bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Many-body force field models based solely on pairwise Coulomb screening do not simultaneously reproduce correct gas-phase and condensed-phase polarizability limits
Authors: Giese Timothy J. , York Darrin M.
Published: May 2004

It is demonstrated that many-body force field models based solely on pairwise Coulomb screening cannot simultaneously reproduce both gas-phase and condensed-phase polarizability limits. Several many-body force field model forms are tested and compared with basis set-corrected ab initio results for a series of bifurcated water chains. Models are parameterized to reproduce the ab initio polarizability of an isolated water molecule, and pairwise damping functions are set to reproduce the polarizability of a water dimer as a function of dimer separation. When these models are applied to extended water chains, the polarization is over-predicted, and this over-polarization increased as a function of the overlap of molecular orbitals as the chains are compressed. This suggests that polarizable models based solely on pairwise Coulomb screening have some limitations, and that coupling with non-classical many-body effects, in particular exchange terms, may be important.
A wave packet based statistical approach to complex-forming reactions
Authors: Lin Shi Ying , Guo Hua
Published: May 2004

A wave packet based statistical model is suggested for complex-forming reactions. This model assumes statistical formation and decay of the long-lived reaction complex and computes reaction cross sections and their energy dependence from capture probabilities. This model is very efficient and reasonably accurate for reactions dominated by long-lived resonances, as confirmed by its application to the C(1D)+H2 reaction.
Methionine sulfoxide reductase regulation of yeast lifespan reveals reactive oxygen species-dependent and -independent components of aging
Authors: Koc Ahmet , Gasch Audrey P. , Rutherford Julian C. , Kim Hwa-Young , Gladyshev Vadim N.
Published: May 2004

Aging is thought to be caused by the accumulation of damage, primarily from oxidative modifications of cellular components by reactive oxygen species (ROS). Here we used yeast methionine sulfoxide reductases MsrA and MsrB to address this hypothesis. In the presence of oxygen, these antioxidants could increase yeast lifespan and did so independent of the lifespan extension offered by caloric restriction. However, under ROS-deficient, strictly anaerobic conditions, yeast lifespan was shorter, not affected by MsrA or MsrB, and further reduced by caloric restriction. In addition, we identified changes in the global gene expression associated with aging in yeast, and they did not include oxidative stress genes. Our findings suggest how the interplay between ROS, antioxidants, and efficiency of energy production regulates the lifespan. The data also suggest a model wherein factors implicated in aging (for example, ROS) may influence the lifespan yet not be the cause of aging.
Prediction of Rodent Carcinogenesis: An Evaluation of Prechronic Liver Lesions as Forecasters of Liver Tumors in NTP Carcinogenicity Studies
Authors: Allen D.G. , Pearse G. , Haseman J.K. , Maronpot R.R.
Published: May 2004

The National Toxicology Program (NTP) developed the chronic 2-year bioassay as a mechanism for predicting the carcinogenic potential of chemicals in humans. The cost and duration of these studies has limited their use to small numbers of selected chemicals. Many different short-term methods aimed at increasing predictive accuracy and the number of chemicals evaluated have been developed in attempts to successfully correlate their results with evidence of carcinogenicity (or lack of carcinogenicity). Using NTP studies, the effectiveness of correlating prechronic liver lesions with liver cancer encompassing multiple studies using mice (83 compounds) and rats (87 compounds) was assessed. These lesions include hepatocellular necrosis, hepatocellular hypertrophy, hepatocellular cytomegaly, bile duct hyperplasia, and hepatocellular degeneration, along with increased liver weight. Our results indicate that pooling 3 of these prechronic data points (hepatocellular necrosis, hepatocellular hypertrophy, and hepatocellular cytomegaly) can be very predictive of carcinogenicity in the 2-year study ( p < 0 .05). The inclusion of increased liver weight as an endpoint in the pool of data points increases the number of rodent liver carcinogens that are successfully predicted ( p < 0 .05), but also results in the prediction of increased numbers of noncarcinogenic chemicals as carcinogens. The use of multiple prechronic study endpoints provides supplementary information that enhances the predictivity of identifying chemicals with carcinogenic potential.
Effect of Annealing and of Effect of Annealing and of Cooling Rates on n‐GaAs Electrode Photoelectrochemical Characteristics
Authors: Hilal Hikmat S. , Salih Subhi K. , Sa′adeddin Iyad A. , Campet Guy
Published: May 2004

The effect of annealing of the n‐GaAs semiconductor on its characteristics in photoelectrochemical (PEC) systems
has been investigated. The photocurrent densities vs potential plots were improved by annealing. Cell efficiency and short‐circuit current densities were enhanced for the annealed n‐GaAs.

