bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Foxp3-positive macrophages display immunosuppressive properties and promote tumor growth
Authors: Zorro Manrique Soraya , Duque Correa Maria Adelaida , Hoelzinger Dominique B. , Dominguez Ana Lucia , Mirza Noweeda , Lin Hsi-Hsien , Stein-Streilein Joan , Gordon Siamon , Lustgarten Joseph
Published: June 2011

Regulatory T cells (T reg cells) are characterized by the expression of the forkhead lineage-specific transcription factor Foxp3, and their main function is to suppress T cells. While evaluating T reg cells, we identified a population of Foxp3-positive cells that were CD11b+F4/80+CD68+, indicating macrophage origin. These cells were observed in spleen, lymph nodes, bone marrow, thymus, liver, and other tissues of naive animals. To characterize this subpopulation of macrophages, we devised a strategy to purify CD11b+F4/80+Foxp3+ macrophages using Foxp3-GFP mice. Analysis of CD11b+F4/80+Foxp3+ macrophage function indicated that these cells inhibited the proliferation of T cells, whereas Foxp3− macrophages did not. Suppression of T cell proliferation was mediated through soluble factors. Foxp3− macrophages acquired Foxp3 expression after activation, which conferred inhibitory properties that were indistinguishable from natural Foxp3+ macrophages. The cytokine and transcriptional profiles of Foxp3+ macrophages were distinct from those of Foxp3− macrophages, indicating that these cells have different biological functions. Functional in vivo analyses indicated that CD11b+F4/80+Foxp3+ macrophages are important in tumor promotion and the induction of T reg cell conversion. For the first time, these studies demonstrate the existence of a distinct subpopulation of naturally occurring macrophage regulatory cells in which expression of Foxp3 correlates with suppressive function.
Relationships between resting conductances, excitability, and t-system ionic homeostasis in skeletal muscle
Authors: Fraser James A. , Huang Christopher L.-H. , Pedersen Thomas H.
Published: June 2011

Activation of skeletal muscle fibers requires rapid sarcolemmal action potential (AP) conduction to ensure uniform excitation along the fiber length, as well as successful tubular excitation to initiate excitation–contraction coupling. In our companion paper in this issue, Pedersen et al. (2011. J. Gen. Physiol. doi:10.1085/jgp.201010510) quantify, for subthreshold stimuli, the influence upon both surface conduction velocity and tubular (t)-system excitation of the large changes in resting membrane conductance (GM) that occur during repetitive AP firing. The present work extends the analysis by developing a multi-compartment modification of the charge–difference model of Fraser and Huang to provide a quantitative description of the conduction velocity of actively propagated APs; the influence of voltage-gated ion channels within the t-system; the influence of t-system APs on ionic homeostasis within the t-system; the influence of t-system ion concentration changes on membrane potentials; and the influence of Phase I and Phase II GM changes on these relationships. Passive conduction properties of the novel model agreed with established linear circuit analysis and previous experimental results, while key simulations of AP firing were tested against focused experimental microelectrode measurements of membrane potential. This study thereby first quantified the effects of the t-system luminal resistance and voltage-gated Na+ channel density on surface AP propagation and the resultant electrical response of the t-system. Second, it demonstrated the influence of GM changes during repetitive AP firing upon surface and t-system excitability. Third, it showed that significant K+ accumulation occurs within the t-system during repetitive AP firing and produces a baseline depolarization of the surface membrane potential. Finally, it indicated that GM changes during repetitive AP firing significantly influence both t-system K+ accumulation and its influence on the resting membrane potential. Thus, the present study emerges with a quantitative description of the changes in membrane potential, excitability, and t-system ionic homeostasis that occur during repetitive AP firing in skeletal muscle.
Analytical model to predict the effect of a finite impedance surface on the propagation properties of 2D Sonic Crystals
Authors: Romero-García V , Sánchez-Pérez J V , Garcia-Raffi L M
Published: June 2011

The use of sonic crystals (SCs) as environmental noise barriers has certain advantages from both the acoustical and the constructive points of view with regard to conventional ones. However, the interaction between the SCs and the ground has not been studied yet. In this work we are reporting a semi-analytical model, based on the multiple scattering theory and on the method of images, to study this interaction considering the ground as a finite impedance surface. The results obtained here show that this model could be used to design more effective noise barriers based on SCs because the excess attenuation of the ground could be modelled in order to improve the attenuation properties of the array of scatterers. The results are compared with experimental data and numerical predictions thus finding good agreement between them.
Effects of alagebrium, an advanced glycation endproduct breaker, on exercise tolerance and cardiac function in patients with chronic heart failure
Authors: Hartog Jasper W.L. , Willemsen Suzan , van Veldhuisen Dirk J. , Posma Jan L. , van Wijk Leen M. , Hummel Yoran M. , Hillege Hans L. , Voors Adriaan A. ,   for the BENEFICIAL investigators
Published: June 2011

Aims

Advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs) have been associated with the development and progression of chronic heart failure (CHF). Advanced glycation endproducts‐crosslink breakers might be of benefit in HF, but only small‐scale and uncontrolled data are available. Our aim was to conduct a prospective, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study to examine the effects of the AGE‐breaker alagebrium on exercise capacity and cardiac function in patients with HF.

