bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Applying natural forestry concepts in an intensively managed landscape
Authors: Peterken G. F. 
Published: March 2003

SummaryNear‐to‐nature forestry is an attractive concept, but it is difficult to apply in a landscape where (i) the remaining fragments of original‐natural forests are small and far apart; (ii) most large forests are secondary and very artificial; (iii) long‐naturalized trees and other forest species are present throughout the country, and; (iv) natural disturbance regimes and their consequences cannot readily be observed. This paper summarizes the issues and problems relating to ancient seminatural woods and conifer plantation forests in Britain. Measures are indicated that would bring their management nearer to nature. Natural elements can be incorporated into stand composition, stand structure, processes and patterns, provided general principles are interpreted in a pragmatic and flexible manner.
Targeting squares for survey: predicting species richness and incidence of species for a butterfly atlas
Authors: Dennis Roger L. H. , Hardy Peter B. 
Published: March 2003

Summary1.Predictions on species richness and incidence of species are made using data for three scales of mapping from the Greater Manchester butterfly atlas; for the whole of the conurbation (2 km×2 km scale) and for two sample areas centred on the Mersey Valley (1 km×1 km scale; 1 ha scale). Predictions are based on data for recording effort, altitude, biotopes, host‐plants and nectar resources.2.Data for Greater Manchester indicate that substantial shortfalls may occur in recording butterfly species for atlases despite the fact that butterflies are generally easily identified and well supported with recorders. Shortfalls tend to be larger for species with fewer records, indicating that some species may be more easily overlooked than others.3.The results demonstrate that targeting squares for re‐survey is necessary and feasible. The predictions have other valuable research applications, the most important of which is being able to assess the accuracy of distribution maps, to correct them, and to make projections of distribution changes.4.Predictions may be enhanced by improvements to mapping in three ways: (i) Collecting data on recording effort. Variation in recording effort typically accounts for differences in species richness and incidence of species more than any other variable; (ii) Collecting data on biotopes and specific resources. The present results are promising and demonstrate that the collection of environmental data linked to a suitable sampling frame could facilitate knowledge of the distribution of species over extensive areas that remain under‐recorded; and (iii) Distinguishing between breeding individuals and vagrants. Vagrancy is a problem associated both with species and scale. Although species vary substantially in their capacity to migrate beyond their habitats, the effect of vagrancy on distribution maps becomes an increasingly large problem as the grain of mapping (size of recording units) decreases. It is suggested that over‐recording can be a problem, particularly when mapping is fine‐grained.
Threshold levels of purified natural Bos d 2 for inducing bronchial airway response in asthmatic patients
Authors: Zeiler T. , Taivainen A. , Mäntyjärvi R. , Tukiainen H. , Rautiainen J. , Rytkönen‐Nissinen M. , Virtanen T. 
Published: March 2003

SummaryBackground Provocation tests are invaluable in establishing threshold levels and a causal relationship between atopic asthma and a certain allergen source, especially in relation to work‐associated exposure. Purified major allergens open possibilities for a more accurate assessment of sensitization.Objective To determine the threshold dose of purified major bovine dander allergen Bos d 2 in bronchial provocation in comparison with the standard allergen and a set of other parameters of allergy.Method Nine consecutive patients referred to hospital for confirming the bovine origin of their occupational asthma were subjected to bronchial provocation tests with purified natural Bos d 2 and a standard bovine dander allergen. Additional tests included bronchial histamine challenge, measurements of total IgE, specific IgE antibody determinations and skin prick tests (SPT) with both allergens.Results In the provocation tests with Bos d 2, a 15% decrease in the forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) and/or peak expiratory flow (PEF) values in eight out of nine patients confirmed the predominant role of Bos d 2 in the sensitization. The threshold dose of Bos d 2 varied from 0.1 µg to > 100 µg (median ± median absolute deviation = 4.5 ± 3.9 µg). A positive SPT was induced by a median dose of 13.9 ± 9.8 µg of Bos d 2. Bronchial response to histamine and IgE antibodies against Bos d 2 showed the highest correlations to the provocations results.Conclusions The efficacy of Bos d 2 in bronchial provocation in patients with occupational cattle‐associated asthma was confirmed and the range of the threshold level was determined. There were individual variations, but the response in provocation remains the reference method for identification of the cause of occupational atopic asthma. SPT and the measurement of specific IgE antibodies, preferably with purified or recombinant major allergens, increase the accuracy of the diagnosis.
Genetic variation of Der p 2 allergens: effects on T cell responses and immunoglobulin E binding
Authors: Hales B. J. , Hazell L. A. , Smith W. , Thomas W. R. 
Published: March 2003

