bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Antiestrogens upregulate estrogen receptor β expression and inhibit adrenocortical H295R cell proliferation
Authors: Montanaro D , Maggiolini M , Recchia A G , Sirianni R , Aquila S , Barzon L , Fallo F , Andò S , Pezzi V
Published: October 2005

The molecular mechanisms involved in adrenocortical tumorigenesis are still not completely understood. In this study, using the H295R cell line as a model system, we investigated the role of estrogens and estrogen receptor (ER) α and ERβ in the growth regulation of adrenocortical tumors. We demonstrated that H295R cells are able to convert androgens to estrogens by a constitutive expression of active cytochrome P450 aromatase protein and express ERβ to a greater extent than ERα. Moreover, physiological concentrations of 17β-estradiol (E2) determined an increase of thymidine incorporation, suggesting the presence of an autocrine mechanism in maintaining H295R cell proliferation. Evaluating the response to ER antagonists like 4-hydroxytamoxifen (OHT) and ICI 182 780 (ICI), we observed an up-regulation of ERβ and a dose-dependent inhibition of H295R cell proliferation. Whereas ICI determined the growth arrest of H295R cells, OHT induced morphological changes that were characteristic of apoptosis. According to the above-mentioned observations, OHT but not ICI clearly induced a marked expression of FasL and the cleavage of both caspase-8 and caspase-3. Interestingly, the apoptotic effects of OHT in H295R cells may be consequent to the enhanced levels of ERβ which stimulate the expression of FasL interacting with activating protein (AP)-1 sites located within its promoter sequence. In conclusion, we have demonstrated that H295R cells are able to transform androgens to estrogens that activate an autocrine mechanism, mediated by their own receptors, and contribute to regulate the proliferation of these cells. Moreover, this study points towards a role for ERβ as an important mediator of the repressive effects exerted by antiestrogens on H295R cells; however, further studies are needed to clarify its role in the control of adrenocortical cell proliferation and on the potential benefits of antiestrogens for treatment of adrenocortical cancer.
Rab coupling protein (RCP): a novel target of progesterone action in primate endometrium
Authors: Patil V S , Sachdeva G , Modi D N , Katkam R R , Manjramkar D D , Hinduja I , Puri C P
Published: October 2005

Acquisition of functional receptivity by the endometrium is assumed to be effected by progesterone-dependent expression and repression of several genes during the implantation window in a menstrual cycle. In the present study, we employed differential display (DD) reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT–PCR) to identify progesterone-dependent gene/gene fragments that are differentially expressed during the peri-implantation phase in receptive and nonreceptive endometria, obtained from fertile and infertile bonnet monkeys respectively. Receptive endometria were obtained from regularly cycling (n=5) fertile female bonnet monkeys. Endometrial nonreceptivity was induced by treating bonnet monkeys with either 2.5 mg (n=5) or 5.0 mg (n=5) onapristone (ZK 98.299), an antiprogestin, on every third day for one cycle. Ovulation, levels of circulatory hormones (estradiol and progesterone) and menstrual cycle length did not change in treated animals; however, endometrial growth was retarded. DD2, one of the differentially expressed cDNA fragments, showed higher representation in nonreceptive endometria than in receptive endometria. The DD2 sequence was found to be homologous to the sequence of the carboxyl terminal region of Rab coupling protein (RCP), a recently discovered protein involved in intracellular vesicular trafficking. To confirm the identity of DD2 as RCP, RT–PCR studies were carried out with a forward primer deduced from the RCP sequence and a reverse primer from the DD2 sequence. The product (DDRCP) obtained, when sequenced, revealed 95% homology with the nucleotide number 1196–1757 of human RCP cDNA. Furthermore, the pattern of DDRCP expression at transcript level was found to be similar to that shown by DD2; that is, it was higher in nonreceptive endometrium. Northern analysis using labeled DD2 or DDRCP cDNA fragments identified two transcripts of 6.0 and 4.0 kb in human endometrium. In situ hybridization studies using digoxigenin-labeled DD2 revealed significantly higher (P < 0.05) localization of endometrial RCP transcripts in the proliferative phase than in the peri-implantation phase in control animals. The localization was also significantly (P < 0.01) higher in peri-implantation-phase endometria from antiprogestin-treated animals than in control animals. These antiprogestin-treated animals, however, did not demonstrate any concomitant increase in the levels of immunoreactive endometrial Rab4 and Rab11 during the peri-implantation phase. A similar pattern of cycle-dependent RCP expression was observed in human endometrial biopsies. Furthermore, significantly higher (P < 0.05) levels of RCP transcripts were detected during the peri-implantation phase in women with unexplained infertility (n=3) than in fertile women (n=3). This is the first report indicating the endometrial expression of RCP and its hormonal regulation.
Structure of the glucocorticoid receptor (NR3C1) gene 5′ untranslated region: identification, and tissue distribution of multiple new human exon 1
Authors: Turner Jonathan D , Muller Claude P
Published: October 2005

