bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Picture grammars in classification and semantic interpretation of 3D coronary vessels visualisations
Authors: Ogiela M. , Tadeusiewicz R. , Trzupek M. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractThe work presents the new opportunity for making semantic descriptions and analysis of medical structures, especially coronary vessels CT spatial reconstructions, with the use of AI graph-based linguistic formalisms. In the paper there will be discussed the manners of applying methods of computational intelligence to the development of a syntactic semantic description of spatial visualisations of the heart’s coronary vessels. Such descriptions may be used for both smart ordering of images while archiving them and for their semantic searches in medical multimedia databases. Presented methodology of analysis can furthermore be used for attaining other goals related performance of computer-assisted semantic interpretation of selected elements and/or the entire 3D structure of the coronary vascular tree. These goals are achieved through the use of graph-based image formalisms based on IE graphs generating grammars that allow discovering and automatic semantic interpretation of irregularities visualised on the images obtained during diagnostic examinations of the heart muscle. The basis for the construction of 3D reconstructions of biological objects used in this work are visualisations obtained from helical CT scans, yet the method itself may be applied also for other methods of medical 3D images acquisition. The obtained semantic information makes it possible to make a description of the structure focused on the semantics of various morphological forms of the visualised vessels from the point of view of the operation of coronary circulation and the blood supply of the heart muscle. Thanks to these, the analysis conducted allows fast and — to a great degree — automated interpretation of the semantics of various morphological changes in the coronary vascular tree, and especially makes it possible to detect these stenoses in the lumen of the vessels that can cause critical decrease in blood supply to extensive or especially important fragments of the heart muscle.
Double-frequency external cavity laser with a singular optical semiconductor amplifier
Authors: Kowalczyk E. , Szyjer M. , Fronc K. , Mroziewicz B. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractOptical properties of an external cavity laser with a semiconductor optical amplifier and two diffraction gratings are described. The laser has been pigtailed and its emission showed two peaks in the output spectrum. The wavelength of the peaks, and in particular the spectral spacing between them, could be controlled by adjusting the reflecting elements in the system. The proposed double-frequency laser may be adopted as a signal source in terahertz generators.
Evaluation of optical quality and properties of Ga0.64In0.36N0.006As0.994 lattice matched to GaAs by using photoluminescence spectroscopy
Authors: Gholami M. , Esmaeili M. , Haratizadeh H. , Holtz P. , Hammar M. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractWe have investigated optical properties of Ga0.64In0.36N0.006As0.994/GaAs single quantum-well structures using photoluminescence technique. We have found that nitrogen creates potential fluctuations in the InGaNAs structures, so it is the cause of trap centres in these structures and leads to localized excitons recombination dynamics. The near-band edge PL at 2 K exhibited a blueshift with an increase in excitation intensity of a sample but there is not such a shift in the PL peak position energy of same sample at 150 K. It has been found that PL spectra have a large full width at half maximum (FWHM) value at 2 K. These results are discussed in terms of carrier localization. Additionally, our results suggest decreasing PL integrated intensity in this structure, possibly due to non-radiative recombination. It has been shown that thermal annealing reduces the local strain created by nitrogen. By annealing process, a blue shifted emission can be observed.
American death
Authors: Roberts Elizabeth F. S. 
Published: July 2009

Sharon Kaufman, And a time to die: How American hospitals shape the end of life. New York: Scribner, 2004, 416 pp., ISBN 0-743-26476-2.Lesley A. A. Sharp, Strange harvest: Organ transplants, denatured bodies, and the transformed self. Berkeley: University of California Press, 2006, 322 pp., ISBN 0-520-24786-8.
Social Deliberation: Nash, Bayes, and the Partial Vindication of Gabriele Tarde
Authors: Alexander J. McKenzie 
Published: July 2009

ABSTRACTAt the very end of the 19th century, Gabriele Tarde wrote that all society was a product of imitation and innovation. This view regarding the development of society has, to a large extent, fallen out of favour, and especially so in those areas where the rational actor model looms large. I argue that this is unfortunate, as models of imitative learning, in some cases, agree better with what people actually do than more sophisticated models of learning. In this paper, I contrast the behaviour of imitative learning with two more sophisticated learning rules (one based on Bayesian updating, the other based on the Nash-Brown-von Neumann dynamics) in the context of social deliberation problems. I show for two social deliberation problems, the Centipede game and a simple Lewis sender-receiver game, that imitative learning provides better agreement with what people actually do, thus partially vindicating Tarde.
Skin Inflammation Is Not Sufficient to Break Tolerance Induced against a Novel Antigen
Authors: Holcmann Martin , Stoitzner Patrizia , Drobits Barbara , Luehrs Petra , Stingl Georg , Romani Nikolaus , Maurer Dieter , Sibilia Maria 
Published: July 2009

