bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Alternance tripolaire et raison expérientielle à la lumière de la sémiotique de Peirce
Authors: Denoyel Noël
Published: January 2010

The tripolar concept of training (auto-hetero-oïko), foundation of alternating courses practice (with multiple learning situations and actors), draws us back to the différenciation between the three main persons singular (I, You, He) expressed in common language as the compound epistemology of semiotics put forward by Peirce. ..Practical intelligence (close to the "metis" of the Greeks) can be noticed among craftsmen when they refer to the "biais du gars" bespeaking an open logic where transduction and abduction are linked to deduction and induction. A constructive reasoning, interactive ans ecological, with ethical objectives, is created. It's a practical rationality aiming at actualizing the potentiality of the situation and marked by sagaciy and prudence in action in the Aristotelian sense (phronesis). me "ec(h)otraining" emerging from the wisdom of experience, this interactive vision of things is necessarily included in the chain linking two other thoughts : the intuitive thought and the formal thought, between spontaneity and habit.
Le problème des références dans la compréhension des textes à l'école primaire : le cas de "il" et de "lui"
Authors: Lima Laurent , Bianco Maryse
Published: January 2010

Dans cet article, nous examinons la façon dont les élèves de l'école primaire interprètent les pronoms «il » et « lui », selon qu'ils lisent des textes ou simplement des phrases. Nos résultats montrent que les élèves de CE2 basent leurs interprétations des pronoms sujets sur des indices linguistiques tels que le sujet syntaxique pour les phrases ou le personnage principal pour les textes. Les élèves de CM2, quant à eux, tiennent compte de tous les indices permettant une interprétation correcte des pronoms sujets. Ils sont en particulier capables d'analyser correctement les informations sémantiques qui permettent de lever les ambiguïtés. Contrairement à ce qui se passe pour l'interprétation des pronoms sujets, l'interprétation des pronoms objets « lui » pose des problèmes à tous les élèves de l'école primaire. Plusieurs hypothèses sont envisagées pour expliquer ce phénomène. L'une d'entre elles consiste à penser que les difficultés observées sont liées à la capacité que possède le pronom « lui » d'être ou non réflexif.
Effets de la durée du week-end sur l'état cognitif de l'élève en classe au cours du lundi
Authors: Delvolve Nicole , Jeunier Benoît
Published: January 2010

Pour rendre compte de l'état de la fatigue de l'élève en classe, cette recherche étudie de façon comparative les répercussions de la durée de l'arrêt de fin de semaine (un jour et demi, ou deux jours) sur l'évolution au cours de la journée du lundi des performances mnésiques des élèves à l'école élémentaire. L'étude a porté sur un échantillon apparié de 167 élèves de cours préparatoire, cours élémentaires, et cours moyens. Chaque élève, isolé du groupe classe, est soumis au cours de deux lundis (4 points horaires) aux tests. Les résultats mettent en évidence que le taux global de rappel ainsi que la profondeur du stockage des informations sont meilleurs lorsque les élèves ne se sont interrompus qu'un jour et demi. La recherche souligne l'intérêt qu'il y a à évaluer les effets des changements organisationnels pour mieux gérer la situation d'apprentissage de l'élève.
La psychologie et les questions du pédagogue
Authors: Rey Bernard
Published: January 2010

Constatant que la pratique enseignante n'exploite que très partiellement les résultats de la recherche en psychologie, cet article examine l'écart entre certains aspects des paradigmes psychologiques et les questions que se pose le pédagogue. Les processus mentaux mis à jour par la psychologie cognitive peuvent-ils contribuer à faire accéder l'élève à un univers de sens partagé ? La psychologie clinique et la psychologie sociale peuvent-elles, de leur côté, indiquer les conditions d'une relation élève-maître qui développe l'autonomie de pensée et élimine l'argument d'autorité ? Enfin, le savoir psychologique issu de situations expérimentales, en lesquelles il faut ruser avec le sujet qu'on étudie, peut-il s'investir dans la relation pédagogique sans entraîner une dissymétrie entre l'élève et l'enseignant ?
Les remaniements de la "séparation scolaire"
Authors: De Queiroz Jean-Manuel
Published: January 2010

Les transformations et réformes de l'institution scolaire signifieraient une « mise à mort de l'enseignement » : telle est la thèse polémique véhiculée par des auteurs antipedagogistes prétendant défendre une « école républicaine ». On rapportera d'abord la variété de leurs critiques à la question de principe qui les unifie : celle de la « séparation scolaire », fiction politique, théorisée dans la doctrine laïque, dont la réalisation effective a toujours impliqué des liens avec « l'extérieur » et avec la réalité concrète de l'enfance. Une lecture non fantasmée de l'histoire scolaire conduit à considérer que la crise actuelle signifie non l'abolition de la « séparation scolaire », mais son remaniement dans le cadre à construire d'une nouvelle division du travail d'éducation et de socialisation.
Le portfolio, instrument de légitimation et de formation
Authors: Weiss Jacques
Published: January 2010

The portfolio is a polysémie and multifunctional concept in the field of evaluation. Teachers and researchers have different representations of it and use it differently. This paper tries to distinguish through this diversity what is common and what is different in the intention and in the effective uses, in its application inside and outside of the educational system. Two case studies are presented : first an "Evaluation file" created in the context of a reform conducted in Switzerland, second a "European portfolio of languages". The article places these cases in a theoretical framework and tries to describe the cognitive processes developed during elaboration and use of portfolios.
Fonctionnement des collèges et prévention des conduites à risque
Authors: Lacombe Philippe , Charrier Gilda
Published: January 2010

