bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Early Detection and Basic Management of Alcohol and Drug Problems
Authors: Skinner Harvey A. 
Published: July 2007

Abstract: Traditional approaches to the treatment of alcoholism have focused on the chronic alcoholic where limited impact has been achieved in terms of improvement in health or reduction in social costs. If individuals could be identified shortly after their drinking problem develops, then successful treatment by brief intervention is more likely. Although the prevalence of alcoholism in North America is around 5 to 7% of the adult population, a much larger group (20–30%) of individuals have drinking problems without major symptoms of alcohol dependence. These problem drinkers are the target audience for early identification and brief intervention.A major thrust of my research has been the development of practical assessment tools for use by health and social service professionals. One line of research has evaluated the diagnostic value of laboratory tests and medical history data. A brief, 5‐item history of traumatic injuries (Trauma Scale) correctly identified 7 out of 10 problem drinkers, and diagnostic accuracy was further improved by combining the Trauma Scale and 3 laboratory tests in a composite index. This index could be used in medical settings as an “indirect” method of detecting excessive drinking. Another research line has produced questionnaires that directly inquire about alcohol/drug problems. These instruments can be used as case finding tools to signal the presence of an alcohol or drug problem (e.g., Drug Abuse Screening Test), or, at a subsequent stage of assessment, to provide more detailed information on the severity of the problem and treatment priorities. I have concentrated on evaluating a computerised lifestyle assessment of patients visiting their family doctor. The availability of low cost microcomputers offers considerable potential for assisting the busy clinician. A recent study found that the computerised lifestyle assessment was well accepted by patients. Moreover, the lifestyle assessment had a “priming effect” which resulted in a two‐ or three‐fold increase in patients' intentions of discussing a substance use problem with their physician.Presently, the computerised lifestyle assessment is being linked with an evaluation of three brief interventions. This project will establish cost‐effective strategies that can be readily incorporated in hospitals and family practices for dealing with the early stage problem drinker.
Emerging Topics in the Regulation of Leukocyte Transendothelial Migration
Authors: RAO RAVI M. , SHAW SUNIL K. , KIM MICHAEL , LUSCINSKAS F. WILLIAM 
Published: July 2007

ABSTRACTThis year marks the 50th Anniversary of the founding of the Microcirculation Society. Since the formation of this society this field has witnessed tremendous progress in understanding the process of leukocyte recruitment during inflammation, injury, and immune reactions. This topic has been an important focus of many of the members of the Microcirculation Society as well as our colleagues worldwide. The goal of this brief review is to bring attention to a few emerging topics in inflammation research. Here the focus is on one particular model of how one leukocyte type (PMN) can regulate the recruitment of a second different leukocyte type (T cell) and provide an outline of other aspects that bear on spatial and temporal behavior of specific leukocyte and endothelial cell adhesion molecules during leukocyte transmigration under dynamic shear flow in vitro.
Platelet–Vessel Wall Interactions in the Microcirculation
Authors: TAILOR ANITABEN , COOPER DIANNE , GRANGER D. NEIL 
Published: July 2007

ABSTRACTPlatelet adhesion in the microcirculation is being reported and studied in a growing number of animal models of human disease. The adhesion molecules utilized by platelets to attach to the walls of microscopic blood vessels have been defined in most model systems, with P‐selectin‐PSGL‐1, GPIIb/IIIa‐fibrinogen‐ICAM‐1, and vWF‐GPIbα interactions serving as major adhesion pathways. The binding of platelets to adherent leukocytes appears to contribute significantly to the platelet–vessel wall interactions elicited in many models of disease. Shear forces generated by the movement of blood through the microcirculation exert an important influence on platelet adhesion. Physiologic regulation of platelet adhesion is mediated by both nitric oxide and superoxide, with the former inhibiting and the latter promoting platelet adhesion. The interactions between platelets and the walls of microscopic blood vessels appear to have important implications in the initiation and/or progression of tissue injury associated with different experimental models of human disease.
Obesity, Insulin Resistance, and Capillary Recruitment
Authors: Rattigan Stephen , Bussey Carolz T. , Ross Renee M. , Richards Stephen M. 
Published: July 2007

