bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An artificial neural network classification method employing longitudinally monitored immune biomarkers to predict the clinical outcome of critically ill COVID-19 patients
Authors: Martinez Gustavo , Garduno Alexis , Mahmud-Al-Rafat Abdullah , Ostadgavahi Ali Toloue , Avery Ann , de Avila e Silva Scheila , Cusack Rachael , Cameron Cheryl , Cameron Mark , Martin-Loeches Ignacio , Kelvin David
Published: December 2022

Background

The severe form of COVID-19 can cause a dysregulated host immune syndrome that might lead patients to death. To understand the underlying immune mechanisms that contribute to COVID-19 disease we have examined 28 different biomarkers in two cohorts of COVID-19 patients, aiming to systematically capture, quantify, and algorithmize how immune signals might be associated to the clinical outcome of COVID-19 patients.

Methods

The longitudinal concentration of 28 biomarkers of 95 COVID-19 patients was measured. We performed a dimensionality reduction analysis to determine meaningful biomarkers for explaining the data variability. The biomarkers were used as input of artificial neural network, random forest, classification and regression trees, k-nearest neighbors and support vector machines. Two different clinical cohorts were used to grant validity to the findings.

Results

We benchmarked the classification capacity of two COVID-19 clinicals studies with different models and found that artificial neural networks was the best classifier. From it, we could employ different sets of biomarkers to predict the clinical outcome of COVID-19 patients. First, all the biomarkers available yielded a satisfactory classification. Next, we assessed the prediction capacity of each protein separated. With a reduced set of biomarkers, our model presented 94% accuracy, 96.6% precision, 91.6% recall, and 95% of specificity upon the testing data. We used the same model to predict 83% and 87% (recovered and deceased) of unseen data, granting validity to the results obtained.

Conclusions

In this work, using state-of-the-art computational techniques, we systematically identified an optimal set of biomarkers that are related to a prediction capacity of COVID-19 patients. The screening of such biomarkers might assist in understanding the underlying immune response towards inflammatory diseases.
О чем рассказала ископаемая рыба без головы, "Природа"
Authors: Комаров В.Н. , Самохвалов С.А. , Красовская Б.П.
Published: December 2022

Приведены данные о новой редкой находке скелета костистой рыбы в отложениях нижнего маастрихта Горного Крыма.
Академик А.А.Борисяк: труды и память К 150-летию со дня рождения, "Природа"
Authors: Лопатин А.В.
Published: December 2022

В июле 2022 г. исполнилось 150 лет со дня рождения академика А.А.Борисяка, создателя отечественной научной школы палеонтологии позвоночных, организатора и первого директора Палеонтологического института, основателя и первого заведующего кафедрой палеонтологии Московского университета. Он был членом-учредителем Русского палеонтологического общества, академиком-секретарем Отделения математических и естественных наук АН СССР, главным редактором журналов «Природа» и «Доклады Академии наук». В статье дан краткий обзор научных и научно-организационных итогов работы Борисяка, а также приведены сведения о названных в его честь таксонах ископаемых организмов (два рода, 45 видов, один подвид).
КОСМАТЫЕ ПРИШЕЛЬЦЫ, "Земля и Вселенная"
Authors: Базилевский А.Т.
Published: December 2022

Кометы – это небольшие небесные тела, обращающиеся вокруг Солнца по сильно вытянутым орбитам. Они разделяются на короткопериодические (период обращения вокруг Солнца менее 200 лет) и долгопериодические (период более 200 лет). У кометы есть твердое ядро, обычно поперечником от сотен метров до нескольких десятков километров, содержащее водяной лед и другие летучие компоненты. При приближении к Солнцу летучие компоненты ядра испаряются и устремляются от поверхности «вверх», увлекая твердые частицы, в результате чего образуется окружающая ядро газопылевая кома, а давление солнечных лучей приводит к образованию у кометы газопылевого хвоста. Материал ядра кометы твердый, но сильно пористый и непрочный. На его поверхности видны трещины, впадины неправильной формы и разнообразные возвышенности. При всей необычности, с точки зрения земного геолога, условий на поверхности ядра кометы там «работают» обычные геологические процессы. Так, твердый материал ядра с поверхности превращается в рыхлый покров, на крутых склонах материал сползает и ссыпается вниз, а также формируются рельеф и микрорельеф, облики которых определяются степенью устойчивости к разрушению. Подробному описанию этих процессов и посвящена статья.
ПРИМЕНЕНИЕ VR-ТЕХНОЛОГИЙ В ОБРАЗОВАТЕЛЬНЫХ ЗАДАЧАХ НА ПРИМЕРЕ СОЗДАНИЯ СИМУЛЯТОРА ДОБЫЧИ, ОБРАБОТКИ И АНАЛИЗА ЛЕДЯНОГО КЕРНА, "Земля и Вселенная"
Authors: Белоусова М.Д. , Гасанов А.А. , Проскурякова Е.М.
Published: December 2022

Одним из возможных подходов к изучению геологических и атмосферных изменений является анализ ледяных кернов – цилиндрических образцов твердого вещества, состоящих преимущественно изо льда. Подобные сложные процедуры требуется заранее подготовить и отработать в безопасной среде. Например, подобные тренировки можно проводить с использованием технологий виртуальной реальности. В данной статье рассматривается опыт создания виртуального симулятора добычи ледяного керна на твердом небесном теле. Рассмотрен полный цикл разработки VR-приложения с учетом специфики использования контента в образовательных задачах. Симулятор успешно применялся в программе «Летней Космической Школы – 2021».
ПРИНЦИПЫ “ЭКОНОМИЧЕСКОЙ ТЕПЛОФИЗИКИ” В ПОЛИТИКЕ И ЭКОНОМИКЕ, "Энергия: экономика, техника, экология"
Authors: Розин С.Е. , Щёлоков Я.М. , Лисиенко В.Г.
Published: December 2022

