bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Methylome of Fetal and Maternal Monocytes and Macrophages at the Feto‐Maternal Interface
Authors: Kim Sun Young , Romero Roberto , Tarca Adi L. , Bhatti Gaurav , Kim Chong Jai , Lee JoonHo , Elsey Amelia , Than Nandor Gabor , Chaiworapongsa Tinnakorn , Hassan Sonia S. , Kang Gyeong Hoon , Kim Jung‐Sun 
Published: March 2012

ProblemDecidual macrophages (dMφ) of the mother and placental macrophages (Hofbauer cells, HC) of the fetus are deployed at a critical location: the feto‐maternal interface. This study was conducted to compare the DNA methylome of maternal and fetal monocytes, dMφ, and HC and thereby to determine the immunobiological importance of DNA methylation in pregnancy.Method of StudyPaired samples were obtained from normal pregnant women at term not in labor and their neonates. Maternal monocytes (MMo) and fetal monocytes (FMo) were isolated from the peripheral blood of mothers and fetal cord blood, respectively. dMφ and HC were obtained from the decidua of fetal membranes and placentas, respectively. DNA methylation profiling was performed using the Illumina Infinium Human Methylation27 BeadChip. Quantitative real‐time PCR and Western Blot were performed for validation experiments.Results(i) Significant differences in DNA methylation were found in each comparison (MMo versus FMo, 65 loci; dMφ versus HC, 266 loci; MMo versus dMφ, 199 loci; FMo versus HC, 1030 loci). (ii) Many of the immune response‐related genes were hypermethylated in fetal cells (FMo and HC) compared to maternal cells (MMo and dMφ). (iii) Genes encoding markers of classical macrophage activation were hypermethylated, and genes encoding alternative macrophage activation were hypomethylated in dMφ and HC compared to MMo and FMo, respectively. (iv) mRNA expressions of DNMT1, DNMT3A, and DNMT3B were significantly lower in dMφ than in HC. (v) 5‐azacytidine treatment increased expression of INCA1 in dMφ.ConclusionsThe findings herein indicate that DNA methylation patterns change during monocyte–macrophage differentiation at the feto‐maternal interface. It is also suggested that DNA methylation is an important component of the biological machinery conferring an anti‐inflammatory phenotype to macrophages at the feto‐maternal interface.
Glucocorticoid Receptor Mediates the Effect of Progesterone on Uterine Natural Killer Cells
Authors: Guo Wei , Li Pengfei , Zhao Guangfeng , Fan Hongye , Hu Yali , Hou Yayi 
Published: March 2012

ProblemUterine natural killer cells (uNK) do not express progesterone receptor, but express glucocorticoid receptor (GR). So, we speculate that progesterone may regulate uNK cells through a GR‐mediated process.Method of StudyAfter mouse NK cells were stimulated with CpG with or without IL‐12 in the presence or absence pre‐treatment of progesterone, the effects of progesterone on NK via GR were investigated by using RU486 (progesterone receptor and GR antagonist) and CDB‐2914 (progesterone receptor antagonist). The expressions of CD69 and IFN‐γ were determined by flow cytometry and qPCR. Phosphorylation of IκB and STAT4 was determined by Western blot. Furthermore, we purified uNK cells from human decidual tissues using anti‐CD56 microbeads to verify the effect of progesterone on uNK via GR.ResultsProgesterone suppressed CD69 and IFN‐γ expression of mouse spleen NK cells and human uNK cells induced by CpG combined with IL‐12. CDB‐2914 had no effect on IFN‐γ expression suppressed by progesterone, while RU486 could abolish the inhibitory effect of progesterone. In addition, progesterone could decrease the phosphorylation of both STAT4 and IκB.ConclusionsIn the present study, we first prove that progesterone can regulate NK cells via GR. It is valuable for further understanding the role of uNK in progesterone regulated gestation process.
Immune Etiology of Recurrent Pregnancy Loss and Its Diagnosis
Authors: Beaman Kenneth D. , Ntrivalas Evangelos , Mallers Timothy M. , Jaiswal Mukesh K. , Kwak‐Kim Joanne , Gilman‐Sachs Alice 
Published: March 2012

