bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
37 REPROGRAMMING OF THE HIGHER ORDER CHROMATIN ORGANIZATION IN BOVINE NUCLEAR TRANSFER EMBRYOS
Authors: Ketterl N. , Köhler D. , Brero A. , Cremer T. , Wolf E. , Zakhartchenko V.
Published: December 2008

Reprogramming of nuclei after somatic cell nuclear transfer is a crucial process to reset the expression profile of the donor cell to that of a developing embryo. Reprogramming affects the epigenome of the donor nucleus, which is the complete set of epigenetic determinants that establishes and maintains a given transcriptome. These epigenetic determinants include e.g. DNA methylation, modifications of histone tails, histone variants, and other chromatin components. A less well characterized level of epigenetic gene regulation is the spatial higher order chromatin organization. In somatic cells chromosomes are organized as individual entities called chromosome territories (CTs), which localize according to their gene density with gene-rich chromosomes being in the nuclear interior, gene-poor ones at the nuclear periphery. We have shown previously that this gene density related distribution is established during major genome activation (MGA) in bovine in vitro fertilized (IVF) embryos, while embryos up to the 8-cell stage do not show a difference in their CT localization. In the present study, we investigated whether the gene density related distribution of chromosomes present in bovine fibroblasts is reprogrammed after nuclear transfer (NT), i.e. erased to restore the situation found in IVF embryos. Moreover, we analyzed if a gene density related CT arrangement is re-established at the same time point as in IVF embryos, i.e. during MGA. Therefore we analyzed the nuclear distribution of bovine chromosome 19 (19 genes Mb–1) and 20 (5 genes Mb–1) in one-, 2- and 4-cell NT embryos as pre-MGA stages and in embryos with 10–20 nuclei cells–1, representing embryos during MGA. CTs were visualized via a recently developed protocol utilizing fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) on three dimensionally preserved embryos. In 1- and 2-cell embryos we could not detect a gene density related CT distribution arguing for a rapid reprogramming, i.e. erasure of the positional information previously present in the donor nuclei. Surprisingly, we observed a precocious establishment of a gene density related distribution already at the 4-cell stage that became more pronounced in 10–20-cell embryos, when this specific CT distribution is established in IVF embryos. We conclude that the spatial arrangement of chromosomes is an epigenetic parameter that is rapidly reprogrammed upon nuclear transfer of a somatic nucleus, exposed to the oocyte cytoplasm. Moreover, the gene density related positioning of chromosomes in bovine NT embryos is re-established earlier than in IVF embryos, suggesting a possible involvement in early developmental failures of NT embryos.

Funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (ZA 425/1-2, CR 59/26-1).
5 INHIBITION OF FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE VIRUS IN VITRO USING RNA INTERFERENCE
Authors: Peoples M. , Sadeghieh S. , Hwang E. , Chen S. , Hannon G. , Long C. , Westhusin M.
Published: December 2008

The use of short-hairpin RNA (shRNA) targeting viral genomes has shown great promise in human medicine and in vitro research in animal agriculture. However, this research has not been extrapolated into livestock applications. Foot and mouth disease virus (FMDV) is a world-wide disease resulting in decreased production and export limitations in countries with endemic FMDV, as well as severe economical impacts if an outbreak occurs in an FMDV-free country. The long-term goal for this project is to produce transgenic cattle that express shRNA targeting the FMDV genome resulting in resistance to infection. As a starting point, five siRNA and one non-targeting control siRNA (Null) were developed targeting different highly conserved regions of a FMDV type-A based replicon. The siRNA were transfected into BHK cells 48 h before viral RNA challenge. Eighteen hours post challenge the cells were lysed and analyzed. Three siRNA targeting the non-structural polymerase protein exhibited severe knockdown of 87, 90, and 92% when compared with the Null siRNA transfected control. The siRNA targeting the VPG3 cap protein reduced activity by 59%, and the siRNA targeting the internal ribosomal entry site had a minimal effect of 15% reduction. Based upon these results, we produced recombinant lentiviral particles designed to deliver the shRNA sequence targeting the FMDV genome and the fluorescent marker, dsRed, into a bovine fetal fibroblast cell line. This transgenic cell line expressing the most effective shRNA (based on initial siRNA screening) was used for somatic cell nuclear transfer to create bovine embryos. One hundred and sixty oocytes were enucleated, of which 149 had successful fusion resulting in 35 blastocysts after in vitro culture. Two embryos per recipient were transferred into five recipients. At Day 40 of pregnancy three of the five recipients had a fetus, but no heart beat could be detected. We are currently in the process of creating another cell line and repeating this experiment. If successful, transgenic calves will be visually and genetically analyzed for expression of dsRed and shRNA targeting FMDV. Transgenic and control animals/tissues will then be analyzed for resistance to infection with FMDV.
65 IMPACT OF AIRPORT RADIATION ON BOVINE SPERM DNA INTEGRITY, FERTILIZING ABILITY, AND EMBRYO DEVELOPMENT
Authors: Hendricks K. E. M. , Evenson D. , Hansen P. J. , Kaproth M. , Penfold L. M.
Published: December 2008

