bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Description and recognition of animal silhouette image using ellipsoid‐expansion
Authors: Hara Junichi , Kato Hirokazu , Inokuchi Seiji 
Published: July 2007

AbstractAlthough objects in most computer vision have been assumed to be “solid bodies,” this assumption is not always true in practice; for example, a horse can be an object. It has been known that humans recognize such an object by dividing it into several parts, each of which has a recognizable feature. This process is important also for computer processing.This paper proposes pattern recognition of a silhouette of an animal using the relative position of each part of its body. The process is to segment each region of the silhouette and to describe the characteristic of each part and the relationship between a part and its adjacent part.A new method, the “ellipsoid‐expansion method,” based on an ellipsoid fitting, is proposed to segment a silhouette. This method uses an ellipse which is fitted to a region by expanding the ellipse and by producing a reaction when the expanded ellipse exceeds the contour of the region. This method is not influenced by details of the shape of the object and withstands shifts, change of scaling, and rotation of the shape. Recognition of each part of the silhouette of an animal is tested by identifying the description of each part of a basic model of the animal and the description of its silhouette. Examples of identification of animals are carried out using some simple cases.
Iranian Studies in the Netherlands
Authors: de Bruijn J.T.P. 
Published: July 2007

Up to the end of the Middle Ages, the opportunities to acquire information about the world of Islam were very few in the Low Countries. Moreover, the little knowledge which could be derived from books, from the participation in a crusade, or from a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, did not reach much futher than the coasts of the Mediterranean. The Iranian hinterland of the countries inhabited by Saracens and Turks remained beyond the horizon of the Dutch, intellectually as well as in terms of actual experienceDirect contacts with Iran developed only in the early 17th century when, shortly after the establishment of an independent republic of the Netherlands, the “United Provinces,” Dutch trade began to expand to the four corners of the world. The first journey of a Dutch fleet to the East Indies and back was completed in 1597.
Nadir Shah and the Ja'fari Madhhab Reconsidered
Authors: Tucker Ernest 
Published: July 2007

In less than twenty years, Nadir Shah built an empire across Iran, India, and Central Asia. When he took the throne on the Mughan steppe in 1148/1736, Nadir confronted the problem of how to legitimize his reign after two centuries of Shi'i Safavid rule. He attempted to solve this problem, in part, by challenging Iran's Twelver Shi'i identity.Nadir proposed to the Ottomans that Twelver Shi'ism be considered a fifth school of Sunni Islam, to be called the Ja'fari madhhab after the sixth Imam, Ja'far al-Sadiq. In exchange for Shi'i renunciation of such practices as sabb (the ritual cursing of the first three caliphs), Nadir proposed that the Ottomans give this Ja'fari madhhab all the privileges enjoyed by the four Sunni schools, and that a fifth pillar be erected in the Ka'bah in Mecca to commemorate it. He asked that the Ottomans allow him to appoint the leader of the annual ḥajj caravan from Iran.
ALCOHOLISM AND ALCOHOL ABUSE — A COUNTRY HOSPITAL'S APPROACH TO THE PROBLEM
Authors: Whitington Ron 
Published: July 2007

AbstractFor some years the hospital executive and staff had been aware of the problems caused by alcohol in the community, and of the importance of alcohol abuse as a cause of hospital admissions. A meeting was held in November 1978, to discuss the setting up of an alcohol treatment program, and an alcohol program committee was formed. It consisted of hospital executives, doctors, nurses, community health staff and members of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), and was responsible for drawing up the Alcohol Withdrawal Program used at the hospital.The program attempts to use the crisis of withdrawal to motivate the sick alcoholic into a change of attitude and hopefully a successful induction into AA. No drugs are used. Instead, AA members sit with the patient and help them through the crisis.The functions of the Alcohol Program Committee are briefly described.
THE ROYAL PRINCE ALFRED HOSPITAL DETOXIFICATION UNIT
Authors: Burns F. Harding , Flamer H.E. , Morey S. , Novak H. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractA non‐medical detoxification centre was established at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in 1981. In the first six months, 499 patients were admitted a total of 906 times: 22% of admissions were referred by medical officers and 49% of patients were referred for further rehabilitation. Only 6% of admissions needed to be referred to the Emergency Department for medical examination. Non‐medical detoxification units can complement the other services offered at a general hospital.
THE POLITICS OF ADDICTION
Authors: Tyrrell M. S. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractThe politics of addiction is considered within the Karpman Victim‐Persecutor‐Rescuer (VPR) cycle, which is seen to apply at community level to addiction matters. The New England Foundation for Addiction (NEFA) is a regional registered action body whose strategies and raison d'etre are viewed within the VPR framework as supplied to community denial and the closely related politics of addiction.
A CONTROLLED TRIAL OF SUPERVISOR TRAINING FOR AN INDUSTRIAL ALCOHOL PROGRAM
Authors: Hocking B. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractA controlled trial has evaluated the effectiveness of supervisor training for an industrial alcohol program. A control group of 1 639 staff had an alcohol policy only; a second group of 1 416 staff had the policy plus a 1‐day training course for supervisors; and a third group of 1 541 had the policy plus a 1‐day training course for supervisors plus a 2‐hour education session for all staff. After nearly two years there were three, seven and four referrals respectively, and no substantial differences in absenteeism or accident rates between the three areas. The results and implications are discussed.
Plasmatic and membrane lipid alterations in erythrocytes from diabetic rats fed either n‐6 or n‐3 fatty acids
Authors: Igal Ariel , Dumm Nelva Tacconi de Gómez 
Published: July 2007

