bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Methodology of assessment of efficiency of the work of youth parliamentary structures in the Russian Federation
Authors: Gigauri David Iraklievich , Phedotov Daniil Andreevich
Published: August 2020

This article makes an attempt of comprehensive analysis of the phenomenon of youth parliamentarism as a structural possibility of involvement of representatives of the  Russian youth in law-making activity. The authors formulate a definition of youth parliament, as well as describe the organizational and legal framework of functionality of youth parliamentary structures. The authors develop a model of systemic assessment of the effectiveness of youth parliamentary structures based on the five key vectors of activity of these institutions: legislative, project, personnel training, and the organization of socially significant events. The need is substantiated for implementing such methodology of assessment and comparison of the effectiveness of activity of youth parliamentary structures in different regions of the Russian Federation for the purpose of determining most successful strategies of fulfillment of their functionality. The novelty of this work consists in the detailed analytical overview of the doctrinal and legal definitions of the youth parliament, as well as in elaboration of practical approach towards assessing the activity of regional youth parliamentary structures. The main result of the conducted research lie in the original (proposed by D. A. Fedotov) procedure for calculating the key performance indicators and efficiency coefficient. It is proven that introduction of universal indicator of youth parliamentary structures would eventually stimulate the development of youth parliamentarism in the Russian Federation. The authors formulate the assessment criteria for each vector of activity of the youth parliamentary structures. The future implementation of the all-Russian rating model would increase the effectiveness and coordination of interaction between the youth parliaments and civil society institutions
On classification of obligations of property owners in a multi-unit building
Authors: Kirakosyan Susana Arsenovna
Published: August 2020

The subject of this research is the classification of obligations of property owners in a multi-story building, as well as their maintenance. The need for studying the classification of responsibility of property owners dictated by scientific and practical importance: the disclosure of the content of responsibilities reveals the essence of burden of the content of individual accommodation and shared property in a multi-unit building, as well as the due and socially proper behavior of obliged entities – the property owners. For determining the criteria for classification of obligations of property owners, the author analyzes the provisions of housing and civil legislation. There is no research on the system of obligations of property owners within the science of civil and housing law. For eliminating the theoretical gap, the author attempts to classify the obligations of property owners in a multi-unit building, as well as examine their content. A new perspective upon the classification of obligations based on various criteria is suggested. Special attention is turned to the characteristics of obligations of property owners as a landlord and as a neighbor. The criterion for division of such obligations consists in qualitative characteristic of the status of property owner: owner-landlord and owner-neighbor, and the obligations assigned thereof. The conclusion is made that the owner of accommodation in a multi-unit building is distinguished by care for the property, willingness to contribute economically, and reasonable neighborliness.
Legal regulation of pension security of the migrant workers in Russia
Authors: Grigorev Ivan Vladimirovich
Published: August 2020

The subject of this research is the normative legal acts of Russian and international legislation regulating the peculiarities of pension security of the migrant workers . The article outlines the problems of demographic situation in Russia, examines the questions f attracting foreign workforce from the historical perspective, determines the characteristics and provides scientific definition to the concept of "migrant worker", analyzes the legal status of foreign citizens applicable to pension security. Detailed analysis is conducted on intergovernmental agreements that establish the framework for acquisition and reservation of the right of migrants with regards to pension security. Special attention is turned to the case law materials, as well the factors of acquisition of rights to non-contributory pension by migrants in the Russian Federation. The scientific novelty consists in conducting a comprehensive research of legal regulation of pension security of the migrant workers in Russia. The article reveals the transformation of contractual practice of intergovernmental regulation of the questions granting pensions to the migrants, prioritizing the proportional principle of structuring contracts and agreements. The author’s special consists in conducting scientific analysis of the content of the “Pension Agreement for Working Population of the EAEU Member States” of December 20, 2019, which determines the peculiarities of right to pension security, establishes size of payments based on length of employment. The main conclusions consist in the description of several alternatives of regulation of relations in the area of pension security of the migrant workers, depending on the status of foreign citizen, presence of intergovernmental agreement, and their content. Recommendations are formulated on the improvement of the current Federal legislation.
Preventative measures in form of a restriction of certain actions, collateral, and house arrest: questions of their correlation and practices of application
Authors: Ksendzov Yurii
Published: August 2020

The subject of this research is the norms of criminal procedure legislation regulating the application of preventative measures in criminal proceedings, as well as court decisions made on the basis of the results of processing applications on selection of preventative measures. Based examination of law enforcement practice, the expert observations and proposals in scientific literature, the author carefully analyzes the flaws of the current system of preventative measures in the criminal procedure, problematic aspects of correlation of restriction of certain actions, collateral, house arrest, as well as separate restriction, imposition of which upon a suspect (accused) is allowable in accordance with Part 6 of the Article 105.1 of the Criminal Procedure Code of the Russian Federation. The conclusion is made that the current system of preventative measures is not perfect, and practical application of various preventative measures reveals the formality of the established hierarchical structure of preventative measures in the criminal procedure legislation from soft to a more strict form. Analysis of case law demonstrates the it is often impossible to clearly and unambiguously demarcate the measures of prevention on form of a restriction of certain actions and collateral, restriction of certain actions and house arrest, which leads the author to conclude on the reasonableness of regulation of restriction of certain actions as another form of procedural compulsion.
Antagonistic effects of intraspecific cooperation and interspecific competition on thermal performance
Authors: Tsai Hsiang-Yu , Rubenstein Dustin R , Chen Bo-Fei , Liu Mark , Chan Shih-Fan , Chen De-Pei , Sun Syuan-Jyun , Yuan Tzu-Neng , Shen Sheng-Feng
Published: August 2020

