Contrasting histories of avian and mammalian Mhc genes revealed by class II B sequences from songbirds.

To explore the evolutionary dynamics of genes in the major histocompatibility complex (Mhc) in nonmammalian vertebrates, we have amplified complete sequences of the polymorphic second (beta1) and third (beta2) exons of class II beta chain genes of songbirds. The pattern of nucleotide substitution in the antigen-binding site of sequences cloned from three behaviorally and phylogenetically divergent songbirds [scrub jays Aphelocoma coerulescens), red-winged blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus), and house finches (Carpodacus mexicanus) reveals that class II B genes of songbirds are subject to the same types of diversifying forces as those observed at mammalian class II loci. By contrast, the tree of avian class II B genes reveals that orthologous relationships have not been retained as in placental mammals and that, unlike class II genes in mammals, genes in songbirds and chickens have had very recent common ancestors within their respective groups. Thus, whereas the selective forces diversifying class II B genes of birds are likely similar to those in mammals, their long-term evolutionary dynamics appear to be characterized by much higher rates of concerted evolution.

Restricted and conserved T-cell repertoires involved in allorecognition of class II major histocompatibility complex.

The nature of the alloreactive T-cell response is not yet clearly understood. These strong cellular responses are thought to be the basis of allograft rejection and graft-vs.-host disease. The question of the extent of responding T-cell repertoires has so far been addressed by cellular cloning, often combined with molecular T-cell receptor (TCR) analysis. Here we present a broad repertoire analysis of primed responder cells from mixed lymphocyte cultures in which two different DR1/3 responders were stimulated with DR3/4 cells. Repertoire analysis was performed by TCR spectratyping, a method by which T cells are analyzed on the basis of the complementarity-determining region 3 length of different variable region (V) families. Strikingly, both responders showed very similar repertoires when the TCR V beta was used as a lineage marker. This was not seen when TCR V alpha was analyzed. A different pattern of TCR V beta was observed if the stimulating alloantigen was changed. This finding indicates that alloreactive T cells form a specific repertoire for each alloantigen. Since conservation appears to be linked to TCR V beta, the question of different roles of alpha and beta chains in allorecognition is raised.

Selective inhibition of the platelet-derived growth factor signal transduction pathway by a protein-tyrosine kinase inhibitor of the 2-phenylaminopyrimidine class.

The platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) receptor is a member of the transmembrane growth factor receptor protein family with intrinsic protein-tyrosine kinase activity. We describe a potent protein-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (CGP 53716) that shows selectivity for the PDGF receptor in vitro and in the cell. The compound shows selectivity for inhibition of PDGF-mediated events such as PDGF receptor autophosphorylation, cellular tyrosine phosphorylation, and c-fos mRNA induction in response to PDGF stimulation of intact cells. In contrast, ligand-induced autophosphorylation of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor, insulin receptor, and the insulin-like growth factor I receptor, as well as c-fos mRNA expression induced by EGF, fibroblast growth factor, and phorbol ester, was insensitive to inhibition by CGP 53716. In antiproliferative assays, the compound was approximately 30-fold more potent in inhibiting PDGF-mediated growth of v-sis-transformed BALB/c 3T3 cells relative to inhibition of EGF-dependent BALB/Mk cells, interleukin-3-dependent FDC-P1 cells, and the T24 bladder carcinoma line. When tested in vivo using highly tumorigenic v-sis- and human c-sis-transformed BALB/c 3T3 cells, CGP 53716 showed antitumor activity at well-tolerated doses. In contrast, CGP 53716 did not show antitumor activity against xenografts of the A431 tumor, which overexpresses the EGF receptor. These findings suggest that CGP 53716 may have therapeutic potential for the treatment of diseases involving abnormal cellular proliferation induced by PDGF receptor activation.

Brief of Amici Curiae Scholars of the Constitutional Rights of Children in Support of Petitioners in Obergefell v. Hodges

Supreme Court precedent establishes that the government may not punish children for matters beyond their control. Same-sex marriage bans and non-recognition laws (“marriage bans”) do precisely this. The states argue that marriage is good for children, yet marriage bans categorically exclude an entire class of children – children of same-sex couples – from the legal, economic and social benefits of marriage. This amicus brief recounts a powerful body of equal protection jurisprudence that prohibits punishing children to reflect moral disapproval of parental conduct or to incentivize adult behavior. We then explain that marriage bans punish children of same-sex couples because they: 1) foreclose their central legal route to family formation; 2) categorically void their existing legal parent-child relationships incident to out-of-state marriages; 3) deny them economic rights and benefits; and 4) inflict psychological and stigmatic harm. States cannot justify marriage bans as good for children and then exclude children of same-sex couples based on moral disapproval of their same-sex parents’ relationships or to incentivize opposite-sex couples to “procreate” within the bounds of marriage. To do so, severs the connection between legal burdens and individual responsibility and creates a permanent class or caste distinction.

Histoire naturelle des poissons : avec les figures dessinées d'après nature / par Bloch ; ouvrage classé par ordres, genres et espèces, d'après le systeme de Linné ; avec les caractères génériques par René-Richard Castel ...

v.4

Histoire naturelle des poissons : avec les figures dessinées d'après nature / par Bloch ; ouvrage classé par ordres, genres et espèces, d'après le systeme de Linné ; avec les caractères génériques par René-Richard Castel ...

v.5

Histoire naturelle des poissons : avec les figures dessinées d'après nature / par Bloch ; ouvrage classé par ordres, genres et espèces, d'après le systeme de Linné ; avec les caractères génériques par René-Richard Castel ...

v.7

Histoire naturelle des poissons : avec les figures dessinées d'après nature / par Bloch ; ouvrage classé par ordres, genres et espèces, d'après le systeme de Linné ; avec les caractères génériques par René-Richard Castel ...

v.1

Histoire naturelle des poissons : avec les figures dessinées d'après nature / par Bloch ; ouvrage classé par ordres, genres et espèces, d'après le systeme de Linné ; avec les caractères génériques par René-Richard Castel ...

v.6

Histoire naturelle des poissons : avec les figures dessinées d'après nature / par Bloch ; ouvrage classé par ordres, genres et espèces, d'après le systeme de Linné ; avec les caractères génériques par René-Richard Castel ...

v.9

Histoire naturelle des poissons : avec les figures dessinées d'après nature / par Bloch ; ouvrage classé par ordres, genres et espèces, d'après le systeme de Linné ; avec les caractères génériques par René-Richard Castel ...

v.8

Histoire naturelle des poissons : avec les figures dessinées d'après nature / par Bloch ; ouvrage classé par ordres, genres et espèces, d'après le systeme de Linné ; avec les caractères génériques par René-Richard Castel ...

v.10

Histoire naturelle des poissons : avec les figures dessinées d'après nature / par Bloch ; ouvrage classé par ordres, genres et espèces, d'après le systeme de Linné ; avec les caractères génériques par René-Richard Castel ...

v.3

Histoire naturelle des poissons : avec les figures dessinées d'après nature / par Bloch ; ouvrage classé par ordres, genres et espèces, d'après le systeme de Linné ; avec les caractères génériques par René-Richard Castel ...

v.2

The musical times and singing-class circular.

Includes music.