bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Causes of Mortality Among Patients Admitted in a Tertiary Hospital
Authors: Soleimanpour Hassan , Gilani Neda , Shekari Shima , Morsali Javad , Shahsavarinia Kavous
Published: December 2020

Introduction: The analysis of causes of death in the hospital and identification and dealing with the causes of death, in one of the best strategies to increase longevity. This study, with the aim of better understanding of the causes of death and by taking into account all hospital wards, describes the causes of hospital mortality occurred in Sina educational and clinical hospital of Tabriz, in order to investigate demographic ,clinical and cause of death variables for each disease separately. Method: This study is done by the sectional descriptive method in 2018 in Sina educational and clinical hospital of Tabriz. This hospital is the most important center for admissions of poisoning and burns in the North West of Iran. For this purpose, after obtaining a license, records of all patients who are admitted to hospital since 21 March 2018 until 19 March 2019, were extracted from the archives center in an elective and emergency form. Demographic and clinical variables were extracted from records and recorded in the questionnaire. The sample in counting the mortality occurred during one year was 626 cases according to documentations, that 88 cases were eliminated from study due to containing incomplete information. The data were analyzed by descriptive tests and SPSS18. Findings: The mortality rate in this study was 1%. 56.5% of those who died were male. Most deaths occurred among patients of over 75 years old. Among the under-15 age group the highest mortality rate were for burns. The most common causes of mortality, were, respectively, burns (19.33%), cancer (16.86%), and infectious disease (16.57%) .Most deaths occurred in the special wards. In 61%, chronic and underlying diseases are reported. Conclusion: Since this hospital is the largest and most important teaching hospitals for burns, in the province, the most common causes of death in this study are result of burns. The high percentage of deaths from burns in children and young people shows the importance of informing the dangers of burn for preventing the occurrence of burns and control its effects.
Prevalence of Hemoglobinopathies in Tribal Region of India: A Retrospective Observational Study
Authors: Dulhani Naveen , Koshewara Pratima , Bharti Rupendra K. , Sharma Sanat K
Published: December 2020

Hemoglobinopathies are the common inherited diseases around the world. Thalassemia & sickle cell disease are the important challenges for tribal populations in India. Many study demonstrated the prevalence of haemoglobinopathies in India & among tribes of India but limited data available from Baster tribal region. This study will further lightens the haemoglobinopathies among Baster region of Chhattisgarh state of India. Methods: It was an retrospective observational study, carried out in Late. BRKM Government Medical College, Dimrapal, Jagdalpur which was located at baster region of Chhattisgarh state of India aims to determine the prevalence of various hemoglobinopathies in Baster. Out of 421 suspected patient’s screened for hemoglobinopathies by Capillary electrophoresis. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) used for descriptive analysis. Results: Out of 421 cases, 276 were diagnosed with various type of hemoglobinopathies {49% has HbAS (sickle cell anaemia trait), 3% HbSS (sickle cell disease), 6% sickled beta-thalassemia & 8% HPFH (hereditary persistence of foetal hemoglobin)}. Non-tribal population has higher trends of sickled beta thalassemia 14 (8.28%), Hereditary persistence of foetal hemoglobin 26 (15.38%) and HbAS 122 (72.19%) as compare to tribal population but there was similar prevalence of HbSS among both of these groups. Conclusion: In India, hemoglobin disorders are the great threat for tribal population. As <10% of tribes residing in India and many were extinct. The non-tribal community has more prevent than tribal communities.
The Relationship between Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis and Metabolic Syndrome
Authors: Abdollahian Tahmoores , Pourzare Mehrbani Solmaz , Motahari Paria
Published: December 2020

Metabolic syndrome or X syndrome includes a group of metabolic and non-metabolic disorders, that increase the risk of some disease. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in healthy subjects and patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) was conducted. In this cross-sectional study 33 patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis which were referred to Department of Oral Medicine of Tabriz dental school were studied. The inclusion criteria included consent to participates in the study, lack of underlying disease associated with RAS such as Behcet’s syndrome and lack of systemic diseases. RAS patients were examined in terms of risk of the metabolic syndrome and 33 age and sex matched healthy individuals were selected and examined in terms of risk of metabolic syndrome. Data samples from check list contain demographic and laboratory findings were collected. Results showed that the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in patients with RAS (21.2%) was significantly higher than in healthy people (9.1%). (p<0.05) Female percentage of RAS patients with metabolic syndrome were 71.4 and Male percentage of RAS patients with metabolic syndrome were 28.6. Given the high prevalence of metabolic syndrome in patients with RAS, this syndrome can be considered as a risk factor for RAS.
De-Anglicising humour studies
Authors: Goddard Cliff
Published: December 2020

This Commentary has two main aims. The first is to argue that systematic approaches to “humour” have been hampered and skewed by terminological Anglocentrism, i.e. by reliance on terms and categories which are English-specific, such as ‘amusing’, ‘joking’, ‘serious’, and ‘mock’, and even by the banner term ‘humour’ itself. Though some humour scholars have recognised this problem, I contend that they have under-estimated its severity. Anglocentric terminology not only interferes with effective communication within the field: it affects our research agendas, methodologies and theoretical framings. Needless to say, humour studies is not alone in facing this predicament, which at its largest can be described as the global Anglicisation of humanities and social science discourse.While calls to make humour studies more conceptually pluralistic are laudable, they cannot fully succeed while ‘full’ Anglo English remains the dominant scholarly lingua franca. The second aim of this paper is to argue that considerable progress can be made by “de-Anglicising English” from within, using a newly developed approach known as Minimal English. This allows re-thinking and re-framing humour terminology and agendas using a small vocabulary of simple cross-translatable English words, i.e. words which carry with them a minimum of Anglo conceptual baggage. For illustrative purposes, I will discuss how complex terms such as ‘wit, wittiness’ and ‘fantasy/absurd humour’ can be clarified and de-Anglicised using Minimal English.
STANDARDIZATION, QUALITY CONTROL AND ANTIMICROBIAL STUDY OF ARKA TAILA: AN AYURVEDA FORMULATION
Authors: Y Chudasama Hardik , Gaurav Sharma , C R Yadav
Published: December 2020

