bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The vegetation of mining dumps in SW‐Sardinia
Authors: Angiolini C. , Bacchetta G. , Brullo S. , Casti M. , Giusso del Galdo G. , Guarino R.
Published: July 2005

The vegetation of mining dumps of SW‐Sardinia includes several endemic or rare species, that have been confined to such artificial habitats by a millennial mining activity. The extreme edaphic specialization of these species reflects with unusual fidelity the heterogeneity of substrata, therefore creating a system of plant communities that largely contributes to the environmental diversity of this part of the island. The phytosociological study presented in this paper recognized eight associations, distinguished by the cluster analysis in two main groups, the first including hemicrypto‐chamaephytic vegetation, the second including nanophanerophytic garigues.

Six associations are belonging to the first group, five of which newly described: Helichryso tyrrhenici‐Dianthetum sardoi ass. nova occurring on gross‐grained, hard‐sloping dumps deriving from the geologic unit of Gonnesa; Coincyo recurvatae‐Helichrysetum tyrrhenici ass. nova colonizing dumps made of metamorphitic flakes and finer particles; Resedo luteolae‐Limonietum merxmuelleri ass. nova colonizing small‐grained mining dumps with high concentrations in sulphides and heavy metals; Ptilostemono casabonae‐Iberidetum integerrimae ass. nova replacing the previous one on older and more consolidated dumps, where the concentration of phytotoxic elements was reduced by the meteoric agents; Epipactidetum tremolsii ass. nova colonizing muddy deposits originating from ferrous clay; Euphorbio cupanii‐Santolinetum insularis Angiolini & Bacchetta 2003, occurring on very old, stabilized dumps. All these associations can be ascribed to the class Scrophulario‐Helichrysetea Brullo, Scelsi & Spampinato 1998. Within this class, a new Sardo‐Corsican alliance, Ptilostemono casabonae‐Euphorbion cupanii all. nov. is here proposed, differentiated by a pool of rare or endemic species. In addition to the above‐mentioned associations, it is proposed, as well, to include into the new alliance the Polygono scoparii‐Helichrysetum tyrrhenici Biondi, Vagge, Fogu & Mossa 1996 corr., that was described for the gravelly riverbeds of Central‐Southern Sardinia.

As concerns the second group, two new association have been recognized: Dorycnio suffruticosi‐Genistetum corsicae ass. nova, found on abandoned, well consolidated mining dumps, with an upper layer altered by pedogenetic processes; Polygalo sardoae‐Linetum muelleri ass. nova, occurring in the vicinities of the mines on steep rocky slopes made of Paleozoic metalliferous limestones. Both of them can be ascribed to the alliance Teucrion mari Gamisans & Muracciole 1985, grouping the Sardo‐Corsican aspects of Cisto‐Lavanduletea Br.‐Bl. in Br.‐Bl., Molinier & Wagner 1940.

Two taxa are new for science: Dianthus sardous Bacchetta, Brullo, Casti & Giusso, sp. nova and Helichrysum microphyllum (Willd.) Camb. subsp. tyrrhenicum Bacchetta, Brullo & Giusso, subsp. nova. (© 2005 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Delimiting morphologically identical varieties of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] using lipoxygenase activitity level
Authors: Ayodele M. S. , Osho S. M.
Published: July 2005

The occurrence of beany flavour resulting from lipoxygenase activity in soybeans was sufficiently manifested in all the 22 varieties of soybean investigated. There were significant differences in the level of lipoxygenase activity among varieties. A positive correlation was observed between lipoxygenase activity and beany flavour. Lipoxygenase activity level was found reliable in delimiting the varieties. A considerable degree of overlaps and associations were observed among the varietal grouping based on lip‐ oxygenase activity values. Such overlaps corroborate the reported closeness of plant morphological attributes of the varieties. Lipoxygenase activity was therefore, considered a reliable chemotaxonomic tool that could be useful for taxa delimitation, where there are very similar morphological attributes that may hinder easy delimitation. (© 2005 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Beiträge zur Pilzflora von Mecklenburg‐Vorpommern (Deutschland) 5. Folge
Authors: Kreisel H.
Published: July 2005

Aus der Region Mecklenburg‐Vorpommern (Deutschland) werden Funde von 135 Arten Macromyceten mitgeteilt. Die Verbreitung von sechs dieser Arten ist auf Rasterkarten dargestellt. (© 2005 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Characterization of polyelectrolyte complexes between chondroitin sulfate and chitosan in the solid state
Authors: Chen Wen‐Bin , Wang Li‐Fang , Chen Jenn‐Shing , Fan Su‐Yun
Published: July 2005

