bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Changes in localization of immune cells and cytokines in corpora lutea during luteolysis in murine ovaries
Authors: Komatsu Kohji , Manabe Noboru , Kiso Minako , Shimabe Munetake , Miyamoto Hajime 
Published: March 2003

AbstractImmune cells, which constitute a significant cell mass in the corpora lutea (CLs), are considered to play critical roles in luteolysis, but the details are not fully understood. We histochemically investigated the changes in distribution and cell density of macrophages and T lymphocytes and in tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α and interferon (IFN)‐γ, which can induce apoptosis in the luteal cells in murine CLs during luteal regression. No macrophages or T lymphocytes were observed in functionally healthy CLs. Abundant macrophages and increasing T lymphocytes were demonstrated in CLs at the functional regression stage (early stage of regression). At the structural regression stage (late stage of regression), abundant T lymphocytes but no macrophages were demonstrated in the CLs. A moderate amount of TNF‐α was detected in all CLs at all stages. No IFN‐γ was detected in either healthy or early regressing CLs, but a large amount of IFN‐γ was detected at the late regression stage. Moreover, in cultured luteal cells, reactivity against Fas‐ligand (FasL) was caused by pretreatment with TNF‐α and IFN‐γ and apoptosis was induced by FasL treatment. These findings support the hypothesis that macrophages initiate T lymphocyte aggregation at the early stage of luteal regression, and then T lymphocytes induce apoptosis on luteal cells, which in turn develop sensitivity against FasL by TNF‐α and IFN‐γ. J. Exp. Zool. 296A:152–159, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Expression of heat shock and cold shock proteins in the gorgonian Leptogorgia virgulata
Authors: Kingsley Roni J. , Afif Evelyn , Cox Brandon C. , Kothari Sonali , Kriechbaum Karmon , Kuchinsky Katherine , Neill Anna T. , Puri Anita F. , Kish Valerie M. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractIn this study, we analyzed the response of the temperate, shallow‐water gorgonian, Leptogorgia virgulata, to temperature stress. Proteins were pulse labeled with 35S‐methionine/cysteine for 1 h to 2 h at 22°C (control), or 38°C, or for 4 h at 12.5°C. Heat shock induced synthesis of unique proteins of 112, 89, and 74 kDa, with 102, 98 and 56 kDa proteins present in the control as well. Cold shock from 22°C–12.5°C induced the synthesis of a 25 kDa protein, with a 44 kDa protein present in the control as well. Control samples expressed unique proteins of 38, and 33 kDa. Non‐radioactive proteins expressed under the same conditions as above, as well as natural field conditions, were tested for reactivity with antibodies to heat shock proteins (HSPs). HSP60 was the major protein found in L. virgulata. Although HSP47, HSP60, and HSP104 were present in all samples, the expression of HSP60 was enhanced in heat stressed colonies, while HSP47 and HSP104 expression were greatest in cold shocked samples. Inducible HSP70 was expressed in cold‐shocked, heat‐shocked, and field samples. Constitutively expressed HSP70 was absent from all samples. The expression of HSP90 was limited to heat shocked colonies. The expression of both HSP70 and HSP104 suggests that the organism may also develop a stress tolerance response. J. Exp. Zool. 296A:98–107, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Evolvability and genetic constraint in Dalechampia blossoms: Genetic correlations and conditional evolvability
Authors: Hansen Thomas F. , armbruster W. Scott , Carlson Matthew L. , PÉlabon Christophe 
Published: March 2003

