bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Madelung's Syndrome: multiple symmetrical lipomatosis, alcoholism, pseudoliposarcoma and progressive neuropathy
Authors: Frankish Paul D. , Nicholson Gordon I.
Published: July 2007

Abstract: Three cases of multiple symmetrical lipomatosis (Madelung's disease) are described occurring in three male alcoholics presenting to a Gastroenterology Unit. The patients all had the characteristic development and distribution of multiple lipomata and the later occurrence of a severe progressive peripheral neuropathy. Two patients had alcohol related liver disease.
Educational initiatives in the prevention of drug related harm
Authors: Casswell Sally
Published: July 2007

Abstract: This paper discusses educational initiatives which have the objective of preventing drug‐related harm. Some examples of initiatives utilizing mass media campaigns and community development are reviewed. A re‐emergent orientation which has been particularly evident in community programmes in the alcohol area is a focus on policies and stimulation of public participation in their development and implementation. The mass media have played an important role, usually by dissemination of information in news, documentary and feature materials. Paid advertising has also been involved to a small extent, but the possibility of a backlash against this has to be taken into account. Mass media provide a very visible prevention strategy and even those approaches focusing on individual behaviour are liable to be subjected to political interference. It is suggested that the policy orientation for educational initiatives provides a viable and valuable complementary or even alternative strategy to attempt to persuade individuals to change their drug‐related behaviour.
School‐based educational programs to prevent the personal use of psychoactive drugs for non‐medical purposes
Authors: Ogborne Alan C.
Published: July 2007

Abstract: This paper mainly concerns school‐based education programs designed to prevent the personal use of psychoactive drugs for non‐medical purposes. Major types of programs are noted and recent trends identified. Overall drug education seems to bring about, at least, short term increases in knowledge but the effects on attitudes and behaviours have been mixed and, perhaps, sometimes negative. Some interactions between different types of drug education approaches and student characteristics have been suggested and more research on interactions is needed. Some reasons why drug education has not been demonstrated to have a substantial impact on students' use of drugs are considered and future directions for the practice and the evaluation of drug education are suggested.
The Dashaway Association — California's mid 19th century AA
Authors: Powell K.C.
Published: July 2007

Abstract: In 1840 in Baltimore (USA) six heavy drinkers decided to stop drinking, sign a pledge and support each other in their resolve to abstain. They formed the Washington Temperance Society. The movement grew rapidly, and under the new name of the Washingtonian Movement, boasted of an attendance of 1000 at its first anniversary. By the 1850s, it reached the west coast. For various reasons momentum waned. In California a group of members left the movement and formed what they called “The Dashaway Association”. The title reflected their resolve to dash the cup away from their lips. Unlike temperance groups it was peculiar to the drinker, the ex‐drunkard. A weekly programme of activities was arranged. Its members rounded up the heavy drinkers from the streets. In San Francisco a small in‐patient centre arose. The Dashaways ran a short course of 15 years, falling victim to bad economic times and a rising, powerful temperance movement.
The use of carbamazepine in chlormethiazole‐modified withdrawal from alcohol
Authors: Stanhope John M. , Curry Kenneth H.
Published: July 2007

Summary: The effect on seizure frequency and other withdrawal symptoms of the addition of carbamazepine or placebo was compared in 304 patients being managed during alcohol withdrawal. Patients were studied for a minimum of four days, unless terminated earlier by self‐discharge.

The incidence of seizures was 2 % in both test and placebo groups. The addition of carbamazepine was not found useful in the management of alcohol withdrawal, but the low frequency of fits may have masked an effect. Such a low frequency had not been anticipated when the study was planned.
Drinking habits in Sydney's western suburbs
Authors: Bell J. , Cumming R.
Published: July 2007

Abstract: Sydney's western suburbs is a rapidly expanding area with a higher rate of many social problems than the rest of Sydney. We have gathered data on the drinking habits of a sample of 1, 961 people living in this region. The level of intake and patterns of alcohol use are similar to those reported in other Australian studies. There is a high rate of binge drinking among young males. A small but important proportion of people in older age groups drink in a hazardous or harmful fashion.
In Situ High Resolution Neutron Diffraction Study of Anisotropy and Stress Effects in Transforming CuAlZnMn Shape Memory Alloys
Authors: Luk´š P. , Nov´k V. , Šittner P. , Neov D.
Published: July 2007

Redistribution of stresses among grains of elastically anisotropic shape memory alloy polycrystals which undergo stress induced martensitic transformation upon loading were studied experimentally by in situ high resolution neutron diffraction spectra as well as theoretically by micromechanics simulation. The results of profile shape analysis and simulated distribution of lattice spacing of 220-crystal planes evolving during the tensile test on CuAIZnMn polycrystal are compared. Microstructure information on the load partitioning mechanism deduced from this comparison is discussed.
Neutron Time-of-flight Diffractometric Investigation of Duplex Steel Residual Stresses
Authors: Dos Santos R. , Tietze U. , Priesmeyer H.G. , Kudryashev V.
Published: July 2007

The main problem with cast austenitic-ferritic duplex stainless steels is the formation of cracks after the solidification. The crack sensitivity is caused by volume differences between the microstructural components and coupled to an extreme embrittlement. Therefore the σ phase precipitation becomes important. It binds Fe, Cr and Mo and degrades the corrosion resistance. In addition, it decreases the toughness of the steel because of its embrittling character and by precipitating at grain boundaries. Both the absolute amount of σ phase and its distribution have an influence. During casting of components, the u phase precipitation should be kept as low as possible. This is achieved by rapid cooling through the critical temperature range from 1000 to 600°C. Since the main cause of crack formation lies in microstructural stresses and incompatibilities, this process must be better understood. Neutron time-of-flight diffractometry can detect strains in different phases simultaneously from the same volume element of a specimen. Using this method, the microstructural strains as a function of the σ phase volume fraction in the steel have been determined. The results will be reported and discussed.
Reverse Time-of-flight Neutron Diffraction Study of Residual Stresses in Perforator’s Striker
Authors: Bokuchava G.D. , Tamonov A.V. , Shamsutdinov N.R. , Balagurov A.M. , Levin D.M.
Published: July 2007

