bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mexique/États-Unis: de la frontière intelligente au mur intérieur
Authors: Le Texier Emmanuelle
Published: January 2011

La construction d’un nouveau mur séparant les États-Unis du Mexique témoigne d’une réelle modification des conceptions de la frontière, vers une militarisation et une sophistication technologique croissantes, alors que dans le même temps l’accroissement des échanges économiques se poursuit. Mais ce développement du mur est aussi le signe d’une certaine radicalisation dans les conceptions sécuritaires américaines, bien visible dans la dernière campagne des élections de mi-mandat. politique étrangère
Chypre entre partition et réunification
Authors: Drevet Jean-François
Published: January 2011

De 1974 à 2003 la ligne de séparation chypriote est demeurée infranchissable. Il n’est pas sûr que la nouvelle politique étrangère de la Turquie permette aujourd’hui d’avancer rapidement vers l’unification. Les acteurs américain et britannique pourraient jouer un rôle plus décisif, mais en modifiant considérablement leur position. C’est sans doute à l’Union européenne qu’il revient d’aider à dessiner le cadre juridique et politique dans lequel l’île pourrait retrouver son unité. politique étrangère
La ville divisée : les minorités hors les murs
Authors: Calame Jon , Richard Thomas
Published: January 2011

La division des villes (Belfast, Beyrouth, Jérusalem, Mostar, Nicosie...) ne renvoie pas seulement au caractère ponctuellement insupportable des conflits communautaires. Elle sanctionne un échec plus général des gouvernements locaux, la montée d’une intolérance activée par certains entrepreneurs sectaires, bref la rupture du contrat urbain. Les mécanismes de la partition, qu’il faut combattre en raison de ses coûts, économiques et humains, suggèrent qu’une certaine prévention est possible. politique étrangère
Les réseaux de la finance islamique en Afrique
Authors: Bah Mohamed Fall Ould
Published: January 2011

Le système de la finance islamique est devenu incontournable. Né de l’éveil de l’islam politique, il connaît un réel développement avec la mondialisation financière. La présence de la finance islamique est relativement faible en Afrique. Elle pourrait demain connaître une nouvelle expansion, à travers des activités de banques d’investissement, et le développement accéléré de la microfinance, ouvrant d’intéressantes perspectives de financements souverains et d’investissements étrangers. politique étrangère
Les médersas du Mali : réforme, insertion et transnationalisation du savoir islamique
Authors: Bouhlel Ferdaous
Published: January 2011

Issu d’une contestation de l’ordre colonial et d’une réforme de l’enseignement islamique, le réseau des médersas, qui véhicule au Mali un islam sunni et populaire, favorise l’adoption de nouvelles normes et des modes d’action sociale inédits. Les médersas, pivots d’un réagencement sociétal, imposent une identité malienne renouvelée, ouverte à l’étranger et aux échanges, qui s’insère dans le jeu politique national et veut faire entendre à l’international une voie musulmane. politique étrangère
La Tidjaniya, une confrérie musulmane transnationale
Authors: Triaud Jean-Louis
Published: January 2011

Dans les sociétés musulmanes, la prégnance de la religion demeure un fort facteur de socialisation et d’organisation civile, et les confréries jouent à cet égard un rôle central. La Tidjaniya, dont le rayonnement s’étend du Maghreb à l’ouest du Sahel et au Soudan, est une des confréries les plus courtisées par les politiques. L’action de ses membres exerce une influence sur nombre de prises de position des gouvernements locaux, et transcende souvent les clivages habituels pour former un véritable réseau transnationale. politique étrangère
Tidjaniya : usages diplomatiques d'une confrérie soufie
Authors: Sambe Bakary
Published: January 2011

Pour les sociétés du Sud, la dimension religieuse demeure fondamentale. Son poids s’affirme de plus en plus au niveau des relations entre États. Et elle est sans conteste un vecteur d’influence en direction des sociétés subsahariennes. Dans les relations entre Sénégal et Maroc, par exemple, la confrérie soufie Tidjaniya constitue un de ces vecteurs, et s’est imposée comme un acteur incontournable. Elle se trouve également au cœur des rivalités algéro-marocaines. politique étrangère
Arctique : une traversée stratégique
Authors: Le Clainche Mathilde , Pesme Frédéric
Published: January 2011

Le Grand Nord sera-t-il le nouveau terrain de lutte du xxi e siècle ? Sa cartographie mouvante, redessinée par le changement climatique, mêle les défis environnementaux aux questions énergétiques, et de commerce international. La répartition de ses ressources potentielles entre les pays riverains fait l’objet de contentieux ouverts. Si une certaine militarisation dessine une nouvelle zone conflictuelle, les ambitions stratégiques pourraient s’accorder dans un nouveau cadre juridique multilatéral. politique étrangère
La rivalité indo-pakistanaise en Afghanistan depuis 2001
Authors: Saint-Mézard Isabelle
Published: January 2011

Le Pakistan et l’Inde se livrent en Afghanistan une lutte d’influence déterminée par leurs intérêts de sécurité immédiats. Pour New Delhi, il faut contrer l’influence pakistanaise à des fins anti-indiennes dans l’arrière-cour afghane, ce à quoi elle s’emploie par de multiples programmes. Pour le Pakistan, il s’agit d’éviter le cauchemar d’un axe Kaboul/New Delhi. Deux facteurs détermineront l’avenir : les négociations avec les Talibans en Afghanistan même, et le possible réchauffement des relations bilatérales entre Islamabad et New Delhi. politique étrangère
Géopolitique du vieillissement démographique au xxie siècle
Authors: Rabu Gaylor
Published: January 2011

