bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of grass-red clover silage digestibility and concentrate protein concentration on performance, carcass value, eating quality and economy of finishing Hereford bulls reared in cold conditions
Authors: MANNINEN M. , HONKAVAARA M. , JAUHIAINEN L.
Published: September 2011

The aim of the present experiment was to study the effects of (1) digestibility of grass-red clover silage (GCS) and (2) concentrate protein concentration on the performance, eating quality and economy of Hereford bulls during a six months pre-slaughter period, and reared in cold indoor facilities. Thirty-one bulls with an initial live weight (LW) of 289 kg were selected for a 2 ~ 2 factorial design experiment consisting of two primary growth GCSs harvested at different maturities (in vitro digestible organic matter (OM) in dry matter (DM), D value: Early-cut, E, 750 g kg-1 DM; Late-cut, L, 699 g kg-1 DM) and two concentrate crude protein concentrations (Medium, M, 170 g kg-1 DM; High, H, 210 g kg-1 DM). The concentrate comprised milled barley and pelleted commercial protein compound and was offered daily on average 3.2 kg DM, including 0.45 and 1.13 kg of rapeseed cake in M and H, respectively. Grass-red clover silage was offered ad libitum. The target cold carcass weight was 330 kg.The proportion of concentrate of the total daily DM intake averaged 0.337 during the entire experiment. Treatments had no effect on the daily intake of GCS, total intake of DM, DM intake kg-1 LW0.75 and metabolizable energy averaging 6.0 and 9.4 kg DM, 97.4 g and 109.4 MJ, respectively. The digestibility of dietary OM and neutral detergent fibre was lower (p < 0.05, 0.733 vs. 0.769 and 0.625 vs. 0.665) on diet L than on diet E. The animals on diet E tended to consume daily on average 1.29 kg less (p < 0.10) DM kg-1 net weight gain than those on diet L. The time to achieve the target carcass weight was on average 18 days longer (p < 0.01) on diet L than on diet E. During the entire experiment the LW gain averaged 1795 and 1609 g d-1 (p < 0.01) on diets E and L, respectively. The concentrate protein concentration did not affect animal performance. Treatments had no significant effect on the kill-out proportion, EUROP carcass conformation and carcass fat classification which averaged 537 g kg-1, 6.5 and 3.6, respectively. The eating quality of the tested loins was good. Treatments had only a minor effect on the yield of valuable cuts. It is concluded that the digestibility of silage is important since the early-cut silage improved the growth rate and shortened the finishing period of bulls significantly compared with those fed late-cut silage. The lower yield and, thus, higher unit cost of early.cut silage may, however, invalidate its superiority compared with the late.cut silage. There was no benefit from using concentrate of high protein concentration.;
Biphasic Dose Response in Low Level Light Therapy – an Update
Authors: Huang Ying-Ying , Sharma Sulbha K , Carroll James , Hamblin Michael R
Published: September 2011

Low-level laser (light) therapy (LLLT) has been known since 1967 but still remains controversial due to incomplete understanding of the basic mechanisms and the selection of inappropriate dosimetric parameters that led to negative studies. The biphasic dose-response or Arndt-Schulz curve in LLLT has been shown both in vitro studies and in animal experiments. This review will provide an update to our previous ( Huang et al. 2009 ) coverage of this topic. In vitro mediators of LLLT such as adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and mitochondrial membrane potential show biphasic patterns, while others such as mitochondrial reactive oxygen species show a triphasic dose-response with two distinct peaks. The Janus nature of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that may act as a beneficial signaling molecule at low concentrations and a harmful cytotoxic agent at high concentrations, may partly explain the observed responses in vivo. Transcranial LLLT for traumatic brain injury (TBI) in mice shows a distinct biphasic pattern with peaks in beneficial neurological effects observed when the number of treatments is varied, and when the energy density of an individual treatment is varied. Further understanding of the extent to which biphasic dose responses apply in LLLT will be necessary to optimize clinical treatments.
In vitro assessment of the protection from oxidative stress by various fractions of Artemisia incisa Pamp.
Authors: Aziz-Ur-Rehman A , Gulzar Sehrish , Abbasi Muhammad , Shahzadi Tayyaba , Riaz Tauheeda , Siddiqui Sabahat , Ajaib Muhammad
Published: September 2011

The methanolic extract of Artemisia incisa Pamp. was dissolved in distilled
water and successively partitioned with n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate
and n-butanol. The antioxidant potential of all these fractions and remaining
aqueous fraction was evaluated by four methods, i.e., the scavenging activity
of the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH), the total antioxidant
activity, the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay and the ferric
thiocyanate assay. In addition, the total phenolics was determined. The
obtained results revealed that among the studied fractions the ethyl acetate
soluble fraction showed the most potent DPPH-radical scavenging activity with
an IC50 value of 5.3 ? 0.71 ?g mL-1, which is even more effective than the
standard antioxidant butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) (IC50 value 0f 12.1? 0.92
?g mL-1). The ethyl acetate fraction also showed the highest FRAP value
(3677.13 ? 27.1 ?g TE mL-1), inhibition of lipid peroxidation (60.93 ? 0.84 %
at 500 ?g mL-1) and total phenolic content (95.5 ? 0.05 ?g GAE g-1) as
compared to other fractions. However, the remaining aqueous fraction was
found to posses the highest antioxidant activity of all the fractions.
An ab initio study of the mechanism of formation of a silicic bis-heterocyclic compound from silylenesilylene (H2Si=Si:) and ethene
Authors: Lu Xiuhui , Shi Leyi , Li Yongqing , Wang Zhina
Published: September 2011

