bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The N‐ and C‐termini of the human Nogo molecules are intrinsically unstructured: Bioinformatics, CD, NMR characterization, and functional implications
Authors: Li Minfen , Song Jianxing 
Published: March 2007

AbstractRTN4 or Nogo proteins are composed of three alternative splice forms, namely 1192‐residue Nogo‐A, 373‐residue Nogo‐B, and 199‐residue Nogo‐C. Nogo proteins have received intense attentions because they have been implicated in a variety of critical cellular processes including CNS neuronal regeneration, vascular remodeling, apoptosis, interaction with β‐amyloid protein converting enzyme, and generation/maintenance of the tubular network of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Despite their significantly‐different N‐terminal lengths, they share a conserved C‐terminal reticulon‐homology domain consisting of two transmembrane fragments, a 66‐residue extracellular loop Nogo‐66 and a 38‐residue C‐tail carrying ER retention motif. Nogo‐A owns the largest N‐terminus with 1016 residues while the Nogo‐B has an N‐terminus almost identical to the first 200 residues of Nogo‐A. So far, except for our previous determination of the Nogo‐66 solution structure, no structural characterization of the other Nogo regions has been reported. In the present study, we initiated a systematically investigation of structural properties of Nogo molecules by a combined use of bioinformatics, CD, and NMR spectroscopy. The results led to two striking findings: (1) in agreement with bioinformatics prediction, the N‐ and C‐termini of Nogo‐B were experimentally demonstrated to be intrinsically unstructured by CD, two‐dimensional 1H 15N NMR HSQC, hydrogen exchange, and 15N heteronuclear NOE characterization. (2) Further studies showed that the 1016‐residue N‐terminus of Nogo‐A was again highly disordered. Therefore, it appears that being intrinsically‐unstructured allows Nogo molecules to serve as double‐faceted functional players, with one set of functions involved in cellular signaling processes essential for CNS neuronal regeneration, vascular remodeling, apoptosis and so forth and with another in generating/maintaining membrane‐related structures. We propose that this mechanism may represent a general strategy to place the formation/maintenance of membrane‐related structures under the direct regulation of the cellular signaling. Proteins 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effect of thermal annealing and nitrogen content on amorphous silicon thin‐film crystallization
Authors: Bouridah H. , Mansour F. , Mahamdi R. , Bounar N. , Temple‐Boyer P. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractWe study the influence of high‐temperature annealing (1100–1200 °C) on the crystallization of nitrogen‐doped silicon films deposited by LPCVD (low‐pressure chemical vapor deposition) at low temperature (465 °C) from disilane Si2H6 and ammonia NH3. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X‐ray diffraction, studies of films are used to analyze crystallinity evolution and grain orientations. Results show the transformation of films deposited in amorphous phase to a typically polycrystalline structure after high‐temperature annealing with a large grain size exceeding 1 μm. The structural properties are strongly influenced by the annealing conditions and the nitrogen ratio in each film. It is shown that the film crystallinity increases with the duration of annealing, and that the nitrogen content inhibits the crystallization phenomena. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Self‐compensation processes in CdTe〈In〉 crystals
Authors: Fochuk P. , Verzhak Ye. , Panchuk O. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractHigh temperature equilibrium in situ in CdTe〈In〉 single crystals in a wide range of temperature (700–1200 K) and dopant content (6 × 1016∼1020 at/cm3) was studied. Self‐compensation processes, which occur at these conditions, were modelled using quasichemical defect reaction theory. During heating the self‐compensation degree passed through a minimum under Cd saturation and increased under Te saturation. The annealing under Te saturation allowed obtaining high resistive material of both conductivity types. The lowest charge carrier density was equal to ∼3 × 109 cm–3 and the self‐compensation degree reached 100%. Point defect structure modelling showed a good agreement for both high temperature equilibrium and quenched state. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Phase transitions in ZnTe co‐doped with Mg and oxygen
