bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A CONTROLLED TRIAL OF SUPERVISOR TRAINING FOR AN INDUSTRIAL ALCOHOL PROGRAM
Authors: Hocking B.
Published: July 2007

A controlled trial has evaluated the effectiveness of supervisor training for an industrial alcohol program. A control group of 1 639 staff had an alcohol policy only; a second group of 1 416 staff had the policy plus a 1‐day training course for supervisors; and a third group of 1 541 had the policy plus a 1‐day training course for supervisors plus a 2‐hour education session for all staff. After nearly two years there were three, seven and four referrals respectively, and no substantial differences in absenteeism or accident rates between the three areas. The results and implications are discussed.
Alcohol controls and Aboriginal society: The effects of the Northern Territory restricted areas legislation
Authors: D'Abbs Peter
Published: July 2007

Abstract: The “restricted areas” provisions of the Northern Territory Liquor Act constitute a preventative policy aimed at reducing the effects of alcohol abuse, particularly on Aboriginal communities. Under the provisions, communities can apply to be declared “dry” or semi‐restricted with respect to liquor. Since their inception in 1979, the provisions have given rise to continuing controversy. This paper addresses some of the issues associated with the controversy. Patterns of alcohol consumption on “dry”, semi‐restricted and unrestricted communities are compared, and the incidence of apprehension for public drunkenness before and after restricted area declarations is examined. The paper also discusses the provisions under which vehicles implicated in acts of illicit “grog‐running” are forfeited to the NT Government. It is concluded that the restricted area provisions are associated with reduced levels of alcohol consumption and apprehensions for drunkenness, and are therefore beneficial in outcome. However, it is also argued that at present the provisions are flawed in that, while some aspects serve to promote community control over alcohol consumption, other elements have the effect of undermining community control and responsibilityk.
Plasmatic and membrane lipid alterations in erythrocytes from diabetic rats fed either n‐6 or n‐3 fatty acids
Authors: Igal Ariel , Dumm Nelva Tacconi de Gómez
Published: July 2007

We examined the effect of dietary n‐6 and n‐3 fatty acids on the lipid composition and physical properties of erythrocyte membranes together with cholesterol and triglyceride plasmatic levels in normal and experimental diabetic rats. Plasmatic total cholesterol and triglyceride did not change in normal rats under the dietary regime, but both parameters decreased significantly in the diabetic animals after the consumption of either n‐6 or n‐3 fatty acids. Lipid analyses of erythrocyte membranes revealed a significant decrease in the total cholesterol together with an increase in the phospholipid amount in the diabetics compared to the normal rats. As a consequence, cholesterol/phospholipid ratio decreased in these groups of animals and markedly in those fed n‐3 fatty acids. These changes would be responsible for the lower fluorescent polarization of DPH observed in the latter group. We conclude that equivalent and adequate amounts of dietary either n‐6 or n‐3 fatty acids produce plasmatic and red cell membrane lipid changes in diabetic rats that may improve the evolution of the disease.
Dysplasia expresses altered nuclear matrix protein composition in human ulcerative colitis
Authors: Izzo Richard S. , Pellecchia Crescens
Published: July 2007

We compared nuclear matrix protein compositions (NMPS) in colonic tissue from three different patient groups: 1) normal controls; 2) ulcerative colitis (UC) and 3) ulcerative colitis with dysplasia (UC‐dysplasia). NMPS were separated by two‐dimensional electrophoresis using isoelectrofocusing and SDS‐PAGE. Six specific NMPS (59,500 Kd, pI 6.6 and 6.3; 49,250 Kd, pI 7.4; 33,750 Kd, pI 7.5; 20,000 Kd, pI 7.5; and 19,000 Kd, pI 6.3) were identified in UC‐dysplasia that were not found in normal controls nor in UC colonic tissue. These observations suggest that NMPS may serve as important biochemical markers of dysplasia in UC.
S‐(‐)‐nicotine‐1′‐N‐oxide reductase activity of rat liver aldehyde oxidase
Authors: Sugihara Kazumi , Kitamura Shigeyuki , Tatsumi Kiyoshi
Published: July 2007

In the present study, a rat liver cytosolic enzyme responsible for reduction of S‐(‐)‐nicotine‐1′‐N‐oxide to S‐(‐)‐nicotine was investigated. We found that aldehyde oxidase (EC 1.2.3.1) can function as a S‐(‐)‐nicotine‐1′‐N‐oxide reductase in the presence of its electron donor such as 2‐hydroxypyrimidine. The apparent Km and Vmax values of the enzyme for the N‐oxide were 0.24 mM and 30.3 nmol/10 min/mg protein, respectively.
Stimulation of ATP synthesis via oxidative phosphorylation in wheat mitochondria irradiated with Helium‐Neon laser
Authors: Pastore D. , Martino C. Di , Bosco G. , Passarella S.
Published: July 2007

In order to ascertain whether oxidative phosphorylation in plant mitochondria is sensitive to light, coupled durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf.) mitochondria were irradiated with a low power continuous wave Helium‐Neon laser (fluence: 2 Joules/cm2), with measurements made of certain processes related to ATP production. As a result of irradiation, an increase in the rate of ATP synthesis was found, as continuously monitored via luciferine/luciferase, moreover the mitochondrial ATP and ADP endogenous contents were found to increase and decrease, respectively with a 1:1 stoichiometry, as revealed by HPLC measurements. Consistently, an increase in mitochondrial rate of ΔΨ generation was found as measured by using the fluorescent probe safranine. Thus, this paper gives a first evidence of a novel property of plant mitochondria: the direct light sensitivity of ATP synthesis via oxidative phosphorylation.
Helicobacter pylori lipopolysaccharide induces gastric epithelial cells apoptosis
Authors: Piotrowski J. , Skrodzka D. , Slomiany A. , Slomiany B. L.
Published: July 2007