The 5′ untranslated region (UTR) of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) plays a key role in determining tissue-specific expression and protein isoforms. Analysis of the 5′ UTR of the human GR (hGR) has revealed 11 splice variants of the hGR exon 1, based on seven exon 1s, four of which (1-D to 1-F and 1-H) were previously unknown. All of the exon 1 variants have unique splice donor sites and share a common exon 2 splice acceptor site. Due to an upstream in-frame TGA stop codon the predicted translation from all splice variants is identical. The four new exon 1s show remarkable similarity with their rat homologues. Exon 1-D starts and finishes 17 and 36 bp upstream of the corresponding ends of the rat exon 14. Exon 1-E is only 6 bp longer than its homologue exon 15. Exon 1-F contains two short inserts of 11 and 6 bp when compared with the rat 17. 1-H is 18 bp longer than the corresponding rat 111. In addition to these new exons, we found that the human exon 1-C occurs as three distinct splice variants, covering the region homologous to the rat exons 19 and 110. All of the alternative hGR exons 1s presented here were found to be transcribed in human tissue. The human hippocampus expresses mRNA of all the exon 1 variants, while the expression of the other exon 1s seems to be tissue specific. While exon 1-D is only in the hippocampus, exons 1-E and 1-F are also detected in the immune system, and exon 1-H additionally in the liver, lung and smooth muscle. The 5′ region of the hGR is more complex than previously thought, and we suggest that each of these untranslated first exons have a distinct proximal promoter region, providing additional depth to the mechanisms available for tissue-specific expression of the hGR isoforms.
Estrogen receptor alpha mediates neuronal differentiation and neuroprotection in PC12 cells: critical role of the A/B domain of the receptor
Authors: Mérot Yohann , Ferrière François , Debroas Edith , Flouriot Gilles , Duval Dominique , Saligaut Christian
Published: October 2005

Numerous studies, both in vivo and in vitro, have reported neuronal differentiating and neuroprotective actions of estrogens. Most of these estrogenic effects are mediated through specific receptors termed estrogen receptors. The aim of this study was to assess the importance of the N-terminal A/B domain of the estrogen receptor-alpha (ERα) in its neuronal aspects. Consequently, estrogen effects on (i) the transcriptional activity of target genes, (ii) neuronal differentiation and (iii) neuroprotection in PC12 cells transfected with either a full length form of ERα or an A/B domain truncated form (ERαCF), have been studied. We demonstrate that the maximal estrogen-induced transcriptional activity of reporter genes requires a full length ERα, especially when cells are differentiated. Precisely, the transcriptional activity of ERα in differentiated cells relies, predominantly, on the activation function AF-1, located in the A/B domain. Furthermore, in PC12 cells stably expressing ERα, 17β-estradiol markedly enhances the neurite outgrowth triggered by treatment with nerve growth factor and protects cells from oxidative shocks induced by depletion of glutathione. These estrogenic effects are not observed in non-transfected cells and in cells transfected with the truncated ER, devoid of the A/B domain. Altogether, these results underline the importance of the A/B domain of ERα in both the differentiating and the neuroprotective effects of estrogens.
Conformational dynamics of estrogen receptors α and β as revealed by intrinsic tryptophan fluorescence and circular dichroism
Authors: Nair S K , Thomas T J , Greenfield N J , Chen A , He H , Thomas T
Published: October 2005

Estrogen receptors (ERα and ERβ) are ligand-activated nuclear receptors that mediate the action of estrogens. These receptors activate transcription by similar mechanism(s), although the overall amino acid sequence identity is only 47%. In order to compare the structural and conformational features of ERα and ERβ, we monitored their intrinsic tryptophan fluorescence during thermal unfolding. The 50% unfolding temperatures (TM) of ERα and ERβ were 39±1 and 40±2°C, respectively. Estradiol had no significant effect on the TM of ERα or ERβ. In contrast, binding of the estrogen-response element increased the TM of ERα and ERβ by 10 °C. Thermal unfolding of estradiol-bound ERα and ligand-free ERβ showed two-step transitions, with the formation of intermediates that were stable between 36–48 and 34–42°C, respectively. We confirmed the presence of intermediate states during thermal unfolding by circular dichroism spectroscopy. Atomic force microscopy showed that the ERβ intermediate consisted of discrete globular particles, whereas the ERα intermediate showed a speckled appearance, with sparse well-defined particles. Fluorescence-quenching studies showed the presence of two classes of tryptophan in unliganded ERα and ERβ. Binding of estradiol to ERβ exposed its tryptophans, whereas estradiol reduced the accessibility of the tryptophans of ERα. Our results illustrate the differential effects of ligands on the unfolding of ERα and ERβ, and identify partially unfolded intermediates. Differences in the conformational flexibility and stability of ERα and ERβ may represent functional differences of ligand-bound ERs in recruiting coactivator proteins and initiating transcription.
Vitamin A supplementation induces adipose tissue loss through apoptosis in lean but not in obese rats of the WNIN/Ob strain
Authors: Jeyakumar S M , Vajreswari A , Sesikeran B , Giridharan N V
Published: October 2005

