bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Changes in Inspiratory and Expiratory Flow Rates with Sustained Hand Grip and their Correlation with Fat Free Mass Index in Healthy Young Adults
Authors: Priyadarshini Aparajita , Mishra Snigdha Prava , Mishra Akshaya Kumar
Published: April 2021

Introduction: Aerobic exercises which are isotonic in nature have been proved to be beneficial in a number of cardiovascular and lifestyle diseases. But the effect of isometric exercises on cardiovascular and respiratory system is not fully evaluated. Existing literature on effect of isometric exercise on respiratory flow parameters are scanty and needs to be studied. Further, the impact of muscle mass on respiratory flow parameters need to be evaluated. Aim: To investigate the change in respiratory flow parameters (Peak Inspiratory Flow (PIF), Maximal Inspiratory Flow (MIF) 50, Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF), Maximum Expiratory Flow (MEF) 25-75, MEF 25, MEF 50 and MEF 75) in response to Sustained hand grip exercise and to find out any correlation between these flow parameters and Fat Free Mass Index (FFMI). Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Department of Physiology, MKCG Medical College, Berhampur University, Odisha between October 2011 and August 2014. A total of 150 healthy volunteers aged between 17 to 25 years were included in the study. Anthropometric measurements were recorded using standardised instruments. Body fat percentage was measured by Bioelectric Impedance Analysis technique and then Fat Free Mass (FFM) and FFMI were calculated using standard formulae. Respiratory Flow parameters were assessed using Flow handy Spirometer as per the American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society (ATS/ERS) guidelines. Sustained hand grip exercise was performed with Physilab Grip Dynamometer. IBM SPSS Statistics Version 24.0, was used for statistical analysis. Paired sample t-test was used to compare lung volumes at baseline and after 3 minutes of sustained hand grip exercise. The p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Karl Pearson Correlation coefficient was used to study the linear relationship between FFMI and various inspiratory and expiratory flow rates. Results: The mean values of all respiratory flow parameters under study decreased at 3 minutes of sustained hand grip exercise as compared to baseline values. This change was statistically significant for PEF (p-value 0.012), MEF 25-75 (p-value 0.041), MEF 50 (p-value 0.001), MEF 75 (p-value 0.012) and MIF50 (p-value 0.004) (p<0.05). All the flow rates studied except MEF 25 showed significant positive correlation with FFMI (r-values between 0.231 to 0.380, p<0.05) but the strength of association was low. Conclusion: There was a statistically significant reduction in both inspiratory and expiratory flow parameters with isometric sustained hand grip exercise. So, isometric exercises should be avoided in patients with obstructive airway diseases. But muscle mass should be improved for better ventilation as authors observed a positive correlation between FFMI and respiratory flow rates.
Prevalence and Susceptibility Profiles of Methicillin Sensitive Staphylococcus aureus from Community and Hospital Associated Infections
Authors: Preeja . , Kumar Sanath , Shetty Veena A
Published: April 2021

Introduction: Methicillin Sensitive Staphylococcus aureus(MSSA) is a significant human pathogen, involved in both hospital and community associated settings. MSSA, being more susceptible to antibiotics compared to Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus(MRSA), is found to acquire Multidrug Resistance (MDR) and with the presence of virulence factors can pose difficulty in patient treatment. Aim: To study the prevalence and antibiotic resistance profile of MSSA from community and hospital associated infections. Materials and Methods: The present cross-sectional study was conducted in tertiary care hospital in Mangalore, Karnataka, India from January 2015 to February 2017. Three hundred and five Staphylococcus aureuswere isolated from various clinical specimens and tested for methicillin susceptibility using cefoxitin disc. Antibiotic resistance profiles against 23 antibiotics were determined by disc diffusion method. The difference was compared for antibiotic sensitivity with respect to Community Associated Methicillin Sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MSSA) and Hospital Associated Methicillin Sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (HA-MSSA) and Chi-square test was used for statistical analysis. Results: Of 305 MSSA isolated, 219 (71.8%) were CA-MSSA and 86 (28.2%) were HA-MSSA. S. aureus was isolated mostly from Skin and Soft Tissue Infections (SSTI, 61.3%). Resistance was observed against ciprofloxacin (64.6%), erythromycin (43.9%), ofloxacin (42.3%), clindamycin (20.7%), ampicillin (100%) and penicillin (90.5%). There was a significant difference (p<0.05) between the resistance of CA-MSSA and HA-MSSA against cefotaxime and co-trimoxazole. Conclusion: The present study showed the increasing prevalence of MSSA in the community and hospital settings with the emergence of MDR which has to be dealt immediately with appropriate control measures.
Epidemiological and Microbiological Study of Onychomycosis
Authors: Kabi Sunita , Swain Bichitrananda , Jain Swati
Published: April 2021

