bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparing App-based and Lecture-based Methods of Sexual Satisfaction Education: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Rahimi Hossein , Mehrpooya Nasim , Vagharseyyedin Seyyed Abolfazl , Javan Najmeh
Published: June 2020

Background: Sexual dysfunction is one of the most common complications of spinal cord injury with potentially negative impacts on sexual satisfaction. Objectives: This study aimed to compare the effects of app-based and lecture-based sexual education on the sexual satisfaction of disabled men with spinal cord injury. Methods: A randomized clinical trial was conducted on disabled men with spinal cord injury in 2019. The participants were selected using a convenience sampling method from the Welfare Organization of Birjand city. A demographic form and Larson’s Sexual Satisfaction Questionnaire were completed before the intervention. Then, the participants were randomly assigned to two groups (app-based and lecture-based groups). In the app-based group, the sexual education content was prepared as an Android app that was accessible for the group participants for two months. Similar content was communicated to the lecture-based group in the form of lectures during ten 60- to 90-min sessions over two months. Six weeks after the end of the intervention, Larson’s Questionnaire was completed again for both groups. Data were analyzed using the Fisher’s exact test, Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, paired t-test, and independent t-test. The significance level was set at P < 0.05. Results: In both groups, the mean scores of sexual satisfaction significantly increased after the intervention (P < 0.05). Nevertheless, the mean change in the sexual satisfaction score was significantly more in the app-based group (18.16 ± 3.31) than in the lecture-based group (7.52 ± 4.59) (P < 0.05). Conclusions: App-based sexual education can be more effective than lecture-based sexual education in improving the sexual satisfaction of disabled men with spinal cord injury.
Motivación o Primeros Pasos Hacia una Convención Constitucional Global Para las Generaciones Futuras
Authors: Gardiner Stephen M. ,   Center for Environmental Philosophy, The University of North Texas
Published: June 2020

En los últimos tiempos he propuesto la necesidad de elaborar una convención constitucional global centrada en proteger a las generaciones futuras. Este cuerpo deliberativo se ría similar a la convención constitucional de Estados Unidos de 1787, que dio lugar a su estructura actual de gobierno. Se enfrentaría a la “brecha de gobernabilidad” actual respecto de la preocupación por las generaciones futuras. Las instituciones contemporáneas, en particular, tienden a desplazar la preocupación intergeneracional y, por lo tanto, facilitan una “tiranía de lo contemporáneo”. No solo pasan por alto una amenaza básica permanente para la humanidad y otras especies, sino que contribuyen a que esa amenaza se manifieste. El cambio climático es un ejemplo conspicuo de ello. En este artículo, esbozo una vía argumentativa natural hacia la convención constitucional global y sostengo que resulta difícil no adherir a ella. También insisto en que seamos imparciales en la forma cómo tratamos la propuesta. Quienes confían en alternativas (por ejemplo, el surgimiento de un gran líder, una gran alineación de intereses, el anarquismo climático que surge de iniciativas individuales o los gobiernos nacionales entendidos como administradores inter-generacionales efectivos) también deben enfrentar las críticas estándar sobre ingenuidad, urgencia, amenazas a los valores democráticos, etc. Además, la convención constitucional global tiene la ventaja de abordar inmediatamente el problema que enfrentamos.
¿Deberíamos Usar la Ingeniería Genética para Salvar Especies?
Authors: Sandler Ronald ,   Center for Environmental Philosophy, The University of North Texas
Published: June 2020

En este artículo, analizo dos estrategias para diseñar especies con fines de conservación, la des-extinción y la genética dirigida. Sostengo que el uso de la ingeniería genética con fines de conservación no es, en principio, incorrecto. Puede haber casos en que la des-extinción de especies y la ingeniería genética dirigida sean preferible a otras estrategias disponibles para la conservación. También sostengo que la des-extinción no es una técnica de conservación tan transformadora como podría parecer en primera instancia. Considerada como actividad de conservación, se fundamenta en gran medida en prácticas de conservación tradicionales, como los programas de cría en cautiverio, la reintroducción de especies y la restauración y protección del hábitat. En contraste, la genética dirigida tiene el potencial de reestructurar significativamente la forma cómo se enmarcan y abordan los problemas de conservación. La genética dirigida es, por lo tanto, una tecnología mucho más disruptiva para la filosofía y la práctica de la conservación.
Which Way Back (way back)?
Authors: Wills David ,   DePaul University
Published: June 2020

This essay considers together two recent posthumous publications by Derrida: Geschlecht III, and La vie la mort, both of which raise questions concerning translation. In Geschlecht III that is first of all the problem of how to translate the German word, how Heidegger’s reading of Trakl profits from, or loses in its translation, and how Derrida’s reading of Heidegger either does or does not translate Heidegger’s own interpretive practice. Reference to La vie la mort enables analysis of Benjamin’s concept of translation as a form of life that is “not limited to organic corporeality,” and consequently allows me to understand how Derrida’s thinking, very different from that of either Benjamin or Heidegger, takes us way back to something like originary inorganic lifedeath.
Representação matemática do comportamento intra-anual do NDVI no Bioma Caatinga
Authors: Silva Filho Rivaildo Da , Vasconcelos Rochele Sheila , Galvão Carlos De Oliveira , Cunha John Elton de Brito leite , Rufino Iana Alexandra Alves
Published: June 2020