Biological samples, including cryopreserved sperm, are routinely shipped using air transportation, in dry shippers that are x-rayed along with routine baggage. Accordingly, it is important to demonstrate that there are no potential risks associated with semen transport. The goal of this study was to investigate the impact of airport radiation used for a) checked luggage and b) carry-on luggage on bovine sperm DNA integrity, fertilizing ability, and embryo development. Frozen domestic bull sperm collected from known fertile bulls (n = 9) and stored in a dry shipper (–196°C) were x-rayed 0, 1, 2, and 3 times as a) checked luggage and b) carry-on luggage. Duplicate straws were thawed and assessed for DNA damage using the sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA®, SCSA Diagnostics, Brookings, SD) and fertilization and embryo development by in vitro fertilization. The SCSA® parameters are the mean and SD of the DNA fragmentation index (mean DFI and SD DFI). Multiple x-rays did not significantly (P > 0.05) affect sperm chromatin heterogeneity assessed by SCSA® and no differences were observed in the mean, SD, and DFI for any of the sperm treatments. No differences (P > 0.05) were seen in embryo cleavage or blastocyst development rates (expressed as percentage of oocytes becoming blastocysts or percentage of cleaved embryos becoming blastocysts) for sperm x-rayed 0, 1, 2, or 3 times using either checked or carry-on luggage doses. The percentage of oocytes developing to the blastocyst stage was 13.8, 11.5, 12.8, and 9.0% (SEM = 2.3%) for sperm exposed to the checked luggage dose 0, 1, 2, and 3 times. The percentage of oocytes developing to the blastocyst stage was 13.0, 12.8, 14.0, and 13.5% (SEM = 3.5%) for sperm exposed to the carry-on luggage dose 0, 1, 2, and 3 times. As future x-ray machines are planned that deliver greater doses of radiation to scan large quantities of baggage with a single scan, it is important that continued monitoring of shipped sperm is performed.

The authors are grateful to Lara Metrione, Brian Delauter, and the TSA staff at Jacksonville Airport for assistance with this study.
77 SUCCESSFUL CRYOPRESERVATION OF SYRIAN HAMSTER OVARIES BY VITRIFICATION
Authors: Suzuki O. , Koura M. , Noguchi Y. , Uchio-Yamada K. , Matsuda J.
Published: December 2008

In place of gametes, ovaries can be used as an alternative resource for cryopreservation. At the previous IETS meeting, we showed that in the Syrian hamster, pups could be successfully produced through the transplantation of fresh ovaries. In addition, the immunotolerance of interstrain ovarian transplantation was described. In this study, we attempted to produce pups via transplantation of cryopreserved ovaries to foster mothers. Our goal was to establish a preservation method for hamster strains based on ovarian cryopreservation in combination with ovarian transfer. Ovaries were cryopreserved by vitrification according to methods described for mouse ovaries (Migishima F et al. 2003 Biol. Reprod. 68, 881–887). In brief, ovaries were collected from 2- to 3-week-old HAW strain (white coat) females. Each ovary was cut into 4 sections, placed into 1 tube, and cryopreserved by vitrification using DAP213 solution (2 m dimethyl sulfoxide, 1 m acetamide, and 3 m propylene glycol; Nakagata N 1989 J. Reprod. Fertil. 87, 479–483). Thawed ovaries were transferred into the ovarian bursae (2 ovarian sections per ovarian bursa) of 3-week-old recipient females with agouti coat (Slc:Syrian) under anesthesia with isoflurane. Half of the recipients’ ovaries were removed immediately before transfer; i.e. both donor and recipient ovaries were present in each ovarian bursa. Successful ovarian transplantation was verified by examining the coat color (non-agouti color) of offspring produced in test matings between mature recipients and Slc:Syrian males. Out of 6 recipients tested, 2 became pregnant and delivered pups. According to the coat color of the pups, 1 of the 2 recipients delivered a pup produced from transplanted ovaries (1 out of 4 pups). Regardless of this low success rate, our results indicate that pups can be produced from cryopreserved ovaries via interstrain transplantation of ovaries to foster mothers in the Syrian hamster. Thus, ovarian cryopreservation by vitrification is a promising strategy for strain preservation of the Syrian hamster.

This work was supported by a grant from the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare, Japan.
78 EFFICACY OF USING IN VITRO-PRODUCED CATTLE EMBRYOS TO DEVELOP AN EQUINE EMBRYO CRYOPRESERVATION SYSTEM
Authors: Syverson C. M. , Paprocki A. M. , Koppang R. W. , Dobrinsky J. R.
Published: December 2008