Abstract
Depending on the cellular and molecular microenvironment, immune responses generated by skin-associated lymphoid tissues can lead to protective immunity against pathogens or to tolerance. In this study, we investigated immune responses to an Ag expressed de novo in adult skin under homeostatic conditions by generating transgenic mice producing the Ag Ova in a Cre-inducible manner in keratinocytes. Expression of Ova was induced in adult mice with a tamoxifen-inducible K5-CreER transgenic line. Although Ova was efficiently expressed by keratinocytes and presented by Langerhans cells after Cre-mediated transgene recombination, adult transgenic mice did not develop any obvious autoimmune disease symptoms like hair or weight loss. Ag-specific T cells were activated after Ova expression as indicated by up-regulation of CD44 and CD69. After in vitro restimulation Ova-specific T cells showed reduced IFN-γ production suggesting induction of tolerance after Ova expression in the skin. After transfer into Ova-expressing mice, naive OT-1 T cells transiently proliferated in skin-draining lymph nodes, infiltrated the skin but did not cause disease. Topical application of danger signals at the time of Ova induction did also not induce autoimmune disease. The unresponsiveness of Ag-specific T cells after induction of Ova expression could only be circumvented by simultaneous priming with CpG-matured, bone marrow-derived dendritic cells. Our data suggest that low amount of Ag expressed in the induction phase of the immune response results in tolerance even in the presence of danger signals and thereby helps to preserve homeostasis in the skin under normal and pathologic conditions.
Spontaneous Autoimmunity Sufficiently Potent to Induce Diabetes Mellitus Is Insufficient to Protect against Insulinoma
Authors: Zwicker Kelley , Chatten Christa , Gratton Kathy , Demetrick Doug , Serra Pau , Shameli Afshin , Santamaria Pere , Bathe Oliver F. 
Published: July 2009

Abstract
Intact tolerogenic mechanisms preclude effective immunity against tumors, as most tumor Ags differ little from normal host Ags. In contrast, when tolerance fails, the immune system becomes inappropriately activated against an autoantigen. We postulated that CD8+ T cells activated during autoimmunity are capable of protecting against tumors that express the targeted autoantigen. To test this hypothesis, double-transgenic 8.3-NOD-RIPTAg mice were developed (where NOD is nonobese diabetic, RIP is rat insulin promoter, and TAg is large T Ag). In this model, individuals with the RIPTAg transgene develop insulinoma; those expressing a transgenic TCR (8.3-TCR) recognizing the islet-specific glucose 6 phosphatase catalytic subunit-related protein (IGRP) harbor a peripheral immune system dominated by diabetogenic CD8+ T cells. Although tumor emergence was significantly slower in 8.3-NOD-RIPTAg mice compared with NOD-RIPTAg mice, all 8.3-NOD-RIPTAg mice eventually developed insulinoma. Tumor emergence was not secondary to clonal deletion or anergy. Ag loss and MHC down-regulation were not apparent. Endogenous 8.3-TCR CD8+ T cells were recruited to the tumor site and proliferated upon arrival to the tumor, although they were notably absent from the central parts of more advanced tumors. These results demonstrate that a breakdown of tolerance capable of causing autoimmune disease is insufficient for effective tumor immunity. Alterations in the tumor microenvironment may inhibit efficient and comprehensive delivery of CD8+ T cells to all regions of the tumor. These data suggest that any immunotherapeutic strategy for cancer must involve enhancement of a proinflammatory tumor microenvironment in addition to inhibition of tolerogenic mechanisms.
Ubiquitin-Editing Enzyme A20 Promotes Tolerance to Lipopolysaccharide in Enterocytes
Authors: Wang Jin , Ouyang Yannan , Guner Yigit , Ford Henri R. , Grishin Anatoly V. 
Published: July 2009

