bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
MYELINATION DEFICIT IN NERVE OF SUCKLING RATS DUE TO CYCLOLEUCINE ‐INDUCED DEFICIENCY OF METHYL DONORS
Authors: Bianchi R. , Baiguera L. , Di stasi D.  , Tacconi M.T. 
Published: July 2002

We used cycloleucine (CL) — which prevents methionine conversion to S‐adenosyl‐methionine (SAMe) by inhibiting ATP‐L‐methionine‐adenosyl‐transferase (MAT) — to characterize the lipid and protein changes induced by methyl donors deficit in peripheral nerve and brain myelin in rats during development. We have previously shown that CL (400 mg/kg ip) given to suckling rats at days 7, 8, 12, and 13 after birth reduced brain and sciatic nerve weight gain, brain myelin content, protein, phospholipid (PL), and galactolipid concentration in comparison to control. Among PLs, only sphingomyelin (SPH) significantly increased by 35–50%. SAMe p‐toluensulphonate (SAMe‐SD4) (100 mg/kg, ip) given daily from day 7, as with exogenous SAMe, partially prevented some lipid alterations induced by CL, particularly galactolipid and SPH. To test the ability of CL to affect PL metabolism we have measured de novo PL biosynthesis, ex vivo in nerve homogenates (in comparison with brain homogenates) from control and CL‐treated animals killed at day 18 after birth, starting from labelled substrates ([3H]‐choline, specific activity 20 mCi/mmol) in a Tris/HCl buffer, containing 5 mM MgCl2, 0.2 mM EDTA, 0.1 mM ATP, and 0.5 mM of the labelled substrates. After 60 min incubation, lipids were extracted, PL separated by TLC, and corresponding silica gel fractions scraped and counted in a liquid scintillator. Phosphatidylcholine enrichment in labelled choline resulted in slight increases in brain and sciatic nerve of CL‐treated rats, suggesting an increased synthesis rate via the Kennedy pathway, possibly due to the reduced availability of methyl donors. Interestingly, choline incorporation into SPH in brain and nerve myelin resulted in significant increases of 30–40%. In agreement with the observed decrease of galactolipid content and the relative increase in SPH, these data suggest an alteration in sphingolipid metabolism after CL.Among proteins, in sciatic nerves of CL‐treated pups the relative content of a number of polypeptides, namely the 116, 90, 66, 58, and 56 kDa bands, decreased, whereas others increased; the most abundant PNS protein, protein zero, remained unchanged. The analyses of myelin basic protein isoforms revealed a dramatic increase in the 14.0 and 18.5 forms, indicating early active myelination. SAMe‐SD4 treatment counteracted, and in some cases normalized, these changes.In summary, methyl donor deficiency induced by MAT inhibition produces myelin lipid and protein alterations, partly counteracted by SAMe‐SD4 administration.The financial support of Telethon‐Italy (grant No. D 51) is gratefully acknowledged.
A NOVEL MUTATION OF CONNEXIN‐32 GENE IN A CMTX ITALIAN FAMILY
Authors: Siciliano G. , D'avino C. , Pellegrinetti A. , Rocchi A. , Sartucci F. , Mostacciolo M.L. 
Published: July 2002