AbstractThe short‐term evolvability of a character is closely related to its level of additive genetic variation. However, a large component of the variation in any one character may be pleiotropically linked to other characters under the influence of different selective factors. Therefore, the organization of the organism into quasi‐independent modules may be an important prerequisite for evolvability. In this paper we propose to study character evolvability in terms of conditional genetic variation. By estimating the amount of genetic variation in a character, y, that is independent of other characters, x, we can assess the evolvability of y when there is stabilizing selection on x. We suggest that systematic use of conditioning may help build a picture of modular organization and quasi‐independent evolvability. As an illustration, we use this approach to assess the evolvability of floral characters in Dalechampia scandens (Euphorbiaceae). Although our study population had relatively low levels of genetic variation at the outset, we find evidence that conditioning may lead to substantial further reduction in the genetic variation available for independent adaptation. This provides additional evidence that the D. scandens blossom is constrained in its short‐term evolvability. J. Exp. Zool. (Mol. Dev. Evol.) 296B:23–39, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Embryological origins of developmental stability: Size, shape and fluctuating asymmetry in prenatal random bred mice
Authors: Hallgrímsson Benedikt , Miyake Tsutomo , Wilmore Katherine , Hall Brian K. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractOntogenetic patterns of fluctuating asymmetry (FA) can be used to test models for the mechanisms underlying stability during embryonic development (developmental stability). In this study, we ask whether developmental processes initially show high levels of instability that are subsequently dampened through active compensatory mechanisms or passive properties of developmental systems or whether the effects of instability accumulate during embryonic development causing random drift away from an earlier stable state. Previous work on this question has dealt with postnatal skeletal growth and thus been unable to effectively distinguish developmental instability from the effects of mechanically mediated variation in bone modeling and remodeling. Here, we report that FA variances of limb skeletal elements in CD1 mice decrease with gestational age from day 14 to birth (day 20.5). Thus, in mouse limbs, skeletal development is characterized by a high level of developmental instability initially that is reduced during subsequent prenatal development. These results are consistent with the existence of active mechanisms that compensate for the effects of minor perturbations or deviations during development. However, they are also consistent with Soule's model of allomeric variation in which the variance of structures is reduced as the number of independent developmental events that produce them increases. This study illustrates that predictions based on morphometric analyses can yield insights into general properties of developmental systems in cases where specific developmental mechanisms are not yet known. J. Exp. Zool. (Mol. Dev. Evol.) 296B:40–57, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Pleiotropic effects on mandibular morphology I. developmental morphological integration and differential dominance
Authors: Ehrich Thomas H. , Vaughn Ty T. , Koreishi Safina F. , Linsey Robin B. , Pletscher L. Susan , Cheverud James M. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractPleiotropy refers to a single genetic locus that affects more than one phenotypic trait. Pleiotropic effects of genetic loci are thought to play an important role in evolution, reflecting functional and developmental relationships among phenotypes. In a previous study, we examined pleiotropic effects displayed by quantitative trait loci (QTLs) on murine mandibular morphology in relation to mandibular structure and function. In replicating most of our previous QTLs and increasing our sample size, this study strengthens and extends our earlier results. As in our previous study, we find that QTL effects tend to be restricted to developmentally or functionally related traits. In addition, we examine patterns of differential dominance for pleiotropic QTL effects. Differential dominance occurs when dominance patterns for a single locus vary among traits. We find that multivariate overdominance is a common and substantial phenomenon, and may potentially provide an explanation for the persistence of heterozygosity in natural populations. J. Exp. Zool. (Mol. Dev. Evol.) 296B:58–79, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Planar embeddings with infinite faces
Authors: Bonnington C. Paul , Watkins Mark E. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractWe investigate vertex‐transitive graphs that admit planar embeddings having infinite faces, i.e., faces whose boundary is a double ray. In the case of graphs with connectivity exactly 2, we present examples wherein no face is finite. In particular, the planar embeddings of the Cartesian product of the r‐valent tree with K2 are comprehensively studied and enumerated, as are the automorphisms of the resulting maps, and it is shown for r = 3 that no vertex‐transitive group of graph automorphisms is extendable to a group of homeomorphisms of the plane. We present all known families of infinite, locally finite, vertex‐transitive graphs of connectivity 3 and an infinite family of 4‐connected graphs that admit planar embeddings wherein each vertex is incident with an infinite face. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Graph Theory 42: 257–275, 2003
Small degree out‐branchings
Authors: Bang‐Jensen Jørgen , Thomassé Stéphan , Yeo Anders 
Published: March 2003

