bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A New Look at Immune Privilege of the Eye: Dual Role for the Vision-Related Molecule Retinoic Acid
Authors: Zhou Ru , Horai Reiko , Mattapallil Mary J. , Caspi Rachel R. 
Published: September 2011

Abstract
The eye is an immunologically privileged and profoundly immunosuppressive environment. Early studies reported inhibition of T cell proliferation, IFN-γ production, and generation of regulatory T cells (Tregs) by aqueous humor (AH) and identified TGF-β as a critical factor. However, T cell subsets including Foxp3+ Treg and Th17 were unknown at that time, as was the role of retinoic acid (RA) in Treg induction. Consequently, the effect of the ocular microenvironment on T cell lineage commitment and function, and the role of RA in this process, had not been explored. We now use gene-manipulated mice and highly purified T cell populations to demonstrate that AH suppresses lineage commitment and acquisition of Th1 and Th17 effector function of naive T cells, manifested as reduction of lineage-specific transcription factors and cytokines. Instead, AH promoted its massive conversion to Foxp3+ Tregs that expressed CD25, GITR, CTLA-4, and CD103 and were functionally suppressive. TGF-β and RA were both needed and synergized for Treg conversion by AH, with TGF-β–enhancing T cell expression of RA receptor α. Newly converted Foxp3+ Tregs were unstable, but were stabilized upon continued exposure to AH or by the DNA demethylating agent 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine. In contrast, T cells already committed to effector function were resistant to the suppressive and Treg-inducing effects of AH. We conclude that RA in the eye plays a dual role: in vision and in immune privilege. Nevertheless, primed effector T cells are relatively insensitive to AH, helping to explain their ability to induce uveitis despite an inhibitory ocular microenvironment.
Hodgkin lymphoma: 2011 update on diagnosis, risk‐stratification, and management
Authors: Ansell Stephen M. 
Published: September 2011

AbstractDisease overview:Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) is an uncommon B‐cell lymphoid malignancy affecting 8,500 new patients annually and representing ∼11% of all lymphomas in the United States.Diagnosis:HL is composed of two distinct disease entities; the more commonly diagnosed classical HL and the rare nodular lymphocyte predominant HL. Nodular sclerosis, mixed cellularity, lymphocyte depletion, and lymphocyte‐rich HL are subgroups under the designation of classical HL.Risk stratification:An accurate assessment of the stage of disease in patients with HL is critical for the selection of the appropriate therapy. Prognostic models that identify patients at low or high risk for recurrence are used to optimize therapy for patients with limited or advanced stage disease.Risk‐adapted therapy:Initial therapy for HL patients is based on the histology of the disease, the anatomical stage, and the presence of poor prognostic features. Patients with early stage disease are treated with combined modality strategies using abbreviated courses of combination chemotherapy followed by involved‐field radiation therapy, while those with advanced stage disease receive a longer course of chemotherapy often without radiation therapy.Management of relapsed/refractory disease:High‐dose chemotherapy (HDCT) followed by an autologous stem‐cell transplant (ASCT) is the standard of care for most patients who relapse following initial therapy. For patients who fail HDCT with ASCT, palliative chemotherapy, nonmyeloablative allogeneic transplant, or participation in a clinical trial should be considered. Am. J. Hematol. 86:852–858, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Citric acid used as a crosslinking agent for the grafting of chitosan onto woolen fabric
Authors: Gawish S. M. , Abo El‐Ola S. M. , Ramadan A. M. , Abou El‐Kheir A. A. 
Published: September 2011

AbstractModification of woolen fabrics was done by the grafting of low‐molecular‐weight deacetylated chitosan in the presence of citric acid as a crosslinking agent with the pad–dry cure method at different conditions (times and temperatures). The add‐on of chitosan and the optimum conditions were determined. The improved properties of modified wool by chitosan were evaluated with the urea bisulfite solubility test, crease recovery angle, yellowness index, and scanning electron microscopy. The dyeing properties of modified wool fabrics were studied with acid and reactive dyes. The biocidal activities of the modified and unmodified wool samples were evaluated and compared against some species of microorganisms, including Escherichia coli (Gram negative), Staphylococcus aureus (Gram positive), Candida albicans, and Aspergillus flavus. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Is There an Entrance Complex for the F+NH3 Reaction?
Authors: Feng Hao , Sun Weiguo , Xie Yaoming , Schaefer Henry F. 
Published: September 2011

