bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Nature of Unnaturalness in Religious Representations: Negation and Concept Combination
Authors: Franks Bradley
Published: April 2003

The cognitive anthropological approach has provided a powerful means of beginning to understand religious representations. I suggest that two extant approaches, despite their general plausibility, may not accurately characterise the detailed nature of those representations. A major source of this inaccuracy lies in the characterisation of negation of ontological properties, which gives rise to broader questions about their ontological determinacy and counter-intuitiveness. I suggest that a more plausible account may be forthcoming by allowing a more complex approach to the representations, deriving from understanding their nature as concept combinations. Such an account also suggests an alternative approach to the role of deference in religious representations. In sum, the empirical and theoretical implications of a more fine-grained analysis of religious representations suggest a vindication of the cognitive anthropology approach to integrating culture and cognition.
Heterosexual activity of male prisoners in England and Wales
Authors: Green J , Hetherton J P , Heuston J , Whiteley C , Strang J
Published: April 2003

A random sample of 1009 adult male prison inmates from 13 prisons covering short-, medium- and long-term establishments across England and Wales was interviewed about sexual behaviour, drug use and tattooing, inside and outside of prison. We report here on their heterosexual behaviour. Inmates had had a high number of sexual partners compared to population samples. The majority of sexual partners were casual and there were high levels of sexual involvement with injecting drug users and with prostitutes. Prisoners engaged in more risky sexual practices than did the general population and used condoms infrequently. A high number of prisoners had also injected drugs. Inmates reported a high frequency of past sexually transmitted diseases.
Highly CO2‐Permeable and Selective Polymer Nanocomposite Membranes
Authors: Patel N.P. , Miller A.C. , Spontak R.J.
Published: April 2003

As technologies turn to more efficient routesto remove CO2from mixed gas streams for H2or air purification, new cost‐effective multifunctional materials are needed for the separation processes. Here, hybrid poly(ethylene glycol)/fumed silica nanocomposite membranes exhibiting high CO2/H2selectivity (> 11) and CO2permeability (∼ 83 Barrer), as well as robust mechanical properties and optical clarity, are reported (see Figure).
Water behavior of poly(vinyl alcohol)/poly(vinylpyrrolidone) interpenetrating polymer network hydrogels
Authors: Kim Seon Jeong , Park Sang Jun , An Kay Hyeok , Kim Nam Gyun , Kim Sun I.
Published: April 2003

Interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) hydrogels based on poly(vinyl alcohol) and 1‐vinyl‐2‐pyrrolidone were prepared by radical polymerization with 2,2‐dimethoxy‐2‐phenylacetophenone as a photoinitiator and N,N′‐methylenebisacrylamide as a crosslinker. The IPN hydrogels were analyzed for the sorption behavior of water at 35°C and a relative humidity of 95% with a dynamic vapor sorption system, and water diffusion coefficients were calculated. Differential scanning calorimetry was used to quantitatively determine the amounts of freezing and nonfreezing water. The free‐water contents in the IPN hydrogel samples PV51, PV31, and PV11 were 74.40, 64.03, and 60.48% in pure water, respectively. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 89: 24–27, 2003
Adhesion of ethylene–styrene copolymers to polyethylene in microlayers
Authors: Ronesi V. , Cheung Y. W. , Hiltner A. , Baer E.
Published: April 2003

The effects of styrene content, layer thickness, and temperature on the adhesion of ethylene–styrene copolymers (ES) to low‐density polyethylene (LDPE) were examined by measuring the delamination toughness of LDPE/ES microlayers in the T‐peel test. Delamination toughness at ambient temperature decreased with increasing styrene content. A linear correlation between delamination toughness and styrene content in ES was observed. Extrapolation predicted that a copolymer with 72.5 wt % styrene would have no adhesion to LDPE. Experiments on microlayers with relatively thin (8–18 μm) ES layers demonstrated that delamination toughness was proportional to ES layer thickness. In situ observations of the damage zone showed stretching throughout the entire thickness of the ES layer. For higher adhesion systems, ES deformation occurred concurrently with localized stretching and crazing of the LDPE layer at the interface. For two representative systems, the effect of temperature on delamination toughness was studied. Major transitions in delamination toughness and fracture mode were observed at the primary thermal transitions of the ES copolymer. The contribution by stretching of the ES layer to measured delamination toughness was approximated by relating the damage zone to the ES engineering stress–strain curve and was estimated to be about half. The remaining contribution to delamination toughness was assumed to be due to LDPE deformation in the damage zone. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 89: 153–162, 2003
Synthesis and characterization of polyurethaneurea–vinyl polymer (PUU–VP) uniform hybrid microspheres by SPG emulsification technique and subsequent suspension polymerization
Authors: Ma Guang‐Hui , An Chul‐Jun , Yuyama Hajime , Su Zhi‐Guo , Omi Shinzo
Published: April 2003

Uniform polyurethaneurea–vinyl polymer (PUU–VP) hybrid microspheres of about 20 μm were prepared by a Shirasu porous glass (SPG) membrane emulsification technique and a subsequent radical suspension polymerization process, that is, a mixture of a 40 wt % urethane prepolymer (UP) solution of xylene and a vinyl monomer (VP) containing an initiator was permeated through the uniform pores of the SPG membrane into a continuous phase containing a stabilizer to form uniform droplets. Then, the droplets were allowed to stand for chain extension at room temperature with di‐ or triamines for 2 h in the absence or presence of ethyl acetate (EA), followed by suspension polymerization at 70°C for 24 h. The effect of the type and the amount of the monomer composition, crosslinker, and chain extender on the monomer conversion, particle morphology, and stability of the dispersion was investigated. A strong relationship was found between the compatibility of PUU with VP and the stability of the dispersion. The monomer conversion increased and the stability of the dispersion was improved as the amount of the crosslinker was increased. Solid and spherical PUU–VA hybrid particles with a smooth surface and a higher destructive strength were obtained when a trifunctional crosslinker and a chain extender were used together. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 89: 163–178, 2003
Phosphonylmethylaminocyclopentane‐1‐carboxylic acid
Authors: Najdenova E. , Vassilev A. , Popova Yu. , Troev K.
Published: April 2003

