bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Osteoporosis‐like Changes in Walker Carcinoma 256‐Bearing Rats, Not Accompanied with Hypercalcemia or Parathyroid Hormone‐related Protein Production
Authors: Waki Yoshihiro , Miyamoto Ken‐ichi , Kasugai Shohei , Ohya Keiichi
Published: August 2005

Walker carcinoma 256 (W256) was reported to induce hypercalcemia dependent on bone metastasis and/or parathyroid hormone‐related protein (PTHrP) in the rat, providing a model of the humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy. In this study, after the subcutaneous inoculation of cells of the W256/S line, which is maintained in this laboratory, into young female Wistar Imamichi rats (6 weeks old), serum calcium and phosphorus levels changed only within the control range, whereas serum alkaline phosphatase activity and urinary calcium level significantly increased and urinary phosphorus decreased during the tumor growth, resulting in hypercalciuria and hypophosphaturia. W256/S did not express PTHrP‐mRNA, whereas LLC‐W256 cells did express it. Serum PTHrP level was not changed in W256/S‐bearing rats. Osteoporosis‐like changes, bone weight loss, low contents of bone calcium and phosphorus, and a decrease in the bone mineral density (BMD), were observed in the femur 14 days after the tumor inoculation. There was a pronounced decrease in the serum 17β‐estradiol level during the tumor growth. The reduction of BMD of femurs in W256/S‐bearing rats was significantly inhibited by treatment with salmon calcitonin or 17β‐estradiol. On the basis of these results, W256/S carcinoma‐bearing rats seem to be a useful model for osteoporosis of hypoovarianism.
Induction of Programmed Death/Apoptosis in Androgen‐dependent Mouse Mammary Tumor Cell Line (Shionogi Carcinoma 115) by Androgen Withdrawal
Authors: Furuya Yuzo , Isaacs John T. , Shimazaki Jun
Published: August 2005

Shionogi Carcinoma 115 (SC 115) cells are a cloned cell line derived from androgen‐dependent mouse mammary tumor. They can grow in serum‐free culture if a physiological level of androgen is present in the medium, but can not proliferate in culture without testosterone. In the present study, the mechanism of cell death in SC 115 cells after androgen withdrawal was examined . Based upon the temporal sequence of DNA fragmentation, morphologic changes and loss of cell viability, androgen withdrawal induces programmed cell death (apoptosis) of SC 115 cells in serum‐free culture. Northern blot analysis was used to identify a series of genes whose expression per cell is enhanced during the recruitment of cells from a nonproliferative (i.e. G0) state into G1 (i.e., cyclins Dl and C), from G1 into the S phase of the cell cycle (i.e., cdk2), and during the programmed cell death pathway (i.e. testosterone repressed prostatic message‐2 (TRPM‐2), transforming growth factor‐β1 (TGF‐β1) and glucose regulated 78 kilodalton protein (GRP‐78)). Expression of TRPM‐2, TGF‐β1, GRP‐78, and calmodulin genes increases, but that of cyclins C and Dl, and cdk2 genes decreases during programmed cell death of SC 115 cells. These results demonstrate that androgen‐dependent SC 115 cells undergo programmed cell death induced by androgen withdrawal, and that this death does not require proliferation or progression into Gi of the proliferative cell cycle. SC 115 cells should be a good model for investigating programmed death of hormone‐dependent cancer.
Chemopreventive Effects of Taurine on Diethylnitrosamine and Phenobarbitalinduced Hepatocarcinogenesis in Male F344 Rats
Authors: Okamoto Kiyohisa , Sugie Shigeyuki , Ohnishi Masami , Makita Hiroki , Kawamori Toshihiko , Watanabe Tomoyuki , Tanaka Takuji , Mori Hideki
Published: August 2005

Modifying effects of taurine, a naturally occurring organosulfur compound, on diethylnitrosamine (DEN) and phenobarbital (PB)‐induced hepatocarcinogenesis were examined in rats. Male F344 rats, 5 weeks old, were divided into 8 groups. Rats of groups 1 through 5 were given i.p. injections of DEN (100 mgAg body weight) once a week for 3 weeks from one week after the start of the experiment. Of them, animals of group 2 received taurine mixed in a basal diet at a concentration of 2000 ppm for the initial 4 weeks, and those of groups 3 and 5 were given the agent starting 4 weeks after the beginning of experiment until the end (24 weeks). Rats in groups 1, 4, 7 and 8 were kept on the basal diet throughout the experiment (24 weeks). Group 6 was given taurine throughout the experiment and group 8 was treated as a vehicle control. Animals of groups 1,2, 3 and 7 received PB in drinking water at a dose of 500 ppm from one week after the end of carcinogen or vehicle treatment. Liver neoplasms were recognized only in DEN‐treated groups. The incidence and average number of liver neoplasms of group 3 were significantly lower than those of group 1. The number of glutathione S‐transferase placenta! form (GST‐P)‐positive foci of group 2 or 3 was significantly smaller than that of group 1 (P < 0.01 or P < 0,005). The average and unit areas of GST‐P‐positive foci in groups 2 and 3 were also significantly smaller than those in group 1 (P< 0.005 and P< 0.0001, P< 0.0001 and P< 0.001, respectively). In this study, the level of ornithine decarboxylase activity in non‐neoplastic liver tissue was reduced by taurine treatment in both the initiation and postinitiation phases. These results suggest that taurine could be a chemopreventive agent for liver neoplasia.
Non‐radioisotopic and Semi‐quantitative Procedure for Terminal Repeat Amplification Protocol
Authors: Ohyashiki Junko H. , Ohyashiki Kazuma , Sano Tetsuro , Toyama Keisuke
Published: August 2005

