bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Human Lactoferrin-Derived Peptide hLF1-11 Exerts Immunomodulatory Effects by Specific Inhibition of Myeloperoxidase Activity
Authors: van der Does Anne M. , Hensbergen Paul J. , Bogaards Sylvia J. , Cansoy Medine , Deelder André M. , van Leeuwen Hans C. , Drijfhout Jan W. , van Dissel Jaap T. , Nibbering Peter H.
Published: April 2012

Because of their ability to eliminate pathogens and to modulate various host immune responses, antimicrobial peptides are considered as candidate agents to fight infections by (antibiotic-resistant) pathogens. We recently reported that hLF1-11 (GRRRRSVQWCA), an antimicrobial peptide derived from the N terminus of human lactoferrin, displays diverse modulatory activities on monocytes, thereby enhancing their actions in innate immune responses. The aim of this study was to identify the cellular target of hLF1-11 that mediates these effects. Results revealed that hLF1-11 binds and subsequently penetrates human monocytes, after which it inhibits the enzymatic activities of myeloperoxidase (MPO). Moreover, a chemical inhibitor of MPO (aminobenzoic acid hydrazide) mimicked the effects of hLF1-11 on the inflammatory response by monocytes and on monocyte–macrophage differentiation. Computer-assisted molecular modeling predicted that hLF1-11 can bind to the edge of and within the crevice of the active site of MPO. Experiments with a set of hLF1-11 peptides with amino acid substitutions identified the stretch of arginines and the cysteine at position 10 as pivotal in these immunomodulatory properties of hLF1-11. We conclude that hLF1-11 may exert its modulatory effects on human monocytes by specific inhibition of MPO activity.
Complement Protein C1q Directs Macrophage Polarization and Limits Inflammasome Activity during the Uptake of Apoptotic Cells
Authors: Benoit Marie E. , Clarke Elizabeth V. , Morgado Pedro , Fraser Deborah A. , Tenner Andrea J.
Published: April 2012

Deficiency in C1q, the recognition component of the classical complement cascade and a pattern recognition receptor involved in apoptotic cell clearance, leads to lupus-like autoimmune diseases characterized by auto-antibodies to self proteins and aberrant innate immune cell activation likely due to impaired clearance of apoptotic cells. In this study, we developed an autologous system using primary human lymphocytes and human monocyte-derived macrophages (HMDMs) to characterize the effect of C1q on macrophage gene expression profiles during the uptake of apoptotic cells. C1q bound to autologous apoptotic lymphocytes modulated expression of genes associated with JAK/STAT signaling, chemotaxis, immunoregulation, and NLRP3 inflammasome activation in LPS-stimulated HMDMs. Specifically, C1q sequentially induced type I IFNs, IL-27, and IL-10 in LPS-stimulated HMDMs and IL-27 in HMDMs when incubated with apoptotic lymphocyte conditioned media. Coincubation with C1q tails prevented the induction of type I IFNs and IL-27 in a dose-dependent manner, and neutralization of type I IFNs partially prevented IL-27 induction by C1q. Finally, C1q decreased procaspase-1 cleavage and caspase-1–dependent cleavage of IL-1β suggesting a potent inhibitory effect of C1q on inflammasome activation. These results identify specific molecular pathways induced by C1q to suppress macrophage inflammation and provide potential therapeutic targets to control macrophage polarization and thus inflammation and autoimmunity.
Structurally Identical Capsular Polysaccharide Expressed by Intact Group B Streptococcus versus Streptococcus pneumoniae Elicits Distinct Murine Polysaccharide-Specific IgG Responses In Vivo
Authors: Arjunaraja Swadhinya , Paoletti Lawrence C. , Snapper Clifford M.
Published: April 2012

We previously reported distinct differences in the murine in vivo Ig polysaccharide (PS)-specific responses to intact Streptococcus pneumoniae compared with responses to Neisseria meningitidis and that in each case, the bacterial subcapsular domain markedly influences the Ig response to the associated PS. In light of potentially unique contributions of biochemically distinct capsular PS and/or their characteristic attachments to the underlying bacterium, it remains unresolved whether different bacterial subcapsular domains can exert differential effects on PS-specific Ig responses to distinct bacterial pathogens. In this report, we used a mutant strain of group B Streptococcus (Streptococcus agalactiae) type III (GBS-III) that expresses desialylated capsular polysaccharide of GBS-III, biochemically identical to capsular pneumococcal polysaccharide type 14 (PPS14) of Streptococcus pneumoniae (intact inactivated Streptococcus pneumoniae, capsular type 14, Pn14), directly to compare the in vivo PPS14-specific IgG responses to two distinct Gram-positive bacteria. Although both GBS-III and Pn14 elicited relatively rapid primary PPS14-specific IgG responses dependent on CD4+ T cells, B7-dependent costimulation, and CD40–CD40L interactions, only GBS-III induced a highly boosted ICOS-dependent PPS14-specific IgG response after secondary immunization. Of note, priming with Pn14 and boosting with GBS-III, although not isolated PPS14, elicited a similar boosted PPS14-specific IgG response that was dependent on CD4+ T cells during secondary immunization, indicating that Pn14 primes for memory but, unlike GBS-III, fails to elicit it. The inability of Pn14 to elicit a boosted PPS14-specific IgG response was overcome by coimmunization with unencapsulated GBS-III. Collectively, these data establish that structurally identical capsular PS expressed by two distinct Gram-positive extracellular bacteria can indeed elicit distinct PS-specific IgG responses in vivo.
History of Deceased Organ Donation, Transplantation, and Organ Procurement Organizations
Authors: Howard Richard. J. , Cornell Danielle L. , Cochran Larry
Published: April 2012