Unfortunately, there is no reliable in vitro system available to provide a routine and economical source of equine embryos for research and commercial use. We explore the use of standard in vitro-produced (IVP) cattle embryos for the development of a direct transfer (dt) equine embryo cryopreservation system. Ovaries were collected from mature females at an abattoir and transported to our laboratory. Cumulus–oocyte complexes (COC) were aspirated from 2- to 6-mm follicles with an 18-gauge needle fixed to a vacuum pump system. Only COC surrounded by 2 or more layers of compact cumulus investment and containing oocytes of equal size were placed into a commercial TCM-199-based IVM system (Minitube of America Inc., Verona, WI). After 22 h of IVM, mature COC were placed into standard IVF. Prospective embryos were cultured for 120 h in CR-1/BSA (Minitube of America Inc.), and then supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS) and cultured for an additional 48 h. Only excellent to good morula-blastocyst stage IVP cattle embryos were used in this study. As a control, the Colorado State University equine embryo dt-vitrification system (CSU; Carnevale EM Vet. Clin. North Am. Equine Pract 22, 831–841) was used on IVP cattle blastocysts. Two different Minitube EquiPRO-based dt-media with either 10% FBS or Minitube BSA-V (Fraction-V; Minitube of America Inc.) were tested on IVP cattle embryos. Minitube BSA-V is highly defined and internationally compliant BSA approved for use in raw form or in culture medium in the United States and European Union. Of 103 IVP cattle embryos cryopreserved by the CSU method, 45 (43.7%) embryos were viable after 24 h of culture. Of 121 IVP cattle embryos cryopreserved with Minitube EquiPRO + 10% FBS, 52 (42.9%) embryos were viable after 24 h of culture. Of 90 IVP cattle embryos cryopreserved with Minitube EquiPRO + BSA-V, 40 (44.4%) embryos were viable after 24 h of culture. Minitube EquiPRO + BSA-V was used with in vivo-produced equine morulae (no capsule). A total of 9 mares were flushed on Day 6.5, and 8 excellent to good morulae were recovered. All 8 embryos were dt-vitrified in the Minitube EquiPRO + BSA-V system. All 8 embryos were later warmed and transferred to synchronous recipient mares. On Day 14 of presumptive pregnancy, 7 (87.5%) mares were confirmed pregnant by real-time ultrasound examination. Not all presumptive foals were needed, so 4 recipient mares were randomly selected and intentionally aborted. Three mares were selected to carry presumptive foals to term. All 3 mares produced live and healthy foals at the term of gestation. Standard IVP cattle embryos can serve as a relatively inexpensive model for the development and testing of equine embryo cryopreservation systems.
82 DNA FRAGMENTATION DYNAMICS OF KOALA SPERMATOZOA
Authors: Zee Y. P. , Lopez-Fernandez C. , Gosalvez J. , Holt W. V. , Johnston S. D.
Published: December 2008

Koala sperm chromatin has a tendency to relax following incubation and thawing but the background incidence and dynamics of DNA fragmentation during semen processing at 35°C and following chilled and frozen preservation has not been investigated. This study (n = 10) was designed to establish the fragmentation dynamics of koala sperm DNA at body temperature (35°C), after chilling (4°C) for upward of 16 days, and following a standard freeze–thaw protocol (Johnston SD et al. 2006 Cryobiology 53, 218–228). Sperm DNA fragmentation index (sDFI) was determined using a Halomax kit (ChromaCell SL, Madrid, Spain), which had been customized and validated for koalas (Johnston SD et al. 2007 J. Androl. 28, 891–899). All semen was assessed for sDFI over a 48-h incubation period (T0, T2, T6, T24, and T48) at 35°C. After incubation at 35°C for 48 h, the sDFI and rate of DNA degradation of freshly diluted spermatozoa were highly variable between individuals; the sDFI for 2 koalas remained consistently low (≤2%) whereas the other 8 had sDFI of 8 to 12% after incubation. Chilled storage increased sDFI in all animals, but the rate of increase and the time at which the DNA started to fragment also varied between koalas; sDFI for 1 koala increased immediately upon rewarming after being chilled for 4 h, whereas that of another koala did not increase until after 8 days of chilling and 24 h of incubation at 35°C. Animals also responded to cryopreservation differently; sDFI increased after thawing for 2 of the koalas but did not increase in the others. Subsequent evaluation of frozen–thawed spermatozoa from a greater number of captive koalas (n = 22), and under extended conditions of post-thaw incubation (up to 17 days at 35°C) permitted categorization of the koalas into 3 distinctive groups based on their DNA fragmentation dynamics and rate of DNA degradation. For 7 of the animals, sDFI remained close to the basal level when incubated at 35°C over 7 days, whereas 2 of the koalas had sDFI ranging from 40 to 70% after 24 h of incubation. This study confirmed the occurrence of inter-animal variability in the dynamics of DNA fragmentation, a finding that was apparent whether or not the spermatozoa had been subjected to chilling or cryopreservation.
Stabilizing effect of knots on proteins
Authors: Sułkowska Joanna I. , Sułkowski Piotr , Szymczak P. , Cieplak Marek
Published: December 2008

Molecular dynamics studies within a coarse-grained, structure-based model were used on two similar proteins belonging to the transcarbamylase family to probe the effects of the knot in the native structure of a protein. The first protein,
N
-acetylornithine transcarbamylase, contains no knot, whereas human ormithine transcarbamylase contains a trefoil knot located deep within the sequence. In addition, we also analyzed a modified transferase with the knot removed by the appropriate change of a knot-making crossing of the protein chain. The studies of thermally and mechanically induced unfolding processes suggest a larger intrinsic stability of the protein with the knot.
Links between plant litter chemistry, species diversity, and below-ground ecosystem function
Authors: Meier Courtney L. , Bowman William D.
Published: December 2008

