bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Vglut2 afferents to the medial prefrontal and primary somatosensory cortices: A combined retrograde tracing in situ hybridization
Authors: Hur Elizabeth E. , Zaborszky Laszlo
Published: January 2005

Glutamate transmission is critical for controlling cortical activity, but the specific contribution of the different isoforms of vesicular glutamate transporters in subcortical pathways to the neocortex is largely unknown. To determine the distribution and neocortical projections of vesicular glutamate transporter2 (Vglut2)‐containing neurons, we used in situ hybridization and injections of the retrograde tracer Fluoro‐Gold into the medial prefrontal and primary somatosensory cortices. The thalamus contains the majority of Vglut2 cells projecting to the neocortex (∼90% for the medial prefrontal cortex and 96% for the primary somatosensory cortex) followed by the hypothalamus and basal forebrain, the claustrum, and the brainstem. There are significantly more Vglut2 neurons projecting to the medial prefrontal cortex than to the primary somatosensory cortex. The medial prefrontal cortex also receives a higher percentage of Vglut2 projection from the hypothalamus than the primary somatosensory cortex. About 50% of thalamic Vglut2 projection to the medial prefrontal cortex and as much as 80% of the thalamic projection to primary somatosensory cortex originate in various relay thalamic nuclei. The remainder arise from different midline and intralaminar nuclei traditionally thought to provide nonspecific or diffuse projection to the cortex. The extrathalamic Vglut2 corticopetal projections, together with the thalamic intralaminar‐midline Vglut2 corticopetal projections, may participate in diffuse activation of the neocortex. J. Comp. Neurol. 483:351–373, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Photoreceptor projection reveals heterogeneity of lamina cartridges in the visual system of the Japanese yellow swallowtail butterfly,Papilio xuthus
Authors: Takemura Shin‐Ya , Kinoshita Michiyo , Arikawa Kentaro
Published: January 2005

The compound eye of the butterflyPapilio xuthusis composed of three types of spectrally heterogeneous ommatidia. The ommatidia, which contain nine photoreceptor cells, R1–9, bear four (type I), three (type II), or two (type III) classes of spectral receptors in fixed combinations. The photoreceptors send their axons to the lamina, the first optic ganglion, where the R1–9 axons originating from a single ommatidium, together with some second‐order neurons, form a neuronal bundle, called a lamina cartridge. We investigated the axonal structure of photoreceptors in the lamina to determine whether the cartridge structure is different between the three ommatidial types. We first characterized a photoreceptor by measuring its spectral sensitivity and then injected Lucifer Yellow. We subsequently identified the type of ommatidium of the injected photoreceptor via histological sections. We further observed the axonal structure of the photoreceptor in the lamina by laser confocal microscopy. We found that the number and length of axon collaterals markedly differ between the spectral receptors. Those having the most extensive axon collaterals, which extend into six or more surrounding cartridges, are violet receptors (R1 and R2 of type II ommatidia). UV receptors (R1 or R2 of type I ommatidia) also send collaterals into two to four neighboring cartridges. Blue receptors (R1 or R2 of type I ommatidia, R1 and R2 of type III ommatidia) have short collaterals restricted to their own cartridges. We thus conclude that the neuronal circuit of the lamina cartridge differs between the three types of ommatidia. J. Comp. Neurol. 483:341–350, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
An evaluation of the Hunt94 color appearance model under different light sources at low photopic to low mesopic light levels
Authors: Deng Lei , Chen Linsheng , Rea Mark S.
Published: January 2005

Color appearance models allow for the quantification of color appearance under a variety of viewing conditions. Such models may ultimately provide a measure for accurate assessments of the color‐rendering properties of light sources. This article evaluates the Hunt94 color appearance model using a new set of color‐naming and magnitude‐rating data. At one photopic level (10 cd/m2), the evaluations showed that for a xenon lamp and an enhanced metal halide lamp that have chromaticities and spectra close to an equal energy spectrum, the Hunt94 model provided good predictions of the primary and secondary color names and hue magnitudes for a wide range of color chips under the two illuminants. However, for other light sources the Hunt94 model predictions deviated considerably from the evaluations. Three modifications were applied to the Hunt94 color appearance model to predict color‐naming and magnitude‐rating data better for all light sources. The modified Hunt94 model gave good predictions (correlation coefficients r ∼ 0.95) of the secondary hue magnitude of the color chips used in the experiment at photopic light levels (10 cd/m2 and 1 cd/m2 background luminances) under “white” light sources. However, the modified model was still unable to predict color appearances at low mesopic light levels (0.1 cd/m2 and 0.01 cd/m2). © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Col Res Appl, 30, 107–117, 2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/col.20088
Location of Munsell colors in the RAL Design System
Authors: Öztürk Leyla Dokuzer
Published: January 2005

Color order systems are used in various areas concerned with color such as education, color design, and industry. Their nomenclature provides a reliable tool for specification and communication of color appearance. Two of the most widely used color order systems are the Munsell Color System and the RAL Design System. When using both color systems, it would be useful to convert the nomenclature from one to the other. The goal of this study is to define solely the location of Munsell colors in the RAL Design System and to obtain helpful data in case of use both color systems. In accordance with this purpose, the RAL equivalents of certain Munsell colors are determined and the possibility of naming RAL colors by unambiguous adjectives is researched. This study is limited with the definition of RAL equivalents of certain Munsell colors, but it is obvious that it can be expanded easily by including RAL equivalents of a large number of Munsell color and vice versa. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Col Res Appl, 30, 130–134, 2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/col.20091
Formulation of interior design color palette based on the regression analysis of digital color samples
Authors: Lee H. S. , Chang S. J. , Kim E. J.
Published: January 2005

