bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Validation of the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue Scale in Patients with Moderately to Severely Active Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Participating in a Clinical Trial
Authors: LAI JIN-SHEI , BEAUMONT JENNIFER L. , OGALE SARIKA , BRUNETTA PAUL , CELLA DAVID 
Published: January 2011

Objective.Fatigue is a common symptom of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Our objective was to validate the 13-item Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy (FACIT)-Fatigue scale in patients with SLE.Methods.The FACIT-Fatigue, Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form-36 (SF-36) questionnaire, Brief Pain Inventory (BPI), and Patient Global Assessment Visual Analog Scale (Patient-GA) were completed at baseline and at Weeks 12, 24, and 52 by patients with moderately to severely active extrarenal SLE. The patients were participating in a rituximab clinical trial. The British Isles Lupus Assessment Group (BILAG) disease activity index and the Physician Global Assessment Visual Analog Scale (Physician-GA) were completed by physicians at the same visits.Results.At baseline, 254 patients completed the FACIT-Fatigue scale. Cronbach’s α was > 0.95 at all visits. In cross-sectional analyses, FACIT-Fatigue scores differentiated between groups defined by BILAG General domain ratings. FACIT-Fatigue had moderate-high correlations (r = 0.5–0.8) with SF-36, BPI, and Patient-GA, but poor correlations with BILAG total score and Physician-GA (r = 0.1–0.3). At Weeks 12, 24, and 52, mean FACIT-Fatigue scale improvement was higher in patients who improved versus those who remained unchanged on the BILAG General domain. FACIT-Fatigue scale scores remained stable for patients with worsened BILAG General domain ratings compared to baseline. Distribution and anchor-based estimates suggested a minimally important difference (MID) range of 3–6 points.Conclusion.The FACIT-Fatigue scale is a valid and responsive measure of fatigue in patients with SLE. MID in this SLE sample is similar to that derived previously in other populations. Since few patients experienced worsening BILAG General and Musculoskeletal domains in this study, further research is warranted to evaluate the responsiveness of FACIT-Fatigue to worsening of these domains.
La rivalité indo-pakistanaise en Afghanistan depuis 2001
Authors: Saint-Mézard Isabelle 
Published: January 2011

Le Pakistan et l’Inde se livrent en Afghanistan une lutte d’influence déterminée par leurs intérêts de sécurité immédiats. Pour New Delhi, il faut contrer l’influence pakistanaise à des fins anti-indiennes dans l’arrière-cour afghane, ce à quoi elle s’emploie par de multiples programmes. Pour le Pakistan, il s’agit d’éviter le cauchemar d’un axe Kaboul/New Delhi. Deux facteurs détermineront l’avenir : les négociations avec les Talibans en Afghanistan même, et le possible réchauffement des relations bilatérales entre Islamabad et New Delhi. politique étrangère
Basic Calcium Phosphate Crystals Induce Monocyte/Macrophage IL-1β Secretion through the NLRP3 Inflammasome In Vitro
Authors: Pazár Borbála , Ea Hang-Korng , Narayan Sharmal , Kolly Laeticia , Bagnoud Nathalie , Chobaz Véronique , Roger Thierry , Lioté Frédéric , So Alexander , Busso Nathalie 
Published: January 2011

