bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Connectivity Practices and Activity of Greek Political Blogs
Authors: Zafiropoulos Kostas
Published: August 2012

This paper uses Social Network Analysis indexes to study Greek political blogs. The indexes describe bloggers’ community recommendations, centrality and bloggers’ attempt to form spheres of influence. Five Social Network Analysis indexes are used: incoming links, normalized betweenness, outgoing links, number of 1-cliques a blog belongs to, and size of blog’s ego-network. By recording 127 Greek political blogs, the paper finds that there are two distinct blog performance properties regarding connectivity: Only a few blogs serve as authority blogs having many incoming links and centrality, while a few others try to expand their influence territory by having many outgoing links and forming larger 1-cliques and ego-networks. Next, the paper associates the proposed indexes with blogs’ and users’ community activity. Authority blogs present high blog activity and users’ community activity, as well. These are recorded by large numbers of posts and comments to the blog posts, respectively. It is shown that blogs, which strive to expand their network by using many outgoing links are more likely to link to the authority blogs. Content analysis reveals that authority blogs provide news and information and promote discussion to a much higher degree compared to the overall Greek political blogosphere.
Effects of Natural Disaster Trends: A Case Study for Expanding the Pre-Positioning Network of CARE International
Authors: Bozkurt Melda , Duran Serhan
Published: August 2012

The increasing number of natural disasters in the last decade necessitates the increase in capacity and agility while delivering humanitarian relief. A common logistics strategy used by humanitarian organizations to respond this need is the establishment of pre-positioning warehouse networks. In the pre-positioning strategy, critical relief inventories are located near the regions at which they will be needed in advance of the onset of the disaster. Therefore, pre-positioning reduces the response time by totally or partially eliminating the procurement phase and increasing the availability of relief items just after the disaster strikes. Once the pre-positioning warehouse locations are decided and warehouses on those locations become operational, they will be in use for a long time. Therefore, the chosen locations should be robust enough to enable extensions, and to cope with changing trends in disaster types, locations and magnitudes. In this study, we analyze the effects of natural disaster trends on the expansion plan of pre-positioning warehouse network implemented by CARE International. We utilize a facility location model to identify the additional warehouse location(s) for relief items to be stored as an extension of the current warehouse network operated by CARE International, considering changing natural disaster trends observed over the past three decades.
Quantitative Expression of C-Type Lectin Receptors in Humans and Mice
Authors: Lech Maciej , Susanti Heni Eka , Römmele Christoph , Gröbmayr Regina , Günthner Roman , Anders Hans-Joachim
Published: August 2012

C-type lectin receptors and their adaptor molecules are involved in the recognition of glycosylated self-antigens and pathogens. However, little is known about the species- and organ-specific expression profiles of these molecules. We therefore determined the mRNA expression levels of Dectin-1, MR1, MR2, DC-SIGN, Syk, Card-9, Bcl-10, Malt-1, Src, Dec-205, Galectin-1, Tim-3, Trem-1, and DAP-12 in 11 solid organs of human and mice. Mouse organs revealed lower mRNA levels of most molecules compared to spleen. However, Dec-205 and Galectin-1 in thymus, Src in brain, MR2, Card-9, Bcl-10, Src, and Dec-205 in small intestine, MR2, Bcl-10, Src, Galectin-1 in kidney, and Src and Galectin-1 in muscle were at least 2-fold higher expressed compared to spleen. Human lung, liver and heart expressed higher mRNA levels of most genes compared to spleen. Dectin-1, MR1, Syk and Trem-1 mRNA were strongly up-regulated upon ischemia-reperfusion injury in murine kidney. Tim3, DAP-12, Card-9, DC-SIGN and MR2 were further up-regulated during renal fibrosis. Murine kidney showed higher DAP-12, Syk, Card-9 and Dectin-1 mRNA expression during the progression of lupus nephritis. Thus, the organ-, and species-specific expression of C-type lectin receptors is different between mice and humans which must be considered in the interpretation of related studies.
Information, Meaning and Eigenforms: In the Light of Sociology, Agent-Based Modeling and AI
Authors: Füllsack Manfred
Published: August 2012

The paper considers the relation of Shannon-type information to those semantic and hermeneutic aspects of communication, which are often referred to as meaning. It builds on considerations of Talcott Parsons, Niklas Luhmann and Robert K. Logan and relates them to an agent-based model that reproduces key aspects of the Talking Head experiment by Luc Steels. The resulting insights seem to give reason to regard information and meaning not as qualitatively different entities, but as interrelated forms of order that emerge in the interaction of autonomous (self-referentially closed) agents. Although on first sight, this way of putting information and meaning into a constructivist framework seems to open possibilities to conceive meaning in terms of Shannon-information, it also suggests a re-conceptualization of information in terms of what cybernetics calls Eigenform in order to do justice to its dynamic interrelation with meaning.
RNA-Seq Study of Microbially Induced Hemocyte Transcripts from Larval Heliothis virescens (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)
Authors: Shelby Kent S. , Popham Holly J. R.
Published: August 2012

