bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Protein Z and protein Z-dependent protease inhibitor
Authors: Al-Shanqeeti Ali , van Hylckama Vlieg Astrid , Berntorp Erik , Rosendaal Frits , Broze George 
Published: February 2005

SummaryTo assess the potential roles of protein Z (PZ) and protein Z-dependent protease inhibitor (ZPI) in venous thrombosis, their plasma levels were measured in 426 individuals with venous thrombosis and 471 control individuals participating in the Leiden Thrombophilia Study. A relationship between the level of PZ or ZPI and venous thrombosis was not detected in the overall case-control study. PZ and ZPI circulate as a complex and their plasma levels are interdependent. Both PZ and ZPI are increased with oral contraceptive use and reduced with oral anticoagulant therapy.
Subhas Chandra Bose, Japan and British Imperialism
Authors:   Sareen
Published: February 2005

Abstract
This paper examines the strategic framework of action of Subhas Chandra Bose for the liberation of India and how his ideas about international collaboration for the overthrow of British imperialism took shape despite the constraints and limitations imposed by the existing framework of the national moment as conceived by Gandhi and the restrictions imposed by the colonial rulers. An attempt is made in this paper to analyse how his collaboration with Japan directly or indirectly accelerated the pace of nationalism during and after the Second World War.
Refurbishing Hong Kong's Image: The 1997 Saga and Chinese Nationalism Under Deng Xiaoping
Authors: Kwong Luke 
Published: February 2005

Abstract
This article argues that the People's Republic of China used Hong Kong's reversion in 1997, a reluctant project at first, as an opportunity to articulate its national aspirations in the post-Mao era. Of special interest is the shift of the Chinese view of Hong Kong from one of ideological degradation to one of kinder, gentler and more contextualized appreciation. Chinese attempts to refashion Hong Kong's image in the 1980s and 1990s attested to two salient features of Deng Xiaoping's reform regime: the decline of Marxist ideology and the resurgence of nationalism.
How Thales Was Able to "Predict" a Solar Eclipse Without the Help of Alleged Mesopotamian Wisdom
Authors: Couprie Dirk 
Published: February 2005

AbstractThe first part of this article examines Patricia O'Grady's recent attempt to identify the method by which Thales might have successfully predicted a solar eclipse. According to O'Grady, some 60% of the potentially visible lunar eclipses were followed 23½ months later by potentially visible solar eclipses. It is shown that this ratio is no more than 23%, and that the method fails to predict after which specific lunar eclipse a solar eclipse will appear. In the second half of the article it is argued that on the basis of his own observations of major solar eclipses, Thales could have concluded that solar eclipses come in clusters of three, the second appearing 17 or 18 months, and the third 35 months, after the first one. In the years after the "predicted" eclipse of 28 May 585 BC, this apparent pattern disappeared again, which would explain why Thales managed to "predict" only one eclipse.
The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)-coronavirus 3a protein may function as a modulator of the trafficking properties of the spike protein
Authors: Tan Yee-Joo 
Published: February 2005

Abstract

Background
A recent publication reported that a tyrosine-dependent sorting signal, present in cytoplasmic tail of the spike protein of most coronaviruses, mediates the intracellular retention of the spike protein. This motif is missing from the spike protein of the severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus (SARS-CoV), resulting in high level of surface expression of the spike protein when it is expressed on its own in vitro.

Presentation of the hypothesis
It has been shown that the severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus genome contains open reading frames that encode for proteins with no homologue in other coronaviruses. One of them is the 3a protein, which is expressed during infection in vitro and in vivo. The 3a protein, which contains a tyrosine-dependent sorting signal in its cytoplasmic domain, is expressed on the cell surface and can undergo internalization. In addition, 3a can bind to the spike protein and through this interaction, it may be able to cause the spike protein to become internalized, resulting in a decrease in its surface expression.

Testing the hypothesis
The effects of 3a on the internalization of cell surface spike protein can be examined biochemically and the significance of the interplay between these two viral proteins during viral infection can be studied using reverse genetics methodology.

