bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Hyperactivation of the NLRP3 Inflammasome in Myeloid Cells Leads to Severe Organ Damage in Experimental Lupus
Authors: Lu Ailing , Li Hua , Niu Junling , Wu Shuxian , Xue Guang , Yao Xiaomin , Guo Qiuhong , Wan Nianhong , Abliz Paride , Yang Guiwen , An Liguo , Meng Guangxun 
Published: December 2016

Abstract
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune syndrome associated with severe organ damage resulting from the activation of immune cells. Recently, a role for caspase-1 in murine lupus was described, indicating an involvement of inflammasomes in the development of SLE. Among multiple inflammasomes identified, the NLRP3 inflammasome was connected to diverse diseases, including autoimmune encephalomyelitis. However, the function of NLRP3 in SLE development remains elusive. In this study, we explored the role of NLRP3 in the development of SLE using the pristane-induced experimental lupus model. It was discovered that more severe lupus-like syndrome developed in Nlrp3-R258W mice carrying the gain-of-function mutation. Nlrp3-R258W mutant mice exhibited significantly higher mortality upon pristane challenge. Moreover, prominent hypercellularity and interstitial nephritis were evident in the glomeruli of Nlrp3-R258W mice. In addition, hyperactivation of the NLRP3 inflammasome in this mouse line resulted in proteinuria and mesangial destruction. Importantly, all of these phenotypes were largely attributed to the Nlrp3-R258W mutation expressed in myeloid cells, because Cre recombinase–mediated depletion of this mutant from such cells rescued mice from experimental lupus. Taken together, our study demonstrates a critical role for NLRP3 in the development of SLE and suggests that modulating the inflammasome signal may help to control the inflammatory damage in autoimmune diseases, including lupus.
Pharmacological Inhibition of Bromodomain Proteins Suppresses Retinal Inflammatory Disease and Downregulates Retinal Th17 Cells
Authors: Eskandarpour Malihe , Alexander Robert , Adamson Peter , Calder Virginia L. 
Published: December 2016

Abstract
Experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU), in which CD4+ Th1 and/or Th17 cells are immunopathogenic, mimics various clinical features of noninfectious uveitis in humans. The impact of bromodomain extraterminal (BET) inhibitors on Th17 cell function was studied in a mouse model of EAU in vivo and in mouse and human Th17 cells in vitro. Two BET inhibitors (GSK151 and JQ1) were able to ameliorate the progression of inflammation in EAU and in mouse CD4+ T cells in vitro, downregulating levels of Th17 cells. Additionally, the uveitogenic capacity of Th17 cells to transfer EAU was abrogated by BET inhibitors in an adoptive transfer model. In human CD4+ T cells, a 5-d exposure to BET inhibitors was accompanied by a significant downregulation of Th17-associated genes IL-17A, IL-22, and retinoic acid–related orphan receptor γt. However, in vitro, the inhibitors had no effect on already polarized Th17 cells. The key finding is that, in response to BET inhibitors, Th17-enriched cultures developed a regulatory phenotype, upregulated FOXP3 expression and IL-10 secretion, and lost pathogenicity in vivo. We conclude that BET targeting of Th17 cells is a potential therapeutic opportunity for a wide range of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, including uveitis.
IL-6 Inhibits Upregulation of Membrane-Bound TGF-β 1 on CD4+ T Cells and Blocking IL-6 Enhances Oral Tolerance
Authors: Kuhn Chantal , Rezende Rafael Machado , M’Hamdi Hanane , da Cunha Andre Pires , Weiner Howard L. 
Published: December 2016

