bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Systemic Increase in the Ratio between Foxp3+ and IL-17-Producing CD4+ T Cells in Healthy Pregnancy but Not in Preeclampsia
Authors: Santner-Nanan Brigitte , Peek Michael John , Khanam Roma , Richarts Luise , Zhu Erhua , Fazekas de St Groth Barbara , Nanan Ralph 
Published: November 2009

Abstract
Preeclampsia is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in pregnancy. Although the etiology of preeclampsia is still unclear, it is believed to involve rejection of the fetus, possibly due to an imbalance between regulatory (Treg) and effector T cells. To test this, we compared the frequencies of circulating CD4+ T cells expressing Foxp3, IFN-γ, IL-10, or IL-17 at the end of the third trimester of healthy and preeclamptic pregnancies. The size of the Treg cell compartment, defined by the frequency of CD4+CD25high, CD4+CD127lowCD25+, and CD4+Foxp3+ cells was significantly higher in normal compared with preeclamptic pregnancies. CD4+CD25high and CD4+CD127lowCD25+ populations in preeclampsia were not significantly different from those in nonpregnant controls, whereas CD4+Foxp3+ cells numbersre slightly lower in preeclampsia. The suppressive activity of ex vivo-sorted CD4+CD127lowCD25+ Treg cells was not significantly different between the three study groups. The percentage of CD4+IL-17-producing T cells decreased significantly in healthy compared with preeclamptic pregnancies and nonpregnant controls, whereas CD4+IL-10- and CD4+IFN-γ-producing cells remained unchanged. Consequently, the ratio of Foxp3+ Treg to IL-17-expressing CD4+ T cells was significantly increased in healthy but not in preeclamptic pregnancies. Thus, preeclampsia is associated with the absence of normal systemic skewing away from IL-17 production toward Foxp3+ expression. Finally, preeclamptic women had significantly higher levels of soluble endoglin, an inhibitor of TGF-β receptor signaling, which may bias toward IL-17 production. These results suggest that homeostasis between regulatory and proinflammatory CD4+ T cells might be pivotal for the semiallogeneic fetus to be tolerated within the maternal environment.
Ectopic T-bet Expression Licenses Dendritic Cells for IL-12-Independent Priming of Type 1 T Cells In Vitro
Authors: Lipscomb Michael W. , Chen Lu , Taylor Jennifer L. , Goldbach Christina , Watkins Simon C. , Kalinski Pawel , Butterfield Lisa H. , Wesa Amy K. , Storkus Walter J. 
Published: November 2009

Abstract
T-bet (TBX21) is a transcription factor required for the optimal development of type 1 immune responses. Although initially characterized for its intrinsic role in T cell functional polarization, endogenous T-bet may also be critical to the licensing of type 1-biasing APCs. Here, we investigated whether human dendritic cells (DC) genetically engineered to express high levels of T-bet (i.e., DC.Tbet) promote superior type 1 T cell responses in vitro. We observed that DC.Tbet were selective activators of type 1 effector T cells developed from the naive pool of responder cells, whereas DC.Tbet and control DC promoted type 1 responses equitably from the memory pool of responder cells. Naive T cells primed by (staphylococcal enterotoxin B or tumor-associated protein-loaded) DC.Tbet exhibited an enhancement in type 1- and a concomitant reduction in Th2- and regulatory T cell-associated phenotype/function. Surprisingly, DC.Tbets were impaired in their production of IL-12 family member cytokines (IL-12p70, IL-23, and IL-27) when compared with control DC, and the capacity of DC.Tbet to preferentially prime type 1 T cell responses was only minimally inhibited by cytokine (IL-12p70, IL-23, IFN-γ) neutralization or receptor (IL-12Rβ2, IL-27R) blockade during T cell priming. The results of transwell assays suggested the DC.Tbet-mediated effects are predominantly the result of direct DC-T cell contact or their close proximity, thereby implicating a novel, IL-12-independent mechanism by which DC.Tbets promote improved type 1 functional polarization from naive T cell responders. Given their superior type 1 polarizing capacity, DC.Tbet may be suitable for use in vaccines designed to prevent/treat cancer or infectious disease.
Impaired NK Cytolytic Activity and Enhanced Tumor Growth in NK Lytic-Associated Molecule-Deficient Mice
Authors: Hoover Richard G. , Gullickson Gail , Kornbluth Jacki 
Published: November 2009

