bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Thrombin‐induced glucose transport via Src–p38 MAPK pathway in vascular smooth muscle cells
Authors: Kanda Yasunari , Watanabe Yasuhiro 
Published: June 2005

Thrombin is a mitogen for vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) and has been implicated in the development in atherosclerosis. However, little is known about the role of thrombin in glucose transport in VSMC.
In this study, we examined the effect of thrombin on glucose uptake in rat A10 VSMC. We found that thrombin induced glucose uptake in a dose‐dependent manner while hirudin, a potent thrombin inhibitor, prevented glucose uptake in the cells. PP2, a selective inhibitor of Src, prevented the thrombin‐induced glucose uptake, but did not affect insulin‐induced uptake.
We also examined whether mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibitors influenced thrombin‐induced glucose uptake. The p38 MAPK inhibitor (SB203580) inhibited thrombin‐induced glucose uptake, but the MEK inhibitor (PD98059) did not. In contrast to thrombin, SB203580 did not affect insulin‐induced glucose uptake. Furthermore, thrombin failed to translocate the insulin‐sensitive glucose transporter GLUT4.
These findings suggest that thrombin stimulates glucose transport via Src and subsequent p38 MAPK activation in VSMC.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2005) 146, 60–67. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0706293
Immunopurification of Polyribosomal Complexes of Arabidopsis for Global Analysis of Gene Expression
Authors: Zanetti María Eugenia , Chang Ing-Feng , Gong Fangcheng , Galbraith David W. , Bailey-Serres Julia 
Published: June 2005

Abstract
Immunoaffinity purification of polyribosomes (polysomes) from crude leaf extracts of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) was achieved with transgenic genotypes that overexpress a translational fusion of a ribosomal protein (RP) with a His6-FLAG dual epitope tag. In plants with a cauliflower mosaic virus 35S:HF-RPL18 transgene immunopurification with anti-FLAG agarose beads yielded 60-Svedberg ribosomal subunits, intact 80-Svedberg monosomes and polysomes. Sucrose density gradient fractionation of the purified complexes demonstrated that the distribution of polysome size was similar in crude cell extracts and the purified complexes. The immunopurified complexes included putative cytosolic RPs of Arabidopsis and ribosome-associated proteins, as well as full-length transcripts of high and low abundance. Whole-genome profiling using long DNA oligonucleotide-based microarrays provided a high level of reproducibility between polysomal mRNA samples immunopurified from two independent biological replicates (r approximately 0.90). Comparison of immunopurified and total cellular RNA samples revealed that for most of the genes, the mRNAs were associated with the epitope-tagged polysomal complexes, with an average relative level of association of 62.06% ± 4.39%. The results demonstrate that the immunopurification of polysomes can be a valuable tool for the quantification of mRNAs present in translation complexes in plant cells. This technology can be extended to evaluation of mRNA populations at the cell- or tissue-specific level by regulation of the tagged RP with distinct promoters.
Genome Organization of More Than 300 Defensin-Like Genes in Arabidopsis
Authors: Silverstein Kevin A.T. , Graham Michelle A. , Paape Timothy D. , VandenBosch Kathryn A. 
Published: June 2005

Abstract
Defensins represent an ancient and diverse set of small, cysteine-rich, antimicrobial peptides in mammals, insects, and plants. According to published accounts, most species' genomes contain 15 to 50 defensins. Starting with a set of largely nodule-specific defensin-like sequences (DEFLs) from the model legume Medicago truncatula, we built motif models to search the near-complete Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) genome. We identified 317 DEFLs, yet 80% were unannotated at The Arabidopsis Information Resource and had no prior evidence of expression. We demonstrate that many of these DEFL genes are clustered in the Arabidopsis genome and that individual clusters have evolved from successive rounds of gene duplication and divergent or purifying selection. Sequencing reverse transcription-PCR products from five DEFL clusters confirmed our gene predictions and verified expression. For four of the largest clusters of DEFLs, we present the first evidence of expression, most frequently in floral tissues. To determine the abundance of DEFLs in other plant families, we used our motif models to search The Institute for Genomic Research's gene indices and identified approximately 1,100 DEFLs. These expressed DEFLs were found mostly in reproductive tissues, consistent with our reverse transcription-PCR results. Sequence-based clustering of all identified DEFLs revealed separate tissue- or taxon-specific subgroups. Previously, we and others showed that more than 300 DEFL genes were expressed in M. truncatula nodules, organs not present in most plants. We have used this information to annotate the Arabidopsis genome and now provide evidence of a large DEFL superfamily present in expressed tissues of all sequenced plants.
Effects of uncertainty on perceived health status in patients with atrial fibrillation
Authors: Kang Younhee 
Published: June 2005