We have used fluorescence‐labeled primers and an auto‐sequencer to detect telomerase activity quickly and easily. The current procedure is superior to the original telomeric repeat amplification protocol in several respects: 1) the result is obtained in real time during electrophoresis, 2) semi‐quantitative results are possible without using a photo‐capture system, and 3) no radioisotope is needed.
Inhibition of Liver Metastasis of Human Gastric Carcinoma by Angiogenesis Inhibitor TNP‐470
Authors: Shishido Takayuki , Yasoshima Takahiro , Denno Ryuichi , Sato Noriyuki , Hirata Koichi
Published: August 2005

The anti‐tumor and anti‐metastatic effects of TNP‐470, an angiogenesis inhibitor, and mitomycin C (MMC), a representative anti‐neoplastic agent, were investigated using our established liver‐metastasizing gastric carcinoma line, AZ‐H5c. AZ‐H5c was injected into the spleen of nude mice which had been randomly divided into 4 groups; a control group given saline solution, a group receiving 15 mg/kg TNP‐470, a group receiving 30 mg/kg TNP‐470 and a group receiving 2 mg/kg MMC. TNP‐470 was given s.c. on alternate days for 5 weeks from day 10 after intrasplenic injection, and MMC was administered intraperitoneally (i.p.) once a week from day 10 after intrasplenic injection. In the control group, liver metastasis developed in 13 of 16 mice (81%). Liver metastasis developed in 6 of 11 mice (55%) receiving MMC. In contrast, liver metastasis developed in 4 of 8 mice (50%) receiving 15 mg/Kg TNP‐470, and in 0 of 14 mice (0%) receiving 30 mg/kg TNP‐470. However, TNP‐470 had no effect on the tumor growth. These results indicate that the angiogenesis inhibitor TNP‐470 has a strong inhibitory activity against in vivo liver metastasis of human gastric carcinoma.
p16INK4 Expression Is Associated with the Increased Sensitivity of Human Non‐small Cell Lung Cancer Cells to DNA Topoisomerase I Inhibitors
Authors: Fukuoka Kazuya , Adachi Jun‐ichi , Nishio Kazuto , Arioka Hitoshi , Kurokawa Hirokazu , Fukumoto Hisao , Ishida Tomoyuki , Nomoto Taisuke , Yokote Hideyuki , Tomonari Akira , Narita Nobuhiro , Yokota Jun , Saijo Nagahiro
Published: August 2005

Inactivation of p16INK4, an inhibitor of cyclin‐dependent kinases 4 (CDK4) and 6 (CDK6), may be essential for ontogenesis in non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We examined the sensitivity of two clones of P16INK4‐transfected NSCLC cell line with homozygous deletion of p16INK4, A549/pl6‐l and 2, to DNA topoisomerase I (topo I) inhibitors. A549/pl6‐l and ‐2 showed 7.7‐ and 9.1‐fold increases in sensitivity to CPT‐11 (11,7‐ethyl‐10‐[4‐(1‐piperidino)‐1‐piperidino]carbonyloxycamptothecin), respectively, compared with A549 cells. Ectopic p16INK4‐expressing cells also showed ∼4.0‐fold increase in sensitivity to SN‐38 (7‐ethyl‐10‐hydroxycamptothecin), the active metabolite of CPT‐11, compared to the parent cells. The topo I‐mediated DNA relaxation activities of ectopic p16INK4‐expressing cells were approximately 5 times higher than those of the parent cells. Northern and western blot analyses indicate that these increased topo I activities of ectopic p16INK4‐expressing cells were due to an elevated topo I mRNA level and an increase in topo I protein. The chemosensitivity to topo I inhibitors, topo I mRNA level, protein content and activity of a pl6INK4 revertant, lacking functional p16INK4, tended to be restored toward those of the parental phenotype to some extent. These results suggest that p161NK4 expression is closely associated with the increased sensitivity of ectopic pl6INK4‐expressing NSCLC cells to topo I inhibitors. The up‐regulation of topo I mRNA level, protein content and activity may he responsible for this hypersensitivity.
Demonstration of ras and p53 Gene Mutations in Carcinomas in the Forestomach and Intestine and Soft Tissue Sarcomas Induced by N‐Methyl‐N‐nitrosourea in the Rat
Authors: Matsumoto Kazuyuki , Iwase Teruhiko , Hirono Iwao , Nishida Yoshihisa , Iwahori Yoshio , Hori Takaaki , Asamoto Makoto , Takasuka Nobuo , Kim Dae Joong , Ushijima Toshikazu , Nagao Minako , Tsuda Hiroyuki
Published: August 2005

The presence of ras family and p53 gene mutations in rat forestomach, intestine and liver tumors and soft tissue sarcomas induced by Nmethyl‐N‐nitrosourea (MNU) was examined using polymerase chain reaction‐single strand conformation polymorphism (PCR‐SSCP) followed by direct sequencing analysis. In the forestomach squamous cell carcinomas (SCC), Ha‐ros and p53 mutations were detected in 2 (40%) and 4 (80%) of 5 cases, respectively. The figures for Ki‐ras and p53 gene mutations in adenocarcinomas of the large and small intestines were 3 (18.8%) and 5 (31.3%) of 16 cases. Soft tissue sarcomas in different sites were found to have mutations of Ki‐ras in 7 (23.3%)and of p53 in 9 (30%) of 30 cases. One forestomach SCC and 2 soft tissue sarcomas had double p53 mutations in different exons. Single cases of forestomach SCC and intestinal adenocarcinoma had mutations in both Ki‐ras and p53 genes. No mutations were found in counterpart benign tumors or hepatocellular adenomas. The p53 mutation spectrum revealed preferential clustering within exon 8 for the forestomach SCCs, and exons 5 and 8 for the intestinal adenocarcinomas, whereas the distribution was evenly spread through exons 5 to 8 in soft tissue sarcomas. All the detected ras or p53 mutations were G:C to A:T transitions. These results indicate firstly that specific Ki‐ras, Ha‐ras and p53 gene mutations in MNU‐induced lesions are related to particular alkylation sites (G:C to A:T transitions) and secondly, although not essential, Ki‐ras, Ha‐ras or p53 gene mutations may be involved in the progression stage of forestomach, intestine and soft tissue neoplasms induced by MNU.
Development and Elongation of Neurite–like Outgrowth on Small Cell Lung Cancer Cell Lines
Authors: Tanaka Kazuhiko , Terasaki Takeo
Published: August 2005

