bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mediation among young immigrants in the juvenile penal justice system
Authors: Campo Jaume del , Vilà Ruth , Martí Jaume , Vinuesa M Rosa 
Published: April 2011

• Summary: Multicultural modern society shows the necessity for a systematic assessment of needs and the formulation of policies which are based on rigorous and systematic research. Specifically, in Spain juvenile penal justice represents one of the major contexts where the presence of cultural diversity has made itself forcefully felt. This situation has led to an ongoing reappraisal of the way in which the forms of conflict management which currently form part of the Spanish Juvenile Penal Code are applied. This article represents an attempt to take a closer look at the way mediation is used as a policy alternative in the penal context, and in particular how it is used in situations when one part of the process involves a young immigrant. We focus on the meaning attributed to penal mediation from the perspective of the victim or the offender and on the difficulties in applying mediation programs among young immigrants. • Findings: This analysis shows the presence of several asymmetries in intercultural mediation and suggests the importance of intercultural communication in mediation. • Application: We aim to develop a more comprehensive framework in order to improve the way such processes are implemented in practice, paying special attention to the possible application of mediation in other contexts.
Aire regulates the transfer of antigen from mTECs to dendritic cells for induction of thymic tolerance
Authors: Hubert François-Xavier , Kinkel Sarah A. , Davey Gayle M. , Phipson Belinda , Mueller Scott N. , Liston Adrian , Proietto Anna I. , Cannon Ping Z. F. , Forehan Simon , Smyth Gordon K. , Wu Li , Goodnow Christopher C. , Carbone Francis R. , Scott Hamish S. , Heath William R. 
Published: April 2011

AbstractTo investigate the role of Aire in thymic selection, we examined the cellular requirements for generation of ovalbumin (OVA)–specific CD4 and CD8 T cells in mice expressing OVA under the control of the rat insulin promoter. Aire deficiency reduced the number of mature single-positive OVA-specific CD4+ or CD8+ T cells in the thymus, independent of OVA expression. Importantly, it also contributed in 2 ways to OVA-dependent negative selection depending on the T-cell type. Aire-dependent negative selection of OVA-specific CD8 T cells correlated with Aire-regulated expression of OVA. By contrast, for OVA-specific CD4 T cells, Aire affected tolerance induction by a mechanism that operated independent of the level of OVA expression, controlling access of antigen presenting cells to medullary thymic epithelial cell (mTEC)–expressed OVA. This study supports the view that one mechanism by which Aire controls thymic negative selection is by regulating the indirect presentation of mTEC-derived antigens by thymic dendritic cells. It also indicates that mTECs can mediate tolerance by direct presentation of Aire-regulated antigens to both CD4 and CD8 T cells.
Proteolytic and genetic variation of the alpha-2-antiplasmin C-terminus in myocardial infarction
Authors: de Willige Shirley Uitte , Miedzak Megan , Carter Angela M. , Lisman Ton , Rosendaal Frits R. , Grant Peter J. , Philippou Helen , Ariëns Robert A. S. 
Published: April 2011

AbstractAlpha-2-antiplasmin (α2AP) undergoes both N- and C-terminal cleavages, which significantly modify its activities. Compared with other Ser protease inhibitors (serpins), α2AP contains an ∼ 50-residue–extended C-terminus, which binds plasmin(ogen). We developed 2 new ELISAs to measure the antigen levels of free total α2AP and free C-terminally intact α2AP to investigate whether α2AP antigen levels or α2AP C-terminal cleavage were associated with myocardial infarction (MI) in 320 male MI survivors and 169 age-matched controls. Patients had 15.2% reduced total α2AP antigen levels compared with controls (93.8 vs 110.6 U/dL, P < .001), with a 10.1-fold (95% confidence interval [CI]: 5.5-18.9) increased MI risk for levels in the 1st quartile compared with the 4th quartile. The percentage of C-terminal cleavage did not differ between patients and controls (38.7% and 38.1%, respectively, P = .44). In addition, all individuals were genotyped for the polymorphism Arg407Lys, which is located near the start of the extended C-terminus. Arg407Lys was not associated with α2AP C-terminal cleavage, total α2AP antigen levels, or MI risk (odds ratios compared with Arg/Arg: Arg/Lys 0.74, 95% CI: 0.50-1.10; Lys/Lys 0.77, 95% CI: 0.31-1.92). Our data show that levels of free full-length α2AP were decreased in MI, that the percentage of C-terminally cleaved α2AP was unaltered, and that Arg407Lys did not influence α2AP levels or MI risk.
Effects of valproate on Tax and HBZ expression in HTLV-1 and HAM/TSP T lymphocytes
Authors: Belrose Gildas , Gross Antoine , Olindo Stéphane , Lézin Agnès , Dueymes Maryvonne , Komla-Soukha Isabelle , Smadja Didier , Tanaka Yuetsu , Willems Luc , Mesnard Jean-Michel , Peloponese Jean-Marie , Césaire Raymond 
Published: April 2011

