bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
17β-Estradiol Inhibits Class II Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) Expression: Influence on Histone Modifications and CBP Recruitment to the Class II MHC Promoter
Authors: Adamski Jill , Ma Zhendong , Nozell Susan , Benveniste Etty N. 
Published: May 2004

AbstractMajor histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II proteins are important for the initiation of immune responses and are essential for specific recognition of foreign antigens by the immune system. Regulation of class II MHC expression primarily occurs at the transcriptional level. The class II transactivator protein is the master regulator that is essential for both constitutive and interferon-γ-inducible class II MHC expression. Estrogen [17β-estradiol (17β-E2)] has been shown to have immunomodulatory effects. In this study, we show that 17β-E2 down-regulates interferon-γ inducible class II MHC protein levels on brain endothelial cells, as well as other cell types (astrocytes, fibrosacroma cells, macrophages). The inhibitory effects of 17β-E2 on class II MHC expression are not due to changes in class II transactivator mRNA or protein levels, rather, 17β-E2 mediates inhibition at the level of class II MHC gene expression. We demonstrate that 17β-E2 attenuates H3 and H4 histone acetylation and cAMP response element binding protein-binding protein association with the class II MHC promoter, suggesting that 17β-E2 inhibits class II MHC expression by a novel mechanism involving modification of the histone acetylation status of the class II MHC promoter.
Comparison of Ultracentrifugation and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy in the Quantification of Triglyceride-Rich Lipoproteins after an Oral Fat Load
Authors: Tsai Michael Y , Georgopoulos Angeliki , Otvos James D , Ordovas Jose M , Hanson Naomi Q , Peacock James M , Arnett Donna K 
Published: May 2004

AbstractBackground: The measurement of triglyceride (TG)-rich particles after an oral fat challenge has been used to provide a measure of risk for coronary artery disease independent of the fasting plasma triglyceride concentration. The analytical “gold standard” for measuring TG-rich lipoproteins uses density gradient ultracentrifugation; however, this technique is labor-intensive. Because of our need to perform numerous postprandial analyses of TG-rich lipoproteins for a large interventional study (Genetics of Lipid Lowering Drugs and Diet Network), we evaluated the use of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy for measuring TG-rich particles.Methods: EDTA-blood samples were obtained 0, 3.5, 6, and 8 h after ingestion of an oral fat meal (89% of calories from fat) in 20 apparently healthy individuals. The plasma TG concentrations of chylomicron and chylomicron remnant/VLDL fractions were analyzed by ultracentrifugation and NMR spectroscopy.Results: Comparison of all values (n = 78) by ultracentrifugation (x) and NMR (y) produced a linear regression equation of y = 0.979x − 0.035 mmol/L (R2 = 0.90) for chylomicrons and y = 1.398x + 0.067 mmol/L (R2 = 0.96) for the fraction containing chylomicron remnants and VLDL. Postprandial response of chylomicrons and chylomicron remnant/VLDL was similar, with maximum response occurring between 3.5 to 6 h regardless of method of measurement.Conclusion: Chylomicron and chylomicron remnant/VLDL fraction measurements obtained by NMR have a high degree of correlation with results produced by ultracentrifugation. NMR may therefore be suitable as an alternative method for the measurement of postprandial TG-rich lipoproteins in individuals consuming a high-fat meal.
Web Usability-Tests mit qualitativen Methoden am Beispiel von Online-Fokusgruppen (Web Usability-Testing and Qualitative Methods – A Case-Study with Online-Focus Groups)
Authors: Yom Miriam , Wilhelm Thorsten 
Published: May 2004

Zusammenfassung
Fokusgruppen und insbesondere ihre Online-Variante sind im Kontext der nutzerbasierten Usability-Beurteilung noch wenig untersucht. Es stellt sich die Frage, welche Effekte die spezielle Kommunikationssituation in Online-Fokusgruppen (im Weiteren OFGs) auf die Qualität und Verwertbarkeit der Daten hat. In diesem Artikel werden die konstituierenden Merkmale der synchronen computervermittelten Kommunikation (im Weiteren cvK) und somit relevanten Determinanten der Datenqualität von OFGs dargestellt. Des Weiteren stellen wir Ergebnisse eines Methodenvergleichs zwischen konventionellen Fokusgruppen im Labor und OFGs bei der Beurteilung eines Online-Reiseshops vor. Es zeigte sich, dass durch Kommunikationstraining und technische Unterstützung die Defizite der synchronen Online-Kommunikation ausgeglichen werden können. Anhand einer deskriptiven Themenanalyse konnte gezeigt werden, dass es starke Überschneidungen der Aussagen in den beiden Kommunikationsbedingungen gibt.
Gestalten von sinnesübergreifenden Mixed-Reality-Lernräumen im Schulunterricht (Design of Multi-Sensory Mixed-Reality Learning Environments in School Education)
Authors: Winkler Thomas , Herczeg Michael 
Published: May 2004

