bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the similarity of gene expression data estimated with SAGE and Affymetrix GeneChips
Authors: van Ruissen Fred , Ruijter Jan M , Schaaf Gerben J , Asgharnegad Lida , Zwijnenburg Danny A , Kool Marcel , Baas Frank
Published: June 2005

Background

Serial Analysis of Gene Expression (SAGE) and microarrays have found awidespread application, but much ambiguity exists regarding the evaluation of these technologies. Cross-platform utilization of gene expression data from the SAGE and microarray technology could reduce the need for duplicate experiments and facilitate a more extensive exchange of data within the research community. This requires a measure for the correspondence of the different gene expression platforms. To date, a number of cross-platform evaluations (including a few studies using SAGE and Affymetrix GeneChips) have been conducted showing a variable, but overall low, concordance. This study evaluates these overall measures and introduces the between-ratio difference as a concordance measure pergene.

Results

In this study, gene expression measurements of Unigene clusters represented by both Affymetrix GeneChips HG-U133A and SAGE were compared using two independent RNA samples. After matching of the data sets the final comparison contains a small data set of 1094 unique Unigene clusters, which is unbiased with respect to expression level. Different overall correlation approaches, like Up/Down classification, contingency tables and correlation coefficients were used to compare both platforms. In addition, we introduce a novel approach to compare two platforms based on the calculation of differences between expression ratios observed in each platform for each individual transcript. This approach results in a concordance measure per gene (with statistical probability value), as opposed to the commonly used overall concordance measures between platforms.

Conclusion

We can conclude that intra-platform correlations are generally good, but that overall agreement between the two platforms is modest. This might be due to the binomially distributed sampling variation in SAGE tag counts, SAGE annotation errors and the intensity variation between probe sets of a single gene in Affymetrix GeneChips. We cannot identify or advice which platform performs better since both have their (dis)-advantages. Therefore it is strongly recommended to perform follow-up studies of interesting genes using additional techniques. The newly introduced between-ratio difference is a filtering-independent measure for between-platform concordance. Moreover, the between-ratio difference per gene can be used to detect transcripts with similar regulation on both platforms.
Signature proteins that are distinctive of alpha proteobacteria
Authors: Kainth Pinay , Gupta Radhey S
Published: June 2005

Background

The alpha (α) proteobacteria, a very large and diverse group, are presently characterized solely on the basis of 16S rRNA trees, with no known molecular characteristic that is unique to this group. The genomes of three α-proteobacteria, Rickettsia prowazekii (RP), Caulobacter crescentus (CC) and Bartonella quintana (BQ), were analyzed in order to search for proteins that are unique to this group.

Results

Blast analyses of protein sequences from the above genomes have led to the identification of 61 proteins which are distinctive characteristics of α-proteobacteria and are generally not found in any other bacteria. These α-proteobacterial signature proteins are generally of hypothetical functions and they can be classified as follows: (i) Six proteins (CC2102, CC3292, CC3319, CC1887, CC1725 and CC1365) which are uniquely present in most sequenced α-proteobacterial genomes; (ii) Ten proteins (CC1211, CC1886, CC2245, CC3470, CC0520, CC0365, CC0366, CC1977, CC3010 and CC0100) which are present in all α-proteobacteria except the Rickettsiales; (iii) Five proteins (CC2345, CC3115, CC3401, CC3467 and CC1021) not found in the intracellular bacteria belonging to the order Rickettsiales and the Bartonellaceae family; (iv) Four proteins (CC1652, CC2247, CC3295 and CC1035) that are absent from various Rickettsiales as well as Rhodobacterales; (v) Three proteins (RP104, RP105 and RP106) that are unique to the order Rickettsiales and four proteins (RP766, RP192, RP030 and RP187) which are specific for the Rickettsiaceae family; (vi) Six proteins (BQ00140, BQ00720, BQ03880, BQ12030, BQ07670 and BQ11900) which are specific to the order Rhizobiales; (vii) Four proteins (BQ01660, BQ02450, BQ03770 and BQ13470) which are specific for the order Rhizobiales excluding the family Bradyrhizobiaceae; (viii) Nine proteins (BQ12190, BQ11460, BQ11450, BQ11430, BQ11380, BQ11160, BQ11120, BQ11100 and BQ11030 which are distinctive of the Bartonellaceae family;(ix) Six proteins (CC0189, CC0569, CC0331, CC0349, CC2323 and CC2637) which show sporadic distribution in α-proteobacteria, (x) Four proteins (CC2585, CC0226, CC2790 and RP382) in which lateral gene transfers are indicated to have occurred between α-proteobacteria and a limited number of other bacteria.

Conclusion

The identified proteins provide novel means for defining and identifying the α-proteobacteria and many of its subgroups in clear molecular terms and in understanding the evolution of this group of species. These signature proteins, together with the large number of α-proteobacteria specific indels that have recently been identified http://www.bacterialphylogeny.com, provide evidence that all species from this diverse group share many unifying and distinctive characteristics. Functional studies on these proteins should prove very helpful in the identification of such characteristics.
A census of membrane-bound and intracellular signal transduction proteins in bacteria: Bacterial IQ, extroverts and introverts
Authors: Galperin Michael Y
Published: June 2005

Background

Analysis of complete microbial genomes showed that intracellular parasites and other microorganisms that inhabit stable ecological niches encode relatively primitive signaling systems, whereas environmental microorganisms typically have sophisticated systems of environmental sensing and signal transduction.

