bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Yeast sequencing reports. Sequence analysis of the ADE2 gene coding for phosphoribosylaminoimidazole carboxylase in schwanniomyces occidentalis
Authors: Gourdon Pierre , Janatova Ivana , Meilhoc Eliane , Klein Ronald D. , Costaglioli Patricia , Masson Jean Michel
Published: May 2005

We have determined the nucleotide sequence of a 3·3 kb fragment containing the gene (ADE2) encoding phosphoribosylaminoimidazole carboxylase (AIRC) from the yeast Schwanniomyces occidentalis. Translation of a 1671 bp open reading frame predicts a protein of 557 amino acids which has significant homology to AIRC from Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Schizosaccharomyces pombe. The 5′ untranslated region of the S. occidentalis gene contains a sequence corresponding to the consensus binding site of the S. cerevisiae transcription regulatory proteins GCN4, BAS1 and BAS2. The ADE2 gene nucleotide sequence has received the GenBank Accession Number U23210.
Structural features of a polypeptide carrier promoting secretion of a β‐lactamase fusion protein in yeast
Authors: Jämsä Eija , Holkeri Heidi , Vihinen Helena , Wikströum Mats , Simonen Marjo , Walse Björn , Kalkkinen Nisse , Paakkola Juha , Makarow Marja
Published: May 2005

Escherichia coli β‐lactamase was secreted into the culture medium of Saccharomyces cerevisiae in biologically active form, when fused to the C‐terminus of the hsp150δ‐carrier. The hsp150δ‐carrier is an N‐terminal fragment of the yeast hsp150 protein, having a signal peptide and consisting mostly of a 19 amino acid peptide repeated 11 times in tandem. Here we expressed the hsp150δ‐carrier fragment alone in S. cerevisiae. Apparently due to a positional effect of the gene insertion, large amounts of the hsp150δ‐carrier were synthesized. About half of the de novo synthesized carrier molecules were secreted into the culture medium, the rest remaining mostly in the pre‐Golgi compartment. The extensively O‐glycosylated carrier fragment was purified from the culture medium under non‐denaturing conditions. Circular dichroism spectroscopy showed that it had no regular secondary structure. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy showed that a non‐glycosylated synthetic peptide, the consensus sequence of the repetitive 19 amino acid peptide, also lacked secondary structure. The unstructured carrier polypeptide may facilitate proper folding and secretion of heterologous proteins attached to it.
VII. Yeast sequencing reports. The sequence of a 27 kb segment on the right arm of chromosome VII from Saccharomyces cerevisiae reveals MOL1, NAT2, RPL30B, RSR1, CYS4, PEM1/CHO2, NSR1 genes and ten new open reading frames
Authors: Skala Jacek , Nawrocki Arkadiusz , Goffeau Andre
Published: May 2005

The DNA sequence of a 26 677 bp fragment from the right arm of chromosome VII from Saccharomyces cerevisiae reveals 18 open reading frames (ORFs) longer than 300 bp. Eight ORFs correspond to previously characterized genes. G6620 is the 3′ end of the MOL1 gene coding for a polypeptide similar to stress‐inducible proteins from Fusarium; G6630 is the NAT2 gene which encodes a methionine N‐acetyltransferase; G6635 is the RPL30B gene coding for the ribosomal protein L30; G6658 is RSR1 encoding a ras‐related protein; G6667 is CYS4, the gene for cystathionine β‐synthase; G6670 is identical to ORF2 located close to CYS4; G6673 is PEM1/CHO2 encoding a phosphatidylethanolamine methyltransferase; G7001 is the NSR1 gene coding for a nuclear signal recognition protein. G6664 shares significant homology with the ORF YKR076w from chromosome XI. The other nine ORFs show no significant homology to any protein sequence presently available in the public data bases. The sequence has been deposited in the EMBL data library under Accession Number X85807.
The mae1 gene of Schizosaccharomyces pombe encodes a permease for malate and other C4 dicarboxylic acids
Authors: Grobler Jandre , Bauer Florian , Subden Ron E. , Van Vuuren Hendrik J. J.
Published: May 2005

The mae1 gene of the yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe was identified on the basis of its ability to complement a mutant defective in the transport of malic acid. Analysis of the DNA sequence revealed an open reading frame of 1314 base pairs, encoding a polypeptide of 438 amino acids with a predicted molecular weight of 49 kDa. A hydropathy profile of the predicted amino acid sequence revealed a protein with ten membrane‐spanning or associated domains and hydrophilic N‐ and C‐ termini. The predicted secondary structure of the protein is similar to models proposed for other integral mambrane proteins from both prokaryotes and eukaryotes. The S. pombe mae1 gene encodes a single mRNA of 1·5 kb. The mae1 gene is expressed constitutively and is not subject to catabolite repression as was previously reported for the malate permease systems of Candida utilis and Hansenula anomala. The mae1 gene was mapped 2842 bp 5′ to the MFm1 gene on chromosome I. Transport assays revealed that the mae1 gene encodes a permease involved in the uptake of L‐malate, succinate and malonic acid. The sequence of the S. pombe mae1 gene is available in GenBank under Accession Number U21002.
Detection method for polygalacturonase‐producing strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Gainvors A. , Belarbi A.
Published: May 2005