In this paper we present the results of residual stress measurements on a perforator’s striker, which is used in the mineral resource industry. The stresses in this component arise due to various processes of heat treatment. The residual stress distribution in the material after isothermal hardening and after carburising was investigated. Three strain tensor components were measured at various depths. The microstress level was estimated from diffraction peak broadening. The experiments were carried out on the HRFD diffractometer at the pulsed reactor IBR-2 (Dubna, Russia).
Strain Determination of An Eutectic Single Crystal Composite Al2O3/Y3Al5Ol2 (YAG) by Neutron Diffraction Techniques At Reactor and Pulsed Sources
Authors: Ono M. , VráNa M. , Torii S. , Tayo T. , Olkawa K. , Kamiyama T. , Waku Y. , Fukunaga T. , Suzuki K. , Mikula P. , Lukáš P.
Published: July 2007

Bragg diffraction angle analysis with a high-resolution strain diffractometer and time-of-flight analysis with backscattering powder diffractometer were complementarily applied to neutron residual strain investigations in an ultra-high temperature resistant composite of eutectic two-phase Al2O3/Y3A15O12 (YAG) single-crystal. It was found that the YAG phase was in tension and the A12O3 phase was in compression which resulted in strains ε in the range of ∼10−4 at room temperature, when the measured lattice spacings of the sintered YAG and sintered Al2O3 w ere used as the reference values of strain-free materials. Discussions are given on the methodological points of both analyses with respect to evaluation of a strain value for each phase in the two-phase single crystal materials.
The Study of Second-order Contamination Caused by Multiple Diffraction in a Ge(113) Monochromator
Authors: Seong B.S. , Shin E. , Lee C.H. , Em V.T. , Shim H.S.
Published: July 2007

Neutron intensities of the main wavelength (λ), the second-order (λ/2) and the third-order (λ/3) components in the Ge(113) reflecJed reactor beam were measured by the time-of-flight method for wavelength λ from 1.6 up to 2.41 Å. The measurements have been made as a function of the azimuthal angle Ψ of a Ge(113) monochromator rotation around the scattering vector. It is shown that the secondorder component caused by multiple diffraction is present over a wide interval of angle Ψ and its maximum value increases with wavelength. The second-order contamination can be avoided or decreased by the proper orientation of the monochromator.
Measurement of Radial Strain in the Cross Section of a Railway Wheel Hoop
Authors: Grosse M. , Stuhr U. , Ceretti M. , Köszegi L.
Published: July 2007

The radial strain in an ICE railway wheel hoop was scanned over the cross section perpendicular to the hoop direction. Only in the middle part of the hoop cross section compressive strain were found. In a band between a distance of 5 – 12 mm from the tread relative large tensile strain was estimated. In other regions only low strains were obtained. A comparison of the estimated strain distribution with the fracture surface of a broken hoop with comparable wear shows correlation between the strain distribution and the fracture appearance.
Methodological Aspects of the High-energy Synchrotron X-ray Diffraction Technique for Internal Stress Evaluation
Authors: Wanner Alexander , Dunand David C.
Published: July 2007

The availability of high-energy X-rays from 3rd-generation synchrotron sources offers new approaches to study internal stresses in the bulk of crystalline materials. A method with a wide application potential is the transmission technique introduced by Daymond and Withers, which however has so far been limited to fine-grained materials. In the present work, the reasons for the currently existing limitations are discussed and a viable strategy to extend the technique to samples with coarser grain sizes is proposed.
“Non-simple liquids”—a challenge for neutron Brillouin scattering?
Authors: Jahn Sandro
Published: July 2007

Neutron Brillouin scattering (NBS), i.e. inelastic neutron scattering (INS) at low scattering angles, is one of the best suited experimental techniques to study the collective atomic dynamics of liquids. With new NBS instrumentation (e.g. the BRISP spectrometer) and complementary development of inelastic X-ray scattering (IXS) spectrometers, new perspectives are currently being opened up for the extension of dynamical studies from simple to more complex liquids. In a series of INS experiments, the dependence of the atomic dynamics on the dominant type of atomic interaction was studied for binary Zintl-type liquids. The dispersion curves of collective modes show interesting deviations from the behaviour known from simple liquids, e.g. the splitting of the dispersion in liquid NaxSn1−x alloys around the position of the principal peak of S(Q). To understand the evolution of the dynamic modes and the corresponding relaxation processes over an extended range of momentum transfers, Q, combined neutron and X-ray Brillouin scattering experiments will be necessary followed by advanced theoretical modelling.
Brillouin scattering with neutrons from liquid lead and some other materials
Authors: Dorner B.
Published: July 2007

In Brillouin scattering the wave-vector transfer Q of the scattering process is equal to the wave-vector q of collective excitations. In the case of neutrons the kinematical limitation restricts the range of momentum and energy transfer. Investigations on liquid Pb, Rb and Cs are reviewed. Molecular liquids CO and D2O have been studied also. Water has been investigated by Brillouin scattering with X-rays with very high energy resolution. The latter technique has the advantage that there is no kinematical limitation. Two different groups have interpreted the experimental results on water in different ways. After 40 years of Brillouin scattering, this technique remains very fruitful for the study of liquids and amorphous materials, both with neutrons and with X-rays.
Transmission Properties of Neutron Optical Filters
Authors: Copley J.R.D.
Published: July 2007

