bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
La banlieue souhaitée et non-souhaitée. Annexions et Identité urbaine. L'exemple de Christiana (Oslo) au XIXe siècle
Authors: Myhre Jan Eivind
Published: November 2007

Résumé Dans cette communication, l'auteur explique le problème suburbain d'une ville du nord de l'Europe, Christiana, au XIXe siècle. Après avoir eu à l'époque classique une histoire de la banlieue très compliquée dans un périmètre limité, la ville a une croissance phénoménale au XIXe siècle qui entraîne le développement d'une nouvelle banlieue. En premier temps, celle-ci est rejetée par tous, aussi bien les autorités de la ville que celle de la campagne puis, en un second temps, à partir de 1850, elle est non seulement acceptée mais également souhaitée. L'auteur explique les raisons de cette évolution.
Travaux en cours. Préliminaires pour une étude sur la quête identitaire du peuple marquisien. Premières années de présence française aux îles Marquises 1842-1859
Authors: Bailleul Michel
Published: November 2007

Résumé L'auteur prépare un doctorat sur la quête identitaire du peuple marquisien. Il présente les premiers pas de l'administration française dans la « terre des hommes » (expression marqui- sienne). Créer une station navale et installer un pénitencier sont les buts assignés par le gouvernement français à Dupetit-Thouars. Celui-ci va au-delà des consignes en imposant, la même année 1 842, un protectorat sur les îles de la Société. La nouvelle colonie des Marquises, à peine créée, sombre dans l'oubli. Il n'y a aucun projet cohérent pour cet archipel (où cependant un pénitencier est construit à grands frais pour... trois déportés, puis abandonné). Seuls les missionnaires catholiques assurent avec opiniâtreté une présence permanente dans une population qui semble alors vouée à disparaître.
Un tricentenaire : 1693-1993. M. de La Galissonnière (1693-1756) le vainqueur de Minorque (1756)
Authors: Vergé Franceschi Michel
Published: November 2007

Résumé M. de La Galissonnière (1693-1756) est l'un des rares officiers de vaisseau français à avoir été victorieux sur mer durant la guerre de Sept Ans (1756-1763). Issu de robins bretons et parisiens, mais fils de chef d'escadre, il gagna au début de la guerre le combat de Port-Manon qui permit à son cousin le duc de Richelieu de récupérer Minorque, anglaise depuis 1713. Certes, Minorque fut rendue à l'Angleterre en 1763, mais l'excellente sauce servie à bord du vaisseau de La Galissonnière le soir même de la prise de Mahon a donné naissance à la « Mahonnaise », actuelle mayonnaise. Petit-fils de Michel Bégon, célèbre intendant de Rochefort, dont le nom est à l'origine des mille espèces de bégonias qui existent aujourd'hui, La Galissonnière, dont le nom est encore porté par un bâtiment de guerre, a ainsi contribué à enrichir lui aussi le vocabulaire français.
Les associations de détaillants en Italie à la fin du XIXe siècle
Authors: Morris Jonathan
Published: November 2007

Résumé Le but de cet article est d'étudier l'essor des associations de détaillants en Italie entre les années 1880 et la Première Guerre mondiale. Cet essor fut essentiellement dû aux changements de l'économie politique urbaine après l'extension du droit de vote de l'époque. En raison de la transformation relativement lente du secteur de la distribution, les contestations des détaillants avaient pour cible ceux qui semblaient être injustement avantagés par les privilèges fiscaux (les cooperatives et vendeurs temporaires et ambulants) plutôt que l'application de nouveaux principes de vente au détail (grands magasins et chaînes de magasins à succursales multiples). C'est la raison pour laquelle la coopération avec ceux qui s'occupaient de grandes enterprises fut facilitée. Il ne s'agit pas de faiblesse de la part des détaillants. Ces derniers surent exploiter le poids numérique qui fit d'eux un groupement important dans l'Etat libéral.
Stratégies matrimoniales en milieu protestant. Quelques réseaux familiaux messins au XVIIe siècle
Authors: Laperche-Fournel Marie-José
Published: November 2007

Abstract In the 17 th century, Metz looked like a Protestant citadel; though situated in a French Calvinism outpost, surrounded by rival faiths-militant Catholicism of the Spanish territories or of the Lorraine duchies and the Saarlands Lutherranism - the Reformed community of Metz, one inhabitant out of three about 1620 and one out of five in 1684 (4381 members) will develop, thanks to marriages, plural strategies to remain "among themselves". The religious exclusiveness, the scantiness of the matrimonial market, and the search for social homogamy in the end restricted the alliances game to the field of affined and consanguineous parenthood as is revealed by the inter-marriages networks reconstructed for three Reformed high bourgeoisie lineages of this city, among a 150 families corpus. In the short term, the art of alliances in Metz in the 17th century was the art of survival for the Huguenots : when Revocation burst upon them, given a redoubtable inner unity, they were very cohesive in adversity at home or in exile. In the long run, on the other hand, making unsafe unions within prohibited parents circles could only lead to genetic weakness of this group but, in 1686, persecution explosed the community.
Économie et société rurales en Aquitaine aux XVIIe-XVIIIe siècles
Authors: Desplat Christian
Published: November 2007