In the presence of glycerol or ethanol, SCPP (a strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae that expresses pectinolytic activity) is capable of utilizing galacturonic acid or pectins for growth purposes. We now establish a relationship between the pectinolytic power of various strains of S. cerevisiae and their ability to grow on a pectin/glycerol‐based medium. This property is further exploited for the detection of polygalacturonase‐producing strains of S. cerevisiae.
VI. Yeast sequencing reports. Sequencing of an 18·8 kb fragment from Saccharomyces cerevisiae chromosome VI
Authors: Naitou Masanori , Ozawa Masashi , Sasanuma Syun‐Ichi , Kobayashi Motoe , Hagiwara Hiroko , Shibata Takehiko , Hanaoka Fumio , Watanabe Koji , Ono Ayako , Yamazaki Masaaki , Tashiro Hiroyuki , Eki Toshihiko , Murakami Yasufumi
Published: May 2005

The nucleotide sequence of lambda phage clone 4121, which contains the 18·8 kb fragment of Saccharomyces cerevisiae chromosome VI left arm, was determined. This sequence had seven open reading frames (ORFs), four of which were identical to known genes (ACT1, YPT1, TUB2 and RPO41). Another three ORFs (4121orfR003, 4121orfR004 and 4121orfRN001) were highly homologous to FET3 multi‐copper oxidase, glucose transport protein, and hypothetical protein of YIL106w on chromosome IX, respectively. 4121orfRN01 is suggested to contain an intron. The sequence has been submitted to DDBJ/EMBL/GenBank data library under Accession Number D44598.
Severe Dupuytren’s Contracture of the Proximal Interphalangeal Joint: Treatment by Two-Stage Technique
Authors: RAJESH K. R. , REX C. , MEHDI H. , MARTIN C. , FAHMY N. R. M.
Published: May 2005

Thirty-four patients with a Dupuytren’s contracture in excess of 70° of the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint were treated by preliminary palmar fasciotomy, release of the accessory collateral ligaments and PIP joint distraction using the S-Quattro for 6 weeks. A formal fasciectomy with full thickness skin graft was then performed 2 weeks after removal of the fixator.

There was a mean residual flexion deformity of the PIP joint of 22° (mean correction of 67°) at an average follow-up of 30 months. There were no infections or amputations. We recommend this technique for the management of severe Dupuytren’s contracture of the PIP joint.
Ulnar Nerve Elongation and Excursion in the Cubital Tunnel After Decompression and Anterior Transposition
Authors: GREWAL R. , VARITIMIDIS S. E. , VARDAKAS D. G. , FU F. H. , SOTEREANOS D. G.
Published: May 2005

We studied the elongation and excursion of cadaveric ulnar nerves during elbow flexion in control conditions and after in situ decompression and anterior subcutaneous transposition. We found that the normal nerve had the greatest elongation (23%) and excursion (14 mm) in the epicondylar groove. Decompression did not alter the excursion, but significantly reduced the elongation in the groove (6%) and increased it proximally (19%). After anterior subcutaneous transposition, the nerve segment which was originally in the groove elongated with elbow extension to the same extent as occurred with the normal nerve during flexion.
Traumatic Boutonnière Deformity of the Thumb
Authors: CARDON L. J. , TOH S. , TSUBO K.
Published: May 2005

We report three patients who presented 3 to 8 months after sustaining a closed injury to the dorsoradial aspect of the metacarpophalangeal joint of the thumb. All three patients had an extensor lag of the metacarpophalangeal joint and paradoxical hyperextension of the interphalangeal joint. There were no collateral ligament injuries. The patients required surgical treatment which included advancement and reattachment of the extensor pollicis brevis insertion and imbrication of the dorsoradial capsule to restore the anatomical alignment of the extensor pollicis longus. Surgical treatment of dorsoradial injuries to the thumb metacarpophalangeal joint may be required for injuries that result in subluxation of the extensor pollicis longus tendon and a boutonnière deformity of the thumb.
Survival Factors in Digital Replantation: Significance of Postoperative Anaemia
Authors: NIIBAYASHI H. , TAMURA K. , FUJIWARA M. , IKEDA N.
Published: May 2005

Two hundred and fifty-two consecutive digital replantations and revascularizations in 201 patients were retrospectively reviewed to determine factors influencing survival. Children under 9 years of age, women, complete amputations, blood transfusions and secondary thrombectomy were poor prognostic factors. In addition, low haemoglobin and haematocrit levels during the postoperative period were associated with a higher failure rate. Inappropriate use of anticoagulants and excessive postoperative anaemia should be avoided following replantation.
An expression screen reveals modulators of class II histone deacetylase phosphorylation
Authors: Chang Shurong , Bezprozvannaya Svetlana , Li Shijie , Olson Eric N.
Published: May 2005

Class II histone deacetylases (HDACs) repress transcription by associating with a variety of transcription factors and corepressors. Phosphorylation of a set of conserved serine residues in the N-terminal extensions of class II HDACs creates binding sites for 14-3-3 chaperone proteins, which trigger nuclear export of these HDACs, thereby derepressing specific target genes in a signal-dependent manner. To identify intracellular signaling pathways that control phosphorylation of HDAC5, a class II HDAC, we designed a eukaryotic cDNA expression screen in which a GAL4-dependent luciferase reporter was expressed with the DNA-binding domain of GAL4 fused to the N-terminal extension of HDAC5 and the VP16 transcription activation domain fused to 14-3-3. The transfection of COS cells with cDNA expression libraries results in activation of luciferase expression by cDNAs encoding HDAC5 kinases or modulators of such kinases that enable phosphorylated GAL4–HDAC5 to recruit 14-3-3-VP16 with consequent reconstitution of a functional transcriptional complex. Our results reveal a remarkable variety of signaling pathways that converge on the signal-responsive phosphorylation sites in HDAC5, thereby enabling HDAC5 to connect extracellular signals to the genome.
Dietary factors influencing the digestion of starch in the rumen and small and large intestine of early weaned lambs
Authors: Ørskov E. R. , Fraser C. , Kay R. N. B.
Published: May 2005

1. Lambs fitted with cannulas in the abomasum, terminal ileum and caecum were used to study the digestion of starch and dry matter when rations with high starch content were given. Polyethylene glycol was used as an indigestible reference substance.

