bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Deamination of adenosine by extracts of Penicillium politans NRC‐510
Authors: Elshafei Ali M. , Mohamed Latifa A. , Ali Nadia H. 
Published: April 2005

AbstractCell‐free extracts of nitrate‐grown Penicillium politans NRC‐510 could catalyze the hydrolytic deamination of adenosine to inosine maximally at pH 6.0 and 45 °C. However the same extracts could not catalyze the N‐glycosidic bond cleavage of adenosine at pH 4.0, 6.0 and 8.0. Incubation of the extracts at 55 °C for 30 minutes caused about 31% loss in activity whereas incubation of the extracts at 60 °C for 15 minutes caused a complete loss of enzyme activity. Results indicated the absence of the involvement of sulfhydryl groups in the catalytic site of adenosine deaminase. The enzyme is inhibited by ethylene diamine tetraacetate indicating that adenosine deaminase is a metalloenzyme. MnCl2 and MgCl2 had a remarkable activating effect, whereas HgCl2, CaCl2 and ZnSO4 showed an inhibitory effect on enzyme activity. Dialyzing the extracts for 24 hours significantly increase deaminase activity by about 33%. The apparent Km value was calculated for adenosine and found to be 3.63 × 10–3 M, which indicates high affinity of adenosine deaminase for its substrate adenosine. (© 2005 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
δ‐Aminolevulinic acid biosynthesis in Ustilago maydis
Authors: Schneegurt Mark A. 
Published: April 2005

AbstractA biosynthetic precursor of tetrapyrroles, δ‐aminolevulinic acid (ALA), can be formed via two pathways: enzymatic condensation of glycine and succinyl‐CoA by ALA synthase in animal mitochondria and some fungi, and the C5 pathway converting glutamate to ALA in plants, algae, archaea, and most bacteria. The two pathways are distinguishable using specifically radiolabeled compounds. The C1 of glutamate is lost during conversion to succinate in the TCA cycle, and the C2 of glycine is lost during conversion to acetyl‐CoA on the way to glutamate. Desalted high‐speed supernatants of Ustilago maydis sporidia extracts were assayed using specifically radiolabeled substrates. A significant amount of radiolabel was incorporated into ALA from 2‐[14C]glycine. No radiolabel was incorporated into ALA from 1‐[14C]glutamate. These results indicate that the basidiomycete yeast, Ustilago maydis, has active ALA synthase. (© 2005 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
The oxidative stress response of the yeast Candida intermedia to copper, zinc, and selenium exposure
Authors: Fujs Štefan , Gazdag Zoltán , Poljšak Borut , Stibilj Vekoslava , Milačič Radmila , Pesti Miklós , Raspor Peter , Batič Martin 
Published: April 2005

AbstractThe yeast Candida intermedia, as a model organism, was used to examine the links between the metal ions exposure, reactive oxygen species generation and oxidative stress response. To estimate intracellular peroxide and superoxide levels, the fluorescence indicators dihydrorhodamine 123 and dihydroethidium were used, respectively. Antioxidant defence systems were investigated by measuring the activity of catalase, glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase and the content of reduced glutathione. Altered superoxide, peroxide, glutathione levels, and the catalase activity were perceived after the treatment with copper. In the samples treated with selenium and zinc the altered peroxide and superoxide levels, and the glutathione peroxidase activity were perceived. The results indicate that the tolerance of the yeast C. intermedia to different metal ions was correlated with the reactive oxygen species generation in the cells and with the efficiency of antioxidative defence systems. (© 2005 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Properties of a thermostable extracellular lipase from Bacillus megaterium AKG‐1
Authors: Sekhon Anurag , Dahiya Neetu , Tiwari Ram P. , Hoondal Gurinder S. 
Published: April 2005

AbstractAn extracellular lipase isolated from Bacillus megaterium AKG‐1 had an optimum activity at 55 °C/pH 7.0. It retained 100% activity at 50 °C for 30 min with a half life of 30 min at 70 °C. A 20–70% increase in lipase activity was observed in presence of acetone (20% v/v), DMSO (20% v/v) and isopropanol (10% v/v). The enzyme activity was 92, 98 and 107% after 24 h, on treatment with 10% (v/v) acetone, benzene and isopropanol respectively. Deoxycholic acid, sodium deoxycholate, lithocholic acid, rhamnolipid, Brij 52 and cholic acid stimulated the lipase activity by 76, 36, 24, 24, 23.6 and 13%, respectively. Addition of reducing agents like sodium sulphite, sodium metabisulphite and L‐cysteine‐HCl, at 10 mM concentration stimulated lipase activity by 127, 146 and 150% respectively. The lipase appeared to show enantioselectivity in hydrolyzing racemic 3‐acetoxy‐β‐lactam as it hydrolyzed only the (+) enantiomer. (© 2005 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Sensitivity of different Zygomycetes to the Penicillium chrysogenum antifungal protein (PAF)
Authors: Galgóczy László , Papp Tamás , Leiter Éva , Marx Florentine , Pócsi István , Vágvölgyi Csaba 
Published: April 2005

