bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Use of salivary steroid analyses to assess ovarian cycles in an Indian rhinoceros at the National Zoological Park
Authors: Gómez Andrés , Jewell Erin , Walker Susan L. , Brown Janine L. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractSaliva samples were collected from a female Indian rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) housed at the National Zoological Park, and ether‐extracted for analyses of androgen, estrogen, and progestin metabolites to assess ovarian cycles. Analyses of both salivary androgens and estrogens were found to reliably monitor follicular activity. Although the temporal patterns of the two steroids were significantly correlated (r=0.62; P<0.05), they differed slightly. Salivary androgens increased earlier during the follicular phase, although both peaked at the same time in association with behavioral estrus. Based on salivary androgen profiles, the mean duration of the follicular phase was 11.4 days (ranged=7–15 days; n=17 cycles). Estrous cycle length, as measured by the time between consecutive androgen peaks, was 47.4±3.4 days (range=37–86 days). Salivary progestin measurements were effective for monitoring luteal function. The mean duration of the luteal phase was 15.5±1.5 days (range=10–23 days). In sum, assays were identified for measuring salivary steroids to assess ovarian function in Indian rhinoceroses. However, not all of the assay systems tested were effective, perhaps because of interfering matrix effects. Mate introductions in the Indian rhinoceros often require careful monitoring, and a technique for monitoring hormones in saliva could be an alternative to urine or fecal analyses for identifying estrus and timing breeding in this species. Such a technique would be particularly useful for situations in which it is difficult to collect uncontaminated urine and feces. Zoo Biol 23:501–512, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Acute impairment of contractile responses by 17β‐estradiol is cAMP and protein kinase G dependent in vascular smooth muscle cells of the porcine coronary arteries
Authors: Keung Wendy , Vanhoutte Paul M , Man Ricky Y K 
Published: December 2004

The aim of the present study was to investigate the involvement of adenosine 3′,5′‐cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) cascade in the acute impairment of contraction by 17β‐estradiol in porcine coronary arteries, and to elucidate the signaling pathway leading to the activation of this cascade by the hormone.
Isometric tension was recorded in isolated rings of porcine coronary arteries.
The contraction to U46619 was reduced significantly following 30 min incubation with 1 nM 17β‐estradiol or 1 nM isoproterenol. There was no additive effect when 17β‐estradiol and isoproterenol were administered together. The effect of 17β‐estradiol was mimicked by both the cyclic AMP analogue 8‐Br‐cAMP and the guanosine 3′,5′‐cyclic monophosphate (cyclic GMP) analogue 8‐Br‐cGMP.
In rings with and without endothelium, the modulatory effect of 17β‐estradiol was abolished by the adenylyl cyclase inhibitor, SQ 22536, but was unaffected by the guanylyl cyclase inhibitor, ODQ.
Both the cAMP antagonist Rp‐8‐Br‐cAMPS and the cGMP antagonist inhibitor Rp‐8‐Br‐cGMPS inhibited the effect of 17β‐estradiol.
The effect of 17β‐estradiol was unaffected by the protein kinase A inhibitor, KT5720, but was abolished by the protein kinase G (PKG) inhibitor, KT5823, which also abolished the effect of isoproterenol.
These data support our earlier findings that 17β‐estradiol (1 nM) acutely impairs contractile responses of porcine coronary arteries in vitro. This acute effect of 17β‐estradiol involves cAMP in vascular smooth muscles and the activation of PKG.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2005) 144, 71–79. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0706018
Pharmacological characterization of ligand–receptor interactions at the zebrafish bradykinin receptor
Authors: Bromée Torun , Kukkonen Jyrki P , Andersson Per , Conlon J Michael , Larhammar Dan 
Published: December 2004

Ligand interactions of a piscine bradykinin (BK) receptor expressed in vitro have been characterized for the first time by measuring inositol phosphate accumulation.
The ligands were analogues of zebrafish BK with serial substitutions by D‐amino acids or alanine. Substitutions at residues Arg1, Gly4, Ser6, Pro7, Leu8 and Arg9 caused greatly reduced potency and maximum response. The Pro3 → Ala analogue had higher potency but lower maximum response.
The peptide HOE140 was a weak partial agonist although it is an antagonist at the human B2 receptor and a potent agonist at chicken B2.
Thus, cloned zebrafish BK receptor reveals a ligand‐interaction profile that is distinct from mammalian B1 and B2 receptors and from the previously characterized BK receptor in trout stomach, but similar to the receptor in cod intestine. These results increase our understanding of the evolution of BK receptors and the functions of the kallikrein–kinin system.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2005) 144, 11–16. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0706032
Connexin‐mimetic peptides dissociate electrotonic EDHF‐type signalling via myoendothelial and smooth muscle gap junctions in the rabbit iliac artery
Authors: Chaytor Andrew T , Bakker Linda M , Edwards David H , Griffith Tudor M 
Published: December 2004