Results

This paper presents results of a comprehensive census of signal transduction proteins – histidine kinases, methyl-accepting chemotaxis receptors, Ser/Thr/Tyr protein kinases, adenylate and diguanylate cyclases and c-di-GMP phosphodiesterases – encoded in 167 bacterial and archaeal genomes, sequenced by the end of 2004. The data have been manually checked to avoid false-negative and false-positive hits that commonly arise during large-scale automated analyses and compared against other available resources. The census data show uneven distribution of most signaling proteins among bacterial and archaeal phyla. The total number of signal transduction proteins grows approximately as a square of genome size. While histidine kinases are found in representatives of all phyla and are distributed according to the power law, other signal transducers are abundant in certain phylogenetic groups but virtually absent in others.

Conclusion

The complexity of signaling systems differs even among closely related organisms. Still, it usually can be correlated with the phylogenetic position of the organism, its lifestyle, and typical environmental challenges it encounters. The number of encoded signal transducers (or their fraction in the total protein set) can be used as a measure of the organism's ability to adapt to diverse conditions, the 'bacterial IQ', while the ratio of transmembrane receptors to intracellular sensors can be used to define whether the organism is an 'extrovert', actively sensing the environmental parameters, or an 'introvert', more concerned about its internal homeostasis. Some of the microorganisms with the highest IQ, including the current leader Wolinella succinogenes, are found among the poorly studied beta-, delta- and epsilon-proteobacteria. Among all bacterial phyla, only cyanobacteria appear to be true introverts, probably due to their capacity to conduct oxygenic photosynthesis, using a complex system of intracellular membranes. The census data, available at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/Complete_Genomes/SignalCensus.html, can be used to get an insight into metabolic and behavioral propensities of each given organism and improve prediction of the organism's properties based solely on its genome sequence.
A systematic review of how homeopathy is represented in conventional and CAM peer reviewed journals
Authors: Caulfield Timothy , DeBow Suzanne
Published: June 2005

Background

Growing popularity of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in the public sector is reflected in the scientific community by an increased number of research articles assessing its therapeutic effects. Some suggest that publication biases occur in mainstream medicine, and may also occur in CAM. Homeopathy is one of the most widespread and most controversial forms of CAM. The purpose of this study was to compare the representation of homeopathic clinical trials published in traditional science and CAM journals.

Methods

Literature searches were performed using Medline (PubMed), AMED and Embase computer databases. Search terms included "homeo-pathy, -path, and -pathic" and "clinical" and "trial". All articles published in English over the past 10 years were included. Our search yielded 251 articles overall, of which 46 systematically examined the efficacy of homeopathic treatment. We categorized the overall results of each paper as having either "positive" or "negative" outcomes depending upon the reported effects of homeopathy. We also examined and compared 15 meta-analyses and review articles on homeopathy to ensure our collection of clinical trials was reasonably comprehensive. These articles were found by inserting the term "review" instead of "clinical" and "trial".

Results

Forty-six peer-reviewed articles published in a total of 23 different journals were compared (26 in CAM journals and 20 in conventional journals). Of those in conventional journals, 69% reported negative findings compared to only 30% in CAM journals. Very few articles were found to be presented in a "negative" tone, and most were presented using "neutral" or unbiased language.

Conclusion

A considerable difference exists between the number of clinical trials showing positive results published in CAM journals compared with traditional journals. We found only 30% of those articles published in CAM journals presented negative findings, whereas over twice that amount were published in traditional journals. These results suggest a publication bias against homeopathy exists in mainstream journals. Conversely, the same type of publication bias does not appear to exist between review and meta-analysis articles published in the two types of journals.
Manuscript Architect: a Web application for scientific writing in virtual interdisciplinary groups
Authors: Pietrobon Ricardo , Nielsen Karen C , Steele Susan M , Menezes Andreia P , Martins Henrique , Jacobs Danny O
Published: June 2005

Background

Although scientific writing plays a central role in the communication of clinical research findings and consumes a significant amount of time from clinical researchers, few Web applications have been designed to systematically improve the writing process.

This application had as its main objective the separation of the multiple tasks associated with scientific writing into smaller components. It was also aimed at providing a mechanism where sections of the manuscript (text blocks) could be assigned to different specialists. Manuscript Architect was built using Java language in conjunction with the classic lifecycle development method. The interface was designed for simplicity and economy of movements. Manuscripts are divided into multiple text blocks that can be assigned to different co-authors by the first author. Each text block contains notes to guide co-authors regarding the central focus of each text block, previous examples, and an additional field for translation when the initial text is written in a language different from the one used by the target journal. Usability was evaluated using formal usability tests and field observations.

Results

The application presented excellent usability and integration with the regular writing habits of experienced researchers. Workshops were developed to train novice researchers, presenting an accelerated learning curve. The application has been used in over 20 different scientific articles and grant proposals.

