bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Lack of association between catechol-Omethyltransferase and schizophrenia in a Turkish population
Authors: Acar Ceren , Sözen Mustafa Mert , Gözükara Harika , Orman Kübra , Kartalcı Şükrü 
Published: May 2015

Abstract
Objective: Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) is the key molecule in the catabolism of catecholamines like dopamine which is an important molecule in schizophrenia. Due to its function and location COMT gene is a strong candidate gene for schizophrenia. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible associations of 3 COMT single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and schizophrenia in our population. COMT enzyme activity is regulated by a widely known Val158Met polymorphism (rs4680), along with the variation of the SNPs rs737865 and rs165599.
Methods: Val158Met polymorphism (rs4680), the SNPs rs737865 and rs165599 were the targets of this study. The study was performed with 96 patients (66 male and 30 female) and 100 controls (47 male and 53 female) from Malatya region on eastern part of Turkey by using TaqMan genotyping assays.
Results: We couldn’t find a significant difference between the schizophrenia patients and normal controls for any of the SNPs that were studied. The genotype frequencies in both the patient and control groups satisfied the Hardy- Weinberg equilibrium. No significant gender differences were observed for the SNPs that were investigated. No significant difference was observed in the allele or genotype frequencies as well.
Conclusion: COMT gene doesn’t appear to be a risk factor in this population of schizophrenia patients in Turkey.
Effects of forskolin and rolipram on serum leptin, resistin and adiponectin levels in diet induced obesity in Wistar rats
Authors: Mehmetoğlu İdris , Döşeyici Sibel , Kurban Sevil , Taşyürek Erkan 
Published: May 2015

Abstract
Objective: Forskolin, an activator of adenylate cyclase and rolipram a selective inhibitor of phosphodiesterase 4, stimulate lipolysis and inhibit body weight increase by increasing cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) levels. This study was aimed to investigate the effects of them on leptin, resistin and adiponectin levels in diet induced obesity in rats.
Methods: Totally 50 rats were randomly divided into five groups. The Group I was fed with standard pellet diet and the other groups were fed with high-fat diet for 10 weeks. During the last two weeks of the study, group II continued to fed with high-fat diet whereas group III, group IV and group V were administered forskolin, rolipram and forskolin plus rolipram respectively by orogastric tube in addition to their high-fat diet. Then, rats were sacrificed and serum leptin, resistin and adiponectin levels were measured.
Results: Although adiponectin levels of group II (p<0.001 for adiponectin, p<0.01 for leptin), group III (p<0.01), group V (p<0.05) were significantly decreased, leptin levels were significantly increased compared to that of the group I. Also, leptin levels of group IV were significantly reduced compared to those of group II (p<0.05). There were no significant differences between resistin levels of the groups.
Conclusion: Our results showed that rolipram prevented any alteration in the levels of leptin and adiponectin in addition to its effect on cAMP levels. However, forskolin and rolipram showed no effect on resistin levels of the groups. The underlying mechanism of these findings is not known and needs to be more investigated.
Alteration of enzyme activities and kinetic properties of GST and NQO1 with naturally occurring phenolic compounds
Authors: Karakurt Serdar , Sever Melike , Celebioglu Hasan Ufuk , Adalı Orhan 
Published: May 2015