Understanding how climate-mediated biotic interactions shape thermal niche width is critical in an era of global change. Yet, most previous work on thermal niches has ignored detailed mechanistic information about the relationship between temperature and organismal performance, which can be described by a thermal performance curve. Here, we develop a model that predicts the width of thermal performance curves will be narrower in the presence of interspecific competitors, causing a species’ optimal breeding temperature to diverge from that of its competitor. We test this prediction in the Asian burying beetle Nicrophorus nepalensis, confirming that the divergence in actual and optimal breeding temperatures is the result of competition with their primary competitor, blowflies. However, we further show that intraspecific cooperation enables beetles to outcompete blowflies by recovering their optimal breeding temperature. Ultimately, linking abiotic factors and biotic interactions on niche width will be critical for understanding species-specific responses to climate change.
Light-induced engagement of microglia to focally remodel synapses in the adult brain
Authors: Cangalaya Carla , Stoyanov Stoyan , Fischer Klaus-Dieter , Dityatev Alexander
Published: August 2020

Microglia continuously monitor synapses, but active synaptic remodeling by microglia in mature healthy brains is rarely directly observed. We performed targeted photoablation of single synapses in mature transgenic mice expressing fluorescent labels in neurons and microglia. The photodamage focally increased the duration of microglia-neuron contacts, and dramatically exacerbated both the turnover of dendritic spines and presynaptic boutons as well as the generation of new filopodia originating from spine heads or boutons. The results of microglia depletion confirmed that elevated spine turnover and the generation of presynaptic filopodia are microglia-dependent processes.
Towards a comprehensive theory of culturally constructed humour
Authors: Kianbakht Sajjad
Published: August 2020

In the present research, we discuss Humour Studies within Linguistics, focusing mainly on linguistic theories of humour including the Semantic Script Theory of Humour (SSTH;  Raskin 1985), and the General Theory of Verbal Humour (GTVH; Attardo 1994, 2017b). The study demonstrates different types of cultural conceptualisations (Sharifian 2017a, 2017b) that the interlocutors draw upon, such as cultural categories, cultural metaphors, and cultural schemas to create humour, and we argue that the General Theory of Verbal Humour does not account for culturally-constructed verbal humour. Hence, we argue that it is necessary to fill this gap in the most prevailing theory of verbal humour, the General Theory of Verbal Humour, by demonstrating how cultural conceptualisations must be considered in identifying and analysing instantiations of humour, in moving towards a comprehensive theory of culturally constructed humour.
Cultural dimensions and characteristics reflected in Hungarian TED talks
Authors: Pozdena Emese
Published: August 2020

The present paper is aimed at exploring humour and cultural aspects in TED talks recorded at Hungarian independent TEDx standard events. Applying Speck’s (1991) humour taxonomy, a corpus of 30 Hungarian language talks have been classified based on Barry & Graca’s (2018) humour typology groups and further examined by descriptive statistical indicators. Results show that cultural and other national features are reflected in the talks and are appreciated by the audience. Incongruity and disparagement appeared to be a safe comic device to create laughter in highly individualist and masculine cultures; however, relief-based humour is riskier in high uncertainty avoiding countries, as the message may be interpreted differently than expected.
Humour as political aesthetics in street protests during the political Ice Age
Authors: Tunali Tijen
Published: August 2020

This article analyses humour as a part of carnival aesthetics in urban social movements. It regards humour’s place in street protests as an aesthetic experience that brings forth an interplay of joy, imagination and freedom. Drawing from social movement theory regarding collective identity and collectivism, aesthetic theory and Mikhail Bakhtin’s theory of carnivalesque, this paper examines the link between humour and carnival aesthetics in recent social movements. It argues that carnival laughter initiates a process of symbiosis that opens relationships with others and allows recognition of democratic diversity, aesthetic sensibility and political dignity—essential for the reconstruction of a new space that is resistant to the politically imposed world crisis. It asks: could humour be one of the social catalysts we need during the authoritarian turn in a political Ice Age instigated by conservative populism? Drawing on examples from the Gezi Movement in Turkey in 2013, the article demonstrates how humour is not just a tool to consolidate solidarities but a definitive aesthetic experience that, in the context of the street protests, becomes the antidote to hegemonic-sense-making mechanisms and the greyness of our collective thinking.
Uncovering the microbiome of invasive sympatric European brown hares and European rabbits in Australia
Authors: Shanmuganandam Somasundhari , Hu Yiheng , Strive Tanja , Schwessinger Benjamin , Hall Robyn N.
Published: August 2020

Background

European brown hares (Lepus europaeus) and European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) are invasive pest species in Australia, with rabbits having a substantially larger environmental impact than hares. As their spatial distribution in Australia partially overlaps, we conducted a comparative microbiome study to determine how the composition of gastrointestinal microbiota varies between these species, since this may indicate species differences in diet, physiology, and other internal and external factors.

Methods

We analysed the faecal microbiome of nine wild hares and twelve wild rabbits from a sympatric periurban reserve in Canberra, Australia, using a 16S rRNA amplicon-based sequencing approach. Additionally, we compared the concordance between results from Illumina and Nanopore sequencing platforms.