AbstractA determinant of human T-lymphotropic virus-1 (HTLV-1)–associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) development is the HTLV-1–infected cell burden. Viral proteins Tax and HBZ, encoded by the sense and antisense strands of the pX region, respectively, play key roles in HTLV-1 persistence. Tax drives CD4+-T cell clonal expansion and is the immunodominant viral antigen recognized by the immune response. Valproate (2-n-propylpentanoic acid, VPA), a histone deacetylase inhibitor, was thought to trigger Tax expression, thereby exposing the latent HTLV-1 reservoir to immune destruction. We evaluated the impact of VPA on Tax, Gag, and HBZ expressions in cultured lymphocytes from HTLV-1 asymptomatic carriers and HAM/TSP patients. Approximately one-fifth of provirus-positive CD4+ T cells spontaneously became Tax-positive, but this fraction rose to two-thirds of Tax-positive–infected cells when cultured with VPA. Valproate enhanced Gag-p19 release. Tax- and Gag-mRNA levels peaked spontaneously, before declining concomitantly to HBZ-mRNA increase. VPA enhanced and prolonged Tax-mRNA expression, whereas it blocked HBZ expression. Our findings suggest that, in addition to modulating Tax expression, another mechanism involving HBZ repression might determine the outcome of VPA treatment on HTLV-1–infected–cell proliferation and survival.
Proteomic analysis identifies galectin-1 as a predictive biomarker for relapsed/refractory disease in classical Hodgkin lymphoma
Authors: Kamper Peter , Ludvigsen Maja , Bendix Knud , Hamilton-Dutoit Stephen , Rabinovich Gabriel A. , Møller Michael Boe , Nyengaard Jens R. , Honoré Bent , d'Amore Francesco 
Published: April 2011

Abstract
Considerable effort has been spent identifying prognostic biomarkers in classic Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL). The aim of our study was to search for possible prognostic parameters in advanced-stage cHL using a proteomics-based strategy. A total of 14 cHL pretreatment tissue samples from younger, advanced-stage patients were included. Patients were grouped according to treatment response. Proteins that were differentially expressed between the groups were analyzed using 2D-PAGE and identified by liquid chromatography mass spectrometry. Selected proteins were validated using Western blot analysis. One of the differentially expressed proteins, the carbohydrate-binding protein galectin-1 (Gal-1), was further analyzed using immunohistochemistry HC and its expression was correlated with clinicopathologic and outcome parameters in 143 advanced-stage cHL cases. At the univariate level, high Gal-1 expression in the tumor microenvironment was correlated with poor event-free survival (P = .02). Among younger (≤ 61 years) patients, high Gal-1 was correlated with poorer overall and event-free survival (both P = .007). In this patient group and at the multivariate level, high Gal-1 expression retained a significant predictive impact on event-free survival. Therefore, in addition to its functional role in cHL-induced immunosuppression, Gal-1 is also associated with an adverse clinical outcome in this disease.
Differentiation, phenotype, and function of interleukin-17–producing human Vγ9Vδ2 T cells
Authors: Caccamo Nadia , La Mendola Carmela , Orlando Valentina , Meraviglia Serena , Todaro Matilde , Stassi Giorgio , Sireci Guido , Fournié Jean Jacques , Dieli Francesco 
Published: April 2011

