Genetic analysis and cAMP measurement: comparison between lean and obese anovulating mice

PURPOSE: To evaluate genes differentially expressed in ovaries from lean (wild type) and obese (ob/ob) female mice and cyclic AMP production in both groups.METHODS: The expression on messenger RNA levels of 84 genes concerning obesity was analyzed through the PCR array, and cyclic AMP was quantified by the enzyme immunoassay method.RESULTS: The most downregulated genes in the Obesity Group included adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide type 1, somatostatin, apolipoprotein A4, pancreatic colipase, and interleukin-1 beta. The mean decrease in expression levels of these genes was around 96, 40, 9, 4.2 and 3.6-fold, respectively. On the other hand, the most upregulated genes in the Obesity Group were receptor (calcitonin) activity-modifying protein 3, peroxisome proliferator activated receptor alpha, calcitonin receptor, and corticotropin-releasing hormone receptor 1. The increase means in the expression levels of such genes were 2.3, 2.7, 4.8 and 6.3-fold, respectively. The ovarian cyclic AMP production was significantly higher in ob/ob female mice (2,229±52 fMol) compared to the Control Group (1,814±45 fMol).CONCLUSIONS: Obese and anovulatory female mice have reduced reproductive hormone levels and altered ovogenesis. Several genes have their expression levels altered when leptin is absent, especially adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide type 1.

Involvement of hippocampal AMPA glutamate receptor changes and the cAMP/protein kinase A/CREB-P signalling pathway in memory consolidation of an avoidance task in rats

Training in step-down inhibitory avoidance (0.3-mA footshock) is followed by biochemical changes in rat hippocampus that strongly suggest an involvement of quantitative changes in glutamate AMPA receptors, followed by changes in the dopamine D1 receptor/cAMP/protein kinase A (PKA)/CREB-P signalling pathway in memory consolidation. AMPA binding to its receptor and levels of the AMPA receptor-specific subunit GluR1 increase in the hippocampus within the first 3 h after training (20-70%). Binding of the specific D1 receptor ligand, SCH23390, and cAMP levels increase within 3 or 6 h after training (30-100%). PKA activity and CREB-P levels show two peaks: a 35-40% increase 0 h after training, and a second increase 3-6 h later (35-60%). The results correlate with pharmacological findings showing an early post-training involvement of AMPA receptors, and a late involvement of the D1/cAMP/PKA/CREB-P pathway in memory consolidation of this task

Agents that affect cAMP levels or protein kinase A activity modulate memory consolidation when injected into rat hippocampus but not amygdala

Male Wistar rats were trained in one-trial step-down inhibitory avoidance using a 0.4-mA footshock. At various times after training (0, 1.5, 3, 6 and 9 h for the animals implanted into the CA1 region of the hippocampus; 0 and 3 h for those implanted into the amygdala), these animals received microinfusions of SKF38393 (7.5 µg/side), SCH23390 (0.5 µg/side), norepinephrine (0.3 µg/side), timolol (0.3 µg/side), 8-OH-DPAT (2.5 µg/side), NAN-190 (2.5 µg/side), forskolin (0.5 µg/side), KT5720 (0.5 µg/side) or 8-Br-cAMP (1.25 µg/side). Rats were tested for retention 24 h after training. When given into the hippocampus 0 h post-training, norepinephrine enhanced memory whereas KT5720 was amnestic. When given 1.5 h after training, all treatments were ineffective. When given 3 or 6 h post-training, 8-Br-cAMP, forskolin, SKF38393, norepinephrine and NAN-190 caused memory facilitation, while KT5720, SCH23390, timolol and 8-OH-DPAT caused retrograde amnesia. Again, at 9 h after training, all treatments were ineffective. When given into the amygdala, norepinephrine caused retrograde facilitation at 0 h after training. The other drugs infused into the amygdala did not cause any significant effect. These data suggest that in the hippocampus, but not in the amygdala, a cAMP/protein kinase A pathway is involved in memory consolidation at 3 and 6 h after training, which is regulated by D1, ß, and 5HT1A receptors. This correlates with data on increased post-training cAMP levels and a dual peak of protein kinase A activity and CREB-P levels (at 0 and 3-6 h) in rat hippocampus after training in this task. These results suggest that the hippocampus, but not the amygdala, is involved in long-term storage of step-down inhibitory avoidance in the rat.

