bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Secretion of laminin α2 chain in cerebrospinal fluid
Authors: Yamada Hiroki , Hori Hisae , Tanaka Takeshi , Fujita Sachiko , Fukuta-Ohi Hiroko , Hojo Shuntaro , Tamura Akira , Shimizu Teruo , Matsumura Kiichiro
Published: July 2002

The absence of laminin α2 chain causes muscle cell degeneration and peripheral dysmyelination in congenital muscular dystrophy patients and dy mice, suggesting its role in the maintenance of sarcolemmal architecture and peripheral myelinogenesis. Here we demonstrate the secretion of laminin α2 chain in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Laminin α2 chain was detected as a minor component of the total CSF proteins or glycoproteins. Laminin α2 chain was localized in the cytoplasm of epithelial cells of choroid plexus, suggesting active secretion. Our results suggest that immunochemical analysis of CSF laminin α2 chain could be useful as an aid for the diagnosis of congenital muscular dystrophy.
Growth factor‐like effects of placental alkaline phosphatase in human fetus and mouse embryo fibroblasts
Authors: She Qing-Bai , Mukherjee Jagat J , Huang Jin-Sheng , Crilly Karan S , Kiss Zoltan
Published: July 2002

Human placental alkaline phosphatase (PALP) is synthesized in the placenta during pregnancy and is also expressed in many cancer patients; however, its physiological role is unknown. Here we show that in human fetus fibroblasts as well as normal and H‐ras‐transformed mouse embryo fibroblasts PALP stimulates DNA synthesis and cell proliferation in synergism with insulin, zinc and calcium. The mitogenic effects of PALP are associated with the activation of c‐Raf‐1, p42/p44 mitogen‐activated protein kinases, p70 S6 kinase, Akt/PKB kinase and phosphatidylinositol 3′‐kinase. The results suggest that in vivo PALP may promote fetus development as well as the growth of cancer cells which express oncogenic Ras.
Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic characterization of a photolabile precursor of glutamate
Authors: Jayaraman Vasanthi , Thiran Shalita , Madden Dean R.
Published: July 2002

Recently, it has been demonstrated that Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) detects conformational changes in the glutamate receptor ligand‐binding domain that are associated with agonist binding. Combined with flash photolysis, this observation offers the prospect of following conformational changes at individual protein and agonist moieties in parallel and with high temporal resolution. Here, we demonstrate that γ(α‐carboxy‐2‐nitrobenzyl) glutamate (caged glutamate) does not interact with the protein, and that following photolysis with UV light the FTIR difference spectrum indicated changes in the protein tertiary and secondary interactions. These changes were similar to those observed for the protein upon addition of free glutamate. Thus, caged glutamate and its photolysis by‐products are inert in this system, whereas the released glutamate exhibits full activity. Difference spectra of caged glutamate and of reaction analogs permitted identification of and correction for FTIR signals arising from the photolytic reaction and confirmed that its products are indeed glutamate and 2‐nitrosophenyl glyoxalic acid.
Use of UV Absorbance To Monitor Furans in Dilute Acid Hydrolysates of Biomass
Authors: Martinez Alfredo , Rodriguez Maria E. , York Sean W. , Preston James F. , Ingram Lonnie O.
Published: July 2002

A simple method based on UV spectra was developed for the estimation of total furans (furfural and hydroxymethylfurfural) in hemicellulose hydrolysates. UV spectra of hemicellulose hydrolysate contained a single dominant peak at around 278 nm. Approximately two‐thirds of this peak can be attributed to furan absorbance (furfural and hydroxymethylfurfural). At 284 nm, both furfural and hydroxymethylfurfural have equal absorbance on a weight basis. A comparison of HPLC determinations for different samples of hydrolysate was used to develop a simple equation that allows the accurate prediction of total furans based on the difference in absorbance at 284 and 320 nm. This method may prove useful for quality control applications during the production of biomass syrups using a dilute acid hydrolysis process and during treatments for the amelioration of toxins. Although furans represent only a portion of the toxins present in hemicellulose hydrolysates, the abundance of furans appears to serve as a useful marker to predict relative toxicity.
Immobilization of β‐Galactosidase on Fibrous Matrix by Polyethyleneimine for Production of Galacto‐Oligosaccharides from Lactose
Authors: Albayrak Nedim , Yang Shang‐Tian
Published: July 2002

The production of galacto‐oligosaccharides (GOS) from lactose by Aspergillus oryzae β‐galactosidase immobilized on cotton cloth was studied. A novel method of enzyme immobilization involving PEI–enzyme aggregate formation and growth of aggregates on individual fibrils of cotton cloth leading to multilayer immobilization of the enzyme was developed. A large amount of enzyme was immobilized (250 mg/g support) with about 90–95% efficiency. A maximum GOS production of 25–26% (w/w) was achieved at near 50% lactose conversion from 400 g/L of lactose at pH 4.5 and 40 °C. Tri‐ and tetrasaccharides were the major types of GOS formed, accounting for about 70% and 25% of the total GOS produced in the reactions, respectively. Temperature and pH affected not only the reaction rate but also GOS yield to some extend. A reaction pH of 6.0 increased GOS yield by as much as 10% compared with that of pH 4.5 while decreased the reaction rate of immobilized enzyme. The cotton cloth as the support matrix for enzyme immobilization did not affect the GOS formation characteristics of the enzyme under the same reaction conditions, suggesting diffusion limitation was negligible in the packed bed reactor and the enzyme carrier. Increase in the thermal stability of PEI‐immobilized enzyme was also observed. The half‐life for the immobilized enzyme on cotton cloth was close to 1 year at 40 °C and 21 days at 50 °C. Stable, continuous operation in a plug‐flow reactor was demonstrated for about 3 days without any apparent problem. A maximum GOS production of 26% (w/w) of total sugars was attained at 50% lactose conversion with a feed containing 400 g/L of lactose at pH 4.5 and 40 °C. The corresponding reactor productivity was 6 kg/L/h, which is several‐hundred‐fold higher than those previously reported.
Appearance of Protease Activities Coincides with p10 and Polyhedrin‐Driven Protein Production in the Baculovirus Expression System: Effects on Yield
Authors: Naggie S. , Bentley W. E.
Published: July 2002