Methods and results

One hundred and two patients with HF (78% male, aged 62 ± 11 years), and a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤0.45, were randomized to either 200 mg alagebrium twice daily or placebo. After 36 weeks, the primary efficacy end‐point peak VO2 had changed by (mean ± SEM) −2.1 ± 0.5 mL/min/kg in alagebrium vs. −0.5 ± 0.7 mL/min/kg in placebo‐treated patients (P= 0.06). No significant changes were observed in a number of secondary end‐points, including diastolic function (mean E′: P= 0.32; E/E′: P= 0.81), systolic function (LVEF: P= 0.43), AGE accumulation (skin‐autofluorescence: P= 0.42), N‐terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide, P= 0.20); New York Heart Association functional class (P= 0.73), patient global assessment (P= 0.32), physicians global assessment (P= 0.76), and the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire score (P= 0.38). Overall alagebrium was reasonably well tolerated.

Conclusion

In the present proof‐of‐concept study, the AGE‐breaker alagebrium did not improve exercise tolerance in patients with HF and systolic dysfunction, and no changes were observed in a number of secondary endpoints. The present data therefore do not support earlier data which suggested a beneficial effect of alagebrium in systolic HF.

Clinical Trial Registration Information: NCT00516646 (http://clinicaltrials.gov)
Resistance of Closely Mown Fine Fescue and Bentgrass Species to Snow Mold Pathogens
Authors: Gregos Jeff , Casler M. D. , Stier J. C.
Published: June 2011

Creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera) is the primary species used on golf courses in temperate regions but requires prophylactic fungicide treatment to prevent snow mold diseases. We hypothesized that fine fescues (Festuca spp.) and colonial bentgrass (A. capillaris) have superior resistance to snow mold diseases compared with creeping bentgrass. Our objective was to compare the resistance of fine fescues, colonial bentgrass, and creeping bentgrass to snow mold diseases caused by Microdochium nivale and Typhula spp. Field plots were established in two separate years on fairways of three golf courses in Wisconsin to encompass the geographic distribution of snow mold pathogens. The experimental design was a split-split-split plot arrangement with three replications. Whole plots were pathogen species, host genus were subplots, host cultivars were sub-subplots, and inoculated versus noninoculated treatments were sub-sub-subplots. Plots were visually evaluated each spring for disease, turf quality, and Poa annua infestation. Data were analyzed using planned contrasts. Inoculation effects depended on pathogen type and location. Creeping bentgrass always had the most snow mold damage. Fine fescues had less snow mold damage than colonial bentgrass except for one year–location but did not provide acceptable year-long turf quality due to P. annua invasion.
Aureitalea marina gen. nov., sp. nov., a member of the family Flavobacteriaceae, isolated from seawater
Authors: Park Sanghwa , Yoshizawa Susumu , Inomata Kentaro , Kogure Kazuhiro , Yokota Akira
Published: June 2011

An irregular rod-shaped, non-gliding, yellow-pigmented bacterium was isolated from seawater from the western North Pacific Ocean near Japan. The strain, designated S1-66T, was Gram-negative, obligately aerobic, heterotrophic and oxidase-positive. Growth occurred in the presence of 1–4 % NaCl, with optimum growth at 2 % NaCl. The strain grew at 15–30 °C, with optimum growth at 20–25 °C. The G+C content of genomic DNA was 48.1 mol% (HPLC). The predominant isoprenoid quinone was MK-6 and the major cellular fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0(26.4 %), iso-C15 : 1(20.3 %) and iso-C17 : 03-OH (14.2 %). Phylogenetic trees generated by using 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain S1-66Tbelongs to the familyFlavobacteriaceaeand showed 94.2 % sequence similarity to the most closely related type strain,Ulvibacter antarcticusIMCC3101T. On the basis of phenotypic and phylogenetic features, S1-66Tis classified in a novel genus and species within the familyFlavobacteriaceae, for which the nameAureitalea marinagen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain ofAureitalea marinais S1-66T( = NBRC 107741T = KCTC 23434T).
Ruegeria halocynthiae sp. nov., isolated from the sea squirt Halocynthia roretzi
Authors: Kim Young-Ok , Park Sooyeon , Nam Bo-Hye , Kang So-Jung , Hur Young Baek , Lee Sang-Jun , Oh Tae-Kwang , Yoon Jung-Hoon
Published: June 2011

A Gram-negative, non-motile, rod-shaped bacterial strain, designated MA1-6T, was isolated from a sea squirt (Halocynthia roretzi) collected from the South Sea, Korea, and was characterized to determine its taxonomic position. Strain MA1-6T grew optimally at pH 7.0–8.0, at 30 °C and in the presence of 2–3 % (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain MA1-6T fell within the clade comprising

Ruegeria

species and exhibited 95.3–96.5 % similarity to the type strains of recognized

Ruegeria

species. Strain MA1-6T contained Q-10 as the predominant ubiquinone and C18 : 1ω7c as the major fatty acid, which is consistent with data for

Ruegeria

species. The major polar lipids detected in strain MA1-6T and

Ruegeria atlantica

KCTC 12424T were phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylglycerol, an unidentified aminolipid and an unidentified lipid. The DNA G+C content of strain MA1-6T was 58.6 mol%. Differential phenotypic properties, together with phylogenetic distinctiveness, demonstrated that strain MA1-6T can be distinguished from recognized

Ruegeria

species. On the basis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic data, strain MA1-6T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus

Ruegeria

, for which the name Ruegeria halocynthiae sp. nov. is proposed; the type strain is MA1-6T ( = KCTC 23463T = CCUG 60744T).
‘Candidatus Phytoplasma sudamericanum’, a novel taxon, and strain PassWB-Br4, a new subgroup 16SrIII-V phytoplasma, from diseased passion fruit (Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa Deg.)
Authors: Davis Robert E. , Zhao Yan , Dally Ellen L. , Jomantiene Rasa , Lee Ing-Ming , Wei Wei , Kitajima Elliot W.
Published: June 2011

Symptoms of abnormal proliferation of shoots resulting in formation of witches’-broom growths were observed on diseased plants of passion fruit (Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa Deg.) in Brazil. RFLP analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences amplified in PCRs containing template DNAs extracted from diseased plants collected in Bonito (Pernambuco) and Viçosa (Minas Gerais) Brazil, indicated that such symptoms were associated with infections by two mutually distinct phytoplasmas. One phytoplasma, PassWB-Br4 from Bonito, represents a new subgroup, 16SrIII-V, in the X-disease phytoplasma group (‘Candidatus Phytoplasma pruni’-related strains). The second phytoplasma, PassWB-Br3 from Viçosa, represents a previously undescribed subgroup in group 16SrVI. Phylogenetic analyses of 16S rRNA gene sequences were consistent with the hypothesis that strain PassWB-Br3 is distinct from previously described ‘Ca.
Phytoplasma
’ species. Nucleotide sequence alignments revealed that strain PassWB-Br3 shared less than 97.5 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with previously described ‘Ca.
Phytoplasma
’ species. The unique properties of its DNA, in addition to natural host and geographical occurrence, support the recognition of strain PassWB-Br3 as a representative of a novel taxon, ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma sudamericanum’.
Light History Influences the Response of the Marine CyanobacteriumSynechococcussp. WH7803 to Oxidative Stress
Authors: Blot Nicolas , Mella-Flores Daniella , Six Christophe , Le Corguillé Gildas , Boutte Christophe , Peyrat Anne , Monnier Annabelle , Ratin Morgane , Gourvil Priscillia , Campbell Douglas A. , Garczarek Laurence
Published: June 2011

Marine Synechococcus undergo a wide range of environmental stressors, especially high and variable irradiance, which may induce oxidative stress through the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). While light and ROS could act synergistically on the impairment of photosynthesis, inducing photodamage and inhibiting photosystem II repair, acclimation to high irradiance is also thought to confer resistance to other stressors. To identify the respective roles of light and ROS in the photoinhibition process and detect a possible light-driven tolerance to oxidative stress, we compared the photophysiological and transcriptomic responses of Synechococcus sp. WH7803 acclimated to low light (LL) or high light (HL) to oxidative stress, induced by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) or methylviologen. While photosynthetic activity was much more affected in HL than in LL cells, only HL cells were able to recover growth and photosynthesis after the addition of 25 μm H2O2. Depending upon light conditions and H2O2 concentration, the latter oxidizing agent induced photosystem II inactivation through both direct damage to the reaction centers and inhibition of its repair cycle. Although the global transcriptome response appeared similar in LL and HL cells, some processes were specifically induced in HL cells that seemingly helped them withstand oxidative stress, including enhancement of photoprotection and ROS detoxification, repair of ROS-driven damage, and regulation of redox state. Detection of putative LexA binding sites allowed the identification of the putative LexA regulon, which was down-regulated in HL compared with LL cells but up-regulated by oxidative stress under both growth irradiances.
Altering Trehalose-6-Phosphate Content in Transgenic Potato Tubers Affects Tuber Growth and Alters Responsiveness to Hormones during Sprouting
Authors: Debast Stefan , Nunes-Nesi Adriano , Hajirezaei Mohammad R. , Hofmann Jörg , Sonnewald Uwe , Fernie Alisdair R. , Börnke Frederik
Published: June 2011

Trehalose-6-phosphate (T6P) is a signaling metabolite that regulates carbon metabolism, developmental processes, and growth in plants. In Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), T6P signaling is, at least in part, mediated through inhibition of the SNF1-related protein kinase SnRK1. To investigate the role of T6P signaling in a heterotrophic, starch-accumulating storage organ, transgenic potato (Solanum tuberosum) plants with altered T6P levels specifically in their tubers were generated. Transgenic lines with elevated T6P levels (B33-TPS, expressing Escherichia coli osmoregulatory trehalose synthesis A [OtsA], which encodes a T6P synthase) displayed reduced starch content, decreased ATP contents, and increased respiration rate diagnostic for high metabolic activity. On the other hand, lines with significantly reduced T6P (B33-TPP, expressing E. coli OtsB, which encodes a T6P phosphatase) showed accumulation of soluble carbohydrates, hexose phosphates, and ATP, no change in starch when calculated on a fresh weight basis, and a strongly reduced tuber yield. [14C]Glucose feeding to transgenic tubers indicated that carbon partitioning between starch and soluble carbohydrates was not altered. Transcriptional profiling of B33-TPP tubers revealed that target genes of SnRK1 were strongly up-regulated and that T6P inhibited potato tuber SnRK1 activity in vitro. Among the SnRK1 target genes in B33-TPP tubers, those involved in the promotion of cell proliferation and growth were down-regulated, while an inhibitor of cell cycle progression was up-regulated. T6P-accumulating tubers were strongly delayed in sprouting, while those with reduced T6P sprouted earlier than the wild type. Early sprouting of B33-TPP tubers correlated with a reduced abscisic acid content. Collectively, our data indicate that T6P plays an important role for potato tuber growth.
Alcohol use, heavy episodic drinking and subsequent problems among adolescents in 23 European countries: does the prevention paradox apply?
Authors: Danielsson Anna‐Karin , Wennberg Peter , Hibell Björn , Romelsjö Anders
Published: June 2011

Aims  According to the prevention paradox, a majority of alcohol‐related problems in a population can be attributed to low to moderate drinkers simply because they are more numerous than heavy drinkers, who have a higher individual risk of adverse outcomes. We examined the prevention paradox in annual alcohol consumption, heavy episodic drinking (HED) and alcohol‐related problems among adolescents in 23 European countries.

