bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Regulation of GlnK activity: modification, membrane sequestration and proteolysis as regulatory principles in the network of nitrogen control in Corynebacterium glutamicum
Authors: Strösser Julia , Lüdke Alja , Schaffer Steffen , Krämer Reinhard , Burkovski Andreas 
Published: September 2004

SummaryPII‐type signal transduction proteins play a central role in nitrogen regulation in many bacteria. In response to the intracellular nitrogen status, these proteins are rendered in their function and interaction with other proteins by modification/demodification events, e.g. by phosphorylation or uridylylation. In this study, we show that GlnK, the only PII‐type protein in Corynebacterium glutamicum, is adenylylated in response to nitrogen starvation and deadenylylated when the nitrogen supply improves again. Both processes depend on the GlnD protein. As shown by mutant analyses, the modifying activity of this enzyme is located in the N‐terminal part of the enzyme, while demodification depends on its C‐terminal domain. Besides its modification status, the GlnK protein changes its intracellular localization in response to changes of the cellular nitrogen supply. While it is present in the cytoplasm during nitrogen starvation, the GlnK protein is sequestered to the cytoplasmic membrane in response to an ammonium pulse following a nitrogen starvation period. About 2–5% of the GlnK pool is located at the cytoplasmic membrane after ammonium addition. GlnK binding to the cytoplasmic membrane depends on the ammonium transporter AmtB, which is encoded in the same transcriptional unit as GlnK and GlnD, the amtB‐glnK‐glnD operon. In contrast, the structurally related methylammonium/ammonium permease AmtA does not bind GlnK. The membrane‐bound GlnK protein is stable, most likely to inactivate AmtB‐dependent ammonium transport in order to prevent a detrimental futile cycle under post‐starvation ammonium‐rich conditions, while the majority of GlnK is degraded within 2–4 min. Proteolysis in the transition period from nitrogen starvation to nitrogen‐rich growth seems to be specific for GlnK; other proteins of the nitrogen metabolism, such as glutamine synthetase, or proteins unrelated to ammonium assimilation, such as enolase and ATP synthase subunit F1β, are stable under these conditions. Our analyses of different mutant strains have shown that at least three different proteases influence the degradation of GlnK, namely FtsH, the ClpCP and the ClpXP protease complex.
Identification of SpyA, a novel ADP‐ribosyltransferase of Streptococcus pyogenes
Authors: Coye Lisette H. , Collins Carleen M. 
Published: September 2004

Summary Streptococcus pyogenes, the aetiological agent of both respiratory and skin infections, produces numerous exotoxins to establish infection. This report identifies a new exotoxin produced by this organism, termed SpyA, for S. pyogenesADP‐ribosylating toxin. SpyA, MW 24.9, has amino acid identity with the ADP‐riboslytransferases (ADPRTs) Staphylococcus aureus EDIN and Clostridium botulinum C3. Recombinant SpyA was able to hydrolyse β‐NAD+, and this activity was dependent on a glutamate at position 187. SpyA has a putative biglutamate active site, and similar to most biglutamate ADPRTs, was able to ADP‐ribosylate poly‐l‐arginine. SpyA modified numerous proteins in both CHO and HeLa cell lysates. Two‐dimesional gel analysis and MALDI‐TOF MS analysis of modified proteins indicated that vimentin, tropomyosin and actin, all cytoskeletal proteins, are targets. Expression of spyA in HeLa cells resulted in loss of actin microfilaments. We hypothesize that SpyA is produced by S. pyogenes to disrupt cytoskeletal structures and promote colonization of the host.
YdgT, the Hha paralogue in Escherichia coli, forms heteromeric complexes with H‐NS and StpA
Authors: Paytubi Sònia , Madrid Cristina , Forns Núria , Nieto José María , Balsalobre Carlos , Uhlin Bernt Eric , Juárez Antonio 
Published: September 2004

