bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Osteoporotic Intertrochanteric Fractures in the Elderly Managed with Proximal Femoral Nail Antirotation-The Functional Outcome
Authors: Gill SPS , Mittal Ankit , Raj Manish , Singh Satosh , Rajpoot Ajay , Singh Akashdeep
Published: March 2021

Introduction: Despite recent evolution in the operating techniques and surgical implants, debate continues around the choice of implant for the management of intertrochanteric fractures of femur bone. There is a paucity of clinical data on the results with Proximal Femoral Nail Antirotation (PFNA). Aim: To evaluate the functional and radiological outcome of reduction and fixation of these fractures with PFNA. Materials and Methods: This prospective interventional study was conducted from december 2015 to november 2018. A total of 62 patients of more than 50 years of age with intertrochanteric fracture were managed with internal fixation using PFNA. All the pateints were evaluated with respect to the mean operative time, blood loss. Fluoroscopy exposure, time to union and development of any complication. The statistical analysis involved calculation of the mean and Standard Deviations (SD) of above parameters which was done using the Microsoft excel chart sheet. Functional evaluation was done using the Harris Hip Score (HHS). Results: A total of 62 patients with age ranging from 54 to 94 years (mean 78.2, SD 09.11) were evaluated. The mean duration of follow-up was 14.3 months. The average operative time, the mean blood loss and the average fluoroscopy time were 61.4 (range 45-90 minutes, SD 11.6) minutes, 103.9 (range 60-200 mL, SD 36.4) mL and 74.0 (range 41 to 98, SD 13.5) seconds respectively. About 100% union rate with the average time to union being 16.1 (SD 3.3) weeks and ranging from 12 weeks to 24 weeks was reported. Varus collapse and limb shortening >1 cm were observed in 3 patients. The average HHS at the end of study showed a mean value of 82.8 (SD 8.6) and ranged from 65 to 94 with 46 (74.2%) patients having excellent to good outcome. Conclusion: Owing to easy insertion, reduced operative time and blood loss, stable fixation, less complications and good functional and radiological outcome, PFNA can prove to be an implant of choice for the management of intertrochantric fractures of the femur.
Sino Cranial Aspergillosis Mimicking Skull Base Meningioma- A Case Report and Review of Literature
Authors: Joshi Vishwanath , Rao Saumya , Kamat Neemish , Verma Mitusha , Patkar Deepak
Published: March 2021

Fungal infections of the nose and paranasal sinuses can be categorised into invasive and noninvasive forms. Central Nervous System (CNS) Aspergillosis is extremely rare in immunocompetent individuals. Invasive fungal sinusitis affecting CNS commonly poses a diagnostic dilemma on imaging, often confused with neoplastic processes. Here, Authors report a case of invasive sino cranial aspergillosis in immunocompetent individual mimicking a meningioma on imaging. A 46-year-old male patient presented with history of seizure like episode and right eye proptosis to Neurology Department. On Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), there was enhancing T2 weighted hypointense extra-axial mass lesion along right frontal convexity with associated osseous erosion, intraorbital extension and associated sinus disease. Based on clinical presentation and imaging features, initial diagnosis of a aggressive neoplastic lesion was made. Patient subsequently underwent biopsy which showed fungal elements of Aspergillus Fumigatus species. Patient underwent endoscopic sinus surgery and along intravenous and oral antifungal therapy with good response to treatment. This case highlights the key role of imaging including MRI and CT in making accurate diagnosis of fungal sinusitis especially in immunocompetent individuals and differentiate from other entities like meningioma.
Effect of Entrepreneurial Orientation on SMEs’ Innovation Performance in Sri Lanka
Authors: Perera Lahiru Sameera , Samarakoon S. M. A. K.
Published: March 2021

The critical phenomenon that SMEs' innovativeness denotes has growing interest from developing country researchers from multiple fields over the last decades. Thus, the study's objective is to examine the Entrepreneurial Orientations' effect on SMEs' innovativeness in Sri Lanka. Risk-taking, proactiveness, autonomy, innovativeness, and Competitiveness have been used to operationalize the Entrepreneurial Orientation concept, and SMEs' innovation performance was conceptualized based on three dimensions. A self-administrated questionnaire is distributed to the SEM owners and collected seventy-six completed questionnaires. Descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis were used to analyze the data. Results of the study shown that OE as a whole significantly impacts innovative performance. Specifically, while the four dimensions of EO, namely, risk-taking, proactiveness, innovativeness, and autonomy, significantly impact SMEs' innovative performance. But, Competitiveness does not have a significant influence on SMEs' innovation performance. The study focuses only on OE that influences SMEs innovation performance. The most considerable significant portion of enterprises in Sri Lankan business sector represents SMEs. It is anticipated that Sri Lankan policy makers, SME owners, and business decision-makers will help SMEs better understand policymakers' significant impact on SMEs' innovation performance.
Comparative Assessment of the Nutritional Fitness of Wild and Cultured African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus)
Authors: Akinpelu Ayandiran Tolulope , Akinloye Ogundiran Mathew , Olumuyiwa Ajala Olasunmbo , Afolabi Opasola Olaniyi , Stephen Olanipekun Abimbola
Published: March 2021