Chondroitin sulfate (ChS) was used to form polyelectrolyte complexes with chitosan (ChI), and its potential as a colon‐targeted drug carrier was investigated. In order to determine the optimal conditions for the formation of a stable polyelectrolyte complex, the formation of ChS/ChI complexes was examined at two different pH values with various weight ratios, or at a fixed molar ratio of ChS/ChI of 1/2 under various pH conditions. The molar compositions of the various ChS/ChI complexes were quantitated with the use of solid‐state 13C CP MAS NMR. The equivalent molar ratios of the complexes ranged from 0.47 to 0.54, in agreement with the data determined by elemental analysis. The fact that these values were close to 0.5 suggests that most of the OSO and the COO− groups on ChS formed strong electrostatic interactions with the NH groups on ChI, obeying a simple stoichiometric reaction between two oppositely charged moieties. Similar compositions of the complexes were obtained under most conditions tested; however, different strengths of the interactions between the two polysaccharides were noted from measurements of the water‐associated transition and thermal degradation temperatures and the degree of ChS dissolution. FTIR and 13C NMR clearly showed H‐bond formation at low pH, indicating that in addition to the varying degrees of electrostatic interaction, H bonding may be involved in complex formation. The highest degradation temperature, as determined by thermal gravimetric analysis, and the lowest ChS sol fraction, as measured by gel permeation chromatography, were observed with the complex prepared at pH 5, with a 1:1 mole ratio of the two opposite charges in feed. This complex also exhibited the highest water‐associated transition temperature, as determined by differential scanning calorimetry. Furthermore, the swelling behavior of these complexes was pH dependent; this is a property that can potentially be exploited to control drug release from these complexes under specific pH conditions. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2005
Influence of implant/abutment joint designs on abutment screw loosening in a dental implant system
Authors: Kitagawa Tsuyoshi , Tanimoto Yasuhiro , Odaki Misako , Nemoto Kimiya , Aida Masahiro
Published: July 2005

The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of implant/abutment joint designs on abutment screw loosening in a dental implant system, using nonlinear dynamic analysis of the finite element method (FEM). This finite element simulation study used two dental implant systems: the Ankylos implant system (Degusa Dental, Hanau, German) with a taper joint (taper joint‐type model), and the Bränemark implant system (Nobel Biocare, Gothenburg, Sweden) with an external hex joint (external hex joint‐type model). The nonlinear dynamic analysis was performed using three‐dimensional finite element analysis. In comparing the movement of the taper type‐joint model and external hex type‐joint model, it was found that the external hex type‐joint model had greater movement than the taper type‐joint model. The external hex joint‐type model showed rotation movement, whereas the movement of the taper joint‐type model showed no rotation. It was concluded that the nonlinear dynamic analysis used in this study clearly demonstrated the differences in rotation of components in dental implant systems with taper or external hex joints. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2005
The medium‐term results of treatment with hydroxyapatite implants
Authors: Shibuya Kazuyuki , Kurosawa Hisashi , Takeuchi Hiroyasu , Niwa Shigeo
Published: July 2005

Although the short‐term results of implants with synthetic hydroxyapatite (HA), a bioactive material, have been favorable, few reports have been published concerning medium‐term outcomes for this therapy. The authors recently analyzed data supplied by 37 medical facilities nationwide concerning the outcomes of synthetic HA implants [Bonfil® (BF); Mitsubishi Materials Corporation, Tokyo] in 138 patients followed up for at least 5 years after treatment. When the data were analyzed, the patients were divided into two groups: the disease site‐filling group (62 cases where bone defects created by disease were filled with synthetic HA) and the donor site‐filling group (76 cases where bone defects created by bone donation were filled with synthetic HA). In the disease site‐filling group, synthetic HA was used in combination with autologous bone or autogenous bone marrow donated from the same patient in 77% of cases. In the donor site‐filling group, only synthetic HA was used in most cases. The average follow‐up period after implantation was 7.9 years in the disease site‐filling group and 9.1 years in the donor site‐filling group. Therapy was rated radiographically as “very effective” or “effective” in 81% of patients in the disease site‐filling group and in 89% of patients in the donor site‐filling group. The therapy was not rated as “ineffective” in any case from either group. These results suggest that synthetic HA may serve as a very useful substitute for cancellous bone if used carefully, with its initial strength taken into account. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2005
Clinical versus statistical prediction: The contribution of Paul E. Meehl
Authors: Grove William M.
Published: July 2005

The background of Paul E. Meehl's work on clinical versus statistical prediction is reviewed, with detailed analyses of his arguments. Meehl's four main contributions were the following: (a) he put the question, of whether clinical or statistical combinations of psychological data yielded better predictions, at center stage in applied psychology; (b) he convincingly argued, against an array of objections, that clinical versus statistical prediction was a real (not concocted) problem needing thorough study; (c) he meticulously and even‐handedly dissected the logic of clinical inference from theoretical and probabilistic standpoints; and (c) he reviewed the studies available in 1954 and thereafter, which tested the validity of clinical versus statistical predictions. His early conclusion that the literature strongly favors statistical prediction has stood up extremely well, and his conceptual analyses of the prediction problem (especially his defense of applying aggregate‐based probability statements to individual cases) have not been significantly improved since 1954. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol 61: 1233–1243, 2005.
The ethical implications of Paul Meehl's work on comparing clinical versus actuarial prediction methods
Authors: Dawes Robyn M.
Published: July 2005

Paul E. Meehl's work comparing statistical versus actuarial prediction—and the large body of research that followed by others on the same topic—was mainly theoretical and empirical. Meehl also suggested that this work led to a “practical” conclusion, which was quite strong. The author argues that, in addition, it leads to an ethical conclusion, equally strong. Whether the scientific findings are combined with an overarching ethical principle that the best predictions possible should be made for clients, or whether these findings are framed as delineating what can be done for clients—and that clinicians ought not to attempt to do what they cannot—the conclusion is the same. Whenever statistical prediction rules (SPR's) are available for making a relevant prediction, they should be used in preference to intuition. Any modification of these rules should be systematic and subject to the same type of evaluation originally used to assess the SPR's themselves. It is even possible to develop near‐optimal rules in new situations. Providing service that assumes that clinicians “can do better” simply based on self‐confidence or plausibility in the absence of evidence that they can actually do so is simply unethical. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol 61: 1245–1255, 2005.
In praise of clinical judgment: Meehl's forgotten legacy
Authors: Westen Drew , Weinberger Joel
Published: July 2005

