bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Isolation and Identification of Chromium-Reducing Bacteria from Challawa Industrial Area Kano State, Nigeria
Authors: Ahmad F. A. , Yusuf F. , Shehu U. , Muhammad F. , Yakasai H. M.
Published: February 2022

Chromium (Cr) is toxic, mutagenic, carcinogenic, and harmful to most plants, animals, and bacteria inhabiting aquatic environments because it is motile, highly toxic, soluble in water and it is a good oxidizing agent and it is detrimental to cell membranes. Chromium remediation with the help of microorganisms is believed to be the best and cheaper technology at hand to clean up Cr contamination, some chromium resistant bacteria can reduce chromium (VI) to (III) with the help of reductase enzymes. This research was aimed to isolate and identify bacteria capable of reducing chromium from tannery effluent. The level of chromium from different tannery industries was analyzed using Microwave Plasma Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (MPAES) and compared to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standard which shows that all the samples were above the EPA standard except for one sample, a pour plating method was used to isolate the bacteria on Luria Bertani (LB) amended with K2Cr2O7 after serial dilution, the isolate was identified morphologically, biochemically and molecularly as Acetanaerobacter sp. based on 16s rRNA gene sequencing and molecular phylogenetic analysis, Atomic absorption spectrophotometry was carried out to determine the level of chromium from the bio-reduced sample. A reduction of 18.32% was observed in broth treated with the isolate within 48 hours of incubation at 37°C.
The Impact of Social Media on the Academic Life and Performance of High School Students in Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia
Authors: Al-Saleh Suha Saleh , Al-Shaikh Mubarak Hanan , Alharbi Yara Refaat
Published: February 2022

Social media has a vital part of an individual's life that allows people to communicate with one another. In recent days the prevalence of addiction to social media among students is a serious issue. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of social media on the academic life and performance of high school students in Saudi schools, in Eastern Province Saudi Arabia. This was a cross-sectional questionnaire-based study conducted in a Saudi school over 3 months (Nov 2020 Jan 2021), where 203 high school students were participated in the study. Data collected from the questionnaire included the academic performance in terms of school marks, the duration of social media use, time spend for studying, and social media addiction. Data analysis was performed using a statistical package for social science version 26 (SPSS) was used.  Most of the participants were male students 131 (64%) and half of them 82 (40.4%) were in their academic second year. The mean time spent by students studying in a week was 18.50(M=18.50, SD = 8.33), while 3.79 mean hours per day were spent by students to use social media (M= 3.79, SD=2.65). A large majority of the participants using WhatsApp 191(94%) followed by snap chat 176 (86.7%).  About 171 (84.2%) agreed that the time spend on social networks takes up their time for studying. Based on Internet distraction, 81.3% of the participants agreed that social network is the main reason for their distraction in studies. The time spend on studying per week were significantly associated with gender (P= 0.0001), age (P= 0.0001). Also there was significant difference between male and female in the final exam scoring (P= 0.0001). The results found that the use of social media among Saudi school students’ found high. Additionally, findings reported that the use of social media has distracted students from studying.
Effectiveness of Ginger Candy on Dysmenorrhea among Adolescent Girls of a Nursing College at Vadodara
Authors: Patel Aishwaryakumari S. , Kumary T. Vinaya
Published: February 2022

Background of Study: Adolescence period for a girl is a time of physical and mental preparation for a safe mother. Dysmenorrhea is a painful menstrual cycle. It is characterized as painful pelvic pain that begins shortly before or early in the menstruation and lasts 1 to 3 days. Anxiety and fatigue were ongoing problems for girls with dysmenorrhea. There are a variety of options for treating dysmenorrhea that include a medical and non-medical approach. Ginger is a drug that is found to have a relaxation effect on muscle disorders which is why it can play a positive role in dysmenorrhea.

Materials and Methods: The present study aims to assess the effect of Ginger Candy on dysmenorrhea among adolescent girls at College of Nursing, Parul University, Vadodara. Quasi experimental study design was adopted for the study. A total of 60 samples (30 in experimental group and 30 in control group) were selected using Non probability purposive sampling. The tool consists of socio-demographic variable, menstrual variables and Numerical pain rating scale to assess dysmenorrhea pain. Study participants were explained about the risks and benefits of the study and assured that anonymity and confidentiality will be maintained. Informed consent was obtained from all the participants. Pre-test level of dysmenorrhea was assessed, Ginger candy was administered to participants in experimental group (morning and evening for first two days of menstruation). Post-test was conducted to assess dysmenorrhea pain using numeric pain rating scale. The data was arranged and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.

Results: Present study results showed that in experimental group pre-test majority 21(70%) of adolescent girls had severe dysmenorrhea whereas in post-test majority 18(60%) had mild dysmenorrhea. In control group pre-test majority 19(63.3%) had severe dysmenorrhea while in post-test majority 23(76.7%) had moderate dysmenorrhea. Findings revealed that in experimental group post-test mean pain score was 3.37±1.189 and in control group post-test mean score was 5.07±1.202 with mean difference of 1.70 with obtained t value (t=5.509, df=58, p=0.001) was significant at p<0.05 level. There was no significant association found between dysmenorrhea and selected demographic variables of adolescent girls.
Cystitis Glandularis with Intestinal Metaplasia
Authors: Bijou Martha Rinnah , Josephine A. , Lilly S. Mary
Published: February 2022

