bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A new approach to improve the scoring of mononucleotide microsatellite loci
Authors: Flores‐Rentería Lluvia , Whipple Amy V. 
Published: February 2011

• Premise of the study: Mononucleotide microsatellites markers are useful for detecting genetic variation among individuals; however, scoring can be error‐prone. We developed a new approach to improve the accuracy of allele scoring.• Methods and Results: A set of 14 mononucleotide microsatellite primers of the chloroplast were developed based on published Pinus spp. chloroplast genomes. Due to substantial scoring error for mononucleotide repeats ≥ 10 bp, we included part of the microsatellite in the reverse primer to reduce slippage and improve the scoring of these polymorphic markers. For markers 10–20 bp, the error rate in scoring with this method has a binomial 95% confidence interval of 0.7–2.1%.• Conclusions: These new primers provide variable chloroplast markers in species of subsection Cembroides and other Pinus spp. with more accurate assignment of the alleles. This approach can be used to improve the allele scoring of mononucleotide or dinucleotide repeats from nuclear and chloroplast genomes.
Microsatellite marker development for the federally listed Prunus geniculata (Rosaceae)1
Authors: Germain‐Aubrey Charlotte C. , Soltis Pamela S. , Soltis Douglas E. , Gitzendanner Matthew A. 
Published: February 2011

• Premise of the study: Prunus geniculata is a federally listed species endemic to the central Florida scrub. To investigate levels and geographic partitioning of genetic variation in this species, we developed microsatellite markers for P. geniculata and its sister species, P. maritima.• Methods and Results: Following a protocol optimized in our laboratory, we designed 36 primer pairs, of which 8 amplified across both species and showed informative polymorphism. Product size varied from 163 to 370 bp, and the number of alleles ranged from 5 to 27. He across all populations ranged from 0.604 to 0.9155.• Conclusions: Eight loci were useful at the population level and will be used for conservation genetic and phylogeographic studies of Prunus geniculata and P. maritima. Furthermore, from five to all eight of these loci can also be amplified in several other North American Prunus species.
Monsanto’s Claims au Royaume-Uni et aux États-Unis : les communiqués de presse de Monsanto, entre unité générique et hétérogénéité culturelle
Authors: Domenec Fanny 
Published: February 2011

Cette étude vise à caractériser la communication de crise de l’entreprise Monsanto à travers l’analyse structurelle et rhétorique de deux corpus de communiqués de presse publiés en contexte britannique et américain entre 1999 et 2010. L’analyse structurelle met en lumière un genre à la fois codifié et dynamique : si les communiqués de presse américains respectent les sections prototypiques du genre, le corpus de communiqués de presse publiés en Grande-Bretagne présente des structures diverses qui empruntent à des positionnements discursifs particuliers, sans lien direct avec le monde de l’entreprise. Malgré cette hétérogénéité structurelle, il ressort de l’analyse rhétorique qu’une même stratégie argumentative est mise en œuvre dans les deux corpus : elle vise à minimiser l’importance de la crise en attirant l’attention du lecteur sur le caractère indispensable des biotechnologies agricoles. Cette réflexion sur le degré de plasticité du communiqué de presse publié par une entreprise permet de mettre en lumière l’articulation entre conventions génériques et variabilité des positionnements discursifs dans les communiqués de presse de crise de Monsanto.
Evaluation of a blended language learning environment in a French university and its effects on second language acquisition
Authors: Narcy-Combes Marie-Françoise , McAllister Julie 
Published: February 2011

Cet article propose la description et l’analyse d’un projet de recherche en cours au niveau licence en LEA (commerce international) à l’Université de Nantes et concerne 660 étudiants. Nous nous proposons dans cet article d’analyser l’impact de ce dispositif sur la conception et l’organisation des apprentissages et sur la motivation et l’implication des étudiants. Les données recueillies pour l’évaluation par questionnaires, entretiens, pré-tests et post-tests, mesure du taux d’abandon, portent sur la satisfaction des utilisateurs, le niveau en langue, l’efficacité et la fiabilité du dispositif. Elles sont présentées et commentées. Le travail d’évaluation du dispositif montre un développement positif du niveau linguistique pour 35 % des étudiants qui se sont impliqués dans ce projet d’apprentissage hybride. À ce stade cependant il est nécessaire de poursuivre le travail de recherche pour déterminer les causes de cette progression, ce qui est prévu.
The Phosphatase Src Homology Region 2 Domain-Containing Phosphatase-1 Is an Intrinsic Central Regulator of Dendritic Cell Function
Authors: Ramachandran Indu R. , Song Weitao , Lapteva Natalia , Seethammagari Mamatha , Slawin Kevin M. , Spencer David M. , Levitt Jonathan M. 
Published: February 2011