A neutron optical filter is a device that is designed to have high transmission for low energy neutrons and very low transmission for high energy neutrons and gamma-rays. This is achieved using three sections of reflecting neutron guide, typically several meters in length, with small angular offsets between sections such that there is no direct path through the device. High energy radiation is lost in and through the walls, but low energy (thermal and sub-thermal) neutrons are retained, to the extent that they are totally reflected within the guide. We describe an analytical method to calculate the transmission properties of neutron optical filters, with either parallel-sided or tapered central sections. We present the results of calculations for a number of filters, including a tapered filter which is to be installed at one of the guides of the Cold Neutron Research Facility at the National Institute of Standards and Technology.
Synthesis and structure of four-coordinate gallium aminophenolate complexes and studies of their reactivity toward B(C6F5)3
Authors: Afchain Agathe , Welter Richard , Dagorne Samuel
Published: July 2007

The Ga dimethyl complexes {6-(CH2NMe2)-2-R-C6H3O}GaMe2 (2a, R = Me; 2b, R = Ph; 2c, R = tBu) are readily accessible via a classical alkane elimination reaction between the corresponding aminophenol ligand and GaMe3. In the case of 2a, X-ray crystallographic studies clearly establish this species as monomeric and with the Ga center being η2-chelated by one aminophenolate moiety. The ionization reaction of complexes 2a – c with B(C6F5)3 affords the corresponding dinuclear Ga cationic adducts {6-(CH2NMe2)-2-R-C6H3O} GaMe·{6-(CH2NMe2)-2-R-C6H3O}GaMe2+ (3a+, R = Me; 3b+, R = Ph; 3c+, R = tBu) as fully dissociated MeB(C6F5)3 salts. On the basis of thorough 1D and 2D NMR studies, the Ga cations 3a – c+ appear to be structurally similar to their Al analogs, which were previously X-ray characterized. The ionization reaction of 2c by B(C6F5)3 (room temperature, CH2Cl2) yields a thermodynamic equilibrium (with the Ga cation 3c+ as the major product under the studied conditions) as deduced from low temperature NMR experiments, which shows that the Me– abstraction reaction performed by B(C6F5)3 at a Ga center may occur in a reversible way. The reaction of compounds 2a – c with 1 equiv. of PhOH provides access to the corresponding mono-methyl Ga complexes {6-(CH2NMe2)-2-R-C6H3O}Ga(Me)(OPh) (4a, R = Me; 4b, R = Ph ; 4c, R = tBu), which, unlike 2a – c, do not undergo any ionization reaction when reacted with [Ph3C][B(C6F5)4] or B(C6F5)3.
Investigation of the effect of tetrahydroaminoacridine on turnover kinetics of camel (Camelus dromedarius) retina acetylcholinesterase
Authors: Al‐Jafari Abdulaziz A. , Kamal Mohammad A.
Published: July 2007

The effect of tetrahydroaminoacridine (THA) on turnover kinetics of camel retina acetylcholinesterase has been investigated. The turnover number (Kcat) and specificity constant (Ksp) were 62.1 min‐1 and 9.92 × 105 (M. min)‐1 in the control system while the values for both parameters were lowered by 25‐68% and 48‐87% in the THA (0.05‐0.4 µM) treated systems respectively. Therefore, THA's effect on turnover number must be considered at the time of therapy to the Alzheimer's disease patients.
Superoxide production by mitochondria in the presence of nitric oxide forms peroxynitrite
Authors: Packer Michael A. , Porteous Carolyn M. , Murphy Michael P.
Published: July 2007

The mitochondrial respiratory chain continually produces superoxide leading to high levels of mitochondrial oxidative stress. This oxidative damage has been attributed to the formation of hydroxyl radicals and hydrogen peroxide from superoxide. Alternatively, mitochondrial superoxide may react with nitric oxide forming the potent oxidant peroxynitrite, thus damaging mitochondrial protein, lipid and DNA. To test this hypothesis we induced mitochondrial superoxide formation in the presence of nitric oxide. Here we demonstrate that mitochondrial superoxide reacts with nitric oxide to form peroxynitrite, suggesting that mitochondria may be a significant intracellular source of peroxynitrite.
Reduction by streptozocin of blood glucose utilization during the appearance of the streptozocin induced early hyperglycaemia in fasting rats
Authors: Wong Kai K.
Published: July 2007

During the fasting state, in which the hepatic glycogen storage is almost depleted, streptozocin administration (60 mg/kg, iv) also induces an early hyperglycaemia. It was found that the blood glucose concentration in the hepatic vein was significantly higher than that in the tail vein before and at 4 hours after the injection of the vehicle without streptozocin. However, the blood glucose concentration in the hepatic vein was insignificantly different from that in the tail vein 4 hours after streptozocin administration. The data are interpreted as showing that streptozocin may reduce blood glucose utilization during the period of early hyperglycaemia induced by streptozocin.
Distribution of and age‐related changes in ciliary neurotrophic factor protein in rat tissues
Authors: Ohta Mitsuhiro , Ohi Takekazu , Nishimura Masataka , Itoh Nobuyuki , Hayashi Kyozo , Ohta Kiyoe
Published: July 2007

We developed a sensitive enzyme‐linked immunosolvent assay for measuring ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) and examined age‐related changes in the CNTF contents of a variety of rat tissues during postnatal development. CNTF contents were substantially higher in the sciatic nerve and spinal cord than in the other tissues tested, the kidney coming third. In all the tissues except the sciatic nerve (90 ng/g), the CNTF content was less than 1 ng/g at 1 week of age, then gradually increased. It was highest at 5 weeks of age in the sciatic nerve (3171 ng/g), spinal cord (118 ng/g), and kidney (36.8 ng/g), after which it slowly decreased. In contrast, the maximum in the brain stem (9 ng/g) and cerebellum (3.6 ng/g) was at 8 weeks of age, whereas in skeletal muscle it was at 2 weeks of age (14.6 ng/g). These findings indicate that CNTF functions in the postnatal development of the rat.
Sle autoantibodies recognize spermine induced Z‐conformation of native calf thymus DNA
Authors: Moinuddin  , Ali Asif
Published: July 2007