Results

We identified significantly more variation in faecal microbiome composition between individual rabbits compared to hares, despite both species occupying a similar habitat. The faecal microbiome in both species was dominated by the phyla Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes, typical of many vertebrates. Many phyla, including Actinobacteria, Proteobacteria and Patescibacteria, were shared between rabbits and hares. In contrast, bacteria from phylum Verrucomicrobia were present only in rabbits, while phyla Lentisphaerae and Synergistetes were represented only in hares. We did not identify phylum Spirochaetes in Australian hares; this phylum was previously shown to be present at high relative abundance in European hare faecal samples. These differences in the composition of faecal microbiota may be indicative of less discriminate foraging behaviour in rabbits, which in turn may enable them to adapt quicker to new environments, and may reflect the severe environmental impacts that this species has in Australia.
Behavioural variability among captive African elephants in the use of the trunk while feeding
Authors: Lefeuvre Maëlle , Gouat Patrick , Mulot Baptiste , Cornette Raphaël , Pouydebat Emmanuelle
Published: August 2020

The Proboscideans, an order of mammals including elephants, are the largest of the Earth lands animals. One probable consequence of the rapid increase of their body size is the development of the trunk, a multitask highly sensitive organ used in a large repertoire of behaviours. The absence of bones in the trunk allows a substantial degree of freedom for movement in all directions, and this ability could underlie individual-level strategies. We hypothesised a stronger behavioural variability in simple tasks, and a correlation between the employed behaviours and the shape and size of the food. The observations of a captive group of African elephants allowed us to create a complete catalogue of trunk movements in feeding activities. We noted manipulative strategies and impact of food item properties on the performed behaviours. The results show that a given item is manipulated with a small panel of behaviours, and some behaviours are specific to a single shape of items. The study of the five main feeding behaviours emphasises a significant variability between the elephants. Each individual differed from every other individual in the proportion of at least one behaviour, and every behaviour was performed in different proportions by the elephants. Our findings suggest that during their lives elephants develop individual strategies adapted to the manipulated items, which increases their feeding efficiency.
Fan worms (Annelida: Sabellidae) from Indonesia collected by the Snellius II Expedition (1984) with descriptions of three new species and tube microstructure
Authors: Tovar-Hernández María Ana , ten Hove Harry A. , Vinn Olev , Zatoń Michał , de León-González Jesús Angel , García-Garza María Elena
Published: August 2020

The Indonesian archipelago is one of the most diverse regions in the marine World. Many contributions on polychaete worms have been published since the Dutch Siboga Expedition to the Indonesian archipelago at the end of the 19th century. In this study, we examined specimens of SabellidaeLatreille,1825collected during the Snellius II Expedition (1984) to Indonesia, carried out by the Dutch Research Vessel (RV) “Tyro” and the Indonesian RV “Samudera”. The results include reports ofAcromegalomma acrophthalmos,A. interruptum,A. sp.,Bispira manicata,B. porifera,B. secusoluta,Branchiomma boholense,Notaulax pyrrohogaster,N. tenuitorques,N. sp. 3,Parasabella crassichaetae,Perkinsiana anodina, andSabellastarte spectabilis. In addition, three new species are described:Acromegalomma sumbensesp. nov.,Claviramus olivagersp. nov., andNotaulax montiporicolasp. nov., the latter in living coral (Montipora nodosa). Further,Sabella(Potamilla)polyophthalmosGrube is transferred toPseudopotamilla. Additional histological accounts ofB. poriferaand tube microstructure ofA. acrophthalmos,B. porifera,P. anodina,Pseudopotamilla polyophthalmosandSabellastarte spectabilisare also included.
Agrophotovoltaics (APV) Improving the Land and Water Use Efficiency: A System Dynamics Analysis: An Overview
Authors: Chandra M. Sharath , Naresh R. K. , Harish Jana , Chandana Pebbeti , Yadav Shipra , K. Shivashankar
Published: August 2020

India is on the verge to reduce its intensity of carbon emissions with an significant impetus to increase grid-based solar photovoltaic capacity, but there is a rising carbon footprint in the agricultural sector. In irrigated agriculture, there is a huge subsidies for electricity and diesel to pump groundwater combined with lack of water withdrawal regulations resulting in both groundwater over-exploitation and increased carbon emissions. To meet global energy demands with renewable energy such as solar Agrophotovoltaic (APV) systems are needed because of the relatively diffuse nature of solar energy requires large surface areas. Huge portions of the land will increase the competition for land-based resources by using solar APV farming, while demand for food production as well as energy grow and compete for limited land resources with increasing population. There was also a marked increase in the late-seasons biomass for APV panels were considerably more water-efficient. In order to minimize conflicts between food and energy production on land use, APV combines biomass cultivation and solar energy production at the same site for increasing land and water use efficiency. In conclusion, this review study suggests that little adaptation of crop practices should be required to move from an open crop to an agri-voltaic crop system, and attention should be focused on minimizing light reduction and selecting plants with maximum radiation efficiency under these fluctuating shade conditions for improving land and water use efficiency. Further, APV increases the economic benefit of agriculture in rural areas will contribute to decentralized, off-grid electrification and thus boost farm productivity. As such, APV can serve as a valuable technical approach to sustainable agriculture, helping to meet energy and food production challenges and also climate change hazards, simultaneously serving land and water resources.
Analgesic Effects of Vigna unguiculata subsepecies dekindtiana in Mice
Authors: Adegbuyi Adekunle T. , Akanmu Moses A. , Olayiwola G. , Sijuade Abayomi O.
Published: August 2020

