bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
First Steps towards Self-Employment – Microcredit for Enterprise in Scotland
Authors: McHugh Neil , Gillespie Morag , Loew Jana , Donaldson Cam 
Published: April 2014

While lending for small businesses and business start-up is a long-standing feature of economic policy in the UK and Scotland, little is known about the support available for those taking the first steps into self-employment, particularly people from poorer communities. This paper presents the results of a project that aimed to address this gap. It mapped provision of support for enterprise, including microcredit (small loans for enterprise of £5,000 or less) and grants available to people in deprived communities. It found more programmes offering grants than loans. Grants programmes, although more likely to be time limited and often linked to European funding, were generally better targeted to poor communities than loan programmes that were more financially sustainable. The introduction of the Grameen Bank to Scotland will increase access to microcredit, but this paper argues that there is a place – and a need – for both loans and grants to support enterprise development across Scotland. A Scottish economic strategy should take account of all levels of enterprise development and, in striving towards a fairer Scotland, should ensure that the poorest people and communities are not excluded from self-employment because of the lack of small amounts of support necessary to take the first steps.
Contribution à la connaissance de la floraison et de la fructification chez l'Arachide
Authors: Martin Jean-Pierre , Bilquez André F. 
Published: April 2014

A. l'occasion de l'étude de la dormance chez une variété précoce d'aracihide, les auteurs ont procédé au marquage des gousses, ce qui les a conduit à formuler ou proposer certaines réponses à diverses questions qui se sont trouvées soulevées au cours de ce travail. L'importance du début de la floraison et en particulier de la sixième semaine après le semis, se trouve mise en évidence ; cette observation intéresse une protection insecticide éventuelle et plus encore l'agronome chargé de réaliser les meilleures conditions culturales et le sélectionneur dont la tache essentielle est d'isoler des types à haut rendement. Il ressort, dans le cas de la variété étudiée que la non-dormance des graines peut cependant permettre d'envisager un arrachage relativement tardif des plantes — même en année pluvieuse — un phénomène d'inhibition se manifestant pour les graines demeurant attachées sur la plante.
Ce travail a été réalisé au C.R.A. de Bambey (Sénégal) par le Service de Génétique de l'Office de la Recherche Scientifique et Technique Outre-Mer.
Branching morphology of decapitated arborescent monocotyledons with secondary growth
Authors: Haushahn Tobias , Speck Thomas , Masselter Tom 
Published: April 2014

• Premise of the study: Dragon trees (Dracaenaceae) are arborescent monocotyledons with anomalous secondary growth and are able to branch, exhibiting a treelike habit. Studies of the morphology and anatomy of ramifications allow for a better understanding of the complex course and arrangement of the vascular bundles in the stem–branch attachment region for Dracaena and other arborescent monocots with anomalous secondary growth.• Methods: Morphological and anatomical analyses of ramifications induced in decapitated specimens of D. marginata and D. reflexa included serial sectioning, maceration, staining, and bleaching techniques as well as high and low resolution optical microscopy and three‐dimensional (3D)‐visualization techniques.• Key results: The use of innovative 3D reconstruction and high‐resolution imaging revealed the extent of connections between branch and stem on various hierarchical levels in Dracaena. A stem‐clasping attachment of the side shoot was observed, which in more detail shows a strong regional dependence of course and connectivity of individual vascular bundles to the main stem. Consequently, the attachment of branch tissue is strongly limited to the outer periphery of the main stem.• Conclusions: Our results indicate that the observed course of vascular bundles with fiber caps cannot only be a result of physiological need for water and nutrient supply but are interpreted in terms of mechanical constraints acting on the branching region. In addition, the used 3D cine technique and coupled 3D reconstruction provide a valuable tool for botanists working in the field of anatomy.
Dihaploidy yields diploid apomicts and parthenogens in Erigeron (Asteraceae)
Authors: Noyes Richard D. , Wagner Jennifer D. 