Conclusion

The current version of Manuscript Architect has proven to be very useful in the writing of multiple scientific texts, suggesting that virtual writing by interdisciplinary groups is an effective manner of scientific writing when interdisciplinary work is required.
Delayed polarization of mononuclear phagocyte transcriptional program by type I interferon isoforms
Authors: Stroncek David F , Basil Christopher , Nagorsen Dirk , Deola Sara , Aricó Eleonora , Smith Kina , Wang Ena , Marincola Francesco M , Panelli Monica C
Published: June 2005

Background

Interferon (IFN)-α is considered a key modulator of immunopathological processes through a signature-specific activation of mononuclear phagocytes (MPs). This study utilized global transcript analysis to characterize the effects of the entire type I IFN family in comparison to a broad panel of other cytokines on MP previously exposed to Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation in vitro.

Results

Immature peripheral blood CD14+ MPs were stimulated with LPS and 1 hour later with 42 separate soluble factors including cytokines, chemokines, interleukins, growth factors and IFNs. Gene expression profiling of MPs was analyzed 4 and 9 hours after cytokine stimulation. Four hours after stimulation, the transcriptional analysis of MPs revealed two main classes of cytokines: one associated with the alternative and the other with the classical pathway of MP activation without a clear polarization of type I IFNs effects. In contrast, after 9 hours of stimulation most type I IFN isoforms induced a characteristic and unique transcriptional pattern separate from other cytokines. These "signature" IFNs included; IFN-β, IFN-α2b/α2, IFN-αI, IFN-α2, IFN-αC, IFN-αJ1, IFN-αH2, and INF-α4B and induced the over-expression of 44 genes, all of which had known functional relationships with IFN such as myxovirus resistance (Mx)-1, Mx-2, and interferon-induced hepatitis C-associated microtubular aggregation protein. A second group of type I IFNs segregated separately and in closer association with the type II IFN-γ. The phylogenetic relationship of amino acid sequences among type I IFNs did not explain their sub-classification, although differences at positions 94 through 109 and 175 through 189 were present between the signature and other IFNs.

Conclusion

Seven IFN-α isoforms and IFN-β participate in the late phase polarization of MPs conditioned by LPS. This information broadens the previous view of the central role played by IFN-α in autoimmunity and tumor rejection by including and/or excluding an array of related factors likely to be heterogeneously expressed by distinct sub-populations of individuals in sickness or in response to biological therapy.
A new journal – "Theoretical Biology and Medical Modelling"
Authors: Wheatley Denys N
Published: June 2005

Biology has a conceptual basis that allows one to build models and theorize across many life sciences, including medicine and medically-related disciplines. A dearth of good venues for publication has been perceived during a period when bioinformatics, systems analysis and biomathematics are burgeoning.

Steps have been taken to provide the sort of journal with a quick turnaround time for manuscripts which is online and freely accessible to all readers, whatever their persuasion or discipline. We have now been running for some time a journal which has had many good papers presented pre-launch, and a steady stream of papers thereafter. The value of this journal as a new venue has already been vindicated.

Within a short space of time, we have founded a state-of-the-art electronic journal freely accessible to all in a much sort-after interdisciplinary field that will be of benefit to the thinking life scientist, which must include medically qualified doctors as well as scientists who prefer to build their new hypotheses on basic principles and sound concepts underpinning biology. At the same time, these principles are not sacrosanct and require critical analysis. The journal http://www.tbiomed.com promises to deliver many exciting ideas in the future.
Antibodies to citrullinated proteins and differences in clinical progression of rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: van der Helm-van Mil Annette HM , Verpoort Kirsten N , Breedveld Ferdinand C , Toes René EM , Huizinga Tom WJ
Published: June 2005

Antibodies to citrullinated proteins (anti-cyclic-citrullinated peptide [anti-CCP] antibodies) are highly specific for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and precede the onset of disease symptoms, indicating a pathogenetic role for these antibodies in RA. We recently showed that distinct genetic risk factors are associated with either anti-CCP-positive disease or anti-CCP-negative disease. These data are important as they indicate that distinct pathogenic mechanisms are underlying anti-CCP-positive disease or anti-CCP-negative disease. Likewise, these observations raise the question of whether anti-CCP-positive RA and anti-CCP-negative RA are clinically different disease entities. We therefore investigated whether RA patients with anti-CCP antibodies have a different clinical presentation and disease course compared with patients without these autoantibodies. In a cohort of 454 incident patients with RA, 228 patients were anti-CCP-positive and 226 patients were anti-CCP-negative. The early symptoms, tender and swollen joint count, and C-reactive protein level at inclusion, as well as the swollen joint count and radiological destruction during 4 years of follow-up, were compared for the two groups. There were no differences in morning stiffness, type, location and distribution of early symptoms, patients' rated disease activity and C-reactive protein at inclusion between RA patients with and without anti-CCP antibodies. The mean tender and swollen joint count for the different joints at inclusion was similar. At follow-up, patients with anti-CCP antibodies had more swollen joints and more severe radiological destruction. Nevertheless, the distribution of affected joints, for swelling, bone erosions and joint space narrowing, was similar. In conclusion, the phenotype of RA patients with or without anti-CCP antibodies is similar with respect to clinical presentation but differs with respect to disease course.
Modulation of monocyte matrix metalloproteinase-2 by breast adenocarcinoma cells
Authors: Szabo Kristina A , Singh Gurmit
Published: June 2005

Introduction

The presence of monocyte and macrophage cells in growing breast tumors, and the positive relationship between the degree of immune cell infiltration and tumor growth, suggest a possible paracrine growth regulatory function of immune cells in breast cancer.

