Ritual,the state,and the transformation of emotional discourse in Iranian society

This paper explores the social and cultural organization of Iranian emotional discourse and its transformation in post-revolutionary Iran. First, the Moharram dramas we participated in during field research are described, indicating how these performances organized a prototypical view of the social order, the self, and the passions. Using Kapferer's distinction between transcendental and transformative rituals, we argue that these dramas were traditionally organized as transcendental rites. Second, data on grieving rituals and depressive illness among Iranians is introduced, focusing on the transformative qualities of mourning rites and suggesting an interpretation of depression as a failure of the work of culture. Third, the appropriation of these symbolic forms of society, self, and the emotions by the current Iranian Islamic state and the role of the state in defming the meaning and legitimacy of emotions and their expression is analyzed.     

Allelic divergence in the human insulin gene provides evidence for intragenic recombination events in the non-coding regions: evidence for existence of new alleles

Intragenic polymorphism of the human insulin gene (INS) was investigated in Korean subjects. The 1.9 kb INS sequence, including the 5 to 3 flanking regions, was amplified using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and analyzed by direct sequencing. All nucleotide sequences in the coding regions were the same as INS sequences previously reported, and four nucleotides, at positions +216, +1045, +1367, and +1380 in the non-coding regions, were found to be polymorphic. In addition to the previously identified polymorphic alleles l (A-C-C-C) and 1 (T-G-T-A), new nucleotide arrangements were also identified and designated 4 (A-C-C-A), 5 (A-G-C-C), 6 (A-C-T-C), and 2 (T-C-C-C). It was concluded that the new alleles may originate by intragenic recombination within INS during chromosomal crossing-over between the 1 and 1 alleles. The allele 1 was the predominant form in our sample; the new variant alleles, as well as allele 1, appeared to be much less frequent in INSs genes of the Korean subjects studied. Furthermore, the new alleles were detected only in heterozygous form. These results suggest that intragenic recombination can account for allelic divergence in INS.     

On age morphological changes of males of Chydoridae (Cladocera)

Summary Young and adult males of 11 species of Chydoridae are studied, their figures being published here (fig. 1–15). The necessity is stressed to distinguish young forms of males and gynandromorphic individuals.Pleuroxus balatonicus is considered to be described from the population ofPleuroxus unicatus having under Balaton Lake conditions retarded transformation of young males into adult form, and accordingly having unusually numerous young males. \qO\qs\qn\qo\qv\qn\qy\ye \qr\ye\qz\qu\ql\Qj\qt\qa\qt\qy 11 (. 1–15). . , Pleuroxus uncinatus , Pleuroxus balatonicus.     

A putative donor of S-cytoplasm and its distribution among open-pollinated populations of onion

Summary Cytoplasmic-genic male-sterility systems are used to economically produce hybrid onion seed. Previous studies have indicated that the source of cytoplasmic male sterility discovered in 1925 by Jones (S-cytoplasm) may be an alien cytoplasm. Restriction enzyme analysis of the chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) revealed five polymorphisms between S and normal (N) fertile cytoplasms. S-cytoplasm was different from the Allium species closely related to the bulb onion, and cladistic estimates of phylogenies supported introduction from an unknown species. S-cytoplasm was identical for all polymorphisms in the cpDNA to Pran, a triploid viviparous onion. Pran shares morphological characteristics with Italian Red 13–53, the single plant source of S-cytoplasm. Densiometric scans of autoradiograms revealed that 12 of 31 open-pollinated populations of onion possessed S-cytoplasm and that introgression may have occurred since the discovery of S-cytoplasm.     