Larvae of the tobacco budworm are major polyphagous pests throughout the Americas. Development of effective microbial biopesticides for this and related noctuid pests has been stymied by the natural resistance mediated innate immune response. Hemocytes play an early and central role in activating and coordinating immune responses to entomopathogens. To approach this problem we completed RNA-seq expression profiling of hemocytes collected from larvae following an in vivo challenge with bacterial and fungal cell wall components to elicit an immune response. A de novo exome assembly was constructed by combination of sequence tags from all treatments. Sequence tags from each treatment were aligned separately with the assembly to measure expression. The resulting table of differential expression had > 22,000 assemblies each with a distinct combination of annotation and expression. Within these assemblies > 1,400 were upregulated and > 1,500 downregulated by immune activation with bacteria or fungi. Orthologs to innate immune components of other insects were identified including pattern recognition, signal transduction pathways, antimicrobial peptides and enzymes, melanization and coagulation. Additionally orthologs of components regulating hemocytic functions such as autophagy, apoptosis, phagocytosis and nodulation were identified. Associated cellular oxidative defenses and detoxification responses were identified providing a comprehensive snapshot of the early response to elicitation.
Molecular Techniques for the Detection and Differentiation of Host and Parasitoid Species and the Implications for Fruit Fly Management
Authors: Jenkins Cheryl , Chapman Toni A. , Micallef Jessica L. , Reynolds Olivia L.
Published: August 2012

Parasitoid detection and identification is a necessary step in the development and implementation of fruit fly biological control strategies employing parasitoid augmentive release. In recent years, DNA-based methods have been used to identify natural enemies of pest species where morphological differentiation is problematic. Molecular techniques also offer a considerable advantage over traditional morphological methods of fruit fly and parasitoid discrimination as well as within-host parasitoid identification, which currently relies on dissection of immature parasitoids from the host, or lengthy and labour-intensive rearing methods. Here we review recent research focusing on the use of molecular strategies for fruit fly and parasitoid detection and differentiation and discuss the implications of these studies on fruit fly management.
Extracellular Matrix Molecules Facilitating Vascular Biointegration
Authors: Wise Steven G. , Waterhouse Anna , Michael Praveesuda , Ng Martin K.C.
Published: August 2012

All vascular implants, including stents, heart valves and graft materials exhibit suboptimal biocompatibility that significantly reduces their clinical efficacy. A range of biomolecules in the subendothelial space have been shown to play critical roles in local regulation of thrombosis, endothelial growth and smooth muscle cell proliferation, making these attractive candidates for modulation of vascular device biointegration. However, classically used biomaterial coatings, such as fibronectin and laminin, modulate only one of these components; enhancing endothelial cell attachment, but also activating platelets and triggering thrombosis. This review examines a subset of extracellular matrix molecules that have demonstrated multi-faceted vascular compatibility and accordingly are promising candidates to improve the biointegration of vascular biomaterials.
Antioxidative Properties of Defatted Dabai Pulp and Peel Prepared by Solid Phase Extraction
Authors: Khoo Hock Eng , Azlan Azrina , Ismail Amin , Abas Faridah
Published: August 2012

Solid phase extraction (SPE) using Sep-Pak® cartridges is one of the techniques used for fractionation of antioxidant compounds in waste of dabai oil extraction (defatted dabai parts). The aim of this study was to determine the phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity in crude extracts and several SPE fractions from methanolic extract of defatted dabai pulp and peel. Based on SPE, Sep-Pak® cyanopropyl and C18 cartridges were used to fractionate the antioxidant-rich crude extracts into water and methanolic fractions. Analyzed using LC-MS, flavonoids, anthocyanins, saponin derivatives and other unknown antioxidative compounds were detected in the defatted dabai crude extracts and their SPE fractions. Anthocyanins were the major phenolic compounds identified in the defatted dabai peel and detected in most of the SPE fractions. Methanolic fractions of defatted dabai parts embraced higher total phenolics and antioxidant capacity than water fractions. This finding also revealed the crude extracts of defatted dabai peel have the most significant antioxidant properties compared to the methanolic and water fractions studied. The crude extract of defatted dabai parts remain as the most potent antioxidant as it contains mixture of flavonoids, anthocyanins and other potential antioxidants.
Cloning, Purification, and Characterization of a Heat- and Alkaline-Stable Endoglucanase B from Aspergillus niger BCRC31494
Authors: Li Chien-Huang , Wang Hsing-Ren , Yan Tsong-Rong
Published: August 2012

Endoglucanase B (EGLB) derived from Aspergillus niger BCRC31494 has been used in the food fermentation industry because of its thermal and alkaline tolerance. It was cloned and expressed in Pichia pastoris. According to sequence analysis, the gene open reading frame comprises 1,217 bp with five introns (GenBank GQ292753). According to sequence and protein domain analyses, EGLB was assigned to glycosyl hydrolase family 5 of the cellulase superfamily. Several binding sites were found in the promoter region. The purified recombinant enzyme was induced by 0.5% methanol, and it exhibited optimal activity at 70 °C and pH 4. EGLB was stable for 3 h at temperatures below 60 °C, with more than 90% of its activity remaining. The enzyme was specific for substrates with β-1,3 and β-1,4 linkages. In Lineweaver-Burk plot analysis, the Km and Vmax values of EGLB for β-D-glucan were 134 mg/mL and 4.68 U/min/mg, respectively. The enzyme activity was increased by 1.86-fold by Co2+ and by 2-fold by Triton X-100 and Tween 80. These favorable properties make EGLB a potential candidate for use in laundry and textile industrial applications.
Three-Dimensional Laser Scanning for Geometry Documentation and Construction Management of Highway Tunnels during Excavation
Authors: Gikas Vassilis
Published: August 2012