Современная политика – это не просто “концентрированное выражение экономики”, а результат их непрерывного взаимодействия: они одновременно самостоятельны и взаимозависимы, поддерживают и ограничивают друг друга, а порой противоборствуют (например, санкции “коллективного Запада” против России). При этом практика показывает, что влияние политики на экономику происходит намного быстрее, чем экономики на политику.
, "Энергия: экономика, техника, экология"
Authors: Козловский В.Н. , Айдаров Д.В. , Панюков Д.И. , Благовещенский Д.И.
Published: December 2022

Внастоящее время российская автомобильная промышленность так же, как и мировая, практически каждое десятилетие сталкивается с кризисными явлениями. Так было не всегда. Ещё вначале нулевых отечественные предприятия отрасли стояли особняком на внутреннем рынке, практически не имея конкурентов, были монополистами. Годовые производственные планы формировались практически только с учётом производственных мощностей. Вся продукция находила конечного потребителя. Даже в тяжёлых условиях 90-х, когда нередко возникали перебои с поставками комплектующих, предприятия выживали за счёт того, что продукция не застаивалась на складах. Причём каким бы качеством эта продукция не обладала, она всегда находила потребителя, который зачастую самостоятельно доводил автомобиль до нужной кондиции.
ЧИСЛЕННОЕ ИССЛЕДОВАНИЕ ВЛИЯНИЯ ВЕТРОВОЙ СИТУАЦИИ В ТАГАНРОГСКОМ ЗАЛИВЕ НА УРОВЕНЬ ВОДЫ В ДЕЛЬТЕ ДОНА, "Наука юга России"
Authors: Чикин А.Л. , Клещенков А.В. , Чикина Л.Г. , Коршун А.М.
Published: December 2022

Представлена математическая модель, объединяющая в себе две модели: модель гидродинамики Азовского моря и модель движения воды в основных рукавах дельты Дона. Предложенный подход позволяет по рассчитанным значениям уровня воды в принимающем водоеме определять гидродинамические характеристики руслового потока в основных рукавах дельты Дона в зависимости от ветровой ситуации в Азовском море и Таганрогском заливе. Это особо ценно для бесшовного анализа общей гидродинамики в устьевой области Дона, что может оказаться полезным в будущем для оценки транспорта общей взвеси, микропластика, интрузий соленых вод и исследования иных типов загрязнения. Сравнение наблюдавшихся и расчетных значений уровня воды в исследованной области демонстрирует удовлетворительное качество получаемых результатов, что говорит о достаточной адекватности представленной модели, однако расчетные значения в основном несколько завышены по сравнению с зарегистрированными данными. Возможна дополнительная корректировка расчетных значений с помощью поправочных коэффициентов. Предлагаемая методика может применяться и для других водоемов при совместном расчете течений в устьевых руслах и ветровых течений в принимающем водоеме.
ВИДОВОЕ РАЗНООБРАЗИЕ ДИАТОМОВЫХ ВОДОРОСЛЕЙ РЕКИ ТЕМЕРНИК, "Наука юга России"
Authors: Ковалева Г.В. , Усанова А.В. , Алешина Е.Г. , Назаренко А.В.
Published: December 2022

Впервые приводятся сведения о видовом разнообразии эпифитных диатомовых водорослей р. Темерник (на территории парка им. Октября, г. Ростов-на-Дону). В результате изучения трех проб (октябрь 2021 и апрель май 2022 г.) было идентифицировано 50 видов диатомовых водорослей из 28 родов. Сезонная динамика видового разнообразия эпифитного сообщества р. Темерник была неоднородной: в октябре идентифицировано 46 видов из 25 родов, в апреле – всего 7 видов из 5 родов, в начале мая 23 вида из 13 родов. Отмечены сезонные отличия на уровне родов. Осенью в перифитонном сообществе преобладали представители родов Nitzschia, Rhoicosphenia, Bacillaria, Navicula, весной доминировали Gomphonema spp., Synedra, Tabularia, Navicula spp. В обрастаниях также отмечено несколько планктонных видов: Chaetoceros muelleri, Entomoneis paludosa, Cyclotella atomus, Cyclotella meneghiniana, Cyclostephanos dubius. Помимо типичных для рек пресноводных видов выявлены пресноводно-солоноватоводные, солоноватоводные и солоноватоводно-морские виды: Navicula salinarum, Pleurosigma elongatum, Pleurosira laevis, Surirella ovalis, Tabularia tabulata, Tryblionella littoralis var. tergestina, T. apiculate, T. hungarica. Как показал гидрохимический анализ, значения общей минерализации воды в исследованных точках р. Темерник (в среднем 2,4 г/л) приближается к солености вод восточной части Таганрогского залива (в среднем 2,75 ‰). Такие условия создают предпосылки для инвазии в пресноводный биотоп солоноватоводных видов, не типичных для рек. Обсуждается вероятность таких инвазий на примере вида Pleurosira laevis, обнаруженного в р. Темерник в октябре 2021 г. Пока нет однозначного ответа на вопрос о путях проникновения P. laevis, но в случае с р. Темерник, которая не является судоходной (даже для маломерных судов и лодок), а также не подвергалась зарыблению, наиболее вероятным путем инвазии предложен вариант воздушного переноса с птицами. В парке им. Октября круглогодично обитает большое количество птиц, часть из которых (чайки, бакланы и пр.) могут переносить на своем оперении микрочастицы (к которым относятся и диатомовые водоросли) из дельты Дона и из Таганрогского залива, что требует пристального внимания исследователей.
ОЦЕНКА СОСТОЯНИЯ ПОПУЛЯЦИЙ ГРЕБНЕВИКОВ MNEMIOPSIS LEIDYI А. AGASSIZ, 1865 И ВEROE OVATA BRUGUI?RE, 1789 В РОССИЙСКОМ СЕКТОРЕ КАСПИЙСКОГО МОРЯ В АВГУСТЕ 2021 г., "Наука юга России"
Authors: Ушивцев В.Б. , Саяпин В.В. , Олейников Е.П. , Галактионова М.Л.
Published: December 2022