Implication of the hypothesis
If this hypothesis is proven, it will indicate that the severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus modulates the surface expression of the spike protein via a different mechanism from other coronaviruses. The interaction between 3a and S, which are expressed from separate subgenomic RNA, would be important for controlling the trafficking properties of S. The cell surface expression of S in infected cells significantly impacts viral assembly, viral spread and viral pathogenesis. Modulation by this unique pathway could confer certain advantages during the replication of the severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus.
Identification of Serum Amyloid A as a Biomarker to Distinguish Prostate Cancer Patients with Bone Lesions
Authors: Le Lyly , Chi Kim , Tyldesley Scott , Flibotte Stephane , Diamond Deborah L , Kuzyk Michael A , Sadar Marianne D 
Published: February 2005

Abstract
Background: Prostate cancer has a propensity to metastasize to the bone. Currently, there are no curative treatments for this stage of the disease. Sensitive biomarkers that can be monitored in the blood to indicate the presence or development of bone metastases and/or response to therapies are lacking. Surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (SELDI-TOF MS) is an affinity-based approach that allows sensitive and high-throughput protein profiling and screening of biological samples.
Methods: We used SELDI-TOF MS for protein profiling of sera from prostate cancer patients (n = 38) with and without bone metastases in our effort to identify individual or multiple serum markers that may be of added benefit to those in current use. Serum was applied to ProteinChip® surfaces (H4 and IMAC) to quickly screen samples and detect peaks predominating in the samples obtained from patients with bone metastases. Unique proteins in the bone metastasis cohort observed by SELDI-TOF MS were identified by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, in-gel trypsin digestion, and tandem MS. The identities of the proteins were confirmed by ELISA and immunodepletion assays.
Results: The cluster of unique proteins in the sera of patients with bone metastases was identified as isoforms of serum amyloid A. Machine-learning algorithms were also used to identify patients with bone metastases with a sensitivity and specificity of 89.5%.
Conclusions: SELDI-TOF MS protein profiling in combination with other proteomic approaches may provide diagnostic tools with potential clinical applications and serve as tools to aid in the discovery of biomarkers associated with various diseases.
Biological activity of activating thyrotrophin receptor mutants: modulation by iodide
Authors: Al-Khafaji F , Wiltshire M , Fuhrer D , Mazziotti G , Lewis M D , Smith P J , Ludgate M 
Published: February 2005

Epidemiological studies have revealed a significantly higher incidence of toxic adenoma (TA) and toxic multi-nodular goitre (TMNG) in regions of iodine deficiency. Fifty to eighty percent of TA and TMNG are caused by activation of the cAMP pathway, mostly by mutations in the thyrotrophin receptor (TSHR).
We aimed to investigate whether iodide could modulate the biological effects of activating TSHR mutations. We have applied an in vitro model of TA comprising FRTL-5 cells stably expressing activating TSHR. We have mimicked the in vivo situation by examining the effects of prolonged exposure to iodide on the proliferation and signal transduction etc. of these cells.
We observed an iodide-induced ‘inhibition of proliferation’ which was significant from 10 mM in the presence of serum but from 1 mM in its absence. The inhibition of proliferation was significantly higher in the activating mutant expressing FRTL-5 compared with control Neo or wild-type TSHR, indicating that the effect was mediated via the cAMP cascade. The effect was neither due to hyper-tonicity nor was it the result of an increase in cell death either by apoptosis or necrosis. Prolonged exposure to iodide produces an increase in cells in the G2 and post-G2 phases, indicating that G2/M blockade contributes to the mechanism of inhibition.
The mutant expressing FRTL-5 cells have increased proliferation when chronically exposed to TSH, and this is associated with a reduction in phosphorylated (p) CREB levels. This contrasts with the effect of iodide in which inhibition of proliferation is accompanied by an increase in pCREB.
In conclusion, our studies indicate that the biological effects of activating TSHR mutations vary with the ambient iodide supply and could be masked in regions of high iodine intake.
Photoelectron Spectra and Electronic Structures of Substituted Pyrimidines
Authors: Lottermoser Ursula , Rademacher Paul , Mazik Monika , Kowski Klaus 
Published: February 2005

AbstractThe electronic structures of pyrimidine (1) and its substituted derivatives 2−15 have been investigated by ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy and quantum chemical methods. The ionisation potentials corresponding to the π MOs π1‐π3 and the two nN orbitals of the pyrimidine unit could be determined and assigned for 1−15. Multiple linear regression analyses of the IPs related to these orbitals with different substituent constants indicated that Hammett σp values performed well for all these IPs, whereas the resonance parameters R and R+ were satisfactory for π and poor for nN ionisations. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2005)
Agaricus macrosporus as a potential bioremediation agent for substrates contaminated with heavy metals
Authors: García MA , Alonso J , Melgar MJ 
Published: February 2005

