bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
RIP3 is downregulated in human myeloid leukemia cells and modulates apoptosis and caspase-mediated p65/RelA cleavage
Authors: Nugues A-L , El Bouazzati H , Hétuin D , Berthon C , Loyens A , Bertrand E , Jouy N , Idziorek T , Quesnel B 
Published: August 2014

AbstractThe receptor-interacting protein kinase 3 (RIP3) associates with RIP1 in a necrosome complex that can induce necroptosis, apoptosis, or cell proliferation. We analyzed the expression of RIP1 and RIP3 in CD34+ leukemia cells from a cohort of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and CD34+ cells from healthy donors. RIP3 expression was significantly reduced in most AML samples, whereas the expression of RIP1 did not differ significantly. When re-expressed in the mouse DA1-3b leukemia cell line, RIP3 induced apoptosis and necroptosis in the presence of caspase inhibitors. Transfection of RIP3 in the WEHI-3b leukemia cell line or in the mouse embryonic fibroblasts also resulted in increased cell death. Surprisingly, re-expression of a RIP3 mutant with an inactive kinase domain (RIP3-kinase dead (RIP3-KD)) induced significantly more and earlier apoptosis than wild-type RIP3 (RIP3-WT), indicating that the RIP3 kinase domain is an essential regulator of apoptosis/necroptosis in leukemia cells. The induced in vivo expression of RIP3-KD but not RIP3-WT prolonged the survival of mice injected with leukemia cells. The expression of RIP3-KD induced p65/RelA nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) subunit caspase-dependent cleavage, and a non-cleavable p65/RelA D361E mutant rescued these cells from apoptosis. p65/RelA cleavage appears to be at least partially mediated by caspase-6. These data indicate that RIP3 silencing in leukemia cells results in suppression of the complex regulation of the apoptosis/necroptosis switch and NF-κB activity.
Monolithically integrated wavelength‐multiplexed DFB laser array with laterally coupled quarter‐wave phase‐shift gratings defined by interference lithography
Authors: Li Jingsi , Cheng Julian 
Published: August 2014

The first monolithically integrated laterally coupled, multi‐wavelength distributed feedback (DFB) laser array using first‐order sidewall sampled gratings with equivalent quarter‐wave phase shifts defined by interference lithography is experimentally demonstrated. The elements of the monolithic DFB laser array lase strongly monomode, with an average side mode suppression ratio of ∼37.3 dB and with a uniform wavelength spacing of ∼7.3 nm. The output power under 100 mA bias current ranges from 11.4 to 14.1 mW. The proposed method offers a practical and low‐cost method for the fabrication of multi‐wavelength monolithic DFB laser arrays without regrowth or e‐beam lithography.
Generic anthropometric and performance characteristics among elite adolescent boys in nine different sports
Authors: Pion Johan , Segers Veerle , Fransen Job , Debuyck Gijs , Deprez Dieter , Haerens Leen , Vaeyens Roel , Philippaerts Renaat , Lenoir Matthieu 
Published: August 2014