AbstractRecurrent Spontaneous Abortion of Immunological Origin (RSAI) is currently diagnosed by the occurrence of 2–3 consecutive miscarriages of unknown origin. The psychological trauma incurred by these events is a serious ailment which may be potentially avoided if a method of analysis is derived which may forecast these events and in turn prevent them from occurring. This review intends to examine studies of recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) which use laboratory diagnosis and also studies of RSA that do not use laboratory diagnosis. We believe that when laboratory results are incorporated into the diagnosis of RSA/RSAI that treatment is highly successful whereas the absence of laboratory results severely hinders the effectiveness of treatment. It is worth noting that correlating treatment versus outcome is imprudent because of the multiple variables involved in patient cases. It is not imprudent, however, to say that incorporation of laboratory data is essential when diagnosing RSA/RSAI.
WHOLE‐GRAIN RICE FLAVOR ASSOCIATED WITH ASSORTED BRAN COLORS
Authors: BETT‐GARBER K.L. , LEA J.M. , CHAMPAGNE E.T. , MCCLUNG A.M. 
Published: March 2012

ABSTRACTRecognition of the health benefits of whole‐grain and pigmented bran rice has resulted in their increased consumption. Bran contributes fiber, minerals, vitamins and an array of phytonutrients to the diet. Understanding flavor differences arising from bran pigmentation helps consumers choose the best rice for their use. Ten panelists trained in descriptive analysis developed 25 descriptors to describe whole‐grain rice flavor and evaluated the flavor of 22 rice samples with white, light‐brown, dark‐brown, red and black bran. Brown rice had more intense grainy/starchy, cooked cereal and corn/popcorn/buttery flavors. Black rice was higher in oily, darkberry, medicinal and smoky/burnt flavors. Red rice had greater intensities for beany, animal/wet dog and earthy flavors. The darker cultivars tend to have more bitter taste and astringent mouthfeel. This lexicon enhances the understanding of flavors associated with rice bran color.PRACTICAL APPLICATIONWhole‐grain rice is unpolished or unmilled rice with the bran layers retained. The bran layer has many nutrients that are removed during polishing (milling). Because of the health benefits of keeping the bran layer intact, whole‐grain rice has experienced an increase in demand worldwide. Milled‐rice flavor has been characterized, but whole‐grain rice has a different flavor profile due to the bran. This new whole‐grain rice flavor lexicon describes the flavor attributes and differences between bran color and types of whole‐grain rice.
The Frankfurt School on Religion
Authors: Brittain Christopher Craig 
Published: March 2012

AbstractThe diverse scholars associated with the Frankfurt School offer an important understanding of religion. Offering a more nuanced position than either the contemporary “return of religion” position or that of “New Atheism,” critical theorists like Horkheimer, Adorno and Benjamin develop an aggressive critique of the ideological nature of religion, while also appreciating religion’s relationship with the concern for objective truth. This complex attitude towards the study of religion is criticized and adapted by the “second generation” of the Frankfurt School, primarily through the work of Habermas and Wellmer. Habermas’s early reduction of religion to primitive forms of thought has shifted after the terrorist attacks of 9/11, to a more hospitable desire to encourage dialogue between religious adherents and secularists. Although collectively the intellectuals associated with the Frankfurt School do not articulate a coherent and complete theory of religion, their work continues to represent a rich resource for the contemporary study of the discipline.
Corporate Chaplaincy and the American Workplace
Authors: Seales Chad E. 
Published: March 2012

AbstractCorporate chaplains are religious ministers trained in pastoral care, most often clinical pastoral education, paid by a company or staffing agency to serve the emotional and spiritual needs of workers at their jobsite. In the early 21st century, the secular vocation of corporate chaplaincy is a growing business and a booming enterprise. This essay traces the historical development of corporate chaplaincy from its earlier industrial forms and argues that corporate chaplains have influenced the development of the American workplace through their organizational mediation of spiritual meaning and economic productivity.
The War on Terror and the Transformation of Political Islam
Authors: Cavatorta Francesco 
Published: March 2012

AbstractThe war on terror intensified widespread misconceptions about the nature and complexity of Islamism. The paper analyses the trajectory towards the acceptance of democracy and human rights on the part of mainstream Islamist groups and argues that such development ran the risk of being derailed by an ill‐conceived war on terror that in the short term benefited those sectors of Islamism that always had violence at the centre of their political project.
Implications of Psychosocial Factors for Diabetes Outcomes among Children with Type 1 Diabetes: A Review
Authors: Helgeson Vicki S. , Palladino Dianne K. 
Published: March 2012

