bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The CD48 receptor mediates Staphylococcus aureus human and murine eosinophil activation
Authors: Minai‐Fleminger Y. , Gangwar R. S. , Migalovich‐Sheikhet H. , Seaf M. , Leibovici V. , Hollander N. , Feld M. , Moses A. E. , Homey B. , Levi‐Schaffer F. 
Published: September 2014

SummaryBackgroundAllergy is characterized by eosinophilia and an increased susceptibility to microbial infection. Atopic dermatitis (AD) is typically associated with Staphylococcus aureus (SA) colonization. Some of the mechanisms by which SA and its exotoxins interact with eosinophils remain elusive. CD48, a glycosylphosphatidylinositol‐anchored receptor belonging to the CD2 family, participates in mast cells–SA stimulating cross‐talk, facilitates the formation of the mast cell/eosinophils effector unit and as expressed by eosinophils, mediates experimental asthma.ObjectiveTo investigate the role of CD48 expressed on human peripheral blood and mouse bone marrow‐derived eosinophils (BMEos) in their interaction with heat‐killed SA and its three exotoxins, Staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB), protein A (PtA) and peptidoglycan (PGN).MethodsEosinophils were obtained from human peripheral blood and BM of WT and CD48−/− mice. SA was heat killed and eosinophils–SA/exotoxins interactions were analyzed by confocal microscopy, adhesion and degranulation, cell viability, cytokine release and cell signalling. In addition, peritonitis was induced by SEB injection into CD48−/− and WT mice. CD48 expression was studied in AD patients' skin and as expressed on their leucocytes in the peripheral blood.ResultsWe provide evidence for the recognition and direct physical interaction between eosinophils and SA/exotoxins. Skin of AD patients showed a striking increase of eosinophil‐associated CD48 expression while on peripheral blood leucocytes it was down‐regulated. SA/exotoxins enhanced CD48 eosinophil expression, bound to CD48 and caused eosinophil activation and signal transduction. These effects were significantly decreased by blocking CD48 on human eosinophils or in BMEos from CD48−/− mice. We have also explored the role of CD48 in a SEB‐induced peritonitis model in CD48−/− mice by evaluating inflammatory peritoneal cells, eosinophil numbers and activation.ConclusionsThese data demonstrate the important role of CD48 in SA/exotoxins–eosinophil activating interactions that can take place during allergic responses and indicate CD48 as a novel therapeutic target for allergy and especially of AD.
Critical reflection workshops and knowledge exchange: findings from a Scottish project
Authors: Cree Viviene E. , Macrae Rhoda , Smith Mark , Knowles Nancy , O'Halloran Susan , Sharp Douglas , Wallace Elaine 
Published: September 2014

AbstractIn 2013, academics from a Scottish university came together with social work managers and practitioners from two local authorities (LAs) in Scotland to run a knowledge exchange (KE) project co‐sponsored by the Economic and Social Research Council and the LAs. The project's aim was an ambitious one: to contribute to culture change in the children and families' departments in the two partner agencies. The project grew out of an earlier KE venture that had explored ways of engaging better with involuntary service users in social work; it thus both anticipated and reflected wider concerns about services for children that were also demonstrated in Munro's Review of Child Protection. The KE project had three components: training for managers, practitioner research projects and critical reflection workshops. Whether, and to what degree, the KE project changed culture is not the focus of this paper, which is written jointly by academic researchers and practitioners. Instead, one element of the KE project, namely the critical reflection workshops, is discussed. Findings provide strong evidence of the pressures currently experienced by children and families' services in the UK public sector. They also indicate how important good relationships are in building meaningful KE.
792. NERINE BOWDENII SUBSP. WELLSII
Authors: Duncan Graham 
Published: September 2014