Introduction: Onychomycosis is a common fungal infection of nail. It may be caused by dermatophytes, non-dermatophytic moulds or yeasts involving nail bed, nail plate or matrix of nail. As the fungi show variable susceptibility to antifungal drugs and treatment requires long duration of antifungal therapy, so it’s prevalence as well as proper laboratory diagnosis and antifungal susceptibility testing is essential for effective therapy. Aim: To find the prevalence of onychomycosis with demography along with various aetiology and the suitable antifungal drugs used for treatment. Materials and Methods: For this prospective study, over a period of two years a total of 300 nail samples were processed in the Department of Microbiology at IMS and SUM Hospital, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India. The wet mount for microscopic examination was prepared using 20% Potassium Hydroxide (KOH) and examined after overnight incubation. Culture was done in duplicate in Sabouraud’s Dextrose Agar (SDA) tubes; one with actidione and another without it and both were incubated at 25°C in Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) incubator. Culture tubes growing yeasts were further subjected to speciation by germ tube test, culture on Chromogenic (CHROM) agar and on cornmeal agar. In-vitro antifungal susceptibility testing was performed against Candida species using disc diffusion method on Muller Hinton agar. Chi-square test was used for statistical analysis of the results. Results: Onychomycosis can affect a wide age group though seen commonly at 31-40 years equally in both male and females. Fingernail infection was observed mostly in female cases. It was caused by Candida species (66%), moulds (24%) and dermatophytes (10%) and out of Candida sp. C.albicans was the main culprit. Although all the Candida strains were susceptible to amphotericin B, still some of them showed resistance to the commonly used antifungals like fluconazole and itraconazole. Conclusion:Candida albicans was the most common aetiological agent which contributed for onychomycosis and showed a variable resistance pattern to the commonly used antifungals. Proper laboratory diagnosis and selection of antifungal drug is essential prior to institution of therapy for successful treatment of this disease.
Recurrence Properties of Generalized Hexanacci Sequence
Authors: Soykan Yüksel
Published: April 2021

In this paper, we investigate the recurrence properties of the generalized Hexanacci sequence under the mild assumption that the roots of the corresponding characerteristic polynomial are all distinct, and present how the generalized Hexanacci sequence at negative indices can be expressed by the sequence itself at positive indices.
Perfect Dominating Set of An Interval-Valued Fuzzy Graphs
Authors: AL-Ahmadi Faisal M. , Shubatah Mahiuob M. Q.
Published: April 2021

Aims/ Objectives: Perfect domination is very much useful in network theory, Electrical stations and several fields of mathematics. In This paper, perfect domination in an intervalvalued fuzzy graphs is defined and studied. Some bounds on perfect domination number γp(G) are provided for several interval-valued fuzzy graphs, such as complete, wheel and star,.. etc. Furthermore, the relationship of γp(G): with some other known parameters in interval-valued fuzzy graphs investigated with some suitable examples.
Effect of NPK Fertilization Method on the Physiology and Fruit Products of Myristica fragrans in North Maluku, Indonesia
Authors: Sulistiono Wawan , Ibrahim Abubakar , Suwitono Bayu , Aji Himawan Bayu , Wahab Abdul , Ratule Muhammad Taufiq , Mejaya Made Jana
Published: April 2021

Aims: The objective of this study was to determine the optimal fertilizing method and NPK fertilizer dosage for plant physiology and nutmeg yield.

Study Design: The experimental design was a completely randomized block design (CRBD) in a 4x3 factorial arrangement with three replicates. The first factor was four NPK fertilizer doses: 1, 1.5, 2.0, and 2.5kg NPK (15:15:15)/tree/year. The second factor was the manner of fertilizer application: (1) fertilized in spot, (2) fertilized in-furrow trenches trunked and (3) fertilized in hole.

Place and Duration of Study: The research was conducted in Tobelo North Halmahera (1°44'45.3"-1°44'54.4" N, 127°59'54.4"-127°59'53.2" E), North Maluku, Indonesia from January 2019 to May 2020.

Methodology: The nutmeg trees used was 30 years old. The population of trees plants in the study area was 40 trees. Observation parameters on leaves are chlorophyll a, b and total, nitrate reductase activity (NRA), N, P, K, proline content, number of young and old fruits.

Results: The fertilization treatment with the fertilizer application method into the crack/hole fertilizer with a dose of 2.5 kg NPK significantly produced high levels of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b,         total chlorophyll of leaves and old fruit. The number of old fruits is positively correlated with chlorophyll a content (0.615*), chlorophyll b (0.663*), total chlorophyll (0.634*) and number of young fruits (0.748 **). The application of fertilizer hole produces plants that recover quickly from drought stress, as evidenced by the highest proline content.

Conclusion: NPK fertilization using the hole method and at doses of 2.0-2.5 kg/tree/year are recommended for improving plant physiology and yield.
Interaction of Gila monster venom with VIP receptors in intestinal epithelium of human
Authors: Amiranoff B. , Vauclin-Jacques N. , Boige N. , Rouyer-Fessard C. , Laburthe M.
Published: July 2002

Gila monster venom (1–300 μg/ml) is shown to inhibit completely the binding of [125I]VIP to human and rat intestinal epithelial cell membranes. In both models, the venom inhibits [125I]VIP binding and stimulates adenylate cyclase with a maximal efficiency that is similar to that of VIP and a potency that is 10 000–50 000 times lower than that of the peptide, on a weight basis. At maximal doses, VIP and Gila monster venom do not exert an additive effect on adenylate cyclase, suggesting that the activation of the enzyme by the venom occurs through VIP receptors. As is the case for VIP, adenylate cyclase activation by Gila monster venom requires the presence of GTP in the incubation medium. Finally, no VIP‐like immunoreactivity was detected in the venom using an antiserum raised against mammalian VIP. All these data suggest the presence in the venom of the Gila monster, of a new substance which behaves as a VIP agonist in human as well as rat intestine.
Tight coordination of ribonucleotide reduction and thymidylate synthesis in synchronous algae
Authors: Bachmann Bernd , Hofmann Rüdiger , Follmann Hartmut
Published: July 2002

Ribonucleoside diphosphate reductase and thymidylate synthase activities follow a virtually identical peak pattern during the cell cycle of Scenedesmus obliquus, coinciding with DNA synthesis. Both enzyme change in parallel when cultures are treated with inhibitors specific for one of them: 5‐fluoro‐2′‐deoxyuridine (a thymidylate synthesis inhibitor) stimulates 30‐fold, and hydroxyurea, inhibitory to eukaryotic ribonucleotide reduction, also suppresses thymidylate synthase. We conclude that the two enzymes of deoxyribonucleotide formation are subject to one common intracellular control mechanism.
Low‐temperature 1H‐NMR evidence of the folding of isolated ribonuclease S‐peptide
Authors: Rico M. , Nieto J.L. , Santoro J. , Bermejo F.J. , Herranz J. , Gallego E.
Published: July 2002