Phosphonylmethylaminocyclopentane‐1‐carboxylic acid was synthesized using Kabachnik–Fields reaction conditions in high yield and was characterized by NMR (1H, 31P, and 13C) and FAB spectroscopy. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 14:229–230, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/hc.10124
Porosity‐dependent Young's modulus of membranes from polyetherether ketone
Authors: Sonnenschein Mark F.
Published: April 2003

The porosity‐dependent Young's modulus for PEEK membranes was determined and the data compared to several empirical and semiempirical equations often applied to porous systems. The Spriggs equation, Wang's approximation, Sudduth's equation, and the foam modulus‐density relationship were all tested against the data. The relatively wide range of porosities tested in these experiments shows the Spriggs equation to be inadequate to fitting the data, especially above 50% porosity where the Young's modulus decreases rapidly. Wang's approximation to second order fitted the data well, and the porosity‐modulus relations had non‐negative coefficients as required and consistent with the ceramic data obtained by others. The data also fitted Sudduth's equations, usually applied to sintered ceramics, but equivalently good fits were obtained with nonunique fitting parameters. The foam modulus‐density relationship fitted the data for foamlike membranes but fitted less well to nonfoam morphology membranes. Finally, the data were used to determine the range of porosities and hollow fiber dimensions necessary for microfiltration and composite membrane application. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 41: 1168–1174, 2003
Investigation of the micromechanical deformation behavior of styrene–butadiene star block copolymer/polystyrene blends with high‐voltage electron microscopy
Authors: Ivankova E. M. , Adhikari R. , Michler G. H. , Weidisch R. , Knoll K.
Published: April 2003

The deformation behavior of blends consisting of a styrene–butadiene star block copolymer and a polystyrene homopolymer was studied by high‐voltage electron microscopy with a tensile device. The mechanical properties and micromechanical deformation mechanisms in the star block copolymer/polystyrene blends were directly influenced by their morphology. Although the pure block copolymer deformed in a very unequal manner (because of a thin‐layer‐yielding mechanism) and revealed no local deformation zones, a transition to the formation of crazelike zones was observed in the blends. This transition in the deformation mechanisms was correlated to the abrupt change in the macroscopic strain at break of the injection‐molded specimens. At lower contents of added polystyrene, a craze‐stopping mechanism was observed, whereas the blends with higher polystyrene contents demonstrated crazing like that in pure polystyrene. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 41: 1157–1167, 2003
Multiphoton entanglement and interferometry
Authors: Bourennane M. , Eibl M. , Gaertner S. , Kiesel N. , Kurtsiefer C. , Żukowski M. , Weinfurter H.
Published: April 2003

Multiphoton entanglement is the basis of many quantum communication schemes, quantum cryptographic protocols, and fundamental tests of quantum theory. Spontaneous parametric down‐conversion is the most effective source for polarization entangled photon pairs. Here we show, that a class of entangled 4‐photon states can be directly created by parametric down‐conversion. These states exhibit perfect quantum correlations and a high robustness of entanglement against photon loss. Therefore these states are well suited for new types of quantum communication.
Entanglement properties of Gaussian states
Authors: Kraus B. , Giedke G. , Lewenstein M. , Cirac J.I.
Published: April 2003

On the one hand we present necessary and sufficient conditions for both the separability and the distillability of bipartite Gaussian states of an arbitrary number of modes. On the other hand we classify tripartite three‐mode Gaussian states according to their separability properties and provide necessary and sufficient conditions for separability of those states . All the conditions presented here can be easily checked by direct calculations, thus providing operational criteria. This solves the separability problem for all bipartite as well as tripartite three‐mode Gaussian states and the distillability problem for all bipartite Gaussian states.
Active teleportation and entanglement swapping of a vacuum‐one photon qubit
Authors: Sciarrino F. , Lombardi E. , Giacomini S. , De Martini F.
Published: April 2003

We report the experimental realization of the “active” quantum teleportation (QST) of a one‐particle entangled qubit. The qubit is physically implemented by a two‐dimensional subspace of states of a mode of the electromagnetic field, specifically, the space spanned by the vacuum and the one photon state. This demonstration completes the original QST protocol and renders it available for actual implementation in quantum computation networks. It is accomplished by implementing a 8 m optical delay line and a single‐photon triggered fast Electro‐Optic Pockels cell. A large value of teleportation “fidelity” was attained: Fa = 90 ∓ 2)%. Furthermore we present a scheme for delayed‐entanglement swapping by applying the same quantum optical method.
Quantum gates and Berry phases in Josephson nanostructures
Authors: Falci G. , Fazio R. , Palma G.M.
Published: April 2003

We will show how geometric phases, i.e. phases which appear when a system undergoes a cyclic adiabatic evolution, can find useful application in fault tolerant quantum computation. A particular setup based on coupled superconducting nanostructures will be described
Entanglement at distance: qubits versus continuous variables
Authors: D'Ariano G.M. , Sacchi M.F.
Published: April 2003

