bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Introduction
Authors: Bonnamour Jacqueline
Published: April 2014

Abstract.

The importance of the technical revolution which has been on its way for some five years, the transformation of a number of farms into large concerns compelled to draw fair profit out of the land induces one who studies the space occupied by cultivated lands to give special attention to new tendencies and grant prime importance to such documents as those describing the lots of cultivated lands (« parcellaires »).

The description of these documents sets problems as to the collecting of datas, the way to present the results and their cartography. In the texts below, we attempt to give indexes of parcelment so as to make the comparison easier between various complex situations among which it is advisable to lay down precise examples in a chart.

The rate of evolution of these « parcellaires » is not everywhere the same. Lots of cultivated lands tend to be grouped so as to give the farmer larger surfaces and fewer lots to cultivate. Such an evolution is not always wished by farmers, nor is it always advisable. In some areas where special cultures are grown, the evolution seems to run counter.

Together with the above mentioned major tendency, the functional grouping of cultivated lots leaves room to a speculative splitting of the farming concerns at a later date.

It is more and more observed that the farming concerns which do not lack drive cultivate lands in the neighbouring « communes » (districts or parishes, no exact equivalent : districts administrated by a mayor assisted by a local council) ; and we are thus confronted with varied and complex situations according to the farming system and the type of management of these farming concerns.
Recherches méthodologiques sur le degré d'émiettement parcellaire des exploitations agricoles des bocages de l'ouest
Authors: Renard M.
Published: April 2014

Résumé.

Il s'agit de mesurer et de comparer le degré de dispersion et d'émiettement des parcelles d' exploitation de l'atelier agricole des bocages de la région nantaise.

Deux indices sont successivement présentés : l'indice de groupement (Ig) et l'indice de structure (Is).

L'opposition entre les borderies des villages et les « métairies » est évidente. La diversité des types d'organisation parcellaire et des contraintes montre que la réorganisation agraire doit être modulée selon ces types.
En Inde, sur quelques choses vues
Authors: Morand François
Published: April 2014

Résumé.

A Cherrapunjee et sur le haut Megalaya Central, sous un climat extrêmement humide (moyennes annuelles : 10 m de pluies, 7/10 pour le coefficient de nébulosité ; 80 % pour l'humidité relative à 8 h 30) dominent des prairies, des pelouses et des steppes.

Au Népal, pour réoxygéner le sol des rizières, la terre du champ est exportée hors du champ. Les techniques diffèrent notablement de celles que P. Gourou décrivit dans le delta tonkinois.
Etude géomorphologique des surfaces d'arasion miocènes de la région comprise entre Ganges et Montpellier (Bas-Languedoc oriental)
Authors: Cornet Cécile
Published: April 2014

Résumé.

La région étudiée, s'étalant entre les Cévennes et la Méditerranée, est située tout entière dans le domaine de la chaîne pyrénéo-provençale. Une falaise d'une centaine de mètres de hauteur sépare deux surfaces distinctes : celle des Basses Garrigues de Montpellier, à 180 m d'altitude, et celle de Viols-le-Fort et de Cazevieille dont l'altitude oscille entre 225 et 300 m, cette dernière étant dominée, vers le N., par les hauteurs de l'Ourtadou, de la Montagne de Célette et du Pic Saint-Loup qui forment une véritable barrière (cependant non continue comme en témoigne la passe de Cambous) la séparant des surfaces aplanies du Bois de Sauzet et de ses annexes, s'étalant à 300 m d'altitude.

On trouve de nombreux vestiges alluvionnaires continentaux sur la surface de Viols-le-Fort et de Cazevieille, ainsi que sur les Bois de Sauzet et le causse de Hortus : placages argilo-sableux rouges à nodules de limonite, nombreux galets de quarts et de Cristallophyllien issus des Cévennes.

dissociés à ces cailloutis, dont la taille varie de quelques millimètres à une quarantaine de centimètres de grand axe, on trouve de menus galets de quartz, ne dépassant pas 3 cm, aux formes géométriques rigoureuses, parfaitement ovoïdes, telles des noisettes, et qu'on ne rencontre que sur la surface de Viols-le-Fort et sur la table calcaire de Causse-de-la-Selle qui forme une belle vallée fossile entre la Séranne et le chaînon de l'Ourtadou-Célette et représente une vallée affluente de la vaste surface de Viols-le-Fort et de Cazevieille sur laquelle se déversaient aussi les apports venant directement du N par la passe de Cambous. Ces deux affluents ont pu fonctionner simultanément, voire successivement.

L'aplanissement des plans du Bois de Sauzet et de la surface de Viols-le-Fort, ainsi que de la vallée de Causse-de-la-Selle, est miocène, de même que leur drainage et les alluvionnements qui s'y sont produits.
Nouvelles remarques sur l'hydrologie du Châtillonnais
Authors: Chartier M.
Published: April 2014

Résumé.