Abstract
Dendritic cells (DCs) initiate proinflammatory or regulatory T cell responses, depending on their activation state. Despite extensive knowledge of DC-activating signals, the understanding of DC inhibitory signals is relatively limited. We show that Src homology region 2 domain-containing phosphatase-1 (SHP-1) is an important inhibitor of DC signaling, targeting multiple activation pathways. Downstream of TLR4, SHP-1 showed increased interaction with several proteins including IL-1R–associated kinase-4, and modulated LPS signaling by inhibiting NF-κB, AP-1, ERK, and JNK activity, while enhancing p38 activity. In addition, SHP-1 inhibited prosurvival signaling through AKT activation. Furthermore, SHP-1 inhibited CCR7 protein expression. Inhibiting SHP-1 in DCs enhanced proinflammatory cytokines, IL-6, IL-12, and IL-1β production, promoted survival, and increased DC migration to draining lymph nodes. Administration of SHP-1–inhibited DCs in vivo induced expansion of Ag-specific cytotoxic T cells and inhibited Foxp3+ regulatory T cell induction, resulting in an enhanced immune response against pre-established mouse melanoma and prostate tumors. Taken together, these data demonstrate that SHP-1 is an intrinsic global regulator of DC function, controlling many facets of T cell-mediated immune responses.
Rapid Recruitment and Activation of Macrophages by Anti-Gal/α-Gal Liposome Interaction Accelerates Wound Healing
Authors: Wigglesworth Kim M. , Racki Waldemar J. , Mishra Rabinarayan , Szomolanyi-Tsuda Eva , Greiner Dale L. , Galili Uri 
Published: February 2011

Abstract
Macrophages are pivotal in promoting wound healing. We hypothesized that topical application of liposomes with glycolipids that carry Galα1-3Galβ1-4GlcNAc-R epitopes (α-gal liposomes) on wounds may accelerate the healing process by rapid recruitment and activation of macrophages in wounds. Immune complexes of the natural anti-Gal Ab (constituting ∼1% of Ig in humans) bound to its ligand, the α-gal epitope on α-gal liposomes would induce local activation of complement and generation of complement chemotactic factors that rapidly recruit macrophages. Subsequent binding of the Fc portion of anti-Gal coating α-gal liposomes to FcγRs on recruited macrophages may activate macrophage genes encoding cytokines that mediate wound healing. We documented the efficacy of this treatment in α1,3galactosyltrasferase knockout mice. In contrast to wild-type mice, these knockout mice lack α-gal epitopes and can produce the anti-Gal Ab. The healing time of excisional skin wounds treated with α-gal liposomes in these mice is twice as fast as that of control wounds. Moreover, scar formation in α-gal liposome-treated wounds is much lower than in physiologic healing. Additional sonication of α-gal liposomes resulted in their conversion into submicroscopic α-gal nanoparticles. These α-gal nanoparticles diffused more efficiently in wounds and further increased the efficacy of the treatment, resulting in 95–100% regeneration of the epidermis in wounds within 6 d. The study suggests that α-gal liposome and α-gal nanoparticle treatment may enhance wound healing in the clinic because of the presence of high complement activity and high anti-Gal Ab titers in humans.
The Danger Signal, Extracellular ATP, Is a Sensor for an Airborne Allergen and Triggers IL-33 Release and Innate Th2-Type Responses
Authors: Kouzaki Hideaki , Iijima Koji , Kobayashi Takao , O’Grady Scott M. , Kita Hirohito 
Published: February 2011

Abstract
The molecular mechanisms underlying the initiation of innate and adaptive proallergic Th2-type responses in the airways are not well understood. IL-33 is a new member of the IL-1 family of molecules that is implicated in Th2-type responses. Airway exposure of naive mice to a common environmental aeroallergen, the fungus Alternaria alternata, induces rapid release of IL-33 into the airway lumen, followed by innate Th2-type responses. Biologically active IL-33 is constitutively stored in the nuclei of human airway epithelial cells. Exposing these epithelial cells to A. alternata releases IL-33 extracellularly in vitro. Allergen exposure also induces acute extracellular accumulation of a danger signal, ATP; autocrine ATP sustains increases in intracellular Ca2+ concentration and releases IL-33 through activation of P2 purinergic receptors. Pharmacological inhibitors of purinergic receptors or deficiency in the P2Y2 gene abrogate IL-33 release and Th2-type responses in the Alternaria-induced airway inflammation model in naive mice, emphasizing the essential roles for ATP and the P2Y2 receptor. Thus, ATP and purinergic signaling in the respiratory epithelium are critical sensors for airway exposure to airborne allergens, and they may provide novel opportunities to dampen the hypersensitivity response in Th2-type airway diseases such as asthma.
Low-Dose Endotoxin Induces Inflammation by Selectively Removing Nuclear Receptors and Activating CCAAT/Enhancer-Binding Protein δ
Authors: Maitra Urmila , Gan Lu , Chang Samantha , Li Liwu 
Published: February 2011