Os índices de vegetação obtidos por modelos, aplicados em imagens orbitais, são comumente utilizados para o monitoramento da cobertura do solo, sendo importantes para registrar alterações na biomassa, identificação do ciclo fenológico, relação com o sequestro de carbono e indicadores de mudanças climáticas. Na região do bioma Caatinga, a compreensão em escalas local e diária dos fenômenos que ocorrem na cobertura do solo é muito importante devido à sua heterogeneidade, sazonalidades e às múltiplas ações humanas. Neste ambiente, cresce a importância da representação temporal e espacial. Os satélites da série Landsat apresentam características adequadas para representar as variações espaciais, mas têm uma baixa amostragem temporal. Nesse sentido, o presente estudo tem como objetivo melhorar a representação temporal dos dados capturados pelos satélites Landsat para uma região do bioma Caatinga. Funções de três parâmetros são avaliadas para representação temporal matemática do Índice de Vegetação por Diferença Normalizada (NDVI), tendo a sua avaliação de desempenho realizada a partir dos parâmetros estatísticos qui-quadrado reduzido (χ²) e coeficiente de determinação (R2). A análise considera o estado de alteração da cobertura do solo pela ação antrópica e o regime pluviométrico anual. A função Cauchy apresentou melhor desempenho, ajustando-se bem a 83% dos anos e locais analisados, obtendo um R² médio de 0,82. Os parâmetros da função de melhor desempenho identificada neste estudo podem ser uma valiosa fonte de informações para estudos ambientais na Caatinga que precisem avaliar o comportamento temporal da vegetação.
Parental Knowledge of Malnutrition as a Cause of Infant and Child Mortality Rate in Torbu Community, Sierra Leone
Authors: Tommy Alieu , Musa Taha Hussein , Kawuk Joseph , Ghimire Upama , Obore Nathan , Papabathini Shireen Salome , Fornah Lovel
Published: June 2020

Malnutrition is a significant public health problem over the world, with severe impact in developing countries, including Asia and Africa. This paper present to assess malnutrition as a cause of infant and child mortality rate in Torbu community in Bo city, Sierra Leone. We used a community-based cross-sectional survey. A total of 80 mothers with children of under five years were selected using convenience sampling from the different divisions of Bo city. The findings showed that 48 (60%) of the respondents have never been sensitized nor have any knowledge about Malnutrition, of which 16 (50%) were informed via radio while 50 (63%) were not aware of any nutrition facility around the community. Besides, 56 (70%) of the respondents did not practice exclusive breastfeeding, 64 (80%) fed their children on only carbohydrates mainly in the form of rice, and 26 (32.5%) had one meal per day. 64 (80%) reported their children to have been admitted due to malnutrition (with mainly protein-energy malnutrition), while over a half 46 (57%) reported having lost a child to malnutrition. Thus, we recommended more nutrition education to address the poor Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) practices as well as targeted health interventions to mitigate the devastating effects of child malnutrition in the district.
ОД НЕОГОТИЧКОГ КА НЕОРАШКОМ Неколико потписаних пројеката за градњу српских православних цркава у доба аустроугарске управе
Authors: ШЕВО ЉИЉАНА
Published: June 2020

У Архиву Босне и Херцеговине у Сарајеву сачуван је извје-стан број нацрта за градњу православних цркава у доба аустроугарске управе.Пројекти за цркве у Рогатици и Рељеву, које потписују Александар Нитрибит иЈосип Черни, доминантно су неоготички, премда је рељевски у штампи оције-њен као нацрт рађен ''по византијским мотивима''. На непотписаној скицицркве у Вишеграду из 1882. приказана је једнобродна грађевина са правоугао-ним бочним пјевницама и куполом, инспирисана традицијом српског сакралногградитељства 13. вијека. Сачувано је још неколико пројеката који могу да сеназову ''неорашким'' због појаве бочних правоугаоних проширења, премда наднаосом није предвиђена купола – Михановићев за цркву у Црњелову 1889, про-јекат за Угљевик из 1905. са потписом Петра Пфафа, нацрт за цркву у Штрпци-ма код Рудог који су 1906. потписали Рада и Паржик, пројекат за цркву у Дуб-ници Јове Симића из 1911, нацрт за цркве у Пиперима и Мачковцу из 1912. сапотписима Пере Перића и Николе Митровића. Многи од ових пројеката пока-зују неразумијевање литургијске функције правоугаоних вестибила, будући дасу позиционирани у зони олтара, а не наоса.Код Срба у Босни и Херцеговини овог доба не постоји јасна представа о''византијском'' или ''православном'' типу сакралне грађевине. За одређивањестилског облика као византијског/православног било је довољно да се у пројек-ту појаве полукружно завршени прозори, розете, вијенци слијепих аркадицаили полукружним сводом, умјесто таваницом, надвишен наос. Евентуалнасазнања о изгледу (за сада непознатих) планова за градњу цркава ''у православ-ном духу'' које је дао начинити Велики савјет у Сарајеву 1913. године, могла бипоказати у којем се смјеру код врха овдашњег православног клира развијалоосјећање за национални стил.Могуће је да се правоугаони бочни простори јављају готово искључивона пројектима цркава у сјевероисточној Босни као посљедица угледања наархитектуру храмова поштованих манастирских центара у Тавни и Озрену, ализа сада овакво тумачење остаје у домену претпоставке.
Restoration of identity of the Ural industrial city through architectural and landscape reconstruction
Authors: Gushchin Aleksandr Nikolaevich , Divakova Marina Nikolaevna
Published: June 2020

