bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Inactivation ofsll1556inSynechocystisStrain PCC 6803 Impairs Isoprenoid Biosynthesis from Pentose Phosphate Cycle Substrates In Vitro
Authors: Poliquin Kelly , Ershov Yuri V. , Cunningham Francis X. , Woreta Tinsay T. , Gantt R. Raymond , Gantt Elisabeth 
Published: July 2004

ABSTRACTIn cyanobacteria many compounds, including chlorophylls, carotenoids, and hopanoids, are synthesized from the isoprenoid precursors isopentenyl diphosphate (IPP) and dimethylallyl diphosphate. Isoprenoid biosynthesis in extracts of the cyanobacteriumSynechocystisstrain PCC 6803 grown under photosynthetic conditions, stimulated by pentose phosphate cycle substrates, does not appear to require methylerythritol phosphate pathway intermediates. Thesll1556gene, distantly related to type 2 IPP isomerase genes, was disrupted by insertion of a Kanrcassette. The mutant was fully viable under photosynthetic conditions although impaired in the utilization of pentose phosphate cycle substrates. Compared to the parental strain the Δsll1556mutant (i) is deficient in isoprenoid biosynthesis in vitro with substrates including glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate, fructose-6-phosphate, and glucose-6-phosphate; (ii) has smaller cells (diameter ca. 13% less); (iii) has fewer thylakoids (ca. 30% less); and (iv) has a more extensive fibrous outer wall layer. Isoprenoid biosynthesis is restored with pentose phosphate cycle substrates plus the recombinant Sll1556 protein in the Δsll1556supernatant fraction. IPP isomerase activity could not be demonstrated for the purified Sll1556 protein under our in vitro conditions. The reduction of thylakoid area and the effect on outer wall layer components are consistent with an impairment of isoprenoid biosynthesis in the mutant, possibly via hopanoid biosynthesis. Our findings are consistent with an alternate metabolic shunt for biosynthesis of isoprenoids.
Altering Toluene 4-Monooxygenase by Active-Site Engineering for the Synthesis of 3-Methoxycatechol, Methoxyhydroquinone, and Methylhydroquinone
Authors: Tao Ying , Fishman Ayelet , Bentley William E. , Wood Thomas K. 
Published: July 2004

ABSTRACT

Wild-type toluene 4-monooxygenase (T4MO) of
Pseudomonas mendocina
KR1 oxidizes toluene to
p
-cresol (96%) and oxidizes benzene sequentially to phenol, to catechol, and to 1,2,3-trihydroxybenzene. In this study T4MO was found to oxidize
o
-cresol to 3-methylcatechol (91%) and methylhydroquinone (9%), to oxidize
m
-cresol and
p
-cresol to 4-methylcatechol (100%), and to oxidize
o
-methoxyphenol to 4-methoxyresorcinol (87%), 3-methoxycatechol (11%), and methoxyhydroquinone (2%). Apparent
V
max
values of 6.6 ± 0.9 to 10.7 ± 0.1 nmol/min/ mg of protein were obtained for
o
-,
m
-, and
p
-cresol oxidation by wild-type T4MO, which are comparable to the toluene oxidation rate (15.1 ± 0.8 nmol/min/mg of protein). After these new reactions were discovered, saturation mutagenesis was performed near the diiron catalytic center at positions I100, G103, and A107 of the alpha subunit of the hydroxylase (TmoA) based on directed evolution of the related toluene
o-
monooxygenase of
Burkholderia cepacia
G4 (K. A. Canada, S. Iwashita, H. Shim, and T. K. Wood, J. Bacteriol.
184
:
344-349, 2002) and a previously reported T4MO G103L regiospecific mutant (K. H. Mitchell, J. M. Studts, and B. G. Fox, Biochemistry
41
:
3176-3188, 2002). By using
o
-cresol and
o
-methoxyphenol as model substrates, regiospecific mutants of T4MO were created; for example, TmoA variant G103A/A107S produced 3-methylcatechol (98%) from
o
-cresol twofold faster and produced 3-methoxycatechol (82%) from 1 mM
o
-methoxyphenol seven times faster than the wild-type T4MO (1.5 ± 0.2 versus 0.21 ± 0.01 nmol/min/mg of protein). Variant I100L produced 3-methoxycatechol from
o
-methoxyphenol four times faster than wild-type T4MO, and G103S/A107T produced methylhydroquinone (92%) from
o
-cresol fourfold faster than wild-type T4MO and there was 10 times more in terms of the percentage of the product. Variant G103S produced 40-fold more methoxyhydroquinone from
o
-methoxyphenol than the wild-type enzyme produced (80 versus 2%) and produced methylhydroquinone (80%) from
o
-cresol. Hence, the regiospecific oxidation of
o
-methoxyphenol and
o
-cresol was changed for significant synthesis of 3-methoxycatechol, methoxyhydroquinone, 3-methylcatechol, and methylhydroquinone. The enzyme variants also demonstrated altered monohydroxylation regiospecificity for toluene; for example, G103S/A107G formed 82%
o
-cresol, so saturation mutagenesis converted T4MO into an
ortho
-hydroxylating enzyme. Furthermore, G103S/A107T formed 100%
p
-cresol from toluene; hence, a better
para-
hydroxylating enzyme than wild-type T4MO was formed. Structure homology modeling suggested that hydrogen bonding interactions of the hydroxyl groups of altered residues S103, S107, and T107 influence the regiospecificity of the oxygenase reaction.
Identification ofCampylobacter jejuniATCC 43431-Specific Genes by Whole Microbial Genome Comparisons
Authors: Poly Frédéric , Threadgill Deborah , Stintzi Alain 
Published: July 2004