Herbal medicines have a huge therapeutic history for a long period of time and still serving many more health requirements in the worldwide. Although there is a still very huge challenge in its quality control and quality assurance; because of the high variability of chemical compounds present in it. Herbal drugs, singularly and in combinations, contain numerous complex matrices in which not a single active constituent is responsible for the overall efficacy. This creates a challenge in establishing quality control standards and standardization of finished herbal drugs. Many drugs in Ayurveda describe regarding treatment of vicharchika (Atopic dermatitis). Arka taila is one of them. In this study Arka taila was subjected to study organoleptic analysis, phytochemical analysis, and qualitative analysis to detect the presence of various functional groups, and thin layer chromatography (TLC) examination by optimizing the solvent systems. The investigation revealed the density, Refractive index, Saponification value, Rancidity, Total fatty matter and Iodine value mainly and also subjected to in vitro antibacterial assay against human pathogens MTCC No.39-Klebsiella aerogenes, MTCC No.10239- Escherichia coli, MTCC No.1034- Pseudomonas aeruginosa, MTCC No.6908- Staphylococcus aureus by Mueller hinton agar well diffusion method. The results of this study suggest that Arka taila can be used as an antibacterial agent against infections caused by Klebsiella aerogenes, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus.
A REVIEW ON SHUNTHI (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO NIGHANTUS
Authors: Chhabra Poonam , Chaudhury Ushasi Ghosh , Paul Amrita
Published: December 2020

Zingiber officinale Rosc. is well known common medicinal plant of India. The plant has got good medicinal importance. It is an herbaceous perennial plant of the family Zingiberaceae/ Scitamineae. It is a large tuberous plant with elongated leafy stems, spike inflorescence having yellow green flower. Adraka (Ginger) is the underground rhizome of the plant. It is cultivated extensively in almost all tropical and subtropical countries like India, China, Africa, and Australia. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that about 80% of people living in developing Countries depend on traditional medicines for their primary health care requirements. Shunthi is the dried form of Adraka and is prepared by boiling and drying the freshly peeled ginger root in alkaline solution (mostly quick lime) and dried in hot sunlight. In India kitchen ginger and shunthi are one of the important ingredients.
ANTICANCER ACTIVITY OF UPAVISHA ARKA: AN OVERVIEW
Authors: Boudhadas Chandekar Deepali , Venkatrao Pawade Uday , Vithalrao Nikam Ashwin , Pramodrao Anjankar Meghsham
Published: December 2020

Cancer is one amongst the dreadful diseases of present century. The incidence of cancer is increasing worldwide. Every year about 8,00,000 new cancer patients get registered with the national cancer registry program in India. Ayurveda an ancient Indian medicine science describes many useful herbal drugs for such types of advanced diseases. Upavisha the plant poisons of low potency are mentioned in Agadtantra. Arka (Calotropis procera/ Calotropis gigantea) is one among these Upavisha is emerging as an effective anticancer drug. It shows various pharmacological activities such as Anticancer, Antimicrobial, Antiimplantation etc. Different parts of Arka are used to treat cancer. In current scenario number of synthetic anticancer drugs are used to treat cancer. These synthetic anticancer drugs are expensive and shows harmful adverse effects. Upavisha like Arka which is natural derivative may be cost effective & less harmful as Anticancer drug. Anticancer activity of Calotropis procera/Calotropis gigantea is reported in scientific journals. This review summarizes various In Vitro and In Vivo studies of anticancer activity of Upavisha Arka.
Role des groupes carboxyles de l'inhibiteur de kunitz dans son union avec la trypsine
Authors: Chauvet Jacqueline , Acher Roger
Published: July 2002

The blockage of the carboxyl groups of a pancreatic trypsin inhibitor (inhibitor of Kunitz) has been performed with a water‐soluble carbodiimide and glycine ethyl ester. The inhibitor has five carboxyl groups located on residues Asp3, Glu7, Glu49, Asp50 and Ala58. When the reaction is carried out on native inhibitor or on inhibitor treated with 8 M urea, approximately 3 moles of glycine ethyl ester are introduced but 4, 3 residues can be incorporated into performic acid oxidized inhibitor. Fully active derivatives with a complete substitution of the C‐terminal residue can be obtained. It may be concluded that the C‐terminal carboxyl group is not involved in the binding with trypsin.
Fraktionierung handelsüblichen insulins. Das verhalten von proinsulin in der ultrazentrifuge
Authors: Zühlke H. , Behlke J.
Published: July 2002

Bovine insulin can be split into several fractions by gel filtration on Sephadex G50. These are, in order of decreasing molecular weight, a new unidentified substance, proinsulin, and a large fraction containing several substances. Ultracentrifugal examination of the proinsulin in acetic acid solution (pH 2.3) gave a molecular weight of 9300 and evidence of an association‐dissociation equilibrium.
Über die beziehungen zwischen einem energieunabhängigen K+‐H+‐austausch und der strukturellen integrität von mitochondrien und membranpartikeln
Authors: Lutze G. , Liese W. , Kunz W.
Published: July 2002

Disintegration or altering of intact mitochondria or digitonin inner membrane + matrix particles causes an increase in K+‐linked release of protons. This effect is not obtainable in the case of outer membranes. It is assumed, that also the inner membrane + matrix possesses exchange sites for K+, which are freely accessible for the potassium ion if the structural integrity is damaged. The outer layer of inner membrane seems to be a barrier for the K+‐movement.
Identification of a labelled peptide after stoicheiometric reaction of fluorescein isothiocyanate with the Ca2+‐dependent adenosine triphosphatase of sarcoplasmic reticulum
Authors: Mitchinson Colin , Wilderspin Andrew F. , Trinnaman Brian J. , Green N.Michael
Published: July 2002