Zusammenfassung
Der Beitrag diskutiert die kombinierte und fachübergreifende ästhetische und informatische Bildung im Schulunterricht. Es wird erläutert, wie durch die Kombination von kostenlosen oder kostengünstigen Hard- und Software-Lösungen Mixed-Reality-Lernumgebungen geschaffen werden können. Durch das Zusammenführen von sinnlicher Wahrnehmen und der Co-Konstruktion von Wissen entsteht eine wirkungsvolle Form von erlebnisbasiertem Lernen.
SOUTHEAST ASIA IN A NEW ERA: Domestic Coalitions from Crisis to Recovery
Authors: Solingen Etel 
Published: May 2004

Abstract
The crisis of 1997–98 unleashed the most severe challenge to Southeast Asian ruling coalitions in decades. This article examines the domestic political consequences of the crisis, focusing on continuity and change in fundamental coalitional forms. Despite initial concerns with a potential backlash, internationalizing coalitions stayed the course while adapting to new political-institutional requirements imposed by the growing salience of social dimensions of internationalization. Yet, the longer-term distributional and political effects of the crisis may not be evident for some time.
WHY IS ASEAN DIPLOMACY CHANGING? From “Non-Interference” to “Open and Frank Discussions”
Authors: Katsumata Hiro 
Published: May 2004

Abstract
A conventional/rationalist explanation holds that the ASEAN countries have begun to have open and frank discussions in order to deal with new challenges, such as economic and environmental issues, in an efficient way. Constructivists explain ASEAN's change by focusing on the global normative shift, which emphasizes human rights and democracy.
MIGRATION OF FOREIGN WORKERS INTO SOUTH KOREA: From Periphery to Semi-Periphery in the Global Labor Market
Authors: Kim Wang-Bae 
Published: May 2004

Abstract
The rapid wage increase and labor shortage since the late 1980s in South Korea forced the government to allow the employment of workers from numerous Asian countries. However, unforeseen problems arose when many foreign workers remained illegally, and growing awareness of their plight raised social and human rights concerns.
The Synthesis and Electronic Structure of a Novel [Ni‘S4’Fe2(CO)6] Radical Cluster: Implications for the Active Site of the [NiFe] Hydrogenases
Authors: Wang Qiang , Barclay J. Elaine , Blake Alexander J. , Davies E. Stephen , Evans David J. , Marr Andrew C. , McInnes Eric J. L. , McMaster Jonathan , Wilson Claire , Schröder Martin 
Published: May 2004

AbstractA novel [Ni‘S4’Fe2(CO)6] cluster (1: ‘S4’=(CH3C6H3S2)2(CH2)3) has been synthesised, structurally characterised and has been shown to undergo a chemically reversible reduction process at −1.31 V versus Fc+/Fc to generate the EPR‐active monoanion 1−. Multifrequency Q‐, X‐ and S‐band EPR spectra of 61Ni‐enriched 1− show a well‐resolved quartet hyperfine splitting in the low‐field region due to the interaction with a single 61Ni (I=3/2) nucleus. Simulations of the EPR spectra require the introduction of a single angle of non‐coincidence between g1 and A1, and g3 and A3 to reproduce all of the features in the S‐ and X‐band spectra. This behaviour provides a rare example of the detection and measurement of non‐coincidence effects from frozen‐solution EPR spectra without the need for single‐crystal measurements, and in which the S‐band experiment is sensitive to the non‐coincidence. An analysis of the EPR spectra of 1− reveals a 24 % Ni contribution to the SOMO in 1−, supporting a delocalisation of the spin‐density across the NiFe2 cluster. This observation is supported by IR spectroscopic results which show that the CO stretching frequencies, ν(CO), shift to lower frequency by about 70 cm−1 when 1 is reduced to 1−. Density functional calculations provide a framework for the interpretation of the spectroscopic properties of 1− and suggest that the SOMO is delocalised over the whole cluster, but with little S‐centre participation. This electronic structure contrasts with that of the Ni‐A, ‐B, ‐C and ‐L forms of [NiFe] hydrogenase in which there is considerable S participation in the SOMO.
Induction of somatic hypermutation by antigen‐specific B cell receptors in the human BL2 cell line
Authors: Glaudet Florence , Denis Vincent , Cogné Michel , Khamlichi Ahmed Amine 
Published: May 2004

