bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Skin Melanoma Development in ret Transgenic Mice Despite the Depletion of CD25+Foxp3+ Regulatory T Cells in Lymphoid Organs
Authors: Kimpfler Silvia , Sevko Alexandra , Ring Sabine , Falk Christine , Osen Wolfram , Frank Kathrin , Kato Masashi , Mahnke Karsten , Schadendorf Dirk , Umansky Viktor
Published: October 2009

CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Treg) known to mediate self-tolerance were also shown to contribute to tumor progression. In mouse melanoma transplantation models, Treg depletion resulted in the stimulation of antitumor immune responses and tumor eradication. To study Treg in conditions close to the clinical situation, we used a ret transgenic mouse spontaneous melanoma model, which, in contrast to transplantation models, resembles human melanoma regarding clinical development. Significantly higher numbers of Treg were found in skin tumors and metastatic lymph nodes at early stages of melanoma progression compared with more advanced stages accompanied by the elevated CCR4 expression on Treg and higher production of its ligand CCL2 in tumor lesions. Numbers of tumor infiltrating Treg inversely correlated with Treg amounts in the bone marrow, suggesting their possible recruitment to melanoma lesions from this organ. The immunosuppressive function of Treg from transgenic tumor-bearing mice was similar to that from transgenic tumor-free mice or nontransgenic littermates. Although anti-CD25 mAb injections resulted in the efficient Treg depletion from lymphoid organs of transgenic mice, melanoma development was not significantly delayed. Furthermore, the treatment of mice with macroscopical tumors also failed to inhibit tumor progression, which correlated with the inability to deplete intratumoral Treg. We suggest that in the autochthonous melanoma genesis, other immunosuppressive cells could play an important role and replace immunosuppressive, tumor-promoting functions of Treg. Therefore, effective melanoma immunotherapy should include the inhibition of Treg migration into the tumor combined with neutralization of other immunosuppressive cells and factors in the tumor microenvironment.
Regulation of Airway MUC5AC Expression by IL-1β and IL-17A; the NF-κB Paradigm
Authors: Fujisawa Tomoyuki , Velichko Sharlene , Thai Philip , Hung Li-Yin , Huang Fei , Wu Reen
Published: October 2009

Mucin over-production is one of the hallmarks of chronic airway diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, and cystic fibrosis. NF-κB activation in airway epithelial cells has been shown to play a positive inflammatory role in chronic airway diseases; however, the role of NF-κB in mucin gene expression is unresolved. In this study, we have shown that the proinflammatory cytokines, IL-1β and IL-17A, both of which utilize the NF-κB pathway, are potent inducers of mucin (MUC)5AC mRNA and protein synthesis by both well-differentiated primary normal human bronchial epithelial cells and the human bronchial epithelial cell line, HBE1. MUC5AC induction by these cytokines was both time- and dose-dependent and occurred at the level of promoter activation, as measured by a reporter gene assay. These effects were attenuated by the small molecule inhibitor NF-κB inhibitor III, as well as p65 small-interfering RNA, suggesting that the regulation of MUC5AC expression by these cytokines is via an NF-κB-based transcriptional mechanism. Further investigation of the promoter region identified a putative NF-κB binding site at position-3594/-3582 in the promoter of MUC5AC as critical for the regulation of MUC5AC expression by both IL-1β and IL-17A. Chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis confirmed enhanced binding of the NF-κB subunit p50 to this region following cytokine stimulation. We conclude that an NF-κB-based transcriptional mechanism is involved in MUC5AC regulation by IL-1β and IL-17A in the airway epithelium. This is the first demonstration of the participation of NF-κB and its specific binding site in cytokine-mediated airway MUC5AC expression.
Role of Gut Commensal Microflora in the Development of Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis
Authors: Ochoa-Repáraz Javier , Mielcarz Daniel W. , Ditrio Lauren E. , Burroughs Ashley R. , Foureau David M. , Haque-Begum Sakhina , Kasper Lloyd H.
Published: October 2009

Mucosal tolerance has been considered a potentially important pathway for the treatment of autoimmune disease, including human multiple sclerosis and experimental conditions such as experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). There is limited information on the capacity of commensal gut bacteria to induce and maintain peripheral immune tolerance. Inbred SJL and C57BL/6 mice were treated orally with a broad spectrum of antibiotics to reduce gut microflora. Reduction of gut commensal bacteria impaired the development of EAE. Intraperitoneal antibiotic-treated mice showed no significant decline in the gut microflora and developed EAE similar to untreated mice, suggesting that reduction in disease activity was related to alterations in the gut bacterial population. Protection was associated with a reduction of proinflammatory cytokines and increases in IL-10 and IL-13. Adoptive transfer of low numbers of IL-10-producing CD25+CD4+ T cells (>75% FoxP3+) purified from cervical lymph nodes of commensal bacteria reduced mice and in vivo neutralization of CD25+ cells suggested the role of regulatory T cells maintaining peripheral immune homeostasis. Our data demonstrate that antibiotic modification of gut commensal bacteria can modulate peripheral immune tolerance that can protect against EAE. This approach may offer a new therapeutic paradigm in the treatment of multiple sclerosis and perhaps other autoimmune conditions.
CD69 Gene Is Differentially Regulated in T and B Cells by Evolutionarily Conserved Promoter-Distal Elements
Authors: Vazquez Berta N. , Laguna Teresa , Carabana Juan , Krangel Michael S. , Lauzurica Pilar
Published: October 2009

