bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Virtual Reconstruction of Historical Manor Complexes: Cooperation of Historians and Archivists, Project Activity of Students
Authors: Borodkin Leonid Iosifovich , Gerasimova Yuliya Nikolaevna
Published: November 2020

The article aims at characterizing the joint project of archivists and historians, the Main Archive of Moscow Oblast and Moscow State University. The project virtually reconstructs historical manors using 3D modeling technologies on the basis of archival materials. The paper briefly examines the evolution of dvoryanstvo manors in the 18th - early 19th centuries, their role in the formation of rural society and their culture as well as the manors’ state at present when most of the remaining manors are in ruins. The article formulates three principles that should be observed when choosing objects for their virtual reconstruction. The author shows the optimal set of sources for solving the problems of such projects. These are, first of all, graphic and text sets of design and restoration documentation which was created for restoration work in the second half of the twentieth century including dimensional drawings, opinion of engineers on the state of structures, draft restoration projects, working drawings for strengthening structures, etc.) as well as albums of photographs characterizing the current state of the object. The final part of the article describes the project work of students to virtually reconstruct five historical manors of Moscow Oblast which are objects of cultural heritage of federal or regional significance.
Association of BMI and HDL Cholesterol in Relation to Glycated Albumin in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Kondaveeti Suresh Babu , Jagtap Santosh , Kumar Shilpa , Tiwari Ankit Kumar , Khopade Dipali , Kadam Anita , Ladi Priyanka , Rathod Sachin
Published: November 2020

Introduction: The main issue with the morbidity and mortality of type 2 diabetes is its associated health complications. In the last decade Glycated Albumin (GA) emerged as an extinguished marker for short-term glycaemic control. Aim: To Quadrate the association of Body Mass Index (BMI) along with HDL-cholesterol to GA in Type 2 diabetic cases. Materials and Methods: Total of 50 diabetic cases (Group 1) and 50 healthy non-diabetic control subjects (Group 2) recruited for the study between November 2017 to December 2018, which includes both males and females. Serum samples of both the groups were analysed to assess the lipid profile to GA levels along with BMI. Variations among groups was compared using student t-test by calculating r-values of the parametres and the pearson coefficient was calculated with significant p value at <0.05. Results: The levels of High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol in group 1 when compared with group 2 were significantly lower. Both BMI and GA showed negative correlation with HDL-C levels in both the groups. (p values 0.051 and 0.331 respectively). To boot, there was a statistically undeviating reciprocity of Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol to GA levels, BMI to LDL-cholesterol and BMI to Triglycerides (TG). There was a statistically significant correlation between GA and BMI (r=0.240, p<0.0001) and there was a statistically significant negative correlation between GA and HDL-cholesterol (r=-0.286, p<0.051) in diabetic patients (group 1). The association between GA and LDL-cholesterol (r=0.271, p<0.0001) was also been found statistically significant in group 1. Conclusion: The present study suggests that GA can be adapted as a reliable prospective biomarker that endures the potentiality in prognostication of serum lipid levels in diabetic patients and also BMI is the key formidable feature of dyslipidemia in type 2 diabetic cases.
Rare and Under Reported Causes of Bacteremia: Case Series from a Tertiary Health Care Centre of Northern India
Authors: Singh Sweta , Sahu Chinmoy , Patel Sangram Singh
Published: November 2020

With increasing medical interventions, immunosuppressants, hospital stay and antibiotic use; people are finding increased cases of hospital acquired infections. Bacteremia and sepsis are important cause of morbidity and mortality in tertiary health care centres. Majority of bacteremia are caused by the Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterobacter spp (ESKAPE) pathogens. However, in some cases hospital environment bacteria can cause bacteremia and sepsis, especially in immunocompromised patients. Each bacterium is unique with specific antibiotic susceptibilities. So, accurate identification up to species level is important for management of infections. Automated culture and identification systems like VITEK and Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) helps a lot in these processes. Here, the authors presents a case series of bacteremia caused by rare bacteria; namely Campylobacter coli, Sphingomonas paucimobilis, Paenibacillus thiaminolyticus and Cuprividus gilardii. All bacteria were grown in bactec culture and identifications were confirmed by MALDI-TOF MS and drug susceptibility testing was done by VITEK-2. All the patients were having co-morbidities and antibiotic history. Patients responded to guided antibiotic therapy. The authors reiterate that increased suspicion of infection by these bacteria, especially in bacteremia cases of patients have co-morbidities (like agammaglobulinemia, end stage renal disease, diabetes mellitus, kidney failure, etc). Latest identification techniques like VITEK and MALDI-TOF MS should be utilised for diagnosis and treatment of these infections.
Труды Физико-технологического института. T. 29: Квантовые компьютеры, микро- и наноэлектроника: физика, технология, диагностика и моделирование
Authors: Коллектив авторов
Published: November 2020