The effect of the rate of cooling of heated n‐GaAs wafers was also investigated. It was found that the slowly cooled
electrodes gave better dark current density vs. potential plots, for samples annealed below 600ºC. For samples annealed at higher temperatures, quenching gave better dark‐current density vs potential plots. For n‐GaAs,
slowly cooled electrodes from temperatures below 600ºC showed better photocurrent densityvspotential plots and higher efficiency. n‐GaAs samples, quenched from temperatures above 700ºC, showed better photocurrent density vs potential plots and higher efficiency than their slowly cooled counterparts.
Floating Inductance and FDNR Using Positive Polarity Current Conveyors
Authors: Pal K.
Published: May 2004

A generalized circuit based on five positive polarity second‐generation current conveyors is introduced. The circuit simulates a floating inductance, capacitor floatation circuit and floating fdnr. All these circuits use grounded capacitors.
Voltage‐Mode Universal Biquadratic Filter Using Two OTAs
Authors: Horng Jiun-Wei
Published: May 2004

A four‐inputs and two‐outputs voltage‐mode universal biquadratic filter using only two operational transconductance amplifiers (OTAs) and two capacitors is presented. The new circuits offer several advantages, such as employing the minimum number of active and passive components (two OTAs and two capacitors); the versatility to
synthesize highpass, bandpass, lowpass, notch and allpass responses; high input impedance and employing only grounded capacitors for bandpass and lowpass filter realizations; some derived filter types enjoy the availability of one more simultaneously output filter response and good sensitivities performance
Some New First‐Order All‐Pass Realizations Using CCII
Authors: Pal Kirat , Rana Seema
Published: May 2004

Some new first‐order all‐pass filters using a second‐generation current conveyor are reported. Two circuits have higher input impedance than reported very recently and use a grounded capacitor. Additionally two more circuits have been reported, one of which has minimum passive and active components and has the facility of single
resistance tuning. The other circuit has high input impedance and uses two current conveyors but has one passive component less than the similar circuits reported earlier.
A Low‐Pass Filter of Wide Stopband with a Novel Multilayer Fractal Photonic Bandgap Structure
Authors: Liu Hai-Wen , Sun Xiao-Wei , Li Zheng-Fan
Published: May 2004

A novel, multilayer fractal PBG is presented here as the substrate for a microstrip line and the resulting configuration builds a low‐pass filter of wide stopband. Experimental results in comparison with the corresponding two filters with monolayer PBG show that the proposed filter drastically enhances the width of the stopband.
Novel First‐Order Current‐Mode All‐Pass Sections Using CCIII
Authors: Maheshwari Sudhanshu , Khan Iqbal A.
Published: May 2004

Two new configurations realizing canonical first‐order current‐mode all‐pass sections (APSs) using a single third generation current conveyor (CCIII) are given. Using each configuration, two types of first‐order all‐pass filters can be derived giving rise to four distinct circuits for APS, three of which are novel. Each APS employs only a single CCIII and a minimum of passive components: one resistor and one capacitor. The circuits are suited for
MOS implementation. The SPICE simulation results for frequency response as well as transient response are incorporated to verify the theory.
A New Parameter‐Extraction Method for DGS and its Application to the Low‐Pass Filter
Authors: Liu Haiwen , Sun Xiaowei , Li Zhengfan
Published: May 2004

A new and simple parameter‐extraction method for the equivalent circuit of defected ground structure (DGS) is presented. Using this method, circuit simulation, based on the DGS equivalent‐circuit model, show excellent agreements with the electromagnetic (EM) simulation. Further, our method is applied effectively to design a low‐pass filter (LPF) with DGS. Comparison between simulation and measurement confirm the validity of the LPF configuration and design procedure. Simple structure and high power handling capability are obtained from
the proposed LPF.
Age‐related differentiations of Th1/Th2 cytokines in newborn infants
Authors: Protonotariou Efthimia , Malamitsi-Puchner Ariadne , Rizos Demetrios , Papagianni Basiliki , Moira Evangelia , Sarandakou Angeliki , Botsis Demetrios
Published: May 2004

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate age‐related differentiation of immune response in newborns by measuring serum concentrations of interleukin‐2 (IL‐2), interleukin‐4 (IL‐4) and interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ) during the perinatal period.

Subjects and methods: Fifty‐seven healthy term neonates, their mothers and 25 healthy adults (controls) age‐matched to the mothers were included in the study. Cytokine concentrations were measured in the umbilical cord (UC), and in first‐day (1N) and fifth‐day (5N) neonatal samples, compared with those in maternal serum (MS) and control serum samples.

Results: Serum IL‐2 concentrations in the UC were markedly elevated compared with those in MS and controls (p < 0.0001), decreasing significantly thereafter up to 5N (p < 0.001). IL‐4 serum concentrations did not differ significantly between the UC, 1N and 5N samples; they were, however, markedly elevated compared with those in MS (p < 0.001, p < 0.0007 and p < 0.0001, respectively) and controls (p < 0.05, p < 0.01 and p < 0.006, respectively). IFN‐γ serum concentrations were significantly lower in the UC compared with those in controls (p < 0.04), increasing significantly up to 5N (p < 0.03). Both IFN‐γ/IL‐2 and IFN‐γ/IL‐4 ratios increased significantly in 5N, compared with those in the UC (p < 0.001 and p < 0.03).

Conclusion: Our findings indicate a differential cytokine balance at birth with enhanced expression of IL‐2 and IL‐4 against IFN‐γ. However, a regularization of immune response seems to proceed quickly during the early neonatal life.
Involvement of steroids in anti‐inflammatory effects of PK11195 in a murine model of pleurisy
Authors: da Silva Marcelo Barreto Spillere , Farges Roseli Coimbra , Fröde Tânia Silvia
Published: May 2004

BACKGROUND: Studies on peripheral benzodiazepine receptor function have yielded a diverse list of activities of which the anti‐inflammatory effects need to be further examined.

Aims: To evaluate the role of steroids, nitric oxide and adenosine‐deaminase in the anti‐inflammatory effect of PK11195.