One (Lu–134A) of nine human small cell lung cancer cell lines which grow as floating cell aggregates changed its morphology dramatically when cells were cultured on a coverslip coated with poly–ethylenimine or extracellular matrix of human lung adenocarcinoma cell line PC–9 cells. The Lu–134A cells adhered to the substrate and developed elongated cytoplasmic processes which gradually grew into long neuronal–like processes. These processes developed to a length of more than 10 times the cell body length after 20 days of culture. Addition of dibutyryl cyclic adenosine 3′, 5 –monophosplmte to the cells on these substrates remarkably promoted the development and elongation of the processes, which grew into a netlike arrangement. The characteristics of these elongated neuronal–like processes were studied using immunocytochemical and electron microscopical methods. The processes reacted intensely with monoclonal antibodies against β–tubulin and microtubule–associated protein–2. The swelling portions of the distal tips of these processes reacted strongly with polyclonal antibody against synaptophysin. Neurosecretory granules and bundles of microtuhules were observed within processes. These findings suggested that this human small cell lung cancer cell line (Lu–134A) differentiated into neuronal cells, and indicated that attachment of cells to a substrate is the key to the development of long neurite–like outgrowths.
Two Transcription Factors, E1AF and N‐myc, Correlate with the Invasiveness of Neuroblastoma Cell Lines
Authors: Taguchi Kazunori , Yoshida Koichi , Sasaki Fumiaki , Fujinaga Kei
Published: August 2005

The ets transcription factor E1AF can activate several matrix‐degrading metalloproteinase (MMP) genes and is implicated in enhancement of tumor cell invasion. Here we compared the invasive activity of five human neuroblastoma cell lines (TGW, GOTO, SK‐N‐BE, SK‐N‐SH and SK‐N‐AS), which exhibit distinct levels of N‐myc amplification, together with the expression of E1AF. Extracellular matrix‐degrading proteases and their inhibitor proteins, which play an important role in local invasion, were also analyzed. The activity to invade through reconstituted basement membrane was high in cells (TGW, GOTO, and SK‐N‐BE) with N‐myc amplification, and these cells produced relatively large amounts of E1AF mRNA, correlating with the invasive activities. Of several matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and a tissue inhibitor of MMPs (TIMP), only membrane‐bound type 1 MMP (MT1‐MMP) was specifically detected in N‐myc‐amplified cells, suggesting a role of MT1‐MMP in neuroblastoma cell invasion. MMP‐2 (72 kD type IV collagenase), TIMP‐1 and TIMP‐2 were expressed in all five cell lines. Urokinase‐type plasminogen activator was undetectable. These findings indicate that the transcription factors E1AF and N‐myc are related to malignant phenotypes of neuroblastoma.
In vivoEffect of Recombinant Human Leukemia Inhibitory Factor in Primates
Authors: Akiyama Yasuto , Kajimura Naoko , Matsuzaki Junichi , Kikuchi Yasufumi , Imai Nobuo , Tanigawa Manabu , Yamaguchi Ken
Published: August 2005

Leukemia inhibitory factor(LIF) is known to be a causative factor for cacbexia and thrombocytosis in nude mice bearing human cancer cells. In the present study, we investigated whether recombinant human (rh) LIF can induce these biological activities in a primate model. rhLIF was synthesized by the expression of LIF protein in Escherichia coli. rhLIF (5, 20, or 80μ/kg) was administered subcutaneously twice daily to cynomolgus monkeys for 14 consecutive days. A remarkable decrease of body weight (10%) was observed in the 80μg/kg/day group. Approximately two‐fold increases in platelet counts were observed at doses higher than 5 /μg/kg/day when compared with control counts. These biological effects disappeared soon after the cessation of rhLIF treatment. Macroscopically, a remarkable reduction in subcutaneous fatty tissues and severe splenomegaly were observed. The results of this study demonstrate that rhLIF induces weight loss and thrombocytosis in a primate model.
Infrequent Mutation of the H‐Cadherin Gene on Chromosome 16q24 in Human Breast Cancers
Authors: Miki Yoshio , Katagiri Toyomasa , Nakamura Yusuke
Published: August 2005

To investigate the molecular basis of altered expression of the H‐cadherin gene, we used polymerase chain reaction‐single strand conformation polymorphism and DNA sequencing to examine the H‐cadherin gene in 48 primary breast cancers in which loss of the long arm of chromosome 16 had been detected. We identified no mutations other than somatic 5‐bp deletion within the coding region in a single tumor. The very low frequency of mutation found in these experiments suggests that H‐cadherin is usually not a primary target for carcinogenesis in human breast cancers, and that reduction of its expression is likely to be a consequence of some other genetic event(s).
Analyses of the APC and TGF‐β Type II Receptor Genes, and Microsatellite Instability in Mucosal Colorectal Carcinomas
Authors: Yagi Osmar Kenji , Akiyama Yoshimitsu , Ohkura Yasuo , Ban Shin‐ichi , Endo Mitsuo , Saitoh Kiyoshi , Yuasa Yasuhito
Published: August 2005