AbstractThe nursing discipline has focused on uncertainty as a main theme of research as well as an area needing assessment in clinical practice because the concept of uncertainty can be applied across diagnostic categories and may be worthwhile in explaining responses to illness. This study aimed to examine the effects of uncertainty on perceived health status including physical health, mental health, and general health within the theoretical framework of uncertainty in illness. This descriptive correlational and cross‐sectional survey study included 81 subjects with atrial fibrillation using a face‐to‐face interview method. Individuals with greater symptom severity perceived more uncertainty and uncertainty was appraised as a danger rather than opportunity, thus those with greater uncertainty appraised a greater danger. While there was no relationship between danger appraisal and physical health, the significant relationships were shown between danger appraisal and mental health (r = – 0·68) and between danger appraisal and general health (r = – 0·39) respectively. The symptom severity had a significant direct effect on general health rather than having indirect effects through uncertainty and appraisal. Uncertainty had a significant impact on the perception of mental health through danger appraisal, identifying an area for nursing interventions. The mediating model of uncertainty with mental health as an outcome variable was supported by the empirical data of this study. In order to expand the present body of knowledge on uncertainty in illness model, recommendations for the future nursing studies and nursing practice were included.
N‐acetylcysteine fails to modulate the in vitro function of sarcoplasmic reticulum of diaphragm in the final phase of fatigue
Authors: Mishima T. , Yamada T. , Matsunaga S. , Wada M. 
Published: June 2005

AbstractAim:  In the present study, we tested the hypothesis whether N‐acetylcysteine (NAC), a non‐specific antioxidant, might influence fatigue by modulating Ca2+‐handling capacity by the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR).Methods:  In the presence (10 mm) or absence of NAC, bundles of rat diaphragm were stimulated with tetanic trains (350 ms, 30–40 Hz) at 1 train every 2 s for 300 s. SR functions, as assessed by SR Ca2+‐uptake and release rates and SR Ca2+‐ATPase activity, were measured in vitro on muscle homogenates.Results:  Following the 300‐s stimulation, the force developed by NAC‐treated muscles is approximately 1.8‐fold higher (P < 0.05) than that of muscles without NAC treatment. Stimulation elicited an 18–30% depression in SR function (P < 0.05). Despite the differing degrees of fatigue between NAC‐treated and non‐treated muscles, SR functions in these muscles were reduced to similar extents.Conclusions:  These results suggest that modulation of SR function measured in vitro may not be a major contributor to inhibition of diaphragmic fatigue with antioxidant, at least, in the final phase of fatigue where force output is remarkably reduced.
Skeletal muscle contractility is preserved in COPD patients with normal fat‐free mass
Authors: Degens H. , Sanchez Horneros J. M. , Heijdra Y. F. , Dekhuijzen P. N. R. , Hopman M. T. E. 
Published: June 2005

AbstractAim:  Peripheral muscle dysfunction often occurs in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The muscle dysfunction may be caused by a loss of force‐generating capacity, resulting from a loss of muscle mass, as well as by other alterations in contractile properties of skeletal muscle.Methods:  The maximal isometric voluntary strength and fatigability were determined in hand‐grip and quadriceps muscles from nine male COPD patients (FEV1 30–50% predicted) and control subjects matched for fat‐free mass (FFM), physical activity level and age. Contractile properties and fatigability of the quadriceps muscle were also studied with electrically evoked isometric contractions.Results:  The maximal voluntary force (MVC) and fatigability of the handgrip muscle did not differ between the COPD patients and control subjects. Also the MVC of the quadriceps muscle and the rate of force rise, contraction time, force–frequency relationship and fatigability, as determined with electrically evoked contractions, were similar in patients with COPD and control subjects.Conclusion:  Skeletal muscle strength, contractile properties and fatigability are preserved in patients with moderate COPD and a normal FFM and activity level. This suggests that skeletal muscle dysfunction does not take place during moderate COPD until cachexia and/or a decline in physical activity occur.
Nitrite transport into pig erythrocytes and its potential biological role
Authors: Jensen F. B. 
Published: June 2005