Driven by progress in sensor technology, computer software and data processing capabilities, terrestrial laser scanning has recently proved a revolutionary technique for high accuracy, 3D mapping and documentation of physical scenarios and man-made structures. Particularly, this is of great importance in the underground space and tunnel construction environment as surveying engineering operations have a great impact on both technical and economic aspects of a project. This paper discusses the use and explores the potential of laser scanning technology to accurately track excavation and construction activities of highway tunnels. It provides a detailed overview of the static laser scanning method, its principles of operation and applications for tunnel construction operations. Also, it discusses the planning, execution, data processing and analysis phases of laser scanning activities, with emphasis given on geo-referencing, mesh model generation and cross-section extraction. Specific case studies are considered based on two construction sites in Greece. Particularly, the potential of the method is examined for checking the tunnel profile, producing volume computations and validating the smoothness/thickness of shotcrete layers at an excavation stage and during the completion of excavation support and primary lining. An additional example of the use of the method in the geometric documentation of the concrete lining formwork is examined and comparisons against dimensional tolerances are examined. Experimental comparisons and analyses of the laser scanning method against conventional surveying techniques are also considered.
A Semi-Automatic Image-Based Close Range 3D Modeling Pipeline Using a Multi-Camera Configuration
Authors: Rau Jiann-Yeou , Yeh Po-Chia
Published: August 2012

The generation of photo-realistic 3D models is an important task for digital recording of cultural heritage objects. This study proposes an image-based 3D modeling pipeline which takes advantage of a multi-camera configuration and multi-image matching technique that does not require any markers on or around the object. Multiple digital single lens reflex (DSLR) cameras are adopted and fixed with invariant relative orientations. Instead of photo-triangulation after image acquisition, calibration is performed to estimate the exterior orientation parameters of the multi-camera configuration which can be processed fully automatically using coded targets. The calibrated orientation parameters of all cameras are applied to images taken using the same camera configuration. This means that when performing multi-image matching for surface point cloud generation, the orientation parameters will remain the same as the calibrated results, even when the target has changed. Base on this invariant character, the whole 3D modeling pipeline can be performed completely automatically, once the whole system has been calibrated and the software was seamlessly integrated. Several experiments were conducted to prove the feasibility of the proposed system. Images observed include that of a human being, eight Buddhist statues, and a stone sculpture. The results for the stone sculpture, obtained with several multi-camera configurations were compared with a reference model acquired by an ATOS-I 2M active scanner. The best result has an absolute accuracy of 0.26 mm and a relative accuracy of 1:17,333. It demonstrates the feasibility of the proposed low-cost image-based 3D modeling pipeline and its applicability to a large quantity of antiques stored in a museum.
Small Modular Reactors for Enhancing Energy Security in Developing Countries
Authors: Kessides Ioannis N. , Kuznetsov Vladimir
Published: August 2012

In recent years, small modular reactors (SMRs) have been attracting considerable attention around the world. SMR designs incorporate innovative approaches to achieve simplicity, modularity and speed of build, passive safety features, proliferation resistance, and reduced financial risk. The incremental capacity expansion associated with SMR deployment could provide a better match (than the large-scale reactors) to the limited grid capacity of many developing countries. Because of their lower capital requirements, SMRs could also effectively address the energy needs of small developing countries with limited financial resources. Although SMRs can have substantially higher specific capital costs as compared to large-scale reactors, they may nevertheless enjoy significant economic benefits due to shorter build times, accelerated learning effects and co-siting economies, temporal and sizing flexibility of deployment, and design simplification.
Animal Toxins Can Alter the Function of Nav1.8 and Nav1.9
Authors: Gilchrist John , Bosmans Frank
Published: August 2012

Human voltage-activated sodium (Nav) channels are adept at rapidly transmitting electrical signals across long distances in various excitable tissues. As such, they are amongst the most widely targeted ion channels by drugs and animal toxins. Of the nine isoforms, Nav1.8 and Nav1.9 are preferentially expressed in DRG neurons where they are thought to play an important role in pain signaling. Although the functional properties of Nav1.8 have been relatively well characterized, difficulties with expressing Nav1.9 in established heterologous systems limit our understanding of the gating properties and toxin pharmacology of this particular isoform. This review summarizes our current knowledge of the role of Nav1.8 and Nav1.9 in pain perception and elaborates on the approaches used to identify molecules capable of influencing their function.
Hepatocyte Transplantation Using the Domino Concept in a Child with Tetrabiopterin Nonresponsive Phenylketonuria
Authors: Stéphenne X. , Debray F. G. , Smets F. , Jazouli N. , Sana G. , Tondreau T. , Menten R. , Goffette P. , Boemer F. , Schoos R. , Gersting S. W. , Najimi M. , Muntau A. C. , Goyens P. , Sokal E. M.
Published: August 2012

