bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sampling and analyzing metals in soils for archaeological prospection: A critique
Authors: Haslam Rob , Tibbett Mark 
Published: November 2004

AbstractThis paper presents a critique of current methods of sampling and analyzing soils for metals in archaeological prospection. Commonly used methodologies in soil science are shown to be suitable for archaeological investigations, with a concomitant improvement in their resolution. Understanding the soil‐fraction location, concentration range, and spatial distribution of autochthonous (native) soil metals is shown to be a vital precursor to archaeological‐site investigations, as this is the background upon which anthropogenic deposition takes place. Nested sampling is suggested as the most cost‐effective method of investigating the spatial variability in the autochthonous metal concentrations. The use of the appropriate soil horizon (or sampling depth) and point sampling are critical in the preparation of a sampling regime. Simultaneous extraction is proposed as the most efficient method of identifying the location and eventual fate of autochthonous and anthropogenic metals, respectively. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Wadi Bakht revisited: Holocene climate change and prehistoric occupation in the Gilf Kebir region of the Eastern Sahara, SW Egypt
Authors: Linstädter Jörg , Kröpelin Stefan 
Published: November 2004

AbstractGeoarchaeological and chronological evidence from the remote Gilf Kebir Plateau in southwest Egypt suggests a new model for the influence of early and mid‐Holocene precipitation regimes on land‐use strategies of prehistoric settlers in what is now the center of the largest hyperarid area on earth. We hypothesize that the quantitatively higher, daytime, monsoon summer rainfall characteristic of the early Holocene (9300–5400 14C yr B.P./8400–4300 yr B.C.) resulted in less grass growth on the plateau compared to the winter rains that presumably fell in the cool nights during the terminal phase of the Holocene pluvial (5400–4500 yr B.P./4300–3300 yr B.C.). The unparalleled climatic transition at 5400 yr B.P. (4300 yr B.C.) caused a fundamental environmental change that resulted in different patterns of human behavior, economy, and land use in the canyon‐like valleys and on the plains surrounding the plateau. The model emphasizes the crucial impact of seasonal rainfall distribution on cultural landscapes in arid regions and the lower significance of annual precipitation rates, with implications for future numeric climate models. It also serves as an example of how past climate changes have affected human societies. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Subsource characterization: Obsidian utilization of subsources of the Coso volcanic field, Coso Junction, California, USA
Authors: Ericson Jonathon E. , Glascock Michael D. 
Published: November 2004

AbstractSix chemical subsource groups were identified in the analysis of 84 obsidian samples collected from subsource locations at Coso volcanic field, California. In prehistoric times, Coso provided obsidian for artifacts found from San Francisco Bay to San Diego to Death Valley to the eastern Mojave Desert. Subsource groups were defined by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) of 29 elements followed by cluster analysis, principal component analysis, and bivariate plotting. The new data are compared to previously published INAA and X‐ray fluorescence data. Characterization of 55 obsidian artifacts from archaeological sites located approximately 100 miles from Coso suggests preferential usage of specific subsources as a function of the directionality of travel. The results are consistent with a bimodal (resident and itinerant) model of procurement. This research illustrates the importance of accurate sourcing of obsidian artifacts when attempting to define subsource usage. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Inhibition of Kupffer cell functions as an explanation for the hepatoprotective properties of silibinin
Authors: Dehmlow C , Erhard J , de Groot H 
Published: November 2004