Published: April 2014

• Premise of the study: Dihaploids result when tetraploids produce reduced eggs that develop without fertilization into diploid progeny. This process is useful for reducing genome complexity and studying trait expression at different ploidal levels. In this study we evaluated genetic inheritance and expression of diplospory (D) and parthenogenesis (P) in a population of dihaploids produced by tetraploid apomictic Erigeron.• Methods: From 400 mostly maternal (tetraploid) progeny, we identified 64 (16%) dihaploids with 2n = 18 (53 plants) or 2n = 19 (11 plants). Differential interference contrast (DIC) imaging of ovules was used to evaluate megasporogenesis (meiosis vs. diplospory) and capacity for parthenogenetic embryo development. Seed production was estimated as the proportion of filled seeds.• Key results: For 60 analyzed dihaploids, diplospory vs. meiosis segregated approximately 1: 1 (P = 0.44) while all exhibited parthenogenetic embryo development. Parthenogenesis for meiotic progeny (n = 27) was observed in approximately 50% of ovules. Apomictic dihaploids (combining D and P; n = 33) produced seeds with mean 24.8% (range 1.3–74.4%) of total flowers.• Conclusions: The dihaploid population consisted of half apomicts (D + P) and half parthenogens (P only). We infer that formation of dihaploid seeds requires the parthenogenesis locus. The highest seed values obtained for diploid apomicts are comparable to those recorded for wild type polyploid apomicts. This is one of the first reports of diploid apomixis in the Asteraceae and it demonstrates that both diplospory and parthenogenesis can be transmitted and expressed at a high level in the diploid condition.
Leukocyte HMGB1 Is Required for Vessel Remodeling in Regenerating Muscles
Authors: Campana Lara , Santarella Francesco , Esposito Antonio , Maugeri Norma , Rigamonti Elena , Monno Antonella , Canu Tamara , Del Maschio Alessandro , Bianchi Marco E. , Manfredi Angelo A. , Rovere-Querini Patrizia 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
Signals of tissue necrosis, damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), cause inflammation. Leukocytes migrating into injured tissues tonically release DAMPs, including the high mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1). In the absence of suitable models, the relative role of DAMPs released because of necrosis or leukocyte activation has not, so far, been dissected. We have generated a mouse model lacking Hmgb1 in the hematopoietic system and studied the response to acute sterile injury of the skeletal muscle. Regenerating fibers are significantly less numerous at earlier time points and smaller at the end of the process. Leukocyte Hmgb1 licenses the skeletal muscle to react to hypoxia, to express angiopoietin-2, and to initiate angiogenesis in response to injury. Vascularization of the regenerating tissue is selectively jeopardized in the absence of leukocyte Hmgb1, revealing that it controls the nutrient and oxygen supply to the regenerating tissue. Altogether, our results reveal a novel nonredundant role for leukocyte Hmgb1 in the repair of injured skeletal muscle.
Inhibition of Functional T Cell Priming and Contact Hypersensitivity Responses by Treatment with Anti-Secondary Lymphoid Chemokine Antibody During Hapten Sensitization
Authors: Engeman Tara M. , Gorbachev Anton V. , Gladue Ronald P. , Heeger Peter S. , Fairchild Robert L. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractRecent studies have suggested a pivotal role for secondary lymphoid chemokine (SLC) in directing dendritic cell trafficking from peripheral to lymphoid tissues. As an extension of these studies, we examined the consequences of anti-SLC Ab treatment during Ag priming on T cell function in an inflammatory response. We used a model of T cell-mediated inflammation, contact hypersensitivity (CHS), where priming of the effector T cells is dependent upon epidermal dendritic cell, Langerhans cells, and migration from the hapten sensitization site in the skin to draining lymph nodes. A single injection of anti-SLC Ab given at the time of sensitization with FITC inhibited Langerhans cell migration into draining lymph nodes for at least 3 days. The CHS response to hapten challenge was inhibited by anti-SLC Ab treatment in a dose-dependent manner. Despite the inhibition of CHS, T cells producing IFN-γ following in vitro stimulation with anti-CD3 mAb or with hapten-labeled cells were present in the skin-draining lymph nodes of mice treated with anti-SLC Ab during hapten sensitization. These T cells were unable, however, to passively transfer CHS to naive recipients. Animals treated with anti-SLC Ab during hapten sensitization were not tolerant to subsequent sensitization and challenge with the hapten. In addition, anti-SLC Ab did not inhibit CHS responses when given at the time of hapten challenge. These results indicate an important role for SLC during sensitization for CHS and suggest a strategy to circumvent functional T cell priming for inflammatory responses through administration of an Ab inhibiting dendritic cell trafficking.