Настоящий том посвящен актуальным проблемам квантовых технологий и микроэлектроники. Рассмотрены различные численные и аналитические подходы к моделированию и контролю элементной базы квантовых компьютеров и симуляторов с учетом декогерентизации и квантовых шумов. Представлены современные методы, направленные на инжиниринг различных квантовых состояний, а также их адекватный, полный и точный контроль. Представлены разработки, обеспечивающие существенное улучшение процедур томографии квантовых состояний и операций с учетом несовершенства технологий и измерений. Кроме того, рассмотрены некоторые вопросы, связанные с разработкой и моделированием приборов микроэлектроники и наноэлектроники. Для широкого круга специалистов в области квантовых информационных технологий, микро- и наноэлектроники, а также студентов и аспирантов, обучающихся по соответствующим специальностям. This volume is devoted to topical problems of quantum technologies and microelectronics. Various numerical and analytical approaches to modeling and control of the element base of quantum computers and simulators, taking into account decoherence and quantum noise, are considered. The modern methods aimed at engineering various quantum states, as well as their adequate, complete and accurate control are presented. Developments are presented that provide a significant improvement in the procedures for tomography of quantum states and operations, taking into account the imperfection of technologies and measurements. In addition, some issues related to the development and modeling of microelectronic and nanoelectronic devices are considered. Intended for a wide range of specialists in the field of quantum information technologies, as well as in the field of micro- and nanoelectronics; it can also be recommended to undergraduate and graduate students of relevant specialties.вЃ
Sensorial Quality and Physicochemical Properties of Newly Developed Ice-Cream, with Plant Originated Stabilizer; Modified Kithul (Caryota urens) Flour
Authors: Wijesinghe J. A. A. C. , Manamperi K. M. P. , Nandasiri D. H. M.
Published: November 2020

Aims: Replacement of existing stabilizer in ice cream industry by using modified Kithul (Caryota urens) flour which helps to reduce usage of other ingredients which are used for improve the texture and creaminess of the product was examined. Kithul (Caryota urens) flour has better stabilizing ability than other flour and it can be used in product diversification in the food industry. The objective of this study was to use modified Kithul (Caryota urens) flour as a new plant origin stabilizer for the production of ice cream which can be easily applied for ice cream machines.

Study Design: Three treatments were prepared as commercial stabilizer based (industrial mixture) as the control (A), and two samples with modified Kithul flour under two condition as without refrigerated (B) and 24 hours refrigerated (C) the modified Kithul flour with milk before preparing ice cream.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Biosystems Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture and Plantation Management, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka, between June 2019 and January 2020.

Methodology: Three samples were evaluated for its sensory properties and selected ice cream sample from the sensory evaluation (Treatment B) was evaluated for proximate composition and evaluated for physicochemical properties vs industrial ice cream as a control.

Results: The comparison revealed that modified Kithul flour-based ice cream (Treatment B) was better in terms of low cost of production, high overrun and high overall acceptability in the sensory analysis vs industrial ice cream (Treatment A).

Conclusion: According to the results of the evaluation of quality attributes, without refrigerated milk-modified Kithul flour mixture before making ice cream is better than the industrial ice cream due to their low cost of production, high overrun and high overall acceptability in sensory analysis.
Detection of Mycobacteria in Clinical Samples by the Newly Developed PaxView TB/NTM MPCR-ULFA Kit
Authors: Choo Jong-Hee , Kim Chang-Ki , Park Young-Kil
Published: November 2020

Aims: To evaluate sensitivity and specificity of the newly developed PaxView TB/NTM MPCR-ULFA Kit. 

Study Design: Compared with the licensed AdvanSure TB/NTM real-time PCR.

Place and Duration of Study: SCL and PaxGenBio in Gyeonggi-do, Korea, between August 2018 and May 2019.

Methodology: In this study, 350 specimens including sputum, bronchial washing, body fluid, tissue, urine, and cerebrospinal fluid were examined to evaluate the performance of the PaxView TB/NTM MPCR-ULFA Kit compared to results of the currently licensed AdvanSure TB/NTM real-time PCR (LG Chem, Korea).

Results: Compared to the AdvanSure TB/NTM real-time PCR, the PaxView TB/NTM MPCR-ULFA Kit test was found to possess a 100% sensitivity. In other words, all 140 MTB and 61 non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) specimens that tested positive with the AdvanSure TB/NTM real-time PCR also tested positive with the PaxView TB/NTM MPCR-ULFA Kit. However, the specificity of the later kit found to be 97.9% (146/149; 95% CI 95.6–100.0), meaning that out of 149 MTB/NTM specimens that tested negative with the AdvanSure TB/NTM real-time PCR, 146 were identified as MTB/NTM-negative according to the PaxView TB/NTM MPCR-ULFA Kit. Nonetheless, the overall agreement between the two diagnostic tools was 99.1% (347/350; 95% CI 98.1– 100.0) and the kappa value was 0.982 (350; 95% CI 0.968 – 0.995), meaning that the two diagnostic tools rendered almost identical results.

Conclusion: The PaxView TB/NTM MPCR-ULFA Kit could be useful to identify MTB and NTM in resource-limited countries, as this procedure is far more cost-effective than real-time PCR and convenient than conventional gel electrophoresis approaches.
Retracted: Artificial Intelligence Relationship on Consumer Behavior in Marketing Theory
Authors: Nayeem Abdur Rakib , Islam Mohammad Khairul , Alam Md. Khorshed , Akter Mst. Fatema , Raja Md. Shahab Ali
Published: November 2020

Various recently-introduced applications of artificial intelligence (AI) operate at the interface between businesses and consumers. This paper looks at whether these innovations have relevant implications for marketing theory. The latest literature on the connection between AI and marketing has emphasized a great variety of AI applications that qualify this relationship. Based on these studies but focusing only on the applications with a direct impact on the relationship at the very heart of marketing, i.e., the one between firms and consumers, the paper analyzes three categories of AI applications: AI-based shipping-then-shopping, AI-based service robots, and AI-based smart products and domestic robots. The main result of this first analysis is that all three categories have to do, each in their own way, with mass customization. A discussion of this common trait leads us to recognize their ways to mass customization that – unlike the traditional approach developed thanks to flexible automation and product modularity technologies – place the customization process within a broader perspective of consumer needs management. This change in approach means that marketing should focus more on managing consumers’ needs than directly on the satisfaction of those needs. This finding marks a genuine discontinuity that opens up a new space for reflection for scholars and marketing managers alike.

