bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Monocytic Thrombomodulin Triggers LPS- and Gram-Negative Bacteria-Induced Inflammatory Response
Authors: Ma Chih-Yuan , Shi Guey-Yueh , Shi Chung-Sheng , Kao Yuan-Chung , Lin Shu-Wha , Wu Hua-Lin 
Published: May 2012

AbstractSepsis results from the host hyperinflammatory response to bacterial infection, causing multiple organ failure and high mortality. We previously demonstrated that LPS binds to monocytic membrane-bound thrombomodulin (TM), but the role of monocytic TM in LPS-induced inflammation remains unknown. In this study, we demonstrated that TM knockdown in human monocytic cells attenuated LPS-induced signaling pathways and cytokine production. Coimmunoprecipitation and immunofluorescence assays showed that monocytic TM interacted with the LPS receptors, CD14 and TLR4/myeloid differentiation factor-2 (MD-2) complex, indicating that it binds to LPS and triggers an LPS-induced inflammatory response by interacting with the CD14/TLR4/MD-2 complex. We also found that monocytic TM knockdown reduced cytokine production induced by Gram-negative bacteria Klebsiella pneumoniae, suggesting that monocytic TM plays an important role in Gram-negative bacteria-induced inflammation. To further investigate the function of monocytic TM in vivo, myeloid-specific TM-deficient mice were established and were found to display improved survival that resulted from the attenuation of septic syndrome, including reduced systemic inflammatory response and resistance to bacterial dissemination, after K. pneumoniae infection or cecal ligation and puncture surgery. The inhibition of bacterial dissemination in mice with a deficiency of myeloid TM may be caused by the early increase in neutrophil infiltration. Therefore, we conclude that monocytic TM is a novel component in the CD14/TLR4/MD-2 complex and participates in the LPS- and Gram-negative bacteria-induced inflammatory response.
High DGK-α and Disabled MAPK Pathways Cause Dysfunction of Human Tumor-Infiltrating CD8+ T Cells That Is Reversible by Pharmacologic Intervention
Authors: Prinz Petra U. , Mendler Anna N. , Masouris Ilias , Durner Leopold , Oberneder Ralph , Noessner Elfriede 
Published: May 2012

Abstract
CD8+ tumor-infiltrating T cells (CD8-TILs) are found in many types of tumors including human renal cell carcinoma. However, tumor rejection rarely occurs, suggesting limited functional activity in the tumor microenvironment. In this study, we document that CD8-TILs are unresponsive to CD3 stimulation, showing neither lytic activity, nor lytic granule exocytosis, nor IFN-γ production. Mechanistically, no deficits in TCR proximal signaling molecules (lymphocyte-specific protein tyrosine kinase, phospholipase Cγ) were identified. In contrast, distal TCR signaling was suppressed, as T cells of TILs showed strongly reduced steady-state phosphorylation of the MAPK ERK and were unable to increase phosphorylation of ERK and JNK as well as AKT and AKT client proteins (IκB, GSK3) after stimulation. These deficits were tumor-specific as they were not observed in CD8+ T cells infiltrating non-tumor kidney areas (CD8+ non-tumor kidney-infiltrating lymphocytes; CD8-NILs). Diacylglycerol kinase-α (DGK-α) was more highly expressed in CD8-TILs compared with that in CD8-NILs, and its inhibition improved ERK phosphorylation and lytic granule exocytosis. Cultivation of TILs in low-dose IL-2 reduced DGK-α protein levels, increased steady-state phosphorylation of ERK, improved stimulation-induced phosphorylation of ERK and AKT, and allowed more CD8-TILs to degranulate and to produce IFN-γ. Additionally, the protein level of the AKT client molecule p27kip, an inhibitory cell cycle protein, was reduced, whereas cyclin E, which promotes G1–S phase transition, was increased. These results indicate that the tumor-inflicted deficits of TILs are reversible. DGK-α inhibition and provision of IL-2 signals could be strategies to recruit the natural CD8+ T cells to the anti-tumor response and may help prevent inactivation of adoptively transferred T cells thereby improving therapeutic efficacy.
Economic evaluation of high welfare indoor farrowing systems for pigs
Authors: Guy JH , Cain PJ , Seddon YM , Baxter EM , Edwards SA 
Published: May 2012