Decomposition is a critical source of plant nutrients, and drives the largest flux of terrestrial C to the atmosphere. Decomposing soil organic matter typically contains litter from multiple plant species, yet we lack a mechanistic understanding of how species diversity influences decomposition processes. Here, we show that soil C and N cycling during decomposition are controlled by the composition and diversity of chemical compounds within plant litter mixtures, rather than by simple metrics of plant species diversity. We amended native soils with litter mixtures containing up to 4 alpine plant species, and we used 9 litter chemical traits to evaluate the chemical composition (i.e., the identity and quantity of compounds) and chemical diversity of the litter mixtures. The chemical composition of the litter mixtures was the strongest predictor of soil respiration, net N mineralization, and microbial biomass N. Soil respiration and net N mineralization rates were also significantly correlated with the chemical diversity of the litter mixtures. In contrast, soil C and N cycling rates were poorly correlated with plant species richness, and there was no relationship between species richness and the chemical diversity of the litter mixtures. These results indicate that the composition and diversity of chemical compounds in litter are potentially important functional traits affecting decomposition, and simple metrics like plant species richness may fail to capture variation in these traits. Litter chemical traits therefore provide a mechanistic link between organisms, species diversity, and key components of below-ground ecosystem function.
Interplay of local hydrogen-bonding and long-ranged dipolar forces in simulations of confined water
Authors: Rodgers Jocelyn M. , Weeks John D.
Published: December 2008

Spherical truncations of Coulomb interactions in standard models for water permit efficient molecular simulations and can give remarkably accurate results for the structure of the uniform liquid. However, truncations are known to produce significant errors in nonuniform systems, particularly for electrostatic properties. Local molecular field (LMF) theory corrects such truncations by use of an effective or restructured electrostatic potential that accounts for effects of the remaining long-ranged interactions through a density-weighted mean field average and satisfies a modified Poisson's equation defined with a Gaussian-smoothed charge density. We apply LMF theory to 3 simple molecular systems that exhibit different aspects of the failure of a naïive application of spherical truncations—water confined between hydrophobic walls, water confined between atomically corrugated hydrophilic walls, and water confined between hydrophobic walls with an applied electric field. Spherical truncations of 1/
r
fail spectacularly for the final system, in particular, and LMF theory corrects the failings for all three. Further, LMF theory provides a more intuitive way to understand the balance between local hydrogen bonding and longer-ranged electrostatics in molecular simulations involving water.
nemy
encodes a cytochrome b561 that is required for
Drosophila
learning and memory
Authors: Iliadi Konstantin G. , Avivi Aaron , Iliadi Natalia N. , Knight David , Korol Abraham B. , Nevo Eviatar , Taylor Paul , Moran Michael F. , Kamyshev Nikolai G. , Boulianne Gabrielle L.
Published: December 2008

Although many genes have been shown to play essential roles in learning and memory, the precise molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying these processes remain to be fully elucidated. Here, we present the molecular and behavioral characterization of the
Drosophila
memory mutant
nemy
. We provide multiple lines of evidence to show that
nemy
arises from a mutation in a
Drosophila
homologue of cytochrome B561.
nemy
is predominantly expressed in neuroendocrine neurons in the larval brain, and in mushroom bodies and antennal lobes in the adult brain, where it is partially coexpressed with peptidyl α-hydroxylating monooxygenase (PHM), an enzyme required for peptide amidation. Cytochrome b561 was found to be a requisite cofactor for PHM activity and we found that the levels of amidated peptides were reduced in
nemy
mutants. Moreover, we found that knockdown of PHM gave rise to defects in memory retention. Altogether, the data are consistent with a model whereby cytochrome B561-mediated electron transport plays a role in memory formation by regulating intravesicular PHM activity and the formation of amidated neuropeptides.
Three-dimensional microfluidic devices fabricated in layered paper and tape
Authors: Martinez Andres W. , Phillips Scott T. , Whitesides George M.
Published: December 2008

This article describes a method for fabricating 3D microfluidic devices by stacking layers of patterned paper and double-sided adhesive tape. Paper-based 3D microfluidic devices have capabilities in microfluidics that are difficult to achieve using conventional open-channel microsystems made from glass or polymers. In particular, 3D paper-based devices wick fluids and distribute microliter volumes of samples from single inlet points into arrays of detection zones (with numbers up to thousands). This capability makes it possible to carry out a range of new analytical protocols simply and inexpensively (all on a piece of paper) without external pumps. We demonstrate a prototype 3D device that tests 4 different samples for up to 4 different analytes and displays the results of the assays in a side-by-side configuration for easy comparison. Three-dimensional paper-based microfluidic devices are especially appropriate for use in distributed healthcare in the developing world and in environmental monitoring and water analysis.
Crystal structure of a translation termination complex formed with release factor RF2
Authors: Korostelev Andrei , Asahara Haruichi , Lancaster Laura , Laurberg Martin , Hirschi Alexander , Zhu Jianyu , Trakhanov Sergei , Scott William G. , Noller Harry F.
Published: December 2008