Vitamin A is a known regulator of adipose tissue growth. In this paper, we report the possible role of dietary vitamin A supplementation in the regulation of adipose tissue mass, using a novel obese rat model of the WNIN/Ob strain developed at the National Centre for Laboratory Animal Sciences of the National Institute of Nutrition, India. Twenty-four male lean and obese rats of the WNIN/Ob strain were broadly divided into two groups at 7 months of age; each group was subdivided into two subgroups consisting of six lean and six obese rats and they were given diets containing either 2.6 mg or 129 mg vitamin A/kg diet for 2 months. Feeding a high but non-toxic dose of vitamin A (129 mg/kg diet) resulted in a significant reduction in the adiposity index and retroperitoneal white adipose tissue (RPWAT) weight in obese rats while a marginal reduction was observed in lean rats. Further, this treatment resulted in a significantly increased RPWAT apoptotic index and Bax protein expression and a decreased expression of Bcl2 in the lean rats. However, no such changes were observed in the RPWAT of the obese rats subjected to identical treatment. Thus, our data suggests that chronic dietary vitamin A supplementation at a high dose effectively regulates adipose tissue mass both in the lean and obese phenotypes of the WNIN/Ob rat strain, perhaps through different mechanisms.
ERTargetDB: an integral information resource of transcription regulation of estrogen receptor target genes
Authors: Jin V X , Sun H , Pohar T T , Liyanarachchi S , Palaniswamy S K , Huang T H-M , Davuluri R V
Published: October 2005

The estrogen receptor (ER) plays an important role in several physiologic functions of both the reproductive and non-reproductive systems. Malignancies of the ER have been associated with the development of cancers, including those of the prostate and breast. Hence it has become of significant importance to characterize the transcriptional regulation of ER target genes. We have created ERTargetDB in order to integrate the previously published ER target gene information that is available in various publications and databases. This information resource provides researchers with an easy access to ER target genes and the regulatory mechanisms in the corresponding promoters. The current version contains 40 genes with experimentally verified estrogen response elements (EREs), 32 experimentally verified ERE tethering sites, 40 genes identified by the chromatin immunoprecipitation microarray, 381 genes from gene expression microarray and 2948 genes from computational prediction. ERTargetDB provides an integral information resource for direct target genes of ERs for the endocrinology research community. It should prove useful in the investigation of gene regulation and aid the development of computational tools for the prediction of ER target genes.
Regulation of pancreatic β-cell mass and proliferation by SOCS-3
Authors: Lindberg K , Rønn S G , Tornehave D , Richter H , Hansen J A , Rømer J , Jackerott M , Billestrup N
Published: October 2005

Growth hormone and prolactin are important growth factors for pancreatic β-cells. The effects exerted by these hormones on proliferation and on insulin synthesis and secretion in β-cells are largely mediated through the Janus kinase (JAK)/signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) signaling pathway. Suppressors of cytokine signaling (SOCS) proteins are specific inhibitors of the JAK/STAT pathway acting through a negative-feedback loop. To investigate in vivo effects of SOCS-3 in growth hormone (GH)/prolactin signaling in β-cells we generated transgenic mice with β-cell-specific overexpression of SOCS-3. The relative β-cell proliferation and volume in the mice were measured by morphometry. β-Cell volume of transgenic female mice was reduced by over 30% compared with β-cell volume in wild-type female mice. Stimulation of transgenic islets in vitro with GH showed a reduced tyrosine phosphorylation of STAT-5 when compared with wild-type islets. Transduction of primary islet cultures with adenoviruses expressing various SOCS proteins followed by stimulation with GH or glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) revealed that SOCS-3 inhibited GH- but not GLP-1-mediated islet cell proliferation, indicating that the decreased β-cell volume observed in female transgenic mice could be caused by an inhibition of GH-induced β-cell proliferation by SOCS-3. In spite of the reduced β-cell volume the transgenic female mice exhibited enhanced glucose tolerance compared with wild-type littermates following an oral glucose-tolerance test. Together these data suggest that SOCS-3 modulates cytokine signaling in pancreatic β-cells and therefore potentially could be a candidate target for development of new treatment strategies for diabetes.
Dopamine receptor subtype 2 and somatostatin receptor subtype 5 expression influences somatostatin analogs effects on human somatotroph pituitary adenomas in vitro
Authors: Zatelli M C , Piccin D , Tagliati F , Bottoni A , Ambrosio M R , Margutti A , Scanarini M , Bondanelli M , Culler M D , Uberti E C degli
Published: October 2005

Dopamine (DA) and somatostatin (SRIF) receptor agonists inhibit growth hormone (GH) secretion by pituitary adenomas. We investigated DA subtype 2 receptor (DR2) and SRIF receptor (sst) subtypes 2 and 5 expression in 25 GH-secreting pituitary adenomas and tested in primary culture the effects on GH and prolactin (PRL) secretion of sst agonists selectively interacting with sst2 (BIM-23120), sst5 (BIM-23206), and sst2 and sst5 (BIM-23244). All adenomas expressed sst2; eight adenomas expressed both sst5 and DR2, eight sst5 but not DR2, and eight DR2 but not sst5. One tissue lacked expression of DR2 and sst5. GH secretion was inhibited by BIM-23120 in all samples, while it was reduced by BIM-23206 only in adenomas not expressing DR2. BIM-23120’s inhibitory effects correlated with sst2 and DR2 expression, whereas DR2 expression correlated inversely with BIM-23206 inhibitory effects on GH secretion. In seven mixed GH-/PRL-secreting pituitary adenomas, PRL secretion was inhibited in sst5-expressing tumors by BIM-23206, but not by BIM-23120. BIM-23244 reduced PRL secretion only in adenomas expressing sst2, sst5 and DR2. sst5 and DR2 expression correlated directly with BIM23206 inhibitory effects on PRL secretion. Our results suggest that adenomas expressing DR2 are less likely to respond to clinically available SRIF analogs in terms of GH secretion inhibition. Therefore, drugs interacting also with DR2 might better control secretion of pituitary adenomas.
Stacked geomembrane tubes for flood control: experiments and analysis
Authors: Kim M. , Moler M. , Freeman M. , Filz G. M. , Plaut R. H.
Published: October 2005

