bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Molecular characterization of an anti‐epilepsy peptide from the scorpion Buthus martensi Karsch
Authors: Wang Chun‐Guang , He Xiao‐Lin , Shao Feng , Liu Wei , Ling Min‐Hua , Wang Da‐Cheng , Chi Cheng‐Wu 
Published: March 2003

For a long time Asian scorpion Buthus martensi Karsch (BmK) has been used in Chinese traditional medicine to cure many diseases of nervous system. Here we report the purification and characterization of a pharmacologically active neurotoxin from the scorpion BmK. This toxin had little toxicity in mice and insects but was found to have an anti‐epilepsy effect in rats, and is thus named as BmK anti‐epilepsy peptide (BmK AEP). Its amino‐acid sequence was determined by lysylendopeptidase digestion, Edman degradation and mass spectrographic analysis. Based on the determined sequence, the gene coding for this peptide was also cloned and sequenced by the 3′ and 5′ RACE methods. It encodes a precursor of 85 amino‐acid residues including a signal peptide of 21 residues, a mature peptide of 61 residues and three additional residues Gly‐Lys‐Lys at the C‐terminus. The additional Gly sometimes followed by one or two basic residues is prerequisite for the amidation of its C‐terminus. C‐terminal amidation was also verified by the molecular‐mass determination of BmK AEP. This anti‐epilepsy peptide toxin shares homology with other depressant insect toxins. The remarkable difference between them was mainly focused at residues 6, 7 and 39; these residues might relate to the unique action of BmK AEP.
p300/CBP/p53 interaction and regulation of the p53 response
Authors: Grossman Steven R. 
Published: March 2003

Substantial evidence points to a critical role for the p300/CREB binding protein (CBP) coactivators in p53 responses to DNA damage. p300/CBP and the associated protein P/CAF bind to and acetylate p53 during the DNA damage response, and are needed for full p53 transactivation as well as downstream p53 effects of growth arrest and/or apoptosis. Beyond this simplistic model, p300/CBP appear to be complex integrators of signals that regulate p53, and biochemically, the multipartite p53/p300/CBP interaction is equally complex. Through physical interaction with p53, p300/CBP can both positively and negatively regulate p53 transactivation, as well as p53 protein turnover depending on cellular context and environmental stimuli, such as DNA damage.
Human neutrophils employ the myeloperoxidase/hydrogen peroxide/chloride system to oxidatively damage apolipoprotein A‐I
Authors: Bergt Constanze , Marsche Gunther , Panzenboeck Ute , Heinecke Jay W. , Malle Ernst , Sattler Wolfgang 
Published: March 2003

The structural integrity of apolipoprotein A‐I (apo A‐I) is critical to the physiological function of high‐density lipoprotein (HDL). Oxidized lipoproteins are thought to be of central importance in atherogenesis, and oxidation products characteristic of myeloperoxidase, a heme protein secreted by activated phagocytes, have been detected in human atherosclerotic tissue. At plasma concentrations of halide ion, hypochlorous acid is a major product of the myeloperoxidase‐hydrogen peroxide‐chloride system. We therefore investigated the effects of activated human neutrophils, a potent source of myeloperoxidase and hydrogen peroxide, on the protein and lipid components of HDL. Both free and HDL‐associated apo A‐I exposed to activated human neutrophils underwent extensive degradation as monitored by RP‐HPLC and Western blotting with a polyclonal antibody to apo A‐I. Replacement of the neutrophils with reagent HOCl resulted in comparable damage (at molar oxidant : HDL subclass 3 ratio = 100) as observed in the presence of activated phagocytes. Apo A‐I degradation by activated neutrophils was partially inhibited by the HOCl scavenger methionine, by the heme inhibitor azide, by chloride‐free conditions, by the peroxide scavenger catalase, and by a combination of superoxide dismutase (SOD)/catalase, implicating HOCl in the cell‐mediated reaction. The addition of a protease inhibitor (3,4‐dichloroisocoumarin) further reduced the extent of apo A‐I damage. In contrast to the protein moiety, there was little evidence for oxidation of unsaturated fatty acids or cholesterol in HDL3 exposed to activated neutrophils, suggesting that HOCl was selectively damaging apo A‐I. Our observations indicate that HOCl generated by myeloperoxidase represents one pathway for protein degradation in HDL3 exposed to activated phagocytes.
Monitoring of secondary and tertiary structure changes in the gastric H+/K+‐ATPase by infrared spectroscopy
Authors: Scheirlinckx Frantz , Buchet René , Ruysschaert Jean‐Marie , Goormaghtigh Erik 
Published: March 2003