Synthetic peptides corresponding to the Gap 26 and Gap 27 domains of the first and second extracellular loops of the major vascular connexins (Cx37, Cx40 and Cx43), designated as 43Gap 26, 40Gap 27, 37,40Gap 26 and 37,43Gap 27 according to Cx homology, were used to investigate the role of gap junctions in the spread of endothelial hyperpolarizations evoked by cyclopiazonic acid (CPA) through the wall of the rabbit iliac artery.
Immunostaining and confocal microscopy demonstrated that gap junction plaques constructed from Cx37 and Cx40 were abundant in the endothelium, whereas Cx43 was the dominant Cx visualized in the media.
None of the Cx‐mimetic peptides affected endothelial hyperpolarizations evoked by CPA directly.
When administered individually, 40Gap 27, 37,40Gap 26 and 37,43Gap 27, but not 43Gap 26, attenuated endothelium‐dependent subintimal smooth muscle hyperpolarization. By contrast, only 43Gap 26 and 37,43Gap 27 reduced the spread of subintimal hyperpolarization through the media of the rabbit iliac artery. The site of action of the peptides therefore correlated closely with the expression of their target Cxs in detectable gap junction plaques.
The findings provide further evidence that the EDHF phenomenon is electrotonic in nature, and highlight the contribution of myoendothelial and homocellular smooth muscle communication via gap junctions to arterial function.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2005) 144, 108–114. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0706046
Regulation of stability of cyclin-dependent kinase CDK11p110 and a caspase-processed form, CDK11p46, by Hsp90
Authors: MIKOLAJCZYK Monika , NELSON Mark A. 
Published: December 2004

CDK11p110 (cyclin-dependent kinase 11p110, formerly known as PITSLRE) is a member of the CDK superfamily. It associates with cyclin L and is involved in the regulation of transcription and in premRNA splicing. During staurosporine-, Fas- and tumour necrosis factor α-induced apoptosis, CDK11p110, is cleaved by caspases to generate smaller 46–50 kDa proteins containing the catalytic kinase domain. Ectopic expression of the caspase-processed form CDK11p46 induces apoptosis. The mechanisms that regulate activation and stability of CDK11 isoforms are still unclear. In the present study, we demonstrate that in human melanoma cells CDK11p110 and CDK11p46 interact with Hsp90 (heat-shock protein 90) and its co-chaperone cdc37. Furthermore, we show that the treatment of cells with the Hsp90-specific inhibitor geldanamycin leads to ubiquitination and enhanced degradation of both CDK11p110 and CDK11p46 through a proteasome-dependent pathway. We also determined that geldanamycin-triggered degradation of CDK11p46 slows down the progression of apoptosis. These results indicate that Hsp90 and cdc37 stabilize CDK11 kinase, and suggest that this stabilization is crucial for its pro-apoptotic function.
Probing the active site of YjeE: a vital Escherichia coli protein of unknown function
Authors: ALLALI-HASSANI Abdellah , CAMPBELL Tracey L. , HO Andy , SCHERTZER Jeffrey W. , BROWN Eric D. 
Published: December 2004