CD69 is a type II C-type lectin involved in lymphocyte migration and cytokine secretion. CD69 expression represents one of the earliest available indicators of leukocyte activation and its rapid induction occurs through transcriptional activation. In this study we examined the molecular mechanism underlying mouse CD69 gene transcription in vivo in T and B cells. Analysis of the 45-kb region upstream of the CD69 gene revealed evolutionary conservation at the promoter and at four noncoding sequences (CNS) that were called CNS1, CNS2, CNS3, and CNS4. These regions were found to be hypersensitive sites in DNase I digestion experiments, and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays showed specific epigenetic modifications. CNS2 and CNS4 displayed constitutive and inducible enhancer activity in transient transfection assays in T cells. Using a transgenic approach to test CNS function, we found that the CD69 promoter conferred developmentally regulated expression during positive selection of thymocytes but could not support regulated expression in mature lymphocytes. Inclusion of CNS1 and CNS2 caused suppression of CD69 expression, whereas further addition of CNS3 and CNS4 supported developmental-stage and lineage-specific regulation in T cells but not in B cells. We concluded CNS1–4 are important cis-regulatory elements that interact both positively and negatively with the CD69 promoter and that differentially contribute to CD69 expression in T and B cells.
T-Lineage Cells Require the Thymus but Not V(D)J Recombination to Produce IL-17A and Regulate Granulopoiesis In Vivo
Authors: Smith Emily , von Vietinghoff Sibylle , Stark Matthew A. , Zarbock Alexander , Sanders John M. , Duley Amanda , Rivera-Nieves Jesus , Bender Timothy P. , Ley Klaus
Published: October 2009

IL-17A and IL-17F regulate granulopoiesis and are produced by memory T cells. Rag1−/− recombinase-activating gene-deficient mice cannot produce mature T cells but maintain normal neutrophil counts. Athymic nude mice are neutropenic or have near-normal neutrophil counts, depending on the prevailing intestinal flora, and do not produce IL-17A. By contrast, thymi from Rag1−/− mice contain as much IL-17A as those from wild-type (WT) mice. IL-17A-producing cells are found in the double negative DN1 compartment of the Rag1−/− thymus and express intracellular CD3. These cells colonize the spleen and mesenteric lymph node and secrete IL-17A in vitro following stimulation with IL-23 at a level similar to that of WT splenocytes. Adoptively transferred Rag1−/− or WT thymocytes correct neutrophil counts in neutropenic nude mice. We conclude that the development of IL-17A-producing T-lineage cells requires an intact thymic epithelium, but not V(D)J recombination.
Mouse ChemR23 Is Expressed in Dendritic Cell Subsets and Macrophages, and Mediates an Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Chemerin in a Lung Disease Model
Authors: Luangsay Souphalone , Wittamer Valérie , Bondue Benjamin , De Henau Olivier , Rouger Laurie , Brait Maryse , Franssen Jean-Denis , de Nadai Patricia , Huaux François , Parmentier Marc
Published: October 2009

Chemerin is the ligand of the ChemR23 receptor and a chemoattractant factor for human immature dendritic cells (DCs), macrophages, and NK cells. In this study, we characterized the mouse chemerin/ChemR23 system in terms of pharmacology, structure-function, distribution, and in vivo biological properties. Mouse chemerin is synthesized as an inactive precursor (prochemerin) requiring, as in human, the precise processing of its C terminus for generating an agonist of ChemR23. Mouse ChemR23 is highly expressed in immature plasmacytoid DCs and at lower levels in myeloid DCs, macrophages, and NK cells. Mouse prochemerin is expressed in most epithelial cells acting as barriers for pathogens but not in leukocytes. Chemerin promotes calcium mobilization and chemotaxis on DCs and macrophages and these functional responses were abrogated in ChemR23 knockout mice. In a mouse model of acute lung inflammation induced by LPS, chemerin displayed potent anti-inflammatory properties, reducing neutrophil infiltration and inflammatory cytokine release in a ChemR23-dependent manner. ChemR23 knockout mice were unresponsive to chemerin and displayed an increased neutrophil infiltrate following LPS challenge. Altogether, the mouse chemerin/ChemR23 system is structurally and functionally conserved between human and mouse, and mouse can therefore be considered as a good model for studying the anti-inflammatory role of this system in the regulation of immune responses and inflammatory diseases.
c-Myb Is Required for Pro-B Cell Differentiation
Authors: Fahl Shawn P. , Crittenden Rowena B. , Allman David , Bender Timothy P.
Published: October 2009

