bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of age and physical fitness on microcirculatory function
Authors: FRANZONI Ferdinando , GALETTA Fabio , MORIZZO Carmela , LUBRANO Valter , PALOMBO Carlo , SANTORO Gino , FERRANNINI Eleuterio , QUIÑONES-GALVAN Alfredo
Published: February 2004

Sedentary aging is associated with endothelial dysfunction and nitric oxide (NO) impairment. The aim of the present study was to assess the effects of regular physical exercise on nitrite/nitrate (NOx) concentrations and microcirculatory function in older men compared with young individuals. We measured NOx plasma concentrations and baseline and stimulated skin blood flow (SBF) by laser Doppler flowmetry in 39 male athletes [range, 22–72 years; maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max), 60.0±4.7 ml·min-1·kg of body weight-1 (mean±S.D.)] and 45 age- and sex-matched sedentary controls (VO2max, 38.0±7.1 ml·min-1·kg of body weight-1). NOx concentrations were higher in athletes than in controls (50.4±16.3 compared with 39.0±15.4 µmol/l; P<0.005), whereas baseline SBF was comparable. Hand SBF after heating and ischaemia and foot SBF after heating were higher in athletes (P<0.0001) than in controls. By comparing the lowest and the highest tertile of age, sedentary young subjects had higher NOx concentrations than sedentary older subjects (43.3±13.4 compared with 31.8±12.2 µmol/l respectively; P<0.05). Exercise abolished this difference (49.1±9.6 µmol/l for young subjects and 52.1±11.5 µmol/l for older subjects; not significant). Resting SBF was similar in all the subgroups, but stimulated SBFs were lower in both subgroups of untrained compared with trained subjects. NOx concentrations were positively correlated with VO2max (r=0.46, P<0.001). Stimulated SBFs were correlated with NOx (r>0.30, P<0.05). These findings show that chronic exercise may improve endothelial function in older (and young) men, probably by increasing NO availability.
Walking performance, oxygen uptake kinetics and resting muscle pyruvate dehydrogenase complex activity in peripheral arterial disease
Authors: BARKER Glenn A. , GREEN Simon , GREEN Anita A. , WALKER Philip J.
Published: February 2004

In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that walking intolerance in intermittent claudication (IC) is related to both slowed whole body oxygen uptake (VO2) kinetics and altered activity of the active fraction of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDCa) in skeletal muscle. Ten patients with IC and peripheral arterial disease [ankle/brachial index (ABI)=0.73±0.13] and eight healthy controls (ABI=1.17±0.13) completed three maximal walking tests. From these tests, averaged estimates of walking time, peak VO2 and the time constant of VO2 (τ) during submaximal walking were obtained. A muscle sample was taken from the gastrocnemius medialis muscle at rest and analysed for PDCa and several other biochemical variables. Walking time and peak VO2 were approx. 50% lower in patients with IC than controls, and τ was 2-fold higher (P<0.05). τ was significantly correlated with walking time (r=-0.72) and peak VO2 (r=-0.66) in patients with IC, but not in controls. PDCa was not significantly lower in patients with IC than controls; however, PDCa tended to be correlated with τ (r=-0.56, P=0.09) in patients with IC, but not in controls (r=-0.14). A similar correlation was observed between resting ABI and τ (r=-0.63, P=0.05) in patients with IC. These data suggest that the impaired VO2 kinetics contributes to walking intolerance in IC and that, within a group of patients with IC, differences in VO2 kinetics might be partly linked to differences in muscle carbohydrate oxidation.
Benefits of early enteral nutrition with glutamine and probiotics in brain injury patients
Authors: FALCÃO DE ARRUDA IRA S. , DE AGUILAR-NASCIMENTO JOSÉ E.
Published: February 2004

Brain injury patients have higher energy and protein expenditures and are prone to infections. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the results of early enteral feeding with glutamine and probiotics in brain injury patients. Twenty-three brain injury patients (Glasgow score between 5–12 and therapeutic intervention scoring system>20) were studied. Three patients were excluded to leave 20 remaining patients. Patients were randomized to receive either an early enteral diet (control group, n=10) or the same formula with glutamine and probiotics added (study group, n=10) for a minimum of 5 days (range, 5–14 days). The diets were isocaloric and isonitrogenous [35 kcal·kg-1·day-1 (where 1 kcal≈4.184 kJ) and 1.5 g of protein·kg-1·day-1]. Main outcome measures were the incidence of infection, the length of stay in the intensive care unit and the number of days requiring mechanical ventilation. The two groups were homogeneous in gender, age, nutritional status and severity of trauma. There was no mortality during the study period. The infection rate was higher in controls (100%) when compared with the study group (50%; P=0.03) and the median (range) number of infections per patient was significantly greater (P<0.01) in the control group [3 (1–5)] compared with the study group [1 (0–3)]. Both the critical care unit stay [22 (7–57) compared with 10 (5–20) days; P<0.01; median (range)] and days of mechanical ventilation [14 (3–53) compared with 7 (1–15) days; P=0.04; median (range)] were higher in the patients in the control group than in the study group. We conclude that the enteral formula containing glutamine and probiotics decreased the infection rate and shortened the stay in the intensive care unit of brain injury patients.
Oxidative stress-related parameters in the liver of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease patients
Authors: VIDELA Luis A. , RODRIGO Ramón , ORELLANA Myriam , FERNANDEZ Virginia , TAPIA Gladys , QUIÑONES Luis , VARELA Nelson , CONTRERAS Jorge , LAZARTE Raúl , CSENDES Attila , ROJAS Jorge , MALUENDA Fernando , BURDILES Patricio , DIAZ Juan C. , SMOK Gladys , THIELEMANN Lilian , PONIACHIK Jaime
Published: February 2004

