetic syndrome ataxia-telangiectasia (A-T). Using restriction enzyme-generated double-strand breaks in the coding sequence of a selectable gene we have detected a significantly greater frequency of mis-repair of such breaks in a permanent A-T cell line compared with cell lines of normal radiosensitivity. This mis-repair in A-T can plausibly explain many of the clinical features of the disease but was insufficiently detailed to address the broad problem of DNA repair mechanisms relevant to ionizing radiation-induced damage. To extend these observations of DNA double-strand break mis-repair we have now applied this type of repair assay to novel, de novo induced mammalian X-ray-sensitive cell lines and to appropriate Escherichia coli mutants. In both cellular systems we have now found some equivalence to the A-T repair defect. In particular, studies on one E. coli mutant have provided evidence suggesting an involvement of a topoisomerase activity in DNA double-strand break misrepair, which may be relevant to the biochemical defect in A-T.
DNA Synthesis in Irradiated Mammalian Cells
Authors: Painter Robert B. , Young Barbara R.
Published: May 2013

One of the first responses observed in S phase mammalian cells that have suffered DNA damage is the inhibition of initiation of DNA replicons. In cells exposed to ionizing radiation, a singlestrand break appears to be the stimulus for this effect, whereby the initiation of many adjacent replicons (a replicon cluster) is blocked by a single-strand break in any one of them. In cells exposed to ultraviolet light (u.v.), replicon initiation is blocked at fluences that induce about one pyrimidine dimer per replicon. The inhibition of replicon initiation by u.v. in Chinese hamster cells that are incapable of excising pyrimidine dimers from their DNA is virtually the same as in cells that are proficient in dimer excision. Therefore, a single-strand break formed during excision repair of pyrimidine dimers is not the stimulus for inhibition of replicon initiation in u.v.-irradiated cells. Considering this fact, as well as the comparative insensitivity of human ataxia telangiectasia cells to u.v.-induced inhibition of replicon initiation, we propose that a relatively rare lesion is the stimulus for u.v.-induced inhibition of replicon initiation.
Molecular Signal for Induction of the Adaptive Response to Alkylation Damage in Esherichia Coli
Authors: Sedgwick B.
Published: May 2013

Exposure of Escherichia coli to simple alkylating agents, such as methylnitrosourea, causes the induction of at least three DNA repair functions that are under the control of the ada gene. The ada gene product itself repairs several O-methylated lesions in DNA, including methylphosphotriesters and the mutagenic adduct O1-methylguanine. The methyl groups are transferred from these lesions on to two different cysteine residues within the Ada protein resulting in selfmethylation. We have found that the Ada protein is converted to an activator of expression of genes involved in the adaptive response after accepting a methyl group from a methylphosphotriester, but not from O1-methylguanine. This was shown using the in vitro techniques of DNA-dependent protein synthesis and run-off transcription. Delayed electrophoretic migration and footprinting experiments have shown that the methylated activator of transcription binds to specific DNA sequences immediately upstream from the RNA polymerase binding sites in the promoter regions of the inducible genes. The Ada protein-binding sites contain the common sequence d(A-A-A-N- N-A-A-A-G-C-G-C-A).
Nerve growth factors and molecules of the extracellular matrix in neuronal development
Authors: Edgar David
Published: May 2013

The survival of developing neurons is epigenetically regulated by trophic factors. Only one such protein, the nerve growth factor (NGF) has been shown to act in vivo, where it supports the survival of neural-crest-derived sensory and sympathetic neurons. Recently, however, other proteins have been isolated and shown to support the survival of cultured neurons. Furthermore, in addition to the effects of soluble trophic factors, proteins of the extracellular matrix are also able to modulate neuronal survival. Analysis of the basal lamina protein, laminin, shows that when used as a culture substrate it stimulates neurite outgrowth and potentiates neuronal survival via a site associated with its heparin binding domain. On proteolytic cleavage of laminin, however, a cryptic site is unmasked that can also promote neuronal survival and neurite growth. The properties of this cryptic site indicate that it may be similar to that of the laminin-like molecule synthesized by Schwann cells, which although recognized by anti-laminin antibodies is not inhibited by them.
IN VIVO Aspects of urogastrone-epidermal growth factor
Authors: Gregory H.
Published: May 2013