The c-Myb transcription factor is required for normal adult hematopoiesis. However, the embryonic lethality of Myb-null mutations has been an impediment to identifying roles for c-Myb during lymphocyte development. We have used tissue-specific inactivation of the Myb locus in early progenitor cells to demonstrate that c-Myb is absolutely required for the differentiation of CD19+ B-lineage cells and B cell differentiation is profoundly blocked beyond the pre-pro-B cell stage in Mybf/f Mb1-cre mice. We demonstrate that c-Myb is required for the intrinsic survival of CD19+ pro-B cells as well as the proper expression of the α-chain of the IL-7 receptor (CD127) and Ebf1. However, survival of c-Myb-deficient CD19+ pro-B cells cannot be rescued by transduction with CD127-producing retrovirus, suggesting that c-Myb controls a survival pathway independent of CD127. Furthermore, c-Myb-deficient progenitor cells inefficiently generate CD19+ B-lineage cells during stromal cell culture but this process can be partially rescued with exogenous Ebf1. Thus, c-Myb does not appear to be required for commitment to B cell differentiation but is crucial for B cell differentiation to the CD19+ pro-B cell stage as well as survival of CD19+ pro-B cells. Surprisingly, forced c-Myb expression in lymphoid-primed multipotent progenitors favors differentiation toward the myeloid lineage, suggesting that proper c-Myb expression is crucial for B-lineage development.
Mcl-1-Mediated Impairment of the Intrinsic Apoptosis Pathway in Circulating Neutrophils from Critically Ill Patients Can Be Overcome by Fas Stimulation
Authors: Paunel-Görgülü Adnana , Zörnig Martin , Lögters Tim , Altrichter Jens , Rabenhorst Uta , Cinatl Jindrich , Windolf Joachim , Scholz Martin
Published: October 2009

The systemic inflammatory response syndrome and subsequent organ failure are mainly driven by activated neutrophils with prolonged life span, which is believed to be due to apoptosis resistance. However, detailed underlying mechanisms leading to neutrophil apoptosis resistance are largely unknown, and possible therapeutic options to overcome this resistance do not exist. Here we report that activated neutrophils from severely injured patients exhibit cell death resistance due to impaired activation of the intrinsic apoptosis pathway, as evidenced by limited staurosporine-induced mitochondrial membrane depolarization and decreased caspase-9 activity. Moreover, we found that these neutrophils express high levels of antiapoptotic Mcl-1 and low levels of proapoptotic Bax protein. Mcl-1 up-regulation was dependent on elevated concentrations of GM-CSF in patient serum. Accordingly, increased Mcl-1 protein stability and GM-CSF serum concentrations were shown to correlate with staurosporine-induced apoptosis resistance. However, cross-linking of neutrophil Fas by immobilized agonistic anti-Fas IgM resulted in caspase-dependent mitochondrial membrane depolarization and apoptosis induction. In conclusion, the observed impairment of the intrinsic pathway and the resulting apoptosis resistance may be overcome by immobilized agonistic anti-Fas IgM. Targeting of neutrophil Fas by immobilized agonistic effector molecules may represent a new therapeutic tool to limit neutrophil hyperactivation and its sequelae in patients with severe immune disorders.
Cyclooxygenase-1 Orchestrates Germinal Center Formation and Antibody Class-Switch via Regulation of IL-17
Authors: Blaho Victoria A. , Buczynski Matthew W. , Dennis Edward A. , Brown Charles R.
Published: October 2009

The cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes are known modulators of innate immune cell function; however, their contributions to adaptive immunity are relatively unknown. We investigated the roles of COX-1 and COX-2 in the humoral immune response to infection with the Lyme disease pathogen Borrelia burgdorferi. We report that in vitro, murine B cells constitutively expressed COX-1 and up-regulated expression of both COX-1 and COX-2 as well as their products PGE2, PGF2α, and thromboxane B2 and their receptors following stimulation with B. burgdorferi or anti-CD40. In vitro inhibition of COX-1 and/or COX-2 in murine B cells resulted in decreased eicosanoid production and altered Ab production. Importantly, infection of mice lacking COX-1, but not COX-2, activity resulted in a defect in Ig class-switching and a lack of Borrelia-specific IgG production. This defect correlated with decreased germinal center formation and IL-6 and IL-17 production, and it could be partially recovered by restoration of IL-6, but fully recovered by IL-17. Furthermore, sera from COX-1 inhibitor-treated mice were dramatically less effective in killing B. burgdorferi, but borreliacidal activity was restored in COX-1 inhibitor-treated mice administered IL-17. We conclude that IL-17 plays a role in Ab production and Ig class-switching in response to infection and that COX-1 is a critical, previously unrecognized regulator of this response.
Thymic Regulation of Autoimmune Disease by Accelerated Differentiation of Foxp3+ Regulatory T Cells through IL-7 Signaling Pathway
Authors: Chen Xi , Fang Lei , Song Shengli , Guo Taylor B. , Liu Ailian , Zhang Jingwu Z.
Published: October 2009

The exact role of adult thymus in autoimmune disease state is poorly understood. We show here that thymus regulated experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an animal model for multiple sclerosis, as evidenced by loss of spontaneous recovery in thymectomized EAE mice. There was progressive enrichment for CD4 single-positive Foxp3+ regulatory T cells in thymocytes during the course of EAE and they suppressed the disease when adoptively transferred. Thymus was shown to undergo an active process characterized by accelerated differentiation and proliferation of regulatory T (Treg) cells through a mechanism involving increased expression of IL-7 in stromal cells and dynamic expression of IL-7 receptor in thymic Treg cells. This process preceded EAE recovery and selectively affected Treg over non-Treg cells in the thymus, leading to increased output of thymic Treg cells and self-regulation of EAE. The study reveals a novel role of thymus in self-regulation of autoimmune condition.
Generation of B Cell Memory to the Bacterial Polysaccharide α-1,3 Dextran
Authors: Foote Jeremy B. , Kearney John F.
Published: October 2009

