bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Interactions between c-Jun, Nuclear Factor 1, and JC Virus Promoter Sequences: Implications for Viral Tropism
Authors: Ravichandran Veerasamy , Sabath Bruce F. , Jensen Peter N. , Houff Sidney A. , Major Eugene O.
Published: October 2006

The infectious cycle of the human polyomavirus JC (JCV) is ultimately regulated in cellular nuclei at the level of viral protein expression and genomic replication. Such activity is prompted by interactions between variant nucleotide sequences within the JCV regulatory region (promoter) and cellular transcription factors that bind specific DNA consensus sites. In previous work we identified an NF-1 class member, NF-1X, as a critical transcription factor affecting the JCV cellular host range. Within variant JCV promoters, as well as other viral and cellular promoters, adjacently located NF-1 and AP-1 consensus sites are often found. The close proximity of these two binding sites suggests the opportunity for interaction between NF-1 and AP-1 proteins. Here, by electrophoretic mobility shift assays, we show temporal and dose-dependent interference by an AP-1 family member, c-Jun, upon NF-1 proteins binding an NF-1 consensus site derived from JCV promoter sequence. Moreover, as demonstrated by protein-protein interaction assays, we identify specific binding affinity independent of DNA binding between NF-1X and c-Jun. Finally, to compare the binding profiles of NF-1X and c-Jun on JCV promoter sequence in parallel with in vivo detection of viral activity levels, we developed an anchored transcriptional promoter (ATP) assay. With use of extracts from JCV-infected cells transfected to overexpress either NF-1X or c-Jun, ATP assays showed concurrent increases in NF-1X binding and viral protein expression. Conversely, increased c-Jun binding accompanied decreases in both NF-1X binding and viral protein expression. Therefore, inhibition of NF-1X binding by c-Jun appears to play a role in regulating levels of JCV activity.
Herpes Simplex Virus 1 DNA Packaging Proteins Encoded by U
L
6, U
L
15, U
L
17, U
L
28, and U
L
33 Are Located on the External Surface of the Viral Capsid
Authors: Wills Elizabeth , Scholtes Luella , Baines Joel D.
Published: October 2006

Studies to localize the herpes simplex virus 1 portal protein encoded by U
L
6, the putative terminase components encoded by U
L
15, U
L
28, and U
L
33, the minor capsid proteins encoded by U
L
17, and the major scaffold protein ICP35 were conducted. ICP35 in B capsids was more resistant to trypsin digestion of intact capsids than pU
L
6, pU
L
15, pU
L
17, pU
L
28, or pU
L
33. ICP35 required sectioning of otherwise intact embedded capsids for immunoreactivity, whereas embedding and/or sectioning decreased the immunoreactivities of pU
L
6, pU
L
17, pU
L
28, and pU
L
33. Epitopes of pU
L
15 were recognized roughly equally well in both sectioned and unsectioned capsids. These data indicate that pU
L
6, pU
L
17, pU
L
28, pU
L
33, and at least some portion of pU
L
15 are located at the external surface of the capsid.
The Cytoplasmic Tail of the Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus F Protein Plays Critical Roles in Cellular Localization of the F Protein and Infectious Progeny Production
Authors: Oomens Antonius G. P. , Bevis Kevin P. , Wertz Gail W.
Published: October 2006

The importance of the F protein cytoplasmic tail (CT) for replication of human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) was examined by monitoring the behavior of viruses expressing F proteins with a modified COOH terminus. The F protein mutant viruses were recovered and amplified under conditions where F protein function was complemented by expression of a heterologous viral envelope protein. The effect of the F protein modifications was then examined in the context of a viral infection in standard cell types (Vero and HEp-2). The F protein modifications consisted of a deletion of the predicted CT or a replacement of the CT with the CT of the vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) G protein. In addition, engineered HRSVs that lacked all homologous glycoprotein genes (SH, G, and F) and expressed instead either the authentic VSV G protein or a VSV G containing the HRSV F protein CT were examined. We found that deletion or replacement of the F protein CT seriously impaired the production of infectious progeny. Cells infected with viruses bearing CT modifications displayed increased F protein surface expression and increased syncytium formation. The distribution of F protein in the plasma membrane of infected cells was altered, resulting in an F protein that was evenly distributed rather than localized predominantly to virus-induced surface filaments. CT deletion or exchange also abrogated interaction of F protein with Triton-insoluble lipid rafts. Addition of the F protein CT to the VSV G protein, expressed as the only viral glycoprotein in an HRSV genome, had the opposite effects: the number of infectious progeny was higher, the surface distribution was changed from relatively even to localized, and the proportion of VSV G protein associated with lipid rafts was higher. Together, these results show that the HRSV F protein CT plays a critical role in F protein cellular localization and production of infectious virus and suggest that the function provided by the CT is independent of the F protein ectodomain and transmembrane domain and is mediated by F protein-lipid raft interaction.
P2X purinergic receptor-mediated ionic current in cardiac myocytes of calsequestrin model of cardiomyopathy: implications for the treatment of heart failure
Authors: Shen Jian-Bing , Cronin Chunxia , Sonin Dmitry , Joshi Bhalchandra V. , Gongora Nieto Maria , Harrison David , Jacobson Kenneth A. , Liang Bruce T.
Published: October 2006

