bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Aberrant Expression of Serpin Squamous Cell Carcinoma Antigen 2 in Human Tumor Tissues and Cell Lines: Evidence of Protection from Tumor Necrosis Factor-Mediated Apoptosis
Authors: Takeda A. , Kajiya A. , Iwasawa A. , Nakamura Y. , Hibino T. 
Published: October 2004

AbstractSquamous cell carcinoma antigens (SCCA) 1 and 2 are highly homologous proteins of the serpin family, although they inhibit different types of proteinases. We investigated the expression of both SCCA mRNAs in tumor tissues, in various cell lines (A431, SAS, Ca9, HeLa, SKGIIIa, HSC-2, HSC-3, HSC-4 and KB) and in HSC cell lines in the presence of tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα). The expression of SCCA2 mRNA could be differentiated from that of SCCA1 in tumor tissues and cell lines by means of reverse transcriptionpolymerase chain reaction (RTPCR). The ratio between SCCA1 and SCCA2 mRNA expression showed selective expression of SCCA2 mRNA in SCC tissues from the uterine cervix compared to SCC tissues from the esophagus or skin. In addition, a significant level of SCCA2 mRNA expression was detected in the HSC-4 cell line, but not in Ca9, HeLa, SKGIIIa, or HSC-3 cells. In contrast, SCCA1 mRNA was detected in all samples tested. These results suggest that the level of expression of SCCA2 mRNA detected by RTPCR can be used to evaluate the status of SCC tumors. Next, we studied the effect of TNFα on SCCA1 and SCCA2 mRNA expression in HSC cell lines. SCCA1 mRNA expression was constantly increased in the three HSC cells examined with increasing time of exposure to TNFα. In contrast, SCCA2 mRNA expression was specific for HSC-4 cells. The survival rate of HSC-4 cells pretreated with TNFα (6.3 ng/ml) for 48 h was found to be 72%, compared with 42% and 9% for HSC-3 and HSC-2 cells, respectively, after apoptotic stimulation by TNFα (10 ng/ml) and cycloheximide (10 g/ml) for 18 h. Furthermore, selective expression of SCCA2 mRNA in HSC-4 pretreated with TNFα protected these cells from TNFαmediated apoptosis. Thus, SCCA2 overexpression in squamous tumor cells contributed to their survival by protecting them against TNFαinduced apoptosis.
Reconstitution of Phospholipid Flippase Activity from E. coli Inner Membrane: A Test of the Protein Translocon as a Candidate Flippase
Authors: Watkins W. E. , III III , Menon A.K. 
Published: October 2004

AbstractPhospholipid flipping in biogenic membranes is a key feature of membrane bilayer assembly. Flipping is facilitated by proteinaceous transporters (flippases) that do not need metabolic energy to function. No flippase has yet been identified. The architecture of the E. coli protein translocon suggests that it could account for the flippase activity in the bacterial inner membrane. To test this possibility, we used E. coli cells depleted of SecYE or YidC to assay flipping in proteoliposomes reconstituted from detergent extracts of their inner membranes. We conclude that the protein translocon contributes minimally, if at all, to phospholipid flippase activity in the inner membrane.
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor Family Genes: When Did the Three Genes Phylogenetically Segregate?
Authors: Shibuya M. 
Published: October 2004

AbstractThe vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor family in mammals contains three members, VEGFR1(Flt-1), VEGFR2(KDR/Flk-1) and VEGFR3 (Flt-4), which directly regulate the formation of blood vessels and lymphatic vessels. These two circular systems are essential for the supply of O2 and nutrients to all tissues of the body as well as the drainage of excess fluids with waste metabolites from peripheral tissues. VEGF receptors have a characteristic structure with 7 Iglike domains in the extracellular domain and a cytoplasmic tyrosine kinase domain with a long kinase insert region. Recently, some novel findings on the phylogenetical conservation of VEGF receptor genes in animals were reported: the conservation of the VEGFR1/solubleVEGFR1 gene in birds, and the conservation of the VEGFRPDGFRlike receptor gene in nonvertebrates. Based on this new information as well as established observations, here the possibility is discussed that the three VEGFR genes phylogenetically segregated not at once when the vertebrates established, but in a stepwise manner: two genes first (the VEGFR1/R2 progenitor and the VEGFR3 gene), and subsequently the three genes VEGFR1, R2 and R3.
Pigment Epithelium-Derived Factor (PEDF), a Serpin with Potent Anti-Angiogenic and Neurite Outgrowth-promoting Properties
Authors: Gettins P. G. W. , Simonovic M. , Volz K. 
Published: October 2004

