bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Disruption of Pichia pastoris PMR1 gene decreases its folding capacity on human serum albumin and interferon‐α2b fusion protein
Authors: Zhao Hong Liang , Xue Chong , Wang Yang , Duan Qing Fen , Xiong Xiang Hua , Yao Xue Qin , Liu Zhi Min 
Published: March 2008

AbstractIn an attempt to increase the secretion capacity of Pichia pastoris (Pp), PpPMR1 gene was disrupted with GS115 as parent strain, and the resultant mutant was designated as Pppmr1. Pppmr1 displayed a Ca2+‐dependent growth defect, which was consistent with the PMR1 mutation in other yeasts. HSA–L5–IFNα2b, a human serum albumin (HSA) and inferferon‐α2b (IFNα2b) fusion protein with a flexible linker of 5 amino acid residues, was employed as a reporter to study the effects of PpPMR1 disruption on the secretion of heterologous protein. Because of its decreased viability after induction, Pppmr1 secreted more HSA–L5–IFNα2b only during the early phase (the first 15 hours) of induction. Although HSA–L5–IFNα2b secreted from GS115 and Pppmr1 had similar antiviral activity, the latter was heterogeneous (migrated as doublets on non‐reducing SDS–PAGE) and unstable (prone to aggregation at neutral to mild alkaline pH). Site‐directed mutagenesis revealed that the heterogeneity of HSA–L5–IFNα2b secreted from Pppmr1 was originated from the incomplete disulphide bridge pairing between Cys1 and Cys98 of IFNα2b. To be secreted homogeneously from Pppmr1 and to be stable in aqueous solution, the linker of the fusion protein should be extended to 10 amino acid residues. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Stapled Transanal Rectal Resection for Outlet Obstruction Syndrome: Results and Follow‐up
Authors: Frascio Marco , Stabilini Cesare , Ricci Barbara , Marino Paolo , Fornaro Rosario , De Salvo Luigi , Mandolfino Francesca , Lazzara Fabrizio , Gianetta Ezio 
Published: March 2008

AbstractBackgroundThe objective of the present study was to assess safety, effectiveness, and long‐term outcomes of stapled transanal rectal resection (STARR) for the cure of outlet obstruction syndrome (OOS).MethodsData were collected over a 3‐year period (2004–2007), at the Department of Surgery of the University of Genoa, from 25 consecutive subjects (19 of them females) undergoing STARR because of OOS that had not responded to medical treatment,.ResultsPreoperatively, patients were submitted to clinical examination, defecography, colonoscopy, manometry, and recto‐anal reflexes determination. All patients had mucosal prolapse, 15 rectal intussusception, 15 rectocele. Postoperatively no deaths were observed; one patient had a hemorrhage requiring reintervention. Mean time to resumption of normal activity was 8.5 ± 4.5 days. Patients were followed for a mean of 24.7 ± 10.9 months (range: 6–42 months). Late specific complications included 3 cases of urge to defecate, 8 of incontinence to flatus. Functional outcome was positive for 22 patients (excellent in 4 cases, good in 15, fairly good in 3). Six months postoperatively (25 s), patients had improvement of the mean Constipation Score (p = 0.0002), less pain during evacuation (p = 0.0003), and reduced use of digital assistance to defecate (p < 0.0001). Continence Grading Scale and enema use remained stable after intervention. Patients had increase in basal sphincter pressure (p = 0.0078) and maximal squeeze pressure (p = 0.0051). Recto‐anal reflex study showed increase in abdominal pain threshold (p < 0.0001); anal sphincter relaxation threshold and desire to defecate threshold did not change.ConclusionsAccording to the present study, STARR seemed to be a safe and effective treatment for OOS associated with symptomatic rectocele and intussusception.
Floral traits variation, legitimate pollination, and nectar robbing in Polygala vayredae (Polygalaceae)
Authors: Castro Sílvia , Silveira Paulo , Navarro Luis 
Published: March 2008

