bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Biofeedback Therapy in Children with Functional Constipation in Tehran, Iran
Authors: Yousefi Azizollah , Fazelnia Faezeh , Yousefi Farnaz , Riahi Ania , Norouzi Elahe
Published: June 2021

Background: Functional constipation is a common disorder in pediatrics and affects about 30 percent of children, causing several physical and emotional complications and having a considerable impact on health expenses and quality of life. Biofeedback is a behavioral therapy that gives the patient information about the activity of pelvic floor muscles and teaches the patients how to properly contract and relax the sphincter. Biofeedback therapy is the most effective in those with constipation due to pelvic floor dyssynergia, which is the abnormal function of sphincter muscles and affects 40% of children with constipation. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of biofeedback therapy in children with chronic functional constipation unresponsive to medical and conventional treatments. Methods: Forty-four children with functional constipation (according to ROME 4 criteria) unresponsive to at least six months of taking medical treatment and pelvic floor dyssynergia according to anorectal manometry were selected for biofeedback therapy. After six months, symptoms of patients and the need for laxative consumption were compared to those before therapy. Results: Considering ROME 4 criteria, clinical improvement was achieved in 59.1% of patients. Comparison of symptoms shows improvement in 52 - 89 % of cases. Conclusions: In pediatric patients with functional constipation and pelvic floor dyssynergia who do not respond to conventional treatments, biofeedback therapy could be an alternative therapy, and its effects last for at least six months.
Public Views on Priority Groups for COVID-19 Vaccination: A Survey from Iran
Authors: Moradi Najmeh , Heydari Seyyed Taghi , Zarei Leila , Arabloo Jalal , Rezapour Aziz , Meshkani Zahra , Bagheri Lankarani Kamran
Published: June 2021

Background: In the initial coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program, prioritizing population groups is inevitable due to limited supply. Currently, most of the allocation strategies are focused on individuals’ characteristics. Objectives: The present study aimed to assess the opinions of Iranian population in specifying high-priority individuals and groups for COVID-19 vaccination. Methods: An online survey was conducted using some popular social media in Iran. The data was collected from Iranian population (878 individuals) aged 18 years and older during the COVID-19 pandemic (2 - 20 May 2020) to investigate their opinions towards vaccine allocation strategies at the family and society levels. In vaccine prioritizing within family three option and in vaccine prioritizing within society, seven population groups were introduced by the respondents in a random order, respectively. To analyze the data, mean rank and univariate analysis was used. Results: Healthcare workers, high-risk patients, and the elderly were the first priority groups for a vaccination with a mean rank of 2.8, 2.8, and 3.8, respectively. The least priority group was policymakers and executive managers (mean rank = 5.75). At the family level, 64% of the respondents introduced one of the family members as the first priority for vaccination, followed by their children (29%) and themselves (7%). No significant relationship was observed between respondents’ characteristics and their prioritization in vaccine prioritizing within society. Conclusions: Although involving public preference in decision-making is a key factor for the success of policies, careful design and implementation of vaccination programs through considering risk-benefit assessment is strongly recommended.
Distributed Intelligence Model for IoT Applications Based on Neural Networks
Authors:   Department of Computer Science, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, R3T 2N2, Canada, Rababah Baha , Eskicioglu Rasit
Published: June 2021

Increasing the implication of IoT data puts a focus on extracting the knowledge from sensors’ raw data. The management of sensors’ data is inefficient with current solutions, as studies have generally focused on either providing cloud-based IoT solutions or inefficient predefined rules. Cloud-based IoT solutions have problems with latency, availability, security and privacy, and power consumption. Therefore, Providing IoT gateways with relevant intelligence is essential for gaining knowledge from raw data to make the decision of whether to actuate or offload tasks to the cloud. This work proposes a model that provides an IoT gateway with the intelligence needed to extract the knowledge from sensors’ data in order to make the decision locally without needing to send all raw data to the cloud over the Internet. This speeds up decisions and actions for real-time data and overcomes the limitations of cloud-based IoT solutions. When the gateway is unable to process a task locally, the data and task are offloaded to the cloud.
Multicriteria Decision Making using Analytic Hierarchy Process for Child Protection from Malicious Content on the Internet
Authors:   Institute of Information Technology, Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences, Baku, Azerbaijan, Abdullayeva Fargana J. , Ojagverdiyeva Sabira S.
Published: June 2021

Modern children are active Internet users. However, in the context of information abundance, they have little knowledge of which information is useful and which is harmful. To make the Internet a safe place for children, various methods are used at the international and national levels, as well as by experts, and the ways to protect children from harmful information are sought. The article proposes an approach using a multi-criteria decision-making process to prevent children from encountering harmful content on the Internet and to make the Internet more secure environment for children. The article highlights the age characteristics of children as criteria. Harmless information, Training information, Entertainment information, News, and Harmful information are considered as alternatives. Here, a decision is made by comparing the alternatives according to the given criteria. According to the trials, harmful information is rated in the last position. There is no child protection issue on the Internet using the AHP method. This research is important to protect children from harmful information in the virtual space. In the protection of minors Internet users is a reliable approach for educational institutions, parents and other subjects related to child safety.
Traffic Sign Detection and Recognition Model Using Support Vector Machine and Histogram of Oriented Gradient
Authors:   Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology, Dhaka-1208, Bangladesh, Ahmed Nabil , Rabbi Sifat , Rahman Tazmilur , Mia Rubel , Rahman Masudur
Published: June 2021

