A lone jogger makes his way along the track while exercising in the Sapp Recreation Center on March 3.

NU Researchers Target Latency to Control Herpes Viruses

By IANR News Service

University of Nebraska-Lincoln veterinary science research is helping to unravel the mystery of how herpes viruses cause disease and perpetuate themselves in humans. This research offers hope for new herpes vaccines and treatments for the 70 percent to 90 percent of adults affected by herpes simplex viruses.

Research findings are reported in the Feb. 25 issue of Science magazine. In that article, Clinton Jones, NU Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources virologist, Steven Wechsler, virologist at the Ophthalmology Research Laboratories at Cedars-Sinai hospital in Los Angeles, and colleagues discuss the mechanism that controls latency. Latency is the process that allows a herpes virus to wait silently in cells of organisms it infects, then reactivate and repeatedly attack the host and spread infection. Jones' work shows that a gene called the latency-associated transcript (LAT) keeps the host cell alive by inhibiting programmed cell death, the host's natural reaction to infection.

Jones and colleagues work with two viruses, human herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and closely related Bovine Herpes Virus-1 (BHV-1), which infects cattle. Both cause infection by entering the host through the eye, nose or mouth and traveling to neurons, specialized cells that transmit messages to the brain.

Their most recent work focuses on HSV-1, which can infect the human nervous system, respiratory and gastrointestinal tract, is a serious venereal disease and the leading cause of corneal blindness resulting from infection.

Viruses replicate by commandeering the genetic machinery of host cells, usually killing cells and causing disease symptoms. But when HSV-1 infects a neuron, the virus often shuts off, entering a latent state and allowing the neuron to survive.

This latency, when the virus silently waits to reactivate and spread, may be the key to new herpes virus treatments and vaccines. Latency helps the virus survive by keeping infected host cells alive and allows the virus to periodically reactivate and infect other hosts, Jones said.

How and why herpes viruses become latent is the focus of Jones' research.

"If you could prevent a virus from becoming latent, you could make better vaccines and slow down or inhibit virus transmission," Jones said. "Corneal blindness is caused by the virus reactivating from latency and re-infecting the eye, over and over. If we could block latency, we could literally stop this disease."

Cattle infected with BHV-1 may suffer bovine respiratory complex, eye disease, miscarriage and, occasionally, lethal encephalitis, problems that cost cattle producers more than $500 million annually. Available vaccines can cause disease in calves and abortion, and don't prevent latency so vaccinated cattle may spread disease to small calves.

In his early BHV-1 work, Jones discovered that the latency-related gene encodes a latency-related protein. The protein is found in neurons during latency. He thought this protein might help regulate latency.

In 1996, at the same time Jones was exploring the "how" of latency, a relatively new concept called programmed cell death (PCD) emerged from cell biology research and offered clues to "why" this was important for latency.

PCD is a natural function for many cells, which must die and be replaced as organisms grow. But neurons are different, Jones said.

"Neurons stop growing very early in mammalian development. It doesn't make sense for neurons to undergo PCD, because they can't be replaced," Jones said.

Jones' recent research reveals that the LAT gene can block PCD. When rabbit neurons are infected with viruses lacking the LAT gene, extensive PCD occurs. In neurons infected with viruses expressing the LAT gene, PCD is blocked and most neurons survive.

"We are the first to demonstrate that latency gene products inhibit cell death," Jones said. "We believe this prevents the virus from destroying its site for latency and so helps perpetuate the viruses in their natural hosts."

The latency-related gene acts like a switch. When its on, the virus produces the protein, PCD is inhibited and both the host cell and virus survive. Finding a way to switch the gene off could be a way to treat and inhibit the spread of viral diseases.

"We know that the latency-related genes inhibit PCD, but we don't know how. We are studying that now," Jones said. Two U.S. Department of Agriculture competitive grants, a competitive grant from the Elsa U. Pardee Foundation and NU's Center for Biotechnology help fund this IANR Agricultural Research Division research.

Quarterly Review of Film and Video Target for Change

Film Studies Team Infuses New Life to Staid Journal

By Kelly Bartling, Public Relations

Film scholars Gwendolyn Foster and Wheeler Winston Dixon know the scholarly criticism of film today is broad and provocative.

They think the top quarterly review on film should be too.

After lengthy negotiation by the publishers of the academic Quarterly Review of Film and Video, Foster and Dixon have agreed to take over the publication as co-editors, and are in the throes of putting together their first issue.

"This is an extraordinary opportunity to highlight authors and subjects that weren't being represented well in other journals," said Foster, a professor of English and film studies. "We'd like to widen the focus of the review to become more comprehensive and more open."

Dixon, who chairs the film studies program at UNL, and Foster were approached two years ago by publishers Gordon and Breach to take over as editors-in-chief of the Quarterly Review of Film and Video, now in its 17th volume. They ultimately consented to take over the quarterly for professional prestige, and to further their goals for a more inclusive, insightful publication, they said.

"We wanted to do it because we liked the challenge," said Dixon. "It's one of the most famous journals of film review in the world. But also because of our ability to infuse new life into the journal and bring to the publication a lot of different approaches that weren't being considered before."