Various color models have been developed to represent color as a synthetic construct of its component attributes. The CMYK color model is based on a mathematical framework efficient for digitally planning and processing the colors for a domain‐specific application such as interior design. The CMYK color model correlated with the Munsell system would also increase usability and effectiveness. In this research, we suggest a computationally assisted systematic method to formulate a color palette useful for interior design. A continuous process of sampling, statistical analysis, and computational manipulations has been performed to derive a desirable color palette. First, color samples have been extracted from the representative interior design cases of residential buildings, offices, and commercial spaces. Second, the interrelationships among C, M, Y, and K values in all samples have been statistically analyzed followed by calculating the number of elements in the numerically categorized sets for C, M, or K value. New CMYK combinations were generated by using selected sets of C, M, or K value showing relatively dominant presence in the original samples. Then, the statistically extracted correlation function was used to propose a complete list of CMYK color combinations for interior design. The resulting CMYK combinations were then converted into the values represented in the Munsell color system. We envision that the proposed approach can increase both applicability and efficiency of the resulting color palette by considering both intuitive and mathematical color models with the support of a computational data processing technique. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Col Res Appl, 30, 135–145, 2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/col.20092
Color variability of wine in a glass and general comments on contrast effects
Authors: Pridmore Ralph W.
Published: January 2005

When red wines are tilted in a glass wine sampler and observed in strong light against a neutral background, the thinner parts appear a shorter wavelength red than the thicker ones. It is discussed whether these hue‐shifts, associated with thickness changes, are attributable to simultaneous contrast effects (Bezold–Brucke and Abney effects) or can be detected by conventional instrumental color measurement by spectroradiometer or spectrophotometer (assuming Bouguer's law). The reported hue‐shifts at different thicknesses appear to be attributable to both physical‐chemical changes and contrast effects. This discussion is in three parts: (1) Color variability of wine in a glass and general comments on contrast effects by Ralph W. Pridmore, (2) Color coordinates of wine samples with different thicknesses by Rafael Huertas, Manuel Melgosa, and Angel I. Negueruela, and (3) Final Comment by Ralph W. Pridmore. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Col Res Appl, 30, 146–152, 2005
TGF‐β1‐enhanced TCP‐coated sensate scaffolds can detect bone bonding
Authors: Szivek J.A. , Margolis D.S. , Garrison B.K. , Nelson E. , Vaidyanathan R.K. , DeYoung D.W.
Published: January 2005

Porous polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) scaffold systems were tested as orthopedic implants to determine whether these scaffolds could be used to detect strain transfer following bone growth into the scaffold. Three types of scaffold systems were tested: porous PBT scaffolds, porous PBT scaffolds with a thin β‐tricalcium phosphate coating (LC‐PBT), and porous PBT scaffolds with the TCP coating vacuum packed into the scaffold pores (VI‐PBT). In addition, the effect of applying TGF‐β1 to scaffolds as an enhancement was examined. The scaffolds were placed onto the femora of rats and leftin vivofor 4 months. The amount of bone ingrowth and the strain transfer through various scaffolds was evaluated by using scanning electron microscopy, histology, histomorphometry, and cantilever bend testing. The VI‐PBT scaffold showed the highest and most consistent degree of mechanical interaction between bone and scaffold, providing strain transfers of 68.5% (±20.6) and 79.2% (±8.7) of control scaffolds in tension and compression, respectively. The strain transfer through the VI‐PBT scaffold decreased to 29.1% (±24.3) and 30.4% (±25.8) in tension and compression when used with TGF‐β1. TGF‐β1 enhancement increased the strain transfer through LC‐PBT scaffolds in compression from 9.4% (±8.7) to 49.7% (±31.0). The significant changes in mechanical strain transfer through LC‐PBT and VI‐PBT scaffolds correlated with changes in bone ingrowth fraction, which was increased by 39.6% in LC‐PBT scaffolds and was decreased 21.3% in VI‐PBT scaffolds after TGF‐β1 enhancement. Overall, the results indicate that strain transfer through TCP‐coated PBT scaffolds correlate with bone ingrowth after implantation, making these instrumented scaffolds useful for monitoring bone growth by monitoring strain transfer. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 73B: 43–53, 2005
Recent developments in thermal analysis of polymers: Calorimetry in the limit of slow and fast heating rates
Authors: Cebe Peggy
Published: January 2005