X‐linked Charcot‐Marie‐Tooth is an inherited motor and sensory neuropathy associated with mutations in GJB1, a gene on chromosome X coding for the gap junction protein “connexin 32” (Cx32). Cx 32 gene is expressed in both peripheral and central nervous system myelin.We describe a family affected by X‐linked CMT neuropathy with a novel point mutation in Cx32 gene, in which the mother, the putative carrier, and three affected sons were examined. The affected sons (32, 35, 38 yrs) presented a motor‐sensory slowly progressive neuropathy mainly involving lower limbs. Nerve conduction study showed both axonal and demyelinating pattern of denervation. Evoked potentials indicated visual and brainstem auditory pathway involvement. The mother showed subclinical electrophysiological abnormalities in nerve conduction velocities.By mutational analysis of GJB1 using SSCP and sequencing of candidate regions, a previously undescribed missense mutation in the exon 2, codon 151, was found. This mutation was due to a transversion (TAT‐> TCT) leading to a Tyr‐>Ser substitution in the 2nd extracellular domain.Our findings further stress the wide variability in the spectrum of Cx32 mutations associated to CMTX, making it worthwhile to deepen knowledge about genotypic–phenotypic interrelationship in this disease.
COMBINED DEFICIENCY OF PYRUVATE DEHYDROGENASE AND MITOCHONDRIAL RESPIRATOR CHAIN COMPLEX I: CASE REPORT
Authors: Lori S. , Donati M.A. , Gasperini S. , Bardini M.R. , Nistri R. , Poggi G. , Garavaglia B. , Zammarchi E. 
Published: July 2002

We described a male child of two years and three months affected by assial hypotonia, psicomotor retardation, muscular distal hypotrophy with hyporeflexia, dystonic movements and deafness. He was born from non‐consanguineous parents by spontaneous caesarian twin delivery at 38 weeks. His sister is healthy. He came to our observation at 16 months of age. Screenings for metabolic diseases and CSF neurotransmitters and lactate were normal, whereas the serum lactate was mildly increased. Brain MRI showed delayed myelination, with the normal lactate at the spectroscopic study. EEG showed interemispheric asymmetry with epileptic discharges. EMG showed a neurogenic pattern. Molecular DNA analysis for Spinal Muscular Atrophy was negative. Muscle biopsy showed neurogenic injury and an absence of ragged red fibers; enzymatic assay showed a severe deficiency of Complex I (2.8 nmol/min/mg protein, n.v. 17–33) and a mild deficiency of Pyruvate Dehydrogenase (PDHC=0.47 nmol/min/mg protein, n.v.0.8‐2).The clinical features of patients with a dysfunction in mitochondrial metabolic pathways are variable. A PDHC deficiency leads to a graduated spectrum of neurological involvement starting from severe forms with death in the neonatal period, Leigh disease and carbohydrate‐induced episodic ataxia. The most common features associated with a PDHC defect are delayed development and hypotonia. Patients with Complex I deficiency show a variable phenotype from fatal infantile encephalomyopathy to adult‐onset myopathy; neurodegenerative disorders are also described: Parkinson's disease, dystonia and Leber's optic neuropathy. A combined PHDC and Complex I deficiency is rarely reported. We can make the hypothesis that a defect of a single enzyme (Complex I) can play a role on the other enzyme deficiency. The presence of a primitive PHDC and Complex I deficiency is unlikely be hypothesized since the parents are not consanguineous and a double genetic defect is improbable.
High-frequency noise on antennas in plasmas
Authors: Stenzel R. L. 
Published: July 2002