Abstract
Basic calcium phosphate (BCP) crystals are associated with severe osteoarthritis and acute periarticular inflammation. Three main forms of BCP crystals have been identified from pathological tissues: octacalcium phosphate, carbonate-substituted apatite, and hydroxyapatite. We investigated the proinflammatory effects of these BCP crystals in vitro with special regard to the involvement of the NLRP3–inflammasome in THP-1 cells, primary human monocytes and macrophages, and mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDM). THP-1 cells stimulated with BCP crystals produced IL-1β in a dose-dependent manner. Similarly, primary human cells and BMDM from wild-type mice also produced high concentrations of IL-1β after crystal stimulation. THP-1 cells transfected with short hairpin RNA against the components of the NLRP3 inflammasome and mouse BMDM from mice deficient for NLRP3, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein, or caspase-1 did not produce IL-1β after BCP crystal stimulation. BCP crystals induced macrophage apoptosis/necrosis as demonstrated by MTT and flow cytometric analysis. Collectively, these results demonstrate that BCP crystals induce IL-1β secretion through activating the NLRP3 inflammasome. Furthermore, we speculate that IL-1 blockade could be a novel strategy to inhibit BCP-induced inflammation in human disease.
An Essential Role of STIM1, Orai1, and S100A8–A9 Proteins for Ca2+ Signaling and FcγR-Mediated Phagosomal Oxidative Activity
Authors: Steinckwich Natacha , Schenten Véronique , Melchior Chantal , Bréchard Sabrina , Tschirhart Eric J. 
Published: January 2011

AbstractPhagocytosis is a process of innate immunity that allows for the enclosure of pathogens within the phagosome and their subsequent destruction through the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Although these processes have been associated with increases of intracellular Ca2+ concentrations, the mechanisms by which Ca2+ could regulate the different phases of phagocytosis remain unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the Ca2+ signaling pathways involved in the regulation of FcγRs-induced phagocytosis. Our work focuses on IgG-opsonized zymosan internalization and phagosomal ROS production in DMSO-differentiated HL-60 cells and neutrophils. We found that chelation of intracellular Ca2+ by BAPTA or emptying of the intracellular Ca2+ store by thapsigargin reduced the efficiency of zymosan internalization. Using an small interfering RNA strategy, our data establish that the observed Ca2+ release occurs through two isoforms of inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate receptors, ITPR1 and ITPR3. In addition, we provide evidence that phagosomal ROS production is dependent on extracellular Ca2+ entry. We demonstrate that the observed Ca2+ influx is supported by ORAI calcium release-activated calcium modulator 1 (Orai1) and stromal interaction molecule 1 (STIM1). This result suggests that extracellular Ca2+ entry, which is required for ROS production, is mediated by a store-operated Ca2+ mechanism. Finally, our data identify the complex formed by S100A8 and S100A9 (S100 calcium-binding protein A8 and A9 complex), two Ca2+-binding proteins, as the site of interplay between extracellular Ca2+ entry and intraphagosomal ROS production. Thus, we demonstrate that FcγR-mediated phagocytosis requires intracellular Ca2+ store depletion for the internalization phase. Then phagosomal ROS production requires extracellular Ca2+ entry mediated by Orai1/STIM1 and relayed by S100A8–A9 as Ca2+ sensor.
CSF-1–Dependent Red Pulp Macrophages Regulate CD4 T Cell Responses
Authors: Kurotaki Daisuke , Kon Shigeyuki , Bae Kyeonghwa , Ito Koyu , Matsui Yutaka , Nakayama Yosuke , Kanayama Masashi , Kimura Chiemi , Narita Yoshinori , Nishimura Takashi , Iwabuchi Kazuya , Mack Matthias , van Rooijen Nico , Sakaguchi Shimon , Uede Toshimitsu , Morimoto Junko 
Published: January 2011