Abstract
Oral administration of Ag induces regulatory T cells that express latent membrane-bound TGF-β (latency-associated peptide [LAP]) and have been shown to play an important role in the induction of oral tolerance. We developed an in vitro model to study modulation of LAP+ on CD4+ T cells. The combination of anti-CD3 mAb, anti-CD28 mAb, and recombinant IL-2 induced expression of LAP on naive CD4+ T cells, independent of Foxp3 or exogenous TGF-β. In vitro generated CD4+LAP+Foxp3− T cells were suppressive in vitro, inhibiting proliferation of naive CD4+ T cells and IL-17A secretion by Th17 cells. Assessing the impact of different cytokines and neutralizing Abs against cytokines, we found that LAP induction was decreased in the presence of IL-6 and IL-21, and to a lesser extent by IL-4 and TNF-α. IL-6 abrogated the in vitro induction of CD4+LAP+ T cells by STAT3-dependent inhibition of Lrrc32 (glycoprotein A repetitions predominant [GARP]), the adapter protein that tethers TGF-β to the membrane. Oral tolerance induction was enhanced in mice lacking expression of IL-6R by CD4+ T cells and by treatment of wild-type mice with neutralizing anti-IL-6 mAb. These results suggest that proinflammatory cytokines interfere with oral tolerance induction and that blocking the IL-6 pathway is a potential strategy for enhancing oral tolerance in the setting of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.
cAMP Signaling of Adenylate Cyclase Toxin Blocks the Oxidative Burst of Neutrophils through Epac-Mediated Inhibition of Phospholipase C Activity
Authors: Cerny Ondrej , Anderson Karen E. , Stephens Len R. , Hawkins Phillip T. , Sebo Peter 
Published: December 2016

Abstract
The adenylate cyclase toxin-hemolysin (CyaA) plays a key role in immune evasion and virulence of the whooping cough agent Bordetella pertussis. CyaA penetrates the complement receptor 3–expressing phagocytes and ablates their bactericidal capacities by catalyzing unregulated conversion of cytosolic ATP to the key second messenger molecule cAMP. We show that signaling of CyaA-generated cAMP blocks the oxidative burst capacity of neutrophils by two converging mechanisms. One involves cAMP/protein kinase A–mediated activation of the Src homology region 2 domain–containing phosphatase-1 (SHP-1) and limits the activation of MAPK ERK and p38 that are required for assembly of the NADPH oxidase complex. In parallel, activation of the exchange protein directly activated by cAMP (Epac) provokes inhibition of the phospholipase C by an as yet unknown mechanism. Indeed, selective activation of Epac by the cell-permeable analog 8-(4-chlorophenylthio)-2′-O-methyladenosine-3′,5′-cyclic monophosphate counteracted the direct activation of phospholipase C by 2,4,6-trimethyl-N-[3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]benzenesulfonamide. Hence, by inhibiting production of the protein kinase C–activating lipid, diacylglycerol, cAMP/Epac signaling blocks the bottleneck step of the converging pathways of oxidative burst triggering. Manipulation of neutrophil membrane composition by CyaA-produced signaling of cAMP thus enables B. pertussis to evade the key innate host defense mechanism of reactive oxygen species–mediated killing of bacteria by neutrophils.
Silicone Foley’s catheter as an effective alternative to Hunter’s rod in staged flexor tendon reconstruction of the hand
Authors: Ahmad Tawheed , Bashir Sheikh Adil , Zaroo Mohammad Inam , Wani Adil Hafeez , Rashid Saima , Jan Summaira 
Published: December 2016

ABSTRACT
Context: Staged flexor tendon reconstruction is most suitable treatment method for extensive zone II tendon injuries. The Hunter’s rod used in this procedure is costly and not easily available, which adds to the miseries of both patients as well as treating surgeon. Aims: The aim of this study is to evaluate the results of staged zone II flexor tendon repair using silicone Foley’s catheter as a cheaper and readily available alternative to Hunter’s rod. Settings and Design: This was a prospective study. Materials and Methods: Seventy digits in 35 patients were treated by the staged flexor tendon reconstruction using silicone Foley’s catheter in place of Hunter’s rod, and the patients were followed for an average period of 18 months. Early controlled motion exercise protocol was instituted in all cases. Results: As per the Strickland scale, total active motion obtained was excellent in 70%, good in 20%, fair in 7.1% and poor in 2.9% of patients. Conclusions: Silicone Foley’s catheter is cheaper, easily available and an effective alternative to Hunter’s rod in staged flexor tendon reconstruction procedure, yielding high rates of excellent and good results with fewer complications.
Technology Skills in the Workplace: Information Professionals’ Current Use and Future Aspirations
Authors: Maceli Monica , Burke John J 
Published: December 2016

Information technology serves as an essential tool for today's information professional, with a need for ongoing research attention to assess the technological directions of the field over time. This paper presents the results of a survey of the technologies used by library and information science (LIS) practitioners, with attention to the combinations of technologies employed and the technology skills that practitioners wish to learn. The most common technologies employed were: email, office productivity tools, web browsers, library catalog and database searching tools, and printers, with programming topping the list of most-desired technology skill to learn. Generally similar technology usage patterns were observed for early and later-career practitioners. Findings also suggested the relative rarity of emerging technologies, such as the makerspace, in current practice.
Reflexiones sobre diálogo Intercultural-Interreligioso I Simposio y XVI Coloquio de Teología
Authors: Jéssica Sepúlveda Jaime bascuñan 
Published: December 2016

