bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Buying Practices of Homemakers through Cashless Transaction
Authors: Ekta . , Mehta Manju , Sehgal Binoo
Published: March 2021

In digital payments, payer and payee both use digital modes to send and receive money. It is also called electronic payment. The consumer perception of digital payment has a positive impact on adoption in digital payment. Digital payments refer to electronic consumer transactions, which include payments for goods and services that are made over the internet, mobile payments at point-of-sale (POS) via smartphone applications (apps), and peer-to-peer transfers between private users. The Government also wants a cashless society. It is beneficial in reducing corruption, reducing cost of printing currency and in reducing cost of cash holding. Electronic transactions history and trail can easily be traced back and this would greatly help the economy in eradication of black money and also provide better convenience to the people. The present study was conducted in two districts i.e. Hisar and Bhiwani of Haryana state with objectives: (i) to identify the level of mass media exposure (ii) to assess the buying practices of working and non-working homemakers through a cashless economy. Two wards each were randomly selected from both district headquarter. From each selected wards 50 homemakers having their own bank account were selected purposively through snowball technique. 100 working &100 non-working homemakers were selected thus, total 200 homemakers were selected. A pretested interview schedule was used to collect data. The results showed that 45.00% of working respondents and 71.00% of non-working respondents had medium level of mass media exposure. All the respondents were buying milk & milk products daily, followed by 67.5% respondents were buying fruits and vegetables daily while 42.5% respondents were using public transport services daily.
Influence and Challenges of Teaching and Learning Resources on Children Creative Development Facing ECDE Programs in Nakuru East, Nakuru County, Kenya
Authors: Mbugua Peter , Tanui Edward K. , Kirui Stella C. , Maina Ann
Published: March 2021

Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) which is the education for young children up to age of eight requires the effort of all stakeholders to provide kids from childhood through primary school age with embedded growth. This study thus, aimed at identifying how learners’ creativity is hindered by the availability of learning resources and the challenges facing the ECDE programs towards creativity development in children in Nakuru East Sub-County, Kenya. The study employed descriptive research survey design. The population of the study consisted of teachers of public ECDE centers in Nakuru East Sub-County. Data was analyzed for descriptive statistics and cross tabulation of data. The results were then presented in the form of tables. Majority of the respondents indicated that they lacked musical instruments (92.2 percent), display charts (74.4percent), play materials (79.5 percent), while 69.2 percent accepted that they had drawing materials, and also 74.4 percent had reading materials. It was also clear that, creative learners were too fast for the other normal learners which posed a challenge to the teachers on which speed to use in their teaching. These findings implied that most schools (over 75 percent) in the East Sub-County lacked musical instruments, displayed charts, reading materials and play materials which were key teaching resources which would enable the teachers enhance creativity in their learners.
Epidemiology of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) in Assiut Province in Egypt
Authors: Hafez Mohamed Z. E. , Nassar Ahmed Y. , Nassar Gamal A. Y. , Hafez Nashwa F. Abdel , Hamed Heba A. , Saleem Tahia H.
Published: March 2021

Background: Mortality, severity, and recovery of COVID-19 are the main concern all over the world and are still not fully understood, particularly in the Middle East area.

Objective: To analyze the prevalence and the characteristics of COVID-19 in Assiut Province in Egypt.

Patients and Methods: This is a retrospective study that includes RT-q PCR- confirmed COVID-19 cases during the period from March7th 2020 to September17th 2020 in Assiut Province.

Results: A total of 1201 cases are confirmed out of 2750 suspected cases.  The breakdown of the cases is as follows; 84% fully recovered, 14.6% died and 1.4% are still in quarantine at the time of writing this article. Severe cases occur in old ages with no deaths below 21 years of age. Male and female deaths are 59.4% and 40% respectively. The associated co-morbidities are mainly chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes mellites, heart failure, ischemic heart disease, and obesity.

Conclusion: The total percentage of infection in Assiut is 0.04%; it is lower than the percentage of the total infection in the country (0.1%). Respiratory failure is the leading cause of death in all patients.
Genesis of Meka’a Geophagic Kaolin Deposit (In Foreke-Dschang West Cameroon)
Authors: Ninla S. A. Douola , Kieufack G. , Bomeni I. Y. , Dedzo M. Gountié , Wouatong A. S. L.
Published: March 2021

Geological, mineralogical and geochemical studies where carried out on Meka’a kaolin deposit located in Foréké-Dschang in order to define the ore genesis. Three kaolin facies (yellow, red and white) and isalteritic components were characterized by different methods including morphostructural description, XRD, XRF, ICP-MS, SEM-EDS, heavy mineral research and organic matter contents. The results show that all these kaolins are based on kaolinite (87–90%) associated with more or less significant phases of orthoclase (1-2%), goethite (0.5-3.5%), quartz (1-1.5%), anatase (1.2-2%) and hematite (1-2%). Small amounts of illite (3.5%) was found only in white facies. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) pattern shows that kaolinite particles contained in these kaolins are very small (<2 µm) and are poorly crystallized due to the impurities they contain. Meka’a kaolin’s are extremely weathered (CIA and CIW ≈ 100) and their organic matter content is considerable (1.82-2.54%) and is explained by the presence of carbonized wood in the ignimbrites. The combination of different analytical techniques points out a meteoric weathering of ignimbrite under oxidizing conditions as being of petrogenetic origin of this kaolin deposit.
Acute Apical Abscess Treatment with an Iranian Folk Remedy: A Case Report
Authors: Ghahramani Selda , Babaeian Mohammad
Published: March 2021

Background: There are only a few treatment approaches for periapical abscess as a prevalent complication and as the most common type of dental abscess. Drainage and/or antibiotic therapy is the first step to treat this infection, depending on its severity and symptoms.

