bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The frequencies of human neutrophil alloantigens in the Chinese Han population of Guangzhou
Authors: Xia Wenjie , Bayat Behnaz , Sachs Ulrich , Chen Yangkai , Shao Yuang , Xu Xiuzhang , Deng Jing , Ding Haoqiang , Fu Yongshui , Ye Xin , Santoso Sentot 
Published: December 2010

BACKGROUND: Antibodies against polymorphic structures on human neutrophil antigens (HNAs) play a role in alloimmune‐mediated neutropenia and are the leading cause of antibody‐mediated transfusion‐related acute lung injury (TRALI). This study aimed to determine the frequencies of HNAs in the major Han ethnic group living in Guangdong Province, Southern China.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: A total of 493 healthy Chinese Han blood donors from Guangzhou were recruited. DNA samples were isolated and typed for all five HNA‐1, ‐2, ‐3, ‐4, and ‐5 systems using allele‐specific polymerase chain reaction approaches. Results were compared with available data from other Chinese cohorts and other Asian and Caucasian populations.RESULTS: In this cohort, the gene frequency for HNA‐1a (0.667) was approximately twice that of HNA‐1b (0.333). In contrast to Caucasian populations, HNA‐1a represents the most frequent allele in the Chinese population. HNA‐3 system genotyping revealed comparable frequencies for HNA‐3a (0.738) and ‐3b (0.262) in Chinese and Caucasian populations. Homozygous HNA‐3bb individuals were found in 5.64% of our cohort. HNA‐4 genotyping revealed no HNA‐4bb homozygous individuals. In contrast, HNA‐5bb homozygous individuals represented 2.43% of the population. Typing the HNA‐2 system for the single‐nucleotide polymorphism C42G showed that the C‐allele (69%) is overrepresented and is associated with an increased number of HNA‐2a–positive neutrophil subpopulations.CONCLUSION: This study describes for the first time the frequencies of all HNA systems, including the newly identified HNA‐3, within one cohort of Chinese Han population. Comparison with Caucasian populations may allow assessment of anti‐HNA alloimmunization and estimation of alloimmune neutropenia and TRALI incidence in Chinese populations.
Assessment of Blood Flow Changes in Human Skin by Microdialysis Urea Clearance
Authors: FARNEBO SIMON , ZETTERSTEN ERIK K. , SAMUELSSON ANDERS , TESSELAAR ERIK , SJÖBERG FOLKE 
Published: December 2010

Please cite this paper as: Farnebo, Zettersten, Samuelsson, Tesselaar and Sjöberg (2011). Assessment of Flood Flow Changes in Human Skin by Microdialysis Urea Clearance. Microcirculation 18(3), 198–204.AbstractObjective:  The aim of this study was to evaluate the urea clearance technique for the measurement of drug‐induced blood flow changes in human skin and compare it to two non‐invasive techniques: polarization light spectroscopy and laser Doppler perfusion imaging.Methods:  Fifteen microdialysis catheters were placed intracutaneously on the volar aspect of the forearms of healthy human subjects and were perfused with nitroglycerine, noradrenaline, and again nitroglycerine to induce local tissue hyperemia, hypoperfusion, and hyperemia, respectively.Results:  Urea clearance, but not the other techniques, detected the changes in blood flow during changes in flow. The last hyperemic response was detected by all three methods.Conclusion:  Urea clearance can be used as a relatively simple method to estimate blood flow changes during microdialysis of vasoactive substances, in particular when the tissue is preconditioned in order to enhance the contrast between baseline and the responses to the provocations. Our results support that, in the model described, urea clearance was superior to the optical methods as it detected both the increases and decrease in blood flow, and the returns to baseline between these periods.
Melatonin inhibitsPrevotella intermedialipopolysaccharide‐induced production of nitric oxide and interleukin‐6 in murine macrophages by suppressing NF‐κB and STAT1 activity
Authors: Choi Eun‐Young , Jin Ji‐Young , Lee Ju‐Youn , Choi Jeom‐Il , Choi In Soon , Kim Sung‐Jo 
Published: December 2010