Methods: Pleurisy was induced by intrapleural injection of carrageenan in mice pre‐treated or not with PK11195. Leukocytes, exudation, adenosine‐deaminase (ADA) activity and nitric oxide (NO) level were measured. Steroid involvement was evaluated by pre‐treatment with D,L‐aminogluthetimide before PK11195.

Results: Leukocytes, exudation and NO levels were reduced by PK11195 in the early (4 h) phase. In the late (48 h) phase, PK11195 decreased leukocytes and ADA activity. D,L‐aminogluthetimide reversed the effect of PK11195 on exudate (4 h), as well as total and differential leukocytes and NO levels (48 h).

Conclusions: Steroids, NO and ADA are implicated in the anti‐inflammatory action of PK11195.
Anti‐inflammatory and immunomodulating effects of clarithromycin in patients with cystic fibrosis lung disease
Authors: Pukhalsky Alexander L. , Shmarina Galina V. , Kapranov Nikolai I. , Kokarovtseva Svetlana N. , Pukhalskaya Daria , Kashirskaja Natalia J.
Published: May 2004

BACKGROUND and aim: Macrolide antibiotics are widely used in the treatment of suppurative lung diseases including cystic fibrosis (CF), the most common inherited fatal disease in the Caucasian population. This condition is characterized by secondary Pseudomonas infection resulting in neutrophil infiltration within the airways. The aim of the study was to investigate the evolution of inflammatory process in CF patients receiving long‐term clarithromycin therapy.

Methods: Twenty‐seven CF patients (mean age, 12 years) were enrolled into the study. Beside the basic therapy the patients were treated with clarithromycin at a dose of 250 mg every other day orally. All patients were routinely examined every 3 months. Blood and sputum were collected before clarithromycin treatment and then again 3, 6 and 12 months after the drug prescription. Cytokine concentrations (tumor necrosis factor‐α, interleukin‐8, interleukin‐4, interferon‐γ) in the sputum and plasma were assayed. Peripheral blood lymphocyte response to phytohemagglutinin was also evaluated.

Results: Clarithromycin treatment resulted in a marked reduction of the cytokine levels both in the sputum and plasma specimens. At the same time, the interferon‐γ/interleukin‐4 ratio has been significantly elevated. In addition, a sustained increase of peripheral blood lymphocyte response to phytohemagglutinin was demonstrated. These changes were associated with a significant improvement of the lung function.

Conclusions: The beneficial effect of the prolonged treatment of CF patients with a 14‐membered ring macrolide antibiotic clarithromycin seems to be associated not only with down‐regulation of the inflammatory response, but also with immunological changes including the switch from Th2 to Th1 type response.
Use of caffeic acid phenethyl ester and cortisone may prevent proliferative vitreoretinopathy
Authors: Turkoz Yusuf , Er Hamdi , Borazan Mehmet , Yılmaz Harun , Mızrak Bülent , Parlakpınar Hakan , Çigremis Yılmaz
Published: May 2004

PURPOSE: To investigate whether caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) and cortisone prevent proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR).

Methods: Twenty pigmented rabbits were used in this study. All rabbits except controls received an intravitreal injection of 0.15 ml (75,000 U) of platelet‐rich plasma into their left eye. The animals were divided into four groups: group I was treated with intraperitoneal injection of 0.5 ml (15 μmol/kg) of CAPE for 3 days, group II received 0.15 ml (4 mg/kg) of intravitreal cortisone, group III received nothing (blank group), and group IV (control group) received only 1 ml of 1% ethanol intraperitoneally daily for 3 days. Proliferative changes were graded in a masked fashion by indirect ophthalmoscopy for a 15‐day follow‐up period. The malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH) and total nitrite (NO) levels were measured in the vitreous humor.

Results: The grades of PVR were B‐C in group I, and C‐D in group II. The PVR grade in the control group was C‐D. The mean MDA level in group I (4.0±0.8 μmol/l) was significantly lower than in the blank group (6.0 μmol/l) (p < 0.05). The mean GSH level in group I (71.0±11.2 μmol/l) was significantly different than in the blank group (p < 0.05). The MDA and GSH levels in group II were 4.7±0.6 μmol/l and 53.8±7.8 μmol/l, respectively. Both these levels were not significantly different from the blank group (p < 0.05). The NO levels in both treatment groups were significantly lower than in the blank group (p < 0.001).

Conclusion: These findings suggest an inhibitory effect of CAPE on PVR. The inhibitory effect was supported by lower MDA and NO with higher GSH levels in treatment groups than in the blank group. There was no detected significant effect of cortisone for preventing PVR experimentally.
Salivary levels of tumor necrosis factor‐α in oral lichen planus
Authors: Pezelj-Ribaric Sonja , Prso Ivana Brekalo , Abram Maja , Glazar Irena , Brumini Gordana , Simunovic-Soskic Marica
Published: May 2004

OBJECTIVE: Oral lichen planus (OLP) is chronic inflammatory disease of the oral mucosa, presenting in various clinical forms. The etiology of OLP is still unknown but mounting evidence points to the immunologic basis of this disorder.

Aim: Our study was undertaken to quantify the salivary levels of pro‐inflammatory tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α) in the reticular and the erosive/atrophic forms of OLP, compared with age‐matched healthy control volunteers.

Subjects and methods: Whole saliva from 40 patients with active lesions of OLP, as well as from 20 healthy persons, was investigated for the presence of TNF‐α by enzyme immunoassay.