A study of proteolysis effects on recombinant protein yield was completed using the insect cell (Sf‐9) ‐baculovirus (AcNPV) expression system. Activities of protease and β‐galactosidase (β‐gal), a marker heterologous protein, were assayed at various multiplicities of infection (MOI = 1, 5, and 20) on a time course postinfection. Also, several protein−substrate gel electrophoresis assays were run using gelatin, β‐gal, and bovine serum albumin (BSA) in the gel matrix, to determine the protein specificity of the proteases. The most abundant protease activity (cysteine), found at 49 kDa, degraded all three substrates, pre‐ and post‐infection. Two other protease activities (40 and 36 kDa) appeared on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) gels after 72 hpi (hours postinfection) . In addition, the culture with the highest MOI had the highest β‐gal activity until 72 hpi, when the activity dramatically decreased coincidentally with a 2.5‐fold increase in protease activity. This result and the electrophoresis evidence that the protease is specific to β‐gal, indicate that there is a negative correlation between protease activity and recombinant protein yield. These results guide efforts to control product‐degrading proteolysis in insect cell‐baculovirus expression systems by harvest timing and the addition of protease inhibitors.
Modeling and Analysis of the Affinity Filtration Process, Including Broth Feeding, Washing, and Elution Steps
Authors: He L.‐Z. , Dong X.‐Y. , Sun Yan
Published: July 2002

Affinity filtration is a developing protein purification technique that combines the high selectivity of affinity chromatography and the high processing speed of membrane filtration. In this work a lumped kinetic model was developed to describe the whole affinity filtration process, including broth feeding, contaminant washing, and elution steps. Affinity filtration experiments were conducted to evaluate the model using bovine serum albumin as a model protein and a highly substituted Blue Sepharose as an affinity adsorbent. The model with nonadjustable parameters agreed fairly to the experimental results. Thus, the performance of the affinity filtration in processing a crude broth containing contaminant proteins was analyzed by computer simulations using the lumped model. The simulation results show that there is an optimal protein loading for obtaining the maximum recovery yield of the desired protein with a constant purity at each operating condition. The concentration of a crude broth is beneficial in increasing the recovery yield of the desired protein. Using a constant amount of the affinity adsorbent, the recovery yield can be enhanced by decreasing the solution volume in the stirred tank due to the increase of the adsorbent weight fraction. It was found that the lumped kinetic model was simple and useful in analyzing the whole affinity filtration process.
(αMe)Aun: a highly lipophilic, chiral, Cα‐tetrasubstituted α‐amino acid. Incorporation into model peptides and preferred conformation
Authors: Peggion C. , Mossel E. , Formaggio F. , Crisma M. , Kaptein B. , Broxterman Q.B. , Kamphuis J. , Toniolo C.
Published: July 2002

Abstract: Using a chemo‐enzymatic approach we prepared the highly lipophilic, chiral, Cα‐methylated α‐amino acid (αMe)Aun. Two series of terminally protected model peptides containing either d‐(αMe)Aun in combination with Aib or l‐(αMe)Aun in combination with Gly were synthesized using solution methods and fully characterized. A detailed solution conformational analysis, based on FT‐IR absorption, 1H NMR and CD techniques, allowed us to determine the preferred conformation of this amino acid and the relationship between chirality at its α‐carbon atom and screw sense of the helix that is formed. The results obtained strongly support the view that d‐(αMe)Aun favors the formation of the left‐handed 310‐helical conformation.
Differential contribution of the conserved tyrosine residues to activity and structural stability of Ophiophagus hannahα‐neurotoxins
Authors: Chang L.S. , Chang C.C. , Lin S.R.
Published: July 2002

Abstract: Two α‐neurotoxins, Oh‐4 and Oh‐7, from king cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) venom were subjected to Tyr modification with tetranitromethane. Selective nitration of Tyr4 in Oh‐4 caused a slight decrease in lethal toxicity of 11% and a decrease in nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAchR)‐binding activity of 28%, whereas nitration of Tyr4 in Oh‐7 resulted in an ≈ 60% decrease in lethality and nAchR‐binding activity. When the Tyr23 in Oh‐4 or Tyr22 in Oh‐7 appears to be ‘buried’ in the toxin following further modification, the toxins lost their biological activity and conformational change concurrently. Nevertheless, the dinitrated Oh‐4 retained a β‐sheet structure as revealed by CD spectra and exhibited a precipitin reaction with anti‐Oh‐4 sera. These results indicate that both Tyr4 and Tyr22 play a crucial role in the neurotoxicity of Oh‐7, whereas intact Tyr23 is involved in the manifestation of the toxicity of Oh‐4 to a greater extent. In contrast to Oh‐4, the conformational stability of Oh‐7 depends heavily upon the integrity of Tyr22.
Convenient and efficient synthesis of Boc‐/Z‐/Fmoc‐β‐amino acids employingN‐protected α‐amino acid fluorides
Authors: Ananda K. , Gopi H.N. , Suresh Babu V.V.
Published: July 2002