AbstractThe variation of floral morphology and its effect on the flower visitors of Polygala vayredae Costa (Polygalaceae), a narrow endemic species from the Oriental pre‐Pyrenees, were examined. First, to account for the main floral reward (i.e., nectar), the relationship between the dimensions of the nectar gland and nectar production was investigated. Second, floral traits variation was assessed within and between the three most representative populations of the species. Finally, the role of several floral traits in the female fitness was evaluated. Furthermore, as nectar robbing was highly frequent, preferences of robbers for specific floral traits and their impact on legitimate pollinations were also evaluated. The flowers of this species are characterized by significant variations in floral characteristics and nectar rewards. A significant and positive correlation between the nectar gland dimensions and nectar production per flower was observed, with the gland dimensions being a good measure to infer the rewards offered by the flowers of P. vayredae. In general, corolla traits were significant and positively correlated with each other. Nectar was revealed to be an important trait in flower–visitor interactions, with legitimate pollinations being primarily influenced by this floral reward. Negative correlations between robbing frequency and legitimate pollinations were observed in two of the studied populations, and positive correlations between flower size and robbing frequency were observed in one population. An indirect negative selection over phenotypic floral traits mediated by nectar robbers is proposed.
Erucic Acid is Differentially Taken up and Metabolized in Rat Liver and Heart
Authors: Murphy Cameron C. , Murphy Eric J. , Golovko Mikhail Y. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractBecause X‐linked adrenoleukodystrophy is treated using erucic acid (22:1n‐9), we assessed its metabolism in rat liver and heart following infusion of [14‐14C]22:1n‐9 (170 Ci/kg) under steady‐state‐like conditions. In liver, 2.3‐fold more tracer was taken up as compared to heart, accounted entirely by increased incorporation into the organic fraction (4.2‐fold). The amount of tracer entering the aqueous fraction, which represents β‐oxidation, was not different between groups; however a significantly elevated proportion of tracer was in the heart aqueous fraction. In both tissues, 76% of the radioactivity found in the organic fraction was esterified in neutral lipids, while only about 10% was found esterified into phospholipids. In liver, 56% of lipid radioactivity was found in cholesteryl esters, whereas in heart 64% was found in triacylglycerols. Because 22:1n‐9 can be chain shortened, we assessed tracer metabolism using phenacyl fatty acid derivatives esterified from saponified esterified neutral lipid (triacylglycerol/cholesteryl ester) and phospholipid fractions. In heart esterified neutral lipids, 75% of tracer was recovered as 22:1n‐9 and only 10% as oleic acid (18:1n‐9), while in liver only 25% of the tracer was recovered as 22:1n‐9, while 50% was found as stearic acid (18:0) and 10% as 18:1n‐9. In liver and heart phospholipids, the tracer was distributed amongst the n‐9 fatty acid family. Thus, 22:1n‐9 under went tissue selective metabolism, with conversion to 18:0 the dominant pathway in the liver presumably for export in the neutral lipids, while in heart it was found primarily as 22:1n‐9 in neutral lipids and used for β‐oxidation.
A Pivotal Role of the Human Kidney in Catabolism of HDL Protein Components Apolipoprotein A‐I and A‐IV but not of A‐II
Authors: Graversen Jonas Heilskov , Castro Graciela , Kandoussi Abdelmejid , Nielsen Henning , Christensen Erik Ilsø , Norden Anthony , Moestrup Søren Kragh 
Published: March 2008

AbstractRenal handling of major HDL components was studied by analyzing urine from patients with Fanconi syndrome, a rare renal proximal tubular reabsorption failure, including dysfunction of the kidney HDL receptor, cubilin. A high urinary excretion of apolipoprotein A‐I and A‐IV corresponding to a major part of the metabolism of these proteins was measured. In contrast, no urinary excretion of apolipoprotein A‐II which is more hydrophobic and tighter bound to HDL was found. Control urines displayed absence of the three apolipoproteins. Urinary excretion of phospholipids, triglycerides, cholesterol and cholesterol esters in patients was as low as in controls. In conclusion, these data indicate that the human kidney is a major site for filtered nascent apolipoprotein A‐I and A‐IV but not for HDL particles.
Physiological concentrations of short-chain fatty acids immediately suppress colonic epithelial permeability
Authors: Suzuki Takuya , Yoshida Shoko , Hara Hiroshi 
Published: March 2008