Design and setting  Survey data from the 2007 European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Drugs (ESPAD) among 16‐year‐old students were analysed.

Participants  A total of 38 370 alcohol‐consuming adolescents (19 936 boys and 18 434 girls) from 23 European countries were included.

Measurements  The upper 10% and the bottom 90% of drinkers by annual alcohol intake, with or without HED, and frequency of HED, were compared for the distribution of 10 different alcohol‐related problems.

Findings  Although the mean levels of consumption and alcohol‐related problems varied largely between genders and countries, in almost all countries the heavy episodic drinkers in the bottom 90% of consumers by volume accounted for most alcohol‐related problems, irrespective of severity of problem. However, adolescents with three or more occasions of HED a month accounted for a majority of problems.

Conclusions  The prevention paradox, based on measures of annual consumption and heavy episodic drinking, seems valid for adolescent European boys and girls. However, a minority with frequent heavy episodic drinking accounted for a large proportion of all problems, illustrating limitations of the concept. As heavy episodic drinking is common among adolescents, our results support general prevention initiatives combined with targeted interventions.
The large‐scale dynamics of grain‐size variation in alluvial basins, 2: Application to syntectonic conglomerate
Authors: Heller Paul L. , Paola Chris
Published: June 2011

The concept of‘syntectonic’ conglomerate is based on the idea that gravel progradation is mainly generated by an increase in tectonic uplift and erosion of a source area with attendant increase in sediment flux supplied to a basin. However, other mechanisms, such as changes in basin subsidence rates, sorting of supplied sediment, and capability of transporting streams, can also lead to progradation and be difficult to distinguish from a syntectonic origin. Here we use our previously developed model to help understand the origin of gravel progradation in three Neogene alluvial basins ‐ the Bermejo Basin of Argentina, the Himalayan Foreland Basin, and the San Pedro Basin of southern Arizona ‐ all of which have available high‐resolution magnetostratigraphy. Interpretation of the origin of gravel progradation in these basins begins with calculation of basin equilibrium time, which is the time‐scale required for the streams to reach a steady‐state profile, assuming constant conditions.

We then compare the time‐scale of the observed changes in the basin with the equilibrium time to determine if and how the model can be applied to the stratigraphic record. Most of the changes we have studied occur on time scales longer than the equilibrium time (‘slow variations’), in which case the key to interpretation is the relationship between overall grain‐size change and sedimentation rate in vertical sections.

Of the three examples studied only one, the Bermejo Basin, is consistent with the traditional model of syntectonic progradation. Overall progradation in the two other basins is most consistent with a long‐term reduction in basin subsidence rates. In addition, short‐term variation in diffusivity or sediment flux, probably climatically driven, is the most likely control of small‐scale progradation of gravel tongues in the San Pedro Basin. These results, along with observations from other basins, suggest that subsidence is clearly an important control on clastic progradation on ‘slow’ time scales (i.e. generally a million years or more). If subsidence rates are directly linked to tectonic events, then subsidence‐driven progradation marks times of tectonic quiescence and is clearly not syntectonic in the traditional sense.

These examples show that the model can be useful in interpreting the rock record, particularly when combined with other traditional basin‐analysis techniques. In particular, our results can be used to help discriminate between clastic progradation due to tectonic origin and progradation resulting from other mechanisms in alluvial basins.
Late Quaternary evolution of the Madeira Abyssal Plain, Canary Basin, NE Atlantic
Authors: Rothwell R. G. , Pearce T. J. , Weaver P. P. E.
Published: June 2011

The deepest part of the Canary Basin, the Madeira Abyssal Plain, receives allochthonous sediments derived from a large drainage basin which, if its subaerial continuation is included, covers an area of 3.36 times 106 km2. An international research effort over the last 10 years has recovered over 160 sediment cores from the plain, and the development of a high‐resolution stratigraphy has enabled individual turbidites to be correlated layer by layer. Sedimentation on the Madeira Abyssal Plain during the late Quaternary is dominated by thick turbidite muds separated by thin pelagic intervals. The core density has allowed the mapping of each sedimentary unit throughout the abyssal plain, thus building up a layer by layer picture of sediment accumulation. Over the last 300 kyr, 600 km3 of turbidites compared to 60 km3 of pelagic sediments have been deposited on the plain. Sedimentary structures developed in the coarse basal facies of the larger turbidites are more complex than simple models predict due to surging flows, fluctuating flow velocities and reflection from adjacent high ground. Over the last 300 kyr, there has been a switching of entry points for turbidity currents entering the abyssal plain. From 300 ka to 200 ka, organic‐rich turbidites were emplaced predominantly from the south but around 200 ka this source switched off and subsequent organic‐ and volcanic‐rich turbidites, which included units deposited by giant, possibly hyperconcentrated flows, were emplaced from northern or eastern sources. Although restricted to the late Quaternary, the data presented provides a detailed case study of the evolution of an oceanic basin fill.
Approach to reticulate hyperpigmentation
Authors: Vachiramon V.
Published: June 2011