We consider the problem of obtaining maximally entangled photon states at distance in the presence of loss. We compare the efficiency of two different schemes in establishing N shared ebits: i) N single ebit states with the qubit encoded on polarization; ii) a single continuous variable entangled state (emode) assisted by optimal local operation and classical communication (LOCC) protocol in order to obtain a 2N‐dimensional maximally entangled state, with qubits encoded on the photon number.
Bringing quantum strangeness to the macroscopic world
Authors: Mancini S. , Vitali D. , Tombesi P. , Giovannetti V.
Published: April 2003

We show that bouncing laser beams can entangle massive oscillators like movable mirrors. Such entanglement results robust against thermal noise and detectable with common optomechanical apparatus. Thus, a quantum strangeness (entanglement) can be brought to the macroscopic, everyday, world.
Glutathione S‐transferases and malondialdehyde in the liver of NOD mice on short‐term treatment with plant mixture extract P‐9801091
Authors: Petlevski R. , Hadžija M. , Slijepčević M. , Juretić D. , Petrik J.
Published: April 2003

Changes in the concentration of glutathione S‐transferases (GSTs) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were assessed in the liver of normal and diabetic NOD mice with and without treatment with the plant extract P‐9801091. The plant extract P‐9801091 is an antihyperglycaemic preparation containing Myrtilli folium (Vaccinium myrtillus L.), Taraxaci radix (Taraxacum ofﬁcinale Web.), Cichorii radix (Cichorium intybus L.), Juniperi fructus (Juniperus communis L.) , Centaurii herba (Centaurium umbellatum Gilib.), Phaseoli pericarpium (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), Millefolii herba (Achillea millefolium L.), Mori folium (Morus nigra L.), Valerianae radix (Valeriana ofﬁcinalis L.) and Urticae herba et radix (Urtica dioica L). Hyperglycaemia in diabetes mellitus is responsible for the development of oxidative stress (via glucose auto‐oxidation and protein glycation), which is characterized by increased lipid peroxide production (MDA is a lipid peroxidation end product) and/or decreased antioxidative defence (GST in the liver is predominantly an α enzyme, which has antioxidative activity). The catalytic concentration of GSTs in the liver was signiﬁcantly reduced in diabetic NOD mice compared with normal NOD mice (p < 0.01), while the concentration of MDA showed a rising tendency (not signiﬁcant). The results showed that statistically signiﬁcant changes in antioxidative defence occurred in the experimental model of short‐term diabetes mellitus. A 7‐day treatment with P‐9801091 plant extract at a dose of 20 mg/kg body mass led to a signiﬁcant increase in the catalytic concentration of GSTs in the liver of diabetic NOD mice (p < 0.01) and a decrease in MDA concentration (not signiﬁcant), which could be explained by its antihyperglycaemic effect. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Male rat infertility induction/spermatozoa and epididymal plasma abnormalities after oral administration of Kalanchoe gastonis bonnieri natural juice
Authors: de la Luz Miranda‐Beltrán María , Puebla‐Pérez Ana María , Guzmán‐Sánchez Arnoldo , Huacuja Ruiz Luis
Published: April 2003

Natural aqueous crude extracts (NACE) of several Crassulaceae family plants have been applied as a vaginal contraceptive by the populace. The aim of this work was to evaluate the inhibition of fertility in male Wistar rats and some physiological and biochemical changes in spermatozoa and epididymal plasma induced by NACE from Kalanchoe gastonis bonnieri (K. g. b.) (Crassulaceae). The NACE was obtained by mechanic pressure on grinding fresh plant leaves. Sublethal doses (150–300 mg/kg body weight) of NACE were orally administered to adult and fertile male rats daily for 30 days in a search for a contraceptive effect, and physiological and biochemical modiﬁcations on sperm cells and cauda epididymal plasma. The toxicity studies revealed that the lethal dose (LD50) calculated was 11 g/kg body weight. Sublethal doses induced 50%–100% fertility inhibition, with 100% recovery of fertility 30 days after stopping the treatment. The sperm motility, viability and spermatic density were also signiﬁcantly decreased (p < 0.001). The outstanding biochemical change observed in the cauda epididymal plasma was a decrease of carnitine concentration. The NACE of K. gastonis contains one substance active on fertility by affecting spermatozoa motility, viability and sperm density with a signiﬁcantly decreased carnitine and sialic acid (p < 0.001) in the caudal epididymal plasma. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Antioxidant flavonoids and phenolic acids from leaves of Leea guineense G. Don (Leeaceae)
Authors: Op de Beck Philippe , Cartier Gilbert , David Bruno , Dijoux‐Franca Marie‐Geneviève , Mariotte Anne‐Marie
Published: April 2003

From leaves of Leea guineense (Leeaceae) three hydrophilic ﬂavonoids were isolated and identiﬁed as quercetin‐3′‐sulphate‐3‐O‐α‐L‐rhamnopyranoside, quercetin‐3,3′‐disulphate and a new ﬂavonoid sulphate, quercetin‐3,3′,4′‐trisulphate, together with kaempferol, quercetin, quercitrin, mearnsitrin, gallic acid and ethyl gallate. The structures were established by spectroscopic analysis (UV, MS, 1H‐NMR, 13C‐NMR and 2D‐NMR). Their antioxidant effect on free radical scavenging was evaluated in the DPPH assay. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The molecular basis for genetic polymorphism of human deoxyribonuclease I: identification of the nucleotide substitution that generates the fourth allele
Authors: Yasuda Toshihiro , Nadano Daita , Takeshita Haruo , Tenjo Etsuko , Sawazaki Kazumi , Ootani Masahiro , Kishi Koichiro
Published: April 2003