Cystitis glandularis (CG) is an unusual proliferative disorder of the urinary bladder, which is characterized by transitional cells that have undergone glandular metaplasia.  Cystitis glandularis has occasionally been proposed as a precursor of adenocarcinoma by various studies. Also, the intestinal subtype of cystitis glandularis has been described as premalignant. Here, we report a case of 37 year old female presenting with hematuria and acute retention of urine with cystoscopy revealing a pedunculated growth arising from the anterior wall of the bladder. Transurethral resection of the bladder tumour was performed and histopathology suggested cystitis glandularis with intestinal metaplasia. Immunohistochemical study was done using CDX2 and CK20 which showed nuclear and cytoplasmic positivity respectively and hence the diagnosis was confirmed. Intestinal metaplasia is a risk factor and a putative precursor of adenocarcinoma. Hence the, proper evaluation of the histological features and immunohistochemical studies of cystitis glandularis, especially intestinal type helps in correct categorization of this lesion.

Due to the increased occurrence of adenocarcinoma in patients with cystitis glandularis, it is recommended to have a close follow up of the patients diagnosed with cystitis glandularis with intestinal metaplasia because it may turn malignant.
Numerical Study of the Air Conditioning of a Room by a Two-phase Thermosyphon Loop Using Meteorological Data from Mamou (Guinea)
Authors: Diallo Abdoulaye , Chesneau Xavier , Diaby Idrissa , El-Maktoume Djanfar
Published: February 2022

This paper presents a numerical study of the air-conditioning of a room by a two-phase thermosyphon loop using meteorological data from the Mamou region (Guinea). The room is composed of a rectangular roof and a passenger compartment in the form of a parallelepiped. In addition, the air-conditioning unit that operates with methanol is composed of an evaporator, a condenser, a riser and a downcomer. The heat transfer modelling governing the habitat model and the air conditioning loop is based on the nodal method. The coupling of the system is done by convective transfer between the internal air of the habitat and the surface of the evaporator. The equations are solved by the implicit finite difference method. Thus, this resolution made it possible to determine the influence of the parameters on the model. This work presents results of the habitat with and without the air-conditioning loop for typical days in March of Mamou. These results show that the use of the air conditioning loop can contribute to lowering the internal air temperature. The value of the maximum temperature of the indoor air of the habitat with the air conditioner is about 299 K while that of the air without air conditioner is about 303 K. The variation of parameters such as temperature, wall thickness, incident solar flux, air exchange rate and evaporator surface has a significant impact on the operation of the air conditioner and on the temperature of the conditioned room. A low wall thickness or a high air exchange rate contributes to the temperature increase in the room. For a wall thickness of 10 cm, 15 cm or 40 cm, the air temperatures are 301.5 K, 297 K and 296.9 K respectively. However, for a habitat without an air conditioner the temperature is 303 K when the wall thickness is 15 cm.
Excavation of an urned cremation burial of the Bronze Age, Glennan, Argyll and Bute
Authors: MacGregor Gavin , Miller Jennifer , Roberts Julie , Donnelly Michael , Tompsett Gary , Evans Caitlin
Published: February 2022

As part of the Historic Scotland Human Remains Call Off Contract, Glasgow University Archaeological Research Division (GUARD) undertook an archaeological excavation of a prehistoric urned cremation deposit within a boulder shelter at Glennan, Kilmartin, Argyll and Bute (NGR: NM 8622 0097). Analysis has shown the cremation was of a male probably aged between 25 and 40 years. He had suffered from slight spinal joint disease, and mild iron deficiency anaemia, though neither seems likely to have affected his general health. He was cremated shortly after death, together with a young sheep or goat, and their remains were subsequently picked from the pyre and co-mingled before burial in the urn. An unburnt retouched flint flake was recovered which may have accompanied the burial. The closest parallels for the cremation container are found within the tradition of Enlarged Food Vessel urns, a tradition that is poorly dated but probably has a currency in the first half of the second millennium BC.
Photosensitive nitrile hydratase intrinsically possesses nitric oxide bound to the non‐heme iron center: evidence by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy
Authors: Noguchi Takumi , Honda Jun , Nagamune Teruyuki , Sasabe Hiroyuki , Inoue Yorinao , Endo Isao
Published: July 2002

Nitrile hydratase (NHase) from Rhodococcus sp. N771 is a photosensitive enzyme that catalyzes hydration of nitriles to the corresponding amides. Light‐induced Fourier transform infrared difference spectra between the inactive and active forms of NHase were measured with both the natural (14N) and 15N‐labeled NHases. The results showed, for the first time, that NHase intrinsically possesses nitric oxide (NO) molecules bound to the non‐heme iron center. The possible role of NO in the photoactivation process of NHase is discussed.
Transit sequence‐dependent binding of the chloroplast precursor protein ferredoxin to lipid vesicles and its implications for membrane stability
Authors: van 't Hof Ron , de Kruijff Ben
Published: July 2002

The binding of the transit peptide (trfd) and precursor of the chloroplast protein ferredoxin (prefd) to large unilamellar lipid vesicles was investigated in relation to the lipid composition of the bilayer. Prefd binds with a dissociation constant of 0.27 μM to vesicles with a composition corresponding to the chloroplast envelope outer membrane. Binding is mediated by the transit sequence. From an analysis of binding to vesicles containing the individual lipid components it could be concluded that anionic lipids are mainly responsible for binding, emphasizing the importance of electrostatics for the transit sequence‐lipid interaction. Binding is also mediated by the specific chloroplast glycolipid monogalactosyldiacylglycerol. Monolayer experiments revealed that in this case a more extended domain of the transit sequence inserts into the lipid layer. Precursor binding does not result in a loss of vesicle barrier function. However, high concentrations of trfd do cause release of vesicle‐enclosed carboxyfluorescein. The results are discussed in the light of the chloroplast protein import process, with special emphasis on the role of monogalactosyldiacylglycerol.
A cell‐free protein translocation system prepared entirely from a Gram‐positive organism
Authors: Schimz Karl-Ludwig , Decker Gaby , Frings Elke , Meens Jochen , Klein Michael , Müller Matthias
Published: July 2002

