bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Physicochemical analysis of acid–base responses to prolonged moderate exercise in late gestation
Authors: Charlesworth Sarah A. , Wolfe Larry A. , Davies Gregory A.L. 
Published: January 2007

Stewart’s physicochemical approach was employed to investigate the safety of an average recreational and occupational activity (prolonged moderate exercise) on maternal acid–base homeostasis. The responses of 10 healthy, physically active pregnant women (PG, gestational age 34–38 weeks) were compared with those of 10 non-pregnant female controls (CG). Subjects cycled for 40 min at 85% of their measured ventilatory threshold (VT). During the transition from rest to exercise, hydrogen ion concentration ([H+]) increased significantly and bicarbonate concentration ([HCO3–]) decreased significantly in both groups. Total weak acid ([Atot]) increased significantly with exercise in both groups, whereas the strong ion difference ([SID]) and CO2 tension (PaCO2) did not change significantly with exercise. Values for [H+], [HCO3–], PaCO2, [Atot] and [SID] were significantly lower in the PG vs. CG under all experimental conditions. Acid–base responses to prolonged moderate exercise are quantitatively similar in the pregnant vs. non-pregnant state. However, pregnant women maintain a lower plasma [H+] (approximately 3 neq/L (1 neq/L = 1 nmol/L)) throughout rest, exercise, and recovery, as a result of lower values for PaCO2 and [Atot], which is partly offset by a lower [SID]. The results indicate that prolonged moderate exercise appears to be well tolerated by healthy recreationally and occupationally active pregnant women.
Mitochondrial c-Jun NH2-Terminal Kinase Prevents the Accumulation of Reactive Oxygen Species and Reduces Necrotic Damage in Neural Tumor Cells that Lack Trophic Support
Authors: López-Sánchez Noelia , Rodríguez José-Rodrigo , Frade José María 
Published: January 2007

Abstract
In response to different stress signals, the c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) can trigger cell death. However, JNK also facilitates the survival and cell cycle progression of tumor cells by mechanisms that are poorly defined. Here, we show that schwannoma RN22 cells can survive and proliferate under serum-free conditions although serum withdrawal rapidly induces mitochondrial fission and swelling. Although the morphologic changes observed in the mitochondria did not trigger cytochrome c release, they were accompanied by an increase in the mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨM) and of immunoreactivity for active JNK in these organelles. Pharmacologic inhibition of JNK provoked a further increase of the ΔΨM, an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and a sustained decrease in cell viability due to necrosis. This increase in necrosis was prevented by the presence of ROS scavengers. Immunoreactivity for active JNK was also observed in the mitochondria of neuroblastoma 1E-115 and neuroblastoma 2a neuroblastoma cell lines on serum withdrawal, whereas active JNK was barely detected in serum-deprived fibroblasts. Accordingly, the reduction in neural tumor cell viability induced by JNK inhibition was largely attenuated in serum-deprived fibroblasts. These data indicate that local activation of JNK in the mitochondria can protect against necrotic cell death associated with ROS production, facilitating the growth of neural tumor cells subjected to serum deprivation. (Mol Cancer Res 2007;5(1):47–60)
The Search for Reconciliation in E. L. Doctorow's City of God
Authors: Wilde Lawrence 
Published: January 2007

AbstractE. L. Doctorow's novel City of God is constructed around a crisis of faith experienced by an Episcopalian minister who eventually converts to Judaism. Within and around this personal story unfolds a fascinating array of moral and spiritual dilemmas which raise provocative questions about the role of religion in modern society and its relationship to secular ethical thought. It is argued here that the novel can be understood as an appeal for reconciliation in a number of different but related ways. The 'religious' characters strive to preserve the relevance of religion by emphasizing the pre-eminence of ethical commitments to love and justice and to the open interpretation of scriptural messages rather than to rigorous adherence to doctrine. The novel tests the possibilities of reconciliation to the limit by revisiting the Holocaust and touching on other horrors, but implicitly it conveys a faith in the oneness of humanity which may yet prevail through a renewal of ethical dialog.
Provisional Measures and Provisional Arrangements in Maritime Boundary Disputes
Authors: Klein Natalie 
Published: January 2007

