bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Bacterial RNA Mediates Activation of Caspase-1 and IL-1β Release Independently of TLRs 3, 7, 9 and TRIF but Is Dependent on UNC93B
Authors: Eigenbrod Tatjana , Franchi Luigi , Muñoz-Planillo Raul , Kirschning Carsten J. , Freudenberg Marina A. , Núñez Gabriel , Dalpke Alexander 
Published: May 2012

Abstract
Recognition of foreign nucleic acids is important for the induction of an innate immune response against invading pathogens. Although the pathways involved in sensing bacterial DNA and viral RNA are now well established, only limited knowledge is available on mechanisms underlying recognition of bacterial RNA. It has been reported that intracellular delivery of Escherichia coli RNA activates the Nlrp3 inflammasome, but whether this is a general property of bacterial RNA remains unclear as are the pathways involved in pro–IL-1β induction and caspase-1 activation by bacterial RNA. In this study, we report that bacterial RNA from both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria induces activation of caspase-1 and secretion of IL-1β by murine dendritic cells and bone-marrow derived macrophages. Stimulation was independent of the presence of 5′-triphosphate termini and occurred with whole RNA preparations from bacteria but not from eukaryotes. Induction of pro–IL-1β as well as the priming for caspase-1 activation by bacterial RNA was dependent on UNC93B, an endoplasmic reticulum protein essential for delivery of TLRs to the endosome, whereas the established nucleic acid sensing endosomal TLRs 3, 7, and 9 were dispensable. Additionally, caspase-1 activation and IL-1β production by transfected bacterial RNA were absent in MyD88-deficient cells but independent of TRIF. Thus, our data indicate the presence of a yet unidentified intracellular nucleic acid receptor involved in bacterial RNA-induced inflammasome activation and release of IL-1β.
Induction of Prolonged Asthma Tolerance by IL-10–Differentiated Dendritic Cells: Differential Impact on Airway Hyperresponsiveness and the Th2 Immunoinflammatory Response
Authors: Nayyar Aarti , Dawicki Wojciech , Huang Hui , Lu Meiping , Zhang Xiaobei , Gordon John R. 
Published: May 2012

Abstract
IL-10–differentiated dendritic cells (DC10s) can prevent allergen sensitization and reverse the asthma phenotype in mice with established disease. However, little is known about the time-frames over which this tolerance is effective. We report that at 2 wk after i.p. or transtracheal delivery of 1 × 106 OVA-, but not house dust mite- presenting, DC10s to OVA-asthmatic mice, significant diminution of airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) was first apparent, whereas AHR was abrogated between 3 and 10 wk posttreatment. At 13 wk, AHR returned to pretreatment levels but could again be reversed by DC10 retreatment. The impact of a single DC10 treatment on airway eosinophil and Th2 cytokine responses to recall OVA challenge, and on OVA-specific IgE/IgG1 responses, was substantial at 3 wk posttreatment, but progressively increased thereafter, such that at 8 mo, airway eosinophil and Th2 responses to recall allergen challenge remained ∼85–95% suppressed relative to saline-treated asthmatic mice. Four biweekly DC10 treatments, whether transtracheal or i.p., reduced all asthma parameters to near background by 8 wk, whereas s.c. DC10 treatments did not affect AHR but did reduce the airway Th2 responses (i.v. DC10 had no discernible effects). Repeated challenge of the DC10-treated mice with aerosolized OVA (100 μg/ml) did not reverse tolerance, but treatment with the indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase antagonist 1-methyltryptophan or neutralizing anti–IL-10R from days 12 to 21 after DC10 therapy partially reversed tolerance (Th2 cytokine responses, but not AHR). These findings indicate that DC10-induced Th2 tolerance in asthmatic animals is long lived, but that DC10s employ distinct mechanisms to affect AHR versus Th2 immunoinflammatory parameters.
Full-Length IL-33 Promotes Inflammation but not Th2 Response In Vivo in an ST2-Independent Fashion
Authors: Luzina Irina G. , Pickering Edward M. , Kopach Pavel , Kang Phillip H. , Lockatell Virginia , Todd Nevins W. , Papadimitriou John C. , McKenzie Andrew N. J. , Atamas Sergei P. 
Published: May 2012