Geomembrane tubes are used in a number of applications to withstand external water, such as for water diversion or impoundment, or as cofferdams. Stacked geomembrane tubes have been applied in place of sandbags for flood control. The behavior of a stack of one tube on top of two tubes is investigated here, through experiments and numerical analysis. The tubes are inflated with water. The maximum external headwater level that the dam can resist depends on various conditions. Underseepage and piping in the soil foundation may cause failure of the dam, which can be alleviated by appropriate design of a drainage layer under a portion of the structure. Rolling and sliding of the tubes are other possible failure modes. The finite difference program FLAC is utilized to model a cross-section of the dam and soil. Deformations, tensions, and pore pressures are computed and compared with results from the experiments. The maximum headwater level that can be resisted is about 70% of the height of the dam.
Briefing: Towards a Fine City for People
Authors: Huxford Robert
Published: October 2005

This briefing is a summary of the 120-page report Towards a Fine City for People—Public Spaces and Public Life—London 2004, produced in June 2004 by Jan Gehl Architects. The work was commissioned by Transport for London and the Central London Partnership as part of bringing about a transformation of London into one of the world's most walking-friendly cities by 2015. The full report can be downloaded at: http://www.gehlarchitects.dk/html/projects/london/pix/28780_TFL_Public_Spaces.pdfg . Jan Gehl has played a key role in transforming the environment of Copenhagen.
Pleasure-based design approaches to the built environment
Authors: Bardill A. , Karamanoglu M. , Herd K.
Published: October 2005

As an exercise in discipline cross-fertilisation, this paper applies the emergent practice of pleasure-based approaches in product design to the design of the built environment. This analysis provides insight into humans' emotional responses to the environment that is provided for them. Jordan's four pleasures model, composed of physio-, socio-, psycho- and ideo-pleasures, is used to undertake this analysis. From this analytical process it is evident that physio-, socio- and psycho-pleasures are drawn from generic elements that relate to humans as a kind, and that these commonalities are deeply rooted historical and cultural reference points. Understanding these reference points, and the design principles that emerge from them, will enable those who provide the built environment to engage with the ‘super-usability’ imperative that these pleasure-based approaches have been drawn from and, in so doing, to develop human-centric solutions that engender positive relationships between people and the environment that is provided for them. However, in the absence of a ‘market’, one area will remain problematic—that of personalised and individually constructed ideo-pleasure.
Mixing it—a new approach to highway design
Authors: Parry-Jones S. , Stacey N. , Lipman P. , Allen A. , Hallet K.
Published: October 2005

Streets and highways in the UK are normally designed to ensure that people in cars are kept moving, often at the expense of people on foot or bikes. The young, elderly, disabled and poor are particularly affected by prioritising motor traffic in urban areas. Some highway engineers are now adopting new and innovative multidisciplinary approaches to designing human-scale social streetscapes. This paper explores the possibility of introducing a creative element into highway design and emphasises the importance of involving communities throughout the process. The Dings Home Zone project in Bristol is presented as a detailed case study that provides insights into the challenges and benefits of creative highway design.
Are cars visually threatening to pedestrians?
Authors: Bayley M. , Curtis B. , Lupton K. , Wright C. C.
Published: October 2005

Car manufacturers aim to make cars that will sell. In doing so, they shape the bodywork and trim to enhance the self-image of the driver, often through associations with speed and power. To the onlooker, the design might seem aggressive, with a hint of menace for anyone who gets in the way. This paper examines the hypothesis that aggressive design intimidates pedestrians and sends out inappropriate signals at a time when governments are encouraging people to walk rather than drive. It is based on the results of an earlier study on the impact of vehicle aesthetics on the residential street environment: was there a clash between the vehicle and its surroundings? Here, the authors focus on a different question: do pedestrians perceive the visual appearance of cars as threatening to themselves personally?
Design and construction of the Toome bypass, Northern Ireland
Authors: Faloon R. , Longthorne J. , Eddis R.
Published: October 2005

This paper describes the construction of the Toome Bypass in Northern Ireland. The project presented many challenges to the client and the construction team: fitting the bypass into environmentally sensitive topography; innovative design-and-build contract procurement; partnering; construction of a landmark tied arch bridge; and construction of the bypass across soft alluvial clays in the Lower River Bann floodplain. Contract procurement sought to reduce tendering costs by selecting a preferred contractor who was then commissioned to develop a specimen design and target cost. The incentivised target cost contract imbued a value engineering culture, which drew heavily on the partnering and problem-solving ethos within the client and construction teams.
Blackpool's Central Gateway climbing structures, UK
Authors: Cunningham L. S.
Published: October 2005