P2X purinergic receptors, activated by extracellular ATP, mediate a number of cardiac cellular effects and may be important under pathophysiological conditions. The objective of the present study was to characterize the P2X receptor-mediated ionic current and determine its role in heart failure using the calsequestrin (CSQ) model of cardiomyopathy. Membrane currents under voltage clamp were determined in myocytes from both wild-type (WT) and CSQ mice. The P2X agonist 2-methylthio-ATP (2-meSATP) induced an inward current that was greater in magnitude in CSQ than in WT ventricular cells. The novel agonist, MRS-2339, an N-methanocarba derivative of 2-chloro-AMP relatively resistant to nucleotidase, induced a current in the CSQ myocyte similar to that by 2-meSATP. When administered via a miniosmotic pump (Alzet), it significantly increased longevity compared with vehicle-injected mice (log rank test, P = 0.02). The improvement in survival was associated with decreases in the heart weight-to-body weight ratio and in cardiac myocyte cross-sectional area [MRS-2339-treated mice: 281 ± 15.4 (SE) μm2, n = 6 mice vs. vehicle-treated mice: 358 ± 27.8 μm2, n = 6 mice, P < 0.05]. MRS-2339 had no vasodilator effect in mouse aorta ring preparations, indicating that its salutary effect in heart failure is not because of any vascular unloading. The cardiac P2X current is upregulated in the CSQ heart failure myocytes. Chronic administration of a nucleotidase-resistant agonist confers a beneficial effect in the CSQ model of heart failure, apparently via an activation of the cardiac P2X receptor. Cardiac P2X receptors represent a novel and potentially important therapeutic target for the treatment of heart failure.
The mechanism of flow-induced dilation in human adipose arterioles involves hydrogen peroxide during CAD
Authors: Phillips Shane A. , Hatoum O. A. , Gutterman David D.
Published: October 2006

Flow-induced dilation (FID) is an important physiological stimulus that regulates tissue blood flow and is mediated by endothelium-derived factors that play a role in vascular integrity and the development of atherosclerosis. In coronary artery disease (CAD), conduit artery FID is impaired. The purpose of this study was to determine the mechanism of FID in human visceral adipose and examine whether the presence of conduit coronary atherosclerosis is associated with altered endothelial function in visceral fat. FID was determined in isolated visceral fat arterioles from patients with and without CAD. After constriction with endothelin-1, increases in flow produced an endothelium-dependent vasodilation that was sensitive to Nω-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME) in visceral fat arterioles from patients without CAD. In contrast, l-NAME alone or in combination with indomethacin had no effect on FID in similarly located arterioles from patients with CAD. Flow increased dichlorofluorescein (DCF) and dihydroethidium fluorescence accumulation in arterioles from patients with CAD versus without, indicative of the production of oxidative metabolites and superoxide, respectively. Both the dilation and DCF fluorescence to flow were reduced in the presence of the H2O2scavenger polyethylene glycol-catalase. Exogenous H2O2elicited similar relaxations of arterioles from patients in both groups. These data indicate that FID in visceral fat arterioles is nitric oxide dependent in the absence of known CAD. However, in the presence of CAD, H2O2replaces nitric oxide as the mediator of endothelium-dependent FID. This study provides evidence that adverse microvascular changes during CAD are evident in human visceral adipose, a tissue associated with CAD.
Tachykinin-1 receptor stimulates proinflammatory gene expression in lung epithelial cells through activation of NF-κB via a Gq-dependent pathway
Authors: Williams Ronald , Zou Xiaoyan , Hoyle Gary W.
Published: October 2006

The respiratory tract is innervated by irritant-responsive sensory nerves, which, on stimulation, release tachykinin neuropeptides in the lung. Tachykinins modulate inflammatory responses to injury by binding to tachykinin (neurokinin) receptors present on various pulmonary cell types. In the present study, the activation of the proinflammatory transcription factor NF-κB in lung epithelial cells was investigated as a mechanism by which tachykinins stimulate inflammatory processes. In A549 human lung epithelial cells transfected with the tachykinin-1 receptor (Tacr1), treatment with the Tacr1 ligand substance P (SP) resulted in NF-κB activation, as judged by transcription of an NF-κB-luciferase reporter gene and production of interleukin-8, a chemokine whose expression is upregulated by NF-κB. SP caused a dose-dependent activation of NF-κB that was inhibited by the selective Tacr1 antagonist RP67580. Tacr1 is a G protein-coupled receptor capable of activating both the Gqand Gsfamilies of G proteins. Expression of inhibitory peptides and constitutively active G protein mutants revealed that Gqsignaling was both necessary for Tacr1-induced NF-κB activation and sufficient for NF-κB activation in the absence of any other treatment. Treatment with pharmacological inhibitors to investigate events downstream of Gqrevealed that Tacr1-induced NF-κB activation proceeded through an intracellular signaling pathway that was dependent on phospholipase C, calcium, Ras, Raf-1, MEK, Erk, and proteasome function. These results identify intracellular signaling mechanisms that underlie the proinflammatory effects of tachykinins, which previously have been implicated in lung injury and disease.
On Striking the Balance of Shareholder Interests During the Consolidation of Shares
Authors: Popondopulo Vladimir , Bushev Andrei
Published: October 2006