In the present study, we investigated the antinociceptive effects of the plant Vigna unguiculata spp dekindtiana using chemical and thermal tests in mice. The peripheral and the central analgesic activities of the methanol extract and its fractions were investigated in-vivo in albino mice using acetic acid induced-writhing test and hot plate models respectively. The result of the central analgesic effect showed that the methanol extract (VUME) at 400 mg/kg produced a significant (p<0.05) delay in reaction time in mice on hot plate compared to the control. Various fractions of the extract showed more potency compared to the crude extract. In acetic writhing model, the extract and the fractions demonstrated dose dependent reduction in writhing reaction induced by acetic acid in mice. The reduction was significant when compared to control which was suggestive of the analgesic effect of the plant. It was also seen that the extract and fractions showed an improved analgesic effect compared to diclofenac used as positive control in this model. Yohimbine (alpha adrenergic receptor antagonist) and cyproheptadine (serotonergic receptor antagonist) reversed the antinociceptic effect of the fractions in the hot plate model demonstrating the possibility of adrenergic and serotonergic involvement in eliciting the analgesic effect. Naloxone on the other hand, caused a reversal only in the butanol fraction meaning that this fraction may contain active principles that may mediate their analgesic effect through the opioid mechanism. In the writhing test, yohimbine abolished the analgesic effect of both hexane and butanol fractions. This may therefore, suggest that the analgesic effect of these fractions may be mediated through adrenergic pathway. In conclusion, the plant V. unguiculata subspecies dekindtiana possesses active principles with potential analgesic activity, establishing the folkloric use of the plant in managing pain.
Formulation of a Topical Tannic Acid and Chitosan Gel Haemostatic Drug Delivery System for Treatment of Wounds and Abrasions
Authors: Hafeji Aysha , Danckwerts Michael Paul
Published: August 2020

Haemostatic agents accelerate blood clotting and help in wound healing processes for wounds or abrasions. The purpose of this study was to prepare and evaluate a haemostatic gauze impregnated with chitosan and tannic acid as two effective haemostatic agents. The haemostatic gauze was easy to prepare and produce by means of a simple solvent casting method followed by lyophylisation. Nine different concentration combinations of tannic acid and chitosan were impregnated onto a 50 mm x 50 mm 8 ply gauze strip and were prepared and evaluated for dissolution into simulated body fluid (SBF) and finally tested for in vitro blood clotting ability versus Quikclot© (a commercially imported haemostatic gauze).

There was an initial quick release of tannic acid from the haemostatic gauze strips within 60 secs and thereafter a constant release of tannic acid. The in vitro blood clotting ability was found to be better in all the formulated haemostatic gauze strips than that of Quikclot©. Best clotting extent was achieved from 0.5% w/v chitosan and 1% w/v tannic acid gauze strips at 180 secs. In conclusion, the combination of tannic acid and chitosan haemostatic gauze strips developed in this study presents an inexpensive and effective alternative to importing haemostatic gauzes and bandages.
Mohiyonga hulalo Tradition in Rural Gorontalo: A Perspective of Social Change
Authors: Pakuna Hatim Badu , Hunowu Momy A. , Obie Muhammad
Published: August 2020

The Mohiyonga hulalo tradition on the night of Shawwal is a recurring social phenomenon every year in rural Gorontalo. This tradition encapsulates the deep meaning of releasing Ramadan while welcoming Eid. This tradition is slowly changing, as the presence of mass communication technology and transportation that accompany modernization. This study analyzed the meaning behind the Mohiyonga hulalo tradition in rural Gorontalo. Besides, this study also described how aspects of technology like music, loudspeakers, tape, VCD player, and android are part of the liveliness of the Mohiyonga hulalo tradition as well as being the cause of waning community traditions in rural Gorontalo. This study used a qualitative approach with ethnographic methods. Observations were carried out in a participatory manner, deepened by interviews with village elders and young activists of this tradition. Data analysis was carried out qualitatively. The study found that the Mohiyonga hulalo tradition contained psychological meaning and spiritual meaning. Psychologically it is as momentum channeling emotions of sadness and fear of God. Meanwhile, spirituality means a momentum of repentance by acknowledging mistakes. The presence of mass communication and transportation technology has changed the Mohiyonga hulalo tradition held in the mosque to move to the streets, then fade. Changes in this element affect patterns of behavior, especially in social interaction.
Involvement of calcium, calmodulin and phospholipase A in the alteration of membrane dynamics and superoxide production of human neutrophils stimulated by phorbol myristate acetate
Authors: Stocker Roland , Christoph Richter
Published: July 2002

We have reported an increased fluorescence polarization of 1,6‐diphenyl‐1,3,5‐hexatriene in the phorbol myristate acetate‐stimulated plasma membrane of human neutrophils [FEBS Lett. (1982) 144, 199–203]. We now present evidence that both the increased fluorescence polarization and the production of super‐oxide radicals by human neutrophils require calcium, calmodulin and phospholipase activity.
Structural study of hemoglobin Knossos, β27 (B9) Ala→Ser
Authors: Arous N. , Galacteros F. , Fessas Ph. , Loukopoulos D. , Blouquit Y. , Komis G. , Sellaye M. , Boussiou M. , Rosa J.
Published: July 2002