The historical development of deceased organ donation, transplantation, and organ procurement organizations is reviewed. The concept of transplantation, taking parts from one animal or person and putting them into another animal or person, is ancient. The development of organ transplantation brought on the need for a source of organs. Although many early kidney transplants used kidneys from living donors, these donors could not satisfy the ever-growing need for organs, and extrarenal organs were recovered only from deceased donors. This need for organs to satisfy the great demand led to specialized organizations to identify deceased donors, manage them until recovery occurred, and to notify transplant centers that organs were available for their patients. The functions of these organ procurement organizations expanded to include other required functions such as education, accounting, and compliance with state and federal requirements. Because of the shortage of organs relative to the demand, lack of a unified organ allocation system, the perception that organs are a national resource and should be governed by national regulations, and to improve results of organ procurement organizations and transplant centers, the federal government has regulated virtually all phases of organ procurement and transplantation.
Use of Standardized Patients to Teach Medical Students about Living Organ Donation
Authors: Bramstedt Katrina A. , Moolla Ariff , Rehfield Patricia L.
Published: April 2012

Educators routinely use standardized patients to teach medical students a variety of clinical concepts. Standardized patients have also been used to teach students about medical ethics and deceased organ donation. Not reported before, however, is the use of standardized patients to educate medical students about the ethical issues in living organ donation. It seems important to fill this gap because in the United States, roughly 45% of organ donors are living donors, and these patients will visit physicians throughout their lifespan, not just with the occurrence of donation. This article reports an experience teaching concepts in living donation and transplant ethics to second-year osteopathic medicine students using a standardized patient and supplementary instructional materials (eg, film, panel discussion, reading list). Specifically, a transplant ethics module was created that included an actor portraying a living donor candidate who had a number of case variables pertaining to medical and psychosocial matters. Instructional themes included informed consent, altruism, patient selection criteria, organ vending, and postdonation support systems.
Impact of Preclinical Exposure to Organ Donation on Knowledge and Attitudes of Medical Students
Authors: Zheng Patricia , Sammann Amanda , Qiu Mary , Lee Ryan , O'Sullivan Patricia , Roberts John
Published: April 2012

Context—

Medical students receive little exposure to organ donation and procurement programs.

Objective—

To describe a student-run elective and its effect on participants' knowledge about and attitudes toward organ donation.

Intervention—

Preclinical students interacted directly with donor families, organ recipients, and donation representatives; many participated in an organ procurement with the surgical team.

Design—

Between 2005 and 2007, 13 students who participated in the elective and a procurement were compared with 72 students who took the elective but did not participate in a procurement and with 22 control students. Students who participated in a procurement wrote reflections about their experience. In 2010, 15 first-year students who participated in the elective and a procurement and 59 randomly selected control students completed a previously validated measure.

Outcome—

Themes included awe, surgical procedures, learning opportunities, and brain death. Regardless of procurement participation, the elective participants from 2005 to 2007 reported higher 4-item knowledge scores ( P < .001) than control students reported, but their 4-item attitude scores did not differ ( P = .21). The 2010 students did not differ from control students in their number of correct responses to the 20 knowledge questions ( P = .48) or their individual responses to each of the 14 attitude questions (all P > .05).

Results—

Although elective participants reflected positively on their experiences and professed greater knowledge than control students via a researcher-made tool, these results were not sustained with a previously validated measure. These results point to the need for careful elective design and the need for more accurate measures to study the effectiveness of such interventions.
Disseminated Candidiasis Developing during Prophylaxis with Fluconazole in a Small-Intestine Transplant Recipient
Authors: Köse Şükran , Türken Melda , Akkoçlu Gülgün , Karaca Cezmi , Senger Süheyla Serin
Published: April 2012

A 31-year-old man underwent immunosuppressive treatment and was treated with 150 mg per day of prophylactic oral fluconazole after receiving a small-intestine transplant. The patient had acute rejection by the end of the first week after the transplant. Endoscopic examination showed white plaques. In blood and urine cultures, growth of Candida albicans was detected. Biopsy specimens showed high levels of conidia and hyphae in all regions. Intravenous treatment with caspofungin was started for the patient. Candidal findings had regressed on follow-up endoscopy. However, the patient died 3 months after transplant because of the effects of immunosuppression on his bone marrow and the development of disseminated intravascular coagulation. Candida species are the most common cause of invasive fungal infections that develop after solid-organ transplant. Following transplant, candidemia may develop during systemic antifungal treatment with a high level of mortality.
Seligman's Theory of Attributional Style: Optimism, Pessimism, and Quality of Life after Heart Transplant
Authors: Jowsey Sheila G. , Cutshall Susanne M. , Colligan Robert C. , Stevens Susanna R. , Kremers Walter K. , Vasquez Adriana R. , Edwards Brooks S. , Daly Richard C. , McGregor Christopher G. A.
Published: April 2012

Context—

Posttransplant quality of life can be significantly affected by personality characteristics identified before transplant.

