bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Peptidergic innervation of the vasoconstrictor muscle of the abdominal aorta inAplysia kurodai
Authors: Sasaki Kosei , Morishita Fumihiro , Furukawa Yasuo 
Published: November 2004

SUMMARYThe arterial system of the marine mollusc Aplysia consists of three major arteries. One of them, the abdominal aorta, has a sphincter (the vasoconstrictor muscle) at the base of the artery. Contraction of this muscle reduces the blood flow into the abdominal aorta, thereby, playing a role in the regulation of the blood distribution in Aplysia. Here, we show the contractility of the vasoconstrictor muscle is modulated by three types of endogenous peptides, Aplysia mytilus inhibitory peptide-related peptides (AMRP), enterin and NdWFamide. Immunohistochemistry showed that putative neuronal processes containing the three peptides exist in the vasoconstrictor muscle. Enterin inhibited the muscle contraction elicited by the nerve stimulation or the application of a putative excitatory transmitter,acetylcholine (ACh). Enterin hyperpolarized the resting potential of the muscle and decreased the amplitude of the excitatory junction potential (EJP). AMRP also inhibited the nerve-evoked contraction although its action on the ACh-induced contraction was variable. AMRP also reduced the size of EJP, but had no effect on the resting potential of the muscle. NdWFamide enhanced the nerve-evoked contraction but not the ACh-induced contraction. NdWFamide augmented EJP without affecting the resting potential of the muscle. These results suggest that AMRP, enterin and NdWFamide are endogenous modulators of the contractile activity of the vasoconstrictor muscle, and that the peptidergic innervations of this muscle contribute to fine tuning of the blood distribution in Aplysia.
Floral scents induce recall of navigational and visual memories in honeybees
Authors: Reinhard Judith , Srinivasan Mandyam V. , Guez David , Zhang Shaowu W. 
Published: November 2004

SUMMARYDuring foraging flights, honeybees learn visual and chemical cues associated with a food source. We investigated whether learned olfactory cues can trigger visual and navigational memories in honeybees that assist them in navigating back to a known food source. In a series of experiments, marked bees were trained to forage at one or more sugar water feeders, placed at different outdoor locations and carrying different scents or colours. We then tested the ability of these bees to recall the locations (or colours) of these food sites and to fly to them, when the training scents were blown into the hive, and the scents and food at the feeders were removed. The results show that (1) bees, trained to a single-scented feeder at a given location, can be induced to fly to the same location by blowing the scent into the hive; (2)bees, trained to two feeders, each placed at a different location and carrying a different scent, can be induced to fly to either location by blowing the appropriate scent into the hive; and (3) bees, trained to two feeders, each decorated with a different colour and carrying a different scent, can be induced to find a feeder of either colour by blowing the appropriate scent into the hive. Thus, familiar scents can trigger navigational and visual memories in experienced bees. Our findings suggest that the odour and taste of the nectar samples that are distributed by successful foragers on returning to the hive, may trigger recall of navigational memories associated with the food site in experienced recruits and, thus, facilitate their navigation back to the site.
Optimized Spectrophotometric Assay for the Completely Activated Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Complex in Fibroblasts
Authors: Schwab Marina A , Kölker Stefan , van den Heuvel Lambert P , Sauer Sven , Wolf Nicole I , Rating Dietz , Hoffmann Georg F , Smeitink Jan AM , Okun Jürgen G 
Published: November 2004