Results: Salivary TNF‐α levels were significantlly increased in patients with OLP in comparison with healthy subjects. The presence of TNF‐α showed positive correlation to clinical forms of OLP, being significantly higher in the erosive/atrophic type than in the reticular type of disease.

Conclusion: Saliva provides an ideal medium for the detection of pro‐inflammatory markers of the oral cavity. In patients with OLP, TNF‐α levels in saliva are elevated, correlating with the severity of illness. Salivary TNF‐α analysis may be a useful diagnostic tool and a potential prognostic marker in OLP.
The presence of promatrix metalloproteinase‐3 and its relation with different categories of coal workers′ pneumoconiosis
Authors: Altin Remzi , Kart Levent , Tekin İshak , Armutcu Ferah , Tor Meltem , Örnek Tacettin
Published: May 2004

Extracellular matrix formation (ECM) and remodeling are critical events related to the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis. Matrix metalloproteinases play an essential role in degrading and remodeling the ECM. In this study, we tried to show the presence and correlation of promatrix metalloproteinase‐3 (proMMP‐3) (the inactive form of metalloproteinase‐3) levels in coal workers′ pneumoconiosis (CWP) with different categories.

The study population consisted of 44 coal miners with CWP (pos CWP). Coal miners without CWP (neg CWP, n = 24) and non‐underground personnel (controls, n = 17) were taken as controls. All coal miners were stable and had no systemic infection or disease. Standard posterio‐anterior chest radiographs and pulmonary function tests were performed to exclude any diseases other than CWP. Serum proMMP‐3 was analysed using the sandwich enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay according to the manufacturer′s instructions (The Binding Site, Birmingham, UK).

Mean proMMP‐3 values of the all three groups were compared and a significant statistical difference obtained (p < 0.001). In addition, a statistically significant difference was found between categories of the disease and proMMP‐3 values (p < 0.05). The effects of age, exposure duration and cigarette smoking on proMMP‐3 values in coal miners with CWP were investigated. There were no correlations between age, smoking and proMMP‐3 values. However, a positive correlation was found between exposure duration and proMMP‐3 values (r = 0.447, p = 0.008).

In conclusion, proMMP‐3 (prostromelysin 1) may play an essential role in degrading and remodeling the ECM in workers with pneumoconiosis. ProMMP‐3 may also reflect the stage of pneumoconiosis disease.
Zymosan‐induced luminol‐dependent chemiluminescence response of circulating and extravasated leukocytes in experimental sepsis
Authors: Khan Haseeb Ahmad
Published: May 2004

This study examines a concurrent profiling of circulating and extravasated polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) in a rat model of experimental sepsis. Fecal peritonitis was induced in Wistar male rats by intraperitoneal instillation of a fecal suspension in saline (1:1 w/v). Blood and peritoneal fluid were collected 8 h following fecal inoculation for the evaluation of inflammatory response of PMNs using zymosan‐induced luminol‐dependent chemiluminescence. Fifty microliters of pre‐diluted blood or peritoneal fluid samples were mixed with 150 μl of reaction mixture (4×10−4 M luminol+50 μg opsonized zymosan+0.1% gelatin in Hank′s balanced salt solution) and the chemiluminescence signal was measured in a luminometer at 37˚C. Fecal peritonitis caused a significant leukocytopenia (3540±297 mm−3 versus control value of 7525±711 mm−3, p < 0.001) accompanied by massive infiltration of PMNs in the peritoneal cavity (34700±4006 versus 7325±425 mm−3, p < 0.001). The phagocytic activity of circulating blood PMNs was down‐regulated whereas a significant up‐regulation was observed in the activity of PMNs from peritoneal fluid. In conclusion, this study clearly demonstrates sepsis‐induced alterations in both blood and peritoneal fluid PMNs and their quantitative assessment may be helpful in disease evaluation and designing effective therapies.
Effect of glucose concentration on peritoneal inflammatory cytokines in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis patients
Authors: Sayarlioglu Hayriye , Topal Cevat , Sayarlioglu Mehmet , Dulger Haluk , Dogan Ekrem , Erkoc Reha
Published: May 2004

OBJECTIVE: It is known that glucose concentrations of peritoneal dialysis solutions are detrimental to the peritoneal membrane. In order to determine the effect of glucose concentration on cytokine levels of peritoneal fluid of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients, a cross‐sectional study was performed.

Methods: Nine non‐diabetic CAPD patients participated in two 8‐h dwell sessions of overnight exchanges in consecutive days, with 1.36% and 3.86% glucose containing peritoneal dialysis solutions (Baxter‐Eczacıbaşı). Peritoneal dialysis fluid tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α and interleukin (IL)‐6 levels were measured.

Results: TNF‐α levels after 1.36% and 3.86% glucose used dwells were 23±14 pg/ml and 28±4 pg/ml, respectively (p = 0.78). The IL‐6 levels were 106±57 pg/ml and 115±63 pg/ml (p = 0.81), respectively.