The article reports methods and results of a national investigation conducted for the Department of Education. This is a collective work achieved with the cooperation of university academics and students from Rennes and Brest. A supervising team - including secondary school Heads, a doctor, a nurse from Rennes district - was created to run this project.
Le rapprochement de l'école et de l'entreprise dans l'enseignement technique : sur les limites d'une rationalisation volontariste
Authors: Eckert Henri , Veneau Patrick
Published: January 2010

II s'agit d'interroger les processus de rationalisation à l'œuvre dans l'enseignement technique à partir des contenus d'enseignements délivrés dans trois spécialités industrielles : les BTS Électrotechnique, Électronique et Informatique industrielle. La relation entre ces contenus, les référentiels de ces trois diplômes et les pratiques pédagogiques permet de montrer comment est mise en scène l'exigence politique de rapprochement entre l'école et l'entreprise et d'interroger les rapports entre la culture technique exigée par l'activité productive et les savoirs technologiques transmis par l'école.
La politique d'insertion et de formation professionnelle des jeunes au Royaume-Uni
Authors: Lefresne Florence
Published: January 2010

Historically, the vocational training system in the United Kingdom is far from the French one. Based on apprenticeship programmes linked to the trade unionism, this system used to lead to an early integration of young people into the labour market. At the beginning of the eighties, State programmes for training and integration of young people into the labour market were set up ; they had a new and significant impact. In a context where apprenticeship was collapsing and youth unemployment was growing up very fast, Public policies tried to combine a labour market deregulation goal and a training reconstruction goal. The conflict between these two goals has to be underlined even if the qualification improvement is more and more an explicit aim of the public policies towards young people. A critical assessment of these policies is then presented, but also the new orientation of Blair's government through the New Deal.
Approche clinique de la notion d'intérêt dans le champ de l'Education spécialisée
Authors: Morvan Jean-Sébastien
Published: January 2010

La notion d'intérêt dans le champ de l'éducation spéciale appelle une double mise en perspective : une première qui la situe en regard du cadre de la psychologie clinique, une seconde qui l'inscrit dans la réalité psychologique tant réelle qu'imaginaire de la situation pédagogique. À partir de là, une lecture psychodynamique des différents niveaux d'intérêts est possible. Elle conduit à une prise en considération, au niveau de la réalité psychique, des noyaux de base autour desquels s'organisent et se développent les mouvements d'intérêt ainsi qu'à une analyse des effets de circulation et d'interférences entre ces différents foyers et la réalité externe. L'intérêt-dette, l'intérêt-dédommagement, l'intérêt-curiosité sont les éléments moteurs de cette aire d'intéressement. Sur ces bases, des ouvertures pédagogiques peuvent être avancées.
L'évolution de la formation professionnelle des adolescents en grande difficulté
Authors: Chaumon Monique , Chaumon Raymond
Published: January 2010

A century before, offering youth at risk an opportunity of vocational training was not a national challenge, but even nowadays, though it is legally compulsory, is it really a concern for everybody ? The Law of April 15, 1909, about management of "classes de perfectionnement" (for low level school leavers) drop a hint about it, but it is only in 1951 that special apprenticeship centers created by Vichy's Gouvernment "to enrol youth with difficulties of adjustment to regular standards of academic and vocational educational" were legally turned into "Écoles Nationales de Perfectionnement". And moreover, the decree on educational directions "preparing to vocational and social life of subnormal youth" was published only in 1967 and give a pessimistic view of these chidren's future : "it will be more accurate to show than prove ; learning will occur through imitation rather than through abstract understanding". However, some schools were willing to go beyond the prior objective of social and professional integration, towards an objective of vocational qualification. Finally, 1989/90 and 1996/98 texts propose more precisely a common model of training but this aim is still uneasy for "EGPA" pupils to attain.
Les parents d'élèves : entre absence et consommation
Authors: Dutercq Yves
Published: January 2010

How can multifaceted parents'voices be heard by schools ? Each parent has special demands concerning his child and trying to represent them globally would be misleading, basic demands being tighly linked with individual situations. So it is dificult to translate parents movement into a collective cause, corresponding to the identification and interpretation of their expectations. From criteria such as concerns, attitude towards school, nature of school discourse, temporality, we can construct a parents'typology : cooperative parents, oppositionsts, absent parents, to avoid this negative categorizing, schools may focus on reducing constraints exerted over parents public discourse without suppressing those which are related to necessary debate and decision making.
Les interactions maître-élèves dans l'en­seignement des mathématiques. Contribution à une approche anthropo-didactique des phénomènes d'enseignement
Authors: Sarrazy Bernard
Published: January 2010

Which didactical functions are assumed by interactions between the teacher and pupils in mathematical teaching ? These interactions are in the present case approached as adaptations of modes of the teachers' action to two types of subservience : the first case, defined within anthropological limits, allows identification of a certain number of non-didactical conditions (the teachers' pedagogical conceptions, for instance) ; the second case, strictly didactical, permits the identification of the objective conditions of teaching. This two-way approach (anthropo-didactical) shows that the different forms of interaction can be explained as a result of the adequacy (or inadequacy) of these two types of subserviences ; therefore, a unique interactive form gives evidence of very different didactical intentions and generates varying cognitive effects according to the different didactical contexts.
Pratiques soignantes en mutation : de la lutte contre la maladie à la collaboration avec le patient
Authors: Rothier-Bautzer Eliane
Published: January 2010