Traffic signs are symbols erected on the sides of roads that convey the road instructions to its users. These signs are essential in conveying the instructions related to the movement of traffic in the streets. Automation of driving is essential for efficient navigation free of human errors, which could otherwise lead to accidents and disorganized movement of vehicles in the streets. Traffic sign detection systems provide an important contribution to automation of driving, by helping in efficient navigation through relaying traffic sign instructions to the system users. However, most of the existing techniques have proposed approaches that are mostly capable of detection through static images only. Moreover, to the best of the author’s knowledge, there exists no approach that uses video frames. Therefore, this article proposes a unique automated approach for detection and recognition of Bangladeshi traffic signs from the video frames using Support Vector Machine and Histogram of Oriented Gradient. This system would be immensely useful in the implementation of automated driving systems in Bangladeshi streets. By detecting and recognizing the traffic signs in the streets, the automated driving systems in Bangladesh will be able to effectively navigate the streets. This approach classifies the Bangladeshi traffic signs using Support Vector Machine classifier on the basis of Histogram of Oriented Gradient property. Through image processing techniques such as binarization, contour detection and identifying similarity to circle etc., this article also proposes the actual detection mechanism of traffic signs from the video frames. The proposed approach detects and recognizes traffic signs with 100% precision, 95.83% recall and 96.15% accuracy after running it on 78 Bangladeshi traffic sign videos, which comprise 6 different kinds of Bangladeshi traffic signs. In addition, a public dataset for Bangladeshi traffic signs has been created that can be used for other research purposes.
"Self-Will Run Riot"
Authors: Lockard Roget ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: June 2021

This paper proposes that the major national/cultural states of consciousness in the world today are characterized by an addictive epistemology — the corruption of will into willfulness. The essence of addiction is seen to reside in the issue of control While World War II had a singularly "intoxicating" effect on the world's consciousness, the war in Vietnam was an occasion when this consciousness "hit bottom." The hitting bottom event is not a function of objective circumstances, but of consciousness; of the subjective interpretation and experience of phenomena. To resolve this addictive consciousness we need to learn, as individuals and en masse, to surrender control and accept responsibility. Because addiction, and its resolution, hinge on transformations of the experience of self, wefind that questions regarding the nature of selfhood and identity once considered philosophical recreations have become urgently pragmatic.
The fossil record of the family Benthopectinidae (Echinodermata, Asteroidea), a reappraisal
Authors: Gale Andy S. , Jagt John W.M.
Published: June 2021

Fossils assigned to the predominantly deep-sea asteroid family Benthopectinidae Verrill, 1894 are described and their affinities reappraised. Detailed comparative morphology of ambulacrals, adambulacrals and marginal ossicles has revealed that only some extinct taxa fall within the morphological range of the modern representatives of the family. These include Jurapecten hessi Gale, 2011, J. infrajurensis sp. nov. (both Jurassic), J. dhondtae sp. nov. (Upper Cretaceous) and Nearchaster spinosus (Blake, 1973) comb. nov. (Lower Oligocene). A new Late Cretaceous genus, Punkaster gen. nov. (P. spinifera gen. et sp. nov. and P. ruegenensis gen. et sp. nov.), appears to be a highly derived benthopectinid. A possible benthopectinid is described from the Upper Triassic (Carnian) of China. Other described records are distantly related to, but convergent in gross morphology with, benthopectinids. Thus, Plesiastropecten hallovensis Peyer, 1944 is here referred to the Jurassic spinulosidan family Plumasteridae Gale, 2011 and Xandarosaster hessi Blake, 1984 is interpreted as Spinulosida Perrier, 1884 incertae sedis. The mid-Cretaceous Alkaidia sumralli Blake & Reid, 1998 is reassigned to the Forcipulatida (Zorocallina). The “fossil benthopectinid” of Spencer & Wright in Moore (1966) is shown to belong to the goniopectinid genus Chrispaulia Gale, 2005, of which two new Cretaceous species are described, C. wrightorum sp. nov. and C. spinosa sp. nov. Finally, we consider Henricia? venturana Durham & Roberts, 1948 to be an indeterminate asteroid.
Preocupaciones y cambios de política: ¿hacia la sostenibilidad de la palma aceitera en la Amazonía?
Authors: La Rosa Salazar Miguel Angel
Published: June 2021

This paper examines the influence of concerns regarding Amazon deforestation in the Peruvian oil palm policy. The research consisted of the analysis of discourses underlying oil palm policy and of related actors. The results show a paradigm change influenced by the referred concerns. This influence occurred presumably through oil palm farmers, who led a recent policy’s update process while promoting their insertion to green markets. The results also present the absolute necessity of including indigenous peoples in oil palm policy and other policies in the Peruvian Amazon.
La sociología relacional como modo de aprendizaje
Authors: Leoni Birriel Mariana , Melo Danilo , Monteiro de Castro Nascimento Carolina , Alvarez Nadya Emma
Published: June 2021

Texto presentado por un grupo de alumnas y alumnos de François Dépelteau en el homenaje realizado luego de su partida, en 2018, en la Universidad Federal de Santa Catarina (Florianópolis, Brasil). En él se relata la experiencia compartida con Dépelteau, destacando la coherencia entre su propuesta conceptual y su modo de establecer relaciones en el contexto formativo.
Entrevista con Pilar Rosado
Authors: Rosado Pilar
Published: June 2021

Esta semana hablamos con Pilar Rosado. Pilar ha publicado diversos ensayos sobre la aplicación de modelos de visión por computador para el análisis de grandes colecciones de imágenes de arte abstracto, proporcionando puntos de vista alternativos para la reflexión acerca de las convenciones de nuestra mirada. En su práctica artística explora cuestiones políticas que se pueden abordar desde la imagen y que implican a las tecnologías de aprendizaje automático, como la gestión de la información en los archivos visuales del futuro, la revisión de la memoria colectiva o la creatividad artificial.
Układy poligeneracyjne do skojarzonej produkcji energii elektrycznej, ciepła i chłodu
Authors: Nowak Wojciech
Published: June 2021