Résumé Avec ses limites incertaines, ses paysages contrastés, l'Aquitaine rurale suscite des appréciations contradictoires ; celles des voyageurs des XVIIe et XVIIIe siècles sont optimistes, celles des historiens et des géographes sont réservées. Elles insistent sur le morcellement de la propriété, les méfaits du métayage, la paupérisation, la routine. Des produits prestigieux, Médoc, Cognac, prunes, confits, cachent les réalités de l'économie rurale. Vignerons, éleveurs, les Aquitains étaient tous impliqués dans une économie d'échanges et des solutions jugées archaïques (le métayage), assuraient le maintien d'une population nombreuse sans empêcher de fructueuses spéculations. Surmontées les dernières grandes crises ouvertes, les Aquitains répondent aux sollicitations du marché et à la pression démographique. À la « modernité » de la viticulture semble s'opposer «l'archaïsme» de l'élevage; mais, presque partout, l'intensification (du travail surtout), accompagne soit le changement (maïsiculture), soit l'innovation (viticulture). Quelques marqueurs, mal connus : l'évolution du réseau des foires et marchés ruraux, les mutations de l'équipement au XVIIIe siècle (ponts, moulins, forges...), laissent entrevoir mieux qu'un réajustement conjoncturel, le décollage durable de la production.
Aux origines du Plan Marshall
Authors: Bossuat Gérard
Published: November 2007

Résumés Cet article s'attache à présenter les raisons du projet américain d'aide à l'Europe exprimé le 5 juin 1947 par George C. Marshall, secrétaire d'État. Il s'agit de savoir si les Américains ont proposé d'aider les Européens pour des raisons politiques, - on songe à l'endiguement -, des raisons humanitaires, - sauver l'Europe de la misère, comme dit Marshall -, pour gagner des marchés à l'économie américaine. Les raisons américaines ne sont pas simples et très éloignées des réponses catégoriques faites au temps de la guerre froide. Le plan Marshall répondait probablement au destin que les États-Unis avaient assumé du fait de la carence européenne, remodeler l'ancien monde à l'image de la réussite du nouveau pour empêcher un nouveau cycle de catastrophes.
Colbert et les offices
Authors: Doyle William
Published: November 2007

Résumé Depuis le règne de François Ier, la monarchie a trouvé des revenus de plus en plus importants grâce à la vente et à la manipulation des offices vénaux. Pendant les guerres des années 1630 et 1640, la vénalité a été exploitée jusqu'à ses limites. Colbert connaissait bien ce système et y a même participé mais, pendant la Fronde, il s'est rendu compte qu'une révolte des officiers pouvait plonger la France dans le chaos. Il s'est inquiété en même temps du fait que la vénalité détournait le capital et les capacités humaines des activités économiques plus productives. Aussi, arrivé au pouvoir dans les années 1660, fit-il un effort sérieux pour diminuer le nombre des offices et faire baisser leur prix dans l'espoir de préparer la suppression entière du système. Mais il n'a jamais disposé d'un capital suffisant pour rembourser la plupart des officiers et les ambitions militaires du roi ne lui permirent jamais de se passer des ressources supplémentaires apportées par la vénalité. Sa résistance aux préparatifs de la guerre de Hollande faillirent lui coûter son poste et Colbert se mit alors à exploiter la vénalité tout aussi systématiquement que ses prédécesseurs, malgré sa conviction unique parmi les ministres des finances de l'Ancien Régime, que la suppression de la vénalité était aussi possible que souhaitable.
Peurs urbaines et engagements politico-religieux au XVIe siècle : l'exemple de la Ligue grenobloise
Authors: Gal Stéphane
Published: November 2007

Résumé La peur joua un rôle déterminant dans les engagements politico-religieux des cités françaises au cours des guerres de religion. C'est sous son influence que la ville de Grenoble décida de ne pas accorder son allégeance à Henri IV, le 29 septembre 1589. Peur de perdre son âme, peur eschatologique liée à un châtiment divin, peur de perdre ses privilèges municipaux et sa prospérité furent en effet les principaux aiguillons qui motivèrent l'engagement de la cité en faveur de la Ligue. Rassurés par leur choix et par le patronage de l'archange saint Michel, les bourgeois de Grenoble crurent ainsi régler d'un seul coup tous leurs problèmes. Une attitude radicalement différente de celle des royaux.
Un empoisonnement à Paris : l'empoisonnement du sieur de Vaux (1742)
Authors: Jacquin Frédéric
Published: November 2007

Résumé L'historiographie des XIXe et XXe siècles s'est essentiellement attachée à l'étude des empoisonnements des xvr et XVIIe siècles. Des sondages réalisés dans les archives criminelles du Châtelet de Paris ont permis de mettre en évidence l'existence de nombreuses affaires d'empoisonnement au XVIIIe siècle. C'est à ces affaires criminelles qu'appartient l'empoisonnement du sieur de Vaux. Cet officier de la Reine, malade depuis longtemps, mourut violemment à Paris le jeudi 22 novembre de l'année 1742. S'est-il empoisonné lui même après avoir ingéré des remèdes traditionnels qu'il avait l'habitude de se confectionner? A-t-il été victime d'une intoxication alimentaire? A-t-il été victime d'un véritable empoisonnement? L'étude des pièces de ce dossier criminel ne permet pas vraiment de conclure sur ce fait. Elle permet cependant de reconstituer les différentes étapes de sa mort et les logiques de désignation d'un coupable idéal, en la personne de Marie Marguerite Gamier, sa maîtresse. L'analyse des interrogatoires des nombreux témoins de cette affaire qui ont considéré cette mort violente comme la conséquence de l'action d'un poison administré par une femme, révèle en fait, tout un contexte de phobies nées de la réactivation d'un imaginaire ancestral associant le poison à l'image de la femme. La méfiance par rapport à la nature féminine semble apparaître comme le fait de peurs très anciennes. Le stéréotype de l'empoisonneuse qui a participé à ces peurs et qui a été associé pendant longtemps à l'image de la sorcière semble, au XVIIIe siècle, s'en être détaché afin de constituer un modèle à part entière dont il ne serait en fait que le surgeon.
Influences étrangères et réforme intellectuelle du christianisme en France au XIXe siècle
Authors: Grondeux Jérôme
Published: November 2007