Oxidative stress is implicated in the pathogenesis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). In the present study, hepatic and plasma oxidative stress-related parameters were measured and correlated with clinical and histological findings in 31 NAFLD patients showing increased body mass index. Liver protein carbonyl content was enhanced by 403% in patients with steatosis (n=15) compared with control values (n=12), whereas glutathione content, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and the ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP) were decreased by 57%, 48% and 21% (P<0.05) respectively. No changes in microsomal p-nitrophenol hydroxylation and the total content of cytochrome P450 (CYP) or CYP2E1 were observed. Patients with steatohepatitis (n=16) exhibited protein carbonyl content comparable with that of controls, whereas glutathione content, SOD and catalase activities were decreased by 27%, 64% and 48% (P<0.05). In addition, FRAP values in patients with steatohepatitis were reduced by 33% and 15% (P<0.05) when compared with controls and patients with steatosis respectively, whereas p-nitrophenol hydroxylation (52%) and CYP2E1 content (142%) were significantly increased (P<0.05) compared with controls. It is concluded that oxidative stress is developed in the liver of NAFLD patients with steatosis and is exacerbated further in patients with steatohepatitis, which is associated with CYP2E1 induction. Substantial protein oxidation is followed by proteolysis of the modified proteins, which may explain the co-existence of a diminished antioxidant capacity and protein oxidation in the liver of patients with steatohepatitis.
Protective effects of the angiotensin II type I (ATI) receptor blockade in low-renin deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-treated spontaneously hypertensive rats
Authors: CHAMORRO Virginia , WANGENSTEEN Rosemary , SAINZ Juan , DUARTE Juan , O'VALLE Francisco , OSUNA Antonio , VARGAS Félix
Published: February 2004

The present study evaluates the participation of oxidative stress, tissue angiotensin II (Ang II) and endothelin (ET) in the effects of losartan on blood pressure (BP), ventricular hypertrophy and renal injury in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs), and explores how these effects are modified when spontaneous hypertension is transformed in a low-renin model by the administration of deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA). The following groups were used: SHR-control, SHR+DOCA, SHR+losartan and SHR+DOCA+losartan. Tail systolic BP was measured once a week. After 9 weeks of treatment, direct BP and metabolic, morphological, biochemical and renal variables were measured. DOCA administration to SHRs produced an increase in BP, ventricular hypertrophy, renal weight, proteinuria, renal histopathological lesions, urinary excretion of isoprostane F2α and ET levels in the renal cortex. Losartan reduced BP, plasma malondialdehyde levels, urinary excretion of isoprostane F2α, renal Ang II and renal and urinary levels of ET in the SHR and DOCA-treated SHR groups. Losartan increased plasma nitrite/nitrate in SHRs, but not in low-renin DOCA-treated SHRs. Losartan reduced ventricular hypertrophy and ventricular Ang II in SHRs, but not in DOCA-treated SHRs. Losartan significantly decreased proteinuria and renal injury in DOCA-treated SHRs. We conclude that (i) the DOCA-induced aggravation of hypertension, ventricular hypertrophy and renal injury in SHRs is accompanied by augmented oxidative stress and increased levels of ET in the renal cortex, which could contribute to their development; and (ii) losartan reduced oxidative stress and renal Ang II and ET in SHRs and DOCA-treated SHRs, which might contribute to its antihypertensive and renoprotective effects, regardless of renin status.
Aging, physical fitness and endothelial function: are all ultracentenarians marathon runners?
Authors: GRASSI Guido
Published: February 2004

This comment focuses on the background and implications of a study published in this issue of Clinical Science by Franzoni and colleagues showing that physical training improves nitric oxide availability and microvascular distensibility not only in young, but also in elderly, individuals. The main features of the study as well as its potential limitations will be also highlighted.
Epiblast cells that express MyoD recruit pluripotent cells to the skeletal muscle lineage
Authors: Gerhart Jacquelyn , Neely Christine , Stewart Benjamin , Perlman Jordanna , Beckmann David , Wallon Margaretha , Knudsen Karen , George-Weinstein Mindy
Published: February 2004