Najpopularniejszym rozwiązaniem trójgeneracyjnym jest skojarzenie generatora energii elektrycznej, najczęściej silnika gazowego, z węzłem odbioru ciepła oraz z absorpcyjnym agregatem chłodniczym wykorzystującym do produkcji wody lodowej wodę gorącą. Rozwiązania tego typu odznaczają się wysoką efektywnością energetyczną, jak również doskonałą elastycznością pracy, bowiem w okresie letnim nadwyżka produkowanego ciepła wykorzystywana jest przez agregat absorpcyjny do produkcji chłodu, przez co znacznej redukcji ulega zapotrzebowanie na energię elektryczną na cele chłodnicze. W pracy zaprezentowano system do skojarzonej produkcji energii elektrycznej, ciepła i chłodu z dodatkową funkcją odsalania wody oraz oczyszczania ścieków. System pozwala na osiągnięcie bardzo wysokiej efektywności energetycznej dzięki racjonalnemu wykorzystaniu ciepła odpadowego generowanego przez silniki Diesla.
Rare evidence for ‘gnawing-like’ behavior in a small-bodied theropod dinosaur
Authors: Brown Caleb M. , Tanke Darren H. , Hone David W.E.
Published: June 2021

Mammalian carnivores show a higher degree of prey bone utilization relative to non-avian theropod dinosaurs, with this major ecological difference reflected in the frequency and morphology of tooth marks in modern and Cenozoic assemblages relative to Mesozoic ones. As such, prey bone utilization (i.e., gnawing, bone-breaking, osteophagy) may represent a key ecological strategy repeatedly exploited by mammalian carnivores but rarely in theropod dinosaurs. Here we describe an isolated adult-sized hadrosaurid pedal ungual (III-4) from the Dinosaur Park Formation (Campanian) of southern Alberta which shows a unique pattern of bite marks from a small- to medium-sized theropod dinosaur. Thirteen distinct tooth marks occur in a restricted area of the ungual, and the pattern suggests up to six repeated, high-power bites delivered to the bone. The tracemaker cannot be definitively identified, but was likely a dromaeosaurid or very young tyrannosaurid. Tooth marks on at least four other Dinosaur Park Formation hadrosaur pedal unguals are reported, but the overall frequency of occurrence in unguals (< 1%) is much lower than that reported for other bones. The pattern of tooth marks on this specimen deviates from most described theropods tooth marks, and given the low volume of meat associated with the ungual, may represent theropod prey bone utilization as part of late-stage carcass consumption, and a behavior similar to mammalian gnawing.
Removal of Pharmaceutical Residues from Wastewater using Activated Carbon from Rice Husks
Authors: Kahara P. , Gachanja A. , Kiptoo J. , Nyaga G.
Published: June 2021

The presence of pharmaceutical residues in discharges that end up in rivers is a growing concern for the disruption of aquatic ecosystems and human health. The risk of exposure to these medical wastes becomes greater because they are not biodegradable even after sewage treatment. This study aimed to remove trimethoprim (antibiotic), paracetamol (painkiller), and nevirapine (anti-retroviral) from wastewater using activated carbon made from rice husks, an agricultural waste that was investigated as a potential adsorbent. The instrument used for analysis was a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometer (LC-MS/MS). The powdered carbon of rice husks was carbonated at a temperature of 500oC and then activated by phosphoric acid to increase its porosity. After activation, it was successfully characterized by the use of Scanning electron microscopy which showed irregular cavities with open fine pores. Fourier transform infrared showed different functional groups which determined adsorbent- adsorbate interactions while X-ray diffraction revealed amorphous particle arrangement. The effects of the adsorbent dose, contact time, pH, and initial drug concentration were studied. Freundlich and Langmuir's isotherms were used in the evaluation of adsorption phenomena. Thus, obtained results showed that rice husks activated carbon is an effective adsorbent.
Spontaneous Regression of Atypical Fibroxanthoma of the Hand
Authors: Sbai Mohamed Ali , Bellila Senda , Maalla Riadh
Published: June 2021

Atypical fibroxanthoma is a rare fibrohistiocytic tumour with intermediate malignancy that generally affects photoexposed areas of the elderly. The diagnosis is anatomopathological and the management is surgical.

We report the case of a spontaneous regression of an atypical fibroxanthoma of the hand. This phenomenon is a very rare situation related to a probable immunological response.
Mise en evidence d'une reaction croisee entre les marqueurs allotypiques Aa1 et Aa2 du locus a chez le lapin
Authors: Renneboog-Squilbin C.
Published: July 2002

It is well known that, in rabbits, the allotypes of the b locus carried by the light chains of the IgG molecules cross‐react. Nothing similar has been described for the allotypes of the a locus carried by the heavy chains of the IgG molecules. This paper describes a cross‐reaction between the rabbit allotypic markers Aa1 and Aa2 of the a locus. This phenomenon became evident in successive I125‐labelled IgG precipitation experiments with a particular serum.
The TolC protein of Escherichia coli K12 is synthesised in a precursor form
Authors: Hackett Jim , Misra Rajeev , Reeves Peter
Published: July 2002