The nutritional qualities of wild and cultured Clarias gariepinus from Oba Reservoir, Ikose, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria, and the cultured fish from the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Oyo State Ministry of Agriculture and Mineral Resources, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria, were evaluated. The proximate composition, mineral element composition and essential amino acids profile of the sampled fish species were evaluated using standard laboratory procedures. The results of the proximate composition was observed to be high in cultured population compared to the Wild and there was a statistical significant difference in the amount of crude protein, fibres, carbohydrate, fat/lipid, ash and moisture contents across the two sampled populations (Wild; 17.94 ± 0.19, Cultured; 21.06 ± 0.51), t = -5.738, p-value =0.001. Mineral element content showed maximum amount of copper (Cu), Lead (Pb), Manganese (Mn) and Iron (Fe) in Wild population than in their cultured counterpart while the amount of Cadmium (Cd) and Nickel (Ni) observed in Wild population were undetected. It was also discovered that all amino acid analysed were found to be higher in the cultured group compared to the wild. There were varied levels of significant correlations among all the measured amino acids contents across the two sampled populations. This study showed that the proximate composition, elemental contents and amino acids profiles of both the cultured and wild fishes varies significantly and the results proofed that the cultured fish sample were more nutritious than the wild population, therefore, good monitoring system of Oba Reservoir should be encouraged with strict vigilance.
Characterization of the Molecular Lipophilicity of Mycolactones A/B and C, Infectious Factors of Mycobacterium ulcerans Agent of Buruli Ulcer
Authors: Kassi Kadjo François , Ehouman Jean Missa , Koné Mamadou Guy-Richard , Ouattara Lamoussa , Dembélé Georges Stéphane , Ziao Nahossé
Published: March 2021

The work was undertaken as part of the Buruli ulcer control program. It is particularly about the determination of the lipophilicity of mycolactones A/B and C, infectious factors of Mycobacterium ulcerans, the agent of Buruli ulcer. The REKKER method and some free software such as MOLINSPIRATION, ACD/ChemSketch and EPIWED were used for the determination of the lipophilicity of mycolactones A/B and C. Very high logP values were found and respectively ranged from 12.11 to 11.41 for mycolactone A/B and 11.69 to 11.58 for mycolactone C. These values obtained from this coefficient, show that mycolactones A/B and C are naturally lipophilic and that actually reflects their effective presence in the subcutaneous fat of the infected area. These results are very encouraging and promising. They are key factors for a better understanding of the biological activities of the two mycolactones and pave the way for the proposal of a mechanism to annihilate their destructive effects.
Does ICT Diffusion Improve Financial Inclusion in Africa?
Authors: Richard Zogo Ekassi
Published: March 2021

This article examines the effects of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) diffusion on financial inclusion from a sample of 52 African countries. We specify and estimate a panel data model by Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) over the period 2006-2019, based on the different approaches of financial inclusion. Our results show that, ICT diffusion increases financial inclusion as well as penetration, accessibility and use of financial services in Africa. We suggest policies to promote ICT infrastructure to stimulate financial inclusion by promoting digital finance.
Considerations in Real-time Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (rRT-PCR) for the Detection of SARS-CoV-2 from Nasopharyngeal Swabs
Authors: Sekar Priyadharshini , Menezes Godfred Antony , Shivappa Pooja , George Biji Thomas , Hossain Ashfaque
Published: March 2021

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) was first reported in December 2019, in the City of Wuhan, China. Within the span of a few weeks, the disease had spread to other regions of China and eventually to different parts of the world. COVID 19 has affected 221 countries and territories around the world, with a total of 121,290,697 positive cases and 2,682,554 deaths as on March 17, 2021. Accurate disease diagnosis (for the SARS-Cov-2 virus and variants), coupled to patient isolation are currently critical strategies in restricting disease spread. Due to lack of time during this pandemic the diagnostics assays were not adequately validated. Infected individuals at times could potentially be missed by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) for SARS-CoV-2 tests due to incorrect/inefficient sampling procedure, low limit of detection and epidemiology of the virus. rRT-PCR test results should be interpreted in conjunction with clinical examination and Computed Tomography (CT), particularly in suspected symptomatic individuals or those with epidemiological history of contact with known COVID-19 cases. Considering the above-mentioned constraints, the current scenario demands rapid and point-of-care tests for detection of SARS-CoV-2 in remote locations. To date, there is no reliable commercially available antigen detection kit. The infected subjects reveal low levels of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 through the early period of infection. In addition, techniques such as, Digital RT-PCR technology and isothermal RNA amplification with electrochemical biosensors are some of the new technologies currently being developed to provide sensitive and specific SARS-Cov-2 antigen detection. The newly reported variant, SARS-CoV-2 VUI 202012/01 may not influence diagnostic outcomes as worldwide most PCR assays use two or more (including RdRp/ E/ N) reliable gene targets, besides S gene.
Antibacterial and Antifungal Activity of Ficus carica Plant Extract
Authors: Shafique Firza , Naureen Uzma , Zikrea Annam , Ali Qurban , Sadiq Rumana , Naseer Mehwish , Rafique Tanzila , Akhter Sohail
Published: March 2021

The development of antibiotic resistant bacteria causes many harmful effects on human and animal lives. In developing countries many expensive synthetic drugs are being used to cure diseases but they have many side effects. Therefore, there is need to develop new strategies to control microbial infections. Therefore, we decided to work on extracts of different parts of Ficus carica which have good activity against gram positive bacteria, gram negative bacteria and fungal species. Methanol and chloroform extracts of root, stem, leaves and fruits were prepared and zone of inhibition was measured by using well diffusion method against gram negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa) two gram positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus) and two fungal species Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus oryzae. methanol extract of leaves has high % yield (5.86%) and high zone of inhibition (23mm) against bacteria Escherichia coli and fungus Aspergillus niger (34mm). Bacteria Staphylococcus aureus was highly sensitive to chloroform extract with zone of inhibition 74mm while Escherichia coli was highly sensitive to metabolic extract with zone of inhibition 82mm. Chloroform extract has average zone of inhibition (56mm) and methanolic extract has average zone of inhibition (63mm).
Evaluation of low dose prazosin for PTSD-associated nightmares in children and adolescents
Authors: Hudson Nancy , Burghart Steven , Reynoldson Jill , Grauer Dennis
Published: March 2021

Introduction

Knowledge about fundamental sleep disorders and dysregulation that occurs in children with PTSD is limited. Prazosin is an alpha-1 receptor antagonist often used off label for the treatment of PTSD-associated nightmares in adults; however, evaluation of its use in pediatrics and adolescents is limited. The primary objective of this study was to assess the impact of prazosin on nightmares associated with PTSD in this population. Secondary objectives included assessing side effects, changes in blood pressure, and 30-day readmission rates.

