Identification of a Carcinoembryonic Antigen Gene Family in the Rat

The existence of a carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA)-like gene family in rat has been demonstrated through isolation and sequencing of the N- terminal domain exons of presumably five discrete genes (rnCGM1-5). This finding will allow for the first time the study of functional and clinical aspects of the tumor marker CEA and related antigens in an animal model. Sequence comparison with the corresponding regions of members of the human CEA gene family revealed a relatively low similarity at the amino acid level, which indicates rapid divergence of the CEA gene family during evolution and explains the lack of cross- reactivity of rat CEA-like antigens with antibodies directed against human CEA. The N-terminal domains of the rat CEA-like proteins show structural similarity to immunoglobulin variable domains, including the presence of hypervariable regions, which points to a possible receptor function of the CEA family members. Although so far only one of the five rat CEA-like genes could be shown to be transcriptionally active, multiple mRNA species derived from other members of the rat CEA-like gene family have been found to be differentially expressed in rat placenta and liver

cDNA and Gene Analyses Imply a Novel Structure for a Rat Carcinoembryonic Antigen-related Protein

The gene encoding the human tumor marker carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) belongs to a gene family which can be subdivided into the CEA and the pregnancy-specific glycoprotein subgroups. The corresponding proteins are members of the immunoglobulin superfamily, characterized through the presence of one IgV-like domain and a varying number of IgC-like domains. Since the function of the CEA family is not well understood, we decided to establish an animal model in the rat to study its tissue- specific and developmental stage-dependent expression. To this end, we have screened an 18-day rat placenta cDNA library with a recently isolated fragment of a rat CEA-related gene. Two overlapping clones containing the complete coding region for a putative 709 amino acid protein (rnCGM1; Mr = 78,310) have been characterized. In contrast to all members of the human CEA family, this rat CEA-related protein consists of five IgV-like domains and only one IgC-like domain. This novel structure, which has been confirmed at the genomic level might have important functional implications. Due to the rapid evolutionary divergence of the rat and human CEA gene families it is not possible to assign rnCGM1 to its human counterpart. However, the predominant expression of the rnCGM1 gene in the placenta suggests that it could be analogous to one of the human pregnancy-specific glycoprotein genes

Spatiotemporal Expression of Pregnancy-Specific Glycoprotein Gene rnCGMl in Rat Placenta

As a basis towards a better understanding of the role of the pregnancy-specific glycoprotein (PSG) family in the maintenance of pregnancy, detailed investigations are described on the expression of a recently identified rat PSG gene (rnCGM1) at the mRNA and protein levels. Using specific oligonucleotide primers, rnCGM1 transcripts were identified after reverse transcription, polymerase chain reaction, and hybridization with a radiolabelled, internal oligonucleotide. Transcripts were only found in significant amounts in placenta. In situ hybridization visualized rnCGM1 transcripts at day 14 post coitum (p.c.), in secondary trophoblast giant cells and in the spongiotrophoblast. Only those secondary giant cells lining the maternal decidua were positive. In contrast, primary giant cells did not contain rnCGM1 mRNA. At day 18 p.c., rnCGM1. transcripts were almost exclusively detectable in the spongiotrophoblast. No rnCGM1 transcripts were found in rat embryos of these two developmental stages. Rabbit antisera were generated against the amino-terminal immunoglobulin variable-like domain and against a synthetic peptide containing the last 13 carboxy-terminal amino acids of rnCGM1. Bothe antisera recognized a 124 kDa protein in day 18 rat placental extracts as identified by Western blot analysis. The anti-peptide antiserum recognized a 116 kDa protein in the serum of a 14 day p.c. pregnant rat that is absent from the sera of non-pregnant females. Taken together, these results confirm exclusive expression of rnCGM1 in the rat trophoblast, but unlike human PSG, negligible or no expression is found in other organs, such as fetal liver or salivary glands, indicating a more specialized function of rnCGM1. Its spatiotemporal expression pattern is conducive with a potential role of PSG in protecting the fetus against the maternal immune system and/or in regulating the invasive growth of trophoblast cells

