bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Rapid motif-based prediction of circular permutations in multi-domain proteins
Authors: Weiner January , Thomas Geraint , Bornberg-Bauer Erich 
Published: March 2005

AbstractMotivation: Rearrangements of protein domains and motifs such as swaps and circular permutations (CPs) can produce erroneous results in searching sequence databases when using traditional methods based on linear sequence alignments. Circular permutations are also of biological relevance because they can help to better understand both protein evolution and functionality.Results: We have developed an algorithm, RASPODOM, which is based on the classical recursive alignment scheme. Sequences are represented as strings of domains taken from precompiled resources of domain (motif) databases such as ProDom. The algorithm works several orders of magnitude faster than a reimplementation of the existing CP detection algorithm working on strings of amino acids, produces virtually no false positives and allows the discrimination of true CPs from ‘intermediate’ CPs (iCPs). Several true CPs which have not been reported in literature so far could be identified from Swiss-Prot/TrEMBL within minutes.Availability: Source codes, additional scripts, data and a web-based interface can be found on: http://www.uni-muenster.de/Biologie.Botanik/ebb/projects/raspodom/Contact: ebb@uni-muenster.de
CURRENT DEVELOPMENTS: I. THE CODIFICATION OF PRIVATE INTERNATIONAL LAW: THE BELGIAN EXPERIENCE
Authors: Florini Aude 
Published: March 2005

Last year saw the 200th anniversary of one of the most influential national codes,1the FrenchCode civilof 1804. The celebration of this Napoleonic achievement has led in turn to renewed discussions on the understanding, purpose and contemporary form of codification.2At the same time 2004 saw Belgium adopt its very first Code of private international law.3Codification is so closely associated with continental Europe4that it may be startling to read that civilian legal systems are not entirely codified. In fact despite the arguable closeness of domestic substantive rules and conflict of law rules, this area of law largely escaped the codification process of the 19th century. What is more remarkable is the fact that the newCode de droit international privéappears to be a codification in the classical form. It represents not simply a compendium of existing statutes but a detailed reform of the entire area.5It is certainly true that in contemporary Europe the elaboration of classical codes, once viewed as the expression of affirmed political power,6has become a rather exceptional occurrence. This is not to say that codification is no longer a fundamental constant of the civilian tradition. Civil law systems are still essentially founded on the precedence of enacted and in principle codified7general rules on the basis of which solutions are to be deduced. However, codification is polymorphic,8and codes, which ideally display a number of attributes— coherence, logical structure, absence of contradiction, conformity of codified and applied law, completeness, clarity, ease of use and publicity9—may seek to achieve the general purpose of the formal simplification or systematization of the law in different ways. Indeed in Europe the aspiration of creating ‘perfect laws’10that prevailed throughout the golden age of classical codification in the 19th century, has largely given way to less demanding forms of codification.11Recent years have concurrently seen movements of decodification12as well as recodification,13and witnessed the creation of generally less ambitious codification-compilations14which gather and order existing rules in specific areas without engaging in reform.15This final development ought not to be regarded as surprising as the combination of reform and codification is far from simple:experience shows that it is very difficult truly to do both at the same time […] The reform shall precede the codification process so that the latter may integrate the former, or the codification shall precede the reform in order to facilitate its realisation: it is more opportune and more intelligible to reform in view of the legal state clearly revealed by codification.16
Unravelling the genetic diversity of the three main viruses involved in Sweet Potato Virus Disease (SPVD), and its practical implications
Authors: TAIRO FRED , MUKASA SETTUMBA B. , JONES ROGER A. C. , KULLAYA ALOIS , RUBAIHAYO PATRICK R. , VALKONEN JARI P. T. 
Published: March 2005

SUMMARYSweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas) is a widely grown food crop, in which the most important diseases are caused by viruses. Genetic variability of three widely distributed sweetpotato viruses was analysed using data from 46 isolates of Sweet potato feathery mottle virus (SPFMV), 16 isolates of Sweet potato mild mottle virus (SPMMV) and 25 isolates of Sweet potato chlorotic stunt virus (SPCSV), of which 19, seven and six isolates, respectively, are newly characterized. Division of SPFMV into four genetic groups (strains) according to phylogenetic analysis of coat protein (CP) encoding sequences revealed that strain EA contained the East African isolates of SPFMV but none from elsewhere. In contrast, strain RC contained ten isolates from Australia, Africa, Asia and North America. Strain O contained six heterogeneous isolates from Africa, Asia and South America. The seven strain C isolates from Australia, Africa, Asia, and North and South America formed a group that was genetically distant from the other SPFMV strains. SPMMV isolates showed a high level of variability with no discrete strain groupings. SPCSV isolates from East Africa were phylogenetically distant to SPCSV isolates from elsewhere. Only from East Africa were adequate data available for different isolates of the three viruses to estimate the genetic variability of their local populations. The implications of the current sequence information and the need for more such information from most sweetpotato‐growing regions of the world are discussed in relation to virus diagnostics and breeding for virus resistance.
Transcriptome analysis of mlo‐mediated resistance in the epidermis of barley
Authors: ZIEROLD UWE , SCHOLZ UWE , SCHWEIZER PATRICK 
Published: March 2005

SUMMARYThe shoot epidermis of plants is of prime importance for host and non‐host defence against a large number of fungal diseases, including powdery mildew of barley, caused by Blumeria graminis (DC.) E.O. Speer f.sp. hordei. In order to understand better the mechanisms within the epidermis leading to susceptibility as well as durable host resistance, we characterized the transcriptome of two Blumeria‐attacked, near‐isogenic barley lines of cv Ingrid differing in the presence or absence of the mlo5 resistance gene. A cDNA array was established containing 3128 unique sequences from pathogen‐attacked, resistant barley epidermis, which was hybridized with cDNA probes from pathogen‐challenged epidermis. Expression analysis resulted in the identification of 311 candidate genes that were differentially expressed in a reproducible manner between control and inoculated epidermis. Among the up‐regulated genes were 18 of fungal origin. The amplitude of differential host gene expression was generally higher in the presence of the mlo5 resistance gene as compared with a susceptible interaction. This suggests that mlo‐mediated resistance is based on multiple defence compounds and mechanisms once pathogen‐derived molecular patterns have been recognized, which yields a possible explanation for the durability of the phenomenon in the field.
Responsiveness to Progestagen‐eCG‐Cloprostenol Treatment in Goat Food Restricted for Long Period and Refed
Authors: Paula NRO , Galeati G , Teixeira DIA , Lopes Júnior ES , Freitas VJF , Rondina D 
Published: March 2005

ContentsFor 6 months, 10 adult Saanen crossbred goats were fed undernutrition diet (70% maintenance), and finally five goats were refed for 6 weeks with 150% maintenance. In all animals oestrus was synchronized using 45 mg FGA vaginal sponge for 11 days, 300 IU eCG and 50 μg cloprostenol 48 h prior to sponge removal. From oestrus onset, during a 24‐h period, blood samples were collected for oestradiol and NEFA assay. Ovulation was verified by laparoscopy 3 days after sponge removal. Body mass loss was 18.62 ± 3.03% of initial weight and in refed goats body weight recovery was 90.63 ± 3.56%. NEFA level was higher in restricted goats (p < 0.05). Fifty per cent of underfed goats (2/4) and all refed goats (4/4) exhibited oestrus and ovulation. Significant relationship (p < 0.05) was found between weight loss and the interval sponge removal‐oestrus onset (r = 0.91) or ovulation rate (r = 0.70). Only in the refed group was the ovulation rate related to the oestradiol amount (r = 0.99) (p < 0.05). Collectively results showed that a short period of improved feeding re‐established the responsiveness of oestrus synchronization in chronically fasted goats.
Acute Insulin‐induced Hypoglycaemia does not alter IGF‐1 and LH Release in Cyclic Mares
Authors: Deichsel K , Hoppen H‐O , Bruckmaier RM , Kolm G , Aurich C 
Published: March 2005

