bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A recombinant allosteric lectin antagonist of HIV‐1 envelope gp120 interactions
Authors: McFadden Karyn , Cocklin Simon , Gopi Hosahudya , Baxter Sabine , Ajith Sandya , Mahmood Naheed , Shattock Robin , Chaiken Irwin 
Published: March 2007

AbstractThe first, critical stage of HIV‐1 infection is fusion of viral and host cellular membranes initiated by a viral envelope glycoprotein gp120. We evaluated the potential to form a chimeric protein entry inhibitor that combines the action of two gp120‐targeting molecules, an allosteric peptide inhibitor 12p1 and a higher affinity carbohydrate‐binding protein cyanovirin (CVN). In initial mixing experiments, we demonstrated that the inhibitors do not interfere with each other and instead show functional synergy in inhibiting viral cell infection. Based on this, we created a chimera, termed L5, with 12p1 fused to the C‐terminal domain of CVN through a linker of five penta‐peptide repeats. L5 revealed the same broad specificity as CVN for gp120 from a variety of clades and tropisms. By comparison to CVN, the L5 chimera exhibited substantially increased inhibition of gp120 binding to receptor CD4, coreceptor surrogate mAb 17b and gp120 antibody F105. These binding inhibition effects by the chimera reflected both the high affinity of the CVN domain and the allosteric action of the 12p1 domain. The results open up the possibility to form high potency chimeras, as well as noncovalent mixtures, as leads for HIV‐1 envelope antagonism that can overcome potency limits and potential virus mutational resistance for either 12p1 or CVN alone. Proteins 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Computational sidechain placement and protein mutagenesis with implicit solvent models
Authors: Lopes Anne , Alexandrov Alexey , Bathelt Christine , Archontis Georgios , Simonson Thomas 
Published: March 2007

AbstractStructure prediction and computational protein design should benefit from accurate solvent models. We have applied implicit solvent models to two problems that are central to this area. First, we performed sidechain placement for 29 proteins, using a solvent model that combines a screened Coulomb term with an Accessible Surface Area term (CASA model). With optimized parameters, the prediction quality is comparable with earlier work that omitted electrostatics and solvation altogether. Second, we computed the stability changes associated with point mutations involving ionized sidechains. For over 1000 mutations, including many fully or partly buried positions, we compared CASA and two generalized Born models (GB) with a more accurate model, which solves the Poisson equation of continuum electrostatics numerically. CASA predicts the correct sign and order of magnitude of the stability change for 81% of the mutations, compared to 97% with the best GB. We also considered 140 mutations for which experimental data are available. Comparing to experiment requires additional assumptions about the unfolded protein structure, protein relaxation in response to the mutations, and contributions from the hydrophobic effect. With a simple, commonly‐used unfolded state model, the mean unsigned error is 2.1 kcal/mol with both CASA and the best GB. Overall, the electrostatic model is not important for sidechain placement; CASA and GB are equivalent for surface mutations, while GB is far superior for fully or partly buried positions. Thus, for problems like protein design that involve all these aspects, the most recent GB models represent an important step forward. Along with the recent discovery of efficient, pairwise implementations of GB, this will open new possibilities for the computational engineering of proteins. Proteins 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Optical microscopy imaging method for detection of electromigration: Theory and experiment
Authors: Li L. H. , Dasika V. , Heskett D. , Tang W. H. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractElectromigration is a microscopic phenomenon involving electric field‐induced diffusion, which is very relevant to damage in interconnects. A common method to monitor interconnect degradation is through electrical resistance measurements, which requires direct electrical contacts. It is desirable to develop non‐contact methods to monitor electromigration damage formation. Recently, we have proposed a novel Optical Microscopy Imaging Method (OMIM). Here we provide theoretical proof and additional experimental results. OMIM provides a new method for studying electromigration‐induced damage. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Using analogies to improve the teaching performance of preservice teachers
Authors: James Mark C. , Scharmann Lawrence C. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractPrior research in both education and cognitive science has identified analogy making as a powerful tool for explanation as well as a fundamental mechanism for facilitating an individual's construction of knowledge. While a considerable body of research exists focusing on the role analogy plays in learning science concepts, relatively little is known about how instruction in the use of analogies might influence the teaching performance of preservice teachers. The primary objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between pedagogical analogy use and pedagogical reasoning ability in a sample of preservice elementary teachers (PTs), a group that has been identified for their particular difficulties in teaching science. The study utilized a treatment/contrast group design in which the treatment group was provided instruction that guided them in the generation of analogies to aid in the explanation phase of learning cycle lessons. A relationship between analogy use and positive indicants of teaching performance was observed and a case study of a low performing preservice teacher who drastically improved teaching performance using analogy‐based pedagogy is presented. A notable effect on conceptual understanding of Newton's Third Law as a result of two brief analogy‐based demonstration lessons was also observed. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 44: 565–585, 2007.
Risk Factors Contributing to a Poor Prognosis of Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma: Validity of UICC/AJCC TNM Classification and Stage Grouping
Authors: Ito Yasuhiro , Miyauchi Akira , Jikuzono Tomoo , Higashiyama Takuya , Takamura Yuuki , Miya Akihiro , Kobayashi Kaoru , Matsuzuka Fumio , Ichihara Kiyoshi , Kuma Kanji 
Published: March 2007