In the study described here, we have taken steps to characterize the YjeE protein, an Escherichia coli protein of unknown function that is essential for bacterial viability. YjeE represents a protein family whose members are broadly conserved in bacteria, absent from eukaryotes and contain both Walker A and B motifs, characteristic of P-loop ATPases. We have revisited the dispensability of the yjeE gene in E. coli and describe efforts to probe the function of the YjeE protein with in vitro biochemistry. We have looked critically for ATPase activity in the recombinant E. coli protein and have made vigilant use of site-directed variants in the Walker A [K41A (Lys41→Ala) and T42A] and putative Walker B (D80Q) motifs. We noted that any hydrolysis of ATP by the wild-type E. coli protein might be attributed to background ATPase, since it was not appreciably different from that of the variants. To overcome potential contaminants, we turned to crystalline pure YjeE protein from Haemophilus influenzae that was found to hydrolyse ATP at a slow rate (kcat=1 h−1). We have also shown high-affinity binding to YjeE by ADP using equilibrium dialysis (Kd=32 μM) and by fluorescence resonance energy transfer from a conserved tryptophan in YjeE to a fluorescent derivative of ADP, 2′-/3′-O-(N-methylanthraniloyl)adenosine 5′-O-diphosphate (Kd=8 μM). Walker motif variants were notably impaired for ADP binding and T42A and D80Q mutations in yjeE were incapable of complementing the yjeE deletion strain.
The AIDS Epidemic and Migrants in South Asia and South‐East Asia
Authors: Simonet Daniel 
Published: December 2004

AbstractMigrant vulnerability to AIDS is an important public health care issue. After having listed some characteristics of the epidemic in Asia and their link with migration, the article describes some of the disease's consequences on economic sectors that employ migrants and lists preventive measures (regulatory, sectoral, microeconomic) that have been taken to counter the spread.
Charcoal and activated carbon as adsorbate of phytotoxic compounds – a comparative study
Authors: Hille Marco , Den Ouden Jan 
Published: December 2004

This study compares the potential of natural charcoal from Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and activated carbon to improve germination under the hypothesis that natural charcoal adsorbs phytotoxins produced by dwarf‐shrubs, but due to it's chemical properties to a lesser extent than activated carbon. Activated carbon has been used in many bioassays as an adsorbate to clean aqueous solutions.We used aqueous extracts from young leaves of Calluna vulgaris (L.) Hull and Vaccinium myrtillus (L.) as phytotoxin sources in two different concentrations (10 and 14 gr. of dried leaves in 100 ml distilled water). Germination of pine seeds was prevented by the higher concentration of both species, while the lower ones did not show significantly reduced germination. Both ericaceous species showed a very similar potential to prevent germination of Scots pine seeds.Supplemented carbon (activated carbon, powdered or granulated pine charcoal) restored germination in strong extracts. Adding activated carbon resulted in germination of almost 100%. With pine charcoals added, lower germination percentages were observed. The charcoal powder was more effective (60% for C. vulgaris; 28% for V. myrtillus) than the charcoal granulate (30% and 16%, respectively) in restoring germination.Chemical and surface analysis of the three carbon supplements revealed that activated carbon had by far the biggest active surface area (641 m2 g−1), and thus many more cavities to bind phytotoxins than natural charcoal (total surface area of 142 m2 g−1).We conclude, that charcoal produced by forest fires can have a positive effect on seed germination, but to a much lesser extent than activated carbon. Previous studies, which used activated carbon as an equivalent for charcoal, overestimated the effect of charcoal on germination.
Neoliberalism and casualization of public sector services: the case of waste collection services in Cape Town, South Africa
Authors: Miraftab Faranak 
Published: December 2004

This article focuses on the waste collection strategies of the municipal government in Cape Town, South Africa, using the case as a point of entry to a wider critique of global neoliberalism and the privatization of municipal services. The analysis of the case sheds light on the links between the cost recovery agenda of the neoliberal state and the casualization of labor. To minimize costs, local governments, like private sector firms, rely on and have enhanced the casualization of labor. This strategy further blurs the conceptual distinction between the public and private sectors, in that the local governments treat citizens as, instead, customers with stratified entitlements to basic services. Stressing the continuities of apartheid under the neoliberal policies, the article identifies specific ways in which the neoliberal government in its post‐apartheid moment uses gender ideologies and the rhetoric of voluntarism and empowerment to justify its use of residents' underpaid and precarious labor for municipal services in poor black townships.Cet article aborde les stratégies de ramassage des ordures établies par la municipalité de Cape Town (Afrique du Sud) et utilise ce cas comme point de départ d'une critique plus large sur le néolibéralisme ambiant et la privatisation des services municipaux. L'analyse révèle les liens entre le programme de recouvrement des coûts de l'État néolibéral et la précarisation de la main‐d'œuvre. En effet, pour minimiser les coûts, les gouvernements locaux, à l'instar des entreprises privées, s'appuient sur une précarisation (qu'ils accroissent) de l'emploi. Cette stratégie atténue encore la distinction conceptuelle entre secteurs public et privé, les gouvernements locaux traitant les habitants plutôt comme des clients ayant droit, selon leur strate d'appartenance, à tel ou tel service de base. Soulignant les prolongements de l'apartheid sous une politique néolibérale, l'article identifie les modalités spécifiques grâce auxquelles le gouvernement néolibéral de post‐apartheid recourt aux idéologies sexistes et au discours sur le bénévolat et l'habilitation pour justifier son utilisation d'une main‐d'œuvre précaire et mal rémunérée parmi les habitants, pour les services municipaux dans les quartiers noirs pauvres.
Impact of O‐linked glycosylation of the VWF‐A1‐domain flanking regions on platelet interaction
Authors: Esch Jan Schulte am , Robson Simon C. , Knoefel Wolfram T. , Eisenberger Claus F. , Peiper Matthias , Rogiers Xavier 
Published: December 2004

