bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Gel and Pasting Behaviour of Fenugreek‐Wheat Starch and Fenugreek – Wheat Flour Combinations
Authors: Brennan Charles S. , Suter Manfred , Matia‐Merino Lara , Luethi Thomas , Ravindran Ganasheranee , Goh Kelvin , Ovortrup Jacqueline 
Published: October 2006

AbstractThe influence of fenugreek material on starch and flour rheological characteristics was determined. Ground fenugreek grain material, and a purified fenugreek extract (Fenulife®) were used as replacement or as addition to flour or starch. Evaluation of the pasting properties of starch and flour fenugreek mixtures illustrated that fenugreek addition increased the peak and final viscosity of the mixtures in relation to the level of fenugreek addition used. The ground fenugreek seeds yielded a lower response than the purified Fenulife® sample, due to the presence of protein, starch and other polysaccharide material in the ground flour. Rheology of the pastes showed that the addition of fenugreek material (especially Fenulife®) increased the viscoelastic nature of the material. Textural analysis of the cooled gels illustrated that the inclusion of fenugreek into flour mixes generally raised the hardness of the gels, although the gels became softer with higher levels of fenugreek material used. The inclusion of fenugreek into starch gels showed similar patterns of pasting and textural properties, with a general decrease in texture related to the level of fenugreek included.
B‐type natriuretic peptide levels predict event‐free survival in patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators
Authors: Christ Michael , Sharkova Julia , Bayrakcioglu Somer , Herzum Ileana , Mueller Christian , Grimm Wolfram 
Published: October 2006

AbstractIntroduction:We examined whether B‐type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels predict outcome in heart failure patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD) using a combined endpoint of malignant tachyarrhythmias, death or heart transplantation.Methods and results:BNP levels were measured in 123 ICD patients with chronic heart failure (age: 63±12years, ejection fraction: 29±10%). After a median follow‐up of 25months, the combined endpoint was reached in 28 patients (first tachyarrhythmic event, n=16; death, n=11; heart transplantation, n=1). BNP levels were significantly lower in patients with event‐free survival compared to patients reaching the combined endpoint of this study (median: 140 vs. 373pg/ml; p<0.001). Multivariable Cox regression analysis revealed that BNP levels predict adverse outcome (RR 1.002 per pg/ml increment; 95% CI: 1.001–1.003; p<0.001) and use of beta‐blockers was associated with favourable outcome (RR 0.319; 95% CI 0.151–0.670; p=0.004). LV ejection fraction (p=0.66) did not significantly predict event‐free survival in multivariable analysis.Conclusions:BNP plasma levels are useful markers to predict event‐free survival in ICD patients with heart failure. Of note, malignant tachyarrhythmias appear responsible for about 50% of fatal outcomes. Our findings suggest that determination of BNP plasma levels is more valuable than determining LV ejection fraction to anticipate event‐free survival in this population.
Pressure tracings in obstructive Tako‐Tsubo cardiomyopathy
Authors: Kurisu Satoshi , Inoue Ichiro , Kawagoe Takuji , Ishihara Masaharu , Shimatani Yuji , Nakama Yasuharu , Kagawa Eisuke 
Published: October 2006

AbstractA 70‐year‐old female experienced severe anxiety due to an incident with a stranger when she was home alone at night. Immediately after the event, she had an oppressive chest sensation; 16h later she was admitted to hospital. Left ventriculography showed akinesia of the mid‐to‐distal portion and hyperkinesia of the basal portion of the left ventricular chamber. However, coronary angiography showed no significant coronary artery disease. We diagnosed her as having Tako‐Tsubo cardiomyopathy. Subsequently, left ventricular and central aortic pressures were recorded simultaneously. Initial recording showed a peak systolic gradient of 60mm Hg. On the first sinus beat after a premature ventricular contraction, the peak systolic gradient increased to 130mm Hg, and the pulse pressure decreased. Shortly after intravenous administration of nitroglycerin (0.5mg), central aortic pressure decreased and the peak systolic gradient increased to 100mm Hg. On the first sinus beat after a premature ventricular contraction, the peak systolic gradient increased to 160mm Hg, and the pulse pressure decreased. Five minutes after intravenous nitroglycerin, the peak systolic gradient returned to 70mm Hg. Follow‐up transthoracic echocardiography 13days later showed normal left ventricular wall motion with no pressure gradient through the left ventricular outflow tract.
Organization and management of an in‐patient treatment unit for adolescents
Authors: Perinpanayagam K.S. 
Published: October 2006