Foster and Dixon's assessment of the previous editions of Quarterly Review of Film and Video was one of being closed, topic-specific, mainly historic, and mainly California-driven.

"We have a lot of different things and different approaches we would like to see in it that weren't being considered before," Foster said. "We really welcome the cutting edge theory, interviews, book reviews and things that the previous regime hadn't done." In addition to the renewed editorial emphasis, the co-editors plan added features like film festival reviews, interviews and profiles, as well as an updated look.

Foster and Dixon have been advertising for and requesting papers for the first quarterly, due out in April, which is near completion. Their process begins with seeking papers, reading submitted manuscripts, selecting possibilities for publication, forwarding them to members of the editorial board, and incorporating changes proposed by the editors and incorporated by the writers. They select the final manuscripts for inclusion in the journal and forward them to the typesetter, usually six to eight articles per quarterly, or a "bookish" 200 pages.

The manuscripts, articles and papers are prompted through their contacts and calls-for-papers ­ not through requested topics or sources ­ which will bring a wider variety of works, opinions and views into the quarterly, they said.

"We don't want to be isolationist, but let the writers set the tone," Dixon said. "We let submitters write what they want to write about ... what they are passionate about and interested in, not 'write to order.'

"We don't ask people to quote the right critic," Foster added. "We don't have a theoretical ax to grind; no hobby horse. Our first issue, for instance, has pieces from a writer from India, a piece on "The Piano," another on racism. We want to be as wide as possible, multi-cultural, multi-racial and multi-national. Up until now the publication hasn't been."

Foster and Dixon, who have a total of 23 books and 110 published articles, generated a wide-ranging and famous group of 15 editorial board-members to help review pieces.

"We started calling colleagues from all over, the top names in the field, and we didn't get one turndown," Dixon said. "I think there's going to be a lot of interest when this gets published."

The quarterly review is available by subscription, with more than 5,000 regular readers, as well as on the Web and on CD Rom. The team will continue their co-editorship for at least three years, under the agreement.

"It's a rather ambitious undertaking for us ... but we enjoy working together," said Dixon of his colleague Foster. "We have different perspectives."

James Endow Professorship in Textiles, Clothing and Design

A Chappaqua, N.Y., couple dedicated to improving textile and design education at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln has furthered their commitment to students by creating a new faculty position in the Department of Textiles, Clothing and Design in the College of Human Resources and Family Sciences.

Ardis and Robert Jameses' most recent gift commitment will fund the Ardis James Professorship in Textiles, Clothing and Design. The income from the Jameses' $250,000 commitment will be supplemented by a match from the Donald and Mildred Othmer estate, creating the equivalent of a $500,000 endowment.

"This most recent gift from the James family allows us to endow a professorship supporting the scholarly study of quilts and textile arts," said James Moeser, UNL chancellor. "We are closer to completing our vision of a world-class international center for the study of quilts, textiles and associated arts. The Jameses have been tremendously supportive of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and phenomenally generous in their willingness to help preserve the unique art form of quilting."

The textiles, clothing and design department in the college prepares students for a variety of careers in merchandising, textile and apparel design, textile science, museums and journalism. The recipient of the Ardis James Professorship will provide students with the educational framework needed for a career in the global textile and apparel industry or in business, government or museums.

"The field of textiles is an important area of study and I hope this position will strengthen this department," said Ardis James. "I am positive that the university will do an excellent job in selecting this professor so that all students and citizens of the state benefit from the study of textiles."

Patricia Crews, acting department chair and director of the International Quilt Study Center, said the professorship will help the college move to a new level of excellence.

"The creation of the Ardis James Professorship enables us to recruit outstanding faculty members, which strengthen already excellent academic and research programs in the department, attract outstanding students to the field, further scholarship and creative activity to enhance our knowledge and

appreciation of textile history and design," said Crews. "Our textile heritage is an important record of human progress and an invaluable avenue for understanding ourselves. By attracting an outstanding textile scholar or artist, the endowed professorship also strengthens the International Quilt Study Center at the University whose mission is to advance the interdisciplinary study of quilts and related textiles."

The dean of the college will nominate the Ardis James Professor in Textiles, Clothing and Design, then the UNL chancellor and University of Nebraska president will recommend the nominee to the Board of Regents for final approval. The recipient will receive stipends for his or her research or program efforts from the fund.

The Jameses have provided much support to the area of textiles at UNL. In 1997, the couple gave 950 antique and contemporary art quilts with an estimated worth of more than $6 million to the university and donated $1 million toward a $3 million endowment fund to establish the International Quilt Study Center. The center encourages the interdisciplinary study of all aspects of quilt making and fosters preservation of this tradition through the collection, conservation and exhibition of quilts and related materials. The center's James Collection is one of the largest and most comprehensive collections of quilts in existence and features antique quilts dating from 1790 to 1992 from the United States, Europe and Japan.

"The Jameses have offered so much support to the College of Human Resources and Family Sciences," said Rita Kean, interim dean of the college and professor of textiles, clothing and design. "The James Collection and the International Quilt Study Center have immeasurably affected this college and the citizens of this state. Ardis and Robert James have a great understanding of the importance of textile education and have made a much appreciated impact on our students and faculty. We are pleased to accept their latest gift and express our sincere appreciation for their ongoing support."