Objective—

Although overall quality of life in heart transplant patients improves after transplant, many studies reveal poorer mental health outcomes after transplant. We aimed to determine whether transplant recipients with an optimistic explanatory style had improved quality of life, fewer depressive symptoms, and increased survival.

Design—

We reviewed 68 patients who had completed a Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory a mean of 2 years before transplant and examined associations between scores on the Optimism-Pessimism scale, survival rates, and results from the Health Status Questionnaire nearly 4 years after transplant.

Results—

Optimism was significantly associated with higher quality of life even after age (at the time of transplant), sex, depression score before transplant, time from the personality inventory to transplant, and time from transplant to the Health Status Questionnaire were controlled for. Furthermore, a pessimistic explanatory style was significantly associated with self-reported depressive symptoms, even after depression before transplant was adjusted for. Neither optimism nor pessimism was associated with length of survival.

Conclusions—

Pretransplant patients with a pessimistic explanatory style reported depressive symptoms nearly 5 years later. Furthermore, over the same time span, patients with an optimistic explanatory style described a significantly higher quality of life than the pessimists described.
Daily Burdens of Recipients and Family Caregivers after Lung Transplant
Authors: Xu Jiayun , Adeboyejo Oluwatobi , Wagley Erin , Aubrecht Jill , Song Mi-Kyung , Thiry Lori , Dabbs Annette DeVito
Published: April 2012

Context—

Lung transplant recipients are prescribed a complex medical regimen that is thought to be burdensome and to interfere with daily activities of recipients and family caregivers. Yet empirical studies describing the activities that lung transplant recipients and their family caregivers perform on a typical day and the emotions associated with performing these activities are lacking.

Objective—

To identify the daily activities and burdens after lung transplant.

Design—

The Day Reconstruction Method and content analysis were used to reconstruct a typical day for lung transplant recipients and their family caregivers.

Setting—

The adult cardiothoracic transplant program of The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.

Participants—

Twenty-one dyads of lung transplant recipients and their family caregivers.

Main Outcome Measures—

Variables of interest included lung transplant recipients' and family caregivers' daily activities and associated emotions, sociodemographics, clinical characteristics, and patient-reported outcomes of quality of life, symptoms of depression and anxiety, and functional performance.

Results—

Participants reported 286 daily activities and 138 associated positive and negative emotions. No activities or emotions were uniquely reported by lung transplant recipients or caregivers, providing evidence of the shared responsibility for caregiving and health maintenance. Most activities reported by caregivers and lung transplant recipients were health-related. Compared with lung transplant recipients, caregivers reported positive emotions more often, yet reported lower overall daily mood. This finding is consistent with results of previous studies indicating that specific caregiving tasks were typically rewarding for caregivers, but overall, care giving takes its toll.

Conclusion—

Findings enhance our understanding of the burdens lung transplant recipients and caregivers face and point to the need for further support for dyads after lung transplant.
Characterizing Dietary Intake and Physical Activity Affecting Weight Gain in Kidney Transplant Recipients
Authors: Cupples Connie K. , Cashion Ann K. , Cowan Patricia A. , Tutor Ruth S. , Wicks Mona N. , Williams Ruth , Eason James D.
Published: April 2012

Context—

Weight gain after kidney transplantation affects 50% to 90% of kidney transplant recipients. Factors leading to weight gain in recipients are thought to include a change in lifestyle (eg, dietary intake and physical activity), age, race, sex, and immunosuppressant medications.

Objective—

To examine dietary intake and physical activity of kidney transplant recipients at baseline and 3 and 6 months after transplantation to identify contributing factors to weight gain.

Design—

Descriptive, correlational study using secondary data from a larger parent study examining genetic and environmental contributors to weight gain after kidney transplantation.

Participants and Setting—

Forty-four kidney transplant recipients at a mid-South university hospital-based transplant institute who had dietary intake, physical activity, and clinical data at baseline and 3 and 6 months were included.

Main Outcome Measures—

Dietary intake, physical activity, weight, and body mass index.

Results—

Mean weight gain increased by 6% from baseline to 6 months. Interestingly, dietary intake did not change significantly from baseline to 6 months. Hours of sleep per day decreased during the same period ( P = .02). Dietary intake, physical activity, age, race, sex, and immunosuppression showed no significant relationship to weight gain at 6 months.