 

Retraction Notice: This paper has been retracted from the journal after receipt of written complains. This journal is determined to promote integrity in research publication. This retraction is in spirit of the same. After formal procedures editor(s) and publisher have retracted this paper on 10th  November-2020. Related policy is available here: http://goo.gl/lI77Nn
Effects of Macroeconomic Variables on Bank Credit in Saudi Arabia: An ARDL Bounds Testing Approach to Cointegration
Authors: Bashir Mohamed Sharif , Ibrahim Ahmed Abdu Allah
Published: November 2020

The main objective of the paper is to examine the relationship between bank credit and the major macroeconomic variables of Saudi Arabia during the period from 1993 to 2019. An autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) method was employed to estimate the short-run and long-run effects of the major macroeconomic variables on bank credit. The study revealed that the real exchange rate and money supply have positive long-run effects on bank credit compared to the negative effects of inflation on bank credit. Gross domestic product (GDP) has a negative effect on total bank credit, which is in conflict with the Keynesian view. In the short run, the effect of GDP on bank credit is negative, whereas inflation has a positive influence on bank credit. Based on the findings, the study suggests some expansionary monetary and fiscal policies, such as raising asset prices and lowering the costs of borrowing, increasing spending and cutting taxes to produce budget deficits for stabilizing the financial system and increasing national income to promote sustainable and stable growth in bank credit.
The Importance and Level of Adaptation of STP Strategies for Growth in Foreign Markets: In the Case of Soft Drinks Company
Authors: Jewel Md. Mahathy Hasan , Kalam Kh Khaled
Published: November 2020

STP denotes Segmentation, Targeting, and Positioning. This study's main purpose is to demonstrate the STP concept's understanding and its importance in the success or failure of a Soft Drinks company. Examines the competitive role of Soft Drinks in the global soft beverage industry. Since they operate in over 200 countries, they have a simple choice as to whether their products are standardized worldwide and whether they can benefit from economies of magnitude and adapt their products to a given market. Many literature has been written about external and sometimes uncontrollable factors that could influence a plan to position companies. This particular report has been developed with two major sections. The study covered and explained STP's concept and why STP is essential in the international business area in the first segment. In the second segment, the report covered the issue of changing and adapting the STP concept of Soft Drinks in the global market and how the companies formulate new strategies in place of their original one according to the international market's demand and volatility. Besides, this segment covered those companies' main steps to capture local business and create and enhance their brand value by securing profit margins by maintaining productivity. Based on the understanding gathered from this study, the report finally explored the practices of Soft Drinks Company in regards to this particular study area and dug out the reasons for changing and adapting its SPT strategy in the international marketplace and the underlying impact of this adaptation practices focusing on the distribution channel of Soft Drinks in overseas localized markets. These specific factors help Soft Drinks to established financial growth in the global market. The study's main limitation is the lack of enough analysis for Soft Drinks as STP analysis only a small part of the strategical analysis.
Nipping - A Simple Strategy to Boost The Yield - Review
Authors: Sanbagavalli S. , Bhavana Jangam , Pavithra S.
Published: November 2020

Nipping is an important practice that removes the apical dominance and promotes the lateral branches which in turn improves the yield of crops. It plays a vital role for better maintenance of source and sink relationship and for ameliorating the productivity. Nipping can be done in two ways either by clipping manually or by spraying growth retardants such as mepiquat chloride, chlormequat chloride and maleic hydrazide. In this review, the influence of nipping on the growth and yield of various crops has been discussed.
Giant Intrapericardial Teratoma – Enough Space Left in the Neonatal Thorax?
Authors: Weidenbach Michael , Paech Christian , Hornemann Frauke , Vollroth Marcel
Published: November 2020

Objective: Optimal treatment of fetal intrapericardial teratoma is controversial, especially in regard to fetal intervention. Given the rarity of the disease case reports can assist in decision making.

Case Report: We report on a neonate with a giant intrapericardial teratoma detected in utero, almost filling the entire thorax. Delivery was planned per cesarean section with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) stand-by. As a surprise the child adopted very well after birth, requiring only continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). The tumor was resected on the next day without injuring cardiac structures. The child was and discharged on day 10 post-surgery.

Conclusion: Our case supports the assumption that even in very large tumors the postnatal course can be benign, if there is no fetal hydrops.
Efficacy of Levosalbutamol/Ipratropium Combination in Early Bronchodilator Reversibility
Authors: Iyigun Ozgun , Uzar Tugce , Karaman Irem , Dirican Adem , Ozkaya Sevket
Published: November 2020

Objective: The bronchodilator test is a useful method for measuring the changes in lung capacity with spirometry after inhaling a short-acting bronchodilator drug to diagnose patients with obstructive lung disease. Although its liquid form was available, the inhaler form of levosalbutamol is a relatively new short-acting bronchodilator. To measure the efficacy of levosalbutamol in acute bronchodilator reversibility, in this study, we aimed to compare the effects of salbutamol and new levosalbutamol/ipratropium combination on early reversibility and FEV1 changes observed in bronchodilator tests.