Phenylketonuria is a metabolic disease caused by phenylalanine hydroxylase deficiency. Treatment is based on a strict natural protein-restricted diet that is associated with the risk of malnutrition and severe psychosocial burden. Oral administration of tetrahydrobiopterin can increase residual enzyme activity, but most patients with severe clinical phenotypes are nonresponders. We performed liver cell transplantation in a 6-year-old boy with severe tetrahydrobiopterin nonresponsive phenylketonuria who failed to comply with diet prescriptions. The transplanted hepatocytes were obtained in part from an explanted glycogen storage type 1b liver. Following two infusions, blood phenylalanine levels returned within the therapeutic target while the phenylalanine half-life assessed by loading tests decreased from 43 to 19 h. However, 3 months later, blood phenylalanine concentrations increased and the phenylalanine intake had to be reduced. Cell-based therapy is a promising therapeutic option in phenylketonuria, and the domino concept may solve the issue of cell sources for hepatocyte transplantation.
Geographical genetic structuring and phenotypic variation in the Vellozia hirsuta (Velloziaceae) ochlospecies complex
Authors: Barbosa Ariane R. , Fiorini Cecília F. , Silva‐Pereira Viviane , Mello‐Silva Renato , Borba Eduardo L.
Published: August 2012

• Premise of the study: Vellozia hirsuta forms a complex presenting wide morphological and anatomical variation, resulting in five specific names and 14 morpho‐anatomical patterns occurring in disjunct populations. We carried out a phylogeographical study to investigate the existence of correlation among the genetic and morphological patterns within this complex, and to determine whether it is composed of various species or should be treated as an ochlospecies, a species having widely polymorphic and weakly polytypic complex variation, with morphological characteristics varying independently.

• Methods: We carried out phylogeographical analyses using cpDNA rpl32F‐trnL intergenic region.

• Key results: We found 20 haplotypes in 23 populations sampled. The populations are genetically structured (ΦST = 0.818) into four phylogeographical groups demonstrating geographical structuring but with no correlation with morpho‐anatomical patterns. Our analyses do not support recognizing any of the species now synonymized under Vellozia hirsuta. The northern populations were the most genetically differentiated and could be considered a distinct taxon, as they are also morphologically different.

• Conclusions: It is recommended that Vellozia hirsuta be considered a single enormously variable species. The patterns of variation within V. hirsuta probably are related to climatic changes that occurred during the Pleistocene Epoch in tropical Brazil when reductions in forest cover favored the expansion of V. hirsuta populations into extensive lowland areas. The expansion of forest cover at the end of the glaciations would have again restricted the occurrence of campos rupestres vegetation to high elevations, which constitute the current centers of diversity of this species.
On the proposed structures and stereocontrolled synthesis of the cephalosporolides
Authors: Tlais Sami F , Dudley Gregory B
Published: August 2012

The synthesis of four candidate stereoisomers of cephalosporolide H is described, made possible by a zinc-chelation strategy for controlling the stereochemistry of oxygenated 5,5-spiroketals. The same strategy likewise enables the first stereocontrolled synthesis of cephalosporolide E, which is typically isolated and prepared admixed with its spiroketal epimer, cephalosporolide F.
Les sculptures du temps familial. Une méthode de “narration analogique”
Authors: Onnis Luigi , Bernardini Marco , Leonelli Antonella , Mulè Angela Maria , Vietri Agostino , Romano Carlotta
Published: August 2012

Dans cet article, les auteurs présentent une méthode d’intervention, « Les sculptures du Temps Familial », fondée sur l’utilisation d’un langage analogique avec les familles. Ils décrivent d’abord l’intérêt que représente cet outil pour explorer les mythes familiaux en respectant la syntonisation avec le langage de symptômes exprimés par le corps, et en s’articulant sur les récentes découvertes des neurosciences. Ils abordent ensuite la “Méthode des Sculptures du Temps Familial” où chaque membre de la famille est invité à faire trois sculptures : du présent, du futur et du passé, présentant ainsi une narration analogique de l’histoire familiale. Le cas d’une adolescente boulimique illustrera l’utilisation de cette méthode dans un processus thérapeutique.
Le thérapeute : propre outil de ses interventions ? Étude et proposition d'une modélisation du processus de gestion des émotions chez les thérapeutes familiaux
Authors: Juvanteny Anne , Ampélas Jean-François
Published: August 2012

Cet article présente les résultats d’une recherche menée sur l’utilisation des émotions du thérapeute familial dans le processus thérapeutique au service des patients. À l’appui de l’observation de séances et de l’interview de professionnels, il propose un décryptage et une modélisation de l’utilisation des émotions du thérapeute dans le processus thérapeutique. Il ouvre ainsi la réflexion sur la possibilité de s’appuyer sur l’émotion comme un outil de travail à part entière.
Embedding Instruments & Modules into an IEEE1451-FPGA-based Weblab Infrastructure
Authors: Costa Ricardo JGSN , Alves Gustavo Ribeiro , Rela M Zenha
Published: August 2012

Adopting standard-based weblab infrastructures can be an added value for spreading their influence and acceptance in education. This paper suggests a solution based on the IEEE1451.0 Std. and FPGA technology for creating reconfigurable weblab infrastructures using Instruments and Modules (I&Ms) described through standard Hardware Description Language (HDL) files. It describes a methodology for creating and binding I&Ms into an IEEE1451-module embedded in a FPGA-based board able to be remotely controlled/accessed using IEEE1451-HTTP commands. At the end, an example of a step-motor controller module bond to that IEEE1451-module is described.
A Case Study of Designing an E-learning Electrical Engineering Course
Authors: Khader Sameer Hanna , Abu-aisheh Akram A.
Published: August 2012

Abstract: This paper presents a case study of designing an e-learning course in the field of electrical engineering- Industrial automation program at Palestine Polytechnic University. The applied methodology consisting of few stages starting with formulating the major course objectives, extracting topics outcomes, design the appropriate teaching tools and storyboard, and as final stage the evaluation system is designed.