AbstractThis study investigated the potential use of the mushroom Agaricus macrosporus for bioextraction of heavy metals from contaminated substrates. Mushrooms were grown (1) in a non‐contaminated control substrate, (2) in a substrate with added Cd (10 mg per kg dw), and (3) in a multi‐contaminated substrate (Cd, Hg and Pb each at 10 mg kg−1; Cu and Zn each at 20 mg kg−1). Metal contents were determined in fruiting bodies by anodic stripping voltammetry (ASV). In the control substrate, three production waves (‘breaks’) were obtained, compared with only two in the contaminated substrates; however, total biomass in the Cd‐contaminated substrate was similar to that in the control substrate, and only 40% lower (ie still considerable) in the Hg‐containing multi‐contaminated substrate. Within each break, metal contents were higher in young than in adult individuals. Metal contents were also higher in the hymenophore than in other parts of the fruiting body. The metal content data indicate that A macrosporus effectively extracted Cd, Hg and Cu (though not Pb) from the contaminated substrates. Of particular interest is the tolerance and extraction of Hg, in contrast with plants. These results suggest that fungi such as A macrosporus may be effective for bioremediation of metal‐contaminated substrates, though bearing in mind that in many contaminated environments cultivation of mushrooms of this type may be difficult. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry
(Plasticized) Polylactide/(Organo‐)Clay Nanocomposites by in situ Intercalative Polymerization
Authors: Paul Marie‐Amélie , Delcourt Cécile , Alexandre Michaël , Degée Philippe , Monteverde Fabien , Rulmont André , Dubois Philippe 
Published: February 2005

AbstractSummary: Both intercalated and exfoliated poly(L,L‐lactide) (P(L,L‐LA)/organomodified montmorillonite nanocomposites were synthesized by in situ ring‐opening polymerization of L,L‐lactide, in bulk, directly in the presence of the nanofiller. Intercalation of polyester chains was found to appear even for natural unmodified montmorillonite‐Na+, while exfoliation occurred when the aluminosilicate layers were modified by ammonium cations bearing primary hydroxyl groups. Clay delamination was effectively triggered by the grafting reaction of the growing PLA chains onto the hydroxyl groups. Aluminium triisopropoxide, triethylaluminium, and stannous octoate, as initiating or co‐initiating species, were compared in terms of polymerization control. The influence of nanoclay content (from 1 to 10 wt.‐% in inorganics) on morphology and thermal behavior was also studied. In parallel, a highly filled nanocomposite (called masterbatch), prepared by in situ polymerization, was dispersed into a (plasticized) preformed polylactide matrix in the molten state, to reach a better clay delamination than that obtained by direct melt blending. Finally, L,L‐lactide and α,ω‐dihydroxylated poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG 1000) were copolymerized in presence of clay in order to study the behavior of the resulting triblocks towards nanocomposite formation.Significant exfoliation of clay platelets has been achieved in a commercial polylactide matrix using a “masterbatch” process (white arrows).magnified imageSignificant exfoliation of clay platelets has been achieved in a commercial polylactide matrix using a “masterbatch” process (white arrows).
Novel Phosphorous‐Containing Aromatic Polyethers – Synthesis and Characterization
Authors: Hoffmann Thorsten , Pospiech Doris , Häußler Liane , Komber Hartmut , Voigt Dieter , Harnisch Christina , Kollann Carsten , Ciesielski Michael , Döring Manfred , Perez‐Graterol Raul , Sandler Jan , Altstädt Volker 
Published: February 2005

AbstractSummary: The synthesis of novel phosphorous‐containing aromatic polyethers P‐PEEK and P‐PSU, based on poly(ether ether ketone)s (PEEK) and poly(ether sulfone)s (PSU) was carried out successfully by using phosphorous‐containing aromatic diols instead of bisphenol A in the usual synthesis procedure. The molecular weights of the P‐PEEKs and P‐PSUs obtained reflect both the influence of the different halogen components used and the lower thermal stabilities of the phosphorous‐containing diols compared to bisphenol A. However, polymers with sufficient molecular weights could be obtained, having interestingly high Tgs, high thermal stabilities as well as modified flame retardance properties depending on the diol type incorporated.Comparison of the molecular weights of the synthesized P‐polyethers.magnified imageComparison of the molecular weights of the synthesized P‐polyethers.
End‐Anchored Polymers: Compression by Different Mechanisms and Interpenetration of Apposing Layers
Authors: Whitmore Mark D. , Baranowski Roman 
Published: February 2005