This review focuses on new insights into the crystal melting transition and the amorphous glass transition of polymers that have been gained through recent advances in thermoanalytical methods. The specific heat capacity can now be studied under two extreme limits, that is, under quasi‐isothermal conditions (limit of zero heating rate) and, at the other end of the scale, under rapid heating conditions (heating rates on the order of thousands of degrees per second), made possible through nanocalorimetry. The reversible melting, and multiple reversible melting, of semicrystalline polymers is explored using quasi‐isothermal temperature modulated differential scanning calorimetry, TMDSC. The excess reversing heat capacity, above the baseline, measured under nearly isothermal conditions is attributed to locally reversible surface melting and crystallization processes that do not require molecular nucleation. Observations of double reversible melting endotherms in isotactic polystyrene suggest existence of two distinct populations of crystals, each showing locally reversible surface melting. The second subject of the review, nanocalorimetry, is utilized to study samples of small mass under conditions of very fast heating and cooling. The glass transition properties of thin amorphous polymer films are observed under adiabatic conditions. The glass transition temperature appears to be independent of film thickness, and is observed even in ultra‐thin films. Recrystallization and reorganization during rapid heating are studied by nanocalorimetry of semicrystalline polymers. The uppermost endotherm seen under normal DSC scanning of poly(ethylene terephthalate) is caused by reorganization, and vanishes under the rapid heating conditions (3000K/s) provided by nanocalorimetry. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 43: 629–636, 2005
Grouping for behavioral and psychological symptoms in dementia: clinical and biological aspects. Consensus paper of the European Alzheimer disease consortium
Authors: Robert Philippe H. , Verhey Frans R.J. , Byrne E. Jane , Hurt Catherine , De Deyn Peter Paul , Nobili Flavio , Riello Roberta , Rodriguez Guido , Frisoni Giovanni B. , Tsolaki Magda , Kyriazopoulou Nora , Bullock Roger , Burns Alistair , Vellas Bruno
Published: January 2005

Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD), constitute a major clinical component of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). There is a growing interest in BPSD as they are responsible for a large share of the suffering of patients and caregivers, and they strongly determine the patient’s lifestyle and management. Better detection and understanding of these symptoms is essential to provide appropriate management. This article is a consensus produced by the behavioral group of the European Alzheimer’s Disease Consortium (EADC). The aim of this article is to present clinical description and biological correlates of the major behavioral and psychological symptomatology in AD. BPSD is not a unitary concept. Instead, it should be divided into several symptoms or more likely: groups of symptoms, each possibly reflecting a different prevalence, course over time, biological correlate and psychosocial determinants. There is some clinical evidence for clusters within groups of BPSD. Biological studies indicate that patients with AD and BPSD are associated with variations in the pathological features (atrophy, brain perfusion/metabolism, histopathology) when compared to people with AD without BPSD. An individually tailored approach taking all these aspects into account is warranted as it may offer more, and better, pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment opportunities.
Prevalence and impact of generalized anxiety disorder and major depression in primary care in Belgium and Luxemburg: the GADIS study
Authors: Ansseau Marc , Fischler Benjamin , Dierick Michel , Mignon Annick , Leyman Sophie
Published: January 2005

Purpose

GADIS aims at determining the prevalence of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and major depression (MD) in primary care and their impact on the patient’s functioning in Belgium and Luxemburg.

Methods

A large scale screening program was conducted at the consultation of general practitioners to detect patients with GAD and MD according to DSM-IV criteria. We collected additional data regarding the use of hypnotic, tranquilizer, antidepressant and analgesic medications. Impact on the patient was assessed with the Sheehan disability scale.

Results

Three hundred GP’s in Belgium and Luxemburg were asked to screen 50 consecutive patients. Of the 13,677 analyzed patients, 8.3% were diagnosed to have GAD and 6.3% MD. Comorbidity was observed in 4.2% of patients. The prevalence was much higher in the French-speaking part of Belgium. GAD and MD were associated with impairment in social, familial and professional functioning. Only a minority of patients with GAD and/or MD was treated with an antidepressant and almost half of subjects with GAD and/or MD were treated with a tranquilizer.

Conclusions

Prevalence rates of GAD and MD in primary care in Belgium are comparable to other countries. GAD and MD are disabling conditions. Antidepressants are still used only in a minority of subjects with GAD and/or MD in primary care in Belgium and Luxemburg. The prevalence of GAD and MD appears to be much higher in French-speaking parts of Belgium.
Assessing alexithymia in French-speaking samples: psychometric properties of the Observer Alexithymia Scale-French translation
Authors: Berthoz Sylvie , Haviland Mark G. , Riggs Matt L. , Perdereau Fabienne , Bungener Catherine
Published: January 2005

In the present study, we evaluated the psychometric properties of the Observer Alexithymia Scale-French translation (OAS-F), a 33-item, observer-rated alexithymia measure. The scale, accessible to lay and professional raters, taps everyday expressions of alexithymia. French university students (N = 159) were asked to rate a person they knew well or ask an acquaintance to rate them. Those being rated (N = 159) were parents, siblings, children, and friends. OAS-F total and subscale scores were comparable to those in the English normative samples. Moreover, OAS scores were reliable, and the scale’s five-factor structure (distant, uninsightful, somatizing, humorless, and rigid) was confirmed. Importantly, too, OAS total scores correlated 0.31 with (self-report) 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS) scores. The OAS-F appears to be a psychometrically sound observer-rated alexithymia measure.
Overexpression of small glutamine‐rich TPR‐containing protein promotes apoptosis in 7721 cells
Authors: Wang Hanzhou , Shen Hailian , Wang Yanlin , Li Zejuan , Yin Hongyan , Zong Hongliang , Jiang Jianhai , Gu Jianxin
Published: January 2005