Authors: Elyukhin V. A. , Sorokina L. P. , Rodriguez de Santiago M. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractSelf‐assembling of 1O4Mg tetrahedral clusters in ZnTe isoelectronically co‐doped with Mg and oxygen in the ultra dilute oxygen impurity limit is described by a phase diagram. The occurrence of 1O4Mg clusters is a result of the second‐order transition. The final stage of self‐assembling when all oxygen impurities are in 1O4Mg clusters has to be reached also as a result of the second‐order transition at the temperature close to the temperature of the occurrence of these clusters. The conditions of these phase transitions are obtained. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Effect of parsley (Petroselinum crispum (Mill.) Nym. ex A.W. Hill, Apiaceae) extracts on some biochemical parameters of oxidative stress in mice treated with CCl4
Authors: Popović Mira , Kaurinović Biljana , Jakovljević Vida , Mimica‐Dukic Neda , Bursać Marija 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThe in vitro and in vivo antioxidant activity of different extracts of leaves and root of parsley (Petroselinum crispum (Mill.) Nym. ex A.W. Hill, Apiaceae) were studied. Free radical scavenging capacity (RSC) was evaluated measuring the scavenging activity on the 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazil (DPPH) and OH radicals. Also, the effects on lipid peroxidation (LP) were evaluated. The results obtained showed that all examined extracts act as good scavengers of DPPH and OH radicals and reduce the intensity of LP. The in vivo effects were evaluated on some antioxidant systems (activities of LPx, GSH‐Px, Px, CAT and XOD, and GSH content) in the mice liver and blood after treatment with the examined parsley extracts, or in combination with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). On the basis of the results obtained it can be concluded that the examined extracts exhibited a certain protective effect. However, combined treatments with CCl4 and the examined extracts showed both positive and negative synergism, inducing or suppressing the influence of CCl4 alone. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Antinociceptive and antipyretic activities of the Zizyphus oxyphylla Edgew. leaves
Authors: Nisar M. , Adzu B. , Inamullah K. , Bashir A. , Ihsan A. , Gilani A. H. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractA methanol extract of Zizyphus oxyphylla Edgew leaves has been investigated for its analgesic and antipyretic activities in Adult Wistar and Swiss albino mice of either sex at 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg orally. The extract demonstrated marked antipyretic activity against Brewer's yeast‐induced pyrexia in rats. The extract demonstrated significant peripheral analgesic effect in the acetic acid‐induced writhing test in mice. The phytochemical tests revealed that the extract contained alkaloids, anthraquinones, flavonoids, glycosides, phenols, resins, saponins and tannins using standard procedures. In conclusion, the present study suggests that the methanol extract of Zizyphus oxyphylla Edgew leaves possesses potent antipyretic and antinociceptive activities and thus validates its use in the treatment of pain and fever. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Convective Available Potential Energy (CAPE) in mixed phase cloud conditions
Authors: Früh B. , Wirth V. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractAn approximate but pragmatic approach is presented to define Convective Available Potential Energy (CAPE) in mixed phase cloud conditions. The underlying process calls for mixed (i.e. liquid and ice) phase parcels and assumes the liquid fraction to be a unique function of temperature. The approach is meant to represent average conditions. Differences between this and more traditional approaches are quantified and discussed for mean tropical conditions.Generally freezing increases parcel temperature and, hence, buoyancy. If freezing occurs isobarically (as was often assumed in the past), all water changes phase at a single level resulting in a discontinuity in buoyancy at that level. By contrast, the mixed phase parcel process implies a continuous phase transition in a finite range of temperatures Tfs ≥ T ≥ Tfe, leading to a gradual change of buoyancy with altitude and preventing any temperature inversion. The details of this gradual change depend on the choice of the specified temperature range [Tfs, Tfe]. High in the troposphere, where all water is frozen irrespective of the details, the differences between the buoyancy profiles are small (but finite).CAPE