This paper details the design of the reinforced concrete sculptural climbing structures that will form a key feature of Blackpool's Central Gateway scheme. The scheme constitutes a major element in Blackpool Council's master plan for regeneration of the town. The structures are intended to serve as both a functional resource for climbers and as individual pieces of art. Throughout the design process, engineers have worked with artists and planners to create unique features that are both structurally efficient and elegant. Working in a partnering environment, the project has benefited from early contractor involvement, allowing for optimal ‘buildability’ in design.
Water utility consultation with the urban poor in developing countries
Authors: Coates S. , Sansom K. , Colin J.
Published: October 2005

Inadequate water services to the urban poor remain a serious problem in developing countries. Where services do exist, the chosen engineering solution often proves unsustainable. Engineers relying heavily on technical expertise can fail to understand the contextual factors determining what poor people want and are willing to pay. Although the concept of appropriate technology options is common enough, technology alone cannot provide a sustainable service. Tariffs and management options must also be designed to meet the needs of the poor. PREPP (participation–ranking–experience–perception–partnership), is a consumer consultation process for use by engineers with the support of social scientists and community development workers. These professionals traditionally see service provision from diverse perspectives and in developing countries they rarely work as a team. Through PREPP, engineers are able to understand the problems of service provision in poor urban settings through the eyes of poor consumers and the professionals that more commonly work with them. Likewise, social sciences professionals are better able to understand engineering parameters. The result is a cost-effective and relatively rapid process that helps engineers to design relevant engineering solutions with more chance of sustainability. Experiences in Zambia, India, Kenya and Uganda are illustrated.
Cornwall's World Heritage bid and the beam engine
Authors: Cocks A. , Johnson N.
Published: October 2005

Following the submission in January 2005 of The Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape to UNESCO for World Heritage Site status, this paper addresses briefly the contribution which the steam beam engine made to the Industrial Revolution through the development of mining in southwest Britain and elsewhere.
Combining Pharmacotherapy and Exposure Plus Ritual Prevention for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder: Research Findings and Clinical Applications
Authors: Franklin Martin E. , Simpson H. Blair
Published: October 2005

The efficacy of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) involving exposure and ritual prevention (EX/RP) for obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) has been well documented, as has the efficacy of pharmacotherapy using serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SRIs). Response to these monotherapies is neither universal nor complete, however, and in the past 20 years significant progress has been made in examining the efficacy of combined EX/RP plus SRI treatment. Results of randomized controlled trials that have employed adequate methodology suggest that combined treatment may afford some advantages over the monotherapies, although the effect is generally not robust and there are some negative findings. Combined treatment may be especially useful in certain clinical circumstances, however, and case examples are provided describing the use of combined treatment for one patient who presented with comorbid depression and for another who refused EX/RP because he perceived it as too threatening.
Do Medications Matter in the Context of Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Panic Disorder?
Authors: Schmidt Norman B. , Smith Julia D.
Published: October 2005

Patients with panic disorder are frequently medicated when they participate in psychotherapy such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). The present study examined the effects of overall medication status, medication type (benzodiazepine versus antidepressant), and medication dose in a large sample of patients with panic disorder (N = 178) participating in CBT. Overall, medications exhibited very little effect on outcome. After controlling for the effects of CBT, however, taking higher doses of antidepressants was associated with poorer end-state functioning. Results are discussed in relation to better understanding the role of combining psychopharmacological and psychosocial treatments for panic disorder.
A Treatment Most Foul: Handling Disgust in Cognitive-Behavior Therapy
Authors: McKay Dean , Tsao Steven D.
Published: October 2005

The nature of disgust as it relates to psychopathology is described. Evaluative conditioning, an important theory for understanding the acquisition and maintenance of disgust reactions, is discussed, and linked with the general theory of disgust by Rozin and Fallon (1987). The empirical literature on the role of disgust in psychopathology, primarily phobias and general problems of fearful avoidance, is covered, as well as cognitive biases and distortions. Finally, a hierarchy of psychopathology influenced by disgust is presented.
A Single Belief as a Maintaining Factor in a Case of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Authors: Guay Stéphane , O’Connor Kieron P. , Gareau Danielle , Todorov Christo
Published: October 2005

A severe case of obsessive-compulsive disorder with 30-year chronicity was successfully treated with 7 sessions of cognitive therapy. The client, a 38-year-old male, was diagnosed as OCD by two independent clinicians. The cognitive treatment model targeted a central obsessional belief concerning the utility of the OCD. Once this single belief central to his compulsive behaviors had been dismantled, the client ceased to perceive his compulsive behaviors as useful and this led to a complete remission of symptoms at post-treatment which was maintained at 6-month and 3-year follow-up. The strategies included linking the content of the intrusion to the feared consequences and subsequent appraisals in order to specify the maintaining belief and comparing the past to the current functionality of the belief. The treatment procedure may be generalizable across other types of OCD.
Treating Anxiety With Mindfulness: An Open Trial of Mindfulness Training for Anxious Children
Authors: Semple Randye J. , Reid Elizabeth F. G. , Miller Lisa
Published: October 2005