Embryonic stem cells are derived from the epiblast. A subpopulation of epiblast cells expresses MyoD mRNA and the G8 antigen in vivo. G8 positive (G8pos) and G8 negative (G8neg) populations were isolated by magnetic cell sorting. Nearly all G8pos cells switched from E- to N-cadherin and differentiated into skeletal muscle in culture. G8neg cells were impaired in their ability to switch cadherins and few formed skeletal muscle. Medium conditioned by G8pos cells stimulated skeletal myogenesis and N-cadherin synthesis in G8neg cultures. The effect of conditioned medium from G8pos cultures was inhibited by bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) 4. Treatment of G8neg cells with a soluble form of the BMP receptor-IA or Noggin promoted N-cadherin synthesis and skeletal myogenesis. These results demonstrate that MyoD-positive epiblast cells recruit pluripotent cells to the skeletal muscle lineage. The mechanism of recruitment involves blocking the BMP signaling pathway.
Regulation of Ras–MAPK pathway mitogenic activity by restricting nuclear entry of activated MAPK in endoderm differentiation of embryonic carcinoma and stem cells
Authors: Smith Elizabeth R. , Smedberg Jennifer L. , Rula Malgorzata E. , Xu Xiang-Xi
Published: February 2004

In response to retinoic acid, embryonic stem and carcinoma cells undergo differentiation to embryonic primitive endoderm cells, accompanied by a reduction in cell proliferation. Differentiation does not reduce the activation of cellular MAPK/Erk, but does uncouple mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation from phosphorylation/activation of Elk-1 and results in inhibition of c-Fos expression, whereas phosphorylation of the cytoplasmic substrate p90RSK remains unaltered. Cell fractionation and confocal immunofluorescence microscopy demonstrated that activated MAPK is restricted to the cytoplasmic compartment after differentiation. An intact actin and microtubule cytoskeleton appears to be required for the restriction of MAPK nuclear entry induced by retinoic acid treatment because the cytoskeletal disrupting agents nocodazole, colchicine, and cytochalasin D are able to revert the suppression of c-Fos expression. Thus, suppression of cell proliferation after retinoic acid–induced endoderm differentiation of embryonic stem and carcinoma cells is achieved by restricting nuclear entry of activated MAPK, and an intact cytoskeleton is required for the restraint.
Dendritic cell aggresome-like induced structures are dedicated areas for ubiquitination and storage of newly synthesized defective proteins
Authors: Lelouard Hugues , Ferrand Vincent , Marguet Didier , Bania Jacek , Camosseto Voahirana , David Alexandre , Gatti Evelina , Pierre Philippe
Published: February 2004

In response to inflammatory stimulation, dendritic cells (DCs) have a remarkable pattern of differentiation (maturation) that exhibits specific mechanisms to control antigen processing and presentation. One of these mechanisms is the sorting of polyubiquitinated proteins in large cytosolic aggregates called dendritic cell aggresome-like induced structures (DALIS). DALIS formation and maintenance are tightly linked to protein synthesis. Here, we took advantage of an antibody recognizing the antibiotic puromycin to follow the fate of improperly translated proteins, also called defective ribosomal products (DRiPs). We demonstrate that DRiPs are rapidly stored and protected from degradation in DALIS. In addition, we show that DALIS contain the ubiquitin-activating enzyme E1, the ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E225K, and the COOH terminus of Hsp70-interacting protein ubiquitin ligase. The accumulation of these enzymes in the central area of DALIS defines specific functional sites where initial DRiP incorporation and ubiquitination occur. Therefore, DCs are able to regulate DRiP degradation in response to pathogen-associated motifs, a capacity likely to be important for their immune functions.
Diacylated Sulfoglycolipids Are Novel Mycobacterial Antigens Stimulating CD1-restricted T Cells during Infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Gilleron Martine , Stenger Steffen , Mazorra Zaima , Wittke Frederick , Mariotti Sabrina , Böhmer Gabriele , Prandi Jacques , Mori Lucia , Puzo Germain , De Libero Gennaro
Published: February 2004

Mycobacterial lipids comprise a heterogeneous group of molecules capable of inducing T cell responses in humans. To identify novel antigenic lipids and increase our understanding of lipid-mediated immune responses, we established a panel of T cell clones with different lipid specificities. Using this approach we characterized a novel lipid antigen belonging to the group of diacylated sulfoglycolipids purified from Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The structure of this sulfoglycolipid was identified as 2-palmitoyl or 2-stearoyl-3-hydroxyphthioceranoyl-2′-sulfate-α-α′-d-trehalose (Ac2SGL). Its immunogenicity is dependent on the presence of the sulfate group and of the two fatty acids. Ac2SGL is mainly presented by CD1b molecules after internalization in a cellular compartment with low pH. Ac2SGL-specific T cells release interferon γ, efficiently recognize M. tuberculosis–infected cells, and kill intracellular bacteria. The presence of Ac2SGL-responsive T cells in vivo is strictly dependent on previous contact with M. tuberculosis, but independent from the development of clinically overt disease. These properties identify Ac2SGL as a promising candidate to be tested in novel vaccines against tuberculosis.
Dominant Gain-of-Function Mutations in Hsp104p Reveal Crucial Roles for the Middle Region
Authors: Schirmer Eric C. , Homann Oliver R. , Kowal Anthony S. , Lindquist Susan
Published: February 2004