Abstract: A new and efficient method for the synthesis ofNα‐Fmoc‐/Boc‐/Z‐β‐amino acids using the two‐step Arndt‐Eistert approach is described. Fmoc‐/Boc‐/Z‐α‐Amino acid fluorides were used for the acylation of diazomethane synthesizing Fmoc‐/Boc‐/Z‐α‐aminodiazoketones as crystalline solids with good yield and purity. They were then converted to the corresponding β‐amino acids using PhCOOAg/dioxane/H2O.
Evaluation of new base‐labile2‐(4‐nitrophenylsulfonyl)ethoxycarbonyl (Nsc)‐amino acids for solid‐phase peptide synthesis
Authors: Balse P.M. , Han G. , Hruby V.J. , Kim H.J.
Published: July 2002

Abstract: The 2‐(4‐nitrophenylsulfonyl)ethoxycarbonyl (Nsc) group is a new base‐labile protecting group for solid‐phase peptide synthesis, completely interchangeable with the fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl (Fmoc) protecting group, but with certain advantages. In this paper, we report a methodology with Nα‐Nsc‐protected amino acids for the synthesis of some melanotropins important to our research, namely, γ‐melanocyte‐stimulating hormone (γ‐MSH), its [Nle3]‐analogue, and a cyclic α‐MSH/β‐MSH hybrid. We developed an efficient protocol for the synthesis of the cyclic MSH analogue that yielded this peptide in > 98% purity. The γ‐MSH synthesis, which gave problems with both the Boc and Fmoc strategies, yielded the desired peptide by Nsc‐chemistry but was accompanied by side products. Finally, the Nle3‐γ‐MSH analogue was synthesized more efficiently using the Fmoc strategy, suggesting that Nsc‐chemistry might not be the best methodology for certain sequences.
Purification and physical and kinetic characterization of an NAD+‐dependent malate dehydrogenase from leaves of pineapple (Ananas comosus)
Authors: Cuevas Ileana C. , Podestá Florencio E.
Published: July 2002

An NAD+‐dependent malate dehydrogenase (MDH, EC 1.1.1.37) was purified and characterized from leaves of pineapple (Ananas comosus), a plant with Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM). The purified enzyme had a subunit molecular mass of 39.5 kDa. Its activity showed a maximum at pH 6.8–7.0 and decreased sharply towards pH 8.0. This activity profile coincided with a change in the aggregation state, as determined by gel filtration on high‐performance liquid chromatography from a dimer at pH 7.0 to a tetramer at pH 8.0. This isozyme is one of at least 5 MDH in pineapple leaves distinguishable by non‐denaturing isoelectric focusing and displayed an isoelectric point of 5.8. The ratio of oxaloacetate reduction versus malate oxidation rates varied between 431 and 52 at pH 6.8 and 7.5, respectively. Antibodies raised against the purified pineapple leaf MDH immunodecorated a single 39.5‐kDa polypeptide in denatured crude leaf extracts, but did not cross‐react with extracts from purified pineapple mitochondria possessing high MDH activity. The purified MDH was recognized by monoclonal antibodies raised against the cytosolic MDH from Echinococcus granulosus. These and other distinctive traits, such as its isoelectric point and its subunit mass, suggest that the purified isozyme is the cytosolic MDH. Its properties are consistent with an implied function in the night acidification typical of CAM plants, although it is less clear if it also has a role in the daytime decarboxylation of malate.
Sensitivity patterns to house dust mites and forage mites in atopic dogs: 150 cases
Authors: Bensignor Emmanuel , Carlotti Didier N.
Published: July 2002

AbstractThis study investigated intradermal test reactions to extracts of six species of mites in 150 dogs with atopic dermatitis. At least one positive reaction was seen in 120 animals (80%).Dermatophagoides farinaeattracted the highest number of positive reactions (108 dogs, 90% of dogs and 72% of atopic dogs showing positive reactions). Positive reactions to other mites were not uncommon, with many dogs testing positive forDermatophagoides pteronyssinus(32% of dogs tested),Acarus siro(35%),Tyrophagus putrescentiae(30%),Glycyphagus domesticus(27%) andLepidoglyphus destructor(23%). Sensitivity toD. farinaealone occurred commonly (57% of cases), but multiple sensitivities were seen frequently with the other mites. Cases of sensitivity to only one mite were also seen:D. pteronyssinus(five cases),T. putrescentiae(one case) andG. domesticus(one case). Further studies are needed to appreciate more clearly the precise role played by the different species of mite in canine atopic dermatitis.
Effect of mitogens on growth and contractile responses of rat small arteries: In vitro studies
Authors: SchiØtz L.‐M. , Buus C.L. , Hessellund A. , Mulvany M.J.
Published: July 2002