Изучено различие в сроках формирования сезонных псевдопопуляций гребневиков Mnemiopsis leidyi А. Agassiz, 1865 и Beroe ovata Brugui re, 1789 в северо-западной части Каспийского моря. В августе 2021 г. биомасса Mnemiopsis leidyi в условиях отсутствия Beroe ovata была значительно выше, чем в ноябре 2020 г. на тех же станциях отбора проб, когда в пробах присутствовали оба вида гребневиков. Выявлено значительное увеличение доли крупных особей M. leidyi. Определен физиологический барьер для вертикального распространения желетелых, которым являлась граница термоклина, находившаяся в августе 2021 г. в исследованном районе на глубинах 20–22 м. Применение бортового телеметрического комплекса существенно дополняет информацию об особенностях вертикального распространения организмов желетелого макрозоопланктона.
UV/visible Spectroscopic Studies and Analytical Evaluation of Dicliptera verticillate Leaves Extracts as Eco-friendly Indicator for Acid-Base Titration
Authors: Nsi Edet W. , Akpakpan Aniekan E. , Uwanta Emaime J. , Akpanudo Nyeneime W. , Akpan Itohowo O.
Published: December 2022

Synthetic indicators usually employed in acid-base titration to determine the end point is expensive and non-biodegradable. Hence there is need to develop an eco-friendly and cost effective acid-base indicator from plant origin to serve as efficient alternative for the synthetic indicators. This research work focused on the development of easily available, cost effective and eco-friendly indicator from Dicliptera verticillate leaves extracts for acid-base titration. UV/visible spectrometer was used to analyzed the ethanol extract (EE), ethanol extract in basic medium (EEB), ethanol extract in acidic medium (EEA), hot water extract (HWE), Hot water extract in basic medium (HWEB) and hot water extract in acidic medium (HWEA) to determine the wavelength of maximum absorption (λmax), and the absorbance of the extracts in different media in order to evaluate the chromophoric properties of the plant extracts phytochemicals before and after titrations. Titrimetric analysis was carried out in the reactions of strong acid/strong base (HCl/NaOH), strong acid/weak base (HCl/NH4OH), weak acid/strong base (CH3COOH /NaOH) and weak acid/weak base (CH3COOH/NH4OH). The results revealed that both extracts exhibit hypsochromic shift (shift to a shorter wavelength) with corresponding hypochromic effect (decreased in the absorption intensity) in both acidic and basic media. The titrimetric results revealed that the plant extracts give the end point comparable to that of the synthetic indicators such as methyl orange and phenolphthalein. Hence ethanol and hot water extracts of Dicliptera Verticillate can be utilized as suitable alternative indicators for acid - based titrations, since it is biodegradable and cost effective.
Management and Organization of Storage in Hospitals, Health Storehouses, and Health Care Facilities
Authors: Alsuliman Mohammad Nasser , Mansour Nasser Salem Al , Almansour Saleh Hatim , Atran Atran Ali Mana , Alyami Hadi Saleh Marzoog , Rashah Ismail Ahmed Al , Mansour Ali Hamad Al
Published: December 2022

Store management includes managing warehouses, inventory data, holding and storing medications, and safeguarding and protecting products. In the supply chain, a store is where we keep stock. Keeping goods on hand ensures that upcoming client demand will be met. As a result, every company keeps a certain amount of inventory on hand to meet client demand. Inventory requires many points of stocking and typically has more items than other hospital inventories. The trade-off between inventory costs and the degree of necessary service that each surgeon expects to get makes inventory management in an OR (operating room) more challenging than it would be in a manufacturing environment. The store's management should facilitate the most efficient and dependable supply chain possible without significantly compromising quality, wasting resources, or committing theft. It has been noted that the volume of data is growing exponentially over time. Scientifically, vast databases are also becoming increasingly relevant to shared resources. These sorts of enormous and vast databases are often kept in cloud-based data centers. Since the majority of scientific data is in huge volumes and organizations and industries may not always have access to the storage space, processing resources, computing capacity, or upkeep of such data. As a result, the majority of businesses employ cloud services.
Evaluation of Different Organic Manures on Growth and Yield of Chia (Salvia hispanica L.)
Authors: Chaitanya Arakanti , Murali K. , Devakumar N. , Eswarrao G. Gangadhar , Anand S. R. , Chikkaramappa T. , Ravindra Usha
Published: December 2022

A field trial was conducted during Rabi 2020-21 and 2021-22 at Research Institute on Organic framing (RIOF), University of Agricultural sciences, GKVK, Bengaluru to find out the effect of organic manures on growth and yield of chia. A three factorial randomized block design was employed with first factor as nutrient sources viz., S1 = FYM (100%) on N equivalent basis, S2= FYM + vermicompost (50:50) ratio on N equivalent basis, S3= FYM+ vermicompost (75:25) ratio on N equivalent basis, second factor viz., jeevamrutha levels J0 = Without jeevamrutha, J1= With Jeevamrutha 1000 liters ha-1 and panchagavya levels P0= Without panchagavya, P1= With Panchagavya 5% foliar spray being third factor. Pooled data of two years revealed that higher seed and haulm yield of chia (920,1480 kg ha-1 respectively) was obtained with application of (S2). Soil application of jeevamrutha (J1) resulted in higher seed and haulm yield (984, 1598 kg ha-1 respectively) and among panchagavya levels foliar application of panchagavya (P1) resulted in seed and haulm yield (952,1468 kg ha-1 respectively), besides the higher plant height, leaf area, dry matter accumulation and seed yield per plant were recorded with application of FYM+ Vermicompost (50:50) on N equivalent basis and among liquid organic manures application of jeevamrutha (1000 L ha-1)  and panchagavya 5% foliar spray resulted in higher growth and yield attributes.
Sero-Prevalence of Syphilis among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinic in Dogon Agogo Primary Health Care Centre Jos North, Plateau State, Nigeria
Authors: Iliyasu M. Y. , Inusa T. , Sahal M. R. , Ismai’l S. , Umar R. D. , Tahir H. , Kabeer Z. M. , Musa H. S. , Amamma A. L.
Published: December 2022

Background: Syphilis remains a public health problem in many parts of the world, including Nigeria, where is common during pregnancy.