AbstractThe effects of the Penicillium. chrysogenum low molecular mass antifungal protein (PAF) on selected fungal species belonging in the Zygomycetes were investigated. A total of 21 fungal isolates from 15 different genera (Absidia, Actinomucor, Cokeromyces, Gilbertella, Micromucor, Mortierella, Mucor, Mycotypha, Rhizomucor, Rhizopus, Saksenaea, Syncephalastrum, Thamnostylum, Umbelopsis and Zygorhynchus) were tested. The inhibitory potentials of PAF at 50 µg ml–1 on the germination of the sporangiospores and at 6.25–50 µg ml–1 on the hyphal extension were examined on different culture media. From among the fungi regarded as opportunistic human and/or animal pathogens, PAF exhibited inhibitory effects against Absidia, Mortierella, Rhizomucor and Rhizopus species. (© 2005 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Export channel dynamics: an empirical investigation
Authors: Benito Gabriel R.G. , Pedersen Torben , Petersen Bent 
Published: April 2005

AbstractWe investigate the dynamics of export channel arrangements by modelling foreign operation method decisions as the interplay between factors that motivate switches and factors that deter them. Our model extends previous analyses by looking simultaneously at (1) no change of channel arrangement, (2) replacements of foreign intermediaries (within‐mode shifts), and (3) integration of the sales function abroad (between‐mode shifts). We use a multinomial logit model on longitudinal data from a sample of Danish exporters that had entered foreign markets through intermediaries. The results suggest that the decision to carry out within‐mode shifts (i.e. to replace an existing intermediary) is driven by a different set of factors than the decision to switch to another foreign operation mode (i.e. to in‐house operations). Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Analysis of aberrant somatic hypermutation (SHM) in non‐Hodgkin's lymphomas of patients with chronic HCV infection
Authors: Libra Massimo , Capello Daniela , Gloghini Annunziata , Laura Pasqualucci , Berra Eva , Cerri Michaela , Gasparotto Daniela , Franca Stivala , De Re Valli , Gaidano Gianluca , Carbone Antonino 
Published: April 2005

AbstractHepatitis C virus (HCV) and aberrant somatic hypermutation (SHM) have each been suggested to contribute to the development of B‐cell non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). The incidence of PIM‐1, PAX‐5, RhoH/TTF, and c‐MYC mutations in tumour biopsy specimens from 32 HCV‐infected B‐cell NHL patients was analysed to determine whether the extent of aberrant SHM among these patients differed from that previously reported for HCV‐negative B‐cell NHL patients. Mutation of PIM‐1, PAX‐5, RhoH/TTF, and c‐MYC was detected in 4 (13%), 5 (16%), 4 (13%), and 4 (13%) of 32 samples, respectively. In HCV‐positive B‐cell NHL patients, the frequency of aberrant SHM was lower than that already found in HCV‐negative B‐cell NHL patients. This indicates that, unlike B‐cell lymphomas from HCV‐negative patients, aberrant SHM may not contribute significantly to malignant transformation in HCV‐associated B‐cell lymphomas. Copyright © 2005 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Expression profiling of murine intestinal adenomas reveals early deregulation of multiple matrix metalloproteinase (Mmp) genes
Authors: Martinez Cristina , Bhattacharya Sumit , Freeman Tom , Churchman Michael , Ilyas Mohammad 
Published: April 2005