H. pylori is recognized as a primary etiologic factor in the pathogenesis of gastric disease. Here, we assessed the effect of intragastric administration of H. pylori lipopolysaccharide at 50 and 200μg dose on the epithelial cell apoptosis. Histological examination of the mucosal tissue two days following the treatment revealed that lipopolysaccharide at both doses induced in the rat stomach mucosal inflammatory responses typical of gastritis. The in situ DNA fragmentation assay demonstrated that these changes were associated with a marked increase in gastric epithelial cell apoptosis. The apoptotic index in the controls averaged 0.3%, and increased dramatically to 59% with the lipopolysaccharide at 50μg dose, while at the 200μg dose the apoptotic index of 71.9% was attained. The results point towards cell wall lipopolysaccharide as a virulence factor responsible for the induction of gastric epithelial cell apoptosis by H. pylori.
A monoclonal antibody specific for carboxy‐terminal region of yeast translation elongation factor‐3 inhibits ribosome‐activated ATPase activity but not intrinsic ATPase activity
Authors: Uritani Masahiro , Tabata Atsushi , Nakayama Kazutoshi , Izuta Miho , Iizumi Makoto , Arisawa Mikio
Published: July 2007

Elongation factor‐3 (EF‐3) is an essential translation elongation factor specific to yeasts and fungi. When EF‐3 interacts with yeast ribosomes, its ATPase activity, which is indispensable for the function of EF‐3 in translation, is drastically enhanced. In this study, a monoclonal antibody specific for the carboxy‐terminal region inhibited the ribosome‐activated ATPase activity of EF‐3, while it did not inhibit the intrinsic ATPase activity of EF‐3. The results suggest that the carboxy‐terminal region of EF‐3 is involved in the interaction with yeast ribosomes. The monoclonal antibody also inhibited poly(U)‐directed poly(Phe) synthesis, which indicates that the carboxy‐terminal region is important for EF‐3 to express its function in the polypeptide elongation cycle.
Purification in high yield and characterisation of the galactose‐specific lectin from the seeds of snake gourd (Trichosanthes anguina)
Authors: Komath Sneha Sudha , Nadimpalli Siva Kumar , Swamy Musti J.
Published: July 2007

The galactose‐specific lectin present in the seeds of snake gourd (Trichosanthes anguina) was purified in high yield by affinity chromatography on cross‐linked guar gum. The purified snake gourd seed lectin (SGSL) yielded a single symmetrical peak on gel filtration with an Mr of 62 kDa and gave a single band in PAGE under non‐denaturing conditions. In SDS‐PAGE, SGSL gave a single band of Mr 53 kDa in the absence of β‐mercaptoethanol, and two bands of Mr 32 and 23 kDa in its presence, indicating that the lectin is a heterodimer in which the subunits are linked by a disulphide bridge. The lectin gave a single precipitin line in immunodiffusion experiments with antiserum raised against the purified SGSL. No cross‐reactivity was found between SGSL and antiserum raised against the Momordica charantia lectin and vice versa, suggesting that the two lectins are antigenically dissimilar. Haemagglutination‐inhibition data show that MeβD‐Gal is the best monosaccharide inhibitor of SGSL and indicate that an equatorial hydroxyl at C‐2 and axial hydroxyl at C‐4 in the pyranose form are important binding loci for the lectin.
Non‐functional variants of yeast mitochondrial ATP synthase subunit 8 that assemble into the complex
Authors: Papakonstantinou Theo , Law Ruby H. P. , Nagley Phillip , Devenish Rodney J.
Published: July 2007

Subunit 8 (Y8) is a component of the proton channel of yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) mitochondrial ATP synthase (mtATPase), whose function in the complex remains to be precisely defined. Y8 variants truncated at residue 46 (Lys47→STP), or in which each of three conserved C‐terminal amino acid residues (Arg37, Arg42 and Lys47) were substituted with isoleucine, have defects in assembly and function. The additional positive charge substitution (Gln29→Lys) was introduced into each of the variants to determine whether functional compensation for these defects could be achieved. In the case of the (Lys47→STP) variant, the additional positive charge restored the ability of cells to grow on non‐fermentable substrate. By contrast, for the (Lys47→Ile) variant the additional positive charge did not confer any improvement in cellular growth rate compared to that of cells expressing the Lys47→Ile substitution alone. For the (Arg42→Ile) and (Arg37→Ile) variants, the presence of the Gln29→Lys substitution failed to restore growth of host cells lacking endogenous subunit 8 on non‐fermentable substrate. However, use of an in vitro assembly assay revealed that, unlike their respective parents (Arg42→Ile or Arg37→Ile), the (Gln29→Lys Arg42→Ile) and (Gln29→Lys Arg37→Ile) variants assemble into mtATPase. Thus we conclude that Arg42 and Arg37 have a role in mtATPase function, in addition to being required for assembly of Y8 into mtATPase.
Herbimycin A inhibits protein kinase C in vascular smooth muscle cells
Authors: Taher Mohiuddin M.
Published: July 2007