A cell‐free protein translocation system derived exclusively from a Gram‐positive bacterium is described here for the first time. Highly efficient in vitro synthesis of plasmid encoded preprolipase of Staphylococcus hyicus is accomplished by coupled transcription/translation using either a cytosolic extract of S. carnosus alone or in combination with T7‐RNA‐polymerase. Addition of inside‐out cytoplasmic membrane vesicles of S. carnosus leads to the partial conversion (processing) of preprolipase to prolipase. In addition, as shown in a protease protection assay, a significant part of preprolipase plus prolipase is translocated in vitro into the lumen of the vesicles. Translocation of preprolipase into the membrane vesicles requires the proton‐motive force and the S. carnosus SecA protein.
cDNA cloning of a new putative ATPase subunit p45 of the human 26S proteasome, a homolog of yeast transcriptional factor Sug1p
Authors: Akiyama Kin-ya , Yokota Kin-ya , Kagawa Susumu , Shimbara Naoki , DeMartino George N. , Slaughter Clive A. , Noda Chiseko , Tanaka Keiji
Published: July 2002

The nucleotide sequence of a cDNA that encodes a new regulatory subunit, named p45, of the 265 proteasome of human hepatoblastoma HepG2 cells has been determined. The polypeptide predicted from the open reading frame consists of 406 amino acid residues with a calculated molecular weight of 45770 and isoelectric point of 8.35. The sequences of several fragments of bovine p45, determined by protein chemical analyses, spanning 27% of the complete structure, were found to be in excellent accord with those deduced from the human cDNA sequence. Computer analysis showed that p45 belongs to a family of putative ATPases which includes regulatory components of 26S proteasomes. The overall structure of p45 was found to be homologous to that of yeast Suglp, which has been identified as a transcriptional factor. It is closely similar, but not identical to the sequence reported for Tripl, a functional homolog of Suglp in human tissues. These results are consistent with the possibility that Sugl‐like proteins with distinct sequence function in transcription and protein degradation in human cells. However, the alternative hypothesis, that the same gene locus encodes both p45 and Tripl, cannot be excluded on the basis of such closely similar sequences. In either case, both proteins are likely to function equivalently well in either transcription or protein degradation.
Complete 13C assignments for recombinant Cu(I) rusticyanin prediction of secondary structure from patterns of chemical shifts
Authors: Toy-Palmer Anna , Prytulla Stefan , Jane Dyson H.
Published: July 2002

Complete resonance assignments for the 13C spectrum of reduced (Cu(I)) rusticyanin have been made using 13C,15N doubly labeled recombinant material. The reported assignments include those for the carboxyl and carbon l carbon atoms and protonated aromatic ring carbons, and were obtained using a variety of 2‐ and 3D inverse‐detected NMR experiments, including 13C,15N,1H triple resonance experiments and HCCH‐COSY and ‐TOCSY. Backbone carbonyl assignments were obtained using 3D HNCO and HCACO spectra, and modified versions of 2D H(CA)CO and HMBC spectra were used to obtain side‐chain carboxyl carbon and methionine ϵ‐methyl carbon assignments, respectively. A comparison of the 13Cα, 13Cβ and 13CO chemical shifts with published ‘random coil’ values confirms the conclusion reached from a consideration of the 3
J
HNα
coupling constants and the pattern of sequential NOEs, that the protein consists largely of β‐structure.
Complex demethylation patterns at Sp1 binding sites in F9 embryonal carcinoma cells
Authors: Silke John , Rother Kristina I. , Georgiev Oleg , Schaffner Walter , Matsuo Koichi
Published: July 2002

The ubiquitous transcription factor Sp1 has been implicated in the mechanism which maintains CpG islands methylation‐free. Plasmids containing GC boxes (Sp1 sites) were in vitro methylated at every CpG dinucleotide. After stable introduction into F9 embryonal carcinoma cells, we analysed the methylation of the sequence around the GC boxes with bisulphite sequencing. In agreement with restriction site analysis by other labs, we found preferential demethylation at GC box DNA versus control DNA. However, the bisulphite sequencing which permits the analysis of every CpG site on a given DNA molecule, revealed a complex pattern of methylated and unmethylated sites. Upon prolonged culture the pattern became simpler, with most sites demethylated but certain sites being consistently methylated.
Evidence that the fragmented ribosomal RNAs of Chlamydomonas mitochondria are associated with ribosomes
Authors: Denovan-Wright Eileen M. , Lee Robert W.
Published: July 2002

