bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A comparison of self‐reported puberty using the Pubertal Development Scale and the Sexual Maturation Scale in a school‐based epidemiologic survey
Authors: Bond Lyndal , Clements Jackie , Bertalli Nadine , Evans‐Whipp Tracy , McMorris Barbara J. , Patton George C. , Toumbourou John W. , Catalano Richard F. 
Published: December 2005

ABSTRACTPurposeTo examine concordance between two self‐reported measures of puberty: Sexual Maturation Scale (SMS) and Pubertal Development Scale (PDS) and their acceptability to adolescents.MethodsParticipants of a school‐based study in grades 5, 7 and 9 were classified into one of 5 pubertal stages using each method.Results2864 students (age 9–16 years) participated. Agreement was moderate for males ( 0.42, 95% CI 0.39, 0.45) and females ( 0.57, 95% CI 0.53, 0.61). Concordance within one stage was excellent (females 97%, males 89%), with discrepancies due to females being classified one stage later on the PDS (26%) and males one stage earlier (32%). There were more missing data for the SMS (13%) than the PDS (4%).ConclusionsGiven the level of concordance and difficulties of using the drawings in a school‐based survey, we would recommend the PDS as an alternative to assess pubertal status in epidemiological studies.
Upstream migration and reproductive patterns of a population of allis shad in a small river (L'Aulne, Brittany, France)
Authors: Acolas M.L. , Véron V. , Jourdan H. , Bégout M.L. , Sabatié M.R. , Baglinière J.L. 
Published: December 2005

Abstract
The characteristics and activity of adult allis shad [Alosa alosa (L.)] were analysed during the last part of their upstream migration in the L'Aulne, a small river in Brittany, and during reproduction on a unique spawning ground downstream of an insurmountable dam. The age of the spawners ranged from three to seven years, females being larger and older than males. Population-level migration and reproduction were studied by counting the number of migrating fish, by estimating the sex ratio, and by counting the number of nocturnal spawning acts for three consecutive years starting in 2000. The influence of the environment, especially water temperature and discharge, was highlighted: temperature during migration may supplant the influence of water flow, although high flow could allow passage over the dam. Such factors partly explain the annual pattern of migration and reproduction during the spawning season. The study showed that the biological features and characteristics of this population of allis shad in a small river were similar to those of western Atlantic stocks in large rivers.
Ca2+–Surfactant Interactions Affect Enzyme Stability in Detergent Solutions
Authors: Stoner Michael R. , Dale Douglas A. , Gualfetti Peter J. , Becker Todd , Randolph Theodore W. 
Published: December 2005

AbstractDetergent proteases and amylases generally bind Ca2+ ions. These bound ions enhance enzyme stability, reducing the rates of degradative reactions such as unfolding and proteolysis. Thus, surfactant aggregates, such as micelles, affect protease and amylase stability indirectly, by competing with the enzymes for Ca2+ ions. Dissociation constants for Ca2+ interactions with anionic surfactant micelles are in the 10−3 to 10−2 M range. These interactions are weak relative to enzyme‐Ca2+ interactions (Kd of order 10−6 M). However, surfactant is typically present at much higher concentration than enzyme, and it is the Ca2+–micelle equilibrium that largely determines the amount of free Ca2+ available for binding to enzymes. The problem of surfactant‐mediated Ca2+ removal from enzymes can be avoided by adding calcium to a detergent formulation in an amount such that the concentration of free Ca2+ is around 10−5M.
Mass Transfer of Terpenes through a Silicone Rubber Membrane in a Liquid‐Liquid Contacting System
Authors: Boontawan Apichat , Stuckey David C. 
Published: December 2005