Rat mesenteric and epigastric small arteries were cultured to investigate influences of mitogens on contractility, proliferation and protein synthesis. Wistar rat arteries were cultured in serum‐free Dulbecco’s Modified Eagle Medium, first, for 24 h to equilibrate and then for a further 24–48 h either in the absence or presence of test substances: angiotensin II (AII), 1 μM; AII, 1 μM + platelet derived growth factor BB‐chain (PDGF‐BB), 1 ng mL−1; PDGF‐BB, 1 ng mL−1; PDGF‐BB, 30 ng mL−1. No mechanical stress was applied. Viability was assessed by myography, protein synthesis by 6‐h incorporation of 35S‐methionine and proliferation by both 48‐h 3H‐thymidine‐incorporation and immunohistochemical analysis using the thymidine analogue 5‐bromo‐2′‐deoxyuridine. After 3 days in culture, the contractile responses of arteries to phenylephrine, serotonin, AII and PDGF‐BB were preserved. Stimulation with PDGF‐BB (30 ng mL−1) increased protein synthesis 1.5‐ (mesenteric) and 1.9‐fold (epigastric). Similarly, stimulation with PDGF‐BB (30 ng mL−1) increased 3H‐thymidine incorporation of unstimulated arteries 3.4‐ (mesenteric) and 2.8‐fold (epigastric). The other treatments affected neither protein synthesis nor proliferation. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that the proliferation was occurring primarily in the adventitia and that the levels of apoptosis were unaltered by culture. The effects of AII and PDGF‐BB on remodelling did not correlate with their contractile effects: epigastric arteries responded strongly to AII and PDGF‐BB, while mesenteric arteries responded weakly. The results suggest that organ culture conditions which preserve contractile function may not be sufficient to preserve trophic mechanisms.
Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis screening for mutations in the hereditary hyperferritinaemia cataract syndrome
Authors: Giansily Muriel , Beaumont Carole , Desveaux Cyrille , Hetet Gilles , Schved Jean‐François , Aguilar‐Martinez Patricia
Published: July 2002

Hereditary hyperferritinaemia cataract syndrome (HHCS) is characterized by hyperferritinaemia without iron overload. It is essential to differentiate true iron accumulation from HHCS as these patients rapidly develop iron‐deficient anaemia when subjected to phlebotomies. The diagnosis of HHCS relies on the identification of point mutations or deletions present in the iron‐responsive element of the first exon of the L‐ferritin gene. However, many samples referred for diagnosis of putative HHCS are normal. To avoid unnecessary DNA sequencing, we have developed a diagnosis strategy based on the screening of the target DNA region by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis. This method enabled the accurate identification of 11 different previously known mutations. This strategy will be of interest for family studies or for the screening of large series of patients.
INK4A/ARF deletions are acquired at relapse in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia: a paired study on 25 patients using real‐time polymerase chain reaction
Authors: Carter Tina L. , Reaman Gregory H. , Kees Ursula R.
Published: July 2002

Current risk‐adjusted intensive therapies for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) are expected to result in an event‐free survival of greater than 75%. In sharp contrast, relapsed paediatric ALL is a difficult disease to treat. In this study, 25 paediatric patients with ALL were analysed at diagnosis and relapse for their p16 (exon 2) status using the most accurate method of detection, real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The median time to relapse for the group was 27 months. At diagnosis, the incidence of p16 homozygous and hemizygous deletion in this group was 32% and 20% respectively. The incidence of homozygous p16 deletion at relapse was 64%. A large number of patients, eight of 16 (50%), developed p16 homozygous deletion at relapse. Of those eight patients, four were hemizygous and four were germline at diagnosis. At diagnosis, those patients with a homozygous or hemizygous p16 deletion relapsed sooner than those germline for p16. We have shown that p16 alterations are frequently present in relapsed lymphoblastic leukaemia in children.
Blood flow rate in arteriovenous anastomoses: from the cradle to the grave
Authors: Midttun M.
Published: July 2002

Blood flow rate was measured in the arteriovenous anastomoses (AVAs) in the cutaneous tissue of the pulp of the first toe in 15 children between 3 and 15 years old, and in the pulp of the thumb and the first toe in 16 adults between 27 and 93 years old (two subjects from each decade) by the heat‐washout method. The examinations showed that AVA‐blood flow rate decreased with increasing age, and the difference between children and adults was highly significant (P=0·001). Blood flow rate in the finger pulp was higher than in the toe pulp (P=0·025). No significant difference in blood flow rate was found in either thumb pulp or toe pulp between men and women.
Exploring the impact of formal training in ISD methods on the cognitive structure of novice information systems developers
Authors: Lee Jungwoo , Truex Duane P.
Published: July 2002

Abstract. Hundreds of information systems development (ISD) methods exist at the present time, covering many different perspectives on the problem of systems development. There is a fairly consistent assumption running although debate on ISD methods; namely, that systems development is a cognitively intensive activity. But despite considerable study systems development remains a poorly understood activity. There is also evidence that, in practice, systems development projects are being approached from phenomenological pragmatism rather than from formally proposed teleological prescriptions, or ISD methods. That is, in practice ISD methods do not appear to be widely followed. This raises a question as to whether part of the reason lies in the training in formal ISD methods. Or phrased differently: what impact does formal development methods training have upon the cognitive development of systems developers. This research investigates one aspect of the relationship between the methodical training and the cognitive structure of novice systems developers, i.e. changes in a developer's cognitive complexity. The study suggests a cognitive growth cycle experienced by systems developers that underlies an informed method usage cycle.
Palynological evidence for 19th century grazing‐induced vegetation change in the southern Sierra Nevada, California, U.S.A.
Authors: Dull Robert A.
Published: July 2002

Aim Stratigraphic pollen records are used to assess historic vegetation changes that have transpired in a North American mountain meadow since the introduction of Old World livestock species in the middle 1800s.

Location Monache Meadows is located on the Kern Plateau in the Sierra Nevada mountain range, California, U.S.A. It is situated along the upper reaches of the South Fork Kern River in the southernmost drainage basin of the Sierra Nevada.

