bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Patterns of Sexual Partnering and Reproductive History: Associations with Timing of First Birth in a Birth Cohort
Authors: van Roode Thea , Dickson Nigel , Sharples Katrina , Paul Charlotte 
Published: February 2012

CONTEXT:The associations between timing of first live birth and previous sexual behavior and pregnancies are not well understood.
METHODS: Members of a 1972–1973 New Zealand birth cohort were surveyed at ages 21, 26 and 32 about their sexual and reproductive histories; 506 men and 479 women participated in at least one assessment. Relative risks and 95% confidence intervals were calculated using Poisson regression to examine associations between the likelihood of first live birth at specific ages (prior to age 21, at age 21–25, at age 26–31) and selected characteristics.
RESULTS: Birth prior to age 21 was more likely for men and women who initiated intercourse before age 15 (relative risks, 3.1 and 2.0, respectively), and less likely for those who initiated at age 18 or later (0.3 and 0.1, respectively), than for those aged 15–17 at first coitus. Prior miscarriage was associated (although sometimes marginally) with an elevated likelihood of first birth across genders and ages (1.7–1.8). Prior abortion was associated with an elevated likelihood of first birth at age 21–25 for women (1.6) and a reduced likelihood at age 26–31 for men (0.5). Having multiple sexual partners at age 21–25 was negatively associated with the likelihood of a first birth at age 26–31 for men. Marriage and cohabitation were positively associated with birth timing.
CONCLUSIONS: Early sexual initiation and relationship instability may promote parenthood at younger ages, whereas greater relationship stability may do so at older ages.
Case Study to Promote the Use of Industrial Byproducts: The Relevance of Performance Tests
Authors: Gomes Correia A. , Roque António J. , Reis Ferreira S. M. , Fortunato Eduardo 
Published: February 2012

Abstract
Currently, there is strong pressure to use industrial byproducts and recycled materials in the construction of transportation infrastructure and geotechnical works. The reuse of these materials positively affects the environment by reducing deposits and preserving raw materials. The related geotechnical, geoenvironmental, economical, and social issues should be addressed so that these materials can be used in construction to provide sustainable development. This paper presents a study of all of these aspects and focuses on Portuguese electrical arc furnace steel slag. A huge laboratory research program was carried out that addressed four elements of geotechnical and geoenvironmental behavior: ultimate strength under monotonic loading, resilient behavior (stiffness), susceptibility to permanent deformation due to repeated loading, and leachability. These test results were compared with those from the empirical tests used in the national specifications for embankments and structural layers of transportation infrastructures. It was concluded that performance-based laboratory test results show much better material performance than the results based on empirical tests (Los Angeles and micro-Deval). Furthermore, this material shows better mechanical performance than in the mechanical tests of natural unbound granular materials used in road construction. Additionally, leaching test results show that this byproduct is inert, which caused it to become known as “inert steel aggregates for construction” (ISAC). These laboratory conclusions were validated in a full-scale field trial by end performance testing (using devices that measure in situ stiffness through spot tests and continuous monitoring, as well as lysimeters to measure leaching values). This field trial involved raw materials and ISAC. A final remark is made about some socioeconomic aspects that should be taken into account in decision making regarding the use of ISAC in public works.
The Chosen Dimensions of Governance of Production Enterprises in the Customer-Supplier Relations
Authors: Kita Jaroslav , Grossmanová Marta , Kita Pavol 
Published: February 2012

The Chosen Dimensions of Governance of Production Enterprises in the Customer-Supplier Relations
Good governance of customer-supplier relations is a precondition of a balanced and permanent development of production enterprises. The aim of the article is to characterize the chosen dimensions, namely the trust and engagement of the customer. It consists of two parts. The first part contains the characteristics of approaches to the issue of governance. The second part identifies a specific way of governance of customers in relation to suppliers.
Online Marketing Strategies for Travel Agencies
Authors: Volek Martin 
Published: February 2012

Online Marketing Strategies for Travel Agencies
This paper describes the theoretical foundations of marketing in the online environment in which a travel agency may develop an effective strategy for selling their products. In the first part of the article the author is focusing on functions of online marketing as well as on its advantages over traditional marketing instruments. In the next section the author addresses the search engine optimization in order to improve the position of a travel agency when searching for potential customers. In the final section the author describes the key social media as well as the right method how a travel agency should enter them. The basics and experiences described in the paper can be used as a universal guide for all travel agencies intending to successfully manage their marketing activities in the online environment.
A Novel Design and Preliminary Investigation of Composite Material Marine Current Turbine
Authors: Wang Jifeng , Piechna Janusz , Müller Norbert 
Published: February 2012