Abstract
Objective: Glutathione S-transferase (GST) and NAD(P)H:quinine oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) are the enzymes important in cytoprotection and bioactivation of chemicals. This study has addressed effects of polyphenolic compounds; ellagic acid, quercetin, naringenin, resveratrol, rutin and hesperidin on rabbit liver GST and NQO1 enzyme activities.
Methods: Cytosolic fractions were obtained from homogenized liver tissues of rabbit by differential centrifugation. After calculating IC50 values of individual enzymes for phenolic compounds, both Lineweaver-Burk and Dixon plots were drawn to determine the effect of phenolics on enzyme activity. Michaelis-Menten constant (Km), maximum velocity (Vmax), and inhibition constant (Ki) were calculated from Lineweaver-Burk and Dixon plots, respectively.
Results: Resveratrol was found to be the most potent inhibitor for rabbit hepatic cytosolic GST activity with 75.9±2.06 μM IC50 value while naringenin was the least potent one with IC50 value of 260±1.92 μM. Hesperidin and quercetin were found to be the most and least potent inhibitors for NQO1 enzyme activity with IC50 values of 2.7±0.85 μM and 13.8±0.91 μM, respectively. Resveratrol and naringenin inhibited GST activity noncompetitively and mixed type with Ki of 6.2 μM and 245 μM, respectively; while both hesperidin with 0.64 μM Ki value and quercetin with 3.5 μM Ki value inhibited NQO1 activity in a competitive manner.
Conclusion: These results indicate that phenolic compounds may modulate Phase II enzyme, GST and NQO1. Moreover, they can influence the metabolic activation of xenobiotic and toxic compounds metabolized by this enzyme.
Assessment of renal functions with different glomerular filtration rate formulas in children with acute exposure of mercury
Authors: Bal Ceylan , Güngör Oya Torun , Çelik Hüseyin Tuğrul , Abuşoğlu Sedat , Uğuz Nihal , Tutkun Engin , Yılmaz Ömer Hınç , Yılmaz Fatma Meriç , Yıldırımkaya Metin 
Published: May 2015

Abstract
Objective: Our aim was to determine whether cystatin C level has a superiority to creatinine to assess kidney functions in rapid decreases of glomerular filtration rate due to acute mercury exposure in children. Eight different glomerular filtration rate calculation formulas which have been used creatinine and/or cystatin C were also compared.
Methods: Serum urea, creatinine and cystatin C values of 39 mercury exposed children were measured. Glomerular filtration rates were calculated by eight different formulas. Patient group was divided into three subgroups according to mercury levels.
Results: Cystatin C and mercury levels of the patients were found significantly different from control group (p<0.001). There was not a significant difference in creatinine and urea values between two groups (p=0.913, p=0.236). There was not a significant difference between patient and control groups in GFR calculations which have been used serum creatinine and height or which have been used urea additional to them (p=0.069, p=0.559, p=0.424, p=0.945, respectively), but there was a significant difference between patient and control groups in GFR calculations which have been used cystatin C only or creatinine, urea and height in addition to this (p<0.001, p<0.001, p=0.042, p<0.001, respectively). In sugroup analysis, cystatin C results and the results of three GFR calculations of four GFR calculations which were used cystatin C were found different in control group according to subgroups but there was not a difference between subgroups.
Conclusion: Cystatin C level is a better indicator than creatinine to assess kidney functions in rapid decreases of glomerular filtration rate due to acute exposure of mercury. Formulas using cystatin C gave better results than formulas using creatinine and height in estimation of glomerular filtration rate.
Evaluation of some plants for potential dipeptidyl peptidase IV inhibitory effects in vitro
Authors: Zeytünlüoğlu Ali , Zihnioğlu Figen 
Published: May 2015

Abstract
Objective: Dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP IV) is a serine amino (exo) peptidase which regulates various processes most notably plasma glucose homeostasis by cleaving incretin peptide hormones as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulin releasing polypeptide (GIP). Realization of the inhibition of this enzyme in controlling diabetes is one of the strategies adopted in recent years. The present study was designed to investigate the DPP IV inhibitory effects of sixteen plant having antidiabetic property in aqueous extracts in correlation with their protein content.
Methods: In vitro DPP IV inhibition was evaluated by the specific inhibitory activity of plant aqueous extracts prepared without and with heat (60°C) treatment.
Results: Among the tested plants Vitis vinifera L., Artemisia dracunculus L., Prunus laurocerasus L., Rubus caesius L. and Olea europaea L. extracts showed DPP IV inhibitory activity with respect to IC50 values of 0.04-0.09 mg protein/ml. Kinetic analysis indicated that the inhibitor potency of A. dracunculus extract was stronger than the other extracts.
Conclusion: The present study is the first report on screening and preliminary characterization of DPP IV inhibitory activity in aqueous extracts of selected antidiabetic medicinal food. This study could provide a new insight into DPP IV inhibitors from plants that could be useful for treatment of Type 2 diabetes.
Further Evidence for a S-Syn Correlation in the Purine(β)ribosides: The Solution Conformation of Two Tricyclic Analogs of Adenosine and Guanosine
Authors: Klimke G. , Liidemann H .-D . , Townsend L. B. 
Published: May 2015