Brookside is a second or third tier treatment unit for disturbed adolescents. Most youngsters admitted have been already “treated” by the usual disciplinary measures, simple behavioural techniques, medication and work of different types with them and their families, which have been found to be ineffective. An outline of the philosophy of treatment developed in the unit is described in the paper—a philosophy aimed at dealing with the source of the disturbance and applicable to any type of adolescent problem.A small minority of referrals from our catchment area, the NETRHA has been found unsuitable for this type of work. This unsuitability is not based on the type of problem, but on our assessment of the potential capacities of the individual.Inevitably, in the in‐patient setting, the disturbance of the patients affect the staff, and individual and group patient pathology is reflected in staff stress and staff disturbance. Whilst the philosophy of treatment is aimed at benefiting the patient, it is through the understanding and management of staff difficulties, which became of primary concern in the unit, that the pathology of the patients can be unravelled, understood and dealt with. Paradoxically, attempting to care directly for the patients can lead to impossible difficulties, whilst caring for the philosophy of treatment and the staff leads to a solution of most of the problems, and development of both staff and patients. Total patient care is built into the philosophy and management of the unit.Staying with the problem and working as a team has resulted in successful treatment of youngsters considered to have intractable problems whilst periods of poor staff support and difficulties of working together, have led to failures in treatment.The basis of this philosophy was first introduced to the author during his training years at the Northgate Clinic, London NW9.
Observation of numerous E2 mode phonon replicas in the room temperature photoluminescence spectra of ZnO nanowires: Evidence of strong deformation potential electron-phonon coupling
Authors: Ramanathan S. , Bandyopadhyay S. , Hussey L. K. , Muñoz M. 
Published: October 2006

The authors report the observation of numerous (&gt;20) phonon replica peaks in the room temperature photoluminescence spectrum of ZnO nanowires embedded in 50nm diameter pores of an anodic alumina film. The peaks are spaced in energy by ∼54meV, which is the energy of a nonpolar phonon with symmetry E2 in ZnO. These peaks are possibly caused by resonant phonon-assisted decay of photoexcited electrons to an impurity band, followed by radiative recombination. These results suggest that even though ZnO is strongly polar, deformation potential coupling to a nonpolar phonon mode may be stronger than Fröhlich coupling to polar phonon modes.
At the request of the authors and editor, this article is being retracted effective 27 March 2009.
Red blood cells in the metabolism of nitric oxide‐derived peroxynitrite
Authors: Romero Natalia , Denicola Ana , Radi Rafael 
Published: October 2006

AbstractIn this review we have analyzed the reactions of nitric oxide (·NO) with superoxide radical (O2·‐) at the vascular compartment which results in limitation of the bioavailability of ·NO and the formation of peroxynitrite (ONOO‐), a strong oxidant species. The intravascular formation of peroxynitrite can result in oxidative modifications of plasma and vessel wall proteins including the formation of protein‐3‐nitrotyrosine. The role of red blood cells (RBC) and oxyhemoglobin in the metabolism of intravascular peroxynitrite will be discussed. While RBC constitute an important 'sink' of both ·NO and peroxynitrite, redox reactions of these species with oxyhemoglobin may in part contribute to erythrocyte aging. The intravascular formation, reactions and detoxification of peroxynitrite are revealed as important factors controlling vascular dysfunction and degeneration in a variety of pathophysiologically‐relevant conditions.
iubmb Life, 58: 572‐580, 2006
Experimental evidence for the role of ions in particle nucleation under atmospheric conditions
Authors: Svensmark Henrik , Pedersen Jens Olaf P , Marsh Nigel D , Enghoff Martin B , Uggerhøj Ulrik I 
Published: October 2006

Experimental studies of aerosol nucleation in air, containing trace amounts of ozone, sulphur dioxide and water vapour at concentrations relevant for the Earth's atmosphere, are reported. The production of new aerosol particles is found to be proportional to the negative ion density and yields nucleation rates of the order of 0.1–1 cm
−3
s
−1
. This suggests that the ions are active in generating an atmospheric reservoir of small thermodynamically stable clusters, which are important for nucleation processes in the atmosphere and ultimately for cloud formation.
Grading system of lymphatic invasion according to D2‐40 immunostaining is useful for the prediction of nodal metastasis in squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix
Authors: Urabe A , Matsumoto T , Kimura M , Sonoue H , Kinoshita K 
Published: October 2006