AbstractWe examined the effect of dietary n‐6 and n‐3 fatty acids on the lipid composition and physical properties of erythrocyte membranes together with cholesterol and triglyceride plasmatic levels in normal and experimental diabetic rats. Plasmatic total cholesterol and triglyceride did not change in normal rats under the dietary regime, but both parameters decreased significantly in the diabetic animals after the consumption of either n‐6 or n‐3 fatty acids. Lipid analyses of erythrocyte membranes revealed a significant decrease in the total cholesterol together with an increase in the phospholipid amount in the diabetics compared to the normal rats. As a consequence, cholesterol/phospholipid ratio decreased in these groups of animals and markedly in those fed n‐3 fatty acids. These changes would be responsible for the lower fluorescent polarization of DPH observed in the latter group. We conclude that equivalent and adequate amounts of dietary either n‐6 or n‐3 fatty acids produce plasmatic and red cell membrane lipid changes in diabetic rats that may improve the evolution of the disease.
Dysplasia expresses altered nuclear matrix protein composition in human ulcerative colitis
Authors: Izzo Richard S. , Pellecchia Crescens 
Published: July 2007

AbstractWe compared nuclear matrix protein compositions (NMPS) in colonic tissue from three different patient groups: 1) normal controls; 2) ulcerative colitis (UC) and 3) ulcerative colitis with dysplasia (UC‐dysplasia). NMPS were separated by two‐dimensional electrophoresis using isoelectrofocusing and SDS‐PAGE. Six specific NMPS (59,500 Kd, pI 6.6 and 6.3; 49,250 Kd, pI 7.4; 33,750 Kd, pI 7.5; 20,000 Kd, pI 7.5; and 19,000 Kd, pI 6.3) were identified in UC‐dysplasia that were not found in normal controls nor in UC colonic tissue. These observations suggest that NMPS may serve as important biochemical markers of dysplasia in UC.
S‐(‐)‐nicotine‐1′‐N‐oxide reductase activity of rat liver aldehyde oxidase
Authors: Sugihara Kazumi , Kitamura Shigeyuki , Tatsumi Kiyoshi 
Published: July 2007

AbstractIn the present study, a rat liver cytosolic enzyme responsible for reduction of S‐(‐)‐nicotine‐1′‐N‐oxide to S‐(‐)‐nicotine was investigated. We found that aldehyde oxidase (EC 1.2.3.1) can function as a S‐(‐)‐nicotine‐1′‐N‐oxide reductase in the presence of its electron donor such as 2‐hydroxypyrimidine. The apparent Km and Vmax values of the enzyme for the N‐oxide were 0.24 mM and 30.3 nmol/10 min/mg protein, respectively.
Stimulation of ATP synthesis via oxidative phosphorylation in wheat mitochondria irradiated with Helium‐Neon laser
Authors: Pastore D. , Martino C. Di , Bosco G. , Passarella S. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractIn order to ascertain whether oxidative phosphorylation in plant mitochondria is sensitive to light, coupled durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf.) mitochondria were irradiated with a low power continuous wave Helium‐Neon laser (fluence: 2 Joules/cm2), with measurements made of certain processes related to ATP production. As a result of irradiation, an increase in the rate of ATP synthesis was found, as continuously monitored via luciferine/luciferase, moreover the mitochondrial ATP and ADP endogenous contents were found to increase and decrease, respectively with a 1:1 stoichiometry, as revealed by HPLC measurements. Consistently, an increase in mitochondrial rate of ΔΨ generation was found as measured by using the fluorescent probe safranine. Thus, this paper gives a first evidence of a novel property of plant mitochondria: the direct light sensitivity of ATP synthesis via oxidative phosphorylation.
Helicobacter pylori lipopolysaccharide induces gastric epithelial cells apoptosis
Authors: Piotrowski J. , Skrodzka D. , Slomiany A. , Slomiany B. L. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractH. pylori is recognized as a primary etiologic factor in the pathogenesis of gastric disease. Here, we assessed the effect of intragastric administration of H. pylori lipopolysaccharide at 50 and 200μg dose on the epithelial cell apoptosis. Histological examination of the mucosal tissue two days following the treatment revealed that lipopolysaccharide at both doses induced in the rat stomach mucosal inflammatory responses typical of gastritis. The in situ DNA fragmentation assay demonstrated that these changes were associated with a marked increase in gastric epithelial cell apoptosis. The apoptotic index in the controls averaged 0.3%, and increased dramatically to 59% with the lipopolysaccharide at 50μg dose, while at the 200μg dose the apoptotic index of 71.9% was attained. The results point towards cell wall lipopolysaccharide as a virulence factor responsible for the induction of gastric epithelial cell apoptosis by H. pylori.
A monoclonal antibody specific for carboxy‐terminal region of yeast translation elongation factor‐3 inhibits ribosome‐activated ATPase activity but not intrinsic ATPase activity
Authors: Uritani Masahiro , Tabata Atsushi , Nakayama Kazutoshi , Izuta Miho , Iizumi Makoto , Arisawa Mikio 
Published: July 2007