Ultrasonic Degradation of Polystyrene for Tailoring Molecular Weight and Polydispersity of Polystyrene Fragments

Ultrasonic degradation of polymers attracts more and more attention in the field of chemical recycling of polymers due to the promising opportunity to tailor molecular weight and polydispersity of the gained polymer fragments. In this work, the influence of solvent, gas atmosphere, and ultrasound amplitude on the ultrasonic degradation process of polystyrene is investigated. Therefore, an experimental procedure to perform ultrasonic degradation of polystyrene under homogeneous temperature conditions in the solvents cyclohexane and toluene under the gas atmospheres CO$_{2}$ and N$_{2}$ for different ultrasonic amplitudes was designed. It could be shown that a significant effect on the molecular weight and polydispersity of the polymer could only be revealed for N$_{2}$ and not for CO$_{2}$ atmosphere

Ins Freie: Praktiken des Öffnens in Kunst und Philosophie

»Ins Freie« entwirft Grundzüge einer philosophischen Ästhetik vor dem Hintergrund künstlerischer Praxis. Brennpunkt ist dabei ein Vergleich von künstlerischen und philosophischen Tätigkeiten, die als »Praktiken des Öffnens« beschrieben werden. Der Redesinn dieser Formulierung speist sich aus zwei Quellen. Zum einen spricht Theodor W. Adorno in seiner Negativen Dialektik vom Ziel, dem »Telos der Philosophie« als »das Offene und Ungedeckte«. In einer solchen Ausrichtung entzieht Denken sich unaufhörlich einem abschließenden Urteil und hinterfragt beständig die bestehenden Verhältnisse. Zum anderen wurde die Formulierung »Öffnen« von Untersuchungen inspiriert, die im Kontext von Performance-Kunst unternommen werden. Dort unterbrechen Experimentelle Live-Interventionen Handlungsmuster und Wahrnehmungserwartungen und produzieren Unvorhersehbarkeiten im Kommunikationsverlauf mit einem Publikum. Die Erfahrung solcher Impulse kann dazu motivieren, bestehende Identifikationen plötzlich in Zweifel zu ziehen. Sie kann bestehende Wahrnehmungs- und Denk-Gewohnheiten für eine andere Selbst- und Weltwahrnehmung öffnen. Woran kann man einen Öffnungs-vorgang erkennen? Im Kontext dieser Frage formuliert sich die Ausgangslage und der Grundgedanke der vorliegenden Arbeit: Zeitgenössische Kunst bildet nicht einfach ab, sondern hat sich in gewisser Weise darauf spezialisiert, gewohnte Wahrnehmungs- und Denkmuster zu unterbrechen. Der heutige Künstler scheint ein »Spezialist für Ent-selbstverständlichung« zu sein. In dieser Perspektivierung stellt sich »Ins Freie« der Herausforderung, die künstlerische Reflexion von verlaufsoffenen Prozessen beschreibbar zu machen. Die zugrunde liegenden systematischen Fragen lauten • Sind Philosophie und Kunst in ihren Tätigkeiten vergleichbar? • In welchen Medien bewegen sie sich? • Was heißt Reflexion in dem einen wie dem anderen Fall? • Gibt es in der Philosophie etwas einem »verlaufsoffenen Prozess« vergleichbares? • Welche Positionen von »Künstler und Philosoph« bieten sich im Hinblick auf einen Dialog an und warum? • Ist es überhaupt möglich, verlaufsoffene Prozesse im Zusammenhang künstlerischer und philosophischer Tätigkeiten zu beschreiben und welche Aspekte können dabei als Koordinaten dienen? Ausgehend von der anfänglichen Beobachtung, dass Kunst im musealen Kontext von einer zunehmenden Flut von kommentierenden Texten begleitet wird, entwickelt die vorliegende Arbeit einen philosophischen Vergleich von Werken des amerikanischen Künstlers Richard Serra mit Werken des französischen Philosophen Maurice Merleau-Ponty und exemplifiziert dabei die Annahme, dass man künstlerisch reflektieren kann, ohne einem Kunstwerk eine Aussage zu unterstellen