Design and Duration: This is a cross-sectional study involving pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in Dogon Agogo Primary Health Centre, Jos North, from March 2017 to November, 2021.

Aim: The aim of this study is to seroprevalence of Syphilis among pregnant women attending Primary health care centre in Jos North,

Materials and Methods: A total of one thousand, two hundred and nineteen blood samples were screened from 2017 to 2021, using rapid diagnostic tests Patient’s demographic variables, clinical profiles and information considered to be risk factors were also collected using structured questionnaires, Patient’s demographic details, clinical profiles and information considered to be risk factors were also collected using structured questionnaires.

Results: The results showed that only 33 (2.7%) were positive. This includes 14(42.4%) patients between the age of 20 – 34 years as the highest frequency, followed by 12(36.4%) in 35 – 49 years of age. Most of the syphilis-positive patients are married 21(63.6%) and had attended tertiary level of education 13(39.4%), but mostly unemployed/Housewives 11(33.3%). The clinical profile of the participants revealed that the majority 14(42.5%) of the women that attended the facility throughout this period are in their third pregnancy and above (Multigravida). They were screened during                     the first-time visit (72.7%) and first trimester (33.3%). The pregnancy outcome among the seropositive patients showed that many 14(42.4%) undergo normal delivery, but 10(30.3%) had miscarriages. Blood transfusion (81.8%), multiple sex partners (75.8%), unprotected sexual intercourse with a person of unknown status (57.6%), and previous exposure to sexually transmitted infections (84.8%) were the most prevalent risks factors observed. The overall prevalence of syphilis across the five years of sampling was 2.71% (33 of 1219), where the highest number of cases 57.6% was recorded in the year 2020, followed by 18.2% in 2018, with 3.0% in 2019 as the least.

Conclusion: This study found that the prevalence of syphilis over the five-year period among pregnant women in this area is low. However, the study advocates the improvement of screening programs during pregnancy as part of routine antenatal care.
Diabetic Status and Other Risk Factors for Developing Pulmonary Tuberculosis: A Retrospective Cohort Study at King Abdul Aziz University Hospital, Jeddah
Authors: Mehrin Sumyia , Albishi Wallaa Khalid
Published: December 2022

Background: Pulmonary and extrapulmonary tuberculosis is an emerging public health challenge among diabetic (DM) patients. Diabetes is a known cause of immunosuppression and is recognized as an independent risk factor for tuberculosis (TB). Diabetes and tuberculosis frequently coexist and influence each other [1]. This study investigates diabetes mellitus as a risk factor for developing pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) compared to extra-pulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB).

Materials and Methods: This retrospective cohort study included all culture-confirmed, and PCR-positive TB patients (PTB 522 and EPTB 173) reported to King Abdul Aziz University Hospital, Jeddah, between January 2012 to January 2021. The categorical baseline characteristic of PTB and EPTB patients has been compared with DM status using Pearson chi-square and Fisher's exact test. The univariable and multivariable logistic regression model was used to estimate the association between DM and different sites of TB (PTB and EPTB).

Results: Of 695 diagnosed TB patients, 215 (30.94%) are diabetic. The percentage of PTB is (75.11%), and EPTB is (24.89%) as a risk factor; DM shows a significant association with PTB in both univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis. Age, smoking status, dyslipidemia, and other comorbidities are also significantly associated with PTB (P value <0.05).

Conclusion: In this study, we found a high rate of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) among diabetic patients. Proper management of DM and TB infection might increase TB control and prevent PTB and EPTB development in the Saudi population.
Measures to Enhance the Use of Geosynthetics for Civil Infrastructure Projects: An Example from Ghana
Authors: Somiah Matthew Kwaw , Brobbey Daniel Ackah , Awere Eric
Published: December 2022

This study sought to establish measures to enhance the use of geosynthetics for civil infrastructure projects in Ghana and determine the relative impact of each measure. It employed the Delphi technique, and a structured questionnaire aided the data collection from 15 expert panellists. At least a good consensus was reached in the views of the expert panellists regarding 14 measures to enhance the use of geosynthetics in Ghana after two rounds of a Delphi survey. Out of the 14 measures, there was a strong consensus in the views of the expert panellists regarding 3 measures as they recorded median values within the range (VHI: 9.00-10.00) signifying very high impact. These measures were, readily availability of geosynthetic products in the market, availability of design manuals for geosynthetics design, and educating construction practitioners on geosynthetics options for meeting their infrastructure needs. A good consensus was attained in the views of the expert panellists for the remaining 11 measures as they recorded median scores within the range (HI: 7.00-8.99) signifying high impact. Moreso, 2 out of the 14 measures were unique to this study in Ghana: setting up of a geosynthetic think tank to advocate for the use of geosynthetics, and promoting geosynthetics usage in the manifestos of political parties. In terms of relative impact index ranking, readily availability of geosynthetic products in the market with RII score of 0.91 ranked 1st whereas increase geosynthetics education and exposure for prospective and practising civil engineers with RII of 0.79 ranked 14th. This study is unique in that it applies the Delphi technique and empirically establishes the measures to enhance the use of geosynthetics for civil infrastructure projects giving an example from Africa, specifically Ghana which hitherto was not in existence.
Identification of glutamate β54 as the covalent‐catalytic residue in the active site of glutaconate CoA‐transferase from Acidaminococcus fermentans
Authors: Mack Matthias , Buckel Wolfgang
Published: July 2002