Recent evidence indicates that human urogastrone-epidermal growth factor originates in submandibular and Brunner’s glands and that serum levels are low (<1ngml−1). It occurs in many secreted fluids to a much greater extent and many tissues are thus exposed to concentrations greater than 100 ng ml−1. Rapid actions in vivo of URO-EGF include the ability to inhibit gastric acid secretion at low doses (250 ng kgh−1 in humans) and to provide cytoprotective effects against ulcerogenic agents (250 ng kg h−1 in cats). More prolonged exposure of tissues shows increases in parameters related to wound healing, beneficial effects upon ulceration and also the ability to accelerate crypt cell production rate along the gastrointestinal tract. Synthetic material has been prepared with an identical structure to the natural URO-EGF thus enabling detailed studies of the biological effects to be pursued.
Activation and cell cycle control of murine b lymphocytes
Authors: Melchers Fritz , Corbel Catherine , Leptin Maria , Lernhardt Waldemar
Published: May 2013

The cell cycle of activated murine B lymphocytes (B cells) is controlled by the occupancy of surface membrane-bound immunoglobulin (Ig) and by two types of growth factors, called α and β factors. These growth factors are produced in an endocrine fashion by the interaction of helper T lymphocytes (T cells) with antigen-presenting macrophages (A cells). Antigen is taken up, processed and presented on the surface of A cells in the context of class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC) glycoproteins. Helper Tcells recognize this association of antigen and class II MHC molecules. A cells produce "factors and T cells produce β factors. The molecular nature of these factors and of the corresponding receptors on B cells has yet to be elucidated, although it can be shown that the complement component C3d replaces αfactor action.

Resting, Go phase B cells are refractory to the action of α and β factors. They have to be excited, i.e. rendered susceptible to the action of these factors. This can be achieved by the interaction with helper T cells that recognize antigen, bound by surface membrane Ig, in the context of class II MHC glycoproteins on the surface of resting G0 B cells. Excitation can also occur in a polyclonal fashion by cross-linking of suface Ig with immobilized, Ig-specific antibodies, or by the interaction with polyclonal activators of B cells, such as lipopolysaccharides. Entry into the cell cycle is asynchronous. Activated, cycling B cells can be synchronized by size separation, using velocity sedimentation. Synchronized B cells will retain their synchrony for several divisions, when they are stimulated by immobilized Ig-specific antibodies, αand β factors. They divide every 20h at 37°C. Omission of either of the three stimuli arrests B cells, though at different points in the cell cycle. Three restriction points are found: the first occurs immediately after mitosis and is controlled by the binding of immobilized Ig-specific antibodies to surface membrane-bound Ig. The second is observed in the G1 phase, around 6-8 h after mitosis and 2-4h before entry into S phase. It is controlled by αfactors. The third is found 2-4 h before mitosis, in G2 phase, and is controlled by βfactors.
Polymer Sliding In Axons
Authors: J. Lasek Raymond
Published: May 2013

In axons the cytoskeletal polymers are transported by slow axonal transport. Microtubules, microfilaments and neurofilaments move at different rates in the axon. On the basis of their transport rates, two populations of polymers can be distinguished: SCb polymers are transported at 2–4 mm day-1 and SCa polymers are transported at 0·25-l mmday~?. As they move within the axon’, the faster moving SCb polymers must pass the slower moving SCa polymers. This observation and others indicate that polymers slide in the axon. A model of polymer sliding is presented. This model provides a dynamic architectural framework for studies of the mechanisms of slow axonal transport.
Comparison Of Spindle Elongation In Vivo And In Vitro In Stephanopyxis Turris
Authors: L. Mcdonald K. , Pfister K. , Masuda H. , Wordeman L. , Staiger C. , Z. Cande W.
Published: May 2013

The spindle in dividing cells of the diatom Stephanopyxis turris contains three distinct classes of microtubules: central spindle microtubules, which slide over each other and grow during anaphase spindle elongation; kinetochore-attached microtubules, which are located on the outer surface of the central spindle; and peripheral microtubules, which fan out from the spindle poles in astral-like arrays. The poles are multilayered structures, which remain attached to the spindle after isolation. In vitro, after addition of ATP, central spindles elongate and the two half-spindles slide completely apart with a concurrent decrease in the extent and magnitude of the zone of microtubule overlap. Spindle elongation takes place in spindles whose chromatin has been removed by enzymic digestion and the extent of elongation in vitro is increased by the addition of neurotubulin. After ATP addition the arrays of interdigitating microtubules in the zone of overlap become disordered and selectively depolymerize from the overlap zone polewards. In some reactivated spindles an unusual structure, a striated fibre, can be seen running from the pole plates part of the way towards the spindle midzone. The fibre has no precedent in mitotic ultrastructure and its function is unclear. These results demonstrate that we can duplicate the essential elements of anaphase B in vitro and that this system will be useful for further studies of the molecular basis of spindle elongation.
Tubulin Isotypes: Generation Of Diversity In Cells And Microtubular Organelles
Authors: Gull K. , J. Hussey P. , Sasse R. , Schneider A. , Seebeck T. , Sherwin T.
Published: May 2013