Method

To better understand the interaction between monocytes and breast cancer cells, in vitro matrix metalloproteinase and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase activity was assessed from the THP-1 myeloid cell line in response to conditioned media from two breast cancer cell lines, MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231.

Results

Enzymography and immunoblotting revealed increased MMP-2 as well as increased levels of TIMP-1 and TIMP-2. Furthermore, a significant increase in the invasive potential of MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells was noted in response to THP-1 cell-conditioned media.

Conclusion

These data demonstrate that monocyte cells in the breast tumor microenvironment play an important role in the modulation of MMPs, which may have a significant effect on the control of tumor growth and metastatic spread.
Correlation of membranous glomerular ultrastructural changes with disease severity and outcome in lupus patients initiating cyclophosphamide therapy
Authors: McCune W J , Saluja M , Bhat S , Lange L A , Holzman L , Johnson K
Published: June 2005

The aim of this study was to assess the utility applying an electron microscopy (EM) scoring system used in idiopathic membranous nephritis based on the location of subepithelial and/or intramembranous electron dense deposits in interpretation of renal biopsies from patients with lupus nephritis. We selected patients with electron dense deposits traditionally associated with membranous changes on EM from 84 patients treated with bolus cyclophosphamide, with five years follow-up. An EM scoring system designed for idiopathic membranous nephritis was applied (stages I or II, mild changes; stages III or IV, advanced changes). Twenty-seven out of 84 had membranous changes by light microscopy, of whom 22 had satisfactory tissue for EM membranous analysis. Eleven out of 22 had mild EM changes (EM stage I or II); 11 had advanced disease (EM stage III). Advanced EM stage was associated with a higher serum creatinine at entry when tests were adjusted for WHO class (2.62 + 0.6 versus 1.31 + 0.28 mg/dL, P, 0.022 by ANOVA), and EM stage was independent of NIH activity or chronicity indexes or disease duration. After five years, adverse outcomes (death or dialysis) were seen in one of the 11 patients with EM stages I-II versus five of the 11 EM stage III patients (P, 0.07). Advanced membranous type electron dense deposition in lupus as assessed by EM was associated with worse renal function in patients with comparable WHO classification and NIH activity and chronicity indexes. In this group of lupus patients initiating cyclophosphamide for severe nephritis, EM stage provided important additional information regarding the extent of renal injury.
Association between β2-glycoprotein I gene polymorphisms and pediatric SLE and antiphospholipid antibodies
Authors: von Scheven E , Elder M E
Published: June 2005

Antibodies against phospholipids (PL) and PL-binding proteins have been causally implicated in antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). Mutations in the fifth domain of the β2-glycoprotein I (β2GPI) protein, a putative PL-binding site, may play a critical role in APS pathogenesis. The purpose of this study was to identify associations between β2GPI mutations and both antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) and their associated clinical manifestations in a pediatric and adolescent cohort and to search for novel mutations.

Genetic analysis of β2GPI was performed in 58 youths with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and/or aPL, to identify known polymorphisms at amino acids 247 and 306 as well as novel mutations in exon 7 of the β2GPI gene, and their association with aPL-associated clinical manifestations.

Our results demonstrate an association between substitution of Val for Leu at AA247 (L247V) of β2GPI and both the development of aPL (P = 0.05) and aPL-associated clinical manifestations (P = 0.03) among pediatric patients. The odds ratio associated with risk of aPL-associated clinical manifestations for the homozygous VV polymorphism was 5.5 (CI 1.3-23, P = 0.03) for the overall cohort, and 4.75 (CI 0.66-55.49, P = 0.06) after adjusting for ethnicity. The association was not significant after stratifying for SLE versus non-SLE.

Association between the VV genotype at amino acid 247 of β2GPI and clinical disease supports a genetic cause for APS among children and adolescents. Neither novel exon 7 β2GPI mutations or the previously described C306G polymorphism was identified in this pediatric cohort.
‘Consultation’ or co-option? A case study from the Chilean health sector
Authors: Gideon Jasmine
Published: June 2005

Using a macro-meso-micro framework this paper examines the shifts in the hegemonic development model and the implementation of new participatory mechanisms. It argues that despite macro-level policy shifts, in the Chilean context, the implementation of these mechanisms at the meso- and micro-levels has limited opportunities for citizen input into policy-making processes. The analysis focuses on citizen engagement with the machinery of participation and argues that the co-option of NGOs and civil society groups by the state has meant that there has been little real challenge to the implementation from civil society and policy-making remains a top-down process.
Intratracheal budesonide-poly (lactide-co-glycolide) microparticles reduce oxidative stress, VEGF expression, and vascular leakage in a benzo(a)pyrene-fed mouse model
Authors: Bandi Nagesh , Ayalasomayajula Surya P , Dhanda Devender S , Iwakawa Jun , Cheng Pi-Wan , Kompella Uday B
Published: June 2005