Reticulate hyperpigmentation is a feature of a number of conditions, which differ in age of onset and distribution of the lesions. Associated clinical findings (e.g. hair, nail, teeth, systemic involvement), are used to differentiate between the conditions. Histopathological examination is useful in some disorders. Diagnosing the disorders is important, because the underlying causes may be treatable, and some of the disorders are associated with malignancies and life-threatening systemic involvement. In this review, I present a concise, systematic approach to the treatment of the patient with reticulate hyperpigmentation.
A geostatistical two‐phase sampling strategy to map soil heavy metal concentrations in a former war zone
Authors: Meerschman E. , Cockx L. , Van Meirvenne M.
Published: June 2011

In a recent paper it was concluded that an enrichment of copper (Cu) content by 6 mg kg−1dry mass in the soil around Ypres (Belgium) was a legacy of shelling during the First World War. This conclusion was based on a regional database of the entire province of West‐Flanders (3144 km2) containing a limited number of soil samples in the war zone. Shells partly consisted of an alloy of Cu and zinc (Zn), and shrapnel balls were made out of lead (Pb). We expanded the database with a two‐phase sampling design, each of 100 samples, in the war zone surrounding Ypres (640 km2) to (i) increase the detail of the inventory and (ii) expand the database to include Cu, Pb and Zn. This article focuses on the geostatistical selection of additional sampling locations. As the enrichment was spatially continuous and our aim was to map accurately over the range of values, rather than to delineate the enriched area, conventional selection criteria based on the probability of exceeding a critical threshold were not suitable. Therefore the sampling locations were optimized using a combination of selection criteria based on the kriging variance, the conditional variance and the conditional coefficient of variation obtained with sequential Gaussian simulation. A jackknife validation with 102 independent observations indicated the improvement after each phase. Additionally, the local uncertainty maps tended to show reduced values and a more homogenous pattern as additional samples were added. In an overview of the final prediction maps for Cu, Pb and Zn it is clear that those for Cu and Pb reflect the position of the main front line.
From exploratory data analysis to geostatistical estimation: examples from the analysis of soil pollutants
Authors: De Fouquet C.
Published: June 2011

Data collected during sampling of the soils of former industrial waste lands are rarely scrutinized closely. However, exploratory analysis is an essential stage, allowing, inter alia, the detection of possible heterogeneities on the site, examination of the vertical variation in concentrations and detection of possible gaps in the survey. If available and identified, duplicated measurements can be used to characterize the magnitude of measurement errors. Subsequent spatial analyses with variograms aim to characterize and to quantify the spatial variability. For hydrocarbon pollution in soils, the spatial variability at small distances is very large and results in large uncertainties in the estimates. In this context, the usefulness and the limitation of linear estimation (kriging) are reviewed and illustrated. When mapping polluted zones defined by a quality threshold, such as a regulatory limit on acceptable concentrations, the kriged concentration map can be combined with the associated kriging standard deviation map to identify areas in which the uncertainties make it impossible to decide whether concentrations are greater or smaller than the quality threshold. Examples of exploratory and variogram analysis are given, followed by linear estimation of concentrations and comparison with a threshold, using data on hydrocarbon pollutants.
The influence of diel period on fish assemblage in the unstructured littoral of reservoirs
Authors: ŘÍHA M. , KUBEČKA J. , PRCHALOVÁ M. , MRKVIČKA T. , ČECH M. , DRAŠTÍK V. , FROUZOVÁ J. , HOHAUSOVÁ E. , JŮZA T. , KRATOCHVÍL M. , PETERKA J. , TUŠER M. , VAŠEK M.
Published: June 2011

Abstract  Diel changes in littoral fish assemblage were studied in four reservoirs in the Czech Republic (Central Europe). The sampling was performed by beach seining in an unstructured littoral zone. Perch, Perca fluviatilis L., roach, Rutilus rutilus (L.), bream, Abramis brama (L.), carp, Cyprinus carpio L., ruffe, Gymnocephalus cernua (L.), pikeperch, Sander lucioperca (L.), eel, Anguilla anguilla (L.) and A. brama × R. rutilus hybrids exhibited higher densities at night. Only bleak, Alburnus alburnus (L.) exhibited higher densities during the day. The number of species was higher in night hauls, and mean body size of roach and bleak was also higher at night. Diel changes in fish densities resulted in the change in species composition between day and night. The study has implication for the sampling design to assess littoral fish assemblages using beach seine netting and recommends night sampling for a representative assessment or sampling during both diel periods for a robust assessment.
Impact of trehalose, sucrose and/or maltodextrin addition on aroma retention in freeze dried strawberry puree
Authors: Galmarini Mara V. , van Baren Catalina , Zamora María C. , Chirife Jorge , Di Leo Lira Paola , Bandoni Arnaldo
Published: June 2011