SummaryA subspecific name for the very hardy northern Drakensberg form of Nerine bowdenii Watson from South Africa is validated as N. bowdenii Watson subsp. wellsii C.A. Norris ex G.D. Duncan. A description and details of its history, taxonomy, distribution and cultivation requirements are given, accompanied by a watercolour painting, habitat photographs and distribution map.
Trapped by climate: interglacial refuge and recent population expansion in the endemic Iberian adder Vipera seoanei
Authors: Martínez‐Freiría Fernando , Velo‐Antón Guillermo , Brito José C. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractAimClimate variability is a major force affecting diversification processes and restricting species to specific areas, and thus, it has important impacts on species biogeographic patterns. This study aims to infer the role of climate in the evolutionary history of the endemic Iberian adder Vipera seoanei.LocationNorthern Iberian Peninsula and south‐western France.MethodsWe combined genetic analyses with ecological niche‐based modelling. Genetic analyses, based on sequencing of mitochondrial markers (cyt b, ND4), include phylogenetic and phylogeographic analyses, spatial interpolations of genetic variability and diversity, and identification of putative geographical origin of the most recent common ancestor of the species. Ecological modelling involved the combination of six modelling algorithms and projections to past conditions (Last Interglacial – LIG, Last Glacial Maximum – LGM) and the identification of climatic stable areas.ResultsThe species shows a shallow phylogeographic structure, dated at middle‐upper Pleistocene, and low haplotype diversity, with the highest genetic diversity located in north‐western Iberia. This region is identified as the putative origin of the ancestral populations. Projections to past periods spatially fit genetic results, indicating range contractions to north‐western Iberia during the LIG and expansions during the LGM.Main conclusionsThis study exemplifies how the combination of phylogeographic and ecological niche‐based models is a powerful tool for inferring evolutionary scenarios and responses of species to Pleistocene climatic oscillations. Vipera seoanei responded accordingly to a cold temperate model and fits a simplified example of ‘R’ type species where interglacial warming periods during the Pleistocene probably caused major range reductions with persistence in a single refuge in north‐western Iberia. The single mtDNA lineage observed in this study does not support the differentiation at subspecific level in V. seoanei. Our work highlights the importance of climate in explaining evolutionary processes and current biogeographical patterns of species with restrictive ranges.
Prognostic role of Twist or Snail in various carcinomas: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Zhang Ping , Hu Pingping , Shen Hongchang , Yu Jianyu , Liu Qi , Du Jiajun 
Published: September 2014

AbstractBackgroundTwist and Snail are considered as key transcriptional repressors of E‐cadherin tightly related to epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) and cancer progression. Numerous studies have investigated the prognostic value of Twist and Snail. However, the published results were controversial or even opposite. Our article aimed to evaluate the prognostic role of Twist and Snail in patients with cancer.DesignA comprehensive literature search of PubMed, Embase and Web of Science was conducted. Pooled hazard ratios (HRs) and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were assessed to quantify the prognostic role.ResultsThe pooled HR with 38 studies for Twist was 2·18 (95% CI: 1·77–2·68, I2 = 69·8%, P = 0·000) and for Snail with 40 studies was 1·58 (95% CI: 1·33–1·87, I2 = 70·0%, P = 0·000), suggesting high Twist/Snail expression predicted poor prognosis related to all clinical outcomes. For Twist, the pooled HR for overall survival (OS) was 2·07 (95% CI: 1·63–2·63, I2 = 72·6%, P = 0·000) and for progression‐free/recurrence‐free/metastasis‐free/disease‐free/cancer‐free survival (PFS/RFS/MFS/DFS/CFS) was 2·36 (95% CI: 1·76–3·17, I2 = 65·0%, P = 0·000). For Snail, the pooled HR for OS was 1·63 (95% CI: 1·33–1·99, I2 = 70·8%, P = 0·000) and for PFS/RFS/MFS/DFS/CFS was 1·54 (95% CI: 1·17–2·02, I2 = 59·1%, P = 0·001). All of those results were suggesting that high Twist/Snail expression was associated with poor prognosis. Furthermore, when grouped into different types of cancers, the pooled HRs were also calculated for the subgroups. No publication bias was found except studies evaluating all clinical outcomes of Twist (P = 0·006 for Begg's test and 0·006 for Egger's test).ConclusionsElevated Twist or Snail expression in tumour tissue indicated poor prognosis for cancer.
The Acclimation of European Sea Bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) to Temperature: Behavioural and Neurochemical Responses
Authors: Manciocco Arianna , Toni Mattia , Tedesco Amanda , Malavasi Stefano , Alleva Enrico , Cioni Carla 
Published: September 2014