ABSTRACTThis study describes a novel approach to identify unique genomic DNA sequences from the unsequenced strainC. jejuniATCC 43431 by comparison with the sequenced strainC. jejuniNCTC 11168. A shotgun DNA microarray was constructed by arraying 9,600 individual DNA fragments from aC. jejuniATCC 43431 genomic library onto a glass slide. DNA fragments unique toC. jejuniATCC 43431 were identified by competitive hybridization to the array with genomic DNA ofC. jejuniNCTC 11168. The plasmids containing unique DNA fragments were sequenced, allowing the identification of up to 130 complete and incomplete genes. Potential biological roles were assigned to 66% of the unique open reading frames. The mean G+C content of these unique genes (26%) differs significantly from the G+C content of the entireC. jejunigenome (30.6%). This suggests that they may have been acquired through horizontal gene transfer from an organism with a G+C content lower than that ofC. jejuni. Because the twoC. jejunistrains differ by Penner serotype, a large proportion of the unique ATCC 43431 genes encode proteins involved in lipooligosaccharide and capsular biosynthesis, as expected. Several unique open reading frames encode enzymes which may contribute to genetic variability, i.e., restriction-modification systems and integrases. Interestingly, many of the uniqueC. jejuniATCC 43431 genes show identity with a possible pathogenicity island fromHelicobacter hepaticusand components of a potential type IV secretion system. In conclusion, this study provides a valuable resource to further investigateCampylobacterdiversity and pathogenesis.
Transcriptional Analysis of the
groES
-
groEL1
,
groEL2
, and
dnaK
genes in
Corynebacterium glutamicum
: Characterization of Heat Shock-Induced Promoters
Authors: Barreiro Carlos , González-Lavado Eva , Pátek Miroslav , Martín Juan-Francisco 
Published: July 2004

ABSTRACT

The appropriate conditions to switch on the heat shock promoters in
Corynebacterium glutamicum
were defined by Northern blot analysis. Transcriptional patterns were characterized for the
groEL2
gene and the
groES-groEL1
and
dnaK
operons. Transcriptional start points of these genes were determined by primer extension analysis, allowing the identification of CIRCE and HAIR boxes close to the −10 and −35 regions of the promoters. The presence of both CIRCE and HAIR sequences within a single promoter (P-
groEL2
) in bacteria is described for the first time. In addition, the
dnaK
promoter showed −10 and −35 sequences similar to those recognized by SigH of
Mycobacterium
and SigR of
Streptomyces
close to a second transcription start region with −10 and −35 boxes typical of promoters for housekeeping genes.
Reverse Gyrase Is Not a Prerequisite for Hyperthermophilic Life
Authors: Atomi Haruyuki , Matsumi Rie , Imanaka Tadayuki 
Published: July 2004

ABSTRACT

We disrupted the reverse gyrase gene from a hyperthermophilic archaeon,
Thermococcus kodakaraensis
KOD1. An apparent positive supercoiling activity that was observed in the host strain was not found in the disruptant strain. We found that a lack of reverse gyrase led to a retardation in growth that was more striking at higher temperatures. However, the disruption of the reverse gyrase gene did not lead to a lethal phenotype at 90°C. This study provides experimental evidence that reverse gyrase is not a prerequisite for hyperthermophilic life.
FROM SUBCONTRACTED R&D TO JOINT COLLABORATION: THE ROLE OF TRUST IN FACILITATING THIS PROCESS
Authors: RYAN PAUL , GIBLIN MAJELLA , WALSHE EDEL 
Published: July 2004