Although Paul E. Meehl demonstrated the limits of informal aggregation of data and prognostication by presumed experts, he remained convinced that clinical experience confers expertise of some kind. The authors explore this forgotten side of Meehl's legacy by reconsidering the validity of clinical judgment in its natural context, everyday clinical work. Three domains central to clinical practice are examined: diagnosis, interpretation of meaning, and intervention. It is argued that a more sanguine picture of clinical expertise emerges when the focus shifts from prediction at high levels of inference to (a) judgments at a moderate level of inference, (b) contexts for which clinical training and experience are likely to confer expertise, and (c) conditions that optimize the expression of that expertise (e.g., use of instruments designed for expert observers). The authors conclude by examining domains in which clinical judgment could prove useful in knowledge generation (e.g., hypothesis generation, identification of falsifying instances, item development). © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol 61: 1257–1276, 2005.
Production of ellagic acid from degradation of valonea tannins by Aspergillus niger and Candida utilis
Authors: Shi Bi , He Qiang , Yao Kai , Huang Wen , Li Qing
Published: July 2005

Two fungal strains, effective in converting valonea (Quercus aegilops) tannins into ellagic acid (EA), were isolated from soil contaminated by valonea tannins, and were tentatively identified as Aspergillus niger and Candida utilis. Properties of EA accumulation by the two isolates from valonea tannins' fermentation were studied. Both the strains preferred sucrose to glucose as the additional carbon and energy source. The most suitable concentrations of valonea tannins in fermentation media for EA accumulation by A niger and C utilis were 5.0 and 9.0 g dm−3 with EA yields of 12.1 and 8.9% (w/w), respectively. The optimal temperature for the two strains was 28 °C, while the preferred pH values of the fermentation media were 4.5–5.0 for A niger and 4.8–5.2 for C utilis. The tannin tolerances of A niger and C utilis were adapted to 20 and 25 g dm−3 by gradually increasing the concentrations of valonea tannins in the culture media. The adapted strain of A niger was able to completely degrade 20 g dm−3 valonea tannins with an EA yield of 14.3% in 9 days. Meanwhile, the adapted strain of C utilis decreased the valonea tannins' level from 25 to 9.1 g dm−3 with an EA yield of 11.48%. The degradation ability of A niger came from tannase whose activity in the medium was 63 U cm−3 at the ninth day of fermentation, and that of C utilis was due to both tannase and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) whose activities were 32 U cm−3 and 29 U cm−3 at the ninth day. The coculture of both the adapted strains could completely degrade 25 g dm−3 valonea tannins in only 7 days with a remarkably increased EA yield (21%). The activities of tannase and PPO of the coculture at the seventh day were 66 U cm−3 and 47 U cm−3 respectively, which proved the synergistic effect of the two enzymes on valonea tannins' degradation and EA accumulation. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry
Exploration of peptide motifs for potent non‐viral gene delivery highly selective for dividing cells
Authors: Parker Alan L. , Collins Louise , Zhang Xiaohong , Fabre John W.
Published: July 2005

Background

The immunogenicity of viral DNA vectors is an important problem for gene therapy. The use of peptide motifs for gene delivery would largely overcome this problem, and provide a simple, safe and powerful approach for non‐viral gene therapy.

Methods

We explored the functional properties of two motifs: the (Lys)16 motif (for binding and condensing DNA, and probably also nuclear translocation of plasmids) and the fusogenic peptide motif of influenza virus (for acid‐dependent endocytic escape of peptide/DNA particles). The physical properties and gene delivery efficiencies of (Lys)16‐containing peptides in combination with free fusogenic peptide were evaluated, and compared with a single composite peptide incorporating both moieties. Post‐mitotic corneal endothelial cells and growth‐arrested HeLa were included, so as not to neglect the question of nuclear translocation of plasmids.

Results

The fusogenic moiety in the composite peptide was able to adopt an alpha‐helical configuration unhindered by the (Lys)16 moiety, and retained acid‐dependent fusogenic properties. The composite peptide gave remarkably high levels of gene delivery to dividing cell lines. However, in marked contrast to (Lys)16/DNA complexes plus free fusogenic peptide, the composite peptide was completely ineffective for gene delivery to post‐mitotic and growth‐arrested cells.