2. In Expt I reduction in level of feeding from an estimated adlib. intake to 70% of this level reduced the amount of dietary starch escaping fermentation in the rumen from 6.8 to 4.4% of intake on a barley diet and from 12.8 to 7.7% on a diet consisting of 40% dried grass and 60 yo barley. Inclusion of 40% chopped dried grass in the diet increased the amount of dietary starch escaping fermentation in the rumen. There appeared to be a linear relationship between the concentrations of starch in abornasal and ilcal dry matter, indicating a limited capacity for starch digestion in the small intestine.

3. In Expt 2 a barley diet was compared with diets based on flaked maize, ground maize or cracked maize. With these diets the percentage of dietary starch escaping fermentation in the rumen was respectively 6.2, 5.4, 12.1 and 142, showing that more starch escapes fermentation with uncooked maize diets than with barley diets.

4. The molar proportions of volatile fatty acids produced by fermentation in the caecum were apparently influenced by the amount of starch passing to the intestines. The highest proportion of acetic acid (78%) was associated with 4.5% of starch in abomasal dry matter, and the lowest proportion (57%)was associated with 20.1% of starch in abomasal dry matter.

5. The possible relationships between the extent of fermentation in the rumen and energy and nitrogen metabolism are discussed.
Severe undernutrition in growing and adult animals
Authors: Ablett J. G. , McCance R. A.
Published: May 2005

1. The body temperatures and resting oxygen consumptions of calorie-deficient and protein-deficient pigs have been measured at 12, 21, 26, 30, 36 and 40°.

2. A fall in the environmental temperature was followed by a rise of the same order in the oxygen consumptions of the two groups of animals, and past and present evidence indicates that the rise in normal animals of the same size is similar.

3. The rectal temperatures and oxygen consumptions of the protein-deficient pigs were higher at all the above temperatures than those of the calorie-deficient animals but not as high as those of normal animals.

4. The differences in rectal temperatures and oxygen consumptions were highly significant at 30°, which is probably within or near the zone of thermal neutrality of all the animals.
In vivo uptake of [14C]leucine by skeletal muscle ribosomes after injury in rats fed two levels of protein
Authors: Young V. R. , Huang P. C.
Published: May 2005

1. After 14 days on a diet containing 5 or 25% casein male rats received a fracture of the left femur. Four hours before they were killed the injured and control rats were injected with [1-14C]leucine; the incorporation of radioactivity into an isolated fraction of skeletal muscle ribosomes was studied 6, 12, 24, 48, 72, 96 and 228 h after injury.

2. The incorporation of [14C]leucine into the ribosome fraction in right thigh muscles dropped to 40% of control values 72 h after fracture in well-nourished rats and after 96 h with diets containing 5 or 25%, casein.

3. The specific activity of the trichloroacetic acid-soluble fraction of muscle from injured rats was equal to or higher than that of the controls during the first 72 h but lower at 96 h.

4. These results suggest that a reduced incorporation of amino acids by ribosomes from the right thigh muscle occurred on day 3 after fracture in the group receiving 25% casein but not in the group receiving 5% casein.

5. Muscle RNA and DNA concentrations were not affected by the injury.

6. The relationship between these findings and the loss of muscle N after injury is discussed.
Studies of the action of vitamin D in the rat
Authors: Cheesman Elisabeth M. , Copping Alice M.
Published: May 2005

1. Rats were given a rachitogenic diet for 28 days; some were dosed with vitamin D 2 or 3 days before they were killed and some received vitamin D throughout the experiment.

2. Parathyroid leucine aminopeptidase was measured histochemically as an index of parathyroid activity and silver impregnation as a criterion of bone calcification.

3. Calcium and phosphorus were estimated in bone ash and in serum. In rats killed 2 days after a single dose of vitamin D, increases were found in the Ca and P content of serum and bones and in epiphyseal Ca deposition. Parathyroid activity was decreased. In rats killed 3 days after a dose of vitamin D there was a marked increase in serum Ca and P but a less clear change in bone Ca and P although epiphyseal calcification was evident. The parathyroid activity was less than in rats dosed throughout the experiment.
Urinary excretion of aromatic acids by sheep given diets containing different amounts of protein and roughage
Authors: Martin A. K.
Published: May 2005

1. The urinary excretions of total diethyl ether-soluble acids and total aromatic acids of three sheep given maintenance diets containing different proportions of hay, rolled oats and decorticated groundnut meal were determined.

2. When the sheep were given the diet containing 70% rolled oats the excretion of aromatic acids in the urine was less than that observed when the sheep were given diets high in roughage or protein concentrates.

3. The amounts of aromatic acids excreted in the urine were not related to the dietary intakes of crude protein, apparently digestible crude protein, crude fibre, lignin or cellulose.