The mechanism of the cycloaddition reaction of the formation of a silicic bis-heterocyclic compound between singlet state silylenesilylene (H2Si=Si:) and ethene wasi investigated by the CCSD(T)//MP2/6-31G* method. From the potential energy profile, it can be predicted that the reaction has one dominant reaction pathway. The presented rule of the dominant reaction pathway is that the [2+2] cycloaddition effect of the two reactants leads to the formation of a four-membered ring silylene (INT1). When the four-membered ring silylene (INT1) interacts with ethene, due to sp3 hybridization of the Si: atom in four-membered ring silylene (INT1), the four-membered ring silylene (INT1) further combines with ethene to form a silicic bis-heterocyclic compound (P2).
Analysis of Leading Cities in Central Europe: Control of Regional Economy
Authors: Csomós György
Published: September 2011

Analysis of Leading Cities in Central Europe: Control of Regional Economy

Nowadays, one of the characteristic orientations in social science studies focusing on cities is the ranking of cities, as well as the definition of the world's leading cities (world cities, global cities) on the basis of various criteria. Central European countries are given just a minor role in these researches, particularly in comparison with German cities with their considerable economic performance. This analysis compares the large cities of Austria, Germany and the countries of the Visegrád Group in terms of their role in economic leadership. To this end, the characteristic parameters have been examined: the GDP in purchasing power standards and nominal GDP of the cities, the revenues of large companies found in these cities, as well as the domestic market capitalization of the stock exchanges.
Demographic Situation and the Level of Human Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan: Regional Aspects
Authors: Nyussupova Gulnara , Rodionova Irina
Published: September 2011

Demographic Situation and the Level of Human Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan: Regional Aspects

The objects of research are indicators of human development in Kazakhstan from the moment of independence acquisition by the republic until today. The subject of scientific research is spatial-existential patterns of socio-demographic processes as a key factor of human potential development in the Republic of Kazakhstan. The importance of scientific work is that the results permit to estimate the level of human development of the Republic of Kazakhstan on the basis of socio-demographic processes. For the first time the basic indicators defining human potential in Kazakhstan have been studied in detail and systematized. The aim of the work is to define the laws of the spatial organization of human potential and its basic spatial analyses of human development of Kazakhstan. The database, created with the help of ArcGIS, allows to monitor the changes of human development level, to analyze, estimate and manage human potential of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Changes in Population and Economy in Śląskie Voivodship in the Context of the Suburbanization Process
Authors: Runge Jerzy , Kłosowski Franciszek
Published: September 2011

Changes in Population and Economy in Śląskie Voivodship in the Context of the Suburbanization Process

This paper attempts to determine and describe suburbanization stages (especially in the context of political-economic transformations and population changes) and also, to verify classical models of urbanization stages as a system of concentric zones, basing on historical process of development of complex settlement systems of Katowice voivodship (according to the former administrative division), i.e., Katowice conurbation, Rybnik agglomeration, Bielsko-Biała agglomeration, and Częstochowa agglomeration. The analysis includes the population number and the balance of migration between 1975 and 2008, as well as the number of entities of national economy between 1995 and 2008. Every settlement system was divided into its core, such as the main city or a group of cities, and its surrounding area, comprising urban and rural municipalities directly neighbouring the core. The calculations included absolute single-base increments and chain increments.

The analysis showed that the historical processes of urbanization of the Śląskie voivodship reveal significant variations in the way they were shaped in comparison with model-based approaches included in the literature of the subject matter. The agglomeration of Częstochowa is the closest to the concentric model, consisting of urbanization, suburbanization and deurbanization, whereas the remaining settlement systems reveal bigger or smaller differences. Variations between analyzed settlement systems reveal themselves also in contemporary times. The rate of population growth and migration balances divide the systems into different stages of maturity of suburbanization. The earliest were discovered in the Katowice conurbation. As much as the rate of population changes and migration balances significantly differentiated the core areas in comparison with their surroundings, the differences were less obvious in the aspect of business growth rate. This results from the fact that the core areas still retain the majority of workplaces. An increase of business activity around the surrounding areas remains selective, both as to the kind and space, revealing somehow higher rate as far as the agglomeration of Bielsko-Biała is concerned.
Population of American Cities: 1950-2009
Authors: Wilczyński Witold , Wilczyński Piotr
Published: September 2011

Population of American Cities: 1950-2009

Contrary to the industrial epoch, cities have been interpreted in the last fifty years as the places facing the greatest economic and social problems. A contrasting view has emerged only recently that takes cities as sites of economic dynamism and social vitality. The paper offers evidence on population change for 118 greatest cities of the United States of America to assess how their fortunes have changed from the 1950s to 2009. Considerable diversity of experience was revealed and seven categories of cities have been distinguished as far as their population change patterns are concerned. These categories range from the continuous growth from 1950 until today to continuous decline. The most dynamic cities are located in the Sun Belt and they are relatively small and new.

On the opposite, the biggest and old industrial centres of the Rust Belt have been losing inhabitants. In general, the pattern of population change shows close relationship with the economic situation and in particular, is connected with the structural changes in society and economy, namely the structural shifts toward more services-oriented economy, and smaller households.