AbstractStudies on fish behavioural and neurophysiological responses to water temperature change may contribute to an improved understanding of the ecological consequences of global warming. We investigated behavioural and neurochemical responses to water temperature in European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) acclimated to three temperatures (18, 22 and 28°C). After 21 d of acclimation, three groups of 25 fish each were exposed to four behavioural challenges (foraging, olfactory, aversive and mirror tests). The expression of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) was then analysed by Western blotting inCNShomogenates (from a subset of the same fish) as a marker for cholinergic system activity. In both foraging and olfactory tests, fish acclimated to 28°C exhibited significantly higher arousal responses than fish acclimated to lower temperatures. All specimens showed fright behaviour in the aversive test, but the latency of the escape response was significantly less in the fish at 28°C. Finally, the highest mirror responsiveness was exhibited by the fish acclimated to 22°C. As in the case of cholinergic neurotransmission, significantly higher ChATlevels were detected in the telencephalon, diencephalon, cerebellum and spinal cord of fish acclimated to 22 or 28°C in comparison with those maintained at 18°C. Lower ChATlevels were detected in the mesencephalon (optic tectum) at 22 and 28°C than at 18°C. These data indicate that neuronal functions are affected by water temperature. Increases or decreases in ChATexpression can be related to the functional modulation of brain and spinal cord centres involved in behavioural responses to temperature change. Overall, the results of this study suggest that the environmental temperature level influences behaviour andCNSneurochemistry in the European sea bass.
Histopathological assessment of intrinsic laryngeal musculature in horses with dynamic laryngeal collapse
Authors: Fjordbakk C. T. , Revold T. , Goodwin D. , Piercy R. J. 
Published: September 2014

SummaryReasons for performing studyThe pathogenesis of bilateral dynamic laryngeal collapse associated with poll flexion (DLC) of horses is unknown but might be associated with intrinsic laryngeal muscle weakness.ObjectivesTo investigate histopathological characteristics of the cricoarytenoideus dorsalis, the cricothyroid (CT) and the cricoarytenoideus lateralis muscles in DLC‐affected horses and compare these with unaffected controls. Our hypotheses were that evidence of neurogenic atrophy of the CT or cricoarytenoideus dorsalis muscles would be found in DLC‐affected horses and that observed changes would be symmetrically (left/right) distributed, or that muscle fibre diameter would be significantly reduced in DLC‐affected horses compared to unaffected controls, reflecting an underlying paresis.Study designCase–control study.MethodsFive DLC horses and 8 controls were included. Muscle samples were harvested immediately following euthanasia. Fibre type proportions and size were evaluated by multiple immunofluorescence labelling of cryosections, and compared between sides (left/right) and groups (DLC‐affected cases/ unaffected controls). Subjective and objective assessments of fibre type grouping were compared between sides and groups.ResultsFibre type proportions, fibre size and the subjective assessment of fibre type grouping did not reveal any statistically significant differences between the groups. Objective assessment of fibre type grouping revealed significantly more large clusters of T1 fibres within the left cricoarytenoideus lateralis muscle of DLC‐affected cases versus controls, and within the right CT muscle of control horses compared to the DLC‐cases.ConclusionsThe absence of bilateral symmetric fibre type grouping, fibre type loss and fibre atrophy in the DLC‐affected cases do not support a neuromuscular component within the pathogenesis of DLC. The objective assessment of fibre type grouping revealed some statistical differences between the DLC‐affected cases and the unaffected controls; however, these findings were inconsistent with regard to DLC. An alternative aetiology of DLC seems likely.
Effects of anti‐TNF‐α agents on circulating endothelial‐derived and platelet‐derived microparticles in psoriasis
Authors: Pelletier Fabien , Garnache‐Ottou Francine , Biichlé Sabeha , Vivot Aurore , Humbert Philippe , Saas Philippe , Seillès Estelle , Aubin François 
Published: September 2014

AbstractPsoriasis involves TNF‐α secretion leading to release of microparticles into the bloodstream. We investigated the effect of TNF blockers on microparticles levels before and after treatment in patients (twenty treated by anti‐TNF‐α agents and 6 by methotrexate) with severe psoriasis. Plasmatic microparticles were labelled using fluorescent monoclonal antibodies and were analysed using cytometry. Three months later, 70% of patients treated with anti‐TNF‐α agents achieved a reduction in PASI score of at least 75%. The clinical improvement in patients treated with anti‐TNF‐α agents was associated with a significant reduction of the mean number of platelet microparticles (2837/μl vs 1849/μl, P = 0.02) and of endothelial microparticles (64/μl vs 22/μl, P = 0.001). Microparticles are significantly decreased in psoriatic patients successfully treated by anti‐TNF‐α. Microparticles levels as circulating endothelial cells represent signs of endothelial dysfunction and are elevated in psoriasis. Then, TNF blockade may be effective to reduce cardiovascular risk through the reduction of circulating microparticles.
Egr‐1 is a key regulator of IL‐17A‐induced psoriasin upregulation in psoriasis
Authors: Jeong Sang Hoon , Kim Hee Joo , Jang Yeonsue , Ryu Woo In , Lee Hana , Kim Jin Hee , Bae Hyun Cheol , Choi Jae Eun , Kye Young Chul , Son Sang Wook 
Published: September 2014