AbstractWe adopt a risk and resistance framework to review the literature on the psychosocial factors that influence diabetes outcomes—specifically self‐care behavior (blood glucose monitoring, diet, exercise, insulin administration) and glycemic control. We examine both personal and social/environmental risk and resistance factors. We conclude by suggesting conceptual and methodological directions for future research. Conceptually, we suggest that researchers examine the synergy among variables that cut across domains, mechanisms linking psychosocial factors to diabetes outcomes, and the impact of goals on health. Methodologically, we suggest that researchers examine age, gender, and race as moderator variables; utilize momentary data collection technology; and employ more sophisticated longitudinal analyses.
Pathways to Lifespan Health Following Childhood Parental Death
Authors: Luecken Linda J. , Roubinov Danielle S. 
Published: March 2012

AbstractThe death of a parent is a profoundly stressful form of childhood adversity, increasing the short‐ and long‐term risk of mental health problems. Emerging research suggests it may also disrupt biological regulatory systems and increase the risk of long‐term physical health problems. This article presents a theoretical framework of the process by which the experience of parental death during childhood may influence mental and physical health outcomes over time. Drawing from a broad literature on adaptation following childhood parental loss, we focus on risk and protective factors in the childhood environment that are theoretically and empirically linked to emotional and biological regulatory responses to stress later in life, the effects of which may accumulate to impact long‐term health.
Waiting Well: Tips for Navigating Painful Uncertainty
Authors: Sweeny Kate 
Published: March 2012

AbstractWaiting for uncertain news can be a source of anxiety and distraction. This paper explores the experience of waiting for news that is both uncertain and unchangeable and provides tips for waiting well under these circumstances. During difficult waiting periods people can mitigate anxiety, reduce disruptive rumination, and minimize later harm by (1) distracting themselves from their uncertainty, (2) managing their expectations, (3) looking for the silver lining in all outcomes, (4) keeping perspective regarding the news, and (5) planning ahead for the objective and psychological consequences of bad news.
Crying: Call for a Lifespan Approach
Authors: Rottenberg Jonathan , Vingerhoets Ad J. J. M. 
Published: March 2012

AbstractAlthough crying is woven through the life course, from the doctor’s slap to a deathbed vigil, there is no well‐established lifespan tradition of studying crying. Instead the study of crying is broken into separate bodies of work on childhood (mostly on infants) and on adults. In this contribution, we share our enthusiasm and our ideas for the construction of a lifespan narrative of crying behavior. The evolutionary and phylogenic basis of crying is first outlined. We highlight the most important transitions in humans, including changes in the antecedents of crying, and the ways crying is increasingly regulated. We piece together existing research on these transitions and identify key gaps in knowledge, including the developmental periods, such as adolescence and old age, that have been the most seriously neglected. Finally, we suggest key empirical and methodological future directions that will most invigorate the study of crying as a developmental phenomenon.
Bias in Favor of the Status Quo
Authors: Eidelman Scott , Crandall Christian S. 
Published: March 2012

AbstractPeople favor the existing and longstanding states of the world. Rational explanations for status quo maintenance are complemented by a number of non‐rational mechanisms; loss aversion, regret avoidance, repeated exposure, and rationalization create a preference for existing states. We show that the status quo also benefits from a simple assumption of goodness due to mere existence and longevity; people treat existence as a prima facie case for goodness, aesthetic and ethical Longevity increases this preference. These biases operate heuristically, forming barriers to cognitive and social change.
‘Bioenergy from cattle manure? Implications of anaerobic digestion and subsequent pyrolysis for carbon and nitrogen dynamics in soil’
Authors: Schouten Socrates , van Groenigen Jan W. , Oenema Oene , Cayuela Maria L. 
Published: March 2012