Abstract
Expression of IL-33 is elevated in patients with pulmonary diseases, and full-length (not proteolytically processed) IL-33 is the predominant form in the lungs in health and disease. To determine whether activation of IL-33 is needed for functional effects, activities of full-length mouse and mature mouse (mm) forms of IL-33 were compared in vivo. Replication-deficient adenoviral constructs were used for gene delivery. Both isoforms caused pulmonary infiltration of lymphocytes and neutrophils, whereas mmIL-33 also caused pulmonary eosinophilia and goblet cell hyperplasia and increased expression of IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, IL-17, MCP-1, and KC. The different effects were not associated with differential release from IL-33–producing cells or by differences in subcellular distributions of IL-33 isoforms. Germline deficiency of the cell surface receptor chain ST2 abrogated the mmIL-33–induced Th2-associated effects (pulmonary eosinophilia, goblet cell hyperplasia, and increased IL-4 and IL-5), yet the lymphocytic infiltration induced by full-length mouse IL-33 or mmIL-33 was not fully abrogated by the absence of ST2. The similar effects of IL-33 isoforms were associated with comparable regulation of gene expression, notably matrix metalloproteinases 3, 10, and 13. Thus, full-length IL-33 is functionally active in vivo in an ST2-independent fashion, and its effects are partially different from those of mature IL-33. The different effects of these isoforms, particularly the pro-Th2 effects of mature IL-33, are due to differential utilization of the IL-33R chain ST2, whereas their similar effects result from regulation of gene expression.
Milk Fat Globule-Epidermal Growth Factor-Factor 8 Attenuates Neutrophil Infiltration in Acute Lung Injury via Modulation of CXCR2
Authors: Aziz Monowar , Matsuda Akihisa , Yang Weng-Lang , Jacob Asha , Wang Ping 
Published: May 2012

Abstract
Excessive neutrophil infiltration to the lungs is a hallmark of acute lung injury (ALI). Milk fat globule epidermal growth factor-factor 8 (MFG-E8) was originally identified for phagocytosis of apoptotic cells. Subsequent studies revealed its diverse cellular functions. However, whether MFG-E8 can regulate neutrophil function to alleviate inflammation is unknown. We therefore aimed to reveal MFG-E8 roles in regulating lung neutrophil infiltration during ALI. To induce ALI, C57BL/6J wild-type (WT) and Mfge8−/− mice were intratracheally injected with LPS (5 mg/kg). Lung tissue damage was assessed by histology, and the neutrophils were counted by a hemacytometer. Apoptotic cells in lungs were determined by TUNEL, whereas caspase-3 and myeloperoxidase activities were assessed spectrophotometrically. CXCR2 and G protein-coupled receptor kinase 2 expressions in neutrophils were measured by flow cytometry. Following LPS challenge, Mfge8−/− mice exhibited extensive lung damage due to exaggerated infiltration of neutrophils and production of TNF-α, MIP-2, and myeloperoxidase. An increased number of apoptotic cells was trapped into the lungs of Mfge8−/− mice compared with WT mice, which may be due to insufficient phagocytosis of apoptotic cells or increased occurrence of apoptosis through the activation of caspase-3. In vitro studies using MIP-2–mediated chemotaxis revealed higher migration of neutrophils of Mfge8−/− mice than those of WT mice via increased surface exposures to CXCR2. Administration of recombinant murine MFG-E8 reduces neutrophil migration through upregulation of GRK2 and downregulation of surface CXCR2 expression. Conversely, these effects could be blocked by anti-αv integrin Abs. These studies clearly indicate the importance of MFG-E8 in ameliorating neutrophil infiltration and suggest MFG-E8 as a novel therapeutic potential for ALI.
IL-2 Requirement for Human Plasma Cell Generation: Coupling Differentiation and Proliferation by Enhancing MAPK–ERK Signaling
Authors: Le Gallou Simon , Caron Gersende , Delaloy Céline , Rossille Delphine , Tarte Karin , Fest Thierry 
Published: May 2012