Los docentes Jaime Bascuñan y Jéssica Sepúlveda, que participaron tanto del Simposio como del Coloquio, en su texto Reflexiones sobre diálogo Intercultural-Interreligioso: I Simposio y XVI Coloquio de Teología, presentan una panorámica de lo que fueron ambas experiencias, su inspiración y principales logros. Desde la experiencia del encuentro entre miembros de comunidades mapuche, docentes e invitados a ambas actividades, se propone un camino de diálogo a partir de la confianza que otorgan instancas comunes de reconocimiento y participación.
Mapping spatial distribution of forest age in China
Authors: Zhang Yuan , Yao Yitong , Wang Xuhui , Liu Yongwen , Piao Shilong 
Published: December 2016

AbstractForest stand age is a meaningful metric, which reflects the past disturbance legacy, provides guidelines for forest management practices, and is an important factor in qualifying forest carbon cycles and carbon sequestration potential. Reliable large‐scale forest stand age information with high spatial resolutions, however, is difficult to obtain. In this study, we developed a top‐down method to downscale the provincial statistics of national forest inventory data into 1 km stand age map using climate data and light detection and ranging‐derived forest height. We find that the distribution of forest stand age in China is highly heterogeneous across the country, with a mean value of ~42.6 years old. The relatively young stand age for Chinese forests is mostly due to the large proportion of newly planted forests (0–40 years old), which are more prevailing in south China. Older forests (stand age > 60 years old) are more frequently found in east Qinghai‐Tibetan Plateau and the central mountain areas of west and northeast China, where human activities are less intensive. Among the 15 forest types, forests dominated by species of Taxodiaceae, with the exception of Cunninghamia lanceolata stands, have the oldest mean stand age (136 years), whereas Pinus massoniana forests are the youngest (18 years). We further identified uncertainties associated with our forest age map, which are high in west and northeast China. Our work documents the distribution of forest stand age in China at a high resolution which is useful for carbon cycle modeling and the sustainable use of China's forest resources.
Relationship between the direction of diurnal rainfall migration and the ambient wind over the Southern Sumatra Island
Authors: Yanase A. , Yasunaga K. , Masunaga H. 
Published: December 2016

AbstractThis study investigates the climatological relationship between diurnal rainfall migration and the ambient wind over the southern Sumatra by using observation and reanalysis of 15 years of data from the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission satellite precipitation radar. When winds in the lower troposphere (1000–500 hPa) are westerly, convective rainfall systems migrate eastward, while rainfall systems dominated by stratiform precipitation propagate to the west in association with mid‐upper level easterly winds. When the winds are easterly throughout the troposphere, both convective and stratiform precipitation systems propagate only to the west. Rainfall system migration appears to be generally consistent with ambient zonal wind. It is suggested that the advection by background wind is, in general, a dominant component of the propagation mechanism of diurnal rainfall.
Evidence of large empty lava tubes on the Moon using GRAIL gravity
Authors: Chappaz Loic , Sood Rohan , Melosh Henry J. , Howell Kathleen C. , Blair David M. , Milbury Colleen , Zuber Maria T. 
Published: December 2016

AbstractNASA's GRAIL mission employed twin spacecraft in polar orbits around the Moon to measure the lunar gravity field at unprecedentedly high accuracy and resolution. The low spacecraft altitude in the extended mission enables the detection of small‐scale surface or subsurface features. We analyzed these data for evidence of empty lava tubes beneath the lunar maria. We developed two methods, gradiometry and cross correlation, to isolate the target signal of long, narrow, sinuous mass deficits from a host of other features present in the GRAIL data. Here we report the discovery of several strong candidates that are either extensions of known lunar rilles, collocated with the recently discovered “skylight” caverns, or underlying otherwise unremarkable surfaces. Owing to the spacecraft polar orbits, our techniques are most sensitive to east‐west trending near‐surface structures and empty lava tubes with minimum widths of several kilometers, heights of hundreds of meters, and lengths of tens of kilometers.
Load redistribution rules for progressive failure in shallow landslides: Threshold mechanical models
Authors: Fan Linfeng , Lehmann Peter , Or Dani 
Published: December 2016