AbstractIn healthy adults, the major peripheral blood γδ T-cell subset expresses the Vγ9Vδ2 TCR and displays pleiotropic features. Here we report that coculture of naive Vγ9Vδ2 T cells with phosphoantigens and a cocktail of cytokines (IL-1-β, TGF-β, IL-6, and IL-23), leads to selective expression of the transcription factor RORγt and polarization toward IL-17 production. IL-17+ Vγ9Vδ2 T cells express the chemokine receptor CCR6 and produce IL-17 but neither IL-22 nor IFN-γ; they have a predominant terminally differentiated (CD27−CD45RA+) phenotype and express granzyme B, TRAIL, FasL, and CD161. On antigen activation, IL-17+ Vγ9Vδ2 T cells rapidly induce CXCL8-mediated migration and phagocytosis of neutrophils and IL-17–dependent production of β-defensin by epithelial cells, indicating that they may be involved in host immune responses against infectious microorganisms. Accordingly, an increased percentage of IL-17+ Vγ9Vδ2 lymphocytes is detected in the peripheral blood and at the site of disease in children with bacterial meningitis, and this pattern was reversed after successful antibacterial therapy. Most notably, the phenotype of IL-17+ Vγ9Vδ2 T cells in children with meningitis matches that of in vitro differentiated IL-17+ Vγ9Vδ2 T cells. Our findings delineate a previously unknown subset of human IL-17+ Vγ9Vδ2 T lymphocytes implicated in the pathophysiology of inflammatory responses during bacterial infections.
Evidence for a purifying selection acting on the β-lactamase locus in epidemic clones of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Milheiriço Catarina , Portelinha Ana , Krippahl Ludwig , de Lencastre Hermínia , Oliveira Duarte C 
Published: April 2011

Abstract

Background
The β-lactamase (bla) locus, which confers resistance to penicillins only, may control the transcription of mecA, the central element of methicillin resistance, which is embedded in a polymorphic heterelogous chromosomal cassette (the SCCmec element). In order to assess the eventual correlation between bla allotypes and genetic lineages, SCCmec types and/or β-lactam resistance phenotypes, the allelic variation on the bla locus was evaluated in a representative collection of 54 international epidemic methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) clinical strains and, for comparative purposes, also in 24 diverse methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) strains.

Results
Internal fragments of blaZ (the β-lactamase structural gene) were sequenced for all strains. A subset of strains, representative of blaZ allotypes, was further characterized by sequencing of internal fragments of the blaZ transcriptional regulators, blaI and blaR1. Thirteen allotypes for blaZ, nine for blaI and 12 for blaR1 were found. In a total of 121 unique single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) detected, no frameshift mutations were identified and only one nonsense mutation within blaZ was found in a MRSA strain. On average, blaZ alleles were more polymorphic among MSSA than in MRSA (14.7 vs 11.4 SNP/allele). Overall, blaR1 was the most polymorphic gene with an average of 24.8 SNP/allele. No correlation could be established between bla allotypes and genetic lineages, SCCmec types and/or β-lactam resistance phenotypes. In order to estimate the selection pressure acting on the bla locus, the average dN/dS values were computed. In the three genes and in both collections dN/dS ratios were significantly below 1.

Conclusions
The data strongly suggests the existence of a purifying selection to maintain the bla locus fully functional even on MRSA strains. Although, this is in agreement with the notion that in most clinical MRSA strains mecA gene is under the control of the bla regulatory genes, these findings also suggest that the apparently redundant function of blaZ gene for the MRSA resistant phenotype is still important for these strains. In addition, the data shows that the sensor-inducer blaR1 is the primary target for the accumulation of mutations in the bla locus, presumably to modulate the response to the presence of β-lactam antibiotic.
Differential disease resistance response in the barley necrotic mutant nec1
Authors: Keisa Anete , Kanberga-Silina Krista , Nakurte Ilva , Kunga Laura , Rostoks Nils 
Published: April 2011

AbstractBackgroundAlthough ion fluxes are considered to be an integral part of signal transduction during responses to pathogens, only a few ion channels are known to participate in the plant response to infection. CNGC4 is a disease resistance-related cyclic nucleotide-gated ion channel.Arabidopsis thalianaCNGC4 mutantshlm1anddnd2display an impaired hypersensitive response (HR), retarded growth, a constitutively active salicylic acid (SA)-mediated pathogenesis-related response and elevated resistance against bacterial pathogens. Barley CNGC4 shares 67% aa identity with AtCNGC4. The barley mutantnec1comprising of a frame-shift mutation of CNGC4 displays a necrotic phenotype and constitutively over-expressesPR-1, yet it is not known what effect thenec1mutation has on barley resistance against different types of pathogens.Resultsnec1mutant accumulated high amount of SA and hydrogen peroxide compared to parental cv. Parkland. Experiments investigatingnec1disease resistance demonstrated positive effect ofnec1mutation on non-host resistance againstPseudomonas syringaepv.tomato(Pst) at high inoculum density, whereas at normalPstinoculum concentrationnec1resistance did not differ from wt. In contrast to augmentedP. syringaeresistance, penetration resistance against biotrophic fungusBlumeria graminisf. sp.hordei(Bgh), the causal agent of powdery mildew, was not altered innec1. Thenec1mutant significantly over-expressed race non-specificBghresistance-related genesBI-1andMLO. Induction ofBI-1andMLOsuggested putative involvement ofnec1in race non-specificBghresistance, therefore the effect ofnec1onmlo-5-mediatedBghresistance was assessed. Thenec1/mlo-5double mutant was as resistant toBghasNec1/mlo-5plants, suggesting thatnec1did not impairmlo-5race non-specificBghresistance.ConclusionsTogether, the results suggest thatnec1mutation alters activation of systemic acquired resistance-related physiological markers and non-host resistance in barley, while not changing rapid localized response during compatible interaction with host pathogen. Increased resistance ofnec1against non-host pathogenPstsuggests thatnec1mutation may affect certain aspects of barley disease resistance, while it remains to be determined, if the effect on disease resistance is a direct response to changes in SA signaling.
Supramolecular assemblies of rifampicin and cationic bilayers: preparation, characterization and micobactericidal activity
Authors: Barbassa Lilian , Mamizuka Elsa M , Carmona-Ribeiro Ana M 
Published: April 2011