AbstractBackgroundIn 2002, the UICC/AJCC TNM classification for papillary thyroid carcinoma was revised. In this study, we examined the validity of this classification system by investigating the predictors of disease‐free survival (DFS) and cause‐specific survival (CSS) in patients.MethodsWe examined various clinicopathological features, including the component of the TNM classification, for 1,740 patients who underwent initial and curative surgery for papillary carcinoma between 1987 and 1995.ResultsClinical and pathological T4a, clinical N1b in the TNM classification, and patient age were recognized as independent predictors of not only DFS, but also CSS of patients. Tumor size, male gender, and central node metastasis independently affected DFS only. There were 1,005 pathological N1b patients, but pathological N1b did not independently affect either DFS or CSS. Regarding the stage grouping, clinical stage IVA including clinical N1b more clearly affected DFS and CSS than pathological stage IVA including pathological N1b.ConclusionClinical stage grouping was more useful than pathological stage grouping for predicting the prognosis of papillary carcinoma patients possibly because pathological stage overestimates the biological characteristics of many pathological N1b tumors.
Selective screening for inborn errors of metabolism on clinical patients using tandem mass spectrometry in China: A four‐year report
Authors: Han L. S. , Ye J. , Qiu W. J. , Gao X. L. , Wang Y. , Gu X. F. 
Published: March 2007

SummaryWe have initiated clinical selective screening for inborn errors of metabolism in China by analysing amino acids and acylcarnitines in a dried blood filter‐paper samples using tandem mass spectrometry. Samples from a total of 3070 children suspected of inborn errors of metabolism were collected through a study network which covered most provinces of China. The diagnoses were further confirmed through clinical symptoms, by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and other biochemistry studies, and in a few cases by DNA analysis. In all, 212 cases were diagnosed (6.6%) including 92 (43.4%) with amino acids disorders (48 with phenylketonuria, 12 with ornithine carbamoyltransferase deficiency, 7 with tyrosinaemia type I, 9 with maple syrup urine disease, 5 with citrullinaemia type I, 8 with citrullinaemia type II, 2 with homocystinuria, and 1 with argininaemia); 107 (50.5%) with organic acid disorders (including 58 with methylmalonic acidaemia, 13 with propionic acidaemia, 6 with isovaleric acidaemia, 7 with glutaric acidaemia type I, 6 with 3‐methylcrotonyl‐CoA carboxylase deficiency, 2 with 3‐hydroxy‐3‐methylglutaryl‐CoA lyase deficiency, 10 with multiple carboxylase deficiency, and 5 with β‐ketothiolase deficiency); and 13 (6.1%) with fatty acid oxidation disorders (including 1 with carnitine palmitoyltransferase deficiency type I, 1 with carnitine palmitoyltransferase deficiency type II, 1 with short‐chain acyl‐CoA dehydrogenase deficiency, 5 with medium‐chain acyl‐CoA dehydrogenase deficiency, 3 with very long‐chain acyl‐CoA dehydrogenase deficiency, and 2 with multiple acyl‐CoA dehydrogenase deficiency). It is suggested that tandem mass spectrometry is useful for selective screening of clinically suspected patients. The majority of diseases (94%) in this study were amino acid disorders and organic acid disorders. Fatty acid oxidation disorders are relatively rare in the Chinese, but medium‐chain acyl‐CoA dehydrogenase deficiency should be further investigated.
Stearidonic Acid Increases the Red Blood Cell and Heart Eicosapentaenoic Acid Content in Dogs
Authors: Harris William S. , DiRienzo Maureen A. , Sands Scott A. , George Cherian , Jones Philip G. , Eapen Alex K. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractPlant sources of omega‐3 fatty acids (FA) are needed that can materially raise tissue levels of long‐chain omega‐3 FA [i.e., eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; 20:5n‐3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 20:6n‐3)]. Stearidonic acid (SDA; 18:4n‐3) is the delta‐6 desaturase product of alpha‐linolenic acid (ALA; 18:3n‐3), and when fed to humans, increases red blood cell (RBC) content of EPA to a greater extent than does ALA. This study was undertaken to determine the dose‐dependence and time course of the increase in the EPA and DHA content of the heart and RBC in dogs. Adult male Beagles were fed 21, 64, or 193 mg/kg of SDA in in their food daily for up to 12 weeks. Positive and negative controls were given EPA (43 mg/kg) or high oleic acid sunflower oil, respectively. The baseline EPA content of RBC was 0.38 ± 0.03% which increased (P < 0.01) in a dose‐dependent manner, with the high dose of SDA and EPA achieving levels of 1.33 ± 0.26 and 1.55. ± 0.28%, respectively. In the heart, the content of EPA rose from 0.06 ± 0.01 to 1.24 ± 0.22% in the EPA group and to 0.81 ± 0.32% in the high SDA group (both P < 0.01). In both tissues, DHA did not change. Compared to dietary EPA, SDA was 20–23% as efficient in raising tissue EPA levels. In conclusion, SDA supplementation increased the EPA content of RBC and heart and may have utility as a plant‐based source of omega‐3 FA.
Assessment of cardiac asynchrony by radionuclide phase analysis: Correlation with ventricular function in patients with narrow or prolonged QRS interval
Authors: Marcassa Claudio , Campini R. , Verna Edoardo , Ceriani Luca , Giannuzzi Pantaleo 
Published: March 2007