We report the crystal structure of a translation termination complex formed by the
Thermus thermophilus
70S ribosome bound with release factor RF2, in response to a UAA stop codon, solved at 3 Å resolution. The backbone of helix α5 and the side chain of serine of the conserved SPF motif of RF2 recognize U1 and A2 of the stop codon, respectively. A3 is unstacked from the first 2 bases, contacting Thr-216 and Val-203 of RF2 and stacking on G530 of 16S rRNA. The structure of the RF2 complex supports our previous proposal that conformational changes in the ribosome in response to recognition of the stop codon stabilize rearrangement of the switch loop of the release factor, resulting in docking of the universally conserved GGQ motif in the PTC of the 50S subunit. As seen for the RF1 complex, the main-chain amide nitrogen of glutamine in the GGQ motif is positioned to contribute directly to catalysis of peptidyl-tRNA hydrolysis, consistent with mutational studies, which show that most side-chain substitutions of the conserved glutamine have little effect. We show that when the H-bonding capability of the main-chain N-H of the conserved glutamine is eliminated by substitution with proline, peptidyl-tRNA esterase activity is abolished, consistent with its proposed role in catalysis.
Tcl1 functions as a transcriptional regulator and is directly involved in the pathogenesis of CLL
Authors: Pekarsky Yuri , Palamarchuk Alexey , Maximov Vadim , Efanov Alexey , Nazaryan Natalya , Santanam Urmila , Rassenti Laura , Kipps Thomas , Croce Carlo M.
Published: December 2008

B cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) is the most common human leukemia. Deregulation of the T cell leukemia/lymphoma 1 (TCL1) oncogene in mouse B cells causes a CD5-positive leukemia similar to aggressive human B-CLLs. To examine the mechanisms by which Tcl1 protein exerts oncogenic activity in B cells, we investigated the effect of Tcl1 expression on NF-κB and activator protein 1 (AP-1) activity. We found that Tcl1 physically interacts with c-Jun, JunB, and c-Fos and inhibits AP-1 transcriptional activity. Additionally, Tcl1 activates NF-κB by physically interacting with p300/CREB binding protein. We then sequenced the
TCL1
gene in 600 B-CLL samples and found 2 heterozygous mutations: T38I and R52H. Importantly, both mutants showed gain of function as AP-1 inhibitors. The results indicate that Tcl1 overexpression causes B-CLL by directly enhancing NF-κB activity and inhibiting AP-1.
Efficient replication of rhesus cytomegalovirus variants in multiple rhesus and human cell types
Authors: Lilja Anders E. , Shenk Thomas
Published: December 2008

Rhesus cytomegalovirus infection of rhesus macaques has emerged as a model for human cytomegalovirus pathogenesis. The UL128-UL131 locus of the human virus is a primary determinant for viral entry into epithelial cells, an important cell type during cytomegalovirus infection. Rhesus cytomegalovirus strain 68-1 spreads slowly when grown in cultured rhesus epithelial cells, and it does not code for ORFs corresponding to UL128 and the second exon of UL130. We repaired the UL128-UL131 locus of strain 68-1, using rhesus cytomegalovirus strain 180.92 as template, to generate BRh68-1.1. We also repaired a mutation in the UL36 ORF in BRh68-1.1 to make BRh68-1.2. Both repaired derivatives replicate much more efficiently than parental 68-1 virus in rhesus epithelial cells, suggesting that strain 68-1 may be attenuated. Intriguingly, BRh68-1.1 and BRh68-1.2 replicate efficiently in cultured human epithelial cells and endothelial cells. The extended human cell host range of the repaired viruses raises the possibility that rhesus cytomegalovirus-like viruses will be found in humans.
The Thought and Role of Ayatollah Hossein'ali Montazeri in the Politics of Post-1979 Iran
Authors: Akhavi Shahrough
Published: December 2008

Ayatollah Montazeri was a Khomeinist who came to regret being Khomeini's unabashed protegé. Though he has never abandoned the doctrine of velayat-e faqih, he has sought to reconceptualize it by furnishing it with democratic principles. In this, he has not been credible, although he has managed to portray himself as a reformer among some Iranian activists who themselves have credible reformist credentials, such as Akbar Ganji. But other reformists believe that the principles of the mandate of the jurist permit authoritarian abuses. And those among them who seek a mujtahid's support for overthrowing that doctrine would prefer to turn to the writings of Ayatollah Dr. Mehdi Ha'iri (d. 1999).
Towards an Anti-Western Stance: The Economic Discourse of Iran's 1979 Revolution
Authors: Pesaran Evaleila
Published: December 2008

The Iranian Revolution of 1979 saw the mobilization and cooperation of a variety of groupings that were brought together by their shared determination to overthrow the Shah. However, it was not only opposition to the Pahlavi regime, but also suspicion of and disdain for that regime's Western backers that united these revolutionary groups. Religious leaders(ulama), merchants(bazaaris), intellectuals and students alike all espoused the strong anti-Western sentiments that had been developing in Iran over the previous two decades. But what particular factors can be seen to have encouraged the adoption of these sentiments in the lead-up to the revolution, and in what ways were they articulated and subsequently put into practice by the leaders of the new regime? This article suggests that various domestic and international influences can be seen to have shaped the emergence of Iran's revolutionary discourse of “economic independence.” In particular, the paper argues that a peculiar blend of Shi'i concepts of social justice and Marxist-Leninist discourses of class struggle and anti-imperialism not only informed the economic outlook of Iran's burgeoning revolutionary movement during the period 1953–79, but was also enshrined in the Constitution of the Islamic Republic.
The World of Kurdish Women's Novels
Authors: Ahmadzadeh Hashem
Published: December 2008

