bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Nonviral gene transfer to surface skin of mid‐gestational murine embryos by intraamniotic injection and subsequent electroporation
Authors: Sato Masahiro , Tanigawa Maya , Kikuchi Natsuko 
Published: August 2004

AbstractThe surface epithelium of mid‐gestational murine embryos is thought to be an attractive target for gene therapy in vivo, due to its visibility and accessibility from the external surface of the maternal uterus. Almost all studies of in utero gene transfer have adopted viral vectors for infection of fetal epithelium, and depended on intraamniotic introduction and simple incubation of vectors, leading to only infection of the surface layer (periderm) of fetal skin. Here we report a simple and convenient method of gene transfer of plasmid DNA into the deeper portion of surface skin of murine mid‐gestational fetus. One to two microlitres of a solution containing a lacZ expression plasmid (0.5–1 μg) and trypan blue (0.05%) were placed onto the surface of a fetus (E 14.5) near the eye by a micropipette attached to a mouthpiece. This fetus was immediately electroporated by placing it between tweezer‐type electrodes attached to a square‐pulse generator. At 1 and 4 days after gene transfer, fetuses were subjected to histochemical staining for lacZ activity in the presence of X‐Gal, a substrate for lacZ. Focal reactions were observed in the skin epidermal layers including periderm and basal layer 1 day after DNA introduction. However, lacZ‐positive cells were limited to a skin surface layer, the stratum corneum, in the samples obtained 4 days after gene transfer. Similar observation was also made in the transgenic fetuses (carrying a lacZ gene placed immediately downstream of the loxP‐flanked sequence) injected with Cre expression vector. These findings suggest rapid movement of fetal epidermal cells toward the surface during late developmental stages. This local gene transfer approach appears to be effective as a method for skin‐targeted gene transfer, enabling study of the role of genes of interest and tracing of cell lineage during fetal skin development. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 69: 268–277, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Identification of Ca2+‐dependent calmodulin‐binding proteins in rat spermatogenic cells as complexes of the heat‐shock proteins
Authors: Moriya Megumi , Ochiai Masanori , Yuasa Hajime J. , Suzuki Norio , Yazawa Michio 
Published: August 2004

AbstractCa2+‐calmodulin (CaM)‐binding proteins in rat testes were characterized by assays for CaM‐binding activity using the CaM‐overlay method on transblots of electrophoresed gels and purification by gel‐filtration, ion exchange, and adsorption chromatographies. A major CaM‐binding protein complex (CaMBP) was identified and found to be comprised of three proteins with molecular masses 110, 100, and 70 kDa. Amino acid sequence analyses of lysylendopeptidase digests from these proteins indicated that all of the constituents of CaMBP are very similar to the members of the heat‐shock protein family, i.e., the 110‐kDa protein is similar to the APG‐2/94 kDa rat ischemia‐responsive protein, the 100‐kDa protein is similar to the rat counterpart of the mouse APG‐1/94 kDa osmotic stress protein, and the 70‐kDa protein is similar to the rat testis‐specific major heat‐shock protein (HSP70). Immunohistochemistry using anti‐CaMBP and anti‐CaM antibodies demonstrated that CaMBP was co‐localized with CaM in the cytoplasm of pachytene spermatocytes and nuclei of round spermatids. In addition, CaMBP, but not CaM, was localized at a high level in the residual bodies of elongated spermatids. The possible relevance of CaMBP to regulation of cell cycle progression and spermatogenesis is discussed in this paper. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 69: 316–324, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effect of macromolecule supplementation during in vitro maturation of goat oocytes on developmental potential
Authors: Herrick J.R. , Behboodi E. , Memili E. , Blash S. , Echelard Y. , Krisher R.L. 
Published: August 2004

