bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adrenalectomy‐induced cell death in the dentate gyrus: Further characterisation using TUNEL and effects of the Ginkgo biloba extract, EGb 761, and ginkgolide B
Authors: Maclennan Karyn M. , Zheng Yiwen , Sheard Philip W. , Williams Sheila M. , Darlington Cynthia L. , Smith Paul F.
Published: March 2003

This study investigated the potential neuroprotective effects of the Ginkgo biloba extract, EGb‐761, and ginkgolide B, on adrenalectomy (ADX)‐induced cell death in the dentate gyrus (DG). Adrenalectomised, sham surgery‐treated, and naive controls received either EGb‐761 (25, 50, or 100 mg/kg), 0.9% saline vehicle control, ginkgolide B (10 or 25 mg/kg), or a polyethylene glycol vehicle control, i.p, daily for 6 days postsurgery. Cell death in the DG was determined by in situ labelling of DNA fragments, using the TUNEL method; sections were counterstained with hematoxylin. Radioimmunoassay was used to confirm a decrease in plasma corticosterone (CORT) after ADX. TUNEL‐positive granule cells were observed in the DG at 1 week, but not at 24 h, post‐ADX. The rate of granule cell death at this time was highest in the suprapyramidal blade and increased in a crest tip and a rostrotemporal gradient. Whereas CORT replacement completely prevented the occurrence of TUNEL‐positive granule cells, EGb‐761 and ginkgolide B did not, at any of the doses used. These results suggest that these drugs may not have substantial neuroprotective effects in the ADX model of neurodegeneration. Hippocampus 2003;13:212–225. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Para/autocrine regulation of estrogen receptors in hippocampal neurons
Authors: Prange‐Kiel Janine , Wehrenberg Uwe , Jarry Hubertus , Rune Gabriele M.
Published: March 2003

Previous studies have shown that estrogens, originating from ovaries, have a wide variety of estrogen receptor (ER)‐mediated effects in the hippocampus. In the present study, we have investigated whether estrogens, which are synthesized in the hippocampus, could induce these effects as well. As a parameter, we used ER expression in response to estrogen synthesis, because estrogen receptors are ligand‐inducible transcription factors. The experiments were carried out with cultures of isolated adult rat hippocampal cells, which contained about 95% neurons and about 5% oligodendrocytes in serum‐free and steroid‐free medium. Hippocampal neurons express both estrogen receptor isoforms (ERα and ERβ), as shown by reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) and in situ hybridization. The release of estrogens by hippocampal neurons was quantified by radioimmunoassay (RIA). The ER isoforms (α and β) were studied by semiquantitative immunocytochemical image analysis. Hippocampal cells precultured for 4 days were found to synthesize 17β‐estradiol for the next 8 days. This synthesis was completely inhibited by letrozol, an aromatase inhibitor. Inhibition of estrogen synthesis by letrozol induced a significant decrease in ERα expression, but an increase in ERβ. As a control, supplementation of the medium with 17β‐estradiol resulted in a significant increase of ERα expression, whereas ERβ was downregulated. Our findings provide evidence for a de novo synthesis of estrogens in the hippocampus, differential regulation of estrogen receptor isoforms by estrogen and consequently for a para/autocrine loop of estrogen action in the hippocampus. Hippocampus 2003;13:226–234. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Hippocampal damage equally impairs memory for single items and memory for conjunctions
Authors: Stark Craig E.L. , Squire Larry R.
Published: March 2003

In a prior study of continuous recognition performance, data were reported in support of the hypothesis that the hippocampus is not needed to remember the individual components of a stimulus but is important for remembering associations between its components (Kroll et al. 1996. J Mem Lang 35:176–196). Patients with left hippocampal damage were able to endorse recently encountered words and to reject novel words, as well as disyllabic words in which one of the syllables had been previously encountered. However, they failed to reject words in which both syllables had been encountered independently in different words. We present data from five experiments designed to examine this finding in more detail. In each experiment, five patients with bilateral hippocampal damage and eight controls were tested using the same protocol as Kroll et al. (1996). On each trial, a two‐component stimulus was presented. Stimuli could be entirely novel, novel with one previously encountered (repeated) component, novel but with both components repeated, or a true repetition. The first experiment was a direct replication using the same disyllabic words as Kroll et al. (1996). The second experiment used pseudo‐words, constructed of two monosyllabic words (e.g., jambark). The third experiment used the same pairs of monosyllabic words, but presented separately on the screen to encourage participants to treat each component independently. The fourth experiment used pairs of objects, and the fifth experiment used face–house pairs. In all five experiments, patients with hippocampal damage exhibited impaired recognition memory. The impairment extended across all trial types with no evidence that hippocampal damage selectively (or disproportionately) impaired the associative or conjunctive component of memory. We discuss our findings in the light of the work by Kroll et al. (1996) and other recent neuropsychological, electrophysiological, and neuroimaging studies of hippocampal function and single‐item and associative memory. Hippocampus 2003;13:281–292. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Phosphorus Pentachloride (PCl5) Mediated Synthesis of Tetraarylporphyrins
Authors: Sharghi Hashem , Nejad Alireza Hassani
Published: March 2003