Aims To determine the relationship between lymphatic invasion detected by D2‐40 immunostaining and nodal metastasis in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the cervix.Methods and results Seventy‐five cases of FIGO stage IB to IIB SCC of the cervix, treated by radical hysterectomy and lymph node dissection, were examined. Immunohistochemistry for D2‐40 was performed. Overestimation of lymphatic invasion on conventional histological examination was demonstrated by assessment of D2‐40 immunoreactivity in 22 cases. A significant difference in lymphatic invasion detected by D2‐40 immunostaining was found between the metastatic group (30 cases) and the non‐metastatic group (45 cases) (P < 0.001). A grading system (grade 0–2) of lymphatic invasion according to D2‐40 immunostaining was devised. Subsequently, the frequency of nodal metastasis significantly increased in accordance with the grade of lymphatic invasion (P < 0.001) and in eight cases with grade 2, seven cases (87.5%) had nodal metastasis.Conclusions In cervical SCC, a grading system for lymphatic invasion according to D2‐40 immunostaining is useful for the prediction of nodal metastasis and grade 2 lymphatic invasion is a strong predictor of nodal metastasis.
Effects of F‐encoded components and F‐pilin domains on the synthesis and membrane insertion of TraA'‐'PhoA fusion proteins
Authors: Paiva William D. , Silverman Philip M. 
Published: October 2006

Summary F‐pilin, the 70‐amino‐acid F‐pilus subunit, accumulates in the cell envelope of F+strains in a process that requires interactions between its precursor (the traA gene product) and other host and F‐encoded proteins. Here, we have used a set of (traA‐phoA) genes to explore the effects of different TraA domains on the synthesis and membrane insertion of TraA‐PhoA fusion proteins, particularly in relation to other F‐encoded gene products. The 51‐amino‐acid TraA leader peptide fused directly to alkaline phosphatase was synthesized at comparable rates and incorporated rapidly and efficiently into the inner membrane in F' and F− cells. A second fusion gene encoded the TraA leader peptide and the first 51 amino acids of F‐pilin itself fused to PhoA (TraA'‐'PhoA‐102 polypeptide). Alkaline phosphatase activities and patterns of pulse‐labelled polypeptides indicated that TraA'‐'PhoA‐102 was synthesized at comparable rates in F' and F− cells, but in neither was the TraA'‐'PhoA‐102 polypeptide efficiently processed as a membrane protein. A third gene encoded the entire 121‐amino‐acid TraA polypeptide fused to PhoA (TraA‐'PhoA‐121 polypeptide). About 70% of the pulse‐labelled TraA‐'PhoA‐121 polypeptide was rapidly processed in F'cells, where it accumulated in the cell envelope as active alkaline phosphatase, whereas in F‐ cells, >5% of the pulse‐labelled polypeptide was processed. Additionally, the apparent rate of TraA‐'PhoA‐121 polypeptide synthesis was threefold higher in F'cells. The traQ gene alone could not substitute for F in restoring TraA‐'PhoA‐121 (or wild‐type F‐pilin) accumulation.
Isolation of periplasmic nitrate reductase genes from Rhodobacter sphaeroides DSM 158: structural and functional differences among prokaryotic nitrate reductases
Authors: Reyes Francisca , Roldán M. Dolores , Klipp Werner , Castillo Francisco , Moreno‐Vivián Conrado 
Published: October 2006

