bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The influence of sodium ion binding on factor IXa activity
Authors: Gopalakrishna Kota , Rezaie Alireza 
Published: May 2006

SummarySodium plays an important role in modulating both the amidolytic and proteolytic activities of thrombin. By contrast, while the optimal amidolytic activity of factor Xa requires Na+, the proteolytic activity of factor Xa in the prothrombinase complex is minimally affected by the monovalent cation. In this study, we analyzed the effect of Na+ on the amidolytic and proteolytic activity of factor IXa in the absence and presence of factor VIIIa. Factor IXa exhibited normal activity towards a fIXa-specific chromogenic substrate and antithrombin in the presence of physiological concentrations of Ca2+ with no obvious requirement for Na+ in either reaction. Further studies revealed that factor IXa binds to its cofactor factor VIIIa with a normal affinity in the absence of Na+ and that the catalytic function in the intrinsic Xase complex is also independent of Na+ in the presence of physiological concentrations of Ca2+.These results suggest that unlike the important role that Na+ plays in modulating the macromolecular substrate specificity of thrombin, the monovalent cation is not required for the physiological function of factor IXa in the intrinsic Xase complex.
Induction of release and up-regulated gene expression of interleukin (IL)-8 in A549 cells by serine proteinases
Authors: Wang Haiyan , Zheng Yanshan , He Shaoheng 
Published: May 2006

AbstractBackgroundHypersecretion of cytokines and serine proteinases has been observed in asthma. Since protease-activated receptors (PARs) are receptors of several serine proteinases and airway epithelial cells are a major source of cytokines, the influence of serine proteinases and PARs on interleukin (IL)-8 secretion and gene expression in cultured A549 cells was examined.ResultsA549 cells express all four PARs at both protein and mRNA levels as assessed by flow cytometry, immunofluorescence microscopy and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Thrombin, tryptase, elastase and trypsin induce a up to 8, 4.3, 4.4 and 5.1 fold increase in IL-8 release from A549 cells, respectively following 16 h incubation period. The thrombin, elastase and trypsin induced secretion of IL-8 can be abolished by their specific inhibitors. Agonist peptides of PAR-1, PAR-2 and PAR-4 stimulate up to 15.6, 6.6 and 3.5 fold increase in IL-8 secretion, respectively. Real time PCR shows that IL-8 mRNA is up-regulated by the serine proteinases tested and by agonist peptides of PAR-1 and PAR-2.ConclusionThe proteinases, possibly through activation of PARs can stimulate IL-8 release from A549 cells, suggesting that they are likely to contribute to IL-8 related airway inflammatory disorders in man.
Generation of H9 T-cells stably expressing a membrane-bound form of the cytoplasmic tail of the Env-glycoprotein: lack of transcomplementation of defective HIV-1 virions encoding C-terminally truncated Env
Authors: Holtkotte Denise , Pfeiffer Tanya , Bosch Valerie 
Published: May 2006

AbstractH9-T-cells do not support the replication of mutant HIV-1 encoding Env protein lacking its long cytoplasmic C-terminal domain (Env-CT). Here we describe the generation of a H9-T-cell population constitutively expressing the HIV-1 Env-CT protein domain anchored in the cellular membrane by it homologous membrane-spanning domain (TMD). We confirmed that the Env-TMD-CT protein was associated with cellular membranes, that its expression did not have any obvious cytotoxic effects on the cells and that it did not affect wild-type HIV-1 replication. However, as measured in both a single-round assay as well as in spreading infections, replication competence of mutant pNL-Tr712, lacking the Env-CT, was not restored in this H9 T-cell population. This means that the Env-CTper secannot transcomplement the replication block of HIV-1 virions encoding C-terminally truncated Env proteins and suggests that the Env-CT likely exerts its function only in the context of the complete Env protein.
Human, viral or mutant human IL-10 expressed after local adenovirus-mediated gene transfer are equally effective in ameliorating disease pathology in a rabbit knee model of antigen-induced arthritis
Authors: Keravala Annahita , Lechman Eric R , Nash Joan , Mi Zhibao , Robbins Paul D 
Published: May 2006