Essentially the paper offers the historical outline of the population changes in the biggest American urban centres. It should be seen as an introduction necessary for the more advanced studies concerning the issues of employment, incomes, ethnic composition, and various social problems which could explain the changing fortunes of particular cities.
Coccidian parasites (Apicomplexa) of penguins (Pygoscelis ssp.) from Livingston Island and King George Island, the Antarctic
Authors: Golemansky Vassil
Published: September 2011

Coccidian parasites (Apicomplexa) of penguins (Pygoscelis ssp.) from Livingston Island and King George Island, the Antarctic

The results of investigations on the coccidian parasites of three species of penguins (Pygoscelis antarctica, P. papua and P. adeliae), nesting at Livingston and King George Island (South Shetland Islands, the Antarctic) are presented. Three coccidian parasites: Eimeria pygosceli Golemansky, 2003, Eimeria sp. and Isospora sp. were identified in faecal samples from 360 examined birds. The total prevalence of coccidian parasites was high: about 35% in all of examined penguins. No host specificity was observed. It is attributed due to the close phylogenetic relations, common habitats and nesting territories, similar feeding and reproductive biology of the three penguin species. In more than 20 specimens of investigated penguins a high intensity of oocysts in their guano was observed (80-220 oocysts in one microscopic field at magnification of 150x) an indirect indication of the negative role of the coccidian infections on penguin populations.
The earliest fossil record of a medium-sized penguin
Authors: Jadwiszczak Piotr , Chapman Sandra
Published: September 2011

The earliest fossil record of a medium-sized penguin

The fossil record of Antarctic Sphenisciformes dates as early as the late Palaeocene Cross Valley Formation, Seymour Island, Antarctic Peninsula. However, the best known Antarctic locality for early penguin remains (mainly isolated bones) is the Eocene La Meseta Formation that outcrops in the northeast of Seymour Island. The analysis of an unstudied set of specimens collected there by members of the British Antarctic Survey in 1989 has resulted in identification of a distal humerus from the unit Telm3 (early Eocene) of the formation that is the oldest known bone attributable to a medium-sized (in the context of the entire Cainozoic era) penguin. This find suggests that the origin of these birds, in conjunction with an increase in taxonomic diversity of the Eocene Sphenisciformes, was related to the Early Eocene Climatic Optimum (EECO) or, more probably, the early phase of subsequent cooling.
Quick Personality Assessment Schedule (PAS-Q): Validation of a Brief Screening Test for Personality Disorders in a Population of Psychiatric Outpatients
Authors: Germans Sara , Van Heck Guus L. , Hodiamont Paul P.G.
Published: September 2011

Objective: The internal consistency, test–retest reliability, and validity of the Quick Personality Assessment Schedule (PAS-Q), as a screening instrument for personality disorders were studied in a random sample of 195 Dutch psychiatric outpatients, using the SCID-II as a gold standard.

Method: All patients were interviewed with the PAS-Q. With an interval of 1 to 2 weeks, they were interviewed with the SCID-II. Three weeks later the PAS-Q was re-administered.

Results: According to the SCID-II, 97 patients (50%) were suffering from a personality disorder. The PAS-Q correctly classified 81% of all participants. Sensitivity and specificity were 0.80 and 0.82, respectively.

Conclusion: The results provide evidence for the usefulness of the PAS-Q as a screening instrument for personality disorders in clinical populations.
Clozapine Use in Schizophrenia: Findings of the Research on Asia Psychotropic Prescription (REAP) Studies from 2001 to 2009
Authors: Xiang Yu-Tao , Wang Chuan-Yue , Si Tian-Mei , Lee Edwin H.M. , He Yan-Ling , Ungvari Gabor S. , Chiu Helen F.K. , Shinfuku Naotaka , Yang Shu-Yu , Chong Mian-Yoon , Kua Ee-Heok , Fujii Senta , Sim Kang , Yong Michael K.H. , Trivedi Jitendra K. , Chung Eun-Kee , Udomratn Pichet , Chee Kok-Yoon , Sartorius Norman , Dixon Lisa B. , Kreyenbuhl Julie A. , Tan Chay-Hoon
Published: September 2011

Objective: Optimizing treatment and outcomes for people with schizophrenia requires understanding of how evidence-based treatments are utilized. Clozapine is the most effective antipsychotic drug for treatment-refractory schizophrenia, but few studies have investigated trends and patterns of its use over time internationally. This study examined the prescription patterns of clozapine and its demographic and clinical correlates in Asia from 2001 to 2009.

Method: Clozapine prescriptions were collected in a sample of 6761 hospitalized schizophrenia patients in nine Asian countries and regions using a standardized protocol and data collection procedure.

Results: Overall, the proportion of patients receiving clozapine prescriptions was stable across the three surveys from 2001 to 2009, ranging from 14.5% to 15.9%. However, the rates and patterns observed within different regions and countries at each survey differed considerably. Clozapine use decreased significantly over time in China, while it increased in Korea and Singapore. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that patients taking clozapine were significantly younger, had a higher dose of antipsychotic drugs in chlorpromazine equivalents, were more likely to be female, had fewer extrapyramidal symptoms, and had more negative symptoms, admissions and weight gain in the past month than those not receiving clozapine.