The authors present an analysis of the developments in Russian state policy in finding a balance of interests between majority and minority stockholders in the event of the use of the legal institution of consolidation of shares. They argue that in the contemporary economic and legal environment, the development of corporate governance in Russia will be drawn towards the German model (in the traditional conception thereof) with its orientation to a large degree on the protection of strategic investors.The incentivization of institution and individual investors in the corporate governance of a company may significantly be supported by the Russian state during the next stage of economic development of the RF, as the institutional infrastructure, as well as enforcement practice will be improved. That having been said, in resolving a conflict (including in the promulgation of legal norms) among various groups of shareholders, it goes without saying that the lawful interests of all actors need to be taken into account. On the basis of Russian legislation and case law of the RF Constitutional Court, the authors set forth arguments supporting the conclusion that corporate governance is a tool by which, firstly, provision is made for various interests, and secondly risk of abuse by person having a significant degree of managerial influence is lowered.If, at the end of the day, the public interest dictates the necessity of a redistribution in law of the risks (of possible gain and loss) in favor of one of the actors involved in an economic conflict (for Russia this would be strategic investors), the interests of the "suffering" investors (first and foremost individual investors) must be restored by way of the payment to them of reasonable compensation. The redistribution in legislative acts of risks in favor of one of the parties in a stockholders' dispute must be fair (spravedlivyi). Therefore, a diminution of interests must not only be accompanied by the payment of compensation but must, also, be grounded in the consent of the party that has suffered the diminution of its interests. This line of thinking is illustrated by examples from the case law of the Russian Federation Constitutional Court including the issue of the constitutionality of consolidating shares of stock.
The Legal Nature of Bank Deposits
Authors: Laurinavičius Kęstutis
Published: October 2006

The author examines the legal nature of rights that a person acquires upon transfer of money to a bank. In particular, a question arises who the owner of money held with a bank is. The author argues that a distinction is to be made between actual banknotes or coins that are transferred and a 'deposit', i.e., personal claim against the bank. The article describes the position of Lithuanian law in relation to the bank deposit and concludes that the main legal features of bank deposit are similar to those of a loan. Upon transfer of banknotes or coins to the bank, the latter normally acquires ownership thereof, and the depositor acquires personal rights against the bank. Although the depositor may also be regarded as the owner of such a claim, the object of such ownership is incorporeal and is not related to the banknotes or coins transferred to the bank.
Shades of Threat: Racial Identity as a Moderator of Stereotype Threat
Authors: Davis Claytie , Aronson Joshua , Salinas Moises
Published: October 2006

This study investigated Black racial identity attitudes as a moderator of intellectual performance in potentially stereotype threatening situations. Ninety-eight African American students were randomly assigned to one of three stereotype threatening conditions: low threat, medium threat, or high threat. Analyses confirmed a stereotype threat effect with participants performing significantly better on the task in the low threat condition. Additional analyses of the test takers’ racial identity profiles under high and low threat conditions revealed a significant interaction between Internalization status attitudes and the type of threat condition. In the low stereotype threat condition, Internalization status attitudes moderated performance on the intellectual task (i.e., items from the verbal section of the GRE). In this condition, after controlling for SAT verbal score, students who strongly endorsed Internalization racial identity attitudes correctly solved more items than students who did not identify as strongly with Internalization status attitudes. Implications of these findings are discussed.
Perceived Racial Discrimination, Social Support, and Psychological Adjustment Among African American College Students
Authors: Prelow Hazel M. , Mosher Catherine E. , Bowman Marvella A.
Published: October 2006

The purpose of this study was to examine three competing models of the relations among perceived discrimination, social support, and indicators of psychological adjustment in a sample of 135 African American college students. The three competing models, social support buffering, social support mobilization, and social support deterioration, were tested within a regression framework. The buffering model, which predicted that social support would interact with perceived discrimination such that individuals with high levels of social support would be protected from the harmful effects of discrimination, was not supported. The social support mobilization model, which predicted that support networks would mobilize to support individuals exposed to discrimination, was also not supported. Support was only obtained for the social support deterioration model, which predicted that social support would decrease for those exposed to discrimination. Perceived racial discrimination was associated with lower perceptions of social support, greater symptoms of depression, and lower levels of life satisfaction.
Religiosity, Adherence to Traditional Culture, and Psychological Well-Being Among African American Elders
Authors: Jang Yuri , Borenstein Amy R. , Chiriboga David A. , Phillips Karon , Mortimer James A.
Published: October 2006

To expand our knowledge on the role of religiosity in African American culture, this study assessed the associations among religiosity, adherence to traditional African American culture, and psychological well-being. Regression models of psychological well-being, indexed with depressive symptoms and life satisfaction, were tested using a representative sample of 255 community-dwelling African American older adults in Hillsborough County, Florida. The direct effect of religiosity was found to be significant for both depressive symptoms and life satisfaction. A significant interaction between religiosity and adherence to African American culture was observed in the prediction of life satisfaction. Further analyses indicated that the positive effect of religiosity on life satisfaction was stronger in the more traditional group compared to that in the less traditional group. The results demonstrate that the benefits of religiosity do not exist uniformly across all African Americans but vary by the level of adherence to traditional culture.
An Examination of Full-Time Employment in the Direct-Care Workforce
Authors: Potter Sharyn J. , Churilla Allison , Smith Kristin
Published: October 2006

The article provides a sociodemographic and socioeconomic portrait of individuals in the direct-care workforce. Multinomial logistic regression is used to compare socioeconomic and sociodemographic predictors of part-time and full-time employment in the direct-care occupation and other occupations using data from the 2003 and 2004 Annual Social and Economic Surveys. The results indicate that race, limited education, and having children younger than age 6 are significant predictors of full-time employment in direct care. Full-time and part-time direct-care employees are significantly less likely to have job-related health insurance than those in other occupations. Despite the recognized needs of older Americans and the decreasing number of women available to provide such care, development of this workforce is not a policy priority. State and federal policies should provide the direct-care workforce with wages and benefits sufficient to support their families and enable them to remain in the workforce providing consistent and competent elderly care.
Focus on Leisure Repertoire in the Oldest Old: The Umeå 85+ Study
Authors: Nilsson Ingeborg , Löfgren Britta , Fisher Anne G. , Bernspång Birgitta
Published: October 2006