Incorporation of 4.5 nmol fluorescein isothiocyanate/mg rabbit sarcoplasmic reticulum, or of 7.4 nmol/mg purified ATPase, was sufficient to inhibit the activity completely. These results are not consistent with the suggestion (Pick, U. and Karlish, S.J.D. (1980) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 626, 255–261) that 2 mol ATPase were inhibited by each mole of reagent incorporated. A single labelled peptide was purified from the inhibited ATPase and it was shown that Lys 3/190, 10 residues from the N‐terminus of tryptic fragment B, was the reactive lysine residue. This site is close to a potential nucleotide‐binding fold in the ATPase sequence. A similar peptide showing only 2 conservative replacements was isolated from the sarcoplasmic reticulum of the lobster.
Synthesis of β‐glucogallin from UDP‐glucose and gallic acid by an enzyme preparation from oak leaves
Authors: Gross G.G.
Published: July 2002

Cell‐free extracts from oak leaves were found to catalyze the esterification of 14C‐labeled gallic acid and UDP‐glucose. The product of the enzymatic reaction was identified as β‐glucogallin by means of TLC and HPLC. The reaction proceded linearly with respect to time and protein concentration and had a pH‐optimum at 7.0. Normal Michaelis‐Menten kinetics were observed for the substrates gallic acid (K
M = 1.1 mM) and UDP‐glucose (2.3 mM). The new enzyme described here can be classified as UDP‐glucose: gallate glucosyltransferase, and it is assumed that it catalyzes the first step in the biosynthesis of gallotannins.
Trifluoperazine and chlorpromazine block secretion from human platelets evoked at basal cytoplasmic free calcium by activators of C‐kinase
Authors: Sanchez A. , Hallam T.J. , Rink T.J.
Published: July 2002

Trifluoperazine, chlorpromazine and other drugs to inhibit calmodulin‐dependent processes are also known to inhibit protein kinase C. The effect of these agents on secretion evoked by known activators of C‐kinase has been studied in human platelets loaded with the fluorescent Ca indicator, quin2 and preincubated with aspirin. The secretory response stimulated by phorbol ester and exogenous diacyglycerol, at basal levels of cytoplasmic free Ca2+, [Ca2+]i, was suppressed by trifluoperazine, chlorpromazine and W‐7, as was the secretion evoked by collagen that occurs without a change in [Ca2+]i, The response to thrombin, which is accompanied by elevated [Ca2+]i was barely affected. Modest elevation of [Ca2+]i by Ca ionophore was able to overcome the inhibitory effect of these drugs on the response to phorbol ester, diacylglycerol, and collagen.
Changes in transcriptional activity of chronically stimulated fast twitch muscle
Authors: Heilig Annegard , Pette Dirk
Published: July 2002

mRNAs extracted from rabbit soleus, normal and 28‐day, indirectly stimulated tibialis anterior muscles were translated in an in vitro system. Analysis for translation products by 2‐dimensional electrophoresis showed fast myosin light chains in tibialis anterior, and slow myosin light chains in soleus muscle. The stoichiometry of the in vitro translated light chain varies from that seen in normal fast and slow twitch muscles. The stimulated muscle contained mRNA coding, both for fast and slow myosin light chains, although the pattern of slow myosin light chains appears not to be complete at this point of time of the transformation process.
Cobra polypeptide cytotoxin I and marine worm polypeptide cytotoxin A‐IV are potent and selective inhibitors of phospholipid‐sensitive Ca2+‐dependent protein kinase
Authors: Kuo J.F. , Raynor Robert L. , Mazzei Gonzalo J. , Schatzman Randall C. , Turner R.Scott , Kem William R.
Published: July 2002

The effects of a number of polypeptide cytotoxins and neurotoxins on various protein kinases were examined. It was found that cobra cytotoxin I and marine worm cytotoxin A‐IV effectively and specifically inhibited phospholipid‐sensitive Ca2+‐dependent protein kinase (PL‐Ca‐PK) relative to myosin light chain kinase and cyclic nucleotide‐dependent protein kinases. Inhibition of PL‐Ca‐PK by these cytotoxins could be overcome by phosphatidylserine. Neurotoxins, in comparison, were much less effective inhibitors. The present findings indicated that these polypeptide cytotoxins, unlike other agents reported to date, were selective inhibitors of PL‐Ca‐PK and could be used to differentiate Ca2+‐dependent events regulated by phospholipid or calmodulin.
Band‐3 protein‐mediated anion conductance of the red cell membrane
Authors: Kaplan J.H. , Pring M. , Passow H.
Published: July 2002

The band 3 protein‐mediated, valinomycin‐induced KCl efflux continues to increase with increasing [KCl] when the Cl−/Cl− equilibrium exchange becomes saturated. This suggests the existence of a band 3‐mediated component of Cl− flux that contributes to the electrical conductance without being related to slippage; i.e., equilibration of the unloaded transport protein between the two membrane surfaces.
Detection and affinity purification of β‐endorphin precursors using a monoclonal antibody
Authors: Thorpe Robin , Spitz Lidia , Spitz Moises , Austen Brian M.
Published: July 2002