Abstract
The balance between immune activation and suppression must be regulated to maintain immune homeostasis. Tissue macrophages (MΦs) constitute the major cellular subsets of APCs within the body; however, how and what types of resident MΦs are involved in the regulation of immune homeostasis in the peripheral lymphoid tissues are poorly understood. Splenic red pulp MΦ (RPMs) remove self-Ags, such as blood-borne particulates and aged erythrocytes, from the blood. Although many scattered T cells exist in the red pulp of the spleen, little attention has been given to how RPMs prevent harmful T cell immune responses against self-Ags. In this study, we found that murine splenic F4/80hiMac-1low MΦs residing in the red pulp showed different expression patterns of surface markers compared with F4/80+Mac-1hi monocytes/MΦs. Studies with purified cell populations demonstrated that F4/80hiMac-1low MΦs regulated CD4+ T cell responses by producing soluble suppressive factors, including TGF-β and IL-10. Moreover, F4/80hiMac-1low MΦs induced the differentiation of naive CD4+ T cells into functional Foxp3+ regulatory T cells. Additionally, we found that the differentiation of F4/80hiMac-1low MΦs was critically regulated by CSF-1, and in vitro-generated bone marrow-derived MΦs induced by CSF-1 suppressed CD4+ T cell responses and induced the generation of Foxp3+ regulatory T cells in vivo. These results suggested that splenic CSF-1–dependent F4/80hiMac-1low MΦs are a subpopulation of RPMs and regulate peripheral immune homeostasis.
Presentation of Soluble Antigens to CD8+ T Cells by CpG Oligodeoxynucleotide-Primed Human Naive B Cells
Authors: Jiang Wei , Lederman Michael M. , Harding Clifford V. , Sieg Scott F. 
Published: January 2011

Abstract
Naive B lymphocytes are generally thought to be poor APCs, and there is limited knowledge of their role in activation of CD8+ T cells. In this article, we demonstrate that class I MHC Ag presentation by human naive B cells is enhanced by TLR9 agonists. Purified naive B cells were cultured with or without a TLR9 agonist (CpG oligodeoxynucleotide [ODN] 2006) for 2 d and then assessed for phenotype, endocytic activity, and their ability to induce CD8+ T cell responses to soluble Ags. CpG ODN enhanced expression of class I MHC and the costimulatory molecule CD86 and increased endocytic activity as determined by uptake of dextran beads. Pretreatment of naive B cells with CpG ODN also enabled presentation of tetanus toxoid to CD8+ T cells, resulting in CD8+ T cell cytokine production and granzyme B secretion and proliferation. Likewise, CpG-activated naive B cells showed enhanced ability to cross-present CMV Ag to autologous CD8+ T cells, resulting in proliferation of CMV-specific CD8+ T cells. Although resting naive B cells are poor APCs, they can be activated by TLR9 agonists to serve as potent APCs for class I MHC-restricted T cell responses. This novel activity of naive B cells could be exploited for vaccine design.
Involvement of CD56brightCD11c+ Cells in IL-18–Mediated Expansion of Human γδ T Cells
Authors: Tsuda Junko , Li Wen , Yamanishi Hiromichi , Yamamoto Hideyuki , Okuda Akico , Kubo Shuji , Ma Zhifeng , Terada Nobuyuki , Tanaka Yoshimasa , Okamura Haruki 
Published: January 2011

Abstract
γδ T cells are considered to be innate lymphocytes that play an important role in host defense against tumors and infections. We recently reported that IL-18 markedly amplified γδ T cell responses to zoledronate (ZOL)/IL-2. In an extension of this finding, we analyzed the mechanism underlying the IL-18–mediated expansion of γδ T cells. After incubation of PBMCs with ZOL/IL-2/IL-18, the majority of the cells expressed γδ TCR, and the rest mostly exhibited CD56brightCD11c+ under the conditions used in this study. CD56brightCD11c+ cells were derived from a culture of CD56intCD11c+ cells and CD14+ cells in the presence of IL-2 and IL-18 without the addition of ZOL. They expressed IL-18Rs, HLA-DR, CD25, CD80, CD83, CD86, and CD11a/CD18. In addition, they produced IFN-γ, TNF-α, but not IL-12, when treated with IL-2/IL-18, and they exerted cytotoxicity against K562 cells, thus exhibiting characteristics of both NK cells and dendritic cells. Incubation of purified γδ T cells with CD56brightCD11c+ cells in the presence of ZOL/IL-2/IL-18 resulted in the formation of massive cell clusters and led to the marked expansion of γδ T cells. However, both conventional CD56−/intCD11chigh dendritic cells induced by GM-CSF/IL-4 and CD56+CD11c− NK cells failed to support the expansion of γδ T cells. These results strongly suggest that CD56brightCD11c+ cells play a key role in the IL-18–mediated proliferation of γδ T cells.
IL-33 Activates B1 Cells and Exacerbates Contact Sensitivity
Authors: Komai-Koma Mousa , Gilchrist Derek S. , McKenzie Andrew N. J. , Goodyear Carl S. , Xu Damo , Liew Foo Y. 
Published: January 2011