Evidence for a modulation of neutral trehalase activity by Ca2+ and cAMP signaling pathways in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Saccharomyces cerevisiae neutral trehalase (encoded by NTH1) is regulated by cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) and by an endogenous modulator protein. A yeast strain with knockouts of CMK1 and CMK2 genes (cmk1cmk2) and its isogenic control (CMK1CMK2) were used to investigate the role of CaM kinase II in the in vitro activation of neutral trehalase during growth on glucose. In the exponential growth phase, cmk1cmk2 cells exhibited basal trehalase activity and an activation ratio by PKA very similar to that found in CMK1CMK2 cells. At diauxie, even though both cells presented comparable basal trehalase activities, cmk1cmk2 cells showed reduced activation by PKA and lower total trehalase activity when compared to CMK1CMK2 cells. To determine if CaM kinase II regulates NTH1 expression or is involved in post-translational modulation of neutral trehalase activity, NTH1 promoter activity was evaluated using an NTH1-lacZ reporter gene. Similar ß-galactosidase activities were found for CMK1CMK2 and cmk1cmk2 cells, ruling out the role of CaM kinase II in NTH1 expression. Thus, CaM kinase II should act in concert with PKA on the activation of the cryptic form of neutral trehalase. A model for trehalase regulation by CaM kinase II is proposed whereby the target protein for Ca2+/CaM-dependent kinase II phosphorylation is not the neutral trehalase itself. The possible identity of this target protein with the recently identified trehalase-associated protein YLR270Wp is discussed.

Retinoic acid and cAMP inhibit rat hepatocellular carcinoma cell proliferation and enhance cell differentiation

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third highest cause of cancer death worldwide. In general, the disease is diagnosed at an advanced stage when potentially curative therapies are no longer feasible. For this reason, it is very important to develop new therapeutic approaches. Retinoic acid (RA) is a natural derivative of vitamin A that regulates important biological processes including cell proliferation and differentiation. In vitro studies have shown that RA is effective in inhibiting growth of HCC cells; however, responsiveness to treatment varies among different HCC cell lines. The objective of the present study was to determine if the combined use of RA (0.1 µM) and cAMP (1 mM), an important second messenger, improves the responsiveness of HCC cells to RA treatment. We evaluated the proliferative behavior of an HCC cell line (HTC) and the expression profile of genes related to cancer signaling pathway (ERK and GSK-3β) and liver differentiation (E-cadherin, connexin 26 (Cx26), and Cx32). RA and cAMP were effective in inhibiting the proliferation of HTC cells independently of combined use. However, when a mixture of RA and cAMP was used, the signals concerning the degree of cell differentiation were increased. As demonstrated by Western blot, the treatment increased E-cadherin, Cx26, Cx32 and Ser9-GSK-3β (inactive form) expression while the expression of Cx43, Tyr216-GSK-3β (active form) and phosphorylated ERK decreased. Furthermore, telomerase activity was inhibited along treatment. Taken together, the results showed that the combined use of RA and cAMP is more effective in inducing differentiation of HTC cells.

Man and the Milieu: Ecocritical analysis of Ernest Hemingway’s “Big Two-Hearted River” and “Indian Camp

Pro Gradu -tutkielmassani tarkastelen Ernest Hemingwayn alun perin vuonna 1925 julkaistuja kahta novellia ”Big Two-Hearted River” ja ”Indian Camp”. Molemmat teokset kuuluvat Nick Adams -tarinoihin, jotka ovat kokoelma novelleja, joissa Hemingway kuvaa Nick Adamsin elämää pojasta mieheksi. Nick Adams on usein tulkittu Hemingwayn alter egoksi ja monet tapahtumat ovatkin suoraa heijastusta Hemingwayn elämästä. Päähenkilön lisäksi monia Nick Adams -tarinoita yhdistää luonnon vahva läsnäolo ja Hemingwayn kuuluisan maalauksellinen miljöön deskriptiivisyys. Käyttämäni ekokriittisen teorian avulla pyrin osoittamaan tutkielmassani, että Nick Adamsin hahmo peilautuu miljöökuvauksessa syventyen dynaamiseksi hahmoksi ja että Hemingwayn luonto- ja ympäristökuvaus peilaa hahmon sisäistä maailmaa hyvinkin läheisesti. Tutkimukseni teoreettinen viitekehys, ekokritiikki, on kirjallisuudentutkimuksen suuntaus, joka tutkii ihmisen ja fyysisen ympäristön suhdetta toisiinsa. Lisäksi hyödynnän tutkielmassani dikotomioita, joiden avulla tarkastelen ja analysoin novelleista nousevia aiheita. Esimerkiksi seuraavat dikotomiat ovat keskeisiä molemmissa novelleissa: kulttuuri vs. luonto, pastoraali vs. erämaa, matka vs. oleskelu, keho vs. mieli, vesi vs. maa, tuli tai valo vs. vesi ja elämä vs. kuolema.