The temperature (−7°C to 45°C, pH 5.4) and pH (0°C) dependence of 1H chemical shifts of ribonuclease S‐peptide (5 mM, 1 M NaCl) has been measured at 360 MHz. The observed variations evidence the formation of a partial helical structure, involving the fragment Thr‐3—Met‐13. Two salt‐bridges stabilize the helix: those formed by Glu‐9−…His‐12+ and Glu‐2−…Arg‐10+. The structural features deduced from the 1H‐NMR at low temperature for the isolated S‐peptide are compatible with the structure shown by the same molecule in the ribonuclease S crystal.
Characterization of a new enzyme system that desaturates the side chain of N‐acetyldopamine
Authors: Saul Steven J. , Sugumaran Manickam
Published: July 2002

A novel enzyme system that desaturates the side chain of the catecholamine derivative, N‐acetyldopamine (NADA), was isolated and characterized from the larval cuticle of Sarcophaga bullata. The NADA desaturase system which converts NADA to 1,2‐dehydro‐NADA, surprisingly, does not resemble dehydrogenases such as succinate dehydrogenase. It uniquely performs the desaturation reaction by oxidizing NADA to its corresponding quinone and subsequently converting the resultant quinone to 1,2‐dehydro‐NADA via NADA quinone methide. Accordingly, desaturase enzyme preparation contained both o‐diphenoloxidase activity and NADA quinone:NADA quinone methide isomerase activity. In addition, inhibition studies as well as trapping experiments also confirmed the obligatory formation of NADA quinone as the transient intermediate of the NADA desaturation. It is the first report of a cell‐free system causing the side chain desaturation of any catecholamine derivative.
Biosynthesis of small proteoglycans by hepatic lipocytes in primary culture
Authors: Witsch Petra , Kresse Hans , Gressner Axel M.
Published: July 2002

Chondroitin sulfate/dermatan sulfate proteoglycans were obtained from the secretions of cultured rat hepatic lipocytes. The collagen‐binding small proteoglycan II represented only a minor species (less than 10%), whereas similar amounts of small proteoglycan I and of a novel collagen‐binding proteoglycan with a core protein of 101 kDa were found. These results support the concept of a special role of lipocytes in the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis.
The GC‐selective ligand mithramycin alters the structure of (AT)n sequences flanking its binding sites
Authors: Cons Benjamin M.G. , Fox Keith R.
Published: July 2002

DNA fragments containing (AT)n inserts cloned adjacent to putative mithramycin binding sites have been examined by footprinting experiments using a variety of nucleases in the presence of the drug. The results demonstrate that mithramycin induces a DNA structural change which renders adjacent (AT)n sequences sensitive to attack by DNase II. Significant changes are also revealed with DNase I and micrococcal nuclease. The results are consistent with a model in which mithramycin opens the DNA minor groove changing it to a structure which is locally more like A‐DNA.
The complete amino acid sequence of a thrombin‐like enzyme/gyroxin analogue from venom of the bushmaster snake (Lachesis muta muta)
Authors: Magalhaes Arinos , Da Fonseca Beatriz Campos Brasil , Diniz Carlos Ribeiro , Gilroy John , Richardson Michael
Published: July 2002

The complete amino acid sequence of a thrombin‐like enzyme with gyroxin activity isolated from the venom of the bushmaster snake Lachesis muta
muta was determined by automated and DABITC/PITC microsequencing of the intact protein; fragments derived from it by separate cleavages with cyanogen bromide, iodosobenzoic acid and hydroxylamine; and peptides resulting from enzymatic digestions with trypsin, pepsin, chymotrypsin, and elastase. The protein, which is composed of 228 residues, contains four putative sites of N‐linked glycosylation and exhibits significant sequence similarities with other serine proteases reported from snake venoms.
The role of calcium in cell shrinkage and intracellular alkalinization by bradykinin in Ha‐ras oncogene expressing cells
Authors: Wöll E. , Ritter M. , Scholz W. , Häussinger D. , Lang F.
Published: July 2002

In ras oncogene expressing cells, bradykinin leads to intracellular alkalinization by activation of the Na+/H+ exchanger. This effect is paralleled by oscillatory increase of intracellular calcium activity and cell shrinkage. Staurosporine (1 μmol/l) is not sufficient to prevent bradykinin induced intracellular alkalinization, thus pointing to a protein kinase C independent pathway for the activation of Na+/H+ exchange. The present study has been performed to elucidate, whether the increase of intracellular calcium contributes to cell shrinkage and activation of the Na+/H+ exchanger. To this end, the effects of the calcium ionophore ionomycin have been tested. Ionomycin leads to a dose dependent increase of intracellular calcium activity. At 100 nmol/l ionomycin intracellular calcium is increased from 114 ± 17 nmol/l to 342 ± 24 nmol/l (n = 9), a value within the range of intracellular calcium concentrations following application of bradykinin. The calcium increase is paralleled by a decrease of cell volume by 12 ± 2% (n = 5) and an increase of intracellular pH from 6.78 ± 0.02 to 6.90 ± 0.03 (n = 11), values similar to those following application of bradykinin. The alkalinizing effect of ionomycin is completely abolished in the presence of the novel Na+/H+ exchange inhibitor HOE 694 (10 μmol/l), but is not inhibited by 1 μmol/l staurosporine. Inhibition of K+ and Cl− channels by barium (5 mmol/l) and ochratoxin‐A (5 μmol/l) prevents both ionomycin induced cell shrinkage and protein kinase C independent intracellular alkalinization. It is concluded that bradykinin leads to intracellular alkalinization mainly by increasing intracellular calcium concentration. Calcium triggers calcium sensitive K+ channels, and presumably Cl− channels, the subsequent loss of cellular KCl leads to cell shrinkage which, in turn, activates Na+/H+ exchange.
Structural and mechanistic similarities of 6‐phosphogluconate and 3‐hydroxyisobutyrate dehydrogenases reveal a new enzyme family, the 3‐hydroxyacid dehydrogenases
Authors: Hawes John W. , Harper Edwin T. , Crabb David W. , Harris Robert A.
Published: July 2002