The discontinuous and scrambled organization of the small subunit and large subunit rRNA coding regions in Chlamydomonas mitochondrial DNA has been well documented. Our goals were to demonstrate that the small transcripts produced by these coding regions in Chlamydomonas eugametos are assembled into mitochondrial ribosomes and to characterize the sedimentation properties of these ribosomes and their subunits in sucrose gradients. Putative mitochondrial ribosomes (60–66S) and their large (44–50S) and small (35–39S) subunits were identified by slot blot hybridization which sedimented independently of the chloroplast and cytosolic ribosomes. A crude mitochondrial pellet prepared from C. eugametos was enriched for mitochondrial small subunit and large subunit rRNA subfragments thereby providing independent confirmation of the mitochondrial association of these rRNA molecules.
Isolation of a novel ras‐recision gene that is induced by hydrogen peroxide from a mouse osteoblastic cell line, MC3T3‐E1
Authors: Egawa Kiyoshi , Yoshiwara Mitsue , Shibanuma Motoko , Nose Kiyoshi
Published: July 2002

Hydrogen peroxide appears to mediate growth factor actions, and it inhibits DNA synthesis in normal mouse osteoblastic cells (MC3T3‐E1) at non‐toxic doses. However the sensitivity of cells to H2O2 is greatly decreased in their ras‐transformants. To understand the molecular basis of this sensitivity to H2O2, we attempted to identify H2O2‐inducible cDNA clones from MC3T3 cells by differential screening of cDNA libraries, and one of such genes, named HIC‐53, was isolated. The level of HIC‐53 mRNA was moderately increased by H2O2 as well as by calcium ionophore or dexamethasone, but was not increased by the addition of serum, tumor promotimg phorbol ester, or epidermal growth factor. Among mouse organs, HIC‐53 mRNA levels were higher in the kidney and lung, but were almost undetectable in the brain, heart, bone, muscle or spleen. In MC3T3 cells transformed with v‐Ki‐ras, the HIC‐53 mRNA level was markedly decreased, and effect of H2O2 was abolished. Although the biological function of HIC‐53 is unknown at present, the predicted amino acid sequence exhibited some similarity with bovine cardiac Na+/Ca+ exchanger. The nucleotide sequence of HIC‐53 cDNA showed no significant similarity with other known gene sequences.
Somatostatinergic phenotype markers in the human neuroblastoma cell‐line LA‐N‐2
Authors: Nilsson Lars , Bergström Lena , Meyersson Gabrielle , Påhlman Sven , Winblad Bengt , Folkesson Ronnie
Published: July 2002

We have characterized somatostatinergic phenotype markers of the human neuroblastoma, LA‐N‐2. A single mRNA‐transcript (∼850bp) and two cellular somatostatin immunoreactivity forms, a high molecular weight form (M
r 15,000) and a fragment corresponding to somatostatin‐28 was found, while the somatostatin‐14 peptide was absent. Saturation binding experiments demonstrated a single class of high‐affinity somatostatin receptors with K
d and B
max of 0.27 ± 0.03 nM and 45 ± 1 fmol/mg protein. Partial G‐protein uncoupling (30%) was demonstrated, using GTPγS, with an affinity of 9.7 nM. The LA‐N‐2 cell line, previously shown to be cholinergic, may serve as a simplified system to elucidate heterologous neurotransmittor interactions. Such studies are of interest since dysfunctions of the cholinergic basal forebrain neurons and somatostatin immunoreactive interneurons have been consistently observed in Alzheimer's disease.
Binding of endothelin to plasma proteins and tissue receptors: effects on endothelin determination, vasoactivity, and tissue kinetics
Authors: Brunner Friedrich , Stessel Heike , Watzinger N. , Löffler Bernd-Michael , Opie Lionel H.
Published: July 2002

In vitro binding of (3‐[125I]Tyr)‐endothelin‐1 ([125I]ET‐1) and (3‐[125I]Tyr)‐big ET‐1(1–38) ([125I]big ET‐1) to plasma proteins of healthy humans, cardiac patients and normotensive and hypertensive rats was investigated by equilibrium dialysis. Binding of both tracers was similar in plasma from healthy humans, patients with congestive heart failure, and following myocardial infarction (∼60%), and marginally higher in rat plasmas (∼70%). Binding of [125I]ET‐1 to human plasma could be explained by binding to human serum albumin. Endogenous plasma ET‐1 levels were ∼9 pg/ml in healthy humans, and ∼12–16 pg/ml in cardiac patients; big ET‐1 concentrations were approximately two‐ to threefold higher. ET‐1 bound to plasma protein was partly lost in column extraction. In rat isolated perfused hearts, the coronary dilator and constrictor potency of exogenous free and albumin‐bound ET‐1 was similar, whereas the kinetics of endogenous ET‐1 was impeded by tight binding to ET receptors. The data indicate that binding of ET‐1 to plasma proteins is without effect on peptide vasoactivity, but binding to tissue receptors greatly impedes its tissue kinetics.
INDEX
Authors: Mandell Lewis
Published: July 2002

NA
The Risks of Pension Plans
Authors: McLeod Robert W. , Moody Sharon , Phillips Aaron
Published: July 2002

This paper identifies and describes the risks to which the prospective pensioner is exposed. An understanding of the types of plans and the risks associated with each will assist the individual pensioner with making a proper analysis of the safety of his/her-plan and acquaint the pensioner with the role of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) and the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBCG) in safeguarding pension assets.
Market Timing for the Individual Investor
Authors: Rich Steven P. , Reiekenstein William
Published: July 2002

Recent research indicates that dividend yield and earnings-price ratio can partially predict long-horizon stock returns. We examine whether individual investors can successfidly construct timing portfolios based on either of these variables or a measure of the expected market risk premium. The out-of-sample tests in this study require that investors rely only on information that was available at the time of the market-timing decision. Timing portfblios based on the market risk premium show the strongest abbility to rime the market. We present an economic rationale for the results that is consistent with efficient markets.
Real Income Growth and Optimal Credit Use
Authors: Fan Jessie X. , Chang Y. Regina , Hanna Sherman
Published: July 2002