A monoclonal antibody to porcine β‐lipotropin has been produced which binds to the N‐terminal (λ‐lipotropin) portion of the molecule. The antibody can be used to detect β‐lipotropin as well as other β‐endorphin precursors (predominantly a M
r 38000 polypeptide) using radiobinding assay or the immunoblotting technique. Purification of the peptides can be readily achieved by affinity chromatography using the monoclonal antibody covalently bound to Sepharose 4B. As the antibody recognises the N‐terminal part of β‐lipotropin, it can be used to detect and purify β‐lipotropin and other β‐endorphin precursors in the presence of β‐endorphin.
Effect of phenylephrine on pyruvate dehydrogenase activity in rat hepatocytes and its interaction with insulin and glucagon
Authors: Assimacopoulos-Jeannet F. , McCormack J.G. , Jeanrenaud B.
Published: July 2002

In isolated rat hepatocytes phenylephrine promotes a rapid increase in the amount of pyruvate dehydrogenase present in its active form (PDHa). This action is mediated by α1‐adrenergic receptors and is not observed in Ca2+‐depleted hepatocytes. It is mimicked by the Ca2+ ionophore A23187. No changes in metabolites known to affect PDH activity are measured 3 min after addition of phenylephrine. Glucagon also increases PDHa, its action is additive to that of phenylephrine. The action of phenylephrine on PDHa could be explained by an increase in mitochondrial free Ca2+.
Cloning and DNA sequence of the genes for two bacteriophage T5 tRNAsSer
Authors: Kryukov V.M. , Ksenzenko V.N. , Kaliman A.V. , Bayev A.A.
Published: July 2002

Bacteriophage T5 BglII/HindIII DNA fragment (803 basepairs), containing the genes for 2 tRNAs and 2 RNAs with unknown functions, was cloned in the plasmid pBR322. The analysis of DNA sequence indicates that tRNA genes code isoacceptor tRNAsSer (tRNASer
1 and tRNASer
2) with anticodons UGA and GGA, respectively. The main unusual structural feature of these tRNAs is the presence of extra non‐basepaired nucleotides in the joinings of stem ‘b’ with stems ‘a’ and ‘c’.
Oxidation of myoglobin in isolated adult rat cardiac myocytes by 15‐hydroperoxy‐5,8,11,13‐eicosatetraenoic acid
Authors: Walters Frederick P. , Kennedy Frances G. , Jones Dean P.
Published: July 2002

The oxidation of intracellular myoglobin by 15‐hydroperoxy‐5,8,11,13‐eicosatetraenoic acid was studied in suspensions of isolated adult rat heart cells. Myoglobin was converted to a species identified as ferrylMb by its reaction with Na2S to form ferrous sulfmyoglobin. This process was time‐dependent and concentration‐dependent in a manner consistent with direct accessibility of the exogenous peroxide to the cytosolic protein. The results indicate that myoglobin oxidation may be an early sign of oxidative injury and may limit myocardial function by elimination of this short‐term O2 reserve.
Glutamate uptake by cultured rat hepatocytes is mediated by hormonally inducible, sodium‐dependent transport systems
Authors: Gebhardt R. , Mecke D.
Published: July 2002

Glutamate uptake by rat hepatocytes in primary monolayer culture was found to be mediated by a Na+‐independent and by two Na+‐dependent transport systems of high and low affinity. Inhibition studies with cysteate and other model amino acids rules out the participation of the neutral amino acid transport systems A, ASC, and N and revealed that the Na+‐dependent agencies represent unequivocally anionic transport systems. Na+‐dependent uptake of glutamate in isolated hepatocytes was slow compared to the Na+‐independent portion, but increased spontaneously during cultivation. In the presence of dexamethasone it was stimulated about 10‐fold at the second day of cultivation.
Swainsonine affects the processing of glycoproteins in vivo
Authors: Abraham David J. , Sidebothom Ramon , Winchester Bryan G. , Dorling Peter R. , Dell Anne
Published: July 2002

Rats, sheep and guinea pigs treated with swainsonine excrete ‘high mannose’ oligosaccharides in urine. The major rat and guinea pig oligosaccharide is (Man)5GlcNAc whereas sheep excrete a mixture of oligosaccharides of composition (Man)2–5GlcNAc2 and (Man)3–5GlcNAc. The presence of these oligosaccharides suggests that Golgi α‐D‐mannosidase II as well as lysosomal α‐D‐mannosidase is inhibited by swainsonine resulting in storage of abnormally processed asparagine‐linked glycans from glycoproteins. Altered glycoprotein processing appears to have little effect on the health of the intoxicated animal, but the accompanying lysosomal storage produces a disease state.
Stimulation of cyclic AMP in chondrocyte cultures: effects on sulfated‐proteoglycan synthesis
Authors: Malemud Charles J. , Papay Robert S.
Published: July 2002

The effects of N
6,O
2′‐dibutyryladenosine 3′:5′‐cyclic monophosphate (DBcAMP), 8‐bromoadenosine 3′:5′‐cyclic monophosphate (8Br‐cAMP), 3′:5′‐cyclic monophosphate (cAMP), L‐isoproterenol and L‐epinephrine on sulfated‐proteoglycan synthesis by rabbit articular chondrocytes were compared. DBcAMP and 8Br‐cAMP in the presence or absence of 3‐isobutyl‐1‐methylxanthine (IBMX) stimulated sulfated‐proteoglycan biosynthesis after 20 h of incubation. cAMP had no significant effect. Both DBcAMP and 8Br‐cAMP increased by hydrodynamic size of the newly synthesized proteoglycan monomer (A1D1) relative to control cultures. By contrast, although isoproterenol and epinephrine stimulated total cAMP synthesis, neither stimulated sulfated‐proteoglycan synthesis. Whereas intracellular cAMP accumulated after incubation with DBcAMP and 8Br‐cAMP, this was not the case with isoproterenol whether IBMX was present or not. Thus, stimulation of sulfated‐proteoglycan synthesis by cAMP analogues in chondrocyte cultures appears to be dependent on increased intracellular cAMP accumulation rather than total cAMP biosynthesis.
Increase in cytosolic Ca2+ concentration during t‐butyl hydroperoxide metabolism by isolated hepatocytes involves NADPH oxidation and mobilization of intracellular Ca2+ stores
Authors: Bellomo Giorgio , Thor Hjördis , Orrenius Sten
Published: July 2002