ABSTRACTObjective: Insulin has vascular actions within the skeletal muscle microcirculation (capillary recruitment) that enhance its own access and that of glucose to the muscle cells. Obesity and insulin resistance are associated with dysregulated vascular function within muscle and a loss of insulin‐mediated capillary recruitment. Furthermore, agents that impair insulin's vascular actions to recruit capillaries lead to acute insulin resistance in terms of muscle glucose uptake. Together these data suggest a strong connection between the loss of insulin‐mediated capillary recruitment and the development of insulin resistance. This review examines the mechanisms involved in insulin‐mediated capillary recruitment and the vascular defects associated with obesity and insulin resistance that may impair the capillary recruiting process. Understanding the mechanisms of insulin‐mediated capillary recruitment and its impairment may lead to new treatment avenues to prevent the progression of obesity to diabetes.
Mechanisms of Coronary Dysfunction in Obesity and Insulin Resistance
Authors: Knudson Jarrod D. , Dincer U. Deniz , Bratz Ian N. , Sturek Michael , Dick Gregory M. , Tune Johnathan D. 
Published: July 2007

ABSTRACTThe incidence of obesity and the metabolic syndrome has reached epidemic proportions and alterations in coronary microvascular function could contribute to the increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality observed in these patients. This review highlights key mechanisms of impaired control of coronary blood flow in the metabolic syndrome. Specifically, coronary endothelial dysfunction, altered neurohumoral control, and the potential roles of smooth muscle ion channels are addressed. Recent studies indicate that alterations in endothelial‐dependent vasodilation or endothelial‐dependent vasoconstriction contribute little to obesity‐induced impairments in coronary vascular control. In contrast, augmented vasoconstriction in response to neurohumoral mediators appears to play a significant role in coronary vascular dysfunction. The authors conclude that coronary dysfunction in the metabolic syndrome is characterized by an imbalance between coronary blood flow and myocardial metabolism that may be mediated by sensitization of vasoconstrictor pathways. Further, they suggest that alterations in smooth muscle ion channels, Ca2+ handling, and cell signaling may be important mechanisms leading to coronary microvascular dysfunction. Importantly, however, more research is needed to clearly delineate specific mechanisms and identify potential therapeutic targets.
Reactive disulfide bonds in immunoglobulin G. A unique feature in serum proteins of different species
Authors: Schauenstein Erwin , Schauenstein Konrad , Dachs Franz , Reiter Monika , Leitsberger Astrid , Weblacher Michaela , Maninger Karin , Horejsi Helene , Steinschifter Waltraud , Hirschmann Carola , Felsner Peter 
Published: July 2007

AbstractA reactive disulfide bond (SS)* was detected and characterized in IgG of humans, rats and mice by virtue of disulfide interchange with dithionitrobenzoate. (SS)* was found exclusively in human IgG1 and rat IgG2b. In human IgG1 (SS)* was identified as the upper one of the two interheavy bridges in the hinge, where it appears to take part in complement activation. The biological significance of (SS)* in IgG was underlined by the fact that no other serum proteins were found to exhibit a similar reactivity.
Ca2 binding and translocating properties of diflunisal
Authors: Neigh G. Scott , Ananthanarayanan Vettai S. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractWe have characterized the binding of Ca2+ and Mg2+ to the anti‐inflammatory drug diflunisal in acetonitrile and demonstrated the drug‐mediated transport of Ca2+ across the lipid bilayer in unilamellar vesicles made of 1,2‐dimyristoyl‐sn‐glycero‐3‐phosphocholine. Fluorescence and difference absorption spectral data show that diflunisal undergoes a significant conformational change on binding Ca2+ and Mg2+ forming, respectively, 1:2 and 1:1 cation:drug complexes with Kd in the low µM range. The kinetics of transport showed that Ca2+ was transported into the vesicle as 1:2 Ca2+:diflunisal sandwich complex. This suggests that the interaction of the drug with the cation in the lipid and the lipid‐mimetic solvent are similar. The biological relevance of the Ca2+‐binding and translocating abilities of diflunisal is examined in light of the reported ionophoretic properties of several phospholipids as well as cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase products.
The expression of steroidogenic enzyme genes in human vascular cells
Authors: Hatakeyama Haruhiko , Miyamori Isamu , Takeda Yoshiyu , Yamamoto Hiroshi , Mabuchi Hiroshi 
Published: July 2007