High-technology companies operate in a dynamic and unstable environment due to rapidly changing technologies and consumer tastes. An increasing number of companies are engaging in joint R&D projects to subvent the constraints to competitiveness in this turbulent environment. Collaborative R&D activity has been studied from the perspectives of strategic management [Dodgson (1992)], organizational behavior [Powell et al. (1996)], operations management [Nooteboom et al. (2000)] and business-to-business marketing [Turnbull et al. (1996)]. Within the literature, trust has been identified as highly significant to alliance effectiveness, governance and the development of a long-term mutually beneficial relationship. [Perry et al. (2002); Ramaseshan and Loo (1998); Morgan and Hunt (1994); Ganesan (1994); Nooteboom et al. (2000)]. This paper describes a collaborative R&D project between two high-tech companies to trace the development of trust between the partners. It specifically considers the role of trust in facilitating the progression of their relationship from subcontracting to joint collaboration. Reaffirming existing theories, the findings of the paper identify partner compatibility and an effective selection process as well as openness and honesty as the foundations for trust. Moreover, sound management practices were found to foster high levels of co-operation and commitment to the relationship. The main contribution of the paper is the identification of opportunistic behavior as a possible positive phenomenon. This provides new insight to existing literature which traditionally assumes a negative relationship between trust and exploitative behavior.
African Culture and Emergent Church Forms in Ghana
Authors: Dovlo Elom 
Published: June 2004

AbstractThe author gives a review of the African Independent Churches, African Initiated Churches or Spiritual Churches, as he prefers to call them, in West Africa. He also pays attention to the relationship of these churches to the so-called mainline churches. He shows the charismatic renewal that took place in the Spiritual Churches. Furthermore Dovlo turns his eyes to the relationship between the Western mainline churches and the African mainline churches and he makes clear that between all these diff erent types of churches an intra-cultural dialogue is going on. So Dovlo concludes omit that in spite of all tensions between them all churches need each other to communicate the hope of a God who is coming.
Kolonialphantasien in der Populären Naturwissenschaft der Frühen Neuzeit
Authors: Guthke Karl 
Published: June 2004

AbstractThe analogy between colonization and space exploration was by no means invented by H.G. Wells in his novel about the invasion of Mars, The War of the Worlds (1897), or the science fiction in its wake. The analogy goes back to the age of the Copernican Revolution, which put the Earth on a par with other planets and thus suggested that those, too, could be inhabited by man-like creatures. Since then, popularizers of astrophysics have nurtured the notion that "we" or "they" could fill the roles of colonizers and natives, though it remained a matter of debate who had to play which role. Among those given to such contemplation we find Bruno, Kepler, Wilkins, and Huygens, along with scientifically trained literati such as Francis Godwin, Fontenelle, Swift. Together, they constitute a noteworthy phenomenon of the early modern age of discovery and conquest.
Missio Inter Gentes: Towards a New Paradigm in the Mission Theology of the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences (FABC)
Authors: Tan Jonathan 
Published: June 2004

AbstractThis essay seeks to investigate the mission theology of the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences (FABC) as presented in its official documents during the past three decades of its existence and evaluate its implications. In its official documents, the FABC has proceeded on the basis that the Asian milieu, with its rich diversity and plurality of religions, cultures and philosophical worldviews require a distinctively Asian approach to the proclamation of the Gospel that is sensitive to such diversity and pluralism. To this end, this essay surveys and examines the principal aspects and foundational principles of the FABC's theology of mission. It also explores the implications of the FABC's missiological approach for meeting the challenges of the task of carrying out the Christian mission in the diverse and pluralistic Asian Sitz-im-Leben, especially the FABC's consistent insistence that the Christian mission in Asia is best carried out through a threefold dialogue with the myriad of Asian religious traditions, Asian cultures and the teeming masses of Asian poor and marginalized. It then suggests that the FABC's missiological approach is best described as missio inter gentes (mission among the nations) rather than the traditional missio ad gentes (mission to the nations), because of how the FABC perceives the issue of religious pluralism in Asia and its preferred non-confrontational dialogical approach for dealing with it.
Mission or Evangelization?
Authors: Kavunkal Jacob 
Published: June 2004