A new synthesis of porphyrins from pyrrole and substituted benzaldehydes is described, with PCl5 as catalyst. Aromatic aldehydes condense irreversibly with pyrrole in the presence of this catalyst, and aerobic oxidation of porphyrinogen provides functionalized porphyrins in yields of 20–65%.
Chemical Transformations of Phyllocladane (=13β‐Kaurane) Diterpenoids
Authors: Liu Gui , Müller Ralph , Rüedi Peter
Published: March 2003

Earlier phytochemical work on Plectranthus ambiguus (Lamiaceae) afforded a series of tetracyclic phyllocladane‐type (=13β‐kaurane) diterpenoids (see 1a–f). In the course of investigations concerning the reaction behavior of this rare natural‐products, a new constituent of P. ambiguus was isolated, (2S,3R,16R)‐phyllocladane‐2,3,16,17‐tetrol 2,3‐diacetate (1g), and another eighteen new phyllocladanes were prepared by chemical transformations and characterized. The main constituent 1b of P. ambiguus was chemically transformed to the known natural diterpenoid calliterpenone (=(16R)‐16,17‐dihydroxyphyllocladan‐3‐one; 2) thus unambiguously establishing its structure (Scheme 1). Epimerization at C(16) via the epoxy derivative 20 yielded 16‐epicalliterpenone (21), 17‐hydroxyphylloclad‐15‐ene‐3‐one (22), and (16R)‐3‐oxophyllocladan‐17‐al (23) (Scheme 6). Comparing this reaction sequence with the corresponding one starting from diastereoisomeric (16R)‐16,17‐dihydroxy‐ent‐kauran‐3‐one (=abbeokutone; 27) showed basically the same outcome (Scheme 7). Furthermore, three new C(16)‐substituted ent‐kauran‐3‐ones were characterized.

Reliable spectroscopic arguments for the determination of the configuration at C(16) in phyllocladanes and kauranes as well as for the differentiation of the diastereoisomeric skeletons are presented.
An Unexpected (3→2)‐Hydride Shift in Phyllocladane (=13β‐Kaurane) Diterpenoids and in Related Trimethyl‐Substituted Bi‐ and Tricyclic Compounds
Authors: Müller Ralph , Rüedi Peter
Published: March 2003

The conversion of 2α,3α‐dioxy‐substituted phyllocladane derivatives into the corresponding 3‐ketone proceeds in an unexpected manner: Depending on the reaction conditions, the corresponding 3β‐hydroxy‐substituted compound is formed almost quantitatively, or the desired ketone can be isolated directly (see preceding paper). The reaction mechanism is now disclosed to be a stereospecific C(3)→C(2)‐hydride shift by investigating the reactions of the synthesized (±)‐trans‐decalin‐type (trans‐1,5,5‐trimethylbicyclo[4.4.0]decanes) and (±)‐podocarpane‐type (trans‐1,2,3,4,4a,9,10,10a‐octahydro‐1,1,4a‐trimethylphenanthrenes) model compounds 25 and 35 and of their D‐labeled isomers 25′ and 35′ (Scheme 6). The latter afforded the corresponding 3β‐hydroxy (2β‐D)‐derivatives 38 and 39 as well as the (2β‐D)‐3‐ketones of the general type 5b′ (e.g., 36′), thus evidencing a suprafacial (C3)→C(2)‐deuteride shift. This reaction mechanism seems to be a general feature of such 3α,4α‐dioxy‐substituted 1,5,5‐trimethylbicyclo[4.4.0]decane congeners.
The Macrocyclic Spermidine Alkaloid (−)‐(S)‐Neoperiphylline: Revision of the Structure Based on the Total Synthesis
Authors: Sergeyev Sergey A. , Hesse Manfred
Published: March 2003

The total synthesis of the two isomeric macrocyclic enamides 2 and 17 is described. The precursor 14 was synthesized by means of template‐assisted macrocyclization (Scheme 2). Isomerization of 14 in the presence of [Fe(CO)5] gave 2 and 17 (Scheme 4). Structure 2 was previously assigned to the alkaloid neoperiphylline. However, the synthetic 2 showed completely different properties compared to the earlier described data of the natural compound. Surprisingly, analytical data of the second synthetic product 17 were very close to those of the natural neoperiphylline. We conclude that the previously assigned structure of neoperiphylline is erroneous and should be corrected to that of (−)‐(4S,12Z)‐4‐phenyl‐9‐[(2E)‐3‐phenylprop‐2‐enoyl]‐1,5,9‐triazacyclotridec‐12‐en‐2‐one (17).
Understanding referral from primary care clinics in rural Kenya: using health information systems to prioritize health services
Authors: Macintyre Kate , Lochigan Mohamed , Letipila Frederick
Published: March 2003

This study analyses the referral patterns of patients, over time, from primary care to secondary or tertiary level facilities in rural Africa. The data come from a health information system of a non‐governmental organization with a decade of experience in health services delivery in Samburu District, Kenya. The differential referral patterns from two communities are examined in some detail to shed more light on the meaning of a ‘referral rate’ in this context. First, referral rates over time for two clinics are calculated and compared. These quantitative data, obtained from monthly reports from 1989 to 1997, are interpreted in the light of qualitative data obtained from interviews with community health workers, nurses and members of the communities. The main differences in referral between these ostensibly similar communities are for malaria, trauma and anaemia. Social, environmental and specific health services factors are used to explain these differences. We demonstrate that basic information from health information systems, which tell us little on their own because referral in this context is a rare event, can be combined with local knowledge from the community to provide evidence for health managers to set priorities for public health and clinical interventions. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Organizing health care within political turmoil: the Palestinian case
Authors: Hamdan Motasem , Defever Mia , Abdeen Ziad
Published: March 2003

Palestinians were given control over their own health services in late 1994. Since then they have been facing the challenge of reorganizing disordered health services into a cohesive, regulated and sustainable health care system.