AbstractIL-10 is a Th2 cytokine important for inhibiting cell-mediated immunity while promoting humoral responses. Human IL-10 (hIL-10) has anti-inflammatory, immunosuppressive as well as immunostimulatory characteristics, whereas viral IL-10 (vIL-10), a homologue of hIL-10 encoded by Epstein Barr virus (EBV), lacks several immunostimulatory functions. The immunostimulatory characteristic of hIL-10 has been attributed to a single amino acid, isoleucine at position 87, which in vIL-10 is alanine. A mutant hIL-10 in which isoleucine has been substituted (mut.hIL-10) is biologically active with only immunosuppressive, but not immunostimulatory, functions, making it a potentially superior therapeutic for inflammatory diseases. To compare the efficacy of mut.hIL-10 with hIL-10 and vIL-10 in blocking the progression of rheumatoid arthritis, we used replication defective adenoviral vectors to deliver intra-articularly the gene encoding hIL-10, vIL-10 or mut.hIL-10 to antigen-induced arthritic (AIA) knee joints in rabbits. Intra-articular expression of hIL-10, vIL-10, and mut.hIL-10 resulted in significant improvement of the pathology in the treated joints to similar levels. These observed changes included a significant reduction in intra-articular leukocytosis and the degree of synovitis, as well as normalization of cartilage matrix metabolism. Our results suggest that hIL-10, vIL-10, and mut.hIL-10 are all equally therapeutic in the rabbit AIA model for treating disease pathology.
From concept to implementation: challenges facing evidence-based social work
Authors: Mullen Edward J. , Shlonsky Aron , Bledsoe Sarah E. , Bellamy Jennifer L. 
Published: May 2006

English
Evidence-based practice and policy is an innovative concept born out of medicine and surrounded by a great deal of debate. Although researchers have begun to define and build frameworks for the process of evidence-based social work (EBSW), few practitioners appear to employ evidence-based approaches and relatively little is known about how to facilitate this form of knowledge transfer. Arguments in favour of evidence-based practice include its potential to enhance the quality of decisions about the care of individual clients, manage constantly evolving research knowledge, incorporate clients’ values and expectations into the practice process and choices, provide a framework for education and self-directed life-long learning and encouraging high-quality practice-relevant research. Although EBSW appears promising and complementary to social work values, there have been many arguments made in opposition to its use. This article outlines the origins of EBSW, current thoughts about its definition and application, as well as a discussion of eight key challenges to the application of evidence-based practice and policy in social work. These challenges include: (1) evidence of effectiveness; (2) authority; (3) conflicting hierarchy; (4) definition of evidence; (5) shortage of evidence; (6) application of group effects to individual events or clients; (7) efficacy versus effectiveness, and (8) adoption and implementation. Historically, other promising innovations within social work have materialised and disintegrated without gaining widespread acceptance. Social work's response to these challenges will dictate the shape EBSW takes, and whether or not it is implemented widely across the field.
Theorising the evidence on discretionary decision making: alternative perspectives
Authors: Campbell Elaine 
Published: May 2006

English
In recent years, a diversity of critical paradigms of evaluation research have been proposed, developed and implemented by both academic and professional evaluators. At the heart of this ‘Kuhnian revolution’ lies a questioning of the ontological, epistemological and methodological premises of quasi-experimental designs, and a commitment to insert ‘theory’ into evaluative research of the kind which underpins and informs evidence-based practice. This article adds to the growing number of case studies which not only challenge the hegemony of positivistic perspectives, but which demonstrate the merits of a sociologically informed approach to evaluation research. Two possible routes to evaluating the Prosecution and Diversion Policy of a southern police force area in the UK are outlined and discussed – one informed by positivistic evaluation; the other by structurationist principles. In the light of the evidence of policy ineffectiveness, the positivistic model has little to offer by way of explanation. By contrast, the theory-driven, structurationist approach provides rich insights into the socio-cultural, legal and organisational relations of ‘policy-failure’, and furnishes a radically different interpretation of discretionary decision-making processes.
The effects of different forms of feedback on fuzzy and verbatim memory of science principles
Authors: Clariana Roy B. , Koul Ravinder 
Published: May 2006