Borrowing may be optimal ifreal income is expected to kcrease. rfincome growth is uncertain, optimal credit use is not obvious. A two period model of consumptionfor determining optimal credit use is presented, The impact of real income growth is Malyzed with numerical analysis. The results may be use&l formal cozmselors and educators, as well as for insight into empirical patterns of credit use. The income growth rate expected by the household plays a crucial role in determining opt credit ase for current consumption.
The Impact of Mutual Fund Distributions on After-Tax Returns
Authors: Randolph William Lewis
Published: July 2002

This paper analyzes the impact of mutual fund distributions on after-tax returns. Mutual fund objective and management style are the two most importantfactors which determine the proportion of thefund’s total return that ispaid out in distn’butions. The larger the fund’s annual distributions, the greater the amount of return lost to taxes. The correlation between portfolio turnover and after-tax return is examined and found to be low. A measure of effective portfolio turnover is developed to show the real effect of turnover on distributions. Within some mutual fund categories, the investor can increase after-tax returns by one or two percent by selecting funds with low distributions.
Cardiac troponin I inhibitory peptide: location of interaction sites on troponin C
Authors: Abbott M.Bret , Dvoretsky Alex , Gaponenko Vadim , Rosevear Paul R
Published: July 2002

Cardiac troponin I(129–149) binds to the calcium saturated cardiac troponin C/troponin I(1–80) complex at two distinct sites. Binding of the first equivalent of troponin I(129–149) was found to primarily affect amide proton chemical shifts in the regulatory domain, while the second equivalent perturbed amide proton chemical shifts within the D/E linker region. Nitrogen‐15 transverse relaxation rates showed that binding the first equivalent of inhibitory peptide to the regulatory domain decreased conformational exchange in defunct calcium binding site I and that addition of the second equivalent of inhibitory peptide decreased flexibility in the D/E linker region. No interactions between the inhibitory peptide and the C‐domain of cardiac troponin C were detected by these methods demonstrating that the inhibitory peptide cannot displace cTnI(1–80) from the C‐domain.
Interaction between the critical aromatic amino acid residues Tyr352 and Phe504 in the yeast Gal2 transporter
Authors: Kasahara Toshiko , Kasahara Michihiro
Published: July 2002

Three critical aromatic sites have been identified in the yeast galactose transporter Gal2: Tyr352 at the extracellular boundary of putative transmembrane segment (TM) 7, Tyr446 in the middle of TM10 and Phe504 in the middle of TM12. The relationship between these sites was investigated by random mutagenesis of each combination of two of the three residues. Galactose transport‐positive clones selected by plate assays encoded Tyr446 and specific combinations of aromatic residues at sites 352 and 504. Double‐site mutants containing aromatic residues at these latter two positions showed either essentially full galactose transport activity (Phe352Trp504 and Trp352Trp504) or no significant activity (Phe352Tyr504 and Trp352Tyr504), whereas single‐site mutants showed markedly reduced activity. These results are indicative of a specific interaction between sites 352 and 504 of Gal2.
The sequences of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli and Yersinia pestis that are homologous to the enteroaggregative E. coli heat‐stable enterotoxin gene: cross‐species transfer in evolution
Authors: Yamamoto Tatsuo , Taneike Ikue
Published: July 2002

The enteroaggregative Escherichia coli heat‐stable enterotoxin 1 (EAST1) gene is widely distributed among diarrheagenic E. coli. In this study, we examined the sequences of enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) strains by PCR and sequencing. All the EHEC strains possessed the EAST1 gene homologues but with two types of mutations. One of the mutation types was strongly associated with the large outbreak episodes in 1996 in Japan. Sequence comparison showed that the EHEC sequences are a branch of the EAST1 gene sequence family that showed the cross‐species transfer in evolution among E. coli and Yersinia pestis.
A novel putative transcription factor protein MYT2 that preferentially binds supercoiled DNA and induces DNA synthesis in quiescent cells
Authors: Shao Wei , Lee Angela Y. , Gulnik Sergei , Gustchina Elena , Liu Ya-Lun , Kung Hsiang-Fu , Erickson John W.
Published: July 2002

Myelin transcription factor 2 (MYT2), a putative transcription factor found in the human central nervous system, was cloned from an expression cDNA library from human T‐cells. MYT2 shares weak similarity to bacterial type I topoisomerases and shares 63% sequence identity to a replicase from Leuconostoc mesenteroides. MYT2 preferentially binds supercoiled DNA (scDNA). Incubation of MYT2 and scDNA at or above equal molar ratios generated topoisomer‐like patterns that were abolished by deproteination. Thus, MYT2 appears to relax scDNA via a non‐enzymatic mechanism. The banding pattern of MYT2–scDNA complexes was shown to be quantisized, saturable and sequence‐independent. Microinjection of MYT2 mRNA induced Go growth‐arrested NIH 3T3 cells to enter the S phase of the cell cycle.
Heterocomplex formation between metastasis‐related protein S100A4 (Mts1) and S100A1 as revealed by the yeast two‐hybrid system
Authors: Tarabykina Svetlana , Kriajevska Marina , Scott David J. , Hill Tessa J. , Lafitte Daniel , Derrick Peter J. , Dodson Guy G. , Lukanidin Eugene , Bronstein Igor
Published: July 2002