The article considers the problem of restoring the urban identity of a typical Ural city. In a historical context, typicality is understood as a commonality of origin. Currently, the Ural cities are in urgent pursuit of their own identity, which in the author sees as a reflexive social need of belonging to a place. It is reasonable to consider that the urban landscape plays an important role in the formation of identity. The article gives examples of the formation of social identity based on cultural landscape of the city. It is established that the industrial heritage of the Ural industrial city manifests as the grounds for the formation of its identity. Architectural and landscape reconstruction serves as the key method for the formation of identity. The author gives recommendations pertaining to implementation of such reconstruction. The main conclusion consists in the statement that a typical way of formation of identity of the Ural industrial city is the architectural and landscape reconstruction of its central area, which includes the following objects: city pond, dam, plant facilities and temple on the premises, house of the mining engineer. Namely the architectural and landscape reconstruction of this industrial heritage allows restoring the urban identity.
“There should be a single law to define what a city is”: a review of the monograph by A. V. Belova "Reform of the City of Catherine II (based on materials from the provinces of Central Russia). M.-SPb .: Center for Humanitarian Initiatives, 2019, 613 p.
Authors: Boltaevskii Andrei Andreevich
Published: June 2020

The subject of this article is a monographic research of the Senior Scientific Associate of the Institute of Russian History of the Russian Academy of Sciences A. V. Belova, which is focused on the large-scale transformations that took place in urban life of the Russian Empire during the reign of Catherine II. The author of the monograph seeks to characterize the reforms based on the example of four provinces of Central Russia: Moscow, Yaroslavl, Vladimir, and Kaluga. This work vastly uses published and unpublished sources, as well as a significant array of research literature. The peer-reviewed work leans on the principles of historicism, reliability, objectivity; methodological framework includes systematic approach and comparative method. The scientific novelty of the study lies in the fact that the author attempts to give comprehensive characteristics to preparation, implementation and consequences of the city reform carried out by the Empress Catherine, attracting the materials from four Russian “indigenous” provinces. The author believes that despite certain doubts of both, contemporaries and future historians, especially of the liberal school, namely the reforms of Catherine the Great laid the foundations for the fundamentally new type of a city that met the requirements of the time.
Assessment of Provision of Extension Services and Advocacy on Donkey Health and Welfare in Kenya
Authors: Onono Joshua Orungo , Kithuka James
Published: June 2020

Aim: To determine type of benefits from keeping donkeys, challenges facing donkey farmers and how to streamline supply of medicines for treatment of donkeys in Kenya.

Study Design: A descriptive study conducted in selected regions where donkey welfare projects are implemented and other regions without these projects between the months of May and August, 2018.

Methodology: Data collected from donkey owners and users, animal health service providers, regulatory body, and agro-vets using semi-structured and check list questionnaires. A total of 156 questionnaires administered to donkey owners and users and 87 animal health providers.

Results: Benefits of keeping donkeys included income obtained from transportation services, sale of surplus donkeys in a herd and hiring them out for a fee, such income are used for paying school fees for children and medical care. On average donkeys contributed about 20% of household incomes from livestock. Donkeys often suffered from myriad of challenges: infestation with endoparasites, wounds, colic, fractures, lameness, pneumonia, babesiosis, trypanosomiasis and zoonoses including tetanus and rabies. Sale volume for medicines used to treat donkey diseases in agro-vets (shops selling agricultural inputs including veterinary drugs) was approximately 15%, while percentage of donkey cases treated by animal health providers was about 7% of total caseload. Level of need for response to donkey cases by animal health providers was ranked 4th on a priority scale of 1-5. Furthermore, agro-vets did not stock medicines for pain relief. Moreover, differences exist between regions where donkey welfare projects are implemented as compared to other regions on level of knowledge of animal health providers on type of medicines used for treatment of clinical cases in donkeys, requirements for regulation of veterinary practices and types of veterinary providers (P = 0.05).

Conclusions: These results support prioritization of training on early recognition for conditions which compromises wellbeing of donkeys and access to pain relief medicines.
Quantitative and Qualitative Soil Water Resources Potentials and Soil Assessment of River Onyongo Drainage Basin for Agricultural Use-Oju Local Government Area - Benue State, Nigeria
Authors: Timothy Garpiya Bodinga , Ali Aminu , Makama Kyat Mcgyotwowa
Published: June 2020

To assess the quality of River Onyongo catchment area for agricultural purposes. Field and laboratory assessment was carried out.

Water resources potential assessment was carried out in part of River Onyongo catchments area. The topographical map was used to carve out the study area. Geological mapping of the study was carried out by compass. Field permeameter pits were established in four locations within the study area to determine the coefficient of permeability of sub-surface soils/lithology by Darcy Law. Depth to water table was measured in some selected hand-dug wells. Discharge measurement of River Onyongo rainy season was 199,888.12 litres/second and 2,770.62 litres/second in dry seasons while River Ichow (bridge) had 354.3 litres/second in the rainy season and 195.43 litres/second at the upstream; there was no flow during the dry season. Water samples were collected in the various locations in the study area and analysed in the laboratory. The relief of the study ranges from 100 m to 223 m above mean sea level. The Sodium Absorption Ratio (SAR) of the water sample ranged from 0 – 10 mg/l indicating that water can be used on all crops and all soils. The coefficient permeability/lithology of the study area ranged from 0.36 – 29.5 m/day corresponding to fine-grained sand to medium-grained sand – coarse-grained sand. Recommendations for the use of water for optimal agricultural purposes and production in the study areas were made.
Assessment of Prices and Profitability in Chilli – A Study in Guntur District of Andhra Pradesh
Authors: Sowjanya B. , Rao D. V. Subba , Kumari R. Vijaya
Published: June 2020