It has been observed that in growth arrested vascular smooth muscle cells herbimycin A treatment completely inhibits the activation of mitogen activated protein kinase induced by phorbol 12‐myristate 13‐acetate (a phorbol ester). Since herbimycin A is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, this finding raised the possibility of protein kinase C inhibition or down regulation by this compound. Herbimycin A significantly inhibited phorbol myristate acetate‐mediated protein kinase C activation as measured by in situ glycogen synthase (GS) peptide and neurogranin peptide phosphorylation in vascular smooth muscle cells. Basal protein kinase activity, i.e. kinase activity without phorbol ester treatment to vascular smooth muscle cells, was also decreased by the treatment of herbimycin A. These findings suggest that herbimycin A also inhibits protein kinase C in vascular smooth muscle cells.
Structural analysis of two plant 5S rRNA species and fragments thereof by lead‐induced hydrolysis
Authors: Ciesiołka Jerzy , Krzyzosiak Włodzimierz J.
Published: July 2007

The structure of plant 5S rRNA species from lupin and wheat germ as well as the structure of two RNA fragments that represent domains β and γ of lupin 5S rRNA have been probed by Pb(II)‐induced hydrolysis. The lead digestion patterns of 5S rRNA species show that the secondary and tertiary structures of the molecules are very similar. The data suggests that two potential base pairs at the bottom of helix E are destabilized and this causes an enlargement of the hairpin loop e. On the other hand, nucleotides from loop c seem to be involved in the formation of some kind of higher order structure. A comparison of the distribution of cleavages induced in RNA fragments to those in the corresponding regions of the entire 5S rRNA shows that under conditions applied in our studies the structural domains β and γ are not involved in formation of any tertiary interaction within 5S rRNA structure.
Alpha‐class isozymes of glutathione S‐transferase in rat liver cytosol possess glutathione peroxidase activity toward phospholipid hydroperoxide
Authors: Sun Qian , Komura Sadaaki , Ohishi Nobuko , Yagi Kunio
Published: July 2007

Selenium‐independent enzymes, found in the liver cytosol of selenium‐deficient rats, that are capable of reducing dilinoleoyl phosphatidylcholine hydroperoxide in the presence of reduced glutathione [Guan et al., (1995) Biochem. Mol. Biol. Int., 37, 1103‐1110] were purified to homogeneity by use of successive chromatography on glutathione affinity and Mono P columns. The molecular weight of the purified protein was estimated by gel filtration to be approximately 50 kDa. Upon isoelectric focusing, the purified preparation showed two protein bands having pI values of 8.6 and 8.8. Both proteins had reactivity against both 1‐chloro‐2,4‐dinitrobenzene and dilinoleoyl phosphatidylcholine hydroperoxide in the presence of reduced glutathione. Each of them consisted of two subunits having molecular weights of 24.3 kDa and 26 kDa, as estimated by sodium dodecyl sulfate‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The large subunit was identified as rat glutathione S‐transferase (GST) 2 (Yc subunit) based on the amino‐terminal amino acid sequence analysis. The small subunit was considered to be most probably rat GST 1 (Ya subunit). From these results, we conclude that the basic α‐class isozymes of GST in rat liver cytosol possess glutathione peroxidase activity toward phospholipid hydroperoxide.
Drosophila melanogaster genomic DNA sequence homologous to mammalian cytosine DNA‐methyltransferase gene
Authors: Vanyushin Boris F. , Poirier Lionel A.
Published: July 2007

Using Southern blotting procedure we have shown that Drosophila genomic DNA hybridizes with 4423‐bp C‐terminal fragment of murine cytosine DNA‐methyltransferase gene. Thus, the Drosophila genome has a sequence homologous to the mammalian cytosine DNA‐methyltrasferase gene. We assume that DNA methylation most likely responsible for strong CpG suppression in the Drosophila genome mainly was catalyzed by a cytosine DNA‐methyltransferase that has since been lost.
Partial purification and reconstitution of the tricarboxylate carrier from eel liver mitochondria
Authors: Zara Vincenzo , Damiano Gina , Franco Maria Rosaria , Siculella Luisa , Gnoni Gabriele V.
Published: July 2007

The tricarboxylate carrier of the inner membrane of eel liver mitochondria has been solubilized with Triton X‐100 and partially purified by chromatography of the mitochondrial extract on dry hydroxyapatite. The purified fraction has been reconstituted into liposomes and functionally analyzed. The reconstituted carrier protein catalyzed a 1,2,3‐benzenetricarboxylate‐sensitive citrate uptake in liposomes. The substrate specificity and the inhibitor sensitivity of the tricarboxylate carrier are similar to those previously determined for the same protein of mammalian mitochondria.
Interaction of ATP with erythroblast glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase
Authors: Ninfali Paolino , Baronciani Luciano
Published: July 2007

ATP, complexed with magnesium and as free anion, binds to rabbit erythroblasts glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) inducing significant structural transitions in the enzyme, revealed by a different heat stability. ATP4‐ facilitates the process of thermal inactivation by inducing the presence of thermolable forms. On the contrary, ATP‐Mg protects the enzyme from thermal inactivation. The protection is significant but less marked than that shown by NADP. Kinetic studies indicate a different type of binding between ATP‐Mg and ATP4‐. Uncomplexed ATP is a competitive inhibitor vs NADP or G6P and it shows a positive cooperative effect. ATP‐Mg is an uncompetitive inhibitor vs G6P and competitive vs NADP and it shows a negative cooperativity. A similar behaviour is also shown by complexed and free CTP and GTP.
Gingko biloba extract EGb 761 is a suppresser of AP‐1 transcription factor stimulated by phorbol 12‐myristate 13‐acetate
Authors: Mizuno Masashi , Droy‐Lefaix Marie‐Therese , Packer Lester
Published: July 2007