Abstract
Subclinical levels of circulating endotoxin are associated with the pathogenesis of diverse human inflammatory diseases, by mildly inducing the expression of proinflammatory mediators. In this study, we examined the molecular mechanism responsible for the effect of low-dose LPS in macrophages. In contrast to high-dose LPS, which activates NF-κB and induces the robust expression of proinflammatory mediators, we observed that low-dose LPS failed to activate NF-κB. Instead, it selectively activated C/EBPδ and removed nuclear repressors, including peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α and retinoic acid receptor α, enabling a mild and leaky expression of proinflammatory mediators. The effect of low-dose LPS required IRAK-1, which interacts with and acts upstream of IκB kinase ε to contribute to LPS-mediated induction of C/EBPδ and proinflammatory mediators. Additionally, mice fed a high-fat diet acquired elevated levels of endotoxin and proinflammatory mediators in an IRAK-1–dependent fashion. Taken together, these data reveal a distinct pathway preferentially used by low-dose endotoxin in initiating low-grade inflammation.
Regulation of GATA-3 Expression during CD4 Lineage Differentiation
Authors: Gimferrer Idoia , Hu Taishan , Simmons Amie , Wang Chi , Souabni Abdallah , Busslinger Meinrad , Bender Timothy P. , Hernandez-Hoyos Gabriela , Alberola-Ila José 
Published: February 2011

Abstract
GATA-3 is necessary for the development of MHC class II-restricted CD4 T cells, and its expression is increased during positive selection of these cells. TCR signals drive this upregulation, but the signaling pathways that control this process are not well understood. Using genetic and pharmacological approaches, we show that GATA-3 upregulation during thymocyte-positive selection is the result of additive inputs from the Ras/MAPK and calcineurin pathways. This upregulation requires the presence of the transcription factor c-Myb. Furthermore, we show that TH-POK can also upregulate GATA-3 in double-positive thymocytes, suggesting the existence of a positive feedback loop that contributes to lock in the initial commitment to the CD4 lineage during differentiation.
β1 Integrin Is Critical for the Maintenance of Antigen-Specific CD4 T Cells in the Bone Marrow but Not Long-Term Immunological Memory
Authors: DeNucci Christopher C. , Shimizu Yoji 
Published: February 2011

Abstract
The long-term maintenance of memory CD4 T cells promotes protective immunity against future pathogen reinfection. As a site rich in survival cytokines, the bone marrow is proposed to be a critical niche for the survival of memory CD4 T cells. We demonstrate that endogenous, polyclonal Ag-specific CD4 T cells rapidly enter and are recovered long-term from the bone marrow following i.v. infection with Listeria monocytogenes. β1 integrin-deficient CD4 T cells also populate the bone marrow early following an infection, but their numbers in this site rapidly decline. This decline was not caused by increased death of T cells lacking β1 integrin but rather by reduced retention in the bone marrow after the primary immune response. The loss of memory CD4 T cells from the bone marrow does not lead to a loss of the predominant source of memory CD4 T cells in the spleen or the ability to mount a memory response. Thus, β1 integrin-dependent maintenance of memory CD4 T cells in the bone marrow is not required for long-term CD4 T cell memory.
Testing the Role of P2X7 Receptors in the Development of Type 1 Diabetes in Nonobese Diabetic Mice
Authors: Chen Yi-Guang , Scheuplein Felix , Driver John P. , Hewes Amanda A. , Reifsnyder Peter C. , Leiter Edward H. , Serreze David V. 
Published: February 2011