AbstractRecently, we demonstrated that aldosterone is produced by human vascular cells, and that vascular aldosterone is linked to angiotensin II‐induced hypertrophy of vascular smooth muscle cells. We therefore examined whether genes encoding steroidogenic enzymes responsible for aldosterone biosynthesis from cholesterol are expressed in vascular cells. Using polymerase chain reaction after reverse transcription, type I and II 3β‐HSD (3β‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase), P‐450c21 (21‐hydroxylase), and P‐450c18 (18‐hydroxylase/oxidase) genes were found to be expressed both in endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells cultivated from human pulmonary arteries. However, P‐450scc (cholesterol side chain cleavage enzyme) and P‐45011β (11β‐hydroxylase) mRNAs could not be detected. These findings suggest that the enzyme system responsible for aldosterone production in human vascular cells is different from that found in the adrenal cortex and that vascular aldosterone may be synthesized from metabolic intermediates which originate from the circulation. Extra‐adrenal 3β‐HSD and steroid 21‐hydroxylase occur in a wide variety of tissues. Thus, human vascular cells can retain the ability to produce aldosterone by expressing the P‐450c 180 gene.
High‐level expression of active human plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI‐1) in E. coli
Authors: Zhou Aiwu , Pei Yi , Wu Haihong , Dong Xueyin , Xu Xianxiu 
Published: July 2007

AbstractPlasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI‐1) is an important regulator of plasminogen activation, which inhibits both tissue‐type plasminogen activator (tPA) and urokinase‐type plasminogen activator (uPA). The DNA sequence encoding mature PAI‐1 protein was inserted into an inducible expression vector. This gene was highly expressed to produce a soluble active protein in E. coli cells. The amount of the recombinant protein was up to 20% of total cellular protein. By efficient purification with a yield of about 15‐20%, the recombinant protein could be purified to homogeneity with its specific activity up to 6.1×104 (uPA) IU/mg. Its inhibitory activity declined during incubation at 37°C with a half life of about 2 hr.
Nucleotide sequence of a cDNA clone (SUBT1) partly homologous to a human subtelomeric repeat sequence
Authors: Lagercrantz Jacob , Lagercrantz Svetlana 
Published: July 2007

AbstractTelomeres contains short tandem repeats (TTAGGG)n that are usually several kilobases in size. DNA sequences located next to the repeats are called telomere‐associated or subtelomeric sequences. In this report we describe isolation and characterization of a new cDNA sequence isolated with a telomere specific, chromosome 17 genomic clone. No open reading frame of notable length could be detected. However comparison with sequences in the EMBL/Genbank revealed a 897 bp of close to perfect match, in the 3′ end with the centromeric end of a genomic clone containing subtelomeric repeat sequences. The potential function of the SUBT1 transcript remains to be elucidated.
The DNA binding affinity of rat liver nucleoproteins to the α1‐acid glycoprotein gene
Authors: Petrovic Miodrag , Grigorov Ilijana , Milosavljevic Tanja , Bogojevic Desanka 
Published: July 2007

AbstractTranscriptional regulation and binding interactions between soluble nucleoproteins and the distal regulatory element (DRE) of the rat α1‐acid glycoprotein (α1‐AGP) gene were examined in the liver of rats during the acute‐phase response. Our results show that the elevation of the α1‐AGP gene transcription activity in acute phase liver relies basically on an increase in the binding‐affinity of the constitutive soluble nucleoproteins with molecular masses 35 and 45 kD, enhancing their capability to bind to the distal regulatory element (DRE) of α1‐AGP gene. On the basis of in vitro phosphorylation/dephosphorylation experiments we discuss that the role of these proteins during α1‐AGP transcription may be dependent on their behavior as phosphoproteins. The 35kD nucleoprotein that displayed an acute‐phase inducible affinity to bind DRE was indentified as a C/EBPβ isoform.
Nucleic acid‐8‐methoxypsoralen crosslinks bind monoclonal anti‐Z‐DNA antibody
Authors: Arif Zarina , Ali Rashid 
Published: July 2007

AbstractNative calf thymus DNA and poly(dA‐dT) poly(dA‐dT) were photo‐adducted with 8‐methoxypsoralen and characterized by thermal denaturation (Tm) and hydroxyapatite column chromatography. The data demonstrated the formation of interstrand photo‐crosslinks. It has been shown by competition ELISA and band shift assays that crosslinked species of DNA‐8‐MOP and poly(dA‐dT)‐8‐MOP photoadducts recognize previously defined monoclonal anti‐Z‐DNA antibody (Z22). The results indicate the possible presence of Z‐ or Z‐like epitopes on nucleic acid‐8‐MOP crosslinks as Z22 antibody does not recognize other nucleic acid conformations. These studies also point out that conformational changes in DNA arising from the photo‐addition could induce antibodies to DNA or could cause autoimmune disease.
Ecdysteroid mediated muscle actin synthesis during the larval development of rice moth, Corcyra cephalonica
Authors: Shanavas A. , Nayak Bishnu Prasad , Dutta‐Gupta Aparna 
Published: July 2007

