Depletion of the spermatogonia from the seminiferous epithelium of the rhesus monkey after X irradiation

In unirradiated testes large differences were found in the total number of spermatogonia among different monkeys, but the number of spermatogonia in the right and the left testes of the same monkey appeared to be rather similar. During the first 11 days after irradiation with 0.5 to 4.0 Gy of X rays the number of Apale spermatogonia (Ap) decreased to about 13% of the control level, while the number of Adark spermatogonia (Ad) did not change significantly. A significant decrease in the number of Ad spermatogonia was seen at Day 14 together with a significant increase in the number of Ap spermatogonia. It was concluded that the resting Ad spermatogonia are activated into proliferating Ap spermatogonia. After Day 16 the number of both Ap and Ad spermatogonia decreased to low levels. Apparently the new Ap spermatogonia were formed by lethally irradiated Ad spermatogonia and degenerated while attempting to divide. The activation of the Ad spermatogonia was found to take place throughout the cycle of the seminiferous epithelium. Serum FSH, LH, and testosterone levels were measured before and after irradiation. Serum FSH levels already had increased during the first week after irradiation to 160% of the control level. Serum LH levels increased between 18 and 25 days after irradiation. Serum testosterone levels did not change at all. The results found in the rhesus monkey are in line with those found in humans, but due to the presence of Ad spermatogonia they differ from those obtained in non-primates.     

Structure of the human gamma-fibrinogen gene. Alternate mRNA splicing near the 3' end of the gene produces gamma A and gamma B forms of gamma-fibrinogen

The gamma chain of human fibrinogen exists in 2 nonallelic forms, gamma A and gamma B, which differ only in their carboxyl termini. We have found that only one genomic locus exists for gamma-fibrinogen and that the gamma A and gamma B chains arise by alternate mRNA splicing near the 3' end of this gene. In contrast to the rat gamma B mRNA which is produced by alternate splicing with identical polyadenylation sites, human gamma B is produced when the eighth intervening sequence remains unspliced and a polyadenylation signal within this intron is used. The new carboxyl terminus is 16 amino acids longer than the gamma A protein, and although there is only minimal homology between the rat and human carboxyl termini they share a very high proportion of acidic amino acids.     

Presence and role of jasmonate in apple embryos

(-)Jasmonic acid (JA) was identified in extracts front embryos of apple (Mulus domestica) by combined gas chromatography-mass spectromelry. Quantification of JA in embryos isolated from seeds at different perexts of stratification by gas chromalography combined with mass spectrometry/selective ion monitoring indicated a sharp peak at day 30. At the same time the maximal ratio of conjugated to free JA was found by enzyme-linked imrnunosorbent assay (ELISA). Germination of embryo.s was stimulated by added JA and inhibited by salieylhydroxamic acid (SHAM, an inhibitor of lipoKygenase). Both stimulation and inhibition disappeared in embryos stratified for more than 30 days. Methyl jasmonate was more effective in stimulation of embryo germination than free JA. while JA-isoleucine inhibited germination. The possible mechanism responsible for changes in JA level as wel! as the role of JA and its conjugates in removal of dormancy in apple seeds are discussed.     

Selective inhibition of carbonic anhydrase IX by sulphonylated 1,2,3-triazole incorporated benzenesulphonamides capable of inducing apoptosis

In search of selective carbonic anhydrase (CA) IX inhibitors endowed with apoptotic inducing properties, we designed and synthesised two subsets of 4- and 3-(5-aryl-(4-phenylsulphonyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)benzenesulphonamides. All compounds were assayed for human carbonic anhydrase (hCA) isoforms I, II, IV, and IX inhibition. Isoforms hCA I and hCA IV were weakly inhibited by most of the synthesised compounds. Many four-substituted benzenesulphonamides displayed low nanomolar inhibition against isoform hCA II, unlike the three-substituted analogues. All target compounds exhibited good inhibition profile with K_I values ranging from 16.4 to 66.0 nM against tumour-associated isoform hCA IX. Some selective and potent inhibitors of hCA IX were assayed for in vitro apoptotic induction in goat testicular cells. Compounds 10d and 10h showed interesting apoptotic induction potential. The present study may provide insights into a strategy for the design of novel anticancer agents based on hCA inhibitors endowed with apoptotic interference.     