The flavonoid silibinin, the main compound extracted from the milk thistle Silybum marianum, displays hepatoprotective properties in acute and chronic liver injury. To further elucidate the mechanisms by which it acts, we studied the effects of silibinin on different functions of isolated rat Kupffer cells, namely the formation of superoxide anion radical (02
−), nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF- α), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and leukotriene B4 (LTB4). Production of 02
− and NO were inhibited in a dose-dependent manner, with an 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) value around 80 μmol/L. No effect on TNF-α formation was detected. Opposite effects were found on the cyclooxygenase and 5-lipoxygenase pathway of arachidonic acid metabolism. Whereas no influence on PGE2 formation was observed with silibinin concentrations up to 100 μmol/L, a strong inhibitory effect on LTB4 formation became evident. The IC50- value for inhibiting the formation of this eicosanoid was determined to be 15 μmol/L silibinin. The strong inhibition of LTB4, formation by silibinin was confirmed in experiments with phagocytic cells isolated from human liver.
Hence, while rather high concentrations of silibinin are necessary to diminish free radical formation by activated Kupffer cells, significant inhibition of the 5-lipoxy-genase pathway already occurs at silibinin concentrations which are achieved in vivo. Selective inhibition of leukotriene formation by Kupffer cells can at least partly account for the hepatoprotective properties of silibinin.
Failure to acquire new semantic knowledge in patients with large medial temporal lobe lesions
Authors: Bayley Peter J. , Squire Larry R. 
Published: November 2004

AbstractWe examined new semantic learning in two profoundly amnesic patients (E.P. and G.P.) whose lesions involve virtually the entire medial temporal lobe (MTL) bilaterally. The patients were given five tests of semantic knowledge for information that could only have been acquired after the onset of their amnesia in 1992 and 1987, respectively. Age‐matched and education‐matched controls (n = 8) were also tested. On tests of recall, E.P. and G.P. each scored 10% correct on a test of 20 easy factual questions (controls = 90%), 2% and 4% correct on 55 questions about news events (controls = 85%), and 0% and 4% correct on a test of 24 famous faces. On three tests of recognition memory for this same material, the patients scored at chance levels. Similarly, the patients were unable to judge whether persons who had been famous for many decades were still living or had died during the past 10 years (E.P. = 53%; G.P. = 50%; controls = 73%; chance = 50%). Lastly, neither patient E.P. nor patient G.P. could draw an accurate floor plan of his current residence, despite having lived there for 10 years and 1 year, respectively. The results demonstrate that the capacity for new semantic learning can be absent, or nearly absent, when there is virtually complete damage to the MTL bilaterally. Accordingly, the results raise the possibility that the acquisition of conscious (declarative) knowledge about the world cannot be supported by structures outside the MTL, even with extended exposure. Published 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A model for valuation of the branch offices of a savings bank based on rough sets
Authors: Pérez‐Llera C. , Fernández‐Baizán C. , Fanjul J. L. , Feito J. 
Published: November 2004

AbstractThis work proposes a model for the valuation of branch ofﬁces of banks based on the rough set theory, which could be used as the basis for a decision‐making system for dimensioning strategies of a ﬁnancial entity. It compares the rough set approach with the competitive discriminant analysis methodology using a common set of data from 421 branches. We pay special attention to data reduction and the creation of decision rules that will allow future branches to be classiﬁed. These rules could constitute the basis for the evaluation of the viability of dimensioning strategies for a ﬁnancial entity. In order to evaluate the predictive capabilities of the decision rules, we present the results of cross‐validation tests to evaluate the ability of the model to classify new branches. It appears that the rough sets approach provides a favourable tool for the valuation of branch ofﬁces. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Artificial neural networks with feature transformation based on domain knowledge for the prediction of stock index futures
Authors: Kim Kyoung‐Jae 
Published: November 2004

AbstractA feature transformation method based on domain knowledge for artiﬁcial neural networks (ANNs) is proposed. The method of feature transformation based on domain knowledge converts continuous values into discrete values in accordance with the knowledge of experts in speciﬁc application domains. This approach effectively ﬁlters data, trains the classiﬁer, and extracts the rules from the classiﬁer. In addition, it reduces the dimensionality of the feature space, which not only decreases the cost and time in the operation but also enhances the generalizability of the classiﬁer. The experimental results of the proposed approach will be compared and tested statistically with the results of the linear transformation method. The results show that the method of feature transformation based on domain knowledge outperforms the linear transformation in modelling of ANNs. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Novel polyelectrolyte carboxymethyl konjac glucomannan–chitosan nanoparticles for drug delivery. II. Release of albumin in vitro
Authors: Du Jian , Zhang Sheng , Sun Rui , Zhang Li‐Fang , Xiong Cheng‐Dong , Peng Yu‐Xing 
Published: November 2004