In addition to the three alleles commonly responsible for the protein polymorphism of human deoxyribonuclease I, a mutation encoded by a fourth allele, DNASEI*4, was detected by isoelectric focusing. All 8 exons covering the entire open reading frame of the human DNase I gene were amplified by the polymerase chain reaction and subjected to direct sequencing. Only one nucleotide substitution, a C‐to‐G transition (CAG → GAG), in the codon for amino acid 9 of the mature enzyme was found. This substitution resulted in the replacement of Gln with Glu (Q9E).
A novel activity of E. coli uracil DNA N‐glycosylase excision of isodialuric acid (5,6‐dihydroxyuracil), a major product of oxidative DNA damage, from DNA
Authors: Zastawny Tomasz H. , Doetsch Paul W. , Dizdaroglu Miral
Published: April 2003

We describe a novel activity of E. coli uracil DNA N‐glycosylase (UNG) that excises isodialuric acid from DNA. Isodialuric acid is formed in DNA as a major oxidative product of cytosine. DNA substrates, which were prepared by γ‐irradiation, were incubated with UNG. Following precipitation of DNA, analyses of pellets and supernatant fractions by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry showed an efficient excision of isodialuric acid from DNA by UNG. None of the other 15 identified DNA base lesions was excised. The excision of isodialuric acid indicates that the non‐aromaticity of a substrate may not be a limiting factor for UNG.
Hydroxyl radical formation from Cu(II)‐trolox mixtures: insights into the pro‐oxidant properties of α‐tocopherol
Authors: Burkitt Mark J. , Milne Lesley
Published: April 2003

Although widely recognised as the most important chain‐breaking antioxidant of the lipid phase, α‐tocopherol has also been reported to exert pro‐oxidant activity, particularly during the Cu(II)‐stimulated oxidation of low density lipoproteins (LDL). In the present communication, we demonstrate that hydroxyl radicals are generated following the interaction of Cu(II) with the α‐tocopherol model compound Trolox, involving the reduction of Cu(II) by Trolox and the subsequent reduction of molecular oxygen by Cu(I). We suggest, therefore, that the hydroxyl radical may be the species responsible for the initiation of fatty acid oxidation during the Cu(II)‐stimulated oxidation of hydroperoxide‐free LDL.
Cloning, purification, and crystallization of Escherichia coli cystathionine β‐lyase
Authors: Laber Bernd , Clausen Tim , Huber Robert , Messerschmidt Albrecht , Egner Ursula , Müller-Fahrnow Anke , Pohlenz Hans-Dieter
Published: April 2003

The metC gene coding for cystathionine β‐lyase of Escherichia coli has been cloned and used to construct an overproducing E. coli strain. An efficient purification scheme has been developed and the purified enzyme has been crystallized by the hanging drop vapour diffusion method using either ammonium sulfate or polyethyleneglycol 400 as precipitating agent. The crystals belong to the orthorombic space group C2221. Their unit cell parameters are . Consideration of the possible values of V
M accounts for the presence of one dimer per asymmetric unit. The crystals are suitable for X‐ray analysis and a complete native date set to 1.83 Å resolution has been collected using synchrotron radiation.
Isolation of a novel gene down‐regulated by v‐src
Authors: Jing Pan , Kazuyoshi Nakanishi , Masuo Yutsudo , Hirokazu Inoue , Qin Li , Kiyomasa Oka , Naohisa Yoshioka , Akira Hakura
Published: April 2003

We have isolated a novel gene which was expressed in normal rat cells, but completely suppressed in cells transformed by v‐src. The molecularly cloned cDNA was about 1.8 kb in size, containing an open reading frame composed of 464 amino acid residues. DNA sequence analysis showed that there was no corresponding gene in the data bases. Besides the suppression of gene expression in the v‐src transformed cells, it expression was also strongly suppressed in cells transformed by other oncogenes such as v‐abl, v‐fps, v‐mos, v‐sis, v‐K‐ras, and polyomavirus middle T, but not affected in cells transformed by human papillomavirus type 16 E6E7 and polyomavirus large T. We named the gene drs for a gene down‐regulated by v‐src.
Legumin encoding sequences from the Redwood family (Taxodiaceae) reveal precursors lacking the conserved Asn‐Gly processing site
Authors: Wind Claudia , Häger Klaus-Peter
Published: April 2003

We have cloned and sequenced two different cDNAs encoding legumins from Japanese red cedar (Cryptomeria japonica, Taxodiaceae). The derived amino acid sequences show between 34% and 55% identity when compared with legumins from angiosperms and from Pinaceae, respectively. The predicted precursors are unusual in that they contain potential glycosylation signals, and we have found the corresponding β‐polypeptides actually to be glycosylated. As most outstanding feature one of the precursors is lacking the Asn‐Gly processing site which has been assumed to be highly conserved in legumin gene evolution. Legumin encoding sequences amplified from genomic DNA suggest that these unusual precursors are widespread if not ubiquitous in the Taxodiaceae family. From previous reports on legumin precursors with divergent processing sites, on the proteases involved in legumin precursor processing and from the results presented here it is concluded that the Asn‐Gly processing site has been acquired rather than conserved during legumin gene evolution.
Peroxisomal remnants in peroxisome‐deficient mutants of the yeast Hansenula polymorha
Authors: Veenhuis Marten , Komori Masayuki , Salomons Florian , Hilbrands Reinder E. , Hut Hans , Baerends Richard J.S. , Kiel Jan A.K.W. , van der Klei Ida J.
Published: April 2003