The Kurdish novel emerged in 1935 and, towards the end of the twentieth century, established itself as a literary genre with a significant quantity and quality. However, until the last decade of the previous century the Kurdish novel was entirely dominated by Kurdish men and there is no single novel written by a Kurdish woman. During recent years, however, Kurdish women novelists have contributed to the development of this genre. This article aims to assess Kurdish women's novel-writing and, through analyzing and discussing their style and themes, tries to find out their main characteristic generic features. An attempt is made to see if there are thematic and stylistic differences between Kurdish novels written by the women and their male counterparts.
Protein kinase CK2 contributes to the organization of sodium channels in axonal membranes by regulating their interactions with ankyrin G
Authors: Bréchet Aline , Fache Marie-Pierre , Brachet Anna , Ferracci Géraldine , Baude Agnés , Irondelle Marie , Pereira Sandrine , Leterrier Christophe , Dargent Bénédicte
Published: December 2008

In neurons, generation and propagation of action potentials requires the precise accumulation of sodium channels at the axonal initial segment (AIS) and in the nodes of Ranvier through ankyrin G scaffolding. We found that the ankyrin-binding motif of Nav1.2 that determines channel concentration at the AIS depends on a glutamate residue (E1111), but also on several serine residues (S1112, S1124, and S1126). We showed that phosphorylation of these residues by protein kinase CK2 (CK2) regulates Nav channel interaction with ankyrins. Furthermore, we observed that CK2 is highly enriched at the AIS and the nodes of Ranvier in vivo. An ion channel chimera containing the Nav1.2 ankyrin-binding motif perturbed endogenous sodium channel accumulation at the AIS, whereas phosphorylation-deficient chimeras did not. Finally, inhibition of CK2 activity reduced sodium channel accumulation at the AIS of neurons. In conclusion, CK2 contributes to sodium channel organization by regulating their interaction with ankyrin G.
CaM kinase II initiates meiotic spindle depolymerization independently of APC/C activation
Authors: Reber Simone , Over Sabine , Kronja Iva , Gruss Oliver J.
Published: December 2008

Altered spindle microtubule dynamics at anaphase onset are the basis for chromosome segregation. In Xenopus laevis egg extracts, increasing free calcium levels and subsequently rising calcium-calmodulin–dependent kinase II (CaMKII) activity promote a release from meiosis II arrest and reentry into anaphase. CaMKII induces the activation of the anaphase-promoting complex/cyclosome (APC/C), which destines securin and cyclin B for degradation to allow chromosome separation and mitotic exit.

In this study, we investigated the calcium-dependent signal responsible for microtubule depolymerization at anaphase onset after release from meiotic arrest in Xenopus egg extracts. Using Ran–guanosine triphosphate–mediated microtubule assemblies and quantitative analysis of complete spindles, we demonstrate that CaMKII triggers anaphase microtubule depolymerization. A CaMKII-induced twofold increase in microtubule catastrophe rates can explain reduced microtubule stability. However, calcium or constitutively active CaMKII promotes microtubule destabilization even upon APC/C inhibition and in the presence of high cyclin-dependent kinase 1 activity. Therefore, our data demonstrate that CaMKII turns on parallel pathways to activate the APC/C and to induce microtubule depolymerization at meiotic anaphase onset.
Lateralization of social cognition in the domestic chicken (Gallus gallus)
Authors: Daisley Jonathan Niall , Mascalzoni Elena , Rosa-Salva Orsola , Rugani Rosa , Regolin Lucia
Published: December 2008

In this paper, we report on the ongoing work in our laboratories on the effect of lateralization produced by light exposure in the egg on social cognition in the domestic chick (Gallus gallus). The domestic chick possesses a lateralized visual system. This has effects on the chick's perception towards and interaction with its environment. This includes its ability to live successfully within a social group. We show that there is a tendency for right brain hemisphere dominance when performing social cognitive actions. As such, chicks show a left hemispatial bias for approaching a signalled target object, tend to perceive gaze and faces of human-like masks more effectively when using their left eye, are able to inhibit a pecking response more effectively when viewing a neighbour tasting a bitter substance with their left eye, and are better able to perform a transitive inference task when exposed to light in the egg and when forced to use their left eye only compared to dark-hatched or right eye chicks. Some of these effects were sex specific, with male chicks tending to show an increased effect of lateralization on their behaviours. These data are discussed in terms of overall social cognition in group living.
The evolution and genetics of cerebral asymmetry
Authors: Corballis Michael C
Published: December 2008

Handedness and cerebral asymmetry are commonly assumed to be uniquely human, and even defining characteristics of our species. This is increasingly refuted by the evidence of behavioural asymmetries in non-human species. Although complex manual skill and language are indeed unique to our species and are represented asymmetrically in the brain, some non-human asymmetries appear to be precursors, and others are shared between humans and non-humans. In all behavioural and cerebral asymmetries so far investigated, a minority of individuals reverse or negate the dominant asymmetry, suggesting that such asymmetries are best understood in the context of the overriding bilateral symmetry of the brain and body, and a trade-off between the relative advantages and disadvantages of symmetry and asymmetry. Genetic models of handedness, for example, typically postulate a gene with two alleles, one disposing towards right-handedness and the other imposing no directional influence. There is as yet no convincing evidence as to the location of this putative gene, suggesting that several genes may be involved, or that the gene may be monomorphic with variations due to environmental or epigenetic influences. Nevertheless, it is suggested that, in behavioural, neurological and evolutionary terms, it may be more profitable to examine the degree rather than the direction of asymmetry.
Ascending and descending mechanisms of visual lateralization in pigeons
Authors: Valencia-Alfonso Carlos-Eduardo , Verhaal Josine , Güntürkün Onur
Published: December 2008