Fluctuations in plasmas at frequencies near the electron plasma frequency (ωp ) have been measured with in situ wire antennas. Such observations are important to the understanding of basic plasma properties (discrete versus collective effects) and the use of antennas in plasmas. The experiments are performed in a large (1 m diameter ×2 m) pulsed dc discharge and afterglow plasma (ne&lt;1012 cm−3, kTe&lt;5 eV) with a weak axial magnetic field (B0=5 G). The fluctuations are detected from wire antennas (length L≫radius a≳Debye length λD) with a low-noise microwave receiver. The observations reveal three different physical processes that determine the noise spectra: (i) single particle shot noise, (ii) collective oscillations by bounded sheath–plasma resonances, and (iii) noise enhancements by longitudinal plasma waves. The first phenomenon (shot noise) gives rise to broadband noise (ωωp) on both electric and magnetic antennas. In the evanescent regime (ω&lt;ωp) , the shot noise is induced by random electron motions through distances of, at most, a collisionless skin layer (c/ωp) around the antenna. Recalling that electron transit-time effects cause absorption of waves in a collisionless skin layer (known as ‘‘anomalous’’ skin absorption) the present observation of a collisionless skin emission effect can also be understood by the equivalence of blackbody absorption and emission coefficients. The second phenomenon (sheath–plasma resonance) is observed as a narrow resonant enhancement in the shot noise below cutoff (ω&lt;ωp) on electric antennas surrounded by sheaths or dielectrics. The series sheath–plasma resonance, usually identified from reflection/absorption measurements with incident waves, is established here, for the first time, as a feature of thermal emission spectra from antennas. The third phenomenon (plasma dielectric ε(ω,k)→0) produces a broad noise enhancement at ω≳ωp on electric antennas.
It can only be observed in the open-loop voltage of dipoles measured with a high-impedance transformer between antenna and 50Ω transmission line. The enhanced noise is electrostatic, randomly polarized, but not significantly enhanced by the presence of energetic electron tails. Existing theories can describe the new observations qualitatively but not quantitatively.
In Vivo Function of a Differentiation Inhibitor, Id2
Authors: Yokota Yoshifumi , Mori Seiichi , Narumi Osamu , Kitajima Kazuhito 
Published: July 2002

AbstractCell differentiation is an essential process for the development of various cell types that constitute multicellular organisms. During development, the large family of factors bearing a helix‐loop‐helix (HLH) motif participates profoundly in this process and these factors serve as good experimental tools for investigating mechanisms underlying tissue‐specific differentiation. The HLH family includes both positive and negative regulators of cell differentiation: basic HLH (bHLH)‐type transcription factors and Id proteins, respectively. Following an exciting decade focusing on bHLH factors, advances achieved in studies of the inhibitory factors in the last couple of years have placed them in the front line of the research on differentiation and proliferation control. Here, we present and discuss recent results obtained using Id2 ‐deficient mice, which manifest intriguing phenotypes in various systems.
Human Malaria in Immunocompromised Mice
Authors: Badell Edgar , Oeuvray Claude , Moreno Alicia , Soe Soe , van Rooijen Nico , Bouzidi Ahmed , Druilhe Pierre 
Published: July 2002

We have recently described that sustained Plasmodium falciparum growth could be obtained in immunodeficient mice. We now report the potential of this new mouse model by assaying the effect of the passive transfer of antibodies (Abs) which in humans have had a well-established effect.
Our results show that the total African adult hyperimmune immunoglobulin Gs (HI-IgGs) strongly reduce P. falciparum parasitemia similarly to that reported in humans, but only when mice are concomitantly reconstituted with human monocytes (HuMNs). In contrast, neither HI-IgGs nor HuMNs alone had any direct effect upon parasitemia. We assessed the in vivo effect of epitope-specific human Abs affinity-purified on peptides derived either from the ring erythrocyte surface antigen (RESA) or the merozoite surface protein 3 (MSP3). The inoculation of low concentrations of anti-synthetic peptide from MSP3, but not of anti-RESA Abs, consistently suppressed P. falciparum in the presence of HuMNs. Parasitemia decrease was stronger and faster than that observed using HI-IgGs and as fast as that induced by chloroquine. Our observations demonstrate that this mouse model is of great value to evaluate the protective effect of different Abs with distinct specificity in the same animal, a step hardly accessible and therefore never performed before in humans.
Amphibole fibres in Chinese chrysotile asbestos
Authors: Tossavainen Antti , Kotilainen Mia , Takahashi Ken , Pan Guowei , Vanhala Esa 
Published: July 2002

