bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex detected by modified fluorescent in situ hybridization in lymph nodes of clinical samples
Authors: Rodriguez-Nuñez Juan , Avelar Francisco J , Marquez Francisco , Rivas-Santiago Bruno , Quiñones Cesar , Guerrero-Barrera Alma L. 
Published: January 2012

Introduction: Lymph node tuberculosis (TB) is the leading cause of extrapulmonary tuberculosis and is the most frequently identified type in Aguascalientes, Mexico. Conventional diagnosis has serious limitations for rapid detection of extrapulmonary tuberculosis in clinical samples. Here PCR and modified FISH have been tested as complementary diagnosis methods for extrapulmonary tuberculosis. Methodology: The specific insertion sequence IS6110 for Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex was used to perform PCR and build DNA and PNA FISH probes (20bp). PCR and modified DNA and PNA FISH assays were performed to evaluate 41 lymph node paraffin-embedded tissue samples, in comparison with the histopathology diagnosis, which was considered the gold standard (22 positive and 19 negative). Results: In comparison with histopathology diagnosis PCR showed 62.5 % sensitivity and 77.8 % specificity (χ2 = 4.583 p < 0.05). Modified DNA FISH showed 71.4% sensitivity and 84.6% specificity (χ2 = 11.21 p < 0.05). PNA FISH showed 66.7% sensitivity and 60.0% specificity (χ2 = 2.93 p > 0.05). Ziehl Neelsen stain was positive in only four cases of 22 lymph node samples positive to histopathology. In contrast, PCR and modified DNA FISH were positive in 20 cases of the same group. The negative cases were coincident in all tests.Conclusions: PCR and DNA FISH showed a significant increase in the number of cases detected and also showed higher sensitivity and specificity compared with data reported by traditional methodology. In developing countries, these techniques could help to complement the early diagnosis and timely treatment of extrapulmonary tuberculosis.
Diagnostic defaulters: an overlooked aspect in the Indian Revised National Tuberculosis Control Program
Authors: Rawat Jagdish , Biswas Debasis , Sindhwani Girish , Kesharwani Vikas , Masih Victor , Chauhan Bhupendra Singh 
Published: January 2012

Introduction: The Revised National Tuberculosis Control Program (RNTCP) aims to achieve detection of 70% of new smear-positive patients in a community and to cure 85% of such patients. Though an elaborate recording and reporting system is in place to monitor the success of the program, no record of patients who do not complete the diagnostic process is currently maintained. The present study, performed in a tertiary care hospital, attempted to estimate the proportion of this group of patients, who were labeled "diagnostic defaulters."Methodology: This prospective observational study was conducted over one year on consecutive patients presenting with cough of more than two weeks' duration. A total of two sputum samples were obtained from each patient, including a spot sample and a morning sample collected on the following day. Zeihl-Neelsen staining, reporting and external quality assessment of smear-microscopy was done per RNTCP guidelines. Results: Of the 2,349 patients recruited, 175 defaulted on the second day. The positivity rates for the spot and morning samples were 18.3% and 18.9%, respectively (p > 0.001). Of the 175 defaulters, 31 were found to be smear-positive, thereby implying that the proportion of diagnostic defaulters was 17.7%. All 21 diagnostic defaulters contacted by telephone were found to be unaware of their smear-positive status.Conclusion: The high proportion of diagnostic defaulters, the majority of whom were unaware of their sputum-positive status, emphasizes the need to recognize the importance of this group of patients to better control tuberculosis.
Assessment of knowledge and practice of private practitioners regarding tuberculosis control in Ethiopia
Authors: Yimer Solomon A , Holm-Hansen Carol , Bjune Gunnar 
Published: January 2012