AbstractIn vitro maturation (IVM) of goat oocytes with serum‐supplemented media results in oocytes with reduced developmental potential. The objective of this study was to develop a defined medium for IVM of goat oocytes that better supports subsequent embryonic development. Cumulus oocyte complexes (COC) were matured for 18–20 hr in: Experiment (1), tissue culture medium 199 (TCM199) with 10% (v/v) goat serum or modified synthetic oviduct fluid maturation medium (mSOFmat) with 2.5, 8.0, or 20.0 mg/ml bovine serum albumin (BSA); Experiment (2), mSOFmat with 4.0, 8.0, 12.0, or 16.0 mg/ml BSA; or Experiment (3), 1.0 mg/ml polyvinyl alcohol (PVA; control), 4.0 mg/ml BSA, 0.5 mg/ml hyaluronate plus 0.5 mM citrate, or hyaluronate, citrate, and BSA. Mature COC were coincubated for 20–22 hr with 12–15 × 106 sperm/ml in modified Brackett and Oliphant (mBO) medium. Embryos were cultured for a total of 7 days in G1/2, and evaluated for cleavage, and blastocyst development, hatching, and total cell numbers. In the first experiment, more (P < 0.05) blastocysts developed per cleaved embryo following maturation in mSOFmat with 2.5 or 8.0 mg/ml BSA than with 20.0 mg/ml BSA or TCM199 with 10% goat serum. The various concentrations of BSA used in the second experiment did not affect (P > 0.05) any of the developmental endpoints examined. In the third experiment, developmental potential of oocytes matured with PVA or hyaluronate with citrate was not different (P > 0.05) from oocytes matured in the presence of BSA. These results demonstrate that developmentally competent goat oocytes can be matured under defined conditions. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 69: 338–346, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Uterine secretion of ISP1 & 2 tryptases is regulated by progesterone and estrogen during pregnancy and the endometrial cycle
Authors: O'Sullivan Colleen M. , Ungarian Jillian L.R. , Singh Kuldeep , Liu Shiying , Hance Jackie , Rancourt Derrick E. 
Published: August 2004

AbstractWe have described two novel implantation serine proteinase (ISP) genes that are expressed during the implantation period. The ISP1 gene may encode the embryo‐derived enzyme strypsin, which is necessary for blastocyst hatching in vitro and the initiation of invasion. The ISP2 gene, which encodes a related tryptase, is expressed in endometrial glands and is regulated by progesterone during the peri‐implantation period. Based on similarities between ISP2 gene expression and that of a progesterone‐regulated lumenal serine proteinase activity associated with lysis of the zona pellucida, we have suggested that the strypsin related protein, ISP2, may encode a zona lysin proteinase. Recently strypsin has also been found within uterine fluid, suggesting a second potential role in hatching. Consistently, we have discovered that ISP1 is also expressed in the uterine secretory gland at the time of hatching. In this study we demonstrate that both ISP1 and ISP2 are secreted together into the uterine lumen at peri‐implantation, and that the appearance of ISP protein is regulated positively at the transcriptional level by progesterone and negatively at the posttranscriptional level by estrogen. This negative regulation by estrogen may be overridden in pregnancy as ISP protein expression is restored during oil‐induced decidualization. ISP1 and ISP2 proteins are also expressed in proestrous suggesting additional roles in the endometrial cycle. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 69: 252–259, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Analysis of protein interactions on protein arrays by a wavelength interrogation‐based surface plasmon resonance biosensor
Authors: Yuk Jong Seol , Jung Se‐Hui , Jung Jae‐Wan , Hong Duk‐Geun , Han Jeong‐A , Kim Young‐Myeong , Ha Kwon‐Soo 
Published: August 2004

AbstractWe have investigated whether surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensors based on the wavelength interrogation are able to analyze protein interactions on protein arrays. The spectral SPR sensor was self‐constructed and its detection limit, expressed as the minimal refractive index variation, was calculated to be 6.6×10−5with the signal fluctuation of 1.0×10−5. The protein array surface was modified by a mixed thiol monolayer to immobilize proteins. Protein arrays were analyzed by the line‐scanning mode of the SPR sensor, which scanned every 100 μm along the central line of array spots and the scanned results were presented by color spectra from blue to red. GlutathioneS‐transferase (GST)‐rac1 caused a concentration‐dependent increase of SPR wavelength shift on protein arrays. The surface structure of the protein arrays was analyzed by atomic force microscopy. Specific interactions of antigens with antibodies were analyzed on the protein arrays by using three antibodies and eight proteins. These results suggest that the wavelength interrogation‐based SPR sensor can be used as the biosensor for the high‐throughput analysis of protein interactions on protein arrays.
In situ Fourier transform near infrared spectroscopy monitoring of copper mediated living radical polymerization
Authors: Darcos Vincent , Monge Sophie , Haddleton David M. 
Published: August 2004