It is known that small glutamine‐rich TPR‐containing protein (SGT) is the member of TPR motif family. However, the biological functions of SGT remain unclear. In this paper, we report that SGT plays a role in apoptotic signaling. Ectopic expression of SGT enhances DNA fragment and nucleus breakage after the induction of apoptosis. Increasing mRNA level of SGT is also observed in 7721 cells undergoing apoptosis, knockdown the expression of endogenous SGT contributes to the decrease of apoptosis of 7721 cells. Deletion analysis reveals that TPR domain is critical to pro‐apoptotic function of SGT. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the PARP cleavage and cytochrome c release are enhanced when SGT is overexpressed in 7721 cells during apoptosis. Collectively, our results indicate that SGT is a new pro‐apoptotic factor.
Statin‐inhibited endothelial permeability could be associated with its effect on PECAM‐1 in endothelial cells
Authors: Wei Heming , Fang Lu , Song Jie , Chatterjee Subroto
Published: January 2005

Conclusion: Statin‐reduced endothelial permeability could be attributed to altered intracellular distribution of PECAM‐1 in endothelial cells. We speculate that lovastatin regulates PECAM‐1 expression in HUVECs through the mevalonate‐GGPP pathway by inhibiting of Rho small GTPase.
The PcG protein HPC2 inhibits RBP‐J‐mediated transcription by interacting with LIM protein KyoT2
Authors: Qin Hongyan , Du Dewei , Zhu Yangting , Li Junfeng , Feng Lei , Liang Yingmin , Han Hua
Published: January 2005

The DNA‐binding protein recombination signal‐binding protein‐Jk (RBP‐J) plays a key role in transcriptional regulation by targeting the intracellular domain of Notch (NIC) and the Epstein–Barr virus nuclear antigen 2 (EBNA2) to specific promoters. In the absence of the Notch signaling, RBP‐J acts as a transcriptional suppressor through recruiting co‐suppressors such as histone deacetylase (HDAC). KyoT2 is a LIM domain protein that suppresses the RBP‐J‐mediated transcriptional activation. In the current study, we show that the polycomb group (PcG) protein HPC2, which functions as a transcriptional suppressor, is a candidate of KyoT2‐binding proteins. To confirm the physical and functional interaction between KyoT2 and HPC2, we carried out yeast two‐hybrid, GST‐pull down, co‐immunoprecipitation, as well as mammalian two‐hybrid assays. Our results showed HPC2 and KyoT2 interacted both in vitro and in vivo, probably through the C‐terminal fragment of HPC2 and LIM domains of KyoT2. In addition, we also found that overexpression of HPC2, not only inhibited transactivation of a RBP‐J‐dependent promoter by NIC, but also transactivation by RBP‐J–VP16, a constitutively active form of RBP‐J. Taken together, our results suggested that KyoT2 might inhibit the RBP‐J‐mediated transactivation through NIC by recruiting co‐suppressors such as HPC2.
Structure of a large photosystem II supercomplex from Acaryochloris marina
Authors: Chen Min , Bibby Thomas S. , Nield Jon , Larkum Anthony W.D. , Barber James
Published: January 2005

Acaryochloris marina is a prochlorophyte‐like cyanobacterium containing both phycobilins and chlorophyll d as light harvesting pigments. We show that the chlorophyll d light harvesting system, composed of Pcb proteins, functionally associates with the photosystem II (PSII) reaction center (RC) core to form a giant supercomplex. This supercomplex has a molecular mass of about 2300 kDa and dimensions of 385 Å × 240 Å. It is composed of two PSII‐RC core dimers arranged end‐to‐end, flanked by eight symmetrically related Pcb proteins on each side. Thus each PSII‐RC monomer has four Pcb subunits acting as a light harvesting system which increases the absorption cross section of the PSII‐RC core by almost 200%.
Prolonged lipid oxidation after photodynamic treatment. Study with oxidation‐sensitive probe C11‐BODIPY581/591
Authors: Sakharov D.V. , Elstak E.D.R. , Chernyak B. , Wirtz K.W.A.
Published: January 2005

Photodynamic treatment (PDT) is an emerging procedure for the therapy of cancer, based on photosensitizers, compounds that generate highly reactive oxygen species on illumination with visible light. Photodynamic peroxidation of cellular lipids is a consequence of PDT associated with cytolethality. We used chloromethyl dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate and a novel fluorescent ratiometric oxidation‐sensitive probe, C11‐BODIPY581/591 (C11‐BO), which reports on lipid peroxidation, for visualizing oxidative stress in cells subjected to PDT with a phthalocyanine photosensitizer Pc4. With C11‐BO loaded into the cells before or immediately after PDT, we observed a prolonged oxidation, which continued up to 30 min after illumination. In contrast, H2O2 caused oxidation of C11‐BO only when the cells were in direct contact with H2O2. PDT‐induced oxidative stress was most pronounced in vesicular perinuclear organelles, most likely photodamaged lysosomes. We hypothesize that the lysosomal localization of the prolonged oxidative stress is a consequence of the presence of redox‐active iron in lysosomes. In conclusion, we have found that oxidative stress induced in cells by PDT differs from one induced by H2O2 in respect of induction of prolonged oxidation of lipids.
A thermodynamic study of mesophilic, thermophilic, and hyperthermophilic l‐arabinose isomerases: The effects of divalent metal ions on protein stability at elevated temperatures
Authors: Lee Dong-Woo , Hong Young-Ho , Choe Eun-Ah , Lee Sang-Jae , Kim Seong-Bo , Lee Han-Seung , Oh Jong-Won , Shin Hae-Hun , Pyun Yu-Ryang
Published: January 2005