Optical quality changes of the ocular lens during induced parr-to-smolt metamorphosis in Rainbow Trout (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Oncorhynchus mykiss</Emphasis>)

The effect of an induced salmonid parr-to-smolt metamorphosis (smoltification) on the optical quality of the ocular lens was studied. In two separate experiments, rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) parr were fed thyroxine in their diet to induce the metamorphosis. Lenses were excised at regular samplings during the treatment period and optically scanned using a custom scanning laser monitor. Radioimmunoassay was used to measure serum titers of thyroxine and 3,5,3-triiodo-L-thyronine. It was found that lens optical quality was consistently negatively correlated with 3,5,3-triiodo-L-thyronine levels, but not with thyroxine levels. To test if thyroid hormones are directly responsible for the change in optical quality, rainbow trout lenses were cultured for 72 h in a medium containing 3,5,3-triiodo-L-thyronine, but no effect was observed. The significance of these findings in the contexts of the fishes visual capabilities and smolting physiology is discussed.     

Marking and monitoring studies of the Kerguelen stock of southern elephant seals Mirounga leonina and their bearing on biological research in the Vestfold Hills

Southern elephant seals Mirounga leonina breed and moult on many subantarctic islands during the austral spring and summer. In the Kerguelen Province the subpopulations of M. leonina at Kerguelen (49°21S, 70°12E), Marion (46°54S, 37°45E) and Possession (46°25S, 51°45E) Islands have declined since 1970 and their present status at Heard Island (53°05S, 73°30E) is unknown. Population studies during their terrestrial phase have failed to explain the declines. Long distance movements of individuals between the subpopulations in question and also the Vestfold Hills, Antarctica (68°35S, 77°58E) have been recorded. The availability of food resources, competition with rapidly increasing fur seal populations and competition with fishing fleets have all been implicated in their decline. These explanations assume that communal feeding grounds are utilized. As they are predators entirely dependent on marine feeding, a study of their spatial and temporal distribution during their pelagic existence is of the utmost importance. Parameters describing growth, reproduction rates, population dynamics, and feeding ecology of the subpopulations in the Kerguelen Province may furthermore serve as indices of change within the marine ecosystem. The presence of a relatively large and predominantly male nonbreeding population of M. leonina at the Vestfold Hills in Antarctica which originates from the Kerguelen/Heard Island group, and which shows annual return, should be included in the marking and monitoring studies of the Kerguelen stock of southern elephant seals. Studies here, including an update of the size and social structure of the Heard island subpopulation, may elucidate the observed decline of, in particular, the adult bull component of the breeding stock.     

Demonstration of ‘cardiac-specific’ myosin heavy chain in masticatory muscles of human and rabbit

Summary Human and rabbit masticatory muscles were analyzed immuno-and enzyme-histochemically using antibodies specific to cardiac , slow and fast myosin heavy chain isoforms. In human masseter, temporalis, and lateral pterygoid muscle cardiac myosin heavy chain is found in fibres that contain either fast, or fast and slow myosin heavy chain. In rabbit masseter, temporalis and digastric muscles, fibres are present that express cardiac myosin heavy chain either exclusively, or concomitantly with slow myosin heavy chain or fast myosin heavy chain. Our results demonstrate a much broader distribution of cardiac myosin heavy chain than hitherto recognized and these might explain in part the specific characteristics of masticatory muscles. The cardiac myosin heavy chain is only found in skeletal muscles originating from the cranial part of the embryo (including the heart muscle) suggesting that its expression might be determined by the developmental history of these muscles.     

Contribution to the knowledge of the enzymatic activity of yeasts of clinical interest