AbstractNK lytic-associated molecule (NKLAM) is a protein involved in the cytolytic function of NK cells. It is weakly expressed in resting NK cells but upon target cell stimulation or after incubation with cytokines that enhance NK killing, NKLAM mRNA levels increase and protein is synthesized and is targeted to cytoplasmic granule membranes. We have previously shown that NKLAM plays a role in perforin/granzyme-mediated cytolysis in vitro. To further investigate the function of NKLAM in NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity, we generated, by gene targeting, NKLAM-deficient mice. These mice have normal numbers of NK cells and other lymphoid populations in the spleen. They also have no alterations in NK maturation or NK receptor repertoire. NK cells from NKLAM-deficient and WT mice have comparable amounts of perforin, granzyme B, and lysosomal membrane-associated protein 1 (CD107a) in their cytotoxic granules and comparable levels of granule exocytosis are induced by PMA and calcium ionophore A23187. However, NKLAM-deficient NK cells display significantly less NK cytotoxic activity in vitro than WT NK cells. They also secrete less IFN-γ upon target cell stimulation, In addition, NKLAM-deficient mice exhibit greater numbers of pulmonary metastases after i.v. injection with B16 melanoma cells. These studies indicate that NKLAM-deficient mice have diminished capacity to control tumor metastases and support the role for NKLAM in NK function both in vitro and in vivo.
Chimeric NKG2D Expressing T Cells Eliminate Immunosuppression and Activate Immunity within the Ovarian Tumor Microenvironment
Authors: Barber Amorette , Rynda Agnieszka , Sentman Charles L. 
Published: November 2009

Abstract
Adoptive transfer of T cells expressing chimeric NKG2D (chNKG2D) receptors, a fusion of NKG2D and CD3ζ, can lead to long-term, tumor-free survival in a murine model of ovarian cancer. To determine the mechanisms of chNKG2D T cell antitumor efficacy, we analyzed how chNKG2D T cells altered the tumor microenvironment, including the tumor-infiltrating leukocyte populations. chNKG2D T cell treatment of mice bearing ID8 tumor cells increased the number and activation of NK cells and increased the activation of host CD8+ T cells within the tumor. Foxp3+ regulatory T cells at the tumor site decreased more than 300-fold after chNKG2D T cell treatment. Tumor-associated regulatory T cells expressed cell surface NKG2D ligands and were killed by chNKG2D T cells in a perforin-dependent manner. chNKG2D T cells also altered the function of myeloid cells at the tumor site, changing these cells from being immunosuppressive to enhancing T cell responses. Cells isolated from the tumor produced elevated amounts of IFN-γ, NO, and other proinflammatory cytokines after chNKG2D T cell treatment. ChNKG2D T cells required perforin, IFN-γ, and GM-CSF to induce a full response at the tumor site. In addition, transfer of chNKG2D T cells into mice bearing tumors that were established for 5 weeks led to long-term survival of the mice. Thus, chNKG2D T cells altered the ovarian tumor microenvironment to eliminate immunosuppressive cells and induce infiltration and activation of antitumor immune cells and production of inflammatory cytokines. This induction of an immune response likely contributes to chNKG2D T cells’ ability to eliminate established tumors.
MHC Drives TCR Repertoire Shaping, but not Maturation, in Recent Thymic Emigrants
Authors: Houston Evan G. , Fink Pamela J. 
Published: November 2009

Abstract
After developing in the thymus, recent thymic emigrants (RTEs) enter the lymphoid periphery and undergo a maturation process as they transition into the mature naive (MN) T cell compartment. This maturation presumably shapes RTEs into a pool of T cells best fit to function robustly in the periphery without causing autoimmunity; however, the mechanism and consequences of this maturation process remain unknown. Using a transgenic mouse system that specifically labels RTEs, we tested the influence of MHC molecules, key drivers of intrathymic T cell selection and naive peripheral T cell homeostasis, in shaping the RTE pool in the lymphoid periphery. We found that the TCRs expressed by RTEs are skewed to longer CDR3 regions compared with those of MN T cells, suggesting that MHC does streamline the TCR repertoire of T cells as they transition from the RTE to the MN T cell stage. This conclusion is borne out in studies in which the representation of individual TCRs was followed as a function of time since thymic egress. Surprisingly, we found that MHC is dispensable for the phenotypic and functional maturation of RTEs.
Dynamic Regulation of Notch 1 and Notch 2 Surface Expression during T Cell Development and Activation Revealed by Novel Monoclonal Antibodies
Authors: Fiorini Emma , Merck Estelle , Wilson Anne , Ferrero Isabel , Jiang Wei , Koch Ute , Auderset Floriane , Laurenti Elisa , Tacchini-Cottier Fabienne , Pierres Michel , Radtke Freddy , Luther Sanjiv A. , MacDonald H. Robson 
Published: November 2009