Diversity of tubulin isotypes is illustrated by consideration of the β-tubulin isotypes of higher plants and the eukaryotic microbe, Physarum polycephalum, and by the α-tubulin isotypes of the protozoan, Trypanosoma brucei. The carrot plant expresses six, well-defined β-tubulin isotypes that possess characteristic two-dimensional gel coordinates. These six β-tubulin isotypes are differentially expressed during development of the flowering plant. In a similar manner, Physarum expresses three separate)3-tubulin isotypes during its life cycle; of the two β; isotypes, one is expressed solely in the myxamoeba whilst the other is expressed both in the myxamoeba and in the plasmodium. A further i8-tubulin isotype, β;2, is expressed only in the plasmodium. In carrot and in Physarum the generation of β;-tubulin diversity appears, in the main, to be generated by the differential expression of a β-tubulin multi-gene family. However, tubulin isotypes can also be generated by post-translational modifications and T. brucei utilizes two different modifications within one cell. First, the primary translation product, the αl-tubulin isotype, can be acetylated to produce the α3 isotype. Second, both the al and a) isotypes appear to exist in both tyrosinated and detyrosinated forms. The generation of these α-tubulin isotypes within the same cell and their presence in particular cellular domains, modulated throughout the cell cycle, reveals a complex relationship between α-tubulin isotypes produced by post-translational modifications and the dynamics of microtubule construction.
Intermediate Filament Networks: Organization And Possible Functions Of A Diverse Group Of Cytoskeletal Elements
Authors: D. Goldman Robert , E. Goldman Anne , J. Green Kathleen , C. R. Jones Jonathan , M. Jones Stephanie , Yang Hsi-Yuan
Published: May 2013

Immunofluorescence and electron microscopic observations demonstrate that intermediate filaments (IF) form cytoplasmic networks between the nucleus and cell surface in several types of cultured cells. Intermediate filaments interact with the nuclear surface, where they appear to terminate at the level of the nuclear envelope. From this region, they radiate towards the cell surface where they are closely associated with the plasma membrane. On the basis of these patterns of IF organization, we suggest that IF represent a cytoskeletal system interconnecting the cell surface with the nucleus. Furthermore, IF also appear to interact with other cytoskeletal components including microtubules and microfilaments. In the former case microtubule-IF interactions are seen in cytoplasmic regions between the nucleus and the cell membrane, whereas microfilament—IF interactions occur in the cortical cytoplasm. IF also appear to be cross-linked to each other; especially in the case of the IF bundles that occur in epithelial cells. In order to determine the molecular and biochemical bases of the organizational state of IF we have developed procedures for obtaining IF–enriched ‘cytoskeletons’ of cultured cells. In these preparations IF–nuclear and IF–cell surface associations are retained. Thus, these preparations have enabled us to begin to study various IFassociated structures (e.g. desmosomes) and associated proteins (IFAPs) using biochemical and immunological methodologies. To date, the results support the idea that IF and their associated proteins may comprise the cell type specific molecular infrastructure that is involved in transmitting and distributing information amongst the major cellular domains; the cell surface/extracellular matrix, the cytoplasm and the nuclear surface/nuclear matrix.
Association Of Rna With The Cytoskeleton And The Nuclear Matrix
Authors: G. Fey Edward , A. Ornelles David , Penman Sheldon
Published: May 2013

Heteronuciear RNA (hnRNA) is preferentially associated (76%) with the nuclear matrix in mammalian cells. Active mRNA, in the form of polyribosomes, is associated (>97%) with the cytoskeletal framework. In this report, we present evidence that the association of both hnRNA and mRNA with structural networks of the cell may be essential features of gene expression.

To study the association of polyribosomes with the cytoskeletal framework, cytochalasin D was used to release mRNA from the cytoskeletal framework. Protein synthesis was inhibited by cytochalasin D in direct proportion to the release of mRNA. The released mRNA is unaltered in its translatability as measured in vitro but is no longer translated in the cytochalasin-treated HeLa cells. The residual protein synthesis occurs on polyribosomes that are reduced in amount but display a normal sedimentation distribution. The results support the hypothesis that mRNA binding to the cytoskeletal framework is necessary, though not sufficient, for translation.

Further fractionation of the cytoskeletal framework separates nuclear constituents into three distinct protein fractions. Chromatin proteins and 94% of the DNA are released by 0-25?- ammonium sulphate after inter-nucleosomal DNA is cut with DNase I. The resulting structure retains 76% of the hnRNA in the form of ribonucleoprotein and is designated the RNP-containing nuclear matrix. The proteins of hnRNP complex are those associated with the nucleus only if RNA is intact. These proteins and 97% of the hnRNA are released after brief digestion with RNase A.