Abstract: Although a range of biological and pharmacological activities of melatonin have been reported, little is known about its potential anti‐inflammatory efficacy in periodontal disease. In this study, we investigated the effects of melatonin on the production of inflammatory mediators by murine macrophages stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) fromPrevotella intermedia, a major cause of inflammatory reactions in the periodontium, and sought to determine the underlying mechanisms of action. Melatonin suppressed the production of nitric oxide (NO) and interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) at both gene transcription and translation levels inP. intermediaLPS‐activated RAW264.7 cells.P. intermediaLPS‐induced NF‐κB‐dependent luciferase activity was significantly inhibited by melatonin. Melatonin did not reduce NF‐κB transcriptional activity at the level of IκB‐α degradation. Melatonin blocked NF‐κB signaling through the inhibition of nuclear translocation and DNA‐binding activity of NF‐κB p50 subunit and suppressed STAT1 signaling. Although further research is required to clarify the detailed mechanism of action, we conclude that melatonin may contribute to blockade of the host‐destructive processes mediated by these two proinflammatory mediators and could be a highly efficient modulator of host response in the treatment of inflammatory periodontal disease.
From the Inside Out: Citizenship and Democracy in Multinational States
Authors: French John , Hinze Annika 
Published: December 2010

AbstractSince the fall of communism, democracy has come to be seen as the ‘only game in town’– the only legitimate form of political system. Democracy is considered legitimate because it provides for individual rights and allows the people access to the resources of the state. If ‘we the people’ defines the limits of these entitlements, the next logical question is who are ‘the people’? In contemporary developed states, the problem of diversity is most often framed as a problem of immigration; the arrival of new groups threatens both the presumed homogeneity of established nations and their democracy. We argue for a new conception of democracy, which takes into account the constructed nature of ‘the people’ that democracy empowers. This paper attempts to provide such an account by advocating a new understanding of the relationship between nationalism, citizenship, and democracy.
Local Youth Work as Subpolitics of Multiculturalism: Professional Educators Constructing New Rationales in Eastern Finland?
Authors: Kivijärvi Antti 
Published: December 2010

AbstractThis article examines how the notion of multiculturalism is defined at the level of Finnish youth work. Local youth work is examined as a subpolitical arena in a rapidly changing and culturally diversifying society where answers by public institutions are not available. The essential objective of this article is to unravel the rationales of multicultural subpolitics and examine which policies these rationales enable. The data of the study consists of ethnographic observations of and interviews with youth workers in eastern Finland. The results of the study indicate that the subpolitics of multiculturalism are implemented through strategies of rationalisation and governance of minority populations rather than by recognising national and cultural ambivalences. The thesis is that such (sub)politics may reinforce the risk of cultural and ethnic demarcations among young people.
A Belief in the Purity of the Nation: The Possible Dangers of Its Influence on Migration Legislation in Europe
Authors: Acosta Diego 
Published: December 2010

AbstractImmigration is one of the most important issues in the European Union (EU). In order to address the subject, the EU adopted a Directive on a long‐term residence status for third‐country nationals (TCNs). While implementing this Directive, many Member States changed their migration laws, thus increasingly linking the acquirement of this status with integration requirements. The integration requirements emphasise language acquisition and knowledge of the country, including its history, culture, and constitution. Why is this trend taking place at this particular point in time? While many factors could be mentioned, these integration tests are also the consequence of the constant repetition in the belief of the purity of the nation in certain political discourses, particularly by the populist radical right. This line of thinking creates a worrying problem for the future as European national identities are seen as immutable, thus complicating the acceptance of the new Europeans with an immigrant background. Hence a question arises: To what extent can we see a correlation in some EU countries between the recent introduction of harsher integration requirements for obtaining permanent residence and a certain discourse on national identity, primarily put forward by radical right parties?
Different Shades of Blue: Gay Men and Nationalist Discourse in Mongolia
Authors: Billé Franck 
Published: December 2010

AbstractThe article seeks to challenge the implicit equation made between national autonomy and personal freedom. Post‐socialist Mongolian identity, articulated on a notion of resistance against Chinese territorial and biological encroachment, is accompanied by an explicit, often violent, anti‐Chinese discourse. This resistance against an external enemy also has a centripetal effect on Mongolian society, and contemporary notions of Mongolianness tend to congeal into a homogenised identity that leaves little space for personal reinterpretations. For those whose voices are not heard, such as Mongolian women and gay men, ‘freedom to be ethnic’ can be far from liberating. The data I present in this article suggest that, while it is routinely depicted as the main danger against which to rally, China can, for some people, open up spaces of opportunity and liberty unattainable to them within Mongolia.
Defending National Identity and Interests: The Lega Nord 's Asymmetric Model of Globalisation
Authors: Huysseune Michel 
Published: December 2010