Conclusion: In our in vivo study we found that the glucose concentration of the conventional lactate‐based CAPD solution has no effect on basal IL‐6 and TNF‐α levels of peritoneal fluid. Further in vivo studies with non‐lactate‐based CAPD solutions are needed in order to determine the effect of glucose concentration per se on cytokine release.
Issues in addressing children’s difficulties in literacy development through family–school partnerships
Authors: Wearmouth Janice
Published: May 2004

Many pupils experience difficulties in literacy apart from those whose individual learning needs are recognized for special resourcing. Their parents and carers are, potentially, an important source of additional support in encouraging literacy acquisition. Embedded within different home–school partnership arrangements are presuppositions about the ability and right of families and/or carers from a diversity of backgrounds and cultures to support the literacy development of their children. These presuppositions can serve to include or alienate both parents and their children. In addition, embedded within particular approaches and strategies for developing literacy are a variety of underlying assumptions about the process of literacy acquisition. This article will illustrate these issues with reference to particular programmes and techniques currently in common use in schools for supporting the literacy acquisition of children who experience difficulties. It will go on to outline the fundamental importance of schools recognizing these issues in order that they may negotiate effective home–school literacy programmes which can harness all available resources to address difficulties in literacy development.
Narrative in classroom history
Authors: Hawkey Kate
Published: May 2004

The article presents initial and small‐scale empirical research looking at different approaches used by children to organize historical information. It examines the extent to which children organize information into narrative forms. The findings are located in a wider discussion about the changing status of narrative in the teaching of history in Britain.
Junction Parameter Extraction for Electronic Device Characterization
Authors: Dib S. , Salame C. , Toufik N. , Khoury A. , Pélanchon F. , Mialhe P.
Published: May 2004

A new method for the extraction of junction parameters from a description of the current–voltage characteristic is developed. A simulation is performed and a high accuracy is obtained for the determination of the singleexponential model parameters. The method is easy to implement in a control process for device characterization. An application, achieved to observe the degradation of the emitter–base junction of a bipolar transistor during an
aging experiment, shows that the evolutions of the single exponential model parameters versus time introduce a means for degradation quantification.
The role of civil society in European integration: A framework for analysis
Authors: Dunkerley David , Fudge Shane
Published: May 2004

The article explores how civil society is being used as a mediating device in relation to European integration. The increasing use of civil society NGOs in a productive relationship in the policy-making process and as a way of reducing the alienation and ‘democratic deficit’ amongst EU citizens is discussed. The article acknowledges that, while the concept of civil society remains contested, there are certain implications that need to be drawn from its contemporary resurgence: namely the need for wider political dialogue and institutional frameworks that reflect greater political participation. The traditional dominance of economic interests remains negligible of this, however, in spite of pronouncements by the Parliament and, particularly the European Commission that ‘third sector’ organisations will have a greater say and influence on EU policy. The paper concludes that many of the social concerns expressed by NGOs remain largely unheard or unacknowledged by European policy-makers.
Has educational sector any impact on school effectiveness in Hungary?: A comparison of the public and the newly established religious grammar schools
Authors: Dronkers Jaap , Róbert Péter
Published: May 2004

The aim of the paper is to test whether the pupils of religious gymnasiums in Hungary have higher grades and a better opportunity to enter vocational college or university than comparable pupils of public gymnasiums have. For the first time the effectiveness of public and religious schools is compared in one of the former communist societies. Data are from a self-administered survey among 4th grade secondary school students in spring of 1998. Our results show clearly that pupils at religious gymnasiums in Hungary get higher grades and that they have more success in entering tertiary education and university. This is especially true for pupils at Catholic gymnasiums but there are clear indications that the Calvinist and Lutheran gymnasiums might catch up Catholic gymnasiums in the near future, if they get the time to develop themselves. A more selective social composition of these schools, higher earlier school achievements or a higher academic ambition of religious pupils cannot explain these better results of pupils in religious gymnasiums. We conclude from these results that the religious grammar schools in a post-communist country like Hungary are on average more effective than public grammar schools. This does not hold only for Catholic schools but also for Protestant schools, just as in other European societies.
Sociology in Central and Eastern Europe in the 1990s: A Decade of Reconstruction
Authors: Keen Mike F. , Mucha Janusz
Published: May 2004

With the collapse of the Soviet Union, the independence of Central and Eastern Europe, and the disappearance of the great polarity that separated East and West, the climate for sociology changed radically. Throughout the region sociologists found themselves with a new independence, free of the ideological and intellectual restrictions that had been imposed by state and Party authorities. In the post-1989 era, sociology entered a decade of reconstruction and began to take on a new role, helping to understand the transformations that occurred, as well as facilitating the social change they brought about. This article examines this recent history of sociology in Central and Eastern Europe with particular attention to deCommunization, institutionalization, teaching, theory and methods, topics of research, and international collaboration and influences.
Comparing in two dimensions: a broader concept and a novel statistical measure of the time dimension of disparities
Authors: Sicherl Pavle
Published: May 2004

The increasing integration of EU countries and the introduction of a new round of Applicant countries has created the need for more comparable statistics on indicators and more standardised statistical measures. Hence, indicators such as life expectancy, or GDP per capita have been used for measuring the ‘progress’ of Candidate countries in the Enlargement process, mainly as static measures like Gini coefficients, while the dimension of time is not well developed. In this paper, I argue for a new complementary kind of statistical measure, the S-distance, that would measure the distance (proximity) in time between the points in time when two series are compared that have reached a specified level on indicator X. This can lead to very different analytical and policy conclusions about the interrelationship between growth and inequality. In the empirical section a selected set of economic and social indicators for five candidate and three EU cohesion countries is compared with the EU15 average. It is demonstrated that the degree of disparities across indicators may be very different in static terms and in time. For all eight countries no significant correlation was found between the ordering of indicators by static measure of disparity and by time distance. This confirms that the new broader methodology can provide new insights from existing data and serve also as an excellent analytical and presentation tool for policy debate across many fields of concern.
Detection of Glycosylase, Endonuclease and Methyltransferase Enzyme Activities Using Immobilized Oligonucleotides
Authors: Sudina Anna , Volkov Eugeny , Oretskaya Tatiana , Naryshkin Nikolai , Ivanovskaya Marina , Kubareva Elena
Published: May 2004