This paper focuses on the experience of organizing health care during political instability. It considers the ways that health care is currently provided and funded in the Palestinian Territories. The patterns of accessibility to health care services in terms of insurance coverage and provision (physical allocation) of services are discussed. Finally, the major health care policy changes in this transitional period are examined. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Influence of macroinvertebrates on physico‐chemical and microbial processes in hyporheic sediments
Authors: Mermillod‐Blondin Florian , Gaudet Jean‐Paul , Gérino Magali , Desrosiers Gaston , Creuzé des Châtelliers Michel
Published: March 2003

The objective of this study was to measure the effects of invertebrates on the physical characteristics and microbial processes in hyporheic sediments. We investigated the impacts of an assemblage of three taxa (asellids, chironomid larvae, and tubificid worms) on sediment distribution, water fluxes, sediment organic carbon, biofilm (attached bacteria) characteristics, and O2, dissolved organic carbon NO3−, NO2−, and NH4+ concentrations in slow filtration sand–gravel columns. The results showed that invertebrates clearly modified the distribution of particles in the sediment column, probably because of the structures (tubes, macropores, and faecal pellets) produced by the three taxa in the sediment. Our assessment of water fluxes indicated that invertebrate activities led to an increase in the porosity of the sediment columns. In addition, aerobic (O2 consumption) and anaerobic (denitrification and fermentative decomposition of organic matter) microbial processes occurring in the sediment were stimulated in the presence of invertebrates. Finally, the present study demonstrates that invertebrates can act as ecosystem engineers in heterogeneous sediments that are under the influence of an advective flux of water. The solute residence time increased in columns containing the faunal assemblage. Micro‐organisms used more dissolved organic matter and nutrients in the presence of invertebrates because invertebrate activities increased the contact between the biofilm and water. We conclude that engineering by invertebrates in natural conditions modifies characteristics of the hyporheic zone and thereby enhances both the porosity of the sediment and the solute transport across the benthic interface. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Performance reporting: Promises, problems, and prospects
Authors: Burke Joseph C. , Minassians Henrik P
Published: March 2003

The promises of performance reporting to enhance external accountability and institutional improvement depend on the willingness of leaders to address its problems. State officials must react to the reports and use the results in decision making. Academic leaders must agree on how to assess student learning and require academic departments to report on relevant indicators.
Stimulation of bone formation with an in situ setting tricalcium phosphate/rhBMP‐2 composite in rats
Authors: Niedhart Christopher , Maus Uwe , Redmann Eva , Schmidt‐Rohlfing Bernhard , Niethard Fritz U. , Siebert Christian H.
Published: March 2003

The aim of the study was to determine bone‐regenerative effects of an in situ setting tricalcium phosphate (TCP) cement combined with rhBMP‐2 and to compare it with autologous bone graft. A trepanation defect of 1.5 mm in the femur diaphysis of Sprague–Dawley rats was filled with an in situ setting TCP cement combined with 0, 0.25, 2.5, or 25 μg of rhBMP‐2, an autologous bone graft, or left empty. The rats were euthanized after 1 and 3 weeks and examined by radiography, histology, histomorphometry, and bending tests. All TCP groups with or without BMP‐2 showed a good bony ingrowth with a close bone–cement contact. Histomorphometric analysis showed no increase of new bone formation in the defect, but a dose‐dependent increase in callus formation with a maximum at 25 μg of rhBMP‐2. As shown with intravital fluorochrome staining, new bone formation started earlier using rhBMP‐2. Bone strength, measured in a three‐point bending test and expressed in percentage of the contralateral healthy femur, was 75% for TCP + 25 μg rhBMP‐2, 44% for TCP + 2.5 μg rhBMP‐2, and 34% for autologous bone graft. TCP particles were detectable in all groups after 3 weeks. Callus formation and bending strength of the TCP + 25 μg rhBMP‐2 group was superior to autologous bone graft. So TCP/rhBMP‐2 composites may prove to be an effective substitute for autologous bone grafts. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res 65A: 17–23, 2003
Macrophages at the skeletal tissue–device interface of loosened prosthetic devices express bone‐related genes and their products
Authors: Zreiqat H. , Kumar R. K. , Markovic B. , Zicat B. , Howlett C. R.
Published: March 2003