Visualizing the nuclear matrix using resinless sections shows that nuclear RNA plays an important role in the organization of the nuclear matrix. Electron micrographs of resinless sections show the interior of the matrix to be a three-dimensional network of thick filaments bounded by the nuclear lamina. The filaments are densely covered with 20-30 nm electron-dense particles, which may contain the hnRNA. The RNP-depleted matrix is disordered and the interior fibres aggregated. These results suggest that hnRNA is involved in the spatial organization of the interior of the nuclear matrix.
Plant transposable elements and their role in the evolution of regulatory units and proteins
Authors: Saedler Heinz , Gierl Alfons , Sommer Hans , Schwarz-Sommer Zsuzsanna
Published: May 2013

Transposable elements (TE) are natural constituents of plant genomes. However, their presence becomes only apparent if they become dislodged from their resident positions in the genome and transpose into another gene thereby inducing a mutation. Such TE-induced mutations are somatically unstable because they revert to wild type and hence reconstitute the expression of the mutated gene. The frequent somatic excision of the TE results in a variegated phenotype. Since this instability is inherited in a Mendelian manner the variegated phenotype is nuclear determined. By this criterion TE have been shown to occur in more than 30 species belonging to different families and genera (Nevers et al. 1986).

Many questions arise when dealing with TE, concerning, for example, their structure and functions but also concerning the biological significance of the activity of elements in the differentiation of a normal plant or in the evolution of plant genes.

In an attempt to answer these questions we will deal with one of the many TEs of Zea mays, the En/l or Spm systems and will include briefly Taml, one of the three systems of Antirrhinum majus.
The genetic organization of the yeast ty element
Authors: Kingsman Alan J. , Mellor Jane , Adams Sally , Rathjen Peter D. , Malim Michael H. , Fulton Sandra M. , Wilson Wilma , Kingsman Susan M.
Published: May 2013

The genetic organization of the yeast transposon Ty resembles that of higher eukaryotic retroviruses and other elements such as the copia-like sequences of Drosophila. The Ty genome is 5·9 kb (103 bases) long. It has 340 bp (base pairs) terminal repeats known as delta sequences and it produces a terminally redundant 5·7kb RNA that starts in the 5’ delta and ends in the 3′ delta. Ty transcription is directed by signals upstream and downstream of the major RNA start site and is regulated by the mating-type configuration of the cell. The 5·7 kb transcriptional unit is divided into two overlapping open reading frames, TYA and TYB. TYA occupies approximately the first quarter of the transcriptional unit while TYB occupies the rest. TYB overlaps TYA by either 38 or 44 nucleotides, depending on the element, and is in the plus one reading frame with respect to TYA. TYA is expressed to produce protein pl (50×103Mr) and TYB is expressed as a fusion protein, p3 (190× 103Mr,). Both of these proteins are subsequently cleaved to produce proteins p2, p4, p5, p6, reverse transcriptase and a protease that is responsible for some of these cleavage events. These proteins are assembled into virus-like particles (Ty-VLPs) that contain Ty RNA and reverse transcriptase activity. It is likely that the Ty-VLPs are units of transposition as Ty transposes via an RNA intermediate.
The hepatitis-b viruses: molecular biology and recent tissue culture systems
Authors: üRgen Schlicht Hans-J , Galle Peter , SCHALLER Heinz
Published: May 2013

In this report we summarize what is known about the molecular biology of the hepatitis-B viruses. In the first part we describe the general properties of these viruses, their structure and their replication strategy. In the second part we discuss the most recent attempts at the establishment of tissue culture systems allowing the study of the virus/host cell interactions in vitro. In addition we present experimental data from our laboratory in which we show that new synthesis of viral proteins can be studied in vitro either by biochemical analysis of already infected cells or after experimental infection.
Structure and replication of caulimovirus genomes
Authors: HULL R. , Covey S. N. , Maule A. J.
Published: May 2013

In this paper the current state of knowledge of the replication of cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) is reviewed and the DNA intermediates and enzymes involved in replication are discussed. Based on this information a model for the replication complex is developed. In this model it is suggested that replication complexes resemble virus particles and that, in their assembly, there are close interactions between the inclusion body protein, the virus coat protein, the replicase enzyme, the tRNA primer and the 35S RNA template. The similarities between CaMV replication complexes and those of retroviruses are discussed, and we extend this discussion to a comparison between CaMV and reverse transcribing elements.