Conclusions

Attachment of the fusogenic peptide to (Lys)16 appears to block (Lys)16‐mediated nuclear translocation of plasmid, but not fusogenic peptide mediated endocytic escape. This strengthens the experimental basis for (Lys)16‐mediated nuclear translocation of plasmids, and provides a single peptide with potent gene delivery properties, restricted to dividing cells. This property is potentially useful in experimental biology and clinical medicine. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
New designer drug 2,5‐dimethoxy‐4‐ethylthio‐β‐phenethylamine (2C‐T‐2): studies on its metabolism and toxicological detection in rat urine using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry
Authors: Theobald Denis S. , Staack Roland F. , Puetz Michael , Maurer Hans H.
Published: July 2005

Studies are described on the metabolism and the toxicological analysis of the phenethylamine‐derived designer drug 2,5‐dimethoxy‐4‐ethylthio‐β‐phenethylamine (2C‐T‐2) in rat urine using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) after enzymatic cleavage of conjugates, liquid‐liquid extraction and derivatization. The structures of 14 metabolites were assigned tentatively by detailed interpretation of their mass spectra. Identification of these metabolites indicated that 2C‐T‐2 was metabolized by sulfoxidation followed by N‐acetylation and either hydroxylation of the S‐ethyl side chain or demethylation of one methoxy group, O‐demethylation of the parent compound followed by N‐acetylation and sulfoxidation, deamination followed by reduction to the corresponding alcohol followed by partial glucuronidation and/or sulfation or by oxidation to the corresponding acid followed either by partial glucuronidation or by degradation to the corresponding benzoic acid derivative followed by partial glucuronidation. Furthermore, 2C‐T‐2 was metabolized by N‐acetylation of the parent compound followed either by O‐demethylation and sulfoxidation or by S‐dealkylation, S‐methylation and sulfoxidation. The authors' systematic toxicological analysis (STA) procedure using full‐scan GC/MS after acid hydrolysis, liquid‐liquid extraction microwave‐assisted acetylation allowed the detection of an intake of a dose of 2C‐T‐2 in rat urine, which corresponds to a common drug users' dose. Assuming similar metabolism, the described STA procedure should be suitable for proof of an intake of 2C‐T‐2 in human urine. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evidence for macrophage‐mediated myelin disruption in an animal model for Charcot‐Marie‐Tooth neuropathy type 1A
Authors: Kobsar Igor , Hasenpusch‐Theil Kerstin , Wessig Carsten , Müller Hans Werner , Martini Rudolf
Published: July 2005

Charcot‐Marie‐Tooth neuropathy type 1A (CMT1A) is the most common inherited neuropathy in humans and is mostly caused by a 1.5‐Mb tandem duplication of chromosome 17 comprising the gene for the peripheral myelin protein 22‐kDa (PMP22). Although there are numerous studies on the functional role of PMP22, the mechanisms of myelin degeneration under PMP22‐overexpression conditions have not yet been fully understood. We have shown previously that in mouse mutants hetero‐ or homozygously deficient for two other myelin components, P0 and Cx32, respectively, immune cells contribute to the demyelinating neuropathy. To test this possibility for PMP22 overexpression, we investigated a putative mouse model for CMT1A, i.e., the mouse strain C61 mildly overexpressing human PMP22 in peripheral nerves. Electron microscopic and electrophysiologic investigations revealed that this mouse strain develops pathologic features similar to those found in CMT1A patients. A novel finding, however, was the upregulation of CD8‐ and F4/80‐positive lymphocytes and macrophages, respectively, in peripheral nerves. The observation that macrophages enter endoneurial tubes of the mutants and obviously phagocytose morphologically normal myelin strongly suggests that the myelin degeneration is mediated at least partially by these phagocytic cells. By gene array technology and quantitative RT‐PCR of peripheral nerve homogenates from PMP22 mutants, monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 (MCP‐1; ccl2) could be identified as a putative factor to attract or activate macrophages that attack myelin sheaths in this model of CMT1A. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Changes in the amounts of chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans in rat brain after neonatal hypoxia‐ischemia
Authors: Matsui Fumiko , Kakizawa Hiroko , Nishizuka Masako , Hirano Kanako , Shuo Takuya , Ida Michiru , Tokita Yoshihito , Aono Sachiko , Keino Hiroomi , Oohira Atsuhiko
Published: July 2005

Chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans have been shown to participate in the pathogenesis of neuronal damages in the injured adult central nervous system (CNS). Upregulated expression of chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans has been reported around the injured sites and depletion of these chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans brings about increased axonal regeneration in the injured adult CNS. To examine if chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans are also involved in the pathologic process of hypoxia‐ischemia in the neonatal brain, expressions of three chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans, neurocan, phosphacan, and neuroglycan C, were examined in rat brains after neonatal hypoxia‐ischemia. Hypoxic‐ischemic rats were produced by ligating the right carotid artery of 7‐day‐old rats, followed by 8% oxygen exposure. Western blot analysis revealed that in contrast to injured adult CNS, the amount of neurocan was reduced 24 hr after hypoxia in the neonatal hypoxic‐ischemic cerebral hemisphere. The amounts of phosphacan and neuroglycan C were also reduced significantly 24 hr after hypoxia at the right injured cortex compared to those at the left cortex. Surprisingly, the immunohistologic staining for phosphacan was conversely intensified both at 24 hr and 8 days after hypoxia at the infarcted area. In addition, the habenula and fascicules retroflexus in the right cerebral hemisphere degenerated and became intensely immunostained with the anti‐phosphacan antibody shortly after hypoxia. Hypoxic‐ischemic insult may unmask phosphacan epitopes at the injured sites, resulting in intensified immunostaining. Because intensified immunostaining for neurocan and neuroglycan C was not observed, unmasking seems to be specific to phosphacan among these three chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A systematic review of prevalence studies of dementia in Parkinson's disease
Authors: Aarsland Dag , Zaccai Julia , Brayne Carol
Published: July 2005