Colonic fermentation products, SCFA, have various effects on colonic functions. Here, we found that physiological concentrations of SCFA immediately promote epithelial barrier function in the large intestine. Solutions of mixed and individual SCFA were applied to the caecal walls mounted on Ussing-type chambers. Transepithelial electrical resistance (TER) increased rapidly and reached a peak 35 % higher than that in the control specimen within 10 min post application of the SCFA mixture (80 acetate, 40 propionate, 20 butyrate (mmol/l)). The Lucifer yellow permeability, a paracellular transport marker, was dose-dependently reduced by the mixed SCFA, acetate and propionate solutions. Inhibition of monocarboxylate transporter-1 did not influence the increase in TER with acetate; however, lowering the pH (from 7·5 to 5·5) clearly enhanced the effect of acetate. Non-metabolizable, bromo and chloro derivatives of SCFA also increased TER. These results suggest that passive diffusion of SCFA is dominant and the metabolism of SCFA is not required for the promotive effect of SCFA on barrier function. We also observed that individual SCFA dose-dependently increased TER in T84 and Caco-2 cells, which indicates that SCFA directly stimulate epithelial cells. Depletion of membrane cholesterol and inhibitors of phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase and Gq protein attenuated the acetate-mediated promotive effect. Finally, we found that the mucosal application of the SCFA mixture dose-dependently suppressed [3H] mannitol transport from the caecal lumen to the mesenteric blood in the anaesthetized rats. We conclude that physiological concentrations of SCFA immediately enhance barrier function of the colonic epithelium through cholesterol-rich microdomain in the plasma membrane.
Instability and focusing of internal tides in the deep ocean
Authors: BÜHLER OLIVER , MULLER CAROLINE J. 
Published: March 2008

The interaction of tidal currents with sea-floor topography results in the radiation of internal gravity waves into the ocean interior. These waves are called internal tides and their dissipation due to nonlinear wave breaking and concomitant three-dimensional turbulence could play an important role in the mixing of the abyssal ocean, and hence in controlling the large-scale ocean circulation.As part of on-going work aimed at providing a theory for the vertical distribution of wave breaking over sea-floor topography, in this paper we investigate the instability of internal tides in a very simple linear model that helps us to relate the formation of unstable regions to simple features in the sea-floor topography. For two-dimensional tides over one-dimensional topography we find that the formation of overturning instabilities is closely linked to the singularities in the topography shape and that it is possible to have stable waves at the sea floor and unstable waves in the ocean interior above.For three-dimensional tides over two-dimensional topography there is in addition an effect of geometric focusing of wave energy into localized regions of high wave amplitude, and we investigate this focusing effect in simple examples. Overall, we find that the distribution of unstable wave breaking regions can be highly non-uniform even for very simple idealized topography shapes.
Abundance and grazing impacts of krill, salps and copepods along the 140°E meridian in the Southern Ocean during summer
Authors: Tanimura A. , Kawaguchi S. , Oka N. , Nishikawa J. , Toczko S. , Takahashi K.T. , Terazaki M. , Odate T. , Fukuchi M. , Hosie G. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractAbundance and grazing impacts of krill, salps and herbivorous copepods were investigated in Antarctic waters along the 140°E meridian, south of Australia, during the summers of 2002 and 2003. North of the Southern Boundary of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (SB-ACC), macrozooplankton comprised species of Salpa thompsoni and large herbivorous copepods, while the area south of the SB-ACC was numerically dominated by Euphausia superba or E. crystallorophias. North of the SB-ACC, the estimate of grazing impact revealed that krill, salps and copepods, Calanoides acutus, Calanus propinquus, Rhincalanus gigas and Metridia gerlachei, are able to remove a maximum of 37% of the total phytoplankton standing stock in early to midsummer, but grazing is negligible in late summer. The high grazing impact is attributed to the relatively high zooplankton abundance and low phytoplankton abundance. South of the SB-ACC, overall daily grazing impact of the three zooplankton groups was low and did not exceed 6% of the total phytoplankton standing stock throughout the investigation period. Present results indicate that the contribution of krill, salps and copepods varies seasonally as well as regionally across the SB-ACC. It seems that the carbon transport from surface to deep water by macro- and mesozooplankton in summer in this area is relatively large north of the SB-ACC but small south of the SB-ACC.
From natural semantics to C: A formal derivation of two STG machines
Authors: DE LA ENCINA ALBERTO , PEÑA RICARDO 
Published: March 2008