Abstract
B1 B cells produce natural IgM and play a critical role in the early defense against bacterial and viral infection. The polyreactive IgM also contributes to the clearance of apoptotic products and plays an important role in autoimmune pathogenesis. However, the mechanism of activation and proliferation of B1 cells remains obscure. In this study, we report that IL-33, a new member of IL-1 family, activates B1 cells, which express the IL-33 receptor α, ST2. IL-33 markedly activated B1 cell proliferation and enhanced IgM, IL-5, and IL-13 production in vitro and in vivo in a ST2-dependent manner. The IL-33–activated B1 cell functions could be largely abolished by IL-5 neutralization and partially reduced by T cell or mast cell deficiency in vivo. ST2-deficient mice developed less severe oxazolone-induced contact sensitivity (CS) than did wild-type (WT) mice. Furthermore, IL-33 treatment significantly exacerbated CS in WT mice with enhanced B1 cell proliferation and IgM and IL-5 production. Moreover, IL-33–activated B1 cells from WT mice could adoptively transfer enhanced CS in ST2−/− mice challenged with IL-33. Thus, we demonstrate, to the best of our knowledge, a hitherto unrecognized mechanism of B1 cell activation and IL-33 function, and suggest that IL-33 may play an important role in delayed-type hypersensitivity.
A Role for Autophagic Protein Beclin 1 Early in Lymphocyte Development
Authors: Arsov Ivica , Adebayo Adeola , Kucerova-Levisohn Martina , Haye Joanna , MacNeil Margaret , Papavasiliou F. Nina , Yue Zhenyu , Ortiz Benjamin D. 
Published: January 2011

Abstract
Autophagy is a highly regulated and evolutionarily conserved process of cellular self-digestion. Recent evidence suggests that this process plays an important role in regulating T cell homeostasis. In this study, we used Rag1−/− (recombination activating gene 1−/−) blastocyst complementation and in vitro embryonic stem cell differentiation to address the role of Beclin 1, one of the key autophagic proteins, in lymphocyte development. Beclin 1-deficient Rag1−/− chimeras displayed a dramatic reduction in thymic cellularity compared with control mice. Using embryonic stem cell differentiation in vitro, we found that the inability to maintain normal thymic cellularity is likely caused by impaired maintenance of thymocyte progenitors. Interestingly, despite drastically reduced thymocyte numbers, the peripheral T cell compartment of Beclin 1-deficient Rag1−/− chimeras is largely normal. Peripheral T cells displayed normal in vitro proliferation despite significantly reduced numbers of autophagosomes. In addition, these chimeras had greatly reduced numbers of early B cells in the bone marrow compared with controls. However, the peripheral B cell compartment was not dramatically impacted by Beclin 1 deficiency. Collectively, our results suggest that Beclin 1 is required for maintenance of undifferentiated/early lymphocyte progenitor populations. In contrast, Beclin 1 is largely dispensable for the initial generation and function of the peripheral T and B cell compartments. This indicates that normal lymphocyte development involves Beclin 1-dependent, early-stage and distinct, Beclin 1-independent, late-stage processes.
Elevated IL-7 Availability Does Not Account for T Cell Proliferation in Moderate Lymphopenia
Authors: Osborne Lisa Colleen , Patton Daniel Timothy , Seo Jung Hee , Abraham Ninan 
Published: January 2011