The purpose of this study was to determine whether intratracheally instilled polymeric budesonide microparticles could sustain lung budesonide levels for one week and inhibit early biochemical changes associated with benzo(a)pyrene (B[a]P) feeding in a mouse model for lung tumours. Polymeric microparticles of budesonide-poly (dl-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA 50:50) were prepared using a solvent evaporation technique and characterized for their size, morphology, encapsulation efficiency, and in-vitro release. The microparticles were administered intratracheally (i.t.) to B[a]P-fed A/J mice. At the end of one week drug levels in the lung tissue and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) were estimated using HPLC and compared with systemic (intramuscular) administration. In addition, in-vivo end points including malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), total protein levels and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in BAL, and VEGF and c-myc mRNA levels in the lung tissue were assessed at the end of one week following intratracheal administration of budesonide microparticles. Budesonide-PLGA microparticles (1–2 μm), with a budesonide loading efficiency of 69–94%, sustained in-vitro budesonide release for over 21 days. Compared with the intramuscular route, intratracheally administered budesonide-PLGA microparticles resulted in higher budesonide levels in the BAL and lung tissue. In-vivo, B[a]P-feeding increased BAL MDA, lung VEGF mRNA, lung c-myc mRNA, BAL total protein, and BAL VEGF levels by 60, 112, 71, 154, and 78%, respectively, and decreased BAL GSH by 62%. Interestingly, intratracheally administered budesonide-PLGA particles inhibited these biochemical changes. Thus, biodegradable budesonide microparticles sustained budesonide release and reduced MDA accumulation, GSH depletion, vascular leakage, and VEGF and c-myc expression in B[a]P-fed mice, indicating the potential of locally delivered sustained-release particles for inhibiting angiogenic factors in lung cancer.
Design and evaluation of compound metformin/glipizide elementary osmotic pump tablets
Authors: Ouyang Defang , Nie Shufang , Li Wei , Guo Hong , Liu Hui , Pan Weisan
Published: June 2005

A simple elementary osmotic pump (EOP) system that could deliver metformin hydrochloride (MT) and glipizide (GZ) simultaneously for extended periods of time was developed in order to reduce the problems associated with multidrug therapy of type 2 non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. In general, both highly and poorly water-soluble drugs are not good candidates for elementary osmotic delivery. However, MT is a highly soluble drug with a high dose (500 mg) while GZ is a water-insoluble drug with a low dose (5 mg) so it is a great challenge to pharmacists to provide satisfactory extended release of MT and GZ. In this paper sodium carbonate was used to modulate the solubility of GZ within the core and MT was not only one of the active ingredients but also the osmotic agent. The optimal EOP was found to deliver both drugs at a rate of approximately zero order for up to 10h in pH 6.8, independent of environment media. In-vivo evaluation was performed relative to the equivalent dose of conventional MT tablet and GZ tablet by a cross-study in six Beagle dogs. The EOP had a good sustained effect in comparison with the conventional product. The prototype design of the system could be applied to other combinations of drugs used for cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, etc.
In-vitro antiproliferative effects on human tumour cell lines of extracts and jacaranone from Senecio leucanthemifolius Poiret
Authors: Loizzo M R , Tundis R , Statti G A , Menichini F , Houghton P J
Published: June 2005

We have studied the cytotoxic activity of extracts and jacaranone from Senecio leucanthemifolius Poiret. Extracts from S. leucanthemifolius were able to inhibit the in-vitro proliferation of a series of human tumour cell lines. The dichloromethane extract demonstrated effective cytotoxic activity with an IC50 of 20.1 μg mL−1 on the large cell carcinoma cell line COR-L23. The ethyl acetate extract showed an IC50 value of 5.0 μg mL−1 and the butanol extract an IC50 value of 6.4 μg mL−1 on the same cell line. A major active constituent of the dichloromethane extract was shown to be jacaranone, which was demonstrated to have a very strong activity against all of the tumour cell lines with IC50 values between 2.86 and 3.85 μg mL−1, although it did not account for all the activity observed. Constituents of S. leucanthemifolius extracts were identified by GC/MS analysis and NMR.
Aciclovir protects against quinolinic-acid-induced oxidative neurotoxicity
Authors: Müller A C , Maharaj H , Maharaj D S , Daya S
Published: June 2005

AIDS-related encephalopathy, including AIDS dementia complex (ADC) and the opportunistic disease, herpes simplex encephalitis (HSE), are postulated to arise due to the release of neurotoxic products, such as quinolinic acid (QUIN), by activated microglial cells in the brain. QUIN causes a cascade of events to ocurr, which leads to the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), these being ultimately responsible for oxidative neurotoxicity. The antiherpes antiviral aciclovir has been reported to protect against neuron loss in HSE, but the mechanism for this neuroprotection is unknown. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate whether aciclovir has the ability to inhibit QUIN-induced lipid peroxidation in rat brain homogenates, after in-vitro and in-vivo exposure to QUIN and aciclovir. The thiobarbituric acid (TBA) assay was the method used to analyse lipid peroxidation. Rat brains were also examined histologically after in-vivo exposure to visually assess whether neuron loss was suppressed. The results show that aciclovir inhibits the QUIN-induced lipid peroxidation, in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, aciclovir reduced necrosis of hippocampal neurons and retained the characteristic morphology, integrity and arrangement of these cells. Thus, it appears that aciclovir has neuroprotective properties, which could possibly be useful in the treatment of AIDS-related encephalopathy.
Effects of phenylethanoid glycosides from Digitalis purpurea L. on the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase
Authors: Oh Jae Wook , Lee Jeong Yong , Han Song Hee , Moon Young Hee , Kim Yoon Gyoon , Woo Eun-Rhan , Kang Keon Wook
Published: June 2005