ContentsLactation in the mare is associated with changes in the release of metabolic as well as reproductive hormones. Plasma glucose concentration is constantly reduced in lactating compared with non‐lactating mares. Several metabolic signals have been proposed to link nutrition and somatic metabolism with reproductive function. The following experiment was performed to study the effect of acute hypoglycaemia on the release of insulin‐like growth factor‐1 (IGF‐1) and luteinizing hormone (LH) in cyclic mares. Different doses of insulin (0.1 and 0.2 IU/kg body weight) were given to induce a decrease in plasma glucose concentration, as existent in lactating mares. All horses treated with insulin developed a hypoglycaemia over a time period of nearly 10 h. The IGF‐1 and LH were analysed before and after insulin administration. At no point of time, a significant difference between the two insulin treatments and the control treatment was observed. Therefore, the hypoglycaemic horse is apparently able to provide the brain with sufficient glucose. Short‐term hypoglycaemia does not affect the hypothalamo‐pituitary‐ovarian axis, and concentrations of IGF‐1 and LH remained stable during insulin‐induced hypoglycaemia. An acute change in plasma glucose concentration is thus not or at least not the only metabolic signal that links nutrition and somatic metabolism with reproductive function in the horse mare.
Endometrial Oxytocin Receptor Concentration and Activity in Prepubertal Ewe Lambs
Authors: Lamming GE , Hunter M , Scholey DV , Mann GE 
Published: March 2005

ContentsWe have measured endometrial oxytocin receptor concentrations during prepuberty in ewe lambs, and have investigated the effect of progesterone on the activity of these receptors. In the first study, oxytocin receptor concentrations were undetectable in 2‐week prenatal lambs but had increased immediately following birth and were then maintained throughout prepubertal life. Despite the presence of oxytocin receptors animals showed no prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) release in response to exogenous oxytocin challenge at either 3 or 5 months of age. In a second study in 4‐month‐old ewe lambs treatment with exogenous progesterone resulted in the appearance of PGF2α release in response to oxytocin after 10 days of treatment. Thus, during the prepubertal life, ewe lambs possess the prerequisites of a luteolytic mechanism in that they have a dormant population of oxytocin receptors in which progesterone can induce oxytocin‐stimulated PGF2α release.
Intracytoplasmic Glutathione Levels in Heifer Oocytes Cultured in different Maturation Media and its Effect on Embryo Development
Authors: Mertens MJ , López‐Bejar M , Paramio M‐T 
Published: March 2005

ContentsThe present study was carried out to study the effect of different maturation media on embryo development of heifer oocytes and on their glutathione (GSH) synthesis during in vitro maturation (IVM). Immature heifer oocytes were matured in parallel in one of four maturation media: (i) Tissue Culture Medium (TCM)‐199 supplemented with 10 ng/ml of epidermal growth factor (EGF); (i) TCM‐199 supplemented with 10 ng/ml of EGF plus 1 μg/ml of FSH; (iii) TCM‐199 supplemented with 10% of foetal bovine serum (FBS) and (iv) TCM‐199 supplemented with 10% of FBS plus 1 μg/ml of FSH. Cow oocytes were used as control and were matured in TCM‐199 supplemented with 10 ng/ml of EGF. No differences were observed in blastocyst rate among the different heifer oocyte groups (8.8, 7.5. 8.4 and 6.8%, respectively) however, the percentage of blastocysts obtained from cow oocytes was significantly higher (30%; p < 0.01) than those obtained from heifer oocytes. De novo GSH synthesis during oocyte maturation of heifer and cow oocytes was detected. No significant differences in intracytoplasmic GSH levels were observed among the experimental heifer oocyte groups or between heifer and cow oocytes both before and after IVM. In conclusion, the blastocyst yield obtained from heifer oocytes was lower than that from cow oocytes and this fact could not be explained by significant differences in intracytoplasmic GSH contents of oocytes before or after IVM.
Bovine Posterior Pituitary Extract Stimulates Prolactin Release from the Anterior Pituitary Gland In Vitro and In Vivo in Cattle
Authors: Hashizume T , Sasaki T , Nonaka S , Hayashi T , Takisawa M , Horiuchi M , Hirata T , Kasuya E 
Published: March 2005