AbstractRainfall‐induced landslides are often preceded by progressive failures that culminate in abrupt mass release. Local failure progression is captured by a landslide hydro‐mechanical triggering model that represents the soil mantle as interacting columns linked by tensile and compressive mechanical “bonds.” Mechanical bonds may fail at a prescribed threshold leaving a modeling challenge of how to redistribute their load to neighboring intact soil columns. We employed an elastic spring‐block model to analytically derive redistribution rules defined by the stiffness ratio of compressive to tensile bonds. These linear‐elastic rules were generalized to real soil using measurable Young's modulus and Poisson's ratio. Results indicate that “local” failure characteristics of ductile‐like soils (e.g., clay) are reproduced by low stiffness ratios, whereas “global” failure of brittle sandy soils corresponds to large stiffness ratios. Systematic analyses yield guidelines for selecting load redistribution rules for failure of geological materials and mass‐movement phenomena represented by discrete threshold‐mechanics.
Fast‐moving diffuse auroral patches: A new aspect of daytime Pc3 auroral pulsations
Authors: Motoba Tetsuo , Ebihara Yusuke , Kadokura Akira , Engebretson Mark J. , Lessard Marc R. , Weatherwax Allan T. , Gerrard Andrew J. 
Published: December 2016

AbstractAuroral pulsations are a convenient diagnostic of wave‐particle interactions in the magnetosphere. A case study of a daytime Pc3 (22–100 mHz) auroral pulsation event, measured with a ~2 Hz sampling all‐sky camera at South Pole Station (74.4°S magnetic latitude) on 17 May 2012, is presented. The daytime Pc3 auroral pulsations were most active in a closed field line region where the aurora was dominated by diffuse green‐line emissions and within ±2 h of magnetic local noon. Usually, but not always, the corresponding periodic variations were recorded with a colocated search coil magnetometer. Of particular interest is the two‐dimensional auroral signature, indicating that the temporal luminosity variations at a given point were due to repeated formation and horizontal motion of faint, nonpulsating auroral patches with scale sizes of ~100 km. The individual patches propagated equatorward with speeds of 15 km s−1 up to 20–25 km s−1 one after another along the magnetic meridian through local magnetic zenith. These properties differ considerably from typical pulsating aurorae, being periodic on‐off luminosity variations in a particular auroral patch and drifting in accordance with the convection electric field in the magnetosphere. We speculate that such repetitive patterns of the fast‐moving auroral patches, being another aspect of the daytime Pc3 auroral pulsations, may be a visible manifestation of compressional Pc3 waves which propagate earthward and cause modulation of precipitating keV electron fluxes in the dayside outer magnetosphere.
Update on Saturn's energetic electron periodicities
Authors: Carbary James F. 
Published: December 2016

AbstractThe periodicities in fluxes of energetic electrons (110–365 keV) in Saturn's magnetosphere were determined from late 2004 to mid‐2016. The electron periods were calculated using Lomb periodogram analyses within windows of 200 days at sliding intervals of 10 days, which tracked changes in the periodicity. Sometimes the periodicity showed a clear duality, as in 2007–2008, while at other times the two periods came together so closely as to be indistinguishable, as after equinox in 2010 and in 2015. At still other times, the periodicity apparently vanished altogether, as in 2014. These periodicities generally agreed with those of other phenomena such as the magnetic field and radio emissions. Whether dual or mono, the periods generally remained between 10.58 h and 10.84 h, with two statistical peaks at ~10.68 h and ~10.81 h. This observation suggests that magnetospheric periodicities at Saturn lie within a limited range of values, which places constraints on the generative mechanism for the phenomena.
3‐D electrical resistivity structure based on geomagnetic transfer functions exploring the features of arc magmatism beneath Kyushu, Southwest Japan Arc
Authors: Hata Maki , Uyeshima Makoto , Handa Shun , Shimoizumi Masashi , Tanaka Yoshikazu , Hashimoto Takeshi , Kagiyama Tsuneomi , Utada Hisashi , Munekane Hiroshi , Ichiki Masahiro , Fuji‐ta Kiyoshi 
Published: December 2016