We have isolated four different phenylethanoid glycosides (purpureaside A, desrhamnosyl acteo-side, calceolarioside B and plantainoside D) from the leaves of Digitalis purpurea (foxglove). The effects of these glycosides on activator protein-1 (AP-1)-mediated inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) gene expression in the Raw264.7 macrophage cell line have been studied. Of these four glycosides, purpureaside A potently inhibited iNOS induction by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Increase in iNOS mRNA by LPS was completely suppressed by purpureaside A. Purpureaside A did not significantly affect LPS-inducible nuclear factor-kB (NF-kB) activation or the nuclear translocation of p65. Moreover, a reporter gene assay using AP-1 specific luciferase reporter revealed that the enhanced activity of AP-1 by LPS was completely abolished in cells treated with purpureaside A. These results demonstrated that purpureaside A inhibited LPS-inducible iNOS expression in macrophages through the suppression of AP-1, but not of NF-kB.
Energy costs of blood digestion in a host-specific haematophagous parasite
Authors: Sarfati Michal , Krasnov Boris R. , Ghazaryan Lusine , Khokhlova Irina S. , Fielden Laura J. , Degen A. Allan
Published: June 2005

Fleas consume and digest blood from their hosts. We hypothesized that the energy costs of digestion of blood by fleas is dependent on the host species. To test this hypothesis, we studied CO2 emission, a measure of energy expenditure, during digestion of a blood meal taken by Parapulex chephrenis from a preferred (Acomys cahirinus) and a non-preferred (Gerbillus dasyurus) host. We predicted that the energy cost of digestion would be lower for A. cahirinus blood than that for G. dasyurus. Male and female fleas consumed similar amounts of blood per unit body mass, independent of host species. Our prediction was supported in that fleas expended significantly more energy digesting blood of G. dasyurus than blood of A. cahirinus. We also found CO2 emission rates of fed fleas were higher than those of unfed fleas and differed significantly among stages of blood digestion when a flea fed on G. dasyurus but not when it fed on A. cahirinus. When fed on G. dasyurus, fleas spent less energy during earlier than later stages of digestion.
Corporate Associations and Consumer Product Responses: The Moderating Role of Corporate Brand Dominance
Authors: Berens Guido , van Riel Cees B.M. , van Bruggen Gerrit H.
Published: June 2005

This study investigates the effect of corporate brand dominance—that is, the visibility of a company's corporate brand in product communications—on the relationship between corporate associations and product evaluations. The results show that corporate brand dominance determines the degree to which associations with the company's corporate ability and corporate social responsibility influence product attitudes, as well as the nature of the moderating effects of fit and involvement.
Occupational Medicine in the Slovene Area
Authors: Bilban Marjan
Published: June 2005

Occupational Medicine in the Slovene Area: Marjan Bilban. Occupational Traffic and Sports Medicine, Institute of Occupational Safety, Slovenia—Slovenia is a small, fast developing country in the EU with approximately 2,000,000 inhabitants and 700,000 employed. Occupational medicine has been present in Slovenia for as long as 500 yr. Today, 130 specialists of occupational medicine are in charge of health protection of the employed (including transport workers and athletes). There are also 1,100 safety engineers, who take care of the technical side of occupational safety. We are guided in our work by modern occupational health and safety legislation, which is based on EU directive 89/391EEC. The average sick leave rate in Slovenia is about 4.7%, caused mostly by injuries, bone, muscle and connective tissue diseases and respiratory diseases. Sick leave appears most frequently in the textile industries and coal mining. Annually, around 26,000 occupational injuries (32.7 per 1,000 employed) and 25 fatalities (3 per 100,000 employed) occur. Most injuries occur in construction, manufacturing and farming. Each year there are 8,500 disablility cases (2,500 disability retirements—most caused by mental illnesses), but only 30 acknowledged cases of occupational diseases (mostly occupational skin diseases, asthma and asbestosis). Occupational medicine in Slovenia is strongly associated with occupational medicine in the more developed European countries. It is therefore moving out of clinics and into the working environment, where its goals lie in primary prevention, i.e. establishing and keeping healthy working environments that guarantee high productivity, health and well‐being of workers as a whole.
Occupational Stress in Nurses in Psychiatric Institutions in Taiwan
Authors: Shen Hsiu‐Chuan , Cheng Yawen , Tsai Perng‐Jy , Lee Su‐hsing S. , Guo Yueliang Leon
Published: June 2005