AbstractSummary: This paper presents a systematic study of the compression of end‐anchored polymer layers by a variety of mechanisms. We treat layers in both good and Θ solvents, and in the range of polymer densities that is normally encountered in experiments. Our primary technique is numerical self‐consistent field (NSCF) theory. We compare the NSCF results for the different mechanisms with each other, and with those of the analytic SCF theory. For each mechanism, we calculate the density profiles, layer thicknesses, and free energies, all as functions of the degree of polymerization and surface coverage. The free energy and the deformation of each layer depend on the compression mechanism, and they can be very different from the ASCF theory. For example, the energy of compression can be as much as three times greater than the analytical SCF (ASCF) prediction, and it does not reduce to simple, universal functions of the reduced distance between the surfaces. The overall physical picture simplifies if the free energy is expressed in terms of the layer deformation, rather than the reduced surface separation. We also examine and quantify the interpenetration of layers, discuss why ASCF theory applies better to some compression mechanisms than others, and end with comments on the difficulties in extracting quantitative information from surface‐forces experiments.Comparisons of forces of compression in a good solvent for the three different systems, as functions of D/nb. The lower three curves are for σ* = 3, and the upper three are for σ* = 23.imageComparisons of forces of compression in a good solvent for the three different systems, as functions of D/nb. The lower three curves are for σ* = 3, and the upper three are for σ* = 23.
A new planar‐type dielectric resonator using LTCC technology for mm‐wave band applications
Authors: Kim Sanghee , Yim Jounghyun , Kim Bumman 
Published: February 2005

AbstractA new planar‐type dielectric resonator (PDR) with a high unloadedQhas been developed using LTCC Technology. The PDR consists of two different dielectric constant materials, high dielectric LTCC cavity (ϵr= 36) acting as a resonator and low dielectric LTCC layer (ϵr= 5.2) surrounding the cavity. Also, the layer has staggered air holes on the top and bottom of the resonator instead of the air cavity of the original PDR, a hollow patch center ground plane at the middle, and shielded cavity metals. The newly realized PDR structure shows a high unloadedQof about 6212 at 37.3 GHz and the measured results are in good agreement with the simulated ones. The PDR can be easily integrated into a planar circuit and can be applicable to mm‐wave band systems. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 44: 533–536, 2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.20688
Interaction of water in polymers: Poly(ethylene‐co‐vinyl acetate) and poly(vinyl acetate)
Authors: Iwamoto Reikichi , Matsuda Toshihiko 
Published: February 2005

AbstractWe studied the interaction of water in poly(ethylene‐co‐vinyl acetate) of various vinyl acetate compositions and poly(vinyl acetate), on the basis of the infrared spectrum of the water dissolved therein. The spectrum shows a very sharp and distinct band at about 3690 cm−1 (named as A), and less‐sharp two bands around 3640 (B) and 3550 cm−1 (C), the A band being outstanding especially at a low vinyl acetate composition. As the vinyl acetate composition increases, the A band decreases in intensity relative to the C band, whereas the B band increases contrarily. Analysis of the spectral change has elucidated that one‐bonded water (of which one OH is hydrogen‐bonded to the CO of an ester group and the other OH is free) and two‐bonded water (each OH of which is hydrogen‐bonded to one CO) coexist in the copolymer and that two‐bonded water increases in relative population with increasing vinyl acetate composition. Dissolved water is entirely two‐bonded in poly(vinyl acetate), in which CO groups are densely distributed in the matrix. We proved that dissolved water in polymers is hydrogen‐bonded through one or two OH groups to the possessed functional groups but does not cluster. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 43: 777–785, 2005
Molecular cloning and functional analysis of Photobacterium damselae subsp. piscicida haem receptor gene
Authors: Naka H , Hirono I , Aoki T 
Published: February 2005

