bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Minireview: Cyclin D1: Normal and Abnormal Functions
Authors: Fu Maofu , Wang Chenguang , Li Zhiping , Sakamaki Toshiyuki , Pestell Richard G. 
Published: August 2004

Abstract
Cyclin D1 encodes the regulatory subunit of a holoenzyme that phosphorylates and inactivates the retinoblastoma protein and promotes progression through the G1-S phase of the cell cycle. Amplification or overexpression of cyclin D1 plays pivotal roles in the development of a subset of human cancers including parathyroid adenoma, breast cancer, colon cancer, lymphoma, melanoma, and prostate cancer. Of the three D-type cyclins, each of which binds cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK), it is cyclin D1 overexpression that is predominantly associated with human tumorigenesis and cellular metastases. In recent years accumulating evidence suggests that in addition to its original description as a CDK-dependent regulator of the cell cycle, cyclin D1 also conveys cell cycle or CDK-independent functions. Cyclin D1 associates with, and regulates activity of, transcription factors, coactivators and corepressors that govern histone acetylation and chromatin remodeling proteins. The recent findings that cyclin D1 regulates cellular metabolism, fat cell differentiation and cellular migration have refocused attention on novel functions of cyclin D1 and their possible role in tumorigenesis. In this review, both the classic and novel functions of cyclin D1 are discussed with emphasis on the CDK-independent functions of cyclin D1.
Selective Recruitment of p160 Coactivators on Glucocorticoid-Regulated Promoters in Schwann Cells
Authors: Grenier Julien , Trousson Amalia , Chauchereau Anne , Amazit Larbi , Lamirand Audrey , Leclerc Philippe , Guiochon-Mantel Anne , Schumacher Michael , Massaad Charbel 
Published: August 2004

Abstract
In the nervous system, glucocorticoid hormones play a major role during development and throughout life. We studied the mechanisms of action of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and its interactions with p160 coactivator family members [steroid receptor coactivator (SRC)-1 (a and e), SRC-2 and SRC-3] in mouse Schwann cells (MSC80). We found that the three p160s were expressed in MSC80 cells. We have shown by functional overexpression and RNA interference experiments that the recruitment of these coactivators by the GR is promoter dependent. A minimal promoter containing two glucocorticoid response elements, (GRE)2-TATA, recruits SRC-1 (a and e) and SRC-3, whereas SRC-2 is excluded. Within the context of the more complex mouse mammary tumor virus promoter, GR recruits SRC-1e and SRC-2, whereas SRC-1a and SRC-3 are not implicated. Furthermore, we have identified cytosolic aspartate aminotransferase as a GR target gene in MSC80 cells by microarray experiments. The GR recruits exclusively SRC-1e in the context of the cytosolic aspartate aminotransferase promoter. Because SRC-1 is the omnipresent coactivator of GR, we further investigated the interactions between GR and this coactivator in Schwann cells by reporter assays and immunocytochemistry experiments with deleted forms of SRC-1. We have shown that SRC-1 unexpectedly interacts with GR via its two nuclear receptor binding domains, thus providing a novel mechanism of GR signaling within the nervous system.
The Rarity of “Unusal” Dispositions of Victim Bodies: Staging and Posing
Authors: Keppel RD , Weis JG 
Published: August 2004

Abstract
The act of leaving a victim's body in an unusual position is a conscious criminal action by an offender to thwart an investigation, shock the finder and investigators of the crime scene, or give perverted pleasure to the killer. The unusual position concepts of posing and staging a murder victim have been documented thoroughly and have been accepted by the courts as a definable phenomenon. One staging case and one posing case are outlined and reveal characteristics of those homicides. From the Washington State Attorney General's Homicide Investigation and Tracking System's database on murder covering the years 1981–2000 (a total of 5,224 cases), the relative frequency of unusual body dispositions is revealed as a very rare occurrence. Only 1.3% of victims are left in an unusual position, with 0.3% being posed and 0.1% being staged. The characteristics of these types of murders also set them apart: compared to all other murders, in staged murders the victims and killers are, on average, older. All victims and offenders in the staged murders are white, with victims being disproportionately white in murders with any kind of unusual body disposition. Likewise, females stand out as victims when the body is posed, staged, or left in other unusual positions. Whereas posed bodies are more likely to include sexual assault, often in serial murders, there is no evidence of either in the staged cases. Lastly, when a body is left in an unusual position, binding is more likely, as well as the use of more “hands on” means of killing the victim, such as stabbing or cutting weapons, bludgeons, ligatures, or hands and feet. Erratum to this paper appears in 49(6).
A Proposed Method for the Identification of Race in Sub-Adult Skeletons: A Geometric Morphometric Analysis of Mandibular Morphology
Authors: Buck TJ , Vidarsdottir US 
Published: August 2004