We examined the biosynthesis of the TolC protein of Escherichia coli K12 in a pulse—chase experiment, followed by immunoprecipitation with anti‐TolC antibody and SDS—PAGE of the immunoprecipitate. This showed that TolC protein was originally synthesised in a precusor form (M
r 54 500) which could be chased into the mature form (M
r 52 000). DNA sequencing of a portion of the cloned tolC gene showed that the N‐terminus of the mature rotein was preceded by a typical signal sequence of 22 residues (M
r 2542). The initiator Met was preceded by a Shine—Dalgarno sequence, with the correct spacing.
Interaction of prostaglandin E1 with human high density lipoproteins
Authors: Manevich E.M. , Muzya G.I. , Prokazova N.V. , Molotkovsky Jul.G. , Bezuglov V.V. , Bergelson L.D.
Published: July 2002

Fluorescent phospholipid probe
High density lipoprotein
Prostaglandin E1
Binding of fibronectin to gelatin and heparin: effect of surface denaturation and detergents
Authors: Haas Robert , Culp Lloyd A.
Published: July 2002

Fibronectin
Collagen
Heparan sulfate
Affinity chromatography
Detergent
Adhesion
The amino acid sequence of the zinc‐requiring β‐lactamase II from the bacterium Bacillus cereus 569
Authors: Ambler Richard P. , Daniel Margaret , Fleming Joan , Hermoso Jose-Miguel , Pang Calvin , Waley Stephen G.
Published: July 2002

The amino acid sequence of the zinc‐requiring β‐Mactamase II from Bacillus cereus strain 569 has been determined. It consists of a single polypeptide chain of 227 residues. It is the only example so far fully characterized of a class B β‐lactamase, and is structurally and mechanistically distinct from both the widely distributed class A β‐lactamases (such as the Escherichia coli RTEM enzyme) and from the chromosomally encoded class C enzymes from Gram‐negative bacteria.
Rare codons in E. coli and S. typhimurium signal sequences
Authors: Burns Dennis M. , Beacham Ifor R.
Published: July 2002

Codon usage has been examined in the signal sequences of 27 genes encoding proteins which possess leader peptides, and are inner‐membrane located or exported. The results have been compared with codon usage in the corresponding coding sequences of most of the mature proteins. A bias is observed in the usage of rare codons for two of the three hydrophobic amino acids for which there are rare codons. Since hydrophobic residues are predominant in leader peptides, we suggest that a resulting concentration of rare codons in the signal sequence may play a role (or have played a role in the evolutionary past) in the secretion process by delaying translation.
Isolation and partial characterization of the calcitonin gene in a lower vertebrate
Authors: Minvielle S. , Cressent M. , Lasmoles F. , Jullienne A. , Milhaud G. , Moukhtar M.S.
Published: July 2002

(Chicken)
Calcitonin gene‐related peptide
Amino acid sequence
Nucleotide sequence
Calcitonin gene
Characterization of the free radical in a plant ribonucleotide reductase
Authors: Harder Jens , Follmann Hartmut
Published: July 2002

Ribonucleotide reductase of the green alga, Scenedesmus obliquus, contains an organic free radical in its catalytic subunit U2 which is quenched by hydroxyurea and regenerated upon aerobic incubation in the presence of Fe2+. The low‐temperature EPR spectrum exhibits a doublet centered at g = 2.0046. This EPR signal is indistinguishable from that of the tyrosine radical in mouse cell ribonucleotide reductase, indicating that the eukaryotes possess one common enzyme apparatus for deoxyribonucleotide biosynthesis.
Secondary structure of the variant surface glycoproteins of trypanosomes
Authors: Jähnig Fritz , Bülow Roland , Baltz Theo , Overath Peter
Published: July 2002

The secondary structure of seven variant surface glycoproteins (VSGs) of trypanosomes has been determined by Raman spectroscopy. They are all predominantly α‐helical, the α‐helix content varying between 50 and 60%. The β‐strand content varies between 20 and 25%, and the content of β‐turn and nonregular structures is about 25%. For three VSGs the N‐terminal domain obtained by proteolytic cleavage was found to have essentially the same secondary structure as the complete VSGs. For three VSGs a secondary structure prediction has been performed applying the rules of Chou and Fasman. In all cases, two long α‐helices extending over about 50 residues or 80 Å are predicted in agreement with the X‐ray diffraction data of Freymann et al. [(1984) Nature 311, 167–169] and Metcalf et al. [(1987) Nature 325, 84–86]. The region between the two α‐helical segments exhibits a high potential of β‐turns, suggesting that this segment may be exposed on the cell surface and carry major antigenic determinants.
Pertussis toxin does not affect the time course of exocytosis in mast cells stimulated by intracellular application of GTP‐γ‐S
Authors: Lindau Manfred , Nüße Oliver
Published: July 2002

Exocytosis was studied in single rat peritoneal mast cells. Granule fusion was monitored by time‐resolved capacitance measurements using the patch‐clamp technique. Intracellular stimulation of mast cells with 20 μM GTP‐γ‐S stimulates exocytosis with a calcium‐dependent time course. Secretion in response to receptormediated stimulation with compound 48/80 was completely abolished by treatment with pertussis toxin (IAP) at 180 ng/ml for 4 h. The time course of exocytosis in response to GTP‐γ‐S remained unaffected in IAP‐treated cells supporting the involvement of a second GTP‐binding protein in stimulus‐secretion coupling.
Influence of prostaglandins on the lipid transfer between human high density and low density lipoproteins
Authors: Muzya G.I. , Korobkova E.N. , Golovanova N.K. , Bergelson L.D.
Published: July 2002