Bcl-2 Expression in Synovial Fibroblasts Is Essential for Maintaining Mitochondrial Homeostasis and Cell Viability
Authors: Perlman Harris , Georganas Constantinos , Pagliari Lisa J. , Koch Alisa E. , Haines Kenneth , Pope Richard M. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractThe regulation of proliferation and cell death is vital for homeostasis, but the mechanism that coordinately balances these events in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) remains largely unknown. In RA, the synovial lining thickens in part through increased proliferation and/or decreased synovial fibroblast cell death. Here we demonstrate that the anti-apoptotic protein, Bcl-2, is highly expressed in RA compared with osteoarthritis synovial tissues, particularly in the CD68-negative, fibroblast-like synoviocyte population. To determine the importance of endogenous Bcl-2, an adenoviral vector expressing a hammerhead ribozyme to Bcl-2 (Ad-Rbz-Bcl-2) mRNA was employed. Ad-Rbz-Bcl-2 infection resulted in reduced Bcl-2 expression and cell viability in synovial fibroblasts isolated from RA and osteoarthritis synovial tissues. In addition, Ad-Rbz-Bcl-2-induced mitochondrial permeability transition, cytochrome c release, activation of caspases 9 and 3, and DNA fragmentation. The general caspase inhibitor zVAD.fmk blocked caspase activation, poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage, and DNA fragmentation, but not loss of transmembrane potential or viability, indicating that cell death was independent of caspase activation. Ectopically expressed Bcl-xL inhibited Ad-Rbz-Bcl-2-induced mitochondrial permeability transition and apoptosis in Ad-Rbz-Bcl-2-transduced cells. Thus, forced down-regulation of Bcl-2 does not induce a compensatory mechanism to prevent loss of mitochondrial integrity and cell death in human fibroblasts.
Na+-Dependent High-Affinity Glutamate Transport in Macrophages
Authors: Rimaniol Anne-Cécile , Haïk Stéphane , Martin Marc , Le Grand Roger , Boussin François Dominique , Dereuddre-Bosquet Nathalie , Gras Gabriel , Dormont Dominique 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
Excessive accumulation of glutamate in the CNS leads to excitotoxic neuronal damage. However, glutamate clearance is essentially mediated by astrocytes through Na+-dependent high-affinity glutamate transporters (excitatory amino acid transporters (EAATs)). Nevertheless, EAAT function was recently shown to be developmentally restricted in astrocytes and undetectable in mature astrocytes. This suggests a need for other cell types for clearing glutamate in the brain. As blood monocytes infiltrate the CNS in traumatic or inflammatory conditions, we addressed the question of whether macrophages expressed EAATs and were involved in glutamate clearance. We found that macrophages derived from human blood monocytes express both the cystine/glutamate antiporter and EAATs. Kinetic parameters were similar to those determined for neonatal astrocytes and embryonic neurons. Freshly sorted tissue macrophages did not possess EAATs, whereas cultured human spleen macrophages and cultured neonatal murine microglia did. Moreover, blood monocytes did not transport glutamate, but their stimulation with TNF-α led to functional transport. This suggests that the acquisition of these transporters by macrophages could be under the control of inflammatory molecules. Also, monocyte-derived macrophages overcame glutamate toxicity in neuron cultures by clearing this molecule. This suggests that brain-infiltrated macrophages and resident microglia may acquire EAATs and, along with astrocytes, regulate extracellular glutamate concentration. Moreover, we showed that EAATs are involved in the regulation of glutathione synthesis by providing intracellular glutamate. These observations thus offer new insight into the role of macrophages in excitotoxicity and in their response to oxidative stress.
ChlamydiapneumoniaeInhibits Apoptosis in Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells Through Induction of IL-10
Authors: Geng Yuemei , Shane Ryan B. , Berencsi Klara , Gonczol Eva , Zaki Mohamed H. , Margolis David J. , Trinchieri Giorgio , Rook Alain H. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractChlamydia pneumoniae is a common cause of pulmonary infection, with serum positivity in at least 50% of the general population. In this study, we report that human PBMCs exposed to C. pneumoniae are resistant to apoptosis induced by the potent photoactivated chemotherapeutic agents 8-methoxypsoralen and hypericin. In contrast, PBMCs treated with a heat-inactivated inoculum exhibit normal susceptibility to apoptosis. We also observed that human PBMCs are responsive to C. pneumoniae infection by secretion of key immune regulatory cytokines, including IL-12 and IL-10. While IL-12 may play an important role in limiting C. pneumoniae proliferation within cells, IL-10 serves an anti-inflammatory function by down-regulating proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-12 and TNF-α. Depletion of endogenous IL-10, but not of IL-12, abolished the apoptosis resistance of C. pneumoniae-infected PBMCs. Furthermore, addition of exogenous IL-10, but not IL-12, significantly increased the resistance of control inoculum-treated PBMCs to photoactivated 8-methoxypsoralen- and hypericin-induced apoptosis. Therefore, we conclude that C. pneumoniae possesses an antiapoptotic mechanism. The resistance to apoptosis observed in PBMCs exposed to C. pneumoniae is due, at least partially, to the IL-10 induced during C. pneumoniae infection.