AbstractInitiation of intestinal tumours occurs as a consequence of aberrant Wnt signalling. This causes altered expression of a number of genes which provides the mechanistic basis of neoplastic change in normal epithelium. In order to identify these genes, expression profiles of normal intestinal mucosa and intestinal adenomas from multiple intestinal neoplasia (Min) mice were compared. A total of 116 genes were found to show significant changes in expression in adenomas compared with normal mucosa. Functional classification of these genes clearly identified the biological processes of cellular adhesion and matrix remodelling to be profoundly affected. Notably, three members of the matrix metalloproteinase (Mmp) gene family (Mmp10, Mmp13, and Mmp14) were consistently up‐regulated in tumour tissue. To extend these data, expression of 17 Mmp genes was defined using quantitative reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction (Q‐RT‐PCR). Several Mmp genes were profoundly up‐regulated and every tumour showed overexpression of at least four Mmp genes. These results underscore the probable importance of interactions between the intestinal epithelium and stroma in early tumour development. Furthermore, the inferred role of Mmps at the adenomatous stage of tumourigenesis suggests that this may represent the optimal therapeutic window for the use of Mmp antagonists as anti‐cancer agents. Copyright © 2005 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Differential expression and response to anti‐TNFα treatment of infiltrating versus resident tissue macrophage subsets in autoimmune arthritis
Authors: De Rycke Leen , Baeten Dominique , Foell Dirk , Kruithof Elli , Veys Eric M , Roth Johannes , De Keyser Filip 
Published: April 2005

AbstractSynovial macrophages play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of chronic autoimmune arthritis by contributing to local inflammation and tissue damage and are therefore a primary target for therapeutic intervention. The aim of the present study was to investigate in more detail the relative contribution of different synovial macrophage subsets with potentially different inflammatory or anti‐inflammatory functions by analysing the two most frequent forms of human autoimmune arthritis, spondyloarthropathy (SpA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Both infiltrating macrophages from peripheral blood expressing myeloid‐related proteins (MRP) 8 and 14, and resident tissue macrophages expressing CD163 were abundant in inflamed synovium. Whereas the global number of synovial macrophages was similar in both diseases, infiltrating macrophages were increased in the RA lining layer in contrast with resident tissue macrophages, which were more frequently observed in SpA. Soluble MRP8/MRP14 complexes, which were secreted locally in the joint during the infiltration process, were increased in the serum of arthritis patients and, in contrast with soluble CD163 shed from resident tissue macrophages, correlated well with global inflammatory parameters. Treatment in vivo with anti‐TNFα had a rapid and pronounced effect on the infiltration of MRP‐positive macrophages into tissues, as evidenced by histopathological analysis and serum MRP8/MRP14 levels. Taken together, these data support an important role for infiltrating versus resident tissue macrophages in human autoimmune synovitis and indicate that macrophage products such as soluble MRP8/MRP14 complexes are valuable biomarkers for the experimental and clinical monitoring of specific disease mechanisms in vivo. Copyright © 2005 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Linear viscoelastic properties of high‐density polyethylene/polyamide‐6 blends extruded in the presence of ultrasonic oscillations
Authors: Li Jiang , Liang Mei , Guo Shaoyun , Kuthanová Vanda , Hausnerová Berenika 
Published: April 2005

AbstractBlends of high‐density polyethylene (HDPE) and polyamide‐6 (PA6) were produced by ultrasonic extrusion. Ultrasonic irradiation leads to degradation of polymers and in situ compatibilization of blends as confirmed by variations in linear viscoelastic properties. The results showed that the effect of ultrasonic irradiation on dynamic rheological properties depends on the composition and experimental temperature. At the same time, the relationship between storage modulus and loss modulus indicated the effect of ultrasonic irradiation on compatibility of HDPE/PA6 blends. Based on an emulsion model, the interfacial tension between the matrix and the dispersed phase was predicted. The data obtained showed that ultrasonic irradiation can decrease the interfacial tension and then enhance the compatibility of HDPE/PA6 blends. This finding was consistent with our previous work. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 43: 1260–1269, 2005
Professional preparation of individuals who provide genetic counseling services
Authors: James Delores C. S. , Crandall Lee A. , Rienzo Barbara A. , Trottier Ralph W. 
Published: April 2005

AbstractAn unprecedented increase has occurred in demand for genetic counseling services during the current decade. This study examined the complex issue of who currently provides genetic counseling services and the professional preparation of these personnel. A self‐administered questionnaire was mailed to 325 genetic counseling professionals in the southeastern United States who were members of the Southeast Regional Genetics Group (SERGG), National Society of Genetic Counselors, or American Society of Human Genetics States; 204 completed the questionnaire (63%). Seventy percent of respondents were female and 30% were male. Thirty percent of respondents held MD degrees; nine physicians held PhD degrees. Most physicians were male. Thirty‐two percent of respondents held master's degrees in genetic counseling; five counselors held PhD degrees. Twenty‐three percent of respondents were nurses; eight nurses held master's degrees. Three percent of respondents were social workers. Individuals with other degrees, such as an associate of science in medical technology and a doctoral degree in education, also provided genetic counseling. Genetic counseling typically involved a team effort, consisting mainly of physicians and genetic counselors. Most respondents reported college coursework in human genetics, supervised training, and seminar/workshop training. Thirty percent reported college coursework in counseling techniques, supervised training, and seminar/workshop training. Policy recommendations are offered concerning professional preparation of genetic counselors.
STATUTE NOTE
Authors: Coldham Simon 
Published: April 2005