Prostaglandin (PG) E1 was demonstrated to stimulate the transfer of phosphatidylcholine and cholesterol esters from human high density lipoproteins (HDL3) to low density lipoproteins (LDL). The enhancement effect of PGE1, on the interlipoprotein lipid transfer was seen at low PG concentrations under conditions of spontaneous exchange as well as in the presence of lipoprotein‐depleted plasma, or partly purified plasma lipid exchange protein. PGE2 and PGF2α showed no significant influence on the interlipoprotein lipid transfer. Evidence is presented suggesting that the PGE1‐induced stimulation of interlipoprotein lipid exchange results in enhancement of LCAT‐catalyzed cholesterol esterification in plasma. It is proposed that the effect of PGE1 is due to the previously described PGE1‐induced reorganization of the HDL surface [(1984) FEBS Lett. 173, 291‐293] and that PG‐lipoprotein interaction may be a factor regulating cholesterol homeostasis.
Signal peptide homology between the sweet protein thaumatin II and unrelated cereal α‐amylase/trypsin inhibitors
Authors: Lázaro Ana , Rodriguez-Palenzuela Pablo , Maraña Carmen , Carbonero Pilar , Garcia-Olmedo Francisco
Published: July 2002

A cDNA clone (pUP‐23) corresponding to a member of a protein family that includes inhibitors of trypsin and of heterologous α‐amylases has been selected from a library derived from developing barley endosperm and its sequence has been determined. A stretch of 95 nucleotides that included the signal peptide and the first 8 residues of the mature protein was found to be homologous to an exactly equivalent region of the nucleotide sequence encoding the sweet protein thaumatin II. Evolutionary implications of this finding are discussed.
Pertussis toxin reverses the inhibition of insulin secretion caused by [Arg8]vasopressin in rat pancreatic islets
Authors: Khalaf Luma J. , Taylor Keith W.
Published: July 2002

When rat pancreatic islets were incubated with 10−8 M arginine vasopressin in the presence of 15 mM glucose there was a pronounced inhibition of insulin release in comparison with controls. This inhibitory effect appeared to be specific for vasopressin since it was antagonised by vasopressin antibody. Moreover, pertussis toxin (100 ng/ml) reversed the inhibition of insulin release due to vasopressin, indicating the possible involvement of a guanyl‐nucleotide regulatory protein in the inhibitory effect. Nevertheless, 10−8 M vasopressin increased islet concentrations of cyclic AMP even under conditions where insulin release was decreased.
Suppression of clofibrate‐induced peroxisome proliferation in rat liver by nicardipine, a calcium antagonist
Authors: Watanabe Takafumi , Suga Tetsuya
Published: July 2002

In vivo administration of nicardipine, nifedipine and diltiazem, known as calcium antagonists, suppressed the clofibrateevoked induction of activities of peroxisomal enzymes, such as the peroxisomal fatty acyl‐CoA oxidizing system and carnitine acetyltransferase. The inhibition activity of nicardipine with respect to clofibrate induction of the two enzyme systems was 62 and 33%, respectively. Induction of the peroxisomal bifunctional protein, enoyl‐CoA hydratase/3‐hydroxyacyl‐CoA dehydrogenase, by clofibrate was suppressed about 60% by nicardipine on analysis of the hepatic protein composition by SDS‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Other drugs also exhibited similar inhibitory activity. These results provide the first demonstration of calcium antagonists, e.g. nicardipine, nifedipine and diltiazem, acting as inhibitors of peroxisome proliferation in animals. Such drugs might become useful as tools for elucidating the mechanism of peroxisome proliferation and for determination of the pathological conditions under which peroxisomal function is impaired.
Cloning, sequencing and expression of the lipase gene from Pseudomonas fragi IFO‐12049 in E. coli
Authors: Aoyama Shigeyuki , Yoshida Naoyuki , Inouye Satoshi
Published: July 2002

The lipase gene from Pseudomonas fragi IFO‐12049 was isolated using the expression library and the primary structure of lipase deduced from the nucleotide sequence was determined. It is composed of 277 amino acid residues and a protein of M
r29 966, which was close to the value of the lipase expressed in E. coli.
A chicken homeo box gene with developmentally regulated expression
Authors: Fainsod Abraham , Gruenbaum Yosef
Published: July 2002

Several homeo box sequences were isolated from a chicken (Gallus domesticus) genomic library. One phage, λGG7, was chosen for further study and the single homeo box sequence it contains was characterized. The sequence of the homeo box revealed it to be a distant member of the Antp class of homeo boxes. Expression of the CHox7 gene results in four transcripts, 1.4, 1.9, 2.4 and 3.5 kb in size. Transcript accumulation of the CHox7 gene peaks twice during embryogenesis, once with the 1.4 kb transcript during early somitogenesis and the second time with the 1.9 kb transcript during organogenesis.
Pyrophosphate analogues in pyrophosphorolysis reaction catalyzed by DNA polymerases
Authors: Rozovskaya Tatyana , Tarussova Natalya , Minassian Shahnara , Atrazhev Alexey , Kukhanova Marina , Krayevsky Alexander , Chidgeavadze Zurab , Beabealashvilli Robert
Published: July 2002

It is demonstrated here that rat liver DNA polymerase β catalyzes the pyrophosphorolysis reaction with pyrophosphate (PPi) and its analogues. The substrate specificity of the PPi‐binding site of several DNA polymerases was investigated. It was discovered that the ability of DNA polymerases to utilize PPi analogues instead of PPi in the pyrophosphorolysis reaction was markedly restricted. Only imidodiphosphate and methylenediphosphonate were demonstrated as participating in this process. Oxodiphosphonate and phosphonoformate inhibited DNA synthesis, but probably not via the interaction with the PPi‐binding site of DNA polymerases.
Structural consequences of a one atom mutation on aspartate transcarbamylase from E. coli
Authors: Cherfils J. , Sweet R.M. , Middleton S.A. , Kantrowitz E.R. , Tauc P. , Vachette P.
Published: July 2002