Background. Previous models of the effects of feedback account for lower‐order learning outcomes but do not adequately describe experimental findings for higher‐order learning.Aims. Based on a connectionist model of feedback effects, this investigation aims to show that feedback that allows only one learner response facilitates proposition‐specific verbatim encoding, while feedback that requires the learner to try again on error facilitates relational fuzzy encoding.Sample and methods. Volunteer high school students were randomly assigned to one of 5 print‐based lesson treatments that consisted of four science expository texts with adjunct inference‐level questions covering science principles. The five treatments included delayed feedback, single‐try immediate feedback, multiple‐try immediate feedback, and two control treatments, questions without feedback, and text only. A post‐test given 5 days after instruction was designed to measure both verbatim and fuzzy outcomes.Results. Multiple‐try immediate feedback was best for paraphrased post‐test questions (fuzzy) and worse for verbatim post‐test questions.Conclusions. Fuzzy trace theory complements a connectionist model of feedback, and may provide a fruitful approach for describing the effects of feedback on different learning outcomes.
Confirmatory factor analysis of the Approaches to Teaching Inventory
Authors: Prosser Michael , Trigwell Keith 
Published: May 2006

Background. The Approaches to Teaching Inventory (ATI) was developed to explore the relationship between students' approaches to learning, and teachers' approaches to teaching, in the physical sciences in higher education. It is increasingly being used in other contexts.Aim. To analyse the factor structure of the ATI.Method. Confirmatory factor analysis.Sample. Inventory responses from over 1,000 university teachers, from 4 different countries and a wide range of disciplines, experience, and teaching level (year of students' study) were used as the sample.Results. Cronbach's alpha values of the 2‐scale inventory were acceptable for scale reliability, but not for the 4‐scale structure. A good fit to the intended 2‐factor structure was obtained by confirmatory factor analysis. Both Information transmission/teacher‐focused and conceptual change/student‐focused scales had well identified intention and strategy subscales.Conclusion. The ATI has been developed as a relational indicator of 2 dimensions of approaches to teaching. It is not intended for use in gathering a full, rich self‐report of teaching, or in non‐relational contexts. However, it has now been used in a number of different contexts, including different subject areas and cultures. There is evidence in this paper that in those contexts its factor structure is, in the main, consistent with the original design. This analysis also suggests ways that the ATI could be improved.
Inferring Population Parameters From Single-Feature Polymorphism Data
Authors: Jiang Rong , Marjoram Paul , Borevitz Justin O , Tavaré Simon 
Published: May 2006

Abstract
This article is concerned with a statistical modeling procedure to call single-feature polymorphisms from microarray experiments. We use this new type of polymorphism data to estimate the mutation and recombination parameters in a population. The mutation parameter can be estimated via the number of single-feature polymorphisms called in the sample. For the recombination parameter, a two-feature sampling distribution is derived in a way analogous to that for the two-locus sampling distribution with SNP data. The approximate-likelihood approach using the two-feature sampling distribution is examined and found to work well. A coalescent simulation study is used to investigate the accuracy and robustness of our method. Our approach allows the utilization of single-feature polymorphism data for inference in population genetics.
Cumulative Mutations Affecting Sterol Biosynthesis in the Yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae Result in Synthetic Lethality That Is Suppressed by Alterations in Sphingolipid Profiles
Authors: Valachovic Martin , Bareither Bart M , Bhuiyan M Shah Alam , Eckstein James , Barbuch Robert , Balderes Dina , Wilcox Lisa , Sturley Stephen L , Dickson Robert C , Bard Martin 
Published: May 2006

Abstract
UPC2 and ECM22 belong to a Zn(2)–Cys(6) family of fungal transcription factors and have been implicated in the regulation of sterol synthesis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Candida albicans. Previous reports suggest that double deletion of these genes in S. cerevisiae is lethal depending on the genetic background of the strain. In this investigation we demonstrate that lethality of upc2Δ ecm22Δ in the S288c genetic background is attributable to a mutation in the HAP1 transcription factor. In addition we demonstrate that strains containing upc2Δ ecm22Δ are also inviable when carrying deletions of ERG6 and ERG28 but not when carrying deletions of ERG3, ERG4, or ERG5. It has previously been demonstrated that UPC2 and ECM22 regulate S. cerevisiae ERG2 and ERG3 and that the erg2Δ upc2Δ ecm22Δ triple mutant is also synthetically lethal. We used transposon mutagenesis to isolate viable suppressors of hap1Δ, erg2Δ, erg6Δ, and erg28Δ in the upc2Δ ecm22Δ genetic background. Mutations in two genes (YND1 and GDA1) encoding apyrases were found to suppress the synthetic lethality of three of these triple mutants but not erg2Δ upc2Δ ecm22Δ. We show that deletion of YND1, like deletion of GDA1, alters the sphingolipid profiles, suggesting that changes in sphingolipids compensate for lethality produced by changes in sterol composition and abundance.
Rapid Evolution of Major Histocompatibility Complex Class I Genes in Primates Generates New Disease Alleles in Humans via Hitchhiking Diversity
Authors: Shiina Takashi , Ota Masao , Shimizu Sayoko , Katsuyama Yoshihiko , Hashimoto Nami , Takasu Miwa , Anzai Tatsuya , Kulski Jerzy K , Kikkawa Eri , Naruse Taeko , Kimura Natsuki , Yanagiya Kazuyo , Watanabe Atsushi , Hosomichi Kazuyoshi , Kohara Sakae , Iwamoto Chie , Umehara Yumi , Meyer Alice , Wanner Valérie , Sano Kazumi , Macquin Cécile , Ikeo Kazuho , Tokunaga Katsushi , Gojobori Takashi , Inoko Hidetoshi , Bahram Seiamak 
Published: May 2006