Heat-shock protein 104 (Hsp104p) is a protein-remodeling factor that promotes survival after extreme stress by disassembling aggregated proteins and can either promote or prevent the propagation of prions (protein-based genetic elements). Hsp104p can be greatly overexpressed without slowing growth, suggesting tight control of its powerful protein-remodeling activities. We isolated point mutations in Hsp104p that interfere with this control and block cell growth. Each mutant contained alterations in the middle region (MR). Each of the three MR point mutations analyzed in detail had distinct phenotypes. In combination with nucleotide binding site mutations, Hsp104pT499Ialtered bud morphology and caused septin mislocalization, colocalizing with the misplaced septins. Point mutations in the septin Cdc12p suppressed this phenotype, suggesting that it is due to direct Hsp104p–septin interactions. Hsp104pA503Vdid not perturb morphology but stopped cell growth. Remarkably, when expressed transiently, the mutant protein promoted survival after extreme stress as effectively as did wild-type Hsp104p. Hsp104pA509Dhad no deleterious effects on growth or morphology but had a greatly reduced ability to promote thermotolerance. That mutations in an 11-amino acid stretch of the MR have such profound and diverse effects suggests the MR plays a central role in regulating Hsp104p function.
Versican V1 Isoform Induces Neuronal Differentiation and Promotes Neurite Outgrowth
Authors: Wu Yaojiong , Sheng Wang , Chen Liwen , Dong Haiheng , Lee Vivian , Lu Fred , Wong C. Shun , Lu Wei-Yang , Yang Burton B.
Published: February 2004

The chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan versican is one of the major extracellular components in the developing and adult brain. Here, we show that isoforms of versican play different roles in neuronal differentiation and neurite outgrowth. Expression of versican V1 isoform in PC12 cells induced complete differentiation, whereas expression of V2 induced an aborted differentiation accompanied by apoptosis. V1 promoted neurite outgrowth of hippocampal neurons, but V2 failed to do so. V1 transfection enhanced expression of epidermal growth factor receptor and integrins, and facilitated sustained extracellular signal-regulated kinase/MAPK phosphorylation. Blockade of the epidermal growth factor receptor, β1 integrin, or Src significantly inhibited neuronal differentiation. Finally, we demonstrated that versican V1 isoform also promoted differentiation of neural stem cells into neurons. Our results have implications for understanding how versican regulates neuronal development, function, and repair.
Regulated Proteolysis by Cortical Granule Serine Protease 1 at Fertilization
Authors: Haley Sheila A. , Wessel Gary M.
Published: February 2004

Cortical granules are specialized organelles whose contents interact with the extracellular matrix of the fertilized egg to form the block to polyspermy. In sea urchins, the granule contents form a fertilization envelope (FE), and this construction is critically dependent upon protease activity. An autocatalytic serine protease, cortical granule serine protease 1 (CGSP1), has been identified in the cortical granules of Strongylocentrotus purpuratus eggs, and here we examined the regulation of the protease activity and tested potential target substrates of CGSP1. We found that CGSP1 is stored in its full-length, enzymatically quiescent form in the granule, and is inactive at pH 6.5 or below. We determined the pH of the cortical granule by fluorescent indicators and micro-pH probe measurements and found the granules to be pH 5.5, a condition inhibitory to CGSP1 activity. Exposure of the protease to the pH of seawater (pH 8.0) at exocytosis immediately activates the protease. Activation of eggs at pH 6.5 or lower blocks activation of the protease and the resultant FE phenotypes are indistinguishable from a protease-null phenotype. We find that native cortical granule targets of the protease are β-1,3 glucanase, ovoperoxidase, and the protease itself, but the structural proteins of the granule are not proteolyzed by CGSP1. Whole mount immunolocalization experiments demonstrate that inhibition of CGSP1 activity affects the localization of ovoperoxidase but does not alter targeting of structural proteins to the FE. The mistargeting of ovoperoxidase may lead to spurious peroxidative cross-linking activity and contribute to the lethality observed in protease-null cells. Thus, CGSP1 is proteolytically active only when secreted, due to the low pH of the cortical granules, and it has a small population of targets for cleavage within the cortical granules.
Marketing Gum, Making Meanings: Wrigley in North America, 1890–1930
Authors: Robinson Daniel
Published: February 2004

This essay is a business and cultural history of Wrigley marketing in North America from the 1890s until the early 1930s. Wrigley relied on wholesalers at a time when consumer goods makers were expanding their sales forces. A prolific advertiser, Wrigley provided favorable terms to retailers carrying chewing gum, countering the view that advertising, by enabling direct communication between manufacturer and consumer, diminished retailer clout in the chain of distribution. Wrigley advertising constructed meanings on multiple levels, discussed here with the theoretical tools of liminality and semiotics. The text of Wrigley ads championed relief for two modern conditions: indigestion and stress. The imagery, mainly that of the liminal “Spearman,” evoked notions of unworldly escape and infantile nostalgia. The ads were richly polysemic. Accordingly, Wrigley's widespread popularity and market dominance by 1930 should be assessed in terms of both marketing function and representational process.
Selling French Films on Foreign Markets: The International Strategy of a Medium-Sized Film Company
Authors: Bakker Gerben
Published: February 2004