AbstractChallenges associated with the theoretical and experimental kinetics of the F+NH3→HF+NH2 reaction suggest the need for a more‐precise potential surface. We have investigated the reactants and the products of the reaction, as well as the transition state and two complexes, with rather rigorous ab initio methods. The F••••NH3 complex existing in the entrance valley is predicted to lie 13.7 kcal mol−1 below the reactants. A small classical barrier of 2.0 kcal mol−1 separates this entrance well from products HF+NH2. These results explain the observation by Persky of unprecedented inverse temperature dependence for the F+NH3 rate constants. The strong hydrogen‐bonded complex FH••••NH2 exists in the exit valley, and with a binding energy of 9.9 kcal mol−1 relative to separated products. The vibrational frequencies of all stationary points are predicted with the CCSD(T)/aug‐cc‐pVQZ method.
Assessment of immunization against recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein‐2 (dibotermin alpha) on reproduction and development in rabbits
Authors: Wright David J. , Minck Daniel R. , Nowak John , Warner Garvin , Cukierski Mark 
Published: September 2011

AbstractBACKGROUND: To determine if the fetus was affected by maternal antibodies to BMP‐2, the antibody response and developmental effects in fetuses from does immunized against recombinant human BMP‐2 were evaluated. METHODS: Female New Zealand White rabbits received four intramuscular injections (on premating days 1, 8, 22, and 43 [3 days before mating]) of saline and adjuvant (TiterMax® Gold [control]) or recombinant human BMP‐2 (2 mg/dose) and adjuvant (treated). On GD 29, fetuses were examined, and maternal and fetal anti‐BMP‐2 titer levels and neutralizing activity were assessed. RESULTS: Anti‐BMP‐2 antibodies were detected in 17 of 18 treated does (127 of 151 fetuses), and low levels were detected in 2 of 16 control does (no fetal exposure observed). In general, levels of fetal anti‐BMP‐2 antibodies were similar to those in the does, and pregnancy did not boost the immune response to BMP‐2. There were no effects of immunization or anti‐BMP‐2 antibody titer levels on embryo–fetal viability, fetal weight, or fetal external, visceral, or skeletal development. Only a small number of fetuses (n = 4) displayed detectable neutralizing anti‐BMP‐2 antibodies, but there were no treatment‐related effects in those fetuses. CONCLUSIONS: The lack of embryo–fetal effects may be due to dosage effects of neutralizing anti‐BMP‐2 antibodies, timing of exposure (stage and duration) to neutralizing anti‐BMP‐2 antibodies, and/or redundancy of effects of the various BMPs. Birth Defects Res (Part B) 92:543–552, 2011. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Synthesis of Skeletal Analogues of Saxitoxin Derivatives and Evaluation of Their Inhibitory Activity on Sodium Ion Channels NaV1.4 and NaV1.5
Authors: Shinohara Ryoko , Akimoto Takafumi , Iwamoto Osamu , Hirokawa Takatsugu , Yotsu‐Yamashita Mari , Yamaoka Kaoru , Nagasawa Kazuo 
Published: September 2011

AbstractSkeletal analogues of saxitoxin (STX) that possess a fused‐type tricyclic ring system, designated FD‐STX, were synthesized as candidate sodium ion channel modulators. Three kinds of FD‐STX derivatives4 a–cwith different substitution at C13 were synthesized, and their inhibitory activity on sodium ion channels was examined by means of cell‐based assay. (−)‐FD‐STX (4 a) and (−)‐FD‐dcSTX (4 b), which showed moderate inhibitory activity, were further evaluated by the use of the patch‐clamp method in cells that expressed NaV1.4 (a tetrodotoxin‐sensitive sodium channel subtype) and NaV1.5 (a tetrodotoxin‐resistant sodium channel subtype). These compounds showed moderate inhibitory activity towards NaV1.4, and weaker inhibitory activity towards NaV1.5. Uniquely, however, the inhibition of NaV1.5 by (−)‐FD‐dcSTX (4 b) was “irreversible”.
Pipe Service Age Effect on Chlorine Decay in Drinking‐Water Transmission and Distribution Systems
Authors: Al‐Jasser A. O. 
Published: September 2011