L’évolution démographique déterminante sera bientôt celle du vieillissement, et elle touchera à la fois pays développés et pays en développement. Pour les premiers, les effets internes seront multiples : sur le financement des systèmes sociaux, les arbitrages budgétaires ou l’orientation politique du corps électoral. Mais cette évolution bouleversera aussi les rapports de puissance, avec le vieillissement prématuré de pays qui n’auront pas le temps d’engranger les bénéfices de leur développement. politique étrangère
Fragilités du pacte démocratique aux Pays-Bas : Geert Wilders et l'islam
Authors: Brinks Jan Herman , Paroissien Elsa
Published: January 2011

Dans un pays de tradition démocratique et multiculturelle, l’immixtion du parti populiste de Geert Wilders dans les sphères gouvernementales marque un tournant majeur. Le PVV tire sa force du malaise identitaire qui semble traverser la société néerlandaise. La difficile intégration des populations musulmanes, comme le décalage croissant de l’opinion néerlandaise vis-à-vis des choix européens, fragilisent le pacte démocratique et accroissent la défiance vis-à-vis de la classe politique. politique étrangère
Basic Calcium Phosphate Crystals Induce Monocyte/Macrophage IL-1β Secretion through the NLRP3 Inflammasome In Vitro
Authors: Pazár Borbála , Ea Hang-Korng , Narayan Sharmal , Kolly Laeticia , Bagnoud Nathalie , Chobaz Véronique , Roger Thierry , Lioté Frédéric , So Alexander , Busso Nathalie
Published: January 2011

Basic calcium phosphate (BCP) crystals are associated with severe osteoarthritis and acute periarticular inflammation. Three main forms of BCP crystals have been identified from pathological tissues: octacalcium phosphate, carbonate-substituted apatite, and hydroxyapatite. We investigated the proinflammatory effects of these BCP crystals in vitro with special regard to the involvement of the NLRP3–inflammasome in THP-1 cells, primary human monocytes and macrophages, and mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDM). THP-1 cells stimulated with BCP crystals produced IL-1β in a dose-dependent manner. Similarly, primary human cells and BMDM from wild-type mice also produced high concentrations of IL-1β after crystal stimulation. THP-1 cells transfected with short hairpin RNA against the components of the NLRP3 inflammasome and mouse BMDM from mice deficient for NLRP3, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein, or caspase-1 did not produce IL-1β after BCP crystal stimulation. BCP crystals induced macrophage apoptosis/necrosis as demonstrated by MTT and flow cytometric analysis. Collectively, these results demonstrate that BCP crystals induce IL-1β secretion through activating the NLRP3 inflammasome. Furthermore, we speculate that IL-1 blockade could be a novel strategy to inhibit BCP-induced inflammation in human disease.
An Essential Role of STIM1, Orai1, and S100A8–A9 Proteins for Ca2+ Signaling and FcγR-Mediated Phagosomal Oxidative Activity
Authors: Steinckwich Natacha , Schenten Véronique , Melchior Chantal , Bréchard Sabrina , Tschirhart Eric J.
Published: January 2011

Phagocytosis is a process of innate immunity that allows for the enclosure of pathogens within the phagosome and their subsequent destruction through the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Although these processes have been associated with increases of intracellular Ca2+ concentrations, the mechanisms by which Ca2+ could regulate the different phases of phagocytosis remain unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the Ca2+ signaling pathways involved in the regulation of FcγRs-induced phagocytosis. Our work focuses on IgG-opsonized zymosan internalization and phagosomal ROS production in DMSO-differentiated HL-60 cells and neutrophils. We found that chelation of intracellular Ca2+ by BAPTA or emptying of the intracellular Ca2+ store by thapsigargin reduced the efficiency of zymosan internalization. Using an small interfering RNA strategy, our data establish that the observed Ca2+ release occurs through two isoforms of inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate receptors, ITPR1 and ITPR3. In addition, we provide evidence that phagosomal ROS production is dependent on extracellular Ca2+ entry. We demonstrate that the observed Ca2+ influx is supported by ORAI calcium release-activated calcium modulator 1 (Orai1) and stromal interaction molecule 1 (STIM1). This result suggests that extracellular Ca2+ entry, which is required for ROS production, is mediated by a store-operated Ca2+ mechanism. Finally, our data identify the complex formed by S100A8 and S100A9 (S100 calcium-binding protein A8 and A9 complex), two Ca2+-binding proteins, as the site of interplay between extracellular Ca2+ entry and intraphagosomal ROS production. Thus, we demonstrate that FcγR-mediated phagocytosis requires intracellular Ca2+ store depletion for the internalization phase. Then phagosomal ROS production requires extracellular Ca2+ entry mediated by Orai1/STIM1 and relayed by S100A8–A9 as Ca2+ sensor.
CSF-1–Dependent Red Pulp Macrophages Regulate CD4 T Cell Responses
Authors: Kurotaki Daisuke , Kon Shigeyuki , Bae Kyeonghwa , Ito Koyu , Matsui Yutaka , Nakayama Yosuke , Kanayama Masashi , Kimura Chiemi , Narita Yoshinori , Nishimura Takashi , Iwabuchi Kazuya , Mack Matthias , van Rooijen Nico , Sakaguchi Shimon , Uede Toshimitsu , Morimoto Junko
Published: January 2011