Nous assistons à une mutation des pratiques soignantes liée notamment aux impératifs de la prise en charge de maladies chroniques. Dans cet article, nous analysons les enjeux des nouvelles configurations des pratiques soignantes. Celles-ci s'organisent peu à peu autour de projets « communs » regroupant les soignants, les acteurs para-médicaux et les patients eux-mêmes. Nous montrons conjointement l'inadaptation de la formation des soignants qui demeure imprégnée du modèle positiviste incapable de considérer le patient comme un « sujet » de sa guérison.
Les centres de classes-lecture. Evaluation des effets sur les capacités de traitement de l'écrit d'élèves de cycle 3
Authors: Lété Bernard
Published: January 2010

Nine to ten-year-old children were sent to a school in the countryside for a two-week-training course devoted to written activities. Their mastery level was assessed concerning their knowledge of rules about graphemes-phonemes transcriptions, vocabulary, spelling and grammar comprehension. The experimental group was compared to a control group. Results show an influence of this training course on vocabulary and comprehension : the ability to analyse the character lists making up words is increased, producing a better understanding in one test as words recognition process is improved. But there is no improvement in the second test concerning inferential strategies, which is better realized by the control group after three weeks spent in the ordinary classroom context.
L'action éducative et la logique de la situation. Fondements théoriques d'une approche pragmatique des faits d'enseignement
Authors: Chatel Elisabeth
Published: January 2010

The article offers a contribution to the debate about the conceptual tools available for a comparative approach of different didactic methods by focusing on the concept of "situation". Starting from the concepts elaborated by the didactic of mathematics it proposes a different acceptation of these concepts inspired by John Dewey's pragmatist philosophy. It proceeds by enunciating a comprehensive and pragmatic methodological position in order to examine how teachers deal with the instruction of "making the pupils study" what the programmes say they should know.
Serum retinol concentration in patients with acute falciparum malaria
Authors: Raza Adil , Khan Haris M , Malik Mohd. Ashraf , Mahdi Abbas Ali , Shahid Mohd. , Shujatullah Fatima
Published: January 2010

Background: Vitamin A (retinol)-deficiency and falciparum malaria are two major public health problems in developing countries. Falciparum malaria is associated with significant destruction of erythrocytes and can lead to severe anaemia. Methodology: The present study was designed to estimate the serum retinol concentration in 150 acute falciparum-malaria patients (aged two to five years) by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Serum retinol concentrations of 20 healthy (age and sex matched, population based) volunteers were included as controls. Results: The mean serum retinol concentration of healthy controls was 34.31 ± 1.274 µg/dl and that of diseased cohort was 12.562 ± 0.276 µg/dl. The mean parasitemia was 1239.2 ± 33.609 per µL. Conclusions: The diseased cohort demonstrated significant reduction in concentrations of retinol in comparison to healthy controls (p < 0.001) and there was an inverse relationship (coefficient of correlation r = -0.899) between parasitemia and serum retinol concentration.
Cutaneous myiasis due to Cochliomyia hominivorax in a drug user
Authors: Trombetta Luis , Oliva Adriana , Galache Viviana , Bava Javier , Troncoso Alcides
Published: January 2010

Myiasis is the condition resulting from the invasion of tissues or organs of man or animals by dipterous larvae. The blowflies (Calliphoridae) of Argentina comprise several species that may cause myiasis by colonizing wounds or infected body orifices, and one specific parasite: Cochliomyia hominivorax. This species often causes traumatic myiasis in cattle, dogs and cats, and it is not rare in humans. The larvae consume living tissues, so they are dangerous unless speedily removed. Immediate operative exploration along with the removal of larvae and primary defect closure is recommended in every case. Here we report a case of myiasis in a scalp wound caused by blunt force trauma to the area, in a male patient with a case history of alcohol and drug abuse. Seventy-one living larvae were extracted from the wound and determined as C. hominivorax in the Forensic Entomology Laboratory. Given the aggressiveness of these larvae, specific and quick diagnosis as well as the application of appropriate treatment is crucial.
Modulation of apoptosis against P. falciparum by low dose radiation in human PBMCs
Authors: Singh Sompal , Dhiman Ramesh C. , Dash Aditya P.
Published: January 2010

Background: Implications of low dose radiation (LDR) have been well reported in cancer therapy but data is scanty on the therapeutic application of LDR in infectious diseases. Methodology: Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were cultured and exposed to 0.07 Gy. P. falciparum infected RBCs were mixed with the PBMCs after five hours of irradiation. Thereafter, PBMCs were monitored for micronuclei and apoptosis. Results: The low dose pre-irradiated PBMCs which were subsequently challenged with parasite, showed a reduction in micronuclei frequency and apoptosis as compared to controls. Conclusion: LDR inhibited apoptosis against P. falciparum in human PBMCs.
Helicobacter pylori DNA in gallbladder tissue of patients with cholelithiasis and cholecystitis
Authors: Yucebilgili Kuaybe , Mehmetoğlu Tugba , Gucin Zuhal , Salih Barik A.
Published: January 2010