AbstractAim:  To study nitrite transport and its oxygenation dependency in pig erythrocytes, as this is fundamental to the possible participation of nitrite in blood flow regulation via its reduction to nitric oxide by deoxygenated haemoglobin (Hb).Methods:  Pig red blood cells (RBCs) were tonometer‐equilibrated to physiological pCO2 in oxygenated and deoxygenated states. Nitrite was added and the kinetics of NO2− influx and methaemoglobin (metHb) formation were assessed at variable temperature and haematocrit.Results:  Nitrite quickly permeated and equilibrated across the membrane, and then continued to enter RBCs as a consequence of its intracellular removal (via reactions with Hb to form nitrate and metHb in oxygenated cells, and NO and metHb in deoxygenated cells). The membrane permeation as such showed little oxygenation dependency, but as metHb formation was significantly higher in oxygenated than deoxygenated RBCs, nitrite transport tended to be largest into oxygenated RBCs. This contrasts with a preferential permeation of deoxygenated RBCs in some fish species. Nitrite transport showed low temperature sensitivity but was speeded up at low haematocrit via more rapid intracellular nitrite removal (metHb formation). Nitrite influx was not affected by inhibitors of facilitated diffusion (DIDS, phloretin and PCMB) and may occur via conductive transport. Extracellular pH was stable during nitrite transport.Conclusion:  Nitrite extensively permeates both oxygenated and deoxygenated pig RBCs, which may enable a dual function of nitrite entry: viz. conversion to NO at low pO2 to promote blood flow and detoxification to non‐toxic nitrate at inappropriate high nitrite levels.
Facile Synthesis of Nanocrystalline Titanium Carbonitride via a Chemical Metathesis Route
Authors: Feng Xin , Shi Li-Yi 
Published: June 2005

Abstract
Nanocrystalline titanium carbonitride (TiCN) was successfully synthesized at low temperature (450 °C) via a chemical metathesis route using the readily attainable TiCl4, CaC2 and NaN3 as source materials. X-ray powder diffraction indicated that the product was cubic TiCN with a lattice constant a = 4.252 Å. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that the crystals were composed of spherical particles with the diameter of 66 nm. X-ray photoemission spectra analysed that the atomic ratio was good agreement with the TiC0.4N0.6 stoichiometry. The possible formation mechanism was investigated.
Low-temperature Fabrication of Nano-porous TiO2 Layers for Dye-sensitized Solar Cells. Fabrication of Ion-diffusion Paths
Authors: Kado Takashi , Kubota Yukihumi , Hayase Shuzi 
Published: June 2005

Abstract
In dye-sensitized solar cells, it is required to build up both of ion paths and electron paths in TiO2 layers for low-temperature fabrication process. In this report, ion paths are focused on. Semiconductive layers are composed of TiO2 nanocrystals (P25) and needle-shape TiO2 crystals (FTL 100). By adding 20% of the needles into P25, photocurrent increased from 5.3 to 7.7 mA/cm2. Pore distributions, surface areas, Cole–Cole plot and currents passing through TiO2 layers were measured. These results suggest that the increase in the photocurrent is associated with the formation of ion paths in TiO2 layers.
Solvation Dynamics at the Water/Mica Interface as Studied by Time-resolved Fluorescence Spectroscopy
Authors: Yamashita Tomohisa , Amino Yousuke , Yamaguchi Akira , Teramae Norio 
Published: June 2005

Abstract
Solvation dynamics at the water/mica interface was investigated by time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy. Time-resolved fluorescence spectra of a coumarin dye immobilized on the mica surface show dynamic Stokes shifts with several hundreds picosecond time scale. Solvent relaxation time observed at the water/mica interface was remarkably longer than that observed in a bulk solution, suggesting existence of a rigid water layer on the mica surface, that is, hydrogen-bonding network is strongly formed at the mica surface.
The Template Polymerization of 12-Methacryloyloxydodecanoate Ions in LDH Clay
Authors: Itoh Toshio , Yamashita Mineo , Shichi Tetsuya , Yui Tatsuto , Takagi Katsuhiko 
Published: June 2005