AbstractBackground: Analysis of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDHc) activity in human skin fibroblasts is hampered by low enzyme activity in the cells. The most commonly used radiochemical method detects the formation of 14CO2, an endproduct of the E1 component of PDHc, from [1-14C]pyruvate.Methods: We report a spectrophotometric method for the analysis of PDHc activity in fibroblasts based on detection of NADH formation via a p-iodonitrotetrazolium violet (INT)-coupled system. We investigated in detail the specific requirements of this assay, such as cofactor requirements and the effects of suggested stimulatory compounds and different cell disruption procedures. The reliability of the optimized assay was studied by investigation of patients previously diagnosed with PDHc deficiency and by comparison with results from the radiochemical method.Results: Mean (SD) total PDHc activities were 136 (31) and 58 (21) mU/U of citrate synthase in fibroblast homogenates from 10 healthy volunteers and 7 PDHc-deficient patients, respectively, by the spectrophotometric assay. Similar results were obtained in a mitochondrial fraction. Dithiothreitol (DTT) increased the nonspecific inhibitor-insensitive rate with less pronounced effect on the specific rate of PDHc activity. Administration of DTT increased PDHc activity to 193 (3)% of control activity (without DTT), but decreased the inhibitor-sensitive rate from 99 (0.3)% (without DTT) to 69 (2)% (with 0.3 mmol/L DTT).Conclusion: The simple, optimized spectrophotometric assay for PDHc analysis allows reliable investigation of the enzyme complex in human skin fibroblasts.
Enhancement of Sensitivity and Resolution of Surface-Enhanced Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometric Records for Serum Peptides Using Time-Series Analysis Techniques
Authors: Malyarenko Dariya I , Cooke William E , Adam Bao-Ling , Malik Gunjan , Chen Haijian , Tracy Eugene R , Trosset Michael W , Sasinowski Maciek , Semmes O John , Manos Dennis M 
Published: November 2004

AbstractBackground: Measurement of peptide/protein concentrations in biological samples for biomarker discovery commonly uses high-sensitivity mass spectrometers with a surface-processing procedure to concentrate the important peptides. These time-of-flight (TOF) instruments typically have low mass resolution and considerable electronic noise associated with their detectors. The net result is unnecessary overlapping of peaks, apparent mass jitter, and difficulty in distinguishing mass peaks from background noise. Many of these effects can be reduced by processing the signal using standard time-series background subtraction, calibration, and filtering techniques.Methods: Surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization (SELDI) spectra were acquired on a PBS II instrument from blank, hydrophobic, and IMAC-Cu ProteinChip® arrays (Ciphergen Biosystems, Inc.) incubated with calibration peptide mixtures or pooled serum. TOF data were recorded after single and multiple laser shots at different positions. Correlative analysis was used for time-series calibration. Target filters were used to suppress noise and enhance resolution after baseline removal and noise rescaling.Results: The developed algorithms compensated for the electronic noise attributable to detector overload, removed the baseline caused by charge accumulation, detected and corrected mass peak jitter, enhanced signal amplitude at higher masses, and improved the resolution by using a deconvolution filter.Conclusions: These time-series techniques, when applied to SELDI-TOF data before any peak identification procedure, can improve the data to make the peak identification process simpler and more robust. These improvements may be applicable to most TOF instrumentation that uses analog (rather than counting) detectors.
Coordinate expression of the Porphyromonas gingivalis lysine-specific gingipain proteinase, Kgp, arginine-specific gingipain proteinase, RgpA, and the heme/hemoglobin receptor, HmuR
Authors: Liu Xinyan , Sroka Aneta , Potempa Jan , Genco Caroline Attardo 
Published: November 2004

AbstractHeme utilization inPorphyromonas gingivalisrequires the participation of an outer membrane hemin/hemoglobin receptor, HmuR, the lysine-specific gingipain proteinase (Kgp) and arginine-specific gingipain proteinase (Rgp). In this study, the expression ofhmuR,kgpandrgpAgenes in response to growth with different heme sources was examined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunoassay. Coordinate regulation ofhmuR,kgpandrgpAgene expression was evaluated through utilization ofP. gingivalis hmuRandkgpmutants or by selective inactivation of proteinases with Kgp- and Rgp-specific inhibitors. We observed that expression of thekgpandrgpAgenes was not tightly regulated by heme, but rather by the growth phase. In contrast, expression of thehmuRgene was negatively regulated by heme, while growth ofP. gingivaliswith human serum resulted in increasedhmuRexpression. AP. gingivalis kgpisogenic mutant demonstrated significantly increasedhmuRgene expression, and inactivation of Kgp and Rgp activity by specific inhibitors up-regulatedhmuRgene transcription. Moreover, inactivation of Kgp up-regulatedrgpAtranscription. Finally, aP. gingivalis hmuRmutant exhibited repressedkgpgene expression and lysine-specific proteinase activity. Collectively, these results indicate thatkgp,rgpAandhmuRgene transcription is coordinately regulated and may facilitate greater efficiency of heme utilization inP. gingivalis.
Genetic characterization of staphopain genes in Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Golonka Ewa , Filipek Renata , Sabat Artur , Sinczak Anna , Potempa Jan 
Published: November 2004