AbstractProtein fractions from the whole body homogenates were separated on SDS‐PAGE and the muscle actin band was identified by western blotting, using commercial antibody raised against chick back muscle actin (Sigma Chemical Co., USA). The antibody was found to be specific for muscle actin, as it did not cross react with cytoplasmic actin of the nervous system. The molecular weight of the muscle actin in Corcyra was found to be around 46 kDa. The concentration of actin was found to be more or less the same in penultimate and early‐last instar larvae and it increased during mid and late‐last instar development. Thereafter, it has dropped to its minimum during the pupal stage. But, once again it increased to its maximum in adults. Thorax‐ligation in early and late‐last instar larvae resulted in decreased synthesis of muscle actin and this was more pronounced after 48 h of ligation. Injection of 20‐hydroxyecdysone to insects which were thorax‐ligated for 24 and 48 h was found to significantly increase the concentration of actin, suggesting that the ecdysteroids mediate the muscle actin synthesis during the larval development of Corcyra.
Isolation and properties of anionic protease inhibitors from buckwheat seeds
Authors: Dunaevsky Y. E. , Pavlukova E. B. , Belozersky M. A. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractThree protease inhibitors (BWI‐1, BWI‐2 and BWI‐4) from buckwheat seeds were purified to homogeneity and characterized. Their molecular masses were 7.7‐9.2 kDa according to gel‐filtration and mass spectrometry. Amino acid analysis revealed a high content of glutamic acid and valine and a low content of isoleucine, aromatic and sulfur‐containing amino acids. Data illustrating the temperature and the pH stability of the inhibitors are presented. Each of the inhibitors formed a inhibitor complex with trypsin in a molar ratio 1:1 and contained an Arg residue at the reactive site. In addition to trypsin, BWI‐1 and BWI‐2 inhibited chymotrypsin, however, less effectively. None of the isolated inhibitors suppressed activity of papain, leukocyte elastase, pepsin and subtilisin.
Activation of grass carp liver alcohol dehydrogenase by limited proteolysis
Authors: Lau King‐kwan , Fong Wing‐ping 
Published: July 2007