Abstract
From the analysis of the HRNMR spectra of two tricyclic analogues of adenosine and guanosi­ne, 4,5-diamino-9-(β-D-ribofuranosyl) pyrimido[5,4-f]pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine (adenosine-adenosine, AA) and 4,7-diamino-9-(β-ᴅ-ribofuranosyl)pyrimido[5,4-f]pyrrolo-[2,3-d]pyrimidin-5-one (adenosine-guanosine, AG), dissolved in liquid ND3 the preferred conformations of the ribose moiety are derived in the temperature range between + 40 and -60 °C. The analysis is based on the two state N ↔ S model of the furanoside ring proposed by Altona and Sundaralingam. Both compounds show a pronounced stabilization of the S-conformer of the sugar ring ([S] ~ 0.8). The van't Hoff enthalpy for the S ↔ N equilibrium is - 3 kJ mol-1. The syn ↔ anti equilibrium is even at -60 °C fast compared to the HRNMR time scale.
Sensory Transduction in Halobacterium halobium: Retinal Protein Pigment Controls UV-Induced Behavioral Response
Authors: Dencher Norbert A. , Hildebrand Eilo 
Published: May 2015

Abstract
Both photosystems, PS 370 and PS 565, controlling behavioral responses in Halobacterium halobium [E. Hildebrand and N. Dencher, Nature 257, 46 - 48 (1975)] are reversibly inhibited when bacteria are grown in the presence of 1 mM nicotine which is known to block biosynthesis of reti­nal.
Photobehavior can be restored within som e minutes to hours by adding retinal to nicotine-treated bacteria, PS 370 thereby reappearing earlier than PS 565. The reconstitution rate depends on the concentration and on the kind of retinal isomers applied. All-trans retinal is most effective. PS 370 becomes fully sensitive if reconstituted in the presence of nicotine. This rules out the possi­bility that the alkaloid may directly inhibit steps of signal transmission following photoreception.
The action spectrum of PS 370 regenerated with retinal alone of H. h., strain R1L3 (a mutant deficient in carotenoids), fails to show all secondary peaks around 450 nm which in strain R1 occur besides the prominent maximum at 370 nm. Addition of carotenoids (mainly α-bacterioruberin) to reconstituted cells of R1L3 restores the sensitivity in that spectral region. Carotenoids or flavin solely added to nicotine-treated bacteria cannot restore photobehavior.
We conclude that the active pigment o f PS 370, which mediates the photophobic response to increase of light intensity (step-up response), represents a retinal protein complex and that carote­noids participate in photoreceptor function as accessory pigments. The biochemical relation of the UV-absorbing retinal protein complex to bacteriorhodopsin is discussed.
Three further triterpenoid saponins from Gleditsia caspica fruits and protective effect of the total saponin fraction on cyclophosphamide-induced genotoxicity in mice
Authors: Melek Farouk R. , Aly Fawzia A. , Kassem Iman A.A. , Abo-Zeid Mona A.M. , Farghaly Ayman A. , Hassan Zeinab M. 
Published: May 2015

Abstract
Three triterpenoidal saponins were isolated from the saponin fraction derived from a Gleditsia caspica Desf. methanolic fruit extract. The isolated saponins were identified as gleditsiosides B, C, and Q based on spectral data. The saponin-containing fraction was evaluated in vivo for genotoxic and antigenotoxic activities. The fraction caused no DNA damage in Swiss albino male mice treated with a dose of 45 mg/kg body weight for 24 h, although it significantly inhibited the number of chromosomal aberrations induced by cyclophosphamide (CP) in bone marrow and germ cells when applied before or after CP administration. The inhibitory indices in chromosomal aberrations were 59% and 41% for bone marrow and 48% and 43% for germ cells, respectively. In addition, the saponin fraction was found to reduce the viability of the human tumor cell line MCF-7 in a dose-dependent manner with an extrapolated IC50 value in the range of 220 μg/mL.
Lineage-Specific Evolution of the Complex Nup160 Hybrid Incompatibility Between Drosophila melanogaster and Its Sister Species
Authors: Tang Shanwu , Presgraves Daven C 
Published: May 2015