Abstract
The identification of biological race (ancestry) in skeletal material is an important aspect of forensic investigations. While techniques for race determination are well established for adult skeletons, identification of race in sub-adult specimens has not been widely addressed. The present study investigates racial differences in the mandibular morphology of sub-adult specimens using geometric morphometric analyses. One hundred and seventy-four mandibles from five morphologically distinct samples were digitized and subjected to general Procrustes analysis. Results showed significant morphological differences between the samples and obtained cross-validation results of over 70% accuracy in identification of unknown individuals using the complete mandible. It is suggested that these techniques could provide a method for the identification of race in sub-adult individuals.
Fatality Due to Methyl Acetylene-Propadiene (MAPP) Inhalation
Authors: Avella J , Lehrer M 
Published: August 2004

Abstract
A 33-year-old man died after intentionally inhaling a gaseous mix of methyl acetylene (propyne) and propadiene (allene) commonly known as MAPP, which is used for soldering and welding. He was found with a plastic bag securely placed over his head and a cylinder of MAPP alongside his head. The cylinder had been vented into the bag using a flexible hose. A comprehensive toxicological analysis revealed only a trace of diphenhydramine in the liver and 0.02 mg/L of morphine in the urine. Analysis of blood by headspace gas chromatography (HS-GC) detected two unknown peaks. These were determined to be the components of MAPP gas. MAPP was quantitated in femoral blood (59.6 mg/L) and brain (43.6 mg/kg) using a HS-GC method. The cause of death was attributed to acute MAPP intoxication, and the manner was determined to be suicide. A discussion on the analytical and interpretive considerations commonly encountered when analyzing volatile compounds is also presented.
Linking Stress to the Increased Susceptibility of Channel Catfish to Enteric Septicemia Using Cortisol
Authors: Sink Todd D. , Strange Richard J. 
Published: August 2004

Abstract
Although stress is known to increase the susceptibility of channel catfish to disease, this has not been correlated to a clinical measure of stress like plasma cortisol. By exposing healthy, unstressed catfish fingerlings (70–85 mm) to six concentrations of Edwardsiella ictaluri, we determined that the dose at which 30% of the fingerlings would die (LD30) was 1.4 log colony-forming units (CFU) per liter. Twenty-five small fingerling catfish per tank were confined to 12.5-cm × 15-cm × 10-cm plastic nets for 30 or 60 min, while unstressed fish remained free-swimming. Blood samples were taken for cortisol analysis, and the LD30 dose of the pathogen was administered at the conclusion of the stress period. Unstressed fish were sampled and challenged similarly. Infection rates were monitored for 21 d. A second challenge was conducted with larger fingerlings (114–168 mm) in the same manner. In the experiment with small fingerlings, cortisol concentrations (mean ± SD) for unstressed fish (23.6 ± 6.02 ng/mL), fish stressed 30 min (77.7 ± 19.16 ng/mL), and fish stressed 60 min (115.4 ± 26.65 ng/mL) differed significantly (P &lt; 0.05) from each other. Significant increases in mortality occurred in conjunction with increases in cortisol (unstressed: 22.5 ± 4.2%, 30 min: 47.5 ± 5.2%, 60 min: 81.7 ± 6.8%). For large fingerlings, cortisol concentrations also differed between unstressed fish (31.44 ± 17.9 ng/mL) and stressed fish (30 min: 103.1 ± 20.7 ng/mL, 60 min: 109.6 ± 24.9 ng/mL). Although cortisol did not differ notably between the 30- and 60-min stress groups, mortalities in the large fingerlings increased significantly with level of stress (unstressed: 25.8 ± 7.4%, 30 min: 62.5 ± 10.4%, 60 min: 100 ± 0.0%). This study demonstrates the relationship between cortisol and the increased susceptibility of channel catfish to enteric septicemia of catfish.
Analysis of Protein S‐Nitrosylation
Authors: Mannick Joan B. , Schonhoff Christopher M. 
Published: August 2004