B1b B cells generate a novel form of memory and provide Ab mediated-protection to persisting bacterial pathogens. To understand how B1b B cells establish memory to polysaccharide Ags, we studied an oligoclonal B cell response to α-1,3 dextran (DEX) expressed on Enterobacter cloacae. B cells specific for DEX enrich in the marginal zone (MZ) and B1b B cell populations. After E. cloacae immunization, MZ B cells were responsible for the generation of initial peak DEX-specific Ab titers, whereas, DEX-specific B1b B cells expanded and played an important role in boosted production of DEX-specific Ab titers upon E. cloacae rechallenge. Cell transfer experiments demonstrate that B1b B cells possess the capacity for both robust proliferation and plasma cell differentiation, thus distinguishing themselves from MZ B cells, which uniformly commit to plasma cell differentiation. These results define B1b B cells as the principal reservoir for memory to bacterial-associated polysaccharide Ags.
The Leuenberg Agreement and church unity: A possible matrix to cross ten seas with?
Authors: Dreyer Willem A.
Published: October 2009

This article gives a short historical background to the debate between Lutherans and Calvinists on unity. It is important that this debate should also start in southern Africa. The focus is placed on the Leuenberg Agreement of 1973 as a possible model of unity not only between the Lutheran and Reformed churches in South Africa, but also between all Protestant churches which have historically been divided on the basis of tradition, language and race.
Retention factors of management staff in the maintenance phase of their careers in local government
Authors: Munsamy Mervin , Bosch Venter Anita
Published: October 2009

Organisations require an employer value proposition (EVP) to attract and retain people in management. This study was undertaken to understand the key retention factors that influence experienced management employees, in the maintenance phase of their careers, to remain employed at a local government organisation. Retention factors inform the organisation’s EVP. A qualitative, empirical-analytical research paradigm with a modernist approach was adopted. Data were obtained through purposive sampling (n = 10) by way of semi-structured interviews. A theoretical framework was used against which data could be deducted and compared. Sixteen key factors were identified, of which Job Aligned with Personal Meaning or Passion emerged as the strongest retention factor among the study’s participants.
Closed Ideals in Some Algebras of Analytic Functions
Authors: Bouya Brahim
Published: October 2009

Abstract. We obtain a complete description of closed ideals of the algebra 𝒟 ∩lipα, 0 < α ≤ ½ , where 𝒟 is the Dirichlet space and lipα is the algebra of analytic functions satisfying the Lipschitz condition of order α.
Injective Representations of Infinite Quivers. Applications
Authors: Enochs E. , Estrada S. , García Rozas J. R.
Published: October 2009

Abstract. In this article we study injective representations of infinite quivers. We classify the indecomposable injective representations of trees and describe Gorenstein injective and projective representations of barren trees.
On Reducibility and Unitarizability for Classical p-Adic Groups, Some General Results
Authors: Tadić Marko
Published: October 2009

Abstract. The aim of this paper is to prove two general results on parabolic induction of classical p-adic groups (actually, one of them holds also in the archimedean case), and to obtain from them some consequences about irreducible unitarizable representations. One of these consequences is a reduction of the unitarizability problem for these groups. This reduction is similar to the reduction of the unitarizability problem to the case of real infinitesimal character for real reductive groups.
On Partitions into Powers of Primes and Their Difference Functions
Authors: Woodford Roger
Published: October 2009

Abstract.In this paper, we extend the approach first outlined by Hardy and Ramanujan for calculating the asymptotic formulae for the number of partitions into r-th powers of primes, pP(r) (n), to include their difference functions. In doing so, we rectify an oversight of said authors, namely that the first difference function is perforce positive for all values of n, and include the magnitude of the error term.
Algebraic Properties of a Family of Generalized Laguerre Polynomials
Authors: Hajir Farshid
Published: October 2009

We study the algebraic properties of Generalized Laguerre Polynomials for negative integral values of the parameter. For integers r, n ≥ 0, we conjecture that is a ℚ-irreducible polynomial whose Galois group contains the alternating group on n letters. That this is so for r = n was conjectured in the 1950's by Grosswald and proven recently by Filaseta and Trifonov. It follows fromrecent work of Hajir andWong that the conjecture is true when r is large with respect to n ≥ 5. Here we verify it in three situations: (i) when n is large with respect to r, (ii) when r ≤ 8, and (iii) when n ≤ 4. The main tool is the theory of p-adic Newton Polygons.
A Construction of Rigid Analytic Cohomology Classes for Congruence Subgroups of SL3(ℤ)
Authors: Pollack David , Pollack Robert
Published: October 2009

We give a constructive proof, in the special case of GL3, of a theorem of Ash and Stevens which compares overconvergent cohomology to classical cohomology. Namely, we show that every ordinary classical Hecke-eigenclass can be lifted uniquely to a rigid analytic eigenclass. Our basic method builds on the ideas of M. Greenberg; we first form an arbitrary lift of the classical eigenclass to a distribution-valued cochain. Then, by appropriately iterating the Up-operator, we produce a cocycle whose image in cohomology is the desired eigenclass. The constructive nature of this proof makes it possible to perform computer computations to approximate these interesting overconvergent eigenclasses.
Prehomogeneity on Quasi-Split Classical Groups and Poles of Intertwining Operators
Authors: Yu Xiaoxiang
Published: October 2009

Suppose that P = MN is amaximal parabolic subgroup of a quasisplit, connected, reductive classical group G defined over a non-Archimedean field and A is the standard intertwining operator attached to a tempered representation of G induced from M . In this paper we determine all the cases in which Lie(N ) is prehomogeneous under Ad(m) when N is non-abelian, and give necessary and sufficient conditions for A to have a pole at 0.
Regular Homeomorphisms of Finite Order on Countable Spaces
Authors: Zelenyuk Yevhen
Published: October 2009

We present a structure theorem for a broad class of homeomorphisms of finite order on countable zero dimensional spaces. As applications we show the following.