S100A4 (Mts1) is a Ca2+‐binding protein of the S100 family. This protein plays an important role in promoting tumor metastasis. In order to identify S100A4 interacting proteins, we have applied the yeast two‐hybrid system as an in vivo approach. By screening a mouse mammary adenocarcinoma library, we have demonstrated that S100A4 forms a heterocomplex with S100A1, another member of the S100 family. The non‐covalent heterodimerization was confirmed by fluorescence spectroscopy and electrospray ionization Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry. Mutational analysis revealed that replacement of Cys76 and/or Cys81 of S100A4 by Ser abolishes the S100A4/S100A1 heterodimerization, but does not affect the S100A4 homodimerization in vivo.
Prostaglandin E2 reinforces the activation of Ras signal pathway in lung adenocarcinoma cells via EP3
Authors: Yano Tomohiro , Zissel Gernot , Muller-Qernheim Joachim , Jae Shin Sung , Satoh Haruna , Ichikawa Tomio
Published: July 2002

Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2)‐dependent effects on various cell responses are regulated by respective PGE2 receptors (EP1, EP2, EP3, EP4) expressing in target cells. Alveolar type II cell (a main progenitor cell of lung adenocarcinoma) expressed only EP4, while human lung adenocarcinoma cells (A549) expressed EP3 as well as EP4. An antagonistic effect of EP3 against EP4 through the modulation of cyclic AMP level is required for PGE2‐mediated activation of Ras signal pathway in A549 cells. These results suggest that the expression of EP3 may be a critical factor for the PGE2‐mediated activation of Ras signal pathway in A549 cells.
Anorectal dysfunction in women with urinary incontinence or lower urinary tract symptoms
Authors: Ng S.‐C. , Chen Y.‐C. , Lin L.‐Y. , Chen G.‐D.
Published: July 2002

Objectives: (1) To evaluate the prevalence of anorectal dysfunction among women with urinary storage or voiding symptoms; and (2) to investigate the risk factors associated with anorectal symptoms. Methods: A sample of 320 women who attended the urogynecology outpatient clinic for urodynamic evaluation were requested to complete a structured questionnaire. The information collected included the medical, surgical, gynecological, and obstetric histories of the patients. Anal incontinence was defined as involuntary leakage of solid or liquid feces or gas. Constipation was defined as less than three bowel movements per week. Prevalence was estimated for anal incontinence and for constipation. A chi‐square test was used to compare risk factors between women with and without anal incontinence or constipation. We used a multi‐variable logistic regression analysis to estimate the association between other variables. Result: Forty‐nine (15.9%) women reported having anal incontinence according to the above definition. Of those 49 women, 11 (3.6%) experienced leakage of liquid and/or solid feces and 38 (12.3%) had flatus incontinence. Constipation was reported by 100 (31.5%) of the women. A multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that the main risk factor associated with anal incontinence and constipation was the presence of uterovaginal prolapse (odds ratio=5.02; 95% CI=2.19–11.5 for anal incontinence; odds ratio=1.78; 95% CI=1.03–3.09 for constipation). Conclusion: Our results demonstrate a relatively high prevalence of anal incontinence or constipation among women suffering from urinary dysfunction. Uterovaginal prolapse is the main risk factor associated with anorectal dysfunction.
Application of an Antibody Biochip for p53 Detection and Cancer Diagnosis
Authors: Askari Minoo , Alarie Jean Pierre , Moreno‐Bondi Maria , Vo‐Dinh Tuan
Published: July 2002

Detection of the p53 tumor suppressor gene is important in early cancer diagnostics because alterations in the gene have been associated with carcinogenic manifestations in several tissue types in humans. We have developed an antibody‐based detection instrument, the biochip, to detect the presence of the anti‐p53 antibody in human serum. The design of this highly integrated detector system is based on miniaturized phototransistors having multiple optical sensing elements, amplifiers, discriminators, and logic circuitry on an IC board. The system utilizes laser excitation and fluorescence signals to detect complex formation between the p53 monoclonal antibody and the p53 antigen. Recognition antibodies are immobilized on a nylon membrane platform and incubated in solutions containing antigens labeled with Cy5, a fluorescent cyanine dye. Subsequently, this membrane is placed on the detection platform of the biochip and fluorescence signal is induced using a 632.8‐nm He‐Ne laser. Using this immuno‐biochip, we have been able to detect binding of the p53 monoclonal antibody to the human p53 cancer protein in biological matrices. The performance of the integrated phototransistors and amplifier circuits of the biochip, previously evaluated through measurement of the signal output response for various concentrations of fluorescein‐labeled molecules, have illustrated the linearity of the microchip necessary for quantitative analysis. The design of this biochip permits sensitive, selective and direct measurements of a variety of antigen‐antibody formations at very low concentrations. Furthermore, the acquisitions of the qualitative and quantitative results are accomplished rapidly, in about 15 min. These features demonstrate the potential of this antibody‐based biochip for simple, rapid and early biomedical diagnostics of cancer.
Membrane-associated dipeptidyl peptidase IV is involved in encystation-specific gene expression during Giardia differentiation
Authors: TOUZ María C. , NORES María J. , SLAVIN Ileana , PIACENZA Lucía , ACOSTA Daniel , CARMONA Carlos , LUJÁN Hugo D.
Published: July 2002