A novel rapid assay for detection of DNA glycosylase, restriction endonuclease, and DNA methyltransferase enzyme activities is presented. The assay is based on enzyme‐dependent label release (in case of glycosylase and endonuclease), or non‐release (in case of methyltransferase) into solution from end‐labeled DNA immobilized on solid support (CPG or Tenta Gel S‐NH2). The assay has been validated for monitoring activity of repair enzyme uracil‐DNA glycosylase, restriction endonucleases SsoII, MvaI and EcoRII and (cytosine‐5)‐DNA methyltransferase SsoII. Two types of labels have been tested and found compatible with the assay: radioactive (32P) and fluorescent (rhodamine B and fluorescein). The enzyme activity is estimated as a ratio of the label released into solution to the total amount of the label. Use of fluorescent labeling facilitates detection while use of solid phase‐immobilized substrates facilitates product separation, improved assay sensitivity, and increases throughput of assay. Proposed technique provides an estimate of enzyme activity but not its specific activity. Thus, the assay will most valuable in the applications where rapid estimation of enzyme activity is necessary.
IUBMB Life, 56: 139‐143, 2004
The Role of Protein Misfolding in the Pathogenesis of Human Diseases
Authors: Ellisdon Andrew M. , Bottomley Stephen P.
Published: May 2004

The ability of proteins to fold into complex three‐dimensional shapes is truly amazing. Given the difficulty of the reaction it is perhaps unsurprising that many proteins in vivo are unable to fold correctly. These misfolded proteins are generally recognized by the cell's quality control machinery and dealt with through degradation. However in an increasing number of diseases, such as Huntington's, Alzheimer's and α1‐antitrypsin deficiency, misfolded protein accumulates both within and outside the cell. This aggregated protein is able to evade the normal cellular responses and in some cases even disable it. In this review we present an overview of protein misfolding and examine recent data which is beginning to reveal the mechanisms by which protein aggregates are toxic to cells.
IUBMB Life, 56: 119‐123, 2004
Differential Expression of Mycothiol Pathway Genes: Are they Affected by Antituberculosis Drugs?
Authors: Hayward Don , Wiid Ian , van Helden Paul
Published: May 2004

Mycothiol (MSH) is the major cellular thiol in Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb). We hypothesize that the mycothiol‐dependent detoxification pathway may serve an important role during oxygen stress management in M. tuberculosis, derived from normal aerobic metabolism, the macrophage environment and through the action of anti‐tubercular antibiotics, such as Isoniazid (INH). Total mRNA and DNA were isolated from M. bovis BCG at different stages of growth in 7H9 mycobacterial medium. Three genes involved in mycothiol metabolism and encoding the enzymes mycothiol S‐conjugate amidase (Mca, Rv1082), NADPH dependend mycothiol reductase (mtr, Rv2855), and N‐Acetyl‐1‐D‐myo‐Inosityl‐2‐Amino‐2‐Deoxy‐alpha‐D‐Glucopyranoside Deacetylase (GlcNAc‐Ins deacetylase, Rv1170 or mshB) were investigated for genomic rearrangements and expression. The results show that the genomic domains of the genes remain conserved in evolutionary diverse and unrelated M. tuberculosis isolates. The genes encoding enzymes implicated in mycothiol reduction, mtr (Rv2855) and the mycothiol‐dependant detoxification of electrophilic agents, Mca (Rv1082), are shown to be actively transcribed during logarithmic M. bovis BCG growth. The gene encoding GlcNAc‐Ins deacetylase (the rate limiting mycothiol biosynthesis step) shows induction in the presence of INH. Antisense oligonucleotides to both GlcNAc‐Ins deacetylase (Rv1170) and mtr (Rv2855) mRNA affect mycobacterial growth. In conclusion the results presented here suggest that these enzymes are sensitive to free radical generating antituberculosis drugs and may be useful targets for new drug development.
IUBMB Life, 56: 131‐138, 2004
Retracted: Nutritional Flavonoids Modulate Estrogen Receptor α Signaling
Authors: Virgili Fabio , Acconcia Filippo , Ambra Roberto , Rinna Alessandra , Totta Pierangela , Marino Maria
Published: May 2004

Estrogen receptor α (ERα) mediates 17β‐estradiol (E2) actions through the transcription of E2‐sensitive target genes. In addition, rapid non‐genomic signaling (e.g., MAPK/ERK) occurs. It is now well accepted that these rapid membrane‐initiated responses account for E2‐related cancer. Beside many beneficial effects on human health, nutritional flavonoids exert protective and anticarcinogenic effects on E2‐related cancer. The mechanism underlying these effects seems to be related to flavonoids antioxidant properties and/or to their ability to alter signal transduction protein kinases. In addition, an antiestrogenic activity has been proposed but not yet defined. However, the identification and characterization of the responsible mechanisms for flavonoid antitumoral effects is poorly understood. Here, we investigated the possibility that the antimitogenic effects of flavonoids are transduced by modulating ERα‐mediated rapid signaling. The ability of two flavonoids, the flavanone naringenin and the flavanol quercetin, with respect of E2, to induce ERα activities has been studied in the human cervix epitheloid carcinoma cell line (HeLa) devoid of any estrogen receptors and rendered E2‐sensitive by transient transfection with a human ERα expression vector. Our results indicate that flavonoids act as E2 mimetic on ERα transcriptional activity, whereas they impair the activation of rapid signaling pathways committed to E2‐induced proliferation. The resulting decoupling of ERα signal transduction could be proposed as a new mechanism in the protective effects of flavonoids against E2‐related cancer.
IUBMB Life, 56: 145‐151, 2004
Symmetry Preservation in the Evolution of the Genetic Code
Authors: Hornos José Eduardo M. , Braggion Lígia , Magini Marcio , Forger Michael
Published: May 2004