AbstractThe aim of the present study was to evaluate the Flemish Sports Compass (FSC), a non‐sport‐specific generic testing battery. It was hypothesised that a set of 22 tests would have sufficient discriminant power to allocate athletes to their own sport based on a unique combination of test scores. First, discriminant analyses were applied to the 22 tests of anthropometry, physical fitness and motor coordination in 141 boys under age 18 (16.1 ± 0.8 years) and post age at peak height velocity (maturity offset = 2.674 ± 0.926) from Flemish Top Sport Academies for badminton, basketball, gymnastics, handball, judo, soccer, table tennis, triathlon and volleyball. Second, nine sequential discriminant analyses were used to assess the ability of a set of relevant performance characteristics classifying participants and non‐participants for the respective sports. Discriminant analyses resulted in a 96.4% correct classification of all participants for the nine different sports. When focusing on relevant performance characteristics, 80.1% to 97.2% of the total test sample was classified correctly within their respective disciplines. The discriminating characteristics were briefly the following: flexibility in gymnastics, explosive lower‐limb strength in badminton and volleyball, speed and agility in badminton, judo, soccer and volleyball, upper‐body strength in badminton, basketball and gymnastics, cardiorespiratory endurance in triathletes, dribbling skills in handball, basketball and soccer and overhead‐throwing skills in badminton and volleyball. The generic talent characteristics of the FSC enable the distinction of adolescent boys according to their particular sport. Implications for talent programmes are discussed.
Antimicrobial Stewardship Programs in Inpatient Hospital Settings: A Systematic Review
Authors: Wagner Brittin , Filice Gregory A. , Drekonja Dimitri , Greer Nancy , MacDonald Roderick , Rutks Indulis , Butler Mary , Wilt Timothy J. 
Published: August 2014

ObjectiveEvaluate the evidence for effects of inpatient antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs) on patient, prescribing, and microbial outcomes.DesignSystematic review.MethodsSearch of MEDLINE (2000 through November 2013), Cochrane Library, and reference lists of relevant studies. We included English language studies with patient populations relevant to the United States (ie, infectious conditions and prescriptions required for antimicrobials) that evaluated ASP interventions and reported outcomes of interest. Study characteristics and outcomes data were extracted and reviewed by investigators and trained research personnel.ResultsFew intervention types (eg, audit and feedback, guideline implementation, and decision support) substantially impacted patient outcomes, including mortality, length of stay, readmission, or incidence of Clostridium difficile infection. However, most interventions were not powered adequately to demonstrate impacts on patient outcomes. Most interventions were associated with improved prescribing patterns as measured by decreased antimicrobial use or increased appropriate use. Where reported, ASPs were generally associated with improvements in microbial outcomes, including institutional resistance patterns or resistance in the study population. Few data were provided on harms, sustainability, or key intervention components. Studies were typically of short duration, low in methodological quality, and varied in study design, populations enrolled, hospital setting, ASP intent, intervention composition and implementation, comparison group, and outcomes assessed.ConclusionsNumerous studies suggest that ASPs can improve prescribing and microbial outcomes. Strength of evidence was low, and most studies were not designed adequately to detect improvements in mortality or other patient outcomes, but obvious adverse effects on patient outcomes were not reported.
IroT/mavN, a new iron‐regulated gene involved in Legionella pneumophila virulence against amoebae and macrophages
Authors: Portier Emilie , Zheng Huaixin , Sahr Tobias , Burnside Denise M. , Mallama Celeste , Buchrieser Carmen , Cianciotto Nicholas P. , Héchard Yann 
Published: August 2014

SummaryLegionella pneumophila is a pathogenic bacterium commonly found in water. Eventually, it could be transmitted to humans via inhalation of contaminated aerosols. Iron is known as a key requirement for the growth of L. pneumophila in the environment and within its hosts. Many studies were performed to understand iron utilization by L. pneumophila but no global approaches were conducted. In this study, transcriptomic analyses were performed, comparing gene expression in L. pneumophila in standard versus iron restricted conditions. Among the regulated genes, a newly described one, lpp_2867, was highly induced in iron‐restricted conditions. Mutants lacking this gene in L. pneumophila were not affected in siderophore synthesis or utilization. On the contrary, they were defective for growth on iron‐depleted solid media and for ferrous iron uptake. A sequence analysis predicts that Lpp_2867 is a membrane protein, suggesting that it is involved in ferrous iron transport. We thus named it IroT, for iron transporter. Infection assays showed that the mutants are highly impaired in intracellular growth within their environmental host Acanthamoeba castellanii and human macrophages. Taken together, our results show that IroT is involved, directly or indirectly, in ferrous iron transport and is a key virulence factor for L. pneumophila.
Dubai in the ‘Middle’
Authors: Acuto Michele 
Published: August 2014