Conclusion—

Little consideration has been given to dietary intake and physical activity of kidney transplant recipients and the effects of these variables on weight gain. Further studies with a larger sample are needed, as weight gain after transplantation is a significant risk factor for diminished long-term outcomes.
The Spirit in the Material: A Case Study of Animism in the American Southwest
Authors: VanPool Christine S. , Newsome Elizabeth
Published: April 2012

People often imbue their surroundings, including tools, with a “life essence” that makes them active objects. A growing number of archaeologists are beginning to study how such “living” beings impact human behavior. These archaeologists use the term “object agency,” but employ many different ontologicai approaches. We explore this variation, and present a framework comparing different ontologicai models archaeologists use. We adopt an animistic perspective, and evaluate its applicability to the Southwest using ethnographic and archaeological data. We further propose that it is applicable throughout the New World. Puebloan potters consider pots living beings with a spiritual essence that is affected by and that impacts humans. Pottery manufacture is a mutual negotiation between the potter and the clay to create a “Made Being” with its own spiritual and material aspects. We conclude that a similar ontology is reflected in effigy pots and globular jars from the Casas Grandes region. Ultimately we conclude that this perspective provides useful insights into the placement, decoration, and discard of many vessels that have puzzled Southwestern archaeologists for decades.
The CTIS Womb to Classroom Screening Program for the detection of agents with adverse effects on neuropsychological development
Authors: Adams Jane , Janulewicz Patricia A. , Kao Kelly , Jones Kenneth Lyons , Chambers Christina
Published: April 2012

Over the last several decades, federal agencies engaged in the screening of environmental or pharmaceutical agents have recognized the need to conduct research in animal models to identify agents that have classic teratogenic effects as well as effects on neural and behavioral development. Many questions typically addressed in rodent models can be further addressed using real‐world, everyday human exposures. Although some postmarketing surveillance programs have been put in place to examine the influences on birth characteristics, it is now urgent that programs be launched to examine the long‐term risks associated with exposure to the many medications, drugs, and environmental chemicals for which data are currently unavailable and unexplored. The California Teratogen Information Service (CTIS), established in 1983, and its corresponding Clinical Research Program represent the oldest national program directed at identifying pregnancy risk factors and exposures associated with adverse pregnancy outcome, including behavioral dysfunction. In recognition of the rising rates of developmental disorders involving compromised mental ability, in 2007, CTIS committed to the development of a more comprehensive screening program designed to detect relationships between adverse prenatal exposures and compromised human neurobehavioral development. The “CTIS Womb to Classroom Screening Program for the Detection of Agents with Adverse Effects on Neuropsychological Development” is the first program designed to identify agents not yet known to be of concern. Birth Defects Research (Part A) 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Host defense peptides: An alternative as antiinfective and immunomodulatory therapeutics
Authors: Alba Annia , López‐Abarrategui Carlos , Otero‐González Anselmo J.
Published: April 2012

Host defense peptides are conserved components of innate immune response present among all classes of life. These peptides are potent, broad spectrum antimicrobial agents with potential as novel therapeutic compounds. Also, the ability of host defense peptides to modulate immunity is an emerging therapeutic concept since its selective modulation is a novel antiinfective strategy. Their mechanisms of action and the fundamental differences between pathogens and host cells surfaces mostly lead to a not widely extended microbial resistance and to a lower toxicity toward host cells. Biological libraries and rational design are novel tools for developing such molecules with promising applications as therapeutic drugs. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers (Pept Sci) 98: 251–267, 2012.
Digital image‐color conversion between different illuminants by color‐constancy actuation in a color‐vision model based on the OSA‐UCS system
Authors: Oleari Claudio , Fermi Fernando , Učakar Andrej
Published: April 2012

In digital image capture, the camera signals produced by the D65 illuminant, once translated into tristimulus values of the CIE 1931 standard colorimetric observer (assuming the Maxwell‐Ives‐Luther criterion is satisfied), are considered good to produce accurate color rendering. An image obtained under any illuminant other than D65 does not appear realistic and the tristimulus values of the camera must be transformed into the corresponding ones produced by the D65 illuminant. This transformation must satisfy color constancy. In this work, the transformation is obtained by a color‐vision model based on the Optical Society of America‐Uniform Color Scales system [Color Res Appl 2005; 30: 31–41] and is represented by a matrix dependent on the adaptation illuminant. This matrix is obtained by minimizing the distance between the pairs of the uniform scale chromatic responses related to the tristimulus values of the 99 different color samples of the SG Gretag‐Macbeth ColorChecker measured under a pair of different illuminants, one of which is the D65. Then any picture captured under a given light source can be translated into the picture of the same scene under the D65 illuminant. Metameric reason allows only approximate solutions. The transformations from Daylight and Planckian illuminants to the D65 illuminant have a very regular dependence on the color temperature, that appears to be the typical parameter for the color conversion. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Col Res Appl, 38, 412–422, 2013
Dephosphorylation of cardiac proteins in vitro – a matter of phosphatase specificity
Authors: Husberg Cathrine , Agnetti Giulio , Holewinski Ronald J. , Christensen Geir , Van Eyk Jennifer E.
Published: April 2012