This study elucidates the oldest olds’ leisure repertoire and how this repertoire varies due to gender, where they live, and cognitive status. A validated 20-item leisure interest checklist with four subscales was used to measure leisure participation and investigate the leisure repertoire among participants. The oldest old were most likely to be interested in, perform, be motivated for, and perceive well-being from social activities, cultural activities, and TV/video/movies. The respondents were least likely to be interested in, perform, be motivated for, and perceive well-being from equipment sports and ball games. Some gender, geographic differences, and differences in cognitive status were found. The oldest old were more likely to endorse the same activities across all subscales of the checklist, but the linear magnitude varied across sub-scales. The relationships between performance and the other subscales suggested that a sense of engagement or participation is related to actual performance.
Liberation and Revitalization: The Choice and Meaning of Higher Education Among Israeli Female Students in Midlife
Authors: Oplatka Izhar , Tevel Tova
Published: October 2006

From a life-stage perspective, the purpose of this study was to examine the motivation of female students in midlife to enroll in an undergraduate or graduate program and the meaning they attach to higher education (HE) in general. An additional purpose was to reveal these women’s subjective perceptions of the benefits they gained from HE at this stage of life. Based on semistructured interviews with 15 Israeli women students in midlife, the results show that major processes experienced by women at this stage, such as a search for self-fulfillment and individual change, are related explicitly to the women’s decision to enroll in an HE institution. Likewise, the benefits of HE are constructed in terms of reframing identity, well-being, self-growth, and the like rather than extrinsic motives. Empirical and practical implications are discussed.
Legislative Issue Advertising in the 108th Congress Pluralism or Peril?
Authors: Falk Erika , Grizard Erin , McDonald Gordon
Published: October 2006

Legislative issue advertisements (also called “pure” issue ads) are ads about issues of public policy and not products or candidates. As such, they are not regulated under federal campaign finance laws. This study estimates the cost in air time and print space of legislative print and television issue ads that ran in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area during the 108th Congress.The authors identified 67,653 ads with an estimated cost of $404 million.The bulk of ad spending was concentrated among a small group of sponsors. One percent of organizations accounted for 57 percent of the total spending. Business interests outspent citizen/cause interests by more than five to one.All told, 94 percent of the specific issues examined were the subject of unbalanced persuasive efforts.The authors also analyzed spending in relation to reported lobbying expenditures. Results are interpreted in the context of traditional theories about the role of pluralism in insuring a healthy democracy.
Minorities in the Official Media
Authors: Hoddie Matthew
Published: October 2006

This article documents and provides an explanation for changing levels of government attention to minority populations in the People's Republic of China. Employing a content analysis of People's Daily (Renmin Ribao) newspapers published between 1949 and 1989, the author demonstrates that a relationship exists between periods of heightened interethnic tensions and greater levels of official media attention to minority groups.This proves true even though the news items published in the wake of minority-centered protests and violence typically do not describe acts of opposition. The author further finds that the state's favored propaganda tactic when confronting ethnic-based resistance movements is to emphasize the economic and social benefits enjoyed by minorities under the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party. The article concludes by considering the implications of these findings for understanding the relationship between authoritarian governments and their minority populations.
Aggravation of intestinal inflammation by depletion/deficiency of γδ T cells in different types of IBD animal models
Authors: Kühl Anja A , Pawlowski Nina N , Grollich Katja , Loddenkemper Christoph , Zeitz Martin , Hoffmann Jörg C
Published: October 2006

The role of γδ T cells in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is still controversial. Although γδ T cells induce IBD in immunodeficient animals, others suggest a protective role of γδ T cells. Therefore, this study was conducted in order to elucidate the effect of γδ T cell depletion/deficiency on different IBD animal models. Mice depleted of or deficient in γδ T cells were exposed to dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) in order to induce colitis. In addition, γδ T cells were depleted in mice with terminal ileitis (TNFΔARE) or colitis due to interleukin 2 deficiency (IL-2 ko). Finally, DSS-induced colitis was studied in mice deficient in interferon gamma (IFN-γ ko) upon γδ T cell depletion. Depletion of γδ T cells aggravated DSS-induced colitis and terminal ileitis of TNFΔARE mice. Exacerbated DSS-induced colitis was also found in γδ T cell-deficient mice. IL-2 ko mice showed increased mortality upon early (starting at 4 wk of age) but not late depletion (starting at 8 wk of age). Early γδ T cell depletion or deficiency resulted in increased IFN-γ production by both lamina propria lymphocytes and splenocytes in every model investigated herein. In IFN-γ ko mice, γδ T cell depletion did not affect the development and course of DSS-induced colitis. The protective effect of γδ T cells in IBD was confirmed in various IBD animal models. Particularly, during the early phase of intestinal inflammation, γδ T cells appear to be important. The mechanism seems to involve the control of IFN-γ production and epithelial regeneration.
The effect of sulfite and chronic restraint stress on brain lipid peroxidation and anti-oxidant enzyme activities
Authors: Derin Narin , Yargiçoğlu Piraye , Aslan Mutay , Elmas Oğuz , Agar Aysel , Aicigüzel Yakup
Published: October 2006