AbstractIn the early 2000s, Dubai seemed the apotheosis of the global city model. Lauded as an embodiment of globalist ideals, or harshly criticized as a representation of the dangers of contemporary urbanism, it was clearly under the spotlight. Then, like the concept of the ‘global city’ itself, it disappeared from the headlines, to be subject only to sporadic and cynical attention. Today some are heralding a ‘return’ of Dubai from the anonymity of the middle ground of global city hierarchies and rankings. What is often forgotten, however, is that urbanism in Dubai did not stop. On the contrary, Dubai's continuous ‘worlding’ offers a productive opportunity for the encounter of ‘global’ and ‘ordinary’ modes of urban analysis. By unpacking the construction of a global Dubai, this article advocates greater sensitivity to the multiscalar politics that shape its continuity. Stepping beyond rumours of crisis and decline, it aims to connect the global fortunes and everyday processes that jointly characterize the development of global cities. ‘Global’ and ‘ordinary’ urbanism, it argues, are but two registers of how we could, in Warren Magnusson's words, ‘see like a city’.
Post‐infectional dynamics of leaf spot disease in Withania somnifera
Authors: Sharma A. , Vats S.K. , Pati P.K. 
Published: August 2014

AbstractWithania somnifera is a high value medicinal plant, native to Indian sub‐continent, and is extensively used in traditional systems of medicine. It is highly prone to leaf spot disease caused by Alternaria alternata, that may affect the quality of crude herbal drugs. In the present study, the accumulation of ROS (reactive oxygen species) was detected histochemically within the infected host tissue, using H2DCFDA (2′,7′‐difluorodihydrofluorescein diacetate) and DAB (3,3′‐diaminobenzidine) staining methods. This ROS accumulation was linked with the process of disease initiation. The microscopy studies were conducted to explore the site of pathogen invasion into the host tissue. Some changes related to tissue degeneration during the infection process have also been reported. The observed changes in the form of reducing sugar and phenolic content showed an enhancement during infestation. Carbon, nitrogen and sulphur exhibited a decreasing trend with the progression of disease. Both the net rate of photosynthesis (A) and stomatal conductance (gS) showed a similar trend except that gS increased at the early stage of infection when the protruding fungal hyphae obstructed the stomatal closure. Further, the disintegration of chloroplasts was also observed in the infected leaves. Overall, the present study highlights a few potential targets for enhancing the disease resistance against the leaf spot pathogen of W. somnifera.
Impact of suppressing retinoic acid-related orphan receptor gammat(ROR)γt in ameliorating central nervous system autoimmunity
Authors: Yang Y , Winger R C , Lee P W , Nuro-Gyina P K , Minc A , Larson M , Liu Y , Pei W , Rieser E , Racke M K , Lovett-Racke A E 
Published: August 2014

SummaryMultiple sclerosis (MS) is an immune-mediated chronic central nervous system (CNS) disease affecting more than 400 000 people in the United States. Myelin-reactive CD4 T cells play critical roles in the formation of acute inflammatory lesions and disease progression in MS and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), a well-defined mouse model for MS. Current MS therapies are only partially effective, making it necessary to develop more effective therapies that specifically target pathogenic myelin-specific CD4 T cells for MS treatment. While suppressing T-bet, the key transcription factor in T helper type 1 (Th1) cells, has been demonstrated to be beneficial in prevention and treatment of EAE, the therapeutic potential of retinoic acid-related orphan receptor gamma t (ROR)γt, the key transcription factor for Th17 cells, has not been well-characterized. In this study, we characterized the correlation between RORγt expression and other factors affecting T cell encephalitogenicity and evaluated the therapeutic potential of targeting RORγt by siRNA inhibition of RORγt. Our data showed that RORγt expression correlates with interleukin (IL)-17 production, but not with the encephalitogenicity of myelin-specific CD4 T cells. IL-23, a cytokine that enhances encephalitogenicity, does not enhance RORγt expression significantly. Additionally, granulocyte–macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) levels, which correlate with the encephalitogenicity of different myelin-specific CD4 T cell populations, do not correlate with RORγt. More importantly, inhibiting RORγt expression in myelin-specific CD4 T cells with an siRNA does not reduce disease severity significantly in adoptively transferred EAE. Thus, RORγt is unlikely to be a more effective therapeutic target for ameliorating pathogenicity of encephalitogenic CD4 T cells.
Characteristics of chromium‐allergic dermatitis patients prior to regulatory intervention for chromium in leather: a questionnaire study
Authors: Bregnbak David , Thyssen Jacob P. , Zachariae Claus , Johansen Jeanne D. 
Published: August 2014