Cutting Edge: IL-15 Costimulates the Generalized Shwartzman Reaction and Innate Immune IFN-γ Production In Vivo
Authors: Fehniger Todd A. , Yu Haixin , Cooper Megan A. , Suzuki Kazuhiro , Shah Manisha H. , Caligiuri Michael A. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractSequential administration of LPS to SCID mice results in the generalized Shwartzman reaction, manifesting as rapid mortality via cytokine-induced shock. Here we demonstrate that in vivo neutralization of IL-15 before LPS priming significantly reduced lethality in this reaction (p = 0.0172). We hypothesize that LPS priming induces IL-12 and IL-15 that costimulate NK cell-derived IFN-γ. Such IFN-γ may then in turn sensitize macrophages to elicit the Shwartzman reaction following a subsequent LPS challenge. Supporting this, IL-12 and IL-15 synergized to induce murine NK cell IFN-γ production in vitro. LPS stimulation of SCID mouse splenocytes resulted in measurable IFN-γ production, which was reduced when IL-15 was neutralized or IL-2/15Rβ was blocked. Pretreatment with either anti-IL-2/15Rβ or anti-IL-15 Abs reduced serum IFN-γ protein following LPS administration to SCID mice. Collectively, these data provide the first in vivo evidence that IL-15 participates in LPS-induced innate immune IFN-γ production and significantly contributes to the lethal Shwartzman reaction.
MHC Polymorphism Can Enrich the T Cell Repertoire of the Species by Shifts in Intrathymic Selection
Authors: Dyall Ruben , Messaoudi Ilhem , Janetzki Sylvia , Nikolić-Z̆ugić Janko 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
The murine class I molecule H-2Kb and its natural gene conversion variant, H-2Kbm8, which differs from H-2Kb solely at 4 aa at the bottom of the peptide-binding B pocket, are expressed in coisogenic mouse strains C57BL/6 (B6) and B6.C-H-2bm8 (bm8). These two strains provide an excellent opportunity to study the effects of Mhc class I polymorphism on the T cell repertoire. We recently discovered a gain in the antiviral CTL repertoire in bm8 mice as a consequence of the emergence of the Mhc class I allele H-2Kbm8. In this report we sought to determine the mechanism behind the generation of this increased CTL diversity. Our results demonstrate that repertoire diversification occurred by a gain in intrathymic positive selection. As previously shown, the emergence of the same Mhc allele also caused a loss in positive selection of T cell repertoire specific for another Ag, OVA-8. This indicates that a reciprocal loss-and-gain pattern of intrathymic selection exists between H-2Kb and H-2Kbm8. Therefore, in the thymus of an individual, a new Mhc allele can select new T cell specificities, while abandoning some T cell specificities selected by the wild-type allele. A byproduct of this repertoire shift is a net gain of T cell repertoire of the species, which is likely to improve its survival fitness.
Transcription Factor PU.1 Is Necessary for Development of Thymic and Myeloid Progenitor-Derived Dendritic Cells
Authors: Anderson Karen L. , Perkin Hugh , Surh Charles D. , Venturini Sara , Maki Richard A. , Torbett Bruce E. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractDendritic cells (DCs) are a heterogeneous population of cells that are specialized for Ag processing and presentation. These cells are believed to derive from both myeloid- and lymphoid-committed precursors. Normal human PBMC-derived, human CD14+ cell (monocyte)-derived, and mouse hematopoietic progenitor-derived DCs were shown to express the hematopoietic cell-restricted, ets family transcription factor PU.1. These populations represent myeloid progenitor-derived DCs. Hematopoietic progenitor cells from PU.1 gene-disrupted (null) mice were unable to generate MHC class IIhigh, CD11c+ myeloid-derived DCs in vitro. Mouse thymic DCs are proposed to be derived from a committed lymphoid progenitor cell that can give rise to T cells as well as DCs. Previously, we showed that CD4 and CD8 T cells developed in PU.1 null mice in a delayed manner and in reduced number. We examined the thymus of 10- to 12-day-old PU.1 null mice and found no evidence of DEC-205+, MIDC-8+ DCs in this tissue. Our findings indicate that PU.1 regulates the development of both thymic and myeloid progenitor-derived populations of DCs, and expand its known role in hematopoietic development.