To gain insight into the structural stability of homologous homo‐tetrameric l‐arabinose isomerases (AI), we have examined the isothermal guanidine hydrochloride (GdnHCl)‐induced unfolding of AIs from mesophilic Bacillus halodurans (BHAI), thermophilic Geobacillus stearothermophilus (GSAI), and hyperthermophilic Thermotoga maritima (TMAI) using circular dichroism spectroscopy. The GdnHCl‐induced unfolding of the AIs can be well described by a two‐state reaction between native tetramers and unfolded monomers, which directly confirms the validity of the linear extrapolation method to obtain the intrinsic stabilities of these proteins. The resulting unfolding free energy (ΔG
U) values of the AIs as a function of temperature were fit to the Gibbs–Helmholtz equation to determine their thermodynamic parameters based on a two‐state mechanism. Compared with the stability curves of BHAI in the presence and absence of Mn2+, those of holo GSAI and TMAI were more broadened than those of the apo enzymes at all temperatures, indicating increased melting temperatures (T
m) due to decreased heat capacity (ΔC
p). Moreover, the extent of difference in ΔC
p between the apo and holo thermophilic AIs is larger than that of BHAI. From these studies, we suggest that the metal dependence of the thermophilic AIs, resulting in the reduced ΔC
p, may play a significant role in structural stability compared to their mesophilic analogues, and that the extent of metal dependence of AI stability seems to be highly correlated to oligomerization.
GC–MS libraries for the rapid identification of metabolites in complex biological samples
Authors: Schauer Nicolas , Steinhauser Dirk , Strelkov Sergej , Schomburg Dietmar , Allison Gordon , Moritz Thomas , Lundgren Krister , Roessner-Tunali Ute , Forbes Megan G. , Willmitzer Lothar , Fernie Alisdair R. , Kopka Joachim
Published: January 2005

Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry based metabolite profiling of biological samples is rapidly becoming one of the cornerstones of functional genomics and systems biology. Thus, the technology needs to be available to many laboratories and open exchange of information is required such as those achieved for transcript and protein data. The key‐step in metabolite profiling is the unambiguous identification of metabolites in highly complex metabolite preparations with composite structure. Collections of mass spectra, which comprise frequently observed identified and non‐identified metabolites, represent the most effective means to pool the identification efforts currently performed in many laboratories around the world. Here, we describe a platform for mass spectral and retention time index libraries that will enable this process (MSRI; www.csbdb.mpimp‐golm.mpg.de/gmd.html). This resource should ameliorate many of the problems that each laboratory will face both for the initial establishment of metabolome analysis and for its maintenance at a constant sample throughput.
Characterisation of plant tocopherol cyclases and their overexpression in transgenic Brassica napus seeds
Authors: Kumar Rajeev , Raclaru Mirela , Schüßeler Thomas , Gruber Jens , Sadre Radin , Lühs Wilfried , Zarhloul Karim M. , Friedt Wolfgang , Enders Dieter , Frentzen Margrit , Weier Dagmar
Published: January 2005

Tocopherols, collectively known as vitamin E, are only synthesised in photosynthetic organisms. Tocopherol cyclase (TC) catalyses the formation of the chromanol headgroup of the various tocopherol isoforms. TCs from Arabidopsis and maize (Zea mays) were expressed in Escherichia coli and purified. Analysis of the enzymatic properties revealed similarities but also differences between the two enzymes. Overexpression of chimeric TC gene constructs in developing seeds of transgenic rapeseed plants enhanced and modified the relative abundance of individual tocochromanol species in the seed oil, indicating a regulatory function of the enzyme in prenyllipid metabolism.
Tau protein binds single‐stranded DNA sequence specifically – the proof obtained in vitro with non‐equilibrium capillary electrophoresis of equilibrium mixtures
Authors: Krylova Svetlana M. , Musheev Michael , Nutiu Razvan , Li Yingfu , Lee Gloria , Krylov Sergey N.
Published: January 2005

Tau is a microtubule‐associated protein, which plays an important role in physiology and pathology of neurons. Tau has been recently reported to bind double‐stranded DNA (dsDNA) but not to bind single‐stranded DNA (ssDNA) [Cell. Mol. Life Sci. 2003, 60, 413–421]. Here, we prove that tau binds not only dsDNA but also ssDNA. This finding was facilitated by using two kinetic capillary electrophoresis methods: (i) non‐equilibrium capillary electrophoresis of equilibrium mixtures (NECEEM); (ii) affinity‐mediated NECEEM. Using the new approach, we observed, for the first time, that tau could induce dissociation of strands in dsDNA by binding one of them in a sequence‐specific fashion. Moreover, we determined the equilibrium dissociation constants for all tau–DNA complexes studied.
Re‐laparotomy after Cesarean section
Authors: Seffah J.D.
Published: January 2005

Objective

The objective of the study was to find out the indications for management and the outcomes of reopening the abdomen during the puerperium after Cesarean section.

Patients and methods

This was a retrospective descriptive survey at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra, Ghana.

Results

There were 6120 Cesarean sections (17%) out of a total of 36,010 deliveries. Re‐laparotomy was done in 44 patients (0.7%) of the Cesarean sections. The indications were: hemorrhage from uterine atony, hemorrhage from placental bed after operation for placenta previa, uterine sepsis with hemorrhage, hemorrhage after Cesarean section, myomectomy and hemorrhage from anterior abdominal wound dehiscence. The main surgeries performed were: hysterectomy, ligation of ascending branches of uterine arteries, ligation of hypogastric arteries, debridement and re‐suturing of the uterine incision and secondary suturing of anterior abdominal wall. There were 6 near missed fatalities. There were 4 mortalities caused by excessive hemorrhage and severe sepsis.