Abstract
The LDH clay template polymerization of 12-methacryloyloxydodecanoate (MADA) ions under UV light irradiation resulted in the formation of preferential meso polymer ions through radical propagation in a parallel-oriented MADA hybrid assembly.
Application of Sulfonated Polyimide Membranes to Direct Methanol Fuel Cells
Authors: Song Jung Min , Asano Naoki , Miyatake Kenji , Uchida Hiroyuki , Watanabe Masahiro 
Published: June 2005

Abstract
Sulfonated polyimide (SPI) membrane has been evaluated as an electrolyte membrane for direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) in comparison with Nafion®112. The membrane-electrolyte assemblies (MEAs) were made by hot-pressing each membrane, an anode of Pt–Ru dispersed on carbon black (Pt–Ru/CB) and a cathode of Pt/CB with Nafion® ionomer. The cell prepared with SPI membrane exhibited a suppressed methanol crossover to a half of Nafion®112, resulting in the improved cell performance.
Z-Selective or Stereospecific Alkenylation Reaction: A Novel Synthetic Method for α-Fluoro-α,β-unsaturated Esters
Authors: Yoshimatsu Mitsuhiro , Murase Yoshinori , Itoh Akinori , Tanabe Genzoh , Muraoka Osamu 
Published: June 2005

Abstract
The Z-selective formation of α-fluoro-α,β-unsaturated esters was achieved using the deselenenic acid of the syn- and/or anti-3-aryl-2-fluoro-3-hydroxy-2-organoselanylacetates 3 and 4 with trifluoromethanesulfonic acid. In contrast, the 3-alkyl-substituted propanoates 3f and 4b stereospecifically underwent alkenylation to give the (E)- or (Z)-α-fluoro-α,β-unstaurated esters 5f. We were also successful in the one-pot alkenylation reactions.
Conservation Genetics of Inland Lake Trout in the Upper Mississippi River Basin: Stocked or Native Ancestry?
Authors: Piller Kyle R. , Wilson Chris C. , Lee Carol Eunmi , Lyons John 
Published: June 2005

AbstractAlthough stocking for sport fishery enhancement has been practiced by resource managers for decades, the potential genetic effects of these stocking practices have remained largely unknown. We investigated the genetic contributions of stocking lake trout Salvelinus namaycush in two inland lakes in Wisconsin (Trout and Black Oak lakes in Vilas County), which represent the only known indigenous lake trout populations in the upper Mississippi River basin. Exogenous sources of lake trout (Lake Michigan and Lake Superior strains) have been stocked into each of these lakes for decades, although the long‐term effects of past stocking events on these populations are unknown. We used nine microsatellite loci and polymerase chain reaction– restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of mitochondrial DNA to determine the distinctiveness and genetic ancestry of lake trout in Trout and Black Oak lakes. Measures of allelic variance indicated that Trout and Black Oak lakes were significantly different (P < 0.05) from each other (FST = 0.162) and all other populations evaluated in this study (FST = 0.101 − 0.164). The combined microsatellite and mitochondrial DNA data indicate that upper Mississippi River basin lake trout have been minimally affected by past stocking practices. These populations should be managed as native gene pools, and interlake and interbasin stocking should be avoided.
Biophysical Factors Associated with the Marine Survival of Auke Creek, Alaska, Coho Salmon
Authors: Briscoe Ryan J. , Adkison Milo D. , Wertheimer Alex , Taylor S. G. 
Published: June 2005