Case Presentation: Amoxicillin/clavulanate (TID for 3 days), clindamycin (QID for 3 days), and a single local dose of an Iranian home remedy called metmeto, a mixture of toasted flour and ghee covered with a sterile piece of cotton fabric-, were respectively prescribed, for a 32-year-old male patient with a spreading periapical abscess. The first two antibiotics were not able to mitigate the symptoms (pain, inflammation,infection, etc.), while the abscess disappeared remarkably the morning after using a single dose of metmeto “as a dressing” for 6 hours. To eliminate the possible riskof recurrence, the patient underwent an endodontic retreatment after 2 weeks.

Conclusion: Some folk home remedies such as metmeto can be considered for treatment of dental problemsas noninvasive and safe choices. Further studies are necessary to conclude a causal association.
Restraints and Restrictive Interventions during Essential Personal Care in Elderly People Living with Dementia in Care Homes
Authors: Crooks Matthew , Wakenshaw Katherine , Young Julie , Purvis Kayleigh , Smith Karin , Loan Jennifer , Bell Laura , James Ian Andrew
Published: March 2021

Care home staff are frequently required to provide invasive personal care for their residents, and on occasions need to use restraint and restrictive practices with people with dementia. This often occurs in situations where the residents no longer have the insight that they require help and may misperceive the personal assistance as an assault. On a practical level, a significant number of people with dementia are currently being admitted to inpatient units due to their level of resistance around essential personal care. Often these same people are settled at all other times. This paper provides practical advice on how to support residents and their caregivers, and gives clinical, legal and ethical guidance. Previous work undertaken by the present authors have shown that care staff require supervision and coaching on this topic.

The paper includes training materials used by the authors.  This includes a composite, fictitious case example that illustrates approaches that are compliant with UK guidelines.  It addresses the training of staff working in care homes.

As such this paper provides a review and practical example of the appropriate use of restraint for residents unable to consent to the ‘intimate’ care they are receiving. It describes a method delivered in a person-centred manner and within a legal framework.  Having read this paper, care home staff should feel more confident, competent and secure in the assistance they are providing in this contentious area.
Kinetic Study on Biogas Production from Cabbage (Brassica oleracea) Waste and Its Blend with Animal Manure Using Logistic Function Model
Authors: Opurum Christian C.
Published: March 2021

This research paper aimed to evaluate the kinetics of anaerobic digestion (AD) of mixtures of cabbage waste (CW) with (Poultry dropping (PD) and Cow dung (CD). The study was conducted in 10L bio-digesters for 35 days under mesophilic conditions (25 - 35OC). Logistic function equation was used to simulate the experimental data to test for its goodness of fit and kinetic parameters namely: maximum biogas potential (Pb), the maximum biogas production rate (Rm), and the lag phase duration (λ) were estimated in each treatment. Chemical analysis showed that individual substrates possess characteristics that could support microbial activities in biogas production. The biogas yield in terms of added  volatile solids (VS) in decreasing order was as follows: 0.022, 0.018, 0.017, 0.014, 0.014 and 0.013 dm3/g VS for CW/CD 2:1, CW/PD3:1, CW/CD 1:1, CW alone, CW/PD1:1 and  CW/PD 2:1, respectively. A significant difference (P ≤ 0.05) in biogas yield was recorded in CW/CD 2:1 with 7.19 dm3 (53.29% increase). The kinetic parameters (Pb, Rm, and λ) for CW/CD 2:1 was 7.01 dm3, 1.58 dm3.d, and 2.29 days, respectively. This was followed by CW/PD 3:1 (5.84 dm3); with 24.92% increase in gas production and CW/CD 1:1 (5.42 dm3) with 15.53% increase relative to CW alone, 4.69 dm3. The digesters fed with CW/PD 1:1 and CW/PD 2:1 exhibited inhibitory effects on biogas production, with 7.51 and 2.05% decrease in gas yield, respectively. The logistic function model demonstrated a strong relationship between the experimental and model-predicted data. The high correlation coefficient (R2) ranging between 0.978 - 0.993 is evident. The model proved to be a useful tool in predicting anaerobic digestion and biogas production process.
The Effect of COVID-19 Infection on Human Blood Ghrelin Hormone: A Pilot Study
Authors: Hakami Nora Y. , Alhazmi Wafaa A. , Taibah Eman O. , Sindi Mamdouh M. , Alotaibi Ohoud F. , Al-Otaibi Hajed M. , Alhadrami Hani A.
Published: March 2021

Objectives: The pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been one of the major health concerns for all the countries around the globe. This study was aimed to study the potential effect of COVID-19 virus on the level of blood ghrelin appetite hormone in order to determine the influence of this infection on the patient appetite.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional study was conducted between July and the end of August 2020 in the western region of Saudi Arabia. A total of 50 confirmed positive patients with COVID-19 (positive group) and 30 control healthy subjects with negative blood samples (negative group) were collected to determine the level of ghrelin appetite hormone using the human ghrelin (GHRL) ELISA technique. A student’s t-test was carried out to find out the statistical change between different study groups.

Results: The serum total ghrelin concentrations, on average, were 51.32 pg/mL on positive group and 50.37 pg/mL on negative group, respectively. The difference of ghrelin was statistically insignificant between the two groups (P >0.05). Although the sample size of the study was small, the results showed high number of COVID-19 cases in male than female.