Methods Short core samples of meadow sediments were extracted from five locations throughout Monache Meadows. These five samples are classified according to topographic position within the meadow – two upper meadow sites and three lower meadow sites. Stratigraphic analyses of fossil pollen from each core were used to assess vegetation composition before the introduction of European livestock (pre1850) and throughout the historic period (1850–present). The historic period geochronology is based on 210Pb dating of selected strata from each core.

Results
Riccia was a dominant taxon in the upper meadow before the introduction of grazing; Salix seems to have been more abundant in the lower meadow. Both Riccia and Salix decreased dramatically by c.1900, coeval with marked increases in Artemisia (upper meadow) and Cyperaceae (upper and lower meadows).

Main conclusions Changes in meadow vegetation occurring during the latter part of the 19th century at Monache Meadows are attributed primarily to the introduction of European livestock (sheep and cattle). Other factors that may have contributed to the observed shifts in composition and dominance include changes in native herbivore populations and decreased fire frequency as a result of 20th century fire suppression policies.
Evaluation of liquidized normal food as an alternative for PEG‐fed patients
Authors: White S. , Clark S. , Torrance A. , Bottrill P. , Matthewson K.
Published: July 2002

Background: An in vitro study has been undertaken to determine whether liquidized normal food might prove a satisfactory alternative to commercial feed for patients dependent on PEG feeding.

Methods: Five different recipes (A to E) were compared with Nutrison Standard in terms of nutritional content, cost, ease of preparation, microbiological safety and flow characteristics.

Results: Nutritional content of the recipes was broadly comparable with Nutrison, whilst the most expensive of the recipes was only 58% of the cost. The maximum preparation time, excluding cooking time, was only 15 min and the flow characteristics of recipes B, D and E were comparable to that of Nutrison Standard. Aerobic plate counts of the recipes after 24 h refrigeration were within acceptable limits for nonimmunocompromised patients and no specific pathogens were cultured.

Conclusions: Recipes B, D and E might prove satisfactory alternatives to commercial feeds for some PEG‐dependent patients.
Interpregnancy nutrition intervention with mothers of low‐birthweight babies living in an inner city area: a feasibility study
Authors: Doyle W. , Crawford M. A. , Srivastava A. , Costeloe K. L.
Published: July 2002

Background: Inadequate maternal nutrition around the time of conception is reported to be associated with nongenetic congenital abnormalities and with low birthweight.

Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness of nutrition counselling during the interpregnancy interval for women who have had a low‐birthweight baby, who live in an inner city area, and whose diets have been assessed as inadequate.

Method: Mothers who had a low‐birthweight baby and planned to have another baby were recruited into a pilot preconception nutrition counselling trial. Seven‐day diet diaries were used to assess the dietary intakes of mothers before and after exposure to counselling.

Results: Of 152 mothers interviewed, 111 (73%) agreed to participate; 77 (51%) participants completed 7‐day diet diaries; of these, the calculated micronutrient intake of 70 (91%) was arbitrarily defined as ‘inadequate’, meeting fewer than four of 16 Reference Nutrient Intakes (RNIs). Forty‐one (59%) of the 70 mothers with an ‘inadequate’ diet completed a second diary after 6 months exposure to nutrition counselling. Following the counselling period, the intake of few nutrients increased above the 5% level, although the trend was towards an improved dietary intake.

Conclusions: Dietary counselling on its own in the interpregnancy period is unlikely to improve nutritional status of mothers in this inner city population.
SHORT REPORT: Suitability of revised UK reference data for the assessment of nutritional status in 7‐year‐old children
Authors: Reilly J.J. , Savage S.A.H. , Ruxton C.H.S. , Kirk T.R.
Published: July 2002

Introduction: Nutritional assessment in clinical practice and epidemiology requires comparison of anthropometric measurements with appropriate reference data, but the reference data recommended for the UK are largely untested. The aim of the present study was to test the suitability of the ‘Revised UK 1990’ reference data for height, weight and body mass index (BMI) in a representative sample of 7‐year‐old children.

Methods: Measurements made in 255 children in Edinburgh (n=123 girls; 132 boys) were compared with the ‘Revised UK 1990’ reference data using standard deviation (SD) scores. The proportion of children both expected and observed to fall below the 10th centile and above the 90th centile were calculated.

Results: In boys, mean (±SD) scores were not significantly different from zero for height (−0.02±0.95), weight (0.07±1.01) and BMI (0.10±1.03), and there was good agreement between expected and observed frequencies <10th and >90th centiles for all three variables. In the girls, mean (±SD) scores did not differ significantly from zero: height (−0.08±0.91); weight (−0.18±0.98); BMI (−0.18±1.02), and there were no significant differences relative to the 10th and 90th centile cut‐offs for height and BMI.