Brain asymmetries are a widespread phenomenon among vertebrates and show a common behavioural pattern. The right hemisphere mediates more emotional and instinctive reactions, while the left hemisphere deals with elaborated experience-based behaviours. In order to achieve a lateralized behaviour, each hemisphere needs different information and therefore different representations of the world. However, how these representations are accomplished within the brain is still unknown. Based on the pigeon's visual system, we present experimental evidence that lateralized behaviour is the result of the interaction between the subtelencephalic ascending input directing more bilateral visual information towards the left hemisphere and the asymmetrically organized descending telencephalic influence on the tecto-tectal balance. Both the bilateral representation and the forebrain-modulated information processing might explain the left hemispheric dominance for complex learning and discrimination tasks.
Light during embryonic development modulates patterns of lateralization strongly and similarly in both zebrafish and chick
Authors: Andrew R.J , Osorio D , Budaev S
Published: December 2008

Some aspects of lateralization are widespread. This is clear for the association between left-eye (LE) use and readiness to respond intensely to releasing stimuli presented by others, which has been found in representatives of all major groups of tetrapods and in fishes. In the chick, this behavioural asymmetry is linked developmentally to greater ability to sustain response against distracting stimuli with right-eye (RE) use, in that both reverse with the reversal of the normal RE exposure to light. In the zebrafish, the same two asymmetries (normally) have similar associations with the LE and the RE, and both also reverse together (owing to epithalamic reversal). Here, we show that light exposure early in development is needed in zebrafish to generate both asymmetries. Dark development largely abolishes both the enhanced abilities, confirming their linkage. Resemblance to the chick is increased by the survival in the chick, after dark development, of higher ability to assess familiarity of complex stimuli when using the LE. A somewhat similar ability survives in dark-developed zebrafish. Here, LE use causes lesser reliance on a single recent experience than on longer term past experience in the assessment of novelty. Such resemblances between a fish and a bird suggest that we should look not only for resemblances between different groups of vertebrates in the most common overall pattern of lateralization, but also for possible resemblances in the nature of inter-individual variation and in the way in which it is generated during development.
Asymmetries of the human social brain in the visual, auditory and chemical modalities
Authors: Brancucci Alfredo , Lucci Giuliana , Mazzatenta Andrea , Tommasi Luca
Published: December 2008

Structural and functional asymmetries are present in many regions of the human brain responsible for motor control, sensory and cognitive functions and communication. Here, we focus on hemispheric asymmetries underlying the domain of social perception, broadly conceived as the analysis of information about other individuals based on acoustic, visual and chemical signals. By means of these cues the brain establishes the border between ‘self’ and ‘other’, and interprets the surrounding social world in terms of the physical and behavioural characteristics of conspecifics essential for impression formation and for creating bonds and relationships. We show that, considered from the standpoint of single- and multi-modal sensory analysis, the neural substrates of the perception of voices, faces, gestures, smells and pheromones, as evidenced by modern neuroimaging techniques, are characterized by a general pattern of right-hemispheric functional asymmetry that might benefit from other aspects of hemispheric lateralization rather than constituting a true specialization for social information.
MEN1 gene and its mutations: Basic and clinical implications
Authors: Tsukada Toshihiko , Nagamura Yuko , Ohkura Naganari
Published: December 2008

Heterozygous germline mutations of the tumor‐suppressor gene MEN1 are responsible for multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1), a dominantly inherited familial cancer syndrome characterized by pituitary, parathyroid, and enteropancreatic tumors. Various mutations have been identified throughout the entire gene region in patients with MEN1 and related disorders. Neither mutation hot spot nor phenotype–genotype correlation has been established in MEN1 although some missense mutations may be specifically associated with a phenotype of familial isolated hyperparathyroidism. The gene product menin has been implicated in multiple roles, including gene transcription, maintenance of genomic integrity, and control of cell division and differentiation. These multiple functions are likely to be conferred by association with multiple protein factors. Occurrence of MEN1‐causing missense mutations throughout menin also suggests the requirement of multiple binding factors for its full tumor‐suppressive activity. The effect of menin depletion is highly tissue specific, but its underlying mechanism remains to be elucidated. A DNA test for MEN1 germline mutations is a useful tool for diagnosis of MEN1 although it needs further improvements. (Cancer Sci 2009; 100: 209–215)
Adolescent non‐Hodgkin lymphoma and Hodgkin lymphoma: state of the science
Authors: Hochberg Jessica , Waxman Ian M. , Kelly Kara M. , Morris Erin , Cairo Mitchell S.
Published: December 2008