SummaryBackgroundChromium‐tanned leather articles currently constitute the most important cause of contact allergy to chromium in Denmark. A regulation on the content of hexavalent chromium in leather was adopted in November 2013 by the EU member states.ObjectivesTo characterize patients with chromium allergy and their disease, to serve as a baseline for future studies on the potential effect of the new regulation on chromium in leather.MethodsA questionnaire case–control study was performed on 155 dermatitis patients with positive patch test reactions to potassium dichromate and a matched control group of 621 dermatitis patients. Comparisons were made by use of a χ2‐test and the Mann–Whitney U‐test. Logistic regression analyses were used to test for associations.ResultsSixty‐six per cent of chromium‐allergic patients had a positive history of contact dermatitis caused by leather exposure. They had a significantly lower quality of life (p < 0.001), a higher prevalence of dermatitis during the last year (p = 0.008), a higher use of medication during the past 12 months (p = 0.001) and a higher prevalence of sick leave (p = 0.007) than patients in the control group.ConclusionsChromium‐allergic patients have more severe and more chronic contact dermatitis. Their primary chromium exposure comes from leather articles.
Operations research in BASF's supply chain operations
Authors: Blackburn Robert , Kallrath Josef , Klosterhalfen Steffen T. 
Published: August 2014

AbstractIn this paper, we highlight the application of operations research (OR) at BASF in the area of supply chain management (SCM) by using selected examples with annual cost savings ranging between several hundred thousand and several million euros. We address special characteristics of the process industry that should be dealt with and identify future research needs. The examples cover strategic, tactical, and operational topics encountered at BASF. We share our lessons learned, based on our experience from past OR projects in SCM, about challenges as well as benefits of standard and tailor‐made OR solutions. In general, we find that the special characteristics often call for a modification or enhancement of standard OR models. Providing appropriate solutions therefore requires a joint effort of SCM, IT, and OR experts.
Depth‐dependent shear behavior of bovine articular cartilage: relationship to structure
Authors: Motavalli Mostafa , Akkus Ozan , Mansour Joseph M. 
Published: August 2014

AbstractThe mechanical behavior of bovine articular cartilage in shear was measured and related to its structure through the depth of the tissue. To make these measurements, we designed an apparatus that could apply controlled shear displacement and measure the resulting shear force on cartilage specimens. Shear displacement and shear strain were obtained from confocal images of photobleached lines on fluorescently stained deformed samples. Depth‐dependent collagen structure was obtained using compensated polarized light microscopy. Depth‐dependent shear behavior and structure of samples from two animals were measured (group A and B). Both animals were 18–24 months old, which is the range in which they are expected reach skeletal maturity. In mature samples (group A), the stiffest region was located beneath the superficial zone, and the most compliant region was found in the radial zone. In contrast, in samples that were in the process of maturing (group B) the most compliant region was located in the superficial zone. Compensated polarized light microscopy suggested that the animal from which the group A samples were obtained was skeletally mature, whereas the animal yielding the group B samples was in the process of maturing. Compensated polarized light microscopy was an important adjunct to the mechanical shear behavior in that it provided a means to reconcile differences in observed shear behavior in mature and immature cartilage. Although samples were harvested from two animals, there were clear differences in structure and shear mechanical behavior. Differences in the depth‐dependent shear strain were consistent with previous studies on mature and immature samples and, based on the structural variation between mature and immature articular cartilage, their mechanical behavior differences can be tenable. These results suggest that age, as well as species and anatomic location, need to be considered when reporting mechanical behavior results.
Purification, molecular cloning and functional characterization of flavonoid C‐glucosyltransferases from Fagopyrum esculentum M. (buckwheat) cotyledon
Authors: Nagatomo Yoshihisa , Usui Shiori , Ito Takamitsu , Kato Akira , Shimosaka Makoto , Taguchi Goro 
Published: August 2014