AbstractBackgroundConflicting data exist on the relation between the synchronism of cardiac contraction and ventricular function.Aim and methodsA resting radionuclide ventriculography (RNV) was performed in 380 consecutive patients to evaluate the relationship between the synchronism of cardiac contraction and ventricular function.ResultsA significant, non‐linear, relation was found between LVEF and intra‐ventricular asynchrony or QRS, but not between inter‐ventricular asynchrony and LVEF. A linear correlation was observed between QRS and intra‐ventricular or inter‐ventricular asynchrony. Intra‐ventricular asynchrony was identified as the major, independent, determinant of LV function. With the increase in QRS duration, a decrease in LVEF (p<0.001), and a worsening of either intra‐ventricular (p<0.001) or inter‐ventricular synchronism (p<0.05), was documented. However, 48% of patients with QRS 120–150 ms had abnormal inter‐ventricular and 42% abnormal intra‐ventricular synchronism, while 27% of patients with QRS>150 ms had normal inter‐ventricular and 25% normal intra‐ventricular synchronism.ConclusionsIntra‐ventricular asynchrony was identified as the major determinant of ventricular dysfunction. A consistent proportion of patients had asynchrony despite preserved QRS duration or normal synchronism with a QRS>150 ms. Fourier phase analysis of RNV may detect asynchrony better than QRS. The role of RNV for detection of individual patients who may most benefit from resynchronization therapy requires additional investigations.
Alteration of myocardial sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+‐ATPase and Na+–Ca2+exchanger expression in human left ventricular volume overload
Authors: Leszek Przemyslaw , Szperl Malgorzata , Klisiewicz Anna , Janas Jadwiga , Biederman Andrzej , Rywik Tomasz , Piotrowski Walerian , Kopacz Mieczyslaw , Korewicki Jerzy 
Published: March 2007

AbstractBackground:Reduced myocardial contractility is often attributed to altered Ca2+transients and expression of Ca2+‐ATPase of the SR (SERCA) and Na+/Ca2+exchanger (NCX) genes.Aims:To assess myocardial expression of SERCA and NCX protein levels in left ventricular (LV) remodelling due to chronic severe mitral regurgitation (MR).Methods:Myocardial expression of SERCA/NCX in biopsy specimens obtained during mitral surgery was assessed in 36 MR patients with LV remodelling and plasma neurohumoral/cytokine activation and in four non‐failing hearts (NFH).Results:Myocardial protein levels of SERCA were significantly (20%) lower in the MR group than in NFH group (p=0.016). No significant changes in NCX were observed. However, a lack of homogeneity with regard to SERCA/NCX proteins was observed. Moreover, SERCA was negatively correlated with BNP (r=–0.49,p=0.02), TNFα (r=0.68,p=0.0005) and IL‐6 (r=–0.52,p=0.02), whereas NCX was only negatively correlated with TNFα (r=–0.62,p=0.002).Conclusions:MR patients showed wide variations in SERCA/NCX protein expression. Myocardial protein levels of SERCA were significantly lower in the MR population. Moreover, a correlation between BNP, cytokines (IL‐6, TNFα) and the expression of SERCA/NCX proteins was observed.
Sexual dysfunction in patients with schizophrenia on antipsychotic medication
Authors: Üçok Alp , İncesu Cem , Aker Tamer , Erkoç Şahap 
Published: March 2007