AbstractPigment epitheliumderived factor is a member of the serpin superfamily of proteins, but one that lacks inhibitory properties against either serine or cysteine proteinases. Nevertheless it possesses a number of physiological properties that make it a potentially important protein in regulation of angiogenesis, in neuronal cell survival and in protection of neurons from neurotoxic agents. It is also a protein that is highly up regulated in the G0 phase of earlypassage cells compared with rapidly proliferating cells or senescent cells, and so is also linked to both the cell cycle and cell senescence. The determination of a high resolution Xray crystal structure of native PEDF provides insight into regions of the protein that may be involved in one or more of these functions.
Characterization of Legumain
Authors: Schwarz G. , Brandenburg J. , Reich M. , Burster T. , Driessen C. , Kalbacher H. 
Published: October 2004

Abstract
The mammalian legumain, also called asparaginyl endopeptidase (AEP), is critically involved in the processing of bacterial antigens for MHC class II presentation. In order to investigate the substrate specificity of AEP in the P1 position, we created a peptide library and digested it with purified pig kidney AEP. Digestion was less efficient only when proline was in the P1 position. Maximum AEP activity was found in
lysosomal fractions of different types of antigen presenting cells (APC). When the multiple sclerosisassociated autoantigen myelin basic protein (MBP) was
digested with AEP, the immunodominant epitope
8399 was destroyed. Myoglobin as an alternative
substrate was AEP resistant. These results suggest
an important, but not necessarily critical role for AEP
in lysosomal antigen degradation.
Characterization of Different Reactive Lysines in Bovine Heart Mitochondrial Porin
Authors: jamal J.A. Al 
Published: October 2004

AbstractIncubation of mitochondrial outer membrane porin with citraconic anhydride prior to treatment with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) resulted in the labeling of a set of lysines located at a boundary between the water phase and lipid phase. The elution pattern of porin from the cation exchanger has been considered as indicative for the location of lysines. Electrical measurements after reconstitution of the modified protein in lipid bilayer membranes revealed that certain specific lysine residues are more susceptible to alterations. The innermost positive residues were only slightly influenced, while the outermost lysines exhibited a substantial change in channel properties. These results suggest the presence of critical charged residues in mitochondrial outer membrane porin that may be responsible for both the channels selectivity and its voltage dependence.
Remnant-Like Particle Cholesterol Levels in Korean Patients with Coronary Artery Disease and Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Song Junghan , Park Hyosoon , Hong Seung H. , Lee Hong K. , Park Young B. , Kim Jin Q 
Published: October 2004

Abstract
Several studies have provided evidence that the remnants of lipoproteins may be the atherogenic components of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the remnant-like particle cholesterol (RLP-C) is an independent risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD) and non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) in the Korean population and to explore the relationship between RLP-C and other biochemical markers as well as the apolipoprotein (apo) E genotypes. Lipid and lipoproteins including RLP-C and apo E genotypes were analyzed in 98 normal adults (control group), 68 patients with CAD (CAD group), 88 patients with NIDDM (DM group), and 19 patients with both CAD and NDDM (CAD + DM group). RLP-C levels were significantly higher in the DM (p< 0.0001), CAD (p = 0.0012) and the CAD + DM groups (p = 0.0184) than in the controls. To determine which variable could discriminate most effectively and independently among the different groups, stepwise linear discriminant analysis was performed for all the variables that showed p< 0.15 by unvariate analysis. RLP-C was selected as an independent discriminator between the control and patient groups. RLP-C levels showed a strong positive correlation with trigylceride levels in the control, CAD and DM groups (r= 0.783, r = 0.610 and r= 0.746, respectively). In overall groups, apo ε4 and ε2 carrier genotypes showed a significant increase in RLP-C levels compared with ∊3/3 wild-type (p = 0.0085). After adjusting for the effect of apo E genotypes, a significant increase of the RLP-C levels in the disease groups remained. In conclusion, RLP-C was determined to be an independent risk factor in Korean patients with CAD and NIDDM and showed a strong correlation with triglyceride levels. We suggest that the increased cardiovascular risk associated with the ε4 and ε2 allele may be mediated by more atherogenic RLP-C.
Evaluation of a Newly Available Biochemical Analyzer: the Olympus AU 600
Authors: Blanc Marie-Céline , Neveux Nathalie , Laromiguière Muriel , Bérard Marie-Pierre , Cynober Luc 
Published: October 2004