Abstract
Although enterocytes are capable of innate immune responses, the intestinal epithelium is normally tolerant to commensal bacteria. To elucidate the mechanisms of tolerance, we examined the effect of preexposure to LPS on activation of p38, c-Jun, and NF-κB in enterocytes by several inflammatory and stress stimuli. Shortly after the initial LPS challenge, enterocytes become tolerant to restimulation with LPS or CpG DNA, but not with IL-17 or UV. The state of tolerance, which lasts 20–26 h, temporally coincides with LPS-induced expression of the anti-inflammatory ubiquitin-editing enzyme A20. Small interfering RNA silencing of A20 prevents tolerance, whereas ectopic expression of A20 blocks responses to LPS and CpG DNA, but not to IL-17 or UV. A20 levels in the epithelium of the small intestine are low at birth and following gut decontamination with antibiotics, but high under conditions of bacterial colonization. In the small intestine of adult rodents, A20 prominently localizes to the luminal interface of villus enterocytes. Lower parts of the crypts display relatively low levels of A20, but relatively high levels of phospho-p38. Gut decontamination with antibiotics reduces the levels of both A20 and phospho-p38. Along with the fact that A20-deficient mice develop severe intestinal inflammation, our results indicate that induction of A20 plays a key role in the tolerance of the intestinal epithelium to TLR ligands and bacteria.
Pneumococcal Interaction with Human Dendritic Cells: Phagocytosis, Survival, and Induced Adaptive Immune Response Are Manipulated by PavA
Authors: Noske Nadja , Kämmerer Ulrike , Rohde Manfred , Hammerschmidt Sven 
Published: July 2009

Abstract
Dendritic cells (DCs) ingest and process bacteria for presenting their Ags to T cells. PavA (pneumococcal adherence and virulence factor A) is a key virulence determinant of pneumococci under in vivo conditions and was shown to modulate adherence of pneumococci to a variety of nonprofessional phagocytic host cells. Here, we demonstrated the role of PavA for the interaction of human DCs with live pneumococci and analyzed the induced host cell responses upon ingestion of viable pneumococci. Expression of PavA protected pneumococci against recognition and actin cytoskeleton-dependent phagocytosis by DCs compared with isogenic pavA mutants. A major proportion of internalized pneumococci were found in membrane-bound phagosomes. Pneumococcal phagocytosis promotes maturation of DCs, and both wild-type pneumococci and PavA-deficient pneumococci triggered production of proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-12, and TNF-α and antiinflammatory IL-10. However, cytokine production was delayed and reduced when DCs encounter pneumococci lacking PavA, which also results in a less efficient activation of the adaptive immune response. Strikingly, purified PavA reassociates to pneumococci but not DCs and reduced phagocytosis of the pavA mutant to levels similar to those of wild-type pneumococci. Additionally, pavA mutants covered with exogenously provided PavA protein induced a DC cytokine profile similar to wild-type pneumococci. In conclusion, these results suggest that PavA is key factor for live pneumococci to escape phagocytosis and to induce optimal cytokine productions by DCs and adaptive immune responses as well.
Parameters Underlying Distinct T Cell-Dependent Polysaccharide-Specific IgG Responses to an Intact Gram-Positive Bacterium versus a Soluble Conjugate Vaccine
Authors: Colino Jesus , Chattopadhyay Gouri , Sen Goutam , Chen Quanyi , Lees Andrew , Canaday David H. , Rubtsov Anatoly , Torres Raul , Snapper Clifford M. 
Published: July 2009

Abstract
IgG anti-polysaccharide (PS) responses to both intact Streptococcus pneumoniae (Pn) and PS conjugate vaccines are dependent on CD4+ T cells, B7-dependent costimulation, and CD40-CD40-ligand interactions. Nevertheless, the former response, in contrast to the latter, is mediated by an ICOS-independent, apoptosis-prone, extrafollicular pathway that fails to generate PS-specific memory. We show that pre-existing PS-specific Igs, the bacterial surface or particulation, selective recruitment of B cell subsets, or activation and recruitment of Pn protein-specific CD4+ T cells do not account for the failure of Pn to generate PS-specific IgG memory. Rather, the data suggest that the critical factor may be the lack of covalent attachment of PS to protein in intact Pn, highlighting the potential importance of the physicochemical relationship of PS capsule with the underlying bacterial structure for in vivo induction of PS-specific Igs.
Esculetin Restores Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Reduces Allergic Asthma Features in Experimental Murine Model
Authors: Mabalirajan Ulaganathan , Dinda Amit Kumar , Sharma Surendra Kumar , Ghosh Balaram 
Published: July 2009