Conclusion: The variability in overall rates and changes in prescription rates over time in these samples suggest that factors other than psychopharmacological principles play an important role in determining the use of clozapine in schizophrenia in Asia.
Self-Reported Exposure to Policy and Environmental Influences on Smoking Cessation and Relapse: A 2-Year Longitudinal Population-based Study
Authors: Nonnemaker James , Hersey James , Homsi Ghada , Busey Andrew , Hyland Andrew , Juster Harlan , Farrelly Matthew
Published: September 2011

Although most smokers want to quit, the long-term success rate of quit attempts remains low; research is needed to understand the policy and environmental influences that can increase the success of cessation efforts. This paper uses regression methods to investigate self-reported exposure to policy and environmental influences on quit attempts, maintenance of a quit attempt for at least 6 months, and relapse in a longitudinal population-based sample, the New York Adult Cohort Survey, followed for 12 months (N = 3,261) and 24 months (N = 1,142). When policy or environmental influence variables were assessed independently of other policy or environmental influence variables, many were significant for at least some of the cessation outcomes. In the full models that included a full set of policy or environmental influence variables, many significant associations became nonsignificant. A number of policies may have an influence on multiple cessation outcomes. However, the effect varies by cessation outcome, and statistical significance is influenced by model specification.
Integrated One-Pot Enrichment and Immobilization of Styrene Monooxygenase (StyA) Using SEPABEAD EC-EA and EC-Q1A Anion-Exchange Carriers
Authors: Ruinatscha Reto , Karande Rohan , Buehler Katja , Schmid Andreas
Published: September 2011

A straightforward one-pot procedure combining enrichment and immobilization of recombinantely expressed FADH2 dependent styrene monooxygenase (StyA) directly from Escherichia coli cell extracts was investigated. Sepabeads EC-EA and EC-Q1A anion-exchange carriers were employed to non-covalently adsorb StyA from the cell extracts depending on basic parameters such as varying initial protein concentrations and pH. The protein fraction of the cell extract contained around 25% StyA. At low initial protein concentrations (2.5 mg mL−1) and pH 6, the enzyme could be enriched up to 52.4% on Sepabeads EC-EA and up to 46.0% on Sepabeads EC-Q1A, accounting for an almost complete StyA adsorption from the cell extracts. Higher initial protein concentrations were necessary to exploit the high loading capacity of the beads. At 20 mg mL−1, up to 37.6% of the theoretical bead loading capacity could be utilized for StyA binding using Sepabeads EC-EA, and 34.0% using Sepabeads EC-Q1A. For both carriers, protein leakage under reaction conditions could be reduced to less than 2%. During assays, the FADH2 cofactor necessary for StyA activity was supplied by the NADH-FAD reductase component styrene monooxygenase B (StyB). StyA immobilized on Sepabeads EC-Q1A displayed twice as high styrene epoxidation rates (0.2 U mgStyA−1) as compared to Sepabeads EC-EA. This activity could be increased to 0.7 U mgStyA−1 by co-immobilizing StyB on Sepabeads EC-Q1A, which corresponds to 33% of the soluble StyA activity.
Bioassay-Directed Isolation of Active Compounds with Antiyeast Activity from a Cassia fistula Seed Extract
Authors: Jothy Subramanion L. , Zakaria Zuraini , Chen Yeng , Lau Yee Ling , Latha Lachimanan Yoga , Shin Lai Ngit , Sasidharan Sreenivasan
Published: September 2011

Background and objective: Cassia fistula L belongs to the family Leguminosae, and it is one of the most popular herbal products in tropical countries. C. fistula seeds have been used as a herbal medicine and have pharmacological activity which includes anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and antioxidant properties. The goal of this study was to identify compounds from C. fistula seeds which are responsible for anti-Candida albicans activity using bioassay-directed isolation. Results: The preliminary phytochemical screening of the plant seed revealed the presence of anthraquinones, flavonoids, saponins, tannins and terpenoids. The isolation of active compounds was carried out in four steps: multiple extractions, fractionation using column chromatography and purification using preparative thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS). The structure of separated compounds was determined on the basis of mass spectrometry data. One compound was identified is roseanone. Conclusions: The MS analysis on the active fraction from seed extract of C. fistula confirmed the presence of roseanone with antiyeast activity.
The Effect of Spirulina platensis versus Soybean on Insulin Resistance in HIV-Infected Patients: A Randomized Pilot Study
Authors: Marcel Azabji-Kenfack , Ekali Loni G. , Eugene Sobngwi , Arnold Onana E. , Sandrine Edie D. , Von der Weid Denis , Gbaguidi Emmanuel , Ngogang Jeanne , Mbanya Jean C.
Published: September 2011

HIV-infected patients develop abnormalities of glucose metabolism due to the virus and antiretroviral drugs. Spirulina and soybean are nutritional supplements that are cheap, accessible in our community and affect glucose metabolism. We carried out a randomized study to assess the effect of Spirulina platensis versus soybean as a food supplement on HIV/HAART-associated insulin resistance (IR) in 33 insulin-resistant HIV-infected patients. The study lasted for two months at the National Obesity Centre of Cameroon. Insulin resistance was measured using the short insulin tolerance test. Physical activity and diet did not change over the study duration. On-treatment analysis was used to analyze data. The Mann-Whitney U test, the Students T test and the Chi square test were used as appropriate. Curve gradients were analyzed using ANCOVA. Seventeen subjects were randomized to spirulina and 16 to soybean. Each received 19 g of supplement daily. The follow up rate was 65% vs. 100% for spirulina and soybean groups, respectively, and both groups were comparable at baseline. After eight weeks, insulin sensitivity (IS) increased by 224.7% vs. 60% in the spirulina and soybean groups respectively (p < 0.001). One hundred per cent vs. 69% of subjects on spirulina versus soybean, respectively, improved their IS (p = 0.049) with a 1.45 (1.05–2.02) chance of improving insulin sensitivity on spirulina. This pilot study suggests that insulin sensitivity in HIV patients improves more when spirulina rather than soybean is used as a nutritional supplement. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT01141777.
Deficiency in the 15 kDa Selenoprotein Inhibits Human Colon Cancer Cell Growth
Authors: Tsuji Petra A. , Naranjo-Suarez Salvador , Carlson Bradley A. , Tobe Ryuta , Yoo Min-Hyuk , Davis Cindy D.
Published: September 2011