4. The excretion of comparatively large amounts of aromatic acids in the urine of ruminants is discussed in relation to the smaller amounts normally excreted by non-ruminants. Possible reasons for the failure to observe any relationship between the amounts of aromatic acids excreted in the urine of the sheep and those constituents of the diets that were investigated are discussed and the nature of other precursors is suggested.
The respiratory quotient in the newborn pig
Authors: Mount L. E.
Published: May 2005

1. Rates of oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production were measured in pigs from birth to 3 days of age in an open-circuit system.

2. The mean respiratory quotient (RQ) during the first 6 h following birth was 0.95 in fasted pigs and 0.91 in pigs which were allowed to feed.

3. The RQ fell during the remainder of the first postnatal day to mean values close to 0.85, whether the pigs were allowed to feed from birth or were fasted.

4. From 1 to 3 days of age the RQ had a mean value of 0.79.

5. There was little difference in the RQ of pigs exposed to environmental temperatures of either 32 or 16°.

6. It is concluded that the baby pig is not exclusively dependent on carbohydrate for its energy metabolism.
The effect of trypsin inhibitors on pancreatopeptidase E, trypsin, chymotrypsin and amylase in the pancreas and intestinal tract of chicks receiving raw and heated soya-bean diets
Authors: Gertler A. , Nitsan Zafrira
Published: May 2005

1. Feeding on a raw soya-bean diet (RSD) increased the levels of trypsin, chymotrypsin and pancreatopeptidase E but decreased the level of amylase in the pancreas of chicks as compared to a heated soya-bean diet (HSD), while supplementation of HSD with soya-bean trypsin inhibitors increased the activity of all four enzymes. HSD + trypsin inhibitors caused significant enlargement of the pancreas but only a slight depression in growth rate.

2. Fasting for 24 h of chicks previously given RSD and HSD increased the activity of all four enzymes but the increase was much greater in chicks previously given RSD than in those previously given HSD.

3. Feeding RSD for 4 d to chicks previously adapted to HSD resulted in a dramatic inhibition in growth rate, a small increase in pancreas weight, and an increase in the activity of all proteolytic enzymes, while no change in the amylase was detectable.

4. Trypsin, chymotrypsin and pancreatopeptidase E activities were assayed in the contents of the small intestine and caecum of chicks fed on RSD or HSD over a period of 35 d. Trypsin and chymotrypsin activities in the small intestine were lower in chicks fed on RSD while pancreatopeptidase E activity was almost equal or even higher in RSD-fed chicks, especially at the age of 35 d. Trypsin activity in the caecum of RSD-fed chicks was lower at all stages of the experiment, while the pancreatopeptidase E and chymotrypsin activities in the caecum of RSD-fed chicks exceeded the levels in the HSD group at the age of 21 and 35 d respectively. It would appear therefore that pancreatopeptidase E may play an important part in overcoming the inhibition of the proteolytic activity in the intestine of chicks fed on RSD.
A comparison of markers for estimating magnitude of rumen digestion
Authors: Drennan M. J. , Holmes J. H. G. , Garrett W. N.
Published: May 2005

1. Two experiments were carried out with sheep and cattle receiving high-concentrate rations to estimate the amount of digestion taking place in the rumino-reticulum and omasum. Two techniques were used for the collection of samples of abomasal contents. In the experiment with sheep, animals were slaughtered at different times after feeding and samples of digesta were collected. In the experiment with cattle, samples were collected through an abomasal fistula at 2 h intervals throughout the entire 24 h. Chromic oxide powder was incorporated into the ration.

2. Digestion of DM in the rumen estimated by the chromic oxide ratio ranged from 36 to –7%. Estimates based on the lignin ratio ranged from 57 to 68%. Estimates based on lignin as the marker were more consistent within experiments.

3. Starch digestion in the rumen based on the chromic oxide ratio ranged from 56 to 92% while estimates based on the lignin ratio ranged from 89 to 96%. The amount of starch digested, according to chromic oxide ratios, was up to 500 g more than estimated organic matter digested in sheep, and up to 2 kg more than organic matter digested in cattle, both impossible results. Estimates based on lignin were always less than estimated dry-matter digestion.

4. In view of the untenable results obtained by using chromic oxide powder mixed in the ration as an indigestible marker, while lignin in the same samples always yielded credible results, it appears that chromic oxide is not always a suitable marker for estimating rumen digestion from abomasal samples.
The effect of dietary essential fatty acids on the concentration of serum and liver lipids in the rat
Authors: Sinclair A. J. , Collins F. D.
Published: May 2005

1. By feeding safflower-seed oil to rats deficient in the essential fatty acids it was found that major changes in the liver and serum triglycerides had occurred in 4 d although the fatty acid composition had not fully returned to normal.

2. Rats which had been on a saturated-fat diet for 18 weeks were given for 4 d, a diet supplemented with safflower-seed oil, methyl linolenate or ethyl arachidonate. Linoleic and linolenic acids failed to reduce the liver triglycerides but had some effect in raising the serum triglycerides to normal. Arachidonic acid reduced liver triglycerides but had no effect on serum lipids. There were marked changes in the fatty acid composition of the phospholipids but little change in the triglycerides.

3. There was good correlation between the concentrations of the phospholipids and the triglycerides in the serum. The concentration of serum phospholipids was positively correlated with the percentage of linoleic and arachidonic acids but negatively correlated with the percentage of palmitoleic, oleic and 5, 8, 11-eicosatrienoic acids.