The determination of the enzymatic activity of the yeasts has been applied to the identification of species, specially that ofCandida albicans. In order to know its usefulness in species of clinical interest, we have tested the commercial system API ZYM (Bio Mérieux) on 500 isolated strains of different organic samples, belonging to eight genera and twenty species. All the strains showed positivity to Phosphatase alcaline, Esterase (C4), Esterase lipase (C8), Leucine arylamidase and Phosphatase acid, and negativity to Lipase (C14), Trypsin, Chymotrypsin, -galactosidase, -glucoronidase, -manosidase and -fucosidase. Fourteen enzymatic activity patterns were obtained considering the substrates with variable results for the whole of the strains: Valine arylamidase, Cystine arylamidase, Naphthol-AS-BI-phosphohydrolase, -galactosidase, -glucosidase, -glucosidase and N-acetyl--glucosaminidase. In the majority of the species, the enzymatic profile did not have very specific results since it is usually shared by more than one species.C. albicans is that which presents the greatest number of enzymatic variations, some of these are similar to those of other common clinical species, such asCandida krusei, Candida parapsilosis andCandida tropicalis. This system is proposed as a rapid method for identification and as an epidemiological marker of medically important yeasts.Abbreviations AGL -glucosidase - BGA -galactosidase - BGL -glucosidase - CAA Cystine arylamidase - NAG N.Acetyl--glucosaminidase - PHO Naphthol-AS-BI-phosphohydrolase - VAA Valine arylamidase     

Studies on imperfect fungi I. Impact of component stereo-isomers on the synthesis of oligosaccharides from sucrose by pathogenic fungi

Summary The impact of extraneously furnished D(+)-glucose and D(–)-fructose, on the synthesis of new oligosaccharides from sucrose solution byC. lycopersici andF. semitectum, is presented in the present paper. The results are significant, in that they show, that the behaviour of the organisms is determined by the shell-wrapped molecular memory enshrined in the nucleus of the cell; and the signal of optical rotatory power is interpreted by the operator-structural genes determining the configuration of the enzyme-fructosidase.     

α-and β-Glycosidases in maize roots

Four glycosidases were analyzed in 10 mm apical segments prepared from growing roots (15 mm) of Zea mays L. The pH optima were found to be 5.8 for -glucosidase, 4.4 for -galactosidase, 6.4 for -glucosidase and 6.0 for -galactosidase. The -glucosidase showed 4-fold higher activity than the -galactosidase. The distribution of the -glucosidase activity was signifcantly different from that of the -galactosidase, -glucosidase and -galactosidase.Abbreviations -Glu -glucosidase - -Gal -galactosidase - -Glu -glucosidase - -Gal -galactosidase     

Elektronenspinresonanz-Untersuchungen strahleninduzierter Radikale von α-D-Glucose, Β-D-Glucose und D-GlucuronsÄure

Zusammenfassung Die SchÄdigung von-D-Glucose,-D-Glucose und D-GlucuronsÄure nach Röntgenbestrahlung wird mittels Elektronenspinresonanz untersucht. Durch Messung der SÄttigung in AbhÄngigkeit von der Dosis und der Zeit nach der Bestrahlung ist es möglich, bei den im polykristallinen Zustand untersuchten Substanzen mehrere Radikale zu identifizieren. Die Ergebnisse lassen es wahrscheinlich erscheinen, da\ zunÄchst an allen Kohlenstoffatomen des Glucopyranoseringes StrahlenschÄden in Form von Radikalen entstehen. Anschlie\end tritt jedoch eine Wanderung der Radikale zum Kohlenstoffatom C-1 bei der -D-Glucose und-D-Glucose, zur Carboxylgruppe bei der D-GlucuronsÄure ein. Das Absinken der Spin-Gitter-Relaxationszeit T₁ bei steigender Dosis lÄ\t auf eine verhÄltnismÄ\ig homogene Verteilung der strahleninduzierten Radikale im Kristall schlie\en.

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Electron spin resonance (ESR) studies of radiation-induced radicals of -D-glucose, -D-glucose and D-glucuronic acid

Summary Electron spin resonance was used to determine the damaging effect of X-irradiation upon-D-glucose,-D-glucose, and D-glucuronic acid. By measurement of saturation dependent upon doses and time after irradiation several radicals of these investigated substances in polycrystalline condition were identified. It would seem, from these results, that irradiation damage occurs in the form of radicals at each of the carbon atoms in the ring of the gluco-pyranose molecule. The radicals of the-D-glucose and the-D-glucose then migrate to the carbon atom C-1, whereas those of D-glucoronic acid migrate to the carboxyl group. The decrease of the spin-lattice relaxation time T₁ with increasing dose shows, that there will be a comparatively homogeneous distribution of the radiation induced radicals in the crystal.