SummaryBackground Der p 2 is a highly polymorphic allergen that shows a distinct pattern of sequence divergence. The effect of the variations on T cell and antibody responses has not been compared.Objectives To compare IgE antibody binding and T cell proliferation and cytokine release induced by variants of Der p 2.Methods Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from 19 allergic and 15 non‐allergic people were stimulated with recombinant variants of Der p 2. IL‐5, IL‐10, IL‐13 and IFN‐γ were measured by a time resolved fluorescence (TRF) assay. Serum IgE antibody was measured using a solid‐phase TRF assay.Results Overall the most prevalent variant of Der p 2 (Der p 2. 0101) was the highest or approximately equal highest inducer of T cell proliferation and IL‐5, IL‐10, IL‐13 and IFN‐γ release. The most divergent variant 0104 induced the next highest responses. The variants 0107 and 0108 showed interesting changes especially when the allergic status was considered. Responses to 0107 showed poor Th1/Th2 polarization and, except for IL‐10 release, cytokine responses to 0108 were low for non‐allergic subjects. The variant 0101 showed similar monoclonal antibody binding but moderately less IgE binding than the other variants.Conclusions The most prevalent variant, Der p 2. 0101, was the most active for T cell stimulation and although its IgE binding was slightly less than other variants that was highly correlated. The variant Der p 2. 0104 which contains the known common polymorphic changes had a response which was similar to Der p 2. 0101 and thus these two variants were the most stimulatory respresentations of Der p 2. The T cell responses to the less common variants 0107 and 0108 however, showed consistent differences demonstrating that changes in the sequence could change the cytokine response.
Lower airway inflammatory responses to repeated very‐low‐dose allergen challenge in allergic rhinitis and asthma
Authors: Boulay M.‐E. , Boulet L.‐P. 
Published: March 2003

SummaryBackground Low‐dose allergen challenge (LDAC) may be a useful tool for studying the capacity of allergens to induce airway inflammation in atopic subjects.Objective To evaluate lower airway inflammatory changes following repeated inhalation of very low doses of allergen (VLDAC) in non‐asthmatic subjects with allergic rhinitis (NAAR) compared with mild allergic asthmatic subjects (AA).Methods Fourteen NAAR and 11 AA were seen out of the pollen season and had skin prick tests with common aeroallergens. Baseline spirometry (S) and methacholine challenge (MC) were done and blood and induced sputum (IS) differential cell counts were obtained. Each subject underwent VLDAC on four consecutive mornings with a relevant allergen. S, MC, and blood and IS samplings were repeated 6 h after the second and fourth VLDAC and one week later.Results Although there were, as expected, no changes in FEV1 or PC20 in either group, mean percentage eosinophils on IS were significantly increased in NAAR on day 2 of VLDAC and decreased in all but one subject on day 4, with a tendency to return to baseline levels one week later. In AA, there was a non‐significant trend for sputum eosinophils to increase on day 2; four subjects showed a decrease of eosinophils on day 4 of VLDAC. There was a correlation between eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) levels and eosinophil counts in NAAR throughout the study. There were no variations in other sputum cells or blood inflammatory cells.Conclusion VLDAC can increase the percentage of eosinophils in IS of NAAR subjects without associated respiratory symptoms nor physiological modifications. A reduction in eosinophilic response despite repeated exposure, more common in NAAR subjects, suggests an adaptation process that needs to be further evaluated.
Patient expectations and health‐related quality of life
Authors: Staniszewska Sophie 
Published: March 2003