AbstractCorrelation analyses and stepwise regression models were run to examine relationships between the marine survival of Auke Creek coho salmon Oncorhynchus kisutch and a number of physical and biological covariates: Local sea surface temperature, local precipitation, local hatchery releases of pink salmon O. gorbuscha and chum salmon O. keta, regional and state coho and pink salmon catches, and smolt survival of three other regional coho salmon stocks. Auke Creek jack return rates and adult marine survival covaried, indicating that a significant amount of the variation in marine survival is due to conditions encountered in the first 4 to 5 months of marine life. Sea surface temperature was not significantly correlated with adult survival but was significantly associated with jack return rates. Precipitation had no relationship with marine survival. The number of locally released hatchery pink and chum salmon had the strongest correlation with marine survival (r = 0.71). Marine survival trends of coho salmon stocks within 64 km of Auke Creek closely followed Auke Creek marine survival, indicating that the factors affecting the marine survival of coho salmon are similar in localized regions of northern Southeast Alaska. Regional similarities in marine survival with Auke Creek coho salmon also extend to the larger Southeast Alaska region with respect to the analysis of commercial coho salmon catch. The specific mechanisms were not identified, but these results indicate that biological covariates were more associated with Auke Creek coho salmon marine survival than were physical covariates.
Age and Growth of Roundtail Chub in the Upper Verde River, Arizona
Authors: Brouder Mark J. 
Published: June 2005

AbstractEstimates of the age and growth of roundtail chub Gila robusta were made by analyzing thin cross sections of sagittal otoliths from 280 specimens collected in the upper Verde River, Arizona, from January 1997 to December 1999. Marginal increment analysis indicated that a single annulus completed formation between January and May. The use of otoliths to age roundtail chub was further validated using otoliths of known‐age, hatchery‐reared fish for which (upon examination) the number of annuli agreed 100% of the time with the true age of the fish. In addition, daily increments were observed on sagittal otoliths of age‐0 roundtail chub and, when counted, agreed with the true age of fish 70% of the time; daily ring counts were within 1 and 2 d of the true age 80% and 90% of the time, respectively. Ages assigned to wild‐caught fish by three independent readers resulted in a coefficient of variation (100 × SD/ mean) of 8.2. Ages of roundtail chub varied from 1 to 7, the largest fish being a 427‐mm total length (TL), 836‐g total weight (TW), age‐7 female. The largest male was 413 mm TL, 629 g TW, and age 6. The growth of age‐1–7 roundtail chub (both sexes combined) was greatest during the first year and was best described by the equation Lt = 499.30 [1 − e−0.23(t−0.147)], where Lt is length at time t.
Movement, Swimming Speed, and Oxygen Consumption of Juvenile White Sturgeon in Response to Changing Flow, Water Temperature, and Light Level in the Snake River, Idaho
Authors: Geist David R. , Brown Richard S. , Cullinan Valerie , Brink Steve R. , Lepla Ken , Bates Phil , Chandler James A. 
Published: June 2005

AbstractThe flow of the Snake River downstream of Hells Canyon Dam, Idaho, frequently fluctuates as dam operators alter the amount of electrical load generated in response to moment‐to‐moment power needs (termed load‐following). Flow fluctuations due to load‐following have the potential to increase the energy used by juvenile white sturgeon Acipenser transmontanus that move to avoid unfavorable habitat or that alter swimming speed to maintain position over a range of velocities. Following laboratory respirometry experiments, a field study using electromyogram (EMG) and sonic telemetry was conducted to determine whether movement (area and distance), swimming speed, or oxygen consumption of juvenile white sturgeon responded to the operation of Hells Canyon Dam during three study periods when flows were artificially fluctuated to resemble extreme load‐following operation (192–836 m3/s), held high and stable (442–629 m3/s), or held low and stable (275–284 m3/s). Respirometry results confirmed that the oxygen consumption of juvenile white sturgeon increased with swimming speed, was temperature dependent, and when corrected for fish mass, ranged from 140.2 to 306.5 mg O2 · kg−1 · h−1. The telemetry study showed that the distance sturgeon moved and the area used were similar at all flows. However, when flows were held low and stable, swimming speed and oxygen consumption decreased compared with the other study periods. Although the overall trend was for swimming speed and oxygen consumption to be less during the study period when flows were low and stable, the differences between study periods appeared to be due to differences in water temperature and light levels, which changed during the investigation. The results suggest that high flows, even those of relatively short duration such as occur during load‐following operations, restrict the movement of juvenile white sturgeon. However, high flows do not result in an increase of energy expenditure, possibly because of morphological and behavioral adaptations to living in a high‐velocity environment.