The balance between immune activation and suppression must be regulated to maintain immune homeostasis. Tissue macrophages (MΦs) constitute the major cellular subsets of APCs within the body; however, how and what types of resident MΦs are involved in the regulation of immune homeostasis in the peripheral lymphoid tissues are poorly understood. Splenic red pulp MΦ (RPMs) remove self-Ags, such as blood-borne particulates and aged erythrocytes, from the blood. Although many scattered T cells exist in the red pulp of the spleen, little attention has been given to how RPMs prevent harmful T cell immune responses against self-Ags. In this study, we found that murine splenic F4/80hiMac-1low MΦs residing in the red pulp showed different expression patterns of surface markers compared with F4/80+Mac-1hi monocytes/MΦs. Studies with purified cell populations demonstrated that F4/80hiMac-1low MΦs regulated CD4+ T cell responses by producing soluble suppressive factors, including TGF-β and IL-10. Moreover, F4/80hiMac-1low MΦs induced the differentiation of naive CD4+ T cells into functional Foxp3+ regulatory T cells. Additionally, we found that the differentiation of F4/80hiMac-1low MΦs was critically regulated by CSF-1, and in vitro-generated bone marrow-derived MΦs induced by CSF-1 suppressed CD4+ T cell responses and induced the generation of Foxp3+ regulatory T cells in vivo. These results suggested that splenic CSF-1–dependent F4/80hiMac-1low MΦs are a subpopulation of RPMs and regulate peripheral immune homeostasis.
Presentation of Soluble Antigens to CD8+ T Cells by CpG Oligodeoxynucleotide-Primed Human Naive B Cells
Authors: Jiang Wei , Lederman Michael M. , Harding Clifford V. , Sieg Scott F.
Published: January 2011

Naive B lymphocytes are generally thought to be poor APCs, and there is limited knowledge of their role in activation of CD8+ T cells. In this article, we demonstrate that class I MHC Ag presentation by human naive B cells is enhanced by TLR9 agonists. Purified naive B cells were cultured with or without a TLR9 agonist (CpG oligodeoxynucleotide [ODN] 2006) for 2 d and then assessed for phenotype, endocytic activity, and their ability to induce CD8+ T cell responses to soluble Ags. CpG ODN enhanced expression of class I MHC and the costimulatory molecule CD86 and increased endocytic activity as determined by uptake of dextran beads. Pretreatment of naive B cells with CpG ODN also enabled presentation of tetanus toxoid to CD8+ T cells, resulting in CD8+ T cell cytokine production and granzyme B secretion and proliferation. Likewise, CpG-activated naive B cells showed enhanced ability to cross-present CMV Ag to autologous CD8+ T cells, resulting in proliferation of CMV-specific CD8+ T cells. Although resting naive B cells are poor APCs, they can be activated by TLR9 agonists to serve as potent APCs for class I MHC-restricted T cell responses. This novel activity of naive B cells could be exploited for vaccine design.
Involvement of CD56brightCD11c+ Cells in IL-18–Mediated Expansion of Human γδ T Cells
Authors: Tsuda Junko , Li Wen , Yamanishi Hiromichi , Yamamoto Hideyuki , Okuda Akico , Kubo Shuji , Ma Zhifeng , Terada Nobuyuki , Tanaka Yoshimasa , Okamura Haruki
Published: January 2011

γδ T cells are considered to be innate lymphocytes that play an important role in host defense against tumors and infections. We recently reported that IL-18 markedly amplified γδ T cell responses to zoledronate (ZOL)/IL-2. In an extension of this finding, we analyzed the mechanism underlying the IL-18–mediated expansion of γδ T cells. After incubation of PBMCs with ZOL/IL-2/IL-18, the majority of the cells expressed γδ TCR, and the rest mostly exhibited CD56brightCD11c+ under the conditions used in this study. CD56brightCD11c+ cells were derived from a culture of CD56intCD11c+ cells and CD14+ cells in the presence of IL-2 and IL-18 without the addition of ZOL. They expressed IL-18Rs, HLA-DR, CD25, CD80, CD83, CD86, and CD11a/CD18. In addition, they produced IFN-γ, TNF-α, but not IL-12, when treated with IL-2/IL-18, and they exerted cytotoxicity against K562 cells, thus exhibiting characteristics of both NK cells and dendritic cells. Incubation of purified γδ T cells with CD56brightCD11c+ cells in the presence of ZOL/IL-2/IL-18 resulted in the formation of massive cell clusters and led to the marked expansion of γδ T cells. However, both conventional CD56−/intCD11chigh dendritic cells induced by GM-CSF/IL-4 and CD56+CD11c− NK cells failed to support the expansion of γδ T cells. These results strongly suggest that CD56brightCD11c+ cells play a key role in the IL-18–mediated proliferation of γδ T cells.
IL-33 Activates B1 Cells and Exacerbates Contact Sensitivity
Authors: Komai-Koma Mousa , Gilchrist Derek S. , McKenzie Andrew N. J. , Goodyear Carl S. , Xu Damo , Liew Foo Y.
Published: January 2011