Trehalose was studied as a drying aid to establish its impact on aroma retention in freeze dried strawberry puree. The evaluation was done by sensory analysis and headspace‐solid phase microextraction‐gas chromatography with a mass detector (HS‐SPME‐GC‐MS); results were compared with those obtained using sucrose and maltodextrin (MD) as drying aids. The carbohydrate used significantly modified the type and concentration of volatiles retained during freeze drying. HS‐SPME‐GC‐MS outcomes showed that the use of trehalose (alone or with MD) resulted in the product with the chromatographic profile most similar to fresh strawberry puree, being different from sucrose and MD. Meanwhile, sensory analysis showed a similarity with the aromatic profiles when using trehalose or sucrose, remaining both different from MD. This study proved that the use of trehalose as a drying aid can be beneficial on volatile aroma retention and that different combinations of organic volatiles can lead to similar sensory profiles.
Optimisation of drying conditions for the extraction of β‐carotene, phenolic and ascorbic acid content from yellow‐fleshed sweet potato using response surface methodology
Authors: Ahmed Maruf , Akter Mst. Sorifa , Eun Jong‐Bang
Published: June 2011

The objective of this study was to optimise drying conditions for the extractions of β‐carotene, phenolic and ascorbic content from yellow‐fleshed sweet potato using response surface methodology. A face‐centred cubic was used to investigate the effects of three independent variables namely drying temperature 55–65 °C, citric acid concentration 1–3%w/v and soaking time 1–3 min. The optimal conditions for parameters were 55–62 °C, citric acid concentration 1.08–2.19% and soaking time 1.53–2.00 min. Under the above mentioned conditions, the experimental β‐carotene content was 14.61 mg g−1, total phenolic and ascorbic acid content were 4.0 and 17.53 mg g−1, respectively, which were close to the predicted values. Therefore, the results showed that optimise conditions could be used to enhance the antioxidant activities of functional foods.
iNKT Cell Frequency in Peripheral Blood of Caucasian Children and Adolescent: The Absolute iNKT Cell Count is Stable from Birth to Adulthood
Authors: Bienemann K. , Iouannidou K. , Schoenberg K. , Krux F. , Reuther S. , Feyen O. , Bienemann K. , Schuster F. , Uhrberg M. , Laws H.‐J. , Borkhardt A.
Published: June 2011

Human invariant natural killer T cells (iNKT cells) are a unique population of T cells that express a semi‐invariantly rearranged T cell receptor (TCR) and are involved in a variety of immunoregulatory processes. We assessed the frequency of peripheral blood iNKT cells in 64 healthy Caucasian children from 7 months to 18 years of age and five cord blood samples by flow cytometry. iNKT cells were measured as CD3+cells co‐expressing TCRVα24 and TCRVβ11 and using the monoclonal antibody 6B11, which recognizes specifically their invariant TCR rearrangement. The absolute number of iNKT cells ranged from 86 to 10,499 (CD3+/TCRVα24+/ TCRVβ11+) and 233 to 11,167 (CD3+/6B11+) iNKT cells per millilitre of blood. This range is stable from birth to adulthood. The relative iNKT cell count was found to be 0.003–0.71% (CD3+/TCRVα24/TCRVβ11) and 0.019–0.776% (CD3/6B11) of peripheral blood T cells and shows only a slight increase with age.
Resistin is Associated with Breach of Tolerance and Anti‐nuclear Antibodies in Patients with Hepatobiliary Inflammation
Authors: Boström E. A. , Ekstedt M. , Kechagias S. , Sjöwall C. , Bokarewa M. I. , Almer S.
Published: June 2011

Resistin is a cysteine‐rich protein, which is abundantly expressed at the site of inflammation, and acts as a regulator of the NF‐kB‐dependent cytokine cascade. The aim of this study was to evaluate resistin levels in relation to inflammatory mediators, disease phenotype and autoantibody status in a spectrum of pathological conditions of the gastrointestinal tract. Resistin levels were measured with an ELISA in sera originated from 227 patients and 40 healthy controls (HC). Fifty patients diagnosed with non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), 53 ulcerative colitis (UC), 51 Crohn’s disease (CD), 46 autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) and 27 primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) were included. The sera were analysed with respect to biochemical parameters of systemic inflammation and liver function and to the presence of antibodies to nuclear antigens (ANA), mitochondria (AMA) and smooth muscle (SMA). Compared with HC, resistin levels were raised in AIH (P = 0.017) and PSC (P = 0.03); compared with NAFLD, levels were elevated in CD (P = 0.041), AIH (P < 0.001) and PSC (P < 0.001). Patients with elevated levels of resistin were more often treated with corticosteroids, but no difference was found between active disease and clinical remission. Resistin levels were significantly higher in ANA‐positive individuals compared with ANA‐negative (P = 0.025). Resistin levels were directly correlated with IL‐6 (r = 0.30, P = 0.02) and IL‐8 (r = 0.51, P < 0.001). Elevated levels of resistin were prominent in patients with hepatobiliary inflammation and were associated with breach of self‐tolerance, i.e. ANA positivity. Thus, we propose that resistin may be an important marker of disease severity in autoantibody‐mediated gastrointestinal inflammatory diseases.
Somatic Mosaicism Caused by Monoallelic Reversion of a Mutation in T Cells of a Patient with ADA‐SCID and the Effects of Enzyme Replacement Therapy on the Revertant Phenotype
Authors: Moncada‐Vélez M. , Vélez‐Ortega A. , Orrego J. , Santisteban I. , Jagadeesh J. , Olivares M. , Olaya N. , Hershfield M. , Candotti F. , Franco J.
Published: June 2011