Summary The prototrophic bacterium Rhodobacter sphaeroides DSM 158 has a periplasmic nitrate reductase which is induced by nitrate and it is not repressed by ammonium or oxygen. In a Tn5 mutant lacking nitrate reductase activity, transposon insertion is localized in a 1.2 kb EcoRI fragment. A 0.6 kb BamHI‐EcoRI segment of this region was used as a probe to isolate, from the wild‐type strain, a 6.8 kb Pstl fragment carrying the putative genes coding for the periplasmic nitrate reductase. In vivo protein expression and DNA sequence analysis reveal the presence in this region of three genes, napABC, probably organized in an operon. These genes are required for nitrate reduction, as deduced by mutational and complementation studies. The napA gene codes for a protein with a high homology to the periplasmic nitrate reductase from Alcali‐genes eutrophus and, to a lesser extent, to other prokaryotic nitrate reductases and molybdenum‐containing enzymes. The napB gene product has two haem c‐binding sites and shows a high homology with the cytochrome c‐type subunit of the periplasmic nitrate reductase from A. eutrophus. NAPA and NAPB proteins appear to be translated with signal peptides of 29 and 24 residues, respectively, indicating that mature proteins are located in the periplasm. The napC gene codes for a 25 kDa protein with a transmembrane sequence of 17 hydrophobic residues. NAPC has four haem c‐binding sites and is homologous to the membrane‐bound c‐type cytochromes encoded by Pseudomonas stutzeri nirT and Escherichia coli torC genes. The phenotypes of defined insertion mutants constructed for each gene also indicate that periplasmic nitrate reductase from R. sphaeroides DSM 158 is a dimeric complex of a 90kDa catalytic subunit (NAPA) and a 15kDa cytochrome c (NAPB), which receives electrons from a membrane‐anchored tetrahaem protein (NAPC), thus allowing electron flow between membrane and periplasm. This nitrate‐reducing system differs from the assimilatory and respiratory bacterial nitrate reductases at the level of cellular localization, regulatory properties, biochemical characteristics and gene organization.
Inducible gene expression mediated by a repressor‐operator system isolated from Lactococcus lactis bacteriophage r1t
Authors: Nauta Arjen , van Sinderen Ouwe , Karsens Harma , Smit Egbert , Venema Gerard , Kok Jan 
Published: October 2006

Summary A regulatory region of the temperate Lactococcus lactis bacteriophage r1t chromosome has been cloned and characterized. It encompasses the two divergently oriented genes rro, encoding the phage repressor, and tec. Both genes, of which the transcription start sites have been mapped, are preceded by consensus‐35 and‐10 promoter sequences. The region contains three 21 bp direct repeats with internal dyad symmetry which probably act as operators. Two of these repeats partially overlap the two promoter sequences. The distant third repeat is located within the tec coding sequence. Gel mobility shift assays demonstrated that Rro specifically binds to this sequence. To study possible transcriptional regulation of the region, a lacZ translational fusion with an open reading frame following tec was constructed. Under conditions that favour the lysogenic life cycle of r1t, β‐galactosidase activity was very low. Expression of the lacZ fusion could be induced 70‐fold by the addition of mitomycin C at a concentration which promotes the switch of r1t from the lysogenic to the lytic life cycle. In non‐induced cells, promoter activity was repressed by Rro, as a frameshift mutation in rro resulted in constitutive expression of the lacZ gene fusion.
Structure, function and controls in microbial division
Authors: Vicente Miguel , Errington Jeffery 
Published: October 2006

SummarySeveral crucial genes required for bacterial division lie close together in a region called the dcw cluster. Within the cluster, gene expression is subject to complex transcriptional regulation, which serves to adjust the cell cycle in response to growth rate. The pivotally important FtsZ protein, which is needed to initiate division, is now known to interact with many other components of the division machinery in Escherichia coli.Some biochemical properties of FtsZ, and of another division protein called FtsA, suggest that they are similar to the eukaryotic proteins tubulin and actin respectively. Cell division needs to be closely co‐ordinated with chromosome partitioning. The mechanism of partitioning is poorly understood, though several genes involved in this process, including several muk genes, have been identified. The min genes may participate in both septum positioning and chromosome partitioning. Coupled transcription and translation of membrane‐associated proteins might also be important for partitioning. In the event of a failure in the normal partitioning process, Bacillus subtilis, at least, has a mechanism for removing a bisected nucleoid from the division septum.
Functional analysis of the Enterococcus faecalis plasmid pAD1‐encoded stability determinant par
Authors: Weaver Keith E. , Jensen Kristi D. , Colwell Amy , Sriram Saileela 
Published: October 2006