Conclusion: This study supports the use of the currently recommended height, weight and BMI reference data to define under‐ and over‐weight for height in children.
Statistical confidence in parentage analysis with incomplete sampling: how many loci and offspring are needed?
Authors: Neff B. D. , Repka J. , Gross M. R.
Published: July 2002

We have recently presented models to estimate parentage in breeding systems with multiple mating and incomplete sampling of the candidate parents. Here we provide formulas to calculate the statistical confidence and the optimal trade‐off between the number of loci and offspring. These calculations allow an understanding of the statistical significance of the parentage estimates as well as the appropriate sampling regime required to obtain a desired level of confidence. We show that the trade‐off generally depends on the parentage of the putative parents. When parentage is low, sampling effort should concentrate on increasing the number of loci. Otherwise, there are similar benefits from increasing the number of loci or offspring. We demonstrate these methods using genetic data from a nest of the bluegill sunfish (Lepomis macrochirus).
Auto‐transporter A protein of Neisseria meningitidis: a potent CD4+ T‐cell and B‐cell stimulating antigen detected by expression cloning
Authors: Ait‐Tahar Kamel , Wooldridge Karl G. , Turner David P. J. , Atta Mustafa , Todd Ian , Ala'aldeen Dlawer A. A.
Published: July 2002

A meningococcal genomic expression library was screened for potent CD4+ T‐cell antigens, using patients' peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs). One of the most promising positive clones was fully characterized. The recombinant meningococcal DNA contained a single, incomplete, open reading frame (ORF), which was fully reconstructed with reference to available genomic sequence data. The gene was designated autA (auto‐transporter A) as its peptide sequence shares molecular characteristics of the auto‐transporter family of proteins. Only a single copy of this gene was detected in the meningococcal, and none in the gonococcal, genomic sequence databases. The complete autA gene, when cloned into an expression vector, expressed a protein of approximately 68 kDa. Purified rAutA recalled strong secondary T‐cell responses in PBLs of patients and some healthy donors, and induced strong primary T‐cell responses in healthy donors. The human B‐cell immunogenicity and cross‐reactivity of AutA, purified under native conditions, was confirmed in dot immunoblot experiments. Immunoblots with rabbit polyclonal antibodies to rAutA demonstrated the conserved nature, antigenicity and cross‐reactivity of AutA amongst meningococci of different serogroups and strains representing different hypervirulent lineages. AutA showed homology with another meningococcal and gonococcal ORF (designated AutB). AutB was cloned and expressed and used to raise an autB‐specific antiserum. Immunoblot experiments indicated that AutB is not expressed in meningococci and does not cross‐react with AutA. Thus, AutA, being a potent CD4+ T‐cell and B‐cell‐stimulating antigen, which is highly conserved, deserves further investigation as a potential vaccine candidate.
Short‐term morbidity and infant mortality among infants who slept supine at 1 month of age – a follow‐up report
Authors: Dwyer  , Ponsonby  , Couper  , Cochrane
Published: July 2002

Following evidence that prone sleeping is causally related to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), intervention campaigns to avoid prone sleeping in many countries have led to a large reduction in SIDS and total infant mortality. The supine position has been recommended for healthy infants in several countries. The objective of this report was to determine how usual sleep position at 1 month relates to morbidity indicators at 1 month and 12 weeks and to SIDS and postneonatal mortality using a prospective population‐based live birth cohort in Tasmania, Australia. Eligible infants were the one‐fifth of Tasmanian live births at higher risk of SIDS using a perinatal score. From 1 January 1988 to 31 December 1995, 9826 (89% of eligible) infants participated in the home interview. Fifty‐three eligible infants died of SIDS, 51 (96%) with hospital interview data and 35 (81% of those eligible for home visit) with home visit data. The main outcome measures were SIDS, postneonatal mortality and parentally reported infant morbidity. The postneonatal mortality rates (cases per 1000 live births) by usual sleep position at 1 month of age were supine 1.60 [95% CI 0.04, 8.87], side 2.87 [1.79, 4.35], prone 10.27 [5.62, 17.18] and other (including no usual position) 6.37 [0.16, 34.98]. None of the study infants who slept supine died of SIDS at a later time. Of 25 morbidity indicators studied, only noisy breathing was increased for supine compared with side‐sleeping babies. In this study, there was no evidence to suggest that supine sleeping at 1 month of age was associated with an increase in important short‐term morbidity or postneonatal mortality. These findings provide further support for the recent recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics that healthy infants should preferably sleep in the supine position.
Effects of hypoxia on root morphology and lesion development in Eucalyptus marginata infected with Phytophthora cinnamomi
Authors: Burgess T. , StJ. Hardy G. E. , McComb J. A. , Colquhoun I.
Published: July 2002

Plants of a Eucalyptus marginata clone (1JN30) were grown in aeroponics chambers that could be sealed to allow the manipulation of oxygen levels in the root environment. Roots were grown for varying periods of hypoxia (0, 2, 5, 11 or 29 days) before being inoculated with zoospores of Phytophthora cinnamomi. A similar set of roots was inoculated 3 days after the hypoxia treatments. Root extension was reduced at the end of all the hypoxia treatments. Six days after the hypoxia treatments, root extension had returned to normal for roots that had been exposed to 5 days of hypoxia, while for roots exposed to 11 or 29 days, extension was half the normal rate. Longitudinal sections of root tips after 5, 11 or 29 days of hypoxia indicated that the treatment caused a reduction in cell division, but not in cell expansion. In the case of roots exposed to 2 days of hypoxia, the apical meristem appeared normal at the end of the treatment, but 3 days after the return to normal oxygen conditions many of the apical meristems had died and the roots had a clubbed appearance. Thus, E. marginata roots have an acclimatization period to hypoxia of between 2 and 5 days, after which they can tolerate hypoxia for extended periods. However, their ability to recover rapidly posthypoxia is reduced after 11 days' exposure.