Conformational changes occurring in the catalytic cycle of the H+/K+‐ATPase were monitored by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Caged compounds were used to release ATP, in the presence of Ca2+, to induce the transition between the E1 and E1‐P conformation of the H+/K+‐ATPase. In addition to bands associated with the photolysis of the caged compounds, some peaks of the difference infrared spectra were associated with changes in secondary structure and modifications of the ionization in the side chains of amino‐acid residues (Glu or Asp). These changes were specific to the reaction between the ligand and the enzyme. We estimated that 39 amino acids changed their secondary structure during the reaction and four amino‐acid residues were deprotonated. Similar spectral changes appeared when ADP was released from its precursor. The release of Pi from the same caged molecule did not induce similar changes. Changes in tertiary structure occurring during the binding of adenosine and phosphorylation of the enzyme were demonstrated by recording hydrogen/deuterium exchange kinetics by attenuated total reflectance FTIR spectroscopy (ATR‐FTIR). At least 129 amide protons were involved in a tertiary structure change induced by ATP. This suggested that secondary structure change transduced a much larger tertiary structure modification.
The peroxidase activity of cytochrome c‐550 from Paracoccus versutus
Authors: Diederix Rutger E. M. , Ubbink Marcellus , Canters Gerard W. 
Published: March 2003

Next to their natural electron transport capacities, c‐type cytochromes possess low peroxidase and cytochrome P‐450 activities in the presence of hydrogen peroxide. These catalytic properties, in combination with their structural robustness and covalently bound cofactor make cytochromes c potentially useful peroxidase mimics. This study reports on the peroxidase activity of cytochrome c‐550 from Paracoccus versutus and the loss of this activity in presence of H2O2. The rate‐determining step in the peroxidase reaction of cytochrome c‐550 is the formation of a reactive intermediate, following binding of peroxide to the haem iron. The reaction rate is very low compared to horseradish peroxidase (approximately one millionth), because of the poor accessibility of the haem iron for H2O2, and the lack of a base catalyst such as the distal His of the peroxidases. This is corroborated by the linear dependence of the reaction rate on the peroxide concentration up to at least 1 m H2O2. Steady‐state conversion of a reducing substrate, guaiacol, is preceded by an activation phase, which is ascribed to the build‐up of amino‐acid radicals on the protein. The inactivation kinetics in the absence of reducing substrate are mono‐exponential and shown to be concurrent with haem degradation up to 25 mm H2O2 (pH 8.0). At still higher peroxide concentrations, inactivation kinetics are biphasic, as a result of a remarkable protective effect of H2O2, involving the formation of superoxide and ferrocytochrome c‐550.
Characterization of novel structures of mannosylinositolphosphorylceramides from the yeast forms of Sporothrix schenckii
Authors: Penha Carla V. Loureiro y , Todeschini Adriane R. , Lopes‐Bezerra Leila M. , Wait Robin , Jones Christopher , Mattos Katherine A. , Heise Norton , Mendonça‐Previato Lucia , Previato Jose O. 
Published: March 2003

Novel structures of glycoinositolphosphorylceramide (GIPC) from the infective yeast form of Sporothrix schenckii were determined by methylation analysis, mass spectrometry and NMR spectroscopy. The lipid portion was characterized as a ceramide composed of C‐18 phytosphingosine N‐acylated by either 2‐hydroxylignoceric acid (80%), lignoceric (15%) or 2,3‐dihydroxylignoceric acids (5%). The ceramide was linked through a phosphodiester to myo‐inositol (Ins) which is substituted on position O‐6 by an oligomannose chain. GIPC‐derived Ins oligomannosides were liberated by ammonolysis and characterized as:These structures comprise a novel family of fungal GIPC, as they contain the Manpα1→6Ins substructure, which has not previously been characterized unambigously, and may be acylated with a 2,3 dihydroxylignoceric fatty acid, a feature hitherto undescribed in fungal lipids.
Structural analysis of the lipopolysaccharide core of a rough, cystic fibrosis isolate of Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Knirel Yuriy A. , Bystrova Ol'ga V. , Shashkov Alexander S. , Lindner Buko , Kocharova Nina A. , Senchenkova Sof'ya N. , Moll Hermann , Zähringer Ulrich , Hatano Kazue , Pier Gerald B. 
Published: March 2003