Abstract
The performance of the Olympus AU 600, a newly available open multiparametric analyzer, available for routine biochemical analysis of biological samples, was evaluated. The analytical and technical performance of the apparatus and the quality of the Olympus reagents were both examined in a single site study. Electrolyte concentrations were determined with patented ion-selective electrodes; substrate concentrations and enzyme activities were determined by spectrophotometric measurement after coloured reaction or UV detection-based-reactions. The protocol of the evaluation and the acceptability criteria were those recommended by the French Society for Clinical Biology. For the parameters studied, the upper limits of linearity were equal to or higher than those claimed by the manufacturer. The CV values for within-run and between-run precision were lower than the target values with few exceptions. The comparison study gave satisfactory results for most of the parameters. Only expected interferences occurred. In summary, the results obtained for the 25 parameters studied and the characteristics of the apparatus were satisfactory. The analyzer is rapid (800 to 1200 tests per hour) and easy to use. In addition, the analyzer complies with good analytical practice and its flexibility enables users to plan work according to local laboratory constraints.
Stability of Brain Natriuretic Peptide (BNP) in Human Whole Blood and Plasma
Authors: Gobinet-Georges Agnès , Valli Nathalie , Filliatre Hélène , Dubernet Marie-France , Dedeystere Olivier , Bordenave Laurence 
Published: October 2004

Abstract
Brain natriuretic peptide is proposed as a biochemical marker which could provide a useful screening test to select patients for further cardiac investigations in heart failure. The applicability of such a biochemical test in clinics, hospital wards, and clinical laboratories is dependent on its ease of use and on the complexity of sample handling. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the stability of brain natriuretic peptide under a number of different handling conditions (sample collection, storage temperatures, freezing temperatures) assayed with a commercially available kit. The results clearly demonstrate that brain natriuretic peptide is stable at room temperature for 24 hours, or in up to 30°C for 12 hours in the presence and absence of aprotinin, on the condition that brain natriuretic peptide is assayed within one month (frozen at −20°C) after blood collection. The presence of aprotinin prevents brain natriuretic peptide degradation in samples preserved for more than 1 month at −20°C before assay.
Effect of Short- and Long-Term Storage on Human Serum and Recombinant Apolipoprotein E Concentration
Authors: Schiele Françoise , Vincent-Viry Monique , Herbeth Bernard , Visvikis Athanase , Siest Gérard 
Published: October 2004

Abstract
In order to assess the short- and long-term stability of apolipoprotein (apo) E concentration in serum, we compared the apo E concentrations measured in fresh human serum samples with those determined after storage at +4°C, −20°C or −80°C. The serum apo E concentration was measured by immunoturbidimetry using an anti-human apo E polyclonal antibody from goats. One week storage at +4°C did not significantly affect the serum apo E concentration. At −20°C or −80°C no significant change in apo E concentration occurred during up to three months of storage. Moreover, the concentration of apo E was not modified after long-term storage of serum samples kept at −196°C in liquid nitrogen for up to four years. In addition, 15 freeze-thaw cycles, over a 3-week period, did not affect the apo E concentration in serum. A similar freezethaw procedure applied to purified human recombinant apo E showed that apo E2 isoform was the most stable in comparison with the apo E3 and apo E4 isoforms.
Purification of Anti-Thyroglobulin IgG from Human Serum
Authors: Salabè Giovanni , Corvo Luciano , Lotz Helga 
Published: October 2004