is very sensitive to the treatment of the freezing process. Isobaric freezing at a relatively high temperature (e.g. − 5 °C) in a reversible process may increase CAPE by a factor of 2 to 3, and this increase is similar in magnitude to the difference between the pseudo‐adiabatic and the reversible processes for pure water parcels. Both of these processes are considered less realistic than the reversible mixed phase process with continuous freezing over a broad temperature range [Tfs, Tfe] = [−5 °C, − 40 °C]; the corresponding CAPE lies about half way between the reversible and irreversible pure water processes. For clouds with finite precipitation efficiency the effect of freezing is less pronounced than for reversible conditions. Copyright © 2007 Royal Meteorological Society
Hydrogen‐bond interactions in THF–H2O–HF: A theoretical study
Authors: Sahu Prabhat K. , Lee Shyi‐Long 
Published: March 2007

AbstractThe electronic structure calculations for the hydrogen‐bond interactions of tetrahydrofuran (THF), water (H2O), and hydrogen fluoride (HF) have been reported using density functional theory (DFT) method. Three different stable clusters that result from strong intermolecular interactions of the ternary THF/H2O/HF system have been considered: (I) THF–H2O–HF, (II) THF–HF–H2O, and (III) H2O–THF–HF. The optimized geometries, vibrational frequencies, and interactions of these hydrogen‐bonded van der Waals systems are reported. Moreover, a quantitative account on the roles of hydrogen bond cooperativity on the three different stable structures has been analyzed through energy decomposition scheme at MP2/aug‐cc‐pVDZ//B3LYP/aug‐cc‐pVDZ. The BSSE‐corrected total binding energy sequence for these structures are found as 19.58 kcal/mol >19.16 kcal/mol > 16.72 lcal/mol for II > I > III, respectively. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2007
The effect of tea tree oil and antifungal agents on a reporter for yeast cell integrity signalling
Authors: Straede Andrea , Corran Andy , Bundy James , Heinisch Jürgen J. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractCell integrity in Saccharomyces cerevisiae is ensured by a rigid cell wall whose synthesis is controlled by a highly conserved MAP kinase signal transduction cascade. Stress at the cell surface is detected by a set of sensors and ultimately transmitted through this cascade to the transcription factor Rlm1, which governs expression of many genes encoding enzymes of cell wall biosynthesis. We here report on a number of versatile reporter constructs which link activation of a hybrid, Rlm1–lexA, by the MAP kinase Mpk1/Slt2 to the expression of the bacterial lacZ gene. This system was adapted to automated microwell screening and shown to be activated by a number of compounds inhibiting cell wall biosynthesis or interfering with plasma membrane function. In addition, we tested tea tree oil and two of its purified constituents (α‐terpineol, terpinen‐4‐ol) for their effects on growth and on cell integrity signalling using such reporter strains. Tea tree oil was found to inhibit growth of wild‐type and slg1/wsc1 mutant cells at a threshold of approximately 0.1% v/v, with the purified compounds acting already at half these concentrations. A mid2 deletion displayed hyper‐resistance. Tea tree oil also induces the signalling pathway in a dose‐dependent manner. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Trans‐isomerization of oleic acid and potassium oleate by ionizing radiation
Authors: Pan Huo‐Ping , Goldblith Samuel A. , Proctor Bernard E. 
Published: April 2007

SummaryThe oleic acid of IV 89.2 was irradiated with cathode rays at doses of 15 × 106 to 70 × 106 rep and was found to have beentrans‐isomerized from 2.5% at 45 × 106 rep to 9.4% at 70 × 106 rep; the oleic acid of IV 89.8 irradiated at doses of 13.4 × 106 to 401.6 × 106 rep and was found to have beentrans‐isomerized to 4.9% at 187.4 × 106 rep and to 14.6% at 401.6%.Thetrans‐isomerization was independent of oxygen.Aqueous solutions of potassium oleate at 1% concentration were irradiated with doses from 1 × 106 rep to 5 × 106 rep. The oleic acid recovered from the irradiated solutions was found to have beentrans‐isomerized from 8.1% at 1 × 106 rep to 1.9% at 5 × 106 rep; the oleic acid recovered from the 2.5% solutions was found to have beentrans‐isomerized to 8.3% at 5 × 106 rep, 11.9% at 10 × 106 rep, and 0.1% at 30 × 106 rep.A modified “baseline” technique in infrared spectrophotometric analysis is described.
Laboratory extraction of cottonseed with various petroleum hydrocarbons
Authors: Ayers A. L. , Dooley J. J. 