AbstractNew livestock housing systems designed to improve animal welfare will only see large-scale commercial adoption if they improve profitability, or are at least cost neutral to the farm business. Economic evaluation of new system developments is therefore essential to determine their effect on cost of production and hence the extent of any market premium necessary to stimulate adoption. This paper describes such an evaluation in relation to high welfare farrowing systems for sows where any potential system needs to reconcile the behavioural needs of the sow with piglet survivability, acceptable capital and running costs, farm practicality and ease of management. In the Defra-sponsored PigSAFE project, a new farrowing system has been developed which comprises a loose, straw-bedded pen with embedded design features which promote piglet survival. Data on this and four other farrowing systems (new systems: 360° Farrower and a Danish pen; existing systems: crate and outdoor paddock) were used to populate a model of production cost taking account of both capital and running costs (feed, labour, bedding etc). Assuming equitable pig performance across all indoor farrowing systems, the model estimated a higher production cost for non-crate systems by 1.6, 1.7 and 3.5%, respectively, for 360° Farrower, Danish and PigSAFE systems on a per-sow basis. The outdoor production system had the lowest production cost. An online survey of pig producers confirmed that, whilst some producers would consider installing a non-crate system, the majority of producers remain cautious about considering alternatives to the farrowing crate. If pig performance in alternative indoor systems could be improved from the crate baseline (eg through reduced piglet mortality, improved weaning weight or sow re-breeding), then the differential cost of production could be reduced. Indeed, with further innovation by pig producers, management of alternative farrowing systems may evolve to a point where there can be improvements in both welfare and pig production. However, larger data sets of alternative systems on commercial farms will be needed to explore fully the welfare/production interface before such a relationship can be confirmed for those pig producers who will be replacing their units in the next ten years.
Non-economic incentives to improve animal welfare: positive competition as a driver for change among owners of draught and pack animals in India
Authors: Pritchard JC , van Dijk L , Ali M , Pradhan SK 
Published: May 2012

AbstractSince 2005, owners of draught and pack horses, mules and donkeys in nine districts of Uttar Pradesh, India, have received support from a UK-based charity, the Brooke. One thousand, three hundred and ninety-six village-level groups of owners and carers, responsible for 29,500 animals, were facilitated to develop their own welfare assessment protocols using a participatory learning and action process adapted from recognised good practice in human social development. Each group assessed the welfare of their animals collectively, using findings to generate action plans for improving equine health, husbandry and working practices. Welfare assessments were repeated at 1 to 3 month intervals. Competitiveness between participants to improve their animals’ welfare acted as a driver to increase the number of indicators and sensitivity of rating scales, enabling differentiation of small, incremental improvements in order to identify a ‘winner’ of each welfare assessment. Binary or three-point ‘traffic light’ (red-amber-green) scales evolved into a range of 5-, 10-, 20-point or continuous scales, then into multi-level and weighted measures to quantify the welfare improvements seen. Efforts to aggregate multi-dimensional indicators into a single ‘winning’ score led to indices describing welfare at individual animal level (‘welfare index’) and population level (‘village index’). Benefits of owner-driven monitoring include high levels of commitment and strong peer motivation or pressure to take action. Welfare monitoring and action to improve welfare are integrated within a single process carried out by the same people, in contrast to the separation of evaluation and implementation of welfare improvement seen in inspection or accreditation schemes. Challenges include aggregation of results from a variety of protocols for external analysis, reporting or certification.
Foot disorders in dairy cattle: impact on cow and dairy farmer
Authors: Bruijnis MRN , Beerda B , Hogeveen H , Stassen EN 
Published: May 2012