Conclusion: The current data shows that there are no significant changes in the level of serum ghrelin hormone in COVID-19 patients. Consequently, it might be possible that the ghrelin hormone showed potential changes in the saliva compared to the effect in the blood. Thus, a further analysis of the ghrelin hormone in the saliva of COVID-19 patients will be conducted in the near future.
Extraction and Processing of Pharmaceutical Grade Microcrystalline Cellulose from Dracaena arborea Stem
Authors: Ordu J. I. , Udenze I. E.
Published: March 2021

Cellulose is an abundant renewable biodegradable polymer regarded as a promising feedstock for chemical productions with its versatility evaluated as a useful structural and functional material for pharmaceutical and industrial applications. It is a straight chain polymer which appears in cell walls of most plant and consists of D. glucose units, with absence of coiling or branching and can be derived from variety of sources including: annual plants, microbes, animals etc. Three basic types of cellulose often exist in nature as - alpha (α), beta (β) and gamma (ϒ). Microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) sourced from cellulose, occurs as a purified and partially depolymerized alpha cellulose from plant parts such as D. arborea stem possibly by severe acid or alkaline hydrolysis. D. arborea plant is a palm – like tree of 1.5m height with several branches, often used as a boundary mark, a non-selective habitat and belongs to the family Asparagaceae, sub family Nolinoideae. With alkali hydrolysis of the D. arborea stem, the percentage yield of MCC from the alpha cellulose is 54.32%. Physicochemical analysis of the MCC reveals it to have a pH of 7.80 and physicotechnical analysis resulted in values as recommended in the official monogragh. Proximate principles of the extracted MCC, depicted percentage fiber content as 65.78% and low lipid and protein content as 0.6 and  0.4% respectively. Elemental analysis shows the composition of sodium and iron as 41% and 35% respectively but absence of lead and other deleterious materials. FTIR analysis suggests the presence of carbonyl groups, 6- membered cyclic ring (aromatic structure) with ortho and meta - OH substitution and long aliphatic chains. The x-ray diffraction study gave a percentage crystalinity index of 6.02 at 2q = 22 and 2q = 34.
Ca2+‐independent secretion is dependent on cytoplasmic ATP in human platelets
Authors: Sanchez Ana
Published: July 2002

The secretion evoked in human platelets by physiological agonists is an energy‐requiring process that depends on the metabolic ATP pool. Diacylglycerol, phorbol ester and collagen evoke a secretory response, which is not associated with an increase of cell Ca2+ levels, and is attributed to activation of protein kinase C [(1983) Nature 305, 317‐319]. The secretion evoked by these agonists decreased along with cytoplasmic ATP depletion in the same way that the thrombin‐induced secretion did. The secretory response was restored by raising again the cytoplasmic ATP levels. These results support the idea that the secretory response takes place by the physiological ATP‐dependent mechanisms rather than by membrane perturbations in these instances.
Altered heat‐shock response in polyamine‐depleted bacteria
Authors: Miret J.J. , Nainudel Sandra , Goldemberg Sara H.
Published: July 2002

A polyamine‐auxotrophic mutant of E. coli was cultivated in the presence or absence of putrescine and submitted to heat shock over 3 different ranges of temperature. In all cases, protein synthetic capacity measured in comparison to that of cultures at the preshift temperature was much higher in polyamine‐depleted bacteria under thermic stress. Addition of putrescine only before the shift‐up was able to restore gradually normal control of the relative protein synthetic capacity.
Primary structure of glucagon from the gut of the common dogfish (Scyliorhinus canicula)
Authors: Conlon J.Michael , O'Toole Liam , Thim Lars
Published: July 2002

The primary structure of glucagon isolated from the intestine of the common dogfish, Scyliorhinus canicula, was established as 5 10 15 20 25 H S E G T F T S D Y S K Y M D N R R A K D F V Q W L M N T. The peptide shows four substitutions compared with human glucagon: Glu‐3 for Gln, Met‐14 for Leu, Asn‐16 for Ser and Lys‐20 for Gln. Glucagon represented the predominant molecular form of the glucagon‐like immunoreactivity in the dogfish gut extracts demonstrating that the pathway of posttranslational processing of proglucagon in the gut of this fish differs markedly from the pathway in the mammalian gut.
Sequence comparison of γ‐crystallins from the reptilian and other vertebrate species
Authors: Chiou S.-H. , Chang W.-P. , Lo C.-H. , Chen S.-W.
Published: July 2002

Lens crystalline were isolated from homogenates of reptilian eye lenses (Caiman crocodylus apaporiensis) by gel‐permeation chromatography and characterized by gel electrophoresis, and amino acid and N‐terminal sequence analyses. Four fractions corresponding to α‐, δ/ε/β/‐, β‐ and γ‐crystallins were identified on the basis of their electrophoretic patterns as revealed by SDS gel electrophoresis. Comparison of the amino acid contents of reptilian crystallins with those of mammals suggests that each orthologous class of crystallins from the evolutionarily distant species still exhibits similarity in their amino acid compositions and probably sequence homology as well. All fractions except that of γ‐crystallin were found to be N‐terminally blocked. N‐terminal sequence analysis of the purified γ‐crystallin subfractions showed extensive homology between the reptilian γ‐crystallin polypeptides themselves and also those from other vertebrate species, suggesting the existence of a multigene family and their close relatedness to γ‐crystallins of other vertebrates.
Amino acid sequences of α‐allophycocyanin B from Synechococcus 6301 and Mastigocladus laminosus
Authors: Suter Franz , Füglistaller Paul , Lundell Daniel J. , Glazer Alexander N. , Zuber Herbert
Published: July 2002