Family Creates $100,000 Memorial Gift

Wehr Scholarship Helps Ag, Natural Resources Students

A new scholarship will provide financial assistance to students studying agriculture, natural resources and related areas. The scholarship is possible thanks to a $100,000 memorial gift from the family of the late Albert C. and Katherine Wehr.

The gift to the University of Nebraska Foundation creates the Albert C. and Katherine Wehr Memorial Student Support Fund. This endowed fund provides annual scholarships to full-time undergraduate students in the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources.

The Wehr family chose this memorial because it recognizes the couple's careers and their interests in agriculture, life-long learning and serving others.

"My dad was more interested in agriculture and agronomy than about anything else," said John Wehr, the couple's son. "He was interested, too, in intelligently improving farms as well as improving his own knowledge. My mom committed her life to teaching and volunteering, and she was devoted to other people in every way."

Donald Edwards, dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, expressed appreciation to the Wehr family and highlighted the gift's benefits.

"Funds such as this from the family of Albert and Katherine Wehr are very important in helping to support students," Edwards said. "Financing a college education continues to be expensive for many, and it's our goal that all qualified students who lack adequate finances may obtain a degree from the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. This endowed scholarship is sure to provide many students greater assurance of achieving an education."

It's the Wehr family's hope that the scholarship helps the college retain students, especially those who may be tempted to give up on obtaining an education because of limited financial resources.

"My parents believed in continuous learning," said John Wehr. "That's what helped them live for so long. Neither one of them ever stopped learning nor did they give up."

Albert C. and Katherine Hunker Wehr met while attending Delian Union literary society meetings together at NU. The couple reunited years later and married on Aug. 15, 1935.

Katherine Wehr grew up in West Point and attended the University of Nebraska for teacher's certification. For 10 years following college, she taught at schools in Hooper and Schuyler. She enjoyed supporting youth programs while her children, Mary Jo and John, were growing up. When the children were older, she volunteered much of her time to the Catholic church and organizations such as St. Elizabeth Medical Center, the Veterans Administration Medical Center, Lancaster Manor and the American Legion Auxiliary. She died Sept. 21, 1997, at age 95.

Albert Wehr attended the University of Nebraska for two years and later completed bookkeeping training at Lincoln School of Commerce. In 1927 the Doniphan native began working at Hammond Investment Co., a Lincoln firm managing stocks, bonds and property, including 32 farms in Nebraska, Canada and Wyoming. While employed there, he compelled the company's owners to support NU agricultural programs with significant gifts to the University of Nebraska Foundation.

Wehr found the agriculture and agronomy aspects of his career especially rewarding. He enjoyed supervising harvests and implementing new programs in hybrid seeds, irrigation, and land management. He did not fully retire until age 92 when he helped close the business in 1992. He died April 28, 1997.

The Wehr family welcomes contributions to the memorial fund now and in the future as an opportunity to recognize the life of Albert and Katherine Wehr.

The University of Nebraska Foundation is a nonprofit corporation supplementing support for students, faculty, facilities and programs at the University of Nebraska's four campuses through gifts from alumni, friends, corporations and other foundations.

Arts Are Basic Uses NU Program

Arts Initiative Incorporates Character Counts in 20 Schools

Arts Are Basic's Rural Arts Initiative has incorporated the University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension's Character Counts into the aesthetic education program in 20 elementary schools in Cherry County.

Arts Are Basic, the University of Nebraska Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts aesthetic education program, is collaborating with Extension Educators who work with these schools.

Character Counts celebrates what is right with young people while enabling them to develop knowledge and life skills for enhancing ethical and responsible behavior. The program emphasizes the "Six Pillars of Character," -- trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship.

"We believe we are the only collaboration of aesthetic education and Character Counts in the United States," said Kit Voorhees, director of Arts Are Basic. "They are extremely complementary programs."

In this year's Rural Arts Initiative, children are researching their school and ranch histories and creating textile art in the form of quilts and banners to reflect this history. Their work will be exhibited at the Robert Hillestad Textiles Gallery, in the Home Economics Building on East Campus, in May 2000.

Voorhees says incorporating Character Counts with aesthetic education is a natural collaboration.

"We're concerned about violence and the troubles facing our youth," Voorhees said. "When we incorporate aesthetics, curricular and Character Counts, one reinforces the other, and the children are more convinced of rightness."

In the course of the year, the six pillars of Character Counts are as central to the work they do as the exploration of silk screening, block printing and the development of school symbols.

"In the Arts Are Basic process, children work in small groups and collaboratively to write, tell and listen to stories and to reflect on how those individual stories connect to the collective stories," Voorhees said. "In doing that, the six pillars of Character Counts are called into active usage."

The Extension Educators team teach with Arts Are Basic throughout each of the three visits made to each school. They also attended the Arts Are Basic summer workshop last summer to develop the bridge between aesthetic education and Character Counts and will write a curriculum guide for other extension educators and school districts that would like to incorporate the Arts Are Basic model into their individual schools.