Conclusion

The case fatality rate for re‐laparotomy after Cesarean section is high (9%). Near missed‐fatalities are common. To reduce the unfavorable outcomes, instituting more intensive education on the use of the partograph should prevent prolonged labor. Centers carrying out Cesarean section should have efficient blood transfusion service in place.
Modulation of shallow water tides in an inlet‐basin system with a mixed tidal regime
Authors: Dworak Juan A. , Gomez‐Valdes Jose
Published: January 2005

During the autumn of 1999 a 56‐day‐long observational study of sea surface elevation and currents was made in Yavaros Bay, a shallow inlet‐basin system with a mixed tidal regime in the Gulf of California. During the late spring of 1998 a similar experiment was performed at the same coastal lagoon as well, although it was shorter. The measurements are used to investigate the modulation of the shallow water tides. The complex demodulation approach revealed that not only the Moon's path cycle modified the generation of shallow water tides but also the lunar declination and the solar declination. The sixth‐diurnal tides showed a spring‐neap modulation. The fifth‐diurnal tides were above the noise level only close to the summer solstice. The fourth‐diurnal tides were modulated by the spring‐neap cycle at the basin, but this modulation was changed by friction at the inlet. At this site the fourth‐diurnal band of the tidal current had a maximum in amplitude during neap tides. The third‐diurnal tides were irregularly modulated. The advection and the nonlinear continuity terms were correlated with the third‐ and fourth‐diurnal bands of the tidal current at the inlet. The quadratic friction terms were correlated with the sixth‐, fourth‐, and third‐diurnal bands of the tidal current. The semidiurnal tides mainly provided the energy of the tidal residual current during the autumnal equinox of 1999. Near the summer solstice of 1998 the semidiurnal band induced a residual current seaward oriented, while the diurnal band induced a residual current landward oriented.
Maui Mesosphere and Lower Thermosphere (Maui MALT) observations of the evolution of Kelvin‐Helmholtz billows formed near 86 km altitude
Authors: Hecht J. H. , Liu A. Z. , Walterscheid R. L. , Rudy R. J.
Published: January 2005

Small‐scale (less than 15 km horizontal wavelength) structures known as ripples have been seen in OH airglow images for nearly 30 years. The structures have been attributed to either convective or dynamical instabilities; the latter are mainly due to large wind shears, while the former are produced by superadiabatic temperature gradients. Dynamical instabilities produce Kelvin‐Helmholtz (KH) billows, which have been known for many years. However, models and laboratory experiments suggest that these billows often spawn a secondary instability that is convective in nature. While laboratory investigations see evidence of such structures, the evolution of these instabilities in the atmosphere has not been well documented. The Maui Mesosphere and Lower Thermosphere (Maui MALT) Observatory, located on Mt. Haleakala, is instrumented with a Na wind/temperature lidar that can detect dynamic or convective instabilities with 1 km vertical resolution over the altitude region from about 85 to 100 km. The observatory also includes a fast OH airglow camera, sensitive to emissions coming from approximately 82 to 92 km altitude, which obtains images every 3 s at sufficient resolution and signal to noise to see the ripples. On 15 July 2002, ripples were observed moving at an angle to their phase fronts. After a few minutes, structures appeared to form approximately perpendicular to the main ripple phase fronts. The lidar data showed that a region of dynamical instability existed from approximately 85.5 to 87 km and that the direction of the wind shear in this region was consistent with the phase fronts of the ripple features. The motion of the ripples themselves was consistent with the wind velocity at 85.9 km. Thus in this case the observed ripple motion was the advection of KH billows by the wind. The perpendicular structures were seen to be associated with the KH billows: they formed at the time when the atmosphere briefly became convectively unstable within the region where the KH billows most likely formed. Because of this and because the ripples were oriented approximately perpendicular to and moved with the billows, we speculate that they are the secondary instabilities predicted by models of KH evolution. The primary and perpendicular features were seen to decay into unstructured regions suggestive of turbulence. While the formation and decay time appear consistent with models, the horizontal wavelength of the perpendicular structures seems to be larger than models predict for the secondary instability features.
Numerical simulation of double‐diffusive finger convection
Authors: Hughes Joseph D. , Sanford Ward E. , Vacher H. Leonard
Published: January 2005

A hybrid finite element, integrated finite difference numerical model is developed for the simulation of double‐diffusive and multicomponent flow in two and three dimensions. The model is based on a multidimensional, density‐dependent, saturated‐unsaturated transport model (SUTRA), which uses one governing equation for fluid flow and another for solute transport. The solute‐transport equation is applied sequentially to each simulated species. Density coupling of the flow and solute‐transport equations is accounted for and handled using a sequential implicit Picard iterative scheme. High‐resolution data from a double‐diffusive Hele‐Shaw experiment, initially in a density‐stable configuration, is used to verify the numerical model. The temporal and spatial evolution of simulated double‐diffusive convection is in good agreement with experimental results. Numerical results are very sensitive to discretization and correspond closest to experimental results when element sizes adequately define the spatial resolution of observed fingering. Numerical results also indicate that differences in the molecular diffusivity of sodium chloride and the dye used to visualize experimental sodium chloride concentrations are significant and cause inaccurate mapping of sodium chloride concentrations by the dye, especially at late times. As a result of reduced diffusion, simulated dye fingers are better defined than simulated sodium chloride fingers and exhibit more vertical mass transfer.
Fine‐structure physical chemistry modeling of Uranus H2 X quadrupole emission
Authors: Hallett J. T. , Shemansky D. E. , Liu X.
Published: January 2005