AbstractThe role of the B cell antigen receptor in the induction of somatic hypermutation is presently unclear. We established stable transfectants of the human BL2 cell line expressing hen‐egg lysozyme‐specific IgM or IgA and compared their ability to induce somatic hypermutation of the endogenous rearranged heavy‐chain gene. We found that IgM and IgA were both able to induce somatic hypermutation in an antigen dose‐independent manner. The mutations displayed most of the characteristics of somatic hypermutation in vivo. Notably, some replacements introduced stop codons in the coding region. Our data suggest that class‐switched memory B cells may undergo somatic hypermutation. They also suggest that the transmembrane/cytoplamic domains of the class‐switched isotypes modulatethe signaling and down‐modulation activities of the BCR in an antigen dose‐dependent manner.
Relationships between storage protein composition, protein content, growing season and flour quality of bread wheat
Authors: Færgestad Ellen Mosleth , Solheim Flæte Nina E , Magnus Ellen Merethe , Hollung Kristin , Martens Harald , Uhlen Anne‐Kjersti 
Published: May 2004

AbstractThe storage protein composition from the Glu‐1, Glu‐3 and Gli‐1 loci encoding high and low molecular weight glutenin subunits (HMW‐GS and LMW‐GS) and gliadins, respectively, was determined on 30 wheat (T aestivum L) genotypes from three growing seasons. The gliadins and the LMW‐GS were identified as gliadin/LMW‐GS pairs. All samples were analysed by two one‐dimensional electrophoretic techniques, and selected samples were also subjected to two‐dimensional electrophoretic separation. Different statistical/data‐analytical techniques were evaluated in the study of how the presence or absence of the protein alleles, the protein content and the growing seasons are related to flour quality. The year of growth had a large impact on mixograph peak time. When predicting mixograph peak time from the presence or absence of significant proteins and the year of growth, 70% of the variability in mixograph peak time could be explained, whereas only 49% of the variability could be explained when the year of growth was deleted from the model. Protein had no effect on mixograph peak time as expected, and the well‐known positive effect of HMW‐GS 5 + 10, and the negative effects of 2 + 12 and 6 + 8 was observed. Furthermore, some of the gliadin/LMW‐GS combinations influenced mixograph peak time significantly. The gliadin/LMW‐GS at the combined Gli‐A1, Glu‐A3 loci b; 𝒻 was positively related to mixograph peak time, whereas 𝒻; 𝒻 and a;a was negatively related. Although the LMW‐GS component 𝒻 of the alleles b; 𝒻 and 𝒻; 𝒻 alleles appear similar on one‐dimensional gels, two‐dimensional separation of selected samples may suggest that the 𝒻 components in these alleles are different proteins. Cross‐validated partial least squares regression combined with empirical uncertainty estimates (jack‐knifing) of the parameters estimated in the model, gave similar results to ANOVA in identifying quality related protein alleles. The applicability of the multivariate approach in proteomics is, however, much wider. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry
Influence of genotype and protein content on the baking quality of hearth bread
Authors: Uhlen Anne‐Kjersti , Sahlstrøm Stefan , Magnus Ellen M , Færgestad Ellen M , Dieseth Jon A , Ringlund Kåre 
Published: May 2004

AbstractThe relationships between protein content and quality and the loaf characteristics of hearth breads made from the respective flours were investigated for 20 wheat genotypes, comprising both commercially grown cultivars and advanced breeding lines, grown in 1997 and 1998. In both years the average protein content was increased by increasing the level of nitrogenous fertiliser application, this effect being more pronounced in 1997 than in 1998. Grain samples were milled and evaluated for endosperm hardness, protein content, SDS sedimentation volume, mixing properties and baking quality determined by a hearth bread baking test using optimal mixing and fixed proving time. When producing hearth bread, both the form (height/width) ratio and loaf volume are critical external characteristics. Genotype differences, mainly due to differences in protein quality, were more important for both form ratio and loaf volume than differences in protein content. The dough development time of the Farinograph, operated at high speed (126 rev min−1), was the best indicator of heart bread baking quality, giving high positive correlations to both the volume (r = 0.89) and form ratio of the loaf (r = 0.90). Climatic differences between the two years, in particular temperature during ripening, also affected the quality parameters studied. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry
Concurrent cystic mediastinal lymphangioma and paratesticular rhabdomyosarcoma
Authors: Emir Suna , Uǧur Handan , Koloǧlu Meltem , Erekul Selim , Ünal Emel , Taçyildiz Nurdan , Yavuz Gülsan 
Published: May 2004