B1 B cells produce natural IgM and play a critical role in the early defense against bacterial and viral infection. The polyreactive IgM also contributes to the clearance of apoptotic products and plays an important role in autoimmune pathogenesis. However, the mechanism of activation and proliferation of B1 cells remains obscure. In this study, we report that IL-33, a new member of IL-1 family, activates B1 cells, which express the IL-33 receptor α, ST2. IL-33 markedly activated B1 cell proliferation and enhanced IgM, IL-5, and IL-13 production in vitro and in vivo in a ST2-dependent manner. The IL-33–activated B1 cell functions could be largely abolished by IL-5 neutralization and partially reduced by T cell or mast cell deficiency in vivo. ST2-deficient mice developed less severe oxazolone-induced contact sensitivity (CS) than did wild-type (WT) mice. Furthermore, IL-33 treatment significantly exacerbated CS in WT mice with enhanced B1 cell proliferation and IgM and IL-5 production. Moreover, IL-33–activated B1 cells from WT mice could adoptively transfer enhanced CS in ST2−/− mice challenged with IL-33. Thus, we demonstrate, to the best of our knowledge, a hitherto unrecognized mechanism of B1 cell activation and IL-33 function, and suggest that IL-33 may play an important role in delayed-type hypersensitivity.
A Role for Autophagic Protein Beclin 1 Early in Lymphocyte Development
Authors: Arsov Ivica , Adebayo Adeola , Kucerova-Levisohn Martina , Haye Joanna , MacNeil Margaret , Papavasiliou F. Nina , Yue Zhenyu , Ortiz Benjamin D.
Published: January 2011

Autophagy is a highly regulated and evolutionarily conserved process of cellular self-digestion. Recent evidence suggests that this process plays an important role in regulating T cell homeostasis. In this study, we used Rag1−/− (recombination activating gene 1−/−) blastocyst complementation and in vitro embryonic stem cell differentiation to address the role of Beclin 1, one of the key autophagic proteins, in lymphocyte development. Beclin 1-deficient Rag1−/− chimeras displayed a dramatic reduction in thymic cellularity compared with control mice. Using embryonic stem cell differentiation in vitro, we found that the inability to maintain normal thymic cellularity is likely caused by impaired maintenance of thymocyte progenitors. Interestingly, despite drastically reduced thymocyte numbers, the peripheral T cell compartment of Beclin 1-deficient Rag1−/− chimeras is largely normal. Peripheral T cells displayed normal in vitro proliferation despite significantly reduced numbers of autophagosomes. In addition, these chimeras had greatly reduced numbers of early B cells in the bone marrow compared with controls. However, the peripheral B cell compartment was not dramatically impacted by Beclin 1 deficiency. Collectively, our results suggest that Beclin 1 is required for maintenance of undifferentiated/early lymphocyte progenitor populations. In contrast, Beclin 1 is largely dispensable for the initial generation and function of the peripheral T and B cell compartments. This indicates that normal lymphocyte development involves Beclin 1-dependent, early-stage and distinct, Beclin 1-independent, late-stage processes.
Elevated IL-7 Availability Does Not Account for T Cell Proliferation in Moderate Lymphopenia
Authors: Osborne Lisa Colleen , Patton Daniel Timothy , Seo Jung Hee , Abraham Ninan
Published: January 2011

Lymphopenia-induced proliferation (LIP) is a proliferative program initiated in response to T cell insufficiency caused by acute or chronic immunodepletion. Studies of lymphopenic mice have demonstrated that the cytokine IL-7 and TCR signaling are critical for LIP. We examined how these two factors impact T cell proliferation following transfer into moderately lymphopenic mice. In this study, we show that moderate lymphopenia (∼25% of wild-type lymphocytes) of IL-7Rα knock-in mutant (IL-7Rα449F) mice supports T cell proliferation, although with decreased frequency and kinetics compared with cells transferred to severely lymphopenic (5% of wild-type lymphocytes) IL-7Rα−/− hosts. Although previous studies have demonstrated that elevated IL-7 levels play an important role in LIP, IL-7 availability was not elevated in IL-7Rα449F mice. However, moderate lymphopenia increased access of transferred T cells to self-peptide presented on APCs that can trigger TCR signaling and proliferation. Importantly, we did not detect significant changes in TCR Vβ usage of proliferated T cells recovered from either moderately or severely lymphopenic hosts. Our work demonstrates that polyclonal T cells retain a diverse TCR repertoire following proliferation mediated by either self-peptide–MHC interaction alone or in combination with IL-7, and that T cell reconstitution is most efficient in the presence of increased IL-7 availability.
Characterization of Trex1 Induction by IFN-γ in Murine Macrophages
Authors: Serra Maria , Forcales Sonia-Vanina , Pereira-Lopes Selma , Lloberas Jorge , Celada Antonio
Published: January 2011

3′ Repair exonuclease (Trex1) is the most abundant mammalian 3′→5′ DNA exonuclease with specificity for ssDNA. Trex1 deficiency has been linked to the development of autoimmune disease in mice and humans, causing Aicardi-Goutières syndrome in the latter. In addition, polymorphisms in Trex1 are associated with systemic lupus erythematosus. On the basis of all these observations, it has been hypothesized that Trex1 acts by digesting an endogenous DNA substrate. In this study, we report that Trex1 is regulated by IFN-γ during the activation of primary macrophages. IFN-γ upregulates Trex1 with the time course of an early gene, and this induction occurs at the transcription level. The half-life of mRNA is relatively short (half-life of 70 min). The coding sequence of Trex1 has only one exon and an intron of 260 bp in the promoter in the nontranslated mRNA. Three transcription start sites were detected, the one at −580 bp being the most important. In transient transfection experiments using the Trex1 promoter, we have found that two IFN-γ activation site boxes, as well as an adaptor protein complex 1 box, were required for the IFN-γ–dependent induction. By using EMSA assays and chromatin immune precipitation assays, we determined that STAT1 binds to the IFN-γ activation site boxes. The requirement of STAT1 for Trex1 induction was confirmed using macrophages from Stat1 knockout mice. We also establish that c-Jun protein, but not c-Fos, jun-B, or CREB, bound to the adaptor protein complex 1 box. Therefore, our results indicate that IFN-γ induces the expression of the Trex1 exonuclease through STAT1 and c-Jun.
Proteasome Inhibition with Bortezomib Depletes Plasma Cells and Autoantibodies in Experimental Autoimmune Myasthenia Gravis
Authors: Gomez Alejandro M. , Vrolix Kathleen , Martínez-Martínez Pilar , Molenaar Peter C. , Phernambucq Marko , van der Esch Eline , Duimel Hans , Verheyen Fons , Voll Reinhard E. , Manz Rudolf A. , De Baets Marc H. , Losen Mario
Published: January 2011