Foreign markets largely shaped the business strategy of Les Films Albatros, a medium-sized, internationally networked specialty producer of films in interwar France. Depending more on foreign revenues than did the Hollywood studios, Albatros also realized higher gross returns. Because films were capital goods providing a perishable product (seats at a specific time), their price depended on both expected performance and the threshold ticket-selling capacity necessary to recoup cinema fixed costs; some films could not be sold at any price. Given the small potential market for its films, Albatros had to find an intricate balance between producing at low cost and delivering films with at least threshold ticket-selling capacity. It did so by differentiating its films, entering film distribution in France, coproducing internationally, and cooperating with Pathé and Gaumont, the two largest French film companies. While its larger European rivals were obsessed with operational effectiveness vis-à-vis Hollywood, Albatros, by adopting a distinct strategic position, hardly had to pay attention to operational effectiveness at all. It was making a differentiated product for needs unserved by Hollywood.
Entrepreneurs in the Southern Upcountry: The Case of Spartanburg, South Carolina, 1815–1880
Authors: Eelman Bruce W.
Published: February 2004

Most business histories of the nineteenth-century southern upcountry focus on the shift from a protocapitalist, yeoman-oriented antebellum period to the rapid commercialization and industrialization of the New South era. These studies generally argue for a sharp break in the economic leadership of the region either through the rise of a new business elite, or the reorientation of an agrarian regime. Through a study of Spartanburg, South Carolina, my work challenges this notion of a sharp break and instead finds a vibrant, town-based entrepreneurial elite in both the antebellum and postbellum periods. The revolution that occurred was in the nature of South Carolina's political economy. Spartanburg's entrepreneurs, who struggled to achieve their goals in the antebellum era, found new opportunities as a result of post-war political realignments and the racial politics of Reconstruction. This business history at the community level adds an important chapter to our understanding of the political economy of the Old and New Souths.
The Suez Company's Concession in Egypt, 1854–1956: Modern Infrastructure and Local Economic Development
Authors: Piquet Caroline
Published: February 2004

For over a century in Egypt, the Suez Canal Company reflected the role of the concession in European economic expansion overseas. Concession was a European business practice widespread in Egypt; it was an institution inherited from a system of privileges for Europeans since the Middle Ages. It promised a way for Egypt to adopt modern infrastructures and receive needed European help for digging the canal. The results of the Suez Company are indisputable: the desert of the Suez Isthmus became a lively economic region with active ports, growing cities, and an expanding labor force. And the region was linked to the rest of the country by a new road network. At the same time, however, the concession system denied Egypt full benefit of this infrastructure. The canal served the financial and strategic interests of the company, not the interests of the local economy. This outcome embodied all the contradictions of the concession system: on the one hand, concessions were a necessity for modern infrastructure development in Egypt; on the other, they were a hindrance to further national economic development.
Dual roles of Sema6D in cardiac morphogenesis through region-specific association of its receptor, Plexin-A1, with off-track and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor type 2
Authors: Toyofuku Toshihiko , Zhang Hong , Kumanogoh Atsushi , Takegahara Noriko , Suto Fumikazu , Kamei Junko , Aoki Kazuhiro , Yabuki Masanori , Hori Masatsugu , Fujisawa Hajime , Kikutani Hitoshi
Published: February 2004

Semaphorins, originally identified as axon guidance factors in the nervous system, play integral roles in organogenesis. Here, we demonstrate a critical involvement of Sema6D in cardiac morphogenesis. Ectopic expression of Sema6D or RNA interference against Sema6D induces expansion or narrowing of the ventricular chamber, respectively, during chick embryonic development. Sema6D also exerts region-specific activities on cardiac explants, a migration-promoting activity on outgrowing cells from the conotruncal segment, and a migration-inhibitory activity on those from the ventricle. Plexin-A1 mediates these activities as the major Sema6D-binding receptor. Plexin-A1 forms a receptor complex with vascular endothelial growth factor receptor type 2 in the conotruncal segment or with Off-track in the ventricle segment; these complexes are responsible for the effects of Sema6D on the respective regions. Thus, the differential association of Plexin-A1 with additional receptor components entitles Sema6D to exert distinct biological activities at adjacent regions. This is crucial for complex cardiac morphogenesis.
Nucleolar protein PinX1p regulates telomerase by sequestering its protein catalytic subunit in an inactive complex lacking telomerase RNA
Authors: Lin Jue , Blackburn Elizabeth H.
Published: February 2004

Human TRF1-binding protein PinX1 inhibits telomerase activity. Here we report that overexpression of yeast PinX1p (yPinX1p) results in shortened telomeres and decreased in vitro telomerase activity. yPinX1p coimmunoprecipitated withyeast telomerase protein Est2p even in cells lacking the telomerase RNA TLC1, or the telomerase-associated proteins Est1p and Est3p. Est2p regions required for binding to yPinX1p or TLC1 were similar. Furthermore, we found two distinct Est2p complexes exist, containing either yPinX1p or TLC1. Levels of Est2p–yPinX1p complex increased when TLC1 was deleted and decreased when TLC1 was overexpressed. Hence, we propose that yPinX1p regulates telomerase by sequestering its protein catalytic subunit in an inactive complex lacking telomerase RNA.
Use of cybercafés: study of Gaborone City, Botswana
Authors: Mauta Sairosse Tomas , Mutula Stephen M.
Published: February 2004