Methods: Bronchodilator test results of forty-two patients who were selected according to the inclusion criteria were retrospectively analyzed. The results of spirometry analysis were evaluated for twenty-four patients who received salbutamol (Group I) and eighteen patients who received levosalbutamol/ipratropium combination (Group II). Reversibility levels were evaluated as the absolute and percentage changes in FEV1.

Results: The changes of absolute and percentage values of mean FEV1 were 159±118 mL, 12.2%±11.4% in salbutamol (Group I) group and 233±191mL, 18.8%±15.6% in levosalbutamol / ipratropium (Group II) combination (p=0.025 and 0.048, respectively). Although no significant difference was observed in the reversibility results, Group II showed significantly improved FEV1 values compared to Group I.

Conclusion: To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study demonstrating that the combination of inhalation therapy with levosalbutamol and ipratropium bromide is more beneficial than salbutamol alone in terms of FEV1 improvement in bronchodilator test. We suggest that this combination can be a good candidate for utilization in diagnostic bronchodilator tests since it proved a specific higher improvement in FEV1 values.
Future Healthcare Providers’ Knowledge about Ebola Virus Disease: A Private University Students’ Perspective
Authors: Iqbal Muhammad Zahid , Khan Salah-Ud-Din , Iqbal Muhammad Shahid
Published: November 2020

Objective: The objective of the study was to determine the knowledge of future healthcare providers regarding the Ebola virus disease (EVD) in a private university.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a convenience sampling method. A self-developed and pre-validated tool was used to collect data from students studying in three health care faculties of a university in Malaysia. The Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) Version 24.0 was used to analyze the data.

Results: More female students 170 (62.3%) participated in the present study than the male students 103 (37.7%), out of a total of 273 studied students. The majority of the final year students had an adequate knowledge towards EVD than the pre-final year students.

Conclusion: Overall appropriate and good knowledge was observed among the studied future healthcare providers. The present study concluded that pharmacy students had better knowledge regarding EVD than the rest of the studied students.
Local Community Participation in Tourism in Siau Island, Sitaro District, North Sulawesi, Indonesia
Authors: Hurdawaty Ramon , Elsa Vanessa Mikha , Kusumaningrum Dewi Ayu
Published: November 2020

This research aims to determine the role played by local communities in developing tourism on the island of Siau and also to find out how the government moves local people in the tourism sector. The research method used is qualitative research with descriptive methods. The data collection technique used interviews with several informants to the local community, members of the Sitaro Nature Lovers Community (KOMPAS), the Chairperson of the DPC Sitaro Indonesian Tourism Association and to the government, namely the Head of the Tourism and Culture Office of Siau Regency, Tagulandang Biaro (Sitaro). From the results of the research, there is participation by local communities in tourism on Siau Island in the form of selling food near tourist objects, maintaining tourist objects and maintaining cleanliness. The local community is also involved in the development of tourism on Siau Island. The government's role in mobilizing local communities to help in the tourism sector is still not optimal because there are still tourist objects that have not been optimally managed.
Solubilization and partial purification of protein kinase systems from brain membranes that phosphorylate calspectin
Authors: Sobue Kenji , Kanda Keiko , Kakiuchi Shiro
Published: July 2002

In brain tissue a spectrin‐like calmodulin‐binding protein calspectin, or fodrin, is concentrated in a synaptosome fraction, where most of the calspectin is associated with the synaptic membranes. This endogenous calspectin was phosphorylated by protein kinase system(s) associated with the membranes. Here, we report the solubilization and partial purification of the membrane‐associated calspectin kinase activity. The activity was resolved on a gel filtration column into two fractions, peaks I and II having estimated M
r of 800 000 and 88 000. The activity of peak I was dependent on the presence of both Ca2+ and calmodulin. Peak II revealed a basal activity in the absence of Ca2+ and calmodulin, which was stimulated 2‐fold by addition of Ca2+. Calmodulin had no effect on the peak II activity.
Evidence for a wide‐spread occurrence of the genes of quinolizidine alkaloid biosynthesis
Authors: Wink M. , Witte L.
Published: July 2002

A short‐time increase of quinolizidine alkaloid accumulation can be induced in cell suspension cultures of Lupinus polyphyllus by application of foreign alkaloids such as papaverine, coniine, and other compounds like cAMP, polyamines, or even by transfer of the cells into fresh, autoclaved cell culture medium. This induction can be inhibited by cycloheximide. Using the same method of induction we were able to show quinolizidine alkaloid accumulation in cell cultures of 6 species (Conium maculatum, Daucus carota, Atropa belladonna, Chenopodium rubrum, Spinacia oleracea, Symphytum officinale), which are supposed to produce other alkaloids or no alkaloids at all. This indicates that the genes of quinolizidine alkaloid biosynthesis are obviously not restricted to the Fabaceae family but are widely distributed in higher plants.
A rat brain protein kinase phosphorylating specifically neurofilaments
Authors: Toru-Delbauffe D. , Pierre M.
Published: July 2002

Protein kinase activities associated with neurofilament (cAMP, cGMP, Ca2+‐independent) were almost completely extracted by 0.8 M KCl. Two activities were separated by either sucrose gradient ultracentrifugation of phosphocellulose chromatography. One of them phosphorylates specifically neurofilament proteins and preferentially the triplet (200 kDA, 145 kDa and 68 kDa) but neither casein nor type IIA histone. The second activity was identified as casein kinase I and does not catalyze the phosphorylation of neurofilament protein.
Characterization of a bifunctional wheat inhibitor of endogenous α‐amylase and subtilisin
Authors: Mundy J. , Hejgaard J. , Svendsen I.
Published: July 2002