Rat 3‐hydroxyisobutyrate dehydrogenase exhibits significant amino acid sequence homology with 6‐phosphogluconate dehydrogenase, d‐phenylserine dehydrogenase from Pseudomonas syringae, and a number of hypothetical proteins encoded by genes of microbial origin. Key residues previously proposed to have roles in substrate binding and catalysis in sheep 6‐phosphogluconate dehydrogenase are highly conserved in this entire family of enzymes. Site‐directed mutagenesis, chemical modification, and substrate specificity studies were used to compare possible mechanistic similarities of 3‐hydroxyisobutyrate dehydrogenase with 6‐phosphogluconate dehydrogenase. The data suggest that 3‐hydroxyisobutyrate and 6‐phosphogluconate dehydrogenases may comprise, in part, a previously unrecognized family of 3‐hydroxyacid dehydrogenases.
Bacterial vaginosis and associated infections in pregnancy
Authors: Govender L. , Hoosen A.A. , Moodley J. , Moodley P. , Sturm A.W.
Published: July 2002

Objective: To assess the role of bacterial vaginosis (BV) on pregnancy complications in a developing community where mixed cervico‐vaginal infections are common. Setting: The antenatal clinic at King Edward VIII Hospital (KEH), Durban, South Africa, which is a large urban tertiary hospital serving mainly a Black underprivileged population of KwaZulu/Natal. Methods: Asymptomatic pregnant women ≤30 weeks gestation were recruited at their first antenatal visit. Clinical data including the sexual history were recorded. Swab specimens were collected from the vagina and endocervix for diagnosing BV, trichomoniasis, candidiasis, gonorrhea and chlamydial infection. Venous blood specimens were tested for antibody to syphilis and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). All women continued standard antenatal care and hospital records were reviewed following delivery to evaluate pregnancy outcome. Results: BV was found in 52% of the women studied and was the commonest infection diagnosed. Mixed vaginal infections of BV and trichomoniasis were diagnosed in 14%. Only 29% of asymptomatic women did not have any microbiological evidence of a lower genital tract infection. A total of 46% of women studied had poor pregnancy outcome as measured by obstetrical complications, pregnancy loss and/or neonatal morbidity. There was a significant difference in outcome in women with BV (55 of 88) compared to those having infections other than BV (13 of 31), or no infection (5 of 9) —P = 0.005. This difference was for obstetrical complications of preterm delivery, premature rupture of membranes and intrauterine infection, but not for pregnancy losses and neonatal morbidity. Conclusions: The high prevalence of BV and concomitant lower genital tract infections among asymptomatic pregnant women and the resultant adverse pregnancy outcome associated with BV, confirms reports from developed countries of the need for screening for BV at the initial antenatal clinic visit. Whether pregnancy outcome was worse in the presence of BV and other infections than BV alone could not be determined. Future studies with appropriate interventions are needed to evaluate the unique problems of developing countries.
Inositol(1,4,5)trisphosphate production in plant cells: an early response to salinity and hyperosmotic stress
Authors: Drøbak Bjørn K , Watkins Peter A.C
Published: July 2002

Salinity and hyperosmotic stress are environmental factors that severely affect the growth and development of plants. Adaptation to these stresses is known to be a complex multistep process, but a rise in cytoplasmic Ca2+ and increased polyphosphoinositide turnover have now been identified as being amongst the early events leading to the development of tolerance. To determine whether a causal link exists between these two events we have investigated the effects of several salts and osmotic agents on levels of inositol(1,4,5)trisphosphate (Ins(1,4,5)P3) in plant cells. Our data show that salts as well as osmotic agents induce a rapid and up to 15‐fold increase in cellular Ins(1,4,5)P3 levels. The increase in Ins(1,4,5)P3 occurs in a dose‐dependent manner and levels remain elevated for at least 10 min. These data indicate that increased Ins(1,4,5)P3 production is a common response to salt and hyperosmotic stresses in plants and that it may play an important role in the processes leading to stress tolerance.
Inhibition of caspase‐1 induces cell death in pancreatic carcinoma cells and potentially modulates expression levels of bcl‐2 family proteins
Authors: Schlosser Sophia , Gansauge Frank , Ramadani Marco , Beger Hans-Günther , Gansauge Susanne
Published: July 2002

Caspase‐1 (interleukin‐1β‐converting enzyme) is reported to play an important role in the regulation of apoptosis. We investigated the inhibition of caspase‐1 by the cell permeable caspase‐1 inhibitor Ac‐AAVALLPAVLLALLAP‐YVAD.CHO in pancreatic carcinoma cells. Inhibition of caspase‐1 induced a non‐apoptotic/‘necrotic‐like’ cell death in AsPC‐1, BxPC‐3, MiaPaCa‐2 and Panc‐1 cells. Expression levels of bcl‐2 and bax were up‐regulated in caspase‐1 inhibitor‐treated cells while that of bcl‐xL remained unaltered. Our observations support our previous findings that caspase‐1 is potentially involved in anti‐apoptotic processes in pancreatic carcinoma.
West Nile virus‐induced bax‐dependent apoptosis
Authors: del Carmen Parquet Maria , Kumatori Atsushi , Hasebe Futoshi , Morita Kouichi , Igarashi Akira
Published: July 2002