AbstractThis paper considers the economic consequences and the welfare impact of foot disorders in dairy cattle and the association between them, taking into account clinical and subclinical foot disorders. In dairy farming with cubicle housing and concrete floors, foot disorders are a major welfare problem with serious economic consequences. On average, foot disorders cost €53 per cow per year, of which indirect cost factors are the main cause. Subclinical foot disorders, which are the foot disorders not recognised by dairy farmers, account for 50% of the total welfare impact and 32% of the total costs. The consequences of foot disorders can be difficult to observe and more insight into these consequences is helpful in stimulating actions to improve dairy cow foot health. Digital dermatitis (DD), an infectious foot disorder, is the most serious foot disorder from both an economic and welfare perspective. The correlation between economics and animal welfare impact suggests that reducing the problem of foot disorders from an economic perspective will positively influence the welfare of dairy cows. Insight into economic and welfare consequences of the different foot disorders, including the association between them, can help make dairy farmers more aware and help with decision-making regarding measures to improve dairy cow foot health.
Interactions between profit and welfare on extensive sheep farms
Authors: Stott AW , Ahmadi B Vosough , Dwyer CM , Kupiec B , Morgan-Davies C , Milne CE , Ringrose S , Goddard P , Phillips K , Waterhouse A 
Published: May 2012

AbstractExtensive sheep farming systems make an important contribution to socio-economic well-being and the ‘ecosystem services’ that flow from large areas of the UK and elsewhere. They are therefore subject to much policy intervention. However, the animal welfare implications of such interventions and their economic drivers are rarely considered. Under Defra project AW1024 (a further study to assess the interaction between economics, husbandry and animal welfare in large, extensively managed sheep flocks) we therefore assessed the interaction between profit and animal welfare on extensive sheep farms. A detailed inventory of resources, resource deployment and technical performance was constructed for 20 commercial extensive sheep farms in Great Britain (equal numbers from the Scottish Highlands, Cumbria, Peak District and mid-Wales). Farms were drawn from focus groups in these regions where participative research with farmers added further information. These data were summarised and presented to a panel of 12 experts for welfare assessment. We used two welfare assessment methods one drawn from animal welfare science (‘needs’ based) the other from management science (Service Quality Modelling). The methods gave complementary results. The inventory data were also used to build a linear programme (LP) model of sheep, labour and feed-resource management month-by-month on each farm throughout the farming year. By setting the LP to adjust farm management to maximise gross margin under each farm's circumstances we had an objective way to explore resource allocations, their constraints and welfare implications under alternative policy response scenarios. Regression of indicators of extensification (labour per ewe, in-bye land per ewe, hill area per ewe and lambs weaned per ewe) on overall welfare score explained 0.66 of variation with labour and lambs weaned per ewe both positive coefficients. Neither gross margin nor flock size were correlated with welfare score. Gross margin was also uncorrelated with these indicators of extensification with the exception of labour/ewe, which was negatively correlated with flock size and hence with gross margin. These results suggest animal welfare is best served by reduced extensification while greater profits are found in flock expansion with reduced labour input per ewe and no increase in other inputs or in productivity. Such potential conflicts should be considered as policy adjusts to meet the requirements for sustainable land use in the hills and uplands.
Designing animal welfare policies and monitoring progress
Authors: Keeling LJ , Immink V , Hubbard C , Garrod G , Edwards SA , Ingenbleek P 
Published: May 2012

AbstractA single solution to promote higher animal welfare across the whole EU is unlikely due to significant regional differences and because what is most appropriate for each region depends on many factors. Based on analyses of eight member and candidate EU countries, this paper provides a conceptual framework, an ‘animal welfare roadmap’, which can be used to assess the stage of maturity of a country in farm animal welfare policy development and identify appropriate policy instruments and indicators to monitor progress towards higher animal welfare. The ‘roadmap’ consists of five sequential stages: increasing compliance with legislation; raising awareness; product development; mainstreaming; and integration of animal welfare with other issues. For each stage, specific policy instruments are identified alongside the category of stakeholders most likely to be influential in the implementation of each instrument. The policy instruments used to achieve these stages are those used by government departments/agencies, private enterprises, academic bodies or non-governmental organisations who formulate standards for animal welfare. These are supported by indicators best suited to document their effectiveness. Although we have emphasised how different situations and contexts within the EU mean that there is no single optimal policy instrument for the EU as a whole, but rather appropriate policy instruments should be selected according to the stage of development of a country or sector, we do propose a harmonised choice of indicators to allow benchmarking of changes at the EU level with regard to progress towards animal welfare.
Ionic Liquid‐Promoted Oxidant‐Free Dehydrogenation of Alcohols with Water‐Soluble Ruthenium Nanoparticles in Aqueous Phase
Authors: Feng Bo , Chen Chen , Yang Hanmin , Zhao Xiuge , Hua Li , Yu Yinyin , Cao Ting , Shi Yu , Hou Zhenshan 
Published: May 2012