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) expressed by isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa from cystic fibrosis patients lacks the O‐polysaccharide chain but the degree to which the rest of the molecule changes has not been determined. We analyzed, for the first time, the core structure of an LPS from a rough, cystic fibrosis isolate of P. aeruginosa. The products of mild acid hydrolysis and strong alkaline degradation of the LPS were studied by ESI MS, MALDI MS, and NMR spectroscopy. The following structure was determined for the highest‐phosphorylated core‐lipid A backbone oligosaccharide isolated after alkaline deacylation of the LPS: where Kdo and Hep are 3‐deoxy‐d‐manno‐octulosonic acid and l‐glycero‐d‐manno‐heptose, respectively; all sugars are in the pyranose form and have the d configuration unless stated otherwise. The outer core region occurs as two isomeric glycoforms differing in the position of rhamnose (Rha). The inner core region carries four phosphorylation sites at two Hep residues, HepI being predominantly bisphosphorylated and HepII monophosphorylated. In the intact LPS, both Hep residues carry monophosphate and diphosphate groups in nonstoichiometric quantities, GalN is N‐acylated by an l‐alanyl group, HepII is 7‐O‐carbamoylated, and the outer core region is nonstoichiometrically O‐acetylated at four sites. Therefore, the switch to the LPS‐rough phenotype in cystic fibrosis isolates of P. aeruginosa is not accompanied by losses of core monosaccharide, phosphate or acyl components. The exact positions of the O‐acetyl groups and the role of the previously undescribed O‐acetylation in the LPS core of P. aeruginosa remain to be determined.
Adult–Adult Play in Primates: Comparative Analyses of its Origin, Distribution and Evolution
Authors: Pellis Sergio M. , Iwaniuk Andrew N. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractComparative analyses were conducted on a data set derived from the literature so as to test several hypotheses which were developed to explain the distribution of adult–adult play fighting within the order primates. Ratings for play occurring in sexual and non‐sexual contexts were developed. Three hypotheses were evaluated: (i) that play occurring in non‐sexual social contexts is a byproduct of its use in sex; (ii) that the occurrence of play is related to its use for social assessment and manipulation, and so is more likely to be present in species with reduced familiarity between individuals; and (iii) that phylogenetic affiliation influences the likelihood that species within clades engage in play. We used independent contrasts to test the first two hypotheses, and both were significant, with the presence of play in sexual contexts accounting for 14–16% of the variance of play in non‐sexual contexts, and reduced social familiarity accounting for 30–40% of the variance in the occurrence of play in non‐sexual contexts. To test the third hypothesis, we mapped the occurrence of both types of play onto known phylogenies. The overlap was not congruent, indicating that phylogenetic relationships did not account for the distribution of play. Given that play in both sexual and non‐sexual contexts was more likely to occur in species with a social organization involving reduced frequency of contact between the sexes and other social group members, we suggest that the likely adaptive value of play fighting is as a tool for social assessment and manipulation. The possible factors that mitigate the use of play fighting for these purposes, such as the availability of other forms of communication that could serve similar functions, are discussed.
Negative Association Between Conspicuous Visual Display and Chemosensory Behavior in Two Phrynosomatid Lizards
Authors: Hews Diana K. , Benard Michael F. 
Published: March 2003