Abstract
Mature B cell differentiation involves a well-established transcription factor cascade. However, the temporal dynamics of cell signaling pathways regulating transcription factor network and coordinating cell proliferation and differentiation remain poorly defined. To gain insight into the molecular processes and extrinsic cues required for B cell differentiation, we set up a controlled primary culture system to differentiate human naive B cells into plasma cells (PCs). We identified T cell-produced IL-2 to be critically involved in ERK1/2-triggered PC differentiation. IL-2 drove activated B cell differentiation toward PC independently of its proliferation and survival functions. Indeed, IL-2 potentiated ERK activation and subsequent BACH2 and IRF8 downregulation, sustaining BLIMP1 expression, the master regulator for PC differentiation. Inhibition of the MAPK–ERK pathway, unlike STAT5 signaling, impaired IL-2–induced PC differentiation and rescued the expression profile of BACH2 and IRF8. These results identify IL-2 as a crucial early input in mature B cell fate commitment.
Constitutive Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cell Migration to the Splenic White Pulp Is Cooperatively Regulated by CCR7- and CXCR4-Mediated Signaling
Authors: Umemoto Eiji , Otani Kazuhiro , Ikeno Takashi , Verjan Garcia Noel , Hayasaka Haruko , Bai Zhongbin , Jang Myoung Ho , Tanaka Toshiyuki , Nagasawa Takashi , Ueda Koichi , Miyasaka Masayuki 
Published: May 2012

Abstract
Although the spleen plays an important role in host defense against infection, the mechanism underlying the migration of the innate immune cells, plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs), into the spleen remains ill defined. In this article, we report that pDCs constitutively migrate into the splenic white pulp (WP) in a manner dependent on the chemokine receptors CCR7 and CXCR4. In CCR7-deficient mice and CCR7 ligand-deficient mice, compared with wild-type (WT) mice, substantially fewer pDCs were found in the periarteriolar lymphoid sheath of the splenic WP under steady-state conditions. In addition, the migration of adoptively transferred CCR7-deficient pDCs into the WP was significantly worse than that of WT pDCs, supporting the idea that pDC trafficking to the splenic WP requires CCR7 signaling. WT pDCs responded to a CCR7 ligand with modest chemotaxis and ICAM-1 binding in vitro, and priming with the CCR7 ligand enabled the pDCs to migrate efficiently toward low concentrations of CXCL12 in a CXCR4-dependent manner, raising the possibility that CCR7 signaling enhances CXCR4-mediated pDC migration. In agreement with this hypothesis, CCL21 and CXCL12 were colocalized on fibroblastic reticular cells in the T cell zone and in the marginal zone bridging channels, through which pDCs appeared to enter the WP. Furthermore, functional blockage of CCR7 and CXCR4 abrogated pDC trafficking into the WP. Collectively, these results strongly suggest that pDCs employ both CCR7 and CXCR4 as critical chemokine receptors to migrate into the WP under steady-state conditions.
Cyclic Cantilever Bending of Copper Nanowhiskers
Authors: Schopf Carola , Schamel Matthias , Strunk Horst P. , Richter Gunther 
Published: May 2012

AbstractA cyclic bending test with cantilever geometry is developed for probing local mechanical properties of single crystalline Cu nanowhiskers (NWs). A lower limit for the yield stress for such whiskers is derived at ≈5 GPa. Since all NWs exhibit the axis parallel to the 〈1 1 0〉 crystallographic direction, the resolved shear stress can be calculated. The values of ≈2 GPa lie close to the theoretical strength limit and predict partial dislocation nucleation as the governing mechanism at the onset of plastic deformation. The yield stress is practically independent of the whisker diameter.
Frontonasal dysplasia, callosal agenesis, basal encephalocele, and eye anomalies syndrome with a partial 21q22.3 deletion
Authors: Guion‐Almeida Maria Leine , Richieri‐Costa Antonio , Jehee Fernanda Sarquis , Passos‐Bueno Maria Rita Santos , Zechi‐Ceide Roseli Maria 
Published: May 2012

AbstractWe describe a girl with a phenotype characterized by frontonasal dysplasia, callosal agenesis, basal encephalocele, and eye anomalies who presents a 46,XX,r(21) karyotype. Array‐comparative genomic hybridization using the Afflymetrix 100K DNA oligoarray set showed an interstitial deletion 21q22.3 of approximately 219 kb. Conventional karyotype of both parents was normal, and it was not possible to perform the molecular studies. In this report we raise the hypothesis that the deleted genes located at 21q22.3 could account to the phenotype. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Attitudes toward prenatal genetic testing for Treacher Collins syndrome among affected individuals and families
Authors: Wu Rebecca L. , Lawson Cathleen S. , Jabs Ethylin Wang , Sanderson Saskia C. 
Published: May 2012