Activation of phosphorylase a in hepatocytes incubated with t‐butyl hydroperoxide indicates that hydroperoxide metabolism is associated with an increase in cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration which appears to be mediated by NADPH oxidation and to involve mobilization of intracellular Ca2+ stores.
Heparin inhibits the activity of protein phosphatase‐1
Authors: Gergely Pál , Erdődi Ferenc , Bot György
Published: July 2002

Heparin inhibited the dephosphorylation of rabbit skeletal muscle or liver phosphorylase a by protein phosphatase‐1. Other glycosaminoglycans (chondroitin sulfates) and their constituents were found to be without effect. The chromatography of a partially purified phosphatase preparation on heparin—Sepharose CL‐6B resulted in a fraction that did not bind to the matrix and its activity was not inhibited by heparin or inhibitor‐1. The phosphatase bound to heparin—Sepharose was eluted by 0.2 M NaCl and was inhibited by heparin or inhibitor‐1.
Chronic ethanol administration decreases fatty acyl‐CoA desaturase activities in rat liver microsomes
Authors: Umeki Shigenobu , Shiojiri Hiroyuki , Nozawa Yoshinori
Published: July 2002

The Δ9‐desaturase system in liver microsome from rats treated chronically with ethanol was studied. Stearoyl‐CoA desaturase activity decreased by 80% and palmitoyl‐CoA desaturase activity was not detectable in microsomes from ethanol‐fed rats, while activities of electron transport components such as NADH‐cytochrome c and NADH‐ferricyanide reductases remained unchanged. However, chronic ethanol administration resulted in an adaptive induction of the activity of NADPH‐cytochrome c reductase and the contents of cytochrome b
5 and P‐450. The activity of the terminal component (cyanide‐sensitive factor; CSF) of the desaturase system was greatly depressed by ethanol treatment. The NADH/NAD ratio in microsomes of ethanol‐fed rats increased over 2‐fold. These results suggest that, during chronic ethanol ingestion, decreased activities of Δ9‐desaturases are due mainly to a decreased content of the terminal component of the desaturase system.
The effect of phalloidin on insulin secretion from islets of langerhans isolated from rat pancreas
Authors: Stutchfield Jane , Howell Simon L.
Published: July 2002

Phalloidin, which stabilizes F‐actin, has no effect on insulin secretion from intact islets, but penetrates and increases secretion from islets previously made permeable using a high voltage discharge technique. Use of this highly specific drug strongly suggests a role for microfilaments composed of F‐actin in the insulin secretory process.
Effects of islet‐activating protein on insulin‐ and isoprenaline‐stimulated glucose transport in isolated rat adipocytes
Authors: Joost H.G. , Göke R.
Published: July 2002

The effects of islet‐activating protein (IAP), a Bordetella pertussis toxin, on insulin‐ and isoprenaline‐stimulated glucose transport were studied in isolated rat adipocytes. Basal as well as insulin‐stimulated glucose transport were not affected when cells were pretreated with IAP. In contrast, IAP pretreatment abolished the stimulatory effect of isoprenaline. When IAP‐pretreated cells were exposed to a combination of insulin and isoprenaline, the catecholamine significantly reduced the stimulatory effect of insulin. Since IAP is supposed to specifically block the inhibitory component Ni of adenylate cyclase, the results suggest that: (a) the effect of insulin is unrelated to the regulation of adenylate cyclase; (b) isoprenaline may exert both stimulatory and inhibitory effects depending on activation of Ni. The inhibitory regulation of adenylate cyclase may thus be a pivotal link in the regulation of glucose transport.
An essential role for sodium in the bicarbonate transporting system of the cyanobacterium Anabaena variabilis
Authors: Kaplan A. , Volokita M. , Zenvirth D. , Reinhold L.
Published: July 2002

The apparent photosynthetic affinity of Anabaena variabilis for extracellular inorganic carbon (Ci) was strikingly increased by Na+. The effect was highly specific for Na+ and was maximal at 40 mM Na+. Na+ supply decreased the apparent K
m (Ci) of the Ci transporting system and to a lesser extent increased V
max. It did not affect photosynthetic rate expressed as a function of intracellular Ci. We infer an effect of Na+ on the Ci transporting system rather than on the photosynthetic machinery itself. We propose several possible models, including Na+‐H+ antiport for maintenance of intracellular pH during HCO3 uptake, and Na+‐HCO−
3 symport.
Possible functional role of viral tRNA‐like structures
Authors: Florentz C. , Briand J.P. , Giegé R.
Published: July 2002

Although numerous hypotheses, reviewed here, have been proposed the functional role of viral tRNA‐like structures remains unknown. We describe and discuss a new model based on observations made mainly on TYMV RNA. By interacting with the tRNA‐like structure, valyl‐tRNA synthetase would allow an efficient translation of the viral genome. The generalization for other viral RNAs is proposed.
Does the complex of aminoacyl‐tRNA synthetases and tRNA‐modifying enzymes prevent miscoding?
Authors: Ryazanov A.G.
Published: July 2002

Several aminoacyl‐tRNA synthetases of higher eukaryotes have always been found as multienzyme complexes. There are indications that these complexes can be associated with some tRNA‐modifying enzymes. The function of such complexes is unclear. I have noticed that 6 out of 7 aminoacyl‐tRNA synthetases most commonly occurring in complexes correspond to a group of tRNAs which must always contain a modified U in the first position of their anticodons. A hypothesis is proposed according to which association of 6 aminoacyl‐tRNA synthetases with U‐modifying enzymes can protect a cell from miscoding.
A new sequence specific endonuclease EspI, of cyanobacterial origin
Authors: Calléja F. , Dekker B.M.M. , Coursin T. , de Waard A.
Published: July 2002