Le Châtillonnais est un ensemble de plateaux calcaires dans le bassin supérieur de la Seine. Quelques rares cours d'eau les drainent (Seine, Ource, Laigne). Les émergences de faible débit sont nombreuses à l'amont, tandis que, à Pavai, en bordure de la « Vallée », de grosses sources pérennes (« douix ») alimentent des rivières. La Laigne, en particulier, disparaît sur 19,5 km. Que deviennent les eaux engouffrées dans le bassin de la Laigne ? Une réponse qualitative est donnée à cette question.
Présentation d'une série d'enquêtes sur les magasins à grande surface de Lorraine
Authors: Pottier Micheline
Published: April 2014

Résumé. - Les quatre départements de Lorraine, surtout la Moselle et la Meurthe-et-Moselle, comptent parmi les départements français les mieux pourvus en super et en hypermarchés. On a établi qu'un hypermarché installé dans une ville de 50.000 habitants au moins trouve 75 à 80% de sa clientèle dans la ville même ou dans son entourage immédiat. Par contre un hypermarché installé dans une ville plus petite ou en pleine campagne possède une zone de chalandise plus étendue (par exemple le « Record » de Saint- Avold). Les hypermarchés renforcent donc assez peu la fonction commerciale des grandes villes, mais davantage celle des petites villes.
Modèles de recherche et modèles théoriques en géographie.
Authors: Racine Jean-Bernard
Published: April 2014

Abstract. - In spite of the fact that quantitative revolution is already ancient history to most of those who participated in its innovations, there is still no complete agreement among geographers about the most appropriate form of scientific explanation in geography. Making use of his thesis methodology, the author attempts to make clear the nature and logic of the use of « search » and/or theoretical models in « scientific » geography. Following a criticism of methodology of explanation with special reference to the difficulty which steems from the equivocal nature of terms « explanation » and « models », the author goes on to present the logic stages of mathematical testing an hypothetical spacial structure using a factorial analysis framework.
Sur une série de mesures de teneurs en CO2 de sols tropicaux
Authors: Rossi Georges
Published: April 2014

Résumé. - L'Auteur a mesuré les variations de la production de CO2 dans les sols d'un karst situé au Nord de Madagascar. C'est dans l'horizon humique, et au début de la saison des pluies, que se localisent les teneurs maximales. Ces teneurs sont, au total, modérées.
Nanoscale particles in technological processes of beneficiation
Authors: Popel Sergey I , Adushkin Vitaly V , Golub' Anatoly P
Published: April 2014

Background: Cavitation is a rather common and important effect in the processes of destruction of nano- and microscale particles in natural and technological processes. A possible cavitation disintegration of polymineral nano- and microparticles, which are placed into a liquid, as a result of the interaction of the particles with collapsed cavitation bubbles is considered. The emphasis is put on the cavitation processes on the interface between liquid and fine solid particles, which is suitable for the description of the real situations.

Results: The results are illustrated for the minerals that are most abundant in gold ore. The bubbles are generated by shock loading of the liquid heated to the boiling temperature. Possibilities of cavitation separation of nano- and microscale monomineral fractions from polymineral nano- and microparticles and of the use of cavitation for beneficiation are demonstrated.

Conclusion: The cavitation disintegration mechanism is important because the availability of high-grade deposits in the process of mining and production of noble metals is decreasing. This demands for an enhancement of the efficiency in developing low-grade deposits and in reprocessing ore dumps and tailings, which contain a certain amount of noble metals in the form of finely disseminated fractions. The cavitation processes occuring on the interface between liquid and fine solid particles are occasionally more effective than the bulk cavitation processes that were considered earlier.
Generation and Characterization of a Sugarbeet Transcriptome and Transcript‐Based SSR Markers
Authors: Fugate Karen Klotz , Fajardo Diego , Schlautman Brandon , Ferrareze Jocleita Peruzzo , Bolton Melvin D. , Campbell Larry G. , Wiesman Eric , Zalapa Juan
Published: April 2014

Sugarbeet is a major source of refined sucrose and increasingly grown for biofuel production. Demand for higher productivity for this crop requires greater knowledge of sugarbeet physiology, pathology, and genetics, which can be advanced by the development of new genomic resources. Towards this end, a sugarbeet transcriptome of expressed genes from leaf and root tissues at varying stages of development and production, and after elicitation with jasmonic acid (JA) or salicylic acid (SA), was constructed and used to generate simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. The transcriptome was generated via paired‐end RNA sequencing and contains 82,404 unigenes. A total of 37,207 unigenes were annotated, of which 9480 were functionally classified using clusters of orthologous groups (COG) annotations, 17,191 were classified into biological process, molecular function, or cellular component using gene ontology (GO) terms, and 17,409 were assigned to 126 metabolic pathways using Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) identifiers. A SSR search of the transcriptome identified 7680 SSRs, including 6577 perfect SSRs, of which 3834 were located in unigenes with ungapped sequence. Primer‐pairs were designed for 288 SSR loci, and 72 of these primer‐pairs were tested for their ability to detect polymorphisms. Forty‐three primer‐pairs detected single polymorphic loci and effectively distinguished diversity among eight B. vulgaris genotypes. The transcriptome and SSR markers provide additional, public domain genomic resources for an important crop plant and can be used to increase understanding of the functional elements of the sugarbeet genome, aid in discovery of novel genes, facilitate RNA‐sequencing based expression research, and provide new tools for sugarbeet genetic research and selective breeding.
El análisis perceptivo de la arquitectura histórica y su aplicación al Alcázar de Sevilla del siglo XIV
Authors: Rodríguez Moreno Concepción
Published: April 2014

Este artículo trata de ilustrar el análisis de la arquitectura histórica desde un punto de vista tan propiamente humano como es la percepción. Hablamos de un tipo de análisis sensitivo, que permite aproximarse a cómo funcionaban o se entendían los edificios históricos desde una perspectiva plenamente vivencial, convencidos de que determinadas arquitecturas fueron construidas para propiciar experiencias perceptivas concretas en sus usuarios.
Sin embargo, en ocasiones es difícil plantear este tipo de análisis puesto que las arquitecturas estudiadas han sido transformadas o incluso han desaparecido. En estos casos, las reconstrucciones virtuales son realmente interesantes como vehículo para recuperar esos espacios arquitectónicos y “restaurar”, en la medida de lo posible, las emociones, vivencias y significaciones que suscitarían entre los observadores de su tiempo.
Se exponen en primer lugar las claves conceptuales y metodológicas del análisis perceptivo, sirviendo como ejemplo su aplicación a la reconstrucción virtual del palacio construido por Pedro I en los Reales Alcázares de Sevilla del siglo XIV.
Propuesta metodológica para la restitución de la planimetría de una arquitectura medieval desaparecida: la iglesia románica del monasterio de San Julián de Samos (Lugo)
Authors: López Salas Estefanía
Published: April 2014

