This paper deals with a number of conceptual and theoretical issues that underlie the proposal to employ narrative explanations in science education: What is narrative? What is explanation? and What is narrative explanation? In answering these questions, we develop a framework of narrative elements and characteristics of narrative explanations. Two possible examples of narrative explanation are presented and examined in light of the framework. This examination brings to light various conceptual and empirical questions related to the examples and to the larger issue of the use of examples like them in science instruction. The value of the framework lies partly in its power to point to such questions. The questions can guide a program of theoretical and empirical research into the psychological reality of the narrative form of explanation, the existence of narrative explanations in science, the use of narrative explanations in science teaching, and the nature and extent of the narrative effect upon which proposals for the use of narrative often are justified.
Plakoglobin is a cytoplasmic protein and a homologue of -catenin and Armadillo of Drosophila with similar adhesive and signaling functions. These proteins interact with cadherins to mediate cell-cell adhesion and associate with transcription factors to induce changes in the expression of genes involved in cell fate determination and proliferation. Unlike the relatively well characterized role of -catenin in cell proliferation via activation of c-MYC and cyclin D1 gene expression, the signaling function of plakoglobin in regulation of cell growth is undefined. Here, we show that high levels of plakoglobin expression in plakoglobin-deficient human SCC9 cells leads to uncontrolled growth and foci formation. Concurrent with the change in growth characteristics we observe a pronounced inhibition of apoptosis. This correlates with an induction of expression of BCL-2, a prototypic member of apoptosis-regulating proteins. The BCL-2 expression coincides with decreased proteolytic processing and activation of caspase-3, an executor of programmed cell death. Our data suggest that the growth regulatory function of plakoglobin is independent of its role in mediating cell-cell adhesion. These observations clearly implicate plakoglobin in pathways regulating cell growth and provide initial evidence of its role as a pivotal molecular link between pathways regulating cell adherence and cell death.
A novel strategy was developed for the synthesis of N(7)-purine acyclic nucleosides 9 and 14. The key step involved the reaction between [2-(p-methoxyphenyloxy)ethoxy]methyl chloride and N(9)-tritylated nucleobases 6 or 11 followed by concomitant self-detritylation. N(7)-Guanine acyclic nucleoside 9 exhibited antiviral activity, but was phosphorylated by both HSV and Vero cell thymidine kinases. Thus, it showed more potent cellular toxicity than acyclovir (2). N(7)-Adenine acyclic nucleoside 14 was found to be an excellent antiviral agent as well as a good inhibitor of calf mucosal adenosine deaminase. This inhibitory property allows for a greater expression of antiviral activity of antiviral agents, such as N(9)-adenine acyclic nucleoside 1 and ara-A (3). Compound 14 was phosphorylated neither by herpes simplex virus (HSV) thymidine kinase nor by Vero cell thymidine kinase, yet it enhanced the rate constant for the monophosphorylation of acyclovir (2) by HSV thymidine kinase. Consequently, the combination of acyclovir (2) and 14 exhibited greater antiviral activity than acyclovir alone. 7-[2-(Phosphonomethoxy)ethyl]adenine (20) was also synthesized. The key step involved the reaction of 9-(2-cyanoethyl)adenine (15) with methyl iodoacetate in the presence of lithium 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine in THF. Unlike 9-[2-(phosphonomethoxy)ethyl]adenine (PMEA, 4), the N(7)-isomer 20 was not phosphorylated effectively by 5-phosphoribosyl 1-pyrophosphate synthetase (PRPP synthetase). Thus, it did not exhibit pronounced antiviral activity. Dinucleotide 5'-monophosphate 24 and its butenolide ester 25 were also synthesized. Compound 24 showed substrate activity toward PRPP synthetase and exhibited notable activity against DNA viruses. The antiviral activity of the ester derivative 25 was found to be higher than that of the parent molecule 24. Dinucleotide 5'-monophosphate 24 is susceptible to degradation by snake venom and spleen phosphodiesterases. However, its respective butenolide ester derivative 25 was completely resistant to snake venom and spleen enzymes. Butenolide ester derivatives 28 and 29 were also synthesized and exhibited notable anti-DNA virus and anti-retrovirus activity in vitro. Compounds 2, 4, 9, 14, 20, 24, 25, and 28 were also evaluated for their inhibitory effect on HSV-1-induced mortality in NMRI mice. N(7)-adenine acyclic nucleoside 14 [LD(50) (intraperitoneal, ip) 950 mg/kg], nucleotide-containing butenolide 25 [LD(50) (ip) 675 mg/kg], and butenolide 28 [LD(50) (ip) 710 mg/kg] were found to be potent anti-HSV-1 agents in vivo. In addition, butenolide 28 efficiently decreased tumor formation induced by Moloney murine sarcoma virus (MSV) in NMRI mice while significantly increasing the survival time of MSV-infected mice.
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