Giardia is a flagellated protozoan that resides in the upper small intestine of its vertebrate host and is the most common cause of defined waterborne diarrhoea worldwide. Giardia trophozoites undergo significant biological changes to survive outside the host by differentiating into infective cysts. Encystation is thus essential for transmission of the parasite among susceptible hosts. In the present study, we report that bestatin, a competitive inhibitor of aminopeptidases, blocks cyst formation in vitro by abolishing the expression of encystation-specific genes, such as those coding for cyst wall proteins. Bestatin does not affect proliferating trophozoites, indicating that its effect is encystation-specific. Using biochemical and molecular biological approaches, we identified the enzyme inhibited by bestatin and cloned its corresponding gene. Sequence similarity indicated that this enzyme belongs to a family of dipeptidyl peptidases. Our results suggest that a specific proteolytic event caused by a constitutively expressed membrane-associated dipeptidyl peptidase IV is necessary for encystation of Giardia.
Multicentre, randomized clinical trial of primary versus secondary sigmoid resection in generalized peritonitis complicating sigmoid diverticulitis
Authors:   French Associations for Surgical Research, Zeitoun G , Laurent A , Rouffet F , Hay J-M , Fingerhut A , Paquet J-C , Peillon C
Published: July 2002

Background

The best way to manage generalized peritonitis complicating sigmoid diverticulitis is controversial. This randomized clinical trial involved a comparison of primary resection and suture, drainage with proximal colostomy followed by secondary resection.

Methods

From January 1989 to December 1996, 105 patients of mean(s.d.) age 66(14) (range 32–91) years were randomized to undergo primary or secondary resection. The main endpoint was occurrence of generalized or localized postoperative peritonitis. The Mannheim Peritonitis Index score was calculated for each patient to check for comparability of groups.

Results

Postoperative peritonitis occurred less often after primary than secondary resection whether considering the first procedure only (one of 55 patients versus ten of 48; P < 0·01) or all procedures (one of 55 versus 12 of 48; P < 0·001). Likewise, early reoperation was performed less often following primary resection than secondary resection (two of 55 versus nine of 48 (P < 0·02) and two versus 11 (P < 0·01)), leading to a shorter median first hospital stay for patients having primary resection (15 days) than for those undergoing secondary resection (24 days) (P < 0·05). The mortality rate did not differ significantly with regard to operative policy (primary resection 24 per cent versus secondary resection 19 per cent) or type of peritonitis (faeculent 27 per cent versus purulent 19 per cent). No patient died following a second or third procedure.

Conclusion

Primary resection is superior to secondary resection in the treatment of generalized peritonitis complicating sigmoid diverticulitis because of significantly less postoperative peritonitis, fewer reoperations and shorter hospital stay.
Reflections on the Clinical Utility of the ICD-10 and DSM-IV Classifications and their Diagnostic Criteria
Authors: Bertelsen Aksel
Published: July 2002

Objective: The change to non-theoretical, criteria-based diagnostic classification in ICD-10 and DSM-III/IV has presented a major innovation in clinical psychiatry. The aim of the present paper is to provide a provisional evaluation of their utility in clinical practice.

Method: The method involved a close scrutiny of ICD-10 and DSM-IV with a view to identifying difficulties and problems in their use.

Results and Conclusions: The criteria-based classifications are no longer just coding conventions, but have become part of the conceptual framework of the discipline itself. The advantages, particularly as to the quality and reliability of clinical diagnoses, outweigh the disadvantages with temptations to mechanistic and reductionistic applications of criteria and incomplete nosological evaluation. Comprehensive clinical evaluation, however, should work at two separate levels: one, the initial, syndromatical diagnostic level, followed by the other, the nosological level, with evaluation of factors possibly influencing course and outcome of the psychiatric disorders. Only when both the syndromatical diagnosis and nosological factors are taken into consideration, is it possible to get a full understanding of the disorder necessary for optimal treatment. In this way, clinical psychiatry can be kept as it was intended: a healing discipline.
Diabetes‐induced biochemical changes in rat lens: attenuation of cataractogenesis by pyruvate
Authors: Zhao W. , Devamanoharan P. S. , Henein M. , Ali A. H. , Varma S. D.
Published: July 2002

Aim: Studies have been conducted to determine the effect of pyruvate administration on the biochemistry of rat lens and the status of its transparency as affected by diabetic conditions.

Methods: Sprague‐Dawley rats were rendered diabetic by intravenous (i.v.) injection of streptozotocin (55 mg/kg body weight (b.w.)) and treated with sodium pyruvate (2%) in drinking water. The levels of glucose, fructose, sorbitol, ATP, GSH, MDA as well as glycated proteins in the lenses were determined at various intervals after the onset of diabetes and the values compared with untreated diabetic controls. The progress of cataract formation and associated histological changes in the tissue were also monitored.

Results: Studies show that the pyruvate treatment decreased the extent of several biochemical changes known to be associated with cataract formation, such as the elevation in the levels of glycated proteins, sorbitol, lipid peroxidation (MDA) and inhibition of the cation pump. The progress of cataract was also significantly delayed.

Conclusion: Exogenous administration of this compound hence was found to exert an overall protective effect against cataract formation induced by the diabetic conditions.
Addition of low‐dose rosiglitazone to sulphonylurea therapy improves glycaemic control in Type 2 diabetic patients
Authors: Wolffenbuttel B. H. R. , Gomis R. , Squatrito S. , Jones N. P. , Patwardhan R. N.
Published: July 2002

Aims This study was designed to test the efficacy and safety of low‐dose rosiglitazone, a potent, insulin‐sensitizing thiazolidinedione, in combination with sulphonylurea in Type 2 diabetic patients.