Methods

This was a retrospective, single-center chart review of inpatients diagnosed with PTSD nightmares from January 1, 2017, to July 31, 2019. Patients 4 to 18 years old with a PTSD diagnosis, experiencing nightmares, and initiating any dose of prazosin were assessed to determine efficacy and tolerance.

Results

Forty-two patients were evaluated to determine symptom improvement after initiation of prazosin for PTSD nightmares in children and adolescents. Of the 42 patients, 24 (57.1%) reported improvement in nightmares (average dose 1.05 mg). For secondary results, 38 (90.5%) patients continued prazosin at discharge, and 2 (5%) were readmitted within 30 days for reasons other than PTSD-associated nightmares. Thirty-four (81%) reported having no adverse effects to prazosin. There was no significant difference in systolic (P = .1883) or diastolic (P = .2777) blood pressure preinitiation and postinitiation of prazosin.

Discussion

Despite the limitations of this retrospective study, the data suggests that prazosin may be associated with an improvement in nightmares in children and adolescents with PTSD. Adverse events were rarely reported, and there was no significant change in blood pressure with initiation of prazosin.
Reconstitution of a Mg‐ATP‐dependent protein phosphatase and its activation through a phosphorylation mechanism
Authors: Hemmings Brian A. , Resink Therese J. , Cohen Philip
Published: July 2002

A Mg‐ATP‐dependent protein phosphatase has been reconstituted from the catalytic subunit of protein phosphatase‐1 and inhibitor‐2, and consists of a 1:1 complex between these proteins. Activation of this enzyme by glycogen synthase kinase‐3 and Mg‐ATP results from the phosphorylation of inhibitor‐2 on a threonine residue(s) and is accompanied by the dissociation of the complex. The results prove that protein phosphatase‐1 and the Mg‐ATP‐dependent protein phosphatase contain the same catalytic subunit, and that they are interconvertible forms of the same enzyme.
Further characterization of the bile salt‐stimulated lipase in human milk
Authors: Bläckberg Lars , Hernell Olle
Published: July 2002

Bile salt‐stimulated lipase is a milk enzyme unique to the higher primates. Its molecular and kinetic characteristics differ greatly from other lipolytic enzymes; e.g., pancreatic lipase and lipoprotein lipase. It has a much higher app. M
r, 310 000 on gel filtration and 100 000 after denaturation. It requires primary bile salts for optimal activity and bile salts also protect the enzyme from proteolytic and heat inactivation. It may, due to its low substrate specificity, contribute to the utilization of a variety of milk lipids. Since it lacks positional specificity, digestion of milk triglycerides should be complete, which may explain why fat absorption is more efficient in breast‐fed than in formula‐fed infants.
Factor XIII‐mediated cross‐linking of NH2‐terminal peptide of α2‐plasmin inhibitor to fibrin
Authors: Ichinose Akitada , Tamaki Taro , Aoki Nobuo
Published: July 2002

The NH2‐terminal 12‐residue peptide of α2‐plasmin inhibitor, Asn—Gln—Glu—Gln—Val—Ser—Pro—Leu—Thr—Gly—Leu—Lys—NH2 ·AcOH, was found to be a good substrate for plasma transglutaminase (activated blood coagulation factor XIII) and rapidly incorporated into fibrin by the enzyme. A high concentration of the peptide inhibited the enzyme‐mediated cross‐linking of α2‐plasmin inhibitor to fibrin probably by competing with the inhibitor for the same site of fibrin α‐chain.
Complementary addressed reagents carrying EDTA‐Fe(II) groups for directed cleavage of single‐stranded nucleic acids
Authors: Boutorin A.S. , Vlassov V.V. , Kazakov S.A. , Kutiavin I.V. , Podyminogin M.A.
Published: July 2002

An octathymidylate derivative carrying an EDTA residue at its 5'‐terminus was synthesized. In the presence of Fe2+, O2 and dithiotreitol, this derivative cleaves poly(dA) and poly(A) more efficiently than the non‐complementary polynucleotide poly(dT).
Nucleotide sequence of the gene for apocytochrome b‐559 on the spinach plastid chromosome: implications for the structure of the membrane protein
Authors: Herrmann Reinhold G. , Alt Juliane , Schiller Barbara , Widger W.R. , Cramer William A.
Published: July 2002

Analysis of a 0.6 kb fragment of the spinach plastic chromosome adjacent to the 3' end of the apocytochrome f gene has disclosed two uninterrupted reading frames of 83 and 39 triplets, the product of the first one being apocytochrome b‐559. The first 27 predicted amino acid residues had been verified by protein sequence analysis and the molecular mass of 9390 Da derived from the amino acid sequence deduced here is close to that of the authentic protein. The two genes are transcribed by a bicistronic RNA in a direction opposite to that of cytochrome f, and their translation stop/potential ribosome binding sites overlap. Features of the two genes resembling those of bacterial genes include putative tetra‐ or pentanucleotide ShineDalgarno sequences, Pribnow boxes, ‘−35’ promotor consensus sequences and possibly a transcription termination region. Both gene structure and products of DNA‐ or RNA‐programmed cell‐free translation preclude that apocytochrome b‐559 is made as a precursor. The amino acid sequence includes only one histidine residue located in a predicted secondary structure of strong hydrophobicity which indicates the intriguing possibility that more than one protein chain must cooperate in heme binding of this cytochrome.
Haemoglobin Warwickshire (β5 [A2] Pro → Arg)
Authors: Wilson C.I.D. , Cave R.J. , Lehmann H. , Close Madeleine , Imai† K.
Published: July 2002