Sulfites are used as anti-microbial and anti-oxidant agents in a variety of drugs, and function as a preservative in many food preparations. In addition to these effects, sulfites oxidize to sulfite radicals initiating lipid peroxidation. The objective of our study was to investigate the effect of restraint stress and sulfite on brain lipid peroxidation and anti-oxidant enzyme activities. Forty male Wistar rats, aged three months, were randomized to one of the following groups: control, restraint stress, sulfite-treated and restraint stress-/sulfite-treated. Chronic restraint stress was applied for 21 days (1 h/day) and sodium metabisulfite (520 mg/kg per day) was given by gavage for the same period. Lipid peroxidation was measured using the thiobarbituric acid (TBA) fluorometric assay. TBA-reactive substances (TBARS) were found increased in all treatment groups when compared to the control group. Spectrophotometric measurement of copper/zinc superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn SOD) and catalase (CAT) revealed decreased enzyme activities in rats exposed to restraint stress compared to control and sulfite-treated rats. GSH-Px activities were significantly decreased in the restraint stress and sulfite-treated rats compared with the control rats. GSH-Px activity measured in restraint stress-/sulfite-treated rats was significantly lower than in the other groups. The presented data confirms the pro-oxidant activity of restraint stress and establishes that decreased anti-oxidant enzyme activities in restraint stress-treated rats enhances brain lipid peroxidation caused via the ingestion of sulfites.
Performing Palladio
Authors: Economou Athanassios , Swarts Matthew
Published: October 2006

The relevance of music theory as an interpretive framework for the understanding of Palladio's work has been one of the most debated subjects in the realm of architectural theory and criticism. Typically the debate is quite abstract and it focuses on possible mappings between the ratios found in Palladio's plans and corresponding ratios used in contemporary musical temperaments. The paper here rather focuses on the actual performance of the ratios found in Palladio's work and the implications of this performance, melodic and harmonic, for the perception of the space for a situated observer/performer. To that extent the study suggests a model of mapping between space, sound and color and correlates that with polygon partition theory to simulate movement within a space. A brief account of the computer implementation with game engines technology is provided in the end. All examples to test these ideas are based on Palladio's Villa Capra.
The Eagle Project: phase I begins
Authors: Rainsbury Dick
Published: October 2006

The current Hill Surgical Workshop has been an outstanding success ever since it was commissioned 14 years ago. It has been used intensively by all nine surgical specialties for a wide range of cadaver-based practical skills courses. These have catered for all levels of experience and they provide without doubt the most popular form of support for surgical training that has ever been developed by the College.
In the footsteps of Dr David Livingstone
Authors: Norrish Alan
Published: October 2006

About 150 years ago the first British doctor set foot in what is now known as the Central African country of Malawi; he was the intrepid missionary, explorer, diplomat and medical doctor, Dr David Livingstone. What he found there was terrible suffering, in part a result of the horrific slave trade. No doubt things have changed considerably since that time: there are now roads, schools and hospitals. Nevertheless, there is still terrible suffering from disease and disability.
Measurement of Fibrosis Marker Xylosyltransferase I Activity by HPLC Electrospray Ionization Tandem Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Kuhn Joachim , Prante Christian , Schön Sylvia , Götting Christian , Kleesiek Knut
Published: October 2006

Background: Xylosyltransferase I (XT-I), the key enzyme in the biosynthesis of glycosaminoglycan chains in proteoglycans, has increased activity in the blood serum of patients with connective tissue diseases. Therefore, the measurement of serum XT-I activity is useful to monitor disease activity in these patients.

Methods: We developed an HPLC electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry method to assay XT-I activity in serum by use of a synthetic peptide (Bio–BIK-F) as the XT-I substrate. On the basis of XT-I-mediated transfer of D-xylose from UDP-D-xylose to the synthetic peptide to form Bio-BIK-F-Xyl, we determined XT-I activity in human serum samples.

Results: Multiple calibration curves for the analysis of Bio-BIK-F-Xyl exhibited consistent linearity and reproducibility in the range of 0.20–20 mg/L, corresponding to XT-I activity of 1.14–114 mU/L under assay conditions. The mean (SD, range) XT-I activity values in 30 blood donor sera were 18.4 (3.0, 8.7–24.8) mU/L. The limit of detection and lower limit of quantification were 8.5 μg/L (0.05 mU/L) and 163 μg/L Bio-BIK-F-Xyl (0.93 mU/L XT-I activity), respectively. Interassay imprecision (CV) was 5.4%–26.1% in the range of 0.64 to 129 mU/L, and mean recovery was 107% (range, 96%–129%). Method comparison with the radiochemical assay showed a moderate correlation (r = 0.79). The Passing–Bablok regression line was: radiochemical assay = 0.045 LC-MS/MS + 0.061 mU/L, Sy|x = 0.186.

Conclusions: This simple and robust LC-MS/MS assay permits the rapid and accurate determination of XT-I activity in human serum.
Quantification of Urinary Oxalate by Liquid Chromatography–Tandem Mass Spectrometry with Online Weak Anion Exchange Chromatography
Authors: Keevil Brian G , Thornton Susan
Published: October 2006

Background: Urinary oxalate is commonly measured with an enzymatic assay that is specific but requires a manual clean-up step to reduce ascorbic acid interference. We developed a urinary oxalate assay that uses liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) with anion exchange chromatography and simple sample preparation.

Methods: We added calibrator or urine sample (10 μL) to 10 μL of 13C2 oxalate and 400 μL of water and performed separation on a Waters OASIS WAX column, flow rate 0.6 mL/min, and then elution for 0.3 min with water containing 2 mmol/L ammonium acetate and 1 mL/L formic acid and for 1.0 min with 750 mL/L methanol containing 20 mL/L ammonia. We detected multiple reaction monitoring transitions m/z 88.6 > 60.5 and m/z 90.5 > 61.5 for oxalic acid and 13C2-oxalate, respectively, with a Quattro micro tandem mass spectrometer in electrospray-negative mode.