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Herrn Prof. Dr. A. Schraub zum 60. Geburtstag gewidmet.     

Characterization of a new Bacillus stearothermophilus isolate: a highly thermostable α-amylase-producing strain

A novel strain of Bacillus stearothermophilus was isolated from samples of a potato-processing industry. Compared to known -amylases from other B. stearothermophilus strains, the isolate was found to produce a highly thermostable -amylase. The half-time of inactivation of this -amylase was 5.1 h at 80°C and 2.4 h at 90°C. The temperature optimum for activity of the -amylase was 70°C; the pH optimum for activity was relatively low, in the range 5.5–6.0. -Amylase synthesis was regulated by induction and repression mechanisms. An inverse relationship was found between growth rate and -amylase production. Low starch concentrations and low growth temperatures were favourable for enzyme production by the organism. At the optimal temperature for growth, 65°C, the -amylase was a growth-associated enzyme. The optimal temperature for -amylase production, however, was 40°C, with -amylase increasing from 3.9 units (U)/ml to 143 U/ml when lowering the growth temperature from 65°C to 40°C. Maximal -amylase production in a batch fermentor run at 65°C was 102 U/ml, which was 26-fold higher than in erlenmeyer flasks at 65°C. The dissolved O₂ concentration was found to be a critical factor in production of the -amylase.     

The catalysis of nucleotide polymerization by compounds of divalent lead

Summary Soluble lead salts and a number of lead-containing minerals catalyze the formation of oligonucleotides from nucleoside 5-phosphorimidazolides. The effectiveness of lead compounds correlates strongly with their solubility. Under optimal conditions we were able to obtain 18% of pentamer and higher oligomers from ImpA. Reactions involving ImpU gave smaller yields.Abbreviations A adenosine - U uridine - Im imidazole - MeIm 1-methyl-imidazole - EDTA ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid - pA adenosine 5-phosphate - pU uridine 5-phosphate - Ap adenosine cyclic 2:3-phosphate - ATP adenosine 5-triphosphate - AppA P₁,P₂-diadenosine 5-diphosphate - pNp (N = A,U) nucleotide 2(3), 5-diphosphate - ImpA adenosine 5-phosphoreimidazolide - ImpU uridine 5-phosphorimidazolide - A ²pA adenylyl-[25]-adenosine - A ³pA adenylyl-[35]-adenosine - pA ²pA 5-phospho-adenylyl-[25]-adenosine - pA ³pA 5-phospho-adenylyl-[35]-adenosine - pUpU 5-phospho-uridylyl-uridine - pApU 5-phospho-adenylyl-uridine - pUpA 5-phospho-uridylyladenine - (pA)n (n, 2,3,4,) oligoadenylates with 5 terminal phosphate - ImpApA 5-phosphorimidazolide of adenylyl adenosine - (pA) ₅₊ pentamer and higher oligoadenylates with 5 terminal phosphate - (Ap)nA (n = 2,3,4) oligoadenylates without terminal phosphates In the following we do not specify the nature of the internucleotide linkageIn the following we do not specify the nature of the internucleotide linkage     

Genetic analysis of resistance to whitebacked planthopper in twenty-one varieties of rice,Oryza sativa L.

Summary The inheritance of resistance to whitebacked planthopper Sogatella furcifera (Horvath) was studied in 21 rice varieties. Reactions of F₁; F₂ and F₃ progenies of the crosses of 21 resistant varieties with the susceptible variety TN 1 revealed that a single dominant gene governs resistance in Mushkan 41, Santhi, Siahnakidar 195, SM2-34, Tirisurkh 251, Zirijowaian 245, 18, 24A, 39, 76 S, 78, 180, 213 B, 267, 293, CI 6037-4, NP97, S39 JKW and Bansphul. In varieties 65 and 274 A, resistance is governed by one dominant and one recessive gene which segregate independently of each other. Tests for allelism with the Wbph 1 gene originally identified in N 22 revealed that the dominant gene present in all the test varieties is the same as Wbph 1. Further studies are required to determine the allelic relationships of the recessive gene found in varieties 65 and 274 A.     