The primary structure of α‐allophycocyanin B (αAPB) of Synechococcus 6301 was elucidated. Of the 162 amino acid residues in this polypeptide, 153 were placed by direct sequence determination and the nature of the remaining 9 residues deduced from the amino acid analysis of a peptide generated by the cleavage of αAPB with BNPS‐skatole. The probable positions of these 9 residues were assigned by homology to other phycobiliproteins. αAPB showed the highest homology, 51%, to αAP. Sequence comparisons suggest that tryptophan residues at positions 60 and 90 in αAPB might contribute to the red‐shifted absorption and fluorescence emission maxima of αAPB relative to those of αAP. N‐terminal sequences of Mastigocladus laminosus αAPB, and Synechococcus 6301 αAP and βAP were also determined. The N‐terminal 55 residues of Synechococcus 6301 βAP isolated from the two complexes (αAPBβAP)3 and (αAPβAP)3, respectively, were found to be identical.
Alkyl‐linked diquinolines are monofunctional AT‐selective DNA‐intercalating agents
Authors: McFadyen W.David , Denny William A. , Wakelin Laurence P.G.
Published: July 2002

The binding of a homologous series of alkyl‐linked 4‐aminodiquinolines to circular and linear DNAs was studied using viscometric titrations and equilibrium dialysis. The compounds are monofunctional intercalators with the capacity for intercalative binding reaching a peak for the heptane homologue. They show marked AT‐base pair selectivity, which suggests that the non‐intercalated quinoline ring may lie in the DNA minor groove. Affinities for calf thymus DNA increase as the alkyl chain is lengthened, falling in the range 6 to > 250 × 104 M−1 in a buffer of I 0.01. The association constant of the heptane diquinoline decreases with increasing ionic strength, 2.1 cations being released per bound dipositive ligand molecule. All the agents are growth inhibitory towards mouse leukemia cells in culture with IC50 values in the range 0.06–18μM.
Phencyclidine and some of its analogues have distinct effects on NMDA receptors of rat hippocampal neurons
Authors: Ramoa A.S. , Albuquerque E.X.
Published: July 2002

Phencyclidine (PCP) is a dissociative anesthetic agent which blocks the excitatory effect of N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate (NMDA) in the central nervous system. To investigate the role of the PCP reactive site in the control of NMDA activation of hippocampal pyramidal cells, we have examined the action of PCP and some of its analogues on the response properties of single NMDA receptors. Application of NMDA (5–15 μM) to outside‐out patches of membrane elicited bursts of ion channel openings which were greatly reduced in frequency and duration in the presence of PCP (2.5–10 μM) or m‐amino‐PCP (2.5–10 μM), a behaviorally active derivative of PCP. These effects of PCP were reversed when the membrane potential was shifted from negative to positive values. Application of the behaviorally inactive agent 1‐piperidino‐cyclohexanecarbonitrile (⩾ 220 μM) left NMDA‐activated currents relatively unaltered. Treatment with another analogue, m‐nitro‐PCP (5–20 μM), resulted in an unexpected increase in frequency of openings. At a higher concentration (100–300, μM), however, m‐nitro‐PCP acted like PCP in reducing frequency of opening and channel life‐time. Like PCP, these effects of m‐nitro‐PCP were reversed at positive potentials. Taken together, these results suggest that PCP and its derivatives block the open state of the NMDA channel. Moreover, the dual effect of m‐nitro‐PCP shows that excitability is not necessarily decreased by PCP analogues but may instead be enhanced depending on modifications of the PCP molecule.
The amino acid sequence of a trypsin inhibitor from the seeds of Momordica charantia Linn. Cucurbitaceae
Authors: Zeng Fu-Yue , Qian Rui-Qing , Wang Yu
Published: July 2002

A trypsin inhibitor (MCI‐3) was isolated from the seeds of Momordica charantia Linn. Cucurbitaceae in three steps involving the affinity chromatography, CM‐Sephadex chromatography and HPLC. It is composed of 62 amino acid residues: Asp3Thr.5Ser4Glu5Pro4Gly7Ala8Val9Ile4Leu1Lys3Arg8Trp1; contained no cysteine; and its M
r was 7443. The amino acid sequence showed significant homology with ‘potato inhibitor I family’ inhibitors.
Oligodeoxynucleotide analogs with 5′‐linked anthraquinone
Authors: Mori Kenya , Subasinghe Chrisanthi , Cohen Jack S.
Published: July 2002

We report here the synthesis of novel 5′‐linked oligodeoxynucleotides, both normal phosphodiester and phosphorothioate analogs, in which a covalently attached group at the 5′‐terminus is an anthraquinone. These compounds represent a new class of antisense compounds in which the base sequence of the oligodeoxynucleotide serves to deliver a nuclease‐resistant reactive drug‐like molecule to a cellular target nucleic acid (mRNA or DNA).
Stimulation of phosphoinositide hydrolysis via class I antigen‐specific recognition in murine cardiac tissue
Authors: Cremaschi Graciela A. , Sterin-Borda Leonor
Published: July 2002

Induction of polyphosphoinositide hydrolysis in cardiac tissue by specific recognition of class I histocompatibility antigens was assayed. C3H (H‐2k) mice auricles were labelled with myo‐3H]inositol precursor and inositol phosphate production in the presence or absence of anti‐class I k products was measured. Anti‐class I, but not anti‐class II products specifically increased phosphoinositide turnover. This increment was partially blocked by muscarinic cholinergic and α‐adrenergic blockers and even more so by the phospholipase C inhibitor NCDC. Alloantibodies specifically directed against class I antigens could then exert stimulation of phospholipase C‐mediated phosphoinositide hydrolysis through the interaction with muscarinic cholinergic and/or α‐adrenergic receptors. The induction of intracellular second messengers by class I antigens and hormone‐receptor interactions is discussed.
Acetylcholine receptor gene expression in experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis
Authors: Asher Orna , Neumann Drorit , Witzemann Veit , Fuchs Sara
Published: July 2002