A Novel Design and Preliminary Investigation of Composite Material Marine Current TurbineA high performance and light-weight wound composite material wheel has been developed and is intended to be used for many purposes. One of these applications is marine current turbine (MCT). Traditionally, major problems influencing the design and operation of MCTs are fatigue, cavitation and corrosion due to the sea water. Considering these factors, implementation of composite materials, especially Kevlar fiber/epoxy matrix, in MCTs is explained in this paper. This novel design pattern of composite material marine current turbine (CMMCT) shows many advantages compared to conventional turbines. This paper investigated several factors which should be considered during this novel turbine design process such as the composite material selection, filament winding of composite wheel and turbine's structural and cavitation analysis. The power coefficient of CMMCT by using CFD is also obtained and the experimental facilities for testing CMMCT in a water towing tank are briefly described.
A Geographical Approach for Measuring the Creative Capital. Case Study: Creative Capital Index of Slovakia
Authors: Murgaš František , Ševčíková Marta 
Published: February 2012

A Geographical Approach for Measuring the Creative Capital. Case Study: Creative Capital Index of Slovakia
Calculation of creativity index is a part of a modern quantification wave, in some cases also formulation of the spatial differentiation of social and economic phenomena required from the academic sphere by the decisive sphere. Policy makers have interest by this means to help themselves in obtaining public for their objectives. The creative capital as a sum of quantifiable creativity indicators is in this contribution operationalized including the social capital, which is out of accord with a traditional understanding of creativity following the Florida's concept of the creative class. Methods for creativity index formation are introduced at the global level of states as well as at the regional level of a given state. There are substantial differences among both indexes results and statistical data on export of creative goods (UNCTAD) that are well documented on example of USA and China. Terminological chaos associated with the concepts of creative class and economy is thus extended with a chaos in the interpretation of findings, what contributes to the critique of the Florida's concept of creative class. There arise doubts that the quantification of creativity indexes with correlation quantification with other economic and social factors as GDP, entrepreneurship, inequality, Index HDI1) (Florida 2011); is maybe right in terms of mathematics, but it does not reveal the casual connections. The research purpose of the contribution is a geographical approach to the creative capital. The case study incorporates the Slovak regions, creativity index calculation and its spatial differentiation in form of map expression. The scientific goal lies in a confirmation of hypothesis about a dominant position of Bratislava region, and thus the capital of Slovakia. A limit of calculation is the choice of indicators which were strongly determined by the accessibility of statistical data.
The Tick Salivary Protein Sialostatin L Inhibits the Th9-Derived Production of the Asthma-Promoting Cytokine IL-9 and Is Effective in the Prevention of Experimental Asthma
Authors: Horka Helena , Staudt Valérie , Klein Matthias , Taube Christian , Reuter Sebastian , Dehzad Nina , Andersen John F. , Kopecky Jan , Schild Hansjörg , Kotsyfakis Michalis , Hoffmann Markus , Gerlitzki Bastian , Stassen Michael , Bopp Tobias , Schmitt Edgar 
Published: February 2012

Abstract
Ticks developed a multitude of different immune evasion strategies to obtain a blood meal. Sialostatin L is an immunosuppressive cysteine protease inhibitor present in the saliva of the hard tick Ixodes scapularis. In this study, we demonstrate that sialostatin L strongly inhibits the production of IL-9 by Th9 cells. Because we could show recently that Th9-derived IL-9 is essentially involved in the induction of asthma symptoms, sialostatin L was used for the treatment of experimental asthma. Application of sialostatin L in a model of experimental asthma almost completely abrogated airway hyperresponsiveness and eosinophilia. Our data suggest that sialostatin L can prevent experimental asthma, most likely by inhibiting the IL-9 production of Th9 cells. Thus, alternative to IL-9 neutralization sialostatin L provides the basis for the development of innovative therapeutic strategies to treat asthma.
JAB1 Is Essential for B Cell Development and Germinal Center Formation and Inversely Regulates Fas Ligand and Bcl6 Expression
Authors: Sitte Selina , Gläsner Joachim , Jellusova Julia , Weisel Florian , Panattoni Martina , Pardi Ruggero , Gessner André 
Published: February 2012