Introduction: Ethiopia has a growing private health sector. In recent years, the directly observed treatment short course (DOTS) strategy was initiated in selected private health facilities in the country. The objective of the present study was to assess knowledge and practice of private practitioners in tuberculosis (TB) control in Amhara Region, Ethiopia.Methodology: An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 112 private practitioners selected from all private health facilities in the region. The study was conducted between May and August 2008 and data was collected using a semi-structured questionnaire. Group differences were analyzed using the chi-square test.Results: Fifty-nine (52.7%) of the private practitioners suspected TB in patients with three weeks' duration of cough. Only 37 (33.0%) of the private practitioners were able to precisely list the correct treatment regimens for all categories as recommended in the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Program guidelines. The correct frequency of TB treatment monitoring was provided by 44 (50%) of the respondents. Overall 44 (39.3%) of the private practitioners did not have satisfactory knowledge about the directly observed treatment short course (DOTS) strategy. Those who attended DOTS training during the two years prior to the survey were more likely to have satisfactory knowledge compared to those who did not receive training (OR 4.45, 95% CI: 1.33, 14.87, p < 0.02). Conclusion: A significant proportion of private practitioners did not have satisfactory knowledge and practice about DOTS. The provision of regular DOTS refresher courses improves TB management for patients in the region.
Sur la conformité de la foi avec la raison : Leibniz contre Bayle
Authors: Rateau Paul 
Published: January 2012

Résumé En commençant les Essais de Théodicée par un Discours de la conformité de la foi avec la raison , Leibniz montrait que l’enjeu fondamental de sa confrontation avec Bayle était l’unité de la vérité. Pour produire un discours rationnel sur Dieu, ses attributs, sa providence, il était indispensable de répondre à celui qui disqualifiait par avance tout essai de justification de Dieu par la raison, en affirmant son impuissance radicale à établir des vérités solides (dans les sciences mêmes) et son divorce d’avec la foi. L’opposition entre les deux auteurs est révélatrice de deux conceptions distinctes de la raison, de la nature du mystère religieux et de la connaissance que nous pouvons en avoir. Deux interprétations du « triomphe de la foi » apparaissent : l’une qui fait de la soumission à la parole révélée l’acte « raisonnable » du chrétien conséquent (Bayle), l’autre qui n’y voit que le succès de la raison elle-même, triomphant des « apparences » (Leibniz).
IL-21 Promotes the Pathologic Immune Response to Pneumovirus Infection
Authors: Spolski Rosanne , Wang Lu , Wan Chi-Keung , Bonville Cynthia A. , Domachowske Joseph B. , Kim Hyoung-Pyo , Yu Zuxi , Leonard Warren J. 
Published: January 2012

Abstract
IL-21 is a cytokine with pleiotropic actions, promoting terminal differentiation of B cells, increased Ig production, and the development of Th17 and T follicular helper cells. IL-21 is also implicated in the development of autoimmune disease and has antitumor activity. In this study, we investigated the role of IL-21 in host defense to pneumonia virus of mice (PVM), which initiates an infection in mice resembling that of respiratory syncytial virus disease in humans. We found that PVM-infected mice expressed IL-21 in lung CD4+ T cells. Following infection, Il21r−/− mice exhibited less lung infiltration by neutrophils than did wild-type (WT) mice and correspondingly had lower levels of the chemokine CXCL1 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and lung parenchyma. CD8+, CD4+, and γδ T cell numbers were also lower in the lungs of PVM-infected Il21r−/− mice than in infected WT mice, with normal Th17 cytokines but diminished IL-6 production in PVM-infected Il21r−/− mice. Strikingly, Il21r−/− mice had enhanced survival following PVM infection, and moreover, treatment of WT mice with soluble IL-21R-Fc fusion protein enhanced their survival. These data reveal that IL-21 promotes the pathogenic inflammatory effect of PVM and indicate that manipulating IL-21 signaling may represent an immunomodulatory strategy for controlling PVM and potentially other respiratory virus infections.
Conventional Dendritic Cells Require IRAP-Rab14 Endosomes for Efficient Cross-Presentation
Authors: Weimershaus Mirjana , Maschalidi Sophia , Sepulveda Fernando , Manoury Bénédicte , van Endert Peter , Saveanu Loredana 
Published: January 2012