This paper reports on a study to determine the use of cybercafés in Gaborone, Botswana. The study involved questionnaires, interviews and observations of the management and users of the 13 cybercafés in Gaborone. The results showed that the majority of cybercafé users were students, workers and business people. Cybercafés were used largely for communication, entertainment, meeting other people, and for education. The study made recommendations to enhance Internet uptake through cybercafés in Botswana. Privacy and diversity of other services were reasons cited by users for their preference for using cybercafés rather than libraries to access the Web.
Contents and digestibility of carbohydrates of ricebean and fababean as affected by simple inexpensive processing methods
Authors: Saharan K. , Khetarpaul N. , Bishnoi S.
Published: February 2004

Ricebean (RB‐32) contained significantly (p < 0.05) higher amounts of total soluble (5.6g/100g) and non‐reducing sugars (5.0g/100g) than fababean (VH‐82‐1). On the other hand, the contents of starch and reducing sugars were more in fababean (53.2g/100g; 608.7mg/100g) than those in ricebean (50.7g/100g; 547.3mg/100g). The starch digestibility (mg maltose released/g meal) of whole raw seeds and husk of ricebean and fababean was 30.8; 6.3 and 42.1; 6.3, respectively. Due to soaking, sprouting and dehulling, a significant (p < 0.05) improvement occurred in in vitro starch digestibility of both ricebean and fababean. Germination for 24 hours in ricebean and 48 hours in fababean was found to be the best as it could improve the starch digestibility to the extent of 100 to 90 per cent over the control.
Physical fitness and health‐related parameters in Flemish life‐long vegetarians: a pilot study
Authors: Clarys Peter , Deriemaeker Peter , Hebbelinck Marcel , Bosmans David , Bertier Bjorn
Published: February 2004

This study was designed to assess the physical fitness and health status in 36 life‐long vegetarians. Besides a general questionnaire a dietary diary was completed and several blood parameters were determined. Physical fitness profile was estimated by testing handgrip strength, leg explosive strength, dynamic abdominal muscle endurance and cardiorespiratory endurance capacity. Body mass and length were measured for the determination of the BMI. The general questionnaire revealed that most of the subjects had healthy lifestyles. Nutritional intakes were not optimal with excess of some nutrients, but equally with some intakes not reaching the recommended daily allowances. Blood profile was normal for all evaluated parameters. Physical performance capacity was rather weak for strength‐oriented tasks while a normal cardiorespiratory endurance capacity was measured. Our results indicate that a vegetarian diet is not automatically a healthy diet. Proper food choices need to be made to assure the completeness and to avoid excesses or deficiencies in the diet.
Haptic interfaces and devices
Authors: Hayward Vincent , Astley Oliver R. , Cruz‐Hernandez Manuel , Grant Danny , Robles‐De‐La‐Torre Gabriel
Published: February 2004

Haptic interfaces enable person‐machine communication through touch, and most commonly, in response to user movements. We comment on a distinct property of haptic interfaces, that of providing for simultaneous information exchange between a user and a machine. We also comment on the fact that, like other kinds of displays, they can take advantage of both the strengths and the limitations of human perception. The paper then proceeds with a description of the components and the modus operandi of haptic interfaces, followed by a list of current and prospective applications and a discussion of a cross‐section of current device designs.
Silicon microsurgery‐force sensor based on diffractive optical MEMS encoders
Authors: Zhang Xiaojing
Published: February 2004

This paper presents a micrograting‐based force sensor integrated with a surface micromachined silicon‐nitride probe suitable for characterizing microsurgery force on a single cell or embryo. The probe is supported by springs of a known spring constant, and the surgical penetration force is determined from displacement measurements. The optical‐encoder force sensor exhibits configurable sensitivity and dynamic range, allowing monitoring over a wide range of forces. The periodicity of the encoder response can be used for calibration of the injector displacement and to obtain information about the localized elastic properties of the target. We used a force sensor with a measured spring constant of 1.85 N/m for penetration force measurements on Drosophila embryos, and found a penetration force of 52.5 μN (±13.2 percent) and a membrane displacement of 58 μm (±5.2 percent).
Toward virtual manipulation: from one point of contact to four
Authors: Barbagli Federico , Salisbury Kenneth , Devengenzo Roman
Published: February 2004

This paper describes a series of kinematic and haptic analyses which lead to the design of a particularly simple, yet useful multi‐hand, multi‐finger haptic interface. The proposed device is desktop‐based and has been built with maximizing transparency in mind. By interacting with virtual environments, using two fingers per hand, users are able to grasp and manipulate virtual objects, something that current state‐of‐the‐art commercial desktop haptic devices do not allow. These additional capabilities lend themselves to more complex virtual reality and teleoperation applications such as surgical training, hand rehabilitation and nanomanipulation.
Infrastructure for games on wireless Internet
Authors: Loo Alfred , Choi Charlie
Published: February 2004

Playing games over the wireless Internet is significantly more dangerous than using traditional wired networks. Wireless networks offer new hackers new ways to attack. Since there is no physical connection for wireless networks, it is also more difficult to prevent attacks or locate the attackers. This paper will review the unique threats inherent in the wireless gaming environment and present a model aimed at solving these problems.
Modeling a system to deliver electronic entertainment over a broadband connection
Authors: Tjew Andrew , Malle Nimai
Published: February 2004