SummaryC‐Glycosides are characterized by their C–C bonds in which the anomeric carbon of the sugar moieties is directly bound to the carbon atom of aglycon. C‐Glycosides are remarkably stable, as their C–C bonds are resistant to glycosidase or acid hydrolysis. A variety of plant species are known to accumulate C‐glycosylflavonoids; however, the genes encoding for enzymes that catalyze C‐glycosylation of flavonoids have been identified only from Oryza sativa (rice) and Zea mays (maize), and have not been identified from dicot plants. In this study, we identified the C‐glucosyltransferase gene from the dicot plant Fagopyrum esculentum M. (buckwheat). We purified two isozymes from buckwheat seedlings that catalyze C‐glucosylation of 2‐hydroxyflavanones, which are expressed specifically in the cotyledon during seed germination. Following purification we isolated the cDNA corresponding to each isozyme [FeCGTa (UGT708C1) and FeCGTb (UGT708C2)]. When expressed in Escherichia coli, both proteins demonstrated C‐glucosylation activity towards 2‐hydroxyflavanones, dihydrochalcone, trihydroxyacetophenones and other related compounds with chemical structures similar to 2′,4′,6′‐trihydroxyacetophenone. Molecular phylogenetic analysis of plant glycosyltransferases shows that flavonoid C‐glycosyltransferases form a different clade with other functionally analyzed plant glycosyltransferases.
Intranasal Administration of Mycobacterium bovis BCG Induces Superior Protection against Aerosol Infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Mice
Authors: Derrick Steven C. , Kolibab Kristopher , Yang Amy , Morris Sheldon L. 
Published: August 2014

ABSTRACTDespite the widespread use ofMycobacterium bovisBCG, the only licensed vaccine against tuberculosis (TB), TB remains a global epidemic. To assess whether more direct targeting of the lung mucosa by respiratory immunization would enhance the potency and longevity of BCG-induced anti-TB protective immunity, the long-term impact of intranasal (i.n.) BCG vaccination was compared to conventional subcutaneous (s.c.) immunization by using a mouse model of pulmonary tuberculosis. Although significantly improved protection in the lung was seen at early time points (2 and 4 months postvaccination) in i.n. BCG-immunized mice, no differences in pulmonary protection were seen 8 and 10 months postvaccination. In contrast, in all of the study periods, i.n. BCG vaccination induced significantly elevated protective splenic responses relative to s.c. immunization. At five of nine time points, we observed a splenic protective response exceeding 1.9 log10protection relative to the s.c. route. Furthermore, higher frequencies of CD4 T cells expressing gamma interferon (IFN-γ) and IFN-γ/tumor necrosis factor alpha, as well as CD8 T cells expressing IFN-γ, were detected in the spleens of i.n. vaccinated mice. Using PCR arrays, significantly elevated levels of IFN-γ, interleukin-9 (IL-9), IL-11, and IL-21 expression were also seen in the spleen at 8 months after respiratory BCG immunization. Overall, while i.n. BCG vaccination provided short-term enhancement of protection in the lung relative to s.c. immunization, potent and extremely persistent splenic protective responses were seen for at least 10 months following respiratory immunization.