We have analyzed the presence of peroxisomal remnants (‘ghosts’) in three peroxisome‐deficient (per) mutants of the yeast Hansenula polymorpha, namely Δper4, Δper5 and Δper10. Under peroxisome‐inducing growth conditions peroxisomal membrane proteins (PMPs) were normally synthesized in cells of these mutants. In addition, these cells contained clusters of small membranous vesicles, which were absent in cells grown under peroxisome‐repressing growth conditions. These structures displayed typical peroxisomal properties in that they proliferated upon overproduction of Per8p, the H. polymorpha peroxisome proliferation factor. Moreover, in Δper4 and Δper5 these vesicles were susceptible to glucose‐induced proteolytic degradation.
Production and crystallization of MHC class I B allele single peptide complexes
Authors: Reid Scott W. , Smith Kathrine J. , Jakobsen Bent K. , O'Callaghan Chris A. , Reyburn Hugh , Harlos Karl , Stuart David I. , McMichael Andrew J. , Bell John I. , Jones E.Yvonne
Published: April 2003

Major histocompatibility complex class I B alleles, HLA B8, B53 and B3501 have been cloned, expressed, refolded and crystallized in specific complexes with a number of different 8‐mer and 9‐mer peptides. For some of these crystallization was initiated by cross‐seeding between different B allele complexes. All crystallize in the space group P212121, with similar unit cell dimensions of approximately, contain one complex per asymmetric unit and diffract to approximately 2.0 Å resolution.
Induction of a novel cytochrome P450 (CYP93 family) by methyl jasmonate in soybean suspension‐cultured cells
Authors: Genki Suzuki  , Hiroyuki Ohta  , Tomohiko Kato  , Takao Igarashi  , Fukumi Sakai  , Daisuke Shibata  , Atuo Takano  , Tatsuru Masuda  , Yuzo Shioi  , Ken-ichiro Takamiya
Published: April 2003

We isolated a cDNA encoding a novel cytochrome P450 (CYP93A1) from soybean suspension‐cultured cells that had been treated with methyl jasmonate (MeJA). The amino acid sequence of the gene product had 30–40% identity with those of other plant P450s. The protein contained the heme‐binding domain which is highly conserved among plant P450s. Transcription of the cytochrome P450 gene in soybean cells was induced by 30 μM MeJA even in the presence of cycloheximide, and reached maximum level 6 h after MeJA treatment. This is the first report of a plant cytochrome P450 gene whose transcription is induced by MeJA even without protein synthesis.
Heparin protection against Fe2+‐and Cu2+‐mediated oxidation of liposomes
Authors: Albertini Riccardo , Rindi Simonetta , Passi Alberto , Pallavicini Giosue , De Luca Giancarlo
Published: April 2003

Heparin (HE) exhibited a protective effect on liposome peroxidation induced by Fe2+ and Cu2+, decreasing the formation of both conjugated dienes and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in a dose‐dependent manner. The antioxidant activity was more relevant in the oxidizing system employing Fe2+ and H2O2 and generating the highly reactive .OH radical. The analysis of liposome size distribution by quasi‐elastic laser light scattering showed that: (1) the native structure of the particles was completely lost after exposure to Fenton reagent; (2) the presence of HE in the reaction mixture completely prevented the peroxidative damage on liposomes. Thus, HE acts as an antioxidant factor on membrane lipid bilayer. This suggests that HE, released from mast‐cell granules during inflammatory processes, might locally protect the cell membrane from the oxidative injuries.
Protective effect of lysozyme‐galactomannan or lysozyme‐palmitic acid conjugates against Edwardsiella tarda infection in carp, Cyprinus carpio L
Authors: Nakamura Soichiro , Gohya Yasuhide , Losso Jack N. , Nakai Shuryo , Kato Akio
Published: April 2003

The protective effect of lysozyme‐galactomannan or lysozyme‐palmitic acid conjugates orally administered to carp, Cyprinus carpio L. was investigated using a virulent strain of Gram‐negative Edwardsiella tarda isolated from an infected fish. Lysozyme‐galactomannan conjugate was prepared through controlled Maillard reaction. Lysozyme‐palmitic acid conjugate was prepared through base‐catalyzed ester exchange using N‐hydroxysuccinimide ester of palmitic acid. The conjugates provided substantial protection to carp infected with a Gram‐negative bacteria fish pathogen E. tarda NG 8104. Lytic activities of lysozyme conjugates with galactomannan and palmitic acid were about 80 and 71% of native lysozyme using Micrococcus lysodeikticus as a substrate. Feeding with lysozyme conjugates, for 8 days, significantly enhanced fish protection against E. tarda infection. The survival rate was 30% for lysozyme‐galactomannan conjugate treated fish and 20% for lysozyme‐palmitic acid conjugate treated fish after 6 days cultivation while all control fish died within 3 days. On the other hand, a recovery rate of 40% after 6 days was observed in the fish group that were fed lysozyme‐palmitic acid conjugate 3 and 2 h before and after E. tarda challenge, respectively, and for 6 consecutive days. The results of this work show the possibility of utilizing lysozyme conjugates with galactomannan or palmitic acid as a therapeutic for infection in fish.
Glycosylation of rat NGF receptor ectodomain in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Holkeri Heidi , Simonen Marjo , Pummi Tiina , Vihinen Helena , Makarow Marja
Published: April 2003