A new hydrogen physical chemistry model has been developed at the fine‐structure level for application to the giant outer planet thermospheres. The model is applied to Uranus because observations of dayglow H2 X 1Σg+ (v) quadrupole and H3+ vibration‐rotation emission made at NASA IRTF and UKIRT provide critical constraints for thermospheric modeling. The observed H3+ vibration‐rotation emission infers an H3+ dominant ionosphere, predicted only for non‐LTE H2 X (v : J). Excitation mechanisms explored are solar and non‐solar electron energy deposition. Non‐solar electron forcing is constrained by the EUV H2 Lyman and Werner band emission measured by Voyager UVS. Analysis indicates that non‐solar electrons are dominant in the energy budget required to predict the observed thermospheric temperature profile. The modeled H2 X quadrupole emission infers that an additional mechanism is required to excite the H2 X (v = 1) population. Non‐thermal H produced in dissociative excitation of H2 X is a primary candidate.
Estimation of groundwater residence time in a geologically active region by coupling 4He concentration with helium isotopic ratios
Authors: Morikawa N. , Kazahaya K. , Yasuhara M. , Inamura A. , Nagao K. , Sumino H. , Ohwada M.
Published: January 2005

Because mixing of groundwater commonly occurs in geologically active regions such as subduction zones, sole use of a conventional method for groundwater dating is not applicable. Here we present a new model using dissolved 4He concentration and He isotopic ratio as well as crustal He flux to estimate the very long residence time of groundwater where mixing of waters of different origin occurs. We applied this model to the Kobe area, southwest Japan, where Arima‐type thermal brine with a high 3He/4He (1 × 10−5) component is incorporated into meteoric water. A groundwater residence time of 25–230 kyr is estimated for the deep groundwater (up to 1500 m depth) aquifers. The flux of Arima‐type brine is also estimated to be 2 × 105 m3 yr−1 in the studied area (20 km × 5 km). These attempts contribute to evaluating the long‐term stability of geological formations over the time range of 104–105 years and to considering the deep‐seated fluid flux to shallower aquifers.
Atmospheric forcing of the oceanic semidiurnal tide
Authors: Arbic Brian K.
Published: January 2005

The principal solar semidiurnal tide (S2) in the ocean is forced by the pressure loading of the atmospheric thermal tide as well as by the gravitational tidal potential. This paper examines the effects of adding the atmospheric S2 forcing to a forward tide model. When the model is forced only by the gravitational potential, the S2 relative elevation error with respect to pelagic tide gauges is anomalously poor. After atmospheric S2 forcing is added, the relative error reduces to levels seen in other tidal constituents. In the global average, the atmospherically forced S2 ocean tide is 14.7 percent as large as the gravitationally forced S2 tide, and differs by about 109.4° in phase, consistent with the relative amplitudes and phases of the atmospheric and gravitational S2 forcings. Because the S2 air tide is periodic, the oceanic S2 tide represents a particularly clean test of the ability of numerical models to successfully replicate the oceanic response to atmospheric pressure loading.
Path integral for the radial Dirac equation
Authors: Ichinose Takashi
Published: January 2005

For the radial Dirac equation, a countably additive path space measure on the space of continuous paths living on the real half-line is constructed to give a path integral representation of its Green function.
Study of anharmonic singular potentials
Authors: Saad Nasser , Hall Richard L. , Katatbeh Qutaibeh D.
Published: January 2005

A simple and efficient variational method is introduced to accelerate the convergence of the eigenenergy computations for a Hamiltonian H with singular potentials. Closed-form analytic expressions in N dimensions are obtained for the matrix elements of H with respect to the eigenfunctions of a soluble singular problem with two free parameters A and B. The matrix eigenvalues are then optimized with respect to A and B for a given N. Applications, convergence rates, and comparisons with earlier work are discussed in detail.
Structural and biochemical studies of human proliferating cell nuclear antigen complexes provide a rationale for cyclin association and inhibitor design
Authors: Kontopidis George , Wu Su-Ying , Zheleva Daniella I. , Taylor Paul , McInnes Campbell , Lane David P. , Fischer Peter M. , Walkinshaw Malcolm D.
Published: January 2005

The interactions between the tumor suppressor protein p21
WAF1
and the cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) complexes and with proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) regulate and coordinate the processes of cell-cycle progression and DNA replication. We present the x-ray crystal structure of PCNA complexed with a 16-mer peptide related to p21 that binds with a
K
d
of 100 nM. Two additional crystal structures of native PCNA provide previously undescribed structures of uncomplexed human PCNA and show that significant changes on ligand binding include rigidification of a number of flexible regions on the surface of PCNA. In the competitive binding experiments described here, we show that a 20-mer sequence from p21 can be associated simultaneously with PCNA and CDK/cyclin complexes. A structural model for this quaternary complex is presented in which the C-terminal sequence of p21 acts like double-sided tape and docks to both the PCNA and cyclin molecules. The quaternary complex shows little direct interaction between PCNA and cyclin, giving p21 the role of an adaptor molecule. Taken together, the biochemical and structural results delineate a druggable inhibitor site on the surface of PCNA that may be exploited in the design of peptidomimetics, which will act independently of cyclin-groove inhibitors.
DictyMOLD-a Dictyostelium discoideum genome browser database
Authors: Felder Marius , Szafranski Karol , Lehmann Rüdiger , Eichinger Ludwig , Noegel Angelika A. , Platzer Matthias , Glöckner Gernot
Published: January 2005