AbstractMaintaining acceptable quality of water transported in the transmission and distribution system requires the chlorination of water beyond the treatment plant. While flowing through pipes, the chlorine concentration decreases for different reasons. Reaction with the pipe material itself and the reaction with both the biofilm and tubercles formed on the pipe wall are known as pipe wall demand. This varies with pipe parameters. The aim of this paper was to assess the impact of the service age of pipes on the chlorine wall decay constant. One hundred and fifty three pipe sections of different sizes and four different pipe materials were collected and tested for their chlorine first‐order wall decay constants. The results showed that pipe service age was an important factor that must not be ignored. For the range of the 55 years of pipe service age used in this study, the change in the wall decay ranged from 8 to 531% of the corresponding values in the recently installed pipes. The effect of service age on the wall decay constants was most evident in steel pipes. Other important findings were reached.
Tailoring Metal–Organic Frameworks for CO2 Capture: The Amino Effect
Authors: Vitillo Jenny G. , Savonnet Marie , Ricchiardi Gabriele , Bordiga Silvia 
Published: September 2011

AbstractCarbon dioxide capture from processes is one of the strategies adopted to decrease anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions. To lower the cost associated with the regeneration of amine‐based scrubber systems, one of the envisaged strategies is the grafting of amines onto high‐surface‐area supports and, in particular, onto metal–organic frameworks (MOFs). In this study, the interaction between CO2 and aliphatic and aromatic amines has been characterized by quantum mechanical methods (MP2), focusing attention both on species already reported in MOFs and on new amine‐based linkers, to inspire the rational synthesis of new high‐capacity MOFs. The calculations highlight binding‐site requisites and indicate that CO2 vibrations are independent of the adsorption energy and monitoring them in probe‐molecule experiments is not a suitable marker of efficient adsorption.
N‐Heterocyclic Carbene‐Catalyzed Oxidative Esterification Reaction of Aldehydes with Alkyl Halides under Aerobic Conditions
Authors: Xin Yang‐Chun , Shi Shi‐Hui , Xie Dong‐Dong , Hui Xin‐Ping , Xu Peng‐Fei 
Published: September 2011

AbstractAn efficient N‐heterocyclic carbene‐catalyzed oxidative esterification reaction of aldehydes with alkyl halides or alkyl 4‐methylbenzenesulfonate is reported. It was worth noting that (1) the configuration of alkyl halides or alkyl 4‐methylbenzenesulfonates was inverted completely, and (2) the presence of oxygen was crucial for this transformation. The reaction proceeded smoothly under mild conditions and various esters were afforded in moderate to good yields. In addition, we have developed an efficient tandem oxidation/esterification reaction of alcohols. This methodology provides a rare example of a reaction of the Breslow intermediate to sp3‐carbon centered electrophiles.
The hypermethylation of the O6‐methylguanine‐DNA methyltransferase gene promoter in gliomas—correlation with array comparative genome hybridization results and IDH1 mutation
Authors: Tuononen Katja , Tynninen Olli , Sarhadi Virinder Kaur , Tyybäkinoja Anne , Lindlöf Mikael , Antikainen Miia , Näpänkangas Juha , Hirvonen Ari , Mäenpää Hanna , Paetau Anders , Knuutila Sakari 
Published: September 2011

AbstractThe use of molecular markers in the diagnostics of gliomas aids histopathological diagnosis and allows their further classification into clinically significant subgroups. The aim of this study was to characterize the methylation pattern of the O6‐methylguanine‐DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) promoter, gene copy number aberrations, and isocitrate dehydrogenase I (IDH1) mutation in gliomas. We studied 51 gliomas (15 oligodendrogliomas, 18 oligoastrocytomas, 3 astrocytomas, and 15 glioblastomas) by pyrosequencing, array comparative genome hybridization (CGH), and immunohistochemistry. MGMT hypermethylation was observed in 100% of oligoastrocytomas, 93% of oligodendrogliomas, and 47% of glioblastomas. The most frequently altered chromosomal regions were deletions of 1p31.1/21.1‐22.2 and 19q13.3qter in oligodendroglial tumors, and losses of 9p21.3, 10q25.3qter, and 10q26.13‐26.2 in glioblastomas. Deletions on 9p and 10q, and gain of 7p were associated with the unmethylated MGMT phenotype, whereas deletion of 19q and oligodendroglial morphology was associated with MGMT hypermethylation. IDH1 mutation showed positive correlation with MGMT hypermethylation and loss of 1p/19q. Our results suggest that MGMT promoter methylation, analyzed by pyrosequencing, is a frequent event in oligodendroglial tumors, and it correlates with IDH1 mutation and 19q loss in gliomas. Pyrosequencing proved a good method for assessing the degree of MGMT methylation in formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded glioma samples. However, further studies are needed to confirm a clinically relevant cut‐off point for MGMT methylation in gliomas. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Different duration of at‐risk mental state associated with neurofunctional abnormalities. A multimodal imaging study
Authors: Smieskova Renata , Allen Paul , Simon Andor , Aston Jacqueline , Bendfeldt Kerstin , Drewe Jürgen , Gruber Kerstin , Gschwandtner Ute , Klarhoefer Markus , Lenz Claudia , Scheffler Klaus , Stieglitz Rolf‐Dieter , Radue Ernst‐Wilhelm , McGuire Philip , Riecher‐Rössler Anita , Borgwardt Stefan J. 
Published: September 2011