Background: Earlier reports on the detection of H. pylori DNA in gallbladder tissue of patients with cholelithiasis and cholecystitis gave discordant results. Our aim was to detect the presence of H. pylori DNA and to determine whether a correlation can be established with the biliary diseases. Methodology: The study included a total of 68 patients 20 to 79 years of age. Fifty-three of the participants were females, of whom 33 had cholelithiasis and 20 did not. Out of the 15 male patients, 8 were had cholelithiasis and 7 did not. Gallbladder tissue specimens were taken from all patients undergoing cholecystectomy and processed immediately for histology, culture and PCR. Results: Histological examination revealed that 36 (68%) of 53 females and 9 (60%) of 15 males had cholecystitis. PCR results detected H. pylori DNA in 15 (22%) of 68 samples but no bacteria were isolated in culture. The presence of few bacteria, the geographic distribution of H. pylori strains, and the bile milieu inhibitory effect might be some of the reasons for growth failure. Conclusions: In this study although H. pylori DNA was detected by PCR in gallbladder tissue of patients with cholecystitis, a clinical correlation with biliary disease could not be established because several conditions were difficult to meet as discussed in the text.
Profile of the first cases hospitalized due to Influenza A (H1N1) in Panama City, Panama. May-June 2009.
Authors: Tulloch Felicia , Correa Ricardo , Guerrero Gladys , Samaniego Rigoberto , Garcia Mariana , Pascale Juan M , Martinez Alexander , Mendoza Yaxelis , Victoria Gerardo , Ng de Lee Marisol , Marchena Loyd , De Mosca Itza Barahona , Armien Blas
Published: January 2010

Introduction: In April 2009, a novel influenza A (H1N1) virus was identified in patients from Mexico and the United States.  From 8 May through 25 June 2009, in the Republic of Panama, 467 cases infected with the same virus were identified, 13 of which were hospitalized at the Santo Tomas Hospital in Panama City. Up to the date of this report, no deaths have been reported in Panama. This study presents the first thirteen cases of Influenza A (H1N1) 2009 that were hospitalized in Panama City. Methodology: The Santo Tomas Hospital (HST), a third-level institution of the Ministry of Health (MINSA) for adult health care (patients above the age of 14), was designated as the reference center for treating these cases. For this purpose, the norms and criteria established by the system were followed and every patient (case) presenting flu-like symptoms was included (fever equal or greater than 38ºC (100.4ºF), cough, sore throat, rhinorrhea, lethargy in children under the age of one, and respiratory distress). Results: Seventy-six patients were hospitalized as suspected cases for infection with the influenza A H1N1 2009 virus, of which 13 (17.1%) were confirmed as positive. The clinical picture was characterized by fever (100%), cough (92.3%), rhinorrhea (69.2%), malaise (53.8%), headache (53.8%), and only one case presented gastrointestinal symptoms (diarrhoea).  The male:female ratio was 1:2.2. Conclusion:  The knowledge and technology translation previously acquired through courses to the HST health care providers were the key in controlling the first influenza A (H1N1) 2009 cases.
Dexamethasone efficacy on bacterial meningitis – a retrospective analysis of Albanian adult patients
Authors: Ndreu Arben Hazis , Shytaj Kastriot Mark , Pilaca Arben Sulejman , Harxhi Arjan Kareman , Kraja Dhimiter Viktor , Petrela Elizana Ylber , Bara Petrit Imer , Mingomataj Ervin Çerçiz
Published: January 2010

Background: Research on the effects of corticosteroids in bacterial meningitis (BM) yielded conflicting results. While some studies reveal that corticosteroids improve the outcomes in BM treatments, others provide strong evidence that patients do not profit from this treatment. We investigated the factors that may impact the dexamethasone efficacy in patients with BM. Methodology: In this retrospective study, we analyzed the medical records of patients with probable acute bacterial meningitis hospitalized between 2002 and 2008 at the Infectious Diseases Department, University Hospital Centre "Mother Theresa" of Tirana, Albania. They were all treated with dexamethasone. For study purposes, patients were divided into two subgroups: 1) Severely ill patients (Glasgow Coma Scale [GCS] ≤ 7 and 2) Less severely ill patients (GCS 8-12). Patients were considered recovered when they reached a GCS ≥ 13. Results: Sixty-seven patients analyzed had a mean age of 43.8 ± 17.0 years old, forty-five (67.2%) of whom were males. The mean recovery time (RT) was 3.5 ± 1.3 days, and four (6%) died. In the severely ill subgroup (GCS ≤ 7 points), the Pearson correlation between the dexamethasone daily dose and the RT was -0.579, p < 0.01 level (2-tailed). There was no correlation found in the less severely ill group of patients (GCS 8-12 points). Conclusions: This study suggests that the patients with lower GCS scores were significantly more likely to benefit from dexamethasone therapy. In this subgroup, high doses of corticosteroids can significantly reduce BM recovery time; however, patients with a high GCS do not benefit from dexamethasone therapy.
Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli in sub-Saharan Africa: Status, Uncertainties and Necessities
Authors: Okeke Iruka N
Published: January 2010

Diarrhea is a leading cause of illness and death, particularly in developing countries.  Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli, enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC), enteroinvasive E. coli, enterohemorrhaghic E. coli (EHEC), enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC) and diffusely adherent E. coli (DAEC) have been associated with diarrheal disease in different parts of Africa, particularly among young children, HIV-positive individuals, and visitors from abroad.  Each of these E. coli pathotypes uses distinct mechanisms, which are only partially understood, to colonize infected hosts and produce diarrhea.  All known diarrheagenic E. coli pathotypes have been reported from diverse locations within Africa but the true burden from these pathogens is unknown because very few studies seeking these organisms with discriminatory methodology have been performed.  Recent reports implicate ETEC and EAEC in a considerable proportion of childhood and travellers' diarrheas and suggest that some sub-types of these categories may have greater epidemiological significance than others.  The significant contribution of EHEC to bloody diarrhea and hemolytic uremic syndrome is underappreciated because diagnostic capacity for this pathotype is generally inferior to that for confounders such as Shigella and Entamoeba.   Recent studies in Africa have revealed the worrisome emergence of antimicrobial resistance and high asymptomatic carriage rates for diarrheagenic E. coli but bacterial and host factors that predispose to disease, as well as non-human reservoirs, are largely unknown.  Future diarrheal disease research needs to focus on broadening the repertoire of pathogens sought in epidemiological surveys to include multiple categories of diarrheagenic E. coli while building capacity to detect these pathogens in local reference laboratories.
Use of flexible bronchoscopy for rapid diagnosis of suspected tubercular cases in rural India
Authors: Singhal Sameer , Gaidhane Abhay M. , Khatib Nazli , Hrivastava Tripti , Diwan Sanjay , Mahajan Satish , Bawankule Shilpa , Zahiruddin Quazi Syed
Published: January 2010