On other hand, an information communication technology (ICT) questionnaire has been designed and targeting attended in the course students with purpose evaluating student ICT knowledge, knowledge leveling, and treatment their weaknesses.

The designed topics are modified according to feedback evaluation obtained from students throughout designed for this purpose questionnaire. The observed weaknesses in course topics have been eliminated and finally the modified course was uploaded to the university e-learning platform. Electrical engineering core course with 300 level was carried out for department students, where the obtained results shows significant enhancement in teaching and learning performances of both course instructors and students.
Type III IFNs Are Produced by and Stimulate Human Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells
Authors: Yin Zhiwei , Dai Jihong , Deng Jing , Sheikh Faruk , Natalia Mahwish , Shih Tiffany , Lewis-Antes Anita , Amrute Sheela B. , Garrigues Ursula , Doyle Sean , Donnelly Raymond P. , Kotenko Sergei V. , Fitzgerald-Bocarsly Patricia
Published: August 2012

Plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDC) are rare cells found in peripheral blood and lymphoid tissues. pDC are considered to be “professional” type I IFN-producing cells and produce 10- to 100-fold more IFN-α than other cell types in response to enveloped viruses or synthetic TLR7 and TLR9 agonists. In this study, purified pDC were found to express high levels of IFN-λ receptor mRNA, as well as cell-surface IFN-λ receptor. We have developed intracellular flow cytometry assays using Abs to IFN-λ1/3 or -λ2 to assess the expression of IFN-λ proteins by pDC. We observed that a subset of human pDC expresses only intracellular IFN-α, whereas another subset produces both IFN-α and IFN-λ after stimulation with virus or the TLR9 agonist, CpG A; the cells that coexpressed IFN-α and IFN-λ were the cells with the highest levels of IFN-α expression. Ab cross-linking of CD4 or CD303 molecules on pDC inhibited both HSV-induced IFN-λ and IFN-α production. Like the production of IFN-α, the HSV-induced IFN-λ production in pDC was mediated through TLR9 and independent of virus replication. Exogenous IFN-λ treatment of pDC resulted in increased virus-induced expression of both IFN-α and IFN-λ. In addition, both exogenous IFN-λ and -α inhibited dexamethasone-induced apoptosis of pDC. We conclude that pDC are major producers of IFN-λ1 and -λ2 in response to viral stimulation and also express functional receptors for this cytokine. Thus, IFN-λ can serve as an autocrine signal to strengthen the antiviral response of pDC by increasing IFN-α and IFN-λ production, resulting in prolonged pDC survival.
Vesicles Released by Activated T Cells Induce Both Fas-Mediated RIP-Dependent Apoptotic and Fas-Independent Nonapoptotic Cell Deaths
Authors: Koncz Gábor , Hancz Anikó , Chakrabandhu Krittalak , Gogolák Péter , Kerekes Krisztina , Rajnavölgyi Éva , Hueber Anne-Odile
Published: August 2012

Activated T cells secrete Fas ligand (FasL)-containing vesicles (secreted vesicles) that induce death of target cells. We provide evidence that secreted vesicles from culture supernatants (Csup) of various origins are able to generate both Fas-dependent apoptotic and Fas-independent, nonapoptotic cell death. In the absence of Fas, the nonapoptotic, Fas-independent pathway could still induce cell death. In contrast to RIP-independent classical Fas-induced cell death triggered by cross-linked or membrane-bound FasL, CSup-derived stimuli-induced apoptosis exhibited unique molecular and enzymatic characteristics. It could be partially inhibited by blocking cathepsin D enzyme activity and required the presence of RIP. Whereas stimulation with CSup, derived from both FasL-overexpressing Jurkat cells and PBMC, could induce cell death, the requirements for Fas-associated death domain protein and caspase-9 were different between the two systems. Our study highlights an important distinction between cell contact-mediated and secreted vesicle-generated activation-induced cell death and also demonstrates that the type of the secreted vesicles can also modify the cell death route. We propose that besides cell-to-cell interaction-mediated Fas triggering, stimuli induced by secreted vesicles can mediate important additional cell death signals regulating activation-induced cell death under physiological conditions.
Identification of Pancreatic Glycoprotein 2 as an Endogenous Immunomodulator of Innate and Adaptive Immune Responses
Authors: Werner Lael , Paclik Daniela , Fritz Christina , Reinhold Dirk , Roggenbuck Dirk , Sturm Andreas
Published: August 2012