The mechanism of cell death induced by West Nile virus (WNV), a causative agent of human febrile syndrome and encephalitis, was investigated. WNV‐infected K562 and Neuro‐2a cells manifested the typical features of apoptosis, including cell shrinkage, chromatin condensation and subdiploid DNA content by flow cytometry. DNA fragmentation into nucleosomal size and changes in outer cell membrane phospholipid composition were also observed in K562 cells. UV‐inactivated virus failed to induce the above‐mentioned characteristics, suggesting that viral replication may be required for the induction of apoptosis by WNV. Additionally, signals involved in WNV‐induced apoptosis are associated with the up‐regulation of bax gene expression.
Evidence for an iron center in the ammonia monooxygenase from Nitrosomonas europaea
Authors: Zahn James A. , Arciero David M. , Hooper Alan B. , DiSpirito Alan A.
Published: July 2002

Binding of the ligand, nitric oxide, in the presence of reductant was used to identify a ferrous S=3/2 signal, characteristic of a ferrous nitrosyl complex, and a g=2.03 copper of iron signal in membranes of the ammonia‐oxidizing bacterium, Nitrosomonas europaea. The same ferrous S=3/2 signal is thought to be a component of the membrane‐associated methane monooxygenase (pMMO) of Methylococcus capsulatus Bath, since it is seen in the membrane fraction of cells expressing pMMO and in the purified enzyme, but not in the membrane fraction of cells expressing the soluble MMO [Zahn, J.A. and DiSpirito, A.A. (1996) J. Bacteriol. 178, 1018–1029]. Treatment of resting membranes or cells of N. europaea with nitrapyrin, 2‐chloro,6‐trichloromethylpyridine, resulted in the increase in magnitude of a g = 6, high‐spin ferric iron signal. In the presence of NO and reductant, nitrapyrin prevented the formation of the S=3/2 nitrosyl‐iron complex while increasing the intensity of the g=6 signal. Nitrapyrin is a specific inhibitor of, and is reduced by, the ammonia monoxygenase (AMO) [Bédard, C. and Knowles, R. (1989) Microbiol. Rev. 53, 38–83]. Taken together the data suggest that iron capable of forming the S=3/2 complex is a catalytic component of AMO of N. europaea, possibly a part of the oxygen‐activating center. Inactivation of the membrane‐associated AMO with acetylene did not diminish the S=3/2 nitrosyl‐iron signal, the g=6 signal, or the g=6 signal.
Bacillus subtilis DegU acts as a positive regulator for comK expression
Authors: Ogura Mitsuo , Tanaka Teruo
Published: July 2002

Bacillus subtilis ComK plays a critical role in competence development. We report that B. subtilis degR, a positive regulator for exoenzyme production, is negatively regulated by overproduced ComK caused by a mecA null mutation. To identify a positive regulator for comK expression in the mecA background, mutations that allowed the degR gene to be expressed were screened in Tn10 transposon insertion mutants. As a result, we identified degU insertion mutations as those having such a property. The degU mutation reduced comK‐lacZ expression in a competence medium in both the wild‐type and mecA cells in sporulation and competence media. These results indicate that the degU gene product acts as a positive regulator for comK expression even under the condition where the negative regulation of comK by MecA is released.
Glycine‐enhanced inhibition of rat liver nucleotide pyrophosphatase/phosphodiesterase‐I by EDTA: a full account of the reported inhibition by commercial preparations of acidic fibroblast growth factor (FGF‐1)
Authors: López-Gómez Juan , Costas Marı́a Jesús , Meireles Ribeiro João , Fernández Ascensión , Romero Ana , Ávalos Martı́n , Cameselle José Carlos
Published: July 2002

The earlier reported inhibition of rat liver nucleotide pyrophosphatase/phosphodiesterase I (EC 3.1.6.9/EC 3.1.4.1; NPP/PDE) by culture‐grade acidic fibroblast growth factor (FGF‐1) correlates with a low‐M
r contaminant. 1H‐NMR analyses revealed EDTA in the total‐volume fractions of a gel‐filtration experiment, where all the inhibitory activity of the FGF‐1 preparation was recovered. NPP/PDE inhibition by EDTA (and by unfractionated FGF‐1 or the EDTA‐containing fractions) was time‐dependent, blocked by the substrate p‐nitrophenyl‐dTMP, and strongly enhanced by glycine. The use of glycine buffers in earlier work was critical to the apparent inhibition by FGF‐1. The results point to a conformational change favored by glycine that may be relevant to the biological role of NPP/PDE.
Differential activity of a variant form of the human Id‐1 protein generated by alternative splicing
Authors: Tamura Yutaka , Sugimoto Masataka , Ohnishi Kotaro , Sakai Toshiyuki , Hara Eiji
Published: July 2002

Members of the Id family of helix‐loop‐helix proteins are ubiquitously expressed and dimerize with members of the class A and class B basic helix‐loop‐helix proteins. Due to the absence of a basic region, Id proteins act as dominant‐negative antagonists of basic helix‐loop‐helix transcription factors, which regulate cell growth and differentiation in diverse cell types. Recent findings suggest that the functions of Id proteins are well regulated at both the transcriptional level and the post‐transcriptional level. We show here that the alternative splicing variant of human Id‐1 protein possesses a different binding specificity for basic helix‐loop‐helix transcription factors and is expressed in a cell cycle‐dependent manner. Therefore, alternative splicing of Id‐1 could provide a post‐transcriptional mechanism to regulate Id‐1 function.
Expression of specific white adipose tissue genes in denervation‐induced skeletal muscle fatty degeneration
Authors: Dulor Jean-Paul , Cambon Brigitte , Vigneron Pierre , Reyne Yves , Nouguès Jean , Casteilla Louis , Bacou Francis
Published: July 2002