Substantial variation in the prevalence of dementia in Parkinson's disease (PDD) has been reported. The aim of this study was to review systematically and critically previous studies of the prevalence of PDD using PubMed to search the literature. Studies focusing on PD and PDD, as well as those examining on the epidemiology of dementia subtypes, were included. Predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria were used and the quality of the studies included was rated. Articles were included if: (1) the proportion of PDD among patients with either PD or dementia was reported in an original study; (2) patients had been subjected to prospective clinical examination; and (3) strategies to include all subjects with either PD or dementia within the community or hospital clinics within a geographical area were employed. Twelve studies of the prevalence of PD or PDD (1,767 patients included) and 24 prevalence studies of dementia subtypes (4,711 patients included) met the inclusion criteria. In the PD/PDD studies, the proportion (mean and 95% confidence interval) with PDD in PD was 24.5% (17.4–31.5). There were significant methodological variations between studies and in the four studies that matched the quality criteria most closely, the rate of PDD was 31.1% (20.1–42.1). The prevalence of PDD was estimated as 0.5% in subjects 65 years or older. The percentage of PDD among those with dementia was 3.6% (3.1–4.1), with an estimated prevalence of PDD of 0.2% in subjects aged 65 years or older. Despite methodological variation, this systematic review suggests that 24 to 31% of PD patients have dementia, and that 3 to 4% of the dementia in the population would be due to PDD. The estimated prevalence of PDD in the general population aged 65 years and over is 0.2 to 0.5%. © 2005 Movement Disorder Society
Morphogens in motion: Growth control of the neural tube
Authors: Cayuso Jordi , Martí Elisa
Published: July 2005

The entire vertebrate nervous system develops from a simple epithelial sheet, the neural plate which, along development, acquires the large number and wide variety of neuronal cell types required for the construction of a functional mature nervous system. These include processes of growth and pattern formation of the neural tube that are achieved through complicated and tightly regulated genetic interactions. Pattern formation, particularly in the vertebrate central nervous system, is one of the best examples of a morphogen‐type of function. Cell cycle progression, however, is generally accepted to be dependent on cell‐intrinsic factors. Recent studies have demonstrated that proliferation of neural precursors is also somehow controlled by secreted signaling molecules, well‐known by their role as morphogens, such as fibroblast growth factor (FGF), vertebrate orthologs of the Drosophila wingless (Wnt), hedgehog (Hh), and transforming growth factor β (TGF‐β) families, that in turn regulate the activity of factors controlling cell cycle progression. In this review we will summarize the experimental data that support the idea that classical morphogens can be reused to regulate proliferation of neural precursors. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Neurobiol 64: 376–387, 2005
Protective role of heat shock protein 27 in gastric mucosal injury
Authors: Ebert Matthias PA , Schäfer Claus , Chen Jie , Hoffmann Juliane , Gu Ping , Kubisch Constanze , Carl‐McGrath Stacy , Treiber Gerhard , Malfertheiner Peter , Röcken Christoph
Published: July 2005

Heat shock protein 27 (HSP27) mediates cytoprotective effects through its function as a molecular chaperone and through the phosphorylation‐dependent stabilization of actin filaments. The role of HSP27 in gastric ulcer formation and healing is, however, unknown. The expression of HSP27 was studied in human gastric tissue specimens obtained from patients with gastric ulcers and from healthy Helicobacter pylori‐negative individuals, who received low‐dose aspirin, rofecoxib, and the combination in a prospective study. The susceptibility of the gastric mucosa to indomethacin‐induced lesions was further studied in transgenic mice overexpressing human HSP27 (TghuHSP27) and compared with wild‐type mice (Wt). The expression of HSP27, COX‐1, and COX‐2 was investigated in TghuHSP27 mice and Wt mice by immunohistochemistry and western blot analysis. While no specific changes in HSP27 expression were found following exposure of healthy human gastric mucosa to oral administration of aspirin or refocoxib, chronic gastric ulcers showed strong HSP27 expression at the ulcer base and margins. Here it was expressed by granulation tissue and regenerating surface epithelium. In TghuHSP27 mice, overexpression of HSP27 led to a significant decrease of indomethacin‐induced erosions and ulcers compared with Wt mice. COX‐1 and COX‐2 levels did not change. HSP27 is involved in chronic gastric ulcer repair mechanisms in humans, while overexpression of human HSP27 in gastric epithelial cells in mice reduces the susceptibility to non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drug (NSAID)‐induced gastric ulceration. This indicates that HSP27 expression is critical for mucosal protection in the stomach. Copyright © 2005 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Global detection and characterization of hypothetical proteins in Shewanella oneidensis MR‐1 using LC‐MS based proteomics
Authors: Elias Dwayne A. , Monroe Matthew E. , Marshall Matthew J. , Romine Margaret F. , Belieav Alexander S. , Fredrickson James K. , Anderson Gordon A. , Smith Richard D. , Lipton Mary S.
Published: July 2005