Abstract
It is well established that Notch signaling plays a critical role at multiple stages of T cell development and activation. However, detailed analysis of the cellular and molecular events associated with Notch signaling in T cells is hampered by the lack of reagents that can unambiguously measure cell surface Notch receptor expression. Using novel rat mAbs directed against the extracellular domains of Notch1 and Notch2, we find that Notch1 is already highly expressed on common lymphoid precursors in the bone marrow and remains at high levels during intrathymic maturation of CD4−CD8− thymocytes. Notch1 is progressively down-regulated at the CD4+CD8+ and mature CD4+ or CD8+ thymic stages and is expressed at low levels on peripheral T cells. Immunofluorescence staining of thymus cryosections further revealed a localization of Notch1+CD25− cells adjacent to the thymus capsule. Notch1 was up-regulated on peripheral T cells following activation in vitro with anti-CD3 mAbs or infection in vivo with lymphocytic chorio-meningitis virus or Leishmania major. In contrast to Notch1, Notch2 was expressed at intermediate levels on common lymphoid precursors and CD117+ early intrathymic subsets, but disappeared completely at subsequent stages of T cell development. However, transient up-regulation of Notch2 was also observed on peripheral T cells following anti-CD3 stimulation. Collectively our novel mAbs reveal a dynamic regulation of Notch1 and Notch2 surface expression during T cell development and activation. Furthermore they provide an important resource for future analysis of Notch receptors in various tissues including the hematopoietic system.
SLAT/Def6 Plays a Critical Role in the Development of Th17 Cell-Mediated Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis
Authors: Canonigo-Balancio Ann J. , Fos Camille , Prod'homme Thomas , Bécart Stéphane , Altman Amnon 
Published: November 2009

AbstractSWAP-70-like adapter of T cells (SLAT; also known as Def6) is a novel guanine nucleotide exchange factor for Rho GTPases that has been previously shown to play a role in CD4+ T cell activation and Th1/Th2 differentiation. However, the role of SLAT/Def6 in autoimmunity and its associated Th1- and Th17-specific responses has not yet been clearly elucidated. We used a prototypical and pathologically relevant Th1/Th17-mediated autoimmune model, that is, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, to assess the role of SLAT/Def6 in autoantigen-specific T cell response. We found that T cell-expressed SLAT/Def6 was critical for experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis development and pathogenesis, as evidenced by the resistance of Def6-deficient (Def6−/−) mice to clinical signs of the disease associated with a lack of CNS inflammation and demyelination in myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein-immunized Def6−/− mice. Moreover, Def6 deficiency resulted in a severely diminished myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein-specific CD4+ T cell proliferation as well as a defect in IFN-γ and IL-17 production in secondary lymphoid organs and the CNS. Lastly, Def6−/− CD4+ T cells were grossly deficient in their ability to differentiate into Th17 cells both in vitro and in vivo in a T cell-intrinsic manner. Therefore, our study establishes T cell-expressed SLAT/Def6 as a pivotal positive regulator of Th17 inflammatory responses and, thus, essential in controlling autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.
Thermal degradation kinetics of poly(O,O‐diethyl‐O‐allylthiophosphate‐co‐acrylonitrile) in nitrogen
Authors: Ren Yuanlin , Cheng Bowen , Jiang Aibing , Lu Youcai , Xu Ling 
Published: November 2009