AbstractStaphylococcus aureus, a leading cause of bacterial infections in humans, is endowed with a wealth of virulence factors that contribute to the disease process. Several extracellular proteolytic enzymes, including cysteine proteinases referred to as the staphopains (staphopain A, encoded by thescpAgene, and staphopain B, encoded bysspB), have proposed roles for staphylococcal virulence. Here we present data regarding the distribution, copy number and genetic variability of the genes encoding the staphopains in a large number ofS. aureusstrains. The polymorphism of thescpAandsspBgenes in three laboratory strains and 126 clinical isolates was analyzed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). Both genes were detected in all isolates by PCR amplification and, based on the PCR-RFLP patterns, classified as four types forscpAand six types forsspB. Those with the most divergent patterns were subjected to DNA sequencing and compared with genomic sequence data for the seven available strains ofS. aureus. Southern blot analysis of thescpAandsspBsequences indicates that they are strongly conserved as single-copy genes in the genome of eachS. aureusstrain investigated. Taken together, these data suggest that the staphopains have important housekeeping and/or virulence functions, and therefore may constitute an interesting target for the development of therapeutic inhibitors for the treatment of staphylococcal diseases.
Lipopolysaccharide binding of an exchangeable apolipoprotein, apolipophorin III, from Galleria mellonella
Authors: Pratt Cindy C. , Weers Paul M.M. 
Published: November 2004

AbstractA new role of apolipophorin III (apoLp-III) as an immune activator has emerged recently. To gain insight into this novel function, the interaction of apoLp-III with lipopoly-saccharide (LPS) was investigated. ApoLp-III fromGalleria mellonellawas incubated with LPS fromEscherichia coliO55:B5, and analyzed by non-denaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE). Protein staining showed that apoLp-III mobility was significantly reduced. In addition, silver and LPS fluorescent staining demonstrated that LPS mobility was increased upon incubation with apoLp-III. This result suggests association of apoLp-III with LPS. Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) PAGE analysis showed decreased apoLp-III mobility upon LPS addition, indicative of LPS apoLp-III interaction in the presence of SDS. The unique tyrosine residue that resides in apoLp-III was used to provide additional evidence for LPS binding interaction. In the absence of LPS, apoLp-III tyrosine fluorescence was relatively low. However, LPS addition resulted in a progressive increase in the fluorescence intensity, indicating tertiary rearrangement in the environment of tyrosine 142 upon LPS interaction. Other well-characterized apoLp-IIIs were also examined for LPS binding.Manduca sexta,Bombyx moriandLocusta migratoriaapoLp-III were all able to interact with LPS. The ability of apoLp-III to form complexes with LPS supports the proposed role of apoLp-III in innate immunity.
Little Theories and Big Problems: Chicago Sociology and Ethnic Conflicts*
Authors: Deutscher Irwin 
Published: November 2004

Since this society is oriented toward a specific theory, I thought I ought to say something about theories in general and our little theory in particular. Let me get that off of my chest. I am not overly fond of terms like “theory” and “theorist,” both of which seem to suggest the importance of the person who claims the identity more than anything else. They are pompous terms. To the extent that we are thoughtful about what we are doing and how we are going about it, all sociologists are theorists and methodologists. But if that is all we are, then we are literally people of no substance. We have no substantial knowledge of or concern for the empirical world. The little theory we share is extraordinarily empirical. It is, as one of its most prominent practitioners called it, a “grounded theory” (Glaser and Strauss 1967).I confess that several years after receiving my degree I had no real sense of what symbolic interaction was and how it might differ from other theoretical orientations. Arnold Rose enlightened me on this when he asked me to submit a paper for a new collection he was editing (Rose 1962). I was pleased and flattered. Rose was a mentor of mine, and I had never before been asked to contribute to an edited volume. But I was unsure of what would be appropriate for a book about symbolic interaction. I screwed up my courage and asked Arnold: “Exactly what is symbolic interaction”” He shrugged off my ignorance, turned on his heels, and muttered over his shoulder, “It is what they do at Chicago.”
Electrochemical Machining
Authors: McGeough Joseph A. 
Published: November 2004