APC and transforming growth factor‐β type II receptor (TGF‐β RII) gene mutations, and microsatcllitc instability have been found in sporadic colorectal carcinomas. To clarify further the early alterations in colorectal carcinogenesis, we investigated these genetic changes in 23 protruding‐ and 24 superficial‐type mucosal colorectal carcinomas. TGF‐β RII gene mutations and microsatellite instability were rarely found in these lesions. Nevertheless, APC was mutated in 16 of the 47 (34.0%) mucosal colorectal carcinomas and was significantly more frequently mutated in protruding‐ (I) and superficial elevated‐type (Ila) (14/32,43.8%) than in other superficial‐type (IIa+IIc, IIb, IIc, and IIc+IIa) (2/ 15,13.3%) mucosal colorectal carcinomas (P<0.04). These results indicate that the APC gene may be involved from the beginning in the tumorigenesis of many early colorectal carcinomas, particularly of the protruding and superficial elevated types. However, there might be a distinct pathway for other superficial‐type colorectal carcinomas, possibly not involving APC as an initial step of tumorigenesis.
Nasal lavage fluid concentrations of eotaxin‐1 (CCL11) in naturally occurring allergic rhinitis: relationship to disease activity, nasal luminal eosinophil influx, and plasma protein exudation
Authors: Salib R. J. , Lau L. C. , Howarth P. H.
Published: August 2005

Background
Eotaxin‐1 (CCL11) is a CC chemokine whose nasal eosinophilic chemotactic activity in vivo and in vitro has been demonstrated primarily using nasal allergen challenge models. The extension of these challenge findings to the in vivo setting has been limited.

Objective
To obtain nasal lavage fluid from volunteers with perennial and seasonal (in‐ and out‐of‐season) allergic rhinitis (AR) and non‐atopic non‐rhinitic controls for the measurement of eotaxin‐1 concentrations and to relate these findings to the symptomatic disease severity, the percentage of lavage eosinophils, and to α2‐macroglobulin (α2‐MG) lavage concentrations, as a marker of vascular permeability and an index of airway inflammation.

Methods
Thirty‐seven volunteers with AR (16 seasonal and 21 perennial) and 20 non‐atopic non‐rhinitic volunteers were recruited and phenotyped. Nasal lavage fluid was obtained by standardized protocol. The nasal lavage fluid concentrations of eotaxin and α2‐MG were measured by ELISA, and differential cell counts performed on cytospins.

Results
Eotaxin‐1 nasal lavage fluid concentrations were significantly higher in both the perennial and seasonal (in‐season) AR groups compared with the controls, and significantly related to the severity of symptom expression and to the percentage of lavage eosinophils. The lavage eosinophil counts were significantly higher in both the symptomatic rhinitis groups compared with the control groups and correlated with the lavage concentrations of α2‐MG. α2‐MG levels were significantly increased in seasonal (in‐season) rhinitics compared with both non‐atopic controls and seasonal (out‐of‐season) rhinitics. A significant correlation was observed between the levels of α2‐MG and levels of eotaxin in the symptomatic allergic rhinitic groups.

Conclusions
This study clearly demonstrates the relevance of eotaxin‐1 to the pathogenesis of naturally occurring AR.
Interleukin‐13‐dependent bronchial hyper‐responsiveness following isolated upper‐airway allergen challenge in a murine model of allergic rhinitis and asthma
Authors: Wang Y. , McCusker C. T.
Published: August 2005

Background
We have previously shown that isolated allergic sensitization and challenge of the upper airway results in lower‐airway inflammation, which supports the concept of the united airways.

Objective
This study investigates the hypothesis that isolated upper‐airway allergic sensitization is sufficient to induce bronchial hyper‐responsiveness (BHR), characteristic of asthma, and that IL‐13 is an essential mediator in both the upper and lower airways.

Methods
BALB/c mice were sensitized and challenged by intranasal instillation of allergen ovalbumin (OVA) using our standard protocol. BHR to methacholine was determined and inflammation in nares and lung was assessed.

Results
Isolated intranasal application of allergen in awake animals resulted in almost exclusive deposition in the upper airways while in anaesthetized mice there was almost equal distribution in the upper and lower airways. We have demonstrated significant BHR to methacholine challenge in animals receiving OVA only in the upper airway. Also noted was concomitant increase in eosinophilic infiltrates in lung and nares as well as increased granulocytes and IL‐13 levels in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid. Using a polyclonal anti‐IL‐13 antibody we have shown inhibition of airways inflammation, both in nares and in lung with significant reduction of granulocytes in BAL from anti‐IL‐13 treated mice (P<0.0001). Anti‐IL‐13 treatment also abrogates allergen‐induced BHR (P<0.01).

Conclusion
These data suggest that isolated upper‐airway allergen deposition initiates allergic responses along the entire airway. IL‐13 mediates both airway inflammation and BHR and may play a role in the communication between the upper and lower airways.
Phosphorylation regulated ion‐binding is a property shared by the acidic subclass dehydrins
Authors: ALSHEIKH MUATH K. , SVENSSON JAN T. , RANDALL STEPHEN K.
Published: August 2005

Dehydrins are a family of proteins that accumulate in response to abiotic stresses. Little is known about the biochemical functions of these proteins. It is known that the Arabidopsis dehydrin, ERD14, is activated by phosphorylation to bind calcium and other ions. To begin to categorize the Arabidopsis dehydrins into functional families, we determined whether representative members of the dehydrin sub families share the properties of ERD14. When phosphorylated in vitro with casein kinase II; recombinant COR47, and ERD10 (and ERD14) become activated to bind calcium. ERD14 exhibited the highest calcium‐binding activity followed by ERD10 and COR47. These dehydrins, when isolated from cold‐treated Arabidopsis plants were also shown to have phosphorylation‐dependent, calcium‐binding activity. RAB18 showed very little calcium binding activity, even though it was phosphorylated by casein kinase II. XERO2 was not phosphorylated with CKII and did not bind calcium. Competition studies suggest that other divalent cations may bind to the dehydrins COR47, ERD10, and ERD14. Utilizing matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization – time of flight mass spectroscopy (MALDI‐TOF), we determined that the poly serine region located in all three calcium‐binding family members (COR47, ERD10, and ERD14) is the most likely phosphorylation site responsible for the activation of calcium binding. These results are consistent with a distinct biochemical function for the acidic subclass of dehydrins (COR47, ERD10, and ERD14) as ion (calcium)‐interacting proteins.
Cyclosporine withdrawal in post‐renal transplant thrombotic microangiopathy
Authors: Manzoor K , Ahmed E , Akhtar F , Kazi JI , Naqvi SA , Rizvi SAH
Published: August 2005

Abstract:  Introduction:  Thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) is a well known complication of cyclosporine (CsA)‐treated renal transplantation but optimum treatment strategies are not clearly defined.