Résumé Le projet d'une réforme du christianisme visant à le réconcilier tout à la fois avec une société pluraliste et avec la culture contemporaine trouve en Schleiermacher un penseur de référence. Les efforts de renouvellement théologique du catholicisme et du protestantisme, perceptibles en Allemagne et en Grande-Bretagne, ne sont pas sans écho en France. La Revue des Deux Mondes, organe du libéralisme modéré français, envisage ainsi, face aux progrès du matérialisme, une convergence entre spiritualisme, protestantisme libéral, aile modérée du Réveil et catholicisme libéral. Ces efforts se heurtent à un double mouvement d'affirmation des identités confessionnelles et de montée de l'anticléricalisme. Mais des pensées à tendance réformatrice parviennent tout de même à pénétrer dans certains milieux du catholicisme français, comme celles de Newman et de Möhler.
Le discours anti-tyrannique dans la France d'Henri II : un des sens multiples du Pasquille sur la rébellion de Bordeaux et la conduite du connétable (1548)
Authors: Baranova Tatiana
Published: November 2007

Résumé Le Pasquille sur la rébellion de Bordeaux et la conduite du connétable, dont cet article présente l'édition et le commentaire, est un texte volontairement polysémique. Mais dans la multiplicité des lectures probables se détachent nettement les problématiques de la légitimité de l'opposition des sujets à l'administration royale ainsi que de la répression comme solution du conflit et, surtout, des abus tyranniques du représentant du roi, le connétable de Montmorency, refusant tout dialogue. Avec sa structure ouverte laissant au lecteur la possibilité de développer sa propre réflexion, le Pasquille lance le débat sur les limites du pouvoir.
Industries, forêts et pollution atmosphérique en RDA, 1949-1974
Authors: Dupuy Michel
Published: November 2007

Abstract Since the foundation of the GDR in 1949, the diverse pollution were studied. The scientists hoped that a socialist country until the mid -70s will not perpetrate the same errors as the «capitalists». In first times, they worked in a dispersed order, until 1956. After they began to organise and saw that air pollution was more a regional as a local problem. Between 1962 and 1974, the foresters try to discuss with the complex (combinat) and took legal action as expert beside the victims (foresters, farmers, and horticulturists) against the combinat but without a real success. At the beginning of the 70s, it was clear that the solution couldn't come from the industry but only from the forestry. The foresters had to adapt the trees to the air pollution.
La structure du déficit extérieur américain
Authors: Rivière Jean
Published: November 2007

Abstract This paper places the present American trade deficit in its historical context, starting with the rise of the United States to great power status in the 19th century. It probes the causes of the long- term phases of deficit, then of surplus, then of deficit again since 1972. It then shows what mechanisms increased the different kinds of deficits : firstly the deficit of the trade of goods, secondly the deficit of current accounts. An explanation is given for the position of the United States as net debtor to the rest of the world since 1985. To conclude, this papers draws attention to the worsening deficits of current accounts and of the federal budget in recent years, and shows that the present situation, characterised by a loss of confidence in the capitalist economy itself (caused by the aura of scandal which shrouded the bankruptcies of such companies as Enron and Worldcom), is eminently unstable.
Charge density effects on polyelectrolyte dynamic rheology
Authors: Harrington John C.
Published: November 2007

The dynamic rheological properties of an uncharged polymer and charged polyelectrolytes were evaluated in salt‐free water at various concentrations above the entanglement concentration. A poly(acrylic acid) homopolymer was used as the uncharged polymer and was ionized to anionic poly(acrylic acid‐co‐sodium acrylate) at five levels of ionization (0.05, 0.10, 0.15, 0.30, and 0.50). The polymers exhibited a terminal region at a low frequency and a plateau region at a high frequency. The dynamic data for the nonionic parent and all charged polymers could be reduced to a master curve, which indicated a similar distribution of relaxation times for the nonionic and charged polymers. The shear modulus, relaxation time, and zero shear viscosity properties exhibited a concentration and charge density dependence. Higher power‐law exponents for the rheological properties were noted for the nonionic polymer versus the charged derivatives. The number of mechanically active entanglements per number of chains increased with the polymer concentration and charge density. The total number of mechanically active entanglements per number of chains that occurred because of imposing a charge to the nonionic parent did not change with increased concentration, and this indicated a different entanglement mechanism for charged polymers in comparison with their nonionic parent. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Identifying interacting residues using Boolean Learning and Support Vector Machines: Case study on mRFP and DsRed proteins
Authors: Loo Bernard L. W. , Dubey Anshul , Realff Matthew J. , Lee Jay H. , Bommarius Andreas S.
Published: November 2007

In a protein, interactions exist between amino acid residues that influence the protein's structural integrity or stability and thus affect its catalytic function. The loss of this interaction due to mutations in these amino acids usually leads to a non‐functional protein. Probing the sequence space of a protein through mutations or recombinations, as performed in directed evolution to search for an improved variant, frequently results in such inactive sequences. In this work, we demonstrate the use of machine learning to identify such interacting residues and the use of template engineering strategies to increase the fraction of active variants in a library. We show that using the sequences from recombination of monomeric red fluorescent protein (mRFP) and Discosoma red fluorescent protein (DsRed), we were able to identify a pair of interacting residues using an algorithm based on Boolean Learning and Support Vector Machines. The interaction between the identified residues was verified through point mutations on the mRFP and DsRed genes. We also show that it is possible to use such results to alter the parental genes such that the probability of disrupting the important interactions is minimized. This will result in a larger fraction of active variants in the recombinant library and allow us to access more functional space. We demonstrate this effect by comparing the recombinant library of wild‐type (WT) DsRed, mRFP and an altered sequence of DsRed with mRFP WT genes.
Automatic dynamic modeling and simulation of underwater vehicles for virtual prototyping
Authors: Chiang Luciano E. , Nuñez Javier A.
Published: November 2007