Denervation of skeletal muscle results in rapid atrophy with loss of contractile mass and/or progressive degeneration of muscle fibers which are replaced to a greater or lesser degree by connective and fatty tissues. In this study, we show that denervated rabbit muscles are transformed into a white adipose tissue, depending on their fiber types. This tissue does express LPL, G3PDH and particularly the ob gene, a white adipose tissue‐specific marker, and does not express the brown adipose tissue molecular marker UCP1 mRNA.
Evidence for the co‐existence of glutathione reductase and trypanothione reductase in the non‐trypanosomatid Euglenozoa: Euglena gracilis Z
Authors: Montrichard Françoise , Le Guen Fabienne , Laval-Martin Danielle L , Davioud-Charvet Elisabeth
Published: July 2002

Two NADPH‐dependent disulfide reductases, glutathione reductase and trypanothione reductase, were shown to be present in Euglena gracilis, purified to homogeneity and characterized. The glutathione reductase (M
r 50 kDa) displays a high specificity towards glutathione disulfide with a K
M of 54 μM. The amino acid sequences of two peptides derived from the trypanothione reductase (M
r 54 kDa) show a high level of identity (81% and 64%) with sequences of trypanothione reductases from trypanosomatids. The trypanothione reductase is able to efficiently reduce trypanothione disulfide (K
M 30.5 μM) and glutathionylspermidine disulfide (K
M 90.6 μM) but not glutathione disulfide, nor Escherichia coli thioredoxin disulfide, nor 5,5′‐dithiobis(2‐nitrobenzoate) (DTNB). These results demonstrate for the first time (i) the existence of trypanothione reductase in a non‐trypanosomatid organism and (ii) the co‐existence of trypanothione reductase and glutathione reductase in E. gracilis.
Modulation of basal intracellular calcium by inverse agonists and phorbol myristate acetate in rat‐1 fibroblasts stably expressing α1d‐adrenoceptors
Authors: Garcı́a-Sáinz J.Adolfo , Torres-Padilla Marı́a Elena
Published: July 2002

In rat‐1 fibroblasts stably expressing α1d‐adrenoceptors BMY 7378, phentolamine, chloroethylclonidine and 5‐methyl urapidil decreased basal [Ca2+]i. WB 4101 induced a very small effect on this parameter but when added before the other antagonists it blocked their effect. All these agents inhibited the action of norepinephrine. Phorbol myristate acetate also blocked the effect of norepinephrine and decreased basal [Ca2+]i. Staurosporine inhibited these effects of the phorbol ester. Our results suggest that: (1) α1d‐adrenoceptors exhibit spontaneous ligand‐independent activity, (2) BMY 7378, phentolamine, chloroethylclonidine and 5‐methyl urapidil act as inverse agonists and (3) protein kinase C activation blocks spontaneous and agonist‐stimulated α1d‐adrenoceptor activity.
Role of a novel photosystem II‐associated carbonic anhydrase in photosynthetic carbon assimilation in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii
Authors: Park Youn-Il , Karlsson Jan , Rojdestvenski Igor , Pronina Natalia , Klimov Viacheslav , Öquist Gunnar , Samuelsson Göran
Published: July 2002

Intracellular carbonic anhydrases (CA) in aquatic photosynthetic organisms are involved in the CO2‐concentrating mechanism (CCM), which helps to overcome CO2 limitation in the environment. In the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, this CCM is initiated and maintained by the pH gradient created across the chloroplast thylakoid membranes by photosystem (PS) II‐mediated electron transport. We show here that photosynthesis is stimulated by a novel, intracellular α‐CA bound to the chloroplast thylakoids. It is associated with PSII on the lumenal side of the thylakoid membranes. We demonstrate that PSII in association with this lumenal CA operates to provide an ample flux of CO2 for carboxylation.
Isolation and characterization of the E2F‐like gene in plants
Authors: Sekine Masami , Ito Masaki , Uemukai Kenji , Maeda Yoshio , Nakagami Hirofumi , Shinmyo Atsuhiko
Published: July 2002

The transcription factor E2F regulates the expression of genes involved in the progression of G1/S transition and DNA replication in mammalian cells. We cloned and characterized a cDNA (NtE2F) corresponding to a E2F homolog of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum). The transcription of NtE2F was induced as cells progressed from G1 to the S phase and expressed much earlier than that of the proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) gene. We demonstrated that NtE2F can interact with the tobacco retinoblastoma (Rb)‐related protein in a yeast two‐hybrid assay. To further characterize NtE2F, the trans‐activation activity of NtE2F was examined by using a transient assay in the tobacco Bright Yellow‐2 (BY‐2) cells with NtE2F fused to the DNA‐binding domain of the yeast transcriptional activator GAL4. NtE2F activated the transcription of the β‐glucuronidase (GUS) reporter gene driven by a cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) 35S core promoter containing the GAL4‐binding sequence. This is the first report of the identification of a functionally equivalent E2F‐like gene in plants.
Monitoring obstetric services: putting the ‘UN Guidelines’ into practice in Malawi: 3 years on
Authors: Hussein J. , Goodburn E.A. , Damisoni H. , Lema V. , Graham W.
Published: July 2002