In the course of glutamate fermentation by Acidaminococcus fermentans glutaconate coenzyme A‐transferase catalyzes the transfer of CoAS− from acetyl‐CoA to (R)‐2‐hydroxyg;utarate, forming (R)‐2‐hydroxyglutaryl‐CoA. Glutamate (E) 54 of the β‐subunit was postulated to be directly involved in catalysis by formation of a CoASH ester intermediate [(1994) Eur. J. Biochem., in press]. In order to prove this preliminary result, the following mutations, βE54A, βE64A, βE54Q and βE54D, were introduced by mismatch oligonucleotide priming. As expected, βE54A was inactive (0.02% of the wild‐type), whereas βE64A and βE54D were active, 30% and >7%, respectively. However, no CoASH intermediate was detected in the latter mutant, indicating a change in the catalytic mechanism. The activity of the βE54Q mutant increased from 1% to almost 100% upon incubation with acetyl‐CoA and glutaconate at 37°C within 40 h. Hence, the substrates induced the conversion of the mutant glutamine residue into the glutamate residue of the wild‐type enzyme.
Two molecules of cytochrome c function as the electron donors to P840 in the reaction center complex isolated from a green sulfur bacterium, Chlorobium tepidum
Authors: Oh-oka Hirozo , Kamei Shoichiro , Matsubara Hiroshi , Iwaki Masayo , Itoh Shigeru
Published: July 2002

A photoactive reaction center complex was isolated from a thermophilic green sulfur bacterium, Chlorobium tepidum under anaerobic conditions. The electron transfer occurred from heme c to the photo‐oxidized reaction center chlorophyll, P840+, with a half time () of 110 or 340 μs at 24 or 12°C, respectively. Optical measurements under multiflash excitations indicated that two hemes function as the immediate electron donors to P840+. SDS‐PAGE analysis of the RC complex in combination with the N‐terminal amino acid sequence analyses revealed five subunit bands; a core protein (65 kDa), the light harvesting bacteriochlorophyll a protein (41 kDa), a protein with 2[4Fe‐4S] clusters (31 kDa), monoheme cytochrome c (22 kDa), and a 18‐kDa protein whose function is unknown. The reaction center complex, thus, contains two molecules of cytochrome c per P840.
HiPIP oxido‐reductase activity in membranes from aerobically grown cells of the facultative phototroph Rhodoferax fermentans
Authors: Hochkoeppler Alejandro , Kofod Pauli , Zannoni Davide
Published: July 2002

The role of the periplasmically located, water‐soluble, HiPIP (high‐potential iron‐sulfur protein) in the respiratory chain of the facultative phototroph Rhodoferax fermentans has been examined. The oxidized HiPIP is reduced by succinate‐dependent respiration via the bc
1 complex, this reaction being inhibited by myxothiazol and/or stigmatellin. The reduced HiPIP can be oxidized by the membrane‐bound cytochrome oxidase, this reaction being inhibited by 0.1 mM cyanide. We conclude that aerobically grown Rf. fermentans contains a redox chain in which HiPIP mediates electron transfer between the bc
1 complex and the cb‐type cytochrome oxidase.
Identification of regulatory proteins that might be involved in carbon catabolite repression of the aminopeptidase I gene of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Bordallo Javier , Suárez-Rendueles Paz
Published: July 2002

Transcription of the vacuolar aminopeptidase yscI (APE1) gene in Saccharomyces cerevisiae has previously been suggested to require the participation of a cis upstream activation sequence (UAS) involved in carbon catabolite repression that responds to glucose. To determine the structure of the APE1 UAS element, we used the 18‐bp sequence 5′‐ATGAAT‐TAGTCAGCTTCT‐3′ as the DNA‐binding site. Using gel mobility shift assays, we have identified a 78 kDa protein from yeast that binds specifically to both single and double‐stranded forms of the UAS DNA‐binding site. We have also identified a 48 kDa heterodimer from yeast that binds specifically to the single‐stranded form of the UAS and whose DNA binding activity is remarkably heat stable. Even though the APE1 UAS contains a consensus sequence for the binding of the yeast activator protein yAP1, the two DNA‐protein complexes could still be detected in a strain bearing a deletion in the YAP1 gene.
The high stability of cruzipain against pH‐induced inactivation is not dependent on its C‐terminal domain
Authors: Stoka Veronika , Turk Boris , McKerrow James H. , Björk Ingemar , Cazzulo Juan José , Turk Vito
Published: July 2002

Unlike mammalian lysosomal cysteine proteases, the trypanosomal cysteine protease cruzipain contains a 130‐amino acid residue C‐terminal domain, in addition to the catalytic domain, and it is stable at neutral pH. The endogenous (with C‐terminal domain) and recombinant (without C‐terminal domain) cruzipains exhibit similar stabilities at both acid (kinac=3.1×10−3 s−1 and 4.4×10−3 s−1 at pH 2.75 for endogenous and recombinant cruzipain, respectively) and alkaline pH (kinac=3.0×10−3 s−1 and 3.7×10−3 s−1 at pH 9.15 for endogenous and recombinant cruzipain, respectively). The pH‐induced inactivation, which is a highly pH dependent first order process, is irreversible and accompanied by significant changes of secondary and tertiary structure as revealed by circular dichroism measurements. The different stability of cruzipain as compared to related proteases, is therefore due mainly to the different number, nature and distribution of charged residues within the catalytic domain and not due to addition of the C‐terminal domain.
Reactivity of 3‐HBA‐6‐Hydroxylase with Diethylpyrocarbonate and Ns‐Bromosuccinimide: Effect of Chemical Modifications on Kinetic and Spectral Properties of the Enzyme
Authors: Sumathi Suresh , Dasgupta Deepak
Published: July 2002