Here we studied the glycosylation of a mammalian protein, the ectodomain of rat nerve growth factor receptor (NGFR
e
), in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. NGFR
e
is secreted to the culture medium of S. cerevisiae if it is fused to a polypeptide (hsp150Δ) carrier. The hsp150Δ‐carrier has 95 serine and threonine residues, which were extensively O‐glycosylated. In spite of 41 potential sites, NGF
e
lacked O‐glycans, whether fused to the carrier or not. Distortion of the conformation of NGFR
e
by inhibition of disulfide formation did not promote O‐glycosylation, whereas N‐glycosylation was enhanced. Thus, the serine and threonine residues of the hsp150Δ‐NGFR
e
fusion protein were highly selectively O‐glycosylated.
Production and crystallization of lobster muscle tropomyosin expressed in Sf9 cells
Authors: Miegel Andrea , Sano Ken-Ichi , Yamamoto Kazuhiro , Maeda Kayo , Maéda Yuichiro , Taniguchi Hisaaki , Yao Min , Wakatsuki Soichi
Published: April 2003

A new form of muscle tropomyosin crystal has been obtained, by employing new strategies in protein preparation and crystallization. Non‐polymerizable tropomyosin was prepared by removing 11 amino acids at the C‐terminus. The truncated tropomyosin was expressed in Sf9 insect cells by use of the baculovirus‐based expression system, to obtain highly homogeneous protein preparations. By routinely monitoring homogeneity by mass spectrometry, we found that the homogeneity played a key role in obtaining good crystals. The crystal quality was also dependent on isoforms; the crystals raised from a slow muscle‐specific isoform diffracted to a higher resolution, compared with a fast muscle‐specific counterpart. For crystallization, a high concentration of organic solvent was used as the precipitant; in the presence of 35% DMSO, tetragonal crystals were formed, which belong to space group P43(1)212 with cell constants of . The crystals gave rise to reflections the intensities of which were characteristically determined by the transform of α‐helical coiled‐coil. Thus in the region of 10‐5.5 Å resolution along the , the reflections were weak. For accurate measurement of these reflection intensities, beam‐line ID2 in ESRF Grenoble was advantageous owing to the high brilliance and a low background. There the crystals diffracted to beyond 3.0 Å along the , whereas along the reflections were limited to 6.6 Å. Data analysis is under way on a data set from a PtCl4 derivative.
Import inhibition of poly(His) containing chloroplast precursor proteins by Ni2+ ions
Authors: Rothen R. , Thiess M. , Schumann P. , Boschetti A.
Published: April 2003

The precursor of the small subunit of ribulose‐1,5‐bisphosphate carboxylase (pSS) and a modified pSS containing a C‐terminal hexahistidyl tail (pSS(His)6) were imported into isolated Chlamydomonas chloroplasts with comparable efficiency. In the presence of Ni2+ ions the import of pSS(His)6 was inhibited and the precursor bound to the envelope remained protease sensitive, while import of pSS was not affected. Addition of an excess of l‐histidine suppressed the inhibition demonstrating that the hexahistidyl‐Ni2+ complex was responsible for import inhibition. Inhibition could be observed between about 0.5 and 10 mM Ni2+, depending on the total protein content in the assay. Import incompetent Ni2+‐precursor complexes can be used to study early events in chloroplast protein import.
Cerebrosides and their fatty acid profile in different regions of brains from small‐for‐date infants
Authors: Rao P. Srinivasa
Published: April 2003

The concentration of cerebrosides and their fatty acid profile were determined in different regions of the brain, namely cerebrum, cerebellum and medulla oblongata, of normal infants (weighing > 2500 g) and of the two categories of small‐for‐date term infants (weighing 2000–2500 g and < 2000 g). Cerebroside concentration, in general, was observed to be low in the three regions of the brain from small‐for‐date infants. The magnitude of reduction varied with the region. The cerebrum, in particular, showed a significant reduction in the concentration of cerebrosides in the case of low‐birth‐weight infants. The nonhydroxy fatty acid distribution of cerebrosides indicated a lower proportion of long‐chain fatty acids, namely lignoceric (24:0) and nervonic (24:1) acids, in the cerebellum and the medulla oblongata of small‐for‐date infants, and also in the cerebrum of those weighing < 2000 g. The observed changes in the concentration of cerebrosides and their fatty acid profile point to the possibility of impaired myelinization of the brain in small‐for‐date infants.
Response of neuropeptides and neurotransmitter binding sites in the retina and brain of the developing chick to reduced visual input
Authors: Ali S.F. , Hong J.‐S. , Bondy S.C.
Published: April 2003

The effect of 17 days of monocular suture of eyelids of day‐old chicks upon levels of neuropeptides and high affinity binding sites was studied. A significant reduction of met‐enkephalin, but not of substance P or neurotensin, was observed in the retina of the eye receiving dim and unpatterned light. Retinal muscarinic, dopaminergic, opiate, and benzodiazepine receptors appeared unaltered by the experimental procedure. Levels of neuropeptides were not significantly changed in optic lobes contralateral to and innervated by the sutured eyes relative to the optic lobes receiving afferentation from the open eyes. Seventeen days after unilateral enucleation of new‐hatched chicks, the neuropeptide content of the smaller denervated optic lobes did not differ from that of the lobes receiving an intact neuronal input.
Polyamine acetylation in the developing and aging mouse brain
Authors: Ortiz José G. , Giacobini Ezio , Schmidt‐Glenewinkel Thomas
Published: April 2003

Putrescine and spermidine acetylation is at least 10‐fold higher in the brain homogenate of the neonate (1‐day‐old) mouse than in the adult (90 days old). Although the pattern of putrescine and spermidine acetylation is similar throughout development, the acetylation of spermidine is consistently higher. As the animal matures, the activity curves tend to converge.