AbstractTerpenoids are important compounds for the fragrance industry, and recently, biocatalytic methods have been developed to produce them from cheap monoterpenes, such as α‐pinene oxide. The biotransformation of α‐pinene oxide using resting cells of Pseudomonas fluorescensNCIMB 11671 produces isonovalal (cis‐2‐methyl‐5‐isopropylhexa‐2,5‐dienal), which is a fragrance. However, this biotransformation has technical problems including the following: α‐pinene oxide undergoes autoxidation in water and light; it is hydrophobic and relatively toxic to the biocatalyst; and it suffers from product inhibition. Therefore, removal of isonovalal as it is formed should reduce its toxicity and increase volumetric productivity and production yield. Aqueous‐organic two‐phase (AOTP) systems can be used in the biotransformation of hydrophobic substrates and can protect biocatalysts from toxic substrates and products. However, the formation of stable emulsions makes further downstream processing and continuous operation difficult. One solution to these problems is to use a solid‐phase membrane between the aqueous and organic phases in a Membrane Bioreactor for Biotransformation (MBB). Since there are no data in the literature on the behavior of terpenes and terpenoids with solid‐phase membranes, or their mass transfer behavior, the objective of this work was to measure these parameters for a wide range of compounds so as to be able to design an MBB, and to gain a greater understanding of their behavior in these types of systems. Organic/aqueous (Porgaq) and membrance/aqueous (Pmemaq) partition coefficients were measured first, and subsequently used to quantify the overall mass transfer coefficients (kov). The overall mass transfer coefficient (kov) of α‐pinene oxide through the membrane was found to be 2.5 × 10−5 m·s−1 using thicknesses of both 250 and 1000 μm. Extraction kinetics were successfully described using a resistance‐in‐series model and were controlled by the aqueous boundary layer and/or membrane resistance (kmem), while organic film resistance played an insignificant role. Aqueous film resistance (kaq) was found to be the limiting step for mono‐ and diterpenes, and the effect of the hydrodynamics on kov was successfully predicted using a Wilson plot. However, the extraction kinetics of larger terpenes, such as steroids, were influenced solely by the kmem, suggesting that membrane diffusivity also depended on the size of the permeating molecule. Finally, the influence of other terpene byproducts on the flux of α‐pinene oxide was investigated and found to decrease the flux into the organic phase by up to 10%.
Enhanced Production of the Polysaccharide Arabinogalactan Using Immobilized Cultures of Tinospora cordifolia by Elicitation and In Situ Adsorption
Authors: Roja G. , Bhangale A. S. , Juvekar A. R. , Eapen S. , Dapos;Souza S. F. 
Published: December 2005

AbstractImmobilized callus cultures of Tinospora cordifolia (Willd) Miers ex Hooks and Thoms were investigated to find out the combined effect of elicitation, cell permeabilization with chitosan and in situ product recovery by polymeric neutral resin‐like Diaion HP 20. In this study, callus cultures of T. cordifolia were immobilized using sodium alginate and calcium chloride and the beads were cultured in Murashige and Skoogapos;s basal medium along with benzyl adenine (BA), 2,4‐dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2,4‐D) and 3% sucrose. The immobilized cultures, when subjected to elicitation and cell permeabilization with chitosan and in situ removal of the secondary metabolites by addition of resin, showed a 10‐fold increase in production of arabinogalactan (0.490% dry weight) as compared to respective controls devoid of resin and chitosan. This indicates that in situ adsorption may have reduced the feedback inhibition caused by accumulation of secondary metabolites in the media, while the dual effect of elicitation and cell permeabilization by chitosan may have released the intracellular (secreted) berberine and the polysaccharide arabinogalactan, respectively.
Metabolic Control Analysis of Aspergillus nigerl‐Arabinose Catabolism
Authors: de Groot Marco J. L. , Prathumpai Wai , Visser Jaap , Ruijter George J. G. 
Published: December 2005

AbstractA mathematical model of the l‐arabinose/d‐xylose catabolic pathway of Aspergillus nigerwas constructed based on the kinetic properties of the enzymes. For this purpose l‐arabinose reductase, l‐arabitol dehydrogenase and d‐xylose reductase were purified using dye‐affinity chromatography, and their kinetic properties were characterized. For the other enzymes of the pathway the kinetic data were available from the literature. The metabolic model was used to analyze flux and metabolite concentration control of the l‐arabinose catabolic pathway. The model demonstrated that flux control does not reside at the enzyme following the intermediate with the highest concentration, l‐arabitol, but is distributed over the first three steps in the pathway, preceding and following l‐arabitol. Flux control appeared to be strongly dependent on the intracellular l‐arabinose concentration. At 5 mM intracellular l‐arabinose, a level that resulted in realistic intermediate concentrations in the model, flux control coefficients for l‐arabinose reductase, l‐arabitol dehydrogenase and l‐xylulose reductase were 0.68, 0.17 and 0.14, respectively. The analysis can be used as a guide to identify targets for metabolic engineering aiming at either flux or metabolite level optimization of the l‐arabinose catabolic pathway of A. niger. Faster l‐arabinose utilization may enhance utilization of readily available organic waste containing hemicelluloses to be converted into industrially interesting metabolites or valuable enzymes or proteins.
Polysaccharide Hydrolysis Accelerated by Adding Carbon Dioxide under Hydrothermal Conditions
Authors: Miyazawa Tetsuya , Funazukuri Toshitaka 
Published: December 2005