Acetylcholine receptor (AChR) gene expression was analyzed in experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis (EAMG) in rabbits, rats and mice. An increase in AChR transcripts was demonstrated to be exclusively associated with myasthénie symptoms and with a severe loss in membrane AChR. An increase of α‐, β‐, ϵ‐, and δ‐subunit specific mRNAs (5.2‐, 1.6‐, 3.2‐ and 3.7‐fold, respectively), which code for the adult type of AChR (α2βϵδ) was observed in EAMG in rats. The γ‐subunit transcript was not detectable in myasthenie or healthy rats. It appears that the regulatory control of AChR gene expression in EAMG is different from that observed upon denervation.
Antithrombin Dublin (−3 Val → Glu): an N‐terminal variant which has an aberrant signal peptidase cleavage site
Authors: Daly Martina , Bruce David , Perry David J. , Price John , Harper Paul L. , O'Meara Anne , Carrell Robin W.
Published: July 2002

Antithrombin Dublin is an electrophoretically fast variant of antithrombin which has normal heparin affinity. Direct sequencing of amplified exon 2 revealed a Val→Glu substitution at position −3. N‐terminal sequencing of antithrombin from two individuals, heterozygous for the Dublin mutation, showed the presence of a truncated antithrombin in which the N‐terminal dipeptide is absent. We propose that the prepeptide mutation redirects signal peptidase cleavage to a site two amino acids downstream into the mature protein.
Expression of the Drosophila melanogaster metallothionein genes in yeast
Authors: Silar Philippe , Wegnez Maurice
Published: July 2002

The metallothionein system in Drosophila
melanogaster is composed of two genes, Mto and Mn, that code for distinctly different proteins. In order to compare the properties of Mto and Mtn, we transformed yeast with several fusion plasmids. The Mto and Mtn cDNAs, when placed under the control of CUP1 or PGK promoters, can confer a copper‐resistance phenotype to copper‐hypersensitive cells. Both Mto and Mtn proteins can be characterized in extracts from transformed yeast cells.
Aminoacyl‐tRNA synthetases and DNA replication Molecular mimicry between RNAII and tRNALys
Authors: Mirande Marc
Published: July 2002

Recent data pertaining to different research areas, aminoacyl‐tRNA synthetases and replication of ColE1 plasmids, have provided mutually attractive prospects. The gene encoding Escherichia coli lysyl‐tRNA synthetase was first isolated as a host suppressor mutation that restores replication of a mutant ColE1 replicon. Comparison of RNAII and tRNALys suggests that lysyl‐tRNA synthetase is involved in the formation of the displacement loop required for ColE1 plasmids replication and provides major identity elements of tRNALys.
Purification and characterization of a Kunitz‐type trypsin inhibitor from Leaf‐nosed viper venom
Authors: Siddiqi Abdur Rehman , Zaidi Zafar H. , Jörnvall Hans
Published: July 2002

A Kunitz‐type trypsin inhibitor was purified from Leaf‐nosed viper venom and the primary structure determined by peptide analysis. In relation to other trypsin inhibitors, the protein has an extended C‐terminal segment and a distinct pattern of residue alterations at the functionally important contact sites with proteases.
Regulation of ribosomal protein S25 in HL60 cells isolated for resistance to adriamycin
Authors: Li Maolin , Center Melvin S.
Published: July 2002

The ribosomal protein S25 gene is highly overexpressed in HL60 cells isolated for resistance to adriamycin. In contrast there is no overexpression of 3 other ribosomal genes which code for proteins S14, S17 and S24. Studies with an antibody against a synthetic peptide of the S25 protein show that although the S25 gene is overexpressed in resistant cells there is no corresponding increase in the levels of S25 protein. These results suggest that the r‐protein levels are highly regulated by translational controls or protein turnover.
The amino‐terminal fragment of gelsolin is cross‐linked to Cys‐374 of actin in the EGTA‐resistant actin‐gelsolin complex
Authors: Doi Yukio , Kanatani Yumiko , Kim Fimi
Published: July 2002

It has been shown that the EGTA‐resistant actin, one of the two actin molecules associated to gelsolin, can be predominantly cross‐linked to gelsolin by benzophenone‐4‐maleimide (BPM), a photoaffinity‐labeling reagent, which was conjugated to Cys‐374 of actin prior to cross‐linking (Doi, Y., Banba, M. and Vertut‐Doï, A. (1991) Biochemistry 30, 5769–5777). When a chymotryptic digest of gelsolin containing the amino‐terminal 15‐kDa fragment was mixed with BPM‐actin (42 kDa) and irradiated for cross‐linking, a band of 58 kDa appeared on SDS‐PAGE which was shown to contain actin molecule by using fluorescently labeled actin. The amino‐terminal sequence of the 58‐kDa complex was identical to that of gelsolin, confirming that the amino‐terminal segment (residues 1–133) of pig plasma gelsolin lies closely to Cys‐374 of actin in the EGTA‐resistant complex.
Inhibition of alcohol dehydrogenases by thiol compounds
Authors: Cheng Li-Yao , Lek Lee-Hua
Published: July 2002