Patients with adenosine deaminase (ADA) deficiency exhibit spontaneous and partial clinical remission associated with somatic reversion of inherited mutations. We report a child with severe combined immunodeficiency (T‐B‐ SCID) due to ADA deficiency diagnosed at the age of 1 month, whose lymphocyte counts including CD4+ and CD8+ T and NK cells began to improve after several months with normalization of ADA activity in Peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL), as a result of somatic mosaicism caused by monoallelic reversion of the causative mutation in the ADA gene. He was not eligible for haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) or gene therapy (GT); therefore he was placed on enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) with bovine PEG‐ADA. The follow‐up of metabolic and immunologic responses to ERT included gradual improvement in ADA activity in erythrocytes and transient expansion of most lymphocyte subsets, followed by gradual stabilization of CD4+ and CD8+ T (with naïve phenotype) and NK cells, and sustained expansion of TCRγδ+ T cells. This was accompanied by the disappearance of the revertant T cells as shown by DNA sequencing from PBL. Although the patient’s clinical condition improved marginally, he later developed a germinal cell tumour and eventually died at the age of 67 months from sepsis. This case adds to our current knowledge of spontaneous reversion of mutations in ADA deficiency and shows that the effects of the ERT may vary among these patients, suggesting that it could depend on the cell and type in which the somatic mosaicism is established upon reversion.
Drug use and HIV in West Africa: a neglected epidemic
Authors: Raguin Gilles , Lepretre Annie , Ba Idrissa , Ndoye Ibrahim , Toufik Abdalla , Brucker Gilles , Girard Pierre‐Marie
Published: June 2011

Injecting drug use is poorly documented in West Africa. HIV prevalence studies are still rare. Recent studies show that drug injection is on the rise. There is an urgent need to take this component of the HIV epidemic into account and to establish adapted intervention strategies.
The increase in allergy and extended challenges
Authors: Linneberg A.
Published: June 2011

To cite this article: Linneberg A. The increase in allergy and extended challenges. Allergy 2011; 66 (Suppl. 95):1–3.

The prevalence of allergic diseases shows a well‐documented increase in developed countries over several decades. Currently, 20–25% of European adults are affected. Westernisation, urbanisation, and affluence contribute to allergy development, so allergy is expected to increase in developing countries in the future. Identifying primary causes, developing new therapies, and increasing treatment access may interrupt the allergic epidemic.
Effect of parasite infection on allergic disease
Authors: Capron M.
Published: June 2011

To cite this article: Capron M. The effect of parasite infection on allergic disease. Allergy 2011; 66 (Suppl. 95): 16–18.

Vertebrates and helminths have co‐evolved for 500 million years, developing mutual adaptation mechanisms between parasites and hosts. Today, however, helminth diseases are among the most neglected communicable diseases. Epidemiological evidence shows that exposure to helminth parasites is inversely correlated with allergy incidence, and helminths induce immune hyporeactivity in both the innate and adaptive systems. The mechanisms include parasite‐derived regulatory molecules, the study of which opens new avenues for the control of allergic and autoimmune diseases.
Mechanisms of immunotherapy and surrogate markers
Authors: Till S.
Published: June 2011

To cite this article: Till S. Mechanisms of immunotherapy and surrogate markers. Allergy 2011; 66 (Suppl. 95): 25–27.

Understanding mechanisms of inducible antigen‐specific tolerance will improve immunotherapy and reveal the most relevant biomarkers for objectively measuring response to immunotherapy in clinical trials and routine practice. Various physiological and laboratory parameters are proposed as biomarkers of an immunological response to vaccines, although their surrogacy for clinical end points is unproven. Examples of physiological biomarkers include suppression of allergen‐induced early‐ and late‐phase responses. Laboratory biomarkers include increases in bioactive allergen‐specific IgG and IgA levels and T‐cell interleukin (IL)‐10 production. There is a continuing unmet need for biomarkers that will allow prediction of treatment efficacy and assist in monitoring the response after starting therapy or postwithdrawal.
The role of IgG antibodies in allergy and immunotherapy
Authors: Aalberse R.
Published: June 2011

To cite this article: Aalberse R. The role of IgG antibodies in allergy and immunotherapy. Allergy 2011; 66 (Suppl. 95): 28–30.

In specific immunotherapy (SIT), a beneficial response is associated with an increase in allergen‐specific IgG4. This does not indicate that IgE‐producing B cells have switched to IgG4 production, because in human DNA, IgE is downstream from IgG4. Thus, by conventional switching, B cells should produce IgG4 before IgE. This presentation discusses three possible hypotheses explaining the favourable association between IgG4 and SIT, including that SIT causes B cells to become regulatory. Regulatory B cells may produce cytokines like IL‐10 that promote IgG4 production. IgG4 can undergo in vitro switching to create bispecific antibodies that recognize more than one antigen, which has important consequences for reducing IgE–allergen complexes in immunotherapy.
Provocation tests as measure of efficacy and dosage
Authors: de Blay F.
Published: June 2011

To cite this article: de Blay F. Provocation tests as measure of efficacy and dosage. Allergy 2011; 66 (Suppl. 95): 47–49.