AbstractThis article examines the interaction under LOSC of the powers of international courts and tribunals to order binding provisional measures and the obligation of states to make every effort to enter into provisional arrangements pending the delimitation of a maritime boundary. The importance of provisional measures or arrangements in delimiting maritime boundaries, previous state and judicial practice related to provisional arrangements and measures, and the relevant substantive and procedural rules under LOSC are all explored as a means of explaining how courts and tribunals should exercise their powers of ordering provisional measures when provisional arrangements are required. It is argued here that an international court or tribunal should exercise caution in order to ensure that the procedural mechanism complements, rather than conflicts with, the substantive obligation. To this end, provisional measures entailing recommendations, duties of cooperation and obligations of non-aggravation are to be preferred.
Dispute Settlement under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea: Survey for 2005
Authors: Churchill Robin 
Published: January 2007

AbstractThis is the second of a projected series of annual surveys reviewing dispute settlement under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (LOSC), which replaces the previous Annual. The main developments during 2005 were the settlement of the Land Reclamation case and the election of seven members of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea. No new cases were brought during the year.
Spring Thaw and Its Effect on Terrestrial Vegetation Productivity in the Western Arctic Observed from Satellite Microwave and Optical Remote Sensing
Authors: Kimball J. S. , McDonald K. C. , Zhao M. 
Published: January 2007

Abstract
Global satellite remote sensing records show evidence of recent vegetation greening and an advancing growing season at high latitudes. Satellite remote sensing–derived measures of photosynthetic leaf area index (LAI) and vegetation gross and net primary productivity (GPP and NPP) from the NOAA Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) Pathfinder record are utilized to assess annual variability in vegetation productivity for Alaska and northwest Canada in association with the Western Arctic Linkage Experiment (WALE). These results are compared with satellite microwave remote sensing measurements of springtime thaw from the Special Sensor Microwave Imager (SSM/I). The SSM/I-derived timing of the primary springtime thaw event was well correlated with annual anomalies in maximum LAI in spring and summer (P ≤ 0.009; n = 13), and GPP and NPP (P ≤ 0.0002) for the region. Mean annual variability in springtime thaw was on the order of ±7 days, with corresponding impacts to annual productivity of approximately 1% day−1. Years with relatively early seasonal thawing showed generally greater LAI and annual productivity, while years with delayed seasonal thawing showed corresponding reductions in canopy cover and productivity. The apparent sensitivity of LAI and vegetation productivity to springtime thaw indicates that a recent advance in the seasonal thaw cycle and associated lengthening of the potential period of photosynthesis in spring is sufficient to account for the sign and magnitude of an estimated positive vegetation productivity trend for the western Arctic from 1982 to 2000.
Uncertainty in Temperature and Precipitation Datasets over Terrestrial Regions of the Western Arctic
Authors: Drobot Sheldon , Maslanik James , Herzfeld Ute Christina , Fowler Charles , Wu Wanli 
Published: January 2007