The binding specificity of naturally occurring anti‐DNA antibodies with spermine modified DNA was analyzed by direct binding and competition ELISA. The binding was visualised by band shift assay. The SLE anti‐DNA antibodies appreciably recognized the spermine induced Z‐conformation of native DNA. The degree of binding of these antibodies to the Z‐conformer was almost similar to their binding with native DNA. The spermine‐ DNA complex was found to be thermodynamically more stable than native DNA.
Immobilization and stabilization of horseradish peroxidase isoforms
Authors: Husain Shahid , Jafri Farahdiba , Saleemuddin M.
Published: July 2007

Purified anionic and cationic isoforms of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) immobilized by coupling the amino acid side‐chain amino groups and/or carbohydrate moieties to Sepharose have been studied for their resistance to denaturation. The isoforms were treated with periodate followed by ethylenediamine to generate additional amino groups in the glycosyl residues. The immobilized preparations were: Preparation I (Sp‐aHRP, Sp‐cHRP), in which HRP was covalently immobilized via side‐chain amino groups exclusively; Preparation II (Sp‐NHaHRP, Sp‐NHcHRP), in which periodate and ethylenediamine‐treated HRP was covalently immobilized via side‐chain amino groups and amino groups incorporated into glycosyl residues. HRP isoforms in preparation II lacked about 33‐55 % carbohydrate. Both strategies of immobilization induced significant stabilization against denaturation. Inclusion of 2 mM calcium enhanced isoenzyme stability significantly.
Adenosine‐AMP exchange activity is an integral part of the mammalian adenosine kinase
Authors: Gupta Radhey S.
Published: July 2007

Purified adenosine kinase (AK) from Syrian hamster and bovine liver was examined for the presence of adenosine (Ad)‐AMP exchange activity. The enzyme from both sources, in addition to catalyzing the conventional ATP‐dependent phosphorylation of adenosine, supported an Ad‐AMP exchange reaction that required ADP. Under optimal conditions both these reactions were found to occur at comparable rates. Several observations strongly indicate that the Ad‐AMP exchange activity is an integral part of AK and it is likely associated with its catalytic mechanism. These observations include: (i) Both AK and Ad‐AMP exchange activities show a nearly complete dependence upon the presence of pentavalent ions such as phosphate, arsenate or vanadate for catalysis; (ii) Both activities show similar heat‐lability and inhibition by 5‐iodotubercidin (5‐ITu); (iii) In a Chinese hamster cell mutant resistant to adenosine analogs that lacked AK activity, the Ad‐AMP activity was also found to be absent. The presence of a phosphoryl‐enzyme intermediate, or any exchange between free 32Pi and any of the reactants, however, was not detected under the reaction conditions. Some implications of these observations regarding the catalytic mechanism of AK are discussed.
A novel biologically active eel calcitonin analogue with carboxyl terminal Hse32‐amide: Carboxyl terminal Pro32‐amide in calcitonin is not essential for biological activity
Authors: Yoshina Shigeaki , Ishida Tsutomu , Noda Hitoshi , Tomiya Noboru
Published: July 2007

Eel calcitonin (CT) analogues having C‐terminal homoserine (Hse)‐amide at position 31, 32, or 33 were synthesized, and in vivo hypocalcemic activity of the analogues were determined. The present study showed that: (i) An eel CT analogue having Hse‐amide at position 32 was more active than native eel CT, and the duration of hypocalcemic action of the analogue was equivalent to that of native eel CT. (ii) Either curtailment or elongation of [Hse32‐amide]‐eel CT peptide chain by one amino acid resulted in a great loss of hypocalcemic activity. The results of the present study indicate that Pro‐amide at the C‐terminus of CT is not essential for its biological activity in vivo. Replacement of C‐terminal Pro32‐amide by Hse32‐amide in eel CT molecule produced an analogue with a hypocalcemic activity greater than that of native eel CT.
Conformational change of cyclic AMP Receptor Protein by the binding of cyclic nucleotide
Authors: Park Sang‐Ho , Lec Tae‐Woo , Lee Bong‐Jin
Published: July 2007

The cAMP Receptor Protein (CRP) of Escherichia coli requires a conformational change induced by the binding of cAMP in order to function as a site‐specific DNA‐binding protein. An intrinsic fluorescence study showed that the tryptophan residues at position 13 and 85 within CRP were located in an internal, nonpolar environment, and the conformational change induced by the binding of cAMP occurred around the tryptophan residue. NMR experiment has manifested that the comformational change around the tryptophan residue at position 85 and histidine residue at position 159 of CRP is induced by the binding of cAMP. An extrinsic fluorescence study showed that the distance between the two cysteine 178 residues in the dimer was within about 3.5 Å. This distance didn't exhibit a large change upon cAMP binding.
IS‐RT‐PCR assay detection of MT‐MMP in a human breast cancer cell line
Authors: Haupt Larisa M. , Thompson Erik W. , Griffiths Lyn R. , Irving Michael G.
Published: July 2007