LAND ACQUISITION AMENDMENT ACT, 2000 (ZIMBABWE)Since Zimbabwe became independent in 1980 the issue of land reform and,
in particular, the issue of land acquisition and redistribution has seldom been
off the political agenda. For the first ten years of independence there were
constitutional constraints on the acquisition of land for resettlement purposes,
but the National Land Policy of 1990 set out plans for an accelerated programme
of resettlement. In order to achieve its ambitious targets the government of
Zimbabwe saw the need to strengthen its powers of compulsory acquisition both
by amending section 16 of the Constitution (which provided strong protection
against the compulsory acquisition of property) and by enacting the Land
Acquisition Act to provide a statutory basis for the new policy. These reforms
were extremely controversial both inside and outside the country and a clause
excluding the right to fair compensation for expropriated land was dropped
partly in response to international pressure.
Bacteria harnessing complexity
Authors: Jacob E. Ben , Aharonov Y. , Shapira Y. 
Published: April 2005

The study of bacterial colonies is a crucial step towards understanding biofilms. We review some of the exciting discoveries about bacterial self-organization that might shed new light on biocomplexity in general and biofilms in particular. This review is aimed at researchers from different disciplines – microbiology, biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics and computer science. To make the presentation comprehensible we have avoided the use of specialized terminology of the different disciplines and limited the experimental and computational details.Bacteria can self-organize into hierarchically structured colonies of 109 to 1012 bacteria, each utilizing a great variety of biochemical communication agents, such as simple molecules, polymers, peptides, complex proteins, genetic material and also “cassettes of genetic information” such as plasmids and viruses. Bacteria use their intracellular flexibility, involving signal transduction networks and genomic plasticity, to collectively maintain self and shared interpretations of chemical cues, exchange of meaning-bearing chemical messages, and dialogues. The meaning-based communication permits the formation of colonial intentional behavior, purposeful alteration of colony structure and decision-making – features we might begin to associate with bacterial social intelligence. Such social intelligence, should it exist, would require going beyond communication to encompass additional intracellular processes, as yet unknown, for generating inheritable colonial memory and commonly shared genomic context.
Novel type of Gq/11 protein‐coupled neurosteroid receptor sensitive to endocrine disrupting chemicals in mast cell line (RBL‐2H3)
Authors: Mizota Kaori , Yoshida Akira , Uchida Hitoshi , Fujita Ryousuke , Ueda Hiroshi 
Published: April 2005

Agonistic neurosteroids, including pregnenolone, dehydroepiandrosterone and its sulfate (DHEAS), caused rapid degranulation in measurements of β‐hexosaminidase (β‐HEX) release from a mast cell line, RBL‐2H3. This degranulation was blocked by BSA‐conjugated progesterone (PROG‐BSA) or 17β‐estradiol, both of which are antagonistic neurosteroids.
DHEAS‐induced β‐HEX release was blocked by U‐73122 or xestospongin C, but not by PTX or EGTA. DHEAS‐induced β‐HEX release was also abolished by Gq/11‐AS, but not by Gq/11‐MS. Pharmacological analyses revealed that the neurosteroids stimulated a putative membrane receptor through activation of the novel Gq/11 and phospholipase C.
While representative endocrine‐disrupting chemicals (EDCs) did not show any degranulation or nocifensive actions by themselves, they blocked the DHEAS‐induced degranulation.
The binding of a PROG‐BSA‐fluorescein isothiocyanate conjugate (PROG‐BSA‐FITC) to cells was inhibited by neurosteroids and EDCs.
In the algogenic‐induced biting and licking responses test, DHEAS caused agonistic nocifensive actions in a dose‐dependent manner between 1 and 10 fmol (i.pl.). DHEAS‐induced nocifensive actions were abolished by PROG‐BSA or nonylphenol.
Taken together, these results suggest that a Gq/11‐coupled neurosteroid receptor may regulate the neuroimmunological activity related to sensory stimulation and that some EDCs have antagonistic actions for this receptor.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2005) 145, 545–550. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0706213
Lutein transport by Caco-2 TC-7 cells occurs partly by a facilitated process involving the scavenger receptor class B type I (SR-BI)
Authors: REBOUL Emmanuelle , ABOU Lydia , MIKAIL Céline , GHIRINGHELLI Odette , ANDRÉ Marc , PORTUGAL Henri , JOURDHEUIL-RAHMANI Dominique , AMIOT Marie-Josèphe , LAIRON Denis , BOREL Patrick 
Published: April 2005