Methods For the intention‐to‐treat analysis, 574 patients (59% male, mean age 61 years) were available, randomized to receive 26 weeks of twice‐daily placebo (n = 192), rosiglitazone 1 mg (n = 199) or rosiglitazone 2 mg (n = 183) in addition to existing sulphonylurea treatment with gliclazide (47.6% of patients), glibenclamide (41.8%) or glipizide (9.4%) (two patients were taking carbutamide or glimepiride). Change in haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), fructosamine, insulin, C‐peptide, albumin, and lipids were measured, and safety was evaluated.

Results Mean baseline HbA1c was 9.2% and FPG was 11.4 mmol/l. Rosiglitazone at doses of 1 and 2 mg b.d. plus sulphonylurea produced significant decreases, compared with sulphonylurea plus placebo, in HbA1c (−0.59% and −1.03%, respectively; both P < 0.0001) and FPG (1.35 mmol/l and 2.44 mmol/l, respectively; both P < 0.0001). Both HDL‐cholesterol and LDL‐cholesterol increased and potentially beneficial decreases in non‐esterified fatty acids and gamma glutamyl transpeptidase levels were seen in both rosiglitazone groups. The overall incidence of adverse experiences was similar in all three treatment groups, with no significant cardiac events, hypoglycaemia or hepatotoxicity.

Conclusions Overall, the combination of rosiglitazone and a sulphonylurea was safe, well tolerated and effective in patients with Type 2 diabetes.
Four different ways of philanthropic aid to the blind in medieval Eastern Christendom
Authors: Diamandopoulou‐Drummond A. H. , Diamandopoulos A. A. , Marketos S. G.
Published: July 2002

The care of the blind, either as medical treatment or as divine therapy, has probably been the most ancient form of help for ill people. However, it was during the Byzantine Empire (325 – 1453 AD) that the state organized a ‘blindness relief’ plan as part of a widespread public health system. Our sources for the subject include medical writings, state decrees, Saint's ‘vitae’ and representations of relevant works of art. Based on the above data we classify the health care for the blind in Byzantium as: (a) support of ophthalmological education as evidenced by an abundance of medical writings on the subject; (b) establishment of charitable institutions exclusively or partially for the blind, where there was not only medical care but also provision for a wide range of social aid – the most advanced being specially trained escorts for each blind person; and (c) support by the state of an extended chain of religious institutions where miraculous help for the blind was promised. We conclude that the public health policy in Byzantium made adequate and very early provision for the blind.
Dehydration, lens movement and dryness ratings of hydrogel contact lenses
Authors: Pritchard Nicola , Fonn Desmond
Published: July 2002

Previous studies have shown that soft lenses dehydrate during lens wear. The purpose of this study was to determine the dehydration time course of 38% water content non‐ionic MedalistTM, 58% ionic AcuvueTM and 74% non‐ionic PermaflexTM lenses, and the relationship between dehydration and in vivo diameter, movement and symptoms of dryness. Nineteen subjects randomly wore three pairs of lenses, each for 7 h. Lens movement and diameter were measured in vivo and hydration after lens removal at 1, 3 and 7 h. Dryness was rated by the subjects using a visual analogue scale. A separate experiment was conducted to measure hydration changes after 7 continuous hours of lens wear. The water content of all three lens types decreased significantly over 7 h with Acuvue decreasing more than the Permaflex and Medalist lenses in the interrupted and continuous experiments (ANOVA P < 0.05). Dehydration of Acuvue was significantly greater in the 7 h continuous experiment (9.0 ± 2.6% H2, ANOVA P = 0.0062) compared to the interrupted experiment. Hydration levels measured for Acuvue lenses on subjects for control purposes at 0, 1, 3 and 7 h showed no difference over time (ANOVA P = 0.0711). Movement of Permaflex lenses decreased 0.60 ± 0.57 mm (ANOVA P = 0.0005) over 7 h and the in vivo diameter of Acuvue lenses decreased by 0.12 ± 0.16 mm (ANOVA P = 0.0569). Dryness ratings increased significantly and equally for all three lenses over 7 h (ANOVA P = 0.9833). No correlation was found between lens dehydration, movement, diameter and dryness with the exception of a weak significant (r = 0.5, P < 0.05) correlation between dehydration and dryness for Permaflex. The results of the study suggest that dehydration of soft lenses over a 7 h period does not significantly affect the clinical performance (dryness and movement) of the three lens types.
Aniseikonia, metamorphopsia and perceived entoptic pattern: some effects of a macular epiretinal membrane, and the subsequent spontaneous separation of the membrane
Authors: Enoch Jay M. , Schwartz Ariah , Chang David , Hirose Hiroshi
Published: July 2002

Following cryo surgery for retinal hole repair, visual effects in the senior author's eyes were caused by an epiretinal membrane. Subjectively, metamorphopsia was noted, and entoptically perceived radial striae were observed centred near fixation. After subsequent cataract surgery, metamorphopsia was not detectable. Several months later, the centre of the striate entoptic pattern was observed to be centred several degrees from fixation. Concurrently, loss of contrast in the central visual field was noted. In time, both the entoptic pattern and the contrast effects became less visible (contrast improved much faster). The epiretinal membrane had spontaneously separated from the fovea. Repeated measurements of aniseikonia were obtained before cataract surgery, and after cataract surgery both prior to, and after the separation of the epiretinal membrane. Inferences are drawn.