ContentsIt has been reported that the posterior pituitary (PP) gland contains a potent, unknown prolactin (PRL)‐releasing factor (PRF) in rats. PRFs are assumed to be produced in neurones located within the hypothalamus, and to be peptidergic in nature. However, little is known about PRFs in domestic animals. To characterize the PRF in the PP of domestic animals, the present study examined the PRL‐releasing activity of an acidic extract from bovine PP (bPP) in vitro and in vivo in cattle. First, the PRL‐releasing effect of bPP extract was compared with that of PRL‐releasing peptide (PrRP), and thyrotropin‐releasing hormone (TRH) from cultured bovine anterior pituitary cells. The extract significantly increased PRL concentrations in the culture medium, at doses of 0.002 and 0.02 eq./ml (one eq. is the PP extract from one animal), compared with the control (p < 0.05). PrRP failed to stimulate the release of PRL. TRH significantly increased PRL concentrations in the culture medium, at doses from 10−9 to 10−7 M, compared with the control (p < 0.05). The rate of increase in the PRL concentration, by 0.02 eq./ml bPP extract, was significantly greater than that in TRH (p < 0.05). Secondly, plasma PRL responses to the intravenous (i.v.) injection of bPP extract (0.5 eq./head), PrRP [3.59 μg/kg body weight (BW)], TRH (1 μg/kg BW), and a dopamine receptor antagonist (sulpiride, 0.1 mg/kg BW), were examined in calves. PrRP failed to stimulate PRL release; however, plasma PRL increased immediately following the injection of bPP extract, TRH and sulpiride. The PRL‐releasing effect of i.v. injections of TRH and sulpiride was more potent than that of bPP extract. Finally, plasma PRL responses to the intra‐hypothalamic injection of bPP extract were examined in calves. The intra‐hypothalamic infusion (arcuate nucleus) of 0.0625 eq./head of bPP extract strongly stimulated PRL release in calves (p < 0.05). The present results show that PP contains a physiologically potent PRF in cattle.
A genetic analysis of ambulatory cardiorespiratory coupling
Authors: Kupper Nina , Willemsen Gonneke , Posthuma Danielle , De Boer Dolf , Boomsma Dorret I. , De Geus Eco J.C. 
Published: March 2005

AbstractThis study assessed the heritability of ambulatory heart period, respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA), and respiration rate and tested the hypothesis that the well‐established correlation between these variables is determined by common genetic factors. In 780 healthy twins and siblings, 24‐h ambulatory recordings of ECG and thorax impedance were made. Genetic analyses showed considerable heritability for heart period (37%–48%), RSA (40%–55%), and respiration rate (27%–81%) at all daily periods. Significant genetic correlations were found throughout. Common genes explained large portions of the covariance between heart period and RSA and between respiration rate and RSA. During the afternoon and night, the covariance between respiration rate and RSA was completely determined by common genes. This overlap in genes can be exploited to increase the power of linkage studies to detect genetic variation influencing cardiovascular disease risk.
Filter properties of root mean square successive difference (RMSSD) for heart rate
Authors: Berntson Gary G. , Lozano David L. , Chen Yun‐Ju 
Published: March 2005

AbstractThe root mean square successive difference (RMSSD) in heart period series is a time domain measure of heart period variability. The RMSSD is sensitive to high‐frequency heart period fluctuations in the respiratory frequency range and has been used as an index of vagal cardiac control. By transfer function simulations, the RMSSD statistic is shown to represent a high‐pass filter that effectively captures respiratory sinus arrhythmia but also passes lower frequency fluctuations that can include sympathetic influences. These simulations, together with analysis of actual heart period series, reveal that the RMSSD is biased by basal heart period. Although between‐subjects levels of RMSSD covary highly with spectral estimates of high‐frequency variability, within‐subject RMSSD change scores account for only 50–60% of the variance in spectral estimates. The present findings raise caveats in the applications and interpretation of the RMSSD statistic.
The effects washing carrots in solutions of hydrogen peroxide on the microbial and carotenoid quality of juice and salads
Authors: Hajduk Ewa , Surówka Krzysztof 
Published: March 2005

AbstractThis study assesses the microbial and carotenoid quality of juice and salad obtained from carrots washed in water with the addition of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in various concentrations, and for various lengths of treatment. The carrots were dipped in 1, 5 and 10% solutions of H2O2 for 1 or 2 min, and quality assessments made on the basis of the degree of microbial contamination, by determining total bacteria count and the most probable count of coliforms. Changes in the content of caroteinoid pigments, that is, α‐carotene, β‐carotene and lutein, were determined by the HPLC method as well as retinol equivalents. From the results obtained, it was deduced that the washing of carrots in 5 and 10% solutions of H2O2 for 2 min had the strongest antimicrobial effect, because it resulted in a reduction of microbial contamination by two logarithmic cycles. The same solutions produced a limited decrease in α‐carotene and β‐carotene content and the retinol equivalent in carrot juice, but they had no effect on the level of these constituents in salads.
Acute cardiodepressant effects induced by bolus intravenous administration of amiodarone in rabbits
Authors: Lessa Marcos Adriano , Tibiriçá Eduardo 
Published: March 2005

