bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Functional characterization of human Cd33+ And Cd11b+ myeloid-derived suppressor cell subsets induced from peripheral blood mononuclear cells co-cultured with a diverse set of human tumor cell lines
Authors: Lechner Melissa G , Megiel Carolina , Russell Sarah M , Bingham Brigid , Arger Nicholas , Woo Tammy , Epstein Alan L 
Published: June 2011

Abstract

Background
Tumor immune tolerance can derive from the recruitment of suppressor cell populations, including myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC). In cancer patients, MDSC accumulation correlates with increased tumor burden, but the mechanisms of MDSC induction remain poorly understood.

Methods
This study examined the ability of human tumor cell lines to induce MDSC from healthy donor PBMC using in vitro co-culture methods. These human MDSC were then characterized for morphology, phenotype, gene expression, and function.

Results
Of over 100 tumor cell lines examined, 45 generated canonical CD33+HLA-DRlowLineage- MDSC, with high frequency of induction by cervical, ovarian, colorectal, renal cell, and head and neck carcinoma cell lines. CD33+ MDSC could be induced by cancer cell lines from all tumor types with the notable exception of those derived from breast cancer (0/9, regardless of hormone and HER2 status). Upon further examination, these and others with infrequent CD33+ MDSC generation were found to induce a second subset characterized as CD11b+CD33lowHLA-DRlowLineage-. Gene and protein expression, antibody neutralization, and cytokine-induction studies determined that the induction of CD33+ MDSC depended upon over-expression of IL-1β, IL-6, TNFα, VEGF, and GM-CSF, while CD11b+ MDSC induction correlated with over-expression of FLT3L and TGFβ. Morphologically, both CD33+ and CD11b+ MDSC subsets appeared as immature myeloid cells and had significantly up-regulated expression of iNOS, NADPH oxidase, and arginase-1 genes. Furthermore, increased expression of transcription factors HIF1α, STAT3, and C/EBPβ distinguished MDSC from normal counterparts.

Conclusions
These studies demonstrate the universal nature of MDSC induction by human solid tumors and characterize two distinct MDSC subsets: CD33+HLA-DRlowHIF1α+/STAT3+ and CD11b+HLA-DRlowC/EBPβ+, which should enable the development of novel diagnostic and therapeutic reagents for cancer immunotherapy.
When masculinity interferes with women's treatment of HIV infection: a qualitative study about adherence to antiretroviral therapy in Zimbabwe
Authors: Skovdal Morten , Campbell Catherine , Nyamukapa Constance , Gregson Simon 
Published: June 2011

BackgroundSocial constructions of masculinity have been shown to serve as an obstacle to men's access and adherence to antiretroviral therapies (ART). In the light of women's relative lack of power in many aspects of interpersonal relationships with men in many African settings, our objective is to explore how male denial of HIV/AIDS impacts on their female partners' ability to access and adhere to ART.MethodsWe conducted a qualitative case study involving thematic analysis of 37 individual interviews and five focus groups with a total of 53 male and female antiretroviral drug users and 25 healthcare providers in rural eastern Zimbabwe.ResultsRooted in hegemonic notions of masculinity, men saw HIV/AIDS as a threat to their manhood and dignity and exhibited a profound fear of the disease. In the process of denying and avoiding their association with AIDS, many men undermine their wives' efforts to access and adhere to ART. Many women felt unable to disclose their HIV status to their husbands, forcing them to take their medication in secret, and act without a supportive treatment partner, which is widely accepted to be vitally important for adherence success. Some husbands, when discovering that their wives are on ART, deny them permission to take the drugs, or indeed steal the drugs for their own treatment. Men's avoidance of HIV also leave many HIV‐positive women feeling vulnerable to re‐infection as their husbands, in an attempt to demonstrate their manhood, are believed to continue engaging in HIV‐risky behaviours.ConclusionsHegemonic notions of masculinity can interfere with women's adherence to ART. It is important that those concerned with promoting effective treatment services recognise the gender and household dynamics that may prevent some women from successfully adhering to ART, and explore ways to work with both women and men to identify couples‐based strategies to increase adherence to ART
Impact of UGT2B7

His268Tyr
polymorphism on the outcome of adjuvant epirubicin treatment in breast cancer
Authors: Parmar Sumit , Stingl Julia Carolin , Huber-Wechselberger Ariana , Kainz Alexander , Renner Wilfried , Langsenlehner Uwe , Krippl Peter , Brockmöller Jürgen , Haschke-Becher Elisabeth 
Published: June 2011

Abstract
Introduction
Epirubicin is a common adjuvant treatment for breast cancer. It is mainly eliminated after glucuronidation through uridine diphosphate-glucuronosyltransferase 2B7 (UGT2B7). The present study aimed to describe the impact of the UGT2B7
His268Tyr
polymorphism on invasive disease-free survival in breast cancer patients after epirubicin treatment.