SummaryIn enteric bacteria, proteins of the Hha/YmoA family play a role in the regulation of gene expression in response to environmental factors. Interaction of both Hha and YmoA with H‐NS has been reported, and an Hha/H‐NS complex has been shown to modulate expression in Escherichia coli of the haemolysin operon of plasmid pHly152. In addition to the hns gene, the chromosome of E. coli and other enteric bacteria also includes the stpA gene that encodes the StpA protein, an H‐NS paralogue. We report here the identification of the Hha paralogue in E. coli, the YdgT protein. As Hha paralogue, YdgT appears to fulfil some of the functions reported for StpA as H‐NS paralogue: YdgT is overexpressed in hha mutants and can compensate, at least partially, some of the hha‐induced phenotypes. We also demonstrate that YdgT interacts both with H‐NS and with StpA. Protein cross‐linking studies showed that YdgT/H‐NS heteromeric complexes are generated within the bacterial cell. The StpA protein, which is subjected to Lon‐mediated turnover, was less stable in the absence of Hha or YdgT. Our findings suggest that Hha, YdgT and StpA may form complexes in vivo.
PprA: a novel protein from Deinococcus radiodurans that stimulates DNA ligation
Authors: Narumi Issay , Satoh Katsuya , Cui Suzhen , Funayama Tomoo , Kitayama Shigeru , Watanabe Hiroshi 
Published: September 2004

SummaryThe extraordinary radiation resistance of Deinococcus radiodurans results from the efficient capacity of the bacterium to repair DNA double‐strand breaks. By analysing the DNA damage repair‐deficient mutant, KH311, a unique radiation‐inducible gene (designated pprA) responsible for loss of radiation resistance was identified. Investigations in vitro showed that the gene product of pprA (PprA) preferentially bound to double‐stranded DNA carrying strand breaks, inhibited Escherichia coli exonuclease III activity, and stimulated the DNA end‐joining reaction catalysed by ATP‐dependent and NAD‐dependent DNA ligases. These results suggest that D. radiodurans has a radiation‐induced non‐homologous end‐joining repair mechanism in which PprA plays a critical role.
Immunogenicity of Murein‐associated Proteins from Temperature‐stressed Streptococcus suis Cultures
Authors: Benga L. , Goethe R. , Große Beilage E. , Valentin‐Weigand P. 
Published: September 2004

SummaryWe compared immunogenicity in pigs of whole cell lysate proteins (WCP) with murein‐associated proteins (MAP) obtained from a virulent serotype 2 strain of Streptococcus (S.) suis grown at 32 or 42°C. Protein fractions were tested for their ability to induce antibodies in 3‐week‐old piglets by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay and Western blot analysis. We found a significant increase in the antibody levels in all sera irrespective of the preparation used for immunization. However, α‐WCP sera showed higher reactivities than α‐MAP sera, and piglets immunized with 32°C preparations (α‐32 sera) showed higher responses than those immunized with 42°C preparations (α‐42 sera). Western blot analysis revealed that α‐WCP sera in part reacted with different proteins when compared with α‐MAP sera. Furthermore, some proteins were only detected by α‐32 but not by α‐42 sera. In conclusion, the results demonstrate the immunogenicity of cell wall MAP of S. suis, and highlight the importance of considering growth conditions in the preparation of subunit vaccines.
OK‐432 and lymphatic malformations in children: the Starship Children's Hospital experience
Authors: Wheeler Jonathan S. , Morreau Phillip , Mahadevan Murali , Pease Percy 
Published: September 2004

Background:  Surgery has previously been the mainstay of treatment for lymphatic malformations but has attendant problems of marked scarring, high chance of recurrence and potential nerve damage. Alternative management for these lesions involves the intralesional injection of OK‐432. The present paper reviews OK‐432 use in lymphatic malformations in children.Methods:  A retrospective chart review was carried out of children undergoing intralesional OK‐432 therapy from the Departments of Paediatric Surgery, Paediatric Otolaryngology and Plastic Surgery at Starship Children's Hospital, Auckland.Results:  Over the past 4 years, seven children under the age of 5 years underwent OK‐432 therapy as day‐case procedures requiring between one and seven procedures each. Four children had lesions involving the axilla/chest wall, two involved extra‐mylohyoid tissues in the neck and one child had lymphatic malformation involving tongue, floor of mouth and an extramylohyoid component. Spontaneous haemorrhage into a cystic space may be the cause of the observed partial resolution of the lymphangiomas in two. A predictor of a successful outcome was the ability to aspirate fluid prior to injection. Ultrasound guidance was useful to localize the lesions for aspiration and injection. Macrocystic lesions respond well to OK‐432 therapy but the response of microcystic or cavernous lesions to OK‐432 is disappointing and surgery remains the definitive treatment for these microcystic lesions.Conclusion:  OK‐432 appears to be a safe and effective treatment for the macrocystic component of lymphatic malformations.
Lymph node metastasis of gastric cancer: comparison of Union International Contra Cancer and Japanese systems
Authors: Ikeguchi Masahide , Murakami Daiki , Kanaji Shingo , Ohro Shotaro , Maeta Yoshihiko , Yamaguchi Ken‐ichi , Tatebe Shigeru , Kondo Akira , Tsujitani Shun‐ichi , Kaibara Nobuaki 
Published: September 2004