AbstractS‐nitrosylation is the binding of an NO group to a cysteine or other thiol. Like phosphorylation, S‐nitrosylation is a precisely targeted and rapidly reversible post‐translational modification that serves as an on/off switch for protein function during cell signaling. However, unlike phosphorylation, S‐nitrosylation of proteins occurs nonenzymatically, mediated, at least in part, by redox‐regulated chemical reactions in cells. Alterations in pH, pO2, cellular reductants, transition metals, and UV light lead to the loss and/or gain of S‐NO bonds. Due to the redox‐sensitive nature of the modification, analysis of protein S‐nitrosylation is technically difficult, the S‐NO bond formation being easily disrupted during sample preparation. In addition, the level of S‐nitrosylated proteins in cells approaches the limit of detection of currently available technology. Despite these technical challenges, several useful methods have been developed recently to measure protein S‐nitrosylation in biologic samples, and these are described in this unit.
Models of Visceral Pain: Colorectal Distension (CRD)
Authors: Jones R. Carter W. , Gebhart G.F. 
Published: August 2004

AbstractThe visceromotor response to balloon distension of the colon is a robust behavioral model of visceral nociception in rodents and is ideally suited for studying the visceral antinociceptive activity of drugs. This unit describes, in detail, quantification of this response with the use of electromyography in both rats and mice.
Measurement of Cell Death in Mammalian Cells
Authors: Cummings Brian S. , Schnellmann Rick G. 
Published: August 2004

AbstractThis unit presents methods used to assess cell death in mammalian cells. The unit is divided into five sections: (1) a brief overview of cytotoxicity and pathways of cell death, (2) an improved method to measure cell death using lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release as a marker of membrane integrity, (3) a flow cytometry method that simultaneously measures two types of cell death, oncosis and apoptosis, (4) use of nuclear morphology to assess apoptosis and oncosis, and (5) a brief discussion of the use of cytotoxicity assays to determine the mechanisms of cell death.
Multidisciplinary Approaches for Characterizing Synaptic Vesicle Proteins
Authors: Leenders Miriam , Gerwin Claudia , Sheng Zu‐Hang 
Published: August 2004

AbstractInvestigation of synaptic vesicle membrane proteins using multidisciplinary approaches, particularly to characterize synaptic vesicle proteins in synapses, can greatly advance our knowledge of the molecular mechanisms involved in synaptic vesicle exocytosis and neurotransmission. Three approaches are presented in this unit to identify and characterize synaptic vesicle proteins. The first is a subcellular fractionation method used to isolate synaptic vesicles from rat brain synaptosomal preparations, which can then be used in a variety of biochemical studies on synaptic vesicle proteins. The second is a detailed procedure for pre‐embedding immunogold staining and electron microscopic observation, techniques that permit the morphological identification of synaptic vesicle proteins in individual vesicles at the intact synapse. Finally, a protocol for immunocytochemical staining of cultured hippocampal neurons for light microscopic examination is provided, which allows one to stain multisynaptic vesicle proteins and determine their localization in relation to other proteins or subcellular structures in synapses.
Macronutrient Selection in Experimental Animals
Authors: Kanarek Robin B. 
Published: August 2004

AbstractTo address the question of how animals choose diets from an array of nutritionally different foods, researchers have designed experiments in which animals are provided with separate sources of the three macronutrients, protein, fat and carbohydrate. These experiments are useful for investigating the neuroanatomical and neurochemical mechanisms involved in food choice, as well as for assessing the effects of changes in physiological status (e.g., pregnancy; lactation and increased energy expenditure) or disease states (e.g., diabetes; and obesity) on nutrient intakes.
Synthesis of Oligoribonucleotides Containing N6‐Alkyladenosine and 2‐Methylthio‐N6‐Alkyladenosine
Authors: Kierzek Elzbieta , Kierzek Ryszard 
Published: August 2004