Patients and methods:  All patients transplanted between January 1996 and December 2001 at our center who had biopsy‐proven TMA and in whom CsA was withdrawn were studied retrospectively.

Results:  The TMA was found in nine of 688 patients (1.3%). All except one donor were living related. HLA matching was one haplotype in all except one where both haplotypes were different. There were five males and four females and the mean age was 24.9 ± 9 yr. All of them developed TMA within 3 months of transplant. Five of nine had evidence of microangiopathic hemolysis on peripheral film. Serum creatinine at the time of diagnosis of TMA was 3.1 ± 1.3 mg/dL. Cyclosporine was discontinued in all and mycophenolate mofetil was substituted for azathioprine. No episode of acute rejection occurred after CsA withdrawal. Graft function did not improve in four who eventually became dialysis‐dependent after a mean duration of 12.6 ± 8.3 months. Remaining patients showed stabilization or improvement in function and all had serum creatinine below 2 mg/dL after a mean follow up of 24 months.

Conclusion:  The CsA withdrawal in cases with TMA at a stage when significant functional deterioration has not taken place can salvage the graft.
THE LESSONS OF MONDALE'S DEFEAT
Authors: MARMOR THEODORE R.
Published: August 2005

“Ronald Wilson Reagan, beaming with the confidence born of four years' experience and a re‐election landslide, quietly took the constitutional path of office today to begin his second term as the 40th President of the United States.”

(New York Times, January 21, 1985, p. 1)
Serum concentrations of parathyroid hormone and 25‐OH vitamin D3in cats with urethral obstruction
Authors: Drobatz Kenneth J. , Ward Cynthia , Graham Peter , Hughes Dez
Published: August 2005

Objective:To measure serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) and 25‐hydroxyvitamin D3concentrations in cats with urethral obstruction.

Design:Prospective single cohort study.

Setting:University affiliated veterinary teaching hospital.

Animals:Male cats with urethral obstruction.

Interventions:Routine blood samples drawn from male cats with urethral obstruction.

Measurements and main results:Measured variables included blood gas parameters, plasma sodium, potassium, chloride, and ionized calcium concentrations, as well as serum blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, phosphorus, PTH, and 25‐hydroxyvitamin D3concentrations. PTH was inversely correlated with ionized calcium and positively correlated with serum phosphorus. No discernable relationship could be found between 25‐hydroxyvitamin D3and any of the measured parameters.

Conclusions:Lack of parathyroid response does not appear to be the underlying mechanism for ionized hypocalcemia in cats with urethral obstruction.
Caffeine administration results in greater tension development in previously fatigued canine muscle in situ
Authors: Howlett Richard A. , Kelley Kevin M. , Grassi Bruno , Gladden L. Bruce , Hogan Michael C.
Published: August 2005

In isolated single skeletal myocytes undergoing long‐term fatiguing contractions, caffeine (CAF) can result in nearly immediate restoration of generated tension to near‐prefatigue levels by increasing Ca2+ release via activation of sarcoplasmic reticulum release channels. This study tested whether arterial CAF infusion (>5 mm) would cause a similar rapid restoration of tetanic isometric tension during contractions to fatigue in perfused canine hindlimb muscle in situ. Tetanic contractions were elicited by electrical stimulation (200 ms trains, 50 Hz, 1 contraction s−1), and biopsies were taken from the muscle at rest and during contractions: (1) following the onset of fatigue (tension ∼60% of initial value); and (2) following CAF administration. Resting muscle ATP, PCr and lactate contents were 25.2 ± 0.4, 76.9 ± 3.3 and 14.4 ± 3.3 mmol (kg dry weight)−1, respectively. At fatigue, generated tetanic tension was 61.1 ± 6.9% of initial contractions. There was a small but statistically significant recovery of tetanic tension (64.9 ± 6.6% of initial value) with CAF infusion, after which the muscle showed incomplete relaxation. At fatigue, muscle ATP and PCr contents had fallen significantly (P < 0.05) to 18.1 ± 1.1 and 18.9 ± 2.1 mmol (kg dry weight)−1, respectively, and lactate content had increased significantly to 27.7 ± 5.4 mmol (kg dry weight)−1. Following CAF, skeletal muscle ATP and PCr contents were significantly lower than corresponding fatigue values (15.0 ± 1.3 and 10.9 ± 2.2 mmol (kg dry weight)−1, respectively), while lactate was unchanged (22.2 ± 3.9 mmol (kg dry weight)−1). These results demonstrate that caffeine can result in a small, but statistically significant, recovery of isometric tension in fatigued canine hindlimb muscle in situ, although not nearly to the same degree as seen in isolated single muscle fibres. This suggests that, in this in situ isolated whole muscle model, alteration of Ca2+ metabolism is probably only one cause of fatigue.
A high- and low-temperature inducibleArabidopsis thaliana HSP101promoter located in a nonautonomousMutator-like element
Authors: Young Lester W , Cross Rebecca H , Byun-McKay S Ashley , Wilen Ron W , Bonham-Smith Peta C
Published: August 2005