AbstractThe high prevalence of subjects in the general population and among patients with thyroid diseases who are positive for serum anti-thyroglobulin antibodies, together with the inconsistency of hybridoma techniques to obtain large amounts of anti-thyroglobulin antibodies, prompted us to prepare anti-thyroglobulin antibodies from human serum. An anti-thyroglobulin antibody positive serum was absorbed with CNBr-activated sepharose 4B conjugated to thyroglobulin and anti-thyroglobulin antibodies eluted by acid pH (3.0), basic pH (10.7) and detergent (SDS 3 g/l or 7 g/l). Preliminary experiments carried out with rabbit anti-human thyroglobulin allowed us to purify an Ig-fraction that retained its anti-thyroglobulin activity by immunoprecipitation and tanned red cell haemagglutination. When subjected to agarose gel electrophoresis and Silver stain, this fraction has the mobility of rabbit Ig. Further experiments were carried out using Hashimoto's serum (tanned red cell haemagglutination 1:40620). pH 3.0 was found to give the best yield of stable antibodies. An IgG fraction was eluted at a concentration of 10±1.2 mg/l of serum. This fraction has the same electrophoretic mobility as human IgG and is close to pure human anti-thyroglobulin antibody. A dose-response curve was built up at a concentration range between 0.016 mg–2 mg of IgG anti-thyroglobulin antibody per litre. The slope of the curve parallels that of a dilution curve of the whole serum, suggesting that the purified antibodies are representative of the whole antibody population. In conclusion, we provide a method for preparing considerable amounts of highly purified anti-thyroglobulin antibodies from human serum for application in clinical medicine and basic research, and in particular which provides a standard for measuring anti-human thyroglobulin serum antibodies by weight rather than the presently used standard expressed in U/ml. Furt h e rmore, this reagent could act as an ideal immuno-vector for the diagnosis and therapy of differentiated thyroid carcinoma.
Identification of Indoor Rot Fungi by Taxon-Specific Priming Polymerase Chain Reaction
Authors: Moreth Ute , Schmidt Olaf 
Published: October 2004

Summary
The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) of the nuclear ribosomal DNA (rDNA) of the main fungal species
causing wood rot damages in European buildings was amplified by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
After sequencing the ITS, fungus-specific oligonucleotide primers were designed for taxon-specific
priming PCR. These DNA marker molecules were suitable for the differential diagnosis of the Dry rot
fungus, Serpula lacrymans, the Wild merulius, S. himantioides, the Oak polypore, Donkioporia expansa,
the Brown cellar fungus, Coniophora puteana, the Broad-spored white polypore, Antrodia vaillantii, the
Sap polypore, Tyromyces placenta, and the Yellow-red gill polypore, Gloeophyllum sepiarium. Each specific
marker identified isolates of its respective target species. Cross reaction with ‘foreign’ fungi was
the exception. Species detection from rot samples in buildings was possible, since DNA from contaminating
organisms does not response to the marker molecules. The diagnosis was rapid, since preceding
fungal pure cultures, special DNA extraction/purification and restriction by endonucleases are not
required.
Microdistribution of Some Copper and Zinc Containing Waterborne and Organic Solvent Wood Preservatives in Spruce Wood Cell Walls
Authors: Petrič Marko , Murphy Richard J. , Morris Ian 
Published: October 2004

Summary
The microdistribution of copper and zinc in the cell walls of spruce wood treated with water borne copper
chloride, ammoniacal copper octanoate, ammoniacal zinc octanoate and with copper carboxylates dissolved
in an organic solvent was studied using transmission electron microscopy with X-ray microanalysis.
The highest content of copper and zinc was measured in cell corners and middle lamellae, that
is in the constituents with the highest proportions of lignin. The same feature was observed also in the
case of copper carboxylates dissolved in white spirit. On the basis of these results it was presumed that,
within wood, lignin functional groups are preferential adsorption sites for transition metal ions irrespective
of the carrier solvent.
Compressive Creep of Wood under High Temperature Steam
Authors: Dwianto W. , Morooka T. , Norimoto M. 
Published: October 2004

Summary
Creep compliance curves in the radial compression were measured under steam for sugi (Cryptomeria
japonica D. Don) at temperatures up to 200°C. The creep compliance curves for 30 min (I) and those
with pre-steaming for 30 min (II) were well connected at 30 min when the structural changes due to the
degradation of hemicelluloses or the decomposition of lignin as well as hemicelluloses occurred. However,
the creep curves (I) at 30 min differed markedly from creep curves (II) when the structural changes
due to the increase in regularity of crystalline lattice spacing of the microfibrils or the formation of cross-linkages
between the cell wall polymers occurred. It was concluded that two kinds of structural changes
could be detected well by creep measurement.
Effect of Lignocellulosic Materials on the Properties of Thermoplastic Polymer/Wood Composites
Authors: Takatani M. , Ito H. , Ohsugi S. , Kitayama T. , Saegusa M. , Kawai S. , Okamoto T. 
Published: October 2004