SummaryThis study investigated the functional impact of O‐linked glycosylation of von Willebrand Factor (VWF) A1 domains on the interaction with platelet receptors. Native or mutant VWF‐A1‐domains were transiently overexpressed on COS‐7 cells as membrane glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)‐anchored FLAG‐tagged fusion proteins. Cytofluometric analysis assured comparable levels of A1‐domain expression among native and mutant homologues as well as for different culture conditions. Expressing native VWF‐A1‐domains under O‐linked glycosylation blocking conditions increased the platelet aggregatory responses observed for fully glycosylated forms. Utilizing a neuronal network for prediction of O‐linked glycosylation of mammalian proteins, threonine (T) and serine (S) residues located in the VWF‐A1‐loop flanking regions – not in the loop itself – were determined to be glycosylated n‐terminal at amino acids T485, S490, T492 and T493 and c‐terminal at T705. Simultaneous selective charge‐to‐alanine mutation of S490, T492 and T493 led to gain in aggregatory responses. When compared with native forms, equivalent alterations of T485 did not dictate functional differences. Any alanine‐substitution for T705 revealed a substantial loss in aggregatory effects – possibly as a result of structural desintegration of the VWF‐A1‐binding site for glycoprotein (GP) Ib. These data suggest specific O‐linked glycosylation of the amino‐terminal VWF‐A1‐loop‐flanking region to have a negative regulatory impact on the A1‐domain affinity of non‐activated human VWF for human platelet‐GPIb.
Autologous bone marrow transplantation as consolidation therapy in the treatment of adult patients under 60 years with acute myeloid leukaemia in first complete remission: a prospective randomized Dutch–Belgian Haemato‐Oncology Co‐operative Group (HOVON) and Swiss Group for Clinical Cancer Research (SAKK) trial
Authors: Breems Dimitri A. , Boogaerts Marc A. , Dekker Adriaan W. , Van Putten Wim L. J. , Sonneveld Pieter , Huijgens Peter C. , Van der Lelie Johannes , Vellenga Edo , Gratwohl Alois , Verhoef Gregor E. G. , Verdonck Leo F. , Löwenberg Bob 
Published: December 2004