Transcriptional activity of a 573-bp fragment of HSP101 (At1g74310) incorporated into a Mutator-like element (MULE) transposon was investigated in Arabidopsis thaliana Columbia. Sequence identity between the HSP101-MULE arrangement and a continuous segment of the original HSP101 promoter, 5' UTR exon, and open reading frame (ORF) was high (87%) but lower in the 5' UTR intron (69%). Collectively, the HSP101 ORF, the MULE 5' terminal inverted repeat (TIR), and the 1.3 kb immediately upstream of the TIR is located on chromosome IV, and we refer to it as HSP101B. Located within the HSP101B promoter, upstream of 2 heat shock elements (HSEs), are 4 COR15a-like low-temperature response elements (LTREs). The HSP101B ORF was transcribed in the leaves and inflorescences of high-temperature stress (HTS) treated Arabidopsis thaliana but not in low-temperature stress (LTS) and control plants. Transiently transformed Arabidopsis seedlings, as well as stable transformed lines of Linum usitatissimum (flax) and Brassica napus (canola) containing a HSP101B promoter:GUS construct, showed either LTS-, or LTS- and HTS-, induced β-glucuronidase expression. Results from PCR amplifications of HpaII- and MspI-digested Arabidopsis genomic DNA suggest that endogenous expression of HSP101B may be downregulated by partial methylation of the HSP101B sequence between the TIRs of the associated MULE.Key words: promoter function, low temperature stress, high temperature stress; Arabidopsis HSP101, Mutator-like element, transposon.
Expression analysis and physical mapping of low-molecular-weight glutenin loci in hexaploid wheat (Triticum aestivumL.)
Authors: Özdemir Nehir , Cloutier Sylvie
Published: August 2005

Gliadins and glutenins are storage proteins important in determining the bread-, noodle-, and pasta-making quality of wheat. Glutenins consist of HMW and LMW subunits. The Glu-A3, Glu-B3, and Glu-D3 loci on the short arms of chromosomes 1A, 1B, and 1D, respectively, are the major loci for LMW glutenins. To construct physical maps of the Glu-3 loci, a set of 24 high-density filters representing a 3.1× genome coverage hexaploid wheat BAC library was screened by hybridization using a probe made of 3 LMW glutenin sequences. After 2 rounds of hybridization, a subset of 536 BAC clones were selected and fingerprinted. Three developing seed cDNA libraries were also constructed. A total of 5000–6000 ESTs were generated from each library, assembled into contigs and searched by homology for LMW glutenin sequences. In total, 90 full-length LMW glutenin sequences were found to cluster into 8 distinct groups representing at least 21 different LMW glutenin subunits. A set of 24 pairs of PCR primers was designed from these groups and used as markers on the BAC clones. The combined fingerprinting and marker data were used to build the physical maps using FPC software. A total of 91 contigs comprising 254 clones were obtained and 282 clones remained singletons.Key words: Low-molecular-weight glutenins, physical maps, BAC library, cDNA library, EST.
Variation in rDNA locus number and position among legume species and detection of 2 linked rDNA loci in the modelMedicago truncatulaby FISH
Authors: Abirached-Darmency Mona , Prado-Vivant Emilce , Chelysheva Liudmila , Pouthier Thomas
Published: August 2005

Within Fabaceae, legume species have a variable genome size, chromosome number, and ploidy level. The genome distribution of ribosomal genes, easily detectable by fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH), is a good tool for anchoring physical and genetic comparative maps. The organisation of 45S rDNA and 5S loci was analysed by FISH in the 4 closely related species: Pisum sativum, Medicago truncatula, Medicago sativa (2 diploid taxa), and Lathyrus sativus. The 2 types of rDNA arrays displayed interspecific variation in locus number and location, but little intraspecific variation was detected. In the model legume, M. truncatula, the presence of 2 adjacent 45S rDNA loci was demonstrated, and the location of the rDNA loci was independent of the general evolution of the genome DNA. The different parameters relative to clustering of the rDNA loci in specific chromosome regions and the possible basis of rDNA instability are discussed.Key words: ribosomal genes, FISH, Medicago species, Pisum sativum, Lathyrus sativus, rDNA mobility.
An improved method for detection and quantification of chitinase activities
Authors: Guthrie Jennifer L , Khalif Sagal , Castle Alan J
Published: August 2005

Chitinases are enzymes that serve critical roles in fungal growth and development, in resistance of plants to fungal pathogens, and in parasitism of insects by entomopathogenic fungi. The term "chitinase" is used for 3 enzymatic activities: N-acetylglucosaminidases, which sequentially release N-acetylglucosamine residues from the chitin polymer; chitobiosidases, which release disaccharides; and endochitinases, which cleave within the polymer and release oligosaccharides. We describe a technique where chitinases are separated on non-denaturing polyacrylamide gels, activities are visualized and characterized with chitinase specific substrates, and specific activities are estimated by image analysis. This technique permits a rapid determination of all of the types of chitinases present within a sample as well as their activities.Key words: chitinases, electrophoresis, non-denaturing gels.
The effect of native and ACC deaminase-containing Azospirillum brasilense Cd1843 on the rooting of carnation cuttings
Authors: Li Qiaosi , Saleh-Lakha Saleema , Glick Bernard R
Published: August 2005

Carnation cuttings treated with non-transformed and 1-aminocyclopropane (ACC) deaminase-containing Azospirillum brasilense Cd1843 produced significantly more roots than untreated controls and fewer roots than cuttings treated with 0.1% indolebutyric acid (IBA). The roots produced by cuttings treated with ACC deaminase-containing Azospirillum brasilense Cd1843 were the longest roots resulting from any of the treatments, followed by non-transformed Azospirillum brasilense Cd1843, 0.1% IBA, and treatment with water. The results are interpreted in terms of a previously proposed model of bacterial promotion of plant growth by ACC deaminase and indoleacetic acid, and may have implications for the use of plant growth-promoting bacteria in the flower industry.Key words: ACC deaminase, carnation, cuttings, rooting, Azospirillum brasilense.
A CONCEPT OF MASS AS A STATISTICAL INTENSIVE PARAMETER
Authors: Holstrom Geoffrey
Published: August 2005