The rapid inactivation of 3‐HBA‐6‐hydroxylase by 100 μM diethylpyrocarbonate or 40 μM N‐bromosuccinimide and protection offered by the substrate, 3‐hydroxybenzoate, against these chemical modifications implicate the involvement of histidine and tryptophan in the catalytic activity of the enzyme. Inactivation of the enzyme by diethylpyrocarbonate followed pseudo‐first‐order kinetics, and an “n” value of 1.3 was obtained. Inactivation of the enzyme by N‐bromosuccinimide was instantaneous and failed to follow pseudo‐first‐order kinetics. Distinct and incremental changes in the UV absorption, emission fluorescence, and near UV‐CD spectra of the enzyme upon its titration with increasing concentrations of diethylpyrocarbonate or N‐bromosuccinimide may be ascribed to modification and/or changes in the microenvironment of aromatic amino acid residue(s) such as tryptophan in the enzyme.
Stable, Long‐Term Bacterial Production of Soluble, Dimeric, Disulfide‐Bonded Protein Pharmaceuticals without Antibiotic Selection
Authors: Mantile Giuditta , Fuchs Chana , Cordella‐Miele Eleonora , Peri Alessandro , Mukherjee Anil B. , Miele Lucio
Published: July 2002

Numerous biopharmaceuticals and other recombinant biotechnology products are made in prokaryotic hosts. However, bacterial production of native, biologically active eukaryotic proteins is rarely possible for disulfide‐bonded and/or multisubunit proteins. We previously described the production of soluble, native disulfide‐bonded dimeric proteins in the Escherichia coli cytoplasm (Miele et al., 1990; Mantile et al., 1993). Native, biologically active proteins with up to six disulfide bonds have been produced with our expression system (Garces et al., 1997). However, plasmid instability during induction limited its usefulness. We now report the stable, high‐level expression of soluble, disulfide‐bonded human uteroglobin without antibiotic selection. We designed a new vector containing a multifunctional stabilization region that confers complete plasmid stability and increased protein yields without copy number increases. Recombinant expression remains fully inducible after long‐term continuous culture in nonselective liquid medium (at least 260 generations). This system may significantly expand the applications of bacterial expression to recombinant production of soluble, bioactive proteins for biochemical studies and biopharmaceutical/industrial purposes. As a result of the very broad activity spectrum of the stabilization region we selected, its use could be extended to bacterial hosts other than enterobacteria.
Two MSA 2 peptides that bind to human red blood cells are relevant to Plasmodium falciparum merozoite invasion
Authors: Ocampo M. , Urquiza M. , Guzmán F. , Rodriguez L.E. , Suarez J. , Curtidor H. , Rosas J. , Diaz M. , Patarroyo M.E.
Published: July 2002

Abstract: Plasmodium falciparum merozoite membrane surface antigen 2 (MSA 2) has been associated with the development of protective immunity against malaria. MSA 2 antibodies were able to inhibit in vitro merozoite invasion. In our search for experimental evidence concerning the participation of MSA 2 in merozoite invasion, 40 peptides were synthesized according to sequences reported for the CAMP and FC27 prototype Plasmodium strains. These peptides were purified, 125I‐radiolabeled and tested for their ability to bind to erythrocytes. Two MSA 2 synthetic peptides with high specific binding to human erythrocytes were found. The peptide coded 4044 (KNESKYSNTFINNAYNMSIR), located in the MSA 2 N‐terminal conserved region, has an affinity coefficient of 72 nm and showed a positive cooperativity for the receptor–ligand interaction. The other peptide, coded 4053 (NPNHKNAETNPKGKGEVQKP) and located in the central variable region of MSA 2, has an affinity coefficient of 49 nm and also showed a positive cooperativity for the receptor–ligand interaction. The binding capacity of these peptides is affected by erythrocytes treated with neuraminidase and trypsin, but it is not affected by chymotrypsin. Both of these sequences inhibit in vitro erythrocyte parasite invasion by up to 95% suggesting that they have an important role in the parasite’s invasion process. Furthermore, as published previously [A. Saul et al. (1992) J. Immunol., 148, 208–211], a protective B epitope is included in the 4044 peptide sequence.
Do early childhood immunizations influence the development of atopy and do they cause allergic reactions?
Authors: Grüber C. , Nilsson L. , Björkstén B.
Published: July 2002

Concerns about allergic side‐effects of vaccines and about a possible promotion of allergic diseases contribute to incomplete vaccination rates in childhood. This article reviews the current understanding of these issues. There is evidence that pertussis and diphtheria/tetanus antigens elicit immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibody formation as part of the immune response. In murine models, pertussis toxin is an effective adjuvant for IgE formation against simultaneously administered antigens. In children, however, sensitization to unrelated antigens or development of allergic diseases do not seem to be augmented. In contrast, bacille Calmette–Guérin (BCG) and measles vaccination have been proposed as suppressors of allergy because of their T helper 1 (Th1)‐fostering properties. In the murine system, BCG inhibits allergic sensitization and airway hyper‐reactivity. Some epidemiological studies in humans suggest an inhibitory effect of tuberculosis on allergy. BCG vaccination in children, however, has no or merely a marginal suppressive effect on atopy. Other vaccine components such as egg proteins, gelatin, and antibiotics are a potential hazard to children with severe clinical reactions to these allergens. These rare children should be vaccinated under special precautions. In conclusion, vaccination programs do not explain the increasing prevalence of allergic diseases, but individual children may uncommonly develop an allergic reaction to a vaccine. The risks of not vaccinating children, however, far outweigh the risk for allergy. Therefore, childhood vaccination remains an essential part of child health programs and should not be withheld, even from children predisposed for allergy.
DENTED Reports
Authors: Shanley D. B.
Published: July 2002