AbstractAs a movement defending the interests of the wealthier northern regions of Italy, the Lega Nord proposes a nation‐building discourse emphasising the successful insertion of Padania (i.e. northern Italy) in the global economy. While its rhetoric exalts the virtues of a liberal economic model, in recent years, the party has also defended the exclusive right of Padania to economic protection. This economic protectionism finds a parallel in the party's defense of cultural identity, although this identity equally expresses the capacity of Padanians to participate in the global economy. This defence intends to assign Padanians a privileged position in their territory and hence proposes discriminatory practices towards outsiders, especially immigrants. The party thus solves the tension between its legitimisation of and resistance against globalisation by proposing an asymmetric model of globalisation that envisions an internal and international political order based on unequal rights and obligations – and thus privileges for Padania.
Gamma-Ray Spectrum Analysis of Chang’E-1 for Lunar Detection
Authors: HongKun Xu , Fang Fang , Shijun Ni , Jianfeng He , Lei You 
Published: December 2010

Abstract
Gamma-ray spectrum analysis was essential for radioactive environmental monitoring, and it had been widely used in many areas of nuclear engineering. However, for the low-energy region of gamma-ray spectrum, weak peaks were contained in the fast-decreasing background, so it was difficult to extract characteristic information from original spectra. In order to get a better analytic result based on wavelet methods in frequency domain, we had processed the gamma-ray spectrometer data of Chang’E-1 and well extracted some useful information of spectral characteristic peaks. Then, we preliminarily mapped the distribution of net peak counts for potassium on lunar surface, which indirectly reflected the distribution of elemental abundance. At last, we compared our analytic result with that of Apollo and Lunar Prospector and found some consistencies and differences.
Antibody Response to Polyhistidine-Tagged Peptide and Protein Antigens Attached to Liposomes via Lipid-Linked Nitrilotriacetic Acid in Mice
Authors: Watson Douglas S. , Platt Virginia M. , Cao Limin , Venditto Vincent J. , Szoka Francis C. 
Published: December 2010

ABSTRACTParticulate delivery systems enhance antibody responses to subunit antigens. However, covalent attachment of protein antigens can disrupt protein structure and mask critical epitopes, altering the antibody response to the antigen. In this report, we evaluate noncovalent metal chelation via nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) as a nondestructive method to attach peptide and protein antigens to liposomes. Two model antigens, ovalbumin (OVA) and a peptide derived from the membrane-proximal region of HIV-1 gp41 (N-MPR), were polyhistidinylated and attached to liposomes via monovalent NTA (mono-NTA;KD[equilibrium dissociation constant], ∼10 μM), trivalent NTA (tris-NTA;KD, ∼1 nM), or a covalent linkage. Attachment of N-MPR, but not OVA, to liposomes via an NTA lipid elicited stronger antibody responses in BALB/c mice than a formulation in which unassociated antigen was simply admixed with control liposomes lacking NTA. However, the tris-NTA linkage did not increase antibody responses to either N-MPR or OVA compared to the level for the mono-NTA linkage, despite the greater liposomal association of the antigen. For both antigens, covalently attaching them to a lipid elicited significantly stronger antibody responses than NTA-anchored antigens (OVA titer, 3.4 × 106versus 1.4 × 106to 1.6 × 106[P< 0.001]; N-MPR titer, 4.4 × 104versus 5.5 × 102to 7.6 × 102[P< 0.003]). The data indicate that NTA linkages may increase antibody titers to weak antigens such as N-MPR, but NTA-mediated attachment remains inferior to covalent conjugation. Moreover, enhancements in antigen-liposome affinity do not result in increased antibody titers. Thus, additional improvements of NTA-mediated conjugation technology are necessary to achieve an effective, nondestructive method for increasing the humoral response to antigens in particulate vaccines.
Immunostimulatory Activity of Major Membrane Protein II fromMycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Tsukamoto Yumiko , Endoh Masumi , Mukai Tetsu , Maeda Yumi , Tamura Toshiki , Kai Masanori , Makino Masahiko 
Published: December 2010