Results: Oxalate and 13C2-oxalate eluted at 1.2 min. Mean recovery was 95%, limit of detection 3.0 μmol/L, lower limit of quantification 100.0 μmol/L, linearity to 2212 μmol/L, imprecision <6%, and bias <3% at 166, 880, and 1720 μmol/L. Oxalate eluted after the main area of ion suppression. Mean response ratios for urine and aqueous samples, enriched at 200 and 1000 μmol/L, were 3.7% and 5.4%, respectively. No interference was observed from other organic acids. Passing and Bablock regression analysis comparing the Trinity Biotech enzymatic reagent set and LC-MS/MS showed LC-MS/MS = 1.06 (enzymatic assay) −21.2, r = 0.964, n = 110. Bland Altman analysis showed general agreement, with a mean bias of −1.9 μmol/L.

Conclusion: This LC-MS/MS assay is applicable for quantifying urinary oxalate excretion.
Lipocalin-2 Is an Inflammatory Marker Closely Associated with Obesity, Insulin Resistance, and Hyperglycemia in Humans
Authors: Wang Yu , Lam Karen S L , Kraegen Edward W , Sweeney Gary , Zhang Jialiang , Tso Annette WK , Chow Wing-Sun , Wat Nelson MS , Xu Jian Yu , Hoo Ruby LC , Xu Aimin
Published: October 2006

Background: Lipocalin-2, a 25-kDa secreted glycoprotein, is a useful biomarker for early detection of various renal injuries. Because lipocalin-2 is abundantly expressed in adipose tissue and liver, we investigated its relevance to obesity-related pathologies.

Methods: We used real-time PCR and in-house immunoassays to quantify the mRNA and serum concentrations of lipocalin-2 in C57BL/KsJ db/db obese mice and their age- and sex-matched lean littermates. We analyzed the association between serum lipocalin-2 concentrations and various metabolic and inflammatory variables in 229 persons (121 men and 108 women) recruited from a previous cross-sectional study, and we evaluated the effect of the insulin-sensitizing drug rosiglitazone on serum lipocalin-2 concentrations in 32 diabetic patients (21 men and 11 women).

Results: Compared with the lean littermates, lipocalin-2 mRNA expression in adipose tissue and liver and its circulating concentrations were significantly increased in db/db diabetic/obese mice (P <0.001). These changes were normalized after rosiglitazone treatment. In humans, circulating lipocalin-2 concentrations were positively correlated (P <0.005) with adiposity, hypertriglyceridemia, hyperglycemia, and the insulin resistance index, but negatively correlated (P = 0.002) with HDL cholesterol. There was also a strong positive association between lipocalin-2 concentrations and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), independent of age, sex, and adiposity (P = 0.007). Furthermore, rosiglitazone-mediated decreases in lipocalin-2 concentrations correlated significantly with increases in insulin sensitivity (r = 0.527; P = 0.002) and decreases in hs-CRP concentrations (r = 0.509; P = 0.003).

Conclusions: Lipocalin-2 is an inflammatory marker closely related to obesity and its metabolic complications. Measurement of serum lipocalin-2 might be useful for evaluating the outcomes of various clinical interventions for obesity-related metabolic and cardiovascular diseases.
Feeding weaned piglets and growing-finishing pigs with diets based on mainly home-grown organic feedstuffs
Authors: PARTANEN K. , SILJANDER-RASI H. , ALAVIUHKOLA T.
Published: October 2006

In 2000, EU regulations for organic animal production set new guidelines for organic pig feeding requiring that this be based on mainly home-grown organic feedstuffs. Doubts were however raised whether these feeding regimes can maintain good growth performance and carcass quality of pigs. Three experiments were carried out to study different organic feeding regimes in weaned piglets and fattening pigs. In Experiment 1, we evaluated the use of peas and faba beans (0, 120, or 240 g kg-1) in diets for weaned piglets. Piglets fed pea diets performed as well as those fed the control diet, whereas the highest faba bean level resulted in reduced feed intake and growth performance. In Experiment 2, we studied the replacement (0, 33, or 67%) of rapeseed cake with blue lupins in fattening pig diets. The dietary lupin level had a quadratic effect on the weight gain of growing pigs, the best performance being observed at the 33% replacement level. However, dietary lupin level did not influence weight gain during the finishing period and total fattening. Back fat became softer with increasing dietary lupin levels. In Experiment 3, different protein supplements were compared in organic diets from weaning to slaughter. In two-phase feeding, the best performance was observed when whey protein was used as the protein supplement, followed by soya bean cake + whey protein and rapeseed cake + fish meal. The effects of a one-phase organic feeding regime with cold-pressed rapeseed cake + whey protein did not differ from those of the two-phase organic feeding regimes. Fattening pigs fed organic diets required from two to seven days longer to reach slaughter weight than those fed conventional diets. Pigs fed organic diets had fatter carcasses, but the eating quality of organic pork did not differ from that of pork from pigs fed conventional diets. Feed costs and the circulation rate of pigs, weaners in particular, were greater and carcass prices lower in the organic feeding regimes than in the conventional ones.;
Effects of repeated phosphorus fertilisation on field crops in Finland 1.Yield responses on clay and loam soils relation to soil test P values
Authors: SAARELA I. , SALO Y. , VUORINEN M.
Published: October 2006