Bortezomib, an inhibitor of proteasomes, has been reported to reduce autoantibody titers and to improve clinical condition in mice suffering from lupus-like disease. Bortezomib depletes both short- and long-lived plasma cells; the latter normally survive the standard immunosuppressant treatments targeting T and B cells. These findings encouraged us to test whether bortezomib is effective for alleviating the symptoms in the experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis (EAMG) model for myasthenia gravis, a disease that is characterized by autoantibodies against the acetylcholine receptor (AChR) of skeletal muscle. Lewis rats were immunized with saline (control, n = 36) or Torpedo AChR (EAMG, n = 54) in CFA in the first week of an experimental period of 8 wk. After immunization, rats received twice a week s.c. injections of bortezomib (0.2 mg/kg in saline) or saline injections. Bortezomib induced apoptosis in bone marrow cells and reduced the amount of plasma cells in the bone marrow by up to 81%. In the EAMG animals, bortezomib efficiently reduced the rise of anti-AChR autoantibody titers, prevented ultrastructural damage of the postsynaptic membrane, improved neuromuscular transmission, and decreased myasthenic symptoms. This study thus underscores the potential of the therapeutic use of proteasome inhibitors to target plasma cells in Ab-mediated autoimmune diseases.
Mast Cells as Sensors of Cell Injury through IL-33 Recognition
Authors: Enoksson Mattias , Lyberg Katarina , Möller-Westerberg Christine , Fallon Padraic G. , Nilsson Gunnar , Lunderius-Andersson Carolina
Published: January 2011

In response to cell injury, caused, for example, by trauma, several processes must be initiated simultaneously to achieve an acute inflammatory response designed to prevent sustained tissue damage and infection and to restore and maintain tissue homeostasis. Detecting cell injury is facilitated by the fact that damaged cells release intracellular molecules not normally present in the extracellular space. However, potential underlying mechanisms for the recognition of endogenous danger signals released upon cell injury have yet to be elucidated. In this study, we demonstrate that mast cells, potent promoters of acute inflammation, play a key role in responding to cell injury by recognizing IL-33 released from necrotic structural cells. In an in vitro model of cell injury, this recognition was shown to involve the T1/ST2 receptor and result in the secretion of proinflammatory leukotrienes and cytokines by mouse mast cells. Remarkably, of all of the components released upon necrosis, our results show that IL-33 alone is a key component responsible for initiating proinflammatory responses in mast cells reacting to cell injury. Our findings identify IL-33 as a key danger signal released by necrotic structural cells capable of activating mast cells, thus providing novel insights concerning the role of mast cells as sensors of cell injury.
Analytical and numerical solution for viscous dissipation effect on the heat transfer in a deformable channel
Authors: Mustafa Naeem , Asghar S. , Hayat T.
Published: January 2011

In this paper, shooting method and homotopy perturbation technique are applied for the flow analysis of temporal energy transport in a deformation channel with isothermal walls. An incompressible viscous fluid fills the space inside the channel. Analytical and numerical solutions are developed for the momentum and energy equations. The viscous dissipation effects are taken into account. Graphs for pertinent flow parameters are sketched and discussed. Comparison between the analytical and numerical solutions indicates an excellent agreement. It is noticed that behaviors of Prandtl and Eckert numbers on the temperature are qualitatively similar. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Protein structure predictions by parallel simulated annealing molecular dynamics using genetic crossover
Authors: Sakae Yoshitake , Hiroyasu Tomoyuki , Miki Mitsunori , Okamoto Yuko
Published: January 2011

We propose a conformational search method to find a global minimum energy structure for protein systems. The simulated annealing is a powerful method for local conformational search. On the other hand, the genetic crossover can search the global conformational space. Our method incorporates these attractive features of the simulated annealing and genetic crossover. In the previous works, we have been using the Monte Carlo algorithm for simulated annealing. In the present work, we use the molecular dynamics algorithm instead. To examine the effectiveness of our method, we compared our results with those of the normal simulated annealing molecular dynamics simulations by using an α‐helical miniprotein. We used genetic two‐point crossover here. The conformations, which have lower energy than those obtained from the conventional simulated annealing, were obtained. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2011
Growth factor and protease expression during different phases of healing after rabbit deep flexor tendon repair
Authors: Berglund M.E. , Hart D.A. , Reno C. , Wiig M.
Published: January 2011