Protein phosphorylation is reversibly regulated by the interplay between kinases and phosphatases. Recent developments within the field of proteomics have revealed the extent of this modification in nature. To date there is still a lack of information about phosphatase specificity for different proteomes and their conditions to achieve maximum enzyme activity. This information is important per se, and in addition often requested in functional and biochemical in vitro studies, where a dephosphorylated sample is needed as a negative control to define baseline conditions. In this study, we have addressed the effectiveness of two phosphatases endogenously present in the heart (protein phosphatases 1 and 2A) and two generic phosphatases (alkaline phosphatase and lambda protein phosphatase) on three cardiac subproteomes known to be regulated by phosphorylation. We optimized the dephoshorylating conditions on a cardiac tissue fraction comprising cytosolic and myofilament proteins using 2DE and MS. The two most efficient conditions were further investigated on a mitochondrial‐enriched fraction. Dephosphorylation of specific proteins depends on the phosphatase, its concentration, as well as sample preparation including buffer composition. Finally, we analyzed the efficiency of alkaline phosphatase, the phosphatase with the broadest substrate specificity, using TiO2 peptide enrichment and 2DLC‐MS/MS. Under these conditions, 95% of the detected cardiac cytoplasmic‐enriched phospho‐proteome was dephosphorylated. In summary, targeting dephosphorylation of the cardiac muscle subproteomes or a specific protein will drive the selection of the specific phosphatase, and each requires different conditions for optimal performance.
Improving gel‐based proteome analysis of soluble protein extracts by heat prefractionation
Authors: Wang Wei , Wu Xiaolin , Xiong Erhui , Tai Fuju
Published: April 2012

The presence of high‐abundance proteins in complex protein mixtures often masks low‐abundance proteins and causes loss of resolution of 2DE. Protein fractionation steps conducted prior to 2DE can enhance the detection of low‐abundance proteins and improve the resolution of 2DE. Here, we report a method to prefractionate soluble protein extracts based on protein thermal denaturation. Soluble proteins were extracted from maize embryos and leaves and Escherichia coli cells. Through heating at 95°C for 5 min, soluble protein extracts were prefractionated as heat stable protein fraction (the supernatant) and heat labile protein fraction (the precipitate). Our results showed that heat prefractionation enhanced the separation of proteins in both fractions by 2DE, thereby increasing the chance of detecting low‐abundance proteins, many of which were nonvisible in unfractionated extract. In maize embryo, 330 spots were detected in soluble protein extract, while 577 spots were detected after prefractionation. Furthermore, this prefractionation method facilitated the enrichment, detection, and identification of de novo synthesized stress proteins. Because of its simplicity, the one‐step heat prefractionation minimizes protein loss. Finally, heat prefractionation requires no expensive special hardware or reagents, and provides an alternative prefractionation for increasing the resolving power of 2DE.
A proteomics performance standard to support measurement quality in proteomics
Authors: Beasley‐Green Ashley , Bunk David , Rudnick Paul , Kilpatrick Lisa , Phinney Karen
Published: April 2012

The emergence of MS‐based proteomic platforms as a prominent technology utilized in biochemical and biomedical research has increased the need for high‐quality MS measurements. To address this need, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) reference material (RM) 8323 yeast protein extract is introduced as a proteomics quality control material for benchmarking the preanalytical and analytical performance of proteomics‐based experimental workflows. RM 8323 yeast protein extract is based upon the well‐characterized eukaryote Saccharomyces cerevisiae and can be utilized in the design and optimization of proteomics‐based methodologies from sample preparation to data analysis. To demonstrate its utility as a proteomics quality control material, we coupled LC‐MS/MS measurements of RM 8323 with the NIST MS Quality Control (MSQC) performance metrics to quantitatively assess the LC‐MS/MS instrumentation parameters that influence measurement accuracy, repeatability, and reproducibility. Due to the complexity of the yeast proteome, we also demonstrate how NIST RM 8323, along with the NIST MSQC performance metrics, can be used in the evaluation and optimization of proteomics‐based sample preparation methods.
Deciphering the proteome of the in vivo diagnostic reagent “purified protein derivative” from Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Cho Yun Sang , Dobos Karen M. , Prenni Jessica , Yang Hongliang , Hess Ann , Rosenkrands Ida , Andersen Peter , Ryoo Sung Weon , Bai Gill‐Han , Brennan Michael J. , Izzo Angelo , Bielefeldt‐Ohmann Helle , Belisle John T.
Published: April 2012

Purified protein derivative (PPD) has served as a safe and effective diagnostic reagent for 60 years and is the only broadly available material to diagnose latent tuberculosis infections. This reagent is also used as a standard control for a number of in vitro immunological assays. Nevertheless, the molecular composition and specific products that contribute to the extraordinary immunological reactivity of PPD are poorly defined. Here, a proteomic approach was applied to elucidate the gene products in the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) standard PPD‐S2. Many known Mycobacterium tuberculosis T‐cell antigens were detected. Of significance, four heat shock proteins (HSPs) (GroES, GroEL2, HspX, and DnaK) dominated the composition of PPD. The chaperone activities and capacity of these proteins to influence immunological responses may explain the exquisite solubility and immunological potency of PPD. Spectral counting analysis of three separate PPD reagents revealed significant quantitative variances. Gross delayed‐type hypersensitivity (DTH) responses in M. tuberculosis infected guinea pigs were comparable among these PPD preparations; however, detailed histopathology of the DTH lesions exposed unique differences, which may be explained by the variability observed in the presence and abundance of early secretory system (Esx) proteins. Variability in PPD reagents may explain differences in DTH responses reported among populations.
Influence of lithium cations on prolyl peptide bonds
Authors: Kunz Claudia , Jahreis Günther , Günther Robert , Berger Stefan , Fischer Gunter , Hofmann Hans‐Jörg
Published: April 2012

The influence of lithium cations on the cis/trans isomerization of prolyl peptide bonds was investigated in a quantitative manner in trifluoroethanol (TFE) and acetonitrile, employing NMR techniques. The focus was on various environmental and structural aspects, such as lithium cation and water concentrations, the type of the partner amino acid in the prolyl peptide bond, and the peptide sequence length.