Abstract
A better understanding of the interannual variability in temperature and precipitation datasets used as forcing fields for hydrologic models will lead to a more complete description of hydrologic model uncertainty, in turn helping scientists study the larger goal of how the Arctic terrestrial system is responding to global change. Accordingly, this paper investigates temporal and spatial variability in monthly mean (1992–2000) temperature and precipitation datasets over the Western Arctic Linkage Experiment (WALE) study region. The six temperature datasets include 1) the fifth-generation Pennsylvania State University–National Center for Atmospheric Research Mesoscale Model (MM5); 2) the 40-yr European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) Re-Analysis (ERA-40); 3) the Advanced Polar Pathfinder all-sky temperatures (APP); 4) National Centers for Environmental Prediction– National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCEP–NCAR) reanalyses (NCEP1); 5) the Climatic Research Unit/University of East Anglia CRUTEM2v (CRU); and 6) the Matsuura and Wilmott 0.5° × 0.5° Global Surface Air Temperature and Precipitation (MW). Comparisons of monthly precipitation are examined for MM5, ERA-40, NCEP1, CRU, and MW. Results of the temporal analyses indicate significant differences between at least two datasets (for either temperature or precipitation) in almost every month. The largest number of significant differences for temperature occurs in October, when there are five separate groupings; for precipitation, there are four significantly different groupings from March through June, and again in December. Spatial analyses of June temperatures indicate that the greatest dissimilarity is concentrated in the central portion of the study region, with the NCEP1 and APP datasets showing the greatest differences. In comparison, the spatial analysis of June precipitation datasets suggests that the largest dissimilarity is concentrated in the eastern portion of the study region. These results indicate that the choice of forcing datasets likely will have a significant effect on the output from hydrologic models, and several different datasets should be used for a robust hydrologic assessment.
TAMGeS: a Three-Array Method for Genotyping of SNPs by a dual-colour approach
Authors: Cozza Arianna , Morandin Francesco , Galfrè Silvia Giulia , Mariotti Veronica , Marangoni Roberto , Pellegrini Silvia 
Published: January 2007

Abstract

Background
Many of the most effective high-throughput protocols for SNP genotyping employ microarrays. Genotypes are assessed by comparing the signal intensities that derive from the hybridization of different allele-specific probes labelled either by using four fluorescent dyes, one for each base, or by using only two dyes and investigating the polymorphic alleles two by two on separate arrays. The employment of only two dyes makes it possible to use a dual-laser scanner, which has the advantage of being present in every microarray laboratory. However, this protocol may present some drawbacks. To infer all the six possible genotypes it is necessary to compare signals from two arrays, but this comparison not always is successful. A number of systematic errors in the experimental protocol, in fact, may differently affect signal intensities on separate arrays. Here we present TAMGeS (Three-Array Method for Genotyping of SNPs), an exhaustive method for SNP genotyping through SBE (Single Base Extension) and dual-colour microarrays, which makes the comparison of signals on distinct arrays reliable by using a third array and a data handling method for signal normalization based on bilinear regression theory.

Results
We tested the effectiveness of the proposed method by evaluating the results obtained from the direct comparison of the two arrays or by applying TAMGeS, both on experimental and synthetic data. With synthetic data, TAMGeS reduced the frequency of errors by an order of magnitude, when the incidence of systematic errors was not negligible. With the experimental data, produced by genotyping 25 SNPs in 437 subjects, TAMGeS reduced the percentage of missing genotypes from 54% (Two-Array Method) to 14.5%. Allelic and genotypic call rates were 99.3% and 99.5%, respectively. The normalization procedure takes into account also systematic errors, which can be generated by a time-delayed assay, thus making the protocol more flexible.

Conclusion
TAMGeS represents an innovative method, which proved to be very effective in producing reliable SNP genotyping data by dual-colour microarrays. The requirement of a third array is well balanced by the strong enhancement in data quality and by the greater flexibility of the experimental protocol.
The effects of second-hand smoke on biological processes important in atherogenesis
Authors: Yuan Hongwei , Wong Lina S , Bhattacharya Monideepa , Ma Chongze , Zafarani Mohammed , Yao Min , Schneider Matthias , Pitas Robert E , Martins-Green Manuela 
Published: January 2007

Abstract

Background
Atherosclerosis is the leading cause of death in western societies and cigarette smoke is among the factors that strongly contribute to the development of this disease. The early events in atherogenesis are stimulated on the one hand by cytokines that chemoattract leukocytes and on the other hand by decrease in circulating molecules that protect endothelial cells (ECs) from injury. Here we focus our studies on the effects of "second-hand" smoke on atherogenesis.

Methods
To perform these studies, a smoking system that closely simulates exposure of humans to second-hand smoke was developed and a mouse model system transgenic for human apoB100 was used. These mice have moderate lipid levels that closely mimic human conditions that lead to atherosclerotic plaque formation.