AbstractObjectiveThe objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of sexual dysfunction in patients with schizophrenia under antipsychotic therapy and to investigate the effect of various parameters on sexual dysfunction.MethodA total of 827 stabilized outpatients who met DSM-IV criteria for schizophrenia, were recruited in the study. Arizona Sexual Experience Scale (ASEX) and the subscale on sexual function of the UKU Side Effects Rating Scale were applied at a single interview.ResultsIn total, 52.6% of the patients had sexual dysfunction, 54.2% reported a low sexual desire and 41.7% reported problems in having an orgasm. Erectile dysfunction and ejaculation problems were seen in 48.1% and 64.2% of the men, respectively; amenorrhea was seen in 24.9% of the women. ASEX score and severity of disease were found to be correlated (p = 0.02). Higher ASEX scores were observed in patients who smoked (p = 0.01). Men receiving atypical monotherapy had lower ASEX scores than those receiving a combination of atypical and conventional antipsychotics (p = 0.017). Patients on combination therapy had more ejaculation problems than the atypical group (p = 0.001). Low sexual desire was more prevalent among women using conventional drugs than those on atypical drugs (p = 0.004). In linear regression analyses, ASEX was affected significantly and independently by the severity of the disease only in men (p = 0.005).ConclusionOur results show that sexual dysfunction is widespread among patients with schizophrenia on antipsychotic medications.
The Ham D6 is more homogenous and as sensitive as the Ham D17
Authors: Lecrubier Y. , Bech P. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractObjectiveUsing the data of a positive d.b.c.t. comparing an hypericum extract (W55570) to placebo in depressed patients we explored whether the Ham D6 was unidimentional and in case of a positive answer whether the total score was as sensitive as the total score of the Ham D17.MethodsThe study was a 6 weeks double blind placebo controlled trial comparing 300 mg of hypericum t.i.d (n = 186), to placebo (n = 189), in patients with a single or recurrent depression according to DSM-IV. Superiority of hypericum versus placebo on the main outcome criterion (HDRS 17) was already published.The unidimensionality of the Hamilton depression scale 6 and 17 items were tested using a Mokken scale analysis. The effect size according to the initial severity of depression was calculated on the ITT last observation carried forward population.ResultsThe Ham D6, covering the core symptoms of depression was unidimensional, implying that improving this score reflects a true antidepressant effect. The Ham D17 was not unidimensional.Hypericum was an effective antidepressant in patients with a pre-treatment score of 12 or more (n = 208) on the Ham D6, the effect size was 0.46. No difference with placebo was observed for those with a score of less than 12 (n = 167).ConclusionsFor the evaluation of an antidepressant effect, because of its specificity and sensitivity, the Ham D6 should be used as a primary outcome measure rather than the Ham D17.
Differential expression of PKC isoforms in developing zebrafish
Authors: Patten Shunmoogum Aroonassala , Sihra Rena K. , Dhami Kamaldeep S. , Coutts Christopher A. , Ali Declan W. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractProtein kinase C isozymes are a biologically diverse group of enzymes known to be involved in a wide variety of cellular processes. They fall into three families (conventional, novel and atypical) depending upon their mode of activation. Several classes of zebrafish neurons have been shown to express PKCα during development, but the expression of other isoforms remains unknown. In this study we performed immunohistochemistry to determine if zebrafish express various isoforms of PKC. We used antibodies to test for the presence of enzymes that are thought to be preferentially expressed in the nervous system (PKCγ, βII, δ, ɛ, θ and ζ). Here, we show that PKCγ, ɛ, θ and ζ are expressed in the zebrafish CNS. Anti‐PKCγ labels Rohon‐Beard sensory neurons and Mauthner cells. PKCɛ and ζ staining is widespread in the CNS, and PKCθ and βII are expressed in skeletal muscle, especially at intersegmental boundaries. Immunoblot experiments confirm the specificity of the antibodies in zebrafish and indicate that the fish isoforms of PKCγ, βII, ɛ and ζ are similar to the mammalian isoforms. Interestingly, PKCθ appears to be similar to PKCθII, which, to date, has been found exclusively in mouse testis, but not in the mammalian CNS. Overall, our findings indicate that several different PKC isoforms are expressed in zebrafish, and that Rohon‐Beard, Mauthner cells and muscle fibers preferentially express some isoforms over others.
Age‐related changes in urinary bladder intramural neurons
Authors: Mizuno Marcia Sanae , Pompeu Eduardo , Castelucci Patricia , Liberti Edson Aparecido 
Published: March 2007