A new electrophoretically silent hemoglobin variant is described that produces the classical phenotype of β thalassemic intermedia in association with β° thalassemia trait. This variant has the expression of a silent β thalassemia trait. The abnormal hemoglobin was detected by acid—urea—Triton—acrylamide electrophoresis and further demonstrated by isoelectric focusing. The amount of the variant in carrier is ∼30% of the total hemoglobin. No instability was found. Absence of hemoglobin A in the propositus blood facilitated structural studies. Peptides maps were normal but analysis of individual peptide spots showed an Ala→Ser substitution in the βT3. This variant has been previously called Hb Knossos (β27 (B9) Ala→Ser).
Effect of ribonuclease H from chick embryo on the covalent‐linked poly(A)—poly(dA) complementary to poly(dT) template
Authors: Sawai Yasuko , Kitahara Namiko , Tsukada Kinji
Published: July 2002

In vitro poly(dA) synthesis on poly(dT) template can be initiated by poly(A) primer. Poly(A) chains are covalently extended by DNA polymerase. The reaction product consists of poly(dA) chain with poly(A) at their 5′‐ends, hydrogen bonded to the template poly(dT). The primer poly(A) is linked to the product poly(dA) via a 3′ :5′‐phosphodiester bond, and can be specifically removed by ribonuclease H from chick embryos, leaving a 5′‐phosphate end of poly(dA). Poly‐ or oligoriboadenylate longer than the (pA)5 could serve as a priming activity to synthesize poly(A) covalently linked to poly(dA).
Multi‐site phosphorylation of branched‐chain 2‐oxoacid dehydrogenase complex within mitochondria isolated from rat liver, kidney and heart
Authors: Cook Kenneth G. , Lawson Rowena , Yeaman Stephen J.
Published: July 2002

The α subunit of the E1 component of branched‐chain 2‐oxoacid dehydrogenase complex becomes rapidly phosphorylated in rat liver, kidney and heart mitochondria incubated in the presence of succinate and [32P]phosphate. Peptide mapping of tryptic digests of the phosphorylated α subunit indicates that 3 distinct sites are phosphorylated, as has been reported previously by us for phosphorylation in vitro of highly purified complex.
Stability of liposomes in circulation is markedly enhanced by structural modification of their phospholipid component
Authors: Bali A. , Dhawan S. , Gupta C.M.
Published: July 2002

Replacement of the C‐2 ester group in phosphatidylcholine by the carbamyloxy function rendered its liposomes completely stable and longer living in the circulation of rats.
Analysis of erythrocyte membrane proteins from dystrophic hamsters
Authors: Pimplikar S.W. , Malhotra S.K.
Published: July 2002

To search for potentially mutant proteins, we have investigated erythrocyte ghost proteins from normal and dystrophic hamster by two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis. No significant differences are observed between dystrophic and normal erythrocytes in their peptide patterns on SDS‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis while on two‐dimensional gels a protein spot of approximate M
r 20000 with an approximate isoelectric point of 4.5 is found in erythrocytes from dystrophic animals and is consistently absent in normal erythrocytes. A large population of erythrocyte (60%) from dystrophic hamsters shows distorted shape as visualized by scanning electron microscopy. The nature of this protein and its relevance in hamster muscular dystrophy are at present not known.
Characterisation of brain D2 dopamine receptors solubilised by lysophosphatidylcholine
Authors: Wheatley Mark , Strange Philip G.
Published: July 2002

Brain D2 dopamine receptors have been solubilised using lysophosphatidylcholine. The inclusion of proteinase inhibitors during solubilisation enables a preparation to be obtained containing a high proportion of solubilised D2 receptors with pharmacological properties similar to those of membrane bound D2 receptors.
Calcium‐calmodulin‐dependent activation of porcine liver phosphorylase kinase
Authors: Nakamura S. , Tsutou A. , Mizuta K. , Negami A. , Nakaza T. , Hashimoto E. , Yamamura H.
Published: July 2002

Porcine liver phosphorylase kinase was activated about 1.5‐fold by calmodulin in a calcium‐dependent manner. Half‐maximal stimulation was observed at about 80 nM calmodulin and the activation was almost pH‐independent. The specific binding of procine liver phosphorylase kinase to calmodulin—Sepharose affinity column exhibited an absolute dependence upon the presence of calcium. The physiological role of the calmodulin‐dependent activation for liver phosphorylase kinase is discussed.
A rapid stimulation of phosphatidylinositol metabolism in rabbit leukocytes by pseudomonal leukocidin
Authors: Hirayama Toshiya , Kato Iwao
Published: July 2002

The time course experiments of 32Pi‐labelling and breakdown of phospholipids in rabbit leukocytes exposed to leukocidin from Pseudomonas aeruginosa suggested that the initial action of this toxin was to stimulate phosphatidic acid production, presumably by causing a rapid metabolic change of phosphatidylinositol (PI response) correlating with phosphatidylinositol‐specific phospholipase C and 1,2‐diacylglycerol kinase. It appears that a rapid formation of phosphatidic acid and degradation of polyphosphoinositides in leukocytes treated with the toxin might be related a Ca2+‐movement from extra‐ and intracellular spaces, resuling in the activation of Ca2+‐dependent enzymes involved in the leukocidic process.
Reduction kinetics of the photo‐oxidized chlorophyll a+II in the nanosecond range
Authors: Eckert H.-J. , Renger G. , Witt H.T.
Published: July 2002

The 688 nm absorption changes (ΔA
688), indicating the photochemical turnover of chlorophyll a
II (Chl a
II) have been investigated under repetitive laser flash excitation conditions in spinach chlorplasts. It was found that under steady state conditions about 50–60% of the photo‐oxidized primary donor of Photosystem II (PS II), Chl a
+
II, becomes re‐reduced with a biphasic kinetics in the nanosecond time scale with half‐life times of about 50 ns and 400 ns. The remaining Chl a
+
II becomes re‐reduced in the microsecond range.
CAPP‐calmodulin: A potent competitive inhibitor of calmodulin actions
Authors: Newton Dianne L. , Klee Claude B.
Published: July 2002