AbstractCattle manure can be processed to produce bioenergy, resulting in by‐products with different physicochemical characteristics. To evaluate whether application of such bioenergy by‐products to soils would be beneficial compared with their unprocessed counterpart, we quantified differences in greenhouse gas emissions and carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) dynamics in soil. Three by‐products (15N‐labeled cattle manure, from which anaerobic digestate was obtained, which was subsequently pyrolysed) were applied to a loess and a sandy soil in a laboratory incubation study. The highest losses of soil C from biological activity (CO2 respiration) were observed in manure treatments (39% and 32% for loess and sandy soil), followed by digestate (31% and and 18%), and biochar (15% and and 7%). Emissions of nitrous oxide (N2O) ranged from 0.6% of applied N from biochar to 4.0% from manure. Isotope labeling indicated that manure N was most readily mineralized, contributing 50% to soil inorganic N. The anaerobic digestate was the only by‐product increasing the mineral N pool, while reducing emissions of N2O compared with manure. In biochar treatments, less than 18.3% of soil mineral N derived from the biochar, while it did not constrain mineralization of native soil N. By‐products of anaerobic digestion and pyrolysis revealed soil fertility in addition to environmental benefits. However, the reported advantages lessen when the declining yields of C and N over the bioenergy chain are considered.
Agent‐based modelling and simulation: The potential contribution to organizational psychology
Authors: Hughes Helen P. N. , Clegg Chris W. , Robinson Mark A. , Crowder Richard M. 
Published: March 2012

Agent‐based modelling and simulation (ABMS) has been used by researchers from a variety of disciplines to study a range of phenomena. At present, ABMS is vastly underutilized in organizational psychology, yet we believe it offers a range of potential benefits that are currently not well catered for by existing tools. In this paper, we introduce ABMS and explain how it differs from current approaches. We illustrate the potential advantages of the approach through a range of examples and through the identification of opportunities in the field of organizational psychology. We also highlight potential limitations of the ABMS approach, and discuss the circumstances under which it may make a worthwhile contribution.Practitioner PointsThis paper outlines ABMS and explains how it adds to the existing toolset of the organizational psychologist. Practitioners will find ABMS and this paper particularly useful:
When they are working in high‐risk environments, where getting it wrong is costly.
Where there are practical or ethical difficulties in conducting real‐world research.
Where they want to develop and test more holistic interpretations of complex systems and problems.
Where they wish to examine feedback loops and/or the impact of time on behaviour.
The role of a trigeminal sensory nucleus in the initiation of locomotion
Authors: Buhl Edgar , Roberts Alan , Soffe Stephen R. 
Published: March 2012

Key points
Rhythmic activity is a feature of many regions of the CNS, but surprisingly, no precise pathway for the initiation of locomotion is yet known for any vertebrate.
Using a well‐proven, simple vertebrate system, the hatchling Xenopus tadpole, we report here our discovery of a detailed neuron‐by‐neuron pathway for initiating locomotor activity on one side of the CNS.
We describe a small population of brainstem neurons (trigeminal interneurons) that are directly excited by trigeminal sensory neurons when the head skin is touched.
These neurons amplify brief sensory signals and relay excitation to an electrically coupled population of hindbrain reticulospinal neurons (descending interneurons), whose firing initiates swimming locomotion.
We believe that our discovery of this primitive, direct pathway, which appears simpler than initiation pathways so far defined in invertebrates, is of evolutionary interest and raises the important possibility of equivalent pathways in more complex vertebrates including mammals.
Apicoplast-Targeting Antibacterials Inhibit the Growth of Babesia Parasites
Authors: AbouLaila Mahmoud , Munkhjargal Tserendorj , Sivakumar Thillaiampalam , Ueno Akio , Nakano Yuki , Yokoyama Miki , Yoshinari Takeshi , Nagano Daisuke , Katayama Koji , El-Bahy Nasr , Yokoyama Naoaki , Igarashi Ikuo 
Published: March 2012