AbstractAmiodarone is a potent anti‐arrhythmic with a large pharmacological spectrum that shares the mechanisms of action of all classes of anti‐arrhythmic drugs. Originally used in the treatment of supraventricular arrhythmias, it has also been used to treat ventricular tachyarrhythmias. The recent inclusion of amiodarone in the Advanced Cardiac Life Support protocols warrants the characterization of the hemodynamic profile resulting from the rapid venous administration of the drug. Thus, the main purpose of the present study was to investigate the acute hemodynamic profile resulting from the bolus i.v. injection of amiodarone, compared with bolus i.v. administration of lidocaine. We investigated the acute hemodynamic effects of amiodarone and lidocaine, in an experimental model of open‐chest pentobarbital‐anesthetized rabbits (n = 24). Amiodarone (5 mg/kg) induced immediate reductions in mean arterial pressure (MAP) of 32 ± 5% (P < 0.001), accompanied by reductions in cardiac contractility and relaxation, as assessed by left ventricular (LV) +dP/dtmaxand −dP/dtmax(40 ± 4 and 36 ± 4% respectively) (P < 0.001), heart rate (HR) 10 ± 1% (P < 0.05), cardiac output (CO) 24 ± 5% (P < 0.001) and systemic vascular resistance (SVR) 19 ± 3.5% (P < 0.05). Lidocaine (3 mg/kg) induced reductions in: MAP of 18 ± 7% (P < 0.001), LV +dP/dtmaxand −dP/dtmax(40 ± 5 and 22 ± 7% respectively) (P < 0.001), HR 7 ± 1% (P < 0.01) and CO of 23 ± 6% (P < 0.001). SVR increased by 9 ± 1.5% (P > 0.05). It is concluded that rapid i.v. administration of both amiodarone and lidocaine induces significant cardiovascular depression mainly characterized by immediate reductions in cardiac contractility.
Treatment of behavioural symptoms and dementia in Parkinson's disease
Authors: Hanagasi Hasmet A. , Emre Murat 
Published: March 2005

AbstractBehavioural symptoms such as anxiety, depression and psychosis are common in Parkinson's disease (PD), and dementia occurs in about 90% of the patients. These symptoms can be more disabling than the motor dysfunction and they negatively impact quality of life, increase caregiver distress and are more frequently associated with nursing home placement. Depression can be treated with counselling and pharmacotherapy. Tricyclic antidepressants or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are widely used, but there is still need for controlled clinical trials. Management of psychosis in PD is complex and includes elimination of identifiable risk factors, reduction of polypharmacy and administration of atypical neuroleptics, which can alleviate psychotic symptoms without worsening motor functions. Clozapine is the best documented atypical neuroleptic shown to be effective against psychosis in PD patients. Cholinesterase inhibitors may prove additional benefit in psychotic PD patients. Recent evidence from small double‐blind and open‐label trials suggests that cholinesterase inhibitors may be effective in the treatment of dementia associated with PD.
RESULTS OF ENDOSCOPIC MANAGEMENT OF PRIMARY VERSUS RECURRENT CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME IN LONG-TERM HAEMODIALYSIS PATIENTS
Authors: Yoshida Aya , Okutsu Ichiro , Hamanaka Ikki , Motomura Tomohide 
Published: March 2005

In long-term haemodialysis patients, carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) frequently occurs as a result of amyloid deposition, originating from beta-2 microglobulin, to the flexor retinaculum, paratenons and tendons themselves, which leads to an increase in carpal canal pressure and compression of the median nerve. Surgical procedures can rectify the condition, but continuing maintenance haemodialysis sometimes causes recurrence. We endoscopically operated 1848 hands primarily, 104 recurrent post-endoscopic procedure hands and 130 recurrent post-open procedure hands using the Universal Subcutaneous Endoscope (USE) system, then analysed clinical symptoms and electrophysiological recovery for more than six months post-operatively. The patients were satisfied with the clinical results. Optimal electrophysiological improvements were reported. There were no statistical differences between three groups, except in recovery of touch sensation, which was better in the post-endoscopic group than in the post-open group. There were no complications in this series. Our minimally invasive endoscopic procedure, using the USE system, is safe and effective for primary and recurrent CTS in haemodialysis patients.