A covalent adduct of norchlorpromazine (CAPP) and calmodulin is a very potent antagonist of calmodulin activation of several enzymes. The phenothiazine‐calmodulin complex (CAPP‐calmodulin) acts as a pure antagonist with phosphodiesterase and myosin kinase or a partial agonist with the phosphoprotein phosphatase, calcineurin. Because of its potency and the selectivity inherent to its calmodulin moiety, CAPP‐calmodulin should be a uniquely useful probe of calmodulin actions.
ATP production coupled to the denitrification of nitrate in Rhizobium japonicum, grown in cultures and in bacteroids from Glycine max
Authors: Bhandari Basant , Naik M.S. , Nicholas D.J.D.
Published: July 2002

The denitrification of nitrate in membrane fractions of Rhizobium japonicum CC705 grown in culture solutions with nitrate and those from bacteroids of Glycine max was coupled to ATP production. The ATP/2e− ratios for electron transfer from succinate and NADH to NO−
3 and O2 in membrane fractions of R. japonicum grown with nitrate were: succinate to O2, 2.0; succinate to nitrate, 1; NADH to O2, 3; NADH to nitrate, 2. In membrane fractions of bacteroids the value for succinate to nitrate was also 1.
The competitive inhibition of tissue transglutaminase by α‐difluoromethylornithine
Authors: Delcros Jean-Guy , Roch Anne-Marie , Quash Gérard
Published: July 2002

The transglutaminase‐mediated insertion of putrescine into casein was inhibited competitively by α‐difluoromethylornithine (α‐DFMO), an enzyme‐activated irreversible inhibitor of ornithine decarboxylase. Preincubation of the amine acceptor (casein) or the enzyme itself with the inhibitor did not affect enzyme activity. α‐DFMO is a poorer substrate for transglutaminase (K
m = 2.10 mM) than putrescine (K
m = 0.17 mM). The inhibitory effect was also found with fibronectin as amine acceptor.
Gossypol inhibits estrogen binding to rat /‐fetoprotein
Authors: Baker Michael E.
Published: July 2002

We find that gossypol, a male anti‐fertility compound, is a reversible competitive inhibitor of estrogen binding to rat α‐fetoprotein (AFP). The Kd of gossypol for rat AFP is 1.75 μM, which is similar to gossypol's affinity for lactate dehydrogenase isozyme X, the putative site where gossypol exerts its anti‐fertility effects. Reacting sodium cyanoborohydride with gossypol reduces its affinity for AFP, showing that intact aldehyde groups on gossypol are important for binding to rat AFP and indicating that gossypol is specifically interacting with a nucleophilic site on AFP that influences estrogen binding.
A phorbol ester and A23187 act synergistically to release acetylcholine from the guinea pig ileum
Authors: Tanaka C. , Taniyama K. , Kusunoki M.
Published: July 2002

Electrical stimulation of guinea pig ileum preloaded with [3H]choline provokes the release of [3H]acetylcholine (ACh) in a Ca2+‐dependent manner. This release was markedly increased by the tumor‐promoting phorbol ester, 12‐O‐tetradecanoylphorbol 13‐acetate (TPA). The combination of the ionophore A23187 and TPA produced the release of [3H]ACh up to a level equal to or exceeding a maximal response induced by electrical stimulation. A23187 alone gave only a minor response and TPA alone had no apparent effect on the [3H]ACh release. Thus, protein kinase C probably plays a role in cell surface signal transduction related to the release of transmitters from nerve endings.
Structure of the Euglena gracilis chloroplast gene (psbA) coding for the 32‐kDa protein of Photosystem II
Authors: Keller Mario , Stutz Erhard
Published: July 2002

Euglena gracilis Chloroplast genome psbA trnL
Debrisoquine‐type polymorphism of drug oxidation: purification from human liver of a cytochrome P450 isozyme with high activity for bufuralol hydroxylation
Authors: Gut J. , Gasser R. , Dayer P. , Kronbach T. , Catin T. , Meyer U.A.
Published: July 2002

Cytochrome P450
Functional deficiency
Debrisoquine polymorphism
Human liver
Bufuralol‐1'‐hydroxylation
Stereoselectivity
Rapid purification fo deoxyribonuclease I using fast protein liquid chromatography
Authors: Markey Francis
Published: July 2002

Deoxyribonuclease I finds extensive application in the fields of both nucleic acid and cell motility research. This paper describes the use of the cationic exchange column MonoQ, marketed by Pharmacia as part of their Fast Protein Liquid Chromatography system, for further purification of the enzyme from commercially available material. Up to 7 mg DNase I of high purity can be obtained in a single separation step taking about 20 min to perform. The quality of the product is documented using 3 independent assay criteria.
The Rhesus (D) polypeptide is linked to the human erythrocyte cytoskeleton
Authors: Ridgwell K. , Tanner M.J.A. , Anstee D.J.
Published: July 2002