In the P1 (crude nuclei) and microsomal fractions, the acetylation of spermidine is highest at day 1, while putrescine acetylation peaks at day 4. In contrast to the adult animal, putrescine and spermidine acetylation are present in the P2 (crude mitochondria) and soluble fractions. In the P2 fraction, spermidine acetylation is highest at birth, while the acetylation of putrescine peaks at day 3. Acetylation of both substrates is barely detectable by day 42. In the soluble fraction, putrescine and spermidine acetylation show the highest activity at day 5. The activity declined towards adult values by day 10 in all the fractions examined.

Acetylation of putrescine and spermidine is approximately 4‐fold higher in the brain homogenate of the 120‐day‐old mouse than in that of the 90‐day‐old mouse. Both the acetylation of putrescine and spermidine decline as the animal grows older. In contrast to the perinatal period (day 20 of gestation to 4 days old) the acetylation of putrescine is almost identical to that of spermidine in the adult mouse.

These results suggest that polyamine acetylation may play an important role in polyamine metabolism in the developing mouse brain. The presence of activity in the P2 and soluble fractions of the neonatal, but not adult mouse brain, suggests that putrescine, via acetylputrescine, may contribute to the GABA levels during development.
Protein synthesis in cells isolated from the developing rat cerebellum
Authors: Patel N.J. , Cohen J. , Balazs R.
Published: April 2003

The rate of protein synthesis was estimated in structurally preserved perikaryal preparations from 8‐day‐old rat cerebellum under conditions which overcome the problems of intracellular compartmentation. The rates were lower than the in vivo estimates at comparable ages, but they were of similar magnitude, and very much higher than previous estimates on isolated cells.

Protein synthesis rate depended on the cell type. When expressed per cell the rank order in the preparations enriched in the indicated classes of cells was: Purkinje cells > astrocytes > granule cells in the S, G2 and M phase of the cell cycle > granule cells in G1 and G0. However, after normalizing the results for size differences between cell types, by expressing the rates in terms of unit protein or as a percentage replacement of the protein bound amino acid, astrocytes and replicating granule cells displayed greater rates than the Purkinje cells.

The resolution of labelled proteins using SDS‐PAGE indicated marked differences in the rate of synthesis of particular proteins. The results were consistent with the view that certain polypeptides are uniquely expressed in particular cell classes.
Existence of [3H]serotonin binding sites in the rat spinal cord: A developmental study
Authors: Hernandez R.J. , Fong D. Martinez , Chagoya G. , Fillion M.P. , Fillion G.
Published: April 2003

[3H]5‐HT specific binding sites have been characterized in the rat spinal cord. Experimental conditions allowed us to study a single class of sites possibly related to the postsynaptic receptor for 5‐HT. Binding constants (KD and Bmax) are described for adult and developing animals. No substantial changes in affinity were observed but the number of receptors increased from birth up to day 20 postnatally, stabilizing thereafter. The developmental pattern of a presynaptic marker, tryptophan‐5‐hydroxylase, was similar to that of binding sites.
First appearance of laminin in peripheral nerve, cerebral blood vessels and skeletal muscle of the rat embryo
Authors: Bignami Amico , Chi Nguyen Huu , Dahl Doris
Published: April 2003

The formation of basal laminae in peripheral nerve was studied by immunofluorescence with laminin antisera in the rat embryo. Peripheral nerves were identified with neurofilament antisera in double labeled sections. In the adult rat perineurium and endoneurium were uniformly decorated by the antisera. Sensory neurons in posterior root ganglia were surrounded by a laminin positive basal lamina. Laminin immunoreactivity was first observed in posterior spinal roots on day 14. Anterior spinal roots and peripheral nerves remained laminin negative until day 17. The adult pattern (uniform decoration of endoneurium in large and small nerve trunks) was only observed on day 21. The formation of a basal lamina surrounding posterior root ganglion neurons was still not completed in 3‐day‐old rats. The only laminin positive structures in the brain and spinal cord were the external basal laminae and the blood vessels. The external basal lamina was present at all stages of development. In the spinal cord and brain stem vascular basal laminae were first identified with laminin antisera on day 14, in the diencephalon and telencephalon on day 15. Laminin immunoreactivity in the basal laminae surrounding myotubes was first observed on day 16.
Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor from foetal human skeletal muscle
Authors: Turnbull Gillian M. , Harrison Roger , Lunt George G.
Published: April 2003

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor protein has been purified from foetal and adult skeletal muscle by extraction in non‐ionic detergent followed by purification on immobilised α‐toxin. Purified foetal and adult receptors focused as single, sharp peaks whether directly labelled with 125I or indirectly labelled with 125I‐α‐bungarotoxin. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the purified foetal and adult receptors each showed four major protein bands with Mr 44,000, 51,000, 58,000 and 66,000; only that with Mr 44,000 was, in each case, labelled with the affinity reagent, 4‐(N‐maleimido) [3H]benzyltrimethylammonium. When the four major subunits, obtained by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, were labelled with 125I‐ConA, markedly different patterns of radioactivity were shown by the foetal and adult receptors, the band at 44,000 being less heavily labelled in the foetal case. Foetal and adult receptors behaved similarly with respect to inhibition by ConA of binding of 125I‐α‐bungarotoxin; inhibition in both cases reaching a maximum of 70%. Foetal and adult receptors each showed single 125I‐α‐bungarotoxin binding species in sucrose density gradient centrifugation with S20w = 8.5Sand 9.5S, respectively, although the former peak was broader, possibly reflecting the relative instability of the purified foetal receptor. Our finding of marked differences in the glycosylation of foetal and adult human acetylcholine receptors suggest that, in otherwise very similar proteins, the carbohydrate moieties could determine the known differences in location and stability of the two receptor types.
Ganglioside GM1 overcomes serum inhibition of neuritic outgrowth
Authors: Skaper Stephen D. , Varon Silvio
Published: April 2003