Pancreatic autoantibodies are Crohn disease-specific serologic markers. The function and immunological role of their recently identified autoantigen, glycoprotein 2 (GP2), are unknown. We therefore investigated the impact of GP2 on modulation of innate and adaptive immune responses to evaluate its potential therapeutic use in mucosal inflammation. Our data indicate a previously unknown function for GP2 as an immunomodulator. GP2 was ubiquitously expressed on cells vital to mucosal immune responses. The expression of GP2 was upregulated on activated human T cells, and it was further influenced by pharmaceutical TNF-α inhibitors. Recombinant GP2 significantly decreased human intestinal epithelial cells, mucosal and peripheral T cell proliferation, apoptosis, and activation, and it distinctly modulated cytokine secretion. Furthermore, intestinal epithelial cells stimulated with GP2 potently attracted T cells. In conclusion, we demonstrate a novel role for GP2 in immune regulation that could provide a platform for new therapeutic interventions in the treatment of Crohn disease.
Upstream Stimulating Factors Regulate the Expression of RORγT in Human Lymphocytes
Authors: Ratajewski Marcin , Walczak-Drzewiecka Aurelia , Sałkowska Anna , Dastych Jarosław
Published: August 2012

Retinoic acid-related orphan receptor γT (RORγT) is the orphan nuclear receptor that regulates the development of Th17 cells and the expression of IL-17. The differentiation of Th17 cells is associated with the upregulation of RORγT mRNA, and the mechanisms regulating that process in human cells are not well understood. We investigated the transcriptional regulation of RORγT in a human lymphocytic cell line and Th17 differentiated from naive CD4+ cells from human peripheral blood. A series of experiments, including 5′ deletion and in situ mutagenesis analysis of the human RORγT promoter, chromatin immunoprecipitation, and overexpression of selected transcription factors, revealed that the transcription factors upstream stimulatory factor 1 (USF-1) and USF-2 are indispensable for the transcription of RORγT in human lymphocytes. There was also upregulation of USF-1 and USF-2 during the differentiation of Th17 cells from naive CD4+ cells. In this article, we report the first analysis, to our knowledge, of the human RORγT promoter and demonstrate the role of the USF-1 and USF-2 transcription factors in regulating the expression of RORγT in human lymphocytes. Thus, USFs are important for the molecular mechanisms of Th17 differentiation, and possible changes in the expression of USFs might be of interest for inflammatory conditions with a Th17 component. Furthermore, these observations suggest a possible link between metabolic disorders in which the role of glucose-induced USF expression has already been established and autoimmune diseases in which the upregulation of RORγT is frequently detected.
Microbial Carriage State of Peripheral Blood Dendritic Cells (DCs) in Chronic Periodontitis Influences DC Differentiation, Atherogenic Potential
Authors: Carrion Julio , Scisci Elizabeth , Miles Brodie , Sabino Gregory J. , Zeituni Amir E. , Gu Ying , Bear Adam , Genco Caroline A. , Brown David L. , Cutler Christopher W.
Published: August 2012

The low-grade oral infection chronic periodontitis (CP) has been implicated in coronary artery disease risk, but the mechanisms are unclear. In this study, a pathophysiological role for blood dendritic cells (DCs) in systemic dissemination of oral mucosal pathogens to atherosclerotic plaques was investigated in humans. The frequency and microbiome of CD19−BDCA-1+DC-SIGN+ blood myeloid DCs (mDCs) were analyzed in CP subjects with or without existing acute coronary syndrome and in healthy controls. FACS analysis revealed a significant increase in blood mDCs in the following order: healthy controls < CP < acute coronary syndrome/CP. Analysis of the blood mDC microbiome by 16S rDNA sequencing showed Porphyromonas gingivalis and other species, including (cultivable) Burkholderia cepacia. The mDC carriage rate with P. gingivalis correlated with oral carriage rate and with serologic exposure to P. gingivalis in CP subjects. Intervention (local debridement) to elicit a bacteremia increased the mDC carriage rate and frequency in vivo. In vitro studies established that P. gingivalis enhanced by 28% the differentiation of monocytes into immature mDCs; moreover, mDCs secreted high levels of matrix metalloproteinase-9 and upregulated C1q, heat shock protein 60, heat shock protein 70, CCR2, and CXCL16 transcripts in response to P. gingivalis in a fimbriae-dependent manner. Moreover, the survival of the anaerobe P. gingivalis under aerobic conditions was enhanced when within mDCs. Immunofluorescence analysis of oral mucosa and atherosclerotic plaques demonstrate infiltration with mDCs, colocalized with P. gingivalis. Our results suggest a role for blood mDCs in harboring and disseminating pathogens from oral mucosa to atherosclerosis plaques, which may provide key signals for mDC differentiation and atherogenic conversion.
Indication Criteria for Cochlear Implants and Hearing Aids: Impact of Audiological and Non-Audiological Findings
Authors: Haumann Sabine , Hohmann Volker , Meis Markus , Herzke Tobias , Lenarz Thomas , Büchner Andreas
Published: August 2012

Owing to technological progress and a growing body of clinical experience, indication criteria for cochlear implants (CI) are being extended to less severe hearing impairments. It is, therefore, worth reconsidering these indication criteria by introducing novel testing procedures. The diagnostic evidence collected will be evaluated. The investigation includes postlingually deafened adults seeking a CI. Prior to surgery, speech perception tests [Freiburg Speech Test and Oldenburg sentence (OLSA) test] were performed unaided and aided using the Oldenburg Master Hearing Aid (MHA) system. Linguistic skills were assessed with the visual Text Reception Threshold (TRT) test, and general state of health, socio-economic status (SES) and subjective hearing were evaluated through questionnaires. After surgery, the speech tests were repeated aided with a CI. To date, 97 complete data sets are available for evaluation. Statistical analyses showed significant correlations between postsurgical speech reception threshold (SRT) measured with the adaptive OLSA test and pre-surgical data such as the TRT test (r=-0.29), SES (r=-0.22) and (if available) aided SRT (r=0.53). The results suggest that new measures and setups such as the TRT test, SES and speech perception with the MHA provide valuable extra information regarding indication for CI.
Clinical Features and Outcomes of Plasma Cell Leukemia: A Single-Institution Experience in the era of Novel Agents
Authors: Talamo Giampaolo , Dolloff Nathan G. , Sharma Kamal , Zhu Junjia , Malysz Jozef
Published: August 2012