Background: Reaching a correct diagnosis is a challenge for physicians treating any of the 30% to 50% of pulmonary tuberculosis patients who have negative sputum cultures or who present with no sputum.  Flexible bronchoscopy acquires special importance for these cases for whom empirical anti-tuberculosis therapy is the only option left. In our study we aimed to assess the diagnostic yield of flexible bronchoscopy in patients, suspected to have tuberculosis, whose sputum smears were negative. Methodology: In our hospital-based cross-sectional study, 42 patients were enrolled by consecutive sampling. Flexible bronchoscopy and selective bronchial washings were done in all patients.  Results: Bronchoscopy lavage smears were positive for M. tuberculosis in 10 (23.8%) patients. Fifteen (35.7%) patients had positive culture. Conclusion: Flexible bronchoscopy has an important role in the diagnosis of patients suspected to have tuberculosis, whose sputum smears are negative or who can not produce sputum.
Trends in antimicrobial susceptibility of Gram-negative bacteria isolated from blood in Jakarta from 2002 to 2008
Authors: Moehario Lucky H. , Tjoa Enty , Kiranasari Ariyani , Ningsih Ika , Rosana Yeva , Karuniawati Anis
Published: January 2010

Background: This study examined the susceptibility of Gram-negative bacteria in the bloodstream to antimicrobials with the aim of providing information relevant to the guidance of therapy.  Methodology: Blood specimens received by the Laboratory of Clinical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Indonesia, from 2002 to 2008, were analyzed for the presence of Gram-negative bacteria and their susceptibility to four antibiotic groups frequently administered in hospitals and community settings. Results: During the seven-year period leading up to 2008, approximately 68% of Gram-negative bacteria were identified among all positive isolates from blood specimens. The eight most frequent species found were Acinetobacter anitratus (25.8%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (19.5%), Klebsiella pneumoniae subsp. pneumoniae (14.5%), Enterobacter aerogenes (8%), Salmonella Typhi (7.5%), Escherichia coli (6.2%), Alcaligenes faecalis (5.6%) and Klebsiella oxytoca (3.2%).  At 80% susceptibility or greater, Ceftriaxone and Cefotaxime were active only on E. coli and S. Typhi.  Cefepime demonstrated activity on all eight species tested except K. pneumonia while Amikacin showed activity against five species, A. faecalis, E. aerogenes, E. coli, K. pneumoniae subsp. pneumoniae and S. Typhi.  Gentamycin was active against three species:  E. aerogenes, K. oxytoca and S. Typhi.  Ciprofloxacin and Levofloxacin significantly differed in their spectrum:  while Ciprofloxacin was active against four of the eight species tested (E. aerogenes, E. coli, K. oxytoca, and S. Typhi ), Levofloxacin  was similar to Cefepime and was active against all eight species except K. pneumoniae subsp. pneumonia. Conclusions: Since antimicrobials are broadly used in Jakarta, it is important that the information captured in this study be disseminated.
The Nucleotide-Binding Oligomerization Domain-Like Receptor NLRC5 Is Involved in IFN-Dependent Antiviral Immune Responses
Authors: Kuenzel Sven , Till Andreas , Winkler Michael , Häsler Robert , Lipinski Simone , Jung Sascha , Grötzinger Joachim , Fickenscher Helmut , Schreiber Stefan , Rosenstiel Philip
Published: January 2010

Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptors (NLRs) are a group of intracellular proteins that mediate recognition of pathogen-associated molecular patterns or other cytosolic danger signals. Mutations in NLR genes have been linked to a variety of inflammatory diseases, underscoring their pivotal role in host defense and immunity. This report describes the genomic organization and regulation of the human NLR family member NLRC5 and aspects of cellular function of the encoded protein. We have analyzed the tissue-specific expression of NLRC5 and have characterized regulatory elements in the NLRC5 promoter region that are responsive to IFN-γ. We show that NLRC5 is upregulated in human fibroblasts postinfection with CMV and demonstrate the role of a JAK/STAT-mediated autocrine signaling loop involving IFN-γ. We demonstrate that overexpression and enforced oligomerization of NLRC5 protein results in activation of the IFN-responsive regulatory promoter elements IFN-γ activation sequence and IFN-specific response element and upregulation of antiviral target genes (e.g., IFN-α, OAS1, and PRKRIR). Finally, we demonstrate the effect of small interfering RNA-mediated knockdown of NLRC5 on a target gene level in the context of viral infection. We conclude that NLRC5 may represent a molecular switch of IFN-γ activation sequence/IFN-specific response element signaling pathways contributing to antiviral defense mechanisms.
Physiological Numbers of CD4+ T Cells Generate Weak Recall Responses Following Influenza Virus Challenge
Authors: Thomas Paul G. , Brown Scott A. , Morris Melissa Y. , Yue Wen , So Jenny , Reynolds Cory , Webby Richard J. , Doherty Peter C.
Published: January 2010