AbstractThe early growth response (Egr)‐1 is a transcriptional factor which plays an important role in the regulation of cell growth, differentiation, cell survival and immune responses. Emerging evidences including our data demonstrate that the Egr‐1 expression is up‐regulated in the psoriatic skin lesions. The purpose of this study was to investigate the significance and regulatory mechanism of Egr‐1 in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. Through microarray analysis, we found out that psoriasin (S100A7) expression was increased in the Egr‐1 overexpressed cells. Our results showed that IL‐17A increased Egr‐1 expression in the skin of psoriatic patients and cultured human keratinocytes. We then investigated activation of mitogen‐activated protein kinase as an upstream signal regulator of Egr‐1 expression. IL‐17A‐induced Egr‐1 expression was suppressed by ERK inhibitor. In addition, IL‐17A induced psoriasin expression in cultured keratinocytes and the skin of IL‐17A intradermally injected mouse. IL‐17A‐mediated psoriasin upregulation was reduced after treatment of small interfering RNAs against Egr‐1. Furthermore, the results of chromatin immunoprecipitation assays demonstrated that Egr‐1 directly binds the psoriasin promoter. Our findings present a novel signalling mechanism by which IL‐17A can induce the Egr‐1‐dependent psoriasin expression via the ERK pathway in human keratinocytes. This study suggests that Egr‐1 may be a novel and important modulator in IL‐17A‐mediated immune response in psoriasis.
Molecular mechanisms of disease‐related human β‐actin mutations p.R183W and p.E364K
Authors: Hundt Nikolas , Preller Matthias , Swolski Olga , Ang Angella M. , Mannherz Hans G. , Manstein Dietmar J. , Müller Mirco 
Published: September 2014

Cytoplasmic β‐actin supports fundamental cellular processes in healthy and diseased cells including cell adhesion, migration, cytokinesis and maintenance of cell polarity. Mutations in ACTB, the gene encoding cytoplasmic β‐actin, lead to severe disorders with a broad range of symptoms. The two dominant heterozygous gain‐of‐function β‐actin mutations p.R183W and p.E364K were identified in patients with developmental malformations, deafness and juvenile‐onset dystonia (p.R183W) and neutrophil dysfunction (p.E364K). Here, we report the recombinant production and functional characterization of the two mutant proteins. Arg183 is located near the nucleotide‐binding pocket of actin. Our results from biochemical studies and molecular dynamics simulations show that replacement by a tryptophan residue at position 183 establishes an unusual stacking interaction with Tyr69 that perturbs nucleotide release from actin monomers and polymerization behavior by inducing a closed state conformation. The replacement of Glu364 by a lysine residue appears to act as an allosteric trigger event leading to the preferred formation of the closed state. Thus, our approach indicates that both mutations affect interdomain mobility and nucleotide interactions as a basis for the formation of disease phenotypes in patients.
Polygonal tundra geomorphological change in response to warming alters future CO2 and CH4 flux on the Barrow Peninsula
Authors: Lara Mark J. , McGuire A. David , Euskirchen Eugenie S. , Tweedie Craig E. , Hinkel Kenneth M. , Skurikhin Alexei N. , Romanovsky Vladimir E. , Grosse Guido , Bolton W. Robert , Genet Helene 
Published: September 2014