The isolation of a new sequence‐specific endonuclease from a unicellular cyanobacterium is described. This enzyme specifically cleaves the nucleotide sequence GC‐↓TNAGC.
Activation of protein kinase C by a tumor‐promoting phorbol ester in pancreatic islets
Authors: Hubinont C.J. , Best L. , Sener A. , Malaisse W.J.
Published: July 2002

Rat pancreatic islet homogenates display protein kinase C activity. This phospholipid‐dependent and calcium‐sensitive enzyme is activated by diacylglycerol or the tumor‐promoting phorbol ester 12‐O‐tetradecanoylphorbol‐13‐acetate (TPA). In the presence of TPA, the K
a for Ca2+ is close to 5 μM. TPA does not affect phosphoinositide turnover but stimulates [32P]‐ and [3H]choline‐labelling of phosphatidylcholine in intact islets. Exogenous phospholipase C stimulates insulin release, in a sustained and glucose‐independent fashion. The secretory response to phospholipase C persists in media deprived of CaCl2. It is proposed that protein kinase C participates in the coupling of stimulus recognition to insulin release evoked by TPA, phospholipase C and, possibly, those secretatogues causing phosphoinositide breakdown in pancreatic islets.
Increased mitochondrial creatine kinase in chronically stimulated fast‐twitch rabbit muscle
Authors: Schmitt Thomas , Pette Dirk
Published: July 2002

Fractional extraction and isozyme electrophoresis revealed the presence of small amounts (2.5 % of total cellular activity) of mitochondrial creatine kinase (CK) in rabbit fast‐twitch muscle. Chronic nerve stimulation resulted in a decrease of extramitochondrial MM‐CK to 60% of its normal value but induced an approx. 4‐fold increase in mitochondrial CK. This increase occurred in parallel with the rise in enzyme activities of terminal substrate oxidation.
Muscarinic receptor‐mediated increase in cytoplasmic free Ca2+in isolated bovine adrenal medullary cells
Authors: Misbahuddin Mir , Isosaki Minoru , Houchi Hitoshi , Oka Motoo
Published: July 2002

The change in cytoplasmic free calcium, [Ca2+]iin isolated bovine adrenal medullary cells during stimulation by acetylcholine (ACh) in Ca2+‐free incubation medium was measured using the fluorescent Ca2+ indicator quin2. ACh (1–100 μM) caused an increase in [Ca2+]i by mobilization of Ca2+ from the intracellular pool. Nicotine (10 μM) did not increase [Ca2+]iin the absence of extracellular Ca2+. Pretreatment of the cells with atropine (10 μM) completely inhibited ACh‐induced increase in [Ca2+]i, whereas pretreatment with hexamethonium (100 μM) did not. The intracellular Ca2+ antagonist 8‐(N,N‐diethylamino)octyl‐3,4,5trimethoxybenzoate (TMB‐8), inhibited ACh‐induced increase in [Ca2+]i. The activator of protein kinase C 12‐O‐tetradecanoylphorbol‐13‐acetate (TPA), but not its ‘inactive’ analog 4α‐phorbol‐12,13‐didecanoate (PDD), also inhibited ACh‐induced increase in [Ca2+]i. These findings suggest that in bovine adrenal medullary cells, stimulation of muscarinic ACh receptor causes an increase in [Ca2+]i by mobilizing Ca2+ from the intracellular pool and that protein kinase C is involved in ‘termination’ or ‘down regulation’ of this response.
Mononuclear cell supernatants inhibit prolyl hydroxylation
Authors: Narayanan A.S. , Meyers D.F. , Page R.C.
Published: July 2002

The effect of phytohemagglutinin(PHA)‐activated human peripheral mononuclear cell supernatant (AS) on collagen production by human fibroblasts was examined. The AS inhibited collagen production in a doseand time‐dependent manner. Labeling and pulse chase experiments showed that it did not block collagen secretion, but a greater proportion of molecules synthesized in its presence accumulated within the cells. Amino acid analysis showed that when labeling was done at 24°C prolyl hydroxylation in fibroblasts exposed to the AS was reduced to two‐thirds of the cultures treated with control supernatant (CS), however it was not different at 37°C. These results indicate that the AS inhibits collagen hydroxylation, that the un(under)hydroxylated collagen molecules are degraded at physiological temperature and that suppression of collagen hydroxylation may be a mechanism by which the AS inhibits collagen production.
Identification of an essential β chain lysine residue from bovine heart mitochondrial ATPase specifically modified with nitrobenzofurazan
Authors: Sutton Raul , Ferguson Stuart J.
Published: July 2002

A tetrapetide containing an essential lysine residue chemically modified with the nitrobenzofurazan group has been purified from bovine heart mitochondrial ATPase. The composition of the peptide indicates that this lysine is residue 401 in the sequence of a β chain. The modification was achieved by incubation at pH 9 of ATPase that had been previously labelled on a single essential tyrosine residue by reaction of the enzyme with 4‐chloro‐7‐nitrobenzofurazan. The specific transfer of the nitrobenzofurazan group from the tyrosine residue to a particular lysine residue is consistent with the previously demonstrated intramolecular character of this transfer reaction.
Histamine H2 receptor activity during the differentiation of the human monocytic‐like cell line U‐937
Authors: Gespach Christian , Cost Hélène , Abita Jean-Pierre
Published: July 2002