4. In a further 4 d feeding experiment in which the lipoprotein fraction of very low density from the serum was measured, it was found that safflower-seed oil led to an increase but methyl arachidonate resulted in a decrease in the concentration of the lipids.

5. Extraction of the lipoprotein fraction of very low density from normal and deficient rats with n-heptane at – 18° indicated that phosphatidyl cholines containing stearic acid and either arachidonic or 5, 8, 1 1-eicosatrienoic acid were the most firmly bound.

6. It was concluded that linoleic acid and arachidonic acid had different and specific roles in lipid metabolism.
Lipid transport in kwashiorkor
Authors: Flores H. , Pak Nelly , Maccioni A. , Monckeberg F
Published: May 2005

1. In an attempt to elucidate the pathogenic mechanism of the fatty liver of kwashiorkor some aspects of lipid metabolism were studied in ten patients with kwashiorkor and nine with marasmus, so classified according to the clinical and laboratory findings.

2. Plasma lipid levels, especially those of triglycerides, were low in patients with kwashiorkor; they showed a marked rise very early during treatment.

3. The changes in the plasma lipid levels occurred mainly in the serum lipoprotein fraction of density < 1.063. The elevation of plasma lipid levels during treatment coincided with a loss of liver lipids and a marked rise in serum protein concentration.

4. The findings support the suggestion that the primary mechanism in the production of the fatty liver of kwashiorkor is an impairment in the synthesis of lipoprotein of very low density, probably due to the rate-limiting synthesis of its protein moiety.

5. In patients with marasmus no modifications in lipid metabolism were detected by the methods used.
Voluntary intake, digestion, rate of passage, amount of material in the alimentary tract and behaviour in cows receiving complete diets containing straw and concentrates in different proportions
Authors: Bines J. A. , Davey A. W. F.
Published: May 2005

1. Pelleted diets containing concentrates and 0, 20, 40 or 60% chopped straw were fed ad lib. for 5 h daily to four cows. Voluntary intake, digestion and rate of passage of these diets were examined, and also the behaviour of the cows and the amount of material in the rumen before and after feeding.

2. Least dry matter (7.5 kg) was consumed when there was no roughage in the diet. When roughage was present, its level had no effect on dry-matter intakes, which were 10.7, 11.3and 10.7kg for 20, 40 and 60% roughage respectively. Digestible energy intakes were greatest with diets containing 20 or 40% roughage.

3. The digestibilities of the dry matter of the four diets were 81, 69, 59 and 55% in increasing order of roughage content. The proportion of total digestion which occurred in the rumen decreased as the roughage content of the ration increased. The rate of breakdown of cotton threads in the rumen increased as the roughage content of the diet increased.

4. Rates of passage varied greatly between cows and there were no differences between treatments in passage rates through the entire alimentary tract. The diets on which the cows consumed the largest amounts of digestible energy (20 and 40% roughage) passed through the rumen more slowly, and through the hind gut more quickly, than the other diets.

5. The times spent daily eating and ruminating both increased as the proportion of roughage in the diet was increased, but in relation to the amount of dry matter eaten, eating times were lowest with diets containing 20 or 40% roughage. Time spent ruminating per kg straw eaten decreased with increasing straw content of the diet. Rumen contraction rate during eating was greatest when dry-matter intake was greatest, but during rumination it was similar with all three levels of roughage.

6. Before and after feeding, the amount of digesta and digesta dry matter in the rumen increased as the proportion of roughage in the diet increased. After feeding, there was a highly significant linear relationship between the amount of digesta in the rumen and the digestibility of the diet.

7. In a second experiment, similar diets containing 0 or 50% roughage were given to two cows for 5 or 24 h daily. The 24 h intake expressed as a percentage of 5 h intake was 148% for the 0% roughage diet, but only 105% when the diet contained 50% roughage.

8. The results of these experiments are interpreted as indicating a declining importance of physical factors in the regulation of the intake by cows of a range of diets of increasing digestibility.
Dietary fibre and the pruritus of cholestatic jaundice
Authors: Eastwood M. A. , Mowbray S. L. , Thompson R. P. H. , Williams Roger
Published: May 2005

1. In a double reversal experiment, diets containing either a normal or a large amount of lignin fibre were given to four patients with pruritus due to a liver disease.

2. Neither an improvement in symptoms nor a decrease in serum bile acid levels was found. The dose of fibre may have been insufficient, changes in intraluminal pH may have impaired adsorption of bile acids, or, less likely, the concentration of bile acids in the intestine may have been too low.
The absorption of α-tocopherol in man
Authors: Kelleher J. , Losowsky M. S.
Published: May 2005

1. Physiological oral doses of DL [5-Me-3H]α-tocopherol were administered to fasting subjects with various disease states, with and without steatorrhoea, and net absorption was calculated by measurement of faecal unabsorbed radioactivity. In each subject studied more than 70% of the faecal radioactivity was excreted as unchanged α-tocopherol.

2. α-Tocopherol absorption was significantly less in subjects with steatorrhoea (mean 59.4%, range 31–83%) than in those without steatorrhoea (mean 72.4%, range 51–86%). Nineteen out of twenty-four subjects with steatorrhoea absorbed less than 65% of the α-tocopherol dose, while twenty-two out of twenty-six subjects without steatorrhoea absorbed more than 65%. There was a significant correlation between the severity of steatorrhoea and α-tocopherol absorption. In a wide range of diseases steatorrhoea appeared to be the common factor associated with a decrease in α-tocopherol absorption; however, in subjects after gastric surgery α-tocopherol absorption was often low even in the absence of steatorrhoea, and this may be an important factor in explaining the high incidence of vitamin E deficiency in such patients.