The in situ‐reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (IS‐RT‐PCR) is a method that allows the direct localisation of gene expression. The method utilises the dual buffer mediated activity of the enzyme rTth DNA polymerase enabling both reverse transcription and DNA amplification. Labelled nucleoside triphosphates allow the site of expression to be labelled, rather than the PCR primers themselves, giving a more accurate localisation of transcript expression and decreased background than standard in situ hybridisation (ISH) assays. The MDA‐MB‐231 human breast carcinoma (HBC) cell line was assayed via the IS‐RT‐PCR technique, using primers encoding MT‐MMP (membrane‐type matrix metalloproteinase) and human β‐actin. Our results clearly indicate baseline expression of MT‐MMP in the relatively invasive MDA‐MB‐231 cell line at a signal intensity similar to the housekeeping gene β‐actin, and results following induction with Concanavalin A (Con A) are consistent with our previous results obtained via Northern blotting.
A phylogenetic study of Rubrobacter radiotolerans by sequence analysis of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene
Authors: Kausar Javed , Ohyama Yoshihiko , Yamamoto Osamu
Published: July 2007

Partial sequence of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene of an extremely high radiotolerant bacterium, Rubrobacter radiotolerans (reclassified from Arthrobacter radiotoleransby chemical characteristics) was determined by PCR‐amplification from a small amount of heat‐lysed biomass, followed by direct sequencing of the PCR product. The sequence was aligned with seven species of Arthrobacter and also with representatives of various other bacterial groups. R. radiotolerans was confirmed to be out of the Arthrobacter group justifying the reclassification. Moreover, it has an individual position among the selected representatives being closer to the eubacterial groups.
Effects of ubiquinone enriched diet on deterioration of mitochondrial respiratory function caused by fried beef derived mutagenic factor in rats
Authors: Sugiyama Satoru , Yamada Koujirou , Hayakawa Mika , Esumi Hiroyasu , Ozawa Takayuki
Published: July 2007

2‐Amino‐1‐methyl‐6‐phenylimidazo[4,5‐b]pyridine (PhIP), a potent mutagenic agent produced during thermal processing of meats, shows detrimental effects on mitochondrial respiratory function. Effects of dietary ubiquinone‐10 was examined on PhIP‐induced mitochondrial respiratory dysfunction in rats. Rats fed with 0.2% ubiquinone‐10 diet mitigated the PhIP‐induced decrease in mitochondrial complex I activities observed in rat heart, diaphragm, and psoai major. Therefore, dietary anti‐oxidants such as ubiquinone‐10 could cancel out the unfavorable effects of PhIP and contribute to the preservation of mitochondrial function.
Cysteamine oxidation by lentil seedling amine oxidase
Authors: Medda Rosaria , Padiglia Alessandra , Lorrai Anita , De Marco Carlo , Floris Giovanni
Published: July 2007

Cysteamine is oxidatively deaminated by lentil amine oxidase. It shows saturation kinetic Km=9×10‐4 M like other substrates, but the aldehyde produced leads to loss of enzyme activity, which is restored by dialysis. When putrescine is the substrate of the amine oxidase cysteamine behaves like a competitive inhibitor, and shows Ki=5×10‐5 M. The possible involvement of the oxidation of cysteamine and the inhibitory effects of thioacetaldehyde in the cystamine oxidation by amine oxidase is discussed.
Kinetic study of the oxidation of 4‐hydroxyanisole catalyzed by tyrosinase
Authors: Espína J. C. , Varón R. , Tudela J. , García‐Cánovasa Francisco
Published: July 2007

Despite the importance of the substrate 4‐hydroxyanisole in melanoma therapy, the kinetics of its oxidation catalyzed by tyrosinase has never been properly characterized. This approach is reported here for the first time. The applicability to 4‐hydroxyanisole of the reaction mechanism of tyrosinase previously proposed for other monophenols has been corroborated. The Michaelis constant for the oxidation of 4‐hydroxyanisole catalyzed by mushroom tyrosinase was (62±1.5jt]μM at pH 7 and increased when the pH decreased, reaching a value of (195±5jt]μM at pH 5.5. However the maximum steady‐state rate, whose value was (0.54±0.01jt]μM/min, did not change with the pH. The apparent catalytic constant was (184±5jt]s‐1, around twenty three times higher than that previously described for L‐tyrosine (8 s‐l).
cDNA sequence analysis of cardiotoxin variants from Taiwan cobra
Authors: Chang Long‐Sen , Lin Jordge , Wu Pei‐Fung
Published: July 2007

Five cDNAs encoding cardiotoxin variants were constructed from the cellular RNA isolated from the venom glands of Naja naja atra by reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction. A high degree of nucleotide sequence homology was observed between these variants and other determined ones. Among them, a novel cardiotoxin 6 had 61 amino acid residues rather than 60 ones that usually observed with Naja naja atra cardiotoxins. The other cardiotoxin variants were the homologues of cardiotoxins 1, V or N with one or two amino acid substitutions, respectively. These results probably reflect the involvement of RNA editing in the production of cardiotoxin variants in the venom of Taiwan cobra.
cDNA‐derived amino‐acid sequence of a land turtle (Geochelone carbonaria) β‐chain hemoglobin
Authors: Bordin Silvana , Meza Andréia N. , Saad Sara T. O. , Ogo Satie H. , Costa Fernando F.
Published: July 2007

The cDNA sequence encoding the turtle Geochelone carbonaria β‐chain was determinated. The isolation of hemoglobin mRNA was based on degenerate primers' PCR in combination with 5′‐ and 3′‐RACE protocol. The full length cDNA is 615 bp with the ATG start codon at position 53 and TGA stop codon at position 495; The AATAAA polyadenylation signal is found at position 599. The deduced polypeptyde contains 146 amino‐acid residues. The predicted amino acid sequence shares 83% identity with the β‐globin of a related specie, the aquatic turtle C. p. belli. Otherwise, identity is higher when compared with chicken β‐Hb (80%) than with other reptilian orders (Squamata, 69%, and Crocodilia, 61%). Compared with human HbA, there is 67% identity, and at least three amino acid substitutions could be of some functional significance (Glu43β‐→Ser, His 116β→Thr and His143β→Leu). To our knowledge this represents the first cDNA sequence of a reptile globin gene described.
Variable requirement for splicing signals for nucleocytoplasmic export of mRNAs
Authors: Fu Litao , Suen Christine K. M. , Waseem Ahmed , White Kenneth N.
Published: July 2007