El monasterio de San Julián de Samos (Lugo) es uno de los edificios religiosos más grandes de Galicia y también uno de los que goza de mayor antigüedad dentro del monacato español. El presente artículo se enmarca dentro de una investigación más amplia, en la que se analiza el largo proceso constructivo experimentado por dicho monumento, desde sus orígenes hasta la actualidad, con el fin de comprender la realidad de su arquitectura y valorar qué hay de auténtico y de nuevo en su fábrica. En este trabajo, presentamos el método desarrollado para llevar a cabo la reconstrucción gráfica del aspecto de este monasterio, en una de las primeras fases de su proceso evolutivo, la época bajomedieval.
Human Th17 Cells Share Major Trafficking Receptors with Both Polarized Effector T Cells and FOXP3+ Regulatory T Cells
Authors: Lim Hyung W. , Lee Jeeho , Hillsamer Peter , Kim Chang H.
Published: April 2014

It is a question of interest whether Th17 cells express trafficking receptors unique to this Th cell lineage and migrate specifically to certain tissue sites. We found several Th17 cell subsets at different developing stages in a human secondary lymphoid organ (tonsils) and adult, but not in neonatal, blood. These Th17 cell subsets include a novel in vivo-stimulated tonsil IL17+ T cell subset detected without any artificial stimulation in vitro. We investigated in depth the trafficking receptor phenotype of the Th17 cell subsets in tonsils and adult blood. The developing Th17 cells in tonsils highly expressed both Th1- (CCR2, CXCR3, CCR5, and CXCR6) and Th2-associated (CCR4) trafficking receptors. Moreover, Th17 cells share major non-lymphoid tissue trafficking receptors, such as CCR4, CCR5, CCR6, CXCR3, and CXCR6, with FOXP3+ T regulatory cells. In addition, many Th17 cells express homeostatic chemokine receptors (CD62L, CCR6, CCR7, CXCR4, and CXCR5) implicated in T cell migration to and within lymphoid tissues. Expression of CCR6 and CCR4 by some Th17 cells is not a feature unique to Th17 cells but shared with FOXP3+ T cells. Interestingly, the IL17+IFN-γ+ Th17 cells have the features of both IL17−IFN-γ+ Th1 and IL17+IFN-γ− Th17 cells in expression of trafficking receptors. Taken together, our results revealed that Th17 cells are highly heterogeneous, in terms of trafficking receptors, and programmed to share major trafficking receptors with other T cell lineages. These findings have important implications in their distribution in the human body in relation to other regulatory T cell subsets.
Retinoids Accelerate B Lineage Lymphoid Differentiation
Authors: Chen Xinrong , Esplin Brandt L. , Garrett Karla P. , Welner Robert S. , Webb Carol F. , Kincade Paul W.
Published: April 2014

Retinoids are known to have potent effects on hemopoietic stem cell integrity, and our objective was to learn whether they influence cells destined to replenish the immune system. Total CD19+ B lineage cells increased substantially in the marrow and spleens of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA)-treated C57BL6 mice, while lymphoid progenitors were reduced. All B lymphoid progenitors were targets of ATRA in culture and overall cell yields declined without reductions in proliferation. Remarkably, ATRA shortened the time required for primitive progenitors to generate CD19+ cells. PCR analysis and a panel of retinoid acid receptor (RAR)/retinoid X receptor agonist treatments suggested that RARα mediates these responses. The transcription factors EBF1 and Pax-5 were elevated during treatment and ATRA had similar effects on human B cell differentiation. That is, it inhibited the expansion of human progenitor cells and accelerated their differentiation to B lineage cells. There may be previously unsuspected side effects of ATRA therapy, and the new findings suggest retinoids can normally contribute to the lymphopoietic environment in bone marrow.
Caspase-Independent Cell Death by CD300LF (MAIR-V), an Inhibitory Immunoglobulin-Like Receptor on Myeloid Cells
Authors: Can Ismail , Tahara-Hanaoka Satoko , Hitomi Kaori , Nakano Takako , Nakahashi-Oda Chigusa , Kurita Naoki , Honda Shin-ichiro , Shibuya Kazuko , Shibuya Akira
Published: April 2014

The myeloid-associated Ig-like receptor family (CD300) consists of nine activating or inhibitory cell surface receptors preferentially expressed on myeloid cells and are encoded by the genes in a small cluster on mouse chromosome 11. One of the receptors, CD300LF (MAIR-V), has a long cytoplasmic tail containing two consensus ITIMs and an immunoreceptor tyrosine-based switching motif, suggesting that CD300LF regulates the activation of myeloid cells. However, the functional characteristics of this receptor are still incompletely understood. In this study, we demonstrate that cross-linking CD300LF with anti-CD300LF mAb induced cell death in peritoneal macrophages as well as in several transfectants expressing CD300LF. CD300LF-mediated cell death was dependent on the cytoplasmic region but did not require an ITIM or immunoreceptor tyrosine-based switching motif. Scanning electron microscopy revealed a loss of blebs from the surface of the dead cells mediated by CD300LF, a morphological feature similar to that observed in apoptotic cells. However, CD300LF-mediated cell death was not inhibited by a caspase inhibitor, N-benzyloxycarbonyl-Val-Ala-Asp-fluoromethylketone, or autophagy inhibitors, 3-methyladenine or N-acetyl-l-cystein. Moreover, the splicing isoform of a transcription factor, X-box binding protein-1, which is produced in dead cells as a response to endoplasmic reticulum stress, was not detected. Together, these results indicate that CD300LF mediates caspase and endoplasmic reticulum stress-independent cell death by a novel mechanism.
CD36 Is Differentially Expressed on B Cell Subsets during Development and in Responses to Antigen
Authors: Won Woong-Jai , Bachmann Martin F. , Kearney John F.
Published: April 2014