The electron mass is an intensive parameter on the distribution of formation intervals. The distribution is determined via a bridge connection defined by vectors existing across both parts of a direct product of such intervals. Particle mass and creation neutrinos form together. When mass exits coordinates are defined: mass and coordinates appear together. Bridge operators are determined for Maxwell, Einstein, and scale fields. Heavy particles are formed in an analogous way by putting them in groups.
HIGGSLESS DECONSTRUCTION WITHOUT BOUNDARY CONDITION
Authors: HE HONG-JIAN
Published: August 2005

Deconstruction is a powerful means to explore the rich dynamics of gauge theories in four and higher dimensions. We demonstrate that gauge symmetry breaking in a compactified higher dimensional theory can be formulated via deconstructed 4D moose theory with spontaneous symmetry breaking and without boundary condition. The proper higher-D boundary conditions are automatically induced in the continuum limit rather than being imposed. We identify and analyze the moose theories which exhibit delayed unitarity violation (effective unitarity) as a collective effect of many gauge groups, without resorting to any known 5D geometry. Relevant phenomenological constraints are also addressed.
Top Physics at ATLAS
Authors: STAVROPOULOS GEORGIOS
Published: August 2005

The large number of [Formula: see text] events that will be produced at LHC, will allow very precise measurements of the properties of the top quark, which may also reveal New Physics. The mass of the top quark will be measured with a precision of about one GeV. Rare decays of the top quark can be probed for branching ratios as small as 10-4. Finally, the detailed study of three different mechanisms of electroweak single top production will allow precise measurements of the CKM matrix element Vtb.
HOLOGRAPHIC MESONS: ADDING FLAVOR TO THE ADS/CFT DUALITY
Authors: HOVDEBO JORDAN L. , KRUCZENSKI MARTÍN , MATEOS DAVID , MYERS ROBERT C. , WINTERS DAVID J.
Published: August 2005

We study mesons in an [Formula: see text] super Yang-Mills theory with fundamental matter from its dual string theory on AdS5 × S5 with a D7-brane probe. For quarks with a finite mass mq, the meson spectrum is discrete and exhibits a mass gap of order [Formula: see text]. The spectrum of mesons with large spin J is obtained from semiclassical rotating open strings attached to the D7-brane. It displays Regge behaviour for [Formula: see text] whereas for [Formula: see text] it corresponds to that of two non-relativistic quarks bound by a Coulomb potential. We calculate 〈 Tr F2〉 around an isolated quark, to gain insight into the Regge behaviour of the spinning mesons.
WEYL COLLINEATIONS THAT ARE NOT CURVATURE COLLINEATIONS
Authors: HUSSAIN IBRAR , QADIR ASGHAR , SAIFULLAH K.
Published: August 2005

Though the Weyl tensor is a linear combination of the curvature tensor, Ricci tensor and Ricci scalar, it does not have all and only the Lie symmetries of these tensors since it is possible, in principle, that "asymmetries cancel." Here we investigate if, when and how the symmetries can be different. It is found that we can obtain a metric with a finite dimensional Lie algebra of Weyl symmetries that properly contains the Lie algebra of curvature symmetries. There is no example found for the converse requirement. It is speculated that there may be a fundamental reason for this lack of "duality."
NATURAL INFLATION, PLANCK SCALE PHYSICS AND OSCILLATING PRIMORDIAL SPECTRUM
Authors: WANG XIULIAN , FENG BO , LI MINGZHE , CHEN XUE-LEI , ZHANG XINMIN
Published: August 2005

In the "natural inflation" model, the inflaton potential is periodic. We show that Planck scale physics may induce corrections to the inflaton potential, which is also periodic with a greater frequency. Such high frequency corrections produce oscillating features in the primordial fluctuation power spectrum, which are not entirely excluded by the current observations and may be detectable in high precision data of cosmic microwave background (CMB) anisotropy and large scale structure (LSS) observations.
RELATING QUANTUM INFORMATION TO CHARGED BLACK HOLES
Authors: GE XIAN-HUI , SHEN YOU-GEN
Published: August 2005

Quantum non-cloning theorem and a thought experiment are discussed for charged black holes whose global structure exhibits an event and a Cauchy horizon. We take Reissner–Norström black holes and two-dimensional dilaton black holes as concrete examples. The results show that the quantum non-cloning theorem and the black hole complementarity are far from consistent inside the inner horizon. The relevance of this work to non-local measurements is briefly discussed.
MASS TRANSPORTATION IN GROUPS OF TYPE H
Authors: RIGOT S.
Published: August 2005

We give a solution of the optimal transport problem in groups of type H when the cost function is the square of either the Carnot–Carathéodory or Korányi distance. This generalizes results previously proved for the Heisenberg groups. We use the same strategy that the one which was developed in that special case together with slightly refined technicalities that essentially reflect the fact that the center of the group can be of dimension larger than one. For each distance we prove existence, uniqueness and give a characterization of the optimal transport. In the case of the Carnot–Carathéodory distance we also prove that the optimal transport arises as the limit of the optimal transports in natural Riemannian approximations.
Increased plasma adiponectin in response to pioglitazone does not result from increased gene expression
Authors: Rasouli Neda , Yao-Borengasser Aiwei , Miles Leslie M. , Elbein Steven C. , Kern Philip A.
Published: August 2005

