Non-genetic inheritance, fertility and assisted reproductive technologies

The concept of non-genetic inheritance is gaining considerable attention in the assisted reproductive technology (ART) community due to the reported differences between children born from ART and those that are conceived naturally. It has been demonstrated that children conceived via ART have differences in fetal growth, birth weight, congenital abnormalities, cardiometabolic parameters, glucose homeostasis as well as changes to body composition compared to children conceived naturally. Although these changes may have a parental contribution and may be influenced by the pathology of infertility there is concern that the technologies themselves may play a role. In support of this, is emerging evidence that aspects of ART technology such as culture media formulation and insemination method can alter offspring phenotype. In addition it is also documented that exposure to environmental factors, such as toxins can impact on offspring gametogenesis such that these perturbations persist through generations. With the increasing use of ART and the development of new technologies it is vital that we understand whether ART can effect non-genetic inheritance so that we can optimise technology and prevent abnormal programming and its impact on all aspects of offspring health including fertility and a possible transmission to subsequent generations.Deirdre Zander-Fox, Nicole O McPherson, Michelle Lan

Martian soft lander insulation study Final report

Martian soft lander insulation stud

Preparados contra la bronquitis verminosa. Posibilidades para la producción de productos recombinantes (Artículo teórico)

A vaccine made of irradiated larvae to eradicate Dictyocaulus viviparus causing bovine verminous bronchitis was discussed. This theoretical assay states the main disadvantages of the vaccine, among them its short life span and the possibility of being a cause for the disease due to still active larvae. Recent studies on the parasite are presented which, together with genetic engineering and biotechnology last findings, could result in a recombinant vaccined bases on this nematode excretion-secretion products.Se analiza una vacuna de larvas irradiadas para combatir Dictyocaulus viviparus, que ocasiona la bronquitis verminosa bovina. En este estudio teórico se exponen los principales inconvenientes de dicha vacuna, entre ellos su corta vida útil, y la posibilidad de que provoque la enfermedad, por larvas que no estén realmente atenuadas. Se exponen estudios recientes del parásito, los que, unidos a los últimos avances de la ingeniería genética y la biotecnología, pudieran dar lugar a una vacuna recombinante basada en los productos de excreción-secreción del nematodo

Localization of the gene encoding R[kappa]B (NFRKB), a tissue-specific DNA binding protein, to chromosome 11q24-q25

Although NF (nuclear factor)-[kappa]B binds in vitro to several of the [kappa]B regulatory elements found in cellular and viral genes, another DNA binding protein, R[kappa]B, also binds to a related variant of the [kappa]B site that regulates interleukin-2 receptor [alpha]-chain gene expression, a critical event in T cell activation. Southern blot analysis of a human-mouse somatic cell hybrid panel and in situ hybridization using a fluorescent genomic R[kappa]B probe have allowed assignment of the R[kappa]B gene (NFRKB) to 11q24-q25. The NFRKB locus is in close proximity to the chromosomal breakpoint implicated in Ewing sarcoma, but it does not appear to span this region. Nonetheless, NFRKB may be particularly useful as the most telomeric marker thus far assigned to 11q.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/29810/1/0000156.pd

Activation of p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Promotes Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Internalization

Endocytic trafficking plays an important role in the regulation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). To address if cellular kinases regulate EGFR internalization, we used anisomycin, a potent activator of kinase cascades in mammalian cells, especially the stress-activated mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase subtypes. Here, we report that activation of p38 MAP kinase by anisomycin is sufficient to induce internalization of EGFR. Anisomycin and EGF employ different mechanisms to promote EGFR endocytosis as anisomycin-induced internalization does not require tyrosine kinase activity or ubiquitination of the receptor. In addition, anisomycin treatment did not result in delivery and degradation of EGFR at lysosomes. Incubation with a specific inhibitor of p38, or depletion of endogenous p38 by small interfering RNAs, abolished anisomycin-induced internalization of EGFR while having no effect on transferrin endocytosis, indicating that the effect of p38 activation on EGFR endocytosis is specific. Interestingly, inhibition of p38 activation also abolished endocytosis of EGFR induced by UV radiation. Our results reveal a novel role for p38 in the regulation of EGFR endocytosis and suggest that stimulation of EGFR internalization by p38 might represent a general mechanism to prevent generation of proliferative or anti-apoptotic signals under stress conditions