AbstractIn situ Fourier transform near infrared (FTNIR) spectroscopy was successfully used to monitor monomer conversion during copper mediated living radical polymerization with N‐(n‐propyl)‐2‐pyridylmethanimine as a ligand. The conversion of vinyl protons in methacrylic monomers (methyl methacrylate, butyl methacrylate, and N‐hydroxysuccinimide methacrylate) to methylene protons in the polymer was monitored with an inert fiber‐optic probe. The monitoring of a poly(butyl methacrylate‐b‐methyl methacrylate‐b‐butyl methacrylate) triblock copolymer has also been reported with difunctional poly(methyl methacrylate) as a macroinitiator. In all cases FTNIR results correlated excellently with those obtained by 1H NMR. On‐line near infrared (NIR) measurement was found to be more accurate because it provided many more data points and avoided sampling during the polymerization reaction. It also allowed the determination of kinetic parameters with, for example, the calculation of an apparent first‐order rate constant. All the results suggest that FTNIR spectroscopy is a valuable tool to assess kinetic data. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 4933–4940, 2004
Theory of chemical bonds in metalloenzymes I: Analytical and hybrid‐DFT studies on oxo and hydroxo diiron cores
Authors: Shoji M. , Y. Nishiyama  , Maruno Y. , K. Koizumi  , Kitagawa Y. , Yamanaka S. , Kawakami T. , Okumura M. , Yamaguchi K. 
Published: August 2004

AbstractOxo‐ or hydroxo‐bridged diiron centers are ubiquitous in metalloenzymes such as hemerythrin (Hr), ribonucleotide reductase, methane monooxygenase, and rubrerythrin. In each enzyme the diiron core plays a central role in the highly specific reaction. To elucidate mechanisms of these reactions, many experimental studies have been carried out, and bioinorganic model compounds have also been synthesized for the purpose. In this study electronic structures of diiron centers for Hr model compounds are investigated from the viewpoint of magnetic interactions. To this end, the Hubbard model for the three‐center four‐electron bond is analytically solved to elucidate an important role of electron correlation and the resulting superexchange interaction between localized spins. The hybrid density functional theory (DFT) calculations also are performed for Hr model compounds to provide the natural orbitals and their occupation numbers, which are crucial for computations of several chemical indices, such as effective bond order, information entropy, and unpaired electron density. These indices are useful for characterization and understanding of chemical bonds in FeOFe cores. The calculated effective exchange integrals (Jab) are wholly consistent with the available experiments. The orbital interactions in the FeOFe cores are reconsidered in relation to recent work by other groups. It is found that magnetic interactions are sensitive to the hydrogen bonds in the systems and are related to effective regulation of the activity. Implications of the calculated results are discussed in relation to the nature of chemical bonds in the FeOFe cores of several biological systems. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2004
Multiple‐stage tandem mass spectrometry for differentiation of isomeric saponins
Authors: Song Fengrui , Cui Meng , Liu Zhiqiang , Yu Biao , Liu Shuying 
Published: August 2004

AbstractFour isomers of steroidal saponins were differentiated using multiple‐stage tandem mass spectrometry combined with electrospray ionization (ESI‐MSn). With the addition of lithium salt, the [M+Li]+ ions of saponins were observed in the ESI spectra. MSn spectra of these [M+Li]+ ions provided detailed structural information and allowed differentiation of the four isomeric saponins. The cross‐ring cleavage ions from the saccharide chains of the saponins could be used as diagnostic ions for information concerning the linkage of the sugar moieties of the saponins. The masses of the X, A, Y and C type fragment ions formed from [M+Li]+ ions of the isomeric saponins provided information defining the methyl group locations. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Separation of β2‐microglobulin conformers by high‐field asymmetric waveform ion mobility spectrometry (FAIMS) coupled to electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry
Authors: Borysik Antoni J. H. , Read Paul , Little David R. , Bateman Robert H. , Radford Sheena E. , Ashcroft Alison E. 
Published: August 2004

AbstractAn investigation into the use of high‐field asymmetric waveform ion mobility spectrometry (FAIMS) coupled to electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry (ESI‐MS) for the differentiation of co‐populated protein conformers has been conducted on the amyloidogenic protein β2‐microglobulin (β2m). Accumulation of β2m in vivo can result in the deposition of insoluble fibrils whose formation is thought to originate from partially folded protein conformers; hence, the folding properties of β2m are of significant interest. We have analysed β2m using ESI‐FAIMS‐MS under a range of pH conditions and have studied the effect of the ion mobility spectrometry parameters on the behaviour of the various protein conformers. The data show that different protein conformers can be detected and analysed by ESI‐FAIMS‐MS, the results being consistent with observations of pH denaturation obtained using complementary biophysical techniques. A variant of β2m with different folding characteristics has been analysed for comparison, and the distinctions observed in the data sets for the two proteins are consistent with their folding behaviour. ESI‐FAIMS‐MS offers significant opportunities for the study of the conformational properties of proteins and thus may present valuable insights into the roles that different conformers play in diseases related to protein folding. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Raus aus dem Pool ‐ Innovative Captive‐ und Rent‐a‐Captive‐Konzepte
Authors: Wöhrmann Paul 
Published: August 2004