Abstract
Two genes encoding protein components of the nuclear pore complex Nup160 and Nup96 cause lethality in F2-like hybrid genotypes between Drosophila simulans and Drosophila melanogaster. In particular, D. simulans Nup160 and Nup96 each cause inviability when hemizygous or homozygous in species hybrids that are also hemizygous (or homozygous) for the D. melanogaster X chromosome. The hybrid lethality of Nup160, however, is genetically complex, depending on one or more unknown additional factors in the autosomal background. Here we study the genetics and evolution of Nup160-mediated hybrid lethality in three ways. First, we test for variability in Nup160-mediated hybrid lethality within and among the three species of the D. simulans clade— D. simulans, D. sechellia, and D. mauritiana. We show that the hybrid lethality of Nup160 is fixed in D. simulans and D. sechellia but absent in D. mauritiana. Second, we explore how the hybrid lethality of Nup160 depends on other loci in the autosomal background. We find that D. simulans Nup160-mediated hybrid lethality does not depend on the presence of D. melanogaster Nup96, and we find that D. simulans and D. mauritiana are functionally differentiated at Nup160 as well as at other autosomal factor(s). Finally, we use population genetics data to show that Nup160 has experienced histories of recurrent positive selection both before and after the split of the three D. simulans clade species ∼240,000 years ago. Our genetic results suggest that a hybrid lethal Nup160 allele evolved before the split of the three D. simulans clade species, whereas the other autosomal factor(s) evolved more recently.
Visualizing Molecular Functions and Cross-Species Activity of Sex-Peptide in Drosophila
Authors: Tsuda Manabu , Peyre Jean-Baptiste , Asano Tsunaki , Aigaki Toshiro 
Published: May 2015

Abstract
The Drosophila melanogaster sex-peptide (melSP) is a seminal fluid component that induces postmating responses (PMR) of females via the sex-peptide receptor (SPR) . Although SP orthologs are found in many Drosophila species, their functions remain poorly characterized. It is unknown whether SP functions are conserved across species or rather specific to each species. Here, we developed a GFP-tagged melSP (G-SP) and used it to visualize cross-species binding activity to the female reproductive system of various species. First we demonstrated that ectopically expressed G-SP induced PMR in D. melanogaster females and bound to the female reproductive system, most notably to the common oviduct. No binding occurred in the females lacking SPR, indicating that G-SP binding was dependent on SPR. Next we tested whether G-SP binds to the common oviducts from 11 Drosophila species using dissected reproductive tracts. The binding was observed in six species belonging to the D. melanogaster species group, but not to those outside the group. Injection of melSP reduced the receptivity of females belonging to the D. melanogaster species group, but not of those outside the group, being consistent with the ability to bind G-SP. Thus the SP-mediated PMR appears to be limited to this species group. SPR was expressed in the oviducts at high levels in this group; therefore, we speculate that an enhanced expression of SPR in the oviduct was critical to establish the SP-mediated PMR during evolution.
A New Method of Fabrication for Multicolor Transparent Thin-film Solar Cell Module
Authors: Han Meiying , Xie Xishun , Chen Yuan , Wu Yabin , Zhong Ming 
Published: May 2015

ABSTRACTIn current transparent Si based photovoltaic (PV) module fabrication, green or infrared laser is the most common used band frequency to wipe off the silicon and back contact layer in perpendicular direction of cells. However, this method would result in more power loss than calculation value due to the side effects during the process such as constructional damage of module and shunt effect. A new method is presented here which focus on wiping off more silicon layer by employing green pulsed laser(532 nm wavelength) along the parallel direction of Pattern2, and it shows higher efficiency and more attractive appearance.
Study of Bactericidal Properties of Mg-Doped ZnO Nanoparticles
Authors: Perez-Altamar Melina , Marrero Hilary , Martínez Julca Milton , Perales Perez Oscar 
Published: May 2015