(a) Every countable nondiscrete topological group not containing an open Boolean subgroup can be partitioned into infinitely many dense subsets.

(b) If G is a countably infinite Abelian group with finitely many elements of order 2 and βG is the Stone–Čech compactification of G as a discrete semigroup, then for every idempotent p ∈ βG\﹛0﹜, the subset ﹛p,−p﹜ ⊂ βG generates algebraically the free product of one-element semigroups ﹛p﹜ and ﹛−p﹜.
The Information Technology as a Support for Strategic Information Management in Small Companies
Authors: Diniz de Almeida Moraes Giseli , Fernandes Terence Ana Cláudia , Escrivão Filho Edmundo
Published: October 2009

The present article aims to discuss the contribution of information technology (IT) as a support to the strategic management of information in small businesses. This is a relevant subject to this sector, in which the information on the subjects is scarce and there is little knowledge of its relevance in the strategic process. Thus, most entrepreneurs do not visualize the information technology as a tool capable of aiding in the decision and strategic process, using it, many times, just in administrative and operational tasks. Another reason that contributes to a minor dissemination of the information technology in the small businesses segment is its lack of adaptation to the environment, where it is implemented without considering the principal management specificities of the small enterprises. The literature about the use of information technology in the strategic process of small organizations shows a series of obstacles to be overcome, such as: implementing financially accessible technologies, involving the entrepreneur in the implementation process and supplying adapted training to employees and entrepreneurs. Therefore, for small businesses it is relevant to develop researches that allow the adaptation of information technology to its needs to improve the strategic management.
Comparison of decoupling methods for analyzing pressure fluctuations in gas‐fluidized beds
Authors: Zhang Yongmin , Bi Hsiaotao T. , Grace John R. , Lu Chunxi
Published: October 2009

Two methods of decoupling pressure fluctuations in fluidized beds by using the incoherent part (IOP) of absolute pressure (AP) and differential pressure (DP) fluctuations are evaluated in this study. Analysis is conducted first to demonstrate their similarities, differences, and drawbacks. Then, amplitudes, power spectral densities, mean frequencies, coherence functions, and filtering indices of the IOP of AP and DP fluctuations are calculated and compared based on experimental data from a two‐dimensional fluidized column of FCC particles. Derived bubble sizes are also compared with the sizes of bubbles viewed in the two‐dimensional bed. The results demonstrate the similarity of these two methods in filtering out global compression wave components from absolute pressure fluctuations, especially those generated from oscillations of fluidized particles and gas flow rate fluctuations. However, both methods are imperfect. Neither can filter out all the compression wave components and retain all the useful bubble‐related wave components. Their amplitudes can be used to characterize global bubble property and quality of gas–solids contacting in bed, but they do not give accurate measurement of bubble sizes. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2010
Maternal capital and the metabolic ghetto: An evolutionary perspective on the transgenerational basis of health inequalities
Authors: Wells Jonathan C.K.
Published: October 2009

There is particular interest in understanding socioeconomic and ethnic variability in health status. The developmental origins of disease hypothesis emphasize the importance of growth patterns across the life‐course in relation to noncommunicable disease risk. The physiological components of cardiovascular risk, collectively termed the metabolic syndrome, derive in part from a disparity between the homeostatic “metabolic capacity” of vital organs and the “metabolic load” induced by large tissue masses, a rich diet and sedentary behavior. From an evolutionary perspective, the risk of such disparity is decreased by maternal physiology regulating offspring growth trajectory during gestation and lactation. Maternal capital, defined as phenotypic resources enabling investment in the offspring, allows effective buffering of the offspring from nutritional perturbations and represents the environmental niche initially occupied by the offspring. Offspring growth patterns are sensitive to the magnitude of maternal capital during early windows of plasticity. Offspring life‐history strategy can then respond adaptively to further factors across the life‐course, but only within the context of this initial maternal influence on growth. Maternal somatic capital is primarily gained or lost across generations, through variable rates of fetal and infant growth. I argue that the poor nutritional experience of populations subjected to colonialism resulted in a systematic loss of maternal capital, reflected in downward secular trends in stature. Accelerating the recovery of somatic capital within generations overloads metabolic capacity and exacerbates cardiovascular risk, reflected in increased disease rates in urbanizing and emigrant populations. Public health policies need to benefit metabolic capacity without exacerbating metabolic load. Am. J. Hum. Biol., 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Short but catching up: Statural growth among native Amazonian Bolivian children
Authors: Godoy Ricardo , Nyberg Colleen , Eisenberg Dan T.A. , Magvanjav Oyunbileg , Shinnar Eliezer , Leonard William R. , Gravlee Clarence , Reyes‐García Victoria , Mcdade Thomas W. , Huanca Tomás , Tanner Susan ,   Bolivian TAPS Study Team
Published: October 2009