Considerable variations in both neuritic and non‐neuronal cell outgrowths of ganglionic expiant cultures are imposed when different substrata and medium supplements are used. Therefore, a neuritic response to exogenous agents such as gangliosides may be better, or exclusively revealed under selected combinations of medium and substratum. We have surveyed a number of different ganglia for their ability to display a neuritic response to ganglioside GM1 and the culture conditions under which such a display may take place. GM1 can recognizably promote neurite extension from embryonic day 8 chick dorsal root ganglia, day 11 sympathetic ganglia, and day 8 ciliary ganglia. Demonstration of such effects, however, requires an appropriate balance between promoting and inhibiting influences by other extrinsic influences (culture substrata, neuronotrophic factors, serum inhibitors) thereby allowing for improvement by the ganglioside. Different ganglia require different combinations of those influences. Ciliary ganglia, for example, will show a GM1 response on a polyornithine substratum in medium supplemented with the chick eye Ciliary Neuronotrophic Factor and 1% fetal calf serum, but not with 10% serum or no serum. The effective concentration range for GM1 is in accord with previously reported serum binding data. These, and other data are consistent with an action of GM1 in executing a neurite program, rather than an imposition of the program itself.
Substance P‐like immunoreactivity in developing cranial parasympathetic neurons of the rat
Authors: Ayer‐LeLievre Christiane , Seiger ÅKe
Published: April 2003

Substance P‐like immunoreactivity (SPLI) has been observed in cell bodies of fetal cranial parasympathetic ganglia of rat. It first appears at day 16 of gestation at the same time as in cranial sensory ganglia. From day 17 to 21, SPLI neurons constitute most, if not all, submandibular‐sublingual and intralingual ganglia, they form 30–40% of otic and pterygopalatine ganglia and numerous such neurons are found in the myenteric plexus of the esophagus as well as in pharyngeal and buccal walls. The immunoreactive material is thinly granular, and its appearance does not change with prenatal development. The immunoreactivity in cell bodies of parasympathetic ganglia decreases at the end of the gestational period, and cannot be evidenced any more in most cells of normal adult ganglia. However, the corresponding SPLI fibers remain intensely immunoreactive. When grafted to rat irides, which have been chemically depleted of intrinsic SPLI fibers, submandibular, otic and pterygopalatine ganglia from pre‐ or postnatal rats rapidly produce a large amount of SPLI fibers on the iris mimicking the pattern of sensory innervation. This proves the presence of SPLI neurons in adult parasympathetic ganglia, at least in experimental conditions.

This study of fetuses and grafts demonstrates the existence of neurons in SPLI parasympathetic cranial ganglia which has been underestimated or ignored previously as a result of observations on adult ganglia. The very large proportion of SPLI neurons in the ganglia of the salivary gland might be of importance for the interpretation of experimental studies on the control of salivation. The presence of SPLI in all three types of peripheral ganglia, sensory, sympathetic and parasympathetic, raises the question of its functional significance in the different compartments of the peripheral nervous system.
Effect of glucocorticoids on development of the membrane resting potential of chick embryo brain cells in culture
Authors: Romano Marta C. , Velázquez P.N. , Nún̄ez M. Bonilla , Fuentes‐Pardo Beatriz
Published: April 2003

Progressive increase in membrane resting potential (MRP) values in cultured chick embryo brain neurons were recorded from days 2 to 10 of development. Application of corticosterone or prednisone in 24 hr old cultured cells caused a significant increment in MRP recorded at day 2 of culture with respect to control. When ouabain was added to the corticosterone treated cells its effect on the MRP was impaired. An increment in protein synthesis and a reduction in sodium concentration were also observed in corticosterone pretreated cells. These results show that corticoids accelerate the differentiation process in cultured cells particularly the MRP, stimulating perhaps the Na+‐K+ ATPase pump.
Regional [3H]acetylcholine and [3H]nicotine binding in developing mouse brain
Authors: Larsson Christer , Nordberg Agneta , Falkeborn Ylva , Lundberg Per‐Åke
Published: April 2003

The postnatal development of nicotine‐like binding sites in the cortex, hippocampus, midbrain and cerebellum of 3‐, 7‐, 12‐, 17‐ and 30‐day‐old mice was studied. Two different nicotinic cholinergic ligands, namely [3H]acetylcholine ([3H]ACh) and [3H]nicotine ([3H]NIC) were used to detect the nicotine‐like binding sites in in vitro binding assays. The postnatal development of the binding sites of [3H]NIC increased gradually with age in all brain regions studied. The [3H]ACh binding, on the other hand, showed a marked peak on day 12 in the cerebellum and midbrain but did not change notably with age in the hippocampus and cortex, except for a slight temporary increase in the cortex on day 7. The time‐course for the appearance of nicotinic binding sites as observed with [3H]ACh was found to be rather similar to that earlier described for [3H]alpha‐bungarotoxin binding sites, whereas that for [3H]NIC differed from that described for other nicotinic ligands.