AbstractThe current report describes a 23‐month‐old boy with paratesticular rhabdomyosarcoma who was incidentally diagnosed as also having an isolated mediastinal cystic lymphangioma. The association of childhood rhabdomyosarcoma with various congenital anomalies and genetic alterations such as p53 mutations have been well known. However, mediastinal cystic lymphangioma has not been reported among the congenital anomalies diagnosed in rhabdomyosarcoma. Both rhabdomyosarcoma and lymphangioma originate from mesenchymal cells. This association may be coincidental or may point to a common genetic and/or developmental disorder of the mesencymal tissue. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Trypanocidal activity of chemical constituents from Lychnophora salicifolia Mart
Authors: Jordão Christiane Oliveira , Vichnewski Walter , de Souza Glória Emília Petto , Albuquerque Sérgio , Lopes João Luis Callegari 
Published: May 2004

AbstractThe ethyl acetate extract from leaves plus inﬂorescences of L. salicifolia showed signiﬁcant trypanocidal activity against trypomastigote forms of T. cruzi, which was due to the ﬂavonoid quercetin‐7,3′,4′‐trimethyl ether and the sesquiterpenoid lychnopholic acid. Despite the use of some species of Lychnophora in folk medicine for pain relief, crude extracts from L. salicifolia Mart. showed no antinociceptive activity in the mouse writhing test. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of betaine, coumarin and flavonoids on mucin release from cultured hamster tracheal surface epithelial cells
Authors: Lee Choong Jae , Lee Jae Heun , Seok Jeong Ho , Hur Gang Min , Park Ji sun , Bae Sohyun , Lim Jong Ho , Park Yang Chun 
Published: May 2004

AbstractBetaine, coumarin, hesperidin and kaempferol are the components derived from Lycium chinense, Angelicae decursiva, Poncirus trifoliata and Polygonatum odoratum, respectively. These plants have been used for the treatment of respiratory diseases in oriental medicine and their respective components were reported to have various biological effects. In this study, we investigated whether these natural products affect mucin release from cultured hamster tracheal surface epithelial cells and compared the possible activities of these agents with the inhibitory action on mucin release by poly‐L‐lysine and the stimulatory action by adenosine triphosphate. Conﬂuent primary hamster tracheal surface epithelial cells were metabolically radiolabeled using 3H‐glucosamine for 24 h and treated for 30 min in the presence of varying concentrations of each agent to assess the effects on 3H‐mucin release. The results were as follows: (i) Coumarin and kaempferol did not affect mucin release signiﬁcantly; (ii) Betaine and hesperidin increased mucin release at the highest concentration; (iii) Poly‐L‐lysine inhibited and adenosine triphosphate increased mucin release. We conclude that betaine and hesperidin can increase mucin release by direct acting on airway mucin‐secreting cells and suggest these agents be further studied for the possible use as mild expectorants during the treatment of chronic airway diseases. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Prokaryotic diversity of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae Atx1p-mediated copper pathway
Authors: van Bakel Harm , Huynen Martijn , Wijmenga Cisca 
Published: May 2004

Abstract
Motivation: Several genes involved in the cellular import of copper and its subsequent incorporation into the high-affinity iron transport complex in Saccharomyces cerevisiae are known to be conserved between eukaryotes and prokaryotes. However, the degree to which these genes share their functional context as members of the same pathway in the prokaryotic domain is less clear.
Results: The co-occurrence of gene families involved in Atx1p-mediated copper transport in the genomes and operon structures of 80 non-redundant prokaryotes was investigated. For this purpose, we developed a Web tool (SHOPS) to display the operon context for a given set of proteins. In total, a set of 43 putative operons was identified. These were found to be involved in a variety of pathways and indicate a large diversity in the functional context of the individual gene family members.
Availability: The SHOPS tool can be found at http://www.bioinformatics.med.uu.nl/shops. Supplemental data are available at http://humgen.med.uu.nl/publications/vanbakel/pathway/
Supplementary information: For additional information on our datasets and for the supplemental figures referred to in the text, please see http://humgen.med.uu.nl/publications/vanbakel/pathway/. The Web-based tool, SHOPS, can be found at http://www.bioinformatics.med.uu.nl/shops/
GeneRecords: a relational database for GenBank flat file parsing and data manipulation in personal computers
Authors: D'Addabbo P. , Lenzi L. , Facchin F. , Casadei R. , Canaider S. , Vitale L. , Frabetti F. , Carinci P. , Zannotti M. , Strippoli P. 
Published: May 2004