The ubiquity and consequences of childhood growth stunting (<−2 SD in height‐for‐ageZscore, HAZ) in rural areas of low‐income nations has galvanized research into the reversibility of stunting, but the shortage of panel data has hindered progress. Using panel data from a native Amazonian society of foragers‐farmers in Bolivia (Tsimane'), we estimate rates of catch‐up growth for stunted children. One hundred forty‐six girls and 158 boys 2 ≤ age ≤ 7 were measured annually during 2002–2006. Annual Δ height in cm and in HAZ were regressed separately against baseline stunting and control variables related to attributes of the child, mother, household, and village. Children stunted at baseline had catch‐up growth rates 0.11 SD/year higher than their nonstunted age and sex peers, with a higher rate among children farther from towns. The rate of catch up did not differ by the child's sex. A 10% rise in household income and an additional younger sibling lowered by 0.16 SD/year and 0.53 SD/year the rate of growth. Results were weaker when measuring Δ height in cm rather than in HAZ. Possible reasons for catch‐up growth include (a) omitted variable bias, (b) parental reallocation of resources to redress growth faltering, particularly if parents perceive the benefits of redressing growth faltering for child school achievement, and (c) developmental plasticity during this period when growth rates are most rapid and linear growth trajectories have not yet canalized. Am. J. Hum. Biol., 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Stability of genetic influences on pulmonary function in a longitudinal study of octogenarian twins
Authors: Vasilopoulos Terrie , Mack Holly A. , McClearn Gerald E. , Berg Stig , Johansson Boo , Vogler George P.
Published: October 2009

Using data from the first four waves of the OCTO‐Twin study (twins 80 + years), the present study investigated the stability and change of genetic and environmental contributions to pulmonary function. Using a genetic simplex model, variance in peak expiratory flow (PEF) at each wave was decomposed into additive genetic and nonshared (specific) environmental factors. Additionally, this analysis distinguished the source of these influences, either from previous waves (transmissions) or from novel influences at each wave (innovations). At each time point (except wave 1), the genetic variance was due to genetic transmissions from prior time points. Conversely, the specific environmental variance in PEF at each time point was mainly due to environmental innovations. These results imply that genetic factors contribute to the stability of pulmonary function over time whereas environmental factors contribute to its change. Am. J. Hum. Biol., 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Optimal foraging on the roof of the world: Himalayan langurs and the classical prey model
Authors: Sayers Ken , Norconk Marilyn A. , Conklin‐Brittain Nancy L.
Published: October 2009

Optimal foraging theory has only been sporadically applied to nonhuman primates. The classical prey model, modified for patch choice, predicts a sliding “profitability threshold” for dropping patch types from the diet, preference for profitable foods, dietary niche breadth reduction as encounter rates increase, and that exploitation of a patch type is unrelated to its own abundance. We present results from a 1‐year study testing these predictions with Himalayan langurs (Semnopithecus entellus) at Langtang National Park, Nepal. Behavioral data included continuous recording of feeding bouts and between‐patch travel times. Encounter rates were estimated for 55 food types, which were analyzed for crude protein, lipid, free simple sugar, and fibers. Patch types were entered into the prey model algorithm for eight seasonal time periods and differing age‐sex classes and nutritional currencies. Although the model consistently underestimated diet breadth, the majority of nonpredicted patch types represented rare foods. Profitability was positively related to annual/seasonal dietary contribution by organic matter estimates, whereas time estimates provided weaker relationships. Patch types utilized did not decrease with increasing encounter rates involving profitable foods, although low‐ranking foods available year‐round were taken predominantly when high‐ranking foods were scarce. High‐ranking foods were taken in close relation to encounter rates, while low‐ranking foods were not. The utilization of an energetic currency generally resulted in closest conformation to model predictions, and it performed best when assumptions were most closely approximated. These results suggest that even simple models from foraging theory can provide a useful framework for the study of primate feeding behavior. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A survey of entodiniomorphid ciliates in chimpanzees and bonobos
Authors: Pomajbíková Kateřina , Petrželková Klára J. , Profousová Ilona , Petrášová Jana , Kišidayová Svetlana , Varádyová Zora , Modrý David
Published: October 2009

Intestinal entodiniomorphid ciliates are commonly diagnosed in the feces of wild apes of the genera Pan and Gorilla. Although some authors previously considered entodiniomorphid ciliates as possible pathogens, a symbiotic function within the intestinal ecosystem and their participation in fiber fermentation has been proposed. Previous studies have suggested that these ciliates gradually disappear under captive conditions. We studied entodiniomorphid ciliates in 23 captive groups of chimpanzees, three groups of captive bonobos and six populations of wild chimpanzees. Fecal samples were examined using Sheather's flotation and Merthiolate‐Iodine‐Formaldehyde Concentration (MIFC) methods. We quantified the number of ciliates per gram of feces. The MIFC method was more sensitive for ciliate detection than the flotation method. Ciliates of genus Troglodytella were detected in 13 groups of captive chimpanzees, two groups of bonobos and in all wild chimpanzee populations studied. The absence of entodiniomorphids in some captive groups might be because of the extensive administration of chemotherapeutics in the past or a side‐effect of the causative or prophylactic administration of antiparasitic or antibiotic drugs. The infection intensities of ciliates in captive chimpanzees were higher than in wild ones. We suppose that the over‐supply of starch, typical in captive primate diets, might induce an increase in the number of ciliates. In vitro studies on metabolism and biochemical activities of entodiniomorphids are needed to clarify their role in ape digestion. Am J Phys Anthropol 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Antarctic winter tropospheric warming—the potential role of polar stratospheric clouds, a sensitivity study
Authors: Lachlan‐Cope T. A. , Connolley W. M. , Turner J. , Roscoe H. , Marshall G. J. , Colwell S. R. , Höpfner M. , Ingram W.
Published: October 2009