Selenium is an essential micronutrient for humans and animals, and is thought to provide protection against some forms of cancer. These protective effects appear to be mediated, at least in part, through selenium-containing proteins (selenoproteins). Recent studies in a mouse colon cancer cell line have shown that the 15 kDa selenoprotein (Sep15) may also play a role in promoting colon cancer. The current study investigated whether the effects of reversing the cancer phenotype observed when Sep15 was removed in mouse colon cancer cells, were recapitulated in HCT116 and HT29 human colorectal carcinoma cells. Targeted down-regulation of Sep15 using RNAi technology in these human colon cancer cell lines resulted in similarly decreased growth under anchorage-dependent and anchorage-independent conditions. However, the magnitude of reduction in cell growth was much less than in the mouse colon cancer cell line investigated previously. Furthermore, changes in cell cycle distribution were observed, indicating a delayed release of Sep15 deficient cells from the G0/G1 phase after synchronization. The potential mechanism by which human colon cancer cells lacking Sep15 revert their cancer phenotype will need to be explored further.
A Surface Plasmon Resonance Sensor for the Detection of Deoxynivalenol Using a Molecularly Imprinted Polymer
Authors: Choi Sung-Wook , Chang Hyun-Joo , Lee Nari , Chun Hyang Sook
Published: September 2011

The aim of the present work was to investigate the feasibility of applying the molecular imprinting polymer technique to the detection of the mycotoxin deoxynivalenol (DON) using a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) transducer. A molecularly imprinted polypyrrole (MIPPy) film was prepared via electropolymerization of pyrrole onto a bare Au chip in the presence of a template DON molecule. Atomic force microscope SPR analysis showed that the MIPPy film was deposited homogeneously on the Au surface, with a thickness of 5 nm. The MIPPy–SPR sensor exhibited a linear response for the detection of DON in the range of 0.1–100 ng/mL (R2 = 0.988). The selectivity efficiency of the MIPPy film for DON and its acetylated analogs 3-ADON and 15-ADON was 100, 19, and 44%, respectively. The limit of detection for DON with the MIPPy–SPR for a standard solution was estimated at >1 ng/mL. These results suggest that the combination of SPR sensing with a MIPPy film as a synthetic receptor can be used to detect DON.
Sur l'expérience de la Résistance : cadre d'étude, outils et méthodes
Authors: Vast Cécile
Published: September 2011

Les grilles de lecture politiques, militaires ou institutionnelles suffisent-elles à appréhender la nature de l’événement que fut la Résistance ? L’expérience de la Résistance modèle en effet une identité singulière. L’étude s’attache à en reconstituer les moments, les lieux, les acteurs et les composantes. Elle s’adosse au cadre formé par l’ensemble des mouvements non communistes de la Zone sud, regrou-pés début 1943 dans les Mouvements unis de résistance.
Macrophages at the Fetal–Maternal Interface Express Markers of Alternative Activation and Are Induced by M-CSF and IL-10
Authors: Svensson Judit , Jenmalm Maria C. , Matussek Andreas , Geffers Robert , Berg Göran , Ernerudh Jan
Published: September 2011

During pregnancy, the maternal immune system is challenged by the presence of the fetus, which must be tolerated despite being semiallogeneic. Uterine mucosal (or decidual) macrophages (Mϕ), one of the major leukocyte populations at the fetal–maternal interface, have been implicated in fetal tolerance, but information regarding their regulation is scarce. In this study, we investigated the role of several factors potentially involved in the differentiation and polarization of decidual Mϕ with an in vitro Mϕ differentiation model. By using flow cytometry, we showed that M-CSF and IL-10 were potent inducers of M2 (immunoregulatory) Mϕ markers expressed on human decidual Mϕ (CD14, CD163, CD206, CD209). In contrast, proinflammatory stimuli, and unexpectedly also the Th2-associated IL-4 and IL-13, induced different patterns of expression, indicating that a Th2-dominated environment is not required for decidual Mϕ polarization. M-CSF/IL-10–stimulated and decidual Mϕ also showed similar cytokine secretion patterns, with production of IL-10 as well as IL-6, TNF, and CCL4. Conversely, the proinflammatory, LPS/IFN-γ–stimulated Mϕ produced significantly higher levels of TNF and no IL-10. We also used a gene array with 420 Mϕ-related genes, of which 100 were previously reported to be regulated in a global gene expression profiling of decidual Mϕ, confirming that M-CSF/IL-10–induced Mϕ are closely related to decidual Mϕ. Taken together, our results consistently point to a central role for M-CSF and in particular IL-10 in the shaping of decidual Mϕ with regulatory properties. These cytokines may therefore play an important role in supporting the homeostatic and tolerant immune milieu required for a successful pregnancy.
Selenite Induces Posttranscriptional Blockade of HLA-E Expression and Sensitizes Tumor Cells to CD94/NKG2A-Positive NK Cells
Authors: Enqvist Monika , Nilsonne Gustav , Hammarfjord Oscar , Wallin Robert P. A. , Björkström Niklas K. , Björnstedt Mikael , Hjerpe Anders , Ljunggren Hans-Gustaf , Dobra Katalin , Malmberg Karl-Johan , Carlsten Mattias
Published: September 2011