Communication in one sensory modality can influence communication in others. Lizards in many phrynosomatid species use primarily visual but also chemical signals. The striped plateau lizard, Sceloporus virgatus, exhibits evolutionary loss of a male color signal that in many species is used during aggressive postural displays towards conspecific males. These patches are used similarly in Urosaurus, the sister genus to Sceloporus. We compared a species in which a color signal has been lost, S. virgatus, to a species retaining the ancestral character state of blue abdominal display patches, Urosaurus ornatus, the common tree lizard, to test two hypotheses: (i) conspicuous postural displays that reveal the abdominal patch location are used less in the species that has lost the color patches; and (ii) potential chemical signals are used more in the species with the color loss. We analyzed both visual display behavior (push‐up, full‐show) and chemosensory behavior (tongue flick and nose tap) of male lizards following their introduction to a resident conspecific male in his home terrarium. Resident males performed very low rates of all behaviors, but intruders exhibited sufficient behavior for analysis.Supporting the first hypothesis, S. virgatus were less likely than U. ornatus to perform full‐show, a display that reveals abdominal skin. Male S. virgatus were more likely to perform push‐up than U. ornatus, although S. virgatus performed push‐up infrequently. Push‐up is a postural display that does not specifically reveal the abdominal patch location. Supporting the second hypothesis, S. virgatus were more likely to perform chemosensory behaviors and performed them at a greater rate than did U. ornatus. Work comparing more closely related species is warranted to determine whether a negative association between conspicuous visual displays and chemosensory behavior is a general pattern.
Sex and the Single Vole: Effects of Social Grouping on Prairie Vole Reproductive Success
Authors: Hodges Karen E. , Mech Stephen , Wolff Jerry O. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractPrairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster) have a mating system that is primarily monogamous with paired males and females together defending breeding space against intruders of either sex. Breeding success may be affected when other adults intrude on the territorial space of pairs. We conducted an experiment to determine the impact of additional members of either sex on reproductive success of pairs. In laboratory arenas, we formed pairs (1F:1M) and two kinds of triad (2F:1M, 1F:2M). Females in pairs had the highest conception rates, litter sizes and survival of litters. Females in 1F:2M groups had slightly reduced litter sizes and reduced numbers of weanlings, and some females had litters sired by both males. Females in 2F:1M groups had low conception rates and the smallest litters, and >35% of their litters suffered infanticide; in no case did both females become pregnant. Throughout the trials, individuals of the sex doubly represented in triads were more likely to die than were individuals of the sex singly represented. We conclude that there may be fitness costs associated with the presence of unrelated supernumerary adults during gestation and lactation.
Changes in Song Complexity Correspond to Periods of Female Fertility in Blue Grosbeaks (Guiraca caerulea)
Authors: Ballentine Barbara , Badyaev Alexander , Hill Geoffrey E 
Published: March 2003

AbstractSong complexity is thought to be a sexually selected trait in passerine birds; however, quantifying relevant parameters of song complexity is the first step in testing the theory that song complexity is a sexually selected trait. We show here that blue grosbeak (Guiraca caerulea) males sing a single song type but the properties of that song type vary between renditions. This pattern of song delivery potentially provides females with an opportunity to assess dimensions of song complexity other then repertoire size. Here we characterize song complexity using four measures: (i) element repertoire size, (ii) proportion of distinct song variant, (iii) song versatility, and (iv) syntax consistency. We studied the functional significance of song complexity by comparing measures of song complexity before and after periods of female fertility. We found that male blue grosbeaks sing more song variants, use more versatile arrangements of elements, and maintain more syntax consistency during the fertile period of their social mate than during their social mate's non‐fertile period. These results point to a functional relationship between changes in song complexity and periods of female fertility in this species.
Cypress mortality (mal del cipres) in the Patagonian Andes: comparisons with similar forest diseases and declines in North America
Authors: Filip G. M. , Rosso P. H. 
Published: March 2003

SummaryWidespread mortality of Cordilleran cypress (Austrocedrus chilensis) occurs in developed and pristine forests in south‐western Argentina and possibly south‐eastern Chile. Affected trees may die rapidly but mortality is commonly preceded by several decades of severely restricted radial stem growth. Roots are often affected by one or more types of decay. Cypress mortality, locally termed ‘mal del cipres’, is similar to a major forest disease in North America: Port‐Orford‐cedar (Chamaecyparis lawsoniana) root disease in Oregon and California and a major tree decline: Alaska yellow‐cedar (Chamaecyparis nootkatensis) decline in south‐east Alaska. This paper discusses several hypotheses concerning mal del cipres and compares current forest decline research in Patagonia with North America.
Dry mass production in seedlings of Norway spruce infected by the needle rust Chrysomyxa rhododendri
Authors: Plattner K. , Volgger W. , Oberhuber W. , Mayr S. , Bauer H. 
Published: March 2003

