bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Estimating the Potential Economic Value of Seasonal Forecasts in West Africa: A Long-Term Ex-Ante Assessment in Senegal
Authors: Sultan Benjamin , Barbier Bruno , Fortilus Jeanne , Mbaye Serigne Modou , Leclerc Grégoire 
Published: November 2009

Abstract
Recent improvements in the capability of statistical or dynamic models to predict climate fluctuations several months in advance may be an opportunity to improve the management of climatic risk in rain-fed agriculture. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the potential benefits that seasonal climate predictions can bring to farmers in West Africa. The authors have developed an archetypal bioeconomic model of a smallholder farm in Nioro du Rip, a semiarid region of Senegal. The model is used to simulate the decisions of farmers who have access to a priori information on the quality of the next rainy season. First, the potential economic benefits of a perfect rainfall prediction scheme are evaluated, showing how these benefits are affected by forecast accuracy. Then, the potential benefits of several widely used rainfall prediction schemes are evaluated: one group of schemes based on the statistical relationship between rainfall and sea surface temperatures, and one group based on the predictions of coupled ocean–atmosphere models.
The results show that forecasting a dryer than average rainy season would be the most useful to Nioro du Rip farmers if they interpret forecasts as deterministic. Indeed, because forecasts are imperfect, predicting a wetter than average rainy season exposes the farmers to a high risk of failure by favoring cash crops such as maize and peanut that are highly vulnerable to drought. On the other hand, the farmers’ response to a forecast of a dryer than average rainy season minimizes the climate risk by favoring robust crops such as millet and sorghum, which will tolerate higher rainfall in case the forecast is wrong.
When either statistical or dynamic climate models are used for forecasting under the same lead time and the same 31-yr hindcast period (i.e., 1970–2000), similar skill and economic values at farm level are found. When a dryer than average rainy season is predicted, both methods yield an increase of the farmers’ income—13.8% for the statistical model and 9.6% for the bias-corrected Development of a European Multimodel Ensemble System for Seasonal-to-Interannual Prediction (DEMETER) multimodel ensemble mean.
Poverty & Inequality
Authors: Pimpare Stephen 
Published: November 2009

Through the lens of the three books under review, this essay documents the contemporary rise in income and wealth inequality in the United States, evaluates competing explanations for it, and then turns its attention to post efforts by economists and philosophers to understand the consequences of inequality and poverty upon the social and political well-being of democratic polities. JEL classifications: B10, B20, H11, I30
Neither K + Channels Nor PI3K/Akt Mediates the Vasodilative Effect of Nebivolol on Different Types of Rat Arteries
Authors: Wang Yan , Zhang MingSheng , Liu Yu , Li Jie , Song ErFei , Niu LongGang , Cheng NiuLiang 
Published: November 2009

Purpose: Nebivolol is a highly selective β1-adrenoceptor blocker with additional vasodilating properties. It has been shown that the nebivolol-induced vasorelaxation is nitric oxide (NO) dependent. The serine/ threonine protein kinase Akt phosphorylates endothelial cell NO synthase (eNOS) and enhances the ability of eNOS to generate NO. Previous studies have shown that the release of NO from the endothelium may be ascribed to the modulation of different types of K+channels. The current study was designed to determine whether K+channels or phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt may affect vasorelaxation induced by nebivolol in different rat arteries.Methods: Rings of the rat aorta, carotid artery, femoral artery, and renal artery were suspended for isometric force recording. During contraction by KCl (60 mmol/L) or phenylephrine (PE; 10—6mol/L; femoral artery and renal artery were precontracted by 10—5mol/L), the effect of nebivolol (10—7-10— 5mol/L) was obtained in the presence of different potassium channel, PI3K/Akt, or NOS inhibitors. Results: Nebivolol (10— 7-10—5mol/L) relaxed precontractions induced by KCl and PE in different rat arteries, which was inhibited by the presence of the NOS inhibitor NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME; 100 μmol/ L). The effect of nebivolol was concentration dependent. The exposure of the vessel rings to a selective inhibitor of PI3K wortmannin (5 × 10—7mol/L) or a selective inhibitor of Akt (1L-6-hydroxymethyl-chiro-inositol 2-(R)-2-Omethyl-3-O-octadecylcarbonate, 10—5mol/L) did not influence nebivolol-induced vasorelaxation. Similarly, K+channels blockers, iberiotoxin (100 nmol/L), glibenclamide (0.1 mmol/L), 4-aminopyridine (1 mmol/L), or BaCl2(1 mmol/L) had no influence on the relaxation of nebivolol in arteries precontracted by PE. Conclusion: Nebivolol produced a concentration-dependent vasodilation in different rat arteries precontracted by PE or KCl. In the isolated rat aorta, carotid artery, femoral artery, and renal artery, neither K+channels nor PI3K/Akt pathway was involved in the relaxation induced by nebivolol.
Quantitative DNA methylation predicts survival in adult acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Bullinger Lars , Ehrich Mathias , Döhner Konstanze , Schlenk Richard F. , Döhner Hartmut , Nelson Matthew R. , van den Boom Dirk 
Published: November 2009

Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is characterized by molecular heterogeneity that is not fully reflected in the current classification system. Recent insights point toward a significant role of aberrant DNA methylation in leukemogenesis. Therefore, we investigated the prognostic impact of DNA methylation in AML. To screen for promoter methylation in AML we applied a combination of base-specific cleavage biochemistry and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS), a powerful methodology allowing for quantitatively investigating DNA methylation status in a large series of both promoter regions and leukemia samples. We analyzed 92 genomic regions in 182 patient samples, correlated findings with clinical and molecular data, and validated the results in an independent cohort of 74 AML samples. Using this approach, we were able to identify novel leukemia subgroups based on distinct DNA methylation patterns. Furthermore, we defined a methylation-based outcome predictor for patient survival (P < .01) that in multivariable analysis provided independent prognostic information (hazard ratio, 1.52; 95% CI, 1.06-2.16). Here, we report the first large-scale methylation-based outcome predictor in AML, and thereby our findings support the use of genomic methylation markers for improved molecular classification and prognostication in adult AML.
The role of the Th1 transcription factor T-bet in a mouse model of immune-mediated bone-marrow failure
Authors: Tang Yong , Desierto Marie J. , Chen Jichun , Young Neal S. 
Published: November 2009

Abstract
The transcription factor T-bet is a key regulator of type 1 immune responses. We examined the role of T-bet in an animal model of immune-mediated bone marrow (BM) failure using mice carrying a germline T-bet gene deletion (T-bet−/−). In comparison with normal C57BL6 (B6) control mice, T-bet−/− mice had normal cellular composition in lymphohematopoietic tissues, but T-bet−/− lymphocytes were functionally defective. Infusion of 5 × 106 T-bet−/− lymph node (LN) cells into sublethally irradiated, major histocompatibility complex–mismatched CByB6F1 (F1) recipients failed to induce the severe marrow hypoplasia and fatal pancytopenia that is produced by injection of similar numbers of B6 LN cells. Increasing T-bet−/− LN-cell dose to 10 to 23 × 106 per recipient led to only mild hematopoietic deficiency. Recipients of T-bet−/− LN cells had no expansion in T cells or interferon-γ–producing T cells but showed a significant increase in Lin−Sca1+CD117+CD34− BM cells. Plasma transforming growth factor-β and interleukin-17 concentrations were increased in T-bet−/− LN-cell recipients, possibly a compensatory up-regulation of the Th17 immune response. Continuous infusion of interferon-γ resulted in hematopoietic suppression but did not cause T-bet−/− LN-cell expansion or BM destruction. Our data provided fresh evidence demonstrating a critical role of T-bet in immune-mediated BM failure.
Galectin-5 is bound onto the surface of rat reticulocyte exosomes and modulates vesicle uptake by macrophages
Authors: Barrès Céline , Blanc Lionel , Bette-Bobillo Pascale , André Sabine , Mamoun Robert , Gabius Hans-Joachim , Vidal Michel 
Published: November 2009

AbstractReticulocytes release small membrane vesicles termed exosomes during their maturation into erythrocytes. Exosomes are intraluminal vesicles of multivesicular endosomