bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Three Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases Inhibit Insulin Signaling by Different Mechanisms in 3T3-L1 Adipocytes
Authors: Fujishiro Midori , Gotoh Yukiko , Katagiri Hideki , Sakoda Hideyuki , Ogihara Takehide , Anai Motonobu , Onishi Yukiko , Ono Hiraku , Abe Miho , Shojima Nobuhiro , Fukushima Yasushi , Kikuchi Masatoshi , Oka Yoshitomo , Asano Tomoichiro 
Published: February 2003

AbstractTNFα, which activates three different MAPKs [ERK, p38, and jun amino terminal kinase (JNK)], also induces insulin resistance. To better understand the respective roles of these three MAPK pathways in insulin signaling and their contribution to insulin resistance, constitutively active MAPK/ERK kinase (MEK)1, MAPK kinase (MKK6), and MKK7 mutants were overexpressed in 3T3-L1 adipocytes using an adenovirus-mediated transfection procedure. The MEK1 mutant, which activates ERK, markedly down-regulated expression of the insulin receptor (IR) and its major substrates, IRS-1 and IRS-2, mRNA and protein, and in turn reduced tyrosine phosphorylation of IR as well as IRS-1 and IRS-2 and their associated phosphatidyl inositol 3-kinase (PI3K) activity. The MKK6 mutant, which activates p38, moderately inhibited IRS-1 and IRS-2 expressions and IRS-1-associated PI3K activity without exerting a significant effect on the IR. Finally, the MKK7 mutant, which activates JNK, reduced tyrosine phosphorylation of IRS-1 and IRS-2 and IRS-associated PI3K activity without affecting expression of the IR, IRS-1, or IRS-2. In the context of our earlier report showing down-regulation of glucose transporter 4 by MEK1-ERK and MKK6/3-p38, the present findings suggest that chronic activation of ERK, p38, or JNK can induce insulin resistance by affecting glucose transporter expression and insulin signaling, though via distinctly different mechanisms. The contribution of ERK is, however, the strongest.
Transactivation of the Progesterone Receptor Gene in Granulosa Cells: Evidence that Sp1/Sp3 Binding Sites in the Proximal Promoter Play a Key Role in Luteinizing Hormone Inducibility
Authors: Sriraman Venkataraman , Sharma S. Chidananda , Richards JoAnne S. 
Published: February 2003

Abstract
LH induction of the progesterone receptor (PR) in granulosa cells is a central event in ovulation. To identify critical regions of the mouse PR promoter that confer LH inducibility in granulosa cells, a mouse PR promoter (−384/+680) genomic fragment was ligated to a luciferase reporter construct and transfected into primary cultures of granulosa cells. Forskolin/phorbol myristate (PMA) induced PR promoter-luciferase reporter activity in granulosa cells greater than 15-fold. A deletion construct comprised only of the distal promoter alone (−348/+64) was inactive. Conversely, deletion constructs eliminating putative distal promoter-regulatory elements that bind Sp1, nuclear factor Y, and GATA-4 as well as the transcription start site (+1) failed to reduce forskolin/PMA activation of reporter activity. Additional 5′-deletions identified a minimal promoter region (+420/+680) sufficient to bestow cAMP responsiveness approximately 8- to 10-fold. Two GC-rich regions Sp1(A)[+440/+461] and Sp1(B) [+473/+490] bound Sp1/Sp3. Site-directed mutagenesis of Sp1(A) and Sp1(B) reduced activity of the proximal (+357/+680) promoter reporter construct approximately 50% and 99%, respectively. When the same Sp1(B) mutation was introduced into the intact promoter (−145/+680), forskolin/PMA induction of promoter activity was reduced by 70–80%. When the distal GC box as well as the proximal Sp1(B) site were both mutated in the context of the intact promoter, inducibility of the transgene was even more severely reduced. The importance of these Sp1/Sp3 binding regions was confirmed in human MCF-7 cells and Drosophila SL2 cells. Collectively, these results indicate that the Sp1/Sp3 binding sites within the mouse PR proximal promoter are essential for transactivation of the gene by agonists in granulosa cells. The molecular mechanisms by which LH activates Sp1/Sp3 at this region within the PR gene remain unknown but do not involve changes in the binding of Sp1/Sp3 to the critical GC boxes. Rather, Sp1/Sp3 appear to recruit other factors to the promoter.
High-Grade Diagenetic Dickite and 2M1Illite From the Middle Proterozoic Kombolgie Formation (Northern Territory, Australia)
Authors: Patrier Patricia , Beaufort Daniel , Laverret Emmanuel , Bruneton Patrice 
Published: February 2003

AbstractThe aim of this paper was to define the nature and the relative chronology of the diagenetic clay bearing assemblages within sandstones of the Middle Proterozoic Kombolgie formation (Northern Territory, Australia). The detrital minerals of these rocks comprise quartz, accessory zircon, tourmaline, rutile and rare phengitic white micas. Diagenetic features consist of pore-sealing secondary quartz overgrowths, strong compaction shown by interlocked structures and stylolith joints, local hematization and the occurrence of two distinct clay parageneses. Blocky crystals of dickite constitute the earlier diagenetic clays. Their FTIR spectra and their DTA curves, with a sharp dehydroxylation endothermic peak near 680°C, are characteristic of the well-ordered dickite already encountered in many deeply-buried sandstones. Quartz overgrowth may be contemporaneous with the crystallization of dickite. Illite occurred during a subsequent stage as grain coatings and as pseudomorphs of dickite in the residual pores of the sandstones. Illite seems to be contemporaneous with the major deformation features associated with compaction phenomena at the maximal burial conditions experienced by the sandstone formation. These illites are essentially of 2M1polytype. They display pseudohexagonal platy crystals with average diameters ranging from 2 to 10 µm. Their chemical composition is Al-rich (Ca0.01Na0.02K1.72) ( )(Si6.27IVAl1.73)O20(OH)4. These Proterozoic rocks provide a natural reference for the illite end-member occurring as a replacement of kaolin subgroup minerals during burial diagenesis of sandstones The textural properties of the Kombolgie sandstones (absence of fracture network, low porosity, well-developed macroscopic stylolith joints…) and the crystal structure of both the diagenetic dickite and illite would tend to indicate that the Kombolgie sandstones were buried at a depth exceeding 5 km.
Juvenile firesetters: Crime scene actions and offender characteristics
Authors: Santtila Pekka , Häkkänen Helinä , Alison Laurence , Whyte Carrie 
Published: February 2003

Purpose. To investigate whether and to what extent the thematic structure of crime scene actions in arsons identified in Canter and Fritzon (1998) is replicated for juvenile firesetters and to explore whether any associations between the crime scene action themes and offender characteristics would be evident.Methods. The crime scene actions and offender characteristics of 61 male and 5 female juvenile firesetters (aged 6‐17 years) were examined. The data were drawn from a larger database originally collected and content analysed in Fritzon (1998). In total, 43 dichotomous crime scene actions, 17 offender background characteristics and offender criminal record variables had been coded. Smallest space analysis was employed to examine the configuration of crime scene action and offender characteristic variables. The associations between the crime scene actions and offender characteristics, as well as the criminal record variables, were analysed using the correlation.Results. Distinct structural themes for crime scene actions were found in juvenile firesetting, similar to those identified in Canter and Fritzon (1998). Contrary to Canter and Fritzon, only two groups of background characteristics were identified, depressed and delinquent, the latter being more common and related to an instrumental form of firesetting. The expressive form of firesetting was associated with offenders' psychopathology and female gender. The presence of a crime scene action theme was associated with the offender's age.Conclusions. The structural themes of firesetting behaviour appear to transpire early. The background characteristics of juvenile firesetters indicate that juvenile firesetting is often associated with antisocial behaviour and psychopathology, deserving, therefore, disparate prevention, intervention and investigation programmes.
Accreditation of offending behaviour programmes in HM Prison Service: ‘What Works’ in practice
Authors: Blud Linda , Travers Rosie , Nugent Francis , Thornton David 
Published: February 2003

Purpose. This study assessed the short‐term impact of offending behaviour programmes in relation to certain key features of programme delivery identified by an accreditation system. The aim was to further inform the debate on ‘What Works’ in practice by establishing whether well‐delivered programmes are more effective.Method. The sample consisted of 5,255 offenders serving custodial sentences in prisons across England and Wales who completed one of two accredited cognitive skills programmes during the financial year 2001/2002. The relationship between a battery of assessment measures, tutor experience, drop‐out rates, audit observations and the quality of programme delivery was explored.Results. A positive short‐term impact was observed on the majority of assessment measures across both programmes. Patterns of change were broadly similar across gender, age, and ethnic groupings. This short‐term impact of the programmes was significantly greater for a group of high‐need prisoners and at those sites where tutors were delivering more frequently. Tutor delivery rates were also found to be related to drop‐out rates and the quality of programme delivery. Attempts to establish a relationship between ratings of tutor performance from video‐monitoring and the short‐term impact of the course were unsuccessful. However, at the programme site level, positive correlations were observed between the quality of delivery and other measures of the site's performance.Conclusion. This study shows that programmes do have a short‐term impact and that this is greater for higher‐need prisoners and at sites where tutors were delivering more frequently. Furthermore, the accreditation system has highlighted key aspects of programme delivery which do appear to influence the short‐term effectiveness of the programmes.
Cognitive‐behavioural treatment for imprisoned offenders: An evaluation of HM Prison Service's cognitive skills programmes
Authors: Friendship Caroline , Blud Linda , Erikson Matthew , Travers Rosie , Thornton David 
Published: February 2003

Purpose. The effectiveness of prison‐based cognitive‐behavioural treatment programmes was evaluated using reconviction as the outcome measure.Method. Reconviction rates were compared between two groups of adult male offenders who were serving a custodial sentence of 2 years or more in Her Majesty's Prison Service, England and Wales. The treatment group (N =667) consisted of offenders who had voluntarily participated in one of two treatment programmes that targeted 'cognitive deficits' related to offending behaviour. The comparison group (N =1,801) was made up of offenders who had not participated in the treatment programme but were “matched” to the treatment group on a number of empirically relevant variables.Results. Treatment produced a robust reduction in the probability of reconviction (p < .001) when other relevant variables were controlled for. For treated offenders, the percentage point reduction in reconviction was 14% in medium‐lowrisk offenders and 11% in medium‐high‐risk offenders.Conclusion. These outcome results demonstrate that the principles of effective practice in the field of offender rehabilitation, which were identified through meta‐analytical research predominately in North America, can be applied to a UK offender population to similar effect.
Notes on African Pannariaceae (lichenized ascomycetes)
Authors: Jørgensen Per M. 
Published: February 2003

AbstractThe African continent is shown to contain only 38 species in the lichen family Pannariaceae, all of which are listed in the conclusion. Four new species are described: Pannaria planiuscula (Republic of South Africa [RSA] and Kenya), Pannaria squamulosa (RSA), Parmeliella dactylifera (RSA), and Parmeliella triptophylloides (Kenya). Four species are recorded as new to the continent: Pannaria centrifuga P.M. Jørg. (RSA), Pannaria ramosii Vain. (Tanzania), Parmeliella imbricatula (Müll. Arg.) P. M. Jørg. (RSA), and Psoroma fruticulosum James & Henssen (RSA). The following taxa described from Africa prove to be synonyms: Pannaria cameroonensis Dodge (=Parmeliella stylophora), Pannaria capensis Stirt. (= P. lurida), Pannaria leucosticta var. isidiopsis Nyl. (= P. globigera), Pannaria pityrella Stirt. (= Coccocarpia stellata), and Pannaria thoroldii Dodge (= Parmeliella mariana). Three species have been incorrectly recorded from Africa: Pannaria fulvescens, Parmeliella nigrocincra and Parmeliella triptophylla.
Small-scale spatial patterns of two soil lichens in semi-arid Mediterranean steppe
Authors: Maestre Fernando T. 
Published: February 2003