Of a number of mAbs made by immunization with sort-purified marginal zone (MZ) B cells, one was shown to recognize the mouse scavenger receptor CD36. Although CD36 is expressed by most resting MZ B cells and not by follicular and B1 B cells, it is rapidly induced on follicular B cells in vitro following TLR and CD40 stimulation. In response to T-independent and T-dependent Ag challenge, we found that CD36 was expressed on IgM+ plasma cells, but down-regulated on isotype-switched plasma cells in vivo. Although development, localization, and phenotype of MZ B cells in CD36−/− mice appeared normal, there was a minor block in the transitional stages of mature B cell development. In both primary and secondary Ab responses to heat-killed Streptococcus pneumoniae (R36A strain), both phosphoryl choline (PC)-specific IgM and IgG levels in CD36−/− mice were slightly reduced compared with wild-type mice. In addition, mice deficient in both TLR2 and CD36 produced significantly reduced levels of anti-PC IgG titers than those of single gene-deficient mice, suggesting that they may cooperate in an anti-PC Ab response. Collectively, these results show that CD36 does not affect the development of B cells, but modulates both primary and secondary anti-PC Ab responses during S. pneumoniae infection similarly to TLR2.
Induction and Evolution of Cytomegalovirus-Specific CD4+ T Cell Clonotypes in Rhesus Macaques
Authors: Price David A. , Bitmansour Arlene D. , Edgar John B. , Walker Joshua M. , Axthelm Michael K. , Douek Daniel C. , Picker Louis J.
Published: April 2014

CMV infection induces robust CD4+ T cell responses in immunocompetent hosts that orchestrate immune control of viral replication, dissemination, and disease. In this study, we characterized the clonotypic composition of CD4+ T cell populations specific for rhesus CMV (RhCMV) in chronically infected adult rhesus macaques (RM) and in juvenile RM undergoing primary RhCMV infection and subsequent secondary challenge with RhCMV. In adult RM with established chronic infection, RhCMV-specific CD4+ T cell populations exhibited stable, pauciclonal structures with skewed hierarchies dominated by two or three clonotypes. During primary infection, in contrast, the initial RhCMV-specific CD4+ T cell populations were highly polyclonal and progressive evolution to the chronic pattern manifest in adults occurred over the ensuing 2–3 years. Clear patterns of clonal succession were observed during this maturation process, such that clonotypes present in the acute phase were largely replaced over time. However, rechallenge with RhCMV expanded virus-specific CD4+ T cell clonotypes identified solely during acute infection. These findings indicate that, during persistent viral infection, substantial selection pressures and ongoing clonotype recruitment shape the specific CD4+ T cell repertoire and that rapidly exhausted or superseded clonotypes often remain within the memory T cell pool.
Differential Contribution of NFATc2 and NFATc1 to TNF-α Gene Expression in T Cells
Authors: Kaminuma Osamu , Kitamura Fujiko , Kitamura Noriko , Hiroi Takachika , Miyoshi Hiroyuki , Miyawaki Atsushi , Miyatake Shoichiro
Published: April 2014

The NFAT family transcription factors play crucial roles in immunological and other biological events; however, the functional differences among NFAT members have not been fully elucidated. This study investigated the relative contribution of NFATc2 and NFATc1 to the transactivation of cytokine genes in T cells. Ectopic expression of NFATc2 but not NFATc1, especially its short isoform, enhanced TNF-α synthesis in human T cells at the gene transcription level, whereas both NFATs augmented IL-2 expression. In addition, a reduction of the shortest NFATc1 isoform using RNA interference technology failed to suppress TNF-α expression. The promoter/enhancer activity of the NFAT-binding site in the TNF-α gene was up-regulated by NFATc2 but not by NFATc1, whereas both NFATs associated similarly with this region. A study of mRNA expression using NFATc2/NFATc1 chimeric molecules revealed that the enhancing activity of NFAT on the TNF-α gene was lost by truncation of its C-terminal transactivation domain. In addition, this domain derived from NFATc2 behaved as a dominant negative against the NFAT site in TNF-α promoter-dependent transcriptional activity in T cells. We conclude that the C-terminal transactivation domain in NFAT is crucial for TNF-α gene expression in human T cells.
Systemic, but Not Intestinal, IL-7 Is Essential for the Persistence of Chronic Colitis
Authors: Tomita Takayuki , Kanai Takanori , Nemoto Yasuhiro , Totsuka Teruji , Okamoto Ryuichi , Tsuchiya Kiichiro , Sakamoto Naoya , Watanabe Mamoru
Published: April 2014