AbstractOur 3‐D electrical resistivity model clearly detects particular subsurface features for magmatism associated with subduction of the Philippine Sea Plate (PSP) in three regions: a southern and a northern volcanic region, and a nonvolcanic region on the island of Kyushu. We apply 3‐D inversion analyses for geomagnetic transfer function data of a short‐period band, in combination with results of a previous 3‐D model that was determined by using Network‐Magnetotelluric response function data of a longer‐period band as an initial model in the present inversion to improve resolution at shallow depths; specifically, a two‐stage inversion is used instead of a joint inversion. In contrast to the previous model, the presented model clearly reveals a conductive block on the back‐arc side of Kirishima volcano at shallow depths of ~50 km; the block is associated with hydrothermal fluids and hydrothermal alteration zones related to the formation of epithermal gold deposits. A second feature revealed by the model is another conductive block regarded as upwelling fluids, extending from the upper surface of the PSP in the mantle under Kirishima volcano in the southern volcanic region. Third, a resistive crustal layer, which confines the conductive block in the mantle, is distributed beneath the nonvolcanic region. Fourth, our model reveals a significant resistive block, which extends below the continental Moho at the fore‐arc side of the volcanic front and extends into the nonvolcanic region in central Kyushu.
Evolution of the mantle beneath the eastern North China Craton during the Cenozoic: Linking geochemical and geophysical observations
Authors: Li Hong‐Yan , Xu Yi‐Gang , Ryan Jeffrey G. , Whattam Scott A. 
Published: December 2016

AbstractRecent discoveries related to the geochemistry of Cenozoic basalts and the geophysics of the deep mantle beneath eastern Eurasia make it possible to place constraints on the relationship between the seismic tomography of subcontinental mantle domains and their geochemical heterogeneities. Basalts with ocean island basalt‐like trace elements erupted during (56–23 Ma) and after (≤23 Ma) rifting of the eastern North China Craton (NCC) show evidence for the mixing of an isotopically depleted source and an EMI (Enriched mantle type I) pyroxenitic mantle. NCC rifting‐stage basalts exhibit anomalously low MgO and Fe2O3T and high SiO2 and Al2O3, as well as low Dy/Yb and Y/Yb and high εHf at a given εNd, as compared to the postrifting basalts. Temporal compositional variations and their association with basin subsidence indicate that heterogeneity in the eastern NCC asthenospheric mantle is the primary driver for intraplate magmatism in this region. The specific magmatic sources shifted in terms of depth, related to lithospheric thinning and thickening in the eastern NCC. The NCC EMI mantle domain most likely developed due to ancient events, is persistent through time, and is not related to dehydration of the stagnant Pacific slab in the mantle transition zone. Based on the chemical signatures of postrifting basalts, contributions from the Pacific slab are likely to be carbonatite rich. Mantle metasomatism by carbonatite melts from the Pacific slab and the interaction of these melts at shallower depths with EMI pyroxenitic mantle domains to trigger melting are contributors to the observed low P wave velocity zone beneath eastern Eurasia.
Investigating dominant characteristics of fires across the Amazon during 2005–2014 through satellite data synthesis of combustion signatures
Authors: Tang W. , Arellano A. F. 
Published: December 2016

AbstractEstimates of fire emissions remain uncertain due to limited constraints on the variations in fire characteristics. Here we demonstrate the utility of space‐based observations of smoke constituents in addressing this limitation. We introduce a satellite‐derived smoke index (SI) as an indicator of the dominant phase of large‐scale fires. This index is calculated as the ratio of the geometric mean of observed fractional enhancements (due to fire) in carbon monoxide and aerosol optical depth to that of nitrogen dioxide. We assess the usefulness of this index on fires in the Amazon. We analyze the seasonal, regional, and interannual joint distribution ofSIand fire radiative power (FRP) in relation to fire hotspots, land cover, Drought Severity Index, and deforestation rate estimates. We also compare this index with an analogous quantity derived from field data or emission inventories. Our results show thatSIchanges from low (more flaming) to high (more smoldering) during the course of a fire season, which is consistent with the changes in observed maximum FRPs from high to low. We also find that flaming combustion is more dominant in areas where deforestation fires dominate, while smoldering combustion has a larger influence during drought years when understory fires are more likely enhanced. Lastly, we find that the spatiotemporal variation inSIis inconsistent with current emission inventories. Although we recognize some limitations of this approach, our results point to the utility ofSIas a proxy for overall combustion efficiency in the parameterization of fire emission models.