AbstractCarboxymethyl konjac glucomannan–chitosan (CKGM‐CS) nanoparticles were spontaneously prepared under very mild conditions via polyelectrolyte complexation. Bovine serum albumin (BSA), as a model protein drug, was incorporated into the CKGM‐CS nanoparticles. The physicochemical properties of the BSA‐loaded nanoparticles were identified by Zetasizer 3000 and FTIR spectrophotometry. Their sizes were from 330 nm to 900 nm; zeta potentials were positive according to varies CKGM/CS ratios. The encapsulation efficiency was up 20%. The release behavior in vitro of BSA from the nanoparticles was also investigated. We could find that the BSA release from the CKGM‐CS nanoparticles is much more influenced by the CS coating layer than by the CKGM inner structure. And the CKGM‐CS matrices not only exhibited pH‐responsive properties, but ionic strength‐sensitive properties. These systems may present a potential for pulsatile protein drug delivery. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 72B: 299–304, 2005
Histone acetyltransferase activity of p300 enhances the activation of IL‐18 promoter
Authors: Sun Haijing , Lu Jun , Xu Xin , Jin Shunzi , Wang Xiuli , Wei Liang , Dong Mei , Huang Baiqu 
Published: November 2004

AbstractInterleukin‐18 (IL‐18), an important regulator of innate and acquired immune responses expressed from a variety of cell types, is a pleiotropic cytokine in the development of T helper type 1 (Thl) cells. The p300/CBP (CREB‐binding protein) coactivator proteins are important histone acetyltransferases (HATs) that regulate the transcription of many genes. Whether p300/CBP play a role in the IL‐18 expression has not been investigated previously. In this study, we analyzed the roles of p300 in the regulation of mouse IL‐18 by using RT‐PCR and a series of co‐transfection studies. We showed that p300 had a stimulating effect on the endogenous IL‐18 mRNA synthesis and on the activity of IL‐18 p1 promoter. The results also showed that IL‐18 p1 promoter activity was enhanced by p300 in a dose‐dependent manner. Moreover, the p300‐mediated activation function can be suppressed by the adenovirus E1A protein, which inhibits the HAT function of p300. Also, a mutation in p300 HAT region abolished the effect of p300 on IL‐18 activation. These data further indicate that the acetylase activity of p300 was indispensable to its function. Furthermore, we found that p300 was able to enhance the effect of the transcription factor c‐Fos on activation of the IL‐18 promoter. Data presented in this paper implicate important roles of p300 in the transcriptional regulation of IL‐18. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Bone morphogenetic protein‐2 induces expression of murine zinc finger transcription factor ZNF450
Authors: Edgar Alasdair J. , Dover Sharon L. , Lodrick Melanie N. , McKay Ian J. , Hughes Francis J. , Turner Wendy 
Published: November 2004

AbstractThe bone morphogenetic protein‐2 (BMP‐2) is a potent secreted factor that promotes osteoblast differentiation during development. Exposure to BMP‐2 is sufficient to cause a lasting change in cell fate presumably by activating specific target genes. To identify genes downstream of BMP‐2 we treated the murine pluripotent embryonic cell line, C3H10T1/2 that can be induced to form an osteoblastic phenotype, with 100 ng/ml BMP‐2 for 24 h. Using suppression subtractive hybridisation we found the novel zinc finger transcription factor, ZNF450 was upregulated. The single‐copy ZNF450 gene spans 15.6 kb on chromosome 10B1 and consists of seven exons, the first of which is untranslated. The open reading frame encodes a 710 reside protein. Analysis of the protein sequence reveals a highly conserved amino‐terminal BTB/POZ dimerisation domain, an AT‐hook motif, and eight C2H2 zinc fingers. Library screening identified a second mRNA isoform encoding a short protein isoform with one zinc finger. Using reverse transcriptase‐real time PCR to measure mRNA expression we found that ZNF450, Runx2/Cbfa‐1, and Sp7/osterix were induced by BMP‐2 after 4 h in C2C12 myoblast cells. Treatment of C2C12 cells with BMP‐2 causes a shift from a myoblastic to osteoblastic phenotype. ZNF450 was upregulated three to fivefold after 24 h in C3H10T1/2 cells and required 100 ng/ml BMP‐2. Expression of the 3 kb major transcript was highest in liver, testis, and kidney. However, ZNF450 mRNA was found also in a wide range of adult tissues. The consistent induction of ZNF450 by BMP‐2 after 4 h in three murine pluripotent cell lines suggests that ZNF450 may play a role in the BMP‐2 signalling pathway. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
RNA‐dependent nuclear matrix contains a 33 kb globin full domain transcript as well as prosomes but no 26S proteasomes
Authors: Ioudinkova Elena , Razin Sergey V. , Borunova Victoria , de Conto Flora , Rynditch Alla , Scherrer Klaus 
Published: November 2004