This article describes the theoretical foundations of a software intended for the virtual prototyping of underwater vehicles (UV). The software called Voyager, has a powerful graphics interface for generating the model and subsequently visualizing the results of the simulations. It is written in C++, using the OpenGL graphics engine.. © 2007 wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 15: 340–346, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com); DOI 10.1002/cae.20139
Two Straightforward Strategies for the Synthesis of Thiodisaccharides with a Furanose Unit as the Nonreducing End
Authors: Repetto Evangelina , Marino Carla , Uhrig M. Laura , Varela Oscar
Published: November 2007

Thiodisaccharides having a 1‐thiopentofuranose nonreducing end were synthesized by two routes starting from per‐O‐acylaldofuranoses with arabino, ribo, and xylo configurations. These glycosyl donors were converted into S‐glycosyl isothiourea derivatives as precursors of 1‐thiofuranose units, which were generated in situ and trapped by a sugar enone to produce, by Michael addition, the thioglycosidic linkage. Alternatively, the MoO2Cl2‐promoted glycosylation of the thiol group of 6‐thiosugar derivatives by per‐O‐acylfuranose led to thiodisaccharides with exclusive 1,2‐trans diastereocontrol.(© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2008)
CXCL10 regulates liver innate immune response against ischemia and reperfusion injury
Authors: Zhai Yuan , Shen Xiu-Da , Gao Feng , Zhao Alice , Freitas Maria Cecilia , Lassman Charles , Luster Andrew D. , Busuttil Ronald W. , Kupiec-Weglinski Jerzy W.
Published: November 2007

We have shown that activation of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and its interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3)-dependent downstream signaling pathway are required for the development of liver ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI). This study focused on the role of TLR4-IRF3 activation pathway products, in particular, chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 10 (CXCL10). The induction of CXCL10 by liver IR was rapid (1 hour postreperfusion), restricted (ischemic lobes), and specific (no CXCL9 and CXCL11 induction). Functionally, CXCL10 was critical for IR-induced liver inflammation and hepatocellular injury. CXCL10 knockout (KO) mice were protected from IRI, as evidenced by reduced serum alanine aminotransferase (sALT) levels and preserved liver histological detail. The induction of pro-inflammatory genes, such as tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin 1β (IL-1β), IL-6, and IL-12β was diminished, whereas the induction of the IL-10 gene remained intact in CXCL10 KO mice, indicating an altered liver response against IR. This was accompanied by selective down-regulation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), but intact Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), activation in the KO IR livers. This altered liver inflammation response was (1) specific to IR, because lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced a comparable pro-inflammatory response in CXCL10 KO and wild-type (WT) mice; and (2) responsible for liver cytoprotection from IR, because neutralization of IL-10 restored local inflammation and hepatocellular damage.

Conclusion:

CXCL10 regulates liver inflammation response against IRI, and its deficiency protected livers from IRI by local IL-10–mediated cytoprotection. Targeting CXCL10 may provide a novel therapeutic means to ameliorate liver IRI in clinics. (Hepatology 2008.)
Leptin's mitogenic effect in human liver cancer cells requires induction of both methionine adenosyltransferase 2A and 2β
Authors: Ramani Komal , Yang Heping , Xia Meng , Ara Ainhoa Iglesias , Mato José M. , Lu Shelly C.
Published: November 2007

Leptin is an adiopokine that plays a pivotal role in the progression of liver fibrogenesis and carcinogenesis. Recently, leptin was shown to be mitogenic in human liver cancer cell lines HepG2 and Huh7. Whether leptin can act as a mitogen in normal hepatocytes is unclear. Methionine adenosyltransferase (MAT) is an essential enzyme that catalyzes the formation of S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe), the principal methyl donor and precursor of polyamines. Two genes (

MAT1A

and

MAT2A

) encode for the catalytic subunit of MAT, whereas a third gene (

MAT2β

) encodes for a regulatory subunit that modulates the activity of

MAT2A

-encoded isoenzyme. The aims of this study were to examine whether leptin's mitogenic activity involves

MAT2A

and

MAT2β

and whether this can be modulated. We found that leptin is mitogenic in HepG2 cells but not in primary human or mouse hepatocytes. Leptin induced the expression of

MAT2A

and

MAT2β

in HepG2 cells and normal human and mouse hepatocytes, but although it increased SAMe level in HepG2 cells, it had no effect on SAMe level in normal hepatocytes. Leptin-mediated induction of MAT genes and growth in HepG2 cells required activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase and phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase signaling pathways. Treatment with SAMe or its metabolite methylthioadenosine (MTA) lowered expression of

MAT2A

and

MAT2β

and blocked leptin-induced signaling, including an increase in MAT gene expression and growth. Increased expression of

MAT2A

and

MAT2β

is required for leptin to be mitogenic, although by entirely different mechanisms.