Abstract
Lymphopenia-induced proliferation (LIP) is a proliferative program initiated in response to T cell insufficiency caused by acute or chronic immunodepletion. Studies of lymphopenic mice have demonstrated that the cytokine IL-7 and TCR signaling are critical for LIP. We examined how these two factors impact T cell proliferation following transfer into moderately lymphopenic mice. In this study, we show that moderate lymphopenia (∼25% of wild-type lymphocytes) of IL-7Rα knock-in mutant (IL-7Rα449F) mice supports T cell proliferation, although with decreased frequency and kinetics compared with cells transferred to severely lymphopenic (5% of wild-type lymphocytes) IL-7Rα−/− hosts. Although previous studies have demonstrated that elevated IL-7 levels play an important role in LIP, IL-7 availability was not elevated in IL-7Rα449F mice. However, moderate lymphopenia increased access of transferred T cells to self-peptide presented on APCs that can trigger TCR signaling and proliferation. Importantly, we did not detect significant changes in TCR Vβ usage of proliferated T cells recovered from either moderately or severely lymphopenic hosts. Our work demonstrates that polyclonal T cells retain a diverse TCR repertoire following proliferation mediated by either self-peptide–MHC interaction alone or in combination with IL-7, and that T cell reconstitution is most efficient in the presence of increased IL-7 availability.
Characterization of Trex1 Induction by IFN-γ in Murine Macrophages
Authors: Serra Maria , Forcales Sonia-Vanina , Pereira-Lopes Selma , Lloberas Jorge , Celada Antonio 
Published: January 2011

Abstract
3′ Repair exonuclease (Trex1) is the most abundant mammalian 3′→5′ DNA exonuclease with specificity for ssDNA. Trex1 deficiency has been linked to the development of autoimmune disease in mice and humans, causing Aicardi-Goutières syndrome in the latter. In addition, polymorphisms in Trex1 are associated with systemic lupus erythematosus. On the basis of all these observations, it has been hypothesized that Trex1 acts by digesting an endogenous DNA substrate. In this study, we report that Trex1 is regulated by IFN-γ during the activation of primary macrophages. IFN-γ upregulates Trex1 with the time course of an early gene, and this induction occurs at the transcription level. The half-life of mRNA is relatively short (half-life of 70 min). The coding sequence of Trex1 has only one exon and an intron of 260 bp in the promoter in the nontranslated mRNA. Three transcription start sites were detected, the one at −580 bp being the most important. In transient transfection experiments using the Trex1 promoter, we have found that two IFN-γ activation site boxes, as well as an adaptor protein complex 1 box, were required for the IFN-γ–dependent induction. By using EMSA assays and chromatin immune precipitation assays, we determined that STAT1 binds to the IFN-γ activation site boxes. The requirement of STAT1 for Trex1 induction was confirmed using macrophages from Stat1 knockout mice. We also establish that c-Jun protein, but not c-Fos, jun-B, or CREB, bound to the adaptor protein complex 1 box. Therefore, our results indicate that IFN-γ induces the expression of the Trex1 exonuclease through STAT1 and c-Jun.
Proteasome Inhibition with Bortezomib Depletes Plasma Cells and Autoantibodies in Experimental Autoimmune Myasthenia Gravis
Authors: Gomez Alejandro M. , Vrolix Kathleen , Martínez-Martínez Pilar , Molenaar Peter C. , Phernambucq Marko , van der Esch Eline , Duimel Hans , Verheyen Fons , Voll Reinhard E. , Manz Rudolf A. , De Baets Marc H. , Losen Mario 
Published: January 2011