Abstract
Ten chrysotile bulk samples originating from six Chinese chrysotile mines were studied for amphibole fibres. Five of the mines operate on ultramafic rocks whereas one exploits a dolomite-hosted deposit. The asbestos fibre content in lung tissue was examined from seven deceased workers of the Shenyang asbestos plant using these raw materials. The bulk samples were pretreated with acid/alkali-digestion, and thereafter, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, X-ray microanalysis, selected area electron diffraction and X-ray powder diffractometry were used to identify the minerals. Sample preparation of lung tissue involved drying and low-temperature ashing.
All of the bulk samples contained amphibole fibres as an impurity. The amphibole asbestos contents were between 0.002 and 0.310 w-%. Tremolite fibres were detected in every sample but anthophyllite fibres were present only in the sample originating from the dolomite-hosted deposit. In comparison, anthophyllite (71%), tremolite (9%) and chrysotile (10%) were the main fibre types in the lung tissue samples indicating faster pulmonary clearance of chrysotile fibres. The total levels ranged from 2.4 to 148.3 million fibres (over 1 μm in length) per gram of dry tissue, and they were consistent with heavy occupational exposure to asbestos.
Pathway analysis in metabolic databases via differential

metabolic display (DMD)
Authors: Küffner Robert , Zimmer Ralf , Lengauer Thomas 
Published: July 2002

Abstract
Motivation: A number of metabolic databases are available electronically, some with features for querying and visualizing metabolic pathways and regulatory networks. We present a unifying, systematic approach based on Petri nets for storing, displaying, comparing, searching and simulating such nets from a number of different sources.
Results: Information from each data source is extracted and compiled into a Petri net. Such Petri nets then allow to investigate the (differential) content in metabolic databases, to map and integrate genomic information and functional annotations, to compare sequence and metabolic databases with respect to their functional annotations, and to define, generate and search paths and pathways in nets. We present an algorithm to systematically generate all pathways satisfying additional constraints in such Petri nets. Finally, based on the set of valid pathways, so-called differential metabolic displays (DMDs) are introduced to exhibit specific differences between biological systems, i.e. different developmental states, disease states, or different organisms, on the level of paths and pathways. DMDs will be useful for target finding and function prediction, especially in the context of the interpretation of expression data.
Availability: Part of this work has been integrated into the software package ToPLign available for use over the WWW at http://cartan.gmd.de/ToPLign.html.
Contact: Robert.Kueffner@gmd.de; Ralf.Zimmer@gmd.de; Thomas.Lengauer@gmd.de
To whom correspondence should be addressed.
INCLUSive: INtegrated Clustering, Upstream sequence retrieval
and motif Sampling
Authors: Thijs Gert , Moreau Yves , De Smet Frank , Mathys Janick , Lescot Magali , Rombauts Stephane , Rouze Pierre , De Moor Bart , Marchal Kathleen 
Published: July 2002

Abstract
Summary: INCLUSive allows automatic multistep analysis of microarray data (clustering and motif finding). The clustering algorithm (adaptive quality-based clustering) groups together genes with highly similar expression profiles. The upstream sequences of the genes belonging to a cluster are automatically retrieved from GenBank and can be fed directly into Motif Sampler, a Gibbs sampling algorithm that retrieves statistically over-represented motifs in sets of sequences, in this case upstream regions of co-expressed genes.
Availability: For academic purposes at http://www.esat.kuleuven.ac.be/~dna/BioI/Software.html
Contact: Gert.Thijs@esat.kuleuven.ac.be
* To whom correspondence should be addressed. Email: Kathleen.Marchal@esat.kuleuven.ac.be.
In-vitro antibacterial activity of levofloxacin against hospital isolates: a multicentre study
Authors: Soussy C.-J. , Cluzel M. , Ploy M.-C. , Kitzis M.-D. , Morel C. , Bryskier A. , Courvalin P. 
Published: July 2002