Transcription factors are activated in response to a wide variety of extracellular stimuli. The present study investigated which step Gingko biloba extract (EGb 761), a flavonoid phytochemical rich preparation can affect signal transduction during AP‐1 activation. Kinetic experiments with human Jurkat T‐cell lines demonstrate that it takes 1 to 1.5 h to activate AP‐1 DNA binding activity. These data indicate that c‐fos mRNA is expressed and then AP‐1 DNA binding activity is activated. Pretreatment of Jurkat T cells with 10 µg/ml EGb 761 suppresses AP‐1 DNA activation and c‐fos mRNA expression. These results suggest that the step in the signal transduction pathway for AP‐1 activation that is inhibited by EGb 761 is upstream to c‐fos mRNA expression.
Inhibition of restriction endonucleases by DNA sequence‐reading ligands
Authors: Kittler L. , Bell A. , Baguley B. C. , Löber G.
Published: July 2007

DNA sequence‐reading bisquaternary ammonium heterocycles SN 6570, SN 6999, SN 6053, SN 6132, SN 6131, SN 18071 and the non‐specific binders SN 6113, SN 5754, SN 6324, and SN 4094 influence the enzymatic activity of restriction endonucleases in different manners. A prerequisite for sequence‐specific ligand interaction is a dAdT run of at least four base pairs. The sequence‐specific binders inhibit the cleavage activity of restriction endonucleases EcoRI, SspI, and DraI with four and six dAdT base pairs in their restriction sites, while the activity of SalI and BamHI with less than four dAdT base pairs in their recognition motifs remains unaffected. On the contrary, the non‐specific binding DNA ligands are incapable of suppressing the digestion for restriction nucleases under research. These results are in line with our footprint data. The inhibitory effect is independent of the number of cleavage sites in DNA and of whether the macromolecule exists in the ccc or lds conformation. Sequence specific binding of the ligand SN 6053 in close vicinity to the cleavage sites of restriction endonuclease DraI also interferes with enzyme inhibition.
Properties of the regulatory subunit of cAMP‐dependent protein kinase type II from human brain
Authors: Grozdova I. D. , Alexandrova N. A. , Sveshnikova E. V. , Melik‐Nubarov N. S. , Sveshnikov P. G. , Severin E. S.
Published: July 2007

The regulatory subunit type II (RII) of cAMP‐dependent protein kinase purified from human brain was represented by two proteins with apparent molecular masses of 51‐52 kD and 54 kD. Dephosphorylation of human RII containing 3 mol phosphate/mol protein did not change the electrophoretic pattern. One‐dimensional peptide mapping of 51‐52 kD and 54 kD proteins after digestion with St. aureus V8 protease evidenced to their being distinct proteins. The data obtained permit to assume that human RII of neural type is represented by two isoforms.
Lipocortin 1 binding sites on human T‐cells: The population of cells with the binding sites is larger in CD8 T‐lymphocytes than in CD4 T‐lymphocytes
Authors: Kim Ha Won , Choi Euna , Yoo Bin , Choi Jung Ryul , Park Young Min , Lee Soo Ok , Moon Hee‐Bom , Na Doe Sun
Published: July 2007

Lipocortin 1 (LC1) is believed to be a mediator of glucocorticoids in displaying anti‐inflammatory and immune suppressive responses. The existence of specific LC1 binding sites (putative receptor) on monocytes and neutrophils has been reported. We have studied the distribution of LC1 binding sites in human peripheral blood leukocytes by flow cytometry. The population of cells with LC1 binding sites was much larger in monocytes than in lymphocytes in both rheumatoid arthritis patients (93.1 ± 2.3% vs 8.8 ± 1.0%) and healthy volunteers (97.0 ± 0.9% vs 9.9 ± 1.5%). The LC1 binding cell population was larger in CD8+ T‐lymphocytes than in CD4+ T‐lymphocytes in both healthy volunteers (26.4 ± 4.5% vs 10.6 ± 2.0%) and rheumatoid arthritis patients (28.8 ± 4.7% vs 8.7 ± 2.1%). No difference in LC1 binding cell populations was found between rheumatoid arthritis patients and healthy controls.
Proton gradients during salt adaptation of synechococcus
Authors: Nitschmann Wolfgang H. , Packer Lester
Published: July 2007

The ability of cells to energize their membranes during salt‐adaptation as measured by ΔpH was studied using the electron spin resonance (ESR) spin probe technique. Salt‐adaptated cells have the following features: an increased stability of ΔpH across the cytoplasmic membrane and a significantely lower rate of ΔpH formation across the thylakoid membrane. Therefore, during salt‐adaptation, the cytoplasmic membrane takes over the role of primary energizing membrane from the thylakoid membrane. In contrast to non‐adapted cells, ΔpH across the thylakoid membrane of salt‐grown cells is higher under respiratory than under photosynthetic conditions.
Identification and immunohistochemical localization of macrophage migration inhibitory factor in human kidney
Authors: Imamura Keisaku , Nishihira Jun , Suzuki Masaki , Yasuda Kazue , Sasaki Satoshi , Kusunoki Yukihiro , Tochimaru Hiroyuki , Takekoshi Yasuo
Published: July 2007

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) was the first lymphokine identified in activated T‐lymphocytes. MIF can induce proinflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin‐1 and tumor necrosis factor‐α. In this study, we identified MIF expression in a tissue specimen of a normal portion of a nephrectomized human kidney by reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) and Western blot analysis. Furthermore, immunohistochemical study using an anti‐human MIF polyclonal antibody demonstrated that MIF was mostly present in the renal tubule epithelial cells and, to a lesser extent, in Bowman's capsular epithelial cells. We also carried out immunohistochemistry on cultured human renal proximal tubule epithelial cells, which showed that MIF was present in the cytoplasm of the epithelial cells. These results suggest the possibility that MIF takes part in the mechanism of inflammation and immunological events in the human kidney.
Effect of cyclic GMP produced by natriuretic peptides on osteoblast‐like MC3T3‐E1 cells
Authors: Nashida Tomoko , Matsumoto Hidehiko , Imai Akane , Kameda Akira , Shimomura Hiromi
Published: July 2007