ABSTRACTThe present work focuses on the polyol-mediated synthesis of pure and Mg-doped ZnO nanoparticles. The synthesized samples were characterized via X-ray diffraction, Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy, ultraviolet visible spectroscopy and photoluminescence techniques. The Standard Plate Count was used to assess the bactericidal properties of the nanoparticles against E. coli at 1000 ppm and 1500 ppm of concentration. The capacity of the Zn-Mg oxides to generate singlet oxygen (SO) species was also evaluated. X-ray diffraction information evidenced the formation of ZnO-wurtzite; no diffraction peaks corresponding to isolated Mg-phases were detected. The average crystallite size of the Zn-Mg oxide nanocrystals was estimated in the 6nm - 7nm range. Infrared spectroscopy measurements confirmed the formation of the oxide with a Metal-Oxygen band centered on 536 cm-1; other bands associated to the functional groups of polyol by product were also observed. The exciton peak of UV spectrum suggests similarity in the particle size with the dopant addition. The effect of particle composition (i.e. doping level) on the corresponding generation of SO and bactericidal capacity is presented and discussed.
Le tournant patrimonial de l’ONF : revisiter Montréal dans le film de Luc Bour don, ‘Lamémoire des anges’
Authors: Cisneros James 
Published: May 2015

RésuméSorti en 2008, La mémoire des anges réalisé par Luc Bourdon est constitué d’images de Montréal filmées entre 1947 et 1967, tirées de quelques 120 films de la collection de l’Office national du film (ONF). En s’insérant dans la stratégie patrimoniale de l’ONF, et en évoquant les mouvements de protection de l’héritage urbain, La mémoire des anges contribue à la fabrication de l’image de la ville et à la mise en valeur de son histoire. En se penchant sur ce double héritage, nous le plaçons d’abord dans le contexte actuel de la campagne globale pour la préservation culturelle—une campagne motivée en grande partie par les économies urbaines—avant d’analyser comment le film contourne le « discours patrimonial » en faisant un usage sélectif des archives de l’ONF et en adoptant une composition formelle qui actualise le passé de manière critique.AbstractReleased in 2008, Luc Bourdon’s La mémoire des anges (2008) consists of footage of Montreal shot between 1947 and 1967, selected from some 120 films in the National Film Board (NFB)’s collection. By inserting itself into the NFB’s strategic production of heritage, and by evoking movements to protect urban heritage, La mémoire des anges contributes to the creation of Montréal’s image, and to the development of its history. This article focuses on the film’s dual heritage, placing it into the context of today’s global drive for cultural preservation—a drive that is in large part motivated by urban economies— before analyzing how the film skirts the “heritage discourse” by making selective use of the NFB archives and adopting a formal composition that critically updates the past.
Self-Reported Disability: Association With Lower Extremity Performance and Other Determinants in Older Adults Attending Primary Care
Authors: Silva Anabela G. , Queirós Alexandra , Sa-Couto Pedro , Rocha Nelson P. 
Published: May 2015

BackgroundMeasurement of function usually involves the use of both performance-based and self-report instruments. However, the relationship between both types of measures is not yet completely understood, in particular for older adults attending primary care.ObjectiveThe main objective of the study was to investigate the association between the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 (WHODAS 2.0) and the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) for older adults at primary care. A secondary objective was to determine the influence of sociodemographic and health-related variables on this relationship.DesignThis was a cross-sectional study.MethodsA total of 504 participants aged 60 years and older from 18 different primary care centers underwent a one-session assessment including: sociodemographic variables, comorbidities, performance, self-reported disability, pain, depressive symptoms, and physical activity. Performance was assessed using the SPPB, and self-reported disability was assessed using the WHODAS 2.0.ResultsThe correlation between WHODAS 2.0 and SPPB scores was strong (r=.65). Regression analysis showed that the SPPB total score explained 41.7% of the variance in WHODAS 2.0 scores (adjusted R2=41.6%). A second model including the SPPB subtests (balance, gait, and sit-to-stand), depressive symptoms, number of pain sites, pain intensity, and level of physical activity explained 61.7% of the variance in WHODAS 2.0 scores (adjusted R2=60.4%). No model improvement was found when considering the 6 WHODAS 2.0 individual domains.LimitationsThe cross-sectional nature of the study does not allow inferences on causal relationships.ConclusionsThis study's findings confirm that self-report and performance-based measures relate to different aspects of functioning. Further study is needed to determine if primary care interventions targeting lower extremity performance and depressive symptoms improve self-reported disability.