SummaryThe molecular organization and functional characteristics of the pAD1 replicon‐encoded par stability determinant were examined, par encodes two convergently transcribed RNAs of 210 and 65 nucleotides designated RNA I and RNA II, respectively. The sequence of RNA II is largely complementary to RNA I, suggesting that RNA II could regulate RNA I function as an anti‐sense RNA. Results of functional studies are consistent with a role for par as a post‐segregational killing system, the first to be identified in Gram‐positive bacteria, with RNA I encoding the toxin and RNA II the antidote. These results include: (i) destabilization of par‐containing replicons in the presence of a second complete par or the RNA II coding sequence in the same cell; (ii) par‐dependent stabilization of a highly unstable vector at the expense of host‐cell growth rate; and (iii) protection of cells from the toxic effects of overexpression of RNA I by RNA II supplied in trans.
Identification of a Salmonella virulence gene required for formation of filamentous structures containing lysosomal membrane glycoproteins within epithelial cells
Authors: Stein Murry A. , Leung Ka Yin , Zwick Michael , Portillo Francisco Garcia‐del , Finlay B. Brett 
Published: October 2006

summary Salmonella species are facultative intracellular pathogens that invade epithelial cells and reside within lysosomal membrane glycoprotein (Igp)‐containing vacuoles. Coincident with the onset of bacterial replication inside these vacuoles, Salmonella induce the formation of stable Igp‐containing filamentous structures that connect with the Salmonella‐containing vacuoles. Salmonella typhimurium SL1344::Tn 10dCm mutant strains unable to induce these structures were isolated. All contained insertions within a novel Salmonella induced filament gene A (sifA). sifA is present only in Salmonella species and encodes a protein with a predicted molecular mass of 38kDa and an apparent molecular mass of 35kDa. sifA is flanked by ∼300 base pairs, and sifA and its flanking DNA show no homology to sequences in DNA databases. sifA is located within the potABCD operon, a housekeeping locus involved in periplasmic transport of polyamines. Fourteen‐base‐pair direct repeats mark the probable site of integration of sifA and its flanking DNA at the 3 end of potB. sifA and its flanking DNA have a significantly reduced G+C content (41%) when compared with the potABCD operon (51%) and the Salmonella genome (52–54%). Deletion mutant strains
Induction of haemolytic activity in Escherichia coli by the slyA gene product
Authors: Oscarsson Jan , Mizunoe Yoshimitsu , Uhlin Bernt Eric , Haydon David J. 
Published: October 2006

SummaryThe Salmonella typhimurium protein SlyAST, originally described as a cytolysin, shows sequence similarities to several known bacterial regulatory proteins. A homologue to the slyASt gene has been localised to min 37 of the Eschericia coli K‐12 chromosome and has been designated slyAEC When introduced in trans on a plasmid, the slyAEC gene conferred a haemolytic phenotype on wild‐type but not clyA‐knockout strains of E. coli K‐12. The clyA gene encodes a novel haemolysin that is not expressed by wild‐type E. coli under tested laboratory conditions. Western and Northern blot analyses, and DNA‐band‐shift assays support a model whereby the SlyAEC protein activates clyA expression by binding to the clyA promoter region, thereby supporting the sequence similarity data in suggesting that SlyAST is a haemolysin activator rather than being a haemolysin per se.
Altering the level and regulation of the major sigma subunit of RNA polymerase affects gene expression and development in Bacillus subtilis
Authors: Hicks Karen A. , Grossman Alan D. 
Published: October 2006

SummaryIn Bacillus subtilis, the major sigma factor, sigma‐A (rpoD), and the minor sigma factor, sigma‐H (spo0H), are present during growth and are required for the initiation of sporulation. Our experiments indicate that sigma‐A and sigma‐H compete for binding to core RNA polymerase. We used a fusion of rpoD to the Lacl‐repressible IPTG‐inducible promoter, Pspac, to vary the levels of sigma‐A in the cell. Increasing the amount of sigma‐A caused a decrease in expression of genes controlled by sigma‐H, and a delay in the production of heat‐resistant spores. Decreasing the amount of sigma‐A, in a strain deleted for the chromosomal rpoD, caused an increase in expression of genes controlled by sigma‐H. As rpoD itself is controlled by at least two promoters recognized by RNA polymerase that contains sigma‐H, the effect of sigma‐A levels on expression of sigma‐H‐controlled promoters represents a feedback mechanism that might contribute to maintaining appropriate levels of sigma‐A. While the level of sigma‐A was important for efficient sporulation, our results indicate that the normal transcriptional control of rpoD, in the context of the rpoD operon and the numerous promoters in that operon, is not required for efficient sporulation or germination, provided that the sigma‐A level from a heterologous promoter is comparable to that in wild‐type cells.