The study was undertaken in Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh to assess the prices and profitability of chilli marketing. The study used both primary and secondary data collection. The elasticity coefficients for area (1.177) and material costs (3.699) were positively significant in Cobb- Douglas production function. In multiple regression analysis area, expenses on production material and expenses on marketing services were found significantly influencing the income of the farmers. In ARDL model for factors influencing market arrivals of commodities analysis R2 showed that 73 percent of variation and current prices were found significantly influencing the arrivals of the farmers. In ARDL model factors influencing current prices of commodities analysis R2 showed that 84 percent of variation and lagged prices (Pt-1 and Pt-2) were found significantly influencing the current price of the farmers. Also price spread analysis of data indicated that majority of farm produce was routed through two marketing channels, Channel-I (producer-trader-wholesaler-retailer-consumer) and Channel-II (producer-processor-retailer-consumer). Producer’s share in consumer’s rupee was found to be 80.51%, 76.72% and price spread was `1500.67, `1971.92 for Channel-I and Channel-II respectively. Marketing efficiency in channel I and channel II were 3.53, 14.11 and 2.93, 16.87 respectively in Acharya’s and Shepherd’s methods. Low price for the produce at the time of harvest and lack of transportation with scores 78.26 and 63.13 was the most important constraint faced by the farmers.
Studies on Genetic Divergence for Yield and Quality Traits in Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.)
Authors: Kumawat Om Prakash , Kumar Udit , Singh Satish Kumar , Maurya Sooraj , Maurya Sooraj , Sinha B. M.
Published: June 2020

Genetic divergence analysis, using Mahalanobis D2 statistics, was carried out in twenty one cucumber genotypes including one check for fourteen characters. All the characters under study showed considerable divergence and the genotypes were grouped into four clusters. The clustering pattern had no parallelism between genetic diversity and geographical distribution, suggesting that the selection of parental genotypes for hybridization will be more appropriate based on genetic diversity. Cluster III contained the maximum (5) number of genotypes, whereas remaining all clusters I, II and IV contained similar (4) genotypes. The Intra-cluster distance was maximum (306.685) in cluster III whereas, it was minimum (163.11) in cluster II. Maximum average inter-cluster distance (1439.432) was recorded between cluster IV and cluster V, suggesting the greater chances of getting superior hybrids in F1 or transgressive segregants in subsequent generations. Genotypes in cluster IV were superior in node number of first female flower, days to first flowering, shelf-life, TSS, fruit length, fruit weight and fruit yield per plant. Cluster V had superiority in terms of vine length and number of seeds per fruit. Fruit weight, TSS, number of seeds per fruit, node number of first female flower, shelf-life, days to first harvest and days to first flowering contributed towards genetic divergence.
Antimicrobial Susceptibility Profile of Urinary Tract Pathogenic Infections in Diabetic Patients Attending a Health Facility in Kumasi, Ghana
Authors: Adu-Poku Maxwell , Addo Matthew Glover
Published: June 2020

Aims: This study seeks to investigate the antimicrobial susceptibility profile of urinary tract pathogenic infections in diabetic patients attending a health facility in Kumasi, Ghana.

Study Design: A total of 285 patients were recruited using Cochran’s formula at a prevalence of 26.4% for this study from patients attending the University Hospital from April 2018 to October 2018. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire.

Methodology: Clean-catch midstream urine samples were screened for the presence of pathogenic bacteria and their antimicrobial susceptibility pattern using recommended culture methods.

Results: Out of the 285 patients, 125 (43.9%) were diabetic with 90 (72%) being female and 35 (28%) male. There was no association between UTI’s and gender (P=0.5799) with diabetic patients recording higher bacteriuria compared to non-diabetics (P< 0.001). Isolates from 113 (39.4%) of the samples were identified and these included, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas species, Klebsiella species, Proteus species and Staphylococcus aureus. The most predominant was E. coli 62 (54.9%) followed by S. aureus 24 (21.2%), Klebsiella species 14(12.4%), Pseudomonas species 12(10.6%) and Proteus species 1(0.9%). E. coli showed a high antimicrobial sensitivity rates against most of the tested antibiotics, gentamycin (90.3%), amikacin (98.4%), nalidixic (34%), cefotaxime (80.6%) and nitrofurantoin (93%). Proteus spp. on the other hand, showed a 100% sensitivity to all the antibiotics except tetracycline, amikacin and cefotaxime. It was observed that Escherichia coli was mostly resistant to tetracycline (96.8%), norfloxacin (69.4%) and cefotaxime (61.4%).

Conclusion: S. aureus showed a higher level of resistance to tetracycline (100%). The prevalence of this study indicated that UTI among diabetic patients was relatively comparable with other studies. Amikacin and nitrofurantoin should be recommended as antimicrobials for the treatment of UTIs whilst the use of tetracycline, norfloxacin and cefotaxime should be discouraged.
Growth Response of Ixora coccinea (L.) Cuttings to Coconut Water Treatment under a Low Polythene Sheet Dome
Authors: Owusu Samuel Ebo
Published: June 2020

Aims: To investigate the effects of coconut water treatment and polythene sheet dome on the establishment of Ixora coccinea (L.), stem cuttings.

Study Design: A 4 factorial Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replicates was used.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out at the Multipurpose Crop Nursery of the University of Education, Winneba, Mampong campus between September and December 2019.

Methodology: Two hundred and forty (240) cuttings of equal length of 12 cm were excised and each cutting planted to a depth of 2 cm with 10 cm above the soil in each of the 240 potting bags, which were filled, with sterilized soil to a depth of 15 cm from the bottom leaving 1.5 cm from the top.