The maternal mortality ratio is difficult to use for monitoring short‐term progress in safe motherhood programs. UNICEF/WHO/UNFPA have proposed alternative process indicators monitoring the availability, utilization and quality of obstetric services. There is little experience in the large‐scale use of these indicators as part of routine health information systems in developing countries. The Malawi Safe Motherhood Project, which covers a population of over 5 million, was one of the first large projects to implement the new process indicators. At the end of 2000 data were available from the new monitoring system for 3 consecutive years. In 1998, availability of comprehensive emergency obstetric care was adequate but availability of basic emergency obstetric care was very poor. Although institutional delivery rates were over 30%, the met need for obstetric care was only 19.8% and the cesarean section rate was only 1.6%. The mean case fatality rate in District hospitals was nearly 5%. By the end of 2000, improvements in availability, utilization and quality of obstetric care were observed. Participation in developing the monitoring system had also created a strong sense of ownership and interest in analyzing and using the data. Several issues have emerged from routine use of the process indicators. In particular, it has been difficult to be certain that obstetric complications have been recorded correctly. The results confirm that a focus on improving emergency obstetric care in Malawi was justified and that process indicators for obstetric care can be successfully introduced in developing countries. The monitoring system has provided data that are of immediate relevance to service providers, managers, and policy makers and provide many lessons useful for similar programs in other settings.
Immunohistochemical demonstration of nerve fibers in the synovial fold of the human cervical facel joint
Authors: Inami Satoshi , Shiga Takashi , Tsujino Akihito , Yabuki Takeshi , Okado Nobuo , Ochiai Naoyuki
Published: July 2002

The role of the intra‐articular synovial fold as a source of facet joint pain is unclear, because the nature of nociceptive innervation in lumbar synovial folds is controversial, and there have been no such studies in cervical synovial folds. The present study aimed to demonstrate the presence of nerve fibers including nociceptive fibers in synovial folds of human cervical facet joints using immunohistochemistry. Synovial folds of cervical facet joints removed from patients undergoing cervical spine laminoplasty were analyzed immunohistochemically using antibodies to protein gene product 9.5, β III‐tubulin, substance P and calcitonin gene‐related peptide. Many nerve fibers immunoreactive for protein gene product 9.5 and β III‐tubulin were demonstrated both around blood vessels and as free fibers in the stroma of the synovial fold. Also, immunostaining showed the presence of free nerve fibers immunoreactive for substance P and calcitonin gene‐related peptide in the stroma. The presence of putative nociceptive fibers in cervical synovial folds supports a possible role for these structures as a source of cervical facet joint pain. © 2001 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
In Europe, being a psychiatric patient is like being the passenger of a pilot who learned to fly by reading about it
Authors: Compernolle T
Published: July 2002

An inquiry among the 150 participating trainees and trainers from 24 European countries (mainly from Western European countries), at the Annual EFPT Symposium revealed that in most countries live supervision and observation are not used in training. To make matters even worse, psychiatry trainees hardly get any supervision at all. About one third of the participants never observed a senior psychiatrist in interaction with a patient during the course of their training. Half of the participants were never observed while interacting with a patient during the course of their training. The author elaborates on five of the reasons why live supervision and observation are indispensable tools for training psychiatrists. He concludes that it is unethical to permit trainees to become psychiatrists without this kind of training. For psychiatry to become a profession earning more respect from the other medical professionals and the general public, it is necessary that senior psychiatrists pay more respect to their own profession by giving trainees an adequate training in the craftsmanship of psychiatry.
Early predictors of two month response with mianserin and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and influence of definition of outcome on prediction
Authors: Berlin I , Lavergne F
Published: July 2002

In order to identify clinical and demographic variables that predict response to antidepressants and to analyse prediction of outcome as a function of definition of outcome we analysed pooled data of two independent, multicentre, double blind parallel group studies. Study I compared the efficacy of mianserin with that of fluoxetine in 65, and study II compared mianserin with fluvoxamine in 60 patients with depression. Improvement was defined as at least 20% decrease in MADRS by day 14. Patients were considered as responders if they had greater than 50% decrease and non-responders if they had ≤ 50% decrease from baseline in the MADRS at day 56. Complete remission was defined as MADRS score ≤ 6 at day 56. Patients' characteristics did not differ between mianserin and SSRI groups. Early improvement predicted response in 92% and complete remission in 55% of the patients improved at day 14. Multivariate forward stepwise logistic regression analysis showed that response to treatments at day 56 was significantly (P = 0.0003) associated with early improvement, age (responders had higher age than non-responders) and weight (responders weighted more than non-responders). Complete remission was only predicted by early improvement. Treatments could not be differentiated when data were analysed according to responder/nonresponder status or complete remission/no complete remission. However, when the same data were analysed by analysis of variance a significant treatment effect (P = 0.02, mianserin > SSRIs) and a quadratic type treatment by time interaction (P = 0.023) were found. The robustness of the analysis was further improved by inclusion of covariates (age, weight). Early clinical improvement seems to be the best predictor of 2 month response to antidepressants (mianserin, SSRIs). Younger age and lower weight may predict non-response. Quantitative analysis differentiates treatments better than analysis of responder status. As obtenation of complete remission is a realistic objective with current antidepressants, studies longer than 2 months are needed to assess effectiveness of these drugs in the obtenation of complete remission.
Genomic characterization of small cell carcinomas of the uterine cervix
Authors: Schultheis Anne M. , de Bruijn Ino , Selenica Pier , Macedo Gabriel S. , da Silva Edaise M. , Piscuoglio Salvatore , Jungbluth Achim A. , Park Kay J. , Klimstra David S. , Wardelmann Eva , Hartmann Wolfgang , Gerharz Claus Dieter , von Petersdorff Mareike , Buettner Reinhard , Reis‐Filho Jorge S. , Weigelt Britta
Published: April 2021