Abstract
The objective of this study was to evaluate the activity of the fluoroquinolone, levofloxacin, against hospital isolates of bacteria. MICs of levofloxacin were determined for 2154 strains by agar dilution. Breakpoints for susceptibility testing were calculated using the agar diffusion technique with 5 µ g discs. The activity of levofloxacin against nalidixic acid- and pefloxacin-susceptible Enterobacteriaceae ( n = 668) was higher (MIC 50/90 0.06–0.12 mg/L) than previously reported for ofloxacin. As seen with other fluoroquinolones, this activity was reduced against nalidixic acid-resistant and pefloxacin-intermediate and -resistant strains (MIC 1–8 mg/L). MICs for Pseudomonas aeruginosa ( n = 104) were between 0.12 and 128 mg/L. Levofloxacin had good activity against nalidixic acid- and pefloxacin-susceptible Acinetobacter baumannii ( n = 12; MIC 0.06–0.25 mg/L), but the activity was reduced against nalidixic acid- and pefloxacin-resistant strains ( n = 80; MIC 1–32 mg/L). Haemophilus influenzae ( n = 70), Haemophilus parainfluenzae ( n = 47) and Moraxella catarrhalis ( n = 64) were inhibited by low concentrations of levofloxacin (MICs 0.016–0.03 mg/L, 0.03–0.12 mg/L and 0.03–0.12 mg/L, respectively). Clostridium perfringens ( n = 23; MIC 0.25–1 mg/L) was more susceptible than Bacteroides fragilis ( n = 60; MIC 0.5–4 mg/L). Levofloxacin showed superior activity compared with ofloxacin against methicillin-susceptible staphylococci ( n = 107; MIC 0.03–0.5 mg/L); the resistant strains (MICs 2–32 mg/L) were usually also resistant to methicillin. Levofloxacin was less effective against enterococci ( n = 105; MIC 1–32 mg/L), but streptococci ( n = 192) and pneumococci ( n = 129), including 58 penicillin-non-susceptible strains, were inhibited by low concentrations (MICs 0.5–2 mg/L). According to the regression curve, zone diameters were usually 20–22 mm, 17–19 mm and 15–16 mm for MICs of 1, 2 and 4 mg/L, respectively. In conclusion, this study, performed on a large number of strains, confirms the superior antibacterial activity of levofloxacin compared with ofloxacin, especially against pathogens isolated from respiratory tract infections.
Marine biological controls on climate via the carbon and sulphur geochemical cycles
Authors: Watson Andrew J. , Liss Peter S. 
Published: July 2002

We review aspects of the influence of the marine biota on climate, focusing particularly on their role in mediating surface temperatures via their influence on atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) and dimethyl sulphide (DMS) concentrations. Variation in natural CO2concentrations occurring over 103to 105years are set by oceanic processes, and in particular by conditions in the Southern Ocean, so it is to this region that we must look to understand the glacial–interglacial changes in CO2concentrations. It seems likely that marine productivity in the Southern Ocean is limited by a combination of restricted iron supply to the region and insufficient light.Plankton–produced DMS is thought to influence climate by changing the numbers of cloud condensation nuclei available in remote regions; the efficiency of this mechanism is still unknown, but calculations suggest it may be a powerful influence on climate. It has a much shorter time–scale than the CO2effect, and as a consequence may well be a player on the ‘global change’ timescale. The direction of both the CO2and the DMS mechanisms is such that more marine productivity would lead to lower global temperatures, and we speculate that the overall effect of the marine biota today is to cool the planet by ca. 6°C as a result of these two mechanisms, with one–third of this figure being due to CO2effects and two–thirds due to DMS.While the marine biota influence climate, climate also influences the marine biota, chiefly via changing atmospheric circulation. This in turn alters ocean circulation patterns, responsible for mixing up sub–surface nutrients, and also influences the transport of nutrients, such as iron, in atmospheric dust. A more vigorous atmospheric circulation would be expected to increase the productivity of the marine biota on both counts. Thus during glacial time, the colder and drier climate might be expected to stimulate greater marine productivity than occurs today. Since more production leads to greater cooling by reduction in CO2and increase in DMS, the marine biota–climate system appears to have been in positive feedback in the glacial–interglacial transition, with the changes in the climate system being reinforced by changes in the marine biota. In the context of anthropogenic change, we cannot at present say what sign the feedback on climate will have, because we have no clear idea whether circulation will become more or less vigorous in the future.
Nostochopsis
Authors: Golubic Stjepko , Hoffmann Lucien 
Published: May 2022