The DENTED project ‐ A quality network with a European Perspective

An abriged version of a paper delivered to the Plenary Session of DENTED held in Dublin in September 1998 by Professor Madeline Rohlin

Background

During the last decade, governments in European Countries have given more autonomy to higher education institutions. This filtering down of power and responsibility calls paradoxically for more local planning, accountability and control (1). This has led to a growing interest in quality and infunctioning systems of quality assessment and enhancement. Quality assessment here means a structured activity, which leads to a judgement of the quality of the teaching/learning process and/or research (2). As a system of quality assessment and enhancement should be shaped with the objectives in mind and adapted to the context, it is of the utmost importance to define the motives of an actual assessment
Macrophage uptake of low-density lipoprotein bound to aggregated C-reactive protein: possible mechanism of foam-cell formation in atherosclerotic lesions
Authors: FU Tao , BORENSZTAJN Jayme
Published: July 2002

Foam cells found in atherosclerotic lesions are believed to derive from macrophages that take up aggregated low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particles bound to the extracellular matrix of arterial walls. C-reactive protein (CRP) is an acute-phase protein found in atherosclerotic lesions, which when immobilized on a solid phase, can bind and cluster LDL particles in a calcium-dependent manner. In the present study, we examined whether CRP-bound aggregated LDL could be taken up by macrophages in culture. CRP molecules were aggregated in the presence of calcium and immobilized on the surface of polystyrene microtitre wells. Human LDL added to the wells bound to and aggregated on the immobilized CRP, also in a calcium-dependent manner. On incubation with macrophages, the immobilized CRP-bound LDL aggregates were readily taken up by the cells, as demonstrated by immunofluorescence microscopy, by the cellular accumulation of cholesterol and by the overexpression of adipophilin. Immunofluorescence microscopy and flow-cytometry analysis established that the uptake of the LDL—CRP complex was not mediated by the CRP receptor CD32. These observations with immobilized CRP and LDL, approximating the conditions that exist in the extracellular matrix of the arterial wall, thus suggest that CRP may contribute to the formation of foam cells in atherosclerotic lesions by causing the aggregation of LDL molecules that are then taken up by macrophages through a CD32-independent pathway.
Unintended pregnancy and preterm birth
Authors: Orr S.T. , Miller C.A. , James S.A. , Babones S.
Published: July 2002

About one‐third of all pregnancies that result in live births in the US are unintended. Despite the large number of these births, little is known about the outcomes of unintended pregnancies. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the association between intendedness of pregnancy and preterm birth in a large prospective cohort of women who reported for prenatal care. Pregnant, black, low‐income women were enrolled into this study at four hospital‐based prenatal care clinics and one off‐site hospital‐affiliated prenatal clinic in Baltimore City. A self‐administered questionnaire to assess demographic and psychosocial data was completed by each woman in the cohort at the time of enrolment in the study. The questionnaire contained an item to measure intendedness of the pregnancy. A total of 922 women comprised the final sample for analysis. For the analyses, intendedness was dichotomised as: intended (wanted now or sooner) vs. unintended (mistimed, unwanted or unsure). Overall, 13.7% of all births to women in the sample were preterm. In a logistic regression model, after controlling for potential confounding by clinical and behavioural predictors of preterm delivery, unintended pregnancy was significantly associated with preterm delivery (adjusted RR = 1.82, 95% confidence interval [1.08,3.08], P = 0.026). In this study of a cohort of urban, clinic‐attending, low‐income, pregnant black women, unintended pregnancy had a statistically significant association with preterm birth. After adjustment for behavioural and clinical risks, women with unintended pregnancies had almost twice the risk of a preterm delivery as women with intended pregnancies.
Kinetic analysis of a simplified scheme of autocatalytic zymogen activation
Authors: Wu Jia‐Wei , Wu Ying , Wang Zhi‐Xin
Published: July 2002

Proteolytic enzymes are usually biosynthesized as somewhat larger inactive precursors known as zymogens. These zymogens must undergo an activation process, usually a limited proteolysis, to attain their catalytic activity. When the activating enzyme and the activated enzyme coincide, the process is an autocatalytic zymogen activation. In the present study, a kinetic analysis of the entire progress curve for the autocatalytic zymogen activation reactions is presented. On the basis of the kinetic equations, a novel procedure is developed to evaluate the kinetic parameters of the reactions. This procedure is particularly useful for the fast zymogen autoactivation reactions. As two examples, the novel procedure is used to analyse the autocatalytic activation of bovine trypsinogen and human blood coagulation factor XII (Hageman factor).
Isolation and characterization of monoclonal antibodies directed against murine FRP‐1/CD98/4F2 heavy chain: Murine FRP‐1 is an alloantigen and amino acid change at 129 (P←→R) is related to the alloantigenicity
Authors: Tsumura Hideki , Kawano Mitsuo , Tajima Masanori , Kusaura Takashi , Kozuka Yuuji , Yoshimura Satoshi , Komada Hiroshi , Tsurudome Masato , Nishio Machiko , Kusagawa Shigeru , Shimura Keishirou , Ito Yasuhiko
Published: July 2002