Results: Results showed that treatments with varying levels of coconut water in combination with the plain polythene dome had a significant influence on growth parameters. Increasing levels of coconut water resulted in a subsequent increase in the number of leaves, plant height, and roots as well as survival rate. The treatment with 100 ml coconut water in combination with polythene dome recorded the highest plant height, number of leaves per plant and number of roots per plant [12.22 cm, 21.89 and 22.00] respectively at the end of the experiment. The percentage survival of plants however reduced significantly by 60 DAP [83.33%] when compared no polythene dome(control) [94.44%].

Conclusion: The study concludes that Ixora coccinea (L.) cuttings treated with 100 ml of coconut water in combination with a polythene dome will enhance the growth and development of Ixora coccinea (L.) cuttings, however, the use of the polythene dome should be curtailed before 60DAP.
Baseline Assessment of Risk Factors of Presumptive Tuberculosis among under Five Children Living with an Index Client under Treatment in Mbale District, Eastern Uganda
Authors: Tumusiime Rosemary , Mukasa Charles , Kisakya-Maria Agatha K , Neumbe Irene Mildred , Odyeny Jerome , Maube Bernard , Gavamukulya Yahaya , Nekaka Rebecca
Published: June 2020

Background and Aims: Children in contact with adults having pulmonary Tuberculosis (TB) are vulnerable to TB infection and hence contact tracing and screening is important for early detection of infection. However, there are few contacts traced and the prevalence and risk factors for transmission are not well studied. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of infection and risk factors associated with TB transmission among under five children in household contact with adult pulmonary TB patients.

Materials and Methods: A cross sectional study was carried out in three health facilities with a high TB burden in Mbale District, Eastern Uganda involving all under five household contacts of adults with pulmonary tuberculosis recorded in the TB register from October 2018 to March 2019 and still on treatment. Structured questionnaires were administered to the index clients to obtain their demographic and clinical data about TB, HIV as well as information on the children. Children were screened using the intensive case finding forms to identify presumptive cases.

Results: The total number of index TB Clients line listed were 70. Number of clients traced was 38, 21 (%) of whom had children under five years and a total of 33 children were identified. The number of presumptive cases was 9/33 (27.27%). 77.8% of the presumptive cases were living in poorly ventilated houses.

Conclusion: The study identified children with presumptive TB and various risk factors for TB transmission. Intensive contact tracing can therefore help reduce TB transmission within the communities. It is recommended to undertake studies aiming at improving contact tracing and strategies to eliminate the risk factors to TB transmission.
Hydrodynamic properties of bovine brain S‐100 proteins
Authors: Mani Rajam S. , Kay Cyril M.
Published: July 2002

The size of S‐100a and S‐100b proteins in solution have been examined by gel filtration and ultracentrifugation in the presence and absence of Ca2+. S‐100a and S‐100b proteins, in the absence of Ca2+, have intrinsinc sedimentation coefficient, s
o
20,w of 2.20 and 2.15 S, respectively and in 1 mM Ca2+ their s
o
20,w values decreased to 2.05 and 1.95 S, respectively, indicating an unfolding of the protein molecules. The Stokes radii of S‐100a and S‐100b (—Ca2+) were 23.4 Å and 24.0 Å and they decreased to 22.2 Å and 22.3 Å in the presence of Ca2+. The Ca2+ effect on S‐100b > S‐100a was in agreement with our earlier CD observations. Among the monovalent cations tested (K+, Na+ and Li+) K+ had the maximum effect on the Stokes radii and s
o
20,w values of S‐100 proteins. Since certain functions of the nervous system are accompanied by local changes in ionic concentrations of Ca2+, Na+ and K+, it is conceivable that these respective conformational changes induced in S‐100 proteins by these metals may be related to their function in the brain.
A specific acylating agent for the [3H]phencyclidine receptors in rat brain
Authors: Rafferty Michael F. , Mattson Mariena , Jacobson Arthur E. , Rice Kenner C.
Published: July 2002

A derivative of phencyclidine (PCP, 1 in fig. 1) bearing an isothiocyanate moiety on the meta position of the aromatic ring (Metaphit, 3 in fig. 1) has been synthesized and identified as a rapid and specific site‐directed acylating agent of the [3H]phencyclidine binding site in rat brain homogenates. The percentage of sites irreversibly inactivated by Metaphit was found to be the same in the hippocampus and striatum and the remaining sites were unaffected by Metaphit treatment under any conditions, suggesting that at least two distinct binding sites are present. An isomeric isothiocyanate derivative did not irreversibly inhibit [3H]phencyclidine receptors, indicating structural specificity for Metaphit in the inhibition of these receptors. The availability of Metaphit should greatly facilitate study of the structure and function of the phen‐cyclidine receptors.
The effect of oxygen on Chromatographie behavior and properties of nitrous oxide reductase
Authors: Zumft Walter G. , Coyle Catherine L. , Frunzke Kurt
Published: July 2002

Nitrous oxide reductase, a high‐M
r copper protein, was purified under anaerobic conditions to yield a spectroscopically new species with 3–5‐fold increased catalytic activity over the ‘pink’ form of the enzyme obtained thus far. The preparation was homogeneous by chromatographic and electrophoretic criteria and reduced N2O to N2. On aerobic gel filtration of a crude extract, the enzymatic activity was slightly shifted from the Cu‐protein towards an apparent lower M
r. This effect was not observed under anaerobic conditions, nor was it observed with the purified enzyme on either aerobic or anaerobic chromatography. In crude extracts, oxygen appears to convert the Cu‐protein to a lower activity form at the leading edge of a migrating chromatographic zone.
A second human calcitonin/CGRP gene
Authors: Steenbergh P.H. , Höppener J.W.M. , Zandberg J. , Lips C.J.M. , Jansz H.S.
Published: July 2002