Aseptic loosening of prosthetic arthroplasty is the most common reason for implant failure in adult orthopaedic reconstruction. At the interface of aseptic loosened prostheses, there is an abundance of particle‐activated macrophages and other inflammatory cells. The role of these particle‐laden macrophages in the osteogenic arm of the remodeling skeleton in this pathological condition is poorly understood. Molecular signaling by mesenchymal cells and mononuclear inflammatory cells residing in the interfacial tissues between bone and cement or prosthetic material of aseptically loosened joint prostheses was studied using in situ hybridization and immunohistochemical techniques. We found that a range of collagenous and noncollagenous matrix proteins, including osteopontin, osteocalcin, bone sialoprotein, and type I collagen, were produced in the periprosthetic tissue by foamy macrophages, as well as nearby osteogenic cells. The former accumulated in profusion in the three zones of interfacial tissues: pseudomembranous, fibrous, and osseous. Spindle mesenchymal cells in the fibrous zone failed to express any of the osteogenic mRNAs or proteins sought. The expression of bone‐related genes and proteins by foamy macrophages at the interface of an aseptic loosened prosthesis may contribute to the disturbance of bone remodeling at this site. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res 65A: 109–117, 2003
Cell attachment and growth on films prepared from poly(depsipeptide‐co‐lactide) having various functional groups
Authors: Ohya Yuichi , Matsunami Hideaki , Yamabe Etsuro , Ouchi Tatsuro
Published: March 2003

In tissue engineering related to the regeneration of damaged or lost tissue, excellent biodegradable materials are desired as temporary scaffolds to support cell growth and then disappear with the progress of tissue regeneration. We previously synthesized biodegradable poly(depsipeptide‐co‐lactide), poly[(Glc‐Asp)‐co‐LA], and poly[(Glc‐Lys)‐co‐LA] with reactive side‐chain groups. In this study, to evaluate the utility of these copolymers as functional scaffolds for tissue regeneration, the effects of reactive and ionic side‐chain groups on cell attachment and growth were investigated using copolymer films with various numbers of carboxyl or amino groups. Poly[(Glc‐Lys)‐co‐LA] and poly[(Glc‐Asp)‐co‐LA] films having appropriate positive or negative charges exhibited higher cell attachment ability than did poly‐L‐lactide. Good cell growth was observed on the copolymer films. During cell culture, the copolymer films exhibited higher degradation rates related to the depsipeptide content. Biodegradable polymer matrices with reactive surfaces for cell growth successfully were prepared using copolymers with various numbers of depsipeptide units. Varying the depsipeptide unit numbers in the copolymer could change the degradation rate of these matrices. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res 65A: 79–88, 2003
Proanthocyanidin: A natural crosslinking reagent for stabilizing collagen matrices
Authors: Han Bo , Jaurequi Jason , Tang Bao Wei , Nimni Marcel E.
Published: March 2003

While attempting to find a suitable crosslinking reagent for biopolymers, a naturally occurring proanthocyanidin (PA) obtained from grape seeds was selected to fix biological tissues. The cytotoxicity and crosslinking rate, reflected by the in vitro and in vivo degradation of fixed matrices has been studied. The shrinkage temperature of the fixed bovine pericardium increased from 66 to 86°C. A cytotoxicity assay using fibroblast cultures revealed that PA is ∼120 times less toxic than glutaraldehyde (GA), a currently used tissue stabilizer. In vitro degradation studies showed that fixed tissue was resistant to digestion by bacterial collagenase. Crosslinks between PA and tissues can be stabilized by decreasing the dielectric constant of the solution during storage. After subcutaneous implantation for periods ranging between 3 and 6 weeks, we found no apparent degradation of the GA‐ or PA‐fixed tissues, whereas fresh tissue controls rapidly disintegrated. Beyond 6 weeks PA crosslinks began to degrade. More fibroblasts migrated and proliferated inside the PA‐fixed implants compared with GA counterparts. Tissues crosslinked with PA manifested an enhanced collagen expression and deposition and did not calcify after implantation. GA, on the other hand, even after thorough rinsing continued to be cytotoxic, inhibited collagen synthesis and encouraged dystrophic calcification. Collagen matrices crosslinked with PA are expected to be of value in the design of matrices that will encourage cell ingrowth and proliferation, which are temporary in nature, and that are intended to regenerate or replace missing tissues, which can delay the biogradation of collagen. As such they should be of significant value in the emerging field of tissue engineering. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res 65A: 118–124, 2003
Composition and in vitro biocompatibility of corroding tungsten coils
Authors: Peuster Matthias , Kaese Volker , Wuensch Gerold , von Schnakenburg Christian , Niemeyer Matthias , Fink Christoph , Haferkamp Heinz , Hausdorf Gerd
Published: March 2003

The purpose of the article is to evaluate composition and biocompatibility of corroding mechanically detachable spirals (MDS, Balt Extrusion, Montmorency, France). Analysis of the material composition of corroding MDS coils was assessed by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy, inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy, and wavelength‐dispersive x‐ray spectrometry. Toxicity assays were performed with human venous endothelial cells, venous smooth muscle cells and fibroblasts. The analyses of the MDS coils demonstrated a tungsten content of the dissolving MDS spirals of > 99.9 mas%. In vitro, human endothelial, vascular smooth muscle cells and fibroblasts were not adversely affected by markedly elevated tungsten concentrations (60,500 μg/l) after 12 days in the culture medium. The examined cells showed an extensive vital growth on the coil surface. Corrosion of tungsten coils leads to markedly elevated tungsten levels in the culture medium. However, growth and vitality of endothelial cells, fibroblasts, and vascular smooth muscle cells are not adversely affected by elevated tungsten concentrations. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 65B: 211–216, 2003
Human aldehyde dehydrogenases: Potential pathological, pharmacological, and toxicological impact
Authors: Sládek Norman E.
Published: March 2003