Abstract

Background
Cationic bilayers based on the inexpensive synthetic lipid dioctadecyldimethylammonium bromide (DODAB) have been useful as carriers for drug delivery, immunoadjuvants for vaccines and active antimicrobial agents.

Methods
Rifampicin (RIF) or isoniazid (ISO) interacted with DODAB bilayer fragments (BF) or large vesicles (LV). Dispersions were evaluated by dynamic light-scattering for zeta-average diameter (Dz) and zeta-potential (ζ) analysis; dialysis for determination of drug entrapment efficiency; plating and CFU counting for determination of cell viability of Mycobacterium smegmatis or tuberculosis, minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) and synergism index for DODAB/drug combinations.

Results
DODAB alone killed micobacteria over a range of micromolar concentrations. RIF aggregates in water solution were solubilised by DODAB BF. RIF was incorporated in DODAB bilayers at high percentiles in contrast to the leaky behavior of ISO. Combination DODAB/RIF yielded MBCs of 2/2 and 4/0.007 μg/mL against Mycobacterium smegmatis or Mycobacterium tuberculosis, respectively. Synergism indexes equal to 0.5 or 1.0, indicated synergism against the former and independent action, against the latter species.

Conclusions

In vitro, DODAB acted effectively both as micobactericidal agent and carrier for rifampicin. The novel assemblies at reduced doses may become valuable against tuberculosis.
Use of multivitamins, folic acid and herbal supplements among breast cancer survivors: the black women's health study
Authors: Bright-Gbebry Mireille , Makambi Kepher H , Rohan JoyAnn Phillips , Llanos Adana A , Rosenberg Lynn , Palmer Julie R , Adams-Campbell Lucile L 
Published: April 2011

Abstract

Background
Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use, including herbals and multivitamin supplements, is quite common in the U.S., and has been shown to be highest in breast cancer survivors. However, limited data are currently available for CAM usage among African Americans. Thus, we sought to determine the prevalence of multivitamins, folic acid and herbal supplement usage in African American breast cancer survivors, and to compare the characteristics of users and nonusers.

Methods
A cohort study of breast cancer survivors, who completed the 1999 Black Women's Health Study questionnaire and self-reported having been diagnosed with breast cancer between 1995 and 1999, comprised the study population. In this study, the intake of natural herbs, multivitamins and folic acid at least three days per week within the past two years was used as a proxy for typical usage of this complimentary alternative medicine (CAM) modality.

Results
A total of 998 breast cancer survivors were identified. Overall, 68.2% had used either herbals or multivitamin supplements or both. The three most frequently used herbals were garlic (21.2%), gingko (12.0%), and echinacea (9.4%). The multivariate analysis determined that single marital status (OR = 1.58; 95%CI: 1.04-2.41), and alcohol consumption of 1-3 drinks per week (OR = 1.86, 95%CI: 1.28-2.68) were significantly associated with increased herbal use. Multivitamin use was significantly lower among obese women (OR = 0.66, 95%CI: 0.46-0.94) and current smokers (OR = 0.53, 95%CI: 0.34-0.82).