Histamine H2 receptor activity (cAMP generation) has been characterized in U‐937 cells before and after retinoic acid‐induced differentiation into monocyte‐/macrophage‐like cells. The differentiation is associated with a decreased capacity of U‐937 monocytes to generate cAMP under basal conditions or after cell surface receptor stimulation by histamine, isoproterenol and PGE1. In contrast, the potencies of the hormones are unchanged during monocytic maturation (EC
50 values = 3.2–4.6 × 10−6 M histamine, 4.6–7 × 10−9 M isoproterenol, 2–4.6 × 10−6 M PGE1). The data support the view that histamine and cAMP‐inducing agents may control the proliferation and differentiation of normal and leukemic cells committed to monocytic maturation in man. They also raise the possibility that normal human monocytes also possess functional H2 receptors and that histamine may be implicated in the regulation of monocyte/macrophage functions.
Hydrogen peroxide has a role in the aggregation of human platelets
Authors: Del Principe D. , Menichelli A. , De Matteis W. , Di Corpo M.L , Di Giulio S. , Finazzi-Agro A.
Published: July 2002

The aggregation of platelets induced by soluble and particulate stimuli is enhanced by the addition of minute amounts of H2O2. Externally added catalase strongly inhibits the aggregation induced by particulate stimuli and by phorbol myristate acetate (PMA). The addition of aminotriazole to stimulated platelets causes a significant inhibition of intracellular catalase. This indicates the formation of H2O2 inside the platelets during activation. No effects were observed when the platelets were stimulated by the ionophore A23187.
A comparative study of structural properties of fibronectin and its 180 kDa fragment
Authors: Bushuev V.N. , Metsis M.L. , Morozkin A.D. , Ruuge E.K. , Sepetov N.F. , Koteliansky V.E.
Published: July 2002

Fibronectin from human plasma and its 180 kDa fragment which retained collagen‐binding, cell‐attachment and heparin‐binding activities, were studied by velocity centrifugation and 1H‐NMR methods. The fibronectin hydrodynamic radius strongly increased at pH 11 while the hydrodynamic properties of the fragment did not change noticeably. 1H‐NMR spectroscopy also showed differences in the molecular properties of fibronectin and its 180 kDa fragment. Under physiological conditions the structure of fibronectin differs from that of its 180 kDa fragment. At pH 11 and in 4 M urea no differences in their structures are observed. It is suggested that interdomain and intersubunit interactions play an important role in maintaining the native conformation of intact fibronectin.
Salt‐stable association of simian virus 40 capsid with simian virus 40 DNA
Authors: Blasquez Veronica , Bina Minou
Published: July 2002

In 8 M CsCl, a fraction of the wild‐type previrions and tsB228 nucleoprotein complexes lose their core histones but retain their capsid. These histone‐depleted complexes apear in the electron microscope as a protein shell attached to supercoiled DNA. Consistent with this result, we find that in l M NaCl, the wildtype previrions dissociate into two populations of nucleoprotein complexes. One population sediments between 50 and 140 S and morphologically resembles the shell‐DNA complexes isolated in CsCl gradients. The other population is comprised primarily of nucleoproteins which sediment at 40 S.
Is the transient nature of the secretory response of chromaffin cells due to inactivation of calcium channels?
Authors: Burgoyne Robert D. , Cheek Timothy R.
Published: July 2002

Chromaffin cell
Calcium
Calcium channel
Secretion
Quin2
Acetylcholine release from guinea pig caudate slices evoked by phorbol ester and calcium
Authors: Tanaka Chikako , Fujiwara Hiroshi , Fujii Yoshio
Published: July 2002

In guinea pig caudate slices preloaded with [3H]choline, superfusion with medium containing Ca2+ and the phorbol ester TPA (12‐O‐tetradecanoyl phorbol 13‐acetate) produced an increase in the Ca2+‐dependent, depolarization‐evoked Ca2+ influx. The effect of TPA was antagonized by polymyxin B and H‐7, both inhibitors of protein kinase C. The combination of TPA and calcium ionophore (A23187) provoked the release of ACh to a level equal to the maximal response induced by depolarizing stimuli. TPA alone had no significant effect on the release of ACh. These results suggest that protein kinase C probably plays a role in transmembrane signal transduction involved in the release of neurotransmitter from nerve terminals in the brain.
Organization of citric acid cycle enzymes into a multienzyme cluster
Authors: Barnes Sarah J. , Weitzman P.D.J.
Published: July 2002

Citric acid cycle
Metabolic organization
Bacteria
Enzyme association
Multienzyme cluster
Mitochondria
Enzyme organization
A new hydrophobic anchor for the attachment of proteins to liposomal membranes
Authors: Weissig V. , Lasch J. , Klibanov A.L. , Torchilin V.P.
Published: July 2002

The model enzyme α‐chymotrypsin covalently modified by a phosphatidylethanolamine derivative has been attached to liposomal membranes in high yield. A maximal protein/lipid ratio of 5.4 × 10−3 mol lipid was achieved.
The primary structure of ratfish insulin reveals an unusual mode of proinsulin processing
Authors: Conlon J.Michael , Dafgård Eva , Falkmer Sture , Thim Lars
Published: July 2002

The primary structure of insulin from the Holocephalan fish, Hydrolagus colliei (the ratfish), has been established by automated Edman degradation as:
Phorbol ester stimulates amylase secretion from rat parotid cells
Authors: Takuma Taishin , Ichida Tokuro
Published: July 2002

Phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), a potent activator of Ca2+‐ and phospholipid‐dependent protein kinase (protein kinase C), evoked amylase release from rat parotid cells. In dose‐response studies, PMA stimulated amylase release independently of db‐cAMP, but potentiated the effect of carbachol. PMA and A23187, a Ca2+ ionophore, synergistically increased amylase release. The maximum effect of carbachol was further enhanced by PMA but not by A23187, suggesting that protein kinase C is not fully activated by the muscarinic‐cholinergic agonist under the condition where calcium is fully utilized for amylase secretion.
Use of quin 2 to measure calcium concentrations in ovine anterior pituitary cells and the effects of quin 2 on secretion of growth hormone and prolactin
Authors: Hart Gillian R. , Ray Keith P. , Wallis Michael
Published: July 2002