2‐Mercaptoethanol is a strong inhibitor of LADH. The inhibitory effect is likely due to the binding of the SH group to the enzymatic zinc ion. Various thiol compounds do not inhibit YADH and it is suggested that the zinc atoms involved in the catalytic mechanism of LADH and YADH may have different structural arrangements and that these zinc atoms in YADH may not be blocked by thiol compounds. Thiol compounds also quench the enhanced fluorescence of LADH‐NADH in a pH‐dependent manner. At pH 9.2, the binding of coenzyme to LADH is replaced by 2‐mercaptoethanol, whilst at pH 7.3, it further quenches the fluorescence of NADH‐LADH. This quenching of fluorescence is likely attributed to a conformational change and energy transfer upon binding of 2‐mercaptoethanol to the LADH‐NADH complex. Complete reversal of the inhibitory effect of thiol compounds on LADH can be obtained by dialysis.
Cyclic ADP‐ribose induced Ca2+ release in rabbit skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum
Authors: Morrissette Jeffery , Heisermann Gary , Cleary John , Ruoho Arnold , Coronado Roberto
Published: July 2002

The Ca2+‐mobilizing metabolite cyclic ADP‐ribose (cADPR) has been shown to release Ca2+ from ryanodine‐sensitive stores in many cells. We show that this metabolite at a concentration of 17μM, but not its precursor β‐NAD+ nor non‐cyclic ADPR at the same concentration, is active in releasing Ca2+ from rabbit skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum. The release was not sensitive to Ruthenium red (1μM) nor to the ryanodine receptor‐specific scorpion toxin Buthotus
1‐1 (10 μM). In planar bilayer single channel recordings, concentrations up to 50μM cADPR did not increase the open probability of Ruthenium red and toxin‐sensitive Ca2+ release channels. Thus Ca2+ release induced by cADPR in skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum may not involve opening of ryanodine receptors.
Studies on the interaction of the dye, Stains‐all, with individual calcium‐binding domains of calmodulin
Authors: Sharma Yogendra , Gopalakrishna Aradhyam , Balasubramanian Dorairajan , Fairwell Thomas , Krishna Gopal
Published: July 2002

We show that the calcium‐mimic dye, Stains‐all, is a convenient probe to study the structural features of the individual calcium‐binding sites of calmodulin (CaM) and related calcium‐binding proteins (CaBP). These peptides bind the dye in their calcium‐binding sites, and induce a circular dichroism (CD) band in the bound dye in the 620 nm (J band) region, which is abolished upon the addition of calcium. Replacement of Asp by Asn in the +x position of the weaker calcium‐binding site (site I of CaM) abolishes the dye binding, while the same change in the higher affinity site IV attenuates the binding of the dye and does not abolish it. Replacement of Tyr in site IV with Trp does not distort the geometry, although it increases the dye binding affinity.
Loss of phosphatidylserine synthesis results in aberrant solute sequestration and vacuolar morphology in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Hamamatsu Shioka , Shibuya Isao , Takagi Masamichi , Ohta Akinori
Published: July 2002

Null cho1 mutants of Saccharomyces cerevisiae are incapable of phosphatidyl‐serine synthesis. They were more susceptible than wild‐type strains to 100 mM CaCl2, 3 mM ZnCl2 or 1 mM MnCl2, but not to MgCl2 nor KCl. They were also susceptible to high concentrations of basic amino acids, l‐lysine and l‐arginine, and to an l‐lysine analog, S‐2‐aminoethyl‐l‐cysteine. Their vacuolar pools of amino acids, especially those of basic ones, were decreased. Pigmentation of chol ade2 double mutants was obscured and vacuoles of cho1 mutants were considerably fragmented. These indicate that phosphatidylserine plays vital roles in normal vacuolar function and morphogenesis.
Inhibition by PGE2 of glucagon‐induced increase in phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase mRNA and acceleration of mRNA degradation in cultured rat hepatocytes
Authors: Püschel Gerhard P. , Christ Bruno
Published: July 2002

In cultured rat hepatocytes the key gluconeogenic enzyme phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PCK) is known to be induced by glucagon via an elevation of cAMP. Prostaglandin E2 has been shown to antagonize the glucagon‐activated cAMP formation, glycogen phosphorylase activity and glucose output in hepatocytes. It was the purpose of the current investigation to study the potential of PGE2 to inhibit the glucagon‐induced expression of PCK on the level of mRNA and enzyme activity. PCK mRNA and enzyme activity were increased by 0.1 nM glucagon to a maximum after 2 h and 4 h, respectively. This increase was completely inhibited if 10 μM PGE2 was added concomitantly with glucagon. This inhibition by PGE2 of glucagon‐induced PCK activity was abolished by pertussis toxin treatment. When added at the maximum of PCK mRNA at 2 h, PGE2 accelerated the decay of mRNA and reduced enzyme activity. This effect was not reversed by pertussis toxin treatment. Since in liver PGE2 is derived from Kupffer cells, which play a key role in the local inflammatory response, the present data imply that during inflammation PGE2 may reduce the hepatic gluconeogenic capacity via a Gi‐linked signal chain.
Ca2+ influx evoked by inositol‐3,4,5,6‐tetrakisphosphate in ras‐transformed NIH/3T3 fibroblasts
Authors: Hashii Minako , Hirata Masato , Ozaki Shoichiro , Nozawa Yoshinori , Higashida Haruhiro
Published: July 2002