Results
"Second-hand" cigarette smoke decreases plasma high density lipoprotein levels in the blood and also decreases the ratios between high density lipoprotein and low density lipoprotein, high density lipoprotein and triglyceride, and high density lipoprotein and total cholesterol. This change in lipid profiles causes not only more lipid accumulation in the aorta but also lipid deposition in many of the smaller vessels of the heart and in hepatocytes. In addition, mice exposed to smoke have increased levels of Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein–1 in circulation and in the heart/aorta tissue, have increased macrophages in the arterial walls, and have decreased levels of adiponectin, an EC-protective protein. Also, cytokine arrays revealed that mice exposed to smoke do not undergo the switch from the pro-inflammatory cytokine profile (that develops when the mice are initially exposed to second-hand smoke) to the adaptive response. Furthermore, triglyceride levels increase significantly in the liver of smoke-exposed mice.

Conclusion
Long-term exposure to "second-hand" smoke creates a state of permanent inflammation and an imbalance in the lipid profile that leads to lipid accumulation in the liver and in the blood vessels of the heart and aorta. The former potentially can lead to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and the latter to heart attacks.
A generalized analysis of hydrophobic and loop clusters within globular protein sequences
Authors: Eudes Richard , Le Tuan Khanh , Delettré Jean , Mornon Jean-Paul , Callebaut Isabelle 
Published: January 2007

Abstract

Background
Hydrophobic Cluster Analysis (HCA) is an efficient way to compare highly divergent sequences through the implicit secondary structure information directly derived from hydrophobic clusters. However, its efficiency and application are currently limited by the need of user expertise. In order to help the analysis of HCA plots, we report here the structural preferences of hydrophobic cluster species, which are frequently encountered in globular domains of proteins. These species are characterized only by their hydrophobic/non-hydrophobic dichotomy. This analysis has been extended to loop-forming clusters, using an appropriate loop alphabet.

Results
The structural behavior of hydrophobic cluster species, which are typical of protein globular domains, was investigated within banks of experimental structures, considered at different levels of sequence redundancy. The 294 more frequent hydrophobic cluster species were analyzed with regard to their association with the different secondary structures (frequencies of association with secondary structures and secondary structure propensities). Hydrophobic cluster species are predominantly associated with regular secondary structures, and a large part (60 %) reveals preferences for α-helices or β-strands. Moreover, the analysis of the hydrophobic cluster amino acid composition generally allows for finer prediction of the regular secondary structure associated with the considered cluster within a cluster species. We also investigated the behavior of loop forming clusters, using a "PGDNS" alphabet. These loop clusters do not overlap with hydrophobic clusters and are highly associated with coils. Finally, the structural information contained in the hydrophobic structural words, as deduced from experimental structures, was compared to the PSI-PRED predictions, revealing that β-strands and especially α-helices are generally over-predicted within the limits of typical β and α hydrophobic clusters.

Conclusion
The dictionary of hydrophobic clusters described here can help the HCA user to interpret and compare the HCA plots of globular protein sequences, as well as provides an original fundamental insight into the structural bricks of protein folds. Moreover, the novel loop cluster analysis brings additional information for secondary structure prediction on the whole sequence through a generalized cluster analysis (GCA), and not only on regular secondary structures. Such information lays the foundations for developing a new and original tool for secondary structure prediction.
Crystal structure of an FIV/HIV chimeric protease complexed with the broad-based inhibitor, TL-3
Authors: Heaslet Holly , Lin Ying-Chuan , Tam Karen , Torbett Bruce E , Elder John H , Stout C David 
Published: January 2007