AbstractElectrochemical machining (ECM), a metal removal process based on the laws of electrolysis, was developed for shaping high strength heat‐resistant alloys that are difficult to machine by conventional techniques. Using ECM techniques, hard metals can be shaped as reliably as soft ones and the rate of machining does not depend on hardness. Because the tool electrode used in the process does not wear, soft metals can be used as tools to form shapes on harder workpieces. Other applications include deburring, hole drilling, electrochemical grinding, and removal of fatigue cracks in steel structures. The working principles of ECM are described along with the types of electrolytes used. Parameters for various metals are discussed.
Molecular Sieves
Authors: Kresge Charles T. , Dhingra Sandeep S. 
Published: November 2004

AbstractMolecular sieves are inorganic materials that possess uniform pores with diameters in the micro‐, meso‐, or macrosize range. Heterogeneous catalysis and adsorption processes make extensive use of molecular sieves. The utility of these materials is manifested in their microstructures, which allow access to large internal surfaces and cavities that enhance catalytic and adsorptive capacity. The most technologically important molecular sieves are zeolites, which are high capacity, selective adsorbents capable of separating molecules based on the size and shape of the molecule relative to the size and geometry of the main apertures of the structures. They adsorb molecules with a selectivity that is not found in other solid adsorbents. Structure, manufacture, uses, properties, health and safety factors, and economic aspects are discussed.
Genetic Engineering, Procedures
Authors: Schmidt Francis J. 
Published: November 2004

AbstractGenetic engineering refers to the determination and manipulation of the information content of a cell. The contemporary meaning refers to DNA manipulation, primarily involving the construction and characterization of recombinant DNA molecules. Since the mid‐1990s it has been possible to determine the entire genomic DNA sequence of an organism, which has led to qualitatively new ways of understanding biological information and evolution.
Water Treatment of Swimming Pools, Spas, and Hot Tubs
Authors: Wojtowicz John A. 
Published: November 2004

AbstractThe swimming pool market has grown at an average of ∼3%/year over the last 10 years. The total number of pools in 1991 was ∼6 × 106in the United States. The number of spas and hot tubs has grown rapidly since 1970, with an estimated 2.7 × 106spas and hot tubs in 1991 in the United States in a growing market. Most swimming pools are of the recirculating type. Through filtration, chemical treatment, and dilution with rain and makeup water, the water can be reused without draining and refilling. Sanitizing chemicals must be added regularly to oxidize pool contaminants and kill and control disease‐carrying bacteria and other organisms introduced by swimmers and dirt entering the water. It also is necessary to destroy algae whose spores are carried into the water by wind and rain. The pH of pool water must be maintained within a desirable range for swimmer comfort and optimal effectiveness of chlorine sanitizers. In order to control the corrosive or scaling tendencies of pool water, it also is necessary to maintain a proper balance between pH, alkalinity, and hardness. Undesirable trace metals such as iron, manganese, or copper are sometimes found in source water or formed by corrosion of pool equipment. Unless removed, these metals discolor pool water and cause stains, especially damaging to plaster pool surfaces. Filtration of pool water is necessary for removal of suspended solids which otherwise cloud water and interfere with the disinfection process.
Familial lipomyelomeningocele: A further report
Authors: Kannu Peter , Furneaux Christopher , Aftimos Salim 
Published: November 2004

AbstractLipomyelomeningocele is a form of spina bifida occulta with a distinct pathogenesis that differentiates it from open neural tube defects. Familial forms are rare and the condition may be polygenic. We report on 2 affected siblings with similar lesions and raise the possibility of an autosomal recessive pattern of inheritance with implications for genetic counselling. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Novel COL9A3 mutation in a family with multiple epiphyseal dysplasia
Authors: Nakashima Eiji , Kitoh Hiroshi , Maeda Koichi , Haga Nobuhiko , Kosaki Rika , Mabuchi Akihiko , Nishimura Gen , Ohashi Hirofumi , Ikegawa Shiro 
Published: November 2004