SummaryThe question as to whether autologous stem cell transplantation (SCT) after consolidation chemotherapy improves the probability of survival of patients with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) in first remission has not been settled. Here, we present the results of a phase III study conducted in newly diagnosed adult AML patients aged <60 years. Patients who had reached a complete remission (CR) after two courses of induction chemotherapy and who were not eligible for a human leucocyte antigen‐matched sibling SCT (n = 130), were randomized after a third consolidation cycle of chemotherapy between high‐dose cytotoxic treatment and autologous bone marrow transplantation or no further treatment. No significant differences in disease‐free survival and overall survival were observed between the two treatment arms. A slightly better overall survival in the no further treatment arm was because of fewer deaths in the first CR and a significantly better overall survival after the first relapse. The results are discussed in relation to the generic problems of applying autologous transplantation and in the perspective of the limited statistical power of this and other previously published studies.
Fabry disease: overall effects of agalsidase alfa treatment
Authors: Beck M. , Ricci R. , Widmer U. , Dehout F. , De Lorenzo A. García , Kampmann C. , Linhart A. , Sunder‐Plassmann G. , Houge G. , Ramaswami U. , Gal A. , Mehta A. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractBackground  Fabry disease is a rare X‐linked disorder caused by deficient activity of the lysosomal enzyme α‐galactosidase A. Progressive accumulation of the substrate globotriaosylceramide in cells throughout the body leads to major organ failure and premature death. The Fabry Outcome Survey (FOS) is a European outcomes database which was established to collect data on the natural history of this little‐known disease and to monitor the long‐term efficacy and safety of enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) with agalsidase alfa. This paper presents the first analysis of the FOS database on the effects of ERT on renal function, heart size, pain and quality of life.Design  The effects of 1 and 2 years of ERT with agalsidase alfa on renal function (assessed by estimated glomerular filtration rate), heart size (assessed by echocardiography), pain (assessed by the Brief Pain Inventory) and quality of life (assessed by the European Quality of Life Questionnaire EQ‐5D) were analyzed in a cohort of 545 patients, 314 of whom were receiving treatment (188 for at least 12 months and 92 for at least 24 months; mean duration of treatment, 17 months; maximum duration, 56 months).Results  Treatment with agalsidase alfa stabilized renal function in patients with a mild or moderate deterioration in renal function at baseline, reduced left ventricular size in patients who had an enlarged heart at baseline, and improved pain scores and quality of life. These improvements were similar in hemizygous men and heterozygous women with Fabry disease.Conclusions  Enzyme replacement therapy with agalsidase alfa leads to significant clinical benefits in patients with Fabry disease, and treatment is likely to alter the natural history of this disorder.
Natriuretic peptides and the prevalence of congestive heart failure in patients with pacemakers
Authors: Gwechenberger M. , Huelsmann M. , Graf S. , Berger R. , Bonderman D. , Stanek B. , Rauscha F. , Pacher R. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractAim  The aim of the study was to investigate the diagnostic potential of natriuretic cardiac peptide measurement in the context of left ventricular dysfunction and comorbidities in a pacemaker population.Material and methods  Ninety‐five consecutive patients with pacemakers were included in the study. All patients underwent echocardiography and were asked to complete the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ). Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), N‐terminal proatrial natriuretic peptide (N‐ANP) and atrial natriuretic peptide levels in plasma were measured.Results  Twenty‐six percent of patients had reduced systolic left ventricular function; only 16 patients had a history of congestive heart failure. BNP was abnormally elevated in 64%, N‐BNP in 72% and N‐ANP in 96% of patients. Both BNP (r = 0·30; P < 0·01) and N‐ANP (r = 0·39; P < 0·0005) correlated with MLHFQ. The strongest correlation was found between N‐ANP and the ejection fraction (r = 0·6; P < 0·0001). Patients were stratified in a high‐risk group and a low risk‐group according to their N‐ANP (N‐ANP > 5000 fmol L−1; n = 63 and N‐ANP < 5000 fmol L−1, n = 32) and BNP levels (BNP > 400 pg mL−1; n = 17 and BNP < 400 pg mL−1, n = 78). N‐ANP was correlated with hypertension (P < 0·003) and atrial fibrillation (P < 0·03), and BNP with mitral insufficiency (P < 0·002).Conclusions  Cardiac natriuretic peptides are markedly elevated in the majority of patients with pacemakers. The prognostic significance of BNP and N‐ANP in left ventricular dysfunction warrants close follow‐up schedules.
Probiotics and gastrointestinal diseases
Authors: SULLIVAN Å. , NORD C. E. 
Published: December 2004

Abstract.There is increasing evidence indicating health benefits by consumption of foods containing microorganisms, i.e. probiotics. A number of clinical trials have been performed to evaluate the effects in the prevention and treatment of gastrointestinal diseases caused by pathogenic microorganisms or by disturbances in the normal microflora. Gastrointestinal infections caused by Helicobacter pylori, traveller's diarrhoea, rotavirus diarrhoea, antibiotic‐associated diarrhoea (AAD) and Clostridium difficile‐induced diarrhoea are conditions that have been studied. There are also studies performed on the preventive effect of probiotics on radiation‐induced diarrhoea and diarrhoea in tube‐fed patients. Inflammatory bowel disease and irritable bowel syndrome, two idiopathic conditions where alterations in the normal microflora have been implicated as responsible for initiation, are two further areas where the use of probiotics has been regarded as promising. The results from clinical studies have not been conclusive in that the effects of probiotics have been strain‐dependent and different study designs have been used. Treatment of acute diarrhoea in children and prevention of AAD are the two most justified areas for the application of probiotics.