A bifunctional α‐amylase/serine protease inhibitor which inhibits germination‐specific cereal α‐amylases of the Graminae subfamily Festucoideae as well as bacterial subtilisins has been isolated from wheat grains. This protein has M
r ≈20500 and pI ≈7.2. The amino acid composition and N‐teminal sequence (45 residues) show that the inhibitor is homologous with cereal and leguminous inhibitors of the soybean trypsin inhibitor (Kunitz) family.
Protein turnover in the cytoplasmic transport system within an insect ovary ‐ a clue to the mechanism of microtubule‐associated transport
Authors: Stebbings H. , Sharma K. , Hunt Cherryl
Published: July 2002

The movement of radioactively labelled polypeptides into the microtubule‐associated transport channels in the ovaries of a hemipteran insect has been analysed using SDS‐polyacrylamide slab gel electrophoresis and fluorography. The patterns of label suggest that the microtubules which pack the transport channels form a relatively static cytoskeleton while other components move independently from them along the channels. As well as illustrating the functional organisation of microtubule‐associated transport in this system our studies of labelled proteins have also provided clues as to the mechanism of transport itself.
The determination of intracellular water space by NMR
Authors: Shinar Hadassah , Navon Gil
Published: July 2002

A new method for the determination of intracellular water space using NMR spectroscopy is described. The method is based on the measurement of 59Co NMR signal intensity of an inert, stable and membraneimpermeable cobalt(III) compound such as Co(CN)6
3− or Co(imidazole)6
3+ and the 2H or 1H NMR signal intensities of the freely permeable water. As an example of the method, the variation of the intracellular water space of human erythrocytes as a function of osmolality was measured
The respiratory system of Sulfolobus acidocaldarius, a thermoacidophilic archaebacterium
Authors: Anemüller S. , Lübben M. , Schäfer G.
Published: July 2002

The respiratory properties, cellular ATP content and absorption difference spectra of Sulfolobus acidocaldarius (DSM 639) have been investigated. In contrast to earlier postulates regarding Thermoplasma acidophilum [(1984) Syst. Appl. Microbiol. 5, 30‐40], S. acidocaldarius seemed to depend energetically on respiration‐coupled phosphorylation. Its ATP content strictly depended on respiratory activity. Its membrane is capable of proton pumping and presumably contains a branched electron transport system. The latter is composed of at least 2 types of cytochromes, an a+‐ and presumably an o‐type, while c‐type cytochromes could not be detected. It appears possible that one of the terminal oxidases is directly reduced by the socalled caldariellaquinone, found in the same organism [(1983) Syst. Appl. Microbiol. 4, 295‐304].
Interaction of estramustine phosphate with microtubule‐associated proteins
Authors: Wallin Margareta , Deinum Johanna , Fridén Bo
Published: July 2002

We have reported [(1984) Cancer Res., in press] that estramustine phosphate inhibits microtubule assembly and disassembled preformed microtubules. We now present evidence that estramustine phosphate inhibits microtubule assembly by binding to the microtubule‐associated proteins. We have found that: (1) additional microtubule‐associated proteins relieved the inhibition of assembly by estramustine phosphate; (2) 3H‐labelled estramustine phosphate bound predominantly to the microtubule‐associated proteins; and (3) the content of the microtubule‐associated proteins was reduced in taxol reversed estramustine phosphate‐inhibited microtubules.
E. coli Ada regulatory protein repairs the Sp diastereoisomer of alkylated DNA
Authors: Hamblin Michael R. , Potter Barry V.L.
Published: July 2002

Using HPLC and 31P NMR spectroscopy on a chemically synthesized asymmetric mixture of the diastereoisomers of thymidyl(3' → 5')thymidyl‐O‐methyl phosphate absolute configuration has been correlated with Chromatographic mobility. The methyl phosphotriester system in alkylated DNA which is repaired by the Ada regulatory protein of E. coli has consequently been established to possess the S
p configuration.
Ganglionic nAChRs and high‐affinity nicotinic binding sites are not equivalent
Authors: Kemp George , Morley Barbara J.
Published: July 2002

High‐affinity (K
d ⋍ 10 nM) binding sites for nicotine and acetylcholine (ACh) have recently been identified in vertebrate brain. It has been suggested that these sites are desensitized ganglionic (C6) nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). We have tested the pheochromocytoma cell line PC 12, which is known to contain well‐expressed C6 nAChRs, to determine if these nAChRs are associated with high‐affinity [3H]ACh‐binding sites. We found that the high‐affinity nicotinic [3H]ACh‐binding site is absent in PC 12 cells. We also found that the concentration of nicotine or ACh necessary to desensitize carbamylcholine‐stimulated Na+ flux was at least two orders of magnitude greater than the concentrations used in binding experiments. We conclude that high‐affinity nicotinic binding sites are not equivalent to C6 ganglionic receptors.
Evidence for sialidase hydrolyzing gangliosides GM2 and GM1 in rat liver plasma membrane
Authors: Miyagi Taeko , Tsuiki Shigeru
Published: July 2002

Rat liver plasma membrane removed sialic acid from mixed bovine brain gangliosides more efficiently than from sialyllactose and orosomucoid with an optimal pH of 4.5. When individual gangliosides, each labeled with [14C]sialic acid or [3H]sphingosine, were tested, not only GDla and GM3 but also GM2 and GM1, both of which had been considered to resist mammalian sialidases, were desialylated. The products of GM2 and GM1 hydrolysis were identified as asialo‐GM2 and asialo‐GM1, respectively, by thin‐layer chromatography.
Simple repetitive sequences in the genomes of archaebacteria
Authors: Vashakidze R.P. , Prangishvili D.A.
Published: July 2002