AbstractDie Verhärtung der Versicherungsmärkte, wie sie in den vergangenen drei Jahren weltweit zu beobachten war, stellt Unternehmen vor große Herausforderungen. So haben sich auch die Beweggründe für das Investment in ein Risk Management fokussiert: neben den legislatorischen Gegebenheiten lassen sich steigende Preise und reduzierte Kapazitäten auf den traditionellen Versicherungsmärkten als Grund anführen. Daher werden in der Risiko‐Finanzierung vermehrt Fragen nach den Möglichkeiten der optimalen Risiko‐Bewältigung gestellt. Auch werden Risk‐Management‐Fragen vermehrt bei Finanzvorständen priorisiert.
The missing link ‐ Rating leistungswirtschaftlicher Risiken
Authors: Wildemann Horst 
Published: August 2004

AbstractUntersuchungen der Insolvenzursachen von Unternehmen zeigen, dass finanzwirtschaftliche Krisensignale auf leistungswirtschaftliche Ursachen zurückzuführen sind. Die Ermittlung des Ausfallrisikos eines Kreditnehmers sollte also nicht auf finanzwirtschaftliche Aspekte beschränkt werden, sondern den Zusammenhang zu leistungswirtschaftlichen Risiken berücksichtigen.
Wir sitzen alle in einem Boot ‐ Anforderungen und praktische Ausgestaltung der Wert‐ und Risikokultur
Authors: Wolf Klaus 
Published: August 2004

AbstractIm Mai 1998 wurde das Gesetz zur Kontrolle und Transparenz im Unternehmens‐bereich (KonTraG) verabschiedet. Inzwischen belegen repräsentative Industrie‐studien zwar die Erfüllung gesetzlicher Anforderungen [Wolf 2003]. Sie offenbaren jedoch auch Optimierungspotenziale. Ein betriebswirtschaftlicher Nutzen des Risikomanagement lässt sich allenfalls vereinzelt feststellen. Indiz hierfür ist bei‐spielsweise die nur rudimentär anzutreffende Einbettung des Risikomanagement in den Kontext einer wertorientierten Unternehmensführung.
Was ist die Spieltheorie?
Authors: Bieta Volker 
Published: August 2004

AbstractGeschichte: Mit der Spielmetapher als zeitloser Denkfigur zum Strukturieren komplexer Zusammenhänge liegen die Wurzeln der Spieltheorie in der Antike. Das babylonische Talmud kennt Vorschriften zur Aufteilung des Vermögens von Mann und Frau. Die katholische Kirche institutionalisierte früh das Spiel von Advocatus Die/Advocatus Diaboli, um Konflikte bei der Heiligsprechung zu lösen. Ins 18. Jahrhundert datiert der Beginn mathematischer Analyse von Gesell‐schaftsspielen. Die Spieltheorie greift heute bei: (1) Entscheidungen über Preise, Mengen, Marktzutritt, Produktdesign; (2) Verhandlungssituationen; (3) Biet‐verhalten bei Auktionen; (4) strategisches Verhalten in Konflikten/Wettbewerb; (5) Kontrakt‐/Mechanismusdesign. Sie strahlt als universeller Ansatz auch in Quantenphysik und Evolutionsbiologie aus.
The ART of Risk Management
Authors: Fischer Hirs Chris , Seitz Rüdiger 
Published: August 2004

AbstractNicht erst seit dem 11. September haben Lösungen des alternativen Risikotransfers/der alternativen Risikofinanzierung stark an Bedeutung gewonnen. Wir sprachen mit Chris Fischer Hirs von Allianz Risk Transfer und Rüdiger Seitz von Allianz Global Risks über die aktuellen Entwicklungen in diesem Bereich.
The role of three‐dimensional ultrasound in visualizing the fetal cranial sutures and fontanels during the second half of pregnancy
Authors: Dikkeboom C. M. , Roelfsema N. M. , van Adrichem L. N. A. , Wladimiroff J. W. 
Published: August 2004