Comparison of the thermodynamic parameters of the isomerization in LiCl/TFE and TFE shows a lithium cation concentration dependence of the cis/trans ratio, which saturates at cation concentrations >200 mM. A pronounced increase in the cis isomer content in the presence of lithium cations occurs with the exception of peptides with Gly‐Pro and Asp‐Pro moieties. The cation effect appears already at the dipeptide level. The salt concentration can considerably be reduced in solvents with a lower number of nucleophilic centers like acetonitrile. The lithium cation effect decreases with small amounts of water and disappears at a water concentration of about 5%. The isomerization kinetics under the influence of lithium cations suggests a weak cation interaction with the carbonyl oxygen of the peptide bond. Copyright © 2012 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Spatial extent and historical context of North Sea oxygen depletion in August 2010
Authors: Queste Bastien Y. , Fernand Liam , Jickells Timothy D. , Heywood Karen J.
Published: April 2012

Prompted by recent observations of seasonal low dissolved oxygen from two moorings in the North Sea, a hydrographic survey in August 2010 mapped the spatial extent of summer oxygen depletion. Typical near-bed dissolved oxygen saturations in the stratified regions of the North Sea were 75–80 % while the well-mixed regions of the southern North Sea reached 90 %. Two regions of strong thermal stratification, the area between the Dooley and Central North Sea Currents and the area known as the Oyster Grounds, had oxygen saturations as low as 65 and 70 % (200 and 180 μmol dm−3) respectively. Low dissolved oxygen was apparent in regions characterised by low advection, high stratification, elevated organic matter production from the spring bloom and a deep chlorophyll maximum. Historical data over the last century from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea oceanographic database highlight an increase in seasonal oxygen depletion and a warming over the past 20 years. The 2010 survey is consistent with, and reinforces, the signal of recent depleted oxygen at key locations seen in the (albeit sparse) historical data.
Coexistence of carnivores in a heterogeneous landscape: habitat selection and ecological niches
Authors: Pereira Pedro , Alves da Silva António , Alves Joana , Matos Milena , Fonseca Carlos
Published: April 2012

Understanding distributional patterns and mechanisms used by species for habitat selection is crucial to adopt effective land management policies in terms of biodiversity conservation. A heterogeneous landscape may allow coexistence of species. That coexistence will be dependent on the availability of the resources in the habitat that has to be sufficient to fulfil their basic needs. The present study aimed to investigate habitat selection, niche breadth and niche overlap of three sympatric carnivore species (Vulpes vulpes,Genetta genetta and Martes foina) in a typically fragmented landscape from Central Portugal, using camera‐trapping techniques. The results obtained revealed that the investigated species use the available habitats differently and in a non‐random way. The red fox showed the most specialized behaviour, positively selecting coniferous forests. The common genet preferred eucalyptus, avoiding old‐growth mixed woodland, in contrast with stone marten that exhibited a strong preference for this late habitat, avoiding eucalyptus. Concerning the niche breadth, the genet had the highest value while the red fox had the lowest one. The results obtained at the camera‐trap level showed that the highest niche overlap occurred between the genet and the stone marten which suggests that these species can coexist and share the available resources. Regarding the habitat level, the greatest niche overlap was found for the stone marten and the red fox, indicating the exploration of the same general habitat conditions by both species. The results obtained in the present study support the concept that landscape complexity allows coexistence between species within the same trophic level.
Synthesis and Surface Properties Study of a Series of Cationic Surfactants with Different Hydrophobic Chain Lengths
Authors: Badache Leila , Lehanine Zineb , Naït Abderrahmane Wahiba
Published: April 2012

A series of three cationic surfactants with different chain lengths, i.e. O‐decyl‐, O‐dodecyl‐ and O‐tetradecyl‐N,N′‐diisopropylisourea hydrochloride were synthesized. The chemical structures of the prepared compounds were confirmed using chemical analysis, Fourier transform infra red spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance spectra and chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. Several surface properties of the synthesized surfactants were studied in aqueous solution. Surface tension, conductivity and the foaming power were measured and the critical micelle concentration (CMC) was determined at 25 °C. These results were correlated to the surfactant chemical structure. The surfactant that provided the best surface activity was the O‐dodecyl‐N,N′‐diisopropylisourea hydrochloride. The CMC was found to be significantly dependent on the hydrophobic chain length and decreased with increasing of the carbon number in the alkyl chain. The surfactants synthesized have an interesting foaming power. The surfactant with the longest alkyl chain exhibited the highest foamability.
THAP11, a novel binding protein of PCBP1, negatively regulates CD44 alternative splicing and cell invasion in a human hepatoma cell line
Authors: Lian Wen-Xi , Yin Rong-Hua , Kong Xiang-Zhen , Zhang Tong , Huang Xian-Hong , Zheng Wei-Wei , Yang Yang , Zhan Yi-Qun , Xu Wang-Xiang , Yu Miao , Ge Chang-Hui , Guo Jun-Tang , Li Chang-Yan , Yang Xiao-Ming
Published: April 2012