AbstractBiological crusts are a common feature of the soil surface in arid and semi-arid ecosystems, where they play a major role in ecosystem functioning. In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in the ecophysiology, floristics, and dynamics of crust-forming lichens but little is known about the effect of vascular plants on their small-scale spatial distribution. To increase our understanding about the interactions between crust-forming lichens and vegetation in semi-arid areas, the spatial pattern and interaction of two soil lichens, Cladonia convoluta and Squamarina cartilaginea, at two microsites in semi-arid Stipa tenacissima steppe of south-eastern Spain are evaluated. The aim of this study was to determine if the microsite provided by Stipa tussocks promoted changes in the individual patterns and in the spatial covariation of these soil lichens. Spatial analysis by distance index (SADIE) coupled with correlation analysis was used to explore the individual patterns and the spatial relationships between the two species. SADIE detected a significant clumped pattern in the spatial distribution of both species, but Stipa tussocks promoted changes only in the spatial pattern of Cladonia. Correlation analysis revealed the presence of significant relationships between the two species, particularly close to Stipa tussocks. The results show that the microenvironment provided by Stipa is able to modify the small-scale spatial pattern of soil lichens in semi-arid steppe, and suggest the presence of facilitation between Stipa and Cladonia.
New species and new records of Parmotrema (Parmeliaceae) from India
Authors: Divakar P. K. , Upreti D. K. 
Published: February 2003

AbstractThe paper deals with six species of Parmotrema from India. Parmotrema awasthii Divakar & Upreti and Parmotrema upretii Divakar are described as new to science. Parmotrema defectum (Hale) Hale, P. ravum (Krog & Swinscow) Sérus., P. stuhlmannii (C.W. Dodge) Krog & Swinscow and P. tsavoense (Krog & Swinscow) Krog & Swinscow, are new records for the Indian lichen flora.
Molecular phylogeny of Diploschistes inferred from ITS sequence data
Authors: Martín María P. , LaGreca Scott , Lumbsch H. Thorsten 
Published: February 2003

AbstractThe phylogeny of the genus Diploschistes was investigated using nucleotide sequences of the nuclear ITS rDNA region (ITS1, ITS2 and 5.8S rDNA). Sequences of 22 Diploschistes species were aligned to those of six other species of Thelotremataceae, Graphis scripta and Aspicilia cinerea, with the last used as an outgroup. The alignment was analysed cladistically using maximum parsimony. In the most parsimonious trees, Diploschistes is monophyletic, with D. ocellatus being a sister group to the remaining Diploschistes spp. (= Diploschistes s. str.). A previous cladistic analysis of morphological data suggested an evolutionary trend within the genus from perithecioid to urceolate ascomata. The present ITS data suggest the opposite: perithecioid ascomata are apparently an apomorphic character within the genus, with the actinostomus group forming a derived monophyletic clade. However, the topology within Diploschistes s. str. Lacks strong bootstrap support.
Vaginal fluid pH as a screening test for vaginitis
Authors: Thinkhamrop J. , Lumbiganon P. , Thongkrajai P. , Chongsomchai C. , Pakarasang M. 
Published: February 2003

AbstractObjective: To assess how effective the pH test can detect infectious vaginitis. Methods: Ambulatory gynecological patients attending the gynecological out‐patient department of Srinagarind Hospital from May 1 to July 31, 1997 were assessed for vaginitis by history, overall physical examination and vaginal examination. Specimens were collected for microbiological examination and measurement of pH level. Results: Among 422 women recruited, a vaginal fluid pH level greater than 4.5 was found in 149 (35.3%) cases. The vaginal fluid pH as a screening test for infectious vaginitis showed a sensitivity of 49.7% (95% C.I.: 42.6–56.9). When using vaginal fluid pH combined with clinical symptoms and signs to screen for vaginitis the sensitivity was 67.5% (95% C.I.: 60.4–73.9). If a pH test was used to screen for BV, its sensitivity was 73.4% (95% C.I.; 60.7–83.3). Using a pH test in combination with clinical symptoms and signs of vaginitis to screen for BV, its sensitivity was 81.3% (95% C.I.: 69.2–89.5). Conclusion: Vaginal fluid pH combined with clinical symptoms and signs had a considerably high sensitivity to screen for BV.
Genetic analysis of familial and multiple malignancies of endometrial cancer
Authors: Kobayashi K. , Sagae S. , Takeda T. , Sugimura M. , Nishioka Y. , Kudo R. 
Published: February 2003

