bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Orai1 regulates intracellular calcium, arrest, and shape polarization during neutrophil recruitment in shear flow
Authors: Schaff Ulrich Y. , Dixit Neha , Procyk Emily , Yamayoshi Itsukyo , Tse Tiffany , Simon Scott I. 
Published: November 2009

AbstractOrai1 was reported to function as a calcium channel subunit that facilitates store operated calcium entry (SOCE) in T cells and is necessary for formation of the immune synapse. We reasoned that SOCE via Orai1 might regulate PMNs activation during recruitment to inflamed endothelium. Orai1 function was assessed by real-time imaging of calcium transients as PMNs were stimulated to roll, arrest, and migrate on E-selectin and ICAM-1 in shear flow. Calcium entry was significantly reduced when Orai1 function was impaired by heterozygous knockout in a mouse model or by siRNA knockdown in HL-60 cells. Reduced Orai-1 expression correlated with the delayed onset of arrest and reduced ability to transition to a polarized migratory phenotype. Inhibition of SOCE by treatment with 2-APB, or blocking phospholipase C (PLC) mediated calcium store release with U73122, abrogated formyl peptide induced calcium elevation, and delayed subsequent cell arrest and polarization. These results suggest that calcium entry via Orai1 is the predominant SOCE that cooperates with cytoplasmic calcium store release in coordinating integrin-dependent PMN arrest and migration in the acute response to inflammation.
Cyclosporine-induced immune suppression alters establishment of HTLV-1 infection in a rabbit model
Authors: Haynes Rashade A. H. , Ware Evan , Premanandan Christopher , Zimmerman Bevin , Yu Lianbo , Phipps Andrew J. , Lairmore Michael D. 
Published: November 2009

AbstractHuman T-lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) infection causes adult T-cell leukemia and several lymphocyte-mediated inflammatory diseases. Persistent HTLV-1 infection is determined by a balance between host immune responses and virus spread. Immunomodulatory therapy involving HTLV-1–infected patients occurs in a variety of clinical settings. Knowledge of how these treatments influence host-virus relationships is not understood. In this study, we examined the effects of cyclosporine A (CsA)–induced immune suppression during early infection of HTLV-1. Twenty-four New Zealand white rabbits were split into 4 groups. Three groups were treated with either 10 or 20 mg/kg CsA or saline before infection. The fourth group was treated with 20 mg/kg CsA 1 week after infection. Immune suppression, plasma CsA concentration, ex vivo lymphocyte HTLV-1 p19 production, anti–HTLV-1 serologic responses, and proviral load levels were measured during infection. Our data indicated that CsA treatment before HTLV-1 infection enhanced early viral expression compared with untreated HTLV-1–infected rabbits, and altered long-term viral expression parameters. However, CsA treatment 1 week after infection diminished HTLV-1 expression throughout the 10-week study course. Collectively, these data indicate immunologic control is a key determinant of early HTLV-1 spread and have important implications for therapeutic intervention during HTLV-1–associated diseases.
Novel IL-21 signaling pathway up-regulates c-Myc and induces apoptosis of diffuse large B-cell lymphomas
Authors: Sarosiek Kristopher A. , Malumbres Raquel , Nechushtan Hovav , Gentles Andrew J. , Avisar Eli , Lossos Izidore S. 
Published: November 2009

Abstract
Interleukin-21 (IL-21), a member of the IL-2 cytokine family, has diverse regulatory effects on natural killer (NK), T, and B cells. In contrast to other cytokines that are usually immunostimulatory, IL-21 can induce apoptosis of murine B cells at specific activation-differentiation stages. This effect may be used for treatment of B-cell malignancies. Herein we report that diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) cell lines exhibit widespread expression of the IL-21 receptor (IL-21R) and that IL-21 stimulation leads to cell-cycle arrest and caspase-dependent apoptosis. IL-21 also induces apoptosis in de novo DLBCL primary tumors but does not affect viability of human healthy B cells. Furthermore, IL-21 promotes tumor regression and prolongs survival of mice harboring xenograft DLBCL tumors. The antilymphoma effects of this cytokine are dependent on a mechanism involving IL-21–activated signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) up-regulating expression of c-Myc. This up-regulation promotes a decrease in expression of antiapoptotic Bcl-2 and Bcl-XL proteins triggering cell death. Our results represent one of the first examples in which the STAT3–c-Myc signaling pathway, which can promote survival and oncogenesis, can induce apoptosis in neoplastic cells. Moreover, based on IL-21's potency in vitro and in animal models, our findings indicate that this cytokine should be examined in clinical studies of DLBCL.
New tools for detecting latent tuberculosis infection: evaluation of RD1-specific long-term response
Authors: Butera Ornella , Chiacchio Teresa , Carrara Stefania , Casetti Rita , Vanini Valentina , Meraviglia Serena , Guggino Giuliana , Dieli Francesco , Vecchi Marco , Lauria Francesco N , Marruchella Almerico , Laurenti Patrizia , Singh Mahavir , Caccamo Nadia , Girardi Enrico , Goletti Delia 
Published: November 2009