AbstractIn this article, Indian missiologist Jacob Kavunkal notes the ongoing debate about the use of "mission" or "evangelization" to describe the task of the church in the world. One group, especially Europeans, use "mission" to designate the verbal proclamation of the gospel, and "evangelization" to designate other aspects such as social justice work, inculturation and dialogue. Another group, especially those from Latin America, define "mission" and "evangelization" in exactly the opposite way. Kavunkal argues, after a biblical and historical analysis of both terms, that the two terms should mean the same thing. However, mission or evangelization today should not be about the expansion of the church or even primarily an appeal to non-Christians. Rather, the church's evangelizing mission must be lived out in selfless service of the world, in imitation of God's own other-directed nature.
Characterization of monocyte tissue factor activity induced by IgG antiphospholipid antibodies and inhibition by dilazep
Authors: Zhou Hong , Wolberg Alisa S. , Roubey Robert A. S. 
Published: June 2004

AbstractIncreasing evidence suggests that autoantibodies directly contribute to hypercoagulability in the antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). One proposed mechanism is the antibody-induced expression of tissue factor (TF) by blood monocytes. Dilazep, an antiplatelet agent, is an adenosine uptake inhibitor known to block induction of monocyte TF expression by bacterial lipopolysaccharide. In the current study we characterized the effects of immunoglobulin G (IgG) from patients with APS on monocyte TF activity and investigated whether dilazep is capable of blocking this effect. IgG from 13 of 16 patients with APS significantly increased monocyte TF activity, whereas normal IgG had no effect. Time-course experiments demonstrated that APS IgG-induced monocyte TF mRNA levels were maximal at 2 hours and TF activity on the cell surface was maximal at 6 hours. Dilazep inhibited antibody-induced monocyte TF activity in a dose-dependent fashion but had no effect on TF mRNA expression. The effect of dilazep was blocked by theophylline, a nonspecific adenosine receptor antagonist. In conclusion, IgG from certain patients with APS induce monocyte TF activity. Dilazep inhibits the increased expression of monocyte TF activity at a posttranscriptional level, probably by way of its effect as an adenosine uptake inhibitor. Pharmacologic agents that block monocyte TF activity may be a novel therapeutic approach in APS.
An Alu-mediated 31.5-kb deletion as the cause of factor XI deficiency in 2 unrelated patients
Authors: Mitchell Michael , Dai Letian , Savidge Geoffrey , Alhaq Anwar 
Published: June 2004

Abstract
Factor XI deficiency (MIM 264900) is an autosomal bleeding disorder of variable severity. Inheritance is not completely recessive as heterozygotes may display a distinct, if mild, bleeding tendency. Recent studies have shown the causative mutations of factor XI deficiency, outside the Ashkenazi Jewish population, to be highly heterogeneous. We studied 39 consecutively referred patients with factor XI deficiency to identify the molecular defect. Conventional mutation screening failed to identify a causative mutation in 4 of the 39 patients. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)–transformed cells from these 4 patients were converted from a diploid to haploid chromosome complement. Subsequent analysis showed that 2 of the patients had a large deletion, which was masked in the heterozygous state by the presence of a normal allele. We report here the first confirmed whole gene deletion as the causative mutation of factor XI deficiency, the result of unequal homologous recombination between flanking Alu repeat sequences.
Identification of a novel hierarchy of endothelial progenitor cells using human peripheral and umbilical cord blood
Authors: Ingram David A. , Mead Laura E. , Tanaka Hiromi , Meade Virginia , Fenoglio Amy , Mortell Kelly , Pollok Karen , Ferkowicz Michael J. , Gilley David , Yoder Mervin C. 
Published: June 2004

AbstractEmerging evidence to support the use of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) for angiogenic therapies or as biomarkers to assess cardiovascular disease risk and progression is compelling. However, there is no uniform definition of an EPC, which makes interpretation of these studies difficult. Although hallmarks of stem and progenitor cells are their ability to proliferate and to give rise to functional progeny, EPCs are primarily defined by the expression of cell-surface antigens. Here, using adult peripheral and umbilical cord blood, we describe an approach that identifies a novel hierarchy of EPCs based on their clonogenic and proliferative potential, analogous to the hematopoietic cell system. In fact, some EPCs form replatable colonies when deposited at the single-cell level. Using this approach, we also identify a previously unrecognized population of EPCs in cord blood that can achieve at least 100 population doublings, replate into at least secondary and tertiary colonies, and retain high levels of telomerase activity. Thus, these studies describe a clonogenic method to define a hierarchy of EPCs based on their proliferative potential, and they identify a unique population of high proliferative potential-endothelial colony-forming cells (HPP-ECFCs) in human umbilical cord blood. (Blood. 2004;104:2752-2760)
Interstitial lung disease in a baby with ade novomutation in the SFTPC gene
Authors: Brasch F. , Griese M. , Tredano M. , Johnen G. , Ochs M. , Rieger C. , Mulugeta S. , Müller K.M. , Bahuau M. , Beers M.F. 
Published: July 2004