AbstractThe presence of the positive replication errors (RER) phenotype in familial and multiple primary malignancies of endometrial cancer, and its association with a poor prognosis was examined. We analyzed 40 endometrial cancers for RER. Eight endometrial cancers with the RER(+) phenotype at multiple microsatellite loci were detected. The presence of the RER(+) phenotype was higher than in non‐familial malignancies. None of the eight cases with the RER(+) phenotype involved multiple primary malignancies; however these patients had shorter survival times. In this study, we suggest that RER examination in endometrial cancer may be useful for establishing a diagnosis of a familial malignancy, and for predicting a poor prognosis.
The effects of A‐fiber pressure block on perception and neurophysiological correlates of brief non‐painful and painful CO2 laser stimuli in humans
Authors: Nahra Hicham , Plaghki Léon 
Published: February 2003

AbstractThis study examined the relative capacity of Aδ‐ and C‐fibers to encode non‐painful and painful brief CO2 laser stimuli by comparing the effects of Aδ/C‐fiber activation versus C‐fiber activation alone. In nine normal subjects, brief CO2 laser pulses of four different intensities (range 5.8–) were delivered at random on the first intermetacarpal zone of the dorsum of the hand. A‐fiber pressure block of the superficial radial nerve was performed to fully isolate the activity of C‐fibers. Quality and intensity (VAS) of percepts, reaction time (RT) and laser‐evoked potentials (LEPs) were examined in baseline and A‐fiber block conditions. During A‐fiber block, absolute detection threshold increased dramatically from 4.8±1.8 to , proportion of detected stimuli decreased from 87% to 47% and proportion of pain reports from 39% to 10%. The quality of sensations became mainly ‘light touch’ and the ‘pricking’ sensation almost vanished. The stimulus‐VAS curve shifted to the right and the slope was reduced. Signal Detection Theory analysis revealed that discrimination performance (P(A)) was significantly depressed and that response bias (B) evolved from a neutral towards a stoical attitude. Median RT increased from 492 to 1355 ms. The late LEPs, attributed to the activation of Aδ‐fibers, disappeared and ultra‐late LEPs were recorded at Cz with a positivity peaking around 800 ms. Collectively, these observations lead to the conclusion that Aδ‐fibers are the main peripheral mediators for the perception of brief CO2 laser stimuli and that they provide more sensory information than C‐fibers.
Lumen Formation In Vivo Versus In Vitro Observations
Authors: EGGINTON STUART , GERRITSEN MARY 
Published: February 2003

ABSTRACTLumen formation must accompany the de novo growth of blood vessels during embryological development, the production of new vessels (vasculogenesis), and the expansion or remodeling of the microcirculation in differentiated tissue (angiogenesis). The debate over lumen origin centers on whether this is an intracellular or intercellular phenomenon, entailing vesicle accretion or loss of endothelial cell (EC) contact, and whether this represents an intrinsic property of ECs or relies on extrinsic signals. In addition, recent in vivo data suggest that a third mechanism, that of longitudinal division, may be used to expand existing capillary networks. Importantly, more than one mechanism of lumen formation may be found in response to a given angiogenic signal. Tubule formation by ECs in a matrix is an increasingly popular form of in vitro angiogenesis assay, and it may offer insights into the mechanisms involved during growth in embryos or under pathological conditions in adults. Crucial to the validity of in vitro preparations is the extent to which tubule assembly and lumen formation mirrors that observed in vivo, although these data cannot elucidate the controls operative during adaptive remodeling of the vascular bed. Similar structures may be observed in vivo and in vitro, and may represent the situation found during angiogenesis and vasculogenesis, respectively. Lumen formation during angiogenesis, and tubule formation during EC culture, require the existence of cell polarity. As tubule formation is not a unique property of ECs, how this is developed is a key area where in vitro studies may extend our understanding of EC biology.
Estimating the diversity of peptide populations from limited sequence data
Authors: Makowski Lee , Soares Alexei 
Published: February 2003

Abstract
Motivation: Combinatorial libraries of peptides such as those displayed on the surface of a bacteriophage particle have become widely used tools for characterizing protein–protein and protein–small molecule interactions. The quality of a library frequently depends on its completeness, or diversity—the proportion of possible sequences actually present in the library. The diversity of these libraries is frequently quoted on the basis of phage titers that provide little information about their completeness.
Results: Here, an analytical expression for diversity is introduced and a method for estimating the diversity of a peptide library from the sequences of a limited number of the members of the library is demonstrated. The diversities of a number of computationally constructed and actual peptide libraries are estimated using this method.
Contact: lmakowski@anl.gov
* To whom correspondence should be addressed.