A console connected to servers over a broadband connection is an efficient system to provide electronic entertainment. Issues such as the role of the operating system, bandwidth requirements, network optimization, security and privacy need to be examined and solutions need to be evaluated. In this paper, we describe a model and an exploration environment in which we can examine issues and evaluate our design in a systematic manner. Simulation of the various components was required in which we were able to obtain some preliminary results.
Effective communication with lead customers in developing new banking products
Authors: Athanassopoulou Peggy , Johne Axel
Published: February 2004

New service development (NSD) is an imperative to suppliers in today's highly competitive banking markets. Communication during the NSD process is important if the needs of customers are to be met functionally as well as economically. The results presented in this paper identify communication skills associated with successful NSD. Case research into nine UK‐based commercial banks shows that the most successful developers use special skills for communicating with customers – especially with “lead customers” – throughout the development process. Less successful developers concentrate their communication exchange on the end of the process.
A comparison of product elimination success factors in the UK banking, building society and insurance sectors
Authors: Harness David R. , Marr Norman E.
Published: February 2004

This paper examines product elimination in the UK's financial services sector. Specifically it considers how success is defined and measured. The literature explains that in financial services the ability to fully eliminate a product is difficult due to contractual and legislative barriers. This has resulted in the use of two forms of elimination – partial and full. An empirical study of retail banks, building societies and insurance organisations was undertaken. It was identified that success is defined by the specific objectives used in implementing either of these strategies. The study identified that success was measured by the extent to which product removal was achieved in line with the set objectives of elimination, and how removal resulted in performance gains for other business activities.
Relationships between service quality and behavioral outcomes
Authors: Yavas Ugur , Benkenstein Martin , Stuhldreier Uwe
Published: February 2004

This study examines the nature of relationships between service quality, background characteristics, and satisfaction and selected behavioral outcomes by using retail banking in Germany as its setting. Study results show that service quality is at the root of customer satisfaction and is linked to such behavioral outcomes as word of mouth, complaint, recommending and switching. However, different aspects of service quality and different consumer characteristics seem to be associated with different outcomes. For instance, the results suggest that tangible elements of service quality and being a female are more closely associated with positive word of mouth and commitment. On the other hand, “timeliness” aspects of service delivery are more closely related to customer satisfaction, and complaint and switching behaviors. Implications of these results to induce greater customer satisfaction, to attain higher levels of favorable outcomes and/or to alleviate negative outcomes are discussed.
Price and quality competition between brands and own brands
Authors: Davies Gary , Brito Eliane
Published: February 2004

The selling prices to consumers of similar products vary considerably within the same retail outlet and between different types of retail outlet. Applying a value systems framework, the cost structures behind the selling prices of products in five product categories are identified using primary and secondary data. The quality of the competing products is also compared using conjoint analysis of the ratings given by consumers for the edible products and available chemical analysis in the case of detergents. The main explanation for the differences observed in selling prices and cost structures of competing value systems lay not in the interface costs between value chains such as logistics, as expected, nor only in advertising costs, but in the internal costs of individual value system members. In particular, the internal costs of brand manufactures are shown to be the main source of their cost disadvantage against own brands. Only in one product category was there a quality justification for the higher prices charged by the leading manufacturer brand.
The use of 9‐ending prices: contrasting the USA with Poland
Authors: Suri Rajneesh , Anderson Rolph E. , Kotlov Vassili
Published: February 2004

American multinationals, when deciding pricing strategies for their culturally diverse foreign markets, usually have to debate whether to change or to keep the pricing strategy that they have been using at home. The recent move towards standardization in global markets has only raised the importance of this issue. This research addresses this issue by comparing the effectiveness of 9‐ending prices or just below prices in the USA and in a Central European country, Poland. A conceptual framework was developed to predict why there might be differences in preference for such 9‐ending prices in Poland and the USA. Results from the first study show that 9‐ending prices, which are popular in the US market, are not well received in the Polish market. The second study provided further insights by determining reasons for differences in perception and preference for such prices in the two countries.
On the relationship between initial motivation, and satisfaction and performance in joint ventures
Authors: Al‐Khalifa Ali K. , Peterson S.E.
Published: February 2004

While internalization theory suggests that it is more beneficial for MNEs to internationalize through wholly‐owned subsidiaries rather than engaging in joint ventures, this paper argues that the joint venture approach can be successful. Based on a study of 42 international joint ventures in Bahrain, the paper shows that satisfaction after start up is a function of the structure of the initial motivation. Past and anticipated future performance of the joint venture are also functions of the structure of initial motivation, and performance is best viewed as an intervening variable in satisfaction. Environmental factors were more significant than economic factors in the initial motivation decision.
Numerical encoding and odd‐ending prices
Authors: Guéguen Nicolas , Legoherel Patrick
Published: February 2004