The standard genetic code is found to exhibit an exact symmetry under a finite group of order 4 known in mathematics as the Klein group. The same symmetry is also present in almost all non‐standard codes, mitochondrial as well as nuclear. Analysis of the phylogenetic tree for the evolution of the mitochondrial codes reveals that all changes along the main line of evolution preserve this symmetry, with a tendency towards symmetry enhancement. In the side branches of the evolutionary tree, the majority of changes also respect the symmetry. The few exceptional cases where it is broken correspond to reassignments that appear to be unstable or incomplete. Since the Klein group emerges naturally from the symplectic model for the prebiotic evolution that has led to the standard code, we interpret these results as lending support to the hypothesis that this symmetry has been selected during the evolution of the genetic code, not only before but also after establishment of the standard code.
IUBMB Life, 56: 125‐130, 2004
Src Kinase‐Dependent Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Transactivation in PPARγ Ligand‐Induced Suppression of Porphyromonas Gingivalis Interference with Salivary Mucin Synthesis
Authors: Slomiany Bronislaw L. , Slomiany Amalia
Published: May 2004

Peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor γ (PPARγ) has emerged recently as an important participant in the resolution of inflammation by conveying signals that lead to mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade activation. In this study, we report that PPARγ activation leading to the impedance of P. gingivalis lipopolysaccharide (LPS) inhibitory effect on salivary mucin synthesis requires epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) participation. We show that activation of PPARγ with a specific agonist, ciglitazone, prevents the LPS‐induced reduction in mucin synthesis, and the effect is reflected in a marked decrease in apoptosis, caspase‐3 activity and NO generation. The impedance by ciglitazone of the LPS‐induced reduction in mucin synthesis was countered (up to 68.9%) in a dose‐dependent fashion by a specific inhibitor of EGFR kinase, PD153035, as well as wortmannin, an inhibitor of phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase (PI3K). Moreover, the inhibitory effect of ciglitazone on the LPS‐induced reduction in mucin synthesis and upregulation in apoptosis, caspase‐3 activity, and NO generation was blunted by a selective inhibitor of tyrosine kinase Src, PP2, responsible for ligand‐independent EGFR transactivation. These findings indicate that PPARγ activation leading to the suppression of P. gingivalis LPS inhibition of salivary mucin synthesis involves Src kinase‐dependent EGFR transactivation.
IUBMB Life, 56: 153‐159, 2004
Characterization of COBRA1 in Human Breast Cancer Cell Lines Using a New Polyclonal Antibody against COBRA1
Authors: Zhu Jianhua , Song Santai , Jiang Zefei , Yan Jinghua , Lu Qiujun , Huang Cuifen , Ye Qinong
Published: May 2004

Mutations in the breast cancer susceptibility gene BRCA1 predispose individuals to breast and ovarian cancers. Cofactor of BRCA1 (COBRA1), a novel protein, was isolated as a BRCA1‐interacting protein. However, the role of COBRA1 in breast cancer is poorly understood. In this study, we demonstrate that COBRA1 mRNA was differentially expressed in breast cancer cell lines by semi‐quantitative reverse transcription‐polymerase chain PCR (RT‐PCR). We developed a highly specific rabbit polyclonal anti‐COBRA1 antibody using GST‐COBRA1 fusion protein. In most cases, the levels of COBRA1 protein in breast cancer cell lines detected by Western blotting with the anti‐COBRA1 antibody correlated with those of COBRA1 mRNA. Immunofluorescence analysis indicated that COBRA1 was a nuclear protein. Endogenously expressed COBRA1 interacted with the nuclear protein BRCA1 in human breast cancer cells. These data suggest that the COBRA1 antibody may be a useful tool to investigate functions of COBRA1 in cancers and that, like BRCA1, COBRA1 may regulate various nuclear events in breast cancer cells.
IUBMB Life, 56: 161‐166, 2004
Modulation of voltage-dependent Ca channel current by arachidonic acid and other long-chain fatty acids in rabbit intestinal smooth muscle.
Authors: Shimada T , Somlyo A P
Published: May 2004