Abstract
Summary: Extracting the desired data from a database entry for later analysis is a constant need in the biological sequence analysis community; GeneRecords 1.0 is a solution for GenBank biological flat file parsing, as it implements a structured representation of each feature and feature qualifier in GenBank following import in a common database managing system usable in a personal computer (Macintosh and Windows environments). This collection of related databases enables the local management of GenBank records, allowing indexing, retrieval and analysis of both information and sequences on a personal computer.
Availability: the current release, including the FileMaker Pro runtime application (built for Windows and Macintosh environments), is freely available at http://apollo11.isto.unibo.it/software/
Aboriginal perspective on middle ear disease in the arid zone of Western Australia
Authors: Jeffries‐Stokes C , Lehmann D , Johnston J , Mason A , Evans J , Elsbury D , Wood K 
Published: May 2004

Objectives: To explore perceptions, knowledge and experience of otitis media (OM) and barriers to compliance with treatment among Aboriginal people of the Kalgoorlie‐Boulder area, Western Australia.Methods: This qualitative applied research study is based on a holistic design. We conducted structured interviews with three community focus groups, 56 key informants, and 22 mothers of babies known to have suffered from OM. Written records of interviews were checked with participants. The three sources of data enabled comparison and verification of results.Results: People were concerned about serious consequences of OM, especially deafness and learning difficulties. Since early disease may have no localizing symptoms, not surprisingly, people had limited understanding of the aetiology of OM and were often only aware of disease once ear discharge was visible. Nevertheless, they usually sought treatment for non‐specific symptoms. Competing demands in people's daily lives and the unpleasant, intensive nature of treatment result in families becoming resigned to a child's chronic ear discharge. Someone other than the biological mother within the extended family may be responsible for administering treatments. Half the carers thought passive smoking may predispose children to OM and 70% suggested clearing the nasal passages to prevent OM. Results of surgery were viewed positively but specialist services were not always readily accessible.Conclusions: Since responsibility for treatment may not lie with the biological mother, awareness campaigns must target the entire community. As early OM may be asymptomatic, health personnel should be encouraged to do otoscopy on all children with non‐specific symptoms.
Newly developed blockers of the M‐current do not reduce spike frequency adaptation in cultured mouse sympathetic neurons
Authors: Romero M. , Reboreda A. , Sánchez E. , Lamas J. A. 
Published: May 2004

AbstractThe M‐current (IK(M)) is believed to modulate neuronal excitability by producing spike frequency adaptation (SFA). Inhibitors of M‐channels, such as linopirdine and 10,10‐bis(4‐pyridinylmethyl)‐9(10H)‐anthracenone (XE991), enhance depolarization‐induced transmitter release and improve learning performance in animal models. As such, they are currently being tested for their therapeutic potential for treating Alzheimer's disease. The activity of these blockers has been associated with the reduction of SFA and the depolarization of the membrane observed when IK(M) is inhibited. To test whether this is the case, the perforated patch technique was used to investigate the capacity of IK(M) inhibitors to alter the resting membrane potential and to reduce SFA in mouse superior cervical ganglion neurons in culture. Linopirdine and XE991 both proved to be potent blockers of IK(M) when the membrane potential was held at −30 mV (IC50 2.56 and 0.26 µm, respectively). However, their potency gradually declined upon membrane hyperpolarization and was almost null when the membrane potential was kept at −70 mV, indicating that their blocking activity was voltage dependent. Nevertheless, IK(M) could be inhibited at these hyperpolarized voltages by other inhibitors such as oxotremorine‐methiodide and barium. Under current‐clamp conditions, neither linopirdine (10 µm) nor XE991 (3 µm) was effective in reducing the SFA and both provoked only a small slowly developed depolarization of the membrane (2.27 and 3.0 mV, respectively). In contrast, both barium (1 mm) and oxotremorine‐methiodide (10 µm) depolarized mouse superior cervical ganglion neurons by about 10 mV and reduced the SFA. In contrast to classical IK(M) inhibitors, the activity of linopirdine and XE991 on the IK(M) is voltage dependent and, thus, these newly developed IK(M) blockers do not reduce the SFA. These results may shed light on the mode of action of these putative cognition enhancers in vivo.