Conclusion:

Leptin induces

MAT2A

and

MAT2β

expression in HepG2 cells and normal hepatocytes but is mitogenic only in HepG2 cells. Pharmacological doses of SAMe or MTA lower expression of both

MAT2A

and

MAT2β

and interfere with leptin signaling. (Hepatology 2007.)
Sub‐micron and nanoscale feature depth modulates alignment of stromal fibroblasts and corneal epithelial cells in serum‐rich and serum‐free media
Authors: Fraser Sarah A. , Ting Yuk‐Hong , Mallon Kelly S. , Wendt Amy E. , Murphy Christopher J. , Nealey Paul F.
Published: November 2007

Topographic features are generally accepted as being capable of modulating cell alignment. Of particular interest is the potential that topographic feature geometry induces cell alignment indirectly through impacting adsorbed proteins from the cell culture medium on the surface of the substrate. However, it has also been reported that micron‐scale feature depth significantly impacts the level of alignment of cellular populations on topography, despite being orders of magnitude larger than the average adsorbed protein layer (nm). In order to better determine the impact of biomimetic length scale topography and adsorbed protein interaction on cellular morphology we have systematically investigated the effect of combinations of sub‐micron to nanoscale feature depth and lateral pitch on corneal epithelial cell alignment. In addition we have used the unique properties of a serum‐free media alternative in direct comparison to serum‐rich medium to investigate the role of culture medium protein composition on cellular alignment to topographically patterned surfaces. Our observation that increasing groove depth elicited larger populations of corneal epithelial cells to align regardless of culture medium composition and of cell orientation with respect to the topography, suggests that these cells can sense changes in topographic feature depths independent of adsorbed proteins localized along ridge edges and tops. However, our data also suggests a strong combinatory effect of topography with culture medium composition, and also a cell type dependency in determining the level of cell elongation and alignment to nanoscale topographic features. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res 2008
Factors influencing the properties of reconstituted collagen fibers prior to self‐assembly: Animal species and collagen extraction method
Authors: Zeugolis D. I. , Paul R. G. , Attenburrow G.
Published: November 2007

This research work allows a direct comparison between collagen solutions of equal concentration derived from the two widely used collagen sources: bovine Achilles tendon (BAT) and rat tail tendon (RTT), and extraction methods: acid (AS) and pepsin (PS) solubilization on the properties of extruded collagen fibers. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that the substructure of the collagen fibers was the same independent of the treatment. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that the AS collagen‐derived fibers were comprised of thick quarter‐staggered fibrils, while the coexistence of thin nonbanded and thick banded fibrils was apparent for the PS collagen‐derived fibers. The BAT‐derived fibers demonstrated higher denaturation temperature than the RTT‐derived ones (p < 0.05). The extraction method had no influence on the thermal characteristics of the fibers produced (p > 0.05). ASBAT collagen was of higher viscosity than both ASRTT and PSBAT (p < 0.002), and therefore larger diameter fibers were obtained (p < 0.001). An inversely proportional relationship between dry‐fiber diameter and stress at break was observed within the treatments. The PS yielded 10 times more soluble collagen from BAT and the derived fibers were of similar tensile strength, stiffness, and elongation (p > 0.05) as those derived from the AS collagen. No significant difference was observed for the stress at break for the ASBAT and the ASRTT, while significant difference was observed for the elongation and modulus values (p < 0.005). Overall, reconstituted collagen fibers were produced with properties similar to native or synthetic fibers to suit a wide range of tissue engineering applications. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res 2008
Functionally terminated poly(methyl acrylate) by SET‐LRP initiated with CHBr3 and CHI3
Authors: Lligadas Gerard , Ladislaw Janine S. , Guliashvili Tamaz , Percec Virgil
Published: November 2007

The single‐electron transfer living radical polymerization (SET‐LRP) of methyl acrylate initiated with bromoform (CHBr3) and iodoform (CHI3) and catalyzed by Cu(0)/Me6‐TREN in DMSO at 25 °C provides a reliable method to prepare poly (methyl acrylate) (PMA) with active chain ends and controlled structure that can undergo subsequent functionalization to provide strategies for the synthesis of different block copolymers and other complex architectures. A detailed kinetic and structural analysis was used to assess the scope and the limitations of CHBr3 and CHI3 as initiators under SET‐LRP conditions. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 278–288, 2008
Role of the arginine finger in Ras·RasGAP revealed by QM/MM calculations
Authors: te Heesen Henrik , Gerwert Klaus , Schlitter Jürgen
Published: November 2007

In the Ras·RasGAP complex, hydrolysis of guanosine triphosphate is strongly accelerated GAP as compared to Ras alone. This is largely attributed to the arginine finger R789GAP pointing to AlFx in the transition state analogue. We performed QM/MM simulations where triphosphate was treated using the quantum mechanical method of density functional theory, while the protein complex and water environment were described classically using MD. Compared to Ras, the crucial electron shift, bond stretching and distortion towards an eclipsed γ‐to‐β orientation are much more pronounced. The arginine finger is shown to act by displacing water out of the binding niche. The resulting enhanced electrostatic field catalyses the cleavage step.
Substitution of isoleucine L177 by histidine in Rhodobacter sphaeroides reaction center results in the covalent binding of PA bacteriochlorophyll to the L subunit
Authors: Fufina Tatiana Y. , Vasilieva Lyudmila G. , Khatypov Ravil A. , Shkuropatov Anatoly Ya. , Shuvalov Vladimir A.
Published: November 2007

In this work, we report the unique case of bacteriochlorophyll (BChl) – protein covalent attachment in a photosynthetic membrane complex caused by a single mutation. The isoleucine L177 was substituted by histidine in the photosynthetic reaction center (RC) of Rhodobacter sphaeroides. Pigment analysis revealed that one BChl molecule was missing in the acetone–methanol extract of the I(L177)H RCs. SDS–PAGE demonstrated that this BChl molecule could not be extracted with organic solvents apparently because of its stable covalent attachment to the mutant RC L‐subunit. Our data indicate that the attached bacteriochlorophyll is one of the special pair BChls, PA. The chemical nature of this covalent interaction remains to be identified.
Compound C inhibits hypoxic activation of HIF‐1 independent of AMPK
Authors: Emerling Brooke M. , Viollet Benoit , Tormos Kathryn V. , Chandel Navdeep S.
Published: November 2007