Plant regeneration through culture of isolated microspores of Triticum aestivum L.

Wheat microspores mechanically isolated from the anthers before culture and isolated from the anthers during the hole culture period in a chemically defined medium resulted in proembryos, embryos and finally plants. Of the four genotypes included, all responded with proembryos, and the two spring wheats Ciano and Walter gave rise to macroscopic embryos and plants. The frequency of embryo regeneration and the frequency of albino plants in both Ciano and Walter was in accordance with previously obtained results with anther culture derived material.Abbreviations 2,4-d 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid - NAA 1-naphthaleneacetic acid     

Root traits, nutrient uptake, multi-location grain yield and benefit–cost ratio of two lentil (Lens culinaris, Medikus.) varieties

Lentil is a protein-rich pulse, grown mainly in developing countries as a rain-fed crop in nutrient-poor soils. Hence, the importance of root traits for efficient capture of soil nutrients and water can be crucial to its economical yield. Little is known about the lentil root system and even less about its relationship to grain yield. We compared the root system of two Bangladeshi lentil varieties, Barimasur-3 (BM-3) and Barimasur-4 (BM-4), in a pot experiment and related it to their multi-location grain yield in the fields. BM-4 maintained faster root development both at an early growth stage (20days after sowing) and at flowering (60days) compared to BM-3. The roots of BM-4 penetrated the 25cm depth of the soil profile after 19±1days and while those of BM-3 took 24±2days to reach the same depth. The roots of BM-4 were covered with denser (26±3mm^–1) and longer (0.48±0.11) root hairs than BM-3 (density 17±2mm^–1, length 0.32±0.09mm). The differential presence of root hairs increased the effective length of root system of BM-4 by 12 times and that of BM-3 by five times. The lentil varieties did not differ in their ability to induce pH change and acid phosphatase activity in rhizosphere. In the pot experiment, the uptake of macro-nutrients (K, P, Ca, and Mg) as well as micro-nutrients (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, B and Mo) by BM-4 was significantly higher, compared to BM-3. The varieties produced the same amount of shoot biomass. At five of six agro-ecological distinct field locations in Bangladesh, BM-4 gave significantly higher (10–20%) grain yield than BM-3. Linked with the higher grain yield, the benefit-cost ratio (BCR) of BM-4 was 3.14 and that of BM-3 were 2.62, indicating that BM-4 provided better return per unit investment, compared to BM-3, supported by the better root morphology and higher nutrient uptake. This may be one of the reasons supporting the popularity and preferred adoption of BM-4 among the Bangladeshi farmers, who grow lentil mainly on nutrient-poor soils. The results indicate the benefits of selection and breeding for superior root traits for better agro-economics.     

Fromβ-lactams toα- andβ-amino acid derived peptides

Summary The potential of-lactams as intermediates for the access to- and-amino acid-derived peptides is shortly reviewed, with major focus on the technologies developed in our group. The two general strategies lie, on one side, in the oxidative ring expansion of 3-hydroxy-lactams toN-carboxy-amino acid anhydrides or Leuch's anhydrides and subsequent coupling with-amino acid esters and, on the other side, in the nucleophilic ring opening ofN-Boc--lactams. Both approaches have been successfully applied to the synthesis of,-diamino acid,-amino--hydroxy acid, polyhydroxylated-amino acid,,-disubstituted-amino acid,-amino acid,-amino--hydroxy acid and,-disubstituted-amino acid derived peptides. Because of the mild reaction conditions needed for the above transformations and the highly stereoselective procedures employed for the construction of the starting-lactam ring, the whole process allows the production of optically pure final products.     