Aldehyde dehydrogenases catalyze the pyridine nucleotide‐dependent oxidation of aldehydes to acids. Seventeen enzymes are currently viewed as belonging to the human aldehyde dehydrogenase superfamily. Summarized herein, insofar as the information is available, are the structural composition, physical properties, tissue distribution, subcellular location, substrate specificity, and cofactor preference of each member of this superfamily. Also summarized are the chromosomal locations and organization of the genes that encode these enzymes and the biological consequences when enzyme activity is lost or substantially diminished. Broadly, aldehyde dehydrogenases can be categorized as critical for normal development and/or physiological homeostasis (1) even when the organism is in a friendly environment or (2) only when the organism finds itself in a hostile environment. The primary, if not sole, evolved raison d'être of first category aldehyde dehydrogenases appears to be to catalyze the biotransformation of a single endobiotic for which they are relatively specific and of which the resultant metabolite is essential to the organism. Most of the human aldehyde dehydrogenases for which the relevant information is available fall into this category. Second category aldehyde dehydrogenases are relatively substrate nonspecific and their evolved raison d'être seems to be to protect the organism from potentially harmful xenobiotics, specifically aldehydes or xenobiotics that give rise to aldehydes, by catalyzing their detoxification. Thus, the lack of a fully functional first category aldehyde dehydrogenase results in a gross pathological phenotype in the absence of any insult, whereas the lack of a functional second category aldehyde dehydrogenase is ordinarily of no consequence with respect to gross phenotype, but is of consequence in that regard when the organism is subjected to a relevant insult. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 17:7–23, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/jbt.10057
Purification and activity of two phospholipase enzymes from Naja nigricolis nigricolis reinhardt venom
Authors: Abubakar M. S. , Nok A. J. , Abdurahman E. M. , Haruna A. K. , Shok M.
Published: March 2003

Two phospholipase enzymes NN1 and NN2 were purified from the venom of Naja nigricolis nigricolis Reinhardt to apparent homogeneity. NN1 was purified by a two‐step anion‐exchange chromatography on DEAE‐cellulose column while NN2 was purified by a combination of anion‐exchange chromatography and gel filteration on Sephadex G‐150. The enzyme NN1 moved homogenously on acrylamide gel as a monomer with a molecular weight of 65 kDa while NN2 was a dimer of 71 kDa. Both enzymes were clearly separated. Both enzymes hydrolyzed L‐α‐phosphatidyl choline with activities of 345.5 for NN1 and 727.8 μmol min−1 mg−1 for NN2. The dimeric 71‐kDa enzyme has a higher haemolytic and anticoagulant activity than the monomeric 65‐kDa enzyme. It is apparent that the dimeric enzyme has a more pronounced activity than the monomer has, thus toxic activity may be related to the hydrolysis of phospholipids. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 17:53–58, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/jbt.10060
The importance of quality: A post September 11 perspective
Authors: Stanwick Sarah D. , Stanwick Peter A.
Published: March 2003

In these difficult times, many businesses have cut production and workforce to control costs. But what about
quality? Customers still demand a quality product at a reasonable price. The authors first explain how to
evaluate the costs of quality, and give tips on setting up a quality management system. They then discuss how
companies have responded in this turbulent era, and what we can expect in the future. © 2003 Wiley
Periodicals, Inc.
Same origins of DNA replication function on the active and inactive human X chromosomes
Authors: Cohen Stephanie M. , Brylawski Bruna P. , Cordeiro‐Stone Marila , Kaufman David G.
Published: March 2003

We previously characterized a functional origin of DNA replication at the transcriptional promoter of the human hypoxanthine‐guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (HPRT) gene (Cohen et al. [2002] J. Cell. Biochem. 85:346‐356). This origin was mapped using a quantitative PCR assay to evaluate the relative abundance of HPRT markers in short nascent DNA strands isolated from asynchronous cultures of male fibroblasts. The HPRT gene on the X chromosome is transcriptionally active in male human fibroblasts. It is known that on the heterochromatic X chromosome in female cells the HPRT gene is transcriptionally silenced and its replication timing changes from early to late in S phase. This change in replication timing could indicate that replication of the HPRT gene is under the control of different origins of DNA replication in the active (euchromatic, early replicating) and the inactive (heterochromatic, late replicating) X chromosomes. In the present study, we identified the location of the origin of replication of a second X chromosome gene, glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), which we mapped to its transcriptional promoter, in normal male human fibroblasts. Then, we determined the activity of the previously identified HPRT and the G6PD human origins in hybrid hamster cells carrying either the active or the inactive human X chromosome. The results of these studies clearly demonstrated that the human HPRT and G6PD origins of replication were utilized to the same extent in the active and the inactive X chromosomes. Therefore, transcription activity at the HPRT and G6PD genes is not necessary for initiation of DNA replication at the origins mapped to these chromosomal loci. J. Cell. Biochem. 88: 923–931, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Fracture healing as a post‐natal developmental process: Molecular, spatial, and temporal aspects of its regulation
Authors: Gerstenfeld Louis C. , Cullinane Dennis M. , Barnes George L. , Graves Dana T. , Einhorn Thomas A.
Published: March 2003