Summary
The effect of lignocellulosic materials on the board performance of thermoplastic polymer/wood composites
was examined by using soft wood flours of 20 mesh- and 120 mesh-pass, steam-exploded beech flour, and
two kinds of thermoplastic polymers, polyvinyl chloride and polystyrene. Steam-exploded wood flour was
found to be one of the best lignocellulosic materials in terms of fracture strength and water resistance of the
composite board. The properties of the composites are dependent not only on the lignocellulosic materials and
polymers, but also on the average size of wood flour. Generally, a flour of 120 mesh pass gave composites of
better performance than that of 20 mesh pass, but the tendency was reversed when steam-exploded beech flour
was used.
A New Air Dehydration Process for Wood Dryers. Part II. Elimination of Organic Compounds
Authors: Chrusciel L. , Mougel E. , Zoulalian A. 
Published: October 2004

Summary
In this second part of the study, the ability of the dehydration unit to fix the organic compounds released
by wood is evaluated in the particular case of green fir drying at 70° C. The organic compounds are condensed
in a bubbling device and analysed with a flame ionisation detector. From these analysis are
deduced the mass fraction of organic compounds in the gas phase, the mass flow rate of these compounds
released by wood and the one absorbed by TEG. These last results permit to define an equivalent efficiency
of the absorber to capture organic compounds present in the drying air.
Spontaneous Withdrawal from the Triazolobenzodiazepine Alprazolam Increases Cortical Corticotropin-Releasing Factor mRNA Expression
Authors: Skelton Kelly H. , Nemeroff Charles B. , Owens Michael J. 
Published: October 2004

Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) is the major physiologic regulator of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and plays a key role in coordinating the mammalian stress response. Substantial data implicates hyperactivity of CRF neuronal systems in the pathophysiology of depression and anxiety disorders. Enhanced CRF expression, release, and function have also been demonstrated during acute withdrawal from several drugs of abuse.Previous studies revealed that chronic administration of the anxiolytic alprazolam reduced indices of CRF and CRF1receptor function. Conversely, measures of urocortin I and CRF2receptor function were increased. To further scrutinize these findings, we sought to determine whether CRF neuronal systems are activated during spontaneous withdrawal from the triazolobenzodiazepine alprazolam in dependent rats and to characterize the time course, extent, and regional specificity of the patterns of activation. After 14 d of alprazolam administration (90 mg · kg-1· d-1), spontaneous withdrawal produced activation of the HPA axis, as well as suppression of food intake and weight loss that peaked 24-48 hr after withdrawal. Remarkably, CRF mRNA expression in the cerebral cortex was markedly (>300%) increased over the same time period. Other indices of CRF-CRF1and urocortin I-CRF2Afunction, altered by chronic alprazolam treatment as previously described, returned to pretreatment levels over 96 hr. The physiologic significance of this dramatic induction of cortical CRF mRNA expression, as well as whether this occurs during withdrawal from other drugs of abuse is yet to be determined. The marked increase in CRFergic neurotransmission is hypothesized to play a major role in benzodiazepine withdrawal.
Ultraviolet Wavelength Dependence of Photomorphological and Photosynthetic Responses in Brassica napus and Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Gerhardt Karen E. , Wilson Michael I. , Greenberg Bruce M. 
Published: October 2004

ABSTRACTAmong the photomorphological responses in plants induced by ultraviolet‐B radiation (UVB; 290 nm–320 nm) are leaf asymmetry, leaf thickening and cotyledon curling. We constructed an action spectrum of cotyledon curling in light‐grown Brassica napus to characterize the UVB photoreceptor that initiates this response. Cotyledon curling was also characterized in Arabidopsis thaliana. Peak efficiency for this response occurred between 285 and 290 nm. Additionally, UVB‐induced changes in epidermal cells from A. thaliana cotyledons were assessed because they are the likely site of UVB photoreception that leads to curling. Investigation of cellular structure, chlorophyll a fluorescence and chlorophyll concentration indicated that cotyledon curling is not concomitant with gross cellular damage or inhibition of photosynthesis, which only occurred in response to wavelengths <280 nm. Many UVB effects are apparently an indirect consequence of UVB radiation, dependent on UVB‐mediated increases in reactive oxygen species (ROS) that either act as a signal in the UVB transduction pathway or cause oxidative damage. The cotyledon curling response was impeded by ascorbate and cystine, ROS scavengers and was promoted by H2O2, a ROS. We suggest that following absorption by a UVB chromophore, ROS are generated via photosensitization, ultimately leading to cotyledon curling.