ObjectiveThe measurement of health‐related quality of life (HRQL) has become increasingly common in health services research. Whilst useful, its focus on behaviour, capacities and activities means that it remains relatively specific. This paper explores the possibility of extending the evaluation of health by considering the concept of patients’ expectations.DesignIn‐depth and semi‐structured interviews were used to explore the concept of expectations from the patients’ perspective. Patients’ expectations were then used in the construction of a two‐part questionnaire.Settings and participantsExpectations were explored with a group of 33 cardiac patients. The resulting questionnaire was given to 400 cardiac patients in a large teaching hospital in London.ResultsPatients identified a range of expectations which related to their health and seemed to represent the desired results of their hospital stay. Comparison of the content of patient expectations with a commonly used generic measure of HRQL, the Short‐Form 36 (SF‐36), found some overlap but indicated that patients seemed to adopt a broader approach to their health. Expectations that patients identified were used to construct two scales to measure expectations and their evaluation. The internal consistency of these scales was 0.82 and 0.88, respectively.ConclusionThe study indicates the potential complexity of the concept of expectations and the need for further exploration. It also demonstrates the feasibility of constructing standardized scales to measure patient expectations. Whilst conceptually different from HRQL such standardized expectations scales could provide a useful adjunct to HRQL measurement and provide a meaningful context for the interpretation of HRQL data.
Postal surveys in primary care: the hidden burden
Authors: Jinks Clare , Ong Bie Nio , Croft Peter 
Published: March 2003

Objective To investigate and analyse concerns raised by unsolicited mailing of a health survey to a community sample of older people. Design Observation and monitoring of all telephone calls received throughout a 6‐week survey mailing period. Setting and participants A total sample of all those aged over 50 years registered with three general practices in North Staffordshire (n=8995). Main variable studied The frequency of telephone contact following the receipt of a postal questionnaire, and the nature of any associated distress. Results and conclusions Individuals who receive unsolicited postal surveys may experience anxiety because of the actual receipt of the questionnaire, concerns about taking part or not taking part, personal issues, anger, worthiness or frustration with NHS services. Anxiety may also be triggered because of administrative issues, for example lost mail or overlap between mailing periods. Researchers can adopt measures both to reduce the potential anxiety and often hidden burden of postal surveys, and to facilitate individuals’ positive participation in research.
Functional characterization of Drosophila melanogaster PERK eukaryotic initiation factor 2α (eIF2α) kinase
Authors: Pomar Natalia , Berlanga Juan J. , Campuzano Sonsoles , Hernández Greco , Elías Mónica , de Haro César 
Published: March 2003

Four distinct eukaryotic initiation factor 2α (eIF2α) kinases phosphorylate eIF2α at S51 and regulate protein synthesis in response to various environmental stresses. These are the hemin‐regulated inhibitor (HRI), the interferon‐inducible dsRNA‐dependent kinase (PKR), the endoplasmic reticulum (ER)‐resident kinase (PERK) and the GCN2 protein kinase. Whereas HRI and PKR appear to be restricted to mammalian cells, GCN2 and PERK seem to be widely distributed in eukaryotes. In this study, we have characterized the second eIF2α kinase found in Drosophila, a PERK homologue (DPERK).Expression of DPERK is developmentally regulated. During embryogenesis, DPERK expression becomes concentrated in the endodermal cells of the gut and in the germ line precursor cells. Recombinant wild‐type DPERK, but not the inactive DPERK‐K671R mutant, exhibited an autokinase activity, specifically phosphorylated Drosophila eIF2α at S50, and functionally replaced the endogenous Saccharomyces cerevisiae GCN2. The full length protein, when expressed in 293T cells, located in the ER‐enriched fraction, and its subcellular localization changed with deletion of different N‐terminal fragments. Kinase activity assays with these DPERK deletion mutants suggested that DPERK localization facilitates its in vivo function. Similar to mammalian PERK, DPERK forms oligomers in vivo and DPERK activity appears to be regulated by ER stress. Furthermore, the stable complexes between wild‐type DPERK and DPERK‐K671R mutant were mediated through the N terminus of the proteins and exhibited an in vitro eIF2α kinase activity.
Kinetics and specificity of reductive acylation of wild‐type and mutated lipoyl domains of 2‐oxo‐acid dehydrogenase complexes from Azotobacter vinelandii
Authors: Berg Axel , Westphal Adrie H. , Bosma Hans J. , De Kok Aart 
Published: March 2003