Plasma cell leukemia (PCL) is a rare hematologic malignancy with aggressive clinical and biologic features. Data regarding its prognosis with the use of the novel agents, i.e., the immunomodulatory drugs thalidomide and lenalidomide, and the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib, are limited. We retrospectively reviewed clinical outcomes, response to therapy, and survival of 17 patients seen at the Penn State Hershey Cancer Institute since the availability of novel agents (2006–2011). Twelve patients had primary PCL (pPCL), and 5 secondary PCL (sPCL). PCL was associated with aggressive clinicobiological features, such as high-risk cytogenetics, elevated serum beta-2-microglobulin and lactate dehydrogenase, International Staging System stage III, and rapid relapse after therapy. With the use of thalidomide, lenalidomide, and bortezomib in 53%, 53%, and 88% patients, respectively, median overall survival (OS) was 18 months in the whole group (95% confidence interval, 11–21 months), and 21 and 4 months in pPCL and sPCL, respectively (P=0.015). OS was inferior to that of 313 consecutive patients with multiple myeloma (MM) treated in the same period, even when compared with a subset of 47 MM with high-risk cytogenetics. Although our data are limited by the small sample size, we conclude that novel agents may modestly improve survival in patients with PCL, when compared to historical controls. Novel therapies do not seem to overcome the negative prognosis of PCL as compared with MM.
Students’ foregrounds: Hope, despair, uncertainty
Authors: Skovsmose Ole
Published: August 2012

A foreground is formed through the possibilities, tendencies, propensities, obstructions, barriers, hindrances, et cetera, which his or her context provides for a person. Simultaneously, a foreground is formed through the person’s interpretations of these possibilities, tendencies, propensities, obstructions, barriers, hindrances. A foreground is a fragmented, partial, and inconsistent constellation of bits and pieces of aspirations, hopes, and frustrations. It might be both promising and frightening; it is always being rebuilt and restructured. Foregrounds are multiple as one person might see very different possibilities; at the same time they are collective and established through processes of communication. In this article educational meaning is discussed in terms of relationships between the students’ foregrounds and activities in the classroom. I illustrate how students’ dreams might be kept in cages, and how this has implications for how they engage or do not engage in learning processes. I investigate how a foreground might be ruined, and in what sense a ruined foreground might turn into a learning obstacle. Finally, I discuss processes of inclusion and exclusion with reference to the notion of foreground.
Arecanut as an emerging etiology of oral cancers in India
Authors: Shah Gunjan , Chaturvedi Pankaj , Vaishampayan Sagar
Published: August 2012

Arecanut (AN) usage is widespread in Asian countries, especially India and Taiwan. The incidence of oral cancer is increasing day by day, but there is no exponential increase with tobacco usage. Especially in the country like Taiwan where betel quid mostly do not contain tobacco, AN can be correlated with the increased incidence of cancer. There are different studies in the literature about AN and oral cancer but none of them have concluded with the definite pathway for carcinogenesis. The present paper includes reviews of the literature for AN and oral cancer and summarizes the possible mechanisms associated with AN-induced carcinogenesis; and we have also tried to propose pathway of carcinogenesis.
mTOR inhibition in management of advanced breast cancer
Authors: Nag Shona
Published: August 2012

The mTOR pathway is becoming increasingly important in several cancers including breast cancer. This review will focus on the role of its inhibition in the management of advanced breast cancer.
Spontaneous rupture of benign mediastinal teratoma : A report of two cases
Authors: Madhusudhan K S , Sharma Raju , Gadodia Ankur , Kumar Arvind
Published: August 2012

Benign mediastinal teratomas are commonly asymptomatic and seldom cause complications. Spontaneous rupture into the pleura is rare and cross-sectional imaging is crucial in its early detection and planning a proper surgical approach. We report two cases of spontaneous pulmonary and pleural rupture of benign mediastinal teratoma and discuss the imaging appearances.
PNET of kidney : Report of four cases
Authors: Mandal Palash Kumar , Mukherjee Supti , Roy Sravasti , Bhattacharyya Nirmal Kumar
Published: August 2012

Primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET) of kidney is a rare tumor of kidney with only a few published reports. We report here four cases of PNET of kidney in the age group between 30 and 50 years who had complaints of vague pain and lump in loin. Hematuria was present in one case. Imaging of all cases revealed renal mass. The pathologic findings were consistent with PNET in all cases-confirmed by immunohistochemistry with diffuse membrane positivity of tumor cells of CD99. We could not do fluorescent in situ hybridization to demonstrate EWS-FLI-1 gene fusion. Each case was in the advanced stage. However, after giving postoperative radiotherapy and chemotherapy patients are still alive. Reporting of these cases are important as we got them in a short span of 3 years. In view of its poor prognosis, aggressive nature and different therapeutic approach- renal PNET should be differentiated from other small blue round cell tumors like neuroblastoma, rhabdoid tumor of kidney, nephroblastoma, small cell carcinoma, synovial sarcoma (monophasic, poorly differentiated) and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) by immunohistochemistry, cytogenetic, and molecular genetics study to see the different gene rearrangements in NHL and 3p deletion in small cell carcinoma.
Off-line algorithm for calculation of vertical tracer transport in the troposphere due to deep convection
Authors: Belikov D. A. , Maksyutov S. , Krol M. , Fraser A. , Rigby M. , Bian H. , Agusti-Panareda A. , Bergmann D. , Bousquet P. , Cameron-Smith P. , Chipperfield M. P. , Fortems-Cheiney A. , Gloor E. , Haynes K. , Hess P. , Houweling S. , Kawa S. R. , Law R. M. , Loh Z. , Meng L. , Palmer P. I. , Patra P. K. , Prinn R. G. , Saito R. , Wilson C.
Published: August 2012

Abstract. A modified cumulus convection parametrisation scheme is presented. This scheme computes the mass of air transported upward in a cumulus cell using conservation of moisture and a detailed distribution of convective precipitation provided by a reanalysis dataset. The representation of vertical transport within the scheme includes entrainment and detrainment processes in convective updrafts and downdrafts. Output from the proposed parametrisation scheme is employed in the National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES) global chemical transport model driven by JRA-25/JCDAS reanalysis. The simulated convective precipitation rate and mass fluxes are compared with observations and reanalysis data. A simulation of the short-lived tracer 222Rn is used to further evaluate the performance of the cumulus convection scheme. Simulated distributions of 222Rn are validated against observations at the surface and in the free troposphere, and compared with output from models that participated in the TransCom-CH4 Transport Model Intercomparison. From this comparison, we demonstrate that the proposed convective scheme can successfully reproduce deep cloud convection.
Formation of anthropogenic secondary organic aerosol (SOA) and its influence on biogenic SOA properties
Authors: Emanuelsson E. U. , Hallquist M. , Kristensen K. , Glasius M. , Bohn B. , Fuchs H. , Kammer B. , Kiendler-Scharr A. , Nehr S. , Rubach F. , Tillmann R. , Wahner A. , Wu H.-C. , Mentel Th. F.
Published: August 2012

Abstract. Secondary organic aerosol (SOA) formation from mixed anthropogenic and biogenic precursors has been studied exposing reaction mixtures to natural sunlight in the SAPHIR chamber in Jülich, Germany. Several experiments with exclusively anthropogenic precursors were performed to establish a relationship between yield and organic aerosol mass loading for the atmospheric relevant range of aerosol loads of 0.01 to 10 μg m−3. The yields (0.5–9%) were comparable to previous data and further used for the detailed evaluation of the mixed biogenic and anthropogenic experiments. For the mixed experiments a number of different oxidation schemes were addressed. The reactivity, the sequence of addition, and the amount of the precursors influenced the SOA properties. Monoterpene oxidation products, including carboxylic acids and dimer esters were identified in the aged aerosol at levels comparable to ambient air. OH radicals were measured by Laser Induced Fluorescence, which allowed for establishing relations of aerosol properties and composition to the experimental OH dose. Furthermore, the OH measurements in combination with the derived yields for anthropogenic SOA enabled application of a simplified model to calculate the chemical turnover of the anthropogenic precursor and corresponding anthropogenic contribution to the mixed aerosol. The estimated anthropogenic contributions were ranging from small (≈8%) up to significant fraction (>50%) providing a suitable range to study the effect of aerosol composition on the aerosol volatility (volume fraction remaining at 343 K: 0.86–0.94). The anthropogenic aerosol had higher oxygen to carbon ratio O/C and was less volatile than the biogenic fraction. However, in order to produce significant amount of anthropogenic SOA the reaction mixtures needed a higher OH dose that also increased O/C and provided a less volatile aerosol. A strong positive correlation was found between changes in volatility and O/C with the exception during dark hours where the SOA volatility decreased while O/C did not change significantly. This change in volatility under dark conditions is likely due to chemical or morphological changes not affecting O/C.
Preliminary signs of the initiation of deep convection by GNSS
Authors: Brenot H. , Neméghaire J. , Delobbe L. , Clerbaux N. , Van Roozendael M.
Published: August 2012

Abstract. This study reports on the exploitation of GNSS for weather forecasts, especially for nowcasting. We focus on GPS observations (post-processing with a time resolution of 15 min) and try to establish typical configurations of the humidity field which characterise convective systems and particularly which supply forerunners of their initiation associated with deep convection. We show the critical role of GNSS horizontal gradients of humidity to detect small scale structures of the troposphere (i.e. convective cells), and then we present our strategy to obtain typical water vapour configurations by GNSS, called "H2O alert". These alerts are based on a dry/wet contrast taking place during a 30 min window before initiation of a convective system. GNSS observations have been assessed for the rainfall event of the 28–29 June 2005 using data from the Belgian dense network (baseline from 5 to 30 km). To validate our GNSS H2O alert, we use the detection of precipitation by C-band weather radar and thermal infrared radiance of the 10.8-μm channel [Ch09] of SEVIRI instrument on METEOSAT Second Generation. Our H2O alert obtains a score of about 80%.