Abstract
Jun activation domain-binding protein 1 (JAB1) regulates ubiquitin-dependent protein degradation by deneddylation of cullin-based ubiquitin ligases and, therefore, plays a central role in regulating proliferation and apoptosis. Because these processes are decisive for B cell development, we investigated JAB1 functions in B cells by establishing a mouse strain with a B cell-specific JAB1 deletion. We show that JAB1 is essential for early B cell development, because the ablation of JAB1 expression blocks B cell development between the pro-B and pre-B cell stages. Furthermore, JAB1 deletion leads to aberrant expression of the apoptosis-triggering protein Fas ligand in pro-B cells. Concomitant B cell-specific overexpression of the antiapoptotic protein Bcl2 partially reverses the block in B cell development; rescued JAB1-deficient B cells reach the periphery and produce protective class-switched Abs after Borrelia burgdorferi infection. Interestingly, B cell-rescued mice exhibit no germinal centers but a striking extrafollicular plasma cell accumulation. In addition, JAB1 is essential for Bcl6 expression, a transcriptional repressor required for germinal center formation. These findings identify JAB1 as an important factor in checkpoint control during early B cell development, as well as in fate decisions in mature Ag-primed B cells.
Modulation of Antigen Presentation and B Cell Receptor Signaling in B Cells of Beige Mice
Authors: Chatterjee Priyadarshini , Tiwari Ritesh Kumar , Rath Satyajit , Bal Vineeta , George Anna 
Published: February 2012

Abstract
Binding of Ag by B cells leads to signal transduction downstream of the BCR and to delivery of the internalized Ag–BCR complex to lysosomes where the Ag is processed and presented on MHC class II molecules. T cells that recognize the peptide–MHC complexes provide cognate help to B cells in the form of costimulatory signals and cytokines. Recruitment of T cell help shapes the Ab response by facilitating isotype switching and somatic hypermutation, and promoting the generation of memory cells and long-lived plasma cells. We have used the beige (Bg) mouse, which is deficient in endosome biogenesis, to evaluate the effect of potentially altered Ag presentation in shaping the humoral response. We show that movement of the endocytosed Ag–BCR complex to lysosomes is delayed in Bg B cells and leads to relatively poorer stimulation of Ag-specific T cells. Nevertheless, this does not affect Bg B cell activation or proliferation when competing with wild-type B cells for limiting T cell help in vitro. Interestingly, Bg B cells show more prolonged phosphorylation of signaling intermediates after BCR ligation and proliferate better to low levels of BCR cross-linking. Primary Ab responses are similar in both strains, but memory responses and plasma cell frequencies in bone marrow are higher in Bg mice. Further, Bg B cells mount a higher primary Ab response when competing with wild-type cells in vivo. Thus, the intensity and duration of BCR signaling may play a more important part in shaping B cell responses than early Ag presentation for T cell help.
Alternaria Induces STAT6-Dependent Acute Airway Eosinophilia and Epithelial FIZZ1 Expression That Promotes Airway Fibrosis and Epithelial Thickness
Authors: Doherty Taylor A. , Khorram Naseem , Sugimoto Kotaro , Sheppard Dean , Rosenthal Peter , Cho Jae Youn , Pham Alexa , Miller Marina , Croft Michael , Broide David H. 
Published: February 2012