ABSTRACTThe apicoplast housekeeping machinery, specifically apicoplast DNA replication, transcription, and translation, was targeted by ciprofloxacin, thiostrepton, and rifampin, respectively, in thein vitrocultures of fourBabesiaspecies. Furthermore, thein vivoeffect of thiostrepton on the growth cycle ofBabesia microtiin BALB/c mice was evaluated. The drugs caused significant inhibition of growth from an initial parasitemia of 1% forBabesia bovis, with 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC50s) of 8.3, 11.5, 12, and 126.6 μM for ciprofloxacin, thiostrepton, rifampin, and clindamycin, respectively. The IC50s for the inhibition ofBabesia bigeminagrowth were 15.8 μM for ciprofloxacin, 8.2 μM for thiostrepton, 8.3 μM for rifampin, and 206 μM for clindamycin. The IC50s forBabesia caballiwere 2.7 μM for ciprofloxacin, 2.7 μM for thiostrepton, 4.7 μM for rifampin, and 4.7 μM for clindamycin. The IC50s for the inhibition ofBabesia equigrowth were 2.5 μM for ciprofloxacin, 6.4 μM for thiostrepton, 4.1 μM for rifampin, and 27.2 μM for clindamycin. Furthermore, an inhibitory effect was revealed for cultures with an initial parasitemia of either 10 or 7% forBabesia bovisorBabesia bigemina, respectively. The three inhibitors caused immediate death ofBabesia bovisandBabesia equi. The inhibitory effects of ciprofloxacin, thiostrepton, and rifampin were confirmed by reverse transcription-PCR. Thiostrepton at a dose of 500 mg/kg of body weight resulted in 77.5% inhibition ofBabesia microtigrowth in BALB/c mice. These results implicate the apicoplast as a potential chemotherapeutic target for babesiosis.
In Vitro
Cardiovascular Effects of Dihydroartemisin-Piperaquine Combination Compared with Other Antimalarials
Authors: Borsini Franco , Crumb William , Pace Silvia , Ubben David , Wible Barb , Yan Gan-Xin , Funck-Brentano Christian 
Published: March 2012

ABSTRACT

The
in vitro
cardiac properties of dihydroartemisinin (DHA) plus piperaquine phosphate (PQP) were compared with those of other antimalarial compounds. Results with antimalarial drugs, chosen on the basis of their free therapeutic maximum concentration in plasma (
C
max
), were expressed as the fold of that particular effect with respect to their
C
max
. The following tests were used at 37°C: hERG (human ether-à-go-go-related gene) blockade and trafficking, rabbit heart ventricular preparations, and sodium and slow potassium ion current interference (I
Na
and I
Ks
, respectively). Chloroquine, halofantrine, mefloquine, and lumefantrine were tested in the hERG studies, but only chloroquine, dofetilide, lumefantrine, and the combination of artemether-lumefantrine were used in the rabbit heart ventricular preparations, hERG trafficking studies, and I
Na
and I
Ks
analyses. A proper reference was used in each test. In hERG studies, the high 50% inhibitory concentration (IC
50
) of halofantrine, which was lower than its
C
max
, was confirmed. All the other compounds blocked hERG, with IC
50
s ranging from 3- to 30-fold their
C
max
s. In hERG trafficking studies, the facilitative effects of chloroquine at about 30-fold its
C
max
were confirmed and DHA blocked it at a concentration about 300-fold its
C
max
. In rabbit heart ventricular preparations, dofetilide, used as a positive control, revealed a high risk of torsades de pointes, whereas chloroquine showed a medium risk. Neither DHA-PQP nor artemether-lumefantrine displayed an
in vitro
signal for a significant proarrhythmic risk. Only chloroquine blocked the I
Na
ion current and did so at about 30-fold its
C
max
. No effect on I
Ks
was detected. In conclusion, despite significant hERG blockade, DHA-PQP and artemether-lumefantrine do not appear to induce potential torsadogenic effects
in vitro
, affect hERG trafficking, or block sodium and slow potassium ion currents.
Detection and Characterization of VIM-31, a New Variant of VIM-2 with Tyr224His and His252Arg Mutations, in a Clinical Isolate of Enterobacter cloacae
Authors: Bogaerts Pierre , Bebrone Carine , Huang Te-Din , Bouchahrouf Warda , DeGheldre Yves , Deplano Ariane , Hoffmann Kurt , Glupczynski Youri 
Published: March 2012

ABSTRACT

We report the first description of the metallo-β-lactamase VIM-31, a new variant of VIM-2 with Tyr224His and His252Arg mutations, in
Enterobacter cloacae
11236, which was isolated from blood specimens of a patient with colonic adenocarcinoma in Belgium.
bla
VIM-31
was found on a class 1 integron located on a self-transferable but not typeable 42-kb plasmid. Compared to values published elsewhere for VIM-2, the purified VIM-31 enzyme showed weaker catalytic efficiency against all the tested beta-lactam agents (except for ertapenem), resulting from lower
k
cat
(except for ertapenem) and higher

K
m

values for VIM-31.