The effects of arachidonic acid (AA) and other long-chain fatty acids on voltage-dependent Ca channel current (ICa) were investigated, with the whole cell patch clamp method, in longitudinal smooth muscle cells of rabbit ileum. 10-30 microM AA caused a gradual depression of ICa. The inhibitory effect of AA was not prevented by indomethacin (10 microM) (an inhibitor of cyclooxygenase) or nordihydroguaiaretic acid (10 microM) (an inhibitor of lipoxygenase). 1-(5-Isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-methylpiperazine (H7; 25-50 microM) or staurosporine (2 microM) (inhibitors of protein kinase C) did not block the AA-induced inhibition of ICa, and application of phorbol ester (a protein kinase C activator) (phorbol-12,13-dibutyrate, 0.2 microM) did not mimic the AA action. Some other cis-unsaturated fatty acids (palmitoleic, linoleic, and oleic acids) were also found to depress ICa, while a trans-unsaturated fatty acid (linolelaidic acid) and saturated fatty acids (capric, lauric, myristic, and palmitic acids) had no inhibitory effects on ICa. Myristic acid consistently increased the amplitude of ICa at negative membrane potentials. The present results suggest the possible role of AA, and perhaps other fatty acids, in the physiological and/or pathological modulation of ICa in smooth muscle.
A model for ionic conduction in the ryanodine receptor channel of sheep cardiac muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum.
Authors: Tinker A , Lindsay A R , Williams A J
Published: May 2004

A model is developed for ionic conduction in the sheep cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum ryanodine receptor channel based on Eyring rate theory. A simple scheme is proposed founded on single-ion occupancy and an energy profile with four barriers and three binding sites. The model is able to quantitatively predict a large number of conduction properties of the purified and native receptor with monovalent and divalent cations as permeant species. It suggests that discrimination between divalent and monovalent cations is due to a high affinity central binding site and a process that favors the passage of divalent cations between binding sites. Furthermore, differences in conductance among the group Ia cations and among the alkaline earths are largely explained by differing affinity at this putative central binding site.
Permeation and interaction of monovalent cations with the cGMP-gated channel of cone photoreceptors.
Authors: Picones A , Korenbrot J I
Published: May 2004

We measured the ion selectivity of cGMP-dependent currents in detached membrane patches from the outer segment of cone photoreceptors isolated from the retina of striped bass. In inside-out patches excised from either single or twin cones the amplitude of these currents, under symmetric ionic solutions, changed with the concentration of cGMP with a dependence described by a Hill equation with average values, at +80 mV, of Km = 42.6 microM and n = 2.49. In the absence of divalent cations, and under symmetric ionic solutions, the I-V curves of the currents were linear over the range of -80 to +80 mV. The addition of Ca altered the form of the I-V curve to a new function well described by an empirical equation that also describes the I-V curve of the photocurrent measured in intact photoreceptors. The monovalent cation permeability sequence of the cGMP-gated channels in the absence of divalent ions was PK > PNa = PLi = PRb > PCs (1.11 > 1.0 = 0.99 = 0.96 > 0.82). The conductance selectivity sequence at +80 mV was GNa = GK > GRb > GCs > GLi (1.0 = 0.99 > 0.88 > 0.74 > 0.60). The organic cations tetramethylammonium (TMA) and arginine partially blocked the current, but the larger ion, arginine, was permeant, whereas the smaller ion, TMA, was not. The amplitude of the outward current through the channels increased with the concentration of monovalent cations on the cytoplasmic membrane surface, up to a saturating value. The increase was well described by the adsorption isotherm of a single ion binding site within the channel with average binding constants, at +80 mV, of 104 mM for Na and 37.6 mM for Li. By assuming that the ion channel contains a single ion binding site in an energy trough separated from each membrane surface by an energy barrier, and using Eyring rate theory, we simulated I-V curves that fit the experimental data measured under ionic concentration gradients. From this fit we conclude that the binding site interacts with one ion at a time and that the energy barriers are asymmetrically located within the membrane thickness. Comparison of the quantitative features of ion permeation and interaction between the cGMP-gated channels of rod and cone photoreceptors reveals that the ion binding sites are profoundly different in the two types of channels. This molecular difference may be particularly important in explaining the differences in the transduction signal of each receptor type.
Rate-limiting steps in the beta-adrenergic stimulation of cardiac calcium current.
Authors: Frace A M , Méry P F , Fischmeister R , Hartzell H C
Published: May 2004

Fast-flow perfusion and flash photolysis of caged compounds were used to study the activation kinetics of L-type calcium current (ICa) in frog cardiac myocytes. Rapid exposure to isoproterenol (Iso) for 1 s or approximately 1 min produced similar kinetics of increase in ICa with an initial lag period of approximately 3 s, followed by a monophasic rise in current with a half-time of approximately 20 s. Epinephrine, as well as caged Iso, produced increases with similar kinetics. The fact that ICa increased significantly even after short Iso applications suggests that agonist binding to the receptor is rapid and that the increase in ICa is independent of free agonist. To dissect the kinetic contributions of various steps in the cAMP-phosphorylation cascade, the kinetics of the responses to caged cAMP and caged GTP gamma S and fast perfusion of forskolin, acetylcholine, and propranolol were compared. The response to caged cAMP exhibited no lag period, but otherwise increased at a rate similar to that produced by Iso and reached a peak at approximately 40 s after flash photolysis. This suggests that the lag period itself is due to a step before cAMP accumulation, but that activation of protein kinase and phosphorylation of the calcium channel are relatively slow. A lag period was also observed when ICa was stimulated by flash photolysis of caged GTP gamma S and when adenylyl cyclase was activated directly by rapid perfusion with forskolin. The lag period observed with forskolin may be due to slow binding of forskolin. The lag period was not due to the time required for cAMP to reach a threshold concentration, because a similar lag was observed in response to Iso in cells having ICa previously stimulated submaximally by internal perfusion with a low concentration of cAMP. These results suggest that the lag period can be attributed to a step associated with activation of adenylyl cyclase and cAMP accumulation.