AbstractThe nonisothermal degradation kinetics of the copolymer poly(O,O‐diethyl‐O‐allylthiophosphate‐co‐acrylonitrile), which was synthesized with O,O‐diethyl‐O‐allylthiophosphate and acrylonitrile, were studied by thermogravimetry/derivative thermogravimetry techniques. The kinetic parameters, including the activation energy and the pre‐exponential factor of the copolymer degradation process, were calculated by the Kissinger and Flynn–Wall–Ozawa methods. The thermal degradation mechanism of the copolymer was also studied with the Satava–Sestak method. The results show that the activation energies were 138.17 kJ/mol with the Kissinger method and 141.63 kJ/mol with the Flynn–Wall–Ozawa method. The degradation of the copolymer followed a kinetic model of a phase boundary reaction and the kinetic equation could be expressed as G(α) = 1 − (1 − α)4 [where G(α) is the integral function of conversion and α is the extent of conversion of the reactant decomposed at time t]. The reaction order was 4. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Polysulfone‐azo composite membrane: New preparative approach, importance in bactericidal and biofilm inhibition activities
Authors: Yogesh  , Haldar S. , Paul P. , Bhattacharya A. 
Published: November 2009

AbstractThe study in particular relates to a process for modifying surface of polymeric membrane and their biocidal activities. The modification process is based on absorption of 1, 3, phenylene diamine on the asymmetric polysulfone membrane and its diazo reaction. The azo compound (Bismarck brown) is characterized by LC‐mass, uv–vis spectra. The incorporation of azo compound into polysulfone asymmetric membrane is proved by ATR‐FTIR, SEM studies. The decrease in contact angle for modified surface proves the development of hydrophilic character. The modified membrane shows higher biocidal activity (for marine bacteria Vibrio sp.) compared to the virgin polysulfone membrane. The biofilm formation is inhibited for the modified membrane compared to virgin Polysulfone membrane. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Prediction of Hildebrand solubility parameters of acrylate and methacrylate monomers and their mixtures by molecular simulation
Authors: Lewin John L. , Maerzke Katie A. , Schultz Nathan E. , Ross Richard B. , Siepmann J. Ilja 
Published: November 2009

AbstractHildebrand solubility parameters are predicted from molecular simulations using the transferable potentials for phase equilibrium‐united atom (TraPPE‐UA) and Dreiding force fields for the n‐alkyl acrylate and methacrylate esters (n ≤ 10), as well as the 2‐ethylhexyl acrylate, 2‐hydroxyethyl acrylate, isooctyl esters of acrylic acid, and the 2‐hydroxyethyl ester of methacrylic acid. The TraPPE‐UA force field yields very accurate solubility parameters (with a mean unsigned percent error of 2% or 0.2 Hildebrand units), whereas the Dreiding force field overpredicts the solubility parameter in every case examined. Correlations based on the normal boiling point or the refractive index do not yield satisfactory results for this monomer set with the former overestimating the magnitude and the latter yielding the incorrect sign for the decrease in the solubility parameter with chain length. Simulations with the TraPPE‐UA force field yield solubility parameters for binary mixtures of methyl methacrylate with 2‐ethylhexyl or isooctyl acrylate, which are very well described by a linear interpolation using the pure compound cohesive energies and molar volumes, whereas those for mixtures with 2‐hydroxyethyl acrylate or methacrylate small positive deviations due to structural microheterogeneity. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Digital artifacts as quasi‐objects: Qualification, mediation, and materiality
Authors: Ekbia Hamid R. 
Published: November 2009

AbstractDigital artifacts have novel properties that largely derive from the processes that mediate their creation, and that can be best understood by a close examination of such processes. This paper introduces the concept of “quasi‐object” to characterize these objects and elucidate the activities that comprise their mediations. A case study of “bugs” is analyzed to illustrate exemplary activities of justification, qualification, and binding in the process of bug fixing in Free/Open Source Software development. The findings of the case study lead to broader reflections on the character of digital artifacts in general. The relationship of “quasi‐object” to other similar concepts are explored.
Indexing and searching strategies for the Russian language
Authors: Dolamic Ljiljana , Savoy Jacques 
Published: November 2009

AbstractThis paper describes and evaluates various stemming and indexing strategies for the Russian language. We design and evaluate two stemming approaches, a light and a more aggressive one, and compare these stemmers to the Snowball stemmer, to no stemming, and also to a language‐independent approach (n‐gram). To evaluate the suggested stemming strategies we apply various probabilistic information retrieval (IR) models, including the Okapi, the Divergence from Randomness (DFR), a statistical language model (LM), as well as two vector‐space approaches, namely, the classical tf idf scheme and the dtu‐dtn model. We find that the vector‐space dtu‐dtn and the DFR models tend to result in better retrieval effectiveness than the Okapi, LM, or tf idf models, while only the latter two IR approaches result in statistically significant performance differences. Ignoring stemming generally reduces the MAP by more than 50%, and these differences are always significant. When applying an n‐gram approach, performance differences are usually lower than an approach involving stemming. Finally, our light stemmer tends to perform best, although performance differences between the light, aggressive, and Snowball stemmers are not statistically significant.
Nationwide study of early outcomes after incisional hernia repair
Authors: Bisgaard T , Kehlet H , Bay-Nielsen M B , Iversen M G , Wara P , Rosenberg J , Friis-Andersen H F , Jorgensen L N 
Published: November 2009