AbstractUsing a suitable orientation, we give a short proof of a strengthening of a result of Czumaj and Strothmann 4: Every 2‐edge‐connected graph G contains a spanning tree T with the property that $d_T(v)\le {d_T(v)+\,3 \over 2}$ for every vertex v. As an analogue of this result in the directed case, we prove that every 2‐arc‐strong digraph D has an out‐branching B such that $d^+_B(x)\le {d^+_D(x)+ \over 2}+1$. A corollary of this is that every k‐arc‐strong digraph D has an out‐branching B such that $d^+_B(v)\le {d^+_D(v)+ \over 2^r}+r$, where $r=\lfloor \log_2k\rfloor$. We conjecture that in this case $d^+_B(x)\le {d^+_D(x)+ \over k}+1$ would be the right (and best possible) answer. If true, this would again imply a strengthening of a result from 4 concerning spanning trees with small degrees in k‐connected graphs when k ≥ 2. We prove that for acyclic digraphs the existence of an out‐branching satisfying prescribed bounds on the out‐degrees of each vertex can be checked in polynomial time. A corollary of this is that the existence of arc‐disjoint branchings $F^+_s$,$F^-_t$, where the first is an out‐branching rooted at s and the second an in‐branching rooted at t, can be checked in polynomial time for the class of acyclic digraphs © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Graph Theory 42: 297–307, 2003
Eulerian subgraphs in 3‐edge‐connected graphs and Hamiltonian line graphs
Authors: Chen Zhi‐Hong , Lai Hong‐Jian , Li Xiangwen , Li Deying , Mao Jinzhong 
Published: March 2003

AbstractIn this paper, we show that if G is a 3‐edge‐connected graph with $S \subseteq V(G)$ and $|S| \le 12$, then either G has an Eulerian subgraph H such that $S \subseteq V(H)$, or G can be contracted to the Petersen graph in such a way that the preimage of each vertex of the Petersen graph contains at least one vertex in S. If G is a 3‐edge‐connected planar graph, then for any $|S|\le 23$, G has an Eulerian subgraph H such that $S\subseteq V(H)$. As an application, we obtain a new result on Hamiltonian line graphs. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Graph Theory 42: 308–319, 2003
An algebraic characterization of projective‐planar graphs
Authors: Abrams Lowell , Slilaty Daniel C. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractWe give a detailed algebraic characterization of when a graph G can be imbedded in the projective plane. The characterization is in terms of the existence of a dual graph G* on the same edge set as G, which satisfies algebraic conditions inspired by homology groups and intersection products in homology groups. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Graph Theory 42: 320–331, 2003
Crossing numbers of sequences of graphs II: Planar tiles
Authors: Pinontoan Benny , Richter R. Bruce 
Published: March 2003

AbstractWe describe a method of creating an infinite family of crossing‐critical graphs from a single small planar map, the tile, by gluing together many copies of the tile together in a circular fashion. This method yields all known infinite families of k‐crossing‐critical graphs. Furthermore, the method yields new infinite families, which extend from (4,6) to (3.5,6) the interval of rationals r for which there is, for some k, an infinite sequence of k‐crossing‐critical graphs all having average degree r. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Graph Theory 42: 332–341, 2003
ADAM family genes testase 2α and 2β are chromosomally linked and simultaneously expressed in male germ cells
Authors: Bolcun Ewelina , Rzymski Tomasz , Nayernia Karim , Engel Wolfgang 
Published: March 2003

AbstractThe ADAM (a disintegrin and a metalloprotease) family includes the best‐characterized proteins involved in gamete interaction and membrane fusion in mammals. Previous studies have shown that the murine testase 2 (ADAM 25) gene is expressed specifically in testis. We found two different restriction patterns of subcloned fragments of the gene, indicating the presence of two different testase 2 transcripts. Further experiments and Celera database searches demonstrated that the two transcripts are the products of two testase 2 genes, which are located on mouse chromosome 8 in close distance of 24 kb. They show high sequence similarity to the published testase 2 gene (87.8 and 95.5%, respectively). The genomic structure of both testase 2 genes (α and β) is different from other ADAM family genes like that for cyritestin and fertilin. While these genes are composed of about 20 exons, the testase 2α and 2β genes contain only two exons. The first exon is very short ∼85 bp while the second exon is ∼2.4 kb long. Both testase 2 genes are specifically expressed in testis and they exhibit the same temporal and spatial expression pattern during male germ cell differentiation with the onset of expression in haploid stages. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 65: 19–22, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Development of the meiotic step in testes of pubertal rats: Comparison between the in vivo situation and under in vitro conditions
Authors: Perrard Marie‐HÉlÈne , Hue Dominique , Staub Christophe , Le Vern Yves , Kerboeuf Dominique , Durand Philippe 
Published: March 2003