SummaryThe aim of this study was to assess the losses in productivity of Norway spruce (Picea abies) due to the attack by Chrysomyxa rhododendri, a rust that only penetrates new developing flushes. Three‐year‐old seedlings were artificially infected once or twice in two consecutive years and the dry mass was determined at the end of the growing season. Dry mass accumulation of all parts including roots was significantly reduced if more than about one‐third of the young foliage was infected. Shoot and root dry mass of once severely infected seedlings were 32 and 48% less than that of controls. This deficit could not be compensated during a following rust‐free year. When seedlings were infected in two consecutive years, dry mass accumulation was reduced by 58% compared with controls. Results indicate that rejuvenation of and afforestation with Norway spruce can seriously be impaired by Chrysomyxa at the alpine timberline where Rhododendron sp. (the telial host of the parasite) is widespread.
Incomplete movement ofCryphonectria hypovirus 1within a vegetative compatibility type ofCryphonectria parasiticain natural cankers on grafted American chestnut trees
Authors: Hogan E. P. , Griffin G. J. 
Published: March 2003

SummaryAmerican chestnut trees, grafted in 1980 from large survivors, were inoculated in 1982 and 1983 with four white (European) hypovirulent strains ofCryphonectria parasitica, infected withC. hypovirus 1(CHV1); this hypovirus has been shown to be capable of moving rapidly within the mycelium of a vegetative compatibility (vc) type ofC. parasiticain blight cankers. Using a 49‐cell lattice plot, 17.8×17.8 cm, the spatial patterns and frequencies of white and pigmented isolates and white and pigmented vc types were investigated within superficial cankers on the grafts located outside the hypovirulent‐strain‐inoculated zone. Four of six cankers assayed contained white isolates, and three of the four had random spatial patterns of white isolates, based on join‐count statistics. Vc tests, using pigmented isolates and pigmented single‐spore colonies of white isolates, indicated that the majority of whiteandpigmented isolates recovered from each of two cankers assayed were in one vc type. White and pigmented lattice‐plot cells of the same vc type were frequently in contact with each other, indicating incomplete movement of CHV1withina vc type. Nine and 10 vc types were found in the two cankers; it is hypothesized that small, white vc type areas in each canker may be a source of CHV1 transmission to the major vc types. Based on join‐count statistics, the spatial pattern of the single, major vc type in one canker was non‐random (aggregated), whereas the other canker had a random major vc type pattern. White and pigmentedin vitrovariants (sectors) ofC. parasitica, that resemble white and pigmentedin vivovariants in spatial contact and vc compatibility, were intermediate hypovirulent and virulent on forest American chestnuts, and dsRNA positive and negative, respectively. Incomplete movement of CHV1 within a vc type could be a major cause of the prevalence of pigmented isolates in superficial cankers on chestnut trees.
Dissociative identity disorder and the nurse–patient relationship in the acute care setting: An action research study
Authors: McAllister Margaret , Higson David , McIntosh Wendy , O'Leary Sally , Hargreaves Lenaire , Murrell Lorraine , Mullen Von , Lovell Fran , Kearney Jeanette , Sammon Di , Woelders Shirley , Adams Toni , Davies‐Cotter Denis , Wilson Jenny , O'Brien Julie 
Published: March 2003

ABSTRACT This paper presents the results of an action research study into the acute care experience of Dissociative Identity Disorder. The study, which was grounded in principles of critical social science, utilized focus group interviews and narrative construction. Nurses and patients are under‐represented in all clinical evaluation and their voices need to be heard if services are to be truly collaborative. Findings of the study extend intrapsychic theories of trauma to emphasize the interpersonal relationship between nurse and person who can work together to facilitate recovery from trauma, make connections both intra and interpersonally and build resilience.
Australian Indigenous mental health
Authors: Brown Ron 
Published: March 2003

ABSTRACT: Understanding the complexity of another culture’s health concerns is fraught with difficulty, yet ‘ways forward’ abound. Many researchers, including Indigenous people, have recorded cultural understandings of health, and made recommendations that have influenced the planning of Indigenous peoples’ mental health care. Indeed, there is anticipation with vision for the future. Australian Indigenous people have suffered many losses, which have resulted in much social unrest, and mental and spiritual sorrow. The difficulty of belonging and adjusting to two different cultural contexts has led to particular physical health and mental health concerns for some. Health for Indigenous people is viewed within a holistic and community lifestyle framework, which is related to both past and present issues, and it is not necessarily individualized or compartmentalized. A closer liaison between the health traditions of both cultures, working together with education, good will and understanding of each other’s health business, and working together within mainstream health services may assist with healing, reconciliation and improved Aboriginal holistic health.