We previously demonstrated that IL-7 is produced by intestinal goblet cells and is essential for the persistence of colitis. It is well known, however, that goblet cells are decreased or depleted in the chronically inflamed mucosa of animal colitis models or human inflammatory bowel diseases. Thus, in this study, we assess whether intestinal IL-7 is surely required for the persistence of colitis using a RAG-1/2−/− colitis model induced by the adoptive transfer of CD4+CD45RBhigh T cells in combination with parabiosis system. Surprisingly, both IL-7−/− × RAG-1−/− and IL-7+/+ × RAG-1−/− host mice developed colitis 4 wk after parabiosis to a similar extent of colitic IL-7+/+ × RAG-1−/− donor mice that were previously transferred with CD4+CD45RBhigh T cells. Of note, although the number of CD4+ T cells recovered from the spleen or the bone marrow of IL-7−/− × RAG-1−/− host mice was significantly decreased compared with that of IL-7+/+ × RAG-1−/− host mice, an equivalent number of CD4+ T cells was recovered from the lamina propria of both mice, indicating that the expansion of CD4+ T cells in the spleen or in the bone marrow is dependent on IL-7, but not in the lamina propria. Development of colitis was never observed in parabionts between IL-7+/+ × RAG-1−/− host and noncolitic IL-7−/− × RAG-1−/− donor mice that were transferred with CD4+CD45RBhigh T cells. Collectively, systemic, but not intestinal, IL-7 is essential for the persistence of colitis, suggesting that therapeutic approaches targeting the systemic IL-7/IL-7R signaling pathway may be feasible in the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases.
Cutting Edge: Guillain-Barré Syndrome-Associated IgG Responses to Gangliosides Are Generated Independently of CD1 Function in Mice
Authors: Matsumoto Yukie , Yuki Nobuhiro , Van Kaer Luc , Furukawa Koichi , Hirata Koichi , Sugita Masahiko
Published: April 2014

CD1 molecules present a variety of microbial glycolipids and self-glycolipids to T cells, but their potential role in humoral responses to glycolipid Ags remains to be established. To address this issue directly, we used GM1/GD1a-deficient mice, which, upon immunization with heat-killed Campylobacter jejuni, develop Guillain-Barré syndrome-associated IgG Abs against the GM1/GD1a sugar chain epitopes of bacterial lipo-oligosaccharides (LOS). Our results showed that anti-ganglioside Abs of the IgG1, IgG2b, and IgG3 isotypes were produced in the absence of group 2 CD1 (CD1d) expression. Unlike mouse and human group 2 CD1 molecules that specifically bound LOS, none of the group 1 CD1 molecules (CD1a, CD1b, and CD1c in humans) were capable of interacting with LOS. Thus, these results indicate CD1-independent pathways for anti-ganglioside Ab production.
Neutrophil Microbicides Induce a Pathogen Survival Response in Community-Associated Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Palazzolo-Ballance Amy M. , Reniere Michelle L. , Braughton Kevin R. , Sturdevant Daniel E. , Otto Michael , Kreiswirth Barry N. , Skaar Eric P. , DeLeo Frank R.
Published: April 2014

In recent years, there has been a dramatic increase in the incidence of community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) infections. MW2 (pulsed-field type USA400), the prototype CA-MRSA strain, is highly virulent and has enhanced ability to evade killing by neutrophils. Although progress has been made, the molecular basis for enhanced virulence of CA-MRSA remains incompletely defined. To that end, we studied resistance of MW2 to key microbicides of human neutrophils. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), hypochlorous acid, and azurophilic granule proteins had significant bacteriostatic but limited staphylocidal activity toward MW2 under the conditions tested. An MW2-specific microarray revealed common changes in S. aureus gene expression following exposure to each microbicide, such as up-regulation of transcripts involved in gene regulation (e.g., saeRS and kdpDE) and stress response. Azurophilic granule proteins elicited the greatest number of changes in MW2 transcripts, including up-regulation of mRNAs encoding multiple toxins and hemolysins (e.g., hlgA, hlgB, hlgC, hla, lukS-PV, lukF-PV, sec4, and set17–26). Notably, H2O2 triggered up-regulation of transcripts related to heme/iron uptake (e.g., isdA, isdB, and isdCDEFsrtBisdG), and an isogenic isdAB-negative strain of MW2 had increased susceptibility to H2O2 (p < 0.001) and human neutrophils (p < 0.05) compared with the wild-type parental strain. These findings reveal a S. aureus survival response wherein Iron-regulated surface determinant (Isd) proteins are important for resistance to innate host defense. Collectively, the data provide an enhanced view of the mechanisms used by S. aureus to circumvent destruction by the innate immune system.
Extracellular HIV-Tat Induces Cyclooxygenase-2 in Glial Cells through Activation of Nuclear Factor of Activated T Cells
Authors: Blanco Almudena , Álvarez Susana , Fresno Manuel , Muñoz-Fernández María Ángeles
Published: April 2014

Both the HIV-1 protein Tat and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) have been involved in the neuropathogenesis associated with HIV-1 infection. However, the relationship among them has not been addressed. Here, we found that extracellular Tat was able to induce COX-2 mRNA and protein expression and PGE2 synthesis in astrocytoma cell lines and primary human astrocytes. Moreover, Tat induced COX-2 promoter transcription. Deletion of NF-κB sites of the promoter did not diminish Tat-dependent transcription. Interestingly, Tat did not induce NF-κB activity, suggesting that NF-κB was not necessary to control COX-2 transcription induced by Tat. In contrast, deletion or mutation of the NFAT and/or AP-1 site abrogated COX-2 induction by Tat. Moreover, Tat induced transcription of NFAT- and AP-1-dependent reporter genes. Transfection of a dominant negative c-Jun mutant protein, TAM-67, or of a dominant negative version of NFAT, efficiently blocked the induction of COX-2 promoter by Tat, confirming the requirement of both transcription factors. Moreover, Tat induced NFAT translocation to the nucleus and binding to the distal site of the COX-2 promoter. The importance of NFAT and AP-1 in COX-2 induction and PGE2 synthesis by Tat was corroborated by using pharmacological inhibitors of the NFΑΤ, ERK, and JNK pathways. In summary, our results indicate that HIV-1 Tat was able to induce COX-2 and PGE2 synthesis in astrocytic cells through an NFAT/AP-1-dependent mechanism.
Cyclooxygenase-2/Prostaglandin D2/CRTH2 Pathway Mediates Double-Stranded RNA-Induced Enhancement of Allergic Airway Inflammation
Authors: Shiraishi Yoshiki , Asano Koichiro , Niimi Kyoko , Fukunaga Koichi , Wakaki Misa , Kagyo Junko , Takihara Takahisa , Ueda Soichiro , Nakajima Takeshi , Oguma Tsuyoshi , Suzuki Yusuke , Shiomi Tetsuya , Sayama Koichi , Kagawa Shizuko , Ikeda Eiji , Hirai Hiroyuki , Nagata Kinya , Nakamura Masataka , Miyasho Taku , Ishizaka Akitoshi
Published: April 2014