Tyr‐240 of the catalytic chain of aspartate transcarbamylase from E. coli has been substituted by Phe using site‐directed mutagenesis. The regulatory mechanisms of the mutant enzyme have been shown to be slightly less effective than the wild‐type enzyme [1]. A study of the structural consequences of the mutation using solution X‐ray scattering and computer simulations is reported here. No significant change from the wild‐type enzyme is detectable in the quaternary structure. Simulations suggest that the only effect of the mutation is an increased mobility of the mutated side chain.
Primary structure of cathepsin D inhibitor from potatoes and its structure relationship to soybean trypsin inhibitor family
Authors: Mareš M. , Meloun B. , Pavlík M. , Kostka V. , Baudyš M.
Published: July 2002

A novel effective procedure for the purification of cathepsin D inhibitor from potatoes (PDI) was developed. The amino acid sequence of PDI was determined by analysis of the cyanogen bromide digest and of the limited tryptic and chymotryptic digests of the protein. The inhibitor is a single polypeptide chain protein consisting of 188 residues with a simple sugar moiety attached to Asn‐19. The tentative disulfide pairings are also suggested. The sequence data clearly indicate that PDI is homologous with the soybean trypsin inhibitor (STI) (Kunitz) family. The active center of PDI for trypsin inhibition was identified as Pro‐Val‐Arg‐Phe in analogy to STI.
Affinity chromatography of the bovine cerebral cortex A1 adenosine receptor
Authors: Olah Mark E. , Jacobson Kenneth A. , Stiles Gary L.
Published: July 2002

An approximate 140‐fold purification of the A1 adenosine receptor of bovine cerebral cortex has been obtained via affinity chromatography. The affinity column consists of Affi‐Gel 10 coupled through an amide linkage to XAC, a high‐affinity A1 adenosine receptor antagonist. As assessed by [3h]XAC binding, bovine brain membranes solubilized with the detergent CHAPS had a specific binding activity of 1.1 protein. Interaction of solubilized A1 adenosine receptors with the XAC‐Affi‐Gel was biospecific and 30% of the receptor activity was bound by the gel. Demonstration of [3h]XAC binding in the material eluted from the column with R‐PIA required insertion of receptor into phospholipid vesicles. The specific activity of the affinity column purified receptor was 146 ± 22 protein with typically 5–15% of the bound receptor recovered. The purified receptor displayed high‐affinity antagonist binding and bound agonists with the potency order expected of the bovine brain A1 adenosine receptor: R‐PIA >
S‐PIA >62; NECA. In purified preparations, the photoaffinity probe [1251]PAPAXAC‐SANPAH specifically labelled a protein of molecular mass 38000 which has previously been shown to be the A1 adenosine receptor binding subunit.
Point mutations in conserved amino acid residues within the C‐terminal domain of HIV‐1 reverse transcriptase specifically repress RNase H function
Authors: Schatz Octavian , Cromme Frans V. , Grüninger-Leitch Fiona , Le Grice Stuart F.J.
Published: July 2002

Two single site substitutions (E478 → Q and H539 → F) were introduced into the C‐terminal RNase H domain of HIV‐1 reverse transcriptase. These mutant proteins were expressed in Escherichia coli and purified by Ni2+‐nitrilotriacetic acid affinity chromatography. Both enzymes are clearly defective in RNase H function, but exhibit wild type reverse transcriptase activity.
The organization of the gene for the human cerebroside sulfate activator protein
Authors: Holtschmidt Hans , Sandhoff Konrad , Fürst Werner , Kwon Hae Young , Schnabel Doris , Suzuki Kunihiko
Published: July 2002

The organization of 14 exons covering 97% of the cDNA sequence of human cerebroside sulfate activator protein precursor has been determined from two overlapping EMBL‐4 human genomic clones extending over 17kb. All exons and exon/intron splice junctions and five introns were sequenced. Exon 8 consists of only 9 bp and is involved in alternative splicing which generates three different mRNAs of cerebroside sulfate activator precursor.
Interaction of calmodulin with lactoferrin
Authors: de Lillo A. , Tejerina J.M. , Fierro J.F.
Published: July 2002

Calmodulin, as a major intracellular calcium‐binding protein, regulates many Ca2+‐dependent enzymes and plays an important role in a wide spectrum of cellular functions of the eukaryotes. Interaction between calmodulin and human lactoferrin, a 78 kDa protein with antibacterial properties, was found in the presence of Ca2+ using (i) a method for the detection of calmodulin binding proteins with biotinylated calmodulin, (ii) affinity chromatography on an agarose—calmodulin column with subsequent detection by an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The binding of calmodulin to lactoferrin blocked the ability of lactoferrin to agglutinate Micrococcus lysodeikticus.
High‐affinity binding sites for 12(S)‐hydroxy‐5,8,10,14‐eicosatetraenoic acid (12(S)‐HETE) in carcinoma cells
Authors: Herbertsson Helena , Hammarström Sven
Published: July 2002

12(S)‐hydroxy‐5,8,10,14‐eicosatetraenoic acid (12(S)‐HETE) enhances tumor cell adhesion to endothelial cells [Honn et al. (1988) Proc. Soc. Exp. Biol. Med. 189, 130–135]. The effect is correlated to surface expression of an integrin receptor, GpIIb/IIIa. Here, we describe evidence for high‐affinity binding of 12(S)‐HETE to Lewis lung carcinoma cells. Scatchard plot analyses indicated a single class of sites with apparent K
d and B
max values of 0.44 nM and 66,000 sites per cell, respectively. Competition experiments with unlabeled compounds shod d that the binding was reversible and saturable as well as stereo‐ and regiospecific. The 12(S)‐HETE binding, demonstrated here, might be an important step in a series of events controlling surface expression of integrin receptors.
Identification of a paramagnetic species as an early intermediate in the coenzyme B12‐dependent glutamate mutase reaction A cob(II)amide?
Authors: Leutbecher U. , Albracht S.P.J. , Buckel W.
Published: July 2002