Infusion of inositol‐3,4,5,6‐tetrakisphosphate (Ins(3,4,5,6)P4) from the patch pipette into the cytoplasm, produced a biphasic intracellular free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) increase in ras‐transformed NIH/3T3 (DT) cells. The Ins(3,4,5,6)P4‐induced increase in DT cells depended upon extracellular Ca2+ and was enhanced by membrane hyperpolarization. Identical [Ca2+]i increases were observed with intracellular application of inositol‐1,3,4,5‐tetrakisphosphate (Ins(1,3,4,5)P4) and inositol‐1,3,4,6‐tetrakisphosphate but not with inositol‐1,2,4,5‐tetrakisphosphate, inositol‐1,4,5‐trisphosphate or inositol‐1,3,4,5,6‐pentakisphosphate. Stimulation of DT cells with bradykinin increased the levels of Ins(3,4,5,6)P4 and Ins(1,3,4,5)P4. These results suggest that Ins(3,4,5,6)P4 may serve as a second messenger for continuous Ca2+ influx along with other tetrakisphosphates downstream from bradykinin receptors in DT cells.
Cytoplasmic topography of focal contacts
Authors: Dunlap David , Cattelino Anna , de Curtis Ivan , Valtorta Flavia
Published: July 2002

To investigate the structure of focal contacts, the cytoplasmic faces of fibroblast membranes were examined in solution by scanning force and immunofluorescence microscopy. Focal contacts were identified in scanning force topographs by correlation with fluorescence images. Finer details were resolved in topographs of the focal contacts than in fluorescence micrographs. Increased separation of ventral plasma membranes from the substrate correlated with the duration of cell culture. The cytoplasmic projections of the focal contacts also increased with the cell culture period. These changes accompanied lateral spreading of fibroblasts during the a period of several hours after seeding cells in culture medium.
Treatment models
Authors: Lader M
Published: July 2002

Antipsychotic drugs are used in a range of schizophrenic patients from the acutely disturbed to the chronically inert. Acute psychotic breakdowns usually involve secondary phenomena such as anxiety, depression and hostility superimposed on a worsening of the psychotic illness: a threshold of arousal is exceeded. This sets up a vicious circle which requires a major therapeutic effort to interrupt. Unfortunately, patients still relapse despite apparently adequate medication, suggesting only partial protection. Relapse is influenced by drug-related factors such as compliance and substance abuse, psychological factors such as cultural context, family dynamics and life events, and illness features such as poor insight. Treatment strategies, such as low-dose and intermittent medication, have proved disappointing. The most pragmatic model is the classic stressor-vulnerability model, but this does not explain the enhanced efficacy of clozapine.
Pharmacotherapeutic response of DST-positive borderline patients
Authors: Kontaxakis VP , Christodoulou GN , Markianos M , Stefanis C
Published: July 2002

The cases of two borderline patients are presented, dexamethasone suppression test (DST) positive and refractory to many therapeutic interventions and treated successfully with high doses of amitriptyline (225 and 200 mg/day, respectively). During the therapeutic intervention, the psychopathological condition of the patients was evaluated using Hamilton's rating scale for depression and a constructed scale based on items 11, 12 and 13 (dysphoria, anger, sense of emptiness, boredom, anhedonia) of the diagnostic interview for borderline patients.
Electro-convulsive therapy in neuroleptic malignant syndrome
Authors: Azhar MZ , Varma SL
Published: July 2002

A middle aged lady having Manic-depressive psychosis developed neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) on haloperidol. The emergent psychosis after recovery from NMS resolved with judicious use of electro-convulsive therapy (ECT) followed by gradual reintroduction of antipsychotics is reported here.
Distinct type‐2A protein phosphatases activate HMGCoA reductase and acetyl‐CoA carboxylase in liver
Authors: Gaussin Vinciane , Skarlas Polymnia , Ching Yick Pang , Hardie D.Grahame , Hue Louis
Published: July 2002

Acetyl‐CoA carboxylase and HMGCoA reductase are inactivated by the same AMP‐activated protein kinase and are activated by type‐2A protein phosphatase. To determine whether the same species of protein phosphatase‐2A were involved, we studied the interconversion of acetyl‐CoA carboxylase and HMGCoA reductase in isolated rat hepatocytes. We show that (i) these enzymes are differently regulated in hepatocytes and (ii) the species of type‐2A protein phosphatase involved in their activation are different and can be separated by anion‐exchange chromatography.
A transcription frame‐based analysis of the genomic DNA sequence of a hyper‐thermophilic archaeon for the identification of genes, pseudo‐genes and operon structures
Authors: Suckow Jörg M , Amano Naoki , Ohfuku Yuko , Kakinuma Jun , Koike Hideaki , Suzuki Masashi
Published: July 2002

An algorithm for identifying transcription units, independently regulated genes and operons, and pseudo‐genes that are not expected to be expressed, has been developed by combining a system for predicting transcription and translation signals, and a system for scoring the triplet periodicity in ORF candidates. By using the algorithm, the 1.09 Mb sequence that covers approximately 60% of the genome of Pyrococcus sp. OT3 has been analyzed. The identified ORFs show the expected biological and physical characteristics, while the rejected ORF candidates do not. Frequent use of operon structures for transcription, and gene duplication followed by mutation or termination of the duplicated genes, are discussed.
Caspase‐1 is not involved in experimental hepatitis in mouse
Authors: van Molle Wim , Brouckaert Peter , Libert Claude
Published: July 2002