In order to update phosphorus (P) fertiliser recommendations for the Finnish clay and loam soils enriched with applied P, the effects of repeated P fertilisation on the yields of cereal and other crops were measured at eight sites over a period of 12-18 years. Yield results of some earlier field studies were also used in calibrating the soil test P values determined by the Finnish acid ammonium acetate method (PAc). Significant yield responses to P fertilisation were obtained on soils which had low PAc values or medium levels of PAc and too low or too high pH values (< 6.0 or 7.5 in water suspension). The mean relative control yield (RCY, yield without applied P divided by yield with sufficient P multiplied by 100) of the eight sites was 94.6% (n = 128, mean PAc 15.5 mg dm-3) varying from 87% at PAc 2.8 mg dm-3 to 100% at high PAc. A PAc level of 5-7 mg dm-3 was adequate for cereals, grasses and oilseed rape on the basis of the RCY value of 95% at optimal pH. At this PAc replacing the amounts of P in the crops (14 kg in 4 t grain) and the fixation of extractable P (about 6 kg ha-1 a-1) produced almost maximum yields in favourable seasons and were considered optimal.;
The Synthesis of Pseudo‐Geminal, Pseudo‐Ortho and Ortho Hydroxy‐oxazolinyl[2.2]paracyclophanes for Use as Ligands in Asymmetric Catalysis
Authors: Bolm Carsten , Whelligan Daniel K.
Published: October 2006

Synthetic routes to pseudo‐geminal, pseudo‐ortho and ortho hydroxy‐oxazolinyl[2.2]paracyclophanes (and the diastereoisomers of each) for use as N,O ligands in asymmetric catalysis have been devised. The substitution pattern was found to have a strong effect on the rate and enantioselectivity of the formed catalyst in the addition of diethylzinc to benzaldehyde.
Asymmetric Addition of Diethylzinc to Diphenylphosphinoyl‐Imines Catalyzed by Copper(II) Trifluoromethanesulfonate‐Chiral (2′‐Ethylamino‐[1,1′]binaphthalenyl‐2‐yl)‐thiophosphoramidic Acid O,O′‐Diaryl Ester Ligands
Authors: Shi Min , Lei Zhi‐Yu , Xu Qin
Published: October 2006

The chiral binaphthylthiophosphoramide L1 prepared from the reaction of O,O‐diphenyl chlorothiophosphate with (R)‐(+)‐N‐ethyl‐1,1′‐binaphthyl‐2,2′‐diamine was used as a catalytic chiral ligand in the copper(II) trifluoromethanesulfonate‐promoted asymmetric addition of diethylzinc to diphenylphosphinoyl‐imines to give the corresponding adducts in 90–98 % ee and good yields under mild conditions.
Diastereo‐ and Enantioselective Synthesis of trans‐2,3‐Disubstituted 2,3‐Dihydropyran‐4‐one Derivatives
Authors: Scettri Arrigo , Acocella Maria R. , Palombi Laura , Scalera Chiara , Villano Rosaria , Massa Antonio
Published: October 2006

trans‐Diastereoselective hetero‐Diels–Alder reactions took place in the presence of SiCl4/activator systems. The reactions of aldehydes with a derivative of Danishefsky’s diene afforded the corresponding pyrones with high yields and diastereoselectivity upon activating SiCl4 with suitable neutral Lewis bases. Aldol intermediates deriving from a Mukaiyama‐type pathway were isolated in many cases. The employment of a chiral activator allowed us to convert Danishefsky’s diene (or its disubstituted derivative) into both aldols and pyrones in good to high enantiomeric excesses.
Partialsynthetische Gitoxigeninglykoside 2. Mitt.: 16‐O‐Isovalerylgitoxin
Authors: Baumgarten G. , Reissbrodt R.
Published: October 2006

Darstellung und Eigenschaften von 16‐O‐Isovalerylgitoxin werden beschrieben. Die Konstitution dieser Verbindung wird dadurch erhärtet, daß die 3‐O‐Acetylverbindung des bei der Säurespaltung erhaltenen Genins sich mit dem 3‐O‐Acetyladigenin aus Adigosid identisch erwies. ‐ Wie Adigosid ist auch das hier beschriebene Isovalerylgitoxigeninderivat in seiner Toxizität stark abgeschwächt.
COPE‐Abbau in Lösung 2. Mitteilung
Authors: Graf E. , Graser M.
Published: October 2006

Die diastereomeren 2‐Methyl‐3‐phenyl‐3‐N,N‐dimethylaminopropionsäure‐äthylester werden beim Erhitzen mit H2O2 in i‐Propanol über ihre Aminoxide zu den α‐Methylzimtsäure‐äthylestern und N,N‐Dimethyl‐hydroxylamin abgebaut. Die threo‐Form (2 RS, 3 SR), die stereospezifisch den trans‐Ester liefert, wird dabei etwa viermal schneller abgebaut als die den cis‐Ester liefernde erythro‐Form (2 RS, 3 RS). Der Unterschied ist auf eine sterische Hinderung im Übergangszustand zurückzuführen. Die Aminoxide des 3‐Phenyl‐3‐N,N‐dimethylamino‐propionsäure‐äthylesters und des 3‐Phenyl‐2‐N,N‐dimethylamino‐propionsäure‐äthylesters ergeben trotz der Anwesenheit zweier zum COPE‐Abbau fähiger H‐Atome kein Gemisch von cis‐ und trans‐Olefin. Vielmehr bildet sich ein Übergangszustand aus, der in seiner Anordnung dem sterisch begünstigten Übergangszustand beim Abbau des Aminoxids der threo‐Form entspricht und deshalb stereospezifisch zum trans‐Zimtsäureäthylester führt.
Kernresonanzspektroskopische Untersuchung einiger tertiärer 1‐Thia‐ und 1‐Oxa‐cyclohexanole
Authors: Haller R. , Ebersberg J.
Published: October 2006