The calcitonin (CT) gene is alternatively expressed in a tissue‐specific fashion producing either the calcium regulatory hormone CT in the thyroid or the neuropeptide calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP) in the brain. In medullary carcinoma of the thyroid both peptides are produced. We present here evidence for the existence in the human genome of a second CT gene, which is also expressed in human medullary thyroid carcinoma. This gene encodes a second human CGRP, differing from the known human CGRP in 3 of the 37 amino acids.
Assignment of resonances for ‘acute‐phase’ glycoproteins in high resolution proton NMR spectra of human blood plasma
Authors: Bell J.D. , Brown J.C.C. , Nicholson J.K. , Sadler P.J.
Published: July 2002

Broad resonances at 2.04 and 2.08 ppm in 500 MHz Hahn spin‐echo 1H NMR spectra of human blood plasma are assigned to the N‐acetyl groups of mobile carbohydrate side‐chains (largely N‐acetylglucosamine and N‐acetylneuraminic acid) of glycoproteins such as α1,‐acid glycoprotein. Their intensities in spin‐echo spectra correlate with clinical conditions in which an elevation of the level of ‘acute‐phase’ glycoproteins is expected, and so may be of value in the study of certain diseases.
Identification of erythro‐β‐hydroxyasparagine in the EGF‐like domain of human C1r
Authors: Arlaud Gérard J. , Van Dorsselaer Alain , Bell Alex , Mancini Michael , Aude Catherine , Gagnon Jean
Published: July 2002

Previous studies [(1987) Biochem. J. 241, 711–720] have shown that position 150 of human C1r is occupied by a modified amino acid that, after acid hydrolysis, yields erythro‐β‐hydroxyaspartic acid. In view of further investigations on the nature of this residue, peptide CN1a T8/T9 TL8 (positions 147–155) was isolated from Cr A chain by CNBr cleavage followed by enzymatic cleavages by trypsin and thermolysin. Amino acid analysis, sequential Edman degradation and FAB‐MS of this peptide indicate that the residue at position 150 is an erythro‐β‐hydroxyasparagine resulting from post‐translational hydroxylation of asparagine.
Environment‐dependent conformation and antimicrobial activity of a gramicidin S analog containing leucine and lysine residues
Authors: Ono Shin , Lee Sannamu , Kodera Yasushi , Aoyagi Haruhiko , Waki Michinori , Kato Tetsuo , Izumiya Nobuo
Published: July 2002

An analog of gramicidin S, cyclo(‐L‐Leu‐L‐Lys‐L‐Leu‐D‐Leu‐L‐Leu‐)2, in which four out of five amino acid components of gramicidin S were substituted, has been synthesized. This analog assumes a conformation similar to that of gramicidin S in acidic liposomes and a random conformation in neutral liposomes. The antimicrobial activity of this analog corresponded to one‐fourth of that of gramicidin S. A possible mechanism for conformational changes in acidic liposomes is discussed.
Tumor necrosis factor stimulates prostaglandin production and cyclic AMP levels in rat cultured mesangial cells
Authors: Baud Laurent , Perez Joelle , Friedlander Gérard , Ardaillou Raymond
Published: July 2002

Human recombinant tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF) was found to stimulate the production of prostaglandins (PG) by cultured rat mesangial cells. This effect was demonstrable from 6 h, was dose dependent and affected the synthesis of PGE2, PGF2α, and 6‐keto‐PGF1α. It required both RNA and protein synthesis but was not associated with a modification of cell proliferation. TNF also stimulated adenosine 3′–5′ cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) levels in the mesangial cell culture medium. Indomethacin suppressed the effect of TNF on PGs but only reduced that on cAMP, indicating that PG production partly mediates the increase in cAMP. These findings demonstrate that mesangial cells can be a target for TNF and that the mechanism of TNF action includes stimulation of both PG production and cAMP levels.
Histone H4 acetylation in human cells Frequency of acetylation at different sites defined by immunolabeling with site‐specific antibodies
Authors: Turner Bryan M. , O'Neill Laura P. , Allan Irene M.
Published: July 2002

Histone H4 can be reversibly acetylated at lysine residues 5, 8, 12 and 16. It is possible that acetylation of individual residues will exert specific effects on chromatin function, but this hypothesis is difficult to test with present techniques for analysis of acetylation. To address this problem, we have prepared antibodies which distinguish H4 molecules acetylated at each of the sites used in vivo. By electrophoresis and immunolabeling we have shown that, in H4 from human cells, the four lysine residues are acetylated in a preferred, but not exclusive order, namely lysine 16, followed by 12 and 8, followed by 5.
Correlation of trenalose content and heat resistance in yeast mutants altered in the RAS/adenylate cyclase pathway: is trehalose a thermoprotectant?
Authors: Hottiger Thomas , Boller Thomas , Wiemken Andres
Published: July 2002

Trehalose content and thermotolerance were closely correlated in wild type yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and in cyr1‐2 and bcy1‐1 mutants both during exponential growth at 27°C and during heat shock at 40°C. Trehalose levels were high when heat shock proteins (hsps) were expected to be induced and low when hsps were presumably absent. It was tried to uncouple trehalose biosynthes and hsp‐induction. Various non‐heat stresses affected trehalose levels of wild type cells in a similar way as they would have affected hsps. However, no trehalose was accumulated when cells were treated with canavanine, a well‐known inducer of hsps but not of the thermotolerant state.
Talin binds to actin and promotes filament nucleation
Authors: Kaufmann S. , Piekenbrock T. , Goldmann W.H. , Bärmann M. , Isenberg G.
Published: July 2002