The blood of a 67‐year‐old Scotsman who was admitted to hospital with an abdominal carcinoma showed an abnormal red cell lysis in the oxidase channel of the Technicon H6000 analyser. This is seen regularly with Hb C and sometimes with Hb S and on further investigation a new haemoglobin variant ‐ Hb Warwickshire — was found. When the family was examined, other examples were revealed. The haematological parameters were normal. Hb Warwickshire is mildly unstable and whilst in the absence of phosphates its oxygen dissociation does not differ from that of Hb A, a small fall of oxygen affinity is noted when phosphates are present.
Inhibitors for distinction of three types of human glutathione transferase
Authors: Kalim Tahir Mohammad , Guthenberg Claes , Mannervik Bengt
Published: July 2002

A set of inhibitors that are useful for distinction of three types of human cytosolic glutathione transferase is presented. The near‐neutral transferase is inhibited most effectively by Cibacron blue (itI50 = 0.05 μM), the acidic transferase by Cibacron blue (itI50 = 0.5 μM), and the basic transferase by tributyltin acetate (itI50 = 0.1 μM). The use of any of these two compounds makes possible differentiation between all three types of human transferase.
Studies on the maintenance of cytochromes P‐450 and b5, monooxygenases and cytochrome reductases in primary cultures of rat hepatocytes
Authors: Grant M.H. , Melvin M.A.L. , Shaw P. , Melvin W.T. , Burke M.D.
Published: July 2002

The cytochrome P‐450 content of rat hepatocytes declined rapidly over 72 h in culture, due primarily to denaturation to cytochrome P‐420. Six different media were investigated for their ability to conserve cytochrome P‐450 during culture, and the most successful was a modified Earle's medium. After 72 h culture in this medium, cytochromes P‐450 and b
5, NADH‐cytochrome b
5‐ and NADPH‐cytochrome c‐reductases were maintained at 40, 100, 35 and 52% of fresh cell values, respectively. Cytochrome P‐450 showed differential functional stability during culture with ethoxyresorufin O‐deethylation being more stable than either pentoxyphenoxazone O‐depentylation or biphenyl 4‐hydroxylation. Monooxygenase activities declined faster than did cytochrome P‐450 content. This discrepancy was not explained by loss of the flavin nucleotides, FMN or FAD.
Undirectional degradation of valonia cellulose microcrystals subjected to cellulase action
Authors: Chanzy Henri , Henrissat Bernard
Published: July 2002

Cellulose microcrystals from the alga Valonia macrophysa have been subjected to enzymatic degradation with purified cellulase components from the fungus Trichoderma reesei. Electron microscopy reveals that 1,4‐β‐D‐glucan cellobiohydrolase II erodes only one of the two tips of the microcrystals. This demonstrates not only the exo‐action pattern of the enzyme, but also the parallel packing of the cellulose chains within Valonia cellulose microcrystals. When 1,4‐β‐D‐glucan cellobiohydrolase II is mixed with 1,4‐β‐D‐glucan glucanohydrolase II, several sites of attack are observed, located at defects along the microcrystals. In that case again, the biodegradation is persistently unidirectional and visual evidence is given for the endo‐exo co‐operativity between the two enzymes.
Diamines reverse the direction on the bacteriorhodopsin proton pump
Authors: Tóth-Boconádi R. , Hristova S.G. , Keszthelyi L.
Published: July 2002

Purple membranes oriented and immobilized in gel were soaked in solutions containing different monoamines and diamines. The flash‐excited electric signals showed a reversal of the direction of the charge motion in bacteriorhodopsin in the case of diamines which was interpreted as the reversal of the proton pump. Monoamines had negligible influence on the electric signals. The influence of tetramethylethylenediamine was also studied in detail.
Preclinical increase in activity of muscle microsomal trypsin‐like protease in murine muscular dystrophy, C57BL/10‐mdx
Authors: Sawada Hitoshi , Tsuji Shigekatsu , Kusumoto Shigeo , Doi Yoshio , Matsushita Hiroshi
Published: July 2002

Preclinical alterations of protease activities in skeletal muscles from 10‐day‐old dystrophic mouse, C57BL/10‐mdx, were examined by using 10 fluorogenic peptide substrates. Among the activities tested, only Boc‐Val‐Pro‐Arg‐MCA‐hydrolyzing enzyme of the muscle microsomes showed an about 6‐fold higher level of activity in mdx mouse. The increase in activity was not observed in tissues other than skeletal muscle. The enzyme had a pH optimum between 8.5 and 11.0, and was inhibited with DFP and variety of trypsin inhibitors. The enzymatic activity transiently increased at 1‐2 weeks of age, the preclinical or very early stage of the disease. These results imply that the increased level of a trypsin‐like protease possibly present in muscle microsomes may be closely related to the manifestation of muscular dystrophy.
On the analogy in the structure of the spleen green heme protein and granulocyte myeloperoxidase
Authors: Ikeda-Saito Masao
Published: July 2002