Abstract

Background
Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) release assays (IGRAs) were designed to detect latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI). However, discrepancies were found between the tuberculin skin test (TST) and IGRAs results that cannot be attributed to prior Bacille Calmètte Guerin vaccinations. The aim of this study was to evaluate tools for improving LTBI diagnosis by analyzing the IFN-γ response to RD1 proteins in prolonged (long-term response) whole blood tests in those subjects resulting negative to assays such as QuantiFERON-TB Gold In tube (QFT-IT).

Methods
The study population included 106 healthy TST+ individuals with suspected LTBI (recent contact of smear-positive TB and homeless) consecutively enrolled. As controls, 13 healthy subjects unexposed to M. tuberculosis (TST-, QFT-IT-) and 29 subjects with cured pulmonary TB were enrolled. IFN-γ whole blood response to RD1 proteins and QFT-IT were evaluated at day 1 post-culture. A prolonged test evaluating long-term IFN-γ response (7-day) to RD1 proteins in diluted whole blood was performed.

Results
Among the enrolled TST+ subjects with suspected LTBI, 70/106 (66.0%) responded to QFT-IT and 64/106 (60.3%) to RD1 proteins at day 1. To evaluate whether a prolonged test could improve the detection of LTBI, we set up the test using cured TB patients (with a microbiologically diagnosed past pulmonary disease) who resulted QFT-IT-negative and healthy controls as comparator groups. Using this assay, a statistically significant difference was found between IFN-γ levels in cured TB patients compared to healthy controls (p < 0.006). Based on these data, we constructed a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and we calculated a cut-off. Based on the cut-off value, we found that among the 36 enrolled TST+ subjects with suspected LTBI not responding to QFT-IT, a long term response to RD1 proteins was detected in 11 subjects (30.6%).

Conclusion
These results indicate that IFN-γ long-term response to M. tuberculosis RD1 antigens may be used to detect past infection with M. tuberculosis and may help to identify additional individuals with LTBI who resulted negative in the short-term tests. These data may provide useful information for improving immunodiagnostic tests for tuberculosis infection, especially in individuals at high risk for active TB.
Detection of Chlamydia trachomatis-DNA in synovial fluid: evaluation of the sensitivity of different DNA extraction methods and amplification systems
Authors: Freise Julia , Bernau Iris , Meier Sabine , Zeidler Henning , Kuipers Jens G 
Published: November 2009

Abstract
Introduction
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and ligase chain reaction (LCR) are used in research for detection of Chlamydia trachomatis (C. tr.) in synovial fluid (SF). However there is no standardized system for diagnostic use in clinical practice, therefore this study aimed at determining the molecular biology method best suited to detect C. tr. from SF.

Methods
SF samples were spiked with C. tr. elementary bodies (EB) and human peripheral blood monocytes (PBMo) persistently infected with C. tr. in vitro to evaluate the sensitivity of different molecular biology methods and assays. Five different DNA-extraction methods were tested: 1) Alkaline lysis, 2) QIAex II Gel Extraction Kit®+ CTAB, 3) Chelex®-extraction, 4) QIAmp Tissue Kit® and 5) QIAmp DNA Stool Kit®. All DNA extracts were subjected to 5 different DNA amplification systems to detect C. tr.- DNA in the spiked SF samples: two C. tr. -omp1-- directed PCR, one C. tr.-plasmid-PCR, one C. tr. -16s RNA directed PCR, and one commercially available LCR (LCX®, Abbott laboratories).