The carotenoid lutein is thought to play a role in the human eye and to protect against age-related macular degeneration. Lutein transport in the human intestine has not been characterized. We examined lutein transport processes using Caco-2 TC-7 monolayers as a model for human intestinal epithelium. Purified lutein was mixed with phospholipids, lysophospholipids, cholesterol, mono-olein, oleic acid and taurocholate to obtain lutein-rich mixed micelles that mimicked those found under physiological conditions. The micelles were added to the apical side of Caco-2 TC-7 cell monolayers for 30 min or 3 h at 37 °C. Absorbed lutein, i.e. the sum of lutein recovered in the scraped cells and in the basolateral chamber, was quantified by HPLC. Transport rate was measured (i) as a function of time (from 15 to 60 min), (ii) as a function of micellar lutein concentration (from 1.5 to 15 μM), (iii) at 4 °C, (iv) in the basolateral to apical direction, (v) after trypsin pretreatment, (vi) in the presence of β-carotene and/or lycopene, (vii) in the presence of increasing concentrations of antibody against SR-BI (scavenger receptor class B type 1) and (viii) in the presence of increasing concentrations of a chemical inhibitor of the selective transfer of lipids mediated by SR-BI, i.e. BLT1 (blocks lipid transport 1). The rate of transport of lutein as a function of time and as a function of concentration was saturable. It was significantly lower at 4 °C than at 37 °C (approx. 50%), in the basal to apical direction than in the opposite direction (approx. 85%), and after trypsin pretreatment (up to 45%). Co-incubation with β-carotene, but not lycopene, decreased the lutein absorption rate (approx. 20%) significantly. Anti-SR-BI antibody and BLT1 significantly impaired the absorption rate (approx. 30% and 57% respectively). Overall, these results indicate that lutein absorption is, at least partly, protein-mediated and that some lutein is taken up through SR-BI.
Functional studies of the 5′-untranslated region of human 5-HT4 receptor mRNA
Authors: MAILLET Marjorie , GASTINEAU Monique , BOCHET Pascal , ASSELIN-LABAT Marie-Liesse , MOREL Eric , LAVERRIÈRE Jean-Noël , LOMPRÉ Anne-Marie , FISCHMEISTER Rodolphe , LEZOUALC'H Frank 
Published: April 2005

The serotonin 5-HT4 receptor (where 5-HT stands for 5-hydroxy-tryptamine) is a member of the seven transmembrane-spanning G-protein-coupled family of receptors and mediates many cellular functions both in the central nervous system and at the periphery. In the present study, we isolated and characterized the 5′-flanking region of the h5-HT4 (human 5-HT4) receptor. We demonstrate the existence of a novel exon that corresponds to the 5′-untranslated region of the h5-HT4 receptor gene. RNase protection analysis and reverse transcriptase–PCR experiments performed on human atrial RNA demonstrated that the major transcription start site of the h5-HT4 receptor gene is located at −3185 bp relative to the first ATG codon. In addition, a 1.2 kb promoter fragment which drives the transcription of the 5-HT4 receptor was characterized. The promoter region lacks TATA and CAAT canonical motifs in the appropriate location, but contains putative binding sites for several transcription factors. Transient transfection assays revealed that the (−3299/−3050) gene fragment possesses the ability to promote the expression of the luciferase reporter gene in human cell lines. In contrast, the promoter was silent in monkey COS-7 cells, indicating the requirement of specific factors to initiate transcription in human cells. In addition to the promoter element, enhancer activity was found in a region (−220/−61) located in the long 5′-untranslated region. Mutational analysis, gel shift and transfection assays identified an Nkx2.5 (NK2-transcription-factor-related 5)-like binding site as a regulatory sequence of this enhancer. Our results suggest a complex regulation of the h5-HT4 receptor gene expression involving distinct promoters and non-coding exons.