Cytoskeleton preparations derived from lactoperoxidase‐radioiodinated human erythrocytes were found to be enriched in a labelled component with the same apparent molecular mass as the Rhesus (D) (Rh(D)) antigen polypeptide. Immune precipitation from the cytoskeleton preparations confirmed that this component is the Rh(D) polypeptide. The results suggest that the Rh(D) polypeptide may be linked to the erythrocyte skeletal matrix. The possibility that the Rh(D) antigen is involved in maintaining the shape and viability of the erythrocyte is discussed.
Two peptidases that convert 125I‐Lys‐Arg(Met)enkephalin and 125I‐(Met)enkephalin‐Arg6, respectively, to 125I‐(Met)enkephalin in bovine adrenal medullary chromaffin granules
Authors: Hook Vivian Y.H. , Eiden Lee E.
Published: July 2002

Two peptidases which convert 125I‐Lys‐Arg‐ME and 125I‐ME‐Arg6, respectively, to 125I‐ME, have been identified and characterized in bovine adrenomedullary chromaffin granules. The former is referred to as a secretory granule peptidase (SGP) and the latter as a carboxypeptidase B‐like enzyme (CPB‐like) [7] which is here further characterized. SGP cleaved 125I‐Lys‐Arg‐ME to produce only 125I‐ME and was localized in chromaffin granules which contained co
2
+‐stimulated CPB‐like activity, ME, and catecholamines. Both the SGP and the CPB‐like enzymes appear to be thiol‐metalloproteases. While the CPB‐like enzyme seems likely to be involved in processing the enkephalin precursors [7], SGP may function as a trypsin‐like or aminopeptidase enzyme in secretory granules.
Homologies between a brain‐specific identifier (ID) sequence and regions of Harvey murine sarcoma virus and Rous sarcoma virus genomes
Authors: Minárovits János , Kovács Zoltán , Földes István
Published: July 2002

Nucleic acid homology
RNA tumor virus
Identifier sequence
Cell transformation
Tissue specificity
Identification and partial DNA sequence of the gene for the α‐subunit of the ATP synthase complex of Chlamydomonas reinhardii chloroplasts
Authors: Hallick Richard B.
Published: July 2002

Chlamydomonas Chloroplast DNA
atpA
ATP synthase
DNA sequence
Subcellular distribution of acetylcholinesterase asymmetric forms during postnatal development of mammalian skeletal muscle
Authors: Fernandez Hugo L. , Seiter Thomas C.
Published: July 2002

This study describes the changes which occur in intra‐ and extracellular asymmetric acetylcholinesterase (AChE) forms in rat gracilis muscle during postnatal development. Initially (day 7) these forms (12.5 S and 16 S AChE) were evenly distributed along the muscle and only present intracellularly. With advancing age (days 7–28) they gradually became concentrated in endplate (vs non‐endplate) muscle regions where a certain proportion of them was subsequently externalized. In contrast, no externalization was observed in the non‐endplate regions. Our results support the view that AChE asymmetric forms are assembled within the muscle cell prior to their deposition on the extracellular synaptic compartment.
A novel Cα‐Cβ cleavage of a β‐O‐4 lignin model dimer with rearrangement of the β‐aryl group by Phanerochaete chrysosporium
Authors: Umezawa Toshiaki , Higuchi Takayoshi
Published: July 2002

Incubation of aβ‐O‐4 lignin substructure model dimer, 4‐ethoxy‐3‐methoxyphenylglycerol‐β‐guaiacyl ether (I), with a culture of Phanerochaete chrysosporium yielded 2‐guaiacoxyethanol (II) as one of the main catabolites. It was demonstrated by isotopic investigation with β‐18O‐ and γ‐13C‐labeled substrates that the guaiacyl group at the β‐position of (I) was rearranged to the adjacent γ‐position in the formation of (II) by Cα‐Cβ cleavage.
Effect of phorbol ester and phospholipase C on LH‐stimulated steroidogenesis in purified rat Leydig cells
Authors: Papadopoulos Vassilios , Carreau Serge , Drosdowsky Michel A.
Published: July 2002

When the phorbol ester, 4β‐phorbol‐12‐myristate‐13‐acetate (PMA) or bacterial phospholipase C (PL‐C) is added to a preparation of purified adult rat Leydig cells, containing 2 mM CaCl2, a time‐ and dose‐dependent decrease of LH‐stimulated testosterone production is observed. After a 3 h stimulation with oLH (100 ), PMA (100 ) and PL‐C (1.6 ) do not affect the cell viability or the hCG specific binding, while cAMP accumulation is significantly reduced; cAMP‐stimulated steroidogenesis is diminished only in the presence of PL‐C. These observations suggest that in vitro: (i) activated Ca2+‐ and phospholipid‐dependent protein kinase is implicated in the regulation of rat Leydig cell steroidogenesis by LH at a step before the adenylate cyclase; (ii) phospholipids play an important role in cAMP‐stimulated testosterone synthesis.
Biosynthesis of intestinal microvillar proteins
Authors: Danielsen E.Michael , Cowell Gillian M.
Published: July 2002