Small cell carcinoma (SCC) of the uterine cervix is a rare and aggressive form of neuroendocrine carcinoma, which resembles small cell lung cancer (SCLC) in its histology and poor survival rate. Here, we sought to define the genetic underpinning of SCCs of the uterine cervix and compare their mutational profiles with those of human papillomavirus (HPV)‐positive head and neck squamous cell carcinomas, HPV‐positive cervical carcinomas, and SCLCs using publicly available data. Using a combination of whole‐exome and targeted massively parallel sequencing, we found that the nine uterine cervix SCCs, which were HPV18‐positive (n = 8) or HPV16‐positive (n = 1), harbored a low mutation burden, few copy number alterations, and other than TP53 in two cases no recurrently mutated genes. The majority of mutations were likely passenger missense mutations, and only few affected previously described cancer‐related genes. Using RNA‐sequencing, we identified putative viral integration sites on 18q12.3 and on 8p22 in two SCCs of the uterine cervix. The overall nonsilent mutation rate of uterine cervix SCCs was significantly lower than that of SCLCs, HPV‐driven cervical adeno‐ and squamous cell carcinomas, or HPV‐positive head and neck squamous cell carcinomas. Unlike SCLCs, which are reported to harbor almost universal TP53 and RB1 mutations and a dominant tobacco smoke‐related signature 4, uterine cervix SCCs rarely harbored mutations affecting these genes (2/9, 22% TP53; 0% RB1) and displayed a dominant aging (67%) or APOBEC mutational signature (17%), akin to HPV‐driven cancers, including cervical adeno‐ and squamous cell carcinomas and head and neck squamous cell carcinomas. Taken together, in contrast to SCLCs, which are characterized by highly recurrent TP53 and RB1 alterations, uterine cervix SCCs were positive for HPV leading to inactivation of the suppressors p53 and RB, suggesting that these SCCs are convergent phenotypes.
GSH‐Responsive Radiosensitizers with Deep Penetration Ability for Multimodal Imaging‐Guided Synergistic Radio‐Chemodynamic Cancer Therapy
Authors: Lin Xiahui , Zhu Rong , Hong Zhongzhu , Zhang Xuan , Chen Shan , Song Jibin , Yang Huanghao
Published: April 2021

Radiotherapy (RT) utilizes the non‐invasive and high penetration X‐ray as the energy source to eliminate deep‐seated tumors. The efficacy of RT can be optimized by designing effective radiosensitizers and synergizing with other treatment methods. Glutathione (GSH)‐responsive radio‐sensitizing nanovesicles are designed with size‐transformability via self‐assembly of gold‐manganese oxide Janus nanoparticles (JNPs) encapsulating the near‐infrared fluorescence (NIR) dye (IR1061). In the presence of GSH, JNP vesicles (Ves) dissociate into smaller gold (Au) NPs and manganese ion (Mn2+) that not only penetrate into the deeper layers of the tumor but also deplete the GSH and trigger chemodynamic therapy (CDT) through a Fenton‐like reaction, which augments the efficacy of RT. In addition, the IR1061 released from the disintegrated nanostructures fluoresces in the NIR‐II window, and along with photoacoustic (PA) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) enables high precision tumor detection. The combination of JNP Ve and X‐ray irradiation achieves multimodal image‐guided ablation of subcutaneous as well as deep‐seated tumors in murine models. Therefore, this novel multimodal image‐guided RT/CDT therapeutic platform is a promising strategy in high‐precision tumor therapy.
Inorganic–Organic Hybrid Molecular Materials: From Multiferroic to Magnetoelectric
Authors: Liu Xiao‐Lin , Li Dong , Zhao Hai‐Xia , Dong Xin‐Wei , Long La‐Sheng , Zheng Lan‐Sun
Published: April 2021

Inorganic–organic hybrid molecular multiferroic and magnetoelectric materials, similar to multiferroic oxide compounds, have recently attracted increasing attention because they exhibit diverse architectures, a flexible framework, fascinating physics, and potential magnetoelectric functionalities in novel multifunctional devices such as energy transformation devices, sensors, and information storage systems. Herein, the classification of multiferroicity and magnetoelectricity is briefly outlined and then the recent advances in the multiferroicity and magnetoelectricity of inorganic–organic hybrid molecular materials, particularly magnetoelectricity and the relevant magnetoelectric mechanisms and their categories are summarized. In addition, a personal perspective and an outlook are provided.
Widening the Range of Trackable Environmental and Health Pollutants for Li‐Garnet‐Based Sensors
Authors: Balaish Moran , Rupp Jennifer L. M.
Published: April 2021

Classic chemical sensors integrated in phones, vehicles, and industrial plants monitor the levels of humidity or carbonaceous/oxygen species to track environmental changes. Current projections for the next two decades indicate the strong need to increase the ability of sensors to sense a wider range of chemicals for future electronics not only to continue monitoring environmental changes but also to ensure the health and safety of humans. To achieve this goal, more chemical sensing principles and hardware must be developed. Here, a proof‐of‐principle for the specific electrochemistry, material selection, and design of a Li‐garnet Li7La3Zr2O12 (LLZO)‐based electrochemical sensor is provided, targeting the highly corrosive environmental pollutant sulfur dioxide (SO2). This work extends the prime use of LLZO as a battery component as well as the range of trackable pollutants for potential future sensor‐noses. Novel composite sensing‐electrode designs using LLZO‐based porous scaffolds are employed to define a high number of reaction sites, and successfully track SO2 at the dangerous levels of 0–10 ppm with close‐to‐theoretical SO2 sensitivity. The insights on the sensing electrochemistry, phase stability and sensing electrode/Li+ electrolyte structures provide first guidelines for future Li‐garnet sensors to monitor a wider range of environmental pollutants and toxins.