AbstractThe landscape of the Barrow Peninsula in northern Alaska is thought to have formed over centuries to millennia, and is now dominated by ice‐wedge polygonal tundra that spans drained thaw‐lake basins and interstitial tundra. In nearby tundra regions, studies have identified a rapid increase in thermokarst formation (i.e., pits) over recent decades in response to climate warming, facilitating changes in polygonal tundra geomorphology. We assessed the future impact of 100 years of tundra geomorphic change on peak growing season carbon exchange in response to: (i) landscape succession associated with the thaw‐lake cycle; and (ii) low, moderate, and extreme scenarios of thermokarst pit formation (10%, 30%, and 50%) reported for Alaskan arctic tundra sites. We developed a 30 × 30 m resolution tundra geomorphology map (overall accuracy:75%; Kappa:0.69) for our ~1800 km² study area composed of ten classes; drained slope, high center polygon, flat‐center polygon, low center polygon, coalescent low center polygon, polygon trough, meadow, ponds, rivers, and lakes, to determine their spatial distribution across the Barrow Peninsula. Land‐atmosphere CO2 and CH4 flux data were collected for the summers of 2006–2010 at eighty‐two sites near Barrow, across the mapped classes. The developed geomorphic map was used for the regional assessment of carbon flux. Results indicate (i) at present during peak growing season on the Barrow Peninsula, CO2 uptake occurs at ‐902.3 106gC‐CO2 day−1 (uncertainty using 95% CI is between −438.3 and −1366 106gC‐CO2 day−1) and CH4 flux at 28.9 106gC‐CH4 day−1(uncertainty using 95% CI is between 12.9 and 44.9 106gC‐CH4 day−1), (ii) one century of future landscape change associated with the thaw‐lake cycle only slightly alter CO2 and CH4 exchange, while (iii) moderate increases in thermokarst pits would strengthen both CO2 uptake (−166.9 106gC‐CO2 day−1) and CH4 flux (2.8 106gC‐CH4 day−1) with geomorphic change from low to high center polygons, cumulatively resulting in an estimated negative feedback to warming during peak growing season.
Understanding heat and groundwater flow through continental flood basalt provinces: insights gained from alternative models of permeability/depth relationships for the Columbia Plateau, USA
Authors: Burns E. R. , Williams C. F. , Ingebritsen S. E. , Voss C. I. , Spane F. A. , DeAngelo J. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractHeat‐flow mapping of the western USA has identified an apparent low‐heat‐flow anomaly coincident with the Columbia Plateau Regional Aquifer System, a thick sequence of basalt aquifers within the Columbia River Basalt Group (CRBG). A heat and mass transport model (SUTRA) was used to evaluate the potential impact of groundwater flow on heat flow along two different regional groundwater flow paths. Limited in situ permeability (k) data from the CRBG are compatible with a steep permeability decrease (approximately 3.5 orders of magnitude) at 600–900 m depth and approximately 40°C. Numerical simulations incorporating this permeability decrease demonstrate that regional groundwater flow can explain lower‐than‐expected heat flow in these highly anisotropic (kx/kz ~ 104) continental flood basalts. Simulation results indicate that the abrupt reduction in permeability at approximately 600 m depth results in an equivalently abrupt transition from a shallow region where heat flow is affected by groundwater flow to a deeper region of conduction‐dominated heat flow. Most existing heat‐flow measurements within the CRBG are from shallower than 600 m depth or near regional groundwater discharge zones, so that heat‐flow maps generated using these data are likely influenced by groundwater flow. Substantial k decreases at similar temperatures have also been observed in the volcanic rocks of the adjacent Cascade Range volcanic arc and at Kilauea Volcano, Hawaii, where they result from low‐temperature hydrothermal alteration.
Service user governors in mental health foundation trusts: accountability or business as usual?
Authors: MacDonald Dee , Barnes Marian , Crawford Mike , Omeni Edward , Wilson Aaron , Rose Diana 
Published: September 2014

AbstractContextNational Health Foundation Trusts present opportunities for individual mental health service users to be active in the governance of trusts. This is one of a range of mechanisms for patient and public involvement and one which promotes an individual rather than collective approach to involvement.ObjectiveWithin the context of a broader study of the impact of service user involvement in mental health services, the objective of this article was to explore the experience of service user governors in foundation trusts and their capacity to hold boards to account.Design, setting and participantsThe Council of Governors in three foundation trusts were observed for a year. Focus groups with service user governors were undertaken in each trust.ResultsService users had different expectations and understandings of the role and approached it in different ways. Key themes that emerged concerned: the role of a governor, conduct and content of meetings, agenda setting, relationships and representation.Discussion and conclusionsThe experiences of mental health service user governors need to be understood within the complex environment of patient and public involvement in general and of mental health service user involvement in particular. The dislocation of the service user governor role from other forms of service user activity and involvement result in confusion about how notions of holding a trust to account and representation of other service users can be addressed within a boundaried institutional environment.