Conclusions
A significant number of African American breast cancer survivors are using herbals and multivitamins as CAM modality. Additional research is needed to understand the impact of herbals and multivitamins in African American breast cancer survivors.
CMOS-compatible dense arrays of Ge quantum dots on the Si(001) surface: hut cluster nucleation, atomic structure and array life cycle during UHV MBE growth
Authors: Arapkina Larisa V , Yuryev Vladimir A 
Published: April 2011

AbstractWe report a direct observation of Ge hut nucleation on Si(001) during UHV molecular beam epitaxy at 360°C. Nuclei of pyramids and wedges were observed on the wetting layer (WL) (M × N) patches starting from the coverage of 5.1 Å and found to have different structures. Atomic models of nuclei of both hut species have been built as well as models of the growing clusters. The growth of huts of each species has been demonstrated to follow generic scenarios. The formation of the second atomic layer of a wedge results in rearrangement of its first layer. Its ridge structure does not repeat the nucleus. A pyramid grows without phase transitions. A structure of its vertex copies the nucleus. Transitions between hut species turned out to be impossible. The wedges contain point defects in the upper corners of the triangular faces and have preferential growth directions along the ridges. The derived structure of the {105} facet follows the paired dimer model. Further growth of hut arrays results in domination of wedges, and the density of pyramids exponentially drops. The second generation of huts arises at coverages > 10 Å; new huts occupy the whole WL at coverages ~14 Å. Nanocrystalline Ge 2D layer begins forming at coverages > 14 Å.
A 5'-proximal Stem-loop Structure of 5' Untranslated Region of Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus Genome Is Key for Virus Replication
Authors: Lu Jiaqi , Gao Fei , Wei Zuzhang , Liu Ping , Liu Changlong , Zheng Haihong , Li Yanhua , Lin Tao , Yuan Shishan 
Published: April 2011

Abstract

Background
It has been well documented that the 5' untranslated region (5' UTR) of many positive-stranded RNA viruses contain key cis-acting regulatory sequences, as well as high-order structural elements. Little is known for such regulatory elements controlling porcine arterivirus replication. We investigated the roles of a conserved stem-loop 2 (SL2) that resides in the 5'UTR of the genome of a type II porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV).

Results
We provided genetic evidences demonstrating that 1) the SL2 in type II PRRSV 5' UTR, N-SL2, could be structurally and functionally substituted by its counterpart in type I PRRSV, E-SL2; 2) the functionality of N-SL2 was dependent upon the G-C rich stem structure, while the ternary-loop size was irrelevant to RNA synthesis; 3) serial deletions showed that the stem integrity of N-SL2 was crucial for subgenomic mRNA synthesis; and 4) when extensive base-pairs in the stem region was deleted, an alternative N-SL2-like structure with different sequence was utilized for virus replication.

Conclusion
Taken together, we concluded that the phylogenetically conserved SL2 in the 5' UTR was crucial for PRRSV virus replication, subgenomic mRNA synthesis in particular.
Physiological and behavioral reactions elicited by simulated and real-life visual and acoustic helicopter stimuli in dairy goats
Authors: van der Staay Franz Josef , Joosse Martin , van Dijk Henk , Schuurman Teun , van der Meulen Jan 
Published: April 2011

Abstract

Background
Anecdotal reports and a few scientific publications suggest that flyovers of helicopters at low altitude may elicit fear- or anxiety-related behavioral reactions in grazing feral and farm animals. We investigated the behavioral and physiological stress reactions of five individually housed dairy goats to different acoustic and visual stimuli from helicopters and to combinations of these stimuli under controlled environmental (indoor) conditions. The visual stimuli were helicopter animations projected on a large screen in front of the enclosures of the goats. Acoustic and visual stimuli of a tractor were also presented. On the final day of the study the goats were exposed to two flyovers (altitude 50 m and 75 m) of a Chinook helicopter while grazing in a pasture. Salivary cortisol, behavior, and heart rate of the goats were registered before, during and after stimulus presentations.

Results
The goats reacted alert to the visual and/or acoustic stimuli that were presented in their room. They raised their heads and turned their ears forward in the direction of the stimuli. There was no statistically reliable rise of the average velocity of moving of the goats in their enclosure and no increase of the duration of moving during presentation of the stimuli. Also there was no increase in heart rate or salivary cortisol concentration during the indoor test sessions. Surprisingly, no physiological and behavioral stress responses were observed during the flyover of a Chinook at 50 m, which produced a peak noise of 110 dB.

Conclusions
We conclude that the behavior and physiology of goats are unaffected by brief episodes of intense, adverse visual and acoustic stimulation such as the sight and noise of overflying helicopters. The absence of a physiological stress response and of elevated emotional reactivity of goats subjected to helicopter stimuli is discussed in relation to the design and testing schedule of this study.