Stretches of simple sequences poly(dG‐dT) · poly(dC‐dA) · poly(dG‐dA) · poly(dC‐dT) · poly(dG) · poly(dC) and poly(dA) · poly(dT), the occurrence of which is a characteristic feature of eukaryotic genomes, are found in the genomes of archaebacteria Halobacterium halobium and Sulfolobus acidocaldarius. In S. acidocaldarius these sequences constitute a considerable portion of the genome; they belong to a class of repetitive sequences dispersed throughout the genome, being transcribed and found in RNAs of different lengths.
Amino acid sequence of a cytotoxin‐like basic protein with low cytotoxic activity from the venom of the Thailand cobra Naja naja siamensis
Authors: Inoue Seiji , Ohkura Kazuto , Ikeda Kiyoshi , Hayashi Kyozo
Published: July 2002

A cytotoxin‐like basic protein (CLBP) was isolated from the venom of the Thailand cobra (Naja naja siamensis). The cytotoxicity of CLBP toward FL cells was one order of magnitude lower than those of cytotoxins. The amino acid sequence was determined by a combination of conventional methods. The total number of amino acid residues was 62, giving a molecular mass of 6977 Da. The sequence at residues 25–30 in the CLBP molecule was found to be significantly different from those of cytotoxins. This region might play an important role in the cytotoxic activity of cytotoxins.
Analysis of NMR spectra of sugar chains of glycolipids by 1D homonuclear Hartmann‐Hahn and NOE experiments
Authors: Inagaki F. , Kodama C. , Suzuki M. , Suzuki A.
Published: July 2002

We applied ID homonuclear Hartmann‐Hahn (1D‐HOHAHA) and difference NOE experiments to determine the chemical structure of Forssman's antigen, a glycolipid purified from sheep red blood cells. The subspectra corresponding to the individual sugar components were extracted from overlapping proton resonances by selective excitation of the anomeric proton resonances, so that unambiguous assignments of the sugar proton resonances were accomplished. Then, difference NOE experiments were performed to determine the linkage of the sugar units. The present procedure was found to be useful for the structure determination of glycoconjugates and also reduces the amount of samples and machine time.
Analysis of NMR spectra of sugar chains of glycolipids by multiple relayed COSY and 2D homonuclear
Authors: Inagaki F. , Kohda D. , Kodama C. , Suzuki A.
Published: July 2002

We applied multiple relayed COSY and 2D homonuclear Hartman‐Hahn spectroscopy to globoside, a glycolipid purified from human red blood cells. The subspectra corresponding to individual sugar components were extracted even from overlapping proton resonances by taking the cross sections of 2D spectra parallel to the F2 axis at anomeric proton resonances, so that unambiguous assignments of sugar proton resonances were accomplished.
Rat cardiac hypertrophy Altered sodium‐calcium exchange activity in sarcolemmal vesicles
Authors: Hanf Remy , Drubaix Isabelle , Marotte Françoise , Lelievre Lionel G.
Published: July 2002

The sodium‐calcium exchange activity has been studied in sarcolemmal vesicles isolated from rat ventricles hypertrophied by pressure overload. 4 weeks after aortic stenosis the degree of hypertrophy varied from 30 to 70%. The Na+‐dependent 45Ca2+ influx and efflux were up to 50% decreased and the sensitivity to Ca2+ was 13‐fold lower in vesicles from hypertrophied heart as compared to those from normal heart. However, the Na+,K+‐ATPase activity, the orientation of the vesicles and the passive Ca2+ permeability were found to be similar in the two heart groups. These results indicate that the sarcolemmal Na+/Ca2+ exchange activity could be qualitatively and/or quantitatively changed in hypertrophied rat heart.
Characterization of a bovine acidic FGF cDNA clone and its expression in brain and retina
Authors: Alterio J. , Halley C. , Brou C. , Soussi T. , Courtois Y. , Laurent M.
Published: July 2002

A cDNA encoding the acidic eye‐derived growth factor (EDGF II) similar to the acidic fibroblast growth factor (aFGF), a potent cell mitogen, has been isolated from a bovine retinal cDNA library. The cDNA, 4.1 kb in size, has a sequence coding for the 155 amino acids of bovine aFGF, and shows similarity with human aFGF (87% identity). The coding sequence is flanked by a 5′‐untranslated region of 0.8 kb and a 3′‐untranslated end of 3.0 kb. Northern blot analysis of bovine brain and retina poly(A+) RNAs showed the existence of four aFGF mRNA species. Two of these species are 9.9 and 6.0 kb in size, not abundant and could represent premessengers. The other two species, 4.2 and 2.5 kb, are abundant.
Programmed cell death: Dying cells synthesize a co‐ordinated, unique set of proteins in two different episodes of cell death
Authors: Wadewitz Axel G. , Lockshin Richard A.
Published: July 2002