Lymphoma is the most common malignancy among adolescents, accounting for >25% of newly diagnosed cancers in the 15–19 year age group. Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) accounts for the majority (two‐thirds) of cases, while the remainder of patients have one of four subtypes of non‐Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL): diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL) including primary mediastinal B‐cell lymphoma (PMBL), Burkitt lymphoma (BL), lymphoblastic lymphoma (LL) or anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL). Epidemiology, histology, treatment and outcome differ between HL and NHL, as well as among the various subtypes of NHL. Adolescent lymphoma is particularly interesting because it often shares features with both childhood and adult lymphoma. As medical oncologists and paediatric oncologists often follow divergent treatment plans, disagreements may arise between practitioners as to how best treat the adolescent group. Additional complicating factors associated with the adolescent years, such as lack of insurance, issues pertaining to body image, and concerns about fertility, can also hinder prompt, appropriate medical management. This review details the complexities associated with the diagnosis and treatment of adolescent lymphoma and updates the state of the science, with particular emphasis on epidemiology, diagnosis, and proper management of HL and the various subtypes of NHL.
Quantifying the impact of current and future tropospheric ozone on tree biomass, growth, physiology and biochemistry: a quantitative meta‐analysis
Authors: WITTIG VICTORIA E. , AINSWORTH ELIZABETH A. , NAIDU SHAWNA L. , KARNOSKY DAVID F. , LONG STEPHEN P.
Published: December 2008

The northern hemisphere temperate and boreal forests currently provide an important carbon sink; however, current tropospheric ozone concentrations ([O3]) and [O3] projected for later this century are damaging to trees and have the potential to reduce the carbon sink strength of these forests. This meta‐analysis estimated the magnitude of the impacts of current [O3] and future [O3] on the biomass, growth, physiology and biochemistry of trees representative of northern hemisphere forests. Current ambient [O3] (40 ppb on average) significantly reduced the total biomass of trees by 7% compared with trees grown in charcoal‐filtered (CF) controls, which approximate preindustrial [O3]. Above‐ and belowground productivity were equally affected by ambient [O3] in these studies. Elevated [O3] of 64 ppb reduced total biomass by 11% compared with trees grown at ambient [O3] while elevated [O3] of 97 ppb reduced total biomass of trees by 17% compared with CF controls. The root‐to‐shoot ratio was significantly reduced by elevated [O3] indicating greater sensitivity of root biomass to [O3]. At elevated [O3], trees had significant reductions in leaf area, Rubisco content and chlorophyll content which may underlie significant reductions in photosynthetic capacity. Trees also had lower transpiration rates, and were shorter in height and had reduced diameter when grown at elevated [O3]. Further, at elevated [O3], gymnosperms were significantly less sensitive than angiosperms. There were too few observations of the interaction of [O3] with elevated [CO2] and drought to conclusively project how these climate change factors will alter tree responses to [O3]. Taken together, these results demonstrate that the carbon‐sink strength of northern hemisphere forests is likely reduced by current [O3] and will be further reduced in future if [O3] rises. This implies that a key carbon sink currently offsetting a significant portion of global fossil fuel CO2 emissions could be diminished or lost in the future.
Systematic approaches to using the FOX hunting system to identify useful rice genes
Authors: Kondou Youichi , Higuchi Mieko , Takahashi Shinya , Sakurai Tetsuya , Ichikawa Takanari , Kuroda Hirofumi , Yoshizumi Takeshi , Tsumoto Yuko , Horii Yoko , Kawashima Mika , Hasegawa Yukako , Kuriyama Tomoko , Matsui Keiko , Kusano Miyako , Albinsky Doris , Takahashi Hideki , Nakamura Yukiko , Suzuki Makoto , Sakakibara Hitoshi , Kojima Mikiko , Akiyama Kenji , Kurotani Atsushi , Seki Motoaki , Fujita Miki , Enju Akiko , Yokotani Naoki , Saitou Tsutomu , Ashidate Kozue , Fujimoto Naka , Ishikawa Yasuo , Mori Yayoi , Nanba Rie , Takata Kazumasa , Uno Kuniko , Sugano Shoji , Natsuki Jun , Dubouzet Joseph Gogo , Maeda Satoru , Ohtake Miki , Mori Masaki , Oda Kenji , Takatsuji Hiroshi , Hirochika Hirohiko , Matsui Minami
Published: December 2008

Ectopic gene expression, or the gain‐of‐function approach, has the advantage that once the function of a gene is known the gene can be transferred to many different plants by transformation. We previously reported a method, called FOX hunting, that involves ectopic expression of Arabidopsis full‐length cDNAs in Arabidopsis to systematically generate gain‐of‐function mutants. This technology is most beneficial for generating a heterologous gene resource for analysis of useful plant gene functions. As an initial model we generated more than 23 000 independent Arabidopsis transgenic lines that expressed rice fl‐cDNAs (Rice FOX Arabidopsis lines). The short generation time and rapid and efficient transformation frequency of Arabidopsis enabled the functions of the rice genes to be analyzed rapidly. We screened rice FOX Arabidopsis lines for alterations in morphology, photosynthesis, element accumulation, pigment accumulation, hormone profiles, secondary metabolites, pathogen resistance, salt tolerance, UV signaling, high light tolerance, and heat stress tolerance. Some of the mutant phenotypes displayed by rice FOX Arabidopsis lines resulted from the expression of rice genes that had no homologs in Arabidopsis. This result demonstrated that rice fl‐cDNAs could be used to introduce new gene functions in Arabidopsis. Furthermore, these findings showed that rice gene function could be analyzed by employing Arabidopsis as a heterologous host. This technology provides a framework for the analysis of plant gene function in a heterologous host and of plant improvement by using heterologous gene resources.