Naive and recall CD4+ T cell responses were probed with recombinant influenza A viruses incorporating the OVA OT-II peptide. The extent of OT-II–specific CD4+ T cell expansion was greater following primary exposure, with secondary challenge achieving no significant increase in numbers, despite higher precursor frequencies. Adoptive transfer experiments with OT-II TCR-transgenic T cells established that the predominant memory set is CD62Lhi, whereas the CD62Llo precursors make little contribution to the recall response. Unlike the situation described by other investigators, in which the transfer of very large numbers of in vitro-activated CD4 effectors can modify the disease process, providing CD62Lhi or CD62Llo OT-II–specific T cells at physiological levels neither enhanced virus clearance nor altered clinical progression. Some confounding effects of the transgenic model were observed, with decreasing primary expansion efficiency correlating with greater numbers of transferred cells. This was associated with increased levels of mRNA for the proapoptotic molecule Bim in cells recovered following high-dose transfer. However, even with very low numbers of transferred cells, memory T cells did not expand significantly following secondary challenge. A similar result was recorded in mice primed and boosted to respond to an endogenous IAb-restricted epitope derived from the influenza virus hemagglutinin glycoprotein. Depletion of CD8+ T cells during secondary challenge generated an increased accumulation of OT-II–specific T cells but only at the site of infection. Taken together, significant expansion was not a feature of these secondary influenza-specific CD4 T cell responses and the recall of memory did not enhance recovery.
Pharmacologic Inhibition of MEK–ERK Signaling Enhances Th17 Differentiation
Authors: Tan Andy Hee-Meng , Lam Kong-Peng
Published: January 2010

The cytokines and transcription factors that promote Th17 cell development have been extensively studied. However, the signaling pathways that antagonize Th17 differentiation remain poorly characterized. In this study, we report that pharmacologic inhibition of MEK–ERK signaling enhances the in vitro differentiation of Th17 cells and increases their gene expression of il-17a, il-17f, il-21, il-22, and il-23r. IL-2, which suppresses Th17 differentiation via STAT5 activation, also acts through ERK signaling to inhibit Th17 generation. In turn, ERK signaling is found to potentiate the production of IL-2 and activate STAT5, suggesting the existence of an autoregulatory loop to constrain Th17 development. Finally, compared with the transfer of untreated Th17 cells, the transfer of ERK-inhibited Th17 cells leads to accelerated onset and exacerbated colitis in immunodeficient mice. Our data indicate that MEK–ERK signaling negatively regulates Th17 differentiation in a Th cell-intrinsic manner.
IL-24 Transgenic Mice: In Vivo Evidence of Overlapping Functions for IL-20, IL-22, and IL-24 in the Epidermis
Authors: He Miao , Liang Peng
Published: January 2010

IL-20 and IL-24 share two different heterodimeric receptors consisting of either IL-20R1 or IL-22R1 and a common IL-20R2 subunit, whereas IL-22 signals through IL-22R1/IL-10R2. However, until now, only IL-20 and IL-22 have been proven to play important roles in vivo in the epidermis where all four receptor subunits are expressed. In this study, we show that IL-24 transgenic mice manifest many similar phenotypes to that of IL-20 and IL-22, including neonatal lethality, epidermal hyperplasia, and abnormality in keratinocyte differentiation. These results support a largely redundant role in epidermal functions for IL-20, IL-22, and IL-24, which seem to be IL-22R1 dependent. Moreover, we show that IL-24 transgenic mice exhibit infiltrating macrophages in the dermis with concomitant increases in MCP-1 production from both keratinocytes in the epidermis and immune infiltrates in the adjacent dermal layer below. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the homodimeric IL-20R2 soluble receptor is a potent blocker for IL-24 and can be used to further dissect the crosstalk among the IL-20 family of cytokines in normal development as well as in autoimmune diseases.
Characterization of IL-17A–Producing Cells in Celiac Disease Mucosa
Authors: Monteleone Ivan , Sarra Massimiliano , Del Vecchio Blanco Giovanna , Paoluzi Omero Alessandro , Franzè Eleonora , Fina Daniele , Fabrizi Alessia , MacDonald Thomas T. , Pallone Francesco , Monteleone Giovanni
Published: January 2010

Celiac disease (CD) is a gluten-sensitive enteropathy associated with a marked infiltration of the mucosa with IFN-γ–secreting Th1 cells. Recent studies have shown that a novel subset of T cells characterized by expression of high levels of IL-17A, termed Th17 cells, may be responsible for pathogenic effects previously attributed to Th1 cells. In this study, we characterized the expression of IL-17A–producing cells in CD. By real-time PCR and ELISA, it was shown that expression of IL-17A RNA and protein is more pronounced in active CD biopsy specimens in comparison with inactive CD and normal mucosal biopsy specimens. Flow cytometry confirmed that IL-17A is overproduced in CD mucosa and that CD4+ and CD4+CD8+ cells were major sources. The majority of IL-17A–producing CD4+ and CD4+CD8+ cells coexpressed IFN-γ but not CD161. The addition of a peptic‑tryptic digest of gliadin to ex vivo organ cultures of duodenal biopsy specimens taken from inactive CD patients enhanced IL-17A production by both CD4+ and CD4+CD8+ cells. Because we previously showed that IL-21, a T cell-derived cytokine involved in the control of Th17 cell responses, is overproduced in CD, we next assessed whether IL-17A expression is regulated by IL-21. Blockade of IL-21 activity by a neutralizing IL-21 Ab reduced IL-17A expression in cultures of active CD and peptic–tryptic digest of gliadin-treated CD biopsy specimens. In conclusion, our data show that IL-17A is increased in CD and is produced by cells that also make IFN-γ.
HIV Protective KIR3DL1 and HLA-B Genotypes Influence NK Cell Function Following Stimulation with HLA-Devoid Cells
Authors: Boulet Salix , Song Rujun , Kamya Philomena , Bruneau Julie , Shoukry Naglaa H. , Tsoukas Christos M. , Bernard Nicole F.
Published: January 2010