The future of trans-Atlantic collaboration in modelling and simulation of Cyber-Physical Systems - A strategic research agenda for collaboration

Smart systems, in which sophisticated software/hardware is embedded in physical systems, are part of everyday life. From simple products with embedded decision-making software, to massive systems in which hundreds of systems, each with hundreds or thousands of embedded processors, interoperate the use of Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) will continue to expand. There has been substantial investment in CPS research in Europe and the United States. Through a series of workshops and other events, the TAMS4CPS project has established that there is mutual benefit in the European Union and US collaborating on CPS research. An agenda for collaborative research into modelling and simulation for CPS is thus set forth in the publication at hand. The agenda includes models for many different purposes, including fundamental concepts, design models (e.g. architectures), predictive techniques, real-time control, human-CPS interaction, and CPS governance. Within this framework, seven important themes have been identified where mutual benefits can be realised by EU-US cooperation. To actively advance research and innovation in these fields, a number of collaboration mechanisms is presented and concrete actions to encourage, enhance and implement trans-Atlantic collaboration in modelling and simulation of CPS are recommended

Diel differences in catches of Western Baltic Spring Spawning Herring Larvae (Clupea harengus)

Comparative night and day catches of herring larvae were taken during the Rügen-Herring-Larval-Survey (RHLS) in 2007 and 2008 in the Greifswalder Bodden which is the main spawning area of the Western Baltic Spring Spawning Herring. The quantities and the size composition of larvae caught during night and day were examined. During night more larvae were caught compared to the samples taken at daytime, especially with larvae larger than 25 mm. This indicates avoidance reactions, which increase with the developmental stage of the larvae. The differences of the night and day catches are relatively constant until a length of about 25 mm, thus the night/day effect does not influence estimations concerning larvae smaller than 25 mm (e.g. N20 index). There might be an impact on estimations for larger larvae due to the night/day effect. For further research other aspects like cloud coverage at night, phase of the moon, underwater visibility and turbidity should be taken into account. These aspects might influence the avoidance reactions

Cloning of a Carcinoembryonic Antigen Gene Family Member Expressed in Leukocytes of Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Patients and Bone Marrow

The carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) gene family belongs to the immunoglobulin superfamily and can be subdivided into the CEA and pregnancy-specific glycoprotein subgroups. The basic structure of the encoded proteins consists of, in addition to a leader, one IgV-like and 2, 3, or 6 IgC-like domains. These domains are followed by varying COOH-terminal regions responsible for secretion, transmembrane anchoring, or insertion into the membrane by a glycosyl phosphatidylinositol tail. Here we report on the characterization of CGM6, a new member of the CEA gene subgroup, by complementary DNA cloning. The deduced coding region comprises 349 amino acids and consists of a leader, one IgV-like, two IgC-like domains, and a hydrophobic region, which is replaced by a glycosyl phosphatidylinositol moiety in the mature protein. CGM6 transcripts were only found thus far in leukocytes of chronic myeloid leukemia patients, in normal bone marrow, and in marginal amounts in normal granulocytes. The CGM6 gene product might, therefore, represent a myeloid marker. Analyses of CGM6 protein-expressing HeLa transfectants with monoclonal antibodies strongly indicate that the CGM6 gene codes for the CEA family member NCA-95

Puerperal symphysis fundus distance: normal values

Aim: To measure puerperal symphysis fundus distance (SFD) by two manual methods and to calculate individual normal values. Study design: Prospective cohort study including women after single pregnancy without special problems in uterine involution. Methods: SFD was daily measured on the 1st-5th postpartum days by counting the number of midwife's fingers put horizontally on the mother's abdomen and by a paper tape, respectively. Linear mixed model analysis was performed to determine SFD normal values. Results: Independent variables determining the SFD on different days after delivery were the gestational age and the delivery mode (finger method) and the maternal age, body mass index (BMI), delivery mode and birth weight (tape method). Individual normal values were calculated by regression equation including the coefficients for the independent variables. Conclusion: Puerperal SFD values measured by tape have more independent variables than those measured by fingers and reflect better the actual situation of the patient. It should be verified whether values deviating from normal values of tape measurements may prevent postpartum complication