AbstractA quantitative morphometric evaluation of the intramural plexus of the urinary bladder of adult and aged guinea‐pigs was performed by histological analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and hystochemical methods, such as NADH‐diaphorase and acetylcholinesterase (AChE). The round or oval shaped intramural neurons were revealed among the bundles of the smooth detrusor muscle in clusters containing a variable number of cells in the groups. In both adult control and aged animals, the ganglia were enveloped by a ganglionar capsule of connective tissue mainly composed of type I collagen fibers. The number of neurons NADH‐diaphorase positives estimated in the intramural plexus was 1433 ± 187.71 and 1107 ± 120.67 in the adult control and aged groups, respectively. The perikaryon areas of the NADH‐diaphorase neurons reactives ranged from 216.40 to 1809.30 μm2 in adult control group and from 198.20 to 2096.25 μm2 in aged group. The nuclear area showed an increase in aged animals. The number of AChE‐positive neurons estimated in the intramural plexus was 3294.67 ± 415 μm2 in the adult control group and 1960.33 ± 526 μm2 in the aged group, showing a significant decrease in the latter group. This age‐related morphological change in intramural neurons may contribute to changes in urinary bladder activities in the elderly.
Late Cambrian-Ordovician tectonics and geodynamics of Central Asia
Authors: Dobretsov N.L. , Buslov M.M. 
Published: March 2007

Abstract
In the Late Cambrian-Ordovician, Gondwana-derived microcontinents such as Kokchetav, Altai-Mongolian, Tuva-Mongolian, and Barguzin, as well as the Kazakhstan-Tuva-Mongolian island arc or a system of island arcs were involved in intense accretion-collision processes in similar geodynamic settings on a vast territory of Central Asia — from West Kazakhstan to Lake Baikal. The processes were likely to be the result of a large rebuilding of the Earth’s crust possibly related to the increased mantle impact on the lithosphere as they were simultaneous to the opening of the Uralian and Mongolian-Okhotsk (Turkestan) Oceans. The 970–850 Ma breakup of Rodinia and the 760–700 Ma important tectonic events were followed by the Late Cambrian-Early Ordovician plume magmatism impulse at 500–480 Ma, which led to the opening of new oceans and accelerated the accretion of the Gondwana-derived blocks to the island arc and subsequent formation of an extended — more than 6000 km long — Kazakhstan-Baikal orogenic belt.
Genesis of Cenozoic basalts in Central Asia and northern Mongolia (from helium isotope and petrochemical data)
Authors: Zhukova I.A. , Litasov Yu.D. , Duchkov A.D. , Novikov D.D. 
Published: March 2007

Abstract
Isotopic compositions of He (27 samples) and Ar (7 samples) as well as major and trace elements have been determined in Cenozoic effusive rocks and hosted olivine and pyroxene phenocrysts from northern and central Mongolia. The R = 3He/4He values are within (0.1–13)⋅10−6. Abnormally high R value, 13⋅10−6, atypical of Cenozoic basaltic-volcanism areas in Mongolia, has been first revealed at one of the sites of the Hangayn upland. In composition the rocks under study correspond to tephrites, trachybasalts, and subalkalic andesite-basalts. Analysis of their REE patterns and spidergrams shows that the elements participating in the formation of basalt fields of the Hangayn upland were supplied from the enriched mantle (EM1). These patterns are similar to the OIB ones; (La/Yb)n = 9–53. The R values in the olivine phenocrysts are higher as compared with the pyroxene phenocrysts and the bulk rock compositions of the same samples. Based on the elemental composition of the rocks, their contents of radiogenic 4He and 3He were calculated. The rate of 3He formation is 5.65⋅10−2 at/(g⋅year). The calculated and measured R values in the rock samples point to the presence of trapped mantle helium.