AbstractObjectives: Neurofunctional alterations are correlates of vulnerability to psychosis, as well as of the disorder itself. How these abnormalities relate to different probabilities for later transition to psychosis is unclear. We investigated vulnerability‐ versus disease‐related versus resilience biomarkers of psychosis during working memory (WM) processing in individuals with an at‐risk mental state (ARMS). Experimental design: Patients with “first‐episode psychosis” (FEP, n = 21), short‐term ARMS (ARMS‐ST, n = 17), long‐term ARMS (ARMS‐LT, n = 16), and healthy controls (HC, n = 20) were investigated with an n‐back WM task. We examined functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and structural magnetic resonance imaging (sMRI) data in conjunction using biological parametric mapping (BPM) toolbox. Principal observations: There were no differences in accuracy, but the FEP and the ARMS‐ST group had longer reaction times compared with the HC and the ARMS‐LT group. With the 2‐back > 0‐back contrast, we found reduced functional activation in ARMS‐ST and FEP compared with the HC group in parietal and middle frontal regions. Relative to ARMS‐LT individuals, FEP patients showed decreased activation in the bilateral inferior frontal gyrus and insula, and in the left prefrontal cortex. Compared with the ARMS‐LT, the ARMS‐ST subjects showed reduced activation in the right inferior frontal gyrus and insula. Reduced insular and prefrontal activation was associated with gray matter volume reduction in the same area in the ARMS‐LT group. Conclusions: These findings suggest that vulnerability to psychosis was associated with neurofunctional alterations in fronto‐temporo‐parietal networks in a WM task. Neurofunctional differences within the ARMS were related to different duration of the prodromal state and resilience factors. Hum Brain Mapp 33:2281–2294, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The relationship between regional and inter‐regional functional connectivity deficits in schizophrenia
Authors: Zalesky Andrew , Fornito Alex , Egan Gary F. , Pantelis Christos , Bullmore Edward T. 
Published: September 2011

AbstractWhile schizophrenia is frequently characterized as a disorder of disturbed functional connectivity, the causes and pathophysiological origins of such disturbances remain unclear. The aim of this study was to better elucidate the mechanistic causes of abnormal functional connectivity in schizophrenia, measured as the extent of temporal correlation between endogenous fluctuations recorded at anatomically discrete brain regions during resting‐state functional MRI. An approach was developed to perform whole‐brain connectivity mapping at the resolution of individual pairs of voxels, without the need for arbitrary parcellation of the cerebrum. Between‐group connectivity reductions in 12 people diagnosed with schizophrenia and 15 age‐, IQ‐, and gender‐matched healthy volunteers were localized to a distributed network including frontoparietal and occipitoparietal connections. The gray‐matter regions comprising this disturbed network showed evidence of local reductions in both intra‐regional homogeneity (29%–33% reduction) and signal power (40%–60% reduction). The extent to which inter‐regional correlation was reduced between a pair of gray matter regions was found to be strongly correlated with the extent of local decoherence evident within the gray matter regions per se. This suggests measurement of aberrant functional connectivity in schizophrenia is both a measurement of altered coupling between regions as well as a measurement of local decoherence within regions. Hum Brain Mapp, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Chemical Synthesis of Integral Membrane Proteins: Methods and Applications
Authors: Shen Fei , Huang Yi‐Chao , Tang Shan , Chen Yong‐Xiang , Liu Lei 
Published: September 2011

AbstractThe development of efficient chemical methods for total synthesis or semisynthesis of integral membrane proteins is an important challenge at the interface between chemistry and biology. This review outlines the recent advances in the synthesis of integral membrane proteins, with particular focus on the methods for difficult peptide synthesis, purification, and enhancement of peptide solubility under the ligation conditions. The applications of these methods to the synthesis of integral membrane proteins with one or multiple transmembrane domains are also described.
A battery of genotoxicity studies with an allergy vaccine adjuvanted with monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL®) for the treatment of grass pollen allergy
Authors: Reeve Lesley , Baldrick Paul , Hewings Simon , Skinner Murray 
Published: September 2011