The availability of whole genome sequences has enabled the application of powerful tools for assaying global expression patterns in environmentally relevant bacteria such as Shewanella oneidensis MR‐1. A large number of genes in prokaryote genomes, including MR‐1, have been annotated as hypothetical, indicating that no similar protein has yet been identified in other organisms. Using high‐sensitivity MS coupled with accurate mass and time (AMT) tag methodology, 1078 tryptic peptides were collectively detected in MR‐1 cultures, 671 of which were unique to their parent protein. Using only these unique tryptic peptides and a minimum of two peptides per protein, we identified, with high confidence, the expression of 258 hypothetical proteins. These proteins ranged from 3.5 to 139 kDa, with 47 being 100 amino acid residues or less. Using a combination of information including detection in cells grown under specific culture conditions, presence within a specific cell fraction, and predictive algorithms such as PSORT and PSORT‐B, possible/plausible functions are proposed for some hypothetical proteins. Further, by applying this approach a number of proteins were found not only to be expressed, but only expressed under certain culturing conditions, thereby suggesting function while at the same time isolating several proteins to distinct locales of the cell. These results demonstrate the utility of the AMT tag methodology for comprehensive profiling of the microbial proteome while confirming the expression of a large number of hypothetical genes.
Proteome profiling of interleukin‐12 treated human T helper cells
Authors: Rosengren Arsi T. , Nyman Tuula A. , Lahesmaa Riitta
Published: July 2005

Selective activation of T helper subsets 1 (Th1) and 2 (Th2) plays a crucial role in different pathological conditions. Th1 cell response is involved in pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases, such as type II diabetes and multiple sclerosis, and Th2 cell response in pathogenesis of allergy and asthma. Cytokine interleukin‐12 (IL‐12) is one of the key factors in the differentiation of naïve CD4+ T cells into Th1 cells. In this study we used 2‐DE and MS to find and identify IL‐12 regulated proteins in human CD4+ T cells. In total, 42 protein spots were found to be differentially expressed following IL‐12 stimulation, of which 22 were up‐ and 20 down‐regulated. Among the upregulated proteins there are a multifunctional cytokine macrophage migration inhibitory factor and a known IL‐12 target gene Programmed cell death 4. Downregulated proteins include p21‐activated kinase 2 and its upstream GTPase Cdc42. Compared to previous reports our analysis provides a new view on the IL‐12 induced changes on CD4+ T cells underscoring the importance of creating and combining the data generated at various levels to build a comprehensive view of a given biological process of the cell.
Peptidomic analysis of human blood specimens: Comparison between plasma specimens and serum by differential peptide display
Authors: Tammen Harald , Schulte Imke , Hess Rudiger , Menzel Christoph , Kellmann Markus , Mohring Thomas , Schulz‐Knappe Peter
Published: July 2005

The human Plasma Proteome Project pilot phase aims to analyze serum and plasma specimens to elucidate specimen characteristics by various proteomic techniques to ensure sufficient sample quality for the HUPO main phase. We used our proprietary peptidomics technologies to analyze the samples distributed by HUPO. Peptidomics summarizes technologies for visualization, quantitation, and identification of the low‐molecular‐weight proteome (<15 kDa), the “peptidome.” We analyzed all four HUPO specimens (EDTA plasma, citrate plasma, heparin plasma, and serum) from African‐ and Asian‐American donors and compared them to in‐house collected Caucasian specimens. One main finding focuses on the most suitable method of plasma specimen collection. Gentle platelet removal from plasma samples is beneficial for improved specificity. Platelet contamination or activation of platelets by low temperature prior to their removal leads to distinct and multiple peptide signals in plasma samples. Two different specimen collection protocols for platelet‐poor plasma are recommended. Further emphasis is placed on the differences between plasma and serum on a peptidomic level. A large number of peptides, many of them in rather high abundance, are only present in serum and not detectable in plasma. This ex vivo generation of multiple peptides hampers discovery efforts and is caused by a variety of factors: the release of platelet‐derived peptides, other peptides derived from cellular components or the clot, enzymatic activities of coagulation cascades, and other proteases. We conclude that specimen collection is a crucial step for successful peptide biomarker discovery in human blood samples. For analysis of the low‐molecular‐weight proteome, we recommend the use of platelet‐depleted EDTA or citrate plasma.
Plasma Proteome Database as a resource for proteomics research
Authors: Muthusamy Babylakshmi , Hanumanthu G. , Suresh Shubha , Rekha B. , Srinivas D. , Karthick L. , Vrushabendra B. M. , Sharma Salil , Mishra Goparani , Chatterjee Pritam , Mangala K. S. , Shivashankar H. N. , Chandrika K. N. , Deshpande Nandan , Suresh M. , Kannabiran N. , Niranjan Vidya , Nalli Anuradha , Prasad T. S. Keshava , Arun K. S. , Reddy Raghunath , Chandran Sreenath , Jadhav Trafina , Julie D. , Mahesh M. , John S. Lynate , Palvankar Kshitish , Sudhir D. , Bala P. , Rashmi N. S. , Vishnupriya G. , Dhar Kaushik , Reshma S. , Chaerkady Raghothama , Gandhi T. K. B. , Harsha H. C. , Mohan S. Sujatha , Deshpande Krishna S. , Sarker Malabika , Pandey Akhilesh
Published: July 2005