The key transcription factor that regulates the cellular responses to hypoxia is hypoxia inducible factor‐1 (HIF‐1). The signaling mechanisms that regulate the hypoxic activation of HIF‐1 are not fully understood. Our objective here was to test whether AMP‐activated kinase (AMPK) was an upstream regulator of HIF‐1. Our results show that AMPK is not required for the hypoxic activation of HIF‐1. Interestingly, the AMPK inhibitor, Compound C, inhibits the hypoxic activation of HIF‐1 independent of AMPK. Furthermore, we demonstrate that Compound C functions as a repressor of HIF‐1 by inhibiting respiration and suppressing mitochondrial generated ROS.
Comparative codon and amino acid composition analysis of Tritryps‐conspicuous features of Leishmania major
Authors: Chanda Ipsita , Pan Archana , Saha Sanjoy Kumar , Dutta Chitra
Published: November 2007

Comparative analyses of codon/amino acid usage in Leishmania major, Trypanosoma brucei and Trypanosoma cruzi reveal that gene expressivity and GC‐bias play key roles in shaping the gene composition of all three parasites, and protein composition of L. major only. In T. brucei and T. cruzi, the major contributors to the variation in protein composition are hydropathy and/or aromaticity. Principle of Cost Minimization is followed by T. brucei, disregarded by T. cruzi and opposed by L. major. Slowly evolving highly expressed gene‐products of L. major bear signatures of relatively AT‐rich ancestor, while faster evolution under GC‐bias has characterized the lowly expressed genes of the species by higher GC12‐content.
Intrinsic selectivity in binding of matrix metalloproteinase‐7 to differently charged lipid membranes
Authors: Ganguly Bratati , Banerjee Jayati , Elegbede Adekunle I. , Klocke Donald J. , Mallik Sanku , Srivastava D.K.
Published: November 2007

We provide evidence that matrix metalloproteinase‐7 (MMP‐7) interacts with anionic, cationic and neutral lipid membranes, although it interacts strongest with anionic membranes. While the catalytic activity of the enzyme remains unaffected upon binding to neutral and negatively charged membranes, it is drastically impaired upon binding to the positively charged membranes. The structural data reveal that the origin of these features lies in the “bipolar” distribution of the electrostatic surface potentials on the crystallographic structure of MMP‐7.
Developmental silencing and independency from E2F of apoptotic gene expression in postmitotic tissues
Authors: Zhang Jisheng , Bahi Núria , Zubiaga Ana M. , Comella Joan X. , Llovera Marta , Sanchis Daniel
Published: November 2007

The involvement of caspases in postmitotic cell death is controversial. Here we report that adult brain and heart are devoid of many key pro‐apoptotic proteins due to a progressive postnatal silencing event involving a reduction of their transcript levels. E2F has been shown to control cell cycle progression and to be transcriptional activator of apoptotic genes. However, our data demonstrate that apoptotic gene expression in heart, brain and liver, as well as cardiac and neuronal apoptotic gene silencing during development, are E2F‐independent events. Therefore, the genes regulating caspase‐dependent cell death are expressed in embryonic organs in an E2F‐independent manner and a developmental‐related silencing event represses these genes in postmitotic adult tissues.
Coenzyme Q10 does not protect cochlear hair cells from death in the ischemic organotypic culture
Authors: Khan Martin , Amarjargal Nyamaa , Gross Johann , Haupt Heidemarie , Scherer Hans , Mazurek Birgit
Published: November 2007

Objective

To evaluate in vitro the effect of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) on ischemia‐induced hair cell death.

Study Design

Organotypic cochlear cultures of newborn rats were subjected to ischemia with and without CoQ10.

Results

Addition of CoQ10 has not prevented HC loss.

Conclusion

CoQ10 seems to protect against only certain modes of cell death.
Edward Wilson: medical aspects of his life and career
Authors: Williams Isobel
Published: November 2007

Edward Wilson's career plans were changed by a diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis. This diagnosis is reviewed as are the ‘allergies’, hypothermia, vitamin C deficiency and other medical conditions encountered by Wilson between 1901 and 1912. Edgar Evans’ death on the return from the South Pole and a possible infective cause, is discussed.
EFFECT OF CHANGE OF SODIUM BALANCE ON THE CORTICOSTEROID RESPONSE TO ANGIOTENSIN II
Authors: Blair‐West JR , Coghlan JP , Denton DA , Scoggins BA , Wintour E Marelyn , Wright RD
Published: November 2007

Angiotensin II was infused into the adrenal arterial blood supply or intravenously in sheep which were either sodium replete, that is in normal sodium balance or sodium loaded, or sodium depleted by loss of parotid saliva. Aldosterone secretian was always increased in the sodium replete condition when the rate of infusion exceeded 0.1 μg./hr. intra‐arterially or 10 μg./hr. intravenously. The aldosterone response was greatly reduced when the animals were sodium loaded or sodium depleted. When sodium balance was positive, the increase of aldosterone secretion was inversely proportional to the plasma sodium concentration but it was not significantly related to the plasma potassium concentration. The inverse relation to plasma sodium did not continue into sodium depletion. When sodium balance was negative and plasma sodium concentration tended to be reduced, angiotensin infusion did not usually cause further increase of aldosterone secretion. Nephrectomy of sodium depleted animals caused aldosterone secretion to fall to basal in 8–12 hr. and restored the adrenal response to infused angiotensin II or sheep renin.