Background:  The pN classification of gastric cancer (GC) in the Japanese system (Japanese Gastric Cancer Association; JGCA) is based on the site and distance of metastatic nodes from the primary tumour. Union International Contra Cancer (UICC) has recently proposed a classification system based on the number of nodes involved (TNM‐1997). The aim of the present study is to assess which classification system is more suitable for providing a prognosis in advanced GC with lymph node metastasis.Methods:  A total of 224 patients who underwent curative gastrectomy (R0: UICC−TNM and Resection A and B: JGCA) and D2 lymphadenectomy between 1990 and 1999, and diagnosed as pT2, pT3 and pT4 GC were enrolled. Patients were followed until the end of 2002. The disease‐free survival rates of patients were compared between the two‐stage systems (UICC−TNM and JGCA).Results:  Using the JGCA system, there was a significant difference between the two survival curves (pN0 and pN1, P = 0.025; pN1 and pN2, P < 0.001; pN2 and pN3, P = 0.031), but the 5‐year survival rate of 27 pN2 patients (32.7%) was not significantly different from that of 14 pN3 patients (34.3%, P = 0.994) using the UICC−TNM. In 47 patients with JGCA pN2, the 5‐year survival rate of 18 patients with UICC−TNM pN1 (42.9%) was not significantly different from that of 18 patients with UICC−TNM pN2 (25.2%, P = 0.422) or from that of 11 patients with UICC−TNM pN3 (24.2%; P = 0.383).Conclusions:  The JGCA system is more suitable for estimating the prognosis of Japanese patients with advanced GC than the UICC−TNM.
Institutions Matter?
Authors: Przeworski Adam 
Published: September 2004

AbstractThe main methodological problem in assessing the impact of political institutions on any kind of performance stems from the possibility that institutions may be endogenous. As a result, institutions cannot be matched for the conditions under which they function. Inferences from such non-experimental observations are subject to several biases and, in the end, our conclusions may not be robust. One should not be confident, therefore, that any institutions would function in the same way under conditions different from those from which they are transplanted.
The Populist Zeitgeist
Authors: Mudde Cas 
Published: September 2004

AbstractSince the 1980s the rise of so-called ‘populist parties’ has given rise to thousands of books, articles, columns and editorials. This article aims to make a threefold contribution to the current debate on populism in liberal democracies. First, a clear and new definition of populism is presented. Second, the normal-pathology thesis is rejected; instead it is argued that today populist discourse has become mainstream in the politics of western democracies. Indeed, one can even speak of a populist Zeitgeist. Third, it is argued that the explanations of and reactions to the current populist Zeitgeist are seriously flawed and might actually strengthen rather than weaken it.
Flight orientation behavior of Ooencyrtus nezarae (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), an egg parasitoid of phytophagous bugs in soybean
Authors: TAKASU Keiji , TAKANO Shun‐Ichiro , MIZUTANI Nobuo , WADA Takashi 
Published: September 2004