Provocation and challenge tests have been used to understand the pathobiology of asthma, to facilitate diagnosis and to assess therapeutic efficacy and dosage. Current challenge tests expose the patient to ‘natural conditions’, for example, in an allergen chamber. For determining drug efficacy in asthma, allergen challenge has a moderate positive predictive value and an excellent negative predictive value. The best challenge tests are standardized, and the best bronchial challenge tests use a large allergen particle size. Allergen provocation tests are safe when performed by experienced investigators.
Sustained effects of grass pollen AIT
Authors: Durham S. R. ,   on behalf of the GT‐08 investigators
Published: June 2011

To cite this article: Durham SR, on behalf of the GT‐08 investigators. Sustained effects of grass pollen AIT. Allergy 2011; 66 (Suppl. 95): 50–52.

We report the sustained efficacy of the SQ‐standardized grass allergy immunotherapy tablet Grazax® (Phleum pratense 75 000 SQ‐T/2,800 BAU, ALK, Denmark) from a 5‐year randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled phase III trial. Adults with moderate‐to‐severe grass pollen allergy inadequately controlled by symptomatic medications were followed for 2 years after the completion of 3 years of treatment. The active group demonstrated a 31% reduction in median rhinoconjunctivitis symptom score over the season compared with placebo. Individual symptom scores favoured active treatment. Combined symptom and medication scores demonstrated a 33% reduction in medians with active treatment. Persistent clinical efficacy was accompanied by prolonged increases in allergen‐specific IgG4 antibodies and IgE‐blocking factor, confirming clinical and immunological tolerance for at least 2 years after the treatment completion. No safety issues were identified during follow‐up.
Tolerability and efficacy of house dust mite AIT
Authors: Mosbech H.
Published: June 2011

To cite this article: Mosbech H. Tolerability and efficacy of house dust mite AIT. Allergy 2011; 66 (Suppl. 95): 55–56.

Sublingual immunotherapy based on grass pollen allergy immunotherapy tablets is an efficacious and well‐tolerated treatment for rhinoconjunctivitis, and subcutaneous house dust mite (HDM) immunotherapy is effective against allergic asthma. Three studies have investigated a new ALK tablet for HDM allergy: two studies on tolerability in adults and children, and one on efficacy and safety in adults and adolescents with asthma. Treatment was well tolerated, mainly with mild‐to‐moderate local reactions pertaining to the administration site, such as temporary oral pruritus. The primary efficacy endpoint was a significant reduction in inhaled corticosteroid dose compared to baseline after 1 year of daily treatment. A positive therapeutic effect on asthma was demonstrated by a reduction of more than 80 μg/day inhaled budesonide for a group receiving six developmental units daily compared to the placebo group.
Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis after renal transplantation
Authors: Shimizu Akira , Higo Seiichiro , Fujita Emiko , Mii Akiko , Kaneko Tomohiro
Published: June 2011

Shimizu A, Higo S, Fujita E, Mii A, Kaneko T. Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis after renal transplantation. Clin Transplant 2011: 25 (Suppl. 23): 6–14. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Abstract:  Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is a clinicopathologic syndrome of proteinuria, usually of nephrotic range, associated with focal and segmental sclerotic glomerular lesions. Therefore, FSGS is diagnosed by clinical features and histopathological examination of renal biopsy. The natural history of the condition varies, and although it may respond to treatment, FSGS is an important disease in the etiology of end‐stage renal disease (ESRD). Furthermore, after kidney transplantation, approximately 30% of patients with FSGS develop recurrent FSGS. The risk factors for recurrence of FSGS include childhood onset and age <15 yr, rapid progression of the primary FSGS to ESRD, recurrence of FSGS in a previous allograft, diffuse mesangial hypercellularity in the native kidney, collapsing FSGS, and podocin gene mutation. In addition, after kidney transplantation, de novo FSGS also develops in approximately 10–20% of allografts, associated with a complication of hyperfiltration injury, chronic transplant glomerulopathy, and calcineurin inhibitor toxicity. FSGS is considered a podocyte disease, and the pathology is characterized by segmental FSGS lesion with glomerular epithelial hypercellularity. The pathological diagnosis of FSGS is based on the 2004 Columbia classification system. In the present minireview, we discuss the pathology of recurrence and de novo FSGS after kidney transplantation.
A case of tacrolimus‐associated thrombotic microangiopathy after ABO‐blood‐type‐incompatible renal transplantation
Authors: Takeda Asami , Ohtsuka Yasuhiro , Horike Keij , Inaguma Daizyo , Goto Norihiko , Watarai Yoshihiko , Uchida Kazuharu , Morozumi Kunio
Published: June 2011

Takeda A, Ohtsuka Y, Horike K, Inaguma D, Goto N, Watarai Y, Uchida K, Morozumi K. A case of tacrolimus‐associated thrombotic microangiopathy after ABO‐blood‐type‐incompatible renal transplantation. Clin Transplant 2011: 25 (Suppl. 23): 15–18. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Abstract:  De novo thrombotic microangiopathy(TMA) is most commonly triggered by calcineurin inhibitors (CNI) and the prognosis is less severe than with recurrent TMA. However, it is difficult to distinguish de novo TMA from CNI toxicity and acute antibody‐mediated rejection(AMR) soon after renal transplantation. We present a case of tacrolimus‐associated TMA soon after ABO blood type incompatible renal transplantation that was difficult to differentiate from acute AMR. On day 9 his urine output decreased dramatically and the Scr level increased. His anti‐blood type A antibody titer increased to ×16 postopratively and the tacrolimus trough level was higher than in our immunosuppressive regimen. Although we gave priority to anti‐AMR treatment, adequate dose adjustment of tacrolimus after tacrolimus nephrotoxicity was diagnosed from graft biopsy could correct allograft dysfunction.