Methods
This is a pharmacogenetic study based on samples collected from 745 breast cancer patients of the Austrian Tumor of breast tissue: Incidence, Genetics, and Environmental Risk factors (TIGER) cohort who did not present metastases at baseline. This cohort included 205 women with epirubicin-based combination chemotherapy, 113 patients having received chemotherapy without epirubicin and 427 patients having received no chemotherapy at all. Of the epirubicin-treated subgroup, 120 were subsequently treated with tamoxifen. For all women UGT2B7
His268Tyr
was genotyped. Invasive disease-free survival was assessed using Kaplan-Meier and Cox's proportional hazard regression analysis.

Results
Among the 205 epirubicin-treated patients, carriers of two UGT2B7
268Tyr
alleles had a mean invasive disease-free survival of 8.6 (95% confidence interval (CI) 7.9 to 9.3) years as compared to 7.5 (95% CI 6.9 to 8.0) years in carriers of at least one UGT2B7
268His
allele (adjusted hazard ratio (HR) = 2.64 (95% CI 1.22 to 5.71); P = 0.014). In addition, the impact of the UGT2B7
His268Tyr
polymorphism became even more pronounced in patients subsequently treated with tamoxifen (adjusted HR = 5.22 (95% CI 1.67 to 26.04); P = 0.015) whereas no such difference in invasive disease-free survival was observed in patients not receiving epirubicin.

Conclusions
Breast cancer patients carrying the UGT2B7
268Tyr/Tyr
genotype may benefit most from adjuvant epirubicin-based chemotherapy. These results warrant confirmation in further studies.
Value of arterial blood gas analysis in patients with acute dyspnea: an observational study
Authors: Burri Emanuel , Potocki Mihael , Drexler Beatrice , Schuetz Philipp , Mebazaa Alexandre , Ahlfeld Ulrike , Balmelli Catharina , Heinisch Corinna , Noveanu Markus , Breidthardt Tobias , Schaub Nora , Reichlin Tobias , Mueller Christian 
Published: June 2011

Abstract
Introduction
The diagnostic and prognostic value of arterial blood gas analysis (ABGA) parameters in unselected patients presenting with acute dyspnea to the Emergency Department (ED) is largely unknown.

Methods
We performed a post-hoc analysis of two different prospective studies to investigate the diagnostic and prognostic value of ABGA parameters in patients presenting to the ED with acute dyspnea.

Results
We enrolled 530 patients (median age 74 years). ABGA parameters were neither useful to distinguish between patients with pulmonary disorders and other causes of dyspnea nor to identify specific disorders responsible for dyspnea. Only in patients with hyperventilation from anxiety disorder, the diagnostic accuracy of pH and hypoxemia rendered valuable with an area under the receiver operating characteristics curve (AUC) of 0.86. Patients in the lowest pH tertile more often required admission to intensive care unit (28% vs 12% in the first tertile, P < 0.001) and had higher in-hospital (14% vs 5%, P = 0.003) and 30-day mortality (17% vs 7%, P = 0.002). Cumulative mortality rate was higher in the first (37%), than in the second (28%), and the third tertile (23%, P = 0.005) during 12 months follow-up. pH at presentation was an independent predictor of 12-month mortality in multivariable Cox proportional hazard analysis both for patients with pulmonary (P = 0.043) and non-pulmonary disorders (P = 0.038).