Occupational Stress in Nurses in Psychiatric Institutions in Taiwan: Hsiu‐Chuan Shen, et al. Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Taiwan—Nurses are known to be exposed to occupational stress. However, occupational stress is not well documented for nurses in psychiatric institutions in Taiwan. A cross‐sectional study was conducted to explore the work‐related stress and risk factors of nurses in psychiatric institutions in Taiwan. A structured questionnaire was distributed to nurses at five state‐owned psychiatric hospitals in Taiwan in 2001. Demographic information, working environment, and personal health status were inquired. Occupational stress was assessed based on the Chinese version of Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ). General health status and mental health were evaluated by the International Quality of Life Assessment Short Form‐36 (IQOLA SF‐36). A total of 573 questionnaires were disseminated to nurses and 518 (90.4%) were satisfactorily completed by nurses, including 408 female full‐time nurses who had been in their current work for more than 6 months. In the past one month, 17.2% of nurses reported being under significant stress often or always. Assault episodes were reported by 45.1% of nurses in the past 6 months. Among the nurses, 16.9%, 25.2%, 50.0%, and 7.8% belong to the “High strain”, “Low strain”, “Active”, and “Passive” groups, respectively. Perceived occupational stress was associated with young age, widowed/ divorced/separated marital status, high psychological demand, low workplace support, and threat of assault at work. Lower general health score was associated with low job control, high psychological demand, and perceived occupational stress. A lower mental health score was associated with low job control, high psychological demand, low workplace support, and perceived occupational stress. We concluded that nurses in psychiatric institutions are under significant stress related to work factors.
Diel Spawning Behavior of Chum Salmon in the Columbia River
Authors: Tiffan Kenneth F. , Rondorf Dennis W. , Skalicky Joseph J.
Published: June 2005

We conducted a study during 2003 in a side channel of the Columbia River downstream of Bonneville Dam to describe the diel spawning behavior of wild chum salmon Oncorhynchus keta. We collected observational data on 14 pairs of chum salmon using a dual‐frequency identification sonar. Spawners of both genders were observed chasing intruders during nighttime and daytime as nests were constructed. Regardless of diel period, females were engaged in digging to both construct nests and cover eggs, and courting males exhibited the prespawning behavior of tail‐crossing. We observed a total of 13 spawning events, of which 9 occurred at night and 4 occurred during the day. Once chum salmon begin nest construction, visual cues are apparently not required for courtship, nest defense, and spawning. To enhance successful spawning, flows from Bonneville Dam during the spawning season were reduced during the day but were sometimes increased at night to pass water and meet power demand (i.e., reverse loading), the assumption being that chum salmon are inactive at night. Our findings show that this assumption was violated. Therefore, reverse loading may disrupt the complex prespawning behavior that occurs both during the day and at night, as well as attract spawners to areas that were dewatered during the day.
U-Pb zircon (ID-TIMS and SHRIMP) evidence for the early ordovician intrusion of metagranites in the late Proterozoic Canaveilles Group of the Pyrenees and the Montagne Noire (France)
Authors: Cocherie Alain , Baudin Thierry , Autran Albert , Guerrot Catherine , Fanning C. Mark , Laumonier Bernard
Published: June 2005

Depending on the quality of the zircon grains available for analysis, two methods may be used to date igneous rock emplacement, namely U-Pb TIMS with isotope dilution or in situ U-Pb SIMS (SHRIMP). Both methods have been used to determine, in a precise and accurate manner, the emplacement age of the granitic protolith of the various orthogneisses in the Pyrenean Axial Zone. More specifically, four representative samples of G1, G2 and a “transition gneiss” yielded reliable datings with an average age of 473 ± 4 Ma for each sample. The surrounding sediments of the Canaveilles Group were constrained by zircon grains from interlayered metarhyodacite and dated at 581 ± 10 Ma using the SHRIMP method, clearly giving this group a late Proterozoic (Vendian) age. Finally, the Somail orthogneiss of the Montagne Noire, equivalent to that of the Canigou, yielded an age of 471 ± 4 Ma with the in situ U-Pb method, which is identical to the dating of the Pyrenean samples. In addition, most of the studied orthogneisses recorded a wide range of significant concordant inherited ages spanning from early Archaean (3.5 Ga) to Pan-African/Cadomian (600–800 Ma). Bearing in mind the calc-alkaline affinity of the studied rocks, this work demonstrates the huge contrast between the active Gondwana margin in the north (“South European terrane”) and the remarkably homogeneous continental plate that existed from Arabia to Morocco during the Ordovician.
Stratigraphic evidence for Cimmerian events in NW Caucasus (Russia)
Authors: Gaetani Maurizio , Garzanti Eduardo , Polino Riccardo , Kiricko Yuri , Korsakhov Serghiei , Cirilli Simonetta , Nicora Alda , Rettori Roberto , Larghi Cristiano , Bucefalo Palliani Raffaella
Published: June 2005

The Upper Permian and Triassic sequences of the NW Caucasus present a good record of the Cimmerian events, rather undisturbed by the subsequent Alpine deformations. Original field work with new fossil identifications, microfacies analysis, and sandstone petrography were carried out. During the late Permian, active strike-slip basins were filled by continental clastics successions. Marine ingressions during the latest Permian, led to the formation of sponge reefs and skeletal carbonate ramps. During the Triassic, several siliciclastic wedges were intercalated within the marine carbonate succession. Most important is a conglomerate body made up of serpentinite pebbles of Spathian age (early Triassic), recording the exhumation and erosion of schistose antigorite serpentinites. By the late Anisian a severe deformation affected the Peredovoy (= Fore) Range of the NW Caucasus. Lower Triassic to Anisian sediments deformed also in chevron folds were overlaid with angular unconformity by a siliciclastic, and also volcaniclastic, conglomeratic and arenitic body, up to several hundred meters thick. By the late Ladinian-earliest Carnian, marine sedimentation resumed locally, forming a carbonate ramp during part of the Norian. Towards the end of the Norian, the entire area emerged and was again mildly tilted. The subsequent post-Cimmerian transgression occurred largely during the Middle Jurassic. Consequently, the most important Cimmerian deformations appear to be of early and middle Triassic age.
The Proacrosin Binding Protein, sp32, Is Tyrosine Phosphorylated During Capacitation of Pig Sperm
Authors: Dubé Charlotte , Leclerc Pierre , Baba Tadashi , Reyes‐Moreno Carlos , Bailey Janice L.
Published: June 2005