The molecular structure of the spleen green heme protein was reinvestigated by gel‐permeation, SDS‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and amino acid analysis. The results showed that the enzyme is a tetramer (M
r 1.5 × 105) with two heavy subunits (M
r 6 × 104 with a single prosthetic group per subunit) and two light subunits (M
r 1.5 × 104), and that the tetramer structure is maintained by disulfide bond(s). The amino acid composition of the spleen green heme protein is similar to that of granulocyte myeloperoxidase. The present results contradict the data of Davis and Averill [(1981) J. Biol. Chem. 256, 5992‐5996], who reported the enzyme as a monomeric peroxidase with an M
r of 57 000.
Organization of hydroxyapatite crystals within collagen fibrils
Authors: Weiner Stephen , Traub Wolfie
Published: July 2002

Transmission electron micrographs of individual mineralized collagen fibrils show that hydroxyapatite crystals are located mainly within the fibrils at the level of the gap regions. The plate‐shaped crystals are observed to be more or less uniformly stacked across the fibril diameter. We therefore suggest that the crystals are primarily located in ‘grooves’ created by contiguous adjacent gaps. The proposal is consistent with the observed crystal distribution in the fibril and with their average widths, which are almost 10‐times greater than an individual gap diameter.
Lack of adenosine deaminase deficiency in the mutant mouse wasted
Authors: Geiger J.D. , Nagy J.I.
Published: July 2002

The possibility that the mutant mouse wasted (wst/wst) may serve as an animal model for studies of severe combined immunodeficiency disease (SCID) and the role of adenosine deaminase (ADA, EC 3.5.4.4) in adenosine metabolism were investigated. The specific activity of ADA in wst/wst compared with control mice was significantly lower by 26% in thymus, but significantly higher by 18% in spleen and 32% in cerebellum. V
max values of ADA in spleens were 4356 higher in wst/wst mice and no changes were observed in K
m values. In contrast, the V
max of ADA was unchanged in erythrocytes from wst/wst mice, but the K
m for adenosine was significantly elevated. Thus, based on ADA measurements alone, it may be premature to consider wst/wst mice as a model for ADA deficiency and SCID in humans.
A possible structure for α‐crystallin
Authors: Augusteyn Robert C. , Koretz Jane F.
Published: July 2002

α‐Crystallin, the major protein of the mammalian eye lens, is found in vivo as a multimeric aggregate composed of two closely related subunits whose molar ratio is widely variable from species to species. Attempts to determine the arrangement of the subunits within the aggregate, or even to determine the size of the aggregate and the number of subunits composing it, have not resulted in general agreement. Because of the variability in λ‐crystallin particle size, the apparent dependence of this parameter on certain environmental factors (e.g. temperature), the absence of a specific requirement for either α‐crystallin isoform in aggregation, and the sharp division in the amino acid sequence between a strong hydrophobic region and a sharply hydrophilic one, it is suggested that the α‐crystallin aggregate has the properties of a protein micelle. This hypothesis is consistent with what is known of the α‐crystallin molecule and aggregate, and can be tested experimentally. If this hypothesis is shown to be true, then α‐crystallin will be the first example of a naturally occurring protein micelle.
Secretion of antileucoprotease from a human lung tumor cell line
Authors: Appelhans B. , Ender B. , Sachse G. , Nikiforov T. , Appelhans H. , Ebert W.
Published: July 2002

Two human tumor cell lines were analyzed for the production of human antileucoprotease (ALP). One of them, a human squamous lung carcinoma cell line (HS‐24) synthesized, as confirmed by Western blot analysis, high amounts of ALP in serum‐free medium. The supernatant inhibited elastase, chymotrypsin and trypsin. Northern blot analysis with an 18‐mer radiolabelled oligonucleotide, derived from an ALP specific cDNA clone, revealed a specific mRNA of about 700–800 nucleotides in HS‐24 tumor cells. In contrast, a secondary human lung tumor cell line (SB‐3), derived from the adrenal cortex, did not synthesize ALP when assayed under identical conditions. The supernatant inhibited only trypsin and chymotrypsin.
Neuromedin N: Presence and chromatographic characterization in the rat
Authors: Lee Y.C. , Ball J.A. , Reece D. , Bloom S.R.
Published: July 2002

The distribution of neuromedin N and its structurally related peptide, neurotensin, was investigated in the rat and found to be remarkably similar with highest concentrations in the ileum. However, neuromedin N but not neurotensin was found in the kidney. Chromatographic analysis of immunoreactive neuromedin N demonstrated a single peak of immunoreactivity which was distinguishable from the single peak of immunoreactive neurotensin. Neuromedin N is likely to be a naturally occurring peptide and is distinct from neurotensin in rat peripheral tissues.
Activation of matrix metalloproteinase 3 (stromelysin) and matrix metalloproteinase 2 (‘gelatinase’) by human neutrophil elastase and cathepsin G
Authors: Okada Yasunori , Nakanishi Isao
Published: July 2002

The ability of human neutrophil elastase and cathepsin G to activate matrix metalloproteinase 3 (MMP‐3 = stromelysin) and MMP‐2 (‘gelatinase’) purified from human rheumatoid synovial fibroblasts in culture was examined. The zymogen of MMP‐3 (proMMP‐3) was activated to full activity with elastase and cathepsin G by limited proteolysis of the molecule into two active forms of M
r ∼ 45000 and M
r ∼ 25000. In contrast, proMMP‐2 was not activated at all by these neutrophil serine proteinases, although it was degraded into small fragments. These data suggest that neutrophil elastase and cathepsin G may play an important role in the activation of proMMP‐3 in vivo in various inflammatory conditions, but proMMP‐2 may be activated in different ways.
The number of molecules taken up by electroporated cells: quantitative determination
Authors: Bartoletti David C. , Harrison Gail I. , Weaver James C.
Published: July 2002