AbstractPolysaccharides such as agar, guar gum, starch, and xylan were hydrolyzed to produce mono‐ and oligosaccharides under hydrothermal conditions with and without carbon dioxide in a small batch reactor. The molecular weight distributions of the polysaccharide hydrolyzates shifted to lower molecular weights by increasing the carbon dioxide load, corresponding to higher pressures of carbon dioxide. For example, the yield of glucose produced from the hydrolysis of starch at 200 °C was increased significantly from 3.7% to 53.0% (on a carbon weight basis) of the initial polysaccharide by increasing carbon dioxide load in a reaction time of 15 min. Carbonic acid generated from water and carbon dioxide appeared to lower the pH of high‐temperature and high‐pressure water. Polysaccharide hydrolysis under hydrothermal conditions in the presence of carbon dioxide is an environmentally benign method to produce mono‐ and oligosaccharides because the process does not require the use of conventional acids and bases followed by neutralization and separation.
Variables That Affect Xylitol Production from Sugarcane Bagasse Hydrolysate in a Zeolite Fluidized Bed Reactor
Authors: Santos Júlio C. , Mussatto Solange I. , Cunha Mário A. A. , Silva Silvio S. 
Published: December 2005

AbstractThe operational conditions for xylitol production by fermentation of sugarcane bagasse hydrolysate in a fluidized bed reactor with cells immobilized on zeolite were evaluated. Fermentations were carried out under different conditions of air flowrate (0.0125–0.0375 vvm), zeolite mass (100–200 g), initial pH (4–6), and xylose concentration (40–60 g/L), according to a 24 full factorial design. The air flowrate increase resulted in a metabolic deviation from product to biomass formation. On the other hand, the pH increase favored both the xylitol yield (YP/S) and volumetric productivity (QP), and the xylose concentration increase positively influenced the xylitol concentration. The best operational conditions evaluated were based on the use of an air flowrate of 0.0125 vvm, 100 g of zeolite, pH 6, and xylose concentration of 60 g/L. Under these conditions, 38.5 g/L of xylitol were obtained, with a YP/S of 0.72 g/g, QP of 0.32 g/L·h, and cell retention of 25.9%.
Control of Recombinant Monoclonal Antibody Effector Functions by Fc N‐Glycan Remodeling in Vitro
Authors: Hodoniczky Jason , Zheng Yuan Zhi , James David C. 
Published: December 2005

AbstractN‐Glycans at Asn297 in the Fc domain of IgG molecules are required for Fc receptor‐mediated effector functions such as antibody‐dependent cell‐mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) and complement‐dependent cytotoxicity (CDC). In this study we have specifically remodeled the Fc N‐glycans of intact recombinant IgG1 therapeutic monoclonal antibody (Mab) products, Rituxan and Herceptin, with a soluble recombinant rat β‐1,4‐N‐acetylglucosaminyltransferase III (rGnTIII) produced by baculovirus‐infected insect cells. N‐Glycan remodeling in vitro permitted a controlled and selective transfer of a bisecting β1,4‐linked GlcNAc to the core β‐linked mannose of degalactosylated Mab N‐glycans to yield Mabs varying in bisecting GlcNAc content from 31% to 85%. This was confirmed by analysis of N‐glycans by both normal phase HPLC and MALDI‐MS, the latter yielding the expected mass increase of 203.2 Da with no other oligosaccharide modifications evident. ADCC of remodeled Rituxan and Herceptin Mabs was determined using peripheral blood mononuclear cells as effectors and either CD20+ (SKW6.4 and SU‐DHL‐4) or Her2+ (SKBR‐3) target cells, respectively. A conserved 10‐fold increase in ADCC was observed for both remodeled therapeutic Mabs with high (>80%) bisecting GlcNAc content. In contrast, although the presence of a bisecting GlcNAc had minimal effect on CDC, degalactosylation of Rituxan reduced CDC by approximately half, relative to unmodified (variably galactosylated) control Mab. In summary, our data suggests that in vitro remodeling of therapeutic Mab Fc N‐glycans may be utilized to control the therapeutic efficacy of Mabs in vivo and to offer a more “humanized” glycoform profile for recombinant Mab products.
Identification of Candida albicans Genes that Induce Saccharomyces cerevisiae Cell Adhesion and Morphogenesis
Authors: Li Fang , Palecek Sean P. 
Published: December 2005