The C‐type natriuretic peptide (10‐7 M) and atrial natriuretic peptide (10‐7 M) enhanced cGMP accumulation by 418 and 83 times the control value, respectively, in osteoblast‐like MC3T3‐E1 cells. The natriuretic peptide B receptor was assumed to be the major natriuretic peptide receptor. 8‐Bromoguanosine 3′,5′‐cyclic monophosphate (8‐Br‐cGMP) activated alkaline phosphatase doubled the activity versus the control value on day 15. Phosphodiesterase activity was not stimulated by the addition of cGMP (1 μM). cGMP‐dependent protein kinase (G kinase) activity of the supernatant fraction was 25.5 pmol/min/mg protein. The 42 kDa protein band was detected to be phosphorylated by G kinase on SDS‐PAGE. These results supported the hypothesis that natriuretic peptides regulate the differentiation of MC3T3‐E1 cells through a cGMP‐dependent pathway.
The effect on mitochondrial function of the tRNA Ser(UCN)/COI A7445G mtDNA point mutation associated with maternally‐inherited sensorineural deafness
Authors: Hyslop Serena J. , James Andrew M. , Maw Marion , Fischel‐Ghodsian Nathan , Murphy Michael P.
Published: July 2007

An A to G point mutation at nucleotide position 7445 in the mitochondrial DNA genome is associated with maternally‐inherited sensorineural deafness in two separate human pedigrees. To determine whether this point mutation [tRNASer(UCN)/COI A7445G] led to sensorineural deafness by affecting cellular energy metabolism we investigated the bioenergetic function of mitochondria in lymphoblastoid cultures established from these patients. Even though essentially all of the mitochondrial DNA in these cells contained the mutation at nucleotide position 7445, there was no effect on a number of mitochondrial bioenergetic functions (mitochondrial content, membrane potential in both intact and digitonin‐permeabilised cells, cellular ATP/ADP ratios and respiratory enzyme activity) when compared with control cells. The implications of these findings for both the aetiology of the sensorineural deafness associated with the A7445G mtDNA mutation, and the role of bioenergetic defects in mitochondrial DNA diseases in general, are discussed.
Kinetic properties of cytosolic fructose 1,6‐bisphosphatase from grapefruit. Effect of citrate
Authors: Van Praag Esther
Published: July 2007

cFBP is studied for its affinity to Mg++ and Fru‐1,6‐P2. The affinity for Mg++ is not very high with a Km of 0.24±0.01 mM. High concentrations of Mg++ are inhibitory. The saturation curve for Fru‐1,6‐P2 is hyperbolic with a Km of 0.54±0.014 μM. The presence of citrate (10 mM) induces a sigmoidal curve, modifying both Vmax and S0.5. Citrate affects the allosteric properties of cFBPase: at low substrate concentration cooperativity becomes negative, while at higher concentration it is positive. Addition of higher concentrations of Mg++ shows a synergistic effect with citrate, decreasing of the affinity for Fru‐1,6‐P2: S0.5 equals 7.6±0.25 mM, 9.0±0.86 mM and 21.5±1.46 mM in presence of 5, 7.5 and 10 mM Mg++, respectively.
Alteration of endogenous antioxidant enzymes in naturally occurring hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Authors: Lin Chich‐Sheng , Liu Chang‐Yeu , Sun Yu‐Lin , Chang Ling‐Chu , Chiu Yung‐Tsung , Huang San‐Yuan , Lin Jyh‐Hung , Yang Ping‐Cheng , Mao Simon J. T. , Chu Redman , Huang Mu‐Chiou
Published: July 2007

We have recently developed a porcine model with naturally occurring hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Similar to humans, occluded intramural coronary artery and damaged mitochondria are frequently observed in these animals in which the disease is thought to be associated with the local ischemia of myocardium. In view of antioxidant functions involved in the ischemic injury, we measured the expression of endogenous antioxidant enzymes in the tissues with and without HCM. The results showed a significant increase of Cu,Zn‐superoxide dismutase (SOD), but not Mn‐SOD, and decrease of catalase (CAT) activities in the various areas of HCM hearts. It was demonstrated that SOD/CAT ratios in the HCM hearts were significantly higher than those in normals and were found to be dramatically correlated with the severity of cardiac hypertrophy. The altered SOD/CAT ratio was also consistent with increase in lipid damage. We hypothesize that the elevated SOD combined with an inadequate amount of H2O2 scavenging enzyme may lead HCM heart at oxidative stress risk. However, the pathogenic role of imbalanced antioxidant enzyme needs to be further explored.
Molecular cloning of a Bacillus sp. KK‐1 xylanase gene and characterization of the gene product
Authors: Yoon Ki‐Hong , Yun Hae Nam , Jung Kyung Hwa
Published: July 2007