Electroporation; Molecular transport; Number of molecules; Flow cytometry; Yeast
Partial processing of the neuropeptide Y precursor in transfected CHO cells
Authors: Wulff Birgitte Schjellerup , O'Hare Mairead M.T. , Boel Esper , Theill Lars E. , Schwartz Thue W.
Published: July 2002

The activation of regulatory peptides by post‐translational modification of their biosynthetic precursors is generally thought to occur only in neuroendocrine cells. We have selected clones of Chinese hamster ovary cells, a non‐neuroendocrine cell line, which were transfected with a eukaryotic expression vector coding for the precursor for neuropeptide Y. Although the majority of the immunoreactive NPY was found in the form of pro‐NPY, some degree of intracellular proteolytic processing of the precursor occurred in all clones. Part of the intracellular NPYimmunoreactivity was even correctly amidated. Extracellular degradation of pro‐NPY in the tissue culture medium generated immunoreactivity which corresponded in size to NPY. It is concluded that precursor processing can occur in non‐neuroendocrine cells both as a biological process within the cells and as apparent processing, degradation in the tissue culture medium.
Purification and characterization of the α‐tocopherol transfer protein from rat liver
Authors: Sato Yuji , Hagiwara Kenichi , Arai Hiroyuki , Inoue Keizo
Published: July 2002

α‐Tocopheral transfer protein was purified from the 10 000 × g supernatant of rat liver. Two isoforms of the transfer protein exist, of which the isoelectric points are 5.0 and 5.1 as determined by chromatofocusing. These two isoforms have the same molecular weight; both showed molecular weight of approx. 30 500 on SDS‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. They cannot be distinguished from each other by amino acid composition or substrate specificity.
Glycinebetaine stabilizes the association of extrinsic proteins with the photosynthetic oxygen‐evolving complex
Authors: Murata N. , Mohanty P.S. , Hayashi H. , Papageorgiou G.C.
Published: July 2002

The photosynthetic oxygen‐evolving activity of the photosystem 2 complex, prepared from spinach, was labile when the complex was exposed to high‐salt conditions under which the extrinsic proteins were dissociated from the complex. Glycinebetaine prevented the dissociation of the 18‐kDa and the 23‐kDa extrinsic proteins from the photosystem 2 complex in the presence of 1 M NaCl. It also prevented the dissociation of the 33‐kDa extrinsic protein from the complex in the presence of 1 M MgCl2 or 1 M CaCl2. The oxygen‐evolving activity of the photosystem 2 complex was stabilized by glycinebetaine when the complex was subjected to treatment with NaCl and MgCl2.
Effect of tandemly repeated AGG triplets on the translation of CAT‐mRNA in E. coli
Authors: Ivanov I. , Alexandrova R. , Dragulev B. , Saraffova A. , AbouHaidar M.G.
Published: July 2002

It has been shown that tandems of rare arginine codons AGG have a strong inhibitory effect on translation of mRNA in E. coli [5]. This has been explained by the rate‐limiting interaction of these codons with the less abundant tRNAAGG [6]. In this study tandemly repeated AGG triplets were introduced into the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) gene either upstream of the initiation ATG codon or downstream of it (both in frame and out of frame) and the expression of the modified genes was investigated. We report that the addition of AGG clusters resulted in a substantial inhibitory effect on CAT gene expression independently of their localization in mRNA. This inhibitory effect is explained by a competition of the tandem AGGAGG with the natural Shine—Dalgarno (SD) sequence (consensus AAGGAGGU) for the 3′‐end of the 16S small ribosomal RNA (rRNA).
The three‐dimensional structure of notexin, a presynaptic neurotoxic phospholipase A2 at 2.0 Å resolution
Authors: Westerlund Bengt , Nordlund Pär , Uhlin Ulla , Eaker David , Eklund Hans
Published: July 2002

The three‐dimensional structure of notexin has been solved by molecular replacement methods. The structure has been refined at 2.0 Å resolution to a crystallographic R‐value of 16.5% with good stereo‐chemistry. The core of the protein is very similar to other phospholipase A2s (PLA2s) but several parts of the molecule are distinctly different. The most significant differences from PLA2s from bovine pancreas and rattlesnake occur in the stretches 56–80 and 85–89. Residue 69, which has been shown to be important for phospholipase binding, has a different conformation and different interactions than in other known PLA2s. The Cα positions for residues 86–88 differ by about 6 Å from both the bovine and the rattlesnake enzyme. The crystals contain no Ca2+ ions. Instead, a water molecule occupies the calcium site.
Activation mechanism of human Hageman factor‐plasma kallikreinkinin system by Vibrio vulnificus metalloprotease
Authors: Miyoshi Shin-ichi , Shinoda Sumio
Published: July 2002

Vibro vulnificus, an opportunistic human pathogen, secretes a metalloprotease (VVP). The VVP inoculated into a guinea pig is known to generate bradykinin through activation of the Hageman factor‐plasma kallikrein‐kinin system. VVP was shown to poisess the ability to activate the human system through the same mechanism as that clarified in the guinea pig system, namely, VVP converted both human zymogens (Hageman factor and plasma prekallikrein) to active enzymes (activated Hageman factor and plasma kallikrein), and the then generated kallikrein liberated bradykinin from high molecular‐weight kininogen. However, in the presence of plasma α2‐macroglobulin (α2M), the VVP action was drastically decreased. This finding suggests that the human system might be activated only at the interstitial‐tissue space which contains negligible amounts of α2M or in the bloodstream of the individuals whom plasma α2M level is extremely reduced.
Defective association of dystrophin with sarcolemmal glycoproteins in the cardiomyopathic hamster heart
Authors: Iwata Yuko , Nakamura Hiroshi , Mizuno Yuji , Yoshida Mikiharu , Ozawa Eijro , Shigekawa Munekazu
Published: July 2002