CD94/NKG2A is an inhibitory receptor that controls the activity of a large proportion of human NK cells following interactions with the nonclassical HLA class Ib molecule HLA-E expressed on target cells. In this study, we show that selenite (SeO32−), an inorganic selenium compound, induces an almost complete loss of cell surface expression of HLA-E on tumor cells of various origins. Selenite abrogated the HLA-E expression at a posttranscriptional level, since selenite exposure led to a dose-dependent decrease in cellular HLA-E protein expression whereas the mRNA levels remained intact. The loss of HLA-E expression following selenite treatment was associated with decreased levels of intracellular free thiols in the tumor cells, suggesting that the reduced HLA-E protein synthesis was caused by oxidative stress. Indeed, HLA-E expression and the level of free thiols remained intact following treatment with selenomethionine, a selenium compound that does not generate oxidative stress. Loss of HLA-E expression, but not of total HLA class I expression, on tumor cells resulted in increased susceptibility to CD94/NK group 2A-positive NK cells. Our results suggest that selenite may be used to potentiate the anti-tumor cytotoxicity in settings of NK cell-based immunotherapies.
Functional CD8 T Cell Memory Responding to Persistent Latent Infection Is Maintained for Life
Authors: Lang Anna , Nikolich-Žugich Janko
Published: September 2011

Aging is associated with depressed naive T cell responses, but it is less clear whether T cell memory established early in life also becomes impaired with age. This is particularly important for T cells responding to latent persistent infection, which need to remain functional and capable of controlling the infection over the lifetime; however, repeated stimulation over the lifetime may dysregulate their maintenance or function, potentially contributing to impaired immunity in the elderly. Systemic infection with HSV-1, a persistent latent virus, is associated with memory inflation of virus-specific CD8 T cells. We tested how these inflated memory cells are maintained from adulthood into old age. We found no significant differences in the numbers (i.e., blood, spleen), ex vivo Ag-specific IFN-γ production, and in vivo recall response to HSV-1 (i.e., proliferation, IFN-γ production, cytolysis) between adult and old memory T cells. There was a discrete shift from dominantly effector memory phenotype in the adults to a central memory-like phenotype in the old mice, with fewer old cells expressing the killer cell lectin-like receptor G1 (KLRG1). Adult and old KLRG1+ memory CD8 T cells were functionally identical: both produced IFN-γ but could minimally proliferate in response to viral challenge. Interestingly, regardless of age, KLRG1+ cells retained the ability to proliferate and survive in response to homeostatic signals, both in vitro (culture with IL-7 and IL-15) and in vivo (expansion following transfer into lymphopenic recipients). This finding demonstrates that functional effector memory T cells, including those expressing KLRG-1, are maintained and are functional for life, despite the presence of persistent viral infection.
Experimental Arthritis Triggers Periodontal Disease in Mice: Involvement of TNF-α and the Oral Microbiota
Authors: Queiroz-Junior Celso Martins , Madeira Mila Fernandes Moreira , Coelho Fernanda Matos , Costa Vivian Vasconcelos , Bessoni Rafaela Leal Costa , Sousa Larissa Fonseca da Cunha , Garlet Gustavo Pompermaier , Souza Danielle da Glória de , Teixeira Mauro Martins , Silva Tarcília Aparecida da
Published: September 2011

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and periodontal disease (PD) are prevalent chronic inflammatory disorders that affect bone structures. Individuals with RA are more likely to experience PD, but how disease in joints could induce PD remains unknown. This study aimed to experimentally mimic clinical parameters of RA-induced PD and to provide mechanistic findings to explain this association. Chronic Ag-induced arthritis (AIA) was triggered by injection of methylated BSA in the knee joint of immunized mice. Anti–TNF-α was used to assess the role of this cytokine. Intra-articular challenge induced infiltration of cells, synovial hyperplasia, bone resorption, proteoglycan loss, and increased expression of cytokines exclusively in challenged joints. Simultaneously, AIA resulted in severe alveolar bone loss, migration of osteoclasts, and release of proinflammatory cytokines in maxillae. Anti–TNF-α therapy prevented the development of both AIA and PD. AIA did not modify bacterial counts in the oral cavity. PD, but not AIA, induced by injection of Ag in immunized mice was decreased by local treatment with antiseptic, which decreased the oral microbiota. AIA was associated with an increase in serum C-reactive protein levels and the expression of the transcription factors RORγ and Foxp3 in cervical lymph nodes. There were higher titers of anti-collagen I IgG, and splenocytes were more responsive to collagen I in AIA mice. In conclusion, AIA-induced PD was dependent on TNF-α and the oral microbiota. Moreover, PD was associated with changes in expression of lymphocyte transcription factors, presence of anti-collagen Abs, and increased reactivity to autoantigens.
Electrochemical Response of Platinum Ultrathin Layer Formed by Pulsed Laser Deposition
Authors: Ito Takeshi , Kaneko Satoru , Kunimatsu Masayuki , Hirabayashi Yasuo , Soga Masayasu , Suzuki Koji
Published: September 2011