AbstractThe N6‐alkyladenosines and 2‐methylthio‐N6‐alkyladenosines are the most common modified adenosine nucleosides, and transfer ribonucleic acids (tRNA) are particularly rich in these modified nucleosides. They are present at position 37 of the anticodon arm, and the contributions of these hypermodified nucleosides to codon‐anticodon interactions as well as to translation are significant, although they are not fully understood. This unit describes a new chemical synthesis method for oligoribonucleotides containing N6‐alkyladenosines and 2‐methylthio‐N6‐alkyladenosines via postsynthetic modifications of precursor oligoribonucleotides. To obtain oligoribonucleotides containing N6‐alkyladenosines, a precursor oligoribonucleotide carrying 6‐methylthiopurine riboside residues was used, whereas for the synthesis of oligoribonucleotides containing 2‐methylthio‐N6‐alkyladenosines, a precursor oligoribonucleotide carrying the 2‐methylthio‐6‐chloropurine riboside was applied. This allowed synthesis of modified oligoribonucleotides containing naturally occurring modified nucleosides such as N6‐isopentenyladenosine (i6A), N6‐methyladenosine (m6A), 2‐methylthio‐N6‐isopentenyladenosine (ms2i6A), and 2‐methylthio‐N6‐methyladenosine (ms2m6A), as well as several unnaturally modified adenosine derivatives.
Analysis of Telomere Length and Telomerase Activity
Authors: Hathcock Karen S. , Hodes Richard J. , Weng Nan‐Ping 
Published: August 2004

AbstractTelomeres are specialized DNA‐protein structures present at the ends of all linear chromosomes and are characterized by (TTAGGG)n hexanucleotide repeats and associated proteins. Telomere length has been implicated in cell survival and replicative capacity of dividing somatic cells. In the absence of an active compensatory mechanism, telomere lengths shorten as a consequence of proliferation, both in vitro and in vivo. However, this loss of telomeric repeats can be compensated and telomere length maintained by the enzyme telomerase, which is capable of adding (TTAGGG) repeat sequences to the ends of telomeres. This unit describes methods that are used for the measurement of telomere length and telomerase activity in human and murine cells.
Culture of HIV in Monocytes and Macrophages
Authors: Crowe Suzanne , Maslin Clare , Ellery Philip , Kedzierska Katherine 
Published: August 2004

AbstractMonocytes and macrophages constitute important cellular targets for macrophage‐tropic (M‐tropic) strains of HIV‐1 and are believed to play a major role in the pathogenesis of AIDS. This updated unit provides procedures for culturing HIV in these target cells under suspension and adherent cell culture conditions. The unit also provides methods for expanding M‐tropic primary isolates of HIV and determining the 50% tissue culture infectious dose (TCID50) of HIV stocks.
Isothermal Titration Calorimetry
Authors: Velázquez‐Campoy Adrián , Ohtaka Hiroyasu , Nezami Azin , Muzammil Salman , Freire Ernesto 
Published: August 2004

AbstractIn the last two decades, isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) has become the preferred technique to determine the binding energetics of biological processes, including protein‐ligand binding, protein‐protein binding, DNA‐protein binding, protein‐carbohydrate binding, protein‐lipid binding, and antigen‐antibody binding. In this unit several protocols are presented, ranging from the basic ones that are aimed at characterizing binding of moderate affinity to advanced protocols that are aimed at determining very high or very low affinity binding processes. Also, alternate protocols for special cases (homodimeric proteins and unstable proteins) and additional information accessible by ITC (heat capacity and protonation/deprotonation processes coupled to binding) are presented.
Searching WormBase for Information About Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Schwarz Erich M. , Sternberg Paul W. 
Published: August 2004

AbstractWormBase is the major public biological database for the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. It is meant to be useful to any biologist who wants to use C. elegans, whatever his or her specialty. WormBase contains information about the genomic sequence of C. elegans, its genes and their products, and its higher‐level traits such as gene expression patterns and neuronal connectivity. Also, WormBase contains sequence and gene structures of C. briggsae, a closely related worm. These data are interconnected, so that a search beginning with one object (such as a gene) can be directed to related objects of a different type (such as the DNA sequence of the gene, or the cells in which the gene is active). One can also do searches for complex data sets. The WormBase developers group actively invites suggestions for improvement from users. WormBase's source code and underlying database are freely available for local installation and improvement.
Identifying Functional Sites Based on Prediction of Charged Group Behavior
Authors: Ondrechen Mary Jo 
Published: August 2004