Abstract
Dendritic cells (DCs) use cellular pathways collectively referred to as cross-presentation to stimulate CD8+ T cells with peptide Ags derived from internalized, exogenous Ags. We have recently reported that DCs rely on aminoterminal trimming of cross-presented peptides by insulin-responsive aminopeptidase (IRAP), an enzyme localized in a regulated endosomal storage compartment. Considering a report contending that this role is limited to inflammatory DCs (Segura et al. 2009. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 106: 20377–20381), in this study, we examined the role of IRAP in steady-state DC subpopulations. Steady-state conventional DCs (cDCs) and plasmacytoid DCs expressed similar amounts of IRAP. IRAP colocalized with the endosomal markers Rab14 and syntaxin 6, both known to be associated with regulated endosomal storage compartments, in CD8+ and CD8− cDCs—however, to a greater extent in the former population. Likewise, IRAP recruitment to phagosomes was significantly stronger in CD8+ DCs. IRAP deficiency compromised cross-presentation of soluble and particulate Ag by both CD8+ and CD8− cDCs, again with a stronger effect in the former population. Thus, the requirement of IRAP in cross-presentation extends to steady-state cDCs. Moreover, these data suggest that increased recruitment of an IRAP+/Rab14+ compartment to Ag-containing vesicles contributes to the superior cross-presentation efficacy of CD8+ cDCs.
Alcohol Impairs the Myeloid Proliferative Response to Bacteremia in Mice by Inhibiting the Stem Cell Antigen-1/ERK Pathway
Authors: Melvan John Nicholas , Siggins Robert W. , Stanford William L. , Porretta Connie , Nelson Steve , Bagby Gregory J. , Zhang Ping 
Published: January 2012

Abstract
Enhancement of stem cell Ag-1 (Sca-1) expression by myeloid precursors promotes the granulopoietic response to bacterial infection. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. ERK pathway activation strongly enhances proliferation of hematopoietic progenitor cells. In this study, we investigated the role of Sca-1 in promoting ERK-dependent myeloid lineage proliferation and the effects of alcohol on this process. Thirty minutes after i.p. injection of alcohol, mice received i.v. challenge with 5 × 107 Escherichia coli for 8 or 24 h. A subset of mice received i.v. BrdU injection 20 h after challenge. Bacteremia increased Sca-1 expression, ERK activation, and proliferation of myeloid and granulopoietic precursors. Alcohol administration suppressed this response and impaired granulocyte production. Sca-1 expression positively correlated with ERK activation and cell cycling, but negatively correlated with myeloperoxidase content in granulopoietic precursors. Alcohol intoxication suppressed ERK activation in granulopoietic precursors and proliferation of these cells during bacteremia. Granulopoietic precursors in Sca-1−/− mice failed to activate ERK signaling and could not increase granulomacrophagic CFU activity following bacteremia. These data indicate that Sca-1 expression promotes ERK-dependent myeloid cell proliferation during bacteremia. Suppression of this response could represent an underlying mechanism for developing myelosuppression in alcohol-abusing hosts with severe bacterial infection.
The Living Eye “Disarms” Uncommitted Autoreactive T Cells by Converting Them to Foxp3+ Regulatory Cells following Local Antigen Recognition
Authors: Zhou Ru , Horai Reiko , Silver Phyllis B. , Mattapallil Mary J. , Zárate-Bladés Carlos R. , Chong Wai Po , Chen Jun , Rigden Rachael C. , Villasmil Rafael , Caspi Rachel R. 
Published: January 2012

Abstract
Immune privilege is used by the eye, brain, reproductive organs, and gut to preserve structural and functional integrity in the face of inflammation. The eye is arguably the most vulnerable and, therefore, also the most “privileged” of tissues; paradoxically, it remains subject to destructive autoimmunity. It has been proposed, although never proven in vivo, that the eye can induce T regulatory cells (Tregs) locally. Using Foxp3-GFP reporter mice expressing a retina-specific TCR, we now show that uncommitted T cells rapidly convert in the living eye to Foxp3+ Tregs in a process involving retinal Ag recognition, de novo Foxp3 induction, and proliferation. This takes place within the ocular tissue and is supported by retinoic acid, which is normally present in the eye because of its function in the chemistry of vision. Nonconverted T cells showed evidence of priming but appeared restricted from expressing effector function in the eye. Pre-existing ocular inflammation impeded conversion of uncommitted T cells into Tregs. Importantly, retina-specific T cells primed in vivo before introduction into the eye were resistant to Treg conversion in the ocular environment and, instead, caused severe uveitis. Thus, uncommitted T cells can be disarmed, but immune privilege is unable to protect from uveitogenic T cells that have acquired effector function prior to entering the eye. These findings shed new light on the phenomenon of immune privilege and on its role, as well as its limitations, in actively controlling immune responses in the tissue.
Temporal Predisposition to αβ and γδ T Cell Fates in the Thymus
Authors: Pereira Pablo , Boucontet Laurent , Cumano Ana 
Published: January 2012