3. Radioactivity in the plasma was maximal 6–12 h after dosing. Plasma radioactivity curves were significantly lower in patients with steatorrhoea than in those without steatorrhoea, but there was considerable overlap. In some patients with severe deficiency and severe steatorrhoea there was no detectable plasma response even with considerable absorption of up to 40% of the administered dose. Three patients with severe dietary deficiency of the vitamin and no steatorrhoea also showed a decreased plasma radioactivity.

4. Three subjects were studied twice, initially when deficient in α-tocopherol and a second time after repletion with α-tocopherol acetate. There was no evidence for a compensatory mechanism to increase α-tocopherol absorption in α-tocopherol deficiency.

5. A small quantity of the administered dose (almost always less than 6%) was excreted in the urine.
An apparatus for the regulation of the food supply to rats
Authors: Quaterman J. , Williams R. B. , Humphries W. R.
Published: May 2005

1. An apparatus is described for supplying small amounts of food to rats uniformly and continuously.

2. The apparatus consists of a Perspex disc carrying a groove containing food, which is rotated once each day by an electric motor. Access of rats to the food is restricted by suitably placed baffles.
Changes in the plasma concentrations of free amino acids in relation to egg formation in the hen
Authors: Taylor T. G. , Waring J. J. , Scougall R. K.
Published: May 2005

1. The changes occurring in the free amino acids of the plasma of laying hens in relation to egg formation have been investigated in fed and starved hens in three experiments, each with eight birds.

2. The mean concentrations of most amino acids and of the totals were higher at night than in the morning.

3. In general, egg formation was associated with increases in the concentrations of non- essential and decreases in the concentrations of essential amino acids. Cystine and glutamic acid tended to behave like the essential amino acids.

4. After 40 h starvation seven amino acids, particularly serine, histidine and lysine, in- creased in concentration and only three, proline, ornithine and arginine, decreased significantly.

5. When eight cocks were injected with oestrogen most of the amino acids increased in con-centration. The essential amino acids (with the exception of phenylalanine), serine, proline, cystine and ornithine showed the greatest increases.

6. The results are discussed in relation to the possibility that the voluntary food intake of hens may be influenced by changes in the plasma levels of one or more essential amino acids associated with the synthesis of egg albumen. Arginine appeared to be the only amino acid that might possibly fulfil this role.

7. It was concluded that investigations of changes in the free amino acids of hen plasma are unlikely to provide a useful approach to a study of the amino acid requirements or the nutritive value of particular proteins for egg production.
Artificial rearing of pigs
Authors: Braude R. , Keal H. D. , Newport M. J.
Published: May 2005

1. Protein and energy requirements of pigs weaned at 2 d of age were studied. In Expt 1, three diets with crude protein (CP; nitrogen × 6.38) and fat contents (g/kg dry matter (DM)) of 268, 260 (diet A); 216, 415 (diet B) and 264, 405 (diet C) were compared, with and without a supplement of 2 g DL-methionine/kg. Diets A and B contained skim milk and soya-bean oil only, in different proportions. Casein was added to diet C to equalize the CP content to that of diet A. In Expt 2, diets containing 290 or 315 g CP/kg DM were used with either 310 or 405 g fat/kg. The diets contained different proportions of skim milk, soya-bean oil and casein. The same diets as used in Expt 2 were used in Expt 3 but fed to a scale based on live weight which was 25% less than that used in Expts 1 and 2.

2. Methionine supplementation had no significant effect (P> 0.05) on the growth rate or feed: gain ratio of pigs from 2 to 28 d of age. The growth rate of the pigs from 2 to 28 d of age was significantly (P< 0.05) reduced when they were given the higher level of either CP or fat, with the exception that the effect of level of fat was not significant (P> 0.05) in Expt 3. The reduction in growth rate was associated with a decrease in feed intake. Feed: gain ratios were unaffected (P> 0.05) by the level of either CP or fat in the diet.

3. The higher protein level did increase the proportion of CP in the carcass DM (Expt 2P< 0.01, Expt 3P> 0.05) and gave an indication, which was not significant (P> 0.05), of improved N retention (g/d per kg live weight). The higher dietary fat level increased the proportion of lipid in the carcass DM, and this effect was significant (P< 0.05) in both Expts 2 and 3.

4. Diets containing additional casein were not fully consumed at the level of feeding used in Expt 2. This effect may be associated with the larger amounts of digesta in the stomachs of these pigs. Some differences in the composition of the digesta in the stomach were observed, but these did not affect the performance of the pigs.

5. It seems unlikely that either growth rate or feed:gain ratio (g DM consumed/g live-weight gain) can be improved by protein or energy levels exceeding those in a diet containing (g/kg DM) 730 skim milk (265–290 CP) and 310 fat. In this diet, containing (g/kg DM) 6.4 methionine and 3.5 cystine, sulphur amino acid requirements were satisfied.
Effect of fat supplementation on voluntary food intake and rumen metabolism in sheep
Authors: Kowalczyk J. , ørskov E. R. , Robinson J. J. , Stewart C. S.
Published: May 2005

1. In an experiment in which a high-fat supplement was given in the dry form to lambs offered dried grassad lib., both the voluntary intake and digestibility of the dried grass were reduced. When the high-fat supplement was given in a liquid suspension so that the rumen was by-passed, the voluntary intake and digestibility of the dried grass were not significantly altered.