AbstractElongation factor‐3 (EF‐3) is an essential translation elongation factor specific to yeasts and fungi. When EF‐3 interacts with yeast ribosomes, its ATPase activity, which is indispensable for the function of EF‐3 in translation, is drastically enhanced. In this study, a monoclonal antibody specific for the carboxy‐terminal region inhibited the ribosome‐activated ATPase activity of EF‐3, while it did not inhibit the intrinsic ATPase activity of EF‐3. The results suggest that the carboxy‐terminal region of EF‐3 is involved in the interaction with yeast ribosomes. The monoclonal antibody also inhibited poly(U)‐directed poly(Phe) synthesis, which indicates that the carboxy‐terminal region is important for EF‐3 to express its function in the polypeptide elongation cycle.
Purification in high yield and characterisation of the galactose‐specific lectin from the seeds of snake gourd (Trichosanthes anguina)
Authors: Komath Sneha Sudha , Nadimpalli Siva Kumar , Swamy Musti J. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractThe galactose‐specific lectin present in the seeds of snake gourd (Trichosanthes anguina) was purified in high yield by affinity chromatography on cross‐linked guar gum. The purified snake gourd seed lectin (SGSL) yielded a single symmetrical peak on gel filtration with an Mr of 62 kDa and gave a single band in PAGE under non‐denaturing conditions. In SDS‐PAGE, SGSL gave a single band of Mr 53 kDa in the absence of β‐mercaptoethanol, and two bands of Mr 32 and 23 kDa in its presence, indicating that the lectin is a heterodimer in which the subunits are linked by a disulphide bridge. The lectin gave a single precipitin line in immunodiffusion experiments with antiserum raised against the purified SGSL. No cross‐reactivity was found between SGSL and antiserum raised against the Momordica charantia lectin and vice versa, suggesting that the two lectins are antigenically dissimilar. Haemagglutination‐inhibition data show that MeβD‐Gal is the best monosaccharide inhibitor of SGSL and indicate that an equatorial hydroxyl at C‐2 and axial hydroxyl at C‐4 in the pyranose form are important binding loci for the lectin.
Non‐functional variants of yeast mitochondrial ATP synthase subunit 8 that assemble into the complex
Authors: Papakonstantinou Theo , Law Ruby H. P. , Nagley Phillip , Devenish Rodney J. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractSubunit 8 (Y8) is a component of the proton channel of yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) mitochondrial ATP synthase (mtATPase), whose function in the complex remains to be precisely defined. Y8 variants truncated at residue 46 (Lys47→STP), or in which each of three conserved C‐terminal amino acid residues (Arg37, Arg42 and Lys47) were substituted with isoleucine, have defects in assembly and function. The additional positive charge substitution (Gln29→Lys) was introduced into each of the variants to determine whether functional compensation for these defects could be achieved. In the case of the (Lys47→STP) variant, the additional positive charge restored the ability of cells to grow on non‐fermentable substrate. By contrast, for the (Lys47→Ile) variant the additional positive charge did not confer any improvement in cellular growth rate compared to that of cells expressing the Lys47→Ile substitution alone. For the (Arg42→Ile) and (Arg37→Ile) variants, the presence of the Gln29→Lys substitution failed to restore growth of host cells lacking endogenous subunit 8 on non‐fermentable substrate. However, use of an in vitro assembly assay revealed that, unlike their respective parents (Arg42→Ile or Arg37→Ile), the (Gln29→Lys Arg42→Ile) and (Gln29→Lys Arg37→Ile) variants assemble into mtATPase. Thus we conclude that Arg42 and Arg37 have a role in mtATPase function, in addition to being required for assembly of Y8 into mtATPase.
Herbimycin A inhibits protein kinase C in vascular smooth muscle cells
Authors: Taher Mohiuddin M. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractIt has been observed that in growth arrested vascular smooth muscle cells herbimycin A treatment completely inhibits the activation of mitogen activated protein kinase induced by phorbol 12‐myristate 13‐acetate (a phorbol ester). Since herbimycin A is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, this finding raised the possibility of protein kinase C inhibition or down regulation by this compound. Herbimycin A significantly inhibited phorbol myristate acetate‐mediated protein kinase C activation as measured by in situ glycogen synthase (GS) peptide and neurogranin peptide phosphorylation in vascular smooth muscle cells. Basal protein kinase activity, i.e. kinase activity without phorbol ester treatment to vascular smooth muscle cells, was also decreased by the treatment of herbimycin A. These findings suggest that herbimycin A also inhibits protein kinase C in vascular smooth muscle cells.
Structural analysis of two plant 5S rRNA species and fragments thereof by lead‐induced hydrolysis
Authors: Ciesiołka Jerzy , Krzyzosiak Włodzimierz J. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractThe structure of plant 5S rRNA species from lupin and wheat germ as well as the structure of two RNA fragments that represent domains β and γ of lupin 5S rRNA have been probed by Pb(II)‐induced hydrolysis. The lead digestion patterns of 5S rRNA species show that the secondary and tertiary structures of the molecules are very similar. The data suggests that two potential base pairs at the bottom of helix E are destabilized and this causes an enlargement of the hairpin loop e. On the other hand, nucleotides from loop c seem to be involved in the formation of some kind of higher order structure. A comparison of the distribution of cleavages induced in RNA fragments to those in the corresponding regions of the entire 5S rRNA shows that under conditions applied in our studies the structural domains β and γ are not involved in formation of any tertiary interaction within 5S rRNA structure.
Alpha‐class isozymes of glutathione S‐transferase in rat liver cytosol possess glutathione peroxidase activity toward phospholipid hydroperoxide
Authors: Sun Qian , Komura Sadaaki , Ohishi Nobuko , Yagi Kunio 
Published: July 2007