AbstractThe Spineless Tag-less G-machine (STG machine) was defined as the target abstract machine for compiling the lazy functional language Haskell. It is at the heart of the Glasgow Haskell Compiler (GHC) which is claimed to be the Haskell compiler that generates the most efficient code. A high-level description of the STG machine can be found in Peyton Jones (In Journal of Functional programming, 2(2), 127–202, 1992), Marlow & Peyton Jones (In Sigplan Not., 39(9), 4–5, 2004), and Marlow & Peyton Jones (In Journal of Functional Programming, 16(4–5), 415–449, 2006). Should the reader be interested in a more detailed view, then the only additional information available is the Haskell code of GHC and the C code of its runtime system.It is hard to prove that this machine correctly implements the lazy semantics of Haskell. Part of the problem lies in the fact that the STG machine executes a bare-bones functional language, called STGL, much lower level than Haskell. Therefore, part of the correctness should be—and it is—established by showing that the translation from Haskell to STGL preserves Haskell's semantics.The other part involves showing that the STG machine correctly implements the lazy semantics of STGL. In this paper we provide a step-by-step formal derivation of the STG machine and of its compilation to C, starting from a natural semantics of STGL. Thus, our starting point is higher level than the descriptions found Peyton Jones (In Journal of Functional programming, 2(2), 127–202, 1992) and Marlow & Peyton Jones (In Sigplan Not., 39(9), 4–5, 2004), and our arrival point is lower level than those works. Additionally, there has been substantial changes between the so-called push/enter model of the STG machine described in Peyton Jones (In Journal of Functional programming, 2(2), 127–202, 1992), and the eval/apply model of the STG machine described in Marlow & Peyton Jones (In Sigplan Not., 39(9), 4–5, 2004). So, in fact, we derive two machines instead of one, starting from the same initial semantics.At each step we provide enough intuitions and explanations in order to understand the refinement, and then the formal definitions and statements proving that the derivation step is sound and complete. The main contribution of the paper is to show that an efficient machine such as the STG can be presented, understood, and formally reasoned about at different levels of abstraction.
Finitude pour les représentations lisses de groupes p-adiques
Authors: Dat Jean-Francois 
Published: March 2008

RésuméNous considérons la catégorie des représentations lisses d'un groupe p-adique à coefficients dans un anneau R dans lequel p est inversible. Notre objectif principal est de prouver que cette catégorie est noetherienne si R l'est, généralisant donc un fameux résultat de Bernstein lorsque R = ℂ Dans un premier temps, nous ramenons ce problème à celui de démontrer une propriété de «seconde adjonction» entre foncteurs paraboliques, elle-aussi prouvée par Bernstein lorsque R = ℂ. Puis nous définissons et étudions des «foncteurs parahoriques» entre représentations de groupes de points entiers de certains modèles de G et de leurs «sous-groupes de Levi». Appliquant cela aux modéles de Bruhat-Tits, nous obtenons la seconde adjonction pour les paraboliques minimaux. Pour les paraboliques non minimaux, nous nous restreignons aux groupes classique et appliquons notre étude aux modèles canoniques des groupes de Bushnel-Kutzko et Stevens. Notre étude s'applique aussi aux modèles de Yu, mais il manque un résultat d'exhaustivité pour conclure dans le cas des groupes suffisamment modérés.
Gender Politics in the Dominican Republic: Advances for Women, Ambivalence from Men
Authors: Morgan Jana , Espinal Rosario , Hartlyn Jonathan 
Published: March 2008