Fracture healing is a specialized post‐natal repair process that recapitulates aspects of embryological skeletal development. While many of the molecular mechanisms that control cellular differentiation and growth during embryogenesis recur during fracture healing, these processes take place in a post‐natal environment that is unique and distinct from those which exist during embryogenesis. This Prospect Article will highlight a number of central biological processes that are believed to be crucial in the embryonic differentiation and growth of skeletal tissues and review the functional role of these processes during fracture healing. Specific aspects of fracture healing that will be considered in relation to embryological development are: (1) the anatomic structure of the fracture callus as it evolves during healing; (2) the origins of stem cells and morphogenetic signals that facilitate the repair process; (3) the role of the biomechanical environment in controlling cellular differentiation during repair; (4) the role of three key groups of soluble factors, pro‐inflammatory cytokines, the TGF‐β superfamily, and angiogenic factors, during repair; and (5) the relationship of the genetic components that control bone mass and remodeling to the mechanisms that control skeletal tissue repair in response to fracture. J. Cell. Biochem. 88: 873–884, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Inhibition of actin polymerization enhances commitment to and execution of apoptosis induced by withdrawal of trophic support
Authors: Celeste Morley S. , Sun Guang‐Ping , Bierer Barbara E.
Published: March 2003

We have previously shown, using jasplakinolide, that stabilization of the actin cytoskeleton enhanced apoptosis induced upon cytokine withdrawal (Posey and Bierer [1999] J. Biol. Chem. 274:4259–4265). It remained possible, however, that a disruption in the regulation of actin dynamics, and not simply F‐actin stabilization, was required to affect the transduction of an apoptotic signal. We have now tested the effects of cytochalasin D, a well‐characterized agent that promoted actin depolymerization. Actin depolymerization did not affect CD95 (Fas)‐induced death of Jurkat T cells in the time course studied but did enhance the commitment to cytokine withdrawal‐induced apoptosis of factor‐dependent cell lines. The induction of cell death was not the result of direct cytoskeletal collapse, since treatment of the cells with cytochalasin D in the presence of IL‐2 did not promote death. As with jasplakinolide, the enhancement of commitment to apoptosis could be delayed by overexpression of the anti‐apoptotic protein Bcl‐xL, but, unlike jasplakinolide, cytochalasin D modestly affected the “execution” stage of apoptosis as well. Taken together, these results suggest that changes in actin dynamics, i.e., the rate of actin polymerization and depolymerization, modulate the transduction of the apoptotic signal committing lymphocytes, withdrawn from required growth factors, to the death pathway. J. Cell. Biochem. 88: 1066–1076, 2003. Published 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Soluble glucocorticoid‐induced tumor necrosis factor receptor (sGITR) increased MMP‐9 activity in murine macrophage
Authors: Lee Hee‐Sook , Shin Hyun‐Hee , Kwon Byoung S. , Choi Hye‐Seon
Published: March 2003

Glucocorticoid induced tumor necrosis factor receptor (GITR), a new TNFR family, increased production of matrix matalloproteinase (MMP‐9) in murine macrophages. Murine macrophages produced a band of gelatinolytic activity at 100 kDa when stimulated for 18 h with soluble GITR. MMP‐9 was identified by gelatin zymography and Western blot. Previous results demonstrated that murine macrophages express GITR and GITR ligand constitutively. Induction of MMP‐9 was synergistic with co‐treatment of INF‐γ. MMPs could play a critical role in progression and promotion of tissue injury after inflammation stimulated by GITR/ligand system. J. Cell. Biochem. 88: 1048–1056, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
nMoldyn: A program package for a neutron scattering oriented analysis of molecular dynamics simulations
Authors: Róg T. , Murzyn K. , Hinsen K. , Kneller G. R.
Published: March 2003

We present a new implementation of the program nMoldyn, which has been developed for the computation and decomposition of neutron scattering intensities from Molecular Dynamics trajectories (Comp. Phys. Commun 1995, 91, 191–214). The new implementation extends the functionality of the original version, provides a much more convenient user interface (both graphical/interactive and batch), and can be used as a tool set for implementing new analysis modules. This was made possible by the use of a high‐level language, Python, and of modern object‐oriented programming techniques. The quantities that can be calculated by nMoldyn are the mean‐square displacement, the velocity autocorrelation function as well as its Fourier transform (the density of states) and its memory function, the angular velocity autocorrelation function and its Fourier transform, the reorientational correlation function, and several functions specific to neutron scattering: the coherent and incoherent intermediate scattering functions with their Fourier transforms, the memory function of the coherent scattering function, and the elastic incoherent structure factor. The possibility to compute memory function is a new and powerful feature that allows to relate simulation results to theoretical studies. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem 24: 657–667, 2003
Spirituality and the MMPI‐2
Authors: MacDonald Douglas A. , Holland Daniel
Published: March 2003