Highly active and cobamide‐free glutamate mutase was obtained from Clostridium cochlearium by a modification of the original purification procedure. After incubation of the enzyme with dithiothreitol, adenosylcobalamin (coenzyme B12) and the substrate (S)‐glutamate, a paramagnetic species was observed by EPR‐spectroscopy. The signal was maximal within 15 ms after mixing with glutamate. Different signals were detected after incubating the system with the competitive inhibitors (2S,4S)‐4‐fluoroglutamate or 2‐methyleneglutarate instead of the substrate. The former developed with an at least 100‐fold lower rate then the signal with glutamate. All three signals are probably due to low‐spin cob(II)amide species with an extraordinary low gxy
value as compared with cob(II)alamin.
Stabilization of mRNA in an Escherichia coli cell‐free translation system
Authors: Hirao Ichiro , Yoshizawa Satoko , Miura Kin-ichiro
Published: July 2002

It became clear that mRNA can be stabilized in a cell‐free translation system of Escherichia coli by hybridization with a small DNA fragment at its 3' terminus. The stability increased when a small DNA fragment containing a stable hairpin structure with a GAAA loop was used. The enhancement of stabilization was brought about because the hairpin structure is resistant towards the nucleases contained in the translation system. The hairpin structure is effective by stabilizing the added DNA fragment itself towards the nucleases.
The growth‐supportive effect of thrombospondin (TSP1) and the expression of TSP1 by human MG‐63 osteoblastic cells are both inhibited by dexamethasone
Authors: Abbadia Zoher , Amiral Jean , Trzeciak Marie-Christine , Delmas Pierre D. , Clezardin Philippe
Published: July 2002

Thrombospondin (TSP) is a 450‐kDa extracellular matrix glycoprotein which supports the growth of human MG‐63 osteoblastic cells [Abbadia et al., FEBS Lett., 329 (1993) 341‐346]. In this study, we describe the effect of the glucocorticoid, dexamethasone, on cell proliferation and TSP expression by MG‐63 cells. Using a serum‐free mitogenesis assay, dexamethasone (25 to 500 nM) caused a dose‐dependent decrease in [3H]ithymidine incorporation by MG‐63 cels in culture, reaching 40% inhibition of cell proliferation at a concentration of 250 nM. Similarly, the stimulatory effect of TSP (500 ) on proliferation of MG‐63 cells was totally abolished in the presence of dexamethasone (250 nM). In situ hybridization indicated that TSP mRNA level in dexamethasone‐treated MG‐63 cells decreased compared to quiescent cells. As judged by fluorescence‐activated cell sorting analysis, dexamethasone treatment of MG‐63 cells resulted in a 50 to 70% decrease in TSP cell surface expression compared to quiescent cells. Secretion of TSP in the culture fluid of dexamethasone‐treated MG‐63 cells also decreased by 40% while, under similar experimental conditions, a 180% increase in alkaline phosphatase activity was observed in dexamethasone‐treated cells. Because glucocorticoids induce osteoporosis in vivo and reduce proliferation of osteoblasts in vitro, our results argue for an important role of TSP during bone formation.
Autoxidation kinetics of aqueous nitric oxide
Authors: Ford Peter C. , Wink David A. , Stanbury David M.
Published: July 2002

Reports on the kinetics of the autoxidation of aqueous nitric oxide are discussed. It is concluded that the correct rate law is ‐d[NO]/dt = 4k
aq[NO]2 [O2] with k
aq = 2 × 106 M−2 · s−1 at 25°C and that a recent report of a rate law zero order in NO is incorrect.
An extensive network of PHFτ‐rich dystrophic neurites permeates neocortex and nearly all neuritic and diffuse amyloid plaques in Alzheimer disease
Authors: Schmidt Marie Luise , DiDario A.Geoffrey , Lee Virginia M.-Y , Trojanowski John Q.
Published: July 2002

Previous studies demonstrated paired helical filament τ (PHFτ) in neuritic but not diffuse β‐amyloid (Aβ) plaques in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Re‐examination of amyloid deposits with antibodies to Aβ and PHFτ by conventional and confocal microscopy using double label immunohistochemistry showed that PHFτ is a component of both diffuse and neuritic plaques in AD. Unlike controls, a dense network of PHFτ positive dystrophic neurites extended throughout the AD neocortex permeating nearly all neuritic and diffuse plaques. Thus, PHFτ‐rich dystrophic neurites are common components of neuritic and diffuse plaques in AD neocortex.
Cross‐linking of β‐amyloid protein precursor catalysed by tissue transglutaminase
Authors: Ho Gilbert J. , Gregory Eugene J. , Smirnova Irina V. , Zoubine Mikhail N. , Festoff Barry W.
Published: July 2002

Alzheimer's disease is characterized by progressive dementia, cortical atrophy with synaptic loss, and the accumulation of neurofibrillary tangles and senile plaques containing β‐amyloid. The β‐amyloid protein precursor (β‐APP), may normally be involved in cell adhesion related to synaptic maintenance. Loss of synapses correlates with dementia, suggesting that synaptic deficits may underlie the disease. Synapse stability may depend on the action of tissue transglutaminase (tTG), an enzyme capable of crosslinking large, multi‐domain extracellular glycoproteins, that is active and present at synapses. We now show that β‐APP is a substrate for tTG in vitro that results in dimers and multimers by silver staining and immunoblotting. This novel post‐translational modification suggests further roles for β‐APP in synaptic function as well as in Alzheimer's disease.
Chemical crosslinking studies of extrinsic proteins in cyanobacterial photosystem II
Authors: Han Kab-Cho , Shen Jian-Ren , Ikeuchi Masahiko , Inoue Yorinao
Published: July 2002