ABSTRACTPreviously, we observed that both major membrane protein II ofMycobacterium leprae(MMP-ML) and its fusion withM. bovisBCG (BCG)-derived heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) (Fusion-ML) are immunogenic and that recombinant BCG secreting either of these proteins effectively inhibits the multiplication ofM. lepraein mice. Here, we purifiedM. tuberculosis-derived major membrane protein II (MMP-MTB) and its fusion with HSP70 (Fusion-MTB) in a lipopolysaccharide-free condition and evaluated their immunostimulatory abilities. Both MMP-MTB and Fusion-MTB activated monocyte-derived dendritic cells (DC) in terms of phenotype and interleukin-12 (IL-12) production, but Fusion-MTB more efficiently activated them than MMP-MTB did. The IL-12 production was a consequence of the ligation of those recombinant proteins with Toll-like receptor 2. TheM. tuberculosis-derived andM. leprae-derived recombinant proteins activated naïve T cells of both CD4 and CD8 subsets, butM. tuberculosis-derived proteins were superior toM. leprae-derived proteins and fusion proteins were superior to MMP, regardless of the origin of the protein. Memory-type CD4+T cells obtained from BCG-vaccinated healthy individuals seem to be primed with MMP-MTB by the vaccination, and bothM. tuberculosis-derived recombinant proteins produced perforin-producing CD8+T cells from memory-type CD8+T cells. Further, infection of DC and macrophages withM. tuberculosisH37Ra and H37Rv induced the expression of MMP on their surface. These results indicate thatM. tuberculosis-derived MMP, as a sole protein or as part of a fusion protein, may be useful for developing new vaccinating agents against tuberculosis.
Rapid Identification of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis Complex by Combining the ESAT-6/CFP-10 Immunochromatographic Assay and Smear Morphology
Authors: Shen Gwan-Han , Chiou Chien-Shun , Hu Shiau-Ting , Wu Kun-Ming , Chen Jiann-Hwa 
Published: December 2010

ABSTRACT

Early secretory antigen 6 (ESAT-6) and cell filtrate protein 10 (CFP-10) are two antigens secreted as a complex by the replicating
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
complex (MTC). Recently, an immunochromatographic assay (ICA) using a monoclonal antibody against the ESAT-6/CFP-10 complex was developed for the purpose of MTC detection. In this study, the efficacy of the assay was tested with 603 BACTEC cultures that were incubated for 3 additional days after positive signals appeared in the BACTEC MGIT 960 system. Bacterial isolates were recovered from these 603 BACTEC cultures, and 332 MTC isolates, 270 nontuberculosis mycobacterial isolates, and 1
Nocardia
isolate were identified by using standard biochemical assays. The ESAT-6/CFP-10 assay detected 322 MTC cultures, resulting in a sensitivity of 97% and a specificity of 97.4%. To reduce the false-negative rate and improve the sensitivity, either serpentine cording in an acid-fast bacillus stain of the cultural smear, the ESAT-6/CFP-10 assay, or a combination of both was used for MTC detection. The sensitivity was then increased to 99.1%, and the negative predictive value increased to 98.9%, but the specificity decreased to 94.8% and the positive predictive value decreased to 95.9%. However, a combination of serpentine cording in cultural smears and the positivity of the ICA resulted in the specificity and positive predictive values of 100%. Therefore, BACTEC cultures with both serpentine cording and positivity of the ESAT-6/CFP-10 assay could be reported to contain MTC directly. The ESAT-6/CFP-10 assay may be an alternative of the Capilia assay (MPB64-ICA) as a convenient and cost-effective method for identification of MTC in culture.
Using Molecular Epidemiology To Trace Transmission of Nosocomial Norovirus Infection
Authors: Sukhrie Faizel H. A. , Beersma Matthias F. C. , Wong Albert , van der Veer Bas , Vennema Harry , Bogerman Jolanda , Koopmans Marion 
Published: December 2010

ABSTRACTNosocomial norovirus (NoV) infection is common and may lead to complications in vulnerable hospitalized patients. Understanding sources and modes of transmission of noroviruses within health care settings will support the design of evidence-based strategies for reducing introduction and further spread. We sequenced a highly variable segment of the genome to identify possible clusters in patients with and without acute gastroenteritis who were hospitalized in the period 2002-2007. Admission and sampling dates were used to separate patients with nosocomial infection from those without nosocomial infection. Epidemiological clustering retrieved 22 clusters, defined as ≥2 patients with nosocomial infection on the same ward within 5 days. In total, 264 patients (of 2,458 tested) were diagnosed with NoV infection, and 61% of the patient strains could be genotyped. Of those, 51% (n= 82) belonged to GII.4, 34% (n= 54) belonged to GII.3, and 15% (n= 24) belonged to other genotypes (GI.6B, GII.17, GII.7, and GII.2). In children's wards, GII.3 strains were associated with nosocomial spread more often than other viruses were, whereas in adults this was the case for GII.4 strains. Sequence alignment recognized 11 new clusters based on identical P2 domains (4 GII.3 and 7 GII.4 clusters), involving patients in different wards. This increased the total number of recognized clusters by 50%. Five of these clusters involved at least one outpatient, providing a possible target for improvement of infection control. We concluded that the use of sequence-based typing should be considered for identifying hidden nosocomial clusters of NoV infections within health care settings.
Impact of Immigration on the Molecular Epidemiology of Tuberculosis in Rhode Island
Authors: Vanhomwegen Jessica , Kwara Awewura , Martin Melissa , Gillani Fizza S. , Fontanet Arnaud , Mutungi Peninnah , Crellin Joyce , Obaro Stephen , Gosciminski Michael , Carter E. Jane , Rastogi Nalin 
Published: December 2010