Molecular evolution of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor: An example of multigene family in excitable cells

An extensive phylogenetic analysis of the nicotinic-acetylcholine-receptor subunit gene family has been performed by cladistic and phenetic methods. The conserved parts of amino acid sequences have been analyzed by CLUSTAL V and PHYLIP software. The structure of the genes was also taken in consideration. The results show that a first gene duplication may have occurred before the appearance of Bilateria. Three subfamilies then appeared: I-the neuronal -bungarotoxin binding-site subunits (7, 8); III-the neuronal nicotinic subunits (2–6, 2–4), which also contain the muscle acetylcholine-binding subunit (1); and IV—the muscle non- subunits (1, , ). The Insecta subunits (subfamily II) could be orthologous to family III and IV. Several tissular switches of expression from neuron to muscle and the converse can be inferred from the extant expression of subunits and the reconstructed trees. The diversification of the neuronal nicotinic subfamily begins in the stem lineage of chordates, the last duplications occurring shortly before the onset of the mammalian lineage. Such evolution parallels the increase in complexity of the cholinergic systems.Abbreviations -Bgt -bungarotoxin - ACh acetylcholine - MP maximum of parsimony - MYA million years ago - NJ neighbor-joining - nAChR nicotinic acetylcholine receptor Correspondence to: N. Le Novère     

Common expression of a tumor necrosis factor resistance mechanism among gynecological malignancies

Summary The efficacy of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) as an anticancer agent is limited. This limitation might be related to the expression of a protein-synthesis-dependent resistance mechanism that prevents the lysis of tumor cells by TNF. To test this possibility eight randomly selected human cell lines, three derived from ovarian carcinomas and five derived from cervical carcinomas, were tested for their in vitro sensitivity to TNF-mediated lysis. The results of this analysis showed that all eight cell lines are normally resistant to lysis by TNF. However, in the presence of inhibitors of protein synthesis, seven of them showed a significant increase in TNF-mediated lysis. Measurement of protein synthesis showed that there is a linear correlation between the level of inhibition of protein synthesis and the level of TNF-mediated lysis. The fact that seven of eight randomly selected cell lines are resistant to TNF because they express a protein-synthesis-dependent resistance mechanism suggests that this mechanism of resistance may be common among gynecological cancers. The results also suggest that a therapy involving TNF and inhibitors of protein synthesis might be useful for the treatment of gynecological malignancies.     

Immobilized Lotus tetragonolobus agglutinin binds oligosaccharides containing the Lex determinant

A defined set of oligosaccharides and glycopeptides containing -linked fucose were used to examine the specificity of the immobilized fucose-binding lectin Lotus tetragonolobus agglutinin (LTA1), also known as lotus lectin. Glycans containing the Lewis x determinant (Lex) Gal1-4[Fuc1-3]GlcNAc1-3-R were significantly retarded in elution from high density LTA-Emphaze columns. The lectin also bound the fucosylated lacdiNAc trisaccharide GalNAc1-4[Fuc1-3]GlcNAc. The lectin did not bind glycans containing either sialylLex or VIM-2 determinants, nor did it bind the isomeric Lea, Gal1-3[Fuc1-4]GlcNAc-R. Although 2-fucosyllactose Fuc1-2Gal1-4Glc) was retarded in elution from the columns, larger glycans containing the H-antigen Fuc1-2Gal1-3(4)GlcNAc-R interacted poorly with immobilized LTA. Our results demonstrate that immobilized LTA is effective in isolating glycans containing the Lex antigen and is useful in analyzing specific fucosylation of glycoconjugates. Abbreviations: LTA, Lotus tetragonolobus agglutinin; UEA-1, Ulex europaeus agglutinin-I; LNT, AAL, Aleuria aurantia agglutinin; Gal1-3GlcNAc1-3Gal1-3Glc; LNnT, Gal1-4GlcNAc1-3Gal1-3Glc; Lex, Lewis x antigen; Lea, Lewis a antigen; GDPFuc, guanosine 5-diphosphate--L-fucose