AbstractThis protocol describes the implementation and interpretation of THEMATICS, a simple computational predictor of functional information for proteins from the three‐dimensional structure. This method is based on the computation of the electrical potential function for the protein and the calculation of the predicted titration curves for each of the titratable groups in the protein. While most of the titratable residues in a protein have predicted titration behavior that fits the Henderson‐Hasselbalch equation, the ionizable residues in the active site generally deviate dramatically from the typical behavior. From the calculated titration curves, one identifies those residues that deviate significantly from Henderson‐Hasselbalch behavior. A cluster of two or more of such deviant titratable residues in physical proximity is a reliable predictor of active‐site location.
The rate acceleration in solid‐state polycondensation of PET by nanomaterials
Authors: Yu Huimin , Han Keqing , Yu Muhuo 
Published: August 2004

AbstractThe effect of nanomaterials on the solid‐state polycondensation (SSP) of PET was investigated using intrinsic viscosity measurement, wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, and polarizing microscope. The results showed that the montmorillonite nanomaterials could greatly increase the rate of solid‐state polycondensation of PET, probably due to the nucleation of montmorillonite nanomaterials for PET crystallization, which resulted in lower crystallinity, more small crystals, and more surfaces of the crystals. The surfaces of microcrystal and richer amorphous regions benefitted the polycondensation reaction of PET and diffusion of volatile by‐products, which led to the higher rate of SSP. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 94: 971–976, 2004
Synthesis and characterization of poly(propylene)/montmorillonite nanocomposites by simultaneous grafting‐intercalation
Authors: Xie Shaobo , Zhang Shimin , Wang Fosong 
Published: August 2004

AbstractA novel process for the preparation of poly(propylene)/montmorillonite (PP/MMT) nanocomposites was developed via simultaneous solution grafting‐intercalation in the presence of a reactive ammonium cation that can be grafted onto poly(propylene). Partially introducing this reactive cation into long alkyl ammonium modified MMT interlayers can transfer a conventional microcomposite into intercalated/exfoliated nanocomposites, which was evidenced by X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The PP chains were tethered onto the clay surface through the bridge of the reactive ammonium cations, which can be characterized by FTIR. The bridged chemical bonding also results in a good interface adhesion between PP and MMT, as confirmed by SEM investigation. The enhanced thermal properties of PP/MMT nanocomposites were characterized by thermogravimetric analysis. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 94: 1018–1023, 2004
Properties of silica/clay filled heavy‐duty truck tire thread formulation
Authors: Ogbebor O. J , Farid A. S. , Okwu U. N. 
Published: August 2004

AbstractA tire thread formulation for heavy‐duty trucks containing SBR/BR rubber blend and varying proportions of silica/clay fillers including a silane‐coupling agent have been investigated. The various mixes were compounded in a Banbury ‘O’ mixer and vulcanized using the EV‐system. Silica/clay (80/0) served as the control mix. The oscillating disc rheometer (ODR) was used in determination of cure characteristics. Substitution of silica (80 phr) with china clay up to 40 phr increased the cure rate of the rubber blend mixes as well as their maximum torque level (Tmax). Tmax was observed to be highest at a filler blend ratio of 40/40 phr. Synergism between silica and clay at this filler blend mixture is suggested to be responsible for the observation. The heat buildup was reduced from 43 to 20°C as the clay content increased. Results also showed that the rubber blend compound containing silica/clay (60/20) filler blend in the stated ratio exhibited the best balance of properties in the critical parameters such as the absolute torque level (69.5 dNm), heat buildup (39°C), and abrasion resistance (0.574 mg.loss/1,000 rev). The rate of depreciation of abrasion resistance of rubber blend compound as the clay content increased was found to be 0.035 mg loss/1,000 rev as silica is substituted with one part of china clay phr. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 94: 1024–1028, 2004