Results
In SF samples spiked with C. tr.-EB and with C. tr.-PBMo, alkaline lysis, detecting 1 C. tr.-EB/ml SF, 0,1 C. tr.-PBMo/ml SF and QIAmp gel extraction kit®+ CTAB detecting 0,1 C. tr. -EB/ml SF, 1 C. tr.-PBMo/ml, respectively, allowed most sensitive detection of the organism in combination with the C. tr.- omp1-(152 bp) PCR. Sensitivity decreased in all methods after storage of the DNA of C. tr.- dilution series at -20°C for 4 months by at least one log phase.

Conclusions
The sensitivity to detect C. tr.- DNA from SF is highly dependent on the DNA extraction method and the detection system applied. Alkaline lysis as well as the QIAmp Gel extraction kit® + CTAB in combination with C. tr.- omp1 - (152 bp) PCR evolved as the most sensitive methods to identify C. tr. in serial dilutions.
Assessment of Circulating Sex Steroid Levels in Prepubertal and Pubertal Boys and Girls by a Novel Ultrasensitive Gas Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry Method
Authors: Courant Frédérique , Aksglaede Lise , Antignac Jean-Philippe , Monteau Fabrice , Sorensen Kaspar , Andersson Anna-Maria , Skakkebaek Niels E. , Juul Anders , Bizec Bruno Le 
Published: November 2009

Abstract
Context: Estrogens and androgens play key roles for pubertal onset and sexual maturation. Most currently used immunoassays are not sensitive enough to accurately measure the low circulating levels of sex steroids in children without any signs of puberty. However, this does not exclude that sex steroids have important biological roles in prepubertal children.
Objectives: To accurately determine levels of sex steroid hormones and their metabolites in serum of healthy children before any physical signs of puberty and to evaluate possible sex differences.
Main Outcome Measures: Total (unconjugated plus conjugated) serum levels of 17β-testosterone, 17α-testosterone, 5α-dihydrotestosterone, 5β-dihydrotestosterone, androsterone, etiocholanolone, estradiol, and estrone measured by an ultrasensitive method based on gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry in samples from 81 healthy schoolchildren (42 boys) without any signs of puberty. For comparison, 48 pubertal children were studied.
Results: 17β-Estradiol levels in prepubertal boys were undetectable or extremely low (median &lt; 3.7 pmol/liter), whereas levels in prepubertal girls were significantly higher (median 9.6 pmol/liter, P &lt; 0.001). Among the older prepubertal children (&gt;8 yr), girls had significantly higher androsterone (4.07 vs. 1.45 nmol/liter, P &lt; 0.05), etiocholanolone (5.45 vs. 1.95 nmol/liter, P &lt; 0.0001), 5α-dihydrotestosterone (0.11 vs. &lt;0.10 nmol/liter, P &lt; 0.01), and 17β-testosterone concentrations (0.69 vs. 0.47 nmol/liter, P &lt; 0.05) compared with similarly aged prepubertal boys.
Conclusion: Using an accurate and sensitive method, we found significantly higher levels of estrogens as well as androgen metabolites in prepubertal girls compared with age-matched boys. The higher prepubertal sex steroid levels in girls may contribute to their earlier onset of puberty including pubic hair development.
Introduction: State and Society: Neither Lovers nor Haters
Authors: Turam Berna , Ringer Monica M. 
Published: November 2009

In both media accounts and scholarship, contemporary Turkey draws much attention as a hotbed of contestation between Islamists and secularists. Indeed, the ban of the popularly elected Islamist Welfare Party and of the headscarf in universities in 1998 reinforced an already predominant dichotomy between the repressively secular state and the Muslim actors. What deserves more attention, however, is the transformation in state-society relations since the late 1990s.
From a state-society perspective, the recent secularist backlash remains understudied. Why does the secularist discontent peak at a time when Muslim actors in Turkey seem to have secularized and integrated into the secular polity and capitalist market? The answer lies in the shifting patterns of interaction between the secular state and Muslim actors. While Islamists abandoned their radical edge and integrated into the secular system and free market, the ability of the Turkish state to accommodate religion has likewise expanded. Put differently, through its nonconfrontational interactions with Islamists, the Turkish state has experimented with greater capacities for accommodating religious piety and politics. While admittedly this increased tolerance has not always been smooth or unilinear, the long-term trend has been toward “the politics of engagement”—that is, everyday negotiations and cooperation between Muslims and the secular state.
A Transformed Kemalist Islam or a New Islamic Civic Morality? A Study of “Religious Culture and Morality” Textbooks in the Turkish High School Curricula
Authors: Türkmen Buket 
Published: November 2009