Abstract
The fungal allergen, Alternaria, is specifically associated with severe asthma, including life-threatening exacerbations. To better understand the acute innate airway response to Alternaria, naive wild-type (WT) mice were challenged once intranasally with Alternaria. Naive WT mice developed significant bronchoalveolar lavage eosinophilia following Alternaria challenge when analyzed 24 h later. In contrast to Alternaria, neither Aspergillus nor Candida induced bronchoalveolar lavage eosinophilia. Gene microarray analysis of airway epithelial cell brushings demonstrated that Alternaria-challenged naive WT mice had a &gt;20-fold increase in the level of expression of found in inflammatory zone 1 (FIZZ1/Retnla), a resistin-like molecule. Lung immunostaining confirmed strong airway epithelial FIZZ1 expression as early as 3 h after a single Alternaria challenge that persisted for ≥5 d and was significantly reduced in STAT6-deficient, but not protease-activated receptor 2-deficient mice. Bone marrow chimera studies revealed that STAT6 expressed in lung cells was required for epithelial FIZZ1 expression, whereas STAT6 present in bone marrow-derived cells contributed to airway eosinophilia. Studies investigating which cells in the nonchallenged lung bind FIZZ1 demonstrated that CD45+CD11c+ cells (macrophages and dendritic cells), as well as collagen-1–producing CD45− cells (fibroblasts), can bind to FIZZ1. Importantly, direct administration of recombinant FIZZ1 to naive WT mice led to airway eosinophilia, peribronchial fibrosis, and increased thickness of the airway epithelium. Thus, Alternaria induces STAT6–dependent acute airway eosinophilia and epithelial FIZZ1 expression that promotes airway fibrosis and epithelial thickness. This may provide some insight into the uniquely pathogenic aspects of Alternaria-associated asthma.
Frequency of Epitope-Specific Naive CD4+ T Cells Correlates with Immunodominance in the Human Memory Repertoire
Authors: Kwok William W. , Tan Venus , Gillette Laurie , Littell Christopher T. , Soltis Michele A. , LaFond Rebecca B. , Yang Junbao , James Eddie A. , DeLong Jonathan H. 
Published: February 2012

Abstract
The frequency of epitope-specific naive CD4+ T cells in humans has not been extensively examined. In this study, a systematic approach was used to examine the frequency of CD4+ T cells that recognize the protective Ag of Bacillus anthracis in both anthrax vaccine-adsorbed vaccinees and nonvaccinees with HLA-DRB1*01:01 haplotypes. Three epitopes were identified that had distinct degrees of immunodominance in subjects that had received the vaccine. Average naive precursor frequencies of T cells specific for these different epitopes in the human repertoire ranged from 0.2 to 10 per million naive CD4+ T cells, which is comparable to precursor frequencies observed in the murine repertoire. Frequencies of protective Ag-specific T cells were two orders of magnitude higher in immunized subjects than in nonvaccinees. The frequencies of epitope-specific memory CD4+ T cells in vaccinees were directly correlated with the frequencies of precursors in the naive repertoire. At the level of TCR usage, at least one preferred Vβ in the naive repertoire was present in the memory repertoire. These findings implicate naive frequencies as a crucial factor in shaping the epitope specificity of memory CD4+ T cell responses.
Cutting Edge: Paradoxical Roles of BST2/Tetherin in Promoting Type I IFN Response and Viral Infection
Authors: Swiecki Melissa , Wang Yaming , Gilfillan Susan , Lenschow Deborah J. , Colonna Marco 
Published: February 2012

Abstract
Bone marrow stromal Ag 2 (BST2) is a transmembrane protein that prevents virus release from infected cells. It was also reported that BST2 inhibits type I IFN production by plasmacytoid dendritic cells. To determine BST2 impact on antiviral responses in vivo, we generated BST2−/− mice. Following infection with a murine retrovirus, BST2−/− mice had slightly elevated viral loads; however, infection with other enveloped viruses revealed unexpected roles of BST2. BST2−/− mice showed reduced type I IFN production by plasmacytoid dendritic cells. Moreover, BST2−/− mice had lower viral titers in lungs following intranasal infection with vesicular stomatitis virus expressing OVA and influenza B and increased numbers of virus-specific CD8 T cells in the lungs, suggesting that BST2 may facilitate entry and/or replication of enveloped viruses and modulate priming of CD8 T cells. These findings suggest complex roles of BST2 beyond retroviral control in vivo, possibly reflecting the involvement of BST2 in endocytosis and intracellular trafficking of viruses, viral nucleic acids, and Ags.
Cutting Edge: The Role of IFN-α Receptor and MyD88 Signaling in Induction of IL-15 Expression In Vivo
Authors: Colpitts Sara L. , Stoklasek Thomas A. , Plumlee Courtney R. , Obar Joshua J. , Guo Caiying , Lefrançois Leo 
Published: February 2012