A gene encoding cellulase‐free xylanase was cloned from the thermophilic bacterium Bacillus sp. KK‐1 into Escherichia coli and the gene product was purified from the recombinant E. coli. This xylanase gene, designated xylY, was composed of 1,302 base pairs and encoded a polypeptide of 434 amino acids. No similarity was found between the nucleotide sequence of the xylY gene and those reported for other xylanase genes. The deduced amino acid sequence was homologous to those of cellulases belonging to the β‐glycanase family D. The purified enzyme exhibited maximum activity at 55°C but also lost 70% of this activity even after incubation for 30 min at 55°C. Bacillus sp. KK‐1 may have acquired the xylY gene by an interspecies gene transfer during adaptation to mesophilic environments.
Expression of the Na ‐H exchanger isoform‐1 and cyclooxygenases in human placentas: Their implications in preeclampsia
Authors: Khan Islam , Al‐Yatama M. , Nandakumaran M.
Published: July 2007

The sodium hydrogen exchanger isoform, NHE‐1 plays an important role in electrolyte and water homeostasis. These functions are compromised in pregnancies complicated with preeclampsia. At present it is not known whether NHE‐1 expression is altered during preeclampsia. In the present study the placental level of NHE‐1 protein was measured using immunoblotting. Since prostaglandins regulate the secretory and absorptive functions, the levels of prostaglandin E‐2 as well as the expression of cyclooxygenase‐1 and ‐2 were also estimated. The amount of NHE‐1 protein and cyclooxygenase‐2 was reduced in preeclamptic placentas, whereas the level of cyclooxygenase‐1 remained unaltered. In contrast, prostaglandin E‐2 concentration was higher in preeclampsia. Suppression of NHE‐1 might render the placenta with impaired uptake of water and electrolytes and therefore may be involved in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia. While prostaglandin E‐2 may play a role in preeclampsia, these findings discount the induction of cyclooxygenase‐genes for this increase.
Effect of α lipoic acid amide on hexachlorobenzene porphyria
Authors: Vilas Gonzalo L. , Aldonatti Carmen , de Viale Leonor San Martín , de Molina María del Ríos
Published: July 2007

The aim of this work is to study the effect of thioctamide ‐ the commercial form of α lipoic acid amide‐ on the porphyrinogenic action of hexachlorobenzene (HCB). For this purpose, porphyria was induced in rats by chronic HCB treatment, with or without simultaneous thioctamide administration. Two different groups of rats were used as reference: one treated with vehicle (control) and the other treated with thioctamide (TO).

Urine δ aminolevulic acid, porphobilinogen, and porphyrin excretions were lower in the HCB+TO treated group than in the HCB group, and the same happened with liver uroporphyrin accumulation. On the other hand, the second stage of uroporphyrinogen‐decarboxylase activity was significantly higher in the HCB + TO group than in the HCB group. δ aminolevulic acid synthase activity was higher in the HCB group. Hepatic thiobarbituric acid reactive substances were lower in HCB + TO group than in HCB group. Thus, we might suggest that TO would decrease HCB effects by means of its free radical scavenging ability, and by having a direct effect on uroporphyrinogen‐decarboxylase activity.
When intended remembering leads to unintended forgetting
Authors: Storm Benjamin C. , Bjork Elizabeth L. , Bjork Robert A.
Published: July 2007

As a means of clarifying the memory dynamics that underlie retrieval-induced forgetting, we explored how instructing participants either to remember or to forget a previously presented list of items influences the susceptibility of those items to inhibition. According to the inhibitory account of retrieval-induced forgetting, it is the items that interfere most with retrieval practice that should be the most susceptible to the effects of inhibition. Consistent with this prediction, items from lists that participants were told to remember suffered from significantly more retrieval-induced forgetting than did items from lists that participants were told to forget.
Entre Invention Et Construction Des Traditions: L'héritage Historique et Culturel Des Albanais
Authors: Doja Albert
Published: July 2007

Les événements dramatiques qui ont secoué l'Europe durant dix années à la suite du démembrement de la Yougoslavie, surtout le dernier épisode retentissant qui a affronté les Serbes et les Albanais pour le droit sur le Kosovo, ont impliqué aussi l'ensemble de la communauté internationale pour la défense d'un certain modèle de société et de relations entre groupes ethniques. Les opinions publiques en revanche, abasourdies par les bruits médiatiques et intellectualistes, n'ont toujours pas saisi la signification et les raisons du conflit, que tout le monde espère voir finir une fois pour toutes avec ce dernier et final épisode sanglant. En intégrant l'approche anthropologique aux considérations historiques et géopolitiques sur la région et la culture albanaise, cet article tentera de poser une question qui me paraît essentielle pour la compréhension des phénomènes actuels, à savoir si l'héritage historique et les identités culturelles peuvent raisonnablement, sinon justifier, au moins expliquer les conflits ethniques et le nationalisme, ou si au contraire ils servent tout simplement à déterminer et au mieux à rationaliser les relations interethniques entre groupes sociaux.
Genetic and Molecular Mechanisms of Age Regulation (Homeostasis) of Blood Coagulation
Authors: Kurachi Kotoku , Zhang Kezhong , Ameri Afshin , Huo Jeffery , Atoda Hideko , Kurachi Sumiko
Published: July 2007

Blood coagulation plays a critical role not only in hemostasis but also in many physiological and pathological conditions. Epidemiological studies have shown that blood coagulation capacity in humans increases with age. Towards understanding the underlying mechanisms, the age regulation of factor IX, a key blood coagulation factor, was extensively studied. A series of human factor IX minigenes, consisting of various components of the human factor IX gene, were constructed and subjected to systematic analyses with HepG2 cells in culture and over the entire life span of transgenic mice. These studies identified critical gene structures that are essential for the unique age‐dependent expression patterns of the human factor IX gene?one acting by stabilizing gene transcription and another increasing the amount of mRNA present, presumably by augmenting mRNA stability. These studies have set the stage for analyzing the overall age‐based regulatory mechanisms of blood coagulation.
Bluish Discolouration of Urine Drainage Tube and Bag in a Female Patient with Spina Bifida, Paraplegia, and Suprapubic Cystostomy
Authors: Vaidyanathan Subramanian , Soni Bakul M.
Published: July 2007