Plasma is one of the best studied compartments in the human body and serves as an ideal body fluid for the diagnosis of diseases. This report provides a detailed functional annotation of all the plasma proteins identified to date. In all, gene products encoded by 3778 distinct genes were annotated based on proteins previously published in the literature as plasma proteins and the identification of multiple peptides from proteins under HUPO's Plasma Proteome Project. Our analysis revealed that 51% of these genes encoded more than one protein isoform. All single nucleotide polymorphisms involving protein‐coding regions were mapped onto the protein sequences. We found a number of examples of isoform‐specific subcellular localization as well as tissue expression. This database is an attempt at comprehensive annotation of a complex subproteome and is available on the web at http://www.plasmaproteomedatabase.org.
Recent advances in blood‐related proteomics
Authors: Thadikkaran Lynne , Siegenthaler Michèle A. , Crettaz David , Queloz Pierre‐Alain , Schneider Philippe , Tissot Jean‐Daniel
Published: July 2005

Blood is divided in two compartments, namely, plasma and cells. The latter contain red blood cells, leukocytes, and platelets. From a descriptive medical discipline, hematology has evolved towards a pioneering discipline where molecular biology has permitted the development of prognostic and diagnostic indicators for disease. The recent advance in MS and protein separation now allows similar progress in the analysis of proteins. Proteomics offers great promise for the study of proteins in plasma/serum, indeed a number of proteomics databases for plasma/serum have been established. This is a very complex body fluid containing lipids, carbohydrates, amino acids, vitamins, nucleic acids, hormones, and proteins. About 1500 different proteins have recently been identified, and a number of potential new markers of diseases have been characterized. Here, examples of the enormous promise of plasma/serum proteomic analysis for diagnostic/prognostic markers and information on disease mechanism are given. Within the blood are also a large number of different blood cell types that potentially hold similar information. Proteomics of red blood cells, until now, has not improved our knowledge of these cells, in contrast to the major progresses achieved while studying platelets and leukocytes. In the future, proteomics will change several aspects of hematology.
Toward the development of new medicinal leads with selectivity for protein kinase C isozymes
Authors: Irie Kazuhiro , Nakagawa Yu , Ohigashi Hajime
Published: July 2005

Tumor promoters such as phorbol esters bind strongly to protein kinase C (PKC) isozymes to induce their activation. Since each PKC isozyme is involved in diverse biological events in addition to tumor promotion, the isozymes serve as promising therapeutic targets. Tumor promoters bind to the C1A and/or C1B domain of conventional (α, βI, βII, and γ) and novel PKC isozymes (δ, ε, η, and θ). As these C1 domains play differential roles in PKC activation and their translocation in cells, the development of agents with binding selectivity for individual C1 domains is a pressing need. For this purpose, we established a synthetic C1 peptide library of all PKC isozymes. The library enabled us to identify indolactam‐V (1) as a promising lead compound. Our diverse structure–activity studies on1indicated that the position of the hydrophobic substituent on the indole ring dominates the PKC isozyme‐ and C1 domain‐selective binding rather than conformation of the nine‐membered lactam. Moreover, we suggested that the indole ring of1could be involved in the CH/π interaction with Pro‐11 of the C1B domain of PKCδ. This invaluable information will lead to the structural optimization of the PKCδ ligand as exemplified by the design and synthesis of naphtholactam‐V8 (21). © 2005 The Japan Chemical Journal Forum and Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Chem Rec 5: 185–195; 2005: Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com) DOI 10.1002/tcr.20044
Natural products as tools for studies of ligand‐gated ion channels
Authors: Strømgaard Kristian
Published: July 2005

Ligand‐gated ion channels, or ionotropic receptors, constitute a group of membrane‐bound proteins that regulate the flux of ions across the cell membrane. In the brain, ligand‐gated ion channels mediate fast neurotransmission. They are crucial for normal brain function and involved in many diseases in the brain. Historically, natural products have been used extensively in biomedical studies and ultimately as drugs or leads for drug design. In studies of ligand‐gated ion channels, natural products have been essential for the understanding of their structure and function. In the following a short survey of natural products and their use in studies of ligand‐gated ion channels is given. © 2005 The Japan Chemical Journal Forum and Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Chem Rec 5: 229–239; 2005: Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com) DOI 10.1002/tcr.20048
Neonatal outcome of antenatally diagnosed congenital cystic adenomatoid malformations
Authors: Ierullo A. M. , Ganapathy R. , Crowley S. , Craxford L. , Bhide A. , Thilaganathan B.
Published: July 2005

Objective

To investigate the natural history and outcome of antenatally diagnosed congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation (CCAM) of the lung.

Methods

This was a retrospective study of all cases of fetal CCAM of the lung diagnosed antenatally. All cases were referred to a tertiary center for further management. A computer search identified all referred cases, and the records of these patients were examined to determine the pregnancy outcome.

Results

In a 4‐year period, 34 cases of fetal CCAM were referred for further management. At presentation, all the cases were noted to be unilateral CCAMs and the majority (79%) were microcystic in nature. The CCAMs were complicated by varying degrees of mediastinal shift (79%) and hydrops fetalis (18%). During the course of the pregnancy, the lung lesion was seen to reduce in size or resolve spontaneously in 76% of cases without any prenatal intervention (including resolution of hydrops in three cases). The overall survival rate into infancy was 88%. One pregnancy was terminated for persisting hydrops fetalis and another resulted in infant death from complications of neonatal cardiac surgery for an associated aortic coarctation.