Conclusions
ABGA parameters provide limited diagnostic value in patients with acute dyspnea, but pH is an independent predictor of 12 months mortality.
Average of the mean curvature integral in complex space forms
Authors: Abardia Judit 
Published: June 2011

Abstract
In real space forms, given a regular hypersurface S, it is known that the integral over the space of s-planes of the mean curvature integral of intersections with S is a multiple of the mean curvature integral of S. We study the corresponding expression in a complex space form. The role of the s-planes is played by the complex s-planes. We prove that the same property does not hold but another term appears. We express this term as the integral of the normal curvature in the direction obtained from applying the complex structure to the normal direction. As an application, we give the measure of the set of complex lines meeting a compact domain in a complex space form, and we characterize the reproductive continuous invariant valuations of degree 2n – 2 in the standard Hermitian space.
Visible shorelines for unions of islands
Authors: Breen Marilyn 
Published: June 2011

Abstract
For positive integers m and n, let S
1, . . . , Sn
be nonempty sets, each having a subset of at most m labeled points, and let P be a nonempty set. Assume that a subset of each point p of P is associated with some (visibility) subset V(p) of S
1 ∪ ⋯ ∪ Sn
. We ask the following question, motivated by a result of Valentine: When will there exist a set of labeled points s
1, . . . , sn
, si
in Si
, 1 ≤ i ≤ n, such that each V(p) set contains at least one of the si
points? Three results are given here. The first concerns the case for general Si
sets. The second concerns the case in which the Si
sets are simple arcs and V(p) ∩ Si
is connected for each p and each i. The third result interprets the Si
sets as compact, convex islands in the plane and interprets the V(p) sets as visible shorelines of Si
∪ ⋯ ∪ Sn
.
Finite semifields with a large nucleus and higher secant varieties to Segre varieties
Authors: Lavrauw Michel 
Published: June 2011

Abstract
In [Ball, Ebert, Lavrauw, J. Algebra 311: 117–129, 2007] a geometric construction was given of a finite semifield from a certain configuration of two subspaces with respect to a Desarguesian spread in a finite-dimensional vector space over a finite field. Moreover, it was proved that any finite semifield can be obtained in this way. In [Lavrauw, Finite Fields Appl. 14: 897–910, 2008] we proved that the configuration needed for the geometric construction given in [Ball, Ebert, Lavrauw, J. Algebra 311: 117–129, 2007] for finite semifields is equivalent with an (n – 1)-dimensional subspace skew to a determinantal hypersurface in PG(n
2 – 1, q), and provided an answer to the isotopism problem in [Ball, Ebert, Lavrauw, J. Algebra 311: 117–129, 2007]. In this paper we give a generalisation of the BEL-construction using linear sets, and then concentrate on this configuration and the isotopism problem for semifields with nuclei that are larger than its centre.
Sequence elements outside the catalytic core of natural hairpin ribozymes modulate the reactions differentially
Authors: Bajaj Preeti , Steger Gerhard , Hammann Christian 
Published: June 2011

AbstractHairpin ribozymes occur naturally only in the satellite RNAs of tobacco ringspot virus (TRsV), chicory yellow mottle virus (CYMoV) and arabis mosaic virus (ArMV). The catalytic centre of the predominantly studied sTRsV hairpin ribozyme, and of sArMV is organised around a four-way helical junction. We show here that sCYMoV features a five-way helical junction instead. Mutational analysis indicates that the fifth stem does not influence kinetic parameters of the sCYMoV hairpin ribozymein vitroreactions, and therefore seems an appendix to that junction in the other ribozymes. We report further that all three ribozymes feature a three-way helical junction outside the catalytic core in stem A, with Watson-Crick complementarity to loop nucleotides in stem B. Kinetic analyses of cleavage and ligation reactions of several variants of the sTRsV and sCYMoV hairpin ribozymesin vitroshow that the presence of this junction interferes with their reactions, particularly the ligation. We provide evidence that this is not due to a presumed interaction of the afore-mentioned elements in stems A and B. The evolutionary survival of thiscis-inhibiting element seems rather to be caused by the coincidence of its position with that of the hammerhead ribozyme in the other RNA polarity.
Electrical and dielectric sensitivities to thermal processes in carbon nanofiber/high-density polyethylene composites
Authors: Liu Tian , Wood Weston , Li Bin , Lively Brooks , Zhong Wei-Hong 
Published: June 2011