We present a female patient with spina bifida, paraplegia, suprapubic cystostomy, and chronic constipation, who became anxious when she noticed a bluish discolouration of her urine drainage system. Urine microbiology revealed growth ofProvidencia stuartiiandStaphylococcus aureus. There were no systemic features of infection and, therefore, antibiotics were not prescribed for asymptomatic bacteriuria. This patient was advised to change the urine bag every day, and was prescribed senna to facilitate bowel evacuation. She was reassured that bluish discolouration of the urine drainage tube and bag was a transient, benign phenomenon and not indicative of any underlying pathology. Over the next 7 days, the bluish discolouration gradually faded away. Clinical characteristics of patients who are likely to develop this phenomenon and the underlying biochemical mechanism for bluish discolouration of the urine drainage system are discussed in brief.
Change agents, double agents, secret agents: EEO in New Zealand
Authors: Jones Deborah
Published: July 2007

Purpose

This paper theorises how equal employment opportunities (EEO) practitioners (EPs) operate as change agents within organisations.

Design/methodology/approach

It takes a feminist and post‐structuralist perspective, in which EPs are seen as agents of positive social change, contesting existing discourses, but are also themselves subject to being changed by their engagement in those same discursive formations. The key example used is the way that EPs handle tensions between “business” and “social justice” agendas. A case study of EPs in New Zealand government organisations provides the empirical base.

Findings

It argues that agency is both produced and constrained by the discursive context of agents in specific situations. The case study showed EPs operating in an environment where the social justice discourse that had been central to introducing the concepts of EEO to the Public Service in the 1980s was in conflict with an increasingly powerful business agenda. This situation produced new “texts” and therefore new possibilities of agency. EPs struggled to define means and ends, and to handle the conflicts in ways that were coherent with their own concepts of ethics and politics. It argues that practitioners can act more effectively if they can find ways to reflect on their discursive locations. Research that draws out the contradictions in our positions, identities and language helps us do this.

Research limitations/implications

The feminist post‐structuralist theoretical frame used in theorising this case can be used in any other empirical situations to understand how discursive practices operate to enable or constrain the work of change agents.Practical implications– It sets out to show how feminist and post‐structuralist approaches can be of practical value in supporting change agents by providing a framework for reflecting on their social and organisational context.

Originality/value

It combines a critical de‐naturalising stance, typical of writing in critical management studies, with the more action‐oriented agenda of most writing on equal opportunities.
Cultural differences in brand designs and tagline appeals
Authors: Woo Jun Jong , Lee Hyung‐Seok
Published: July 2007

Purpose

The objective of this study is to explore general cross‐cultural differences in corporate visual identity between the USA and Korea, and to apply Trompenaars' specific versus diffuse dimension to brand‐logos and taglines in the two countries.

Design/methodology/approach

A sample of the brand‐logos and taglines from the top 100 companies in each country were content analysed for research objectives.

Findings

The results indicate that Korean brands are generally more diffusive than those in the USA. Specifically, Korean brand‐logos tend to use more abstract and symbolic creative designs than those of the US, and the contents of Korean brand taglines contain more additional values than those in the USA.

Research limitations/implications

The findings suggest the explanation power of new cultural dimensions for academic researchers and the importance of localised corporate identity strategies for international marketers.

Originality/value

Because little is known about the differences between company brand designs across cultures, this study fills a gap in the literature by examining company brand designs and taglines. In addition, this study proved the usability of the newly developed Trompenaars' specific versus diffuse dimension.
Impacts of information management on business performance
Authors: Evans James R.
Published: July 2007

Purpose

The objective of this paper is to analyze and interpret some empirical results, obtained from an online survey, on the types of review and analysis approaches used by organizations in manufacturing, service, education, health care, and not‐for‐profit sectors and their relationships with business performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were gathered using an online survey to capture basic information about the organization and its performance, the types of measures used in each of the five Baldrige results item groups, types and frequencies of review of the data, and types of analyses conducted. Results were analyzed using descriptive statistical analyses and tests for significant differences.

Findings

The results suggest that a significant gap exists in the sophistication of analysis methods between higher and lower performing organizations in terms of customer, financial, and market performance, and that better performance is associated with more mature and sophisticated approaches to performance analysis.

Research limitations/implications

Because of the exploratory nature of this study, the generalizibility of the conclusions is limited; however, the results of this study can be useful for developing more formal theories to understand management practices and business performance and, as a basis for more designing, research efforts validate the propositions suggested by these theories.

Practical implications

Managers should invest in effective performance measurement systems that include sound approaches for analyzing results and sharing information appropriately throughout the organization.

Originality/value

This work provides further validation of the quality management principle and Baldrige core value of “management by fact,” and offers practical advice for designing effective performance management systems.
Spatial orientation in the cubicle
Authors: Sommer Robert , Augustin Sally
Published: July 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the influence of worker orientation in their cubicles on workplace behavior and experience.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected via written surveys, oral interviews, and workspace observations.

Findings

Based on computer location, cubicle occupants in a large corporate office were classified as facing out or facing into the corner of their cubicle. People faced out to enhance communication, to protect the confidentiality of material they were working with, and to avoid being startled. Those facing in did so to reduce distractions and/or physical constraints. The chief disadvantages of facing in were loss of confidentiality and the possibility of being startled by people approaching from the rear. Cubicle occupants whose computers faced out, relative to those facing in, maintained that their spatial orientation had a positive effect on communication and morale within the work unit. Respondents used nonverbal signals to modulate interaction with others, employing seating locations and body positions to reduce likelihood of interruption and used different signals to indicate receptivity to interaction.