AbstractThe present work aimed to compare some features of the meiotic process which develops in the testis of pubertal rats, in vivo and in vitro, paying special attention to the time‐course of the phenomenon. The differentiation of spermatocytes was assessed in testes of 20‐ to 46‐day‐old rats and in tubule segments of 20‐ or 28‐day‐old rats cultured over a 4‐week period. Very similar results were obtained in vivo and in vitro, during the first week of culture, when considering the changes in the cell populations of different ploidy, the gene expression of germ cells, the kinetics of differentiation of BrdU‐labeled early or middle pachytene spermatocytes and the levels of apoptosis in the different cell populations. However, during the second week of culture, the decrease in the proportion of the 4C cell population which was only slightly more marked than that observed in vivo between 27 and 34 days, was not associated with an increase in the 1C cell population as large as in vivo. This result could be explained partly by a high proportion of apoptotic 1C cells beyond one week of culture. Concomitantly, the rate of in vitro differentiation of BrdU‐labeled spermatocytes slowed down when reaching the stage of middle pachytene spermatocytes and BrdU‐labeled round spermatids were observed 6–11 days later than when BrdU‐labeled spermatocytes differentiated in vivo. Taken together, our results indicate that the bottleneck for the development of the meiotic cells in vitro is at the transition from middle to late pachytene spermatocytes. Hence, comparing the expression of locally produced regulatory molecules in vivo and in vitro at different days of culture should allow to identify key regulators of the meiotic step of spermatogenesis. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 65: 86–95, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Family of Kunitz proteins from trophoblast: Expression of the trophoblast Kunitz domain proteins (TKDP) in cattle and sheep
Authors: MacLean James A. , Chakrabarty Anindita , Xie Sancai , Bixby James A. , Roberts R. Michael , Green Jonathan A. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractHere we report the molecular cloning of several members of a family of novel proteins expressed by the ruminant trophoblast, known as the trophoblast Kunitz domain proteins (TKDPs). Each contains a carboxyl‐terminal module of ∼64 amino acids belonging to the Kunitz family of serine proteinase inhibitors. These Kunitz modules are preceded by one or more structurally related domains, each about 80 amino acids long. The function of these domains is unclear. The TKDPs differ considerably in sequence identity, with much of the diversity due to variability in the amino‐terminal domains. However, nine of the ten Kunitz domains described here are themselves unique, ranging in amino acid sequence identity from 90% to 53% to each other and averaging only about 50% identity with bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor (BPTI). The “warhead” P1 residues, which govern specificity, are themselves variable and include some unusual amino acids, such as Asn, Thr, and Ile, as well as the more common Lys. The Kunitz domains of three of the TKDPs lack the conserved cysteines at positions 14 and 38 (BPTI numbering) that normally contribute to the orientation of the inhibitory loop. Northern blotting and reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) demonstrated that the TKDP genes do not exhibit identical expression patterns during trophoblast development, although mostly are expressed maximally during early pregnancy. It is possible that the TKDPs provide a broad range of specificities against maternal proteinases that might be damaging to the trophoblast during pregnancy. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 65: 30–40, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Erasure of methylation imprinting of Igf2r during mouse primordial germ‐cell development
Authors: Sato Shun , Yoshimizu Tomomi , Sato Eimei , Matsui Yasuhisa 
Published: March 2003