Mutations in the surfactant protein C gene (SFTPC) were recently reported in patients with interstitial lung disease.In a 13‐month-old infant with severe respiratory insufficiency, a lung biopsy elicited combined histological patterns of nonspecific interstitial pneumonia and pulmonary alveolar proteinosis. Immunohistochemical and biochemical analyses showed an intra-alveolar accumulation of surfactant protein (SP)‐A, precursors of SP‐B, mature SP‐B, aberrantly processed proSP‐C, as well as mono- and dimeric SP‐C.Sequencing of genomic DNA detected ade novoheterozygous missense mutation of the SFTPC gene (g.1286T>C) resulting in a substitution of threonine for isoleucine (I73T) in the C‐terminal propeptide. At the ultrastructural level, abnormal transport vesicles were detected in type‐II pneumocytes. Fusion proteins, consisting of enhanced green fluorescent protein and wild-type or mutant proSP‐C, were used to evaluate protein traffickingin vitro. In contrast to wild-type proSP‐C, mutant proSP‐C was routed to early endosomes when transfected into A549 epithelial cells.In contrast to previously reported mutations, the I73T represents a new class of surfactant protein C gene mutations, which is marked by a distinct trafficking, processing, palmitoylation, and secretion of the mutant and wild-type surfactant protein C. This report heralds the emerging diversity of phenotypes associated with the expression of mutant surfactant C proteins.
Older individuals have increased oro-nasal breathing during sleep
Authors: Madronio M.R. , Di Somma E. , Stavrinou R. , Kirkness J.P. , Goldfinch E. , Wheatley J.R. , Amis T.C. 
Published: July 2004

Breathing route during sleep has been studied very little, however, it has potential importance in the pathophysiology of sleep disordered breathing.Using overnight polysomnography, with separate nasal and oral thermocouple probes, data were obtained from 41 subjects (snorers and nonsnorers; 25 male and 16 female; aged 20–66 yrs). Awake, upright, inspiratory nasal resistance (Rn) was measured using posterior rhinomanometry. Each 30‐s sleep epoch (not affected by apnoeas/hypopnoeas) was scored for presence of nasal and/or oral breathing.Overnight, seven subjects breathed nasally, one subject oro-nasally and the remainder switched between nasal and oro-nasal breathing. Oral‐only breathing rarely occurred. Nasal breathing epochs were 55.79 (69.78) per cent of total sleep epochs (%TSE; median (interquartile range)), a value not significantly different to that for oro-nasal (TSE: 44.21 (68.66)%). Oro-nasal breathing was not related to snoring, sleep stage, posture, body mass index, height, weight, Rn (2.19 (1.77) cm H2O·L−1·sec−1) or sex, but was positively associated with age. Subjects ≥40 yrs were approximately six times more likely than younger subjects to spend >50% of sleep epochs utilising oro-nasal breathing.Ageing is associated with an increasing occurrence of oro-nasal breathing during sleep.
Obesity and nocturnal gastro-oesophageal reflux are related to onset of asthma and respiratory symptoms
Authors: Gunnbjörnsdóttir M.I. , Omenaas E. , Gíslason T. , Norrman E. , Olin A‐C. , Jõgi R. , Jensen E.J. , Lindberg E. , Björnsson E. , Franklin K. , Janson C. ,   on behalf of the RHINE study group
Published: July 2004

Several studies have identified obesity as a risk factor for asthma in both children and adults. An increased prevalence of asthma in subjects with gastro-oesophageal reflux (GOR) and obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome has also been reported. The aim of this investigation was to study obesity, nocturnal GOR and snoring as independent risk factors for onset of asthma and respiratory symptoms in a Nordic population.In a 5–10 yr follow-up study of the European Community Respiratory Health Survey in Iceland, Norway, Denmark, Sweden and Estonia, a postal questionnaire was sent to previous respondents.A total of 16,191 participants responded to the questionnaire. Reported onset of asthma, wheeze and night-time symptoms as well as nocturnal GOR and habitual snoring increased in prevalence along with the increase in body mass index (BMI). After adjusting for nocturnal GOR, habitual snoring and other confounders, obesity (BMI >30) remained significantly related to the onset of asthma, wheeze and night-time symptoms. Nocturnal GOR was independently related to the onset of asthma and in addition, both nocturnal GOR and habitual snoring were independently related to onset of wheeze and night-time symptoms.This study adds evidence to an independent relationship between obesity, nocturnal gastro-oesophageal reflux and habitual snoring and the onset of asthma and respiratory symptoms in adults.