Over the last 30 years, Antarctic mid‐tropospheric temperatures in winter have increased by 0.5 K per decade, the largest regional tropospheric warming observed. Over this period, amounts of polar stratospheric cloud(PSC) have also increased, as rising CO2 concentrations cooled the stratosphere. By imposing an idealisation of these increases in PSC within the radiation scheme of an atmosphere‐only general circulation model, we find that they could have contributed to the observed warming. The present generation of global climate models do not properly represent PSCs, and so these results demonstrate the need to improve the representation of PSCs. Copyright © 2009 Royal Meteorological Society and Crown Copyright
Barley as a green factory for the production of functional Flt3 ligand
Authors: Erlendsson Lýður S. , Muench Marcus O. , Hellman Ulf , Hrafnkelsdóttir Soffía M. , Jonsson Anders , Balmer Yves , Mäntylä Einar , Örvar Björn L.
Published: October 2009

Biologically active recombinant human Flt3 ligand was expressed and isolated from transgenic barley seeds. Its expression is controlled by a tissue specific promoter that confines accumulation of the recombinant protein to the endosperm tissue of the seed. The recombinant Flt3 ligand variant expressed in the seeds contains an HQ‐tag for affinity purification on immobilized metal ion affinity chromatography (IMAC) resin. The tagged protein was purified from seed extracts to near homogeneity using sequential chromatography on IMAC affinity resin and cation exchange resin. We also show that the recombinant Flt3 ligand protein undergoes posttranslational modifications: it is a glycoprotein containing α‐1,3‐fucose and α‐1,2‐xylose. The HQ‐tagged Flt3 ligand variant exhibits comparable biological activity to commercial Flt3 ligand. This is the first report showing expression and accumulation of recombinant human growth factor in barley seeds with a yield of active protein similar to a bacterial expression system. The present results demonstrate that plant molecular farming is a viable approach for the bioproduction of human‐derived growth factors.
Chemical strategies for immobilization of oligonucleotides
Authors: Sethi Dalip , Gandhi R. P. , Kuma Pradeep , Gupta Kailash Chand
Published: October 2009

The development of oligonucleotide‐based microarrays (biochips) is a major thrust area in the rapidly growing biotechnology industry, which encompasses a diverse range of research areas including genomics, proteomics, computational biology, and pharmaceuticals, among other activities. Microarray experiments have proved to be unique in offering cost‐effective and efficient analysis at the genomic level. In the last few years, biochips have gained increasing acceptance in the study of genetic and cellular processes. As the increase in experimental throughput has posed many challenges to the research community, considerable progress has been made in the advancement of microarray technology. In this review, chemical strategies for immobilization of oligonucleotides have been highlighted with special emphasis on post‐synthetic immobilization of oligonucleotides on glass surface. The major objective of this article is to make the researchers acquainted with some most recent advances in this area.
An integrated microdevice for high‐performance short tandem repeat genotyping
Authors: Choi Jong Young , Seo Tae Seok
Published: October 2009

Short tandem repeat (STR) analysis provides genetic fingerprinting of individuals, and is considered as a powerful and indispensable technique for forensic human identification. However, the current state‐of‐the‐art STR genotyping processes and instruments are labor intensive, expensive, time consuming, and lack portability. Micro‐total‐analysis systems or lab‐on‐a‐chip platforms based on microfabrication technologies have the capability to miniaturize and integrate bioanalysis steps in a single format. Recent progress in microsystems has demonstrated their successful performance for the forensic STR typing with a reduced cost, high speed, and improved high throughput. The purpose of this review article is to highlight up‐to‐date work on advanced microdevices for high‐throughput STR genotyping, and a portable integrated microsystem for on‐site forensic DNA analysis.
Oligomerization of adenosin‐5′‐O‐ylmethylphosphonate, an isopolar AMP analogue: Evaluation of the route to short oligoadenylates
Authors: Pressová Martina , Buděšínský Miloš , Košiová Ivana , Kopecký Vladimír , Cvačka Josef , Kašička Václav , Šimák Ondřej , Točík Zdeněk , Rosenberg Ivan
Published: October 2009

In an attempt to prepare a library of short oligoadenylate analogues featuring both the enzyme‐stable internucleotide linkage and the 5′‐O‐methylphosphonate moiety and thus obtain a pool of potential RNase L agonists/antagonists, we studied the spontaneous polycondensation of the adenosin‐5′‐O‐ylmethylphosphonic acid (pcA), an isopolar AMP analogue, and its imidazolide derivatives employing N,N′‐dicyclohexylcarbodiimide under nonaqueous conditions and uranyl ions under aqueous conditions, respectively. The RP LC–MS analyses of the reaction mixtures per se, and those obtained after the periodate treatment, along with analyses and separations by capillary zone electrophoresis, allowed us to characterize major linear and cyclic oligoadenylates obtained. The structure of selected compounds was supported, after their isolation, by NMR spectroscopy. Ab initio calculation of the model structures simulating the AMP‐imidazolide and pcA‐imidazolide offered the explanation why the latter compound exerted, in contrast to AMP‐imidazolide, a very low stability in aqueous solutions. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 93: 277–289, 2010.