Abstract
We have obtained the 1.7 Å crystal structure of FIV protease (PR) in which 12 critical residues around the active site have been substituted with the structurally equivalent residues of HIV PR (12X FIV PR). The chimeric PR was crystallized in complex with the broad-based inhibitor TL-3, which inhibits wild type FIV and HIV PRs, as well as 12X FIV PR and several drug-resistant HIV mutants [1–4]. Biochemical analyses have demonstrated that TL-3 inhibits these PRs in the order HIV PR > 12X FIV PR > FIV PR, with Ki values of 1.5 nM, 10 nM, and 41 nM, respectively [2–4]. Comparison of the crystal structures of the TL-3 complexes of 12X FIV and wild-typeFIV PR revealed theformation of additinal van der Waals interactions between the enzyme inhibitor in the mutant PR. The 12X FIV PR retained the hydrogen bonding interactions between residues in the flap regions and active site involving the enzyme and the TL-3 inhibitor in comparison to both FIV PR and HIV PR. However, the flap regions of the 12X FIV PR more closely resemble those of HIV PR, having gained several stabilizing intra-flap interactions not present in wild type FIV PR. These findings offer a structural explanation for the observed inhibitor/substrate binding properties of the chimeric PR.
The cation-independent mannose 6-phosphate receptor is involved in lysosomal delivery of serglycin
Authors: Lemansky Peter , Fester Ines , Smolenova Eva , Uhländer Christoph , Hasilik Andrej 
Published: January 2007

AbstractTo clarify the sorting mechanism of the lysosomal/granular proteoglycan serglycin, we treated human promonocytic U937 cells with p-nitrophenyl-β-D-xyloside (PNP-xyl) and cycloheximide. In the absence of protein synthesis, the carbohydrate moiety of serglycin was synthesized as PNP-xyl-chondroitin sulfate (CS), and most of it was delivered to lysosomes and degraded. Further, an augmented lysosomal targeting of serglycin in the presence of tunicamycin suggested that a sorting/lectin receptor with multiple specificity was involved with an increased capacity for serglycin in the absence of N-glycosylation. Correspondingly, the cation-independent mannose 6-phosphate receptor (CI-MPR) and sortilin were observed to bind to immobilized CS. These receptors were eluted in the presence of 200–400 mM and 100–250 mM NaCl, respectively. After treating the cells with a cross-linking reagent, a portion of the sulfated proteoglycan was coimmunoprecipitated with the CI-MPR but not with sortilin. In the presence of phorbol ester, lysosomal targeting of serglycin and to a lesser extent, of cathepsin D was inhibited. We conclude that the CI-MPR participates in lysosomal and granular targeting of serglycin and basic proteins such as lysozyme associated with the proteoglycan in hematopoietic cells.
Lipoteichoic acid and muramyl dipeptide synergistically induce maturation of human dendritic cells and concurrent expression of proinflammatory cytokines
Authors: Kim Hye Jin , Yang Jae Seung , Woo Sang Su , Kim Sun Kyung , Yun Cheol-Heui , Kim Kack Kyun , Han Seung Hyun 
Published: January 2007

AbstractMaturation is an important process by which dendritic cells (DC) develop the potent antigen-presentation capacity necessary for efficient activation of adaptive immunity. Here, we have investigated the ability of lipoteichoic acid (LTA) and muramyl dipeptide (MDP; the minimal structural unit of peptidoglycan with immunostimulating activity) to induce maturation of human immature DC (iDC), derived from peripheral blood CD14-positive cells, and the production of proinflammatory cytokines. Exposure of iDC to staphylococcal LTA (StLTA) at 1 or 10 μg/ml or MDP at 0.1 or 1 μg/ml alone had little effect on the expression of CD80 and CD83, with a minor increase in expression of CD86, all of which are indicative of cell surface markers for maturation. However, there was a synergistic expression of these molecules when iDC were stimulated with StLTA and MDP together. It is interesting that selective induction of MHC Class II expression was observed during the DC maturation, only when costimulated with LTA plus MDP, and Escherichia coli LPS induced dramatic expression of MHC Classes I and II. Endocytosis assay using Dextran-FITC showed that costimulation with StLTA and MDP attenuated the endocytic capacity of the DC, which is a typical phenomenon of DC maturation. Concomitantly, increased expression of DEC-205, but decreased expression of CD206, was observed under the same costimulating condition. Furthermore, ELISA showed that secretions of TNF-α and IL-12 p40, but not IL-10, were induced in iDC by the costimulation. These results suggest that StLTA and MDP synergistically induce maturation and activation of human DC.