Platelet talin binds to actin in vitro and hence is an actin binding protein. By four different non‐interfering assay conditions (fluorescence, fluorescence recovery after photobleaching, (FRAP), dynamic light scattering and DNase‐I inhibition) we show that talin promotes filament nucleation, raises the filament number concentration and increases the net rate of actin polymerization but has no inhibitory effect on filament elongation. Binding of talin to actin occurs at a maximal molar ratio of 1:3 as determined by fluorescencetitration under G‐buffer conditions. The overall binding constant was ≈ 0.25 μM.
Talin anchors and nucleates actin filaments at lipid membranes A direct demonstration
Authors: Kaufmann S. , Käs J. , Goldmann W.H. , Sackmann E. , Isenberg G.
Published: July 2002

Platelet talin nucleates actin assembly as we show here directly by using rhodamine—phalloidin labelling of actin filaments, Nucleation by talin still occurs after reconstitution into liposomal bilayers. This is also demonstrated directly after protein–lipid double labelling and light microscopic imaging. Talin, thus, is the first actin binding protein for which anchoring and nucleation of artin filament growth at lipid interfaces have been visualized.
p42 map kinase phosphorylation sites in microtubule‐associated protein tau are dephosphorylated by protein phosphatase 2A1 Implications for Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Goedert Michel , Cohen E.Suzanne , Jakes Ross , Cohen Philip
Published: July 2002

The paired helical filament (PHF), which comprises the major fibrous element of the neurofibrillary tangle of Alzheimer's disease, is composed of abnormally phosphorylated microtubule‐associated protein tau. Here we show that p42 MAP kinase phosphorylates recombinant tau and converts it to a form which is similar to PHF tau. Of the major serine/threonine protein phosphatases found in mammalian tissues only protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) could dephosphorylate tau phosphorylated in this manner, with PP2A1 being the most effective form of the enzyme.
The impact of 55−́CG‐3′ methylation on the activity of different eukaryotic promoters: A comparative study
Authors: Muiznieks Indrikis , Doerfler Walter
Published: July 2002

The inhibiting or inactivating effects of position‐specific promoter methylation in different viral or human cellular promoters Ad2 E2AL, SV40, LTR‐MMTV, HSV‐tk, TNFα) have been compared by in vitro 5′‐CCGG‐3′ methylation by M‐HpaII or the M‐SssI DNA‐methyltransferase, respectively. In most promoters, 5′‐CG‐3′ methylation reduces activity to a few percent of that of mock‐methylated controls. The number of 5′‐CG‐3′ dinucleotides in a promoter does not strictly correlate with the extent of methylation inhibition. The LTR‐MMTV promoter, which lacks 5′‐CG‐3′ dinucleotides, is not affected by methylation. The late E2A promoter of Ad2 DNA cannot be inactivated by 5′‐CCGG‐3′ methylation when the construct carries the strong cytomegalovirus enhancer devoid of this sequence. In contrast, 5′‐CG‐3′ methylation shuts this promoter off even in the presence of this enhancer.
Thermal stabilization of ribonuclease T1 by carboxymethylation at Glu‐58 as revealed by 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy
Authors: Kojima Masaki , Mizukoshi Toshimi , Miyano Hiroshi , Suzuki Ei-ichiro , Tanokura Masaru , Takahashi Kenji
Published: July 2002

Ribonuclease T1 (RNase T1) carboxymethylated at the γ‐carboxyl group of Glu‐58 with iodoacetic acid is known to be completely inactive while it retains an almost full substrate‐binding ability. In order to further clarify the effects of the carboxymethylation, the thermal stabilities of intact and Glu‐58‐carboxymethylated (CM‐) RNase T1 were compared by measuring 1H NMR spectra at various temperatures. The transition curves of unfolding were obtained by plotting, as a function of temperature, the peak areas for the α and δ protons of Asn‐81 and Ile‐90 respectively, which are well apart from each other in the three‐dimensional structure of the enzyme. For each of intact and CM‐RNase T1, the transition curve of the Asn‐81 α proton was identical with that of the Ile‐90 δ methyl protons, suggesting that the thermal unfolding occurred simultaneously in every part of the molecule of CM‐RNase T1 as well as of intact RNase T1. The midpoint of unfolding was 52°C for intact RNase T1, and was increased by 9°C upon carboxymethylation at Glu‐58. This marked stabilization by carboxymethylation is thought to be due to formation of a salt bridge between the introduced carboxymethyl group and the neighboring guanidium group of Arg‐77.
Formation of bioactive sphingoid molecules from exogenous sphingomyelin in primary cultures of neurons and astrocytes
Authors: Riboni Laura , Prinetti Alessandro , Bassi Rosaria , Tettamanti Guido
Published: July 2002

Exogenous sphingomyelin, radiolabelled at the sphingosine moiety, was administered to primary cultures of cerebellar granule cells and astrocytes for different pulse times (20 min–2 h) and the fate of the radioactivity was followed. Ceramide was the main metabolic product in both cells, whereas sphingosine, glucosyl‐ceramide and gangliosides GM3 and GD3 were produced only in astrocytes. When endocytosis was prevented and the lysosomal apparatus inactivated, ceramide formation was reduced slightly in granule cells and almost completely blocked in astrocytes, with disappearance of sphingosine, glucosyl‐ceramide, GM3 and GD3. These data indicate that (a) ceramide is rapidly produced in cerebellar granule cells and astrocytes, presumably at the level of the plasma membrane in the first cell type, and of the lysosomes in the second one; (b) sphingosine is produced in cerebellar astrocytes by lysosomal sphingomyelin degradation and is partly reused for glucosyl‐ceramide and ganglioside biosynthesis.
Identification of multiple, novel, protein kinase C‐related gene products
Authors: Palmer R.H. , Ridden J. , Parker P.J.
Published: July 2002