AbstractPreviously, we have shown that in murine myoblasts prosomes are constituents of the nuclear matrix; a major part of the latter was found to be RNase sensitive. Here, we further define the RNA‐dependent matrix in avian erythroblastosis virus (AEV) transformed erythroid cells in relation to its structure, presence of specific RNA, prosomes and/or proteasomes. These cells transcribe but do not express globin genes prior to induction. Electron micrographs show little difference in matrices treated with DNase alone or with both, DNase and RNase. In situ hybridization with alpha globin riboprobes shows that this matrix includes globin transcripts. Of particular interest is that, apparently, a nearly 35 kb long globin full domain transcript (FDT), including genes, intergenic regions and a large upstream domain is a part of the RNA‐dependent nuclear matrix. The 23K‐type of prosomes, previously shown to be co‐localized with globin transcripts in the nuclear RNA processing centers, were found all over the nuclear matrix. Other types of prosomes show different distributions in the intact cell but similar distribution patterns on the matrix. Globin transcripts and at least 80% of prosomes disappear from matrices upon RNase treatment. Interestingly, the 19S proteasome modulator complex is insensitive to RNase treatment. Only 20S prosomes but not 26S proteasomes are thus part of the RNA‐dependent nuclear matrix. We suggest that giant pre‐mRNA and FDTs in processing, aligning prosomes and other RNA‐binding proteins are involved in the organization of the dynamic nuclear matrix. It is proposed that the putative function of RNA within the nuclear matrix and, thus, the nuclear dynamic architecture, might explain the giant size and complex organization of primary transcripts and their introns. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Characterization of events associated with apoptosis/anoikis induced by snake venom metalloproteinase BaP1 on human endothelial cells
Authors: Díaz Cecilia , Valverde Lorena , Brenes Oscar , Rucavado Alexandra , Gutiérrez José María 
Published: November 2004

AbstractHuman endothelial EA.hy926 cells were incubated with BaP1, a hemorrhagic metalloproteinase purified from Bothrops asper snake venom. Since the first hour of incubation with the proteinase, cells started showing DNA fragmentation, detected by a terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase‐mediated dUDP nick‐end labeling (TUNEL)‐based photometric enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). At later times, DNA fragments were predominantly located outside the cells, evidencing plasma membrane rupture. DNA fragmentation was completely abolished by Batimastat, a potent inhibitor of metalloproteinase enzymatic activity. Apoptosis induced by BaP1 on endothelial cells was independent of two Bcl‐2 family members (anti‐apototic Bcl‐xL and pro‐apoptotic Bax), that did not show any changes in their expression during a 24 h‐treatment period. Interestingly, IκBα, an inhibitor of NFκB, decreased after 24 h of treatment, suggesting further activation of the transcription factor. When some elements of the apoptotic extrinsic pathway were assessed, it was observed that procaspase‐8 completely disappeared after 24 h of treatment with BaP1, probably indicating its activation by a death receptor, whereas caspase‐8 inhibitor, cellular FLICE‐inhibitory protein (cFLIPL), increased its expression since the first hours of BaP1 incubation. In conclusion, treatment of human endothelial cells with BaP1 induces apoptosis/anoikis, independently of Bcl‐2 family members Bax and Bcl‐xL and associated with caspase‐8 activation and cFLIPL up‐regulation. Apoptosis was completely dependent on BaP1 enzymatic activity. Similarities between this and other endothelial cell anoikis‐related systems suggest that BaP1 and other snake venom metalloproteinases may be useful experimental tools in the study of death‐related events that occur when adherent cells loose contact with extracellular matrix. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Retrospective study on poliomyelitis cases in northern Greece
Authors: Frantzidou Filanthi , Papa Anna , Chalkia Dimitra , Antoniadis Antonis 
Published: November 2004