Conclusion

The outcome of antenatally detected CCAM is much better than previously reported even when complicated by hydrops fetalis at presentation. The latter seems to be related to the high spontaneous regression rate of this tumor. Despite the antenatal resolution of CCAMs on ultrasound, postnatal follow‐up is recommended in view of the long‐term complications of this malformation. Copyright © 2005 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
How to identify twins at low risk of spontaneous preterm delivery
Authors: Sperling L. , Kiil C. , Larsen L. U. , Qvist I. , Bach D. , Wøjdemann K. , Bladh A. , Nikkilä A. , Jørgensen C. , Skajaa K. , Bang J. , Tabor A.
Published: July 2005

Objective

The aim of this study was to evaluate transvaginal sonographic assessment of cervical length at 23 weeks as a screening test for spontaneous preterm delivery in order to define a cut‐off value that could be used to select twin pregnancies at low risk of spontaneous preterm delivery.

Methods

In a prospective multicenter study of 383 twin pregnancies included before 14 + 6 weeks a cervical scan with measurement of the cervical length was performed at 23 weeks' gestation. The results were blinded for the clinicians if the cervical length was ≥ 15 mm. The rates of spontaneous delivery at different cut‐off levels of cervical length were determined.

Results

Eighty‐nine percent of the twins had dichorionic placentation and 58% were conceived after assisted reproduction. The rate of spontaneous preterm delivery was 2.3% (1.5% for dichorionic (DC) and 9.1% for (MC) monochorionic twins) before 28 weeks and 18.5% (17.1% for DC and 29.5% for MC twins) before 35 weeks. The screen‐positive rate was 5% for a cervical length ≤ 20, 7–8% at ≤ 25, 16–17% at ≤ 30 and 34–48% at ≤ 35 mm depending on chorionicity. The false‐negative rate (1 − negative predictive value) ranged from 1.2% at 28 weeks to 18.6% at 35 weeks for all twins. Receiver–operating characteristics curves showed that the sensitivity increased with declining gestational age with cut‐off levels of highest accuracy at 21 mm for 28 weeks and 29 mm for 33 weeks.

Conclusions

Cervical length measurement at 23 weeks of gestation is a good screening test for predicting twins at low risk of preterm and very preterm delivery, especially in DC twins. The present results suggest that a cut‐off of 25 mm should be recommended. Copyright © 2005 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Third‐trimester ultrasound dating algorithms derived from pregnancies conceived with artificial reproductive techniques
Authors: Mongelli M. , Chew S. , Yuxin N. G. , Biswas A.
Published: July 2005

Objective

To derive an accurate formula for ultrasound estimation of gestational age in late pregnancy.

Methods

A database of 123 singleton pregnancies conceived by artificial reproductive techniques with third‐trimester ultrasound measurements was studied. Biometry variables included the fetal head circumference (HC) and femur length (FL). The dataset was equally divided into a derivation sample and a target sample. To derive the equations of best fit, regression analysis was used, with true menstrual age as the dependent variable and fetal biometry measurements as independent variables. The formulae were tested on the target set and the menstrual age estimates were compared with the actual menstrual age. Clinical performance was estimated in terms of systematic and random errors, absolute errors and their 95% CI values.

Results

The menstrual ages at time of scanning ranged from 26 to 41 weeks, with a mean of 33 weeks. The best performing derived formula was a combination of HC and FL. This had a random error of 7.5 days and prediction errors within a 95% confidence limit of −13 to +17 days. With FL only, the random error was 8.2 days, whereas using the HC only yielded a random error of 9.4 days.

Conclusions

Ultrasound estimation of gestational age in late pregnancy is better than indicated by older publications. It is more accurately estimated by combining the HC with the FL than by using the FL measurements alone. Copyright © 2005 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Papillary adenofibroma of the cervix: a case report
Authors: Haberal A. , Cil A. P. , Gunes M. , Cavusoglu D.
Published: July 2005

Adenofibroma is an extremely rare benign biphasic neoplasm that is classified into the mixed epithelial and mesenchymal tumor group. It typically affects the endometrium, but may occur in the cervix or in an extrauterine location. Preoperative diagnosis of this tumor is usually difficult. We describe the case of a 55‐year‐old woman with papillary cervical adenofibroma, which appeared as a cervical mass containing multiple cystic components on transvaginal ultrasound. This lesion appears to be clinically and histologically benign but must be differentiated from malignant lesions of the uterus, particularly from adenosarcoma, which can be suggestive of adenofibroma. Accurate diagnosis of these benign tumors permits appropriate counseling of patients. Copyright © 2005 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Atypical ductus venosus blood flow pattern in fetuses with severe tricuspid valve regurgitation
Authors: Smrcek J. M. , Krapp M. , Axt‐Fliedner R. , Kohl T. , Geipel A. , Diedrich K. , Gembruch U. , Berg C.
Published: July 2005

We observed seven cases of atypical ductus venosus (DV) blood flow velocity waveform pattern with impairment of systolic forward flow resulting in a notch or a significant reduction in peak velocity during the S‐wave in systole. All affected fetuses had severe tricuspid valve regurgitation associated with congestive heart failure and/or cardiac malformations. The decrease in venous systolic forward flow modulates the venous pulsatility indices towards more favorable values and should be considered when fetuses with tricuspid regurgitation are followed by Doppler assessment of the DV. Detection of these changes in the DV flow profile should prompt detailed color Doppler echocardiography with special emphasis on right atrioventricular valve regurgitation. Copyright © 2005 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.