Secretion rates of cortisol and corticosterone were not increased significantly by infusion of angiotensin II into the adrenal arterial blood supply. Glucocorticoid secretion was usually increased during intravenous infusion, the effect on cortisol secrection being more consistent. Systemic infusion of angiotensin II at rates which cause lartic increases of blood pressure may also cause increased release of adrenocorticotrophic hormone.

It is concluded that the adrenal action of angiotensin II is primarily and predominantly on aldosterone secretion and the magnitude of this action is influenced by ambient sodium concentration and other humoral or intra‐adrenal factors operating in sodium depletion.
INHIBITION OF PROTEIN SYNTHESIS IN HUMAN LYMPHOCYTES BY THIOPURINES
Authors: Smith JL , Forbes IJ
Published: November 2007

Azathioprine, 6‐mercaptopurine and 6‐thioguanine inhibited synthesis of protein by human peripheral lymphocytes in vitro. Maximum inhibition occurred at concentration of about 60 μg./ml., whereas the blood concentrations do not exceed 2 μg./ml. Azathioprine was generally as inhibitory as 6‐mercaptopurine, or more inhibitory, at half the molar concentration. Azathioprine caused an accelerated rate of death from 12 to 24 hrs. in vitro not seen in cells incubated with 6‐mertaptopurine and 6‐thioguanine. These data correlate with greater effectiveness of azathioprine in suppressing immune responses in animals.

The effect of plasma on the inhibition caused by thiopurines was variable. The degree of inhibition was generally of the same order in the presence of phytohaemagglutinin. Azathioprine suppressed phytohaemagglutinin‐stimulated lymphocytes more than 6‐mercaptopurine.

2‐Hydroxy‐6‐mercaptopurine, 6‐mercaptopurine ribonucleoside, 6‐thiouric acid and 5‐mercapto‐1‐methyl‐4‐nitroimidazole (ammonium salt) caused little or no inhibition of protein synthesis by human lymphocytes. 6‐Mercaptopurine ribonucleoside and 6‐mercaptopurine ribonucleotide caused inhibition of protein synthesis by lymphocytes.

The pronounced inhibition of protein synthesis by the thiopurines contransted with smaller and less constant inhibition of incorporation of radioactive precursors into ribonucleic acid.
FACTORS FROM MOUSE TISSUES STIMULATING COLONY GROWTH OF MOUSE BONE MARROW CELLS IN VITRO
Authors: Bradley TR , Stanley ER , Sumner MA
Published: November 2007

When tested either by use as “organ culture feeder layers” or alternatively, by extraction prior to plating, several mouse tissues have been demonstrated to contain activity which stimulated colony development of mouse bone marrow cells in vitro

By the “feeder layer” technique adrenal, tail tendon, bladder, heart, skeletal muscle, uterus and lung tissues consistently showed activity. By the extraction technique skeletal muscle, thymus, lung, spleen and kidney tissue from 12–14 day old mice and heart, thymus, brain, gut, spleen and lung tissue from 3–4 month old mice were active. Activity was also extracted from whole embryo, placenta, foetal membrane and pregnant uterus tissue, the last three tissues showing approximately 10–50 times more activity than other tissues on a wet weight of tissue per volume of extract basis.

The active factor in an extract of pooled placenta, membrane and pregnant uterus tissues migrated in the β to α2‐globulin region on starch‐Geon block clectrophoresis. had an apparent sedimentation coefficient (S20,w) of 3·8 S and was partially purified by batch chromatography on calcium phosphate gel.
PROLONGED LYMPHOCYTOPENIA IN THE RAT
Authors: Roser Bruce , Ford WL
Published: November 2007

The intrasplenic infection of colloidal 185W tungsten trioxide is followed by a deficit of small lymphocytes in blood and thoracic duct lymph which persists for many weeks. Recirculating small lymphocytes are the only cells affected and the rats remain in good general condition. The immonological performance of such rats was compared to that of splenectomised controls.

The scrum haemolysin response to sheep erythrocytes was depressed by 3 log2 units. The primary agglutinin response to S. adelaide flagella was more depressed (by 5 log2 units) but the secondary response to flagella, in rats primed before lymphocytopenia was induced, was barely affected.

The effect of lymphocytopenia on skin allograft survival depended on whether a “weak” or “strong” antigenic difference was involved. Skin allograft survival in a weak strain combination (Ag‐B identical) was prolonged From 10 days to a mean of 22 days. By contrast, skin allograft survival in strong strain combinations (Ag‐B different) was only very marginally affected and thymectomy prior to the induction of lymphocytopenia had no additional effect. Although no explanation is provided for the discriminatory effect of lymphocytopenia on reactions to weak and strong histocompatibility antigens, it is probably associated with the much higher proportion of lymphocytes reactive to strong antigens.
IMMUNOLOGICAL SUPPRESSION OF PARASITE REJECTION BY REMOVAL OF SELECTED LYMPHOCYTE POPULATIONS: THE EFFECT OF NEONATAL THYMECTOMY AND ANTI‐THYMOCYTE SERUM ADMINISTRATION ON THE RESISTANCE OF RATS TO INFECTION WITH THE NEMATODE, NIPPOSTRONGYLUS BRASILIENSIS
Authors: Kelly JD
Published: November 2007

Neonatally thymectomised rats, infected with N. brasiliensis, showed significant increases in worm‐egg production and parasite survival when compared with sham‐thymectomised controls, particularly during the later stages of infection. Treatment of infected rats with rabbit anti‐rat thymocyte serum resulted in a highly significant suppression of parasite rejection. The production of reagin‐like antibody, directed at antigens of N. brasiliensis, was substantially inhibited in both neonatally thymectomised and anti‐rat thymocyte serum treated rats.