This study is an open clinical trial that examined the feasibility and acceptability of a mindfulness training program for anxious children. We based this pilot initiative on a cognitively oriented model, which suggests that, since impaired attention is a core symptom of anxiety, enhancing self-management of attention should effect reductions in anxiety. Mindfulness practices are essentially attention enhancing techniques that have shown promise as clinical treatments for adult anxiety and depression (Baer, 2003). However, little research explores the potential benefits of mindfulness to treat anxious children. The present study provided preliminary support for our model of treating childhood anxiety with mindfulness. A 6-week trial was conducted with five anxious children aged 7 to 8 years old. The results of this study suggest that mindfulness can be taught to children and holds promise as an intervention for anxiety symptoms. Results suggest that clinical improvements may be related to initial levels of attention.
Development of an Instrument Measuring Family Care
Authors: Ervin Naomi E. , Chen Shu-Pi C.
Published: October 2005

This study developed and evaluated an instrument to measure the quality of care given by family members to a patient in the home. The Family Care Measure consisted of 11 items, each of which was rated on a visual analogue scale. Fifteen registered nurses rated the care given by families of 72 eligible patients for whom the nurses had provided nursing care. Estimation of the reliability resulted in a high internal consistency. With deletion of five items from the measure, the internal consistency reliability resulted in a Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of .93. The six-item instrument correlated moderately, as predicted, with a scale of family coping (r = .76). With acceptable reliability and evidence of construct validity, this measure may be used in research studies, but further testing to assess its usefulness in clinical situations is recommended.
Development and Psychometric Testing of the Relational Care Scale
Authors: McGilton Katherine S. , Pringle Dorothy M. , O’Brien-Pallas Linda L. , Wynn Francine , Streiner David
Published: October 2005

The purpose of this article is to report the development and testing of the self-report Relational Care Scale (RCS). The RCS was specifically designed to evaluate the relational care that nursing staff provides to residents living in nursing homes. The scale’s content validity was assessed with the assistance of experts and related research in the area of nurse-resident interactions, and then the scale was pilot tested with 30 residents of a long-term care (LTC) facility to determine its clarity and stability. The 6-item scale was then administered to a sample of 50 residents in an intervention study and then to 72 residents in a correlational study in two other LTC facilities in Ontario, Canada. Construct validity was demonstrated with positive correlations between RCS scores and a Relationship VAS measure (r= .63,p< .0001) and between RCS scores and an observational Relational Behavior Scale (r= .42,p< .001), which was also developed to assess relational care. Study results demonstrated that the RCS is a reliable and valid instrument that may be used to measure relational care to test interventions focusing on enhancing the relational care staff provides to residents.
Inhibitors of Secretory Phospholipase A2 Group IIA
Authors: Reid Robert C.
Published: October 2005

Phospholipases A2 cleave membrane phospholipids to release arachidonic acid, the precursor to a large family of pro-inflammatory eicosanoids including prostaglandins and leukotrienes that have been proven to exacerbate numerous diseases that have an inflammatory component. Current therapies include NSAIDs that inhibit cyclooxygenases (COX-1, COX-2) but have no effect on the production of leukotrienes or platelet activating factor (PAF). Inhibitors of PLA2 therefore offer the potential to block production of a more complete set of inflammatory substances through blockade at the onset of the cascade of reactions that follow arachidonic acid release. Many potent, bioavailable and selective inhibitors of human sPLA2 group IIA have been available for more than a decade and have provided compelling support for a causative role of sPLA2 group IIA in numerous studies involving animal models of inflammatory diseases. However, the true value of sPLA2 inhibitors for the treatment of human diseases has had to await phase II clinical trials which have only been completed in the last two years. This review presents the structurally diverse array of available sPLA2 group IIA inhibitors, their associated biological activity in animal models, and evaluation of therapeutic potential in phase II clinical trials in humans.
Molecular Factors and Mechanisms Affecting Iron and Other Metal Excretion or Absorption in Health and Disease. The Role of Natural and Synthetic Chelators
Authors: Kontoghiorghes George J. , Kolnagou Annita
Published: October 2005

The maintenance of iron and other essential metal ion balance in humans is based on the presence of homeostatic mechanisms of regulatory absorption, storage, re-utilisation and excretion. There are a number of factors and mechanisms that can affect the level of iron excretion or absorption and overall body iron stores. Net iron loss due to increased iron excretion by comparison to dietary iron absorption is considered as one of the causes of iron deficiency anaemia. Body iron loss greater than normal has been shown in many other conditions. These include the increase in urinary iron excretion observed in iron loaded patients, the substantial reduction in serum ferritin and liver iron of ex-thalassaemia patients several years following bone marrow transplantation and the increase in iron excretion in normal individuals following long term sport activities. There are differences in the metabolism, mode of action, interactions with the iron pools and routes of iron excretion, of the iron chelating drugs deferiprone (L1), deferoxamine and other experimental chelators such as ICL670 in iron-loaded patients. Naturally occurring chelators and some synthetic drugs are known to bind iron and affect iron absorption and excretion. The molecular characteristics of naturally occurring or synthetic chelators can influence other aspects of iron metabolism in addition to iron absorption or excretion. Similar mechanisms and factors can affect the metabolism of other essential metals. The understanding of the mechanisms involved in iron excretion and their overall effects on body iron levels can facilitate the design of new chelators and improved therapeutic protocols for the treatment of conditions of iron and other metal metabolic imbalance and toxicity.
The study of the apoptogenic effect of pyrimidine derivatives on murine leukemia cells
Authors: Gorneva Galina , Mateva Rada , Gugova Roumyana , Golovinsky Evgeny
Published: October 2005