Using in situ hybridisation to detect tile intracellular localisation of mRNAs we have found that mRNAs expressed from intronless cDNAs of normally intronic genes are expressed well but largely retained ill nuclei. The degree of nuclear retention is quite variable but in all cases addition of splicing signals to the expression cassette are required for efficient export of the mRNAs from nucleus to cytoplasm. In contrast mRNAs expressed from the intronless genes of hamster β‐adrenergic receptor and human serotonin receptor type 1A showed very little nuclear accumulation and strong expression in the cytoplasm independently of splicing signals. The data demonstrate a link between splicing and export and dissemble from the idea that splicing enhances mRNA expression by protecting nascent nuclear mRNAs from degradation.
Synthesis and imaging of blood‐brain‐barrier permeable nitroxyl‐probes for free radical reactions in brain of living mice
Authors: Sano Hiroaki , Matsumoto Ken‐ichiro , Utsumi Hideo
Published: July 2007

Three different lipophilic nitroxyl‐probes having capability to pass the blood‐brain barrier were, for the ftrst time, synthesized to estimate free radical reactions in brain of living animals. Two of the three were designed to be hydrolyzed by esterase and remain in cell. All 3 probes had high n‐octanol/buffer partition coefficients and gave 2 signal components in in vivo ESR spectra at head of living mice after intravenous injection. The ESR parameters of 2 components agreed with those of probes dissolved in water and lipidic phases. The ESR‐CT imaging on the nilroxyl‐proves after intravenous injection revealed that all probes presented in both encephalon and extracranial region of head. Tissue distribution of the nitroxyl‐probes demonstrated that the newly synthesized lipophilic nitroxyl‐probes had capability to pass the blood‐brain barrier and accumulated in brain than that of hydrophilic probe.
Residues K128‐Q175 of human interleukin‐6 are essential for its biological activity
Authors: Liu Haitian , Duan Jubao , Wang Jiaxi , Peng Shanyun , Zou Minji
Published: July 2007

Internal deletion K128‐Q175 of the human interleukin‐6 (hIL‐6) has been generated at the cDNA level. With pBV220 as expressing vector, the recombinant pBV*‐DIL‐6 encoding the deletion mutant (12kD) of hIL‐6 has been constructed. The resulted recombinant plasmids were then used to transform E. coli strain HB101, and the expression in the PLPR promoter system, which is temperature‐regulatable, was achieved. After purification and renaturation, the biological activity of the expressed product, designated as DM120, was measured by MTT method in an IL‐6‐dependent cell line 7TD1. The results show that the amino acid residues of IL‐6 128 to 175 are crucial for IL‐6 activity. Receptor binding assay in vitro indicates that the entire region is not involved in forming the receptor binding surface.
Myofibrils of skeletal muscle: The activity coefficient of orthophosphate
Authors: Grazi Enrico , Adami Raffaella , Magri Ermes , Trombetta Giorgio , Frassinefi Chiara
Published: July 2007

In the myofibrils of skeletal muscle, at 22°C, pH 7.1 and at the physiological protein osmotic pressure of 1.8×105 dynes/cm2, orthophosphate behaves quite ideally, the activity coefficient being 0.85. Under the same conditions and at saturation, 2.67 μ moles of orthophosphate are bouud per gram of dry myofibrils, with a dissociation constant of 7×10‐5 molal.

Work is in progress to determine the activity coefficients of adenine nucleotide analogues. This work is needed to assess the actual value of the free energy of hydrolysis of ATP in muscle.
Bio‐normalizer modulates interferon‐γ‐induced nitric oxide production in the mouse macrophage cell line RAW 264.7
Authors: Kobuchi Hirotsugu , Packer Lester
Published: July 2007

Bio‐Normalizer, a natural health food supplement prepared from Carica papaya and some other medicinal plants was investigated to determine its effects on cellular nitric oxide (nitrogen monoxide, NO) production and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression. Bio‐Normalizer upregulated interferon (IFN)‐γ‐induced NO production by macrophages in a dose‐dependent manner. Such an effect of Bio‐Normalizer on NO production was not due to changes in the activity of iNOS. Reverse transcription‐potymerase chain reaction analysis revealed that the levels of iNOS mRNA were augmented by treatment of the cells with Bio‐Normalizer and IFN‐γ. The ability of Bio‐Normalizer to augment IFN‐γ‐induced iNOS mRNA expression was independent of any changes on the mRNA stability. Treatment of cells with Bio‐Normalizer alone did not affect NO production by macrophages. Tumor necrosis factor‐α and interleukin‐1β are involved in the induction of iNOS gene as well as the immune system. Bio‐Normalizer augmented the mRNA expression of these cytokines in the presence of IFN‐γ. This suggests that Bio‐Normalizer is not directly involved in the expression of iNOS, but shows synergistic interaction with IFN‐γ to induce NO synthesis.
Purification and characterization of an endoglucanase from the marine rotifer, Brachionus plicatilis
Authors: Chun Chang Zoon , Kim Young Tae , Hur Sung Bum
Published: July 2007

