Old Testament quotations within the context of Stephen's speech in Acts

The aim of this study is to contribute to ongoing studies on the Acts of the Apostles, particularly in the area of the manner in which the NT writer quotes and interprets the OT. Many scholars have studied the use of the OT in the NT, though few have investigated the explicit quotations in Acts. The discussion confines itself to an examination of the nine explicit quotations in Stephen’s speech of Acts 7 which are identified with introductory formulae, i.e.: (7:3 from Gn 12:1; 7:6-7 from Gn 15:13-14; 7:27-28 from Ex 2:14; 7:33-34 from Ex 3:5, 7-8, 10; 7:35 from Ex 2:14; 7:37 from Dt 18:15; 7:40 from Ex 32:1, 23; 7:42-43 from Am 5:25-27; and 7:49-50 from Is 66:1-2). The study first seeks to situate the quoted texts in their original context, after which attention is paid to their appearance in Stephen’s discourse in Acts. Specific attention is given to the question of the presence of a possible independent Lukan Textvorlage which might underlie these quotations. To this end, firstly an overview of the differences between the pertinent OT textual traditions (e.g., MT, LXX, etc), and the NT is provided. This clearly establishes the nature of the changes and modifications present in Luke’s reading of his original material. Secondly and finally, the discussion seeks to provide an assessment of Luke’s theological and hermeneutical framework, reflected within the OT quotations of Stephen’s defense. Through the method referred to above, best depicted as consisting of text-historical, methodological and hermeneutical aspects (Steyn 1995:31-37), this study makes the following observations: Firstly, most of the explicit quotations in Ac 7 are not found anywhere else in the NT, except for the book of Acts. Only the 8th quotation from Am 5:25-27 in Ac 7:42-43 occurs in CD 7:14-15, but the quotation from CD differs from the meaning of the original context. It seems clear that these quotations are attributable to Luke himself via his LXX version - although it is possible that Luke might have used either the LXX or the MT in a few places. Secondly, when Luke relates the quoted texts from his LXX version of the OT to his new hearers, most of the changes that Luke made are likely to be expected within the change in context between that of Luke and the original source of the quotation. That is, the grammatical and stylistic changes were made by Luke, although the possibility of the changes being due to his Vorlage, should not altogether be excluded. Luke’s cautious theological and hermeneutical intention is also to be detected in Stephen’s speech. However, it is true that the original meaning is not significantly altered by these changes. At last, it may be assumed that Luke is the author of the changes to these quotations. Thirdly and finally, Luke’s theological intentions for applying the quotations are revealed as follows: God as the subject of the history has been constantly at work for his people. However, his people repetitively reject God’s servants and go against God’s words given through them. The climax of this pattern is found in the killing of Jesus and Stephen (Ac 7:52, 60). Nonetheless, God continues to be working to accomplish his salvific plan for his people, regardless of the hostile attitude of the Israelites toward God himself as well as his messengers. At last, it results in his salvific activity (endless love) ‘to the ends of the earth’ (Ac 1:8), viz., even to the Gentiles through his numerous witnesses again. This study comprises of seven chapters according to the flow of the narrative, which are designed as follows: the Abraham Story (chapter 2); the Joseph Story (chapter 3); the Moses Story (chapter 4); the Temple (chapter 5); Stephen’s Indictment (chapter 6). In addition, chapter 1 presents the introduction, and chapter 7 describes the synthesis and conclusion.Thesis (PhD (New Testament Studies))--University of Pretoria, 2007.New Testament StudiesPhDunrestricte

Who Are Fashion Brand Fans? An Investigation of Antecedents and Outcomes of Brand Commitment

Strong emotional bonds between consumers and brands lead consumers to be involved, committed, and dedicated to brands (Fournier, 1998). These involved and committed consumers exhibit an intense level of loyalty behavior that remains regardless of the brand’s performance and/or situational influences (Oliver, 1999). Thus, manufacturers and retailers that provide consumers with self-reflective branded products (e.g., apparel, accessories) that enable consumers to develop affective bonds may garner more emotional loyalty than retailers and manufacturers that provide branded commodities (e.g., gasoline, bleach)

Activation of CD147 with Cyclophilin A Induces the Expression of IFITM1 through ERK and PI3K in THP-1 Cells

CD147, as a receptor for Cyclophilins, is a multifunctional transmembrane glycoprotein. In order to identify genes that are induced by activation of CD147, THP-1 cells were stimulated with Cyclophilin A and differentially expressed genes were detected using PCR-based analysis. Interferon-induced transmembrane 1 (IFITM1) was detected to be induced and it was confirmed by RT-PCR and Western blot analysis. CD147-induced expression of IFITM1 was blocked by inhibitors of ERK, PI3K, or NF-κB, but not by inhibitors of p38, JNK, or PKC. IFITM1 appears to mediate inflammatory activation of THP-1 cells since cross-linking of IFITM1 with specific monoclonal antibody against it induced the expression of proinflammatory mediators such as IL-8 and MMP-9. These data indicate that IFITM1 is one of the pro-inflammatory mediators that are induced by signaling initiated by the activation of CD147 in macrophages and activation of ERK, PI3K, and NF-κB is required for the expression of IFITM1