Abstract
Although P2rx7 has been proposed as a type 1 diabetes (T1D) susceptibility gene in NOD mice, its potential pathogenic role has not been directly determined. To test this possibility, we generated a new NOD stock deficient in P2X7 receptors. T1D development was not altered by P2X7 ablation. Previous studies found CD38 knockout (KO) NOD mice developed accelerated T1D partly because of a loss of CD4+ invariant NKT (iNKT) cells and Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs). These immunoregulatory T cell populations are highly sensitive to NAD-induced cell death activated by ADP ribosyltransferase-2 (ART2)-mediated ADP ribosylation of P2X7 receptors. Therefore, we asked whether T1D acceleration was suppressed in a double-KO NOD stock lacking both P2X7 and CD38 by rescuing CD4+ iNKT cells and Tregs from NAD-induced cell death. We demonstrated that P2X7 was required for T1D acceleration induced by CD38 deficiency. The CD38 KO-induced defects in homeostasis of CD4+ iNKT cells and Tregs were corrected by coablation of P2X7. T1D acceleration in CD38-deficient NOD mice also requires ART2 expression. If increased ADP ribosylation of P2X7 in CD38-deficient NOD mice underlies disease acceleration, then a comparable T1D incidence should be induced by coablation of both CD38 and ART2, or CD38 and P2X7. However, a previously established NOD stock deficient in both CD38 and ART2 expression is T1D resistant. This study demonstrated the presence of a T1D resistance gene closely linked to the ablated Cd38 allele in the previously reported NOD stock also lacking ART2, but not in the newly generated CD38/P2X7 double-KO line.
Defining the Herpes Simplex Virus-Specific CD8+ T Cell Repertoire in C57BL/6 Mice
Authors: St. Leger Anthony J. , Peters Bjoern , Sidney John , Sette Alessandro , Hendricks Robert L. 
Published: February 2011

Abstract
HSV type 1 (HSV-1) expresses its genes sequentially as immediate early (α), early (β), leaky late (γ1), and true late (γ2), where viral DNA synthesis is an absolute prerequisite only for γ2 gene expression. The γ1 protein glycoprotein B (gB) contains a strongly immunodominant CD8+ T cell epitope (gB498–505) that is recognized by 50% of both the CD8+ effector T cells in acutely infected trigeminal ganglia (TG) and the CD8+ memory T cells in latently infected TG. Of 376 predicted HSV-1 CD8+ T cell epitopes in C57BL/6 mice, 19 (gB498–505 and 18 subdominant epitopes) stimulated CD8+ T cells in the spleens and TG of HSV-1 acutely infected mice. These 19 epitopes identified virtually all CD8+ T cells in the infected TG that represent all or the vast majority of the HSV-specific CD8+ TCR repertoire. Only 11 of ∼84 HSV-1 proteins are recognized by CD8+ T cells, and most (∼80%) are expressed before viral DNA synthesis. Neither the immunodominance of gB498–505 nor the dominance hierarchy of the subdominant epitopes is due solely to MHC or TCR affinity. We conclude that the vast majority of CD8+ T cells in HSV-1 acutely infected TG are HSV specific, that HSV-1 β and γ1 proteins that are expressed before viral DNA synthesis are favored targets of CD8+ T cells, and that dominance within the TCR repertoire is likely due to the frequency or expansion and survival characteristics of CD8+ T cell precursors.
Invariant NKT Cell Reconstitution in Pediatric Leukemia Patients Given HLA-Haploidentical Stem Cell Transplantation Defines Distinct CD4+ and CD4− Subset Dynamics and Correlates with Remission State
Authors: de Lalla Claudia , Rinaldi Anna , Montagna Daniela , Azzimonti Laura , Bernardo Maria Ester , Sangalli Laura M. , Paganoni Anna Maria , Maccario Rita , Di Cesare-Merlone Alessandra , Zecca Marco , Locatelli Franco , Dellabona Paolo , Casorati Giulia 
Published: February 2011