AbstractA plausible explanation for many MHC-linked diseases is lacking. Sequencing of the MHC class I region (coding units or full contigs) in several human and nonhuman primate haplotypes allowed an analysis of single nucleotide variations (SNV) across this entire segment. This diversity was not evenly distributed. It was rather concentrated within two gene-rich clusters. These were each centered, but importantly not limited to, the antigen-presenting HLA-A and HLA-B/-C loci. Rapid evolution of MHC-I alleles, as evidenced by an unusually high number of haplotype-specific (hs) and hypervariable (hv) (which could not be traced to a single species or haplotype) SNVs within the classical MHC-I, seems to have not only hitchhiked alleles within nearby genes, but also hitchhiked deleterious mutations in these same unrelated loci. The overrepresentation of a fraction of these hvSNV (hv1SNV) along with hsSNV, as compared to those that appear to have been maintained throughout primate evolution (trans-species diversity; tsSNV; included within hv2SNV) tends to establish that the majority of the MHC polymorphism is de novo (species specific). This is most likely reminiscent of the fact that these hsSNV and hv1SNV have been selected in adaptation to the constantly evolving microbial antigenic repertoire.
Evolutionary Divergence of Exon Flanks: A Dissection of Mutability and Selection
Authors: Xing Yi , Wang Qi , Lee Christopher 
Published: May 2006

Abstract
The intronic sequences flanking exon–intron junctions (i.e., exon flanks) are important for splice site recognition and pre-mRNA splicing. Recent studies show a higher degree of sequence conservation at flanks of alternative exons, compared to flanks of constitutive exons. In this article we performed a detailed analysis on the evolutionary divergence of exon flanks between human and chimpanzee, aiming to dissect the impact of mutability and selection on their evolution. Inside exon flanks, sites that might reside in ancestral CpG dinucleotides evolved significantly faster than sites outside of ancestral CpG dinucleotides. This result reflects a systematic variation of mutation rates (mutability) at exon flanks, depending on the local CpG contexts. Remarkably, we observed a significant reduction of the nucleotide substitution rate in flanks of alternatively spliced exons, independent of the site-by-site variation in mutability due to different CpG contexts. Our data provide concrete evidence for increased purifying selection at exon flanks associated with regulation of alternative splicing.
Mapping Quantitative Trait Loci by an Extension of the Haley–Knott Regression Method Using Estimating Equations
Authors: Feenstra Bjarke , Skovgaard Ib M , Broman Karl W 
Published: May 2006

AbstractThe Haley–Knott (HK) regression method continues to be a popular approximation to standard interval mapping (IM) of quantitative trait loci (QTL) in experimental crosses. The HK method is favored for its dramatic reduction in computation time compared to the IM method, something that is particularly important in simultaneous searches for multiple interacting QTL. While the HK method often approximates the IM method well in estimating QTL effects and in power to detect QTL, it may perform poorly if, for example, there is strong epistasis between QTL or if QTL are linked. Also, it is well known that the estimation of the residual variance by the HK method is biased. Here, we present an extension of the HK method that uses estimating equations based on both means and variances. For normally distributed phenotypes this estimating equation (EE) method is more efficient than the HK method. Furthermore, computer simulations show that the EE method performs well for very different genetic models and data set structures, including nonnormal phenotype distributions, nonrandom missing data patterns, varying degrees of epistasis, and varying degrees of linkage between QTL. The EE method retains key qualities of the HK method such as computational speed and robustness against nonnormal phenotype distributions, while approximating the IM method better in terms of accuracy and precision of parameter estimates and power to detect QTL.
The Effect of Gap Length on Double-Strand Break Repair in Drosophila
Authors: Johnson-Schlitz Dena M , Engels William R 
Published: May 2006