Nineteen mAb directed against murine fusion regulatory protein‐1 (mFRP‐1)/4F2/CD98 were isolated and their biological properties were analysed. Intriguingly, mFRP‐1 was found to be an alloantigen, namely, FRP‐1.1 (DBA/2 and CBA mice type) and FRP‐1.2 (BALB/c, C57BL/6 and C3H/He mice type). The nucleotide sequences of FRP‐1.1 and FRP‐1.2 were determined, demonstrating that amino acid change at 129 (P←→R) is related to the alloantigenicity. mFRP‐1 is expressed on thymocytes, on spleen cells, on peripheral lymphocytes and on blood monocytes, suggesting that the physiological role in vivo of murine FRP‐1 is different from that of human FRP‐1. The biological activities of antimFRP‐1 mAbs showed by the present study are: (i) enhancement of Newcastle disease virus‐induced cell fusion; (ii) suppression of HIVgp160‐mediated cell fusion; and (iii) induction of aggregation and multinucleated giant cells of monocytes/macrophages.
Western blot analysis of bile or intestinal fluid from patients with septic shock or systemic inflammatory response syndrome, using antibodies to TNF‐α, IL‐1α and IL‐1β
Authors: Belov Larissa , Meher‐Homji Villie , Putaswamy Vikram , Miller Robert
Published: July 2002

Septic shock or systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) often develops in patients following burns, traumatic injury, surgery or biliary obstruction. Although the inflammatory cytokines TNF‐α and IL‐1 have been strongly implicated in the development of these syndromes, treatment of patients by the systemic administration of inhibitors of TNF‐α or IL‐1 has shown limited effectiveness. Recent reports suggest that septic shock may be perpetuated by inflammatory cytokines secreted by the liver in response to bacterial translocation resulting from cytokine‐induced gastrointestinal damage. The present study sought to demonstrate the presence of high levels of inflammatory cytokines in the bile or small intestine of patients suffering from septic shock or SIRS, with a view to the development of strategies for the reduction of gastrointestinal damage through intraduodenal administration of cytokine inhibitors. Western blot analysis of human bile or intestinal fluid using anti‐TNF‐α antibodies resulted in the detection of a number of bands in samples from patients with septic shock or SIRS. However, these proteins differed antigenically from human recombinant TNF‐α (rTNF‐α) and showed no activity in a biological assay for TNF‐α. Antibodies to IL‐1α and IL‐1β detected several stong bands, some of which appeared to be identical to recombinant IL‐1α and IL‐1β. It is concluded that proteins resembling several known inflammatory cytokines are present in the bile and intestine of septic shock patients, but it is suggested that further work is required to determine the nature and function of these molecules.
Insulin lispro (Lys(B28), Pro(B29)) in the treatment of diabetes during the fasting month of Ramadan
Authors: Akram J. , De Verga V. , Group The Ramadan Study
Published: July 2002

Aims To compare insulin lispro with soluble human insulin in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus fasting during Ramadan, with respect to the rate of hypoglycaemic episodes and postprandial blood glucose values after the main meal after sunset.

Methods The insulins were compared in an open‐label, randomized, cross‐over study of 70 outpatients. Hypoglycaemic episodes were recorded by the patients in a self‐monitoring diary. Fasting, 1‐h and 2‐h postprandial blood glucose values were recorded by the patient on three consecutive days at the end of each treatment period.

Results The fasting blood glucose values before sunrise (P > 0.4) and after sunset (P > 0.6) were similar and did not differ significantly between both treatment groups. The rise in blood glucose after the main meal after sunset was 3.0 ± 0.4 mmol/l after 1 h in the insulin lispro treatment group compared to 4.3 ± 0.4 mmol/l in the soluble insulin treatment group (P < 0.01), and 2.6 ± 0.4 mmol/l after 2 h with insulin lispro compared to 4.0 ± 0.5 mmol/l with soluble insulin (P < 0.008). Mean hypoglycaemic episodes per patient over 14 days were 1.3 ± 0.1 vs. 2.6 ± 0.2, P < 0.002, respectively, for insulin lispro and soluble insulin. Most hypoglycaemic episodes occurred during the time period from 6 h after the before sunrise meal until breaking the fast after sunset.

Conclusions The significantly lower rate of hypoglycaemic episodes combined with better control of postprandial blood glucose suggest insulin lispro may be more suitable prandial insulin for patients treated with Type 2 diabetes who fast during Ramadan.
Growth of Mountain Birch Seedlings in Early‐Successional Patches: A Year‐Round Perspective
Authors: Weih M.
Published: July 2002

Abstract: Seedlings of mountain birch (Betula pubescens ssp. czerepanovii), a subarctic tree, mainly survive and establish in early‐successional patches with low vegetation cover. In particular, during the first years after seed germination, a rapid seedling growth rate is important for winter survival. Seedling growth rate is controlled by plant nitrogen (N) concentration. On a year‐round perspective, the N concentration is influenced by N uptake rate during both summer and winter and by N loss during autumn. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of autumn N loss and winter N uptake for seedling growth during summer. The study used young seedlings growing in situ in northern Sweden. Since the growth rate of whole plants cannot be measured in situ, it was estimated using a simple, empirical seedling growth model. The model was based on data from controlled experiments and validated using growth data from a field study. The field study included sequential seedling harvests which were carried out at two sites differing in altitude, from autumn 1994 until autumn 1996. The seedling growth model was used to simulate the effects on growth rate of autumn N losses and winter N uptake. It was found that a decrease in the amount of N lost in autumn and an increase in the amount of N taken up during winter could enhance the growth rate of mountain birch seedlings by the same order of magnitude as an increase in growing season soil temperature by 1 to 2 K.
Atomic layer doped field-effect transistor fabricated using Si molecular beam epitaxy
Authors: Nakagawa Kiyokazu , van Gorkum Aart A. , Shiraki Yasuhiro
Published: July 2002

Atomic layer doped field-effect transistors (ALD FETs) have been fabricated, in which n-type, δ-doped, and p-type doped regions are used as a conductive channel and a punchthrough stopper, respectively. It is shown that the ALD FET shows a high transconductance while the punchthrough current is sufficiently suppressed, indicating that the device is promising as a short-channel FET for the next generation of ultralarge scale integration.