Abstract
Immune reconstitution plays a crucial role on the outcome of patients given T cell-depleted HLA-haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (hHSCT) for hematological malignancies. CD1d-restricted invariant NKT (iNKT) cells are innate-like, lipid-reactive T lymphocytes controlling infections, cancer, and autoimmunity. Adult mature iNKT cells are divided in two functionally distinct CD4+ and CD4− subsets that express the NK receptor CD161 and derive from thymic CD4+CD161− precursors. We investigated iNKT cell reconstitution dynamics in 33 pediatric patients given hHSCT for hematological malignancies, with a follow-up reaching 6 y posttransplantation, and correlated their emergence with disease relapse. iNKT cells fully reconstitute and rapidly convert into IFN-γ–expressing effectors in the 25 patients maintaining remission. CD4+ cells emerge earlier than the CD4− ones, both displaying CD161− immature phenotypes. CD4− cells expand more slowly than CD4+ cells, though they mature with significantly faster kinetics, reaching full maturation by 18 mo post-hHSCT. Between 4 and 6 y post-hHSCT, mature CD4− iNKT cells undergo a substantial expansion burst, resulting in a CD4+&lt;CD4− NKT cell ratio similar to that found in healthy adults. In contrast with patients maintaining remission, iNKT cells failed to reconstitute in all eight patients experiencing disease relapse. These findings define the peripheral dynamics of human iNKT cells and suggest a contribution of these cells to maintain remission, possibly via early IFN-γ provision. Adoptive transfer of donor-derived iNKT cells into HLA-haploidentical patients failing to reconstitute these cells might represent a novel therapeutic option to prevent leukemia recurrence.
Chaperone Activity of α B-Crystallin Is Responsible for Its Incorrect Assignment as an Autoantigen in Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Rothbard Jonathan B. , Zhao Xiaoyan , Sharpe Orr , Strohman Michael J. , Kurnellas Michael , Mellins Elizabeth D. , Robinson William H. , Steinman Lawrence 
Published: February 2011

Abstract
For 15 y, α B-crystallin (heat shock protein [Hsp] B5) has been labeled an autoantigen in multiple sclerosis (MS) based on humoral and cellular responses found in humans and animal models. However, there have been several scientific inconsistencies with this assignment, ranging from studies demonstrating small differences in anticrystallin responses between patients and healthy individuals to the inability of crystallin-specific T cells to induce symptoms of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis in animal models. Experiments in this article demonstrate that the putative anti-HspB5 Abs from 23 MS patients cross-react with 7 other members of the human small Hsp family and were equally present in normal plasma. Biolayer interferometry demonstrates that the binding was temperature dependent, and that the calculated Ka increased as the concentration of the sHsp decreased. These two patterns are characteristic of multiple binding sites with varying affinities, the composition of which changes with temperature, supporting the hypothesis that HspB5 bound the Ab and not the reverse. HspB5 also precipitated Ig heavy and L chains from sera from patients with MS. These results establish that small Hsps bind Igs with high affinity and refute much of the serological data used to assign α B-crystallin as an autoantigen.
Cutting Edge: Primary Innate Immune Cells Respond Efficiently to Polymeric Peptidoglycan, but Not to Peptidoglycan Monomers
Authors: Iyer Janaki K. , Coggeshall K. Mark 
Published: February 2011

Abstract
The cell wall of bacteria induces proinflammatory cytokines in monocytes and neutrophils in human blood. The nature of the stimulating component of bacterial cell walls is not well understood. We have previously shown polymeric peptidoglycan (PGN) has this activity, and the cytokine response requires PGN internalization and trafficking to lysosomes. In this study, we demonstrate that peptidoglycan monomers such as muramyl dipeptide and soluble peptidoglycan fail to induce robust cytokine production in immune cells, although they activate the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain proteins in transfected cell models. We further show that lysosomal extracts from immune cells degrade intact peptidoglycan into simpler products and that the lysosomal digestion products activate the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain proteins. We conclude that naive innate immune cells recognize PGN in its polymeric form rather than monomers such as muramyl dipeptide and require PGN lysosomal hydrolysis to respond. These findings offer new opportunities in the treatment of sepsis, especially sepsis arising from Gram-positive organisms.
The effect of rehabilitation on quality of life in female breast cancer survivors in Iran
Authors: Poorkiani M , Abbaszadeh A , Hazrati M , Jafari P , Sadeghi M , Mohammadianpanah M 
Published: February 2011

Abstract
Background: The purpose of this study was to compare the quality of life (Qol) of female breast cancer survivors who received rehabilitation intervention beside medical care and survivors who received medical care alone. Materials and Methods: Fifty-seven female breast cancer survivors were assigned to usual medical care (control group) or to usual medical care plus rehabilitation intervention (experimental group). Qol of all patients was assessed before, 1 week and 3 months after intervention. The intervention consisted of physiotherapy, education and individual counseling. The authors used the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer core questionnaire and breast module (EORTC QLQ-C30/BR23) for the assessment of Qol. Results: Patients who received rehabilitation had significantly better Qol. Overall, mean of Qol scores improved gradually in experimental group from before to 1 week and 3 months after intervention. In contrast, minimal change was observed between pre/post and follow-up measures for control group. Conclusion: Rehabilitation after breast cancer treatment has the potential for physical, psychological and overall Qol benefits.