AbstractMorphogenesis and adhesion to host tissues and medical devices contribute to the virulence of Candida albicans, the most common fungal pathogen isolated from humans. However, identification of molecular mechanisms of C. albicans adhesion and morphogenesis has been impaired by the lack of effective molecular and genetic tools available for this organism. Saccharomyces cerevisiae provides an attractive model system for studying C. albicans adhesion and morphogenesis because of its well‐characterized genetics and gene expression systems. To gain insight into the genetic mechanisms of C. albicans adhesion and morphogenesis, we used a parallel plate flow chamber to screen and quantitatively characterize attachment to polystyrene of an adhesion‐deficient nonfilamentous flo8Δ S. cerevisiae strain expressing a C. albicans genomic library. We identified six C. albicans genes that are capable of promoting cell adhesion and pseudohyphal development in S. cerevisiae. We also analyzed the ability of these adhesion‐promoting genes to regulate the expression of FLO11,which encodes an endogenous S. cerevisiaeadhesin. One C. albicansgene, EAP1, appears to directly mediate adhesion and morphogenesis while the remaining five (EAP2, SWI1, MSB1, AAF1, and TEC1) upregulate expression of endogenous S. cerevisiae adhesins. These results suggest that S. cerevisiaeis a useful system for molecular characterization of factors that regulate C. albicansadhesion and morphogenesis and that parallel plate flow chamber‐based adhesion assays can be used in conjunction with genetic screens to identify molecular mechanisms regulating fungal cell adhesion.
STAT3-mediated transcription of Bcl-2, Mcl-1 and c-IAP2 prevents apoptosis in polyamine-depleted cells
Authors: Bhattacharya Sujoy , Ray Ramesh M. , Johnson Leonard R. 
Published: December 2005

Activation of STAT3 (signal transducer and activator of transcription 3) plays a crucial role in cell survival and proliferation. The aim of the present study was to clarify the role of STAT3 signalling in the protection of polyamine-depleted intestinal epithelial cells against TNF-α (tumour necrosis factor-α)-induced apoptosis. Polyamine depletion by DFMO (α-difluoromethylornithine) caused phosphorylation of STAT3 at Tyr-705 and Ser-727. Phospho-Tyr-705 STAT3 was immunolocalized at the cell periphery and nucleus, whereas phospho-Ser-727 STAT3 was predominantly detected in the nucleus of polyamine-depleted cells. Sustained phosphorylation of STAT3 at tyrosine residues was observed in polyamine-depleted cells after exposure to TNF-α. Inhibition of STAT3 activation by AG490 or cell-membrane-permeant inhibitory peptide (PpYLKTK; where pY represents phospho-Tyr) increased the sensitivity of polyamine-depleted cells to apoptosis. Expression of DN-STAT3 (dominant negative-STAT3) completely eliminated the protective effect of DFMO against TNF-α-induced apoptosis. Polyamine depletion increased mRNA and protein levels for Bcl-2, Mcl-1 (myeloid cell leukaemia-1) and c-IAP2 (inhibitor of apoptosis protein-2). Significantly higher levels of Bcl-2 and c-IAP2 proteins were observed in polyamine-depleted cells before and after 9 h of TNF-α treatment. Inhibition of STAT3 by AG490 and DN-STAT3 decreased Bcl-2 promoter activity. DN-STAT3 decreased mRNA and protein levels for Bcl-2, Mcl-1 and c-IAP2 in polyamine-depleted cells. siRNA (small interfering RNA)-mediated inhibition of Bcl-2, Mcl-1 and c-IAP2 protein levels increased TNF-α-induced apoptosis. DN-STAT3 induced the activation of caspase-3 and PARP [poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase] cleavage in polyamine-depleted cells. These results suggest that activation of STAT3 in response to polyamine depletion increases the transcription and subsequent expression of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 and IAP family proteins and thereby promotes survival of cells against TNF-α-induced apoptosis.
Augmentation of endothelial function following exercise training is associated with increased L-arginine transport in human heart failure
Authors: Parnell Melinda M. , Holst Diane P. , Kaye David M. 
Published: December 2005