AbstractTreacher Collins syndrome (TCS) is a craniofacial syndrome that is both phenotypically variable and heterogeneous, caused by mutations in the TCOF1, POLR1C, and POLR1D genes. We examined attitudes towards TCS prenatal genetic testing among affected families using a telephone questionnaire. Participants were 31 affected adults and relatives recruited primarily through families cared for in the mid‐Atlantic region. Nineteen participants (65%) reported that they would take a TCS prenatal genetic test which could not predict degree of disease severity. Interest in TCS genetic testing was associated with higher income, higher concern about having a child with TCS, lower religiosity, lower concern about genetic testing procedures, and having a sporadic rather than familial mutation. Over half reported that their decision to have TCS genetic testing would be influenced a great deal by their desire to relieve anxiety and attitudes toward abortion. Ten participants (32%) reported that they would be likely to end the pregnancy upon receiving a positive test result; this was lower amongst TCS affected individuals and higher amongst participants with children with TCS. Genetics healthcare providers need to be aware of affected individuals' and families' attitudes and interest in prenatal genetic testing for TCS, and the possible implications for other craniofacial disorders, so that patients' information needs can be met. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Effect of crosslinker and nanoclay on jute fabric reinforced soy flour green composite
Authors: Iman Murshid , Maji Tarun K. 
Published: May 2012

AbstractBio‐based composites were prepared by using soy flour, jute, glutaraldehyde (GA), nanoclay, and glycerol. An optimum concentration of glycerol was used as a plasticizer. The synthesized composites were characterized by various techniques such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X‐ray diffractometry (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The exfoliation of clay layers was detected both by XRD and TEM study. FTIR study showed an interaction between clay, jute, and soy flour. The percentage content of GA and nanoclay was found to have profound influence on various physical properties of the composites. The increase in the concentration of GA and nanoclay improved the thermal stability, flame retardancy, dimensional stability, and most importantly the mechanical properties of the prepared composite. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Chemometric study of graft copolymerization of guar‐g‐(acrylamide‐co‐diallyl dimethylammonium chloride)
Authors: Agarwal Vipul , McLean Douglas , Horne James , Richardson Desmond , Stack Karen 
Published: May 2012

AbstractChemometrics was employed to study the effect of various reaction conditions on the graft copolymerization of acrylamide (AM) and diallyl dimethylammonium chloride (DADMAC) onto guar gum using the cerous sulfate and potassium persulfate complex initiation system. A two level full factorial design was used to study the effect of reaction parameters on percentage grafting (%G) and monomer conversion (%MC). Synthesized polymers were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), 1H‐NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy), and 13C‐NMR and also were analyzed for differences in intrinsic viscosity and charge incurred with changing reaction conditions. The concentration of AM was observed to have the greater effect on %grafting. Interaction effects between the reaction temperature and concentration of AM were also found to be important. Under the reaction condition studied, the highest grafting (%G) was obtained for polymer 1 (0.7M AM concentration, 60°C reaction temperature, and 1M acid concentration). © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Thermomechanical properties and morphology of polyethylene oxide and phenolic resole blends
Authors: Ratna Debdatta , Karger Kocsis J. 
Published: May 2012

AbstractBlends of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) and resole type phenolic resin were prepared by a solution cast method using water as a solvent. The cured blends were made by heat curing without using any catalyst. The blends were characterized by dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), which indicated that PEO forms compatible blend with the resole. The glass transition values, read from the DMA traces, showed a positive shift as compared to the theoretical values calculated by the Fox equation. This suggests a strong H‐bonding interaction between the phenolic resole and PEO as established by Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy. Flexural test indicated an enhanced flexibility of the blends when compared to the neat phenolic resin. The fracture surface analysis by using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) revealed an increase in plastic deformation with increasing PEO concentration in the blend. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Inflammatory markers in coronary artery disease
Authors: Ikonomidis Ignatios , Michalakeas Christos A. , Parissis John , Paraskevaidis Ioannis , Ntai Konstantina , Papadakis Ioannis , Anastasiou‐Nana Maria , Lekakis John 
Published: May 2012