The kinetics and specificity of reductive acylation of lipoyl domains derived from Azotobacter vinelandii 2‐oxo‐acid dehydrogenase complexes, catalysed by A. vinelandii and Escherichia coli complexes, have been investigated. With the wild‐type pyruvate dehydrogenase complex from A. vinelandii the rate of reductive acetylation and deacetylation was studied by rapid mixing methods. The rate of reductive acetylation, 126 s−1, corresponds well with the turnover rate derived from steady‐state measurements. Deacetylation was rapid and specific for coenzyme A. No deacetylation was observed with reduced or oxidised lipoamide or with dithiothreitol. The rate of reductive acetylation of complex‐bound lipoyl domains by pyruvate dehydrogenase (E1p) is at least 60 times higher than of free lipoyl domains under comparable conditions. This gain in catalytic rate indicates a large diffusion limitation of lipoyl domains when attached via the flexible linker segments to the complex, and illustrates the efficiency of substrate channeling in the multienzyme complex.The 2‐oxo‐acid dehydrogenases exhibit specificity for lipoyl domains in the reductive acylation reaction. The A. vinelandii lipoyl domain derived from the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex is a good substrate for A. vinelandii E1p, but not for A. vinelandii 2‐oxoglutarate dehydrogenase (E1o), and vice versa. The A. vinelandii lipoyl domain of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex is also, although at a lower rate, reductively acetylated by E. coli E1p and reductively succinylated by E. coli E1o. Likewise, the A. vinelandii lipoyl domain derived from the 2‐oxoglutarate dehydrogenase complex is recognised by E. coli E1o, but not by E. coli E1p. This suggests that common determinants of the lipoyl domains exist that are responsible for recognition by the E1 components. On the basis of the observed specificity and lipoyl domain sequences and structures, an exposed loop of the A. vinelandii 2‐oxoglutarate dehydrogenase complex lipoyl domain was subjected to mutagenesis. Although the reductive acylation experiments of mutants of the lipoyl domain indicate the importance of this loop for recognition, it is probably not the single determinant for specificity.
Disulphide bonds assignment in the inter‐α‐inhibitor heavy chains
Authors: Flahaut Christophe , Mizon Charlotte , Aumercier‐Maes Pierrette , Colson Pierre , Bailly Christian , Sautiere Pierre , Mizon Jacques 
Published: March 2003

Human inter‐α‐inhibitor (IαI) is a plasma serine‐proteinase inhibitor. It consists of three polypeptide chains covalently linked by a glycosaminoglycan : a light one named bikunin, carrying the antiproteinase activity and two heavy chains H1 and H2. The amino acid sequences of these heavy chains are highly similar; however when IαI is digested by neutrophil proteinases, their proteolytic susceptibility strongly differs [Balduyck, M., Piva, F., Mizon, C., Maes, P., Malki, N., Gressier, B., Michalski, C. & Mizon, J. (1993) Human leucocyte elastase (HLE) preferentially cleaves the heavy chain H2 of inter‐α‐trypsin inhibitor (ITI), Biol. Chem. Hoppe‐Seyler 374, 895−901].We mapped the disulphide topology of the IαI heavy chains in order to investigate whether or not disulphide bonds might be responsible for their differential susceptibility to proteolysis. Using amino acid sequencing and mass spectrometry analysis, we demonstrate that the H1 heavy chain contains one free thiol group and two disulphide bridges of which one links two largely spaced cysteine residues (Cys239 and Cys511). Thus H1 is clearly different from H2 which contains two disulphide bonds between closely located cysteine residues. However, using immunoprint analysis, we show that, when IαI is subjected to a limited digestion by Staphylococcus aureus V‐8 proteinase, the two polypeptide chains are similarly susceptible to proteolysis. This enzyme preferentially cleaves the IαI heavy chains from their N‐terminal extremity. These results are consistent with the circular dichroism (CD) analysis, suggesting that the conformation of the polypeptide backbone of H1 is not very different from that of H2, with calculated α‐helicities of 24 % and 28 %, respectively. The CD measurements reveal that the aromatic amino acids of H1 and H2 are in a different asymmetrical environment.Inside the IαI molecule, the heavy chains are linked to the glycosaminoglycan chain via their C‐terminal aspartic acid residue. Thus we suggest that the affinity of cationic neutrophil proteinases for the anionic glycosaminoglycan is responsible for the cleavage of the heavy chains (mainly H2) near their C‐terminal end and the high susceptibility of IαI to these proteinases.
Oxidative modification of high‐density lipoprotein 3 induced by human polymorphonuclear neutrophils
Authors: Cogny Anne , Paul Jean‐Louis , Surbled Béatrice , Atger Véronique , Lenoble Michèle , Moatti Nicole 
Published: March 2003