Respiratory RNA viruses responsible for the common cold often worsen airway inflammation and bronchial responsiveness, two characteristic features of human asthma. We studied the effects of dsRNA, a nucleotide synthesized during viral replication, on airway inflammation and bronchial hyperresponsiveness in murine models of asthma. Intratracheal instillation of poly I:C, a synthetic dsRNA, increased the airway eosinophilia and enhanced bronchial hyperresponsiveness to methacholine in OVA-sensitized, exposed rats. These changes were associated with induction of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression and COX-2-dependent PGD2 synthesis in the lungs, particularly in alveolar macrophages. The direct intratracheal instillation of PGD2 enhanced the eosinophilic inflammation in OVA-exposed animals, whereas pretreatment with a dual antagonist against the PGD2 receptor-(CRTH2) and the thromboxane A2 receptor, but not with a thromboxane A2 receptor-specific antagonist, nearly completely eliminated the dsRNA-induced worsening of airway inflammation and bronchial hyperresponsiveness. CRTH2-deficient mice had the same degree of allergen-induced airway eosinophilia as wild-type mice, but they did not exhibit a dsRNA-induced increase in eosinophil accumulation. Our data demonstrate that COX-2-dependent production of PGD2 followed by eosinophil recruitment into the airways via a CRTH2 receptor are the major pathogenetic factors responsible for the dsRNA-induced enhancement of airway inflammation and responsiveness.
Activation of Rho Kinase by TNF-α Is Required for JNK Activation in Human Pulmonary Microvascular Endothelial Cells
Authors: Mong Phyllus Y. , Petrulio Christian , Kaufman Howard L. , Wang Qin
Published: April 2014

TNF-α induces complex signaling events in endothelial cells (ECs), leading to inflammatory gene transcription and junctional permeability increases. This study examined the activation of RhoA and Rho kinase induced by TNF-α in primary human pulmonary microvascular ECs and its role in regulating EC responses to TNF-α. TNF-α induced a time-dependent activation of RhoA and Rho kinase in these ECs. TNF-α also induced activation of JNK that peaked at 15 min and lasted for at least 3 h. Inhibition of Rho kinase using a specific pharmacological inhibitor, Y27632, prevented TNF-α-induced early and late JNK activation. Inhibition of RhoA protein expression using small-interfering RNA, however, did not prevent TNF-α-induced Rho kinase activation or JNK activation. Studies using MAPK kinase 4 (MKK4) small-interfering RNA showed that MKK4 was not required for TNF-α-induced early JNK activation and that Rho kinase modulated early JNK activation through MKK4-independent mechanisms. Rho kinase, however, modulated TNF-α-induced late JNK activation mainly through MKK4-dependent mechanisms. Activation of Rho kinase was required for JNK-dependent IL-6 secretion induced by TNF-α. Moreover, inhibition of Rho kinase prevented TNF-α-induced cytoskeletal changes and permeability increases. Inhibition of JNK activation, however, did not prevent TNF-α-induced cytoskeletal changes, suggesting that Rho kinase did not modulate cytoskeletal changes through JNK activation. Therefore, Rho kinase plays important roles in EC responses to TNF-α by regulating permeability increases and JNK-dependent IL-6 production during pulmonary inflammation.
Targeting Immune Complex-Mediated Hypersensitivity with Recombinant Soluble Human FcγRIA (CD64A)
Authors: Ellsworth Jeff L. , Maurer Mark , Harder Brandon , Hamacher Nels , Lantry Megan , Lewis Kenneth B. , Rene Shirley , Byrnes-Blake Kelly , Underwood Sara , Waggie Kimberly S. , Visich Jennifer , Lewis Katherine E.
Published: April 2014

Binding of Ag-Ab immune complexes to cellular FcγR promotes cell activation, release of inflammatory mediators, and tissue destruction characteristic of autoimmune disease. To evaluate whether a soluble FcγR could block the proinflammatory effects of immune complexes, recombinant human (rh) versions of FcγRIA, FcγRIIA, and FcγRIIIA were prepared. Binding of rh-FcγRIA to IgG was of high affinity (KD = 1.7 × 10−10 M), whereas rh-FcγRIIA and rh-FcγRIIIA bound with low affinity (KD = 0.6–1.9 × 10−6 M). All rh-FcγR reduced immune complex precipitation, blocked complement-mediated lysis of Ab-sensitized RBC, and inhibited immune complex-mediated production of IL-6, IL-13, MCP-1, and TNF-α by cultured mast cells. Local or systemic delivery only of rh-FcγRIA, however, reduced edema and neutrophil infiltration in the cutaneous Arthus reaction in mice. 125I-labeled rh-FcγRIA was cleared from mouse blood with a rapid distribution phase followed by a slow elimination phase with a t1/2γ of ∼130 h. The highest percentage of injected radioactivity accumulated in blood ∼ liver ∼ carcass > kidney. s.c. dosing of rh-FcγRIA resulted in lower serum levels of inflammatory cytokines and prevented paw swelling and joint damage in a murine model of collagen Ab-induced arthritis. These data demonstrate that rh-FcγRIA is an effective inhibitor of type III hypersensitivity.
Prostaglandin E2 Mediates IL-1β-Related Fibroblast Mitogenic Effects in Acute Lung Injury through Differential Utilization of Prostanoid Receptors
Authors: White Kimberly E. , Ding Qiang , Moore Bethany B. , Peters-Golden Marc , Ware Lorraine B. , Matthay Michael A. , Olman Mitchell A.
Published: April 2014