AbstractNos.toch.op'sis. N.L. neut. n.Nostoc, a cyanobacterial genus; suff.‐opsis, similar to; from Gr. fem. n.opsis, aspect, appearance; N.L. fem. n.Nostochopsis, similar toNostoc.Cyanobacteria / Subsection V / Nostochopsidaceae / NostochopsisNostochopsisis a filamentous cyanobacterium with true branching (Subsection. V. in Rippka et al., 1979). The colonies are gelatinous, firm, and internally hollow. Trichomes are uniseriate with lateral T‐branches of two types: with unlimited and limited growth (1–3 cells), the latter with a terminal single‐pore heterocyst. Branch limited to a single cell that differentiates into a lateral heterocyst; intercalary heterocysts are less common.Type species:Nostochopsis lobatusWood ex Bornet and Flahault 1886, as originally described, was accepted and slightly modified by Geitler (1932, p. 475). The species name was corrected for gender by Komárek (2013, p. 546), so that in some sources it is entered asN. lobata. Nostochopsis lobatuswas collected in freshwater environments of Spain (Moreno et al., 2012), India, (Tiwari, 1978), Thailand (Thiamdao et al., 2012), and Argentina (Cáceres, 1973; Diaga et al., 2014). It was studied both using field‐collected and cultured materials; the growth was found to be modified depending on the culture conditions (Yamaguchi and Koketsu, 2016). The organism produced intercalary and more commonly terminal and lateral heterocysts.
Crocosphaera
Authors: Zehr Jonathan P. , Foster Rachel A. , Waterbury John , Webb Eric A. 
Published: May 2022

Abstract

Cro.co.sphae'ra. Gr. xxxxx n
krokos
, the crocus, orange‐colored; Gr. fem. n.
sphaera
, a ball or sphere; N.L. fem. n.
Crococsphaera
, an orange ball or sphere, M.L. fem. n.,
Crocosphaera
, an orange ball due to autofluorescence of high urobilin phycoerythrin.

Cyanobacteria / Subsection I / Incertae Sedis / Crocosphaera

Coccoid, pigmented nonmotile cyanobacterial cells found in open ocean plankton that range in diameter from 2 to 6 μm, although larger cells have been reported in the environment. Cells occur singly or in small clusters and reproduce in one plane. Several known strains vary primarily in size, are capable of extracellular polysaccharide (EPS) synthesis, and comprise two phenotypic groups. Aerobic oxygenic phototrophs that fix carbon dioxide using the ribulose‐1,5‐bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBisCO) pathway. Can grow with atmospheric nitrogen (N
2
) as the sole nitrogen source with an oxygen‐sensitive nitrogenase. Fix N
2
primarily in the dark period of a light–dark cycle under atmospheric concentrations of oxygen. Evolve molecular hydrogen (H
2
) and contain an uptake hydrogenase. In addition to chlorophylls
a
and
b
possess phycoerythrin with high phycourobilin content. Gas vacuoles are absent. Capable of secondary metabolite (possible toxin) production since they possess polyketide synthesis (PKS) and nonribosomal polyketide synthesis (NRPS) genes. Synthesize trehalose. Are ecologically important as N
2
‐fixers but are limited to the tropical oceans or seasonally in the subtropics due to restricted temperature range permitting growth.

DNA G + C content (mol%)
: 30.6–31.0 (
T
m
) (WH8501 and WH8502); 37.1–37.7 (genome sequences).

Type species
:
Crocosphaera watsonii
Mareš et al. 2019.