Quin 2
Thyrotropin‐releasing hormone
Dopamine
Growth hormone‐releasing hormone
(Ovine pituitary cell)
Ca2+

Growth hormone
Prolactin
Hormone secretion
Detection of multiple forms of Giα in HL60 cells
Authors: Murphy Philip M. , Eide Brock , Goldsmith Paul , Brann Mark , Gierschik Peter , Spiegel Allen , Malech Harry L.
Published: July 2002

Comparison of cDNA sequences from multiple sources predicts a genus of highly homologous but structurally distinct G protein α‐subunits, designated as Giα, that may include the α‐subunit of the functionally defined adenylate cyclase inhibitory G protein. Using specific oligonucleotide probes on Northern blots, we show that Giα−2 and Giα−3, but not Giα−1, are expressed in HL60 cells. Antisera raised against synthetic peptides from regions predicted to be conserved (AS6) and divergent (LE3) among Giα subtypes bind to a 40 kDa protein in Western blots of HL60 membranes. AS6 identifies an additional protein at 41 kDa. Thus, Northern blot and immunoblot results show that at least two Giα subtypes, a 40 kDa protein likely to correspond to Giα−2 and a 41 kDa protein possibly representing Giα−3, may be expressed in a single cell type.
Antibody‐induced cAMP accumulation in splenocytes from athymic nude mice
Authors: Wiener E.C. , Griffor M.C. , Scarpa Antonio
Published: July 2002

Products from the hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositol 4,5‐bisphosphate (IP3) can increase and/or potentiate cAMP accumulation in a variety of cells. Antibody to surface immunoglobulins activates IP3 hydrolysis in B‐lymphocytes. In this study we have examined whether anti‐Ig also stimulated and/or potentiated increases in the cAMP levels of splenocytes from athymic nude mice. Furthermore, since TPA potentiates anti‐Ig‐induced DNA synthesis and cAMP modulates DNA synthesis, the effects of TPA on any anti‐Ig‐induced changes in cAMP were also studied. Antibody (25 μg/ml) stimulated a rapid rise in cAMP which increased from 250 fmol/106 cells to 400 fmol/106 cells within 1 min and then subsided to 310 fmol/106 cells by 10 min. TPA (96 nM) suppressed the anti‐Ig‐induced cAMP accumulation at 1 min by 60%, but potentiated the forskolin (114 μM)‐induced rise by 151%. Two other activators of protein kinase C, dioctanoylglycerol (5 μM), and anti‐Ig (25 μg/ml), also potentiated the forskolin response by 198% and 52%, respectively. These results suggest that modulation of the adenylate cyclase system by anti‐Ig may act in concert with cytokines and/or prostaglandins secreted by other lymphoid cells to define the state of proliferation or differentiation in B‐cells.
Extracellular ATP induces Ca2+ transients in cardiac myocytes which are potentiated by norepinephrine
Authors: De Young Mary Beth , Scarpa Antonio
Published: July 2002

Isolated rat ventricular cardiac myocytes loaded with the fluorescent calcium indicator fura2 showed significant changes in intracellular calcium concentrations upon exposure to > 1 μM ATP (EC50 = 7.4 ± 1.3 μM, n = 4, SE), suggesting that extracellular ATP may have an important influence on myocardial contractility. The response was found to be highly ATP specific and required extracellular calcium. Furthermore, 30 s pretreatment of the cells with 0.2–1 μM norepinephrine decreased the concentration of ATP required for the Ca2+ transient, shifting the EC50 for ATP to 1.7 ± 0.1 μM (n = 3, SE). β‐Propranolol (a β1‐receptor antagonist) prevented potentiation, whereas phentolamine (an α1‐receptor antagonist) did not, indicating that regulation is through the β1‐adrenergic receptor. ATP and norepinephrine released locally from sympathetic neurons may act in concert through the ATP and β1‐adrenergic receptors to regulate myocardial calcium homeostasis.
Contraction‐associated translocation of protein kinase C in rat skeletal muscle
Authors: Richter Erik A. , Cleland Perry J.F. , Rattigan Stephen , Clark Michael G.
Published: July 2002

Electrical stimulation of the sciatic nerve of the anaesthetized rat in vivo led to a time‐dependent translocation of protein kinase C from the muscle cytosol to the particulate fraction. Maximum activity of protein kinase C in the particulate fraction occurred after 2 min of intermittent short tetanic contractions of the gastrocnemius‐plantaris‐soleus muscle group and coincided with the loss of activity from the cytosol. Translocation of protein kinase C may imply a role for this kinase in contraction‐initiated changes in muscle metabolism.
Glucose‐induced degradation of yeast fructose‐1,6‐bisphosphatase requires additional triggering events besides protein phosphorylation
Authors: Lamponi Sandro , Galassi Carla , Tortora Paolo , Guerritore Andrea
Published: July 2002

Glucose addition to yeast cells stimulates a CAMP overshoot with concomitant activation of cAMP‐dependent protein kinase, which in turn rapidly phosphorylates fructose‐ 1,6‐bisphosphatase. The phosphorylated enzyme subsequently undergoes a slow proteolytic breakdown. Also, it has been proposed that phosphorylation represents the mechanism that initiates proteolysis. Here we present experiments carried out on a yeast mutant defective in adenylate cyclase [(1982) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 79, 2355‐2359] in which extracellular CAMP triggers full enzyme phosphorylation but a scanty proteolysis, whereas glucose plus cAMP provoke both phosphorylation and complete proteolytic breakdown. Thus, besides a glucose‐induced cAMP peak, which results in enzyme phosphorylation, other effects evoked by the sugar are indispensable for its proteolytic degradation.