Abstract
We recently showed that IL-4-dependent oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction are associated with allergic asthma. IL-4 also induces a prooxidant enzyme, 15-lipoxygenase, which predominantly expresses in asthmatic bronchial epithelium and degrades mitochondria. Esculetin (6,7-dihydroxy-2H-1-benzopyran-2-one), a plant-derived coumarin and immunomodulator, was found to have potent bronchodilating property in carbachol-induced bronchoconstriction and also reduces mitochondrial dysfunction in neurological diseases. In this study, we evaluated its potential in restoring mitochondrial dysfunction and structural changes and anti-asthma property in a mouse model of experimental asthma. In this study, we found that esculetin treatment reduced airway hyperresponsiveness, Th2 response, lung eotaxin, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid eosinophilia, airway inflammation, and OVA-specific IgE. It also reduced the expression and metabolites of 15-lipoxygenase and lipid peroxidation which is an essential prerequisite for mitochondrial dysfunction. Interestingly, esculetin treatment restored the activity of cytochrome c oxidase of electron transport chain in lung mitochondria and expression of the third subunit of cytochrome c oxidase of electron transport chain in bronchial epithelium. It reduced the cytochrome c level and caspase 9 activity in lung cytosol and restored mitochondrial structural changes and lung ATP levels. In addition, esculetin reduced subepithelial fibrosis and TGF-β1 levels in the lung. These results suggest that esculetin not only restores mitochondrial dysfunction and structural changes but also alleviates asthmatic features.
Cutting Edge: NF-κB Activating Pattern Recognition and Cytokine Receptors License NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation by Regulating NLRP3 Expression
Authors: Bauernfeind Franz G. , Horvath Gabor , Stutz Andrea , Alnemri Emad S. , MacDonald Kelly , Speert David , Fernandes-Alnemri Teresa , Wu Jianghong , Monks Brian G. , Fitzgerald Katherine A. , Hornung Veit , Latz Eicke 
Published: July 2009

Abstract
The IL-1 family cytokines are regulated on transcriptional and posttranscriptional levels. Pattern recognition and cytokine receptors control pro-IL-1β transcription whereas inflammasomes regulate the proteolytic processing of pro-IL-1β. The NLRP3 inflammasome, however, assembles in response to extracellular ATP, pore-forming toxins, or crystals only in the presence of proinflammatory stimuli. How the activation of gene transcription by signaling receptors enables NLRP3 activation remains elusive and controversial. In this study, we show that cell priming through multiple signaling receptors induces NLRP3 expression, which we identified to be a critical checkpoint for NLRP3 activation. Signals provided by NF-κB activators are necessary but not sufficient for NLRP3 activation, and a second stimulus such as ATP or crystal-induced damage is required for NLRP3 activation.
Magnetic and Structural Investigation of ZnSe Semiconductor Nanoparticles Doped With Isolated and Core‐Concentrated Mn2+ Ions
Authors: Graf Christina , Hofmann Andreas , Ackermann Thomas , Boeglin Christine , Viswanatha Ranjani , Peng Xiaogong , Rodríguez Arantxa Fraile , Nolting Frithjof , Rühl Eckart 
Published: June 2009

AbstractX‐Ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) experiments on diluted magnetic semiconductor nanocrystals (2–7 nm) are reported in order to study their local electronic structure and magnetic properties. ZnSe nanoparticles containing either single manganese ions (Mn2+) distributed in the lattice of the entire particle or a MnSe core in the center are prepared using high temperature approaches. The Mn2+ concentration is varied between less than one to several tens of manganese ions per nanocrystal. For all samples it is shown that the Mn2+ is exclusively present in the bulk of ZnSe nanoparticles with no evidence for oxidation to higher Mn‐oxidation states. The magnetic ions are highly polarized inside the nanocrystals reaching about 80% of the theoretical value of a pure d5 state under identical conditions for the case of isolated manganese ions. Nanocrystals with a MnSe core ZnSe shell structure reach <50% of this value. Thus, their polarization is significantly more hindered, which is due to the significantly enhanced Mn–Mn interactions and a more distorted crystalline lattice. In contrast, no coupling between the manganese centers is observed in the nanoparticles doped samples with low concentrations of Mn2+, indicating that these ions are isolated in the bulk of the nanoparticles.
Towards Continuous Flow, Highly Enantioselective Allylic Amination: Ligand Design, Optimization and Supporting
Authors: Popa Dana , Marcos Rocío , Sayalero Sonia , Vidal‐Ferran Anton , Pericàs Miquel A. 
Published: June 2009