Ultrathin layer of platinum (ULPt) was deposited on glassy carbon (GC) substrate by using pulsed laser deposition (PLD) method, and electrochemical properties of the ULPt were discussed. The deposition was simply performed at room temperature with short deposition time. Atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy images showed the flat surface of the ULPt. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) characterized the ULPt in the Pt(0) state, and biding energy of ULPt was positively shifted. These results indicated that nanostructure of Pt thin layer was formed. The electrochemical activity of the prepared ULPt on GC substrate was superior to a bulk Pt electrode regarding the potential and the magnitude of current on oxidizing hydrogen peroxide. This fast and easily prepared low-cost electrode had the potential to replace a conventional bulk metal electrode.
The Transformative Power of Narrative in Second Language Teacher Education
Authors: JOHNSON KAREN E. , GOLOMBEK PAULA R.
Published: September 2011

Within the field of second language teacher education (SLTE), narrative has largely functioned as a vehicle for teacher inquiry, based on the assumption that such inquiry will ultimately bring about productive change in teachers and their teaching practices. Less attention has been paid to documenting what this change looks like or how engagement in narrative activities fosters teacher professional development. From a Vygotskian sociocultural theoretical perspective, we argue that the transformative power of narrative lies in its ability to ignite cognitive processes that can foster teacher professional development. We tease out the complex ways in which narrative functions as a mediational tool—narrative as externalization, verbalization, and systematic examination—in fostering teacher professional development, and we highlight the interplay between these functions by tracing teacher professional development in two teacher‐authored narrative inquiries. We then turn to the centrality of narrative as a vehicle for teacher inquiry in transforming the field of SLTE itself. Specifically, we highlight various outlets, in both center and periphery contexts, where the products of teachers' narrative activities are functioning as a tool for knowledge‐building and professional development practices that are working in consort to transform the professional landscape that constitutes the field of SLTE.
Black carbon aerosol mixing state, organic aerosols and aerosol optical properties over the United Kingdom
Authors: McMeeking G. R. , Morgan W. T. , Flynn M. , Highwood E. J. , Turnbull K. , Haywood J. , Coe H.
Published: September 2011

Abstract. Black carbon (BC) aerosols absorb sunlight thereby leading to a positive radiative forcing and a warming of climate and can also impact human health through their impact on the respiratory system. The state of mixing of BC with other aerosol species, particularly the degree of internal/external mixing, has been highlighted as a major uncertainty in assessing its radiative forcing and hence its climate impact, but few in situ observations of mixing state exist. We present airborne single particle soot photometer (SP2) measurements of refractory BC (rBC) mass concentrations and mixing state coupled with aerosol composition and optical properties measured in urban plumes and regional pollution over the United Kingdom. All data were obtained using instrumentation flown on the UK's BAe-146-301 large Atmospheric Research Aircraft (ARA) operated by the Facility for Airborne Atmospheric Measurements (FAAM). We measured sub-micron aerosol composition using an aerosol mass spectrometer (AMS) and used positive matrix factorization to separate hydrocarbon-like (HOA) and oxygenated organic aerosols (OOA). We found a higher number fraction of thickly coated rBC particles in air masses with large OOA relative to HOA, higher ozone-to-nitrogen oxides (NOx) ratios and large concentrations of total sub-micron aerosol mass relative to rBC mass concentrations. The more ozone- and OOA-rich air masses were associated with transport from continental Europe, while plumes from UK cities had higher HOA and NOx and fewer thickly coated rBC particles. We did not observe any significant change in the rBC mass absorption efficiency calculated from rBC mass and light absorption coefficients measured by a particle soot absorption photometer despite observing significant changes in aerosol composition and rBC mixing state. The contributions of light scattering and absorption to total extinction (quantified by the single scattering albedo; SSA) did change for different air masses, with lower SSA observed in urban plumes compared to regional aerosol (0.85 versus 0.9–0.95). We attribute these differences to the presence of relatively rapidly formed secondary aerosol, primarily OOA and ammonium nitrate, which must be taken into account in radiative forcing calculations.
Similarities between extreme events in the solar-terrestrial system by means of nonextensivity
Authors: Balasis G. , Papadimitriou C. , Daglis I. A. , Anastasiadis A. , Sandberg I. , Eftaxias K.
Published: September 2011

Abstract. The dynamics of complex systems are founded on universal principles that can be used to describe disparate problems ranging from particle physics to economies of societies. A corollary is that transferring ideas and results from investigators in hitherto disparate areas will cross-fertilize and lead to important new results. In this contribution, we investigate the existence of a universal behavior, if any, in solar flares, magnetic storms, earthquakes and pre-seismic electromagnetic (EM) emissions, extending the work recently published by Balasis et al. (2011a). A common characteristic in the dynamics of the above-mentioned phenomena is that their energy release is basically fragmentary, i.e. the associated events are being composed of elementary building blocks. By analogy with earthquakes, the magnitude of the magnetic storms, solar flares and pre-seismic EM emissions can be appropriately defined. Then the key question we can ask in the frame of complexity is whether the magnitude distribution of earthquakes, magnetic storms, solar flares and pre-fracture EM emissions obeys the same law. We show that these apparently different extreme events, which occur in the solar-terrestrial system, follow the same energy distribution function. The latter was originally derived for earthquake dynamics in the framework of nonextensive Tsallis statistics.
Combinatorial One‐Pot Synthesis of Poly‐N‐acetyllactosamine Oligosaccharides with Leloir‐Glycosyltransferases
Authors: Rech Claudia , Rosencrantz Ruben R. , Křenek Karel , Pelantová Helena , Bojarová Pavla , Römer Christiane E. , Hanisch Franz‐Georg , Křen Vladimír , Elling Lothar
Published: September 2011