Plasma levels of adiponectin are lower in obese and insulin-resistant subjects compared with lean and insulin-sensitive ones. Thiazolidinediones increase plasma adiponectin levels in diabetic subjects, although the mechanism of this increased plasma adiponectin has not been well studied. In the present study, we compared the plasma levels and adipose tissue expression of adiponectin in subjects with normal (NGT) and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and also studied the effects of metformin and pioglitazone on plasma and adipose tissue mRNA level of adiponectin in IGT subjects. IGT subjects had lower plasma adiponectin levels compared with NGT subjects, and similarly IGT subjects had lower adiponectin mRNA levels. In contrast, the increased plasma levels of adiponectin in response to pioglitazone were not associated with increased adiponectin expression in adipose tissue. Metformin did not cause any change in plasma or expression levels of adiponectin. Other adipokines were examined, and both pioglitazone and metformin decreased plasma levels of resistin in IGT subjects, and pioglitazone (but not metformin) decreased plasma levels of leptin. These data suggest that pioglitazone increases plasma adiponectin levels by posttranscriptional regulation in contrast to transcriptional regulation of adiponectin in relation to insulin sensitivity in NGT vs. IGT subjects.
Muscle glycogen inharmoniously regulates glycogen synthase activity, glucose uptake, and proximal insulin signaling
Authors: Jensen Jørgen , Jebens Einar , Brennesvik Erlend O. , Ruzzin Jérôme , Soos Maria A. , Engebretsen Ellen M. L. , O'Rahilly Stephen , Whitehead Jonathan P.
Published: August 2005

Insulin-stimulated glucose uptake and incorporation of glucose into skeletal muscle glycogen contribute to physiological regulation of blood glucose concentration. In the present study, glucose handling and insulin signaling in isolated rat muscles with low glycogen (LG, 24-h fasting) and high glycogen (HG, refed for 24 h) content were compared with muscles with normal glycogen (NG, rats kept on their normal diet). In LG, basal and insulin-stimulated glycogen synthesis and glycogen synthase activation were higher and glycogen synthase phosphorylation (Ser645, Ser649, Ser653, Ser657) lower than in NG. GLUT4 expression, insulin-stimulated glucose uptake, and PKB phosphorylation were higher in LG than in NG, whereas insulin receptor tyrosyl phosphorylation, insulin receptor substrate-1-associated phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase activity, and GSK-3 phosphorylation were unchanged. Muscles with HG showed lower insulin-stimulated glycogen synthesis and glycogen synthase activation than NG despite similar dephosphorylation. Insulin signaling, glucose uptake, and GLUT4 expression were similar in HG and NG. This discordant regulation of glucose uptake and glycogen synthesis in HG resulted in higher insulin-stimulated glucose 6-phosphate concentration, higher glycolytic flux, and intracellular accumulation of nonphosphorylated 2-deoxyglucose. In conclusion, elevated glycogen synthase activation, glucose uptake, and GLUT4 expression enhance glycogen resynthesis in muscles with low glycogen. High glycogen concentration per se does not impair proximal insulin signaling or glucose uptake. “Insulin resistance” is observed at the level of glycogen synthase, and the reduced glycogen synthesis leads to increased levels of glucose 6-phosphate, glycolytic flux, and accumulation of nonphosphorylated 2-deoxyglucose.
Problems with Attempted Chorioretinal Venous Anastomosis by Laser for Nonischemic CRVO and BRVO
Authors: Bavbek Tayfun , Yenice Ozlem , Toygar Okan
Published: August 2005

Purpose: To report the complications and long-term results of laser-induced chorioretinal venous anastomosis in vein occlusions. Patients and Methods: Eight consecutive eyes, 3 with central retinal vein (CRVO) and 5 with branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO), were observed for up to 5 years after attempted laser-induced chorioretinal venous anastomosis. Results: Successful chorioretinal venous anastomoses were created in 2 (25%) eyes. Patients had severe complications, including vitreous hemorrhage, choroidal neovascular membrane, choriovitreal neovascularization, rubeosis iridis and neovascular glaucoma. Conclusion: The utilization of a chorioretinal venous anastomosis by laser with proposed laser settings as a therapeutic modality should be further analyzed, and a careful long-term follow-up must be done to avoid vision-threatening complications.
Integrating Personnel Evaluation in the Planning and Evaluation of School Improvement Initiatives
Authors: Normore Anthony H.
Published: August 2005

Researchers assert that successful school improvement initiatives are school-based efforts that focus on a realistic number of priorities that address critical student needs and simultaneously motivate school staff members. Following from this assertion, attention to personnel evaluation can be a valuable component of evaluations of school improvement initiatives. Program evaluators need to examine the role of personnel evaluation systems in the operation and success (or failure) of the school improvement initiatives they evaluate. This article argues that (a) when used appropriately, personnel evaluation can become an integral component of school improvement initiatives; (b) evaluations of school-reform (and other educational) programs should focus far more on personnel evaluation systems; and (c) the benefits to rendering greater attention to personnel evaluation include a likely increase in the success of school improvement interventions.
Effects of latent heat of fusion on thermal processes in laser welding of aluminium alloys
Authors: Karkhin V. A. , Ilin A. S. , Pesch H. J. , Prikhodovsky A. A. , Plochikhine V. V. , Makhutin M. V. , Zoch H.-W.
Published: August 2005

Based on the Green's function method, a mathematical model allowing for the latent heat of fusion and solidification is developed to describe the steady state, two-dimensional heat flow during welding of thin plates. It is demonstrated that the latent heat has a pronounced effect on shape and size of the weld pool and mushy zone. The thermal efficiency of base metal fusion by a line heat source η t can exceed 0·4839 considerably if the latent heat is taken into account. It is shown that the known simplified approaches for considering the latent heat can introduce large errors into the estimation of η t. The calculated and experimental weld pool shapes are compared.