AbstractDuring germ cell differentiation in mice, the genome undergoes specific epigenetic modifications. These include demethylation of imprinted genes and subsequent establishment of parental allele‐specific methylation. The mouse Igf2r gene is an imprinted gene that shows maternal‐specific expression. Maternal‐specific methylation of differentially methylated region 2 (DMR2) of this gene may be necessary for its maternal‐specific expression. Before the allele‐specific methylation is established, DMR2 is demethylated in both male and female primordial germ cells (PGCs) by 13.5 days post coitum (dpc), indicating that the demethylation of this region occurs earlier in PGC development. The timing of the demethylation has been, however, unknown. In this study, we attempted to determine the timing of methylation erasure of Igf2r DMR2 in developing PGCs, using transgenic mice expressing green fluorescent protein specifically in the germ line. We purified migrating PGCs from the transgenic mice and examined the methylation status of DMR2. The results show that some CpG sites within DMR2 start demethylation at 9.5 dpc in some migrating PGCs, before the cells colonize genital ridges, and the progression of demethylation is rapid after colonization of the genital ridges. To examine whether the gonadal environment is involved in demethylation, we analyzed the methylation of DMR2 after culturing migrating PGCs in the absence of a gonadal environment. These culture experiments support the idea that a gonadal environment is not required for demethylation of the region in at least a fraction of PGCs. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 65: 41–50, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effect of roscovitine, a cdk1 inhibitor, and of the presence of oocyte on bovine cumulus cell expansion and cyclooxygenase‐2 expression
Authors: Vigneron C. , Nuttinck F. , Perreau C. , Reinaud P. , Charpigny G. , Mermillod P. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractOocyte maturation is accompanied by differentiation of surrounding cumulus cells. These cells produce hyaluronic acid (HA) and its storage in intercellular spaces results in expansion of the cells. The cumulus cells also accumulate cyclooxygenase‐2 (cox‐2) during maturation. Both expansion and cox‐2 storage are regulated by FSH and EGF. The aim of this study was to determine whether oocyte meiotic resumption is involved in the regulation of cumulus differentiation or not. We investigated the effects of roscovitine, a reversible inhibitor of meiosis resumption of cattle oocytes on EGF induced expansion and cox‐2 expression at the transcript and protein levels respectively (RT‐PCR and Western blot), in cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs) and cumulus complexes alone (CCs). EGF induced expansion and cox‐2 expression in both COCs and CCs. These effects were prevented by roscovitine, whether in the presence or in the absence of oocyte. However, the oocyte was essential for the reversibility of inhibition by roscovitine. In conclusion, our results indicate that i) oocyte secreted‐factors are not essential for cumulus expansion, and ii) roscovitine mediated inhibition of meiotic resumption also respects the functionality of the surrounding somatic cells. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 65: 114–121, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Characterization of gene expression profiles in early bovine pregnancy using a custom cDNA microarray
Authors: Ishiwata Hiroko , Katsuma Susumu , Kizaki Keiichiro , Patel Osman V. , Nakano Hiroko , Takahashi Toru , Imai Kei , Hirasawa Akira , Shiojima Satoshi , Ikawa Hiroshi , Suzuki Yasuhito , Tsujimoto Gozoh , Izaike Yoshiaki , Todoroki Junichi , Hashizume Kazuyoshi 
Published: March 2003

AbstractGene expression analysis comparing nonpregnant with pregnant bovine uteri, including placenta, was performed with a custom cDNA microarray containing 1,933 independent genes. These genes were classified into six categories according to biological function, as follows: cell and tissue structural dynamics (108 genes), intercellular communication (221), intracellular metabolism (265), cell cycle and apoptosis (26), regulation of gene expression (113), expressed sequence tag (EST) and function unknown (617), and uncomplemented genes (583 clones). This array possessed bovine placental/endometrial specificity, as it included many pregnancy‐specific molecules, such as pregnancy‐associated glycoprotein‐1 (PAGs), placental lactogen (PLs), and prolactin‐related protein‐1 (PRPs). A total of 77 genes were induced and 12 repressed in the placenta/endometrium. Our results point to a fundamental role for bovine placental‐specific genes such as PAGs, PLs, and PRPs, in implantation and placentogenesis, and document that cDNA microarray analysis from bovine placenta/endometrium is possible and is a specific tool for monitoring genome‐wide gene expression during the establishment and maintenance of pregnancy. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 65: 9–18, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.