Poly‐N‐acetyllactosamine (Poly‐LacNAc, [3Galβ1,4GlcNAcβ1]n) glycans play an essential role in carbohydrate‐protein interactions. The synthesis of poly‐LacNAc, both chemical and enzymatic, is typically characterized by high losses of product during sequential synthesis, due to deprotection and/or purification steps. In this work we present a one‐pot synthesis of poly‐LacNAc oligosaccharides by combining recombinant glycosyltransferases. By fractionation of the poly‐LacNAc glycan mixture we were able to isolate glycans with up to six N‐acetyllactosamine (LacNAc) units. Activity measurements of the involved recombinant β1,4‐galactosyltransferase‐1 (β4GalT‐1) and β1,3‐N‐acetylglucosaminyltransferase (β3GlcNAcT) with isolated glycan substrates of up to eight sugar units revealed a preference of β3GlcNAcT for the tetrasaccharide and no preference of β4GalT‐1 for a specific glycan length. These findings led us to the optimization of combinatorial one‐pot synthesis by variation of substrate and enzyme ratios, as well as starting the synthesis with various poly‐LacNAc chain lengths. Consequently, we present here an optimized poly‐LacNAc synthesis by the combination of two glycosyltransferases and a uridine‐diphospho‐glucose/N‐acetylglucosamine 4′‐epimerase as one‐pot strategy resulting in long poly‐LacNAc glycans with up to six LacNAc units in high yields while minimizing reaction time and product loss. The obtained products are important ligands for the biofunctionalization of biomaterial surfaces and the construction of an artificial extracellular matrix for tissue engineering.
Effects of the glass bead content and the surface treatment on the mechanical properties of polypropylene composites
Authors: Liang J. Z. , Wu C. B.
Published: September 2011

Polypropylene composites filled with glass beads (GBs) were prepared by means of a twin‐screw extruder. The tensile properties and impact‐fracture strength of the composites were measured at room temperature to identify the effects of the GB content and surface treatment on the mechanical properties. The results show that the relative elastic modulus increased nonlinearly, whereas the tensile strength decreased with increasing GB volume fraction (ϕf). The notched impact strength increased with increasing ϕf when ϕf was less than 11%, and then, it decreased; this might have been related to the GB aggregation in the case of higher concentration. The mechanical properties of the composite systems in which the GB surface was treated with silane coupling agent were better than those of the composite systems filled with the untreated GBs under the same conditions. Furthermore, the impact‐fractured surfaces were observed with a scanning electron microscope to understand the interfacial morphology between the inclusion and the matrix and to examine the toughening mechanisms. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
A study on the curing kinetics of epoxycyclohexyl polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes and hydrogenated carboxylated nitrile rubber by dynamic differential scanning calorimetry
Authors: Liu Qing , Ren Wentan , Zhang Yong , Zhang Yinxi
Published: September 2011

A new organic–inorganic hybrid material was prepared through reactive blending of hydrogenated carboxylated nitrile rubber (HXNBR) with epoxycyclohexyl polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (epoxycyclohexyl POSS). The structure of the composite was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and solid‐state 13C Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectra (solid‐state 13C‐NMR). The differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) at different heating rates was conducted to investigate the curing kinetics. A single overall curing process by an nth‐order function (1 − α)n was considered, and multiple‐heating‐rate models (Kissinger, Flynn–Wall–Ozawa, and Crane methods) and the single‐heating‐rate model were employed. The apparent activation energy (Ea) obtained showed dependence on the POSS content and the heating rate (β). The overall reaction order n was practically constant and close to 1. The isoconversion Flynn–Wall–Ozawa method was also performed and fit well in the study. With the single‐heating‐rate model, the average Ea for the compound with a certain POSS content, 66.90–104.13 kJ/mol was greater than that obtained with Kissinger and Flynn–Wall–Ozawa methods. Furthermore, the calculated reaction rate (dα/dt) versus temperature curves fit with the experimental data. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Impact, thermal, and morphological properties of functionalized rubber toughened‐poly(ethylene terephthalate) nanocomposites
Authors: Lim S. R. , Chow W.S.
Published: September 2011

In this study, poly(ethylene terephthalate)/organo‐montmorillonite (PET/OMMT) nanocomposites were melt‐compounded using twin screw extruder followed by injection molding. Maleic anhydride grafted styrene‐ethylene/butylene‐styrene (SEBS‐g‐MAH) was used to improve the impact properties of the PET/OMMT nanocomposites. The notched and un‐notched impact strength of PET/OMMT nanocomposites increased at about 2.5 times and 5.5 times by the addition of 5 wt % of SEBS‐g‐MAH. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) scans were taken from the polished surface of both PET/OMMT and SEBS‐g‐MAH toughened PET/OMMT nanocomposites. The addition of SEBS‐g‐MAH altered the phase structure and clay dispersion in PET matrix. It was found that some of the OMMT silicate layers were encapsulated by SEBS‐g‐MAH. Further, the addition of SEBS‐g‐MAH decreased the degree of crystallinity of the PET/OMMT nanocomposites. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012