Intersegmental muscles of the tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta, degenerate promptly after the ecdysis of the moth. Protein content of the growing, static, and degenerating muscle was evaluated by two‐dimensional electrophoresis; RNA was isolated from the muscle and translated, and the translation products likewise analyzed by two‐dimensional electrophoresis. Growing and static muscles synthesize predominantly myofibrillar proteins, and small cytosolic proteins constitute a vanishingly small proportion of the proteins identified even by silver staining. When the muscle begins to degenerate, a large number of smaller proteins is seen on the gels. Many of these are apparently fragments of the myofibrillar proteins, but over 30 can be recognized as new translation products. Most of the translation products are found in two regions, one ranging from 20 to 40 kDa and with a pI of 6.5–6.9; and the other approx. 50–70 kDa and pI 5.8–6.2. The pattern is identical in two separate instances of degeneration.
Mobility and solvent exposure of aromatic residues in bacteriorhodopsin investigated by 1H‐NMR and photo‐CIDNP‐NMR spectroscopy
Authors: Mayo K.H. , Schussheim A. , Vuister G.W. , Boelens R. , Kaptein R. , Engelhard M. , Hess B.
Published: July 2002

Proton‐NMR studies of native bacteriorhodopsin revealed the existence of about nine relatively mobile aromatic residues out of the 32 totally present in the protein. These nine comprise approximately three tyrosines, two tryptophans and four phenylalanines. Photo‐CIDNP data strongly suggest that, aside from phenylalanines, only one tyrosine and one tryptophan residue are exposed to the solvent. These data are discussed in terms of the current structural model for bacteriorhodopsin.
Involvement of a calcium‐phospholipid‐dependent protein kinase in the maturation of Xenopus laevis oocytes
Authors: Laurent A. , Basset M. , Dorée M. , Le Peuch C.J.
Published: July 2002

It has been described that phosphorylation, and dephosphorylation, of specific proteins is associated with key events of the cell cycle and is likely to be due to activation of kinase(s). From our results, the presence of calcium‐phospholipid‐dependent protein kinase (PKC) was clearly demonstrated in both the cytosolic and particulate fractions of immature Xenopus laevis oocytes and in the cytosolic fraction of mature oocytes. However, it was less active in metaphase II‐ than in prophase I‐arrested oocytes. The enzyme was partially purified by DEAE‐cellulose and phenyl‐Sepharose chromatography. It was activated in vitro by the tumor‐promoting phorbol ester, 12‐O‐tetradecanoyl phorbol 13‐acetate (TPA) as already described for PKC from other tissues. On the other hand, a calcium‐phospholipid‐independent histone kinase activity 4‐fold higher in metaphase II‐ than in prophase I‐arrested oocytes was detected. The possible role of PKC and phospholipid‐independent histone kinase in the maturation process is discussed.
Different roles of IP4 and IP3 in the signal pathway coupled to the TRH receptor in microinjected Xenopus oocytes
Authors: Mahlmann Stefan , Meyerhof Wolfgang , Schwarz Jürgen R.
Published: July 2002

Different effects of injected IP4 and IP3, on membrane Cl− currents were observed in Xenopus oocytes previously microinjected with GH3, cell poly(A)+ RNA. IP3 induced a biphasic current response similar to that induced by TRH, whereas IP4 regularly evoked a monophasic current response consisting of a prolonged inward current with superimposed oscillations. Membrane currents elicited by TRH were enhanced by prior injection of IP4, but not of IP3. In contrast to IP3‐induced membrane currents, those evoked by IP4 were independent of injection depth. Phorbol ester led to enhancement of the initial current after injection of IP3, whereas the current oscillations were greater following injection of IP4. The results indicate that, in Xenopus oocytes, IP4 plays a role different from that of IP3 within the signal transduction pathway initiated by ligand stimulation of a neuropeptide receptor.
The primary structure of rat ribosomal protein L34
Authors: Aoyama Yuji , Chan Yuen-Ling , Wool Ira G.
Published: July 2002

The amino acid sequence of rat ribosomal protein L34 was deduced from the nucleotide sequence in a recombinant cDNA and confirmed from the NH2‐terminal amino acid sequence of the protein. Ribosomal protein L34 contains 117 amino acids (the NH2‐terminal methionine is removed after translation of the mRNA) and has an M
r of 13498. Hybridization of the cDNA to digests of nuclear DNA suggests that there are 7–9 copies of the L34 gene. The mRNA for the protein is about 630 nucleotides in length.
Spectral properties of stabilized D1/D2/cytochrome b‐559 photosystem II reaction center complex Effects of Triton X‐100, the redox state of pheophytin, and β‐carotene
Authors: Tetenkin V.L. , Gulyaev B.A. , Seibert M. , Rubin A.B.
Published: July 2002

Absorption, fluorescence, and CD spectral properties of the isolated D1/D2/cytochrome b‐559 photosystem II reaction center complex were examined in stabilized reaction center material at 77 K. Spectral properties were dependent on the presence or absence of 0.05% Triton X‐100 in the RC suspension medium, on the redox state of pheophytin, and on the state of inactivation of the complex. The specific spectral properties of the PS II RC complex in the red suggest that the primary donor is not a bacterial‐type special pair and could be a monomer. Furthermore, the spectral properties in the PS II RC may be the result of excitonic interactions among all the porphyrin molecules in the complex. Interactions between β‐carotene and porphyrins indicate a significant role for β‐carotene in the PS II RC.
Purification of the inducible α‐agglutinin of S. cerevisiae and molecular cloning of the gene
Authors: Hauser Karin , Tanner Widmar
Published: July 2002