In ventricular muscle from 30‐ to 60‐day‐old Bio 14.6 cardiomyopathic hamsters, dystrophin‐associated glycoproteins of 43, 50 and 150 kDa are markedly reduced in abundance. In particular, the 50‐kDa glycoprotein is totally deficient in the sareolemma of myopathic ventricular myocytes as revealed by immunofluorescence microscopy. The dystrophin‐glycoprotein complex formation is defective in the cardiomyopathic hamster heart, because dystrophin and the glycoproteins behave independently when digitonin‐solubilized ventricular homogenates are fractionated on wheat germ agglutinin beads or anti‐dystrophin immunoaffinity beads.
Peroxidase‐catalyzed co‐oxidation of indole‐3‐acetic acid and xanthene dyes in the absence of hydrogen peroxide
Authors: Krylov Sergey N. , Chebotareva Alla B.
Published: July 2002

The effect of xanthene dyes on the chemiluminescence from the aerobic indole‐3‐acetic acid (IAA) oxidation, catalyzed by horseradish peroxidase (HRP), was studied. The rate of IAA oxidation and dye destruction were controlled. It was found that the addition of dyes to the IAA/HRP/O2 system resulted in: (i) the appearance of emission in the region of dye fluorescence, (ii) an increase of the total chemiluminescence intensity, (iii) a decrease of the emission duration, (iv) the acceleration of IAA oxidation, and (v) slow bleaching of the dyes. The experimental results lead to the conclusion that all spectral and kinetic variations of the chemiluminescence from the IAA/HRP/O2 system which are caused by the addition of xanthene dyes, are the result of IAA‐dye co‐oxidation. Earlier published reports regarding energy transfer from electronically excited species, generated in the IAA/HRP/O2 system, to the xanthene dyes seem to be erroneous.
A proposed structure for ‘Family 18’ chitinases a possible function for narbonin
Authors: Coulson Andrew F.W.
Published: July 2002

The sequence of narbonin, a leguminous seed protein with the TIM barrel structure but of unknown function, is significantly similar to endo‐β‐N‐acetylglucosaminidase H from Streptomyces plicatus. This protein is a member of a family of chitinases, ‘Family 18’ of the glycosyl hydrolases. It is proposed that the catalytic domain of this family has the TIM barrel structure. It is proposed that narbonin has chitinase activity, or has been derived from a chitinase by loss of function.
Cytokines in neurodegeneration and repair
Authors: Rothwell N.J. , Strijbos P.J.L.M.
Published: July 2002

Cytokines have diverse actions in the brain, some of which may facilitate either neurodegeneration or neuroprotection. The expression of cytokines, particularly interleukins‐1 and ‐6 (IL‐1, IL‐6) and tumor necrosis factor α, is rapidly and markedly induced in response to experimentally induced or clinical neurodegeneration. We have demonstrated that central administration of the IL‐1 receptor antagonist (IL‐1ra) markedly inhibits neurodegeneration induced by focal cerebral ischaemia, local infusion of glutamate receptor agonists or traumatic brain injury in the rat. In contrast, IL‐1ra offers no protection against degeneration of primary cortical neurones in culture caused by exposure to agonists of ionotrophic or metabotrophic receptors. In vivo, administration of IL‐1β exacerbates ischaemic brain damage, whereas in cell culture, exogenous IL‐1 is neuroprotective at concentrations in the nM range, an effect which appears to be mediated by release of endogenous nerve growth factor. Higher concentrations of IL‐1 (μM range) are neurotoxic to neurones in culture and may mimic the involvement of IL‐1 in neurodegeneration in vivo. Thus, excessive production of cytokines such as IL‐1 appears to mediate experimentally induced neurodegeneration in vivo, while neuroprotective effects of low concentrations of the cytokine suggest a dual role for IL‐1 in neuronal survival.
Pharmacological interventions in dysthymia
Authors: Lecrubier Y
Published: July 2002

The results of early therapeutic trials (1960s and 70s) in mild chronic depression (neurotic patients) are difficult to extrapolate to dysthymia. Most studies conducted in the early 1980s showed reference drugs (TCAs and MAOIs) to be poorly effective in chronic mild depression usually defined with RDC. The most recent trials using DSM-III-R criteria for dysthymic recruitment showed TCAs, new MAOIs (RIMA) and SSRI to be effective. AU these compounds have a rather similar pharmacological mechanism of action. It is therefore of both practical and theoretical interest that amisulpride, a benzamide derivative blocking D2 and D3 pre-synaptic receptors, has been found effective in the treatment of dysthymia in different placebo and reference controlled trials. This result is in line with the pharmacological data on animal ‘anhedonic models’.
Contribution of the different modules in the utrophin carboxy‐terminal region to the formation and regulation of the DAP complex
Authors: Tommasi di Vignano Alice , Di Zenzo Giovanni , Sudol Marius , Cesareni Gianni , Dente Luciana
Published: July 2002