AbstractHow T cell progenitors engage into the γδ or αβ T cell lineages is a matter of intense debate. In this study, we analyzed the differentiation potential of single thymocytes from wild-type and TCRγδ-transgenic mice at two sequential early developmental stages. Double-negative (DN) 3 progenitors from both wild-type and transgenic mice retain the capacity to engage into both pathways, indicating that full commitment is only completed after this stage. More importantly, DN2 and DN3 progenitors from TCRγδ transgenic mice have strong biases for opposite fates, indicating that developmentally regulated changes, other than the production of a functional TCR, altered their likelihood to become a γδ or an αβ T cell. Thus, unlike the differentiation in other hematopoietic lineages, T cell progenitors did not restrict, but rather switch their differentiation potential as they developed.
Plac8-Dependent and Inducible NO Synthase-Dependent Mechanisms ClearChlamydia muridarumInfections from the Genital Tract
Authors: Johnson Raymond M. , Kerr Micah S. , Slaven James E. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractChlamydia trachomatis urogenital serovars replicate predominantly in genital tract epithelium. This tissue tropism poses a unique challenge for host defense and vaccine development. Studies utilizing the Chlamydia muridarum mouse model have shown that CD4 T cells are critical for clearing genital tract infections. In vitro studies have shown that CD4 T cells terminate infection by upregulating epithelial inducible NO synthase (iNOS) transcription and NO production. However, this mechanism is not critical, as iNOS-deficient mice clear infections normally. We recently showed that a subset of Chlamydia-specific CD4 T cell clones could terminate replication in epithelial cells using an iNOS-independent mechanism requiring T cell degranulation. We advance that work using microarrays to compare iNOS-dependent and iNOS-independent CD4 T cell clones. Plac8 was differentially expressed by clones having the iNOS-independent mechanism. Plac8-deficient mice had delayed clearance of infection, and Plac8-deficient mice treated with the iNOS inhibitor N-monomethyl-l-arginine were largely unable to resolve genital tract infections over 8 wk. These results demonstrate that there are two independent and redundant T cell mechanisms for clearing C. muridarum genital tract infections: one dependent on iNOS, and the other dependent on Plac8. Although T cell subsets are routinely defined by cytokine profiles, there may be important subdivisions by effector function, in this case CD4Plac8.
Anti–IL-20 Monoclonal Antibody Suppresses Breast Cancer Progression and Bone Osteolysis in Murine Models
Authors: Hsu Yu-Hsiang , Hsing Chung-Hsi , Li Chien-Feng , Chan Chien-Hui , Chang Ming-Chung , Yan Jing-Jou , Chang Ming-Shi 
Published: January 2012

Abstract
IL-20 is a proinflammatory cytokine involved in rheumatoid arthritis, atherosclerosis, and stroke. However, little is known about its role in breast cancer. We explored the function of IL-20 in tumor growth and metastasis, as well as in clinical outcome. Tumor expression of IL-20 was assessed by immunohistochemical staining among 198 patients with invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast, using available clinical and survival data. IL-20 expression was associated with advanced tumor stage, greater tumor metastasis, and worse survival. Reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction showed that clinical breast tumor tissue expressed higher levels of IL-20 and its receptors than did nontumorous breast tissue. IL-20 was also highly expressed in breast cancer bone-metastasis tissue. In vitro, IL-20 upregulated matrix metalloproteinase-9, matrix metalloproteinase-12, cathepsin K, and cathepsin G, and enhanced proliferation and migration of breast cancer cells, which were inhibited by anti–IL-20 mAb 7E. In vivo, we generated murine models to evaluate the therapeutic potential of 7E, using luminescence intensity, radiological scans, and micro-computed tomography. 7E reduced tumor growth, suppressed bone colonization, diminished tumor-mediated osteolysis, and lessened bone density decrement in mice injected with breast cancer cells. In conclusion, our results suggest that IL-20 plays pivotal roles in the tumor progression of breast cancer. IL-20 expression in breast cancer tissue is associated with a poor clinical outcome. Anti–IL-20 mAb 7E suppressed bone colonization and decreased osteolytic bone lesions. Therefore, IL-20 may be a novel target in treating breast tumor-induced osteolysis.
University Funding Systems: Impact on Research and Teaching
Authors: Beath John , Poyago-Theotoky Joanna , Ulph David 
Published: January 2012