THAP11
physically interacts with
PCBP1
by anti bait coimmunoprecipitation (View interaction)
THAP11
physically interacts with
PCBP1
by anti tag coimmunoprecipitation (View Interaction: 1, 2)
THAP11
and
PCBP1
colocalize by fluorescence microscopy (View interaction)
Short‐chain fatty acid receptor GPR41‐mediated activation of sympathetic neurons involves synapsin 2b phosphorylation
Authors: Inoue Daisuke , Kimura Ikuo , Wakabayashi Masaki , Tsumoto Hiroki , Ozawa Kentaro , Hara Takafumi , Takei Yoshinori , Hirasawa Akira , Ishihama Yasushi , Tsujimoto Gozoh
Published: April 2012

Synapsins are neuronal phosphoproteins that coat synaptic vesicles and are believed to function in the regulation of neurotransmitter release. The signaling mechanism for short‐chain free fatty acid (SCFA)‐stimulated NE release was examined using primary‐cultured mouse sympathetic cervical ganglion neurons. Pharmacological and knockdown experiments showed that activation of sympathetic neurons by SCFA propionate involves SCFA receptor GPR41 linking to Gβγ‐PLCβ3‐ERK1/2‐synapsin 2 signaling. Further, synapsin 2b directly interacts with activated ERK1/2 and can be phosphorylated on serine when SCFA activates sympathetic neurons.
Regulation of lipid biosynthesis by phosphatidylinositol‐specific phospholipase C through the transcriptional repression of upstream activating sequence inositol containing genes
Authors: Rupwate Sunny D. , Rupwate Preeti S. , Rajasekharan Ram
Published: April 2012

The regulation of phospholipid biosynthesis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae through cis‐acting upstream activating sequence inositol (UASino) and trans‐acting elements, such as the INO2–INO4 complex and OPI1 by inositol supplementation in growth is thoroughly studied. In this study, we provide evidence for the regulation of lipid biosynthesis by phosphatidylinositol‐specific phospholipase C (PLC) through UASino and the trans‐acting elements. Gene expression analysis and radiolabelling experiments demonstrated that the overexpression of rice PLC in yeast cells altered phospholipid biosynthesis at the levels of transcriptional and enzyme activity. This is the first report implicating PLC in the direct regulation of lipid biosynthesis.
Functional plasticity of the BNIP‐2 and Cdc42GAP Homology (BCH) domain in cell signaling and cell dynamics
Authors: Pan Catherine Qiurong , Low Boon Chuan
Published: April 2012

The BNIP‐2 and Cdc42GAP Homology (BCH) domains constitute a new and expanding family of highly conserved scaffold protein domains that regulate Rho, Ras and MAPK signaling, leading to cell growth, apoptosis, morphogenesis, migration and differentiation. Such versatility is achieved via their ability to target small GTPases and their immediate regulators such as GTPase‐activating proteins (GAPs) and guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs), their ability to form intra‐molecular or inter‐molecular interaction with itself or with other BCH domains, and also by their ability to bind diverse cellular proteins such as membrane receptors, isomerase, caspases and metabolic enzymes such as glutaminase. The presence of BCH and BCH‐like domains in various proteins and their divergence from the ancestral lipid‐binding CRAL–TRIO domain warrant the need to examine closely their structural, functional and regulatory plasticity in isolation or in concert with other protein modules present in the same proteins.
Osteopontin increases the proliferation of neural progenitor cells
Authors: Kalluri Haviryaji S.G. , Dempsey Robert J.
Published: April 2012

We examined the role of osteopontin in the proliferation of neural progenitor cellsin vitro. Osteopontin increased the proliferation of neural progenitor cells in the presence of FGF2 as measured by cell proliferation assay and bromodeoxy uridine incorporation studies. In addition, immunoblot analysis demonstrated an increase in the phosphorylation of retinoblastoma protein with a concurrent increase in the content of phospho‐Akt and cyclin D1. These results indicate that osteopontin can upregulate the content of phospho‐Akt, cyclin D1 and phospho‐Rb to subsequently enhance the proliferation of neural progenitor cells in the presence of FGF2.
Formation of the macroanisotropic geoelectric parameters of a thin-layered geologic medium and the resolution of electrical prospecting
Authors: Mogilatov V.S.
Published: April 2012

The accuracy (detail, resolution) of controlled-source electrical prospecting is a combination of several disparate elements. They include the model framework used in the interpretation. A real geologic medium has a complex structure. Sedimentary rocks have a layered structure with fractal properties: The layers split into smaller ones. Large-scale geoelectrical studies (for example, electrical prospecting) require a proper geoelectrical model. By necessity, the 1D geoelectrical model in electrical prospecting is horizontally layered, with thick (hundreds of meters) homogeneous layers, whereas a fine structure is neglected. To study some aspects of this problem, we performed a set of numerical experiments. They were aimed at studying the TEM response from a formation consisting of many thin layers with random geoelectric parameters, mainly resistivity.
Prädiktoren des Hörverstehens bei Jugendlichen deutscher und Jugendlichen nichtdeutscher Herkunftssprache 3Dieser Beitrag wurde unter der geschäftsführenden Herausgeberschaft von Jens Möller angenommen.
Authors: Marx Alexandra , Roick Thorsten
Published: April 2012