Experimental hepatitis induced by tumor necrosis factor in d‐(+)‐galactosamine‐sensitized mice or by an agonistic anti‐Fas antibody in normal mice is accompanied by dramatic apoptosis of hepatocytes. Apoptosis is the final result of activation of a cascade of caspases. We used caspase‐1−/− mice, generated by gene targeting, to study the role of this protease in TNF‐ and anti‐Fas‐induced lethal hepatitis. We found that mutant mice exhibited the typical caspase‐1−/− phenotype, since they resisted to a lethal injection of LPS and released no interleukin‐1β in the circulation, in contrast to wild‐type littermates. When caspase‐1−/− mice were challenged with different doses of tumor necrosis factor/d‐(+)‐galactosamine or with anti‐Fas, no increased survival was observed compared with control mice. Furthermore, apoptosis in the livers of these mice and serum levels of alanine aminotransferase were not reduced. These data indicate that caspase‐1 deficiency does not lead to reduced apoptosis in these models, either because caspase‐1 is irrelevant in this model or because of functional redundancy.
Caffeine releases a glucose‐primed endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ pool in the insulin secreting cell line INS‐1
Authors: Gamberucci Alessandra , Fulceri Rosella , Pralong William , Bánhegyi Gabor , Marcolongo Paola , Watkins Sharlene L. , Benedetti Angelo
Published: July 2002

Caffeine mobilized an intracellular Ca2+ pool in intact fura‐2‐loaded INS‐1 cells in suspension exposed to high (16 mM) [glucose], while a minor effect was observed with low (2 mM) [glucose]. Cells were kept in a medium containing diaxozide or no Ca2+ to prevent the influx of extracellular Ca2+. The caffeine‐sensitive intracellular Ca2+ pool was within the endoplasmic reticulum since it was depleted by the inhibitor of the reticular Ca2+ pumps thapsigargin and the InsP3‐dependent agonist carbachol. No effect of caffeine was observed in the parent glucose‐insensitive RINmF5 cells. In microsomes from INS‐1 but not RINmF5 cells, the type 2 ryanodine receptor was present as revealed by Western blotting. It was concluded that the endoplasmic reticulum of INS‐1 cells possesses caffeine‐sensitive type 2 ryanodine receptors Ca2+ channels.
Transhistorical variations in personality and their association with experiences of parental rearing
Authors: Lundberg M. , Perris C. , Schlette P. , Adolfsson R.
Published: July 2002

A population sample comprised of 765 subjects (367 males and 398 females), in the age range of 15-81 years, completed the EMBU, a reliable questionnaire aimed at assessing experiences of parental rearing, and the TCI, a self-report questionnaire aimed at assessing dimensions of temperament and character. The study had three main aims: 1) to verify, on a larger scale, previous findings suggesting the occurrence of significant associations between experiences of parental rearing and aspects of temperament and character, 2) to assess possible variations in temperament and character in cohorts of subjects who have grown up in different historical epochs, and 3) to investigate to what extent transgenerational differences in parental rearing are detectable in different associations with various dimensions of personality. Several, albeit small, significant and meaningful associations between experiences of parental rearing and both temperament and character dimensions have been found, adding support to the robustness of previously reported results obtained in an independent smaller series. Also, several significant differences among subjects in different age groups have been found, both concerning temperament variables and character dimensions. Finally, the results show that associations between experiences of parental rearing and dimensions of temperament and character are most pronounced in subjects belonging to the youngest cohort and almost nil in the cohort comprising the oldest subjects.
Did Yeltsin buy elections? The Russian political business cycle, 1993–1999
Authors: Thames Frank C.
Published: July 2002

This article seeks to determine whether a political business cycle existed during Yeltsin's tenure in the Second Russian Republic. While Yeltsin certainly had the power and desire to increase his electoral chances, the lack of state resources and doubts about their appeal to voters presents an inconclusive picture concerning the existence of a political business cycle during this period. Statistical analysis, however, demonstrates that the level of real wage arrears decreased during electoral periods. Other measures, such as federal budget spending or the average monthly pension, only show weak indications of electoral period manipulation. Finally, the usefulness of buying votes in the Russian case, however, is questioned, considering Yeltsin's failures in various Duma elections.
Associations of working from home with occupational physical activity and sedentary behavior under the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Fukushima Noritoshi , Machida Masaki , Kikuchi Hiroyuki , Amagasa Shiho , Hayashi Toshio , Odagiri Yuko , Takamiya Tomoko , Inoue Shigeru
Published: March 2021

Objectives

To compare physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior (SB) levels during work time between those who work from home (WFH) and at workplaces (no WFH), and by WFH subgroups.

Methods

This cross-sectional internet-based survey included 1239 workers (mean age [standard deviation], 44.7 [13.7] years; 59.2% men) living in the Tokyo Metropolitan Area. Time spent sitting (SB), standing (light-intensity PA; LPA), walking, and engaging in heavy labor (moderate-to-vigorous PA; MVPA) during work time was measured using the Work-related Physical Activity Questionnaire. Workers reported weekly WFH percentages (eg, 0% implies no WFH and 100% implies full WFH), and WFH percentages were categorized into no WFH (0% WFH) and WFH (1%-100% WFH) groups. The WFH group was further subcategorized into 1%-25%, 26%-50%, 51%-75%, and 76%-100% subgroups.

Results

Overall, 494 workers (39.9%) worked from home. During working hours, SB time was longer in the WFH group than in the no WFH group (mean minutes [% working-time SB]: 335.7 vs 224.7 min [74% vs 50%]). Significantly shorter LPA and MVPA times (%) were reported in the WFH group than in the no WFH group (LPA, 59.6 vs 122.9 min [14% vs 29%]; MVPA, 55.3 vs 91.9 min [13% vs 22%], all P < .001). Among the WFH subgroups, longer SB time and shorter LPA and MVPA times were observed in the highest WFH group (WFH 76%-100%) than in the WFH 1%-25% and 26%-50% subgroups.

Conclusions

Workers who telecommuted were less physically active and had longer sedentary during work time than those who worked at the workplaces.