The percentage of inoculated roots that became infected and developed lesions was significantly reduced in roots inoculated immediately posthypoxia, compared with roots grown under normal oxygen conditions. As root growth recovered, lesion development also returned to normal. Thus, the rate of lesion development was related to the rate of root extension at the time of inoculation.
A comparative study on the structure and function of a cytolytic α‐helical peptide and its antimicrobial β‐sheet diastereomer
Authors: Oren Ziv , Hong Jiang , Shai Yechiel
Published: July 2002

Antimicrobial peptides which adopt mainly or only β‐sheet structures have two or more disulfide bonds stabilizing their structure. The disruption of the disulfide bonds results in most cases in a large decrease in their antimicrobial activity. In the present study we examined the effect of d‐amino acids incorporation on the structure and function of a cytolytic α‐helical peptide which acts on erythrocytes and bacteria. The influence of a single or double d‐amino acid replacement in α‐helical peptides on their structure was reported previously in 50% 2,2,2,trifluoroethanol/water [Krause et al. (1995) Anal. Chem.67, 252–258]. Here we used Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier‐Transform Infrared (ATR‐FTIR) spectroscopy and found that the predominant structure of the wild‐type peptide is α‐helix in phospholipid membranes, whereas the structure of the diastereomer is β‐sheet. However, the linear, β‐sheet diastereomer preserved its cytolytic activity on bacteria but not on erythrocytes. Previous studies have shown that the ability of antimicrobial peptides to lyse bacteria but not normal mammalian cells correlated with their ability to disintegrate preferentially negatively charged, but not zwitterionic phospholipid membranes. In contrast, the diastereomer described here disrupts zwitterionic and negatively charged vesicles with similar potencies to those of the hemolytic wild‐type peptide. Interestingly, whereas addition of a positive charge to the N‐terminus of the wild‐type peptide (which caused a minor effect on its structure) increased activity only towards some of the bacteria tested, similar modification in the diastereomer increased activity towards all of them. Furthermore, the modified wild‐type peptide preserved its potency to destabilize zwitterionic and negatively charged vesicles, whereas the modified diastereomer had a reduced potency on zwitterionic vesicles but increased potency on negatively charged vesicles. Overall our results suggest that this new class of antimicrobial diastereomeric peptides bind to the membrane in ‘carpet‐like’ manner followed by membrane disruption and breakdown, rather than forming a transmembrane pore which interfere with the bacteria potential. These studies also open a way to design new broad‐spectrum antibacterial peptides.
Delayed feeding of first colostrum: are there prolonged effects on haematological, metabolic and endocrine parameters and on growth performance in calves?
Authors: Zanker I. A. , Hammon H. M. , Blum J. W.
Published: July 2002

To test the hypothesis that delaying first colostrum feeding of calves after birth exerts long‐lasting effects on haematological, metabolic and endocrine traits and on growth performance, neonatal calves were fed first colostrum at 0–2 and 24–25 h after birth. Delayed feeding of first colostrum for 24–25 h after birth caused reduced plasma levels of total protein and globulin for up to 30 days and of insulin‐like growth factor‐I for up to 7 days, whereas concentrations of nonesterified fatty acids were elevated during the first day of life. There were no significant effects of delaying feeding for 24–25 h on leucocyte and erythrocyte number, packed cell volume and on haemoglobin levels and on plasma concentrations of albumin, urea, glucose, triglycerides, phospholipids, cholesterol, insulin, growth hormone, 3.5.3′‐triiodothyronine and thyroxine and on growth performance. Thus, calves fed first colostrum with a delay of 24–25 h after birth were able to compensate rapidly for nutritional deficiencies on day 1 of life, i.e. there was no evidence for permanent imprinting of haematological, metabolic and of endocrine traits by starvation on the first day of life.
Effect of L‐carnitine supplementation on performance parameters in gilts and sows
Authors: Eder K. , Ramanau A. , Kluge H.
Published: July 2002

The effect of L‐carnitine supplementation during pregnancy and lactation on performance parameters of sows was studied. The trial comprised a total of 127 sows (40 gilts, 87 mature sows) which were divided into a control and a treatment group. All animals were fed individually and received basic feed mixtures for pregnancy and lactation with low carnitine concentrations (gestation diet: 4.7 mg/kg feed, lactation diet: 12.5 mg/kg feed). The rations of the sows in the treated group were supplemented with 125 mg L‐carnitine per head and day during pregnancy and 250 mg

L‐carnitine per head and day during lactation. The animals of the control group received identical feed mixtures in identical amounts, but without the

L‐carnitine supplement.

L‐carnitine supplementation resulted in higher sow liveweight gains between day 1 and day 85 of pregnancy. The number of piglets per litter and the number born alive did not differ between the control sows and those treated with

L‐carnitine. However, the

L‐carnitine‐supplemented sows produced only half as many non‐viable piglets as the control animals. Moreover, litter weight and mean birth weight of piglets from

L‐carnitine‐treated sows were higher than in the control sows. This effect was more marked in gilts (+8% higher litter weight, +9% higher piglet weight) than in sows (+7% and +6%, respectively). Piglets from sows whose ration was supplemented with

L‐carnitine showed higher liveweight gains during the suckling period (+12% for gilts, +4% for sows), which is why litter weights post weaning were also higher among the sows treated with

L‐carnitine than in the control sows (+14% for gilts, +10% for sows). Overall, the study shows that dietary supplementation with

L‐carnitine during pregnancy and lactation improves the reproductive performance of sows.
Transfemoral venous liver biopsy: Common problems and complications
Authors: Lee Pl Munk, Dc Morris, Dg Connell, Jr Mayo, Mj , Sallomi DF
Published: July 2002

Liver biopsy is still most commonly done via the percutaneous route; however, increasingly, transvascular venous liver biopsy has been used in patients with bleeding disorders. Although the jugular route is now generally favoured, a transfemoral route can be a useful alternative technique when the jugular route is not available. We describe the transfemoral technique and outline a number of commonly encountered problems and complications and suggested methods of addressing them.
The potential to manipulate the numbers of insects in lucerne by strip cutting
Authors: Hossain Z , Gurr Gm , Wratten Sd
Published: July 2002