Le discours de crise: La représentation des réfugiés dans le Figaro et Libération

Under september månad 2015 gav sökordet ”kris” dagligen upphov till ett trettiotal träffar i sökmotorn till Frankrikes största dagstidningar. Dagspressen överflödas av kriser och i skrivande stund är den mest omtalade krisen de flyktingströmmar som når Europa som resultat efter flera års krig i Mellanöstern. Pro gradu-avhandlingen studerar flyktingkrisen som en diskursiv händelse, en social konstruktion av en företeelse som tar de aktuella personerna och deras åsikter i beaktande. Avhandlingen är uppbyggd som en linje som inleds med mediestrategier och går till iscensättandet av nyheten, för att sedan analysera de olika åsikterna och personerna som ger upphov till lingvistisk polyfoni och mångtydighet. Syftet med avhandlingen är att studera hur medierna påverkar vår förståelse av en kris. För att få en dynamisk bild av bevakningen av flyktingkrisen studeras rubriker till ett hundratal titlar som publicerats i september 2015 av två stora franska dagstidningar: Le Figaro och Libération. Tidningarnas motsatta politiska orientering står som grund för en heltäckande och varierande genomläsning av medieuppmärksamheten kring flyktingkrisen. Som metod utförs en diskursanalys på materialet för att få reda på hur de båda tidningarna framställer krisen. Skillnader och likheter studeras, såväl som förekommande teman och en karakteristisk vokabulär i anknytning till krisen. Hypotesen är att flyktingarnas egna åsikter kommer i skymundan i medierna. Som resultat har jag noterat element i krisen som tidigare framställts som viktiga ur lingvistisk synvinkel på krisdiskurs av lingvisten Marie Veniard. Utöver det observeras några kompletterande betydelsekomponenter som står i förbindelse med flyktingkrisens komplexa natur. Ett speciellt mönster för att framställa flyktingarna har visat sig vara ofta förekommande i de båda tidningarna. Flyktingarna nämns för att ge rubrikerna ett autentiskt värde men paradoxalt nog möjliggör de även otydlighet i fråga om vem som faktiskt yttrar sig, flyktingarna eller journalisterna?

Avantgarde, karnevalismi ja camp Eric Wareheimin musiikkivideoissa

Tutkielman tavoitteena on analysoida ohjaaja Eric Wareheimin musiikkivideoiden sisältämiä visuaalisia representaatioita ja selvittää, onko niillä ilmaisuna vastakulttuurista potentiaalia. Musiikkivideoiden jakelun ja katsomiskokemuksen siirtymä television kaapelikanavilta internetiin videopalvelimien sivuille viimeisen vuosikymmenen aikana, on muuttanut myös musiikkivideoiden kuvallista sisältöä. Kaapelikanavien ohjelmistopolitiikkaan kuuluva sensuuri ei ole enää ilmaisun esteenä internetissä löydettävien indie-videoiden kohdalla, joihin Wareheimin musiikkivideotuotanto pitkälti paikantuu. Wareheimin videoiden vastakulttuurisen merkityksen avaamiseen käytän tutkimuksessani näkemyksiä avantgardesta, karnevalismista ja camp-estetiikasta. Pyrin näillä poliittiseksi katsomillani näkökulmilla selvittämään lähiluvun kautta Wareheimin videoiden kuvallista voimaa vastakulttuurin muotona suhteuttaen niiden sisältöä aikaisempien vuosikymmenten ja nykyhetken valtavirtamusiikkivideoon. Analyysissani paljastuu, että Wareheimin musiikkivideoissa on uusia kuvallisia sisältöjä aikaisempaan valtavirtamusiikkivideon estetiikkaan nähden. Etnisyys, ruumis ja seksuaalisuus representoidaan videoissa kumouksellisella tavalla shokkihuumoriksi kutsuttavan tyylin kautta. Wareheimin musiikkivideot ottavat kantaa myös sosiaaliseen ja yhteiskunnalliseen järjestykseen rikkoen vaatimuksen valtakulttuurin sanelemasta kulttuurituotteiden sisällöllisestä poliittisesta korrektiudesta. Wareheimin musiikkivideot paljastuvat tutkimuksessani yhdenlaisen, populaarikulttuuriin lukeutuvan, vastakulttuurin visuaaliseksi ilmaisuksi.

Lady Marling, arrivée de réfugiés de Russie à Southampton [22 mai 1920] : [photographie de presse] / [Agence Rol]

Référence bibliographique : Rol, 59428

Arrivée de réfugiés à Southampton, le révérend [F. W. North] et Mme North [22 mai 1920] : [photographie de presse] / [Agence Rol]

Référence bibliographique : Rol, 59429

18/6/20, Satory [Grand prix des chars d'assauts ou Grand steeple des tanks au camp militaire de Satory, Versailles] : [photographie de presse] / [Agence Rol]

Référence bibliographique : Rol, 59741

Camp britannique à Constantinople : [photographie de presse] / [Agence Rol]

Référence bibliographique : Rol, 59801

[Lettre de M. le Chevalier de Soupire envoyée du camp de Valence le 2 septembre 1755]

Ancien possesseur : Argenson, Antoine-René de Voyer (1722-1787 ; marquis de Paulmy d')

La promenade des bourgeois de Paris au camp de Ville-Juifve, en vers burlesques

[Mazarinade. 1649]