This article was originally published online as an accepted preprint. The “Published Online” date corresponds to the preprint version. You can request a copy of the preprint by emailing the Biopolymers editorial office at biopolymers@wiley.com
When VSEPR Fails: Experimental and Theoretical Investigations of the Behavior of Alkaline‐Earth‐Metal Acetylides
Authors: Guino‐o Marites A. , Alexander Jacob S. , McKee Michael L. , Hope Håkon , Englich Ulrich B. , Ruhlandt‐Senge Karin
Published: October 2009

The synthesis, structural, and spectral characterization as well as a theoretical study of a family of alkaline‐earth‐metal acetylides provides insights into synthetic access and the structural and bonding characteristics of this group of highly reactive compounds. Based on our earlier communication that reported unusual geometry for a family of triphenylsilyl‐substituted alkaline‐earth‐metal acetylides, we herein present our studies on an expanded family of target derivatives, providing experimental and theoretical data to offer new insights into the intensively debated theme of structural chemistry in heavy alkaline‐earth‐metal chemistry.
Geminal Ionic Liquids: A Combined Approach to Investigate Their Three‐Dimensional Organisation
Authors: D'Anna Francesca , Ferrante Francesco , Noto Renato
Published: October 2009

Different investigations, such as 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy, resonance light scattering spectroscopy and molecular dynamics simulations, have been jointly used to achieve a deeper understanding of the degree of structural order in two geminal ionic liquids. In particular, 3,3′‐di‐n‐butyl‐1,1′‐(1,3‐phenylenedimethylene)diimidazolium and 3,3′‐di‐n‐butyl‐1,1′‐(1,4‐phenylenedimethylene)diimidazolium bis[bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide] have been studied. These geminal ionic liquids were chosen because of the presence of both a rigid phenylenedimethylene link between two imidazolium rings, which should give a high degree of order to the solvent system, and the different shapes of the two cations of the isomers, which could induce different properties and packing in the liquid state. Data collected here show that the two geminal ionic liquids are characterised by a different degree of structural order that induces, for example, a different sensitivity of the two solvent systems to temperature changes or to the presence of a co‐solvent such as methanol.
Predicting the spectral reflectance factor of translucent paints using Kubelka‐Munk turbid media theory: Review and evaluation
Authors: Zhao Yonghui , Berns Roy S.
Published: October 2009

The use of Kubelka‐Munk (K‐M) turbid media theory in predicting the spectral reflectance factor of an opaque specimen from the specimen's constituent optical constants is well established in practice and well described in the literature. For translucent samples, there is a paucity of published results and the approaches are disparate. Accordingly, a review of K‐M theory and its application for predicting the spectral reflectance factor of translucent samples is presented and tested. Four methods for determining the absorption and scattering coefficients with respect to a certain film thickness are described: the black‐white method, the infinite method, the masstone‐tint method, and the two‐region method. The black‐white and infinite methods use the general form of the K‐M equation. The masstone‐tint method can be used for both the general form and the opaque simplification. The two‐region method, combining opaque and translucent approaches, was enhanced in this research and included an opacity calculation to automatically differentiate opaque and translucent spectral regions and a smoothing technique to combine both spectral regions. The two‐region method was tested using a set of acrylic‐emulsion artist paints and glazes spanning a range of opacities from opaque to nearly transparent. The results were reasonable and provided statistically significant improvement compared with the opaque simplification, commonly used in art conservation science and industrial color matching. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Col Res Appl, 34, 417–431, 2009
Quantitative camouflage paint selection for the CH‐47F helicopter
Authors: Bacon Fred W. , Iannarilli Frank J. , Conant John A. , Deas Torrey , Dinning Malcolm
Published: October 2009

We have determined optimal minimum‐conspicuity monocoat paint colors for the CH‐47F Chinook helicopter, viewed photopically against forest, desert, and sky backgrounds. Our methodology combines use of a validated spectroradiometric model for rigorous 3D signature prediction with statistics of varying background fields and a CIE color difference metric. The study considered a large subset of the Federal Standard 595 (FS595) paint inventory. Each paint color was rigorously modeled with bidirectional reflectance distribution function scattering properties to match existing army paint and spectral reflectances to match spectrophotometer measurements of FS595 reference samples. We devised and validated a method to impute statistical variation in background radiances over environmental conditions consistent with the aircraft radiometric computations. Using a visual jury, we informally calibrated the CIE 1994 color difference formula (which gauges both luminance and chromaticity contrast) to gauge how each paint performed against each background, for varying range, view direction, and sun location. The statistical dispersions in performance were summarized for the CH‐47F Program Manager, who selected the best overall paint for the CH‐47F fleet. We found paints that were optimized to a specific background (forest, desert, etc.) yielded enhanced performance against those backgrounds, as would be expected, and that those paints were better than the paint used on CH‐47s in the current US inventory. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Col Res Appl, 34, 406–416, 2009