Published: March 2007

SummarySolvent extraction of cottonseed with various hydrocarbons in the C5 to C7 range was studied to determine comparative yields and quality of oil produced with pure and commercial hydrocarbon solvents. The solvents used were Pure Grade (minimum 99 mol per cent purity) isopentane, normal pentane, cyclohexane, normal heptane, and benzene; Technical Grade (minimum 95 mol per cent purity) neohexane, diisopropyl, 2‐methylpentane, 3‐methylpentane, normal hexane, methylcyclopentane, and a 90 mol per cent cyclopentane; and Commercial Grade normal pentane, isohexanes, normal hexane, isoheptanes, and normal heptane.The effects of precooking the seeds and of the inclusion of hulls on yield and color of extracted oil were determined. Yields and colors of crude oils from cottonseed with both high and intermediate free fatty acid content were studied, and characteristics of the oils determined and compared. Refining losses, refined colors, and bleach colors of oils extracted with various hydrocarbons were compared. Color comparisons were made with a Gardner Color Comparator and a Fisher Electrophotometer. Other test methods used were modifications of official A.O.C.S. methods adapted to small samples. In general normal paraffins and isoparaffins were found to have some advantages over cyclic hydrocarbons.
The flavor problem of soybean oil. IV. Structure of compounds counteracting the effect of prooxidant metals
Authors: Dutton Herbert J. , Schwab Arthur W. , Moser Helen A. , Cowan John C. 
Published: March 2007

SummaryA study has been made of the effectiveness of various polycarboxylic acids and polyhydric alcohols in improving the stability of soybean oil. Certain observations have been made regarding the structural groups required and the possible mechanism of reaction. Since salts and esters of organic acids are inactive, free carboxyl groups are required. Among the four carbon atom dicarboxylic acids activity increases with the number of hydroxyl groups. Within the polyalcohols activity increases with the increase in number of hydroxyl groups. Steric immobility and loss of hydroxyl groups by dehydration reduces activity. Evidence is presented which attributes to citric acid and certain polyhydric alcohols the role of metal scavenger. For example, it has been demonstrated that the addition of citric acid and sorbitol to soybean oil containing prooxidant metallic salts effectively increases the oxidative and flavor stability of the oil. By using a sample of treated soybean oil with no detectable tocopherols, in order to eliminate synergistic effects of citric acid, it has been shown that the prooxidant effect of iron stearate is counteracted by the presence of citric acid. The demonstration that polyhydric alcohols increase the flavor and oxidative stability is compatible with their known metal complexing properties. Evidence is presented which indicates a relationship between flavor stability and oxidative stability.
Dismantling institutional racism: theory and action
Authors: Griffith Derek M. , Mason Mondi , Yonas Michael , Eng Eugenia , Jeffries Vanessa , Plihcik Suzanne , Parks Barton 
Published: April 2007

AbstractDespite a strong commitment to promoting social change and liberation, there are few community psychology models for creating systems change to address oppression. Given how embedded racism is in institutions such as healthcare, a significant shift in the system's policies, practices, and procedures is required to address institutional racism and create organizational and institutional change. This paper describes a systemic intervention to address racial inequities in healthcare quality called dismantling racism. The dismantling racism approach assumes healthcare disparities are the result of the intersection of a complex system (healthcare) and a complex problem (racism). Thus, dismantling racism is a systemic and systematic intervention designed to illuminate where and how to intervene in a given healthcare system to address proximal and distal factors associated with healthcare disparities. This paper describes the theory behind dismantling racism, the elements of the intervention strategy, and the strengths and limitations of this systems change approach.
Industrially Produced trans Fat in Foods in Australia
Authors: Wijesundera Chakra , Richards Amy , Ceccato Claudio 
Published: April 2007

AbstractSelected foods sampled from Australian supermarkets and fast food outlets were analyzed for trans fat (TF) content. The product with the highest amount of TF (6.3 g/100 g product) was a household shortening. The TF contents in spreads were remarkably low (average 0.5, range 0.2–1.3 g/100 g product) with only 3 out of 15 exceeding the maximum level (2.0 g/100 g fat) permitted in Denmark. Ready‐to‐eat French fries purchased from all but one (1.5 g/100 g product) fast food outlet contained generally low levels of TF (average 0.4, range 0.3–0.7 g/100 g product), and the majority of the outlets appeared to have used non‐hydrogenated vegetable oils for frying. Frozen French fries and ready‐to‐eat potato chips purchased from supermarkets were also low in TF (average 0.1 and 0.2 g/100 g product, respectively). So were the bakery products (biscuits, cakes, bread, cake and muffin mixes) except for croissants. However, 9 out of the 103 products tested would have been prohibited from sale in Denmark, while 25 and 12 products would have failed to qualify for ‘trans fat‐free’ claims according to the mandatory labeling regulations currently in force in Canada the USA, respectively.