AbstractSelenium‐independent enzymes, found in the liver cytosol of selenium‐deficient rats, that are capable of reducing dilinoleoyl phosphatidylcholine hydroperoxide in the presence of reduced glutathione [Guan et al., (1995) Biochem. Mol. Biol. Int., 37, 1103‐1110] were purified to homogeneity by use of successive chromatography on glutathione affinity and Mono P columns. The molecular weight of the purified protein was estimated by gel filtration to be approximately 50 kDa. Upon isoelectric focusing, the purified preparation showed two protein bands having pI values of 8.6 and 8.8. Both proteins had reactivity against both 1‐chloro‐2,4‐dinitrobenzene and dilinoleoyl phosphatidylcholine hydroperoxide in the presence of reduced glutathione. Each of them consisted of two subunits having molecular weights of 24.3 kDa and 26 kDa, as estimated by sodium dodecyl sulfate‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The large subunit was identified as rat glutathione S‐transferase (GST) 2 (Yc subunit) based on the amino‐terminal amino acid sequence analysis. The small subunit was considered to be most probably rat GST 1 (Ya subunit). From these results, we conclude that the basic α‐class isozymes of GST in rat liver cytosol possess glutathione peroxidase activity toward phospholipid hydroperoxide.
Drosophila melanogaster genomic DNA sequence homologous to mammalian cytosine DNA‐methyltransferase gene
Authors: Vanyushin Boris F. , Poirier Lionel A. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractUsing Southern blotting procedure we have shown that Drosophila genomic DNA hybridizes with 4423‐bp C‐terminal fragment of murine cytosine DNA‐methyltransferase gene. Thus, the Drosophila genome has a sequence homologous to the mammalian cytosine DNA‐methyltrasferase gene. We assume that DNA methylation most likely responsible for strong CpG suppression in the Drosophila genome mainly was catalyzed by a cytosine DNA‐methyltransferase that has since been lost.
Partial purification and reconstitution of the tricarboxylate carrier from eel liver mitochondria
Authors: Zara Vincenzo , Damiano Gina , Franco Maria Rosaria , Siculella Luisa , Gnoni Gabriele V. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractThe tricarboxylate carrier of the inner membrane of eel liver mitochondria has been solubilized with Triton X‐100 and partially purified by chromatography of the mitochondrial extract on dry hydroxyapatite. The purified fraction has been reconstituted into liposomes and functionally analyzed. The reconstituted carrier protein catalyzed a 1,2,3‐benzenetricarboxylate‐sensitive citrate uptake in liposomes. The substrate specificity and the inhibitor sensitivity of the tricarboxylate carrier are similar to those previously determined for the same protein of mammalian mitochondria.
Interaction of ATP with erythroblast glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase
Authors: Ninfali Paolino , Baronciani Luciano 
Published: July 2007