AbstractWe conducted field experiments to examine flight orientation behavior of Ooencyrtus nezarae Ishii, an egg parasitoid of soybean feeding bugs, using sticky traps with synthetic aggregation pheromones of the host, Riptortus clavatus (Thunberg). Experiments were conducted in plots either containing a soybean field or not containing one. When the traps were suspended at heights of 0.5, 1.5 and 3.0 m above a soybean field in Kobe, O. nezarae females were most frequently caught in the 0.5 m traps. In an open field on the same campus where the vegetation was predominantly tall goldenrod, females were more frequently trapped at 1.5 or 3.0 m. In a soybean field in Kumamoto, females were most frequently trapped in the 0.8 m traps, compared to traps placed at 2.0, 4.0 and 6.0 m. In an oat field in the same area, females were trapped most frequently at heights of 0.8 and 2.0 m. Unlike females, only a small number of males were trapped in the fields in both areas. The result that O. nezarae females were caught in traps at higher positions in non‐host habitats than in soybean fields probably reflects differences in host searching behavior in or movement between the habitats. In host habitats, females mainly walk on the plants or fly within the plant canopy to search for hosts. In non‐host habitats, females may not intensively search for hosts within the plants, and directly respond to host pheromones in the traps at heights equal to or a little higher than the plant canopy.
Interpopulation differences in the mandible size of the coastal tiger beetle Lophyridia angulata associated with different sympatric species
Authors: SATOH Aya , HORI Michio 
Published: September 2004

AbstractThe coastal tiger beetle Lophyridia angulata (Fabricius) co‐occurs with one or two tiger beetle species at any one locality (in a sandy beach habitat) along the Japan Sea coast of Honshu, from eastern to southern Kyushu, and on Tanega‐shima, an island south of Kyushu, in Japan. Lophyridia angulata displays sexual dimorphism in mandible length (the mandible is longer in females), and shows large interpopulation differences in mandible size. We analyzed variation in mandible length between L. angulata populations associated with three different sympatric species, and examined morphological differences that may have resulted from interaction with these other species. Lophyridia angulata showed a significant size shift towards larger mandibles in a population that co‐occurred with Cicindela lewisii, which has a similar mandible length to that of L. angulata, as compared to a neighboring population of L. angulata that co‐occurred with another species. This pattern may be interpreted as a type of character displacement associated with food resource competition. Males in L. angulata populations co‐occurring with Chaetodera laetescripta showed little variation in mandible length, as compared to other populations. These males may experience some pressure from C. laetescripta and from conspecific females. We found no significant changes in mandible length or in size variation of L. angulata before and 20 years after the extinction of Abroscelis anchoralis at one site historically co‐inhabited by both species; that is, we did not detect a character release over the 20 years.
Further evidence of the Asian mud‐daubing wasps in Europe (Hymenoptera: Sphecidae)
Authors: ĆETKOVIĆ Aleksandar , RADOVIĆ Ivica , ÐOROVIĆ Ljiljana 
Published: September 2004

AbstractWe report the further south‐eastward range extension of the invasive Asian mud‐daubing wasp, Sceliphron curvatum (Smith), initially introduced into Austria in the late 1970s. We document its presence in the central Balkan Peninsula from 1997 onwards, and we discuss the circumstances and course of its recent expansion in the area. We also report the first finding of another Asian species, Sceliphron deforme (Smith), in Europe, and we consider various aspects of this case, given the possibility that the record from southern Montenegro represents a successful introduction.
Maternal induction of larval diapause and its sensitive stage in the blow fly Lucilia sericata (Meigen) (Diptera: Calliphoridae)
Authors: TACHIBANA Shin‐Ichiro , NUMATA Hideharu 
Published: September 2004

Abstract Lucilia sericata has a facultative diapause in the third larval instar after cessation of feeding. Induction of the diapause is influenced by the photoperiod and temperature conditions experienced by insects in the parental generation as well as those experienced by the larvae themselves. The sensitive stage of the parental generation for induction of diapause was examined using diapause‐averting conditions of 16 h light : 8 h darkness (LD 16:8) at 25°C and diapause‐inducing conditions of LD 12:12 at 20°C. The incidence of diapause in the progeny was predominantly determined by the conditions experienced by the parents in the adult stage. Moreover, the results of reciprocal crosses showed that only the mother's experience is involved in the induction of diapause in the progeny.
Genetic distance between Nasutitermes takasagoensis (Isoptera: Termitidae) populations in Taiwan and the Yaeyama Islands, analyzed by amplified fragment length polymorphism markers
Authors: GARCÍA Julio , MAEKAWA Kiyoto , MIURA Toru , MATSUMOTO Tadao 
Published: September 2004