This article discusses the meaning of the formulation of a new Turkish civic morality infused with Islam in contemporary Turkey through a content analysis of the 1995 and 2007–08 editions of Religious Culture and Morality course textbooks used in high school curricula. I argue that this course, while maintaining continuity with the republic's diffusion of national religious morality through a revised version of Islam, referred to as “Kemalist Islam,” concretizes in its recent syllabus the consequences of the re-Islamization of the Turkish public sphere since the 1990s.
This article asks questions about the relationship between secularism, citizenship, and Islam in contemporary Turkey. I argue that the “privatized religious belief” that Kemalist secularism tried to propagate did not result in reinforcing individualism in Turkish society. Rather, it was thought to provide a basis for a civic morality reinforcing the holistic spirit of Turkish nationalism, which subordinates the individual to society. My research tries to figure out in what sense the content of Kemalist Islam, once the only legitimate religiosity taught in national education, changed with the modifications and whether Kemalist Islam loses its centrality in the definition of citizen identity, to the advantage of a new Islamic morality with the re-Islamization of the Turkish public sphere.
Selenium and health-related quality of life in menopausal women
Authors: Llaneza Placido , González Celestino , Fernandez-Iñarrea José , Alonso Ana , Arnott Ignacio , Ferrer-Barriendos Javier 
Published: November 2009

Objectives The objective of this study was to evaluate whether there is a relation between serum selenium levels and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in overweight and obese postmenopausal women. Study design A cross-sectional study was carried out in 104 overweight and obese postmenopausal women attending a gynaecological clinic for their annual gynaecological examination. Main outcome measures Age, anthropometric parameters, educational level, smoking habits, serum glucose, insulin, lipid profile, C-reactive protein, folic acid, vitamin B12, homocysteine and selenium levels were determined, and the Cervantes Scale was used to evaluate HRQoL. Results Serum selenium mean value levels were similar in the different groups of HRQoL and there were no differences in the four domains of the Cervantes Scale. When women were classified according to serum selenium tertiles, higher levels of serum cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLc) and triglycerides were found in women in the lowest serum selenium tertile. Conclusions In overweight and obese postmenopausal women, serum selenium level is not related to HRQoL but higher levels of cholesterol, LDLc and triglyceride values were detected in women in the lowest serum selenium tertile.
The Optimal Policy Combination of the Minimum Wage and the Earned Income Tax Credit
Authors: Malul Miki , Luski Israel 
Published: November 2009

Abstract
This paper evaluates the consequences of minimum wage (MW) and earned income tax credit (EITC) in a model with heterogeneous costs of investment in human capital. Our model studies the effects of a MW and an EITC on employment, productivity, and total output for two types of groups: those with a low cost of acquiring human capital and a long horizon of earnings (Type Ys); and those with a high cost of acquiring human capital and a short horizon of earnings (Type Os). We assume that Type Ys consider investing in human capital while Type Os have a certain predetermined level of human capital and do not consider changing it. Our model suggests that a government might consider imposing a MW exclusively for Type Y individuals and an EITC exclusively for Type O individuals. Some of the best effects of each policy would therefore be obtained and some of the worst consequences would be avoided.
Invariants and Coinvariants of the Symmetric Group in Noncommuting Variables
Authors: Bergeron Nantel , Reutenauer Christophe , Rosas Mercedes , Zabrocki Mike 
Published: November 2009

AbstractWe introduce a natural Hopf algebra structure on the space of noncommutative symmetric functions. The bases for this algebra are indexed by set partitions. We show that there exists a natural inclusion of the Hopf algebra of noncommutative symmetric functions in this larger space. We also consider this algebra as a subspace of noncommutative polynomials and use it to understand the structure of the spaces of harmonics and coinvariants with respect to this collection of noncommutative polynomials and conclude two analogues of Chevalley’s theorem in the noncommutative setting.
Transitive Factorizations in the Hyperoctahedral Group
Authors: Bini G. , Goulden I. P. , Jackson D. M. 
Published: November 2009

