Fibroblast Growth Factor (FGF) Soluble Receptor 1 Acts as a Natural Inhibitor of FGF2 Neurotrophic Activity during Retinal Degeneration

Fibroblast growth factors (FGF) 1 and 2 and their tyrosine kinase receptor (FGFR) are present throughout the adult retina. FGFs are potential mitogens, but adult retinal cells are maintained in a nonproliferative state unless the retina is damaged. Our work aims to find a modulator of FGF signaling in normal and pathological retina. We identified and sequenced a truncated FGFR1 form from rat retina generated by the use of selective polyadenylation sites. This 70-kDa form of soluble extracellular FGFR1 (SR1) was distributed mainly localized in the inner nuclear layer of the retina, whereas the full-length FGFR1 form was detected in the retinal Muller glial cells. FGF2 and FGFR1 mRNA levels greatly increased in light-induced retinal degeneration. FGFR1 was detected in the radial fibers of activated retinal Muller glial cells. In contrast, SR1 mRNA synthesis followed a biphasic pattern of down- and up-regulation, and anti-SR1 staining was intense in retinal pigmented epithelial cells. The synthesis of SR1 and FGFR1 specifically and independently regulated in normal and degenerating retina suggests that changes in the proportion of various FGFR forms may control the bioavailability of FGFs and thus their potential as neurotrophic factors. This was demonstrated in vivo during retinal degeneration when recombinant SR1 inhibited the neurotrophic activity of exogenous FGF2 and increased damaging effects of light by inhibiting endogenous FGF. This study highlights the significance of the generation of SR1 in normal and pathological conditions.

Characterization of avian T-cell receptor γ genes

In birds and mammals T cells develop along two discrete pathways characterized by expression of either the αβ or the γδ T-cell antigen receptors (TCRs). To gain further insight into the evolutionary significance of the γδ T-cell lineage, the present studies sought to define the chicken TCRγ locus. A splenic cDNA library was screened with two polymerase chain reaction products obtained from genomic DNA using primers for highly conserved regions of TCR and immunoglobulin genes. This strategy yielded cDNA clones with characteristics of mammalian TCR γ chains, including canonical residues considered important for proper folding and stability. Northern blot analysis with the TCRγ cDNA probe revealed 1.9-kb transcripts in the thymus, spleen, and a γδ T-cell line, but not in B or αβ T-cell lines. Three multimember Vγ subfamilies, three Jγ gene segments, and a single constant region Cγ gene were identified in the avian TCRγ locus. Members of each of the three Vγ subfamilies were found to undergo rearrangement in parallel during the first wave of thymocyte development. TCRγ repertoire diversification was initiated on embryonic day 10 by an apparently random pattern of V-Jγ recombination, nuclease activity, and P- and N-nucleotide additions to generate a diverse repertoire of avian TCRγ genes early in ontogeny.

(Table 1) Rare earth element contents in basalts and glasses of DSDP Legs 45 and 51

Rare-earth element (REE) distributions in altered basalts and glasses collected during some Legs of the Deep Sea Drilling Project show that a fractionation of these elements occurs during submarine weathering. When the alteration is well-marked, the REE distribution in altered glasses shows an enrichment in light rare-earths relative to the fresh glass. In particular, Ce is selectively enriched in palagonitized glasses that comprise, besides polymetallic nodules, another phase liable to explain the Ce depletion in seawater. Taking in account these processes of submarine weathering of the oceanic crust, a geochemical balance of Ce between authigenic phases of the marine environment is attempted.

(Table 1) Major and trace elements analyses from FAMOUS-Project and DSDP Site 54-424

Hydrothermal deposits "sensu stricto" have been recovered during the FAMOUS cruise and Leg 54 of the Deep Sea Drilling Project near the Galapagos Spreading Centre. The studied sediments, mainly composed of clay material, have very poor REE concentrations, below about ten ppm. The shale-normalized patterns are characterized by a significant enrichment in heavy rare earths and show a negative Ce anomaly. The magnitude of this anomaly fluctuates but is generally lower than the seawater Ce anomaly. The geochemical characteristics of these hydrothermal deposits are in contrast with those of metalliferous sediments which are more enriched in trace elements, especially in REE.

Cy commence le livre nom[m]e la discipline damour divine.

"Written by an anonymous Celestine monk in the 1470s at Notre Dame D'Ambert near Orleans ... an interesting example of devotional literature in the vernacular written by the Celestines for women. The complicated story behind this text (which survives in only two manuscripts), however, is even more interesting, since its source is the Miroir des simples âmes (Mirror of Simple Souls) by the mystical writer, Marguerite Porete, who was burnt at the stake as a relapsed heretic in Paris in 1310"--Textmanuscripts.com

Histoire de la prostitution chez tous les peuples du monde depuis l'antiquité la plus reculée jusqu'à nos jours;

For full account cf. "Gay, Bibliog. des ouv. rel. à l'amour." Lille, 1897-1900. v. 2, columns 511-512.

Trois pièces /

Originally for piano.

Vingt mélodies /

For voice and piano; French words.

OEuvres et correspondance inédites de J. J. Rousseau;

Introduction générale.--Projet de constitution pour la Corse: Affaires de la Corse, par M. Musset-Pathay. Correspondance de J. J. Rousseau et de M. de Buttafuoco. Extrait d'une préface deM. G. Moultou. Projet de constitution.--Lettres sur la vertu et le bonheur.--Fiction, ou Morceau allégorique sur la révélation.--Traité élémentaire de sphère.--Fragments des institutions politiques.--Les amour de Claire et de Marcellin.--Le petit Savoyard.--Mon portrait.--Fragment d'un essai sur les langues.--Fragments sur l l'abbé de Saint-Pierre.--Préface d'une seconde lettre projetée à M. Bordes.--Discours proponcé par J.J. Rousseau devant l'auditoire qui s'était rassemblé pour écouter la lecture des Confessions.--Fragment biographique.--Fragment présumé du Discours sur l'origine de l'inégalité parmi les hommes.--Pensées détachées.--Fragments divers.--Lettres inédites.

Soror Marianna, a freira portugueza ...

Facsimiles: Obituary notice of Marianna Alcoforado in the first book of the "Religiosas defuntas do Real convento da Conceição de Beja," and title-page of the "Lettres d'amour d'une religieuse... A Cologne, Chez Pierre du Marteau, 1669."

Teatro /

v. 1.Ó voto. Assunta spina -- v. 2. A "San Francisco", Ó mese mariano. Quand l"Amour meurt. LÁbbé Peru.

Oeuvres choisies /

Contiene: Le prince travesti .- La surprise de l'amour .- Le jeu de l'amour et du hasard .- L'école des mères.

Oeuvres choisies /

Contiene: Le père de famille / Diderot .- L'honnête criminel ; Les deux avares / Fenouillot de Falbaire .- Le jaloux sans amour / Imbert.

Mémoire pour préserver les bêtes a cornes de la maladie épizootique qui regne dans la Généralité de Soissons /

Mode of access: Internet.