The fibroproliferative response to acute lung injury (ALI) results in severe, persistent respiratory dysfunction. We have reported that IL-1β is elevated in pulmonary edema fluid in those with ALI and mediates an autocrine-acting, fibroblast mitogenic pathway. In this study, we examine the role of IL-1β-mediated induction of cyclooxygenase-2 and PGE2, and evaluate the significance of individual E prostanoid (EP) receptors in mediating the fibroproliferative effects of IL-1β in ALI. Blocking studies on human lung fibroblasts indicate that IL-1β is the major cyclooxygenase-2 mRNA and PGE2-inducing factor in pulmonary edema fluid and accounts for the differential PGE2 induction noted in samples from ALI patients. Surprisingly, we found that PGE2 produced by IL-1β-stimulated fibroblasts enhances fibroblast proliferation. Further studies revealed that the effect of fibroblast proliferation is biphasic, with the promitogenic effect of PGE2 noted at concentrations close to that detected in pulmonary edema fluid from ALI patients. The suppressive effects of PGE2 were mimicked by the EP2-selective receptor agonist, butaprost, by cAMP activation, and were lost in murine lung fibroblasts that lack EP2. Conversely, the promitogenic effects of mid-range concentrations of PGE2 were mimicked by the EP3-selective agent, sulprostone, by cAMP reduction, and lost upon inhibition of Gi-mediated signaling with pertussis toxin. Taken together, these data demonstrate that PGE2 can stimulate or inhibit fibroblast proliferation at clinically relevant concentrations, via preferential signaling through EP3 or EP2 receptors, respectively. Such mechanisms may drive the fibroproliferative response to ALI.
Memory CD8+ T Cell Responses Expand When Antigen Presentation Overcomes T Cell Self-Regulation
Authors: Cockburn Ian A. , Chakravarty Sumana , Overstreet Michael G. , García-Sastre Adolfo , Zavala Fidel
Published: April 2014

Antimicrobial memory CD8+ T cell responses are not readily expanded by either repeated infections or immunizations. This is a major obstacle to the development of T cell vaccines. Prime-boost immunization with heterologous microbes sharing the same CD8+ epitope can induce a large expansion of the CD8+ response; however, different vectors vary greatly in their ability to boost for reasons that are poorly understood. To investigate how efficient memory T cell expansion can occur, we evaluated immune regulatory events and Ag presentation after secondary immunization with strong and weak boosting vectors. We found that dendritic cells were essential for T cell boosting and that Ag presentation by these cells was regulated by cognate memory CD8+ T cells. When weak boosting vectors were used for secondary immunization, pre-established CD8+ T cells were able to effectively curtail Ag presentation, resulting in limited CD8+ T cell expansion. In contrast, a strong boosting vector, vaccinia virus, induced highly efficient Ag presentation that overcame regulation by cognate T cells and induced large numbers of memory CD8+ T cells to expand. Thus, efficient targeting of Ag to dendritic cells in the face of cognate immunity is an important requirement for T cell expansion.
The Crambinae from Ethiopia and Mozambique collected by the University of Molise expeditions in 2008 and 2009 (Lepidoptera: Pyraloidea: Crambidae, Crambinae)
Authors: Bassi G. , Trematerra P.
Published: April 2014

This study stems from samples of Crambinae specimens collected in Ethiopia and Mozambique by the University of Molise, Italy. A list species with their known distribution is given; Ancylolomia parentii Bassi, sp. n., Angustalius casandra Bassi, sp. n., Calamotropha dagamae Bassi, sp. n., Calamotropha virginiae Bassi, sp. n., and Crambus bellinii Bassi, sp. n. are described. The new synonymy Chrysocatharylla agraphellus (Hampson, 1919)=Chrysocatharylla fusca Bassi, 1999, syn. n. and Angustalius malacellus (Duponchel, 1936)=Crambus hapaliscus Zeller, 1852, syn. rev. are established. A lectotype for Crambus hapaliscus Zeller, 1852 is designated and the female genitalia of Ancylolomia melanothoracia Hampson, 1919 and Ancylolomia obscurella de Joannis, 1927 are illustrated for the first time.
Breast carcinoma in young females below the age of 40 years: A histopathological perspective
Authors: Thangjam Shitalmala , Laishram Rajesh Singh , Debnath Kaushik
Published: April 2014