A PCR approach has been employed to screen two cDNA libraries for PKC(‐related) sequences. In each case multiple cDNAs were identified, including known PKC isotypes, a previously unknown PKC‐η related sequence and three members of what appears to be a protein kinase C related kinase (PRK 1–3) family. The origin and relationships of these predicted proteins is discussed.
Self‐association of LIM‐kinase 1 mediated by the interaction between an N‐terminal LIM domain and a C‐terminal kinase domain
Authors: Hiraoka Junji , Okano Ichiro , Higuchi Osamu , Yang Neng , Mizuno Kensaku
Published: July 2002

LIM‐kinase 1(LIMK1) and 2 (LIMK2) are members of a novel class of protein kinases containing two LIM motifs at the N‐terminus. The LIM motif is thought to be involved in protein‐protein interactions. We report here evidence that LIMK1 self‐associates and also associates with LIMK2. In vivo and in vitro binding analyses using variously deleted mutants of LIMK1 revealed that the self‐association of LIMK1 was caused by interaction between the N‐terminal LIM domain and the C‐terminal kinase domain. The association of LIMK1 with itself and with LIMK2 is important for understanding how activities and functions of LIMK family kinases are regulated.
Induction of tolerance in rat cortical neurons: hypoxic preconditioning
Authors: Bruer Ulrike , Weih Markus K , Isaev Nikolaj K , Meisel Andreas , Ruscher Karsten , Bergk Alexandra , Trendelenburg George , Wiegand Frank , Victorov Ilya V , Dirnagl Ulrich
Published: July 2002

Sublethal ischemia leads to increased tolerance against subsequent prolonged cerebral ischemia in vivo. In the present study we modeled preconditioning mechanisms in a neuronal‐enriched culture. Damage was significantly reduced (up to 72%) with 1.5 h of oxygen‐glucose deprivation 48–72 h before 3 h oxygen‐glucose deprivation. Tolerance was also elicited by Na+‐K+‐ATPase inhibition. No damage was observed when astroglial or endothelial cells were exposed to hypoxia for 3 and 6 h, respectively. We conclude that hypoxic preconditioning is a robust neuronal phenomenon in vitro with a similar temporal pattern and selective cellular vulnerability as the ischemic tolerance phenomenon shown in vivo.
Effect of glucocorticoids on the synthesis of antimicrobial peptides in amphibian skin
Authors: Simmaco Maurizio , Boman Anita , Mangoni Maria Luisa , Mignogna Giuseppina , Miele Rossella , Barra Donatella , Boman Hans G
Published: July 2002

Gene‐encoded peptide antibiotics are widespread in insects, plants and vertebrates and confer protection against bacterial and fungal infections. NF‐κB is an important transcription factor for many immunity‐related mammalian proteins and also for insect immune genes. The activity of NF‐κB is regulated by the interaction with an inhibitor, IκB. It was recently demonstrated that glucocorticoids induce the synthesis of IκB in human cell lines. So far, all genes for peptide antibiotics have promoter motifs with NF‐κB binding sites, but its actual function in peptide regulation has been studied only in insects. Here we show that glucocorticoid treatment of the frog Rana esculenta inhibits the transcription of all genes encoding antibacterial peptides by inducing the synthesis of IκBα. These results suggest that also in vertebrates peptide‐mediated innate immunity is controlled by NF‐κB‐regulated transcription.
Caveolin‐mediated regulation of signaling along the p42/44 MAP kinase cascade in vivo
Authors: Engelman Jeffrey A. , Chu Caryn , Lin Anning , Jo Hanjoong , Ikezu Tsuneya , Okamoto Takashi , Kohtz D.Stave , Lisanti Michael P.
Published: July 2002

The p42/44 mitogen‐activated protein (MAP)‐kinase cascade is a well‐established signal transduction pathway that is initiated at the cell surface and terminates within the nucleus. More specifically, receptor tyrosine kinases can indirectly activate Raf, which in turn leads to activation of MEK and ERK and ultimately phosphorylation of Elk, a nuclear transcription factor. Recent reports have suggested that some members of p42/44 MAP kinase cascade can be sequestered within plasmalemmal caveolae in vivo. For example, morphological studies have directly shown that ERK‐1/2 is concentrated in plasma membrane caveolae in vivo using immunoelectron microscopy. In addition, constitutive activation of the p42/44 MAP kinase cascade is sufficient to reversibly down‐regulate caveolin‐1 mRNA and protein expression. However, the functional relationship between the p42/44 MAP kinase cascade and caveolins remains unknown. Here, we examine the in vivo role of caveolins in regulating signaling along the MAP kinase cascade. We find that co‐expression with caveolin 1 dramatically inhibits signaling from EGF‐R, Raf, MEK‐1 and ERK‐2 to the nucleus. Using a variety of caveolin‐1 deletion mutants, we mapped this in vivo inhibitory activity to caveolin‐1 residues 32–95. Peptides derived from this region of caveolin 1 also inhibit the in vitro kinase activity of purified MEK‐1 and ERK‐2. Thus, we show here that caveolin‐1 expression can inhibit signal transduction from the p42/44 MAP kinase cascade both in vitro and in vivo. Taken together with previous data, our results also suggest that a novel form of reciprocal negative regulation exists between p42/44 MAP kinase activation and caveolin‐1 protein expression, i.e. up‐regulation of caveolin‐1 protein expression down‐modulates p42/44 MAP kinase activity (this report) and up‐regulation of p42/44 MAP kinase activity down‐regulates caveolin‐1 mRNA and protein expression.