AbstractA considerable body of research has analyzed the influence of the women's movement, changes in women's political representation, and policies promoting women's interests in the developing world. However, we know comparatively less about the degree to which the attitudes and behaviors of the mass public mirror these national patterns. This article explores the evolution of gender differences in citizens' political interest, civic engagement, and support for women in politics in the Dominican Republic over 1994–2004, a period important for the country's democratization as well as one of significant changes in gender-related discourse and policies. We find evidence of a shift from a traditional gender gap to a modern gender gap, but the explanations for changes in women's views are distinct from those of men. We find that sociostructural factors, particularly age and education, and cues from political elites have significantly different effects on men versus women. Women's levels of political interest and support for equality in political participation are more fixed in their youth, whereas men's levels evolve through middle age. The evidence also indicates that reducing the gender gap in political interest would significantly narrow gender differences in civic activism. Most notably, men appear to be more easily swayed by elite cues that favor or oppose women's political participation; women's support for equal participation is much less susceptible to reversals in elite support. The consolidation of advances in gender equity thus depends significantly on contextual factors such as elite discourse.
Subnational Politics in Spain: New Avenues for Feminist Policymaking and Activism
Authors: Ortbals Candice D. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractIn this article, I evaluate how subnational governments pursue feminist policy outputs. To do so, I examine equality policies in the Spanish regions of Andalusia and Galicia during the 1980s and 1990s. Whereas the national Women's Institute in Spain was the driving force behind equality policies during the 1980s, regional administrations gained autonomy in the early 1980s and developed their own equality policies during the 1990s and 2000s. I ask 1) whether leftist political allies are key to feminist policy outputs, 2) whether regional feminist policy outputs increase over time as subnational institutions develop, and 3) whether feminists in society are able to impact such policies. I conclude that subnational administrations do not always advance feminist policy outputs nor do they work cooperatively with all feminist organizations. Whereas the leftist regional administration of Andalusia has been a leader in feminist policymaking, the conservative Galician administration developed equality policies more slowly, and these policies were controversial among feminists and leftist politicians. I explain how regional women's policy agencies led by the Left and Right have nevertheless promoted women's civil society and policies that respond to women's local identities.
Home Treatment of Haemophilia and Christmas Disease: Five Years' Experience
Authors: Rizza C. R. , Spooner Rosemary J. D. 
Published: March 2008

Summary. The Oxford home treatment programme began in 1971. The material used was human factor VIII concentrate made by the Lister Institute's Plasma Fractionation Laboratory at Oxford Haemophilia Centre. The first group of patients admitted to the programme were those making heaviest demands on the Centre for ‘on demand’ treatment. No problems were encountered by these patients, and other patients have been admitted to the programme each year since. By the end of 1975, 56 haemophilic patients and seven Christmas disease patients were receiving regular home treatment. The haemophilic patients on home treatment have on average increased their factor VIII requirements while on home treatment by 31 % to 1945 u of factor VIII per month, although some of the patients who were making very heavy demands for treatment are now using less than before starting home treatment. Since the introduction of home treatment programme, 68% of the treatment received by the 56 haemophilic patients in the scheme was given at home thus saving the patients the cost and discomfort of travelling to the Centre to receive treatment, and saving the staff of the Centre the work of giving the treatment. Including factor VIII used to cover surgical procedures and doses received at other hospitals, the patients received on average 1893 u of factor VIH per month after commencing home treatment. The standard home treatment dose received by the haemophilic patients during 1975 was 250 International Units of factor VIII which proved satisfactory in resolving the majority of bleeds. The lesions treated at home required on average 1.16 doses per bleed (290 u of factor VIII).The Christmas disease patients receive human factor IX concentrate made by the Plasma Fractionation Laboratory in Oxford and follow a regime of weekly or fortnightly prophylactic infusions of 800–1600 u of factor IX, depending on the weight of the patient. Prophylactic infusions account for 40% of the home treatment doses received by the Christmas disease patients.
Monosomy 7 in Two Patients with a Myeloproliferative Disorder
Authors: Boetius G. , Hustinx T. W. J. , Smits A. P. T. , Scheres M.J. C. , Rutten F.J. , Haanen C. 
Published: March 2008

Summary. Clinical and laboratory data are presented for two patients with a dyshaematopoietic disorder, and monosomy 7 in their bone marrow cells. The first patient, a 55–year‐old woman, had been treated with chlorambucil for an ovarian carcinoma. After 4 years an oligoblastic myeloid leukaemia was diagnosed and she later died with an acute transformation of the disease. The second patient, a 21–year‐old male, has had a dyserythropoietic anaemia with transient pancytopenia for over 5 years without any signs of malignancy.The possible relationship between therapy, the monosomy 7 and the other bone marrow abnormalities is briefly discussed. From an analysis of the data of these and comparable cases in the literature it appears that loss of chromosome No. 7 material is often associated with erythropoietic disorders such as erythroid hyperplasia and erythraemia. The reduction or absence of the Colton blood group antigens found in our patients and in a few other monosomy 7 cases also points to an abnormality of the red cell line.