AbstractBackgroundThere are no nationwide studies on early outcomes after incisional hernia repair.MethodsThis study included all patients aged 18 years or more who had surgery for incisional hernia in Denmark between 1 January 2005 and 31 December 2006, and analysed clinical outcomes within 30 days of surgery. Patients having acute operations and those whose hernia repair was secondary to other procedures were excluded.ResultsOf a total of 2896 incisional hernia repairs (1872 open, 1024 laparoscopic), 2754 (95·1 per cent) were for primary hernia and 142 (4·9 per cent) for recurrence. The median hospital stay was 1 (range 0–88) day (open, 1 day; laparoscopic, 2 days); 10·0 per cent stayed for more than 6 days. Some 11·2 per cent of patients were readmitted (open, 10·1 per cent; laparoscopic, 13·1 per cent). Major complications were observed in 3·5 per cent (open, 2·8 per cent; laparoscopic, 4·8 per cent) with a total morbidity rate of 10·7 per cent (open, 10·1 per cent; laparoscopic, 11·8 per cent). The mortality rate was 0·4 per cent (open, 0·2 per cent; laparoscopic, 0·7 per cent). Morbidity and mortality were not related to surgical volume.ConclusionOutcomes after incisional hernia repair seem unsatisfactory.
Endoscopic lumbar sympathectomy for plantar hyperhidrosis
Authors: Rieger R , Pedevilla S , Pöchlauer S 
Published: November 2009

Abstract

Background
The aim of this study was to evaluate the results of endoscopic lumbar sympathectomy for plantar hyperhidrosis.

Methods
A total of 178 endoscopic resections of the lower sympathetic lumbar trunk were carried out in 90 patients (59 men, 31 women) with severe plantar hyperhidrosis. The clinical results, including morbidity and satisfaction rates, were evaluated. Follow-up examination was carried out for all patients after a mean follow-up of 24 (range 3–45) months.

Results
All procedures were carried out endoscopically. There were no deaths and only three patients had a postoperative complication. All patients had evidence of postoperative sympathetic denervation of the feet. In 87 patients (97 per cent) hyperhidrosis was eliminated, but in three (3 per cent) it recurred. Compensatory sweating occurred in 40 patients (44 per cent), postsympathectomy neuralgia in 38 (42 per cent) and one man suffered temporary loss of ejaculation. A total of 86 patients (96 per cent) were very, or partly, satisfied with the result, and 83 (92 per cent) would have the procedure repeated if required.

Conclusion
Endoscopic lumbar sympathectomy was a safe and effective option for patients with severe plantar hyperhidrosis.
PTQ™ anal implants for the treatment of faecal incontinence
Authors: Bartlett L , Ho Y-H 
Published: November 2009

AbstractBackgroundIn North Queensland demand for conservative faecal incontinence treatments outweighs supply. Injectable bulking agents offer a safe and effective treatment for patients with internal anal sphincter (IAS) dysfunction.MethodsInformation, including age and sex, baseline incontinence score, quality of life, resting and squeeze pressures, was collected for 74 patients (37 men) who received intersphincteric PTQ™ injections. Postimplant satisfaction was assessed at 6-week review. Incontinence scores and satisfaction ratings were determined annually.ResultsAt a median follow-up of 28 months, 52 patients (70 per cent) with IAS dysfunction who received PTQ™ anal implants as a treatment for faecal incontinence were continent and extremely satisfied with the result. The incontinence score in participants who remained incontinent was reduced significantly from 12 of 20 before implant to 3·5 of 20 at follow-up (P &lt; 0·001). Migration rates improved with experience. The poorest results occurred in women with pudendal neuropathy, or patients who had previously received biofeedback treatment.ConclusionImplanted PTQ™ provides an effective solution to faecal incontinence in the short and mid term for patients with IAS dysfunction.