2. The effect of injecting an emulsion of tallow into the rumen of sheep on rumen metabolism was studied in another experiment. Increasing the fat supplementation lowered the rate of digestion of both dried grass and cotton thread, lowered markedly the concentration of rumen ammonia, and raised the proportion of propionic acid in the rumen.
Megadosage of ascorbic acid in an Antarctic expedition
Authors: Gormly P. J.
Published: May 2005

1. No difference in health was observed between men on megadosage of ascorbic acid and controls during the year of an Antarctic expedition.

2. All men appeared to have a satisfactory intake of ascorbic acid throughout the year.

3. There was a statistically significant decrease in excretion of ascorbic acid by men on megadosage over the year, and by the controls.

4. The decline in excretion by the control group may be explained by dietary change, but the decline in those on megadosage may be due to altered handling of ascorbic acid by the body.

5. No complications due to megadosage of ascorbic acid were observed.
DRP1A Is Responsible for Vascular Continuity Synergistically Working with VAN3 in Arabidopsis
Authors: Sawa Shinichiro , Koizumi Koji , Naramoto Satoshi , Demura Taku , Ueda Takashi , Nakano Akihiko , Fukuda Hiroo
Published: May 2005

In most dicotyledonous plants, vascular tissues in the leaf have a reticulate venation pattern. We have isolated and characterized an Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) mutant defective in the vascular network defective mutant, van3. van3 mutants show a discontinuous vascular pattern, and VAN3 is known to encode an ADP-ribosylation-factor-GTPase-activating protein that regulates membrane trafficking in the trans-Golgi network. To elucidate the molecular nature controlling the vein patterning process through membrane trafficking, we searched VAN3-interacting proteins using a yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) two hybrid system. As a result, we isolated the plant Dynamin-Related Protein 1A (DRP1A) as a VAN3 interacting protein. The spatial and temporal expression patterns of DRP1A∷GUS and VAN3∷GUS were very similar. The subcellular localization of VAN3 completely overlapped to that of DRP1A. drp1a showed a disconnected vascular network, and the drp1a mutation enhanced the phenotype of vascular discontinuity of the van3 mutant in the drp1a van3 double mutant. Furthermore, the drp1 mutation enhanced the discontinuous vascular pattern of the gnom mutant, which had the same effect as that of the van3 mutation. These results indicate that DRP1 modulates the VAN3 function in vesicle budding from the trans-Golgi network, which regulates vascular formation in Arabidopsis.
Blunted functional responses to pre- and postjunctional sympathetic stimulation in hibernating myocardium
Authors: Ovchinnikov Vladislav , Suzuki Gen , Canty John M. , Fallavollita James A.
Published: May 2005

Regional reductions in norepinephrine-tracer uptake are found in pigs with hibernating myocardium. Clinical studies would suggest that this is evidence for denervation; however, the functional responses to sympathetic stimulation have not been evaluated, and our previous studies with β-adrenergic stimulation have not suggested denervation hypersensitivity. Therefore, pigs were chronically instrumented to produce hibernating myocardium characterized by chronic regional dysfunction and histological viability. Open-chest studies were performed to determine changes in regional function in response to both pre- and postjunctional stimulation. Regional segment shortening was reduced at rest in hibernating myocardium compared with controls (13 ± 3% vs. 27 ± 3%, P = 0.004). During stellate ganglion stimulation, regional function increased in both groups of animals ( P = 0.008 vs. baseline), but the increase in hibernating myocardium was blunted compared with controls (Δ%, 3 ± 2% vs. 8 ± 3%, P = 0.04). Similar results occurred with intracoronary tyramine (10 μg/kg). Functional improvement during intravenous epinephrine infusion (0.35 μg·kg−1·min−1) was also blunted in hibernating myocardium compared with controls (Δ%, 7 ± 1% vs. 15 ± 2%, P = 0.04). Even when the improvement in function was expressed relative to the reduced baseline, there was no evidence for catecholamine-mediated hypersensitivity in hibernating myocardium. We therefore conclude that functional responses to both pre- and postjunctional sympathetic stimulation are blunted in pigs with hibernating myocardium. In contrast to previous studies of infarcted, denervated, and acutely stunned myocardium, there is no catecholamine-induced hypersensitivity in hibernating myocardium. These data suggest a downregulation in functional responses to stimulation that would protect hibernating myocardium from demand-induced ischemia at the expense of contractile reserve during sympathetic stimulation.
RhoA/ROCK signaling is critical to FAK activation by cyclic stretch in cardiac myocytes
Authors: Torsoni Adriana S. , Marin Talita M. , Velloso Licio A. , Franchini Kleber G.
Published: May 2005

Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) has been shown to be activated in cardiac myocytes exposed to mechanical stress. However, details of how mechanical stimuli induce FAK activation are unknown. We investigated whether signaling events mediated by the RhoA/Rho-associated coiled coil-containing kinase (ROCK) pathway are involved in regulation of stretch-induced FAK phosphorylation at Tyr397 in neonatal rat ventricular myocytes (NRVMs). Immunostaining showed that RhoA localized to regions of myofilaments alternated with phalloidin (actin) staining. The results of coimmunoprecipitation assays indicated that FAK and RhoA are associated in nonstretched NRVMs, but cyclic stretch significantly reduced the amount of RhoA recovered from anti-FAK immunoprecipitates. Cyclic stretch induced rapid and sustained (up to 2 h) increases in phosphorylation of FAK at Tyr397 and ERK1/2 at Thr202/Tyr204. Blockade of RhoA/ROCK signaling by pharmacological inhibitors of RhoA ( Clostridium botulinum C3 exoenzyme) or ROCK (Y-27632, 10 μmol/l, 1 h) markedly attenuated stretch-induced FAK and ERK1/2 phosphorylation. Similar effects were observed in cells treated with the inhibitor of actin polymerization cytochalasin D. Transfection of NRVMs with RhoA antisense oligonucleotide attenuated stretch-induced FAK and ERK1/2 phosphorylation and expression of β-myosin heavy chain mRNA. Similar results were seen in cells transfected with FAK antisense oligonucleotide. These findings demonstrate that RhoA/ROCK signaling plays a crucial role in stretch-induced FAK phosphorylation, presumably by coordinating upstream events operationally linked to the actin cytoskeleton.
Antigen-sensitized CD4+CD62Llow memory/effector T helper 2 cells can induce airway hyperresponsiveness in an antigen free setting
Authors: Nakagome Kazuyuki , Dohi Makoto , Okunishi Katsuhide , To Yasuo , Sato Atsushi , Komagata Yoshinori , Nagatani Katsuya , Tanaka Ryoichi , Yamamoto Kazuhiko
Published: May 2005

Background

Airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) is one of the most prominent features of asthma, however, precise mechanisms for its induction have not been fully elucidated. We previously reported that systemic antigen sensitization alone directly induces AHR before development of eosinophilic airway inflammation in a mouse model of allergic airway inflammation, which suggests a critical role of antigen-specific systemic immune response itself in the induction of AHR. In the present study, we examined this possibility by cell transfer experiment, and then analyzed which cell source was essential for this process.

Methods

BALB/c mice were immunized with ovalbumin (OVA) twice. Spleen cells were obtained from the mice and were transferred in naive mice. Four days later, AHR was assessed. We carried out bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) to analyze inflammation and cytokine production in the lung. Fluorescence and immunohistochemical studies were performed to identify T cells recruiting and proliferating in the lung or in the gut of the recipient. To determine the essential phenotype, spleen cells were column purified by antibody-coated microbeads with negative or positive selection, and transferred. Then, AHR was assessed.

Results

Transfer of spleen cells obtained from OVA-sensitized mice induced a moderate, but significant, AHR without airway antigen challenge in naive mice without airway eosinophilia. Immunization with T helper (Th) 1 elicited antigen (OVA with complete Freund's adjuvant) did not induce the AHR. Transferred cells distributed among organs, and the cells proliferated in an antigen free setting for at least three days in the lung. This transfer-induced AHR persisted for one week. Interleukin-4 and 5 in the BAL fluid increased in the transferred mice. Immunoglobulin E was not involved in this transfer-induced AHR. Transfer of in vitro polarized CD4+ Th2 cells, but not Th1 cells, induced AHR. We finally clarified that CD4+CD62Llow memory/effector T cells recruited in the lung and proliferated, thus induced AHR.

Conclusion

These results suggest that antigen-sensitized memory/effector Th2 cells themselves play an important role for induction of basal AHR in an antigen free, eosinophil-independent setting. Therefore, regulation of CD4+ T cell-mediated immune response itself could be a critical therapeutic target for allergic asthma.
`Sarcomeres' of smooth muscle: functional characteristics and ultrastructural evidence
Authors: Herrera Ana M. , McParland Brent E. , Bienkowska Agnes , Tait Ross , Paré Peter D. , Seow Chun Y.
Published: May 2005

Smooth muscle cells line the walls of hollow organs and control the organ dimension and mechanical function by generating force and changing length. Although significant progress has been made in our understanding of the molecular mechanism of actomyosin interaction that produces sliding of actin (thin) and myosin (thick) filaments in smooth muscle, the sarcomeric structure akin to that in striated muscle, which allows the sliding of contractile filaments to be translated into cell shortening has yet to be elucidated. Here we show evidence from porcine airway smooth muscle that supports a model of malleable sarcomeric structure composed of contractile units assembled in series and in parallel. The geometric organization of the basic building blocks (contractile units) within the assembly and the dimension of individual contractile units can be altered when the muscle cells adapt to different lengths. These structural alterations can account for the different length-force relationships of the muscle obtained at different adapted cell lengths. The structural malleability necessary for length adaptation precludes formation of a permanent filament lattice and explains the lack of aligned filament arrays in registers, which also explains why smooth muscle is `smooth'.
Gradenigo’s syndrome: successful conservative treatment in adult and paediatric patients
Authors: Burston Benjamin J , Pretorius Pieter M , Ramsden James D
Published: May 2005

A triad of retro-ocular pain, discharging ear and abducens nerve palsy, as described by Gradenigo, has been recognized for 150 years. It has traditionally been treated with surgery, but recent advances in imaging, allied with improved antibiotic treatment, allow conservative management of these cases. We present two cases of Gradenigo’s syndrome: a 6-year-old child and a 70-year-old man, both without cholesteatoma, who were managed without mastoidectomy. They both had full recovery of abducens nerve function, although this took 6 and 12 weeks, respectively. In order to manage patients with Gradenigo’s syndrome safely, accurate diagnostic radiology is essential, and our findings are presented and discussed. With changing medical technology, a review of the diagnostic and treatment options for this rare but serious condition, is timely.