Background: Breast cancer among young women is a rare pathology, but is known to have a more aggressive behavior and poorer outcome. Aims: The objective of this study was to evaluate the clinicopathological characteristics of breast carcinoma below 40 years in comparison to that over 40 years in Manipur, India. Settings and Design: This retrospective study from the period of January 2005-December 2010 was conducted in the Department of Pathology, Regional Institute of Medical Sciences, Imphal, Manipur. Materials and Methods: All cases of mastectomy specimens of carcinoma breast from the period of January 2005-December 2010 were included in the study. Clinical and histopathological data of all cases were reviewed and correlated. Results: A total of 507 mastectomy specimens were received, among which, 160 cases (31.56%) were below 40 years; whereas 347 cases (68.44%) were above 40 years of age. Stage III was the commonest stage (47% versus 18%) in the younger group; while in the older group, Stage II was the commonest (64% versus 34%). Conclusion: This study shows that young females with breast cancer have higher stage of tumor.
Evaluation of protective effect of myricetin, a bioflavonoid in dimethyl benzanthracene-induced breast cancer in female Wistar rats
Authors: Jayakumar J. K. , Nirmala P. , Kumar B.A. Praveen , Kumar Ashok P.
Published: April 2014

Background: Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers worldwide. Alarmingly, the incidence of breast cancer is rising rapidly in India. Aim: The present research was focused to assess the role of myricetin; a bioflavonoid in 7,12-dimethylbenzanthracene (DMBA)-induced breast cancer in female Wistar rats. Materials and Methods: A total of 36 female Wistar rats (total 6 groups, n = 6 per group) 6 - 8 weeks old, weighing 150 gm were used in the study. DMBA was given at the dose of 7.5 mg/kg subcutaneously in the mammary region once a week for 4 consecutive weeks in group 2. Vincristine was given in the dose of 500 μg/kg intraperitonially every week for 4 consecutive weeks in group 3. Myricetin was given orally in a dose of 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg in group 4, 5, and 6 respectively. The statistical significance of the data was determined using one way analysis of variance and Duncan’s multiple range test. Results: The result showed that myricetin increased the antioxidant levels in plasma, erythrocyte lysate, and breast tissue and was effective in preventing the oxidative damage induced by the carcinogen DMBA. Myricetin 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg/oral for 120 days treated animal resulted comparable results to that of standard vincristine and control groups. Conclusions: Myricetin was found to be either equieffective or more effective than vincristine in all the parameters studied. Myricetin proved the capacity of flavonols to act as antioxidant in cells represents a potential treatment in the field of oncology.
Technical Note: An empirical algorithm estimating dry deposition velocity of fine, coarse and giant particles
Authors: Zhang L. , He Z.
Published: April 2014

Abstract. An empirical algorithm is developed for calculating bulk dry deposition velocity (Vd) of fine (PM2.5) – particles having a diameter of ≤ 2.5 μm), coarse (PM2.5−10 – particles having a diameter of 2.5–10 μm), and giant (PM10+ – particles having a diameter of > 10 μm) atmospheric particles. The algorithm is developed from an empirical fit of Vd data calculated using the size-resolved Vd scheme of Zhang et al. (2001) with assumed lognormal size distributions of PM2.5, PM2.5−10 and PM10+. In the new algorithm, the surface deposition velocity (Vds) is parameterized as a simple linear function of friction velocity (u*) for PM2.5 and as a polynomial function of u* for both PM2.5−10 and PM10+ over all the 26 land use categories (LUCs). An adjustment factor as an exponential function of u* and leaf area index (LAI) is also applied to Vds of PM2.5−10 and PM10+ over 9 of the 26 LUCs that have variable LAI. Constant gravitational settling velocities are provided for PM2.5, PM2.5−10 and PM10+. Aerodynamic resistance between a reference height and the surface can be calculated using available analytical formulas from the literature. The bulk Vd of PM2.5, PM2.5−10 and PM10+ at the reference height can then be calculated by combining the gravitational settling velocity, aerodynamic resistance and the parameterized Vds. Vd values calculated using the new algorithm are within ±20% of those using the original size-resolved scheme for fine, coarse and giant particles. Uncertainties in Vd values from the new algorithm due to the pre-assumed size distributions are on the order of 20% for fine particles and on the order of a factor of 2.0 for coarse and giant particles. The new algorithm provides an alternative approach for calculating Vd of bulk aerosol particles. Vd of any particulate species can be simply estimated using this scheme as long as the mass fractions in fine, coarse and giant particles are known or can be assumed.
Reference quality upper-air measurements: GRUAN data processing for the Vaisala RS92 radiosonde
Authors: Dirksen R. J. , Sommer M. , Immler F. J. , Hurst D. F. , Kivi R. , Vömel H.
Published: April 2014

Abstract. The GCOS Reference Upper Air Network (GRUAN) data processing for the Vaisala RS92 radiosonde was developed to meet the criteria for reference measurements. These criteria stipulate the collection of metadata, the use of well-documented correction algorithms, and estimates of the measurement uncertainty. An important and novel aspect of the GRUAN processing is that the uncertainty estimates are vertically resolved. This paper describes the algorithms that are applied in version 2 of the GRUAN processing to correct for systematic errors in radiosonde measurements of pressure, temperature, humidity, and wind, as well as how the uncertainties related to these error sources are derived. An additional GRUAN requirement for performing reference measurements with the RS92 is that the manufacturer-prescribed procedure for the radiosonde's preparation, i.e., heated reconditioning of the sensors and recalibration during ground check, is followed. In the GRUAN processing however, the recalibration of the humidity sensors that is applied during ground check is removed. For the dominant error source, solar radiation, laboratory experiments were performed to investigate and model its effect on the RS92's temperature and humidity measurements. Daytime temperature profiles for GRUAN and Vaisala processing are comparable and consistent within the estimated uncertainty. GRUAN daytime humidity profiles are up to 15% moister than Vaisala processed profiles, of which two-thirds is due to the radiation dry bias correction, and one-third due to an additional calibration correction. GRUAN humidity profiles and those measured by frost point hygrometers (CFH and NOAA FPH) agree to within 15% in the troposphere.