Uncut strips of lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) were evaluated as refuges for natural enemies of pests in lucerne hay crops. Vacuum catches of seven species of predator were significantly greater in uncut strips than in cut control areas on as many as six of seven sample dates over three harvests. Catches of pest larvae (Helicoverpa spp.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) were consistently lower in the natural enemy refuges than in regrowth 16 or more days after harvest. Further work with larger plot sizes is warranted.
Survey of the current state of pediatric drug use in Japan (1994–6)
Authors:   DRUG THERAPY COMMITTEE OF THE JAPAN PEDIATRIC SOCIETY
Published: July 2002

Abstract Background: A survey of the current state of pediatric drug therapy in Japan was conducted using a questionnaire completed by committee members and the former president of the Drug Therapy Committee of the Japan Pediatric Society.

Methods
: Questionnaires were mailed to the members of the Drug Committee, who represent the various specialities of the Japan Pediatric Society, and to its former chairperson. Questionnaires contained eight items.

Results
: This survey demonstrated that, although use of drug therapy in adults is clearly defined, pediatric drug therapy in Japan is extremely imprecise, with the potential to lead to undesirable consequences.

Conclusion
: The Japan Pediatric Society demands that the standardization of drug information labels and dosages specifically for children, including premature and full‐term neonates, should be included under all aspects of National Health Insurance.
Immunohistochemical study of Fas, Fas ligand and interleukin‐1β converting enzyme expression in human prostatic cancer
Authors: Sasaki  , Ahmed  , Takeuchi  , Moriyama  , Kawabe
Published: July 2002

Objective

 To determine the cellular expression of Fas, Fas ligand and interleukin‐1β converting enzyme (ICE) in prostatic cancer.

Patients and methods

 Specimens of prostate were obtained from 21 patients (mean age 66 years, sd 5) undergoing radical prostatectomy for prostatic cancer. Nine of the 21 patients had received endocrine therapy before surgery. Specimens were also obtained from 10 patients with benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) and during autopsy from 10 patients who had died from hormone‐unresponsive prostate cancer. Paraffin‐embedded sections were cut from the specimens and stained immunohistochemically to detect Fas, Fas ligand and ICE.

Results

 Fas was expressed in all 21 of the cancer specimens while Fas ligand was detected in none and ICE was expressed in 11. The difference between the expression of Fas and ICE was significant (P<0.001). ICE was expressed in nine of 12 patients who were untreated before surgery and in two of nine treated with endocrine therapy (P<0.05). Fas expression was detected in the specimens from all 10 patients with BPH and in all 10 autopsy specimens; the expression tended to be more marked than that in specimens from total prostatectomy (P<0.1).

Conclusion

 The expression of ICE was weaker than that of Fas in the total prostatectomy specimens, suggesting a possible interruption of the apoptotic signalling pathway. Prostates with BPH and hormone‐unresponsive cancer therefore showed no appreciable change in Fas expression when compared with total prostatectomy samples.
Removal of Anti‐A/B Antibodies with Plasmapheresis in ABO‐Incompatible Kidney Transplantation
Authors: Shimmura Hiroaki , Tanabe Kazunari , Ishikawa Nobuo , Tokumoto Tadahiko , Fuchinoue Shouhei , Takahashi Kota , Toma Hiroshi , Agishi Tetsuzo
Published: July 2002

Abstract: Because of a shortage of cadaver donors in Japan, ABO‐incompatible living kidney transplantation has been carried out. Sixty‐seven ABO‐incompatible living kidney transplantations (LKT) were performed between January 1989 and December 1995 at our institution. In our previous report on the long‐term results of ABO‐incompatible LKT, graft survival of ABO‐incompatible LKT up to 3 years was significantly lower than that of ABO‐compatible LKT, but no significant difference was seen from 4 to 8 years. We removed anti‐A/B antibodies by immunoadsorption and/or double filtration plasmapheresis before kidney transplantation. There was a significant difference between the anti‐A/B antibody titers before and after plasmapheresis. The anti‐A/B antibody titers also were well suppressed over the long term after transplantation.
Variation in rat sciatic nerve anatomy: Implications for a rat model of neuropathic pain
Authors: Asato Fumio , Butler Margareta , Blomberg Hans , Gordh Torsten
Published: July 2002

Abstract  We discovered a variation of rat sciatic nerve anatomy as an incidental finding during the anatomical exploration of the nerve lesion site in a rat neuropathic pain model. To confirm the composition and distribution of rat sciatic nerve, macroscopic anatomical investigation was performed in both left and right sides in 24 adult Sprague‐Dawley rats. In all rats, the L4 and L5 spinal nerves were fused tightly to form the sciatic nerve. However, the L6 spinal nerve did not fuse with this nerve completely as a part of the sciatic nerve, but rather sent a thin branch to it in 13 rats (54%), whereas in the remaining 11 rats (46%), L6 ran separately along with the sciatic nerve. Also, the L3 spinal nerve sent a thin branch to the L4 spinal nerve or sciatic nerve in 6 rats (25%). We conclude that the components of sciatic nerve in Sprague‐Dawley rats vary from L3 to L6; however, the major components are L4 and L5 macroscopically. This finding is in contrast to the standard textbooks of rat anatomy which describe the sciatic nerve as having major contributions from L4, L5, and L6.