Zusammenfassung:Trotz der zentralen Bedeutung des Hörverstehens für weitere sprachliche Leistungen existieren bislang nur wenige Untersuchungen, die Hörverstehensleistungen und deren Prädiktoren bei Schülerinnen und Schülern unterschiedlicher Herkunftssprache vergleichend analysieren. Die vorliegende Studie untersucht deutschsprachiges Hörverstehen und dessen Determinanten bei Jugendlichen deutscher (L1) und Jugendlichen nichtdeutscher (L2) Herkunftssprache. Im Rahmen der Erhebung bearbeiteten 424 Neuntklässler Aufgaben zum deutschsprachigen Hörverstehen sowie zur phonologischen Bewusstheit, zum Arbeitsgedächtnis, zu morphosyntaktischen Fähigkeiten und zum Wortschatz. Ausgehend von theoretischen Annahmen und empirischen Befunden wird angenommen, dass L2-Jugendliche schwächere Hörverstehensleistungen aufweisen sowie über einen geringeren Wortschatz verfügen als L1-Jugendliche. Weiterhin wird ein im Vergleich zu L1-Jugendlichen stärkerer Einfluss des Wortschatzes, der phonologischen Bewusstheit und des Arbeitsgedächtnisses auf die Hörverstehensleistung bei L2-Jugendlichen angenommen. Die strukturanalytische Modellierung dieser Determinanten des Hörverstehens zeigt, dass L2-Jugendliche geringere Wortschatzkenntnisse aufweisen als L1-Jugendliche. Schwächen im Bereich des Hörverstehens finden sich nur für Jugendliche, die Türkisch als Erstsprache gelernt haben. Bei allen Jugendlichen wird die Hörverstehensleistung durch die morphosyntaktischen Kompetenzen sowie den Wortschatz determiniert; bei Jugendlichen mit Türkisch als Erstsprache findet sich zusätzlich ein Effekt der phonologischen Bewusstheit auf die Hörverstehensleistung. Die Implikationen der Befunde für theoretische Annahmen zu Hörverstehensleistungen in einer Zweitsprache werden diskutiert.
Reactor-relevant quiescent H-mode operation using torque from non-axisymmetric, non-resonant magnetic fields
Authors: Burrell K. H. , Garofalo A. M , Solomon W. M. , Fenstermacher M. E. , Osborne T. H. , Park J.-K. , Schaffer M. J. , Snyder P. B.
Published: April 2012

Results from recent experiments demonstrate that quiescent H-mode (QH-mode) sustained by magnetic torque from non-axisymmetric magnetic fields is a promising operating mode for future burning plasmas. Using magnetic torque from n=3 fields to replace counter-Ip torque from neutral beam injection (NBI), we have achieved long duration, counter-rotating QH-mode operation with NBI torque ranging from counter-Ip to up to co-Ip values of 1-1.3 Nm. This co-Ip torque is 3 to 4 times the scaled torque that ITER will have. These experiments utilized an ITER-relevant lower single-null plasma shape and were done with ITER-relevant values of νped* and βNped. These discharges exhibited confinement quality H98y2=1.3, in the range required for ITER. In preliminary experiments using n=3 fields only from a coil outside the toroidal coil, QH-mode plasmas with low q95=3.4 have reached fusion gain values of G=βNH89/q952=0.4, which is the desired value for ITER. Shots with the same coil configuration also operated with net zero NBI torque. The limits on G and co-Ip torque have not yet been established for this coil configuration. QH-mode work to has made significant contact with theory. The importance of edge rotational shear is consistent with peeling-ballooning mode theory. Qualitative and quantitative agreements with the predicted neoclassical toroidal viscosity torque is seen.
Beams, brightness, and background: Using active spectroscopy techniques for precision measurements in fusion plasma research
Authors: Thomas Dan M.
Published: April 2012

The use of an injected neutral beam—either a dedicated diagnostic beam or the main heating beams—to localize and enhance plasma spectroscopic measurements can be exploited for a number of key physics issues in magnetic confinement fusion research, yielding detailed profile information on thermal and fast ion parameters, the radial electric field, plasma current density, and turbulent transport. The ability to make these measurements has played a significant role in much of our recent progress in the scientific understanding of fusion plasmas. The measurements can utilize emission from excited state transitions either from plasma ions or from the beam atoms themselves. The primary requirement is that the beam “probe” interacts with the plasma in a known fashion. Advantages of active spectroscopy include high spatial resolution due to the enhanced localization of the emission and the use of appropriate imaging optics, background rejection through the appropriate modulation and timing of the beam and emission collection/detection system, and the ability of the beam to populate emitter states that are either nonexistent or too dim to utilize effectively in the case of standard or passive spectroscopy. In addition, some active techniques offer the diagnostician unique information because of the specific quantum physics responsible for the emission. This paper will describe the general principles behind a successful active spectroscopic measurement, emphasize specific techniques that facilitate the measurements and include several successful examples of their implementation, briefly touching on some of the more important physics results. It concludes with a few remarks about the relevance and requirements of active spectroscopic techniques for future burning plasma experiments.