The function of high‐density lipoproteins (HDLs) in reverse cholesterol transport is impaired if HDLs are subjected to oxidative stress. Polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs), which have been detected in the earliest stages of atherosclerotic lesions, are one of the most likely sources of the reactive oxygen species that cause such stress. In this study, we investigated the effect of a PMN oxidative burst on HDL3. We also studied the impact on these events of pentoxifylline, a drug that regulates granulocyte function. HDL3 (370 nmol·mL−1 cholesterol‐HDL) was incubated with PMNs (2 × 106·mL−1) in NaCl/Pi in the presence or absence of an iron chelate complex (10 µm Fe‐nitrilotriacetic acid) at 37 °C for 60 min or 24 h. Phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) or formyl‐methionylleucyphenylalanine (fMetLeuPhe) was used to stimulate PMNs. In iron‐free NaCl/Pi medium, PMA‐stimulated PMNs had a 40% lower HDL3 α‐tocopherol content, whatever the incubation time. In NaCl/Pi medium containing iron, there was 80% less HDL3 α‐tocopherol at 60 min, and HDL3 α‐tocopherol had almost disappeared after 24 h. In this latter condition, the amount of thiobarbituric acid‐reactive substances was significantly higher than the respective control HDL3 (P < 0.05) and oxidation of HDL3 by PMA‐stimulated PMNs was associated with cross‐linking of apoprotein AI, which was detected by SDS/PAGE. Similar results were obtained with fMetLeuPhe‐stimulated PMN except that HDL3 α‐tocopherol was consumed much more slowly during the first 60 min. Pretreatment of PMNs with various concentrations of pentoxifylline (0.001–20 mm) led to the concentration‐dependent inhibition of oxidative modification of HDL3 induced by stimulated PMNs. The addition of 20 mm pentoxifylline in the most extreme oxidative stress conditions resulted in 70% of HDL3 α‐tocopherol being maintained, with no formation of thiobarbituric acid‐reactive substances and a lower level of apoprotein AI cross‐linking. Thus HDL3 is susceptible to oxidative modifications induced by stimulated PMNs, in the presence of an exogenous source of iron. Pentoxifylline inhibited the oxidative modification of HDL3 by PMNs.
The multifunctional oxidase activity of ceruloplasmin as revealed by anion binding studies
Authors: Musci Giovanni , Bellenchi Gian C. , Calabrese Lilia 
Published: March 2003

The effect of multiple binding of azide, N3−, on the structural and functional properties of ceruloplasmin (CP) has been reinvestigated by means of both spectroscopic and enzymatic techniques. High affinity binding of the anion to human CP resulted in a dramatic increase of the absorbance at 610 nm and in a concomitant decrease of the optical density at 330 nm. The oxidase activity toward Fe(II) was essentially unaffected, while turnover parameters versus nonferrous substrates dramatically changed, with an ≈ 100‐fold enhancement of the kcat/Km parameter. Chloride at physiological concentration proved to behave very similarly to N3− bound with high affinity, in that it not only induced the spectroscopic changes previously interpreted in terms of an intramolecular electron transfer from reduced type 1 to type 3 copper ions [Musci, G., Bonaccorsi di Patti, M.C. & Calabrese, L. (1995) J. Protein Chem. 14, 611–617], but it also enhanced some 60‐fold the kcat/Km value. A different behavior was observed with chicken CP, where a decrease at 330 nm occurred without a concomitant modification at 603 nm. The chicken enzyme was less sensitive also in terms of enzymatic activity, which was nearly unchanged in the presence of either high affinity N3− or Cl−. At higher N3− concentrations, optical changes of both human and chicken CP were mainly focussed on the appearance of ligand‐to‐metal charge transfer bands below 500 nm, and the anion behaved as an inhibitor of the oxidase activity versus Fe(II) as well as noniron substrates. The well known bleaching of the blue chromophore could be observed, at neutral pH, only at very high N3−/CP ratios.The data presented in this paper are consistent with a mechanism of structural and functional modulation of CP by anions, that would be able to dictate the substrate specificity of the cuproprotein, and suggest the possibility that CP may act in vivo as a multifunctional oxidase.