The present investigation was an exploratory examination of the relation of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory‐2 (MMPI‐2; Butcher, Dahlstrom, Graham, Tellegen, & Kaemmer, 1989) Clinical scales to spirituality operationalized in terms of self‐reported religious involvement and scores on a multidimensional measure called the Expressions of Spirituality Inventory (ESI; MacDonald, 1997, 2000). MANOVA and correlational results indicate that the MMPI‐2 Clinical scales generate patterns of findings consistent with available research on spirituality and health. In particular, persons reporting involvement in organized religion obtained significantly lower MMPI‐2 Clinical scale scores and were found to be less likely to obtain a clinically significant score (i.e., t‐scores >64) on any of the MMPI‐2 scales. Further, with the exception of Masculine‐Feminine and Hypomania, all MMPI‐2 scales were found to associate appreciably with ESI dimension scores. The study concludes with a brief discussion of the meaning and implications of the findings for future research aimed at investigating the relation of spirituality to health. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol 59: 399–410, 2003.
Individualized measurement of irrational beliefs in remitted depressives
Authors: Solomon Ari , Arnow Bruce A. , Gotlib Ian H. , Wind Brian
Published: March 2003

Recent reviews of cognitive theories of depression have noted that individualized assessment strategies might help to resolve mixed findings regarding the stability of depressotypic beliefs and attitudes. We describe encouraging results for an individualized measure of one such cognitive construct, irrational beliefs. Twenty depression‐prone women (recurrent major depressives in full remission) and twenty closely matched never‐depressed controls completed leading forced‐choice measures of irrational beliefs (the Belief Scale; BS) and sociotropy‐autonomy (The Revised Personal Style Inventory), as well as the Specific Demands on Self Scale (SDS). The BS requires participants to rate their agreement with twenty preselected statements of irrational beliefs, while the SDS focuses on whether participants harbor any strongly held irrational beliefs, even if uncommon or idiosyncratic. Consistent with previous research, there were no group differences on the traditional measure of irrational beliefs. In contrast, depression‐prone participants strongly exceeded controls on the SDS, and this difference persisted after controlling for residual depression, anxiety symptoms, anxiety diagnoses, sociotropy, and autonomy. These findings provide some initial support for a key assumption of the rational–emotive model of depression, and, more broadly, suggest that individualized assessment strategies may help researchers capture the core negative beliefs of asymptomatic individuals, even in the absence of mood or cognitive priming. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol 59: 439–455, 2003.
Therapist use of silence in therapy: A survey
Authors: Hill Clara E. , Thompson Barbara J. , Ladany Nicholas
Published: March 2003

Eighty‐one therapists responded to a mailed survey about their use of silence during a specific event in therapy and about their general attitudes about using silence in therapy. For the specific event, therapists used silence primarily to facilitate reflection, encourage responsibility, facilitate expression of feelings, not interrupt session flow, and convey empathy. During silence, therapists observed the client, thought about the therapy, and conveyed interest. In general, therapists indicated that they would use silence with clients who were actively problem solving, but they would not use silence with very disturbed clients. Therapists learned about using silence mostly through clinical experience. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol 59: 513–524, 2003.
Pulpal regeneration after cavity preparation, with special reference to close spatio‐relationships between odontoblasts and immunocompetent cells
Authors: Ohshima Hayato , Nakakura‐Ohshima Kuniko , Takeuchi Kiichi , Hoshino Masaaki , Takano Yoshiro , Maeda Takeyasu
Published: March 2003

The regeneration process of the odontoblast cell layer incident to tooth injury, especially its relationship with immunocompetent cells in pulp healing, has not been fully understood. The purpose of the present study was to clarify this relationship between odontoblasts and immunocompetent cells in the process of pulp regeneration following cavity preparation in rat molars by immunocytochemistry for heat shock protein (Hsp) 25 as well as class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules. In untreated control teeth, intense Hsp 25‐immunoreactivity was found in the cell bodies of odontoblasts and their processes within the predentin, whereas class II MHC‐positive cells were predominantly located beneath the odontoblast cell layer. Cavity preparation caused the destruction of the odontoblast layer to form an edematous lesion and the shift of class II MHC‐positive cells with the injured odontoblasts toward the pulp core at the affected site. Some damaged odontoblasts without apparent cytoplasmic processes, round in profile, retained the immunoreactivity for Hsp25, suggesting the survival of a part of the odontoblasts against artificial external stimuli. Twelve hours after cavity preparation, numerous class II MHC‐positive cells appeared along the pulp‐dentin border and extended their processes deep into the exposed dentinal tubules. By postoperative 72 hours, newly differentiated odontoblasts with Hsp 25‐immunoreactivity were arranged at the pulp‐dentin border, but the class II MHC‐positive cells moved from the pulp‐dentin border to the subodontoblastic layer. These findings indicate that the time course of changes in the expression of Hsp 25‐immunoreactivity reflects the regeneration process of odontoblasts. The functional roles of Hsp 25‐positive odontoblasts and immunocompetent cells such as class II MHC‐positive cells in the process of pulp regeneration after cavity preparation are discussed in conjunction with our previous experimental data. Microsc. Res. Tech. 60:483–490, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
From conflict to co‐operation: some design issues for local collective action institutions in cities
Authors: Anand P. B.
Published: March 2003