The purpose of the study was to contribute to the mapping of molecular events during flexor tendon healing, in particular the growth factors insulin‐like growth factor‐1 (IGF‐1), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and nerve growth factor (NGF), matrix metalloproteinases (MMP‐3 and MMP‐13) and their inhibitors (tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases, TIMP‐1 and TIMP‐3, and the protease cathepsin K. In a rabbit model of flexor tendon injury, the mRNA expression for the growth factors, MMPs and TIMPs were measured in tendon and tendon sheath tissue at several time points (3, 6, 21, and 42 days) representing different phases of the healing process. We found that MMP‐13 remained increased during the study period, whereas MMP‐3 returned to normal levels within the first week after injury. TIMP‐3 was down‐regulated in the tendon sheaths. Cathepsin K was up‐regulated in tendons and sheaths after injury. NGF was present in both tendons and sheaths, but unaltered. IGF‐1 exhibited a late increase in the tendons, while VEGF was down‐regulated at the later time points. In conclusion, we have demonstrated the presence of NGF in flexor tendons. MMP‐13 expression appears to play a more protracted role in flexor tendon healing than MMP‐3. The relatively low levels of endogenous IGF‐1 and VEGF mRNA following injury support their potential beneficial role as exogenous modulators to optimize tendon healing and strength without increasing adhesion formation. © 2011 Orthopaedic Research Society Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 29:886–892
Prevalence and prognostic influence of genomic changes of EGFR pathway markers in synovial sarcoma
Authors: Teng Hao‐Wei , Wang Hsei‐Wei , Chen Wei‐Ming , Chao Ta‐Chung , Hsieh Yao‐Yu , Hsih Chi‐Hsiu , Tzeng Cheng‐Hwai , Chen Paul Chih‐Hsueh , Yen Chueh‐Chuan
Published: January 2011

Background

We aimed to study the prevalence and prognostic influence of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and its downstream effectors in synovial sarcoma (SS).

Objectives and Methods

The tissue blocks from 30 patients were obtained. Expression of EGFR and phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) were examined by immunohistochemistry, and mutation status of v‐Ki‐ras2 Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (KRAS) exon 2, V‐raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B1 (BRAF) exon 15, phosphoinositide‐3‐kinase, catalytic, alpha polypeptide (PI3KCA) exons 9, 20, and PTEN exons 5–9 were analyzed by direct sequencing.

Results:

EGFR overexpression and PTEN deletion were found in 63.3% and 46.7% of patients. Sequence analysis failed to demonstrate mutations of KRAS and BRAF. However, an E545A point mutation in exon 9 of PI3KCA was found in 2 of the 30 (6.7%) cases and 4 point mutations in exon 5 (E99K, D106N), intro 6 to exon 7 (AATA(G)), and exon 9 (A359T) of PTEN were found in 2 of the 30 (6.7%) cases. PTEN loss was significantly more frequent in cases of trunk tumors, and the overexpression of EGFR was significantly more prevalent in patients who were 35 or older.

Conclusions:

PTEN deletion was associated with poor survival. J. Surg. Oncol. 2011;103:773–781. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Usefulness of a modified inflammation‐based prognostic system for predicting postoperative mortality of patients undergoing surgery for primary hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Ishizuka Mitsuru , Kubota Keiichi , Kita Junji , Shimoda Mitsugi , Kato Masato , Sawada Tokihiko
Published: January 2011

Objective

To assess and compare the predictive values of the hepatic Glasgow Prognostic Score (hGPS) and Cancer of the Liver Italian Program (CLIP) score in patients undergoing surgery for primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods

The hGPS was calculated as follows: patients with an elevated level of C‐reactive protein (CRP) (>0.3 mg/dl) were allocated a hGPS of 1 or 2 depending on the absence or presence of hypoalbuminemia (<3.5 g/dl), and patients without an elevation of the CRP level (≤0.3 mg/dl) were allocated a hGPS of 0.

Results

Three hundred patients were evaluated. The hGPS divided patients into three independent groups, and that a hGPS of 2 predicted a higher mortality rate (P < 0.001) than a hGPS of 0 or 1. Univariate analysis demonstrated that hGPS (0, 1/2) (P = 0.010) was one of the factors predictive of postoperative mortality, along with the CLIP score (0, 1/≥2) (P = 0.021). Comparative analysis using these two factors showed that the hGPS was predictively superior to the CLIP score (P = 0.033).

Conclusions

The hGPS is able to divide patients undergoing surgery for primary HCC into three independent groups, and is considered to be an important factor predictive of postoperative mortality in such patients. J. Surg. Oncol. 2011;103:801–806. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Treatment and outcome of parosteal osteosarcoma: Biological versus endoprosthetic reconstruction
Authors: Funovics Philipp T. , Bucher Frederik , Toma Cyril D. , Kotz Rainer I. , Dominkus Martin
Published: January 2011

Background and Objectives

Due to its good prognosis despite local recurrence, more and less invasive methods for surgical treatment of parosteal osteosarcoma (POS) have been described. Aim of this retrospective single‐center study was to investigate differences in outcome after biological and prosthetic reconstruction.

Methods

A total of 28 patients with POS, 14 females, 14 males, mean age of 27 years (median, 24 years; range 15–59 years), mean follow‐up of 130 months (median, 104 months; range, 9–383 months), underwent wide tumor resection and prosthetic reconstruction (12 patients, 42.9%), less extensive resection and biological reconstruction (11 patients, 39.3%), rotationplasty (three patients, 10.7%), or amputation (two patients, 7.1%).

Results

There were two cases of local recurrence in patients with biological reconstruction and three cases of pulmonary metastases, leading to death of disease in two. Ten‐year disease‐specific survival was 91.1%. There was no significant difference between prosthetic and biological reconstruction in terms of local recurrence, metastasis, or functional outcome (mean MSTS Score, 85%). There were significantly more revisions in prosthetic reconstructions.

Conclusions

Given that the resection of the tumor has clear margins, both prosthetic and biological reconstruction show similar results; prostheses allow better local tumor control, however, require more revisions over time. J. Surg. Oncol. 2011;103:782–789. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Is neoadjuvant chemotherapy prior to radio‐chemotherapy beneficial in T4 anal carcinoma?
Authors: Moureau‐Zabotto L. , Viret F. , Giovaninni M. , Lelong B. , Bories E. , Delpero J.R. , Pesenti C. , Caillol F. , de Chaisemartin C. , Minsat M. , Monges G. , Sarran A. , Resbeut M.
Published: January 2011

Background

This study retrospectively describes the outcome of a series of 38 patients (pts) with T4 anal carcinoma exclusively treated by radio and chemotherapy.