The marine rotifer, Brachionus plicatilis, is able to digest Chlorella efficiently, suggesting that the rotifer contains a powerful cellulolytic enzyme system. A multi‐component cellulolytic complex, including endoglucanase (CM‐cellulase), cellobiohydrolase and β‐glucosidase, was found in Brachionus plicatilis. Endoglucanase (endo‐β‐1,4 glucanase) was purified to homogeneity from rotifer homogenates using a sequential chromatographic method. The purified enzyme exhibits a strong hydrolytic activity with carboxymethyl(CM)‐cellulose. The optimum temperature and pH for the endoglucanase activity were 37 °C and 7.0, respectively. 80% of the CM‐cellulase activity was retained in salt mixture that ranged from 150 to 500 mM NaCl equivalent. The purified protein was isolated with a molecular weight of approximately 62 kDa estimated by SDS‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.
Novel substrates of yeast alcohol dehydrogenase ‐ 3. 4‐dimethylamino‐cinnamaldehyde and chloroacetaldehyde
Authors: Leskovac V. , Trivic S. , Zeremski J. , Stancic B. , Anderson B. M.
Published: July 2007

4‐Dimethylamino‐trans‐cinnamaldehyde and chloroacetaldehyde are novel substrates of yeast alcohol dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.1). In the present work, we have reported the steady‐state kinetic constants for both substrates, and their chemical reactions with the enzyme protein itself. Both substrates are potentially useful for biotechnology, chemoenzyme syntheses and analytical biochemistry.
Cloning and sequencing of the secY gene homolog from Mycobacterium bovis BCG
Authors: Kim Jin Koo , Kim Jeong Hyun , Kim Jae Wha , Lee Younghee , Lim Jong‐Seok , Lee Hee Gu , Choe In Seong , Chung Tai Wha , Park Sue‐Nie , Ahn Jong Seog , Choe Yong‐Kyung , Kim Sang Jae , Bai Gill Han , Cho Sang‐Hyun , Kang Sang Won , Kim Yu Sam
Published: July 2007

The complete nucleotide sequence of a 1,513 bp fragment of Mycobacterium bovis BCG containing the secY gene homolog and partial adk gene that encodes an adenylate kinase has been determined. The secY gene of BCG has an open reading frame of 441 amino acids with homology to the SecY protein family. Comparative analyses of the deduced amino acid sequence of additional partial ORF revealed strong similarity to the known adenylate kinases.
Immunohistochemical analysis of heme oxygenase‐I in rat liver after ischemia
Authors: Ito Koji , Ikeda Satoru , Shibata Toshikazu , Yano Tomohiro , Horikawa Saburo
Published: July 2007

Total hepatic ischemia was induced by clamping the hepatic artery, portal vein, and bile duct. After 15 min hepatic ischemia, we examined a time course of the changes in the steady‐state levels of heme oxygenase‐1 (HO‐1) mRNA and protein in the livers. The levels of HO‐1 mRNA was transiently induced and peaked at 4 h after the start of reperfusion. In addition, a pattern of the time course of HO‐1 protein levels was similar to that of HO‐1 mRNA levels. Immunohistochemical analysis clearly showed that the localization of HO‐1 protein induced by hepatic ischemia was restricted to the hepatoeytes in the pericentral vein.
Cloning of the human cDNA sequence encoding the NADH: Ubiquinone oxidoreductase MLRQ subunit
Authors: Kim Jae Wha , Lee Younghee , Kang Ho Bum , Choe Yong Kyung , Chung Tae Wha , Chang Sung Yeoul , Lee Kwang Soo , Choe In Seong
Published: July 2007

A cDNA clone encoding human NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase (complex I of mitochondrial respiratory chain) MLRQ subunit was isolated from human fetal liver cDNA library. The clone contained an open reading frame of 246 bp which predicted a protein comprising 81 amino acids with a calculated molecular weight of 9,370 Da. The deduced amino acid sequence exhibited 95% homology (88% identity and 7% favored substitution) to that of bovine MLRQ subunit. Northern analysis revealed that the cDNA clone hybridized with a 0.7 kb mRNA species which was present in all tissues examined. The expression level of the 0.7 kb mRNA in heart, skeletal muscle, and brain was higher than in other organs. Human MLRQ cDNA could cross‐hybridize with the genomic DNAs from various species.
A study of supramolecular organization of glycogenolytic enzymes in vertebrate muscle tissue
Authors: Shmelev V. K. , Serebrenikova T. P.
Published: July 2007

Under conditions preventing the direct binding of phosphorylase kinase to glycogen, we detected the formation of the compound ternary complex of glycogen, phosphorylase and phosphorylase kinase. The complex formation occurs in two stages: (i) the formation of phosphorylase‐glycogen complex controlled by ATP, (ii) the binding of phosphorylase kinase to the previously formed phosphorylase‐glycogen complex exclusively in the presence of Ca2+ and Mg2+. The process is responsible for the increase of phosphorylase kinase activity in the presence of glycogen. An opinion is offered that a specific order of enzyme binding to glycogen particle as support provides for a self‐assembly of the studied metabolon and plays an essential role in the regulation of glycogenolysis.
The effects of imidazoacridinones, new antineoplastic agents, on the human erythrocyte membrane
Authors: Józwiak Zofia , Pacholska Marzena , Szwarocka Agnieszka
Published: July 2007

In the present study, the interactions of imidazoacridinones, C‐1311 and C‐1371 with human erythrocyte membranes were examined by electron spin resonance spectroscopy (ESR). It was observed that both compounds C‐1311 and C‐1371 preferentially bind to proteins producing the conformational changes of erythrocyte membrane skeletal proteins.
Cloning of a novel retinoic acid‐inducible mRNA from human osteoblast‐like cells
Authors: Melhus Håkan , Wilén Birgitta , Kindmark Andreas , Ljunghall Sverker
Published: July 2007