Serotonin transporter (SERT) and translocator protein (TSPO) expression in the obese ob/ob mouse

Background: An ever growing body of evidences is emerging concerning metabolism hormones, neurotransmitters or stress-related biomarkers as effective modulators of eating behavior and body weight in mammals. The present study sought at examining the density and affinity of two proteins related to neurotransmission and cell metabolism, the serotonin transporter SERT and the cholesterol import-benzodiazepine site TSPO (translocator protein), in a rodent leptin-lacking mutant, the obese ob/ob mouse. Binding studies were thus carried out in brain or peripheral tissues, blood platelets (SERT) and kidneys (TSPO), of ob/ob and WT mice supplied with a standard diet, using the selective radiochemical ligands [(3)H]-paroxetine and [(3)H]-PK11195. Results: We observed comparable SERT number or affinity in brain and platelets of ob/ob and WT mice, whilst a significantly higher [(3)H]-PK11195 density was reported in the brain of ob/ob animals. TSPO binding parameters were similar in the kidneys of all tested mice. By [(3)H]-PK11195 autoradiography of coronal hypothalamic-hippocampal sections, an increased TSPO signal was detected in the dentate gyrus (hippocampus) and choroids plexus of ob/ob mice, without appreciable changes in the cortex or hypothalamic-thalamic regions. Conclusions: These findings show that TSPO expression is up-regulated in cerebral regions of ob/ob leptin-deficient mice, suggesting a role of the translocator protein in leptin-dependent CNS trophism and metabolism. Unchanged SERT in mutant mice is discussed herein in the context of previous literature as the forerunner to a deeper biochemical investigation

Search for charginos in e+e- interactions at sqrt(s) = 189 GeV

An update of the searches for charginos and gravitinos is presented, based on a data sample corresponding to the 158 pb^{-1} recorded by the DELPHI detector in 1998, at a centre-of-mass energy of 189 GeV. No evidence for a signal was found. The lower mass limits are 4-5 GeV/c^2 higher than those obtained at a centre-of-mass energy of 183 GeV. The (\mu,M_2) MSSM domain excluded by combining the chargino searches with neutralino searches at the Z resonance implies a limit on the mass of the lightest neutralino which, for a heavy sneutrino, is constrained to be above 31.0 GeV/c^2 for tan(beta) \geq 1.Comment: 22 pages, 8 figure

Hadronization properties of b quarks compared to light quarks in e+e- -> q qbar from 183 to 200 GeV

The DELPHI detector at LEP has collected 54 pb^{-1} of data at a centre-of-mass energy around 183 GeV during 1997, 158 pb^{-1} around 189 GeV during 1998, and 187 pb^{-1} between 192 and 200 GeV during 1999. These data were used to measure the average charged particle multiplicity in e+e- -> b bbar events, _{bb}, and the difference delta_{bl} between _{bb} and the multiplicity, _{ll}, in generic light quark (u,d,s) events: delta_{bl}(183 GeV) = 4.55 +/- 1.31 (stat) +/- 0.73 (syst) delta_{bl}(189 GeV) = 4.43 +/- 0.85 (stat) +/- 0.61 (syst) delta_{bl}(200 GeV) = 3.39 +/- 0.89 (stat) +/- 1.01 (syst). This result is consistent with QCD predictions, while it is inconsistent with calculations assuming that the multiplicity accompanying the decay of a heavy quark is independent of the mass of the quark itself.Comment: 13 pages, 2 figure