Abstract
Bortezomib, an inhibitor of proteasomes, has been reported to reduce autoantibody titers and to improve clinical condition in mice suffering from lupus-like disease. Bortezomib depletes both short- and long-lived plasma cells; the latter normally survive the standard immunosuppressant treatments targeting T and B cells. These findings encouraged us to test whether bortezomib is effective for alleviating the symptoms in the experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis (EAMG) model for myasthenia gravis, a disease that is characterized by autoantibodies against the acetylcholine receptor (AChR) of skeletal muscle. Lewis rats were immunized with saline (control, n = 36) or Torpedo AChR (EAMG, n = 54) in CFA in the first week of an experimental period of 8 wk. After immunization, rats received twice a week s.c. injections of bortezomib (0.2 mg/kg in saline) or saline injections. Bortezomib induced apoptosis in bone marrow cells and reduced the amount of plasma cells in the bone marrow by up to 81%. In the EAMG animals, bortezomib efficiently reduced the rise of anti-AChR autoantibody titers, prevented ultrastructural damage of the postsynaptic membrane, improved neuromuscular transmission, and decreased myasthenic symptoms. This study thus underscores the potential of the therapeutic use of proteasome inhibitors to target plasma cells in Ab-mediated autoimmune diseases.
Mast Cells as Sensors of Cell Injury through IL-33 Recognition
Authors: Enoksson Mattias , Lyberg Katarina , Möller-Westerberg Christine , Fallon Padraic G. , Nilsson Gunnar , Lunderius-Andersson Carolina 
Published: January 2011

Abstract
In response to cell injury, caused, for example, by trauma, several processes must be initiated simultaneously to achieve an acute inflammatory response designed to prevent sustained tissue damage and infection and to restore and maintain tissue homeostasis. Detecting cell injury is facilitated by the fact that damaged cells release intracellular molecules not normally present in the extracellular space. However, potential underlying mechanisms for the recognition of endogenous danger signals released upon cell injury have yet to be elucidated. In this study, we demonstrate that mast cells, potent promoters of acute inflammation, play a key role in responding to cell injury by recognizing IL-33 released from necrotic structural cells. In an in vitro model of cell injury, this recognition was shown to involve the T1/ST2 receptor and result in the secretion of proinflammatory leukotrienes and cytokines by mouse mast cells. Remarkably, of all of the components released upon necrosis, our results show that IL-33 alone is a key component responsible for initiating proinflammatory responses in mast cells reacting to cell injury. Our findings identify IL-33 as a key danger signal released by necrotic structural cells capable of activating mast cells, thus providing novel insights concerning the role of mast cells as sensors of cell injury.
Analytical and numerical solution for viscous dissipation effect on the heat transfer in a deformable channel
Authors: Mustafa Naeem , Asghar S. , Hayat T. 
Published: January 2011

AbstractIn this paper, shooting method and homotopy perturbation technique are applied for the flow analysis of temporal energy transport in a deformation channel with isothermal walls. An incompressible viscous fluid fills the space inside the channel. Analytical and numerical solutions are developed for the momentum and energy equations. The viscous dissipation effects are taken into account. Graphs for pertinent flow parameters are sketched and discussed. Comparison between the analytical and numerical solutions indicates an excellent agreement. It is noticed that behaviors of Prandtl and Eckert numbers on the temperature are qualitatively similar. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Protein structure predictions by parallel simulated annealing molecular dynamics using genetic crossover
Authors: Sakae Yoshitake , Hiroyasu Tomoyuki , Miki Mitsunori , Okamoto Yuko 
Published: January 2011

AbstractWe propose a conformational search method to find a global minimum energy structure for protein systems. The simulated annealing is a powerful method for local conformational search. On the other hand, the genetic crossover can search the global conformational space. Our method incorporates these attractive features of the simulated annealing and genetic crossover. In the previous works, we have been using the Monte Carlo algorithm for simulated annealing. In the present work, we use the molecular dynamics algorithm instead. To examine the effectiveness of our method, we compared our results with those of the normal simulated annealing molecular dynamics simulations by using an α‐helical miniprotein. We used genetic two‐point crossover here. The conformations, which have lower energy than those obtained from the conventional simulated annealing, were obtained. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2011