The practice of pricing with numbers ending in nine (“nine‐ending”) has been little studied. It now seems well established that, under certain conditions, the practice of such pricing strategies has a particular effect on sales, especially inciting the customer to buy products that are more expensive. The research design for explaining such an effect would depend on the price encoding mechanisms, namely, the emphasis of focusing attention, which decreases when reading from left to right, leading to only partial memorization of the price. This would favour the leftmost digits, thus leading to errors of evaluation or estimation of the starting price. A new experiment was carried out to test this possibility. Subjects had to estimate the discount rate of products in a sale, according to whether the starting price was a “rounded” figure or “odd‐ending”. Assuming the first digit of the price is memorized, we might expect that a round starting price leads to an overestimation of the amount of the offered discount. The results provide evidence in support of this hypothesis, enabling us to gain a more accurate knowledge of the processes used for estimating the starting price.
Consumer decision‐making styles on domestic and imported brand clothing
Authors: Wang Cheng‐Lu , Siu Noel Y.M. , Hui Alice S.Y.
Published: February 2004

The relationship between consumers’ decision‐making styles and their choice between domestic and imported brand clothing is investigated using a sample of Chinese consumers. The multivariate analysis of variance and discriminant analysis results indicate that seven decision‐making styles together with other consumer behavioural characteristics can be used to distinguish and profile consumers who prefer to buy domestic, imported or both types of clothing. Empirical findings reveal that consumers who prefer to buy imported brand clothing tend to have a unique lifestyle and shopping orientation that differ from those who prefer domestic brand clothing. Conceptual contributions and managerial implications are discussed.
A model of customer loyalty in the retail banking market
Authors: Beerli Asunción , Martín Josefa D. , Quintana Agustín
Published: February 2004

On the basis of empirical research carried out in the retail banking market, this paper proposes a structural equations model enabling us to reach the conclusions that satisfaction together with personal switching costs are antecedents leading directly to customer loyalty, with the former exerting the greatest influence; and perceived quality is a consequence of satisfaction. At the same time, the paper shows that the degree of elaboration in the bank selection process does not have a moderating influence on the causal relationships between satisfaction/switching costs and customer loyalty.
Customer focused health‐care performance instruments: making a case for local measures
Authors: Swinehart Kerry D. , Smith Allen E.
Published: February 2004

In the face of increasing pressure to improve patient satisfaction, the health‐care industry must continue to seek improved methods to measure the effects of its continuous improvement efforts. While measurement instruments in this area abound, most are global in perspective and inflexible in form, sometimes leading to less than optimally germane outputs. Patient satisfaction information is critically important to the health‐care provider, and this paper presents the results provided by an instrument that was locally designed to provide the most utile aggregation and presentation of patient satisfaction information for individual health‐care providers. These results provide substantial evidence to support the notion that local, rather than global, measurement instruments are needed to provide the most relevant and useful results when assessing patient satisfaction as part of a continuous improvement effort.
What is the potential for the use of clinical outcome measures to be computerised? Findings from a qualitative research study
Authors: Hughes Rhidian A. , Sinha Anu , Aspinal Fiona , Dunckley Maria , Addington‐Hall Julia , Higginson Irene J.
Published: February 2004

Clinical outcome measures are used in clinical audit to monitor the quality of care provided to patients. As information technology (IT) is increasingly being integrated into the delivery of health care, computerising the use of clinical outcome measures has been proposed. However, little is known about the attitudes of health professionals towards this. Aims to understand professionals’ views on adapting one clinical outcome measure – the palliative care outcome scale (POS) – for use on hand‐held computers. Concludes that these results reinforce existing research on clinical outcome measures and IT in health care; identify special palliative care issues when considering the use of computerised clinical outcome measures with patients; and highlight the need for further research.
Design, materials and process for lead‐free assembly of high‐density packages
Authors: Smetana Joe , Horsley Rob , Lau John , Snowdon Ken , Shangguan Dongkai , Gleason Jerry , Memis Irv , Love Dave , Dauksher Walter , Sullivan Bob
Published: February 2004

The High Density Packaging Users Group conducted a substantial study of the solder joint reliability of high‐density packages using lead‐free solder. The design, material, and assembly process aspects of the project are addressed in this paper. The components studied include many surface mount technology package types, various lead, and printed circuit board finishes and paste‐in‐hole assembly.
The role of geometric complementarity in secondary structure packing: A systematic docking study
Authors: Jiang Sulin , Tovchigrechko Andrei , Vakser Ilya A.
Published: February 2004

A strong similarity between the major aspects of protein folding and protein recognition is one of the emerging fundamental principles in protein science. A crucial importance of steric complementarity in protein recognition is a well‐established fact. The goal of this study was to assess the importance of the steric complementarity in protein folding, namely, in the packing of the secondary structure elements. Although the tight packing of protein structures, in general, is a well‐known fact, a systematic study of the role of geometric complementarity in the packing of secondary structure elements has been lacking. To assess the role of the steric complementarity, we used a docking procedure to recreate the crystallographically determined packing of secondary structure elements in known protein structures by using the geometric match only. The docking results revealed a significant percentage of correctly predicted packing configurations. Different types of pairs of secondary structure elements showed different degrees of steric complementarity (from high to low: β–β, loop–loop, α–α, and α–β). Interestingly, the relative contribution of the steric match in different types of pairs was correlated with the number of such pairs in known protein structures. This effect may indicate an evolutionary pressure to select tightly packed elements of secondary structure to maximize the packing of the entire structure. The overall conclusion is that the steric match plays an essential role in the packing of secondary structure elements. The results are important for better understanding of principles of protein structure and may facilitate development of better methods for protein structure prediction.