Retinoids have long been known to influence skeletal development and bone remodeling. Cells of the osteoblastic lineage play a key role in these processes. In this study we have used the differential display PCR technique to identify retinoic acid (RA)‐induced mRNAs in human osteoblast‐like cells. We report the cloning and sequencing of one such mRNA, AT‐RA 6, which was specifically induced by all‐trans RA both in normal human osteoblast‐like cells and in MG‐63 osteosarcoma cells. Maximal expression was found after 60 min, suggesting that this may be an early response gene. Expression was found in all tissues examined. No homology to known mRNA sequences was detected.
Investigation of the effect of lannate on kinetic parameters of acetylcholinesterase: Slightly concave mixed‐type of inhibition system
Authors: Kamal Mohammad Amjad
Published: July 2007

The effect of lannate on kinetic parameters of camel retina acetylcholinesterase is investigated in the present study. The Ks for the hydrolysis of acetylthiocholine iodide was found to be 0.086 mM in the control system; a value that increased in the lannate treated systems. The Vmax was 0.853 μmole/min/mg protein for the control system while it decreased in the lannate treated systems. Dixon as well as Lineweaver‐Burk plots and their secondary replots indicated that the nature of the inhibition is of the slightly concave mixed type, which is considered to be a 'semi‐pure competitive' and 'semi‐partial as well as semi‐pure non‐competitive' mixture. The values of Ki(slope) and KI (intercept) were estimated as 0.143 μM and 0.179 μM respectively. The KI was greater than Ki indicating that lannate has a greater affinity of binding for the peripheral site than the active site of the camel retina AChE.
Anti‐ROS‐DNA monoclonal antibody as molecular probe for oxidative DNA damage
Authors: Ashok Badithe T. , Ahmad Jabeen , Ali Rashid , Qadri Ayub
Published: July 2007

Modification of 400 bp (approximate size) calf thymus DNA with OH radical resulted in lowered Tm, modification of thymine (58.3%), guanine (20%) and single strand breaks. Monoclonal antibodies (mAb) generated against ROS‐DNA were of IgG1 subclass. The mAb showed strong binding to ROS‐DNA and ROS‐modified bases and polymers, in particular, of thymine. The mAb, therefore, preferentially recognizes ROS‐modified epitopes on nucleic acids. Distinct binding to DNA isolated from aged, but not from normal humans by the monoclonal antibdy was observed. The antibody effectively recognized oxidative lesions in DNA from cancer patients. These studies demonstrate the potential application of the mAb as an immunochemical probe to detect oxidative DNA lesions.
The essential tryptophan residues of pig kidney aminoacylase
Authors: Chen Rong , Xu Dong , Zhou Hai‐Meng
Published: July 2007

The tryptophan residues in pig kidney aminoacylase (N‐acylamino acid amido hydrolase, EC 3.5.1.14) have been modified by N‐bromosuccinimide (NBS) at low pH. The modification of eight tryptophan residues as measured by spectrophotometric and spectrofluorimetric methods leads to complete loss of enzymatic activity. The decreases in absorption at 280 nm and fluorescence emission at 337 nm indicate the modification of tryptophan residues. Both the inactivation and tryptophan residual modification are monophasic, first‐order reactions. Quantitative treatment of the data (Tsou, C. L., Sci. Sin., 1962, 11, 1535‐1558) shows that among the tryptophan residues modified, two are essential for aminoacylase catalytic activity. Kördel and Schneider (Hoppe‐Seyler's Physiol. Chem. 1976, 357, 1109‐1115) reported that the modification of tryptophan residues led to inactivation of aminoacylase, and suggested that tryptophan residues are essential for enzymatic activity. We have now shown that eight tryptophan residues can be modified by N‐bromosuccinimide and that two of them are essential for the catalytic activity of this enzyme.
Expression of the cDNA and purification of P0 ribosomal protein from Lupinus luteus
Authors: Mikolajczyk Katarzyna , Barciszewski Jan
Published: July 2007

Eukaryotic ribosomal protein P0 is localized on the large ribosomal subunit at the base of the specific “stalk” structure, close to the central protuberance. Recently we have obtained a clone coding for P0 ribosomal protein from L.luteus (yellow lupin) cDNA library. Here we present its expression in E.coli cells and purification of the target protein.
Induction of fructose 1,6‐bisphosphatase in HL‐60 leukemia cells by retinoic acid
Authors: Mizunuma Hideo , Tashima Yohtalou
Published: July 2007

The expression of the fructose 1,6‐bisphosphatase gene in HL‐60 cells was induced by retinoic acid. The levels of mRNA, enzyme activity and enzyme protein in the cell line began to rapidly increase after culturing with retinoic acid for 72 h. Retinoic acid dosedependently increased the enzyme activity with maximal stimulation at 1 μM. The responses of the fructose 1,6‐bisphosphatase gene expression by retinoic acid were markedly slower than those of the enzyme expression by 1α,25‐ dihydroxyvitamin D3. When HL‐60 cells were cultured in the presence of both retinoic acid and 1α,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D3, the effects of the two agents on enzyme activity, protein and mRNA were additive.
Characterization of mouse ubiquitin‐like SMT3A and SMT3B cNDAS and gene/pseudogenes
Authors: Chen Angela , Mannen Hideyuki , Li Steven S. ‐L.
Published: July 2007

Mouse SMT3A and SMT3B cDNAs encoding ubiquitin‐like proteins of 110 and 95 amino acids, respectively, were isolated and sequenced. The sequence of the first 92 amino acids (ending with the conserved Gly‐Gly) of mouse SMT3A exhibited two differences at amino acid no. 38 and 76 in comparison with that of human SMT3A. The C‐terminal 18 amino acid sequence of mouse SMT3A was completely different The nucleotide sequences have been deposited in the GenBank database (SMT3A cDNA, AF063847; SMT3A‐pg1 pseudogene, AF063846; SMT3B cDNA, L79948; SMT3B‐pg1, AF067824; SMT3B‐pg2, AF067825; SMT3B‐pg3, AF067826).