AbstractA family of enantiopure diphenylphosphinooxazolines (PHOX) containing in their structures a sterically tunable alkoxymethyl group (‐CH2OR) has been optimized for the palladium‐catalyzed asymmetric allylic amination. The optimal catalyst (R=CH3), depicting very high catalytic activity and broad scope applicability, has been further modified to include an ω‐alkynyloxy substituent of variable length for polymer supporting via click chemistry, and has been anchored onto slightly cross‐linked azidomethyl poly(styrene). The length of a polymethylene chain connecting the PHOX unit with the 1,2,3‐triazole linker has been optimized, and the first polymer‐supported PHOX ligands for the highly enantioselective allylic amination have been prepared in this manner. Conditions for catalyst recovery and reuse in microwave‐promoted amination reactions have been established, and the system has been finally adapted to continuous flow operation.
Exploring the Biocatalytic Scope of Alditol Oxidase from Streptomyces coelicolor
Authors: van Hellemond Erik W. , Vermote Linda , Koolen Wilma , Sonke Theo , Zandvoort Ellen , Heuts Dominic P. H. M. , Janssen Dick B. , Fraaije Marco W. 
Published: June 2009

AbstractThe substrate scope of the flavoprotein alditol oxidase (AldO) from Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2), recombinantly produced in Escherichia coli, was explored. While it has been established that AldO efficiently oxidizes alditols to D‐aldoses, this study revealed that the enzyme is also active with a broad range of aliphatic and aromatic alcohols. Alcohols containing hydroxy groups at the C‐1 and C‐2 positions like 1,2,4‐butanetriol (Km=170 mM, kcat=4.4 s−1), 1,2‐pentanediol (Km=52 mM, kcat=0.85 s−1) and 1,2‐hexanediol (Km=97 mM, kcat=2.0 s−1) were readily accepted by AldO. Furthermore, the enzyme was highly enantioselective for the oxidation of 1,2‐diols [e.g., for 1‐phenyl‐1,2‐ethanediol the (R)‐enantiomer was preferred with an E‐value of 74]. For several diols the oxidation products were determined by GC‐MS and NMR. Interestingly, for all tested 1,2‐diols the products were found to be the α‐hydroxy acids instead of the expected α‐hydroxy aldehydes. Incubation of (R)‐1‐phenyl‐1,2‐ethanediol with 18O‐labelled water (H218O) revealed that a second enzymatic oxidation step occurs via the hydrate product intermediate. The relaxed substrate specificity, excellent enantioselectivity, and independence of coenzymes make AldO an attractive enzyme for the preparation of optically pure 1,2‐diols and α‐hydroxy acids.
Impact of Neuritin 1 (NRN1) polymorphisms on fluid intelligence in schizophrenia
Authors: Chandler David , Dragović Milan , Cooper Matthew , Badcock Johanna C. , Mullin Benjamin H. , Faulkner Deb , Wilson Scott G. , Hallmayer Joachim , Howell Sarah , Rock Daniel , Palmer Lyle J. , Kalaydjieva Luba , Jablensky Assen 
Published: June 2009

AbstractNeuritin 1 (NRN1), an activity‐regulated gene with multiple roles in neurodevelopment and synaptic plasticity, is located within the 6p24‐p25 interval on chromosome 6, previously identified as linked to a subtype of schizophrenia (SZ) characterized by pervasive cognitive deficit (CD). We have tested the effect of NRN1 sequence variation on susceptibility to SZ and on general cognitive ability in patients and non‐psychiatric control subjects by re‐sequencing the coding regions of NRN1 and its flanking sequences, and genotyping 19 single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 336 SZ patients and 172 healthy control individuals. All participants completed comprehensive neurocognitive assessment, including tests estimating premorbid/prior IQ and current IQ. Logistic regression analyses found no significant association for any of the 19 SNPs with SZ or its CD subtype. However, linear regression analysis gave significant association (P = 0.024 and P = 0.027 after correction for multiple testing) for polymorphisms rs1475157 and rs9405890 with current IQ in the patient group. In SZ, the rs1475157–rs9405890 haplotypes revealed a highly significant association with the abstraction component of current (“fluid”) intelligence (P = 0.0014), and with percentage loss of IQ points between premorbid and current intelligence (P = 0.0041). Results in the control group were not significant after correction. This is the first analysis of association between variation in NRN1 and SZ. The findings suggest a role of NRN1 as a modifier of cognitive functioning in SZ, with implications for future research into the impact of the environment on the development and maintenance of “fluid” intelligence. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.