BACKGROUND: In the light of the recent findings concerning the role of apoptosis and of tumor cell enzymes in cancer chemotherapy, the interest in pyrimidine derivatives has greatly increased. Thio- and hydrazine- pyrimidines were synthesized as potential antimetabolites inhibiting the biosynthesis of nucleic acids. Some of them demonstrated biological activity, including antibacterial and antitumor action. The aim of this study was to analyze the cytotoxic activity and the ability of some derivatives to induce apoptosis in murine leukemia cells. METHODS: Exponentially growing cells were incubated with compounds and after 24, 48, and 72 hours were stained with trypan blue and counted hemocytometrically. For detection of the cell fraction undergoing apoptosis, a morphological analysis was made using fluorescent dye propidium iodide. RESULTS: Eight thio- and hydrazine- pyrimidine derivatives were investigated. 2-Thiouracil and 6- hydrazinouracil did not influence the cell growth. 2,4-dithiouracil, 2-thio-4-hydrazinouracil, 2-hydrazinouracil, and 2-thio-5-fluorouracil decreased cell proliferation, but even at the highest studied concentration (1000 ?M) had no cytostatic action. Only high concentrations of 2,4-dihydrazinouracil and 2- chloro-4-hydrazinouracil showed a strong cytotoxic activity. The treatment with 2,4-dihydrazinouracil as well as with 5-fluorouracil caused the appearance of apoptotic cells with typical fragmented condensed nuclei, ghosts and apoptotic bodies. In contrast, dead cells treated with 2-chloro-4-hydrazinouracil did not show apoptotic morphology. CONCLUSION: Among studied eight thio- and hydrazine- pyrimidine derivatives only 2,4-dihydrazinouracil demonstrated strong apoptogenic activity. Its active concentrations were about 100 times higher than apoptogenic concentrations of 5-fluorouracil which points to different mechanisms of cytotoxic action.
The guidelines on antibiotic application in gynaecological oncology
Authors: Mladenovic-Segedi Ljiljana , Segedi Dimitrije , Radakovic Jelena , Ilic Maja , Kojic Slobodan
Published: October 2005

Standardized and effective antibiotic therapy regimes in gynecology need to be based on the protocols prescribed by acknowledged specialists. Antibiotic therapy can have either prophylactic or therapeutic purposes. Antibiotics of the narrowest possible spectrum are recommended, as well as their shortest while most effective application. The choice is firstly determined by the effectiveness and secondly by the price. Preventive use of antibiotics and the doses in gynecological surgery depend on the type of surgery. If antibiotic therapy is prophylactic, first generation cephalosporin should always be used. Irrational antibiotic therapy, especially when using third generation cephalosporin, can result in strains of resistant hospital bacteria.
Bentonite-supported catalase
Authors: Alkan S. , Ceylan H. , Arslan O.
Published: October 2005

The properties of the clay bentonite as a support for enzyme immobilization were studied using the enzyme catalase. Such an immobilization does not result in enzyme inactivation and constitutes a valuable method for immobilizing catalase at high ionic strength. The bentonite-supported catalase was characterized in terms of pH and ionic strength dependencies, thermal and storage stability and kinetic parameters. These studies indicate that bentonite is a valuable support for the simple adsorption of enzymes. .
Some negative chemical properties of acid soils
Authors: Jakovljevic Miodrag , Kresovic Mirjana , Blagojevic Srdjan , Antic-Mladenovic Svetlana
Published: October 2005

Some important chemical properties of various samples of two types of acid soil from Western Serbia (pseudogley and brown forest) are presented in this paper. Mobile Al was found in elevated and toxic quantities (10?30 mg/100 g) in the more acid samples of pseudogley soil. All samples of brown forest soil were very acid and the quantities of mobile Al were in the range from 12.8 to 90.0 mg/100 g. In a selected number of pseudogley soils, the influence of pH and other soil properties on the mineralization and nitrification processes was investigated. Strong inhibition of nitrification at low soil pH was found to be related to high quantities of mobile Al. At pH values less than 4.0 (in 1 M KCl), processes of chemical nitrification and denitrification of applied nitrites were registered in the pseudogley soils. .
Magnetic effects in electrochemistry
Authors: Nikolic Nebojsa
Published: October 2005

The effect of imposed magnetic fields onto the electrodeposition of magnetic (nickel) and non ? magnetic (copper) metals was analysed. Also, magnetic properties of electrochemically obtained nanocontacts were examined. An effort to establish a possible correlation between the morphologies of the nanocontacts and the effect of the very large ballistic magnetoresistance (BMR effect) was made.
Oxidative dehydrogenation of isobutane over titanium pyrophosphate catalyst
Authors: Marcu Ioan-Cezar , Millet Jean , Sandulescu Ioan
Published: October 2005