AbstractATP, complexed with magnesium and as free anion, binds to rabbit erythroblasts glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) inducing significant structural transitions in the enzyme, revealed by a different heat stability. ATP4‐ facilitates the process of thermal inactivation by inducing the presence of thermolable forms. On the contrary, ATP‐Mg protects the enzyme from thermal inactivation. The protection is significant but less marked than that shown by NADP. Kinetic studies indicate a different type of binding between ATP‐Mg and ATP4‐. Uncomplexed ATP is a competitive inhibitor vs NADP or G6P and it shows a positive cooperative effect. ATP‐Mg is an uncompetitive inhibitor vs G6P and competitive vs NADP and it shows a negative cooperativity. A similar behaviour is also shown by complexed and free CTP and GTP.
Gingko biloba extract EGb 761 is a suppresser of AP‐1 transcription factor stimulated by phorbol 12‐myristate 13‐acetate
Authors: Mizuno Masashi , Droy‐Lefaix Marie‐Therese , Packer Lester 
Published: July 2007

AbstractTranscription factors are activated in response to a wide variety of extracellular stimuli. The present study investigated which step Gingko biloba extract (EGb 761), a flavonoid phytochemical rich preparation can affect signal transduction during AP‐1 activation. Kinetic experiments with human Jurkat T‐cell lines demonstrate that it takes 1 to 1.5 h to activate AP‐1 DNA binding activity. These data indicate that c‐fos mRNA is expressed and then AP‐1 DNA binding activity is activated. Pretreatment of Jurkat T cells with 10 µg/ml EGb 761 suppresses AP‐1 DNA activation and c‐fos mRNA expression. These results suggest that the step in the signal transduction pathway for AP‐1 activation that is inhibited by EGb 761 is upstream to c‐fos mRNA expression.
Inhibition of restriction endonucleases by DNA sequence‐reading ligands
Authors: Kittler L. , Bell A. , Baguley B. C. , Löber G. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractDNA sequence‐reading bisquaternary ammonium heterocycles SN 6570, SN 6999, SN 6053, SN 6132, SN 6131, SN 18071 and the non‐specific binders SN 6113, SN 5754, SN 6324, and SN 4094 influence the enzymatic activity of restriction endonucleases in different manners. A prerequisite for sequence‐specific ligand interaction is a dAdT run of at least four base pairs. The sequence‐specific binders inhibit the cleavage activity of restriction endonucleases EcoRI, SspI, and DraI with four and six dAdT base pairs in their restriction sites, while the activity of SalI and BamHI with less than four dAdT base pairs in their recognition motifs remains unaffected. On the contrary, the non‐specific binding DNA ligands are incapable of suppressing the digestion for restriction nucleases under research. These results are in line with our footprint data. The inhibitory effect is independent of the number of cleavage sites in DNA and of whether the macromolecule exists in the ccc or lds conformation. Sequence specific binding of the ligand SN 6053 in close vicinity to the cleavage sites of restriction endonuclease DraI also interferes with enzyme inhibition.
Properties of the regulatory subunit of cAMP‐dependent protein kinase type II from human brain
Authors: Grozdova I. D. , Alexandrova N. A. , Sveshnikova E. V. , Melik‐Nubarov N. S. , Sveshnikov P. G. , Severin E. S. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractThe regulatory subunit type II (RII) of cAMP‐dependent protein kinase purified from human brain was represented by two proteins with apparent molecular masses of 51‐52 kD and 54 kD. Dephosphorylation of human RII containing 3 mol phosphate/mol protein did not change the electrophoretic pattern. One‐dimensional peptide mapping of 51‐52 kD and 54 kD proteins after digestion with St. aureus V8 protease evidenced to their being distinct proteins. The data obtained permit to assume that human RII of neural type is represented by two isoforms.