This paper presents a discussion on some design principles of local collective action institutions, using a case study from India. Various potential conflicts in the functioning of such institutions are explored. Does group homogeneity and social capital foster collective action? This is explored using female literacy rate in the neighbourhood. The regression results suggest that individual characteristics may be more important than group homogeneity to explain whether an individual joins a collective action organization. An exploration of conjectures from Koremanos et al. study of design of international organizations to the context of local collective action suggests some differences and a need for further exploration. It appears that local collective action institutions can be better designed by ‘thinking globally’. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Reconstruction of the muscle system in Antygomonas sp. (Kinorhyncha, Cyclorhagida) by means of phalloidin labeling and cLSM
Authors: Müller Monika C.M. , Schmidt‐Rhaesa Andreas
Published: March 2003

In the present investigation the entire muscle system of the cyclorhagid kinorhynch Antygomonas sp. was three‐dimensionally reconstructed from whole mounts by means of FITC‐phalloidin labeling and confocal scanning microscopy. With this technique, which proved to be especially useful for microscopically small species, we wanted to reinvestigate and supplement the findings obtained by histological and electron microscopical methods. The organization of the major muscle systems can be summarized as follows: 1) All muscle fibers, apart from the intestinal ones, the spine, and the mouth cone muscles, show a cross‐striated pattern; 2) Dorsal longitudinal muscle fibers as well as segmentally arranged dorsoventral fibers occur from segment III to XIII; 3) Diagonal muscle fibers are located laterally in segments III to X; 4) Two rings of circular fibers are present in segment II, forming the closing apparatus in Cyclorhagida. Further circular muscles are present in segment I, forming the mouth cone and the eversible introvert, and in the pharyngeal bulb. J. Morphol. 256:103–110, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Osteology and skeletal development of Apalone spinifera (Reptilia: Testudines: Trionychidae)
Authors: Sheil Christopher A.
Published: March 2003

Despite considerable attention that other groups of reptiles have received, few descriptions of the development and sequences of chondrification and ossification of the entire skeleton of turtles exist. Herein, the adult skeleton of the spiny softshell turtle, Apalone spinifera (Testudines: Trionychidae), is described; this description forms a basis of comparison for the embryonic skeleton and its ontogenesis. Descriptions are made on the basis of cleared and double‐stained embryos and dry skeletal postembryonic specimens. The embryonic chondrocranium of A. spinifera is described and compared to those of Emys orbicularis and Caretta caretta, the sequence of chondrification of fore‐ and hindlimbs are compared with published descriptions of Chelydra serpentina and Chrysemys picta, and the sequence of ossification of elements is compared with those of C. serpentina, Lacerta vivipara, and Alligator mississippiensis. In A. spinifera, the first elements that ossify (Stage 17) are associated with the dermatocranium and mandible, followed by elements of the dermal skull table, lower jaw, and dermal elements of the plastron. In A. spinifera, the sequence of chondrification of limb elements is similar to that of C. serpentina; however, the sequence of ossification varies greatly among Apalone, Chelydra, Lacerta, and Alligator. J. Morphol. 256:42–78, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Diaphragm muscle development in bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus)
Authors: Dearolf J.L.
Published: March 2003

Being born directly into the aquatic environment creates unique challenges for the breathing muscles of neonatal cetaceans. Not only must these muscles be active at the instant of birth to ventilate the lungs, but their activities must also be coordinated with those of the locomotor muscles such that breathing takes place only at the water's surface. At least one major locomotory muscle of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) has been demonstrated to be well developed and, therefore, able to power the neonatal dolphin's early movements (Dearolf et al. [2000] J Morphol 244:203–215). Thus, because of the demands for coordinated behavior with the locomotor muscles, it is hypothesized that the breathing muscles of bottlenose dolphins, represented in this study by the diaphragm, will also demonstrate adult morphology at birth. However, histochemical and biochemical analyses demonstrate that neonatal dolphins have immature diaphragms, with only 52% of the adult slow fiber‐type profile (neonates: 34% slow‐twitch fibers; adults: 66% slow‐twitch fibers). The developmental state of the dolphin diaphragm is compared to those of other neonatal mammals, using a muscle development index (% slow‐twitch fibers in neonatal muscle / % slow‐twitch fibers in adult muscle). Fiber‐type profiles reported in the literature are used to calculate index values for the diaphragms of altricial rats, rabbits, and cats, intermediate baboons and humans, and precocial sheep and horses. The dolphin is not unique in having an immature diaphragm at birth; however, there is a positive relationship between the developmental state of the diaphragm and the overall developmental state of the neonate. The presence of type IIc (“undifferentiated”) fibers in the diaphragms of altricial developers (e.g., rats, rabbits, and cats) is correlated with the slow contraction speeds recorded from their diaphragms. The diaphragms of neonatal horses and dolphins express little to no type IIc fibers and, thus, may have the ability to contract at the speeds required for their increased ventilation rates. These results lead to the modification of the criterion for evaluating the developmental state of a muscle at birth. Thus, the developmental state of a neonatal muscle should be based on both its value of Dearolf et al.'s (2000) developmental index, as well as the percentage of type IIc fibers found in that muscle. J. Morphol. 256:79–88, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.