Epidemiological studies in humans have implicated carriage of combinations of genes encoding certain KIR3DL1 (killer Ig-like receptor 3DL1) alleles and their HLA-Bw4 ligands in slower progression to AIDS, lower viral load and protection from infection. Given that the KIR3DL1*h/*y/HLA-B*57 genetic combination is strongly associated with favorable HIV outcomes, we measured responses from NK cells isolated from these individuals by multiparametric flow cytometry for cytokine secretion and degranulation in response to stimulation with HLA-devoid cells to assess whether the KIR/HLA compound genotypes linked to better HIV outcome favor increased NK cell functional potential. Our results indicate that NK cells from these individuals had increased functional potential, particularly in the KIR3DL1+ NK cell subset. These results support a link between KIR/HLA genotypes and NK cell function and could provide an explanation for the observation that some KIR/HLA combinations are associated protective phenotypes in the context of host-HIV interactions.
IL-12 Suppresses Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor 3 Expression on Tumor Vessels by Two Distinct IFN-γ–Dependent Mechanisms
Authors: Sorensen Elizabeth W. , Gerber Scott A. , Frelinger John G. , Lord Edith M.
Published: January 2010

IL-12 has been shown to be effective in enhancing antitumor responses. However, how IL-12 exerts its antiangiogenic effect is largely unknown. In this study, we elucidate this mechanism using B16 transfected to express IL-12 (B16/IL-12), a system that provides constant, local production of IL-12 within the tumor microenvironment. Intratumoral IL-12 resulted in a significant delay in tumor growth and phenotypic changes in the vasculature. Vessels found within B16 tumors are chaotic and poorly formed and express vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 3 (VEGFR3), a growth factor receptor not expressed on normal adult vessels. However, the vessels within B16/IL-12 tumors have a more normal morphology and do not express VEGFR3. We have shown that IFN-γ is required for IL-12 to suppress the aberrant expression of VEGFR3. Indeed, the presence of intratumoral IL-12 stimulates the immune system resulting in more IFN-γ–producing tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes per tumor when compared with parental B16 tumors, which may have a marked effect on control of tumor growth. Interestingly, within B16/IL-12 tumors, T cells are necessary to suppress VEGFR3 expression on tumor vessels. Finally, using IFN-γ receptor knockout mice in a bone marrow chimera system, we show that the IFN-γ produced within the tumor suppresses VEGFR3 expression in two ways: 1) acting directly on tumor vessel endothelial cells, and 2) acting on the tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes to indirectly alter endothelial cells’ VEGFR3 expression. Our data indicate a mechanism in which tumor-infiltrating immune cells regulate tumor vessel phenotype.
Cutting Edge: Spontaneous Development of IL-17–Producing γδ T Cells in the Thymus Occurs via a TGF-β1–Dependent Mechanism
Authors: Do Jeong-su , Fink Pamela J. , Li Lily , Spolski Rosanne , Robinson Janet , Leonard Warren J. , Letterio John J. , Min Booki
Published: January 2010

In naive animals, γδ T cells are innate sources of IL-17, a potent proinflammatory cytokine mediating bacterial clearance as well as autoimmunity. However, mechanisms underlying the generation of these cells in vivo remain unclear. In this study, we show that TGF-β1 plays a key role in the generation of IL-17+ γδ T cells and that it mainly occurs in the thymus particularly during the postnatal period. Interestingly, IL-17+ γδ TCR+ thymocytes were mainly CD44highCD25low cells, which seem to derive from double-negative 4 γδ TCR+ cells that acquired CD44 and IL-17 expression. Our findings identify a novel developmental pathway during which IL-17–competent γδ T cells arise in the thymus by a TGF-β1–dependent mechanism.
Diversity comparison and phylogenetic relationships of cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata L.) germplasm as revealed by SSR markers
Authors: Xie W -G. , Zhang X -Q. , Ma X. , Cai H -W. , Huang L -K. , Peng Y. , Zeng B.
Published: January 2010