AbstractOwing to the huge interface region existing in a polymer nanocomposite, the effects of thermal processes on properties of nanocomposites are much more complicated than in a pure polymer. It is therefore important to determine the effects of thermal processes on nanocomposites with different interfacial interactions between the nanofillers and the polymer matrix. It is also important to explore the performance changes for nanocomposites under elevated temperatures over pure polymers. In this investigation, we examined the correlation of thermal treatment with dielectric properties of carbon nanofiber (CNF) reinforced high-density polyethylene nanocomposites. The thermal treatment of specimens was conducted for up to 120 h at 87°C and 127°C. Then, alternating current (AC) conductivity and dielectric properties were tested after definite intervals of time. Their changing rates over treatment time were analyzed. The results revealed the approximate linear relationships of AC conductivity and dielectric constant vs. heating time. Modified CNF reinforced nanocomposites had less influence by the heating treatments exhibiting better thermal resistance. The change rates of AC conductivity σ and dielectric properties have higher sensitivity to the treatment at a higher temperature. This study provides potential for further research on application of electrical and dielectric signals to detect the effects of heating process on lifetime of polymeric materials.
Increase of bending strength and maximum deflection of concrete reinforced with CFRP strips
Authors: Ben Goichi , Sakata Kazuhiro , Saito Kazuma 
Published: June 2011

AbstractIn 1981, many detached houses collapsed owing to the earthquake which took place at the coast of Miyagi Prefecture in Japan, because ferroconcrete was not used as the base of most of the collapsed houses. Therefore, the earthquake-proof design criterion was revised and it was obliged to use ferroconcrete as the base of detached houses ever since. However, there are still more than 10 million detached houses using aged concrete as the base in Japan. In this paper, a reinforcement method for the aged concrete is demonstrated by using the high performance carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) strips. Three kinds of concrete beams reinforced with the CFRP strips with different vertical insert positions and different numbers of the CFRP strips were tested by a four point bending test method. In order to clarify the effects of CFRP strips, a concrete beam without reinforcement was also tested. The results of the experiment showed that the maximum deflections of the concrete beams reinforced with the CFRP strip were more than 100 times larger than those of the concrete beams without reinforcement. Although the concrete beams without the CFRP strips collapsed instantly, the concrete beams reinforced with the CFRP strips gradually failed, which were similar to the plastic behavior of metals. This result means that the residents can afford to escape safely from the houses in the event of possible earthquakes. The experimental results were compared with the analytical ones obtained from the composite beam theory and the failure criterion. Both results showed good agreement and the effectiveness of base concrete reinforced with CFRP strips was demonstrated.
Heterozygous Inactivation of the Na/Ca Exchanger Increases Glucose-Induced Insulin Release, β-Cell Proliferation, and Mass
Authors: Nguidjoe Evrard , Sokolow Sophie , Bigabwa Serge , Pachera Nathalie , D'Amico Eva , Allagnat Florent , Vanderwinden Jean-Marie , Sener Abdullah , Manto Mario , Depreter Marianne , Mast Jan , Joanny Geraldine , Montanya Eduard , Rahier Jacques , Cardozo Alessandra K. , Eizirik Décio L. , Schurmans Stéphane , Herchuelz André 
Published: June 2011

OBJECTIVE
We have previously shown that overexpression of the Na-Ca exchanger (NCX1), a protein responsible for Ca2+ extrusion from cells, increases β-cell programmed cell death (apoptosis) and reduces β-cell proliferation. To further characterize the role of NCX1 in β-cells under in vivo conditions, we developed and characterized mice deficient for NCX1.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
Biologic and morphologic methods (Ca2+ imaging, Ca2+ uptake, glucose metabolism, insulin release, and point counting morphometry) were used to assess β-cell function in vitro. Blood glucose and insulin levels were measured to assess glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity in vivo. Islets were transplanted under the kidney capsule to assess their performance to revert diabetes in alloxan-diabetic mice.

RESULTS
Heterozygous inactivation of Ncx1 in mice induced an increase in glucose-induced insulin release, with a major enhancement of its first and second phase. This was paralleled by an increase in β-cell proliferation and mass. The mutation also increased β-cell insulin content, proinsulin immunostaining, glucose-induced Ca2+ uptake, and β-cell resistance to hypoxia. In addition, Ncx1+/− islets showed a two- to four-times higher rate of diabetes cure than Ncx1+/+ islets when transplanted into diabetic animals.