AbstractLimited proteolysis of grass carp alcohol dehydrogenase by alkaline protease or subtilisin BPN′ at 30°C for 6 hr generated a nicked species that was catalytically active. Electrophoresis on a denaturing SDS‐PAGE showed that the 40 kDa subunit of the intact enzyme was cleaved to produce subunits of 27 and 13 kDa, which remained tightly associated with each other under native condition. Such a proteolytically nicked form was catalytically more active than the original intact form of the enzyme. The Vmax value toward the oxidation of ethanol at pH 10 increased by 7.8 fold whereas the Km value also exhibited a 140 fold increase. On the other hand, when the same protease treatment was applied to horse liver alcohol dehydrogenase, no activation nor any specific cleavage can be observed.
Isolation of toxin TsTX‐VI from Tityus serrulatus scorpion venom. Effects on the release of neurotransmitters from synaptosomes
Authors: Sampaio Suely V. , Coutinho‐Netto Joaquim , Arantes Eliane C. , Marangoni Sergio , Oliveira Benedito , Giglio José R. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractA detailed procedure for the purification of Tityustoxin‐VI, TxTX‐VI, from Tityus serrulatus scorpion venom is described. For comparative purposes, a second toxin, CM‐VI, obtained from the same fractionation procedure, was analyzed in parallel. Typical biochemical parameters, such as electrophoretic migration, mol. weight, amino acid composition and N‐terminal sequence (first 42 amino acid residues out of a total of approx. 60) were determined for both. Our data showed that CM‐VI is identical or extremely homologous to γ‐toxin (TsTX‐I), the highly toxic major toxin from T. serrulatus venom. TsTX‐VI was less toxic, although still effective at inducing an allergic reaction, lacrymation and contraction of the hind legs of mice. Both toxins produced a dose dependent release of the neurotransmitters glutamic acid and gamma aminobutyric acid from rat brain synaptosomes, this effect being blocked by tetrodotoxin.
Binding between Pseudomonas aeruginosa adhesins and human salivary, tracheobronchial and nasopharyngeal mucins
Authors: Reddy Molakala S. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractEndogenous aspiration of nasooropharyngeal secretions is a major source of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to lungs. To understand the mechanism of binding between P. aeruginosa and nasooropharyngeal secretions, we have utilized an overlay binding assay employing P. aeruginosa nonpilus protein adhesins (18 kDa and 15 kDa) and mucins from human saliva, tracheobronchial and nasopharyngeal secretions. Nasopharyngeal mucin bound to both the 18 kDa and 15 kDa adhesins. A high molecular weight salivary mucin and tracheobronchial mucin bound only to the 18 kDa adhesin. On the other hand, asialonasopharyngeal and asialotracheobronchial mucins did not bind to either of the adhesins. Binding of nasopharyngeal mucin to the 18 kDa and 15 kDa was not inhibitable by glycoproteins, bovine submaxillary mucins and sialic acid. Further, a low molecular weight salivary mucin which contains sialylated oligosacchardies also did not bind to either of the adhesins. Collectively, the results suggest that binding between P. aeruginosa and mucins may involve specific receptors and adhesins.
Age‐related analysis of EcoRI generated satellite DNA‐containing chromatin of rat liver
Authors: Chaurasia Pratima , Mukherjee Shibani , Thakur M. K. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractEcoRI digestion of nuclei and their subsequent lysis with EDTA solubilizes 45% and 36% of chromatin DNA from the liver of young (18±2 weeks) and old (100±5 weeks) rats, respectively. After hybridization with 185 bp rat satellite I DNA, these soluble fractions are found to be enriched in specific DNA sequences such as satellite DNA. Besides regular repeat pattern, a major portion of the satellite chromatin forms higher order organization. Digestion kinetics confirms condensation of satellite DNA‐containing chromatin similar to that of bulk chromatin in old age. Furthermore, densitometric scanning of the slot‐blot of soluble chromatin fractions reveals loss of satellite DNA in the old. However, an increase in the linker histone H1 and its subfraction H10 in the satellite DNA‐enriched fraction of chromatin from old rats suggests greater compaction. These results provide the first evidence that the satellite DNA‐containing chromatin differs in the liver of young and old rats.
Electron paramagnetic resonance studies of proteins in ozone‐treated erythrocyte membranes
Authors: Wróbel Anna , Jezierski Adam , Gomułkiewicz Jan 
Published: July 2007

AbstractThe sulfhydryl group specific spin labels have been used to study the membrane proteins in the bovine and human erythrocyte membranes treated with ozone. The ratio hw/hs, determined from the respective peak amplitudes of the resulting EPR spectra of 3‐maleimido‐1‐oxyl‐2,2,5,5‐tetramethylpyrrolidine bound to the ozone treated membranes, was shown to be elevated following an increased ozone concentration. The ratio of the central to high‐field peak amplitude h0 / h‐1, a measure of the rotational correlation time, determined from EPR spectra of ozonized membranes covalently labeled with 4‐(iodoacetamido)‐l‐oxyl‐2,2,5,5‐tetramethylpyrrolidine was shown to be diminished. The changes in the erythrocyte membranes treated with ozone, observed for both spin labels, indicate a dose dependent increase in the mobility of membrane proteins.
Effect of sevin on kinetic parameters of camel retina acetylcholinesterase
Authors: Kamal Mohammad Amjad 
Published: July 2007

AbstractThe present investigation addresses the effect of sevin (insecticide) on kinetic parameters of camel retina membrane‐bound acetylcholinesterase (AChE, EC 3.1.1.7). The Michaelis‐Menten constant (Ks) for the hydrolysis of acetylthiocholine iodide (ASCh) by AChE was 0.072 mM in the control system, a value decreased by 38‐55% in the sevin treated systems. The Vmax was 0.967 μmole/min/mg protein for the control system while it was decreased by 50‐84% in the sevin treated systems. The Lineweaver‐Burk plot, Dixon plot, and their secondary replots indicated that the nature of the inhibition was of the linear mixed type, i.e. uncompetitive and noncompetitive. The values of Ki(slope) and KI(intercept) were estimated as 6.194 and 2.811 μM, respectively. The turnover number (Kcat) and specificity constant (Ksp) were 74.65 min‐1 and 10.37×105 (M. min)‐1 in the control system respectively, while the values for both parameters were significantly decreased in the sevin treated systems.