AbstractAn oxidant‐free dehydrogenation of alcohols in the aqueous phase was developed for the first time using water‐soluble poly(N‐vinyl‐2‐pyrrolidone) (PVP)‐stabilized ruthenium nanoparticles with an ionic liquid as a promoter. The present catalytic system was highly efficient and stable for the catalytic dehydrogenation of various alcohols. It was found that the basic ionic liquid 1‐n‐butyl‐2,3‐dimethylimidazolium acetate ([BMMIM] OAc) additive played a crucial role in enhancing the catalytic activity and stability of ruthenium(0) nanoparticles. A reaction kinetics study and 1H NMR analysis demonstrated that the basic ionic liquid and ruthenium nanoparticles exerted a synergetic effect for the dehydrogenation reaction.
Catalytic Asymmetric Synthesis of Functionalized α,α‐Disubstituted α‐Amino Acid Derivatives from Racemic Unprotected α‐Amino Acids via in‐situ Generated Azlactones
Authors: Weber Manuel , Frey Wolfgang , Peters René 
Published: May 2012

AbstractMasked and activated highly enantioenriched α,α‐disubstituted α‐amino acids with an additional adjacent stereocenter were formed by a tandem reaction involving five steps using racemic unprotected amino acid substrates. Key step is the 1,4‐addition of in‐situ generated azlactones to a broad number of enones. The products of this step‐economic route can, e.g., be useful for a divergent and rapid access to biologically interesting unnatural glutamic acid derivatives.
RETRACTED: 5‐Lipoxygenase gene transfer worsens memory, amyloid, and tau brain pathologies in a mouse model of alzheimer disease
Authors: Chu Jin , Giannopoulos Phillip F. , Ceballos‐Diaz Carolina , Golde Todd E. , Praticò Domenico 
Published: May 2012

AbstractObjective:The 5‐lipoxygenase (5LO) enzyme is upregulated in Alzheimer disease (AD), and its genetic absence reduces Aβ levels in APP mice. However, its functional role in modulating tau neuropathology remains to be elucidated.Methods:To this end, we generated triple transgenic mice (3xTg‐AD) overexpressing neuronal 5LO and investigated their phenotype.Results:Compared with controls, 3xTg‐AD mice overexpressing 5LO manifested an exacerbation of memory deficits, plaques, and tangle pathologies. The elevation in Aβ was secondary to an upregulation of γ‐secretase pathway, whereas tau hyperphosphorylation resulted from an activation of the Cdk5 kinase. In vitro study confirmed the involvement of this kinase in the 5LO‐dependent tau phosphorylation, which was independent of the effect on Aβ.Interpretation:Our findings highlight the novel functional role that neuronal 5LO plays in exacerbating AD‐related tau pathologies. They provide critical preclinical evidence to justify testing selective 5LO inhibitors for AD treatment.ANN NEUROL 2012;72:442–454.
Morphology and thermal/mechanical properties of alkyl‐imidazolium‐treated rectorite/epoxy nanocomposites
Authors: Hou Linxi , Liu Yan 
Published: May 2012

AbstractA novel organic rectorite (OREC) was prepared by treating the natural sodium‐rectorite (Na‐REC) with ionic liquid 1‐hexadecyl‐3‐methylimidazolium bromide ([C16mim]Br). X‐ray diffraction (XRD) analysis showed that the interlayer spacing of the OREC was expanded from 2.23nm to 3.14nm. Furthermore, two types of OREC/epoxy nanocomposites were prepared by using epoxy resin (EP) as matrix, 2‐ethyl‐4‐methylimidazole (2‐E‐4‐MI) and tung oil anhydride (TOA) as curing agents, respectively. XRD and transmission electron microscope (TEM) analysis showed that the intercalated nanocomposite was obtained with addition of the curing agent 2‐E‐4‐MI, and the exfoliated nanocomposite was obtained with addition of the curing agent TOA when the OREC content was less than 2 wt %. For the exfoliated nanocomposite, the mechanical and thermal property tests indicated that it had the highest improvement when OREC content was 2 wt% in EP. Compared to pure EP, 60.3% improvement in tensile strength, 26.7% improvement in bending strength, 34% improvement in bending modulus, 14°C improvement in thermal decomposition temperature (Td) and 5.7°C improvement in glass transition temperature (Tg) were achieved. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
A crosslinking method of UHMWPE irradiated by electron beam using TMPTMA as radiosensitizer
Authors: Wu Xinfeng , Wu Chao , Wang Genlin , Jiang Pingkai , Zhang Jianqiang 
Published: May 2012