Abstract
When a double-strand break has a gap between the broken ends, the missing information can be restored through synthesis from a homologous template. Here we address the question of how long such a gap can be before this process fails. We measured the frequency of homologous repair in the Drosophila germ line following the creation of gaps of specific sizes ranging from 3.8 to 210 kb. We found that gaps of ≤11 kb can be repaired with approximately the same efficiency as breaks with no gap at all. However, a gap of 44 kb was repaired only rarely, and one of 210 kb was not repaired at a measurable frequency. We conclude that DNA gap repair is a length-limited process, but that this limitation is critical only for gaps ≫11 kb.
Effect of an alkyl substituted in salen ligands on 1,4‐Cis selectivity and molecular weight control in the polymerization of 1,3‐butadiene with (salen)Co(II) complexes in combination with methylaluminoxane
Authors: Endo Kiyoshi , Kitagawa Takahiro , Nakatani Kenji 
Published: May 2006

AbstractThe effect of an alkyl substituted in the aromatic ring of the salen ligand on the polymerization of butadiene (Bd) with (salen)Co(II) complexes in combination with methylaluminoxane (MAO) was investigated. The activity for the polymerization of Bd was influenced significantly by the introduction of alkyl groups at the 3,3′,5,5′‐positions in the aromatic ring of the salen ligand, and both the polymerization rate and 1,4‐cis contents increased in the following order with respect to the alkyl group: H < CH3 < t‐C4H9. This is in good agreement with the bulkiness of the alkyl groups. The activity for the polymerization of the (salen)Co(II) complex possessing t‐C4H9 at the 3,3′‐positions was higher than that of the (salen)Co(II) bearing t‐C4H9 at the 5,5′‐positions. Thus, the introduction of bulky substituents at the 3,3′‐positions of the salen ligand was an important factor in achieving both high activity and high 1,4‐cis selectivity in the polymerization of Bd with (salen)Co(II) complexes in combination with MAO. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 4088–4094, 2006
Glycoconjugated polymer: Synthesis and characterization of poly(vinyl saccharide)‐block‐polystyrene‐block‐poly(vinyl saccharide) as an amphiphilic ABA triblock copolymer
Authors: Narumi Atsushi , Otsuka Issei , Matsuda Takeshi , Miura Yutaka , Satoh Toshifumi , Kaneko Noriaki , Kaga Harumi , Kakuchi Toyoji 
Published: May 2006

AbstractStyrene (St) was polymerized with α,α′‐bis(2′,2′,6′,6′‐tetramethyl‐1′‐piperidinyloxy)‐1,4‐diethylbenzene (1) as an initiator (bulk, [St]/]1] = 570) at 120 °C for 5.0 h to obtain polystyrene having 2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidiloxy moieties on both sides of the chain ends (2) with a number‐average molecular weight (Mn) of 14,300 and a polydispersity index [weight‐average molecular weight/number‐average molecular weight (Mw/Mn)] of 1.14. 4‐Vinylbenzyl glucoside peracetate (3a) was polymerized with 2 as a macromolecular initiator and dicumyl peroxide (DCP) as an accelerator in chlorobenzene at 120 °C. The polymerization with the [3a]/[2]/[DCP] ratio of 30/1/1.2 for 5 h afforded a product in a yield of 73%; it was followed by purification with preparative size exclusion chromatography to provide the ABA triblock copolymer containing the pendant acetyl glucose on both sides of the chain ends (4a; Mn = 21,000, Mw/Mn = 1.16). Similarly, the polymerization of 4‐vinylbenzyl maltohexaoside peracetate produced the ABA triblock copolymer containing the pendant acetyl maltohexaose on both side of the chain end (4b; Mn = 31,800, Mw/Mn = 1.11). Polymers 4a and 4b were modified by deacetylation into amphiphilic ABA triblock copolymers containing the pendant glucose and maltohexaose as hydrophilic segment, 5a and 5b, respectively. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 3978–3985, 2006