ABSTRACT: Mammalian sperm must undergo capacitation, a preparation period in the female reproductive tract or in vitro, in order to fertilize. We have previously described a Mr 32 000 tyrosine phosphorylated protein, “p32,” that appears in pig sperm during capacitation. The identity of p32 remains unknown; if and how it is involved during capacitation is not understood. The objective of the present study was to identify p32 by proteomic techniques. Western blotting of proteins separated successively under nonreducing and then reducing conditions showed the appearance of the tyrosine phosphorylated p32 only when sperm were incubated in capacitating conditions. The spot was sequenced by mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry and identified as “sp32,” a protein implicated in proacrosin maturation. The same membranes probed with anti‐sp32 antibody demonstrated that sp32 is present in both noncapacitating and capacitating conditions and revealed exactly the same spot as p32. Immunoprecipitation with either anti‐phosphotyrosine or anti‐sp32 antibody corroborated these results. Indirect immunofluorescence with anti‐phosphotyrosine antibody or anti‐sp32 antibody show similar labeling of capacitated sperm, supporting the hypothesis that p32 is a tyrosine phosphorylated form of sp32. After ionophore treatment to induce the acrosome reaction, anti‐sp32 and anti‐phosphotyrosine labeling on the acrosome disappeared. These results demonstrate that sp32, a (pro)acrosin binding protein, is the p32, a tyrosine phosphorylated protein related to capacitation. We will now focus on the significance of tyrosine phosphorylation on sp32 function during fertilization‐related events.
Effect of Antioxidant Intake on Sperm Chromatin Stability in Healthy Nonsmoking Men
Authors: Silver Elana W. , Eskenazi Brenda , Evenson Donald P. , Block Gladys , Young Suzanne , Wyrobek Andrew J.
Published: June 2005

ABSTRACT: Oxidative stress is detrimental to sperm function and a significant factor in the etiology of male infertility. This report examines the association between dietary and supplementary intake of the antioxidants vitamin C, vitamin E, and beta‐carotene and sperm chromatin integrity. Eighty‐seven healthy male volunteers donated semen samples, completed food‐frequency questionnaires, and provided information about their sociodemographic characteristics, medical and reproductive histories, and lifestyle habits. Sperm chromatin integrity was measured using the DNA fragmentation index (DFI) and related parameters, obtained from the sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA®). SCSA measures the susceptibility of sperm DNA to acid‐induced denaturation in situ. After adjusting for age and duration of abstinence, there was no dose‐response association between any DFI outcome and any antioxidant intake measure. Non‐dose—related associations were found between beta‐carotene intake and both the standard deviation of DFI (SD DFI) and the percent of immature sperm. Participants with moderate, but not high, beta‐carotene intake had an increase in SD DFI compared with participants with low intake (adjusted means 206.7 and 180.5, respectively; P = .03), as well as an increase in the percentage of immature sperm (adjusted means 6.9% and 5.0%, respectively; P = .04). If antioxidant intake in the range studied is indeed beneficial for fertility in healthy men, it does not appear to be mediated through the integrity of sperm chromatin. The results of this study do not preclude possible beneficial effects of high antioxidant intake on sperm chromatin integrity for men with fertility problems.
The Stimulatory Role of Estrogen on Sperm Motility in the Male Golden Hamster (Mesocricetus auratus)
Authors: Jin Wanzhu , Arai Koji Y. , Watanabe Gen , Suzuki Akira K. , Takahashi Shinji , Taya Kazuyoshi
Published: June 2005

ABSTRACT:To clarify the physiological roles of estrogens in the regulation of sperm motility in the golden hamster, two different approaches were used. In the first experiment, silastic tubes containing either low (low E2group) or high (high E2group) amount of estradiol‐17β were implanted (Exp 1). In the second experiment, male golden hamsters were actively immunized against estradiol‐17β (Exp 2). In Exp 1, all sperm motility parameters (including motility, straight velocity, curvilinear velocity, beat/cross frequency, and mean amplitude of lateral head displacement) were significantly increased except linear index in the high E2group as compared with controls at 20 days after the treatment. In the high E2group, plasma concentrations of luteinizing hormone (LH) significantly increased, whereas levels of circulating testosterone decreased significantly. Plasma concentrations of follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH) and immunoreactive inhibin were not affected by the treatment with estradiol‐17β. In the Exp 2, titer of circulating antibodies to estradiol‐17β consistently increased after the second immunization until the end of experiment (16 weeks). The sperm motility, straight velocity, and curvilinear velocity were significantly decreased after active immunization to estradiol‐17β. Concentrations of circulating LH and FSH were also decreased significantly by the treatment. In conclusion, the current observations indicate that estradiol‐17β affects sperm motility in adult male golden hamsters.