The carboxy‐terminal region of utrophin, like the homologous proteins dystrophin, Drp2 and dystrobrevins, contains structural domains frequently involved in protein–protein interaction. These domains (WW, EF hands, ZZ and H1–H2) mediate recognition and binding to a multicomponent complex of proteins, also known as dystrophin‐associated proteins (DAPs) for their association with dystrophin, the product of the gene, mutated in Duchenne muscular dystrophy. We have exploited phage display and in vitro binding assays to study the recognition specificity of the different domains of the utrophin carboxy‐terminus. We found that none of the carboxy‐terminal domains of utrophin, when isolated from its structural context, selects specific ligand peptides from a phage‐displayed peptide library. By contrast, panning with an extended region containing the WW, EF hands, and ZZ domain defines the consensus binding motif, PPxY which is also found in β‐dystroglycan, a component of the DAP complex that interacts with utrophin in several tissues. WW‐mediated binding to PPxY peptides and to β‐dystroglycan requires the presence of the EF hands and ZZ domain. When the ZZ domain is either deleted or engaged in binding to calmodulin, the utrophin β‐dystroglycan complex cannot be formed. These findings suggest a potential regulatory mechanism by means of which the attachment of utrophin to the DAP complex can be modulated by the Ca2+‐dependent binding of calmodulin. The remaining two motifs found in the carboxy‐terminus (H1–H2) mediate the formation of utrophin–dystrobrevin hybrids but do not select ligands in a repertoire of random nonapeptides.
Alternative splicing regulates the nuclear or cytoplasmic localization of dystrophin Dp71
Authors: González Everardo , Montañez Cecilia , Ray Peter N. , Howard Perry L. , Garcı́a-Sierra Francisco , Mornet Dominique , Cisneros Bulmaro
Published: July 2002

The subcellular distribution of Dp71 isoforms alternatively spliced for exon 71 and/or 78 was examined. The cDNA sequence of each variant was fused to the C‐terminus of the green fluorescent protein and the constructs were transfected transiently in the cell lines HeLa, C2C12 and N1E‐115. The subcellular distribution of the fused proteins was determined by confocal microscope analysis. The Dp71 isoform lacking the amino acids encoded by exons 71 and 78 was found exclusively in the cytoplasm whereas the variants containing the amino acids encoded by exon 71 and/or exon 78 show a predominant nuclear localization. The nuclear localization of Dp71 provides a new clue towards the establishment of its cellular function.
Mitochondrial permeability transition and oxidative stress
Authors: Kowaltowski Alicia J. , Castilho Roger F. , Vercesi Anibal E.
Published: July 2002

Mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT) is a non‐selective inner membrane permeabilization that may precede necrotic and apoptotic cell death. Although this process has a specific inhibitor, cyclosporin A, little is known about the nature of the proteinaceous pore that results in MPT. Here, we review data indicating that MPT is not a consequence of the opening of a pre‐formed pore, but the consequence of oxidative damage to pre‐existing membrane proteins.
The crystal structure of human cyclin H
Authors: Andersen G. , Poterszman A. , Egly J.M. , Moras D. , Thierry J.-C.
Published: July 2002

The crystal structure of human cyclin H has been solved at 2.6 Å resolution by the MIR method and refined to an R‐factor of 23.1%. The core of the molecule consists of two helical repeats adopting the canonical cyclin fold already observed in the structures of cyclin A [Brown et al. (1995) Structure 3, 1235–1247; Jeffrey et al. (1995) Nature 376, 313–320; Russo et al. (1996) Nature 382, 325–331] and TFIIB [Nikoilov et al. (1995) Nature 377, 119–128]. The N‐terminal and C‐terminal residues form a new domain built on two long helices interacting essentially with the first repeat of the molecule.
Solubility diagram of theRhodobacter sphaeroidesreaction center as a function of PEG concentration
Authors: Gaucher Jean-François , Riès-Kautt Madeleine , Reiss-Husson Françoise , Ducruix Arnaud
Published: July 2002

In order to quantify the effect of polyethylene glycol 4000 (PEG) on the solubility of an integral membrane protein, we have crystallized the photochemical reaction center fromRhodobacter sphaeroidesY by batch method on a large range of PEG. The measurement of the solubility diagram display a semi‐logarithmic dependence of solubility versus PEG concentration. Comparison of our results with previously published ones [Odahara, T., Ataka, M. and Katsura, M. (1994) Acta Cryst. D50, 639–642] suggests a notable effect of additional 1,2,3‐heptane‐triol and/or temperature on photochemical reaction center solubility.
Determination of the nucleotide conformation in the productive enzyme‐substrate complexes of RNA‐depolymerases
Authors: Moiseyev G.P , Yakovlev G.I , Lysov Yu.P , Chernyi A.A , Polyakov K.M , Oivanen M , Lönnberg H , Beigelman L.N , Efimtseva E.V , Mikhailov S.N
Published: July 2002

© 1997 Federation of European Biochemical Societies.
Comparative functional role of PC7 and furin in the processing of the HIV envelope glycoprotein gp160
Authors: Decroly Etienne , Benjannet Suzanne , Savaria Diane , Seidah Nabil G
Published: July 2002

© 1997 Federation of European Biochemical Societies.
Structure‐function studies of recombinant murine tripeptidyl‐peptidase II: the extra domain which is subject to alternative splicing is involved in complex formation
Authors: Tomkinson Birgitta , Hansen Marete , Cheung Wing-Fai
Published: July 2002

Tripeptidyl‐peptidase II (TPP II) is an exopeptidase with a remarkably high native M
r (>106). Recently, an alternatively spliced, murine cDNA variant was identified which contains an additional 39 bp, encoding 13 amino acids in the C‐terminal end of the protein. The two enzyme variants were expressed in human kidney 293 cells. Both types of subunit were found to form the active oligomers. In addition, subunits containing the extra 13 amino acids formed an even larger complex eluting in the void volume of a Sepharose CL‐4B column. Thus, it appears that this sequence is important for aggregation of subunits.