We have reported previously a decrease in the clearance of the NO (nitric oxide) precursor L-arginine in the forearm circulation of CHF (congestive heart failure) patients, suggesting a potential rate-limiting mechanism contributing to the common finding of endothelial dysfunction in CHF. Given data that show exercise training augments endothelial function in CHF, the aim of the present study was to investigate whether these improvements were due to an increase in L-arginine transport. Measures of L-arginine transport, endothelial function and exercise capacity were repeated before and after 8 weeks of ‘usual living’ or exercise training in 21 CHF patients [NYHA (New York Heart Association) class II/III]. Exercise capacity (6-min walk test) increased following exercise training (496±21 to 561±17 m; P=0.005), whereas the control group demonstrated no change [488±18 to 484±21 m; P=ns (not significant)]. Basal FBF (forearm blood flow) remained stable following exercise training (2.68±0.55 to 2.46±0.32 ml·min−1·100 ml−1 of tissue) and ‘usual living’ (2.16±0.37 to 2.91±0.55 min−1·100 ml−1 of tissue). FBF responses to ACh (acetylcholine) increased following exercise by 49.6±17.7% (area under curve; P=0.01) demonstrating augmented endothelial function. FBF responses to SNP (sodium nitroprusside) were also improved following exercise training (30.8±8.2%; P=0.02). There was no change in vascular function in the ‘usual living’ group. The clearance of L-arginine was significantly increased following involvement in the exercise programme (69.4±7.8 to 101.0±9.5 ml/min; P=0.04), whereas there was no change in the ‘usual living’ group (78.4±17.5 to 81.0±14.9 ml/min; P=ns). In conclusion, the augmentation in endothelial function observed following exercise may be due, in part, to an increase in the transport of L-arginine in CHF patients.
Bone mineral density in top level male athletes of different sports
Authors: Platen Petra , Chae Eun‐heui , Antz Roswita , Lehmann Reiner , Kühlmorgen Jens , Allolio Bruno 
Published: December 2005

The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of muscle strength, trainingspecific and anthropometric parameters on bone mineral density (BMD) in male top athletes of different sports in comparison to untrained controls. BMD was measured by dual energy X‐ray absorptiometry in 173 males, aged 18 to 31 years. Of these, 104 were athletes (runners, n = 21; cyclists, n = 12; triathletes, n = 18), heavy athletes (HA, judo and wrestling, n = 28), and team sport athletes (TS, handball, soccer, basketball, volleyball, n = 25); 44 were unspecifically trained sport students (STU); and 25 were untrained controls (UT). Sport‐ and group‐specific differences were found in anthropometric but not strength parameters. Marked sport‐ and group‐specific differences were found for BMD at lumbar spine (LSP) and the femoral sites (FEM). Group‐specific effects on BMD were clearest when calculating percentual differences between BMD of athletes and UT: In group I (HA, TS, and STU), BMD at LSP and FEM were significantly (p <. 01) higher compared to UT; in group II (R and TRI), BMD at FEM but not at LSP was higher compared to UT (p <.01); and in group III (C), no BMD value was significantly different from UT. Multiple regression analysis revealed lean body mass to be the strongest predictor for BMD at LSP and FEM. We conclude that mechanical loads have strong effects on bone adaptation. Sport‐specific and body region‐specific effects have to be taken into account for evaluation of osteogenic effects of exercise. Particularly dynamic sports with short, high, and multidimensional loads have the strongest effects on bone formation, independent of training quantity.
Analysis of the long jump technique in the transition from approach to takeoff based on time‐continuous kinematic data
Authors: Jaitner Thomas , Mendoza Luis , Schöllhorn Wolfgang 
Published: December 2005

There are many studies on the biomechanics of the long jump, but few researchers have investigated how the athlete has to perform the last strides in order to prepare for takeoff. In this investigation, a pattern recognition approach was applied to analyze the movement structure during the last strides of the approach run and the jump. Time‐continuous kinematic data of 57 trials (4.45‐6.84 m) was analyzed. Cluster analysis identified at coarse level different movement patterns for each flight and support phase. Above these structural differences, individual movement patterns were diagnosed, especially for the jump. Further, the contribution of single variables on the differences of the complex movement patterns was determined by discriminant analysis. Based on the results, conclusions were drawn concerning the long jump and individuality in training. Overall, the applied pattern recognition method allows for the identification of structural changes of movement patterns as well as individual movement styles. This offers a wide range of application in various areas like sports training and rehabilitation.