AbstractDispersal ability and degree of inbreeding in a population can indirectly be assessed using genetic markers. It has been suggested that winged termites are not able to fly distances greater than several hundred meters. Using the amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) technique, we previously analyzed the population substructure of Nasutitermes takasagoensis in the Yaeyama Islands, southern Japan. We found that there is moderate subpopulation structure based on the AFLP data. Moreover, the relatively low Gst and genetic distances among insular populations suggest that there is a possibility that winged termites are able to fly over distances of several kilometers. To learn more about this, in the present study, we compared new samples collected from the Hengchuen Peninsula in southern Taiwan with samples previously collected from the Yaeyama Islands. Using the samples collected in Taiwan, genetic distance was calculated against samples from six of the Yaeyama Islands. Genetic diversity, average heterozygosity, percentage of polymorphic loci, Gst and gene flow (Nm) were calculated. A total of 155 AFLP fragments were obtained for three primer combinations used, with 8 (5%) polymorphic bands. Genetic distance between the populations of Taiwan and the rest of the islands was greater than the genetic distance among the Yaeyama Islands. Although previous studies showed that average Nm among the Yaeyama Islands was 2.47, all of the observed Nm between Taiwan and the Yaeyama Islands were below 1. These findings suggest that the geographic distance between Taiwan and the Yaeyama Islands is large enough to prevent gene flow between them.
Morphological caste and sex differences in the Taiwanese stingless bee Trigona ventralis hoozana (Hymenoptera: Apidae)
Authors: SUNG I‐Hsin , YAMANE Sôichi , HO Kai‐Kuang , WU Wen‐Jer , CHEN Yue‐Wen 
Published: September 2004

AbstractTo examine morphological differences among queens, workers and males, 14 external body characters were measured in two colonies of the Taiwanese stingless bee Trigona ventralis hoozana. Queens were largest in all of the body parts measured except eye width and mesoscutum length, and values for most variables in queens did not overlap with those of workers and males. In contrast, the worker : male size ratios for 11 variables were close to 1.0, showing that overall body size and shape of workers resembled that of males rather than of queens. Males had the largest eyes and their mesoscutum length was comparable to that of queens. ancova between 14 morphometric variables and mesoscutum width chosen as standard body size showed that allometric growth in most variables was not linear. Plotting of some variables on mesoscutum width showed that queens had a proportionally wider first metasomal tergum and longer antennal scape, but a proportionally narrower head and eye than workers and males. These tests suggest that the morphological caste differences in this species belong to a category of complete dimorphism.
On phenomenology and classification of hoarding: a review
Authors: Maier T. 
Published: September 2004

Objective:  Hoarding is a behavioural abnormity characterized by the excessive collection of poorly useable objects. It is described mainly in association with obsessive–compulsive disorders (OCDs) and in geriatric populations. Yet the literature on the phenomenon is heterogeneous and the notion obviously lacks a consistent definition. This review attempts to describe the psychopathological and clinical spectrum of hoarding and may contribute to clarify its classification.Method:  Systematic review and discussion of the literature on hoarding.Results:  Hoarding is a complex behavioural phenomenon associated with different mental disorders. The psychopathological structure is variously composed of elements of OCDs, impulse‐control disorders, and ritualistic behaviour. Severe self‐neglect is a possible consequence of hoarding.Conclusion:  Without further specifications the term hoarding is of limited heuristic value and cannot guide therapeutic interventions satisfactorily. The condition needs to be evaluated carefully in every particular case in relation to the aforementioned psychopathological concepts.
Long‐term outcome of offspring after maternal severe puerperal disorder
Authors: Abbott R. , Dunn V. J. , Robling S. A. , Paykel E. S. 
Published: September 2004

Objective: To study adult mental health in offspring of mothers who experienced severe puerperal disorder.Method: Mothers, followed up a mean of 23 years after puerperal disorder requiring hospitalization, were interviewed regarding adult psychiatric illness, childhood neurotic symptoms and conduct problems of 48 offspring of the index episode and 62 additional siblings.Results: In these predominantly young adults the lifetime rate of ICD‐10 adult psychiatric illness was 26%, and was higher in offspring of puerperal episodes (35% vs. 15%,P = 0.07). There were also high rates of childhood symptoms and problems.Conclusion: There are high lifetime rates of adult psychiatric illness in young adult offspring of mothers with puerperal disorder, which are likely to increase further with time, and warrant special attention.