Bei der Umsetzung von cis‐2,6‐Diphenyl‐1‐thia‐cyclohexanon‐(4) mit Grignard‐Reagenzien wurden jeweils zwei epimere tertiäre Alkohole isoliert. Das trans‐2,6‐Diphenyl‐1‐oxa‐cyclohexanon‐(4) ergibt bei der entsprechenden Umsetzung nur ein Reaktionsprodukt. Die Konfiguration und Konformation der isolierten tertiären Alkohole wird an Hand der 1H‐NMR‐Spektren untersucht.
Die jodometrische Penicillinbestimmung 1. Mitt.: Qualitativer Nachweis einiger Abbauprodukte
Authors: Glombitza K. W. , Pallenbach D.
Published: October 2006

Bei der Untersuchung der Abbauprodukte der jodometrischen Bestimmung von Penicillin V‐Kalium konnte zum Teil nach Modifikationen der vom DAB 7 vorgeschriebenen Bestimmungsmethode Penicillaminsäure, Phenoxyessigsäure, Phenoxyessigsäureamid, Glyoxal, Glyoxalcarbonsäure (beide über ihre Bisphenylhydrazone), CO2 und NH3 in größeren Mengen und Ameisensäure in Spuren eindeutig nachgewiesen werden. Die Bildung von (N‐Phenoxyacetylformimidoyl)‐formaldehyd konnte wahrscheinlich gemacht werden und die Bildung von Phenoxyacetamidomalonsäure ausgeschlossen werden.
Über eine neue Bildungsweise des Indolizinringsystems
Authors: Kreutzberger A. , Abel D.
Published: October 2006

Das durch Einwirkung von s‐Triazin (I) auf N‐(4‐Nitro‐benzyl)‐α‐picoliniumchlorid (VII) im Primärschritt gebildete Aminomethinylierungsprodukt VIII stabilisiert sich in einer Sekundärreaktion zum Indolizinderivat X. Dieses kann auch in einer Gegensythese aus VII und Orthoameisensäure‐triäthylester erhalten werden. Kondensation zum Indolizinringsystem VI tritt auch unter der Einwirkung von I auf N‐Phenacyl‐α‐picoliniumchlorid (IV) in Pyridin ein. Die Möglichkeit der intermolekularen Stabilisierung von VIII findet sich in der Bildung des Bis[1‐(4‐nitro‐benzyl)‐pyridin‐(2)]‐trimethincyaninchlorids (XIV) realisiert. Die aus I und α‐Picolin‐N‐oxid (XVII) intermediär gebildete Aminomethinverbindung XVIII wird durch das diese Reaktion katalysierende Piperidin als 2‐(Piperidino‐vinyl)‐pyridin‐N‐oxid (XIX) abgefangen.
Selectivity of Sterically Fixed Tryptamine and 5‐Methoxytryptamine Derivatives for Serotonin Receptor Subtypes, I: Synthesis of N‐Alkyl‐ and N,N‐Dialkyl‐3‐indolylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptane‐2‐amines
Authors: Rehse Klaus , Zimmermann Hans
Published: October 2006

Twenty‐six title compounds with the ethylamine part of tryptamine or 5‐methoxytryptamine fixed in an anticlinal ecliptic conformation were synthesized for assaying them at the different known serotonin receptors. Several alkylation methods have been improved and adapted for the space consuming norbornane system. The structures were fully elucidated by high‐field NMR spectroscopy. All 1H‐ and 13C‐signals could be assigned by means of 1H‐1H‐ and 13C‐1H‐correlation spectroscopy (COSY).
Mechanismus der selektiven Bildung von 2‐aminosubstituierten 1,4‐Benzodiazepin‐4‐oxiden und 2‐aminomethylsubstituierten Chinazolin‐3‐oxiden aus Chlormethyl‐chinazolin‐N‐oxiden Störungstheoretische Befunde
Authors: Lessel Jürgen
Published: October 2006

Die Umsetzung der o‐Amino‐acetophenon‐ und ‐benzophenonoxime 1a‐c mit Chloracetylchlorid zu den 2‐Chlormethyl‐chinazolin‐3‐oxiden 6a‐c wird mit Hilfe der Störungstheorie erklärt. 6a‐c reagieren mit Ammoniak und prim. aliphatischen Aminen unter Ringerweiterung zu den 1,4‐Benzo‐diazepinen 16 und 17, mit aromatischen und mit N‐sek. Aminen entstehen die Chinazolinderivate 10–13; die Konstitution der Heterocyclen wird mit NMR‐spektroskopischen Methoden gesichert. Die selektive Produktbildung kann mit der relativen thermodynamischen Stabilität der jeweiligen 2‐Addukte 14 erklärt werden.
Robert Hooke und die frühe Geschichte der Federwaage
Authors: Jenemann Hans R.
Published: October 2006

A large number of the so‐called electronic balances, for example those using wire strain gauges, are based on the elastic deformation of solid materials, and on the electrical measurement of the resulting changes in length. Such instruments must therefore be grouped into the class of spring balances. The spring balance operates within the limits of proportionality according to the law discovered by and named after Robert Hooke. No precise information about the spring balance can be found so far in the literature about balances: it is assumed that it was invented before 1700, without knowledge of the name of the inventor. As the result of a literature research it is shown that Robert Hooke found experimentally in 1676 with „ut tensio sic vis”︁ not only the physical principles which led to the law of elasticity: he also drew practical conclusions from it, and in the treatise De potentia restitutiva, published 1678, he described the most important types of spring balances. Experiments carried out by him to demonstrate the reduction of gravity with increasing altitude by using such a balance led, however, to a negative result because of its lack of sensitivity. Further developments for more than 100 years were necessary, until the spring balance come into more general application.