ABSTRACT
While foreign-born persons constitute only 11% of the population in the state of Rhode Island, they account for more than 65% of incident tuberculosis (TB) annually. We investigated the molecular-epidemiological differences between foreign-born and U.S.-born TB patients to estimate the degree of recent transmission and identify predictors of clustering. A total of 288 isolates collected from culture-confirmed TB cases in Rhode Island between 1995 and 2004 were fingerprinted by spoligotyping and 12-locus mycobacterial interspersed repetitive units. Of the 288 fingerprinted isolates, 109 (37.8%) belonged to 36 genetic clusters. Our findings demonstrate that U.S.-born patients, Hispanics, Asian/Pacific islanders, and uninsured patients were significantly more likely to be clustered. Recent transmission among the foreign-born population was restricted and occurred mostly locally, within populations originating from the same region. Nevertheless, TB transmission between the foreign-born and U.S.-born population should not be neglected, since 80% of the mixed clusters of foreign- and U.S.-born persons arose from a foreign-born source case. We conclude that timely access to routine screening and treatment for latent TB infection for immigrants is vital for disease elimination in Rhode Island.
Unusual Case of Necrotizing Fasciitis Caused by Vibrio cholerae O137
Authors: Ottaviani Donatella , Leoni Francesca , Rocchegiani Elena , Canonico Cristina , Masini Laura , Pianetti Anna , Parlani Chiara , Luzzi Ida , Caola Iole , Paternoster Claudio , Carraturo Antonio 
Published: December 2010

ABSTRACT

We report a case of necrotizing fasciitis caused by
Vibrio cholerae
O137 in an immunocompromised 49-year-old man. The infection was acquired following a minor traumatic injury and exposure to seawater during the summer of 2009 in Italy. Although highly immunocompromised, the patient survived. The strain was cytotoxic, invasive, and adhesive and contained a fragment of the El Tor-like hemolysin (El Tor
hlyA
) gene.
Interleukin-21-Producing HIV-1-Specific CD8 T Cells Are Preferentially Seen in Elite Controllers
Authors: Williams LaTonya D. , Bansal Anju , Sabbaj Steffanie , Heath Sonya L. , Song Wei , Tang Jianming , Zajac Allan J. , Goepfert Paul A. 
Published: December 2010

ABSTRACT

A hallmark of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) pathogenesis is the rapid loss of CD4 T cells leading to generalized immune dysfunction, including an exhausted CD8 T cell phenotype. Understanding the necessary factors that govern the functional quality and protective potential of antiviral T cell responses would facilitate rational vaccine design and improve therapeutic strategies to combat persistent infections. Mouse models of chronic viral infection demonstrate that interleukin-21 (IL-21), produced primarily by CD4 T cells, is required for the generation and maintenance of functionally competent CD8 T cells and viral containment. We reasoned that preserved IL-21 production during HIV-1 infection would be associated with enhanced CD8 T cell function, allowing improved viral control. Here we analyzed the ability of CD4 and CD8 T cells to produce several cytokines in addition to IL-21
ex vivo
following stimulation with overlapping HIV-1 peptides. Both CD4 and CD8 T cells were able to produce IL-21 in response to HIV-1 infection, with the latter cell type more closely associated with viral control. Furthermore, IL-21-producing HIV-1-specific CD4 T cells (compared to those producing other cytokines) were the best indicator of functional CD8 T cells. Our results demonstrate that HIV-1-specific IL-21-producing CD8 T cells are induced following primary infection and enriched in elite controllers, suggesting a critical role for these cells in the maintenance of viremia control.