CONCLUSIONS
Downregulation of the Na/Ca exchanger leads to an increase in β-cell function, proliferation, mass, and resistance to physiologic stress, namely to various changes in β-cell function that are opposite to the major abnormalities seen in type 2 diabetes. This provides a unique model for the prevention and treatment of β-cell dysfunction in type 2 diabetes and after islet transplantation.
Peripheral and Islet Interleukin-17 Pathway Activation Characterizes Human Autoimmune Diabetes and Promotes Cytokine-Mediated β-Cell Death
Authors: Arif Sefina , Moore Fabrice , Marks Katherine , Bouckenooghe Thomas , Dayan Colin M. , Planas Raquel , Vives-Pi Marta , Powrie Jake , Tree Timothy , Marchetti Piero , Huang Guo Cai , Gurzov Esteban N. , Pujol-Borrell Ricardo , Eizirik Decio L. , Peakman Mark 
Published: June 2011

OBJECTIVE
CD4 T-cells secreting interleukin (IL)-17 are implicated in several human autoimmune diseases, but their role in type 1 diabetes has not been defined. To address the relevance of such cells, we examined IL-17 secretion in response to β-cell autoantigens, IL-17A gene expression in islets, and the potential functional consequences of IL-17 release for β-cells.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
Peripheral blood CD4 T-cell responses to β-cell autoantigens (proinsulin, insulinoma-associated protein, and GAD65 peptides) were measured by IL-17 enzyme-linked immunospot assay in patients with new-onset type 1 diabetes (n = 50). mRNA expression of IL-17A and IFNG pathway genes was studied by qRT-PCR using islets obtained from subjects who died 5 days and 10 years after diagnosis of disease, respectively, and from matched control subjects. IL-17 effects on the function of human islets, rat β-cells, and the rat insulinoma cell line INS-1E were examined.

RESULTS
A total of 27 patients (54%) showed IL-17 reactivity to one or more β-cell peptides versus 3 of 30 (10%) control subjects (P = 0.0001). In a single case examined close to diagnosis, islet expression of IL17A, RORC, and IL22 was detected. It is noteworthy that we show that IL-17 mediates significant and reproducible enhancement of IL-1β/interferon (IFN)-γ–induced and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α/IFN-γ–induced apoptosis in human islets, rat β-cells, and INS-1E cells, in association with significant upregulation of β-cell IL17RA expression via activation of the transcription factors STAT1 and nuclear factor (NF)-κB.

CONCLUSIONS
Circulating IL-17+ β-cell–specific autoreactive CD4 T-cells are a feature of type 1 diabetes diagnosis. We disclose a novel pathway to β-cell death involving IL-17 and STAT1 and NF-κB, rendering this cytokine a novel disease biomarker and potential therapeutic target.
Fetal pads as a clue to the diagnosis of Pitt–Hopkins syndrome
Authors: Lehalle Daphne , Williams Charles , Siu Victoria Mok , Clayton‐Smith Jill 
Published: June 2011

AbstractPitt–Hopkins syndrome (PHS) is characterized by severe mental retardation, characteristic facial features including a wide mouth and intermittent overbreathing. It is due to abnormalities of the TCF4 gene at 18q21.1 and over 50 cases have now been reported in the literature. The clinical features overlap significantly with those of Angelman, Rett, and Mowat–Wilson syndromes. We have observed prominent fetal pads as a feature in several individuals with PHS and suggested that this is a useful clinical sign which helps to distinguish PHS from other conditions in the differential diagnosis and may guide genetic testing. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Partial trisomy 8 mosaicism due to a pseudoisodicentric chromosome 8
Authors: Leon Eyby , Jamal Seema M. , Zou Ying S. , Milunsky Jeff M. 
Published: June 2011

AbstractChromosome 8 is the largest autosome in which mosaic trisomy is compatible with life. Constitutional trisomy 8 (T8) is estimated to occur in approximately 0.1% of all recognized pregnancies. The estimated frequency of trisomy 8 mosaicism (T8M), also known as Warkany syndrome, is about 1/25,000 to 50,000 liveborns, and is found to be more prevalent in males than females, 5:1. T8M is known to demonstrate extreme clinical variability affecting multiple systems including central nervous, ocular, cardiac, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, and musculoskeletal. There appears to be little correlation between the level of mosaicism and the extent of the clinical phenotype. Additionally, the exact mechanism that causes the severity of phenotype in patients with T8M remains unknown. We report on a mildly dysmorphic male patient with partial low‐level T8M due to a pseudoisodicentric chromosome 8 with normal 6.0 SNP microarray and high resolution chromosome analyses in lymphocytes. The aneuploidy was detected in fibroblasts and confirmed by FISH in lymphocytes. This report elaborates further the clinical variability seen in trisomy 8 mosaicism. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.