Patients and Methods

From 1992 to 2007, 38 pts with UST4‐N0‐2‐M0 anal carcinoma were treated with exclusive radiotherapy and chemotherapy. All patients received external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) (median dose 45 Gy) with a concomitant chemotherapy (5‐fluorouracil‐cisplatin). Eleven patients received neo‐adjuvant chemotherapy (5‐fluorouracil‐cisplatin). After 2–8 weeks, a 15–20 Gy boost was delivered either with EBRT (20 pts) or interstitial192Ir brachytherapy (18 pts). Mean follow‐up was 66 months.

Results

After chemoradiation therapy (CRT), 13 pts (34%) had a complete response, 23 pts (60%) a response >50% (2 pts were not evaluated). The 5‐year‐disease‐free survival was 79.2 ± 6.5%, and the 5‐year overall survival was 83.9 ± 6%. Eight patients developed tumor progression (mean delay 8.8 months), six of them requiring a salvage surgery with definitive colostomy for local relapse. Late severe complication requiring colostomy was observed in 2 pts. The 5‐year‐colostomy‐free survival was 78 ± 6.9%. Patients who received primary chemotherapy had a statistically significant better 5‐year colostomy‐free survival (100% vs. 38 ± 16.4%,P = 0.0006).

Conclusion

T4 anal carcinoma can be treated with a curative intent using a sphincter‐sparing approach of CRT, and neo‐adjuvant chemotherapy should be considered prior to radiotherapy. J. Surg. Oncol. 2011;104:66–71. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effect of land use and topography on soil properties and agronomic productivity on calcareous soils of a semiarid region, Iran
Authors: Asadi H. , Raeisvandi A. , Rabiei B. , Ghadiri H.
Published: January 2011

In this research, the effects of land use and slope position on soil properties and its agronomic productivity were studied in a greenhouse experiment. The study also covered the effects of water stress, fertilizer treatment and their interactions. Eight soil samples were collected from four slope positions along hill slopes from two adjacent land use types of rangeland and dry farmland in a semiarid region of Iran. Soil samples were analyzed for their physical and chemical properties and yield and yield components of wheat were measured as indices of soil agronomic productivity in a replicated pot experiment. Soils of the dry farmland showed higher fertility and better quality than the soils from the adjacent degraded rangeland, especially at the upper slope positions. The results indicated that yield components of wheat were all higher for the dry farming land compared to the degraded rangeland, and at the bottom of slopes compared to the top. The effect of land use and slope position on agronomic productivity of soil was influenced by water supply. The actual impact on soil productivity of soil degradation, induced by land use and slope position, was overshadowed by the dominating effect of water stress. While both chemical fertilizer and fertilizer + manure treatments enhanced the agronomic productivity of all soils, their effects were much more pronounced on the degraded soils of the rangeland. Water stress reduced fertilizer efficiency on all the soils used in this study. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Spirituality and psychological well‐being: Testing a theory of family interdependence among family caregivers and their elders
Authors: Kim Suk‐Sun , Reed Pamela G. , Hayward R. David , Kang Youngmi , Koenig Harold G.
Published: January 2011

The family spirituality‐psychological well‐being model was developed and tested to explore how spirituality influences psychological well‐being among elders and caregivers in the context of Korean family caregiving. The sample consisted of 157 Korean elder‐family caregiver dyads in Seoul, Korea. The intraclass correlation coefficient and the actor–partner interdependence statistical model were used to analyze the data. There were significant correlations between elders' and caregivers' spirituality and between elders' and caregivers' psychological well‐being. Elders' and caregivers' spirituality significantly influenced their own psychological well‐being. The caregiver's spirituality significantly influenced the elder's psychological well‐being, but the elder's spirituality did not significantly influence the caregiver's psychological well‐being. Findings suggest that elders' and caregivers' spirituality should be assessed within the family to provide holistic nursing interventions. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Res Nurs Health
What does validation of cases in electronic record databases mean? The potential contribution of free text
Authors: Nicholson Amanda , Tate Anne Rosemary , Koeling Rob , Cassell Jackie A.
Published: January 2011

Electronic health records are increasingly used for research. The definition of cases or endpoints often relies on the use of coded diagnostic data, using a pre‐selected group of codes. Validation of these cases, as ‘true’ cases of the disease, is crucial. There are, however, ambiguities in what is meant by validation in the context of electronic records. Validation usually implies comparison of a definition against a gold standard of diagnosis and the ability to identify false negatives (‘true’ cases which were not detected) as well as false positives (detected cases which did not have the condition). We argue that two separate concepts of validation are often conflated in existing studies. Firstly, whether the GP thought the patient was suffering from a particular condition (which we term confirmation or internal validation) and secondly, whether the patient really had the condition (external validation). Few studies have the ability to detect false negatives who have not received a diagnostic code. Natural language processing is likely to open up the use of free text within the electronic record which will facilitate both the validation of the coded diagnosis and searching for false negatives. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Understanding hydrogenation of the adenine‐thymine base pairs and their anions: A density functional study
Authors: Xie Hujun , Sun Tingting , Lei Qunfang , Fang Wenjun
Published: January 2011