Abstract
We address the following question: how does a higher education funding system influence the trade-off that universities make between research and teaching? We do so by constructing a model that allows universities to choose actively the quality of their teaching and research when faced with different funding systems characterised by the pivotal role of the university funding budget constraint. In particular, we derive the feasible sets that face universities under such systems and show how, as the parameters of the system (the research block grant element, the research quality premium and the incentives-triggering quality threshold) are varied, the nature of the university system itself changes. Different ‘cultures’ of the university system emerge such as the ‘research elite’ and the ‘binary divide’.
Ductal Carcinoma of the Prostate: Impact on Survival and Therapeutic Controversies of a Rare Tumor
Authors: Finamanti Marco , Antonelli Alessandro , Contessa Pierangelo , Cunico Sergio Cosciani , Simeone Claudio 
Published: January 2012

Prostate cancer is a disease with a variable clinical course. The possible impact on oncological outcome of non-acinar prostate cancer has not been established yet, especially for ductal adenocarcinoma due to its low frequency, so that its clinical management is not well codified. The disease occurs more often already at an advanced stage of diagnosis, with clinically detectable tumors and advanced pathological stage, partly because of the lack of specific tumor markers, given the poor correlation between PDA and PSA values. In the period between 1997 and 2010 56 patients with PDA on a total of 1265 new diagnoses of cancer were identified, for an overall incidence of 4.5%. 41 patients (75%) had a PDA type II histology, while 15 patients (25%) a PDA type I (pure form). Generally, a surgical treatment was carried out in patients with life expectancy greater than 10/15 years/under 70 years of age, non-metastatic tumors and found to be liable to local resection; radiation therapy was given with 70 Gy in cases with a shorter life expectancy and/or an illness judged unresectable for local extension; hormonal therapy was indicated in all other clinical situations. For all patients, the clinical and pathologic data and follow-ups were re-evaluated. The overall survival and disease-free survival were then analyzed. Given the low incidence of this pathology the relevant literature is poor and therefore the therapeutic approach is not univocal. This paper retrospectively reviews our experience with prostatic ductal adenocarcinoma.
What Does Nietzsche Owe Thucydides?
Authors: Jenkins Scott 
Published: January 2012

ABSTRACT
Thucydides was one of Nietzsche's most important intellectual influences, but the extent of Nietzsche's debt to Thucydides has not been fully grasped. Here I consider the accounts of particular passages of Thucydides's History of the Peloponnesian War that appear in Nietzsche's published writings. I argue that while the views on justice that Nietzsche claims to find in Thucydides differ somewhat from the doctrine of the History, Thucydides's views in moral psychology likely had a significant effect on Nietzsche's accounts of wishful thinking and “idealism” in philosophy. I then show how the virtues of factuality and intellectual courage that Nietzsche ascribes to Thucydides in Twilight of the Idols can be understood through appeal to the psychological theories found in Thucydides's History. I conclude by discussing Nietzsche's virtue epistemology and the ideal of the magnanimous philosopher that appears in the first section of On the Genealogy of Morals.
“Don't Quote Me on That!”: Wilamowitz Contra Nietzsche in 1872 and 1873
Authors: Porter James I. 
Published: January 2012

ABSTRACT
This article examines an oddity that has gone unnoticed since Nietzsche first pointed it out to his friend and confidant Erwin Rohde in 1872—namely, that Wilamowitz, in his attack on The Birth of Tragedy, systematically misquotes Nietzsche. A large number of the quotations from The Birth of Tragedy by Wilamowitz in both installments of Zukunftsphilologie! are pseudo-quotations—whether they are off by a word or more or whether they are a collage of phrases drawn freely from Nietzsche's vocabulary. This essay revisits the debate from the angle of nineteenth-century philology in its relation to textual authority (both primary and secondary). A complete appendix of Wilamowitz's misquotations from The Birth of Tragedy and from Rohde's Afterphilologie lays out, for the first time, this evidence of the practices of the first Nietzschean philologist in history, Wilamowitz himself.
Fabricating Activism:
Authors: Bratich Jack Z. , Brush Heidi M. 
Published: January 2012

ABSTRACT
This article examines the recent resurgence of interest in what we call “fabriculture.” Three dimensions of fabriculture are explored: the gendered spaces of production around new domesticity and the social home; the blurring of old and new media in digital craft culture; and the politics of popular culture that emerge in the mix of folk and commercial culture. Ultimately, we conceptualize craft as power (the ability or capacity to act), as a way of understanding current activist possibilities.