Effects on Growth and Osteogenic Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells by the Zinc-Added Sol-Gel Bioactive Glass Granules

Responses of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) cultured with zinc-added (2 and 5%) bioactive glass granules were evaluated in terms of cell growth and osteogenic differentiation. MSCs were cultured with different quantities (3, 10 and 30) of glass granules for up to 21 days in the osteogenic medium. Cell growth was stimulated by a small quantity of glasses, particularly those that contained zinc. Osteogenic differentiation, as assessed by alkaline phosphatase activity (ALP) activity, was significantly enhanced by the glasses, particularly with large quantities of glass and for prolonged culturing. Expression of bone-sialo protein (BSP) was significantly up-regulated around the bioactive glass granules. Moreover, the zinc addition significantly altered the ALP and BSP depending on the culture time and glass quantity. Cellular mineralization was improved in all glass samples, and particularly in the 2% zinc-glass. Taken together, the zinc addition to bioactive glass induced the MSCs growth and their osteogenic differentiation, at least to the level of zinc-free glass, and with even higher level observed depending on the quantity and culture time. These findings indicate that the zinc addition to bioactive glass may be useful in development of biomaterials for the stimulation of adult stem cell in bone tissue engineering

Hu.4-1BB-Fc fusion protein inhibits allergic inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness in a murine model of asthma

Purpose4-1BB (CD 137) is a costimulatory molecule expressed on activated T-cells. Repression by 4-1BB is thought to attenuate Th2-mediated allergic reactions. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of 4-1BB on allergic airway inflammation in a murine asthma model.MethodsBALB/c mice were sensitized to and challenged with ovalbumin (OVA). Hu.4-1BB-Fc was administered 1 day before the first OVA sensitization or 1 day after the second OVA sensitization. Following antigen challenge, airway responsiveness to methacholine was assessed and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid was analyzed. Total immunoglobulin (Ig) E, OVA-specific IgE, IgG1, and IgG2a levels in sera were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Lung pathology was also evaluated.ResultsIn mice treated with Hu.4-1BB-Fc before the first OVA sensitization, there was a marked decrease in airway hyperresponsiveness, total cell count, and eosinophil count in the BAL fluid. In addition, Hu.4-1BB-Fc treatment decreased serum OVA-specific IgG1 levels and increased serum IgG2a level significantly compared with the corresponding levels in mice sensitized to and challenged with OVA. Hu.4-1BB-Fc-treated mice also showed suppressed peribronchial and perivascular inflammatory cell infiltration. In contrast, treatment with Hu.4-1BB-Fc 1 day after sensitization had no effect on airway hyperresponsiveness and showed less suppression of inflammation in lung tissue.ConclusionAdministration of Hu.4-1BB-Fc can attenuate airway inflammation and hyperreactivity in a mouse model of allergic airway inflammation. In addition, administration before sensitization may be more effective. These findings suggest that 4-1BB may be a useful therapeutic molecule against asthma

Production of α-Bisabolol from metabolically engineered Escherichia coli

α-Bisabolol is a natural-occurring sesquiterpenoid with applications in cosmetics as whitening and soothing agent. It is synthesized from the universal precursors, isopentenyl pyrophosphate (IPP) and dimethylallyl pyrophosphate (DMAPP), which are generated either through the mevalonate (MVA) pathway or the 2C-methyl-D-erythritol-4-phosphate (MEP) pathway. Farnesyl pyrophosphate (FPP) synthase (IspA) then catalyzes the condensation of IPP and DMAPP to the linear FPP, which is rearranged and cyclized to α-bisabolol by bisabolol synthases. Here, we compared the capacity of 5 α-bisabolol synthases from Lippia dulcis, Streptomyces citricolor, Santalum spicatum, Matricaria recutita, and Artemisia annua for α-bisabolol production. MVA pathway and FPP synthase were also overexpressed to supply sufficient FPP for bisabolol synthesis in the recombinant E. coli. Bisabolol synthase from M. recutita (MrBBS) shows the highest activity of bisabolol synthesis, and 75 mg/L/OD600 of bisabolol was produced in a test-tube culture. We further optimized the expression level of IspA and MrBBS by modulation their RBS strength. The 24 bisabolol synthesis operons with different RBSs were assessed for their performance on bisabolol synthesis. By this approach, the best strain is able to produce bisabolol with a capacity of 220mg/L/OD600 in a test tube culture. The consequence of host strain optimization led to an increase in bisabolol production to 300 mg/L/OD600, which presents a 4-fold increase over the initial engineered strain. This work was supported by a grant (NRF-2016R1A2B2010678) from the National Research Foundation, MSIP, Korea