AbstractThe classical Hurwitz enumeration problem has a presentation in terms of transitive factorizations in the symmetric group. This presentation suggests a generalization from type A to other finite reflection groups and, in particular, to type B. We study this generalization both from a combinatorial and a geometric point of view, with the prospect of providing a means of understanding more of the structure of the moduli spaces of maps with an S2-symmetry. The type A case has been well studied and connects Hurwitz numbers to the moduli space of curves. We conjecture an analogous setting for the type B case that is studied here.
The Geometry of the Weak Lefschetz Property and Level Sets of Points
Authors: Migliore Juan C. 
Published: November 2009

AbstractIn a recent paper, F. Zanello showed that level Artinian algebras in 3 variables can fail to have the Weak Lefschetz Property (WLP), and can even fail to have unimodal Hilbert function. We show that the same is true for the Artinian reduction of reduced, level sets of points in projective 3-space. Our main goal is to begin an understanding of how the geometry of a set of points can prevent its Artinian reduction from having WLP, which in itself is a very algebraic notion. More precisely, we produce level sets of points whose Artinian reductions have socle types 3 and 4 and arbitrary socle degree ≥ 12 (in the worst case), but fail to have WLP. We also produce a level set of points whose Artinian reduction fails to have unimodal Hilbert function; our example is based on Zanello's example. Finally, we show that a level set of points can have Artinian reduction that has WLP but fails to have the Strong Lefschetz Property. While our constructions are all based on basic double G-linkage, the implementations use very different methods.
On a Class of Projectively Flat Metrics with Constant Flag Curvature
Authors: Shen Z. , Civi Yildirim G. 
Published: November 2009

AbstractIn this paper, we find equations that characterize locally projectively flat Finsler metrics in the form , where is a Riemannian metric and is a 1-form. Then we completely determine the local structure of those with constant flag curvature.
Harmonic Coordinates on Fractals with Finitely Ramified Cell Structure
Authors: Teplyaev Alexander 
Published: November 2009

AbstractWe define sets with finitely ramified cell structure, which are generalizations of post-critically finite self-similar sets introduced by Kigami and of fractafolds introduced by Strichartz. In general, we do not assume even local self-similarity, and allow countably many cells connected at each junction point. In particular, we consider post-critically infinite fractals. We prove that if Kigami’s resistance form satisfies certain assumptions, then there exists a weak Riemannian metric such that the energy can be expressed as the integral of the norm squared of a weak gradient with respect to an energy measure. Furthermore, we prove that if such a set can be homeomorphically represented in harmonic coordinates, then for smooth functions the weak gradient can be replaced by the usual gradient. We also prove a simple formula for the energy measure Laplacian in harmonic coordinates.
Matrices Whose Norms Are Determined by Their Actions on Decreasing Sequences
Authors: Chen Chang-Pao , Huang Hao-Wei , Shen Chun-Yen 
Published: November 2009

AbstractLetA = (aj,k)j,k≥1be a non-negative matrix. In this paper, we characterize thoseAfor which ∥A∥E,Fare determined by their actions on decreasing sequences, whereEandFare suitable normed Riesz spaces of sequences. In particular, our results can apply to the following spaces:ℓp,d(w, p), andℓp(w). The results established here generalize ones given by Bennett; Chen, Luor, and Ou; Jameson; and Jameson and Lashkaripour.
Polarization of Separating Invariants
Authors: Draisma Jan , Kemper Gregor , Wehlau David 
Published: November 2009

AbstractWe prove a characteristic free version of Weyl’s theorem on polarization. Our result is an exact analogue ofWeyl’s theorem, the difference being that our statement is about separating invariants rather than generating invariants. For the special case of finite group actions we introduce the concept of cheap polarization, and show that it is enough to take cheap polarizations of invariants of just one copy of a representation to obtain separating vector invariants for any number of copies. This leads to upper bounds on the number and degrees of separating vector invariants of finite groups.