The B3LYP/DZP++ approach has been used to investigate the properties of hydrogenated radicals and anions of adenine‐thymine (A‐T) base pairs. Our calculations show that the hydrogenated radicals and anions have relatively high stabilities compared with the single adenine and thymine base. The conformations and hydrogen‐bond interactions of A‐T base pairs have obviously changed once the hydrogen atoms attached to the A‐T base pairs and their anion. As for the hydrogenated A‐T radicals, all of them exhibit relatively high electron affinities and different hydrogenation properties with respect to their components. The process of the bond formations of (C6)‐H (adenine) and (C6)‐H (thymine) are the most favorable in energetics. The two hydrogenation channels have the reaction Gibbs free energies (ΔG°) of −51.8 and −54.2 kcal mol−1, respectively. Also, the calculations on the basis of CPCM model imply that the solvent effect plays an important role in the electron attachment and hydrogenation reactions, and can stabilize the hydrogenated A‐T anions. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2012
Rhythmic Crystal Growth into Hierarchical Patterns by Polymer‐Mediated Self‐Assembly
Authors: Pernstich Kurt P. , Ginés Rebekka , Caseri Walter R.
Published: January 2011

Controlled, bottom‐up self‐assembly of ordered and hierarchical structures remains a major challenge and increasingly attracts attention in basic and technology‐driven research. A simple process is described for the generation of such structures, which is based on slow solvent evaporation of a polymer solution blended with a crystal‐forming species (Krogmann’s salt). Upon drying, the viscosity of the polymer‐blend solution increases in a progressing solidification zone, which precisely controls crystal growth by limiting the transport of the crystallizing units through this gel‐like solidification zone and gives rise to a position‐ and time‐dependent diffusion rate. The progressing solidification zone also leads to a preferential crystallographic orientation on a centimeter scale and introduces an instability that drives spatial pattern formation and hierarchical ordering on five distinct levels, ranging from the atomic positions in crystals to the assembly on a microscale and up to a centimeter length scale. Together with a quantitative description, the presented findings are envisaged to improve the understanding and application of periodic precipitation processes.
Effects of electrical stimulation on autonomous electrical activity in a cultured rat hippocampal neuronal network
Authors: Kiyohara Ai , Taguchi Takahisa , Kudoh Suguru N.
Published: January 2011

The complex dynamics of electrical activity in a neuronal network can be effectively analyzed using a small‐scale network of cultured living neurons. A multielectrode array culture dish is convenient for this purpose. In this study, we focused on the effects of electrical stimulation on autonomous electrical activity, which included widespread global activity, bursting activity in several parts of the network, and unsynchronized local activity. The electrical stimulation selectively reduced bursting activity in intermediate areas. These results suggest that electrical stimulation not only evoked action potentials but also reduced autonomous activity in a circuit‐ and frequency‐restricted manner. Thus, electrical stimulation changed the internal state of the network. © 2011 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Ultraviolet Keratitis Among Mountaineers and Outdoor Recreationalists
Authors: McIntosh Scott E. , Guercio Brian , Tabin Geoffrey C. , Leemon Drew , Schimelpfenig Tod
Published: January 2011

Objective

Ultraviolet (UV) keratitis is a self-limited, inflammatory condition resulting in pain and temporary visual disturbance following acute UV radiation exposure. It may afflict mountaineers and other outdoor recreationalists because snow, water, and sand reflect a high percentage of UV radiation reaching the earth's surface. We examined the cases of UV keratitis that have occurred on National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) courses in order to better understand its epidemiology and to help prevent this affliction on wilderness expeditions.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed all cases of UV keratitis that occurred on NOLS courses from 1984–2009. Subject demographics and contributing factors were recorded and descriptive information reported.

Results

Fifteen cases of UV keratitis occurred during the study period with an overall incidence of 0.06% in those exposed. All cases occurred in mountainous or snowy terrain except one case which occurred while boating on a river. Thirteen of the 15 (87%) cases occurred in participants who were not wearing sunglasses. Two cases (13%) occurred in participants who were wearing sunglasses without side shields. Ten cases (71%) occurred in sunny conditions, and 4 cases (29%) occurred in cloudy or low visibility conditions. In all cases, symptoms resolved within 36 hours after cessation of UV exposure.

Conclusion

Appropriate eye protection, including adequate lenses with appropriate side shields, should be worn in mountain or water environments in order to prevent UV keratitis. This data supports the conventional conception of UV keratitis as a relatively mild and self-limited condition, if treated appropriately.
Gelegenheiten zum Kompetenzerwerb in der universitären Lehre
Authors: Braun Edith , Hannover Bettina
Published: January 2011

Zusammenfassung. Die vorliegende Studie untersucht, inwieweit der von den Studierenden selbstberichtete Kompetenzgewinn in Lehrveranstaltungen der Psychologie und Erziehungswissenschaft mit – von trainierten Beobachterinnen und Beobachtern registrierten – Lerngelegenheiten in den entsprechenden Lehrveranstaltungen zusammenhängt. 383 Studierende aus 53 Lehrveranstaltungen schätzten ihren Lernzuwachs in bestimmten fachlichen und überfachlichen Kompetenzen ein. 14 Beobachtende kodierten in denselben Lehrveranstaltungen mit Hilfe eines Leitfadens, inwieweit Lerngelegenheiten für den Erwerb dieser Kompetenzen geboten wurden. Die Ergebnisse zeigten deutliche Unterschiede zwischen den Lehrveranstaltungen, und zwar sowohl in den beobachteten Lerngelegenheiten als auch in den von den Studierenden eingeschätzten Kompetenzzuwächsen. In Mehrebenenanalysen korrelierte das Ausmaß beobachteter Lerngelegenheiten mit dem Kompetenzzuwachs, den die Studierenden für sich angaben.