Phylogenetic relationships among and within 16 accessions collected from China, Russia, Kazakhstan, India and Japan were investigated using SSR markers. The 21 SSR primer pairs generated a total of 143 polymorphic alleles, with an average of 6.8 alleles per locus, and a range of 3-13 alleles. The average genetic diversity, as measured by the polymorphic information content (PIC), was 0.33. The average polymorphic rate (P) for this species was 90.7%, suggesting a high degree of genetic diversity. Analysis of molecular variation (AMOVA) revealed larger genetic variation within accessions (65.75%) and geographical regions (75.58%) rather than between them, while among ploidy level variance contributed only 2.62%. A high degree of genetic diversity within tetraploid group was detected based on the polymorphic rate (P = 94.23%) and shannon’ s information index of diversity (I = 0.4300) when compared with diploid group (P = 91.25%, I = 0.3922). The values of the genetic identity (GI) among accessions ranged from 0.7320 to 0.9691 and were used to produce a dendrogram using the UPGMA approach. The 16 accessions were grouped into two major clusters (GI = 0.876); specifically, all tetraploid (2n = 4x = 28) accessions originating from different regions were grouped into the same cluster, whereas the diploid (2n = 2x = 14) accessions were grouped into the two major clusters. The dendrogram was concordant with the morphological variability, agronomic traits and karyotype. Generally, the results of this study indicate that cocksfoot germplasm contains high molecular variation within accession and geographical region. The implications of these results for conversation of the species were discussed.Key words: Dactylis glomerata L.; simple sequence repeats; genetic diversity; phylogenetic relationship
Early Diagnosis of Congenital Trypanosoma cruzi Infection, Using Shed Acute Phase Antigen, in Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina
Authors: Mallimaci María Cristina , Sosa-Estani Sergio , Russomando Graciela , Sanchez Zunilda , Sijvarger Carina , Alvarez Isabel Marcela , Barrionuevo Lola , Lopez Carlos , Segura Elsa Leonor
Published: January 2010

Chagas' disease, or American trypanosomiasis, is caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanasoma cruzi. It is estimated that 15,000 new cases of congenital T. cruzi transmission occur in the Americas each year. The aim of this study was to estimate the rate of congenital T. cruzi infection in infants born to infected women living in Ushuaia, Argentina, as well to assess a serologic test using Shed Acute Phase Antigen (SAPA) for a timely diagnosis of congenital infection. The rate of congenital infection among children in the study was 4.4% (3/68). Our results show that for infants younger than 30 days of age, matched blood samples from mother and infant were capable of identifying congenital transmission of infection using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with SAPA. For infants older than 3 months, congenital infection could be ruled out using the same procedure.
The Epidemiology of Dengue in the Americas Over the Last Three Decades: A Worrisome Reality
Authors: San Martín José Luis , Brathwaite Olivia , Zambrano Betzana , Solórzano José Orlando , Bouckenooghe Alain , Dayan Gustavo H. , Guzmán María G.
Published: January 2010

We have reported the epidemic patterns of dengue disease in the Region of the Americas from 1980 through 2007. Dengue cases reported to the Pan American Health Organization were analyzed from three periods: 1980–1989 (80s), 1990–1999 (90s), and 2000–2007 (2000–7). Age distribution data were examined from Brazil, Venezuela, Honduras, and Mexico. Cases increased over time: 1,033,417 (80s) to 2,725,405 (90s) to 4,759,007 (2000–7). The highest concentrations were reported in the Hispanic Caribbean (39.1%) in the 80s shifting to the Southern Cone in the 90s (55%) and 2000–7 (62.9%). From 1980 through 1987, 242 deaths were reported compared with 1,391 during 2000–7. The most frequently isolated serotypes were DENV-1 and DENV-2 (90s) and DENV-2 and DENV-3 (2000–7). The highest incidence was observed among adolescents and young adults; dengue hemorrhagic fever incidence was highest among infants in Venezuela. Increasing dengue morbidity/mortality was observed in the Americas in recent decades.
Encapsulation of palladium nanoparticles by multiwall carbon nanotubes‐graft‐poly(citric acid) hybrid materials
Authors: Adeli Mohsen , Mehdipour Ebrahim , Bavadi Masoumeh
Published: January 2010

Citric acid was polymerized onto the surface of functionalized multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT‐COOH) and MWCNT‐graft‐poly(citric acid) (MWCNT‐g‐PCA) hybrid materials were obtained. Due to the grafted poly(citric acid) branches, MWCNT‐g‐PCA hybrid materials not only were soluble in water but also were able to trap water soluble metal ions. Reduction of trapped metal ions in the polymeric shell of MWCNT‐g‐PCA hybrid materials by reducing agents such as sodium borohydride led to encapsulated metal nanoparticles on the surface of MWCNT. Herein palladium nanoparticles were encapsulated and transported by MWCNT‐g‐PCA hybrid materials (MWCNT‐g‐PCA‐EPN) and their application as nanocatalyst toward Heck reaction in different conditions was investigated. The catalytic activity of palladium ions supported by MWCNT‐g‐PCA hybrid materials (MWCNT‐g‐PCA‐PdCl2) toward Heck reactions is much more than for MWCNT‐g‐PCA‐EPN. Structure, characteristics and catalytic activity of synthesized systems was investigated using spectroscopy and microscopy methods. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
New event detection and topic tracking in Turkish
Authors: Can Fazli , Kocberber Seyit , Baglioglu Ozgur , Kardas Suleyman , Ocalan H. Cagdas , Uyar Erkan
Published: January 2010

Topic detection and tracking (TDT) applications aim to organize the temporally ordered stories of a news stream according to the events. Two major problems in TDT are new event detection (NED) and topic tracking (TT). These problems focus on finding the first stories of new events and identifying all subsequent stories on a certain topic defined by a small number of sample stories. In this work, we introduce the first large‐scale TDT test collection for Turkish, and investigate the NED and TT problems in this language. We present our test‐collection‐construction approach, which is inspired by the TDT research initiative. We show that in TDT for Turkish with some similarity measures, a simple word truncation stemming method can compete with a lemmatizer‐based stemming approach. Our findings show that contrary to our earlier observations on Turkish information retrieval, in NED word stopping has an impact on effectiveness. We demonstrate that the confidence scores of two different similarity measures can be combined in a straightforward manner for higher effectiveness. The influence of several similarity measures on effectiveness also is investigated. We show that it is possible to deploy TT applications in Turkish that can be used in operational settings.