AbstractA haem receptor gene from Photobacterium damselae subsp. piscicida (formerly known as Pasteurella piscicida) has been cloned, sequenced and analysed for its function. The gene, designated as pph, has an open reading frame consisting of 2154 bp, a predicted 718 amino acid residues and exists as a single copy. It is homologous with the haem receptors of Vibrio anguillarum hupA, V. cholerae hutA, V. mimicus mhuA and V. vulnificus hupA at 32.7, 32.7, 45.6 and 30.9%, respectively, and is highly conserved, consisting of a Phe‐Arg‐Ala‐Pro sequence (FRAP), an iron transport related molecule (TonB) and a Asn‐Pron‐Asn‐Leu sequence (NPNL), binding motifs associated with haem receptors. As a single gene knockout mutant P. damselae subsp. piscicida was able to bind haem in the absence of pph, suggesting that other receptors may be involved in its iron transport system. This study shows that the P. damselae subsp. piscicida pph belongs to the haem receptor family, is conserved and that its iron‐binding system may involve more than one receptor.
Comparison of the effect of amphotericin B desoxycholate and amphotericin B colloidal dispersion on renal functions and renal morphology in rats
Authors: DOUBEK MICHAEL , MAYER JIRI , LAUSCHOVA IRENA , SCHEER PETER , KREJCIROVA LENKA , HORKY DRAHOMIR , DOUBEK JAROSLAV 
Published: February 2005

SUMMARY:Background and Aim: Amphotericin B (AmB) desoxycholate remains as one of the most efficacious agents currently available for the treatment of systemic fungal infections; however, amphotericin B colloidal dispersion (ABCD) has been developed because of AmB desoxycholate nephrotoxicity. The goal of our study was to compare the effect of administration of AmB desoxycholate and ABCD on renal functions and renal morphology in rats.Results: Amophotericin B desoxycholate as well as ABCD causes damage to renal tubuli and polyuria. Amophotericin desoxycholate causes considerably more severe damage to tubuli than ABCD, but the morphological damage to renal glomeruli is minimal in both formulas. In tubular cells, AmB desoxycholate causes severe damage to mitochondria, vacuolation of cytoplasm, and increased values of volume density of peroxisomes.Conclusion: None of these formulas causes a decrease in glomerular filtration in rats when animals are properly hydrated.
Seroprevalence of Helicobacter pylori in Chinese patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis
Authors: LUI SING LEUNG , WONG WAI MAN , NG SUK YI , CHAN TAK MAO , LAI KAR NENG , LO WAI KEI 
Published: February 2005

SUMMARY:Backgrounds and Aims:  There is relatively little data on the seroprevalence of Helicobacter pylori in patients undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). This study aims at establishing the seroprevalence of and the factors associated with H. pylori infection in Chinese CAPD patients.Methods:  All CAPD patients from a single dialysis centre were invited to participate in the study. Diagnosis of H. pylori infection was made serologically by the pylori DTect ELISA method. Dyspeptic symptoms were assessed by the Hong Kong Index of Dyspepsia (HKID) Questionnaire. Demographic, clinical and laboratory parameters were correlated with the H. pylori serology results.Results:  One hundred and thirty‐six Chinese CAPD patients were included in the study. The mean age of the patients was 61.8 ± 12.5 years with a male to female ratio of 1:1.4. The mean duration of CAPD was 54 ± 42 months. Thirty‐five patients (26%) have positive serology against H. pylori. Nineteen patients had a HKID score of >16. There was no association between H. pylori seropositivity and dyspeptic symptoms (P = 0.62). Patients who were seropositive for H. pylori were significantly older (64.9 ± 9.5 years vs 60.7 ± 13.2 years, P < 0.05) and had lower KT/V‐values than patients who were seronegative for H. pylori (1.88 ± 0.3 vs 2.03 ± 0.3, P < 0.05). Patients with positive or negative H. pylori serological status did not differ in terms of demographic parameters (e.g. sex, duration of CAPD), clinical factors (e.g. bodyweight, body mass index, hepatitis status, use of H2 antagonists or proton pump inhibitors) and laboratory data (e.g. haemoglobin, serum urea, creatinine, albumin and parathyroid hormone levels).Conclusions:  The seroprevalence of H. pylori infection among Chinese CAPD patients is 26%. Helicobacter pylori seropositivity is not associated with dyspepsia. Older age and lower KT/V‐values appear to be associated with the development of H. pylori seropositivity in our dialysis population.