AbstractObjectivesThe aim of this study was to evaluate the significance of three‐dimensional (3D) ultrasound in visualizing fetal cranial sutures and fontanels and to determine factors that could influence visualization and image quality.MethodsSerial 3D ultrasound examinations were evaluated for visibility of fetal cranial sutures and fontanels, image quality and possible influencing parameters in the second half of pregnancy. Thirty fetuses were scanned at four different gestational ages providing a data set of 120 cases.ResultsMost (82–100%) cranial sutures and fontanels could be visualized with 3D ultrasound. However, the sagittal suture and posterior fontanel were visualized in only 47% and 42%, respectively. Gestational age significantly influenced the visibility of the sutures and fontanels, image quality decreasing with advancing gestational age.Conclusions3D ultrasound can be a reliable technique for visualizing most fetal cranial sutures and fontanels. By performing a sagittal and a transverse scan, most of the sutures and fontanels can be made visible during the second half of pregnancy. Visualization depends on gestational age. Copyright © 2004 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Characterization of ceramic oxide refractories by XRF and XRD
Authors: Gazulla M. F. , Gómez M. P. , Barba A. , Jarque J. C. 
Published: August 2004

AbstractThe present study was undertaken to establish a methodology for characterizing ceramic oxide refractory materials, as no detailed information could be found in the literature on this point. The following refractories were analysed: two silica, one alumina, one silica–alumina, two zirconium, three chrome and three magnesia refractories. X‐ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry was used for chemical characterization and x‐ray diffraction (XRD) for phase analysis. Phases were determined because of their influence on the end properties of refractory materials. Five analytical programmes for XRF analysis and an XRD analysis method were established. We optimized sample preparation in the form of beads for the XRF measurement by determining the most appropriate sample/flux ratio for each type of refractory. Calibration and validation standards were prepared from mixtures of reference materials, owing to the scarcity of refractory reference materials. The chemical and phase composition of different ceramic oxide refractory bricks was determined and related to the deterioration of these refractories in industrial service, because refractories with a similar chemical composition and different crystalline phases can exhibit different properties. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Photoelectron, Compton and characteristic x‐ray escape from an HPGe Detector in the range 8–52 keV
Authors: Yılmaz Ercan , Can Cüneyt 
Published: August 2004

AbstractEscape of photoelectrons, Compton‐scattered photons and Ge x‐rays from an HPGe detector was studied as a function of energy in the range 8–52 keV. A variable‐energy source producing Cu, Rb, Mo, Ag, Ba, and Tb x‐rays was used. All three mechanisms for energy loss were observed in the same experiment for Ba and Tb, while only x‐ray and photoelectron escapes were evident in the spectra for Ag, Mo, Rb, and Cu. Spectral features and possible mechanisms for partial energy deposition were investigated. A Monte Carlo program was used to simulate the relevant interactions, and to estimate the escape probabilities. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fundamental parameters approach in tube‐excited secondary target XRF set‐ups: comparison between theory and experiment
Authors: Zarkadas Ch. , Karydas A. G. 
Published: August 2004

AbstractAlgorithms utilizing the fundamental parameters approach (FPA) can be applied for the calculation of sample fluorescence intensities in tube‐excited secondary target x‐ray fluorescence (STXRF) set‐ups. The results of such calculations have recently been presented in the literature for different combinations of anode materials‐secondary targets over a wide range of operational voltages. In this work, the accuracy of the FPA was thoroughly tested through the comparison of theoretical results with experimental data obtained by a series of measurements performed in an Mo anode tube–secondary target XRF assembly. The comparison shows that the FPA describes fairly accurately the dependence of experimental fluorescence intensities as a function of the operational voltage. However, the accuracy depends on the model used for the description of the tube spectral distribution and the position of the secondary target K‐absorption edge with respect to the energy of the anode characteristic lines and the high‐voltage cut‐off limit. Furthermore, our experimental data indicate that the analytical models used in this work to reproduce the Mo anode emission spectra at different operational voltages predict rather unsatisfactorily the distribution of continuum radiation near the high‐voltage cut‐off limit. The methodology adopted in this work may be considered also as an indirect way for testing the validity of x‐ray tube spectral distributions in certain energy regions. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Nucleotide sequence of circular DNA molecules homologous to the 240 bp tandem repeats of the intergenic spacer of Drosophila melanogaster ribosomal DNA
Authors: Degroote Fabienne , Renault Sylvaine , Picard Georges 
Published: August 2004

Summary—We have determined the nucleotide sequence of ten 240 bp repeated sequences of the DNA intergenic spacer present in circular DNA molecules purified from D melanogaster embryos. No significant difference was found with the sequence of the chromosomal units. This suggests that most of the circular molecules homologous to the 240 bp repeats are generated by homologous recombination between adjacent chromosomal units.