AbstractHere we report the results of a retrospective study on the epidemiological characteristics and genetic relationships of the virus isolates responsible for the last poliomyelitis cases in Greece. The last wild poliomyelitis case in Greece was detected in 1996, and the last vaccine‐related strain was isolated in 1998. The whole of Europe, including Greece, is now considered to be polio‐free. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 18:296–298, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Unmodified oligodeoxynucleotides require single‐strandedness to induce targeted repair of a chromosomal EGFP gene
Authors: Radecke Frank , Radecke Sarah , Schwarz Klaus 
Published: November 2004

AbstractBackgroundA number of genetic defects in humans are due to point mutations in a single, often tightly regulated gene. Genetic treatment of such defects is preferably done by correcting only the altered base pair at the endogenous locus rather than by a gene replacement strategy involving viral vectors. Promisingly high repair rates have been achieved in some systems with the non‐viral approach of transfecting chimeric RNA/DNA oligonucleotides (chimeraplasts). However, since this technique does not yet perform robustly, several parameters thought to be important in oligonucleotide‐mediated gene repair were examined.MethodsA series of transgenic HEK‐293 cell clones has been established harboring high or low copy numbers of a point‐mutated ‘enhanced green fluorescent protein’ (EGFP) gene as the target. At the level of single living cells, repair efficiencies were measured by fluorescence‐activated cell sorting (FACS) regarding topology (single‐stranded, double‐stranded), exonuclease protection (four phosphorothioate linkages at both ends), polarity (sense, antisense), and length (13mer, 19mer, 35mer, 69mer) of the oligonucleotide.ResultsWhen targeting chromosomal loci, up to 0.2% corrected cells were obtained with single‐stranded unmodified oligodeoxynucleotides, whereas a chimeraplast, its DNA analogue, and double‐stranded DNA fragments were practically non‐functional. Correction efficiencies correlated with target gene copy numbers. Modifying exonuclease resistance, polarity or length of single‐stranded oligodeoxynucleotides did not enhance repair efficacy above the sub‐percentage range.ConclusionsSuccessful chromosomal reporter gene repair in HEK‐293 cells required an oligodeoxynucleotide to be single‐stranded. In concert with the gene copy number correlation, functional interaction between the repair molecule and the target site seems to be one bottleneck in targeted gene repair. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis of [quinoline‐3‐14C]‐SSR97193 (ferroquine) from [2‐14C]‐malonic acid
Authors: McNeill Alan , Murrell Victor , Taylor Keith 
Published: November 2004

AbstractThe antimalarial [quinoline‐3‐14C]‐SSR97193 (ferroquine) (8), an analogue of chloroquine (CQ) (1), was synthesized from [2‐14C]‐malonic acid with an overall radiochemical yield of 15%. The synthetic route via [14C]‐Meldrum's acid (9) was designed to minimize the intermediacy of radiolabelled volatiles. This synthesis involves a four‐step route to labelled 4,7‐dichloroquinoline, which is the key intermediate for the synthesis of many analogues of CQ. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
On‐line size‐exclusion chromatography/mass spectrometry of low molecular mass heparin
Authors: Henriksen Jens , Ringborg Lene Hoffmeyer , Roepstorrf Peter 
Published: November 2004

AbstractHeparin and low molecular mass heparin (LMMH) consists of complex mixtures of sulphated linear oligosaccharides that are difficult to analyse. An on‐line size exclusion chromatographic/electrospray ionization (ESI) mass spectrometric method that allows the determination of more than 60 components in an LMMH preparation is presented. The experimental setup includes on‐line cation exchange in order to prevent massive adducting in the ESI interface. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.