AbstractTrimethylolpropane trimethylacrylate/Ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (TMPTMA/UHMWPE) composite and pure UHMWPE plates were made by compression molding and electron beam (EB) irradiation crosslinking methods. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Soxhlet extractor, electromechanical tester, and wear tester were used for the characterization of the structure, mechanical properties, and tribological performance of the crosslinked UHMWPE. FTIR analyses show that trans‐vinylene (965 cm−1) absorption increases with the increasing dose and the trans‐vinylene intensity of TMPTMA/UHMWPE is higher than that of UHMWPE at the same dose, and Soxhlet experiments reveal that gel fraction increases with the increasing dose, both proving that crosslinking took place in all the irradiated samples. The results of the tensile tests indicate a significant decrease in elongation at break, but the stress of UHMWPE increases to 47 MPa at 10 kGy and then decreases with the increasing dose. The stress of TMPTMA/UHMWPE composites keeps at about 39 MPa before 50 kGy and then decreases with the increasing dose because of plasticization effect. The stress changes indicate that crosslinking and degradation occurred at the same time. Wear rate of 100 kGy 1% TMPTMA/UHMWPE is 1.76 × 10−7mg/Nm, only 23.5% of wear rate of 0 kGy UHMWPE and 44.2% of wear rate of 100 kGy UHMWPE. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Deformation mechanisms of polypropylene/polystyrene multilayered films
Authors: Scholtyssek S. , Pfeifer F. , Seydewitz V. , Adhikari R. , Siesler H. W. , Michler G. H. 
Published: May 2012

AbstractMultilayered composites of polypropylene (PP) and polystyrene (PS) fabricated by a layer‐multiplying coextrusion technique are described. The aim of this investigation was to find a correlation between the morphology and the mechanical and micromechanical deformation behavior. The multilayered films had primarily continuous layers, exhibiting only few defects in layer construction and turning into an irregularly layered system when the calculated layer thickness was only 5 nm. The morphology and layer thickness of both the PP and PS layers affected the mechanical and the micromechanical behavior, which was brittle for the films having PS layers thicker than 75 nm and ductile when the PS layers were 50 nm and thinner. Transmission electron microscopy showed crazes in the thicker PS layers and homogeneous deformation in the thinner ones. The molecular orientation during deformation of the ductile films was calculated from rheo‐optical measurements with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Synthesis of allyl‐ended hyperbranched organic silicone resin by halloysite‐supported platinum catalyst
Authors: Zhang Daohong , Huo Wenjun , Wang Jing , Li Tingcheng , Cheng Xinjian , Li Jinlin , Zhang Aiqing 
Published: May 2012

AbstractA novel allyl‐ended hyperbranched organic silicone resin (AHSR) was prepared successfully by hydrosilylation between phenyltriallylsilane and 1,1,3,3‐tetramethyl disiloxane with halloysite‐supported platinum (Pt–halloysite) as the catalyst. The chemical structure of the AHSR was characterized by 1H‐NMR and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and its molecular weight was determined by matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry. The Pt–halloysite catalyst was prepared from chloroplatinic acid and halloysite by the simple wet impregnation method. The transmission electron micrographs of the catalyst showed that the platinum dispersed homogeneously into the halloysite nanotubes. Compared with the traditional homogeneous Speier and Karstedt catalysts, our heterogeneous Pt–halloysite catalyst demonstrated a higher catalytic activity, which was confirmed by IR monitoring of the attenuation of the SiH stretching band. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012