Summary: With the Dictyostelium Genome Project nearing completion, we initiated the construction of a data repository for all Dictyostelium discoideum genomic data. Up to now this database, called DictyMOLD (Dicty Map Of Linked Data), incorporates the recently completed D.discoideum chromosomes 1 and 2 sequences together with related annotations. To visualise maps, sequences and annotations and to provide access for the scientific community a perl-based browser was developed.

Availability: The DictyMOLD database is freely accessible via http://genome.imb-jena.de/dictyostelium/

Contact:  gernot@imb-jena.de
PR-Set7-dependent methylation of histone H4 Lys 20 functions in repression of gene expression and is essential for mitosis
Authors: Karachentsev Dmitry , Sarma Kavitha , Reinberg Danny , Steward Ruth
Published: January 2005

The histone methyl transferase PR-Set7 mediates histone H4 Lys 20 methylation, a mark of constitutive and facultative heterochromatin. We isolated a null mutation in Drosophila PR-Set7 that suppresses position effect variegation, indicating that PR-Set7 indeed functions in silencing general gene expression. In PR-Set7 larval leg and eye discs, the number of cells is lower than normal, and the DNA content in these cells is significantly increased. These data show that PR-Set7-dependent methylation is essential for the process of mitosis. The methylation mark is highly stable and is maintained even in the absence of PR-Set7 protein.
Corepressors selectively control the transcriptional activity of PPARγ in adipocytes
Authors: Guan Hong-Ping , Ishizuka Takahiro , Chui Patricia C. , Lehrke Michael , Lazar Mitchell A.
Published: January 2005

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) is the master regulator of adipogenesis as well as the target of thiazolidinedione (TZD) antidiabetic drugs. Many PPARγ target genes are induced during adipogenesis, but others, such as glycerol kinase (GyK), are expressed at low levels in adipocytes and dramatically up-regulated by TZDs. Here, we have explored the mechanism whereby an exogenous PPARγ ligand is selectively required for adipocyte gene expression. The GyK gene contains a functional PPARγ-response element to which endogenous PPARγ is recruited in adipocytes. However, unlike the classic PPARγ-target gene aP2, which is constitutively associated with coactivators, the GyK gene is targeted by nuclear receptor corepressors in adipocytes. TZDs trigger the dismissal of corepressor histone deacetylase (HDAC) complexes and the recruitment of coactivators to the GyK gene. TZDs also induce PPARγ-Coactivator 1α (PGC-1α), whose recruitment to the GyK gene is sufficient to release the corepressors. Thus, selective modulation of adipocyte PPARγ target genes by TZDs involves the dissociation of corepressors by direct and indirect mechanisms.
The kinase haspin is required for mitotic histone H3 Thr 3 phosphorylation and normal metaphase chromosome alignment
Authors: Dai Jun , Sultan Sammy , Taylor Stephen S. , Higgins Jonathan M.G.
Published: January 2005

Post-translational modifications of conserved N-terminal tail residues in histones regulate many aspects of chromosome activity. Thr 3 of histone H3 is highly conserved, but the significance of its phosphorylation is unclear, and the identity of the corresponding kinase unknown. Immunostaining with phospho-specific antibodies in mammalian cells reveals mitotic phosphorylation of H3 Thr 3 in prophase and its dephosphorylation during anaphase. Furthermore we find that haspin, a member of a distinctive group of protein kinases present in diverse eukaryotes, phosphorylates H3 at Thr 3 in vitro. Importantly, depletion of haspin by RNA interference reveals that this kinase is required for H3 Thr 3 phosphorylation in mitotic cells. In addition to its chromosomal association, haspin is found at the centrosomes and spindle during mitosis. Haspin RNA interference causes misalignment of metaphase chromosomes, and overexpression delays progression through early mitosis. This work reveals a new kinase involved in composing the histone code and adds haspin to the select group of kinases that integrate regulation of chromosome and spindle function during mitosis and meiosis.
A Mitochondrial Mutator System in Maize
Authors: Kuzmin Evgeny V. , Duvick Donald N. , Newton Kathleen J.
Published: January 2005

The P2 line of maize (Zea mays) is characterized by mitochondrial genome destabilization, initiated by recessive nuclear mutations. These alleles alter copy number control of mitochondrial subgenomes and disrupt normal transfer of mitochondrial genomic components to progeny, resulting in differences in mitochondrial DNA profiles among sibling plants and between parents and progeny. The mitochondrial DNA changes are often associated with variably defective phenotypes, reflecting depletion of essential mitochondrial genes. The P2 nuclear genotype can be considered a natural mutagenesis system for maize mitochondria. It dramatically accelerates mitochondrial genomic divergence by increasing low copy-number subgenomes, by rapidly amplifying aberrant recombination products, and by causing the random loss of normal components of the mitochondrial genomes.