AbstractMultiple epiphyseal dysplasia (MED) is a common skeletal dysplasia characterized by mild to moderate short stature, early‐onset of osteoarthritis (OA) mainly in the hip and knee joints, and abnormally small and/or irregular epiphyses. MED is clinically and genetically heterogeneous. Six causative genes of MED have been reported, including type IX collagen genes (COL9A1, COL9A2, COL9A3). All the type IX collagen mutations previously reported cause exon skipping that loses the COL3 domain. Here we have identified a novel COL9A3 mutation co‐segregating in a three‐generation family with MED. The mutation (IVS3 + 5G > A) was speculated to lose the COL3 domain by skipping of exon 3, which was confirmed by in vitro analysis. The patients were of normal height and had minimal complaints with phenotypes being more severe in male patients. The radiographic phenotypes of the patients were relatively milder than those of previously reported cases, and were indistinguishable to common, idiopathic OA. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A 2‐bp deletion in the GJA1 gene is associated with oculo‐dento‐digital dysplasia with palmoplantar keratoderma
Authors: van Steensel M.A.M. , Spruijt L. , van der Burgt I. , Bladergroen R.S. , Vermeer M. , Steijlen P.M. , van Geel M. 
Published: November 2004

AbstractOculo‐dento‐digital dysplasia (ODDD, OMIM no. 164210) is a pleiotropic disorder characterized mainly by ocular anomalies, varying degrees of finger and toe syndactyly, and enamel defects. It is caused by missense mutations in the gene coding for the gap junction protein connexin 43 or GJA1. Other types of mutations have so far not been reported. Here we describe a Dutch kindred with ODDD showing a new symptom, palmoplantar keratoderma, and associated with a novel 2‐bp deletion mutation of GJA1. The dinucleotide deletion 780_781delTG is located in the cytoplasmic C‐terminal loop and leads to a frameshift. This is predicted to lead to the production of a slightly truncated protein with 46 incorrect amino acids in the C‐terminal cytoplasmic loop (C260fsX307). This novel mutation may explain the presence of skin symptoms. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Hydrogenation of Cinnamaldehyde over Pt‐Modified Molecular Sieve Catalysts
Authors: Hájek J. , Kumar N. , Francová D. , Paseka I. , Mäki‐Arvela P. , Salmi T. , Murzin D.Yu. 
Published: November 2004

AbstractThe catalytic properties of various Pt‐modified molecular sieves were tested in liquid‐phase hydrogenation of cinnamaldehyde and compared to Pt/MgO and commercial Pt/C catalysts. The type of support considerably influenced the catalytic properties. The superior selectivity performance of microporous catalysts was confirmed; the highest selectivity to allyl alcohol of about 40 % was obtained over the beta support whereas the mesoporous MCM‐41‐supported catalyst was unselective. The highest activity was obtained over the Pt/mordenite catalyst. In order to clarify the performance of catalysts, several characterization methods (XRD, XRF, FTIR, surface measurements) were employed.
Ferromagnetic Interaction in μ1,3‐Cyanamido‐Derived Copper(II) Cryptates
Authors: Escuer Albert , Mc Kee Vickie , Nelson Jane , Ruiz Eliseo , Sanz Núria , Vicente Ramon 
Published: November 2004

AbstractThe reaction of dinuclear copper(II) cryptates with calcium cyanamide, CaNCN, and sodium dicyanamide, Na[N(CN)2] results in dinuclear compounds of formulae [Cu2(HNCN)(R3Bm)](ClO4)3 (1), [Cu2(dca)(R3Bm)](ClO4)3⋅4H2O (2), and [Cu2(NCNCONH2)(R3Bm)](CF3SO3)3 (3), in which R3Bm=N[(CH2)2NHCH2(C6H4‐m)CH2NH(CH2)2]3N and dca=dicyanamido ligand (NCNCN−). The X‐ray diffraction analysis reveals for both 1 and 3 a dinuclear entity in which the copper atoms are bridged by means of the ‐NCN‐ unit. The molar magnetic susceptibility measurements of 1–3 in the 2–300 K range indicate ferromagnetic coupling. The calculated J values, by using theoretical methods based on density functional theory (DFT) are in excellent agreement with the experimental data. Catalytic hydration of a nitrile to an amide functional group is assumed responsible for the formation of 3 from a μ1,3‐dicyanamido ligand.