AbstractCoronary artery disease (CAD) is one of the most common manifestations of atherosclerosis. Inflammation is considered one of the major processes that contribute to atherogenesis. Inflammation plays an important role not only on the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis but also on plaque rupture, an event that leads to acute vascular events. Various biomarkers express different pathways and pathophysiologic mechanisms of cardiovascular disease, and inflammatory biomarkers express different parts of the atherogenic process, regarding the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis or the destabilization of the atherosclerotic plaque. Therefore, inflammatory biomarkers may prove to be useful in the detection, staging, and prognosis of patients with CAD. Furthermore, the fact that inflammatory processes are essential steps in the course of the disease offers future therapeutic targets for the interruption of the atherogenic process or for the management of acute events.
Rapamycin treatment inhibits CHO cell death in a serum‐free suspension culture by autophagy induction
Authors: Lee Jae Seong , Lee Gyun Min 
Published: May 2012

AbstractRapamycin, a specific mTOR inhibitor, has been used as a chemical activator in autophagy research both in vitro and in vivo. Recently, autophagy has received attention as an anti‐cell death engineering target in addition to apoptosis in the Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell engineering field. Here, the effect of rapamycin and the subsequent autophagy induction is investigated on two CHO cell lines, DG44 host and an antibody‐producing recombinant CHO (rCHO), in a serum‐free suspension culture. In both cell lines, the rapamycin treatment delayed the viability drop and apoptosis induction. In particular, the improved cell viability of the antibody‐producing rCHO cell line resulting from the rapamycin treatment led to a 21% increase in the maximum antibody concentration. From observations that a rapamycin derivative, everolimus, demonstrated similar positive effects in both cell lines, but not FK‐506, which forms the same complex as rapamycin, but does not inhibit mTOR, it was demonstrated that the positive effects of rapamycin appear to be mTOR‐dependent. In addition, the cultivation with rapamycin and/or an autophagy inhibitor, bafilomycin A1, indicated that the autophagy induction is related to the positive effects of rapamycin. The genetic perturbation of the autophagy pathway through the regulation of the expression level of Beclin‐1, an important autophagy regulator, resulted in a delayed autophagy induction and apoptosis inhibition in response to the rapamycin treatment in the DG44 host cell line. Taken together, the results obtained in this study imply a positive role for autophagy and predict the usefulness of pro‐autophagy engineering in CHO cell cultures. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2012; 109: 3093–3102. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Risk of bleeding associated with use of systemic thromboembolic prophylaxis during laparoscopic cholecystectomy
Authors: Persson G , Strömberg J , Svennblad B , Sandblom G 
Published: May 2012

Abstract
Background: The extent to which systemic perioperative thromboembolic prophylaxis affects peroperative and postoperative bleeding during cholecystectomy is not known. This article reports on risk of bleeding in a national cohort of cholecystectomies.
Methods: All cholecystectomies registered in the Swedish Register of Gallstone Surgery and Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (GallRiks) between 2005 and 2010 were reviewed. Peroperative bleeding was defined as bleeding that could not be controlled by standard surgical techniques, necessitated conversion to an open procedure or required peroperative blood transfusion. Postoperative bleeding was defined as bleeding that necessitated reoperation, transfusion or a prolonged hospital stay. Risk estimates were performed using univariable and multiple logistic regression, and reported as odds ratios (ORs).
Results: A total of 51 621 procedures were registered in GallRiks. Some 48 010 patients were included in the analyses, of whom 21 259 (44·3 per cent) received thromboembolic prophylaxis. Peroperative bleeding complications occurred in 400 (1·9 per cent) and postoperative bleeding in 296 (1·4 per cent) given thromboembolic prophylaxis, compared with 189 (0·7 per cent) and 195 (0·7 per cent) respectively without thromboprophylaxis. After adjusting for age, sex, indication for surgery, American Society of Anesthesiologists grade, mode of admission, operative approach, duration of surgery and hospital volume, the OR for peroperative or postoperative bleeding complications in the group receiving prophylaxis was 1·35 (95 per cent confidence interval 1·17 to 1·55). However, in a subgroup analysis the risk was increased in laparoscopic surgery only. At 30-day follow-up, a total of 74 patients (0·2 per cent) had developed postoperative thromboembolism, 43 (0·2 per cent) of those who received thromboembolic prophylaxis compared with 31 (0·1 per cent) of those who did not.
Conclusion: Thromboprophylaxis in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy increased the risk of bleeding, but the occurrence of thromboembolic events was not significantly reduced. Identification of high- and low-risk patients is needed to guide clinical decisions regarding medical thromboprophylaxis.