Cloning and Characterization of the Bovine MHC Class I-Like Fc Receptor
Authors: Kacskovics Imre , Wu Zhen , Simister Neil E. , Frenyó László V. , Hammarström Lennart 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
In the cow, maternal immunity is exclusively mediated by colostral Igs, but the receptor responsible for the IgG transport has not yet been identified. The role of an IgG-Fc receptor (FcRn) that resembles a class I MHC Ag in transporting IgGs through epithelial cells was recently shown in selected species. We now report the cloning and characterization of the bovine FcRn (bFcRn). The cDNA and deduced amino acid sequences show high similarity to the FcRn in other species, and it consists of three extracellular domains, a hydrophobic transmembrane region, and a cytoplasmic tail. Despite the high similarity of the extracellular domains with other species, the bovine cytoplasmic tail is the shortest thus far analyzed. Aligning the known FcRn sequences, we noted that the bovine protein shows a 3-aa deletion compared to the rat and mouse sequences in the α1 loop. Furthermore, we found a shorter transcript of the bFcRn reflecting an exon 6-deleted mRNA, which results from an inadequate splice acceptor site in intron 5 and produces a transmembrane-deficient molecule, as was previously demonstrated in the related MHC class I gene family in mouse and humans. The presence of bFcRn transcripts in multiple tissues, including the mammary gland, suggests their involvement both in IgG catabolism and transcytosis.
Virulent Mycobacterium tuberculosis Strains Evade Apoptosis of Infected Alveolar Macrophages
Authors: Keane Joseph , Remold Heinz G. , Kornfeld Hardy 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
Human alveolar macrophages (AMφ) undergo apoptosis following infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis in vitro. Apoptosis of cells infected with intracellular pathogens may benefit the host by eliminating a supportive environment for bacterial growth. The present study compared AMφ apoptosis following infection by M. tuberculosis complex strains of differing virulence and by Mycobacterium kansasii. Avirulent or attenuated bacilli (M. tuberculosis H37Ra, Mycobacterium bovis bacillus Calmette-Guérin, and M. kansasii) induced significantly more AMφ apoptosis than virulent strains (M. tuberculosis H37Rv, Erdman, M. tuberculosis clinical isolate BMC 96.1, and M. bovis wild type). Increased apoptosis was not due to greater intracellular bacterial replication because virulent strains grew more rapidly in AMφ than attenuated strains despite causing less apoptosis. These findings suggest the existence of mycobacterial virulence determinants that modulate the apoptotic response of AMφ to intracellular infection and support the hypothesis that macrophage apoptosis contributes to innate host defense in tuberculosis.
Viral IL-10 Gene Transfer Decreases Inflammation and Cell Adhesion Molecule Expression in a Rat Model of Venous Thrombosis
Authors: Henke Peter K. , DeBrunye Lisa A. , Strieter Robert M. , Bromberg Jonathan S. , Prince Martin , Kadell Amy M. , Sarkar Minakshi , Londy Frank , Wakefield Thomas W. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractPost-thrombotic inflammation probably contributes to chronic venous insufficiency, and little effective treatment exists. IL-10 is an anti-inflammatory cytokine that previously has been shown to decrease perithrombotic inflammation and thrombosis. We investigated in a rat model whether local expression of viral IL-10 (vIL-10) in a segment of vein that undergoes thrombosis would confer an anti-inflammatory effect and how this effect might be mediated. Rats underwent inferior vena cava isolation, cannulation, and instillation of saline or adenovirus encoding either β-galactosidase or vIL-10. Two days after transfection, thrombosis was induced, 2 days after this the rats underwent gadolinium (Gd)-enhanced magnetic resonance venography exam, and the vein segments were harvested. Tissue transfection was confirmed by either RT-PCR of vIL-10 or positive 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl β-d-galactopyranoside (X-Gal) staining. vIL-10 significantly decreased both leukocyte vein wall extravasation and area of Gd enhancement compared with those in controls, suggesting decreased inflammation. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated decreased endothelial border staining of P- and E-selectin, while ELISA of vein tissue homogenates revealed significantly decreased P- and E-selectin and ICAM-1 levels in the vIL-10 group compared with those in controls. Importantly, native cellular IL-10 was not significantly different between the groups. However, neither clot weight nor coagulation indexes, including tissue factor activity, tissue factor Ag, or von Willebrand factor levels, were significantly affected by local vIL-10 expression. These data suggest that local transfection of vIL-10 decreases venous thrombosis-associated inflammation and cell adhesion molecule expression, but does not directly affect local procoagulant activity.