ABSTRACTThe allergy vaccine Pollinex® Quattro Grass, developed for the prevention/relief of allergic symptoms caused by grass pollen in adults and children, contains extracts of 12 grass pollens and rye cereal (all chemically modified by glutaraldehyde), adsorbed onto l‐tyrosine with addition of the immunostimulatory adjuvant monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL®). This paper represents the first publication on genetic toxicology data for such a vaccine. An Ames test using five strains of Salmonella typhimurium at concentrations up to 2000 standardized units (SU) per plate in the absence (−) and presence (+) of metabolic activation (rat liver S9) showed negative results, as did treatment − S9 in the mouse lymphoma assay (MLA). However, a reproducible positive response was noted in the MLA + S9, which could not be attributed to extreme culture conditions, but may have been an artefact of the exogenous metabolizing system. Up to 60% false positive results are reported for the MLA with noncarcinogens. Hence, in vivo genotoxicity studies were conducted. These further assessments comprised a rat bone marrow micronucleus test following subcutaneous (s.c.) doses of 10 000, 20 000 or 40 000 SU kg−1 per day for 2 days, and a comet assay in liver and kidney cells from rats treated with Pollinex® Quattro Grass at 20 000 or 40 000 SU kg−1 per day s.c. for 2 days. Plasma analysis showed evidence of systemic antibodies to Pollinex® Quattro Grass immunogens, but the exposure levels could not be quantified. No evidence of genotoxicity was observed in either of the in vivo studies. Overall, the genotoxicity test results supported safe clinical use of Pollinex® Quattro Grass. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Wnt antagonist Wif‐1 interacts with CTGF and inhibits CTGF activity
Authors: Surmann‐Schmitt Cordula , Sasaki Takako , Hattori Takako , Eitzinger Nicole , Schett Georg , von der Mark Klaus , Stock Michael 
Published: September 2011

AbstractWnt inhibitory factor 1 (Wif‐1) is a secreted antagonist of Wnt signalling. We recently demonstrated that this molecule is expressed predominantly in superficial layers of epiphyseal cartilage but also in bone and tendon. Moreover, we showed that Wif‐1 is capable of binding to several cartilage‐related Wnt ligands and interferes with Wnt3a‐dependent Wnt signalling in chondrogenic cells. Here we provide evidence that the biological function of Wif‐1 may not be confined to the modulation of Wnt signalling but appears to include the regulation of other signalling pathways. Thus, we show that Wif‐1 physically binds to connective tissue growth factor (CTGF/CCN2) in vitro, predominantly by interaction with the C‐terminal cysteine knot domain of CTGF. In vivo such an interaction appears also likely since the expression patterns of these two secreted proteins overlap in peripheral zones of epiphyseal cartilage. In chondrocytes CTGF has been shown to induce the expression of cartilage matrix genes such as aggrecan (Acan) and collagen2a1 (Col2a1). In this study we demonstrate that Wif‐1 is capable to interfere with CTGF‐dependent induction of Acan and Col2a1 gene expression in primary murine chondrocytes. Conversely, CTGF does not interfere with Wif‐1‐dependent inhibition of Wnt signalling. These results indicate that Wif‐1 may be a multifunctional modulator of signalling pathways in the cartilage compartment. J. Cell. Physiol. 227: 2207–2216, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Tracking the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus in the Italian region Campania
Authors: Esposito Ciro , Di Spirito Antimo , Cuomo Nunzia , Di Nicuolo Giuseppe , Flaminio Giovanni , Altamura Fabiana , Ambrosino Daniele , Cantalupo Federich , Costa Caterina , Pentimalli Francesca , Tarro Giulio 
Published: September 2011

AbstractA novel swine‐origin influenza A (H1N1) virus affecting humans was detected in April 2009 in Mexico, Canada, and USA. The S‐OIV infection caused a mild to severe febrile respiratory disease throughout the world. Here, we briefly review the main features of influenza A viruses, which caused also other pandemics in the past, and focus in particular on the epidemiology data of the H1N1 influenza in the Italian region Campania, which resulted the most affected by the S‐OIV and the one with more lethal cases. In Campania, the peak of influenza preceded of about 2 weeks the incidence peak at the national level. Moreover, the percentage of H1N1‐positive patients was much higher in the main town Naples, compared to the other Campania provinces. The age group from 7 months to 17 years was the most affected by the H1N1 infection (43.45%), similarly to what reported at the national level. Here, we discuss the possible reasons of the high H1N1 incidence in Campania and the implications that these findings could have on the future prevention campaigns. J. Cell. Physiol. 227: 2813–2817, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.