Longings and belongings: Indian American youth identity,folk dance competitions,and the construction of ‘tradition’

This article examines the development of the ‘cultural competition’ as a site for the production of multiple identities by Indian American youths on American college campuses. Through the examination of two categories of folk dance competitions (bhangra and raas-garba) at a private university in Washington, DC, we argue that these competitions appear to resist hybridity and produce rhetoric that marginalizes diasporic culture in favour of the ‘pure’ and ‘authentic’ culture of the homeland. However, the goal of expressing uncontaminated ‘authentic’ culture is not realized as diasporic identities and cultures consistently interrupt and undermine homogenizing narratives of ‘tradition’ and ‘authenticity’. We also demonstrate that these folk dance groups often reinforce an ethno-regional distinctiveness rather than a hybrid or pan-Indian identity.     

Noise Normalizes Firing Output of Mouse Lateral Geniculate Nucleus Neurons

The output of individual neurons is dependent on both synaptic and intrinsic membrane properties. While it is clear that the response of an individual neuron can be facilitated or inhibited based on the summation of its constituent synaptic inputs, it is not clear whether subthreshold activity, (e.g. synaptic “noise”- fluctuations that do not change the mean membrane potential) also serve a function in the control of neuronal output. Here we studied this by making whole-cell patch-clamp recordings from 29 mouse thalamocortical relay (TC) neurons. For each neuron we measured neuronal gain in response to either injection of current noise, or activation of the metabotropic glutamate receptor-mediated cortical feedback network (synaptic noise). As expected, injection of current noise via the recording pipette induces shifts in neuronal gain that are dependent on the amplitude of current noise, such that larger shifts in gain are observed in response to larger amplitude noise injections. Importantly we show that shifts in neuronal gain are also dependent on the intrinsic sensitivity of the neuron tested, such that the gain of intrinsically sensitive neurons is attenuated divisively in response to current noise, while the gain of insensitive neurons is facilitated multiplicatively by injection of current noise- effectively normalizing the output of the dLGN as a whole. In contrast, when the cortical feedback network was activated, only multiplicative gain changes were observed. These network activation-dependent changes were associated with reductions in the slow afterhyperpolarization (sAHP), and were mediated at least in part, by T-type calcium channels. Together, this suggests that TC neurons have the machinery necessary to compute multiple output solutions to a given set of stimuli depending on the current level of network stimulation.     

Biochemical characterization of an E. coli cell division factor FtsE shows ATPase cycles similar to the NBDs of ABC-transporters

The peptidoglycan (PG) layer is an intricate and dynamic component of the bacterial cell wall, which requires a constant balance between its synthesis and hydrolysis. FtsEX complex present on the inner membrane is shown to transduce signals to induce PG hydrolysis. FtsE has sequence similarity with the nucleotide-binding domains (NBDs) of ABC transporters. The NBDs in most of the ABC transporters couple ATP hydrolysis to transport molecules inside or outside the cell. Also, this reaction cycle is driven by the dimerization of NBDs. Though extensive studies have been carried out on the Escherchia coli FtsEX complex, it remains elusive regarding how FtsEX complex helps in signal transduction or transportation of molecules. Also, very little is known about the biochemical properties and ATPase activities of FtsE. Because of its strong interaction with the membrane-bound protein FtsX, FtsE stays insoluble upon overexpression in E. coli, and thus, most studies on E. coli FtsE (FtsE_Ec) in the past have used refolded FtsE. Here in the present paper, for the first time, we report the soluble expression, purification, and biochemical characterization of FtsE from E. coli. The purified soluble FtsE exhibits high thermal stability, exhibits ATPase activity and has more than one ATP-binding site. We have also demonstrated a direct interaction between FtsE and the cytoplasmic loop of FtsX. Together, our findings suggest that during bacterial division, the ATPase cycle of FtsE and its interaction with the FtsX cytoplasmic loop may help to regulate the PG hydrolysis at the mid cell.