The kinetics of processing and microvillar expression of aminopeptidase N (EC 3.4.11.2) and sucrose α‐D‐glucohydrolase‐oligo‐1,6‐glucosidase (sucrase‐isomaltase, EC 3.2.1.48 and EC 3.2.1.10) were compared by labelling of pig small intestinal mucosal explants with [35S] lmethionine. The conversion from transient (high mannose glycosylated) to mature (complex glycosylated) form was 1.7‐times slower for sucrase‐isomaltase than for aminopeptidase N, indicating a slower rate of migration from the rough endoplasmic reticulum to the Golgi complex. Likewise, sucrase‐isomaltase appeared in the microvillar fraction at a slower rate than aminopeptidase N. The relative pool sizes of mature and transient forms of both enzymes in intracellular membranes (Mg2+‐precipitated fraction) were determined to obtain information on the relative time, spent pre‐ and post‐Golgi, respectively, prior to microvillar expression. This ratio was 0.24 ± 0.06 (mean ± SD) for sucrase‐isomaltase as compared to 0.40 ± 0.04 (mean ± SD) for aminopeptidase N. Considering the slower rate of pre‐Golgi transport for sucrase‐isomaltase, this indicates that the two microvillar enzymes have rather similar if not identical rates of post‐Golgi transport.
Nucleotide sequences of cDNAs encoding precursors of human insulin‐like growth factor II (IGF‐II) and an IGF‐II variant
Authors: Jansen M. , van Schaik P.M.A. , van Tol H. , Van den Brande J.L. , Sussenbach J.S.
Published: July 2002

We have isolated 3 cDNA clones encoding human IGF‐II and a variant of IGF‐II. The amino acid sequence encoded by the IGF‐II cDNA is identical to the sequence previously described [(1978) FEBS Lett. 89, 283‐286]. In the amino acid sequence predicted by the IGF‐II variant cDNA, the Ser residue 29 in the B‐domain has been replaced by an Arg‐Leu‐Pro‐Gly sequence. The corresponding mRNAs probably arise by alternative splicing of a common RNA precursor. The IGF coding region of the cDNA inserts is flanked by sequences encoding a signal peptide and a carboxy‐terminal peptide indicating that both human IGF‐II and its variant are synthesized as precursors.
The azido[14C]atrazine photoaffinity technique labels a 34‐kDa protein in Scenedesmus which functions on the oxidizing side of photosystem II
Authors: Metz James G. , Bricker Terry M. , Seibert Michael
Published: July 2002

We have used azido[14C]atrazine to photoaffinity label thylakoids from wild‐type (WT) Scenedesmus and a mutant, LF‐1, which is blocked on the oxidizing side of photosystem II (PS II). One protein is labeled in each case, at 34 kDa in the WT and 36 kDa in LF‐1. Previous comparison of the WT with LF‐1 had been used to assign a PS II donor side function to the 34‐kDa protein. These results suggest that this photoaffinity technique does not label the herbicide‐binding protein involved in electron transfer on the reducing side of PS II.
Isolation of a teratocarcinoma stem cell lectin implicated in intercellular adhesion
Authors: Grabel Laura B. , Singer Mark S. , Martin Gail R. , Rosen Steven D.
Published: July 2002

We have previously identified a cell surface teratocarcinoma stem cell lectin with a fucan/mannan specificity. We now report the purification of the hemagglutinin (lectin) from stem cell conditioned medium by exclusion on a Sepharose 2B column, followed by elution with 0.5 M NaCl from DEAE‐cellulose, providing an overall purification of about 90‐fold. When this material was analyzed, by SDS‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, a major band of M
r 56 000 was consistently observed. Hemagglutination activity was renatured from the gels and localized exclusively to a region of the gel that, as detected by fluorography, contains only the 56‐kDa component. This suggested that this polypeptide comprises the lectin.
The platelet activation induced by wheat germ agglutinin
Authors: Higashihara Masaaki , Takahata Kyoya , Ohashi Tatsuya , Kariya Toshitsugu , Kurne Shoji , Oka Hiroshi
Published: July 2002

In human platelets, wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) induced serotonin release without cell agglutination. WGA induced the phosphorylation of both 40‐kDa and 20‐kDa proteins in a parallel manner, and at least, the phosphorylation of 40‐kDa protein was preceded by transient formation of endogenous diacylglycerol (DG) accompanied by a decrease in phosphatidylinositol (PI). Both phosphorylation of these two proteins and serotonin release were inhibited by prior treatment of platelets with dibutyryl cyclic AMP, W‐7, or TMB‐8. These results suggest that both phosphatidylinositol turnover and Ca2+ mobilization play an essential role in WGA‐induced platelet activation.
Cloning and sequence analysis of cDNA for rat corticotropin‐releasing factor precursor
Authors: Jingami Hisato , Mizuno Noboru , Takahashi Hideo , Shibahara Shigeki , Furutani Yasuji , Imura Hiroo , Numa Shosaku
Published: July 2002

DNA complementary to the rat hypothalamic mRNA coding for the corticotropin‐releasing factor precursor (prepro‐CRF) has been cloned by screening a cDNA library with a human genomic DNA probe. Nucleotide sequence analysis of the cloned cDNA has revealed that rat prepro‐CRF consists of 187 amino acid residues including a putative signal peptide. The CRF and putative signal peptide regions are more highly conserved among rat, human and ovine prepro‐CRF than is the cryptic portion.
Two‐site phosphorylation of the phosphorylatable light chain (20‐kDa light chain) of chicken gizzard myosin
Authors: Cole H.A. , Griffiths H.S. , Patchell V.B. , Perry S.V.
Published: July 2002

When prepared under specified conditions chicken gizzard myosin was obtained which when incubated with ATP gave rise to a diphosphorylated as well as the monophosphorylated form of P light chain. Formation of the diphosphorylated light chain occurred more readily with these myosin preparations, but could also be obtained by prolonged incubation of the isolated whole light chain fraction with kinase preparations from rabbit skeletal and chicken gizzard muscles. Using isolated light chains as substrate the more readily formed monophosphorylated light chain contained serine phosphate while the diphosphorylated form contained serine and threonine phosphates.