Abstract
IL-15 plays a multifaceted role in immune homeostasis, but the unreliability of IL-15 detection has stymied exploration of IL-15 regulation in vivo. To visualize IL-15 expression, we created a transgenic mouse expressing emerald-GFP (EmGFP) under IL-15 promoter control. EmGFP/IL-15 was prevalent in innate cells including dendritic cells (DCs), macrophages, and monocytes. However, DC subsets expressed varying levels of EmGFP/IL-15 with CD8+ DCs constitutively expressing EmGFP/IL-15 and CD8− DCs expressing low EmGFP/IL-15 levels. Virus infection resulted in IL-15 upregulation in both subsets. By crossing the transgenic mice to mice deficient in specific elements of innate signaling, we found a cell-intrinsic dependency of DCs and Ly6C+ monocytes on IFN-α receptor expression for EmGFP/IL-15 upregulation after vesicular stomatitis virus infection. In contrast, myeloid cells did not require the expression of MyD88 to upregulate EmGFP/IL-15 expression. These findings provide evidence of previously unappreciated regulation of IL-15 expression in myeloid lineages during homeostasis and following infection.
Hyponatremia of non-small cell lung cancer: Indian experience
Authors: Bose Chinmoy K , Dey Subhashis , Mukhopadhyay Ashis 
Published: February 2012

Abstract
Background: Hyponatremia is a hazardous complication of lung cancer and its treatment. It is seen at presentation in approximately 15% of patients with small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) and 1% of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Platinum compounds used as first-line agents along with taxols frequently cause hyponatremia. Till date there is no data on its prevalence in patients with advanced lung cancer in the Indian subcontinent. Aim: This study was undertaken to find out its incidence before and after institution of chemotherapy and to observe the results of treatment of hyponatremia in a group of lung cancer patient. Materials and Methods: Forty patients with advanced lung cancer (25 patients with stage III disease and 15 with stage IV disease) were included in the study. Variables looked at included, but were not limited to, serum sodium, serum albumin, serum alkaline phosphatase, serum lactate dehydrogenase, and hemoglobin. These variables were measured as per the standard clinical laboratory procedure. No ethics approval was required as these parameters are routinely measured in such patients. Results: In the chemo-naïve state, one out of five cases with SCLC (20%) had hyponatremia at presentation; among the 35 cases of NSCLC, 7 patients (20%) had hyponatremia at presentation, which is in sharp contrast to earlier reports of 1% prevalence of hyponatremia in this group. Among the 27 cases who died within 6 months, 11 had hyponatremia; this finding was statistically highly significant. Conclusion: In India, NSCLC patients are at high risk of having hyponatremia at presentation and this is significantly associated with a worse outcome.
How common is hypothyroidism after external radiotherapy to neck in head and neck cancer patients?
Authors: Srikantia Nirmala , Rishi Karthik S , Janaki M G , Bilimagga Ramesh S , Ponni Arul , Rajeev A G , Kaushik Kirthi , Dharmalingam Mala 
Published: February 2012

Abstract
Purpose: To identify the occurrence of clinical and subclinical hypothyroidism among head and neck cancer patients receiving radiation to the neck and to justify routine performing of thyroid function tests during follow-up. Materials and Methods: This is a prospective nonrandomized study of 45 patients of head and neck cancer, receiving radiotherapy (RT). Thyroid stimulating hormone and T4 estimations were done at baseline and at 4 months and 9 months following RT. Results: Of the 45 patients, 37(82.2 %) were males and eight (17.8 %) were females. All patients received radiation to the neck to a dose of >40Gy. 35.6% received concurrent chemotherapy. Two patients underwent prior neck dissection. Fourteen patients (31.1%) were found to have clinical hypothyroidism (P value of 0.01). Five (11.1%) patients were found to have subclinical hypothyroidism with a total 19 of 45 (42.2%) patients developing radiation-induced hypothyroidism. Nine of 14 patients with clinical hypothyroidism were in the age group of 51 to 60 years (P=0.0522). Five of 16 patients who received chemoradiation and nine of 29 who received RT alone developed clinical hypothyroidism. Above 40 Gy radiation dose was not a relevant risk factor for hypothyroidism. Conclusion: Hypothyroidism (clinical or subclinical) is an under-recognized morbidity of external radiation to the neck which is seen following a minimum dose of 40 Gy to neck. Recognizing hypothyroidism (clinical or subclinical) early and treating it prevents associated complications. Hence, thyroid function tests should be made routine during follow-up.