Epithelial‐stromal transition of MMP‐7 immunolocalization in the rat ventral prostate following bilateral orchiectomy
Authors: Felisbino Sergio L. , Junior Luis A. Justulin , Carvalho Hernandes F. , Taboga Sebastião R. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractEpithelial cells from involuting rat ventral prostate (VP) express Matrilysin (MMP‐7) mRNA. Herein, we investigated by immunohistochemistry the MMP‐7 protein location and its association with tissue changes following castration in the VP. Normal and castrated adult male Wistar rats were sacrificed at different times after surgery. VP was examined by immunocytochemistry and immunoprecipitation. Castration promoted a shrinking of prostate ducts with an extensive stromal remodeling. In the VP from normal rats, MMP‐7 immunoreactivity was found in epithelial secretory granules. Three days after castration, immunostaining for MMP‐7 was found in both the epithelial secretory granules and in the stroma just below the epithelium, mainly at the distal ductal tips. At seven and 21 days after castration, the immunostaining for MMP‐7 was found only in the stromal space. Immunoprecipitation confirmed the specificity of the primary antibody by rescuing a pro‐enzyme form (28 kDa) in the prostate extracts. The present results suggest that MMP‐7 participates in the epithelial‐stromal interface remodeling of the ventral prostate during the involution achieved by castration, probably in the degradation of components of the epithelial basement membrane.
Homocysteine reduces cholinesterase activity in rat and human serum
Authors: Scherer Emilene B.S. , Stefanello Francieli M. , Mattos Cristiane , Netto Carlos Alexandre , Wyse Angela T.S. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractIn the present study we investigated the effect of homocysteine administration, the main metabolite accumulating in homocystinuria, on cholinesterase activity in rat and human serum. For the in vivo study, 8‐, 15‐ and 60‐day‐old rats received one subcutaneous injection of homocysteine (0.3, 0.4 or 0.6 μmol/g of body weight, respectively) or saline (control) and were sacrificed 1 h later, when serum was collected in order to determine cholinesterase activity. For the in vitro studies, serum of 8‐, 15‐ and 60‐day‐old untreated rats or 20–25‐ and 52–60‐day‐old human beings (healthy volunteers) were incubated with 10–500 μM homocysteine. Results showed that acute hyperhomocysteinemia (in vivo study) significantly reduced cholinesterase activity in the serum of rats of all ages tested. We also observed that 500 μM homocysteine added to the incubation medium (in vitro study) significantly inhibited cholinesterase activity both in serum of rats and humans. Our findings seem to reinforce the proposed associations of cholinesterase activity with hyperhomocysteinemia.
Diffusion tensor imaging of the corpus callosum: a cross‐sectional study across the lifespan
Authors: McLaughlin Nicole C.R. , Paul Robert H. , Grieve Stuart M. , Williams Leanne M. , Laidlaw David , DiCarlo Margaret , Clark C. Richard , Whelihan William , Cohen Ronald A. , Whitford Thomas J. , Gordon Evian 
Published: April 2007

AbstractPrevious studies have demonstrated strong developmental trends of white matter using in vivo neuroimaging. However, few studies have examined white matter using diffusion tensor imaging across the lifespan. In the present study we examined fractional anisotropy and volume in the corpus callosum in four groups (children, adolescents, young adults, and elderly). Results revealed a curvilinear relationship in the analysis of the fractional anisotropy values for these four groups, with fractional anisotropy values increasing in childhood and adolescence, reaching their peak in young adulthood, followed by a non‐significant decline in the elderly. Volumetric analysis of corpus callosum regions revealed a similar pattern, with an increase in volume from childhood and adolescence through young adulthood, and a non‐significant decrease in volume in the elderly group. These results define the microstructural development of the white matter across the lifespan. Future studies are required to examine the neurobehavioral correlates of these neuroimaging indices.