The α‐agglutinin responsible for mating type‐specific agglutination of S. cerevisiae α‐cells has been purified to homogeneity. The glycoprotein released from the cell surface under mild conditions has a relative molecular mass of 200 to 300 kDa as determined by SDS‐gel electrophoresis. The protein moiety corresponds to 68.2 kDa. With an oligonucleotide corresponding to the N‐terminal amino acid sequence, the α‐agglutinin gene has been cloned and sequenced. From the DNA sequence, a protein of 631 amino acids with 12 potential N‐glycosylation sites is predicted. The carboxy terminal one‐third of the protein is not required for agglutination activity.
Ethanol potentiates and blocks NMDA‐activated single‐channel currents in rat hippocampal pyramidal cells
Authors: Lima-Landman Maria Teresa R. , Albuquerque Edson X.
Published: July 2002

Single‐channel currents activated by N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate (NMDA) were characterized using the outside‐out patch clamp technique in cultured hippocampal cells from the rat. Several conductance states were observed, and the main one of 47 pS was further analysed for channel lifetime and frequency. Open times decreased with hyperpolarization of the membrane. In view of recent evidence linking NMDA receptors to central nervous system processes such as learning and memory and ethanol (EtOH) tolerance, the effects of EtOH (0.01–1%, v/v, or ⋍ 1.74–174 mM) were studied in this preparation. Two effects of EtOH could be discerned: (i) at low concentrations (1.74–8.65 mM) an increase in the probability of opening (p
open) of the NMDA‐activated channel currents, without change in the mean channel open time, and (ii) at higher concentrations (86.5–174 mM) a decrease in p
open with a concomitant decrease in the mean open time. It is suggested that EtOH, even at rather low concentrations, may affect important brain functions.
CaCl2 inhibition of H2O2 electron donation to photosystem II in submembrane preparations depleted in extrinsic polypeptides
Authors: Rashid Abdur , Carpentier Robert
Published: July 2002

The interaction of CaCl2, and H2O2, was studied in photosystem II (PSII) enriched submembrane preparations depleted in the extrinsic polypeptides associated with oxygen evolution. In PSII preparations, depleted of 16 and 23 kDa polypeptides, the addition of exogenous CaCl2; substantially stimulated the rate of H2O oxidation but had no effect on the rate of H2O2; oxidation. In PSII preparations depleted of 16, 23 and 33 kDa polypeptides, addition of CaCl2, strongly inhibited the H2O2, oxidation when mediated via exogenous Mn2+. The inhibition kinetics of H2O2, oxidation by CaCl2; in these PSII preparations were negatively correlated with the retention of native Mn‐atoms in the PSII core complex. These results suggest that removal of 16 and 23 kDa extrinsic polypeptides from the PSII oxygen‐evolving complex causes disorganisation of Ca2+ and Cl− and allows H2O2, to undergo oxidation and to donate electrons to P680 via the native Mn‐cluster and/or exogenous Mn2+. However, readdition of Ca2+ and Cl− to the depleted preparations restores the native conformation of the PSII core complex, consequently inhibiting H2O2; oxidation.
GTP‐induced fusion of isolated pancreatic microsomal vesicles is increased by acidification of the vesicle lumen
Authors: Hampe Wolfgang , Zimmermann Petra , Schulz Irene
Published: July 2002

Using the ‘fusogen’ polycthyleneglycol (PEG), Dawson et al. [1] have concluded that both guanosine triphosphate (GTP)‐mduced calcium efflux and the enhancement of IP3‐promoted calcium release from rat liver microsomal vesicles could be attributed to a GTP‐dependent vesicle fusion. We have studied GTP‐induced fusion of microsomal vesicles from rat exocrine pancreas using light scatter and fluorescence dequenching methods. In the presence of PEG (3%), GTP (10 μM) induced a decrease in light scatter and an increase in fluorescence in the fluorescence dequenching assay (GTP‐effect) indicating fusion of the vesicles. Guanosine 5'‐O‐(3‐thiotriphosphate) (10 μM) had no effect on its own and inhibited the GTP‐induced signals. Preincubation of the vesicles with adenosine triphosphate (ATP) (4 mM) increased the GTP‐effect by 80%. whereas bafilomycin B1, a specific inhibitor of vacuolar type H+‐ATPases, and the protonophore CCCP (10 μM) inhibited only the ATP‐dependent part of the GTP‐effect. Inhibitors of the vacuolar type H+ ‐ATPase, which are also SH‐alkylating reagents such as N‐ethylmaleimid (100 μM) and the tyrosine‐,cysteinc‐ and lysine‐reactive reagent 7‐chloro‐4‐nitrobenz‐2‐exa‐1,3‐diazole (10 μM) [2,3j. abolished the GTP‐effect in the absence or presence of ATP. We conclude that GTP induces fusion of pancreatic microsomes which is increased by an H+ gradient established by a vacuolar type H+‐ATPase.
Crystallisation and preliminary X‐ray diffraction studies of cyclophilin‐tetrapeptide and cyclophilin‐cyclosporin complexes
Authors: Zurini Mauro , Kallen Joerg , Mikol Vincent , Pfluegl Gaston , Jansonius Johan N. , Walkinshaw Malcolm D.
Published: July 2002

Recombinant human cyclophilin has been co‐crystallised with a number of peptides to give crystals suitable for X‐ray analysis. The crystal complexes for which heavy‐atom derivatives have been prepared and X‐ray data collected are: cyclophilin with N‐acetyl‐Ala‐Ala‐Pro‐Ala‐amidomethylcoumarin (I) which crystallises in space group P212121 with a = 108.2, b = 123.0, c = 35.8 Å, and cyclophilin with cyclosporin (II) which crystallises as tetragonal plates in space group P41212 or P43212 with a = b = 94.98, c = 278.55 Å.