Practical implications

A workspace should have the flexibility to meet a wide range of functional and individual requirements.

Originality/value

Workspace orientation has not previously been investigated in this way and important insights were obtained through this study.
Is Reproductive Ageing Controlled By the Brain?
Authors: Gore Andrea C.
Published: July 2007

Female reproductive function is controlled by complex interactions of the brain, pituitary gland and ovary. Each of these organs produces unique hormones, and each hormone acts upon the other organs to affect a response. Differentiating the causes and the consequences of reproductive senescence in mammals is thus a ‘chicken and egg’ puzzle. Surprisingly, recent evidence indicates a more important role for the brain in the initiation and transition to reproductive senescence.
Green tea polyphenol induces caspase 14 in epidermal keratinocytes via MAPK pathways and reduces psoriasiform lesions in the flaky skin mouse model
Authors: Hsu Stephen , Dickinson Douglas , Borke James , Walsh Douglas S. , Wood Joseph , Qin Haiyan , Winger Julia , Pearl Henna , Schuster George , Bollag Wendy B.
Published: July 2007

Abstract:  Psoriasiform lesions are characterized by hyperproliferation and aberrant differentiation of epidermal keratinocytes, accompanied by inflammation, leading to a disrupted skin barrier with an abnormal stratum corneum. The expression and proteolytic processing of caspase 14, a member of the caspase family which is associated with epithelial cell differentiation, planned cell death, and barrier formation, is altered in psoriatic epidermis. We recently reported that human psoriatic tissues lack normal expression of caspase 14 [J Dermatol Sci37 (2005) 61], and caspase 14 is induced by EGCG, a green tea polyphenol (GTP), in exponentially growing normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEK) [J Pharmacol Exp Ther315 (2005) 805]. This suggests that GTPs may have beneficial effects on psoriasiform lesions. The current study aimed to determine whether MAPK pathways are required for GTP‐induced caspase 14 expression in NHEK and if GTPs can modulate the expression of pathological markers in the psoriasiform lesions that develop in the flaky skin mouse. The results indicate that the p38 and JNK MAPK pathways are required for EGCG‐induced expression of caspase 14 in NHEK. Importantly, topical application of 0.5% GTPs significantly reduced the symptoms of epidermal pathology in the flaky skin mice, associated with efficient caspase 14 processing and reduction in proliferating cell nuclear antigen levels. This suggests that GTP‐activated pathways may be potential targets for novel therapeutic approaches to the treatment of some psoriasiform skin disorders.
Antimicrobial Activity of Aroma Compounds against
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
and Improvement of Microbiological Stability of Soft Drinks as Assessed by Logistic Regression
Authors: Belletti Nicoletta , Kamdem Sylvain Sado , Patrignani Francesca , Lanciotti Rosalba , Covelli Alessandro , Gardini Fausto
Published: July 2007

The combined effects of a mild heat treatment (55°C) and the presence of three aroma compounds [citron essential oil, citral, and (
E
)-2-hexenal] on the spoilage of noncarbonated beverages inoculated with different amounts of a
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
strain were evaluated. The results, expressed as growth/no growth, were elaborated using a logistic regression in order to assess the probability of beverage spoilage as a function of thermal treatment length, concentration of flavoring agents, and yeast inoculum. The logit models obtained for the three substances were extremely precise. The thermal treatment alone, even if prolonged for 20 min, was not able to prevent yeast growth. However, the presence of increasing concentrations of aroma compounds improved the stability of the products. The inhibiting effect of the compounds was enhanced by a prolonged thermal treatment. In fact, it influenced the vapor pressure of the molecules, which can easily interact within microbial membranes when they are in gaseous form. (
E
)-2-Hexenal showed a threshold level, related to initial inoculum and thermal treatment length, over which yeast growth was rapidly inhibited. Concentrations over 100 ppm of citral and thermal treatment longer than 16 min allowed a 90% probability of stability for bottles inoculated with 10
5
CFU/bottle. Citron gave the most interesting responses: beverages with 500 ppm of essential oil needed only 3 min of treatment to prevent yeast growth. In this framework, the logistic regression proved to be an important tool to study alternative hurdle strategies for the stabilization of noncarbonated beverages.
Histone Deacetylase Activity Regulates Chemical Diversity in
Aspergillus
Authors: Shwab E. Keats , Bok Jin Woo , Tribus Martin , Galehr Johannes , Graessle Stefan , Keller Nancy P.
Published: July 2007

Bioactive small molecules are critical in
Aspergillus
species during their development and interaction with other organisms. Genes dedicated to their production are encoded in clusters that can be located throughout the genome. We show that deletion of
hdaA
, encoding an
Aspergillus nidulans
histone deacetylase (HDAC), causes transcriptional activation of two telomere-proximal gene clusters—and subsequent increased levels of the corresponding molecules (toxin and antibiotic)—but not of a telomere-distal cluster. Introduction of two additional HDAC mutant alleles in a Δ
hdaA
background had minimal effects on expression of the two HdaA-regulated clusters. Treatment of other fungal genera with HDAC inhibitors resulted in overproduction of several metabolites, suggesting a conserved mechanism of HDAC repression of some secondary-metabolite gene clusters. Chromatin regulation of small-molecule gene clusters may enable filamentous fungi to successfully exploit environmental resources by modifying chemical diversity.