Neonatal thymectomy combined with anti‐rat thymocyte serum treatment, produced a much greater loss of resistance (as judged by worm‐egg production and parasite survival) than either neonatal thymectomy or anti‐rat thymocyte serum alone. Furthermore, reagin‐like antibody production was not detected at any stage during primary infection in neonatally thymectomised, anti‐rat thymocyte serum treated rats.

It is suggested that the lymphocytes involved in the lymphocyte‐mediated component of resistance of rats to N. brasiliensis infection are (a) long‐lived and (b) derived from and continually produced by the thymus, or are produced elsewhere and the presence of the thymus is essential for their functional development.
A MICROMETHOD FOR STIMULATION OF LYMPHOCYTES BY PHYTOHAEMAGGLUTININ
Authors: Keast D , Bartholomaeus WN
Published: November 2007

A new in vitro micromethod for stimulation of lymphocytes by phytohaemagglutinin has been developed. The method enables the measurement of the lymphocyte response to phytohaemagglutinin of individual mice. The test is equally applicable to human and marsupial lymphocytes.
PARTIAL HYPOGONADOTROPHIC HYPOGONADISM: STUDIES OF PITUITARY FUNCTION AND OF THE PITUITARY‐TESTICULAR RELATIONSHIP IN TWO PATIENTS
Authors: Baker HWG , Burger IL G , Hudson B , Kretser DM
Published: November 2007

The case records and results of investigations of two males with partial forms of hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism are described. In one there was associated cryptorchidism, normal plasma levels, metabolic clearance rate and plasma protein binding of testosterone, yet clinical features of androgen deficiency were marked and these responded poorly to chorionic gonadotrophin but well to androgen therapy. A degree of resistance to the action of testosterone is postulated. In the second patient both gonadotrophins appeared to be deficient, yet chorionic gonadotrophin therapy alone produced spermatogenesis. The importance of preliminary HCG therapy in the treatment of infertility in patients with hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism is stressed.
AMINO ACID TRANSPORT IN THE DEVELOPING CHICKEN KIDNEY
Authors: Cooke Helen , Young JA
Published: November 2007

The excretion and reabsorption of the amino acids alanine, glycine, tyrosine and lysine by the kidney were studied in chick embryos 1 day before hatching and in newly hatched chickens 5‐ or 10‐days‐old. Endogenous clearances of glycine, tyrosine and lysine were markedly lower in embryos than in hatched chickens. However, when endogenous clearances were expressed relative to glomerular filtration rate the percentages of the filtered loads of alanine, glycine and tyrosine excreted were greater in the embryo than in the hatched chickens; only for lysine was there an increase after hatching in the percentage of the filtered load excreted. Reabsorptive rates (expressed per g of kidney tissue) of lysine, glycine and alanine increased markedly after hatching but tyrosine reabsorption remained relatively constant. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that the affinities or capacities of the active transport systems increase with developmental age and that the various transport systems believed to exist seem not to develop at the same rate. Exogenous alanine clearances were studied in 10‐12‐day‐old chickens. As plasma concentrations of alanine increased absorption also increased and no tubular transport maximum could be demonstrated.
IMMUNOCHEMICAL STUDIES OF THE O‐ANTIGENS OF VIBRIO CHOLERAE. PARTIAL CHARACTERIZATION OF AN ACID‐LABILE ANTIGENIC DETERMINANT
Authors: Redmond JW , Korsch MJ , Jackson GDF
Published: November 2007

Strong cross‐reactions were observed between cell wall lipopolysaccharides from several strains of Vibrio cholerae. Each preparation suffered profound loss of serological activity on treatment with hot dilute acetic acid; in each case the concomitant release of fructose is suggestive of its involvement in an important antigenic determinant.
CENTRAL NERVOUS RESETTING OF BARORECEPTOR REFLEXES
Authors: Korner PI , West MJ , Shaw J
Published: November 2007

Stimulus‐response curves were derived in unanaesthetized rabbits relating menu arterial pressure to heart period (pulse interval). Arterial and atrial pressure were altered by graded inflation of balloons placed around the upper abdominal aorta and inferior vena cava. The stimulus‐response curves differed significantly between sham‐operated, thalamic and pontine rabbits, indicating that suprapontine as well as bulbar heart rate centres normally participated in reflexes arising from circulatory baroreceptors. The stimulus‐response curves were also used to determine whether generalized disturbances acted independently of the input from the baroreceptors on a distinctive part of the heart rate motoneurone pool, or whether they interacted with the baroreceptor input because of convergence on to common autonomic motoneurones. Vagal afferents from lung inflation receptors acted independently of the baroreceptor input on cardiac sympathetic motoneurones. Chemoreceptor stimulation produced by severe arterial hypoxia acted on a distinctive section of the motoneurone pool, but also interacted with the baroreceptor input on common motoneurone sites. This interaction increased the threshold to baroreceptor stimuli in both sham‐operated and pontine animals, thus altering baroreceptor reflex performance from regulator to servomechanism action. Because of this type of interaction, the reflex response to multiple inputs is not the same as the sum of individual reflex effects studied under controlled conditions.
CHANGES IN CELL CULTURES PRODUCED BY TOXIC LUPIN EXTRACTS
Authors: Petterson DS , Coackley W
Published: November 2007

Toxic lupin extracts affected the nuclear apparatus of cells in lamb kidney tissue culture, leading to arrest at metaphase and the production of mutinucleated cells. Some cells in arrested metaphase adopt bizarre shapes (“lup” cells).

Results showed that cell cultures compared favourably with mice for the detection of toxicity in lupin extracts.