The catalytic properties of titanium pyrophosphate in the oxidative dehydrogenation of isobutane to isobutylene were investigated in the 400 ? 550 ?C temperature range. Asignificant change of the product distribution and of the apparent activation energy of the reaction was observed at about 490 ?C. This phenomenon, already observed in the oxidative dehydrogenation of n-butane, has been interpreted by the existence of two reaction mechanisms depending upon the reaction temperature. Comparison with the n-butane reaction allowed different activation pathways for the activation of alkanes to be proposed. The catalytic properties of TiP2O7 in the oxidative dehydrogenation of isobutane was also compared to those obtained previously with several other pyrophosphates and TiP2O7 was found to be less active and selective for this reaction.
Liquid chromatographic determination of fumonisins B1 and B2 in corn samples after reusable immunoaffinity column clean-up
Authors: Abramovic Biljana , Jaksic Sandra , Masic Zoran
Published: October 2005

The possibility of the liquid chromatographic determination of fumonisins B1 (FB1) and B2 (FB2) in corn samples with a reused immunoaffinity column (IMA) for the clean-up of the samples was investigated. After optimization of the chromatographic determination of FB1 and FB2 derivatized with o-phthaldialdehyde- 2-mercaptoethanol, the efficiency of the clean-up of spiked corn extracts with reuse of the IMA columns was studied, both with and without column regeneration. It was found that the IMA column, designated for single-use only, can be used at least five times without regeneration and additional five times after regeneration. Regeneration consists of leaving the phosphate buffer saline solution on the column for one day at 4 ?C. The efficiency of the columns was tested by determining the recovery of FB1 and FB2, as well as the reproducibility of the determinations. The mean recoveries of FB1 and FB2 from corn spiked with FB1 at 1.0 ?g/g and with FB2 at 0.5 ?g/g (on the basis of 10 measurements) were 88.7%(RSD 10.2%) and 90.5%(RSD 6.1 %), respectively.
Phase transfer catalysis in the synthesis of phosphorus-containing polymers
Authors: Iliescu Samaranda , Ilia Gheorghe , Popa Adriana
Published: October 2005

Polyphosphonates of high molecular weights were prepared from chloromethylphosphonic dichloride (CMPD) and 4,4?-sulfonyldiphenol (SDP) by two-phase interfacial polycondensation (l?l), in an organic solvent-aqueous alkaline solution system, with a phase-transfer catalyst, at ?8 ? ? 0 ?C. Alternative method, namely vapor-liquid interfacial polycondensation (v?l) of the same reagents gave better results (higher inherent viscosities and molecular weights). The polymers were characterized by spectroscopic techniques IR and 1H-NMR. The molecular weights and thermal stability determinations were carried out by gel chromatography and thermogravimetry. The effect of reaction temperature on yield and inherent viscosity in l?l and v?l interfacial polycondensation was studied. In l?l system the highest inherent viscosities were obtained at ?8 ? ? 0 ?C, whereas in v?l system the maximum inherent viscosity was obtained at 120 ?C.
The development of a new inhibition kinetic spectrophotometric method for the determination of phenylhydrazine
Authors: Mitic Violeta , Nikolic Snezana , Stankov-Jovanovic Vesna
Published: October 2005

Anew sensitive kinetic method has been developed for the determination of trace amounts of phenylhydrazine in the range of 1.08x10-7 to 1.08x10-6 g/cm3. The detection limit of this method is 0.008 ?g/cm3, based on the 3Sb criterion. Themethod is based on the inhibitory effect of phenylhydrazine on the oxidation of Victoria Blue 4-R by KBrO3. The reaction was monitored spectrophotometrically at 596.3 nm. The method development includes the optimization of the reagent concentration and temperature. The kinetic parameters of the reaction are reported and a rate equation is suggested. The effects of certain foreign ions upon the reaction rate were determined for the assessment of the selectivity of the method. The new developed method was found to have fairly good selectivity, sensitivity, simplicity and rapidity.
Biocompatibility of Materials
Authors: Xiang Zhou , Spector Myron
Published: October 2005

Most surgical specialties have been revolutionized by the introduction of implantable devices. These advances have been founded, in large part, on biomaterials science and engineering. One of the critical determinants of the performance of the device relates to the compatibility of the tissue response to the materials of fabrication with the required function of the implant. Implantation of the device requires the production of a surgical wound, and in this respect the tissue response to the implant may be looked upon as the modification of the wound healing response by the very presence of the implant. In vascularized tissues the surgical wound elicits an inflammatory process that can be considered part of the natural course of healing. The end result of the healing process is tissue similar to that naturally occurring at the site (the process of “regeneration”) or scar tissue (the process of “repair”), which in many tissues and organs comprises fibrous tissue. Infectious organisms when present serve as a persistent injurious agent that prolongs and can further incite the inflammatory process, not only jeopardizing the performance of the implant but threatening the life of the individual. The principles of biocompatibility including the mechanisms underlying inflammatory and infectious processes apply regardless of the type of material of fabrication of the implant. There are, however, features of the biomaterials that can affect certain aspects of these processes. It can therefore be instructive to also consider issues of biocompatibility in the context of the various classes of materials: metals, ceramics, and polymers.