Chemical crosslinking with a zero‐length crosslinker, 1‐ethyl‐3‐(3‐dimethylaminopropyl) carbodimide hydrochloride, was applied to a cyanobacterial photosystem II complex retaining three extrinsic proteins, the 33 kDa manganese‐stabilizing protein, cytochrome (cyt) c‐550 and the 12 kDa protein. Three major crosslinked products were obtained in addition to the crosslinked product between the extrinsic 33 kDa and the intrinsic CP47 proteins. They were identified to be: cyt c‐550‐12 kDa; cyt c‐550‐12 kDa‐33 kDa; D2‐cyt c‐550‐12 kDa. These results indicate that the three extrinsic proteins are closely located with each other in cyanobacterial PSII, supporting the previous proposal that, like the 33 kDa protein, cyt c‐550 and the 12 kDa protein are associated with PSII at the lumenal side of thylakoids. The results also suggested that the D2 reaction center protein provides a direct binding site for the extrinsic cyt c‐550.
Selective chemical modification of Cys264 with diiodofluorescein iodacetamide as a tool to study the membrane topology of cytochrome P450scc (CYP11A1)
Authors: Chernogolov Alexey , Usanov Sergey , Kraft Regine , Schwarz Dieter
Published: July 2002

Cys264 of cytochrome P450scc (CYPIIAI) was selectively labelled with diiodofluorescein iodacetamide in solution and in proteoliposomes. The labelling affected the interaction of P450scc with adrenodoxin and significantly inhibited the side‐chain cleavage activity of the soluble and membrane‐bound hemeprotein in the reconstituted system. In proteoliposomes both the labelled and unlabelled hemepoteins were susceptible to trypsin and split into F1 and F2, two fragments corresponding to the two main domains of P450scc. These results suggest that the hinge connecting the two domains in the region Arg250‐Asn257 is exposed to the surface of the membrane and involved in the interaction of P450scc with adrenodoxin.
Ribosome‐messenger recognition in the absence of the Shine‐Dalgarno interactions
Authors: Tzareva N.V. , Makhno V.I. , Boni I.V.
Published: July 2002

In an attempt to understand how Escherichia coli ribosomes recognize the initiator codon on mRNAs lacking the Shine‐Dalgamo (SD) sequence, we have studied 30S initiation complex formation in extension inhibition (toeprinting) experiments using (‐SD)mRNAs which are known to be reliably translated in E. coli: the plant viral messenger A1MV RNA 4 and two chimaeric mRNAs coding for β‐glucuronidase (GUS) and bearing the 5'‐untranslated sequence of TMV RNA Ω or the Ω‐derived sequence (CAA)n as 5'‐leaders. Ribosomal protein Sl and IF3 have been found to be indispensable for translational initiation. Protein S1 appears to be a key recognition element. S1 binds to sequences within the leaders of (‐SD)mRNAs thus providing their affinity to E. coli ribosomes.
Cell cycle‐dependent association of Gag‐Mil and hsp90
Authors: Lovrić Josip , Bischof Oliver , Moelling Karin
Published: July 2002

Immunoprecipitated p100Gag‐Mil protein kinase from MH2‐transformed quail embryo fibroblasts is associated with an 89 kDa protein. The molar ratio between p89 and Gag‐Mil in the immunocomplex is 0.72, indicating that the majority of Gag‐Mil is complexed with p89. During mitosis part of Gag‐Mil is shifted to a form with reduced electrophoretic mobility, p102Gag‐Mil. Appearance of p102Gag‐Mil leads to a reduced association with p89 indicating that p102 is not associated with p89. Microsequencing of p89 isolated from immunoprecipitates of Gag‐Mil identified the protein as the quail homologue of chicken hsp90. Our results show that p100Gag‐Mil is associated with hsp90 with a high stoichiometry and that upshifted p102Gag‐Mil is released from the complex with hsp90.
Automated blood pressure monitoring in normal pregnancy
Authors: Stella A. , Grella P.V.
Published: July 2002

Objectives: The aims of this work were to establish automated blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) standards during the three trimesters of pregnancy and to analyze the chronobiological trend of blood pressure during gestation. Methods: A longitudinal study using 24‐h ABPM was performed on 192 healthy pregnant women, (aged 20–42 years, mean ± S.D. 28 ± 5) both nulliparas (n = 85) and multiparas (n = 107), and also on 26 pregnant women with chronic hypertension and 132 preeclamptic patients. The arterial pressure (AP) of the healthy women, at the start of the pregnancy, was < 140/90 mmHg, as measured by the standard mercury sphygmomanometer, and it remained so at subsequent check‐ups throughout the pregnancy and puerperium. AP was monitored using the Spacelabs 90207 (Nippon Collin, Takeda UA 751), beginning at 08:00 h. Results: The normal pregnancies demonstrated an AP circadian rhythm with daytime systolic (SAP) and diastolic (DAP) values about 8–9 mmHg (P < 0.01) higher than at night. In the normal pregnancies, the mean 24‐h AP values, like mean daytime and night‐time, SAP and DAP values, remained the same in the first two trimesters, while a slight but significant increase occurred in the third (P < 0.05). Conclusions: This study enabled a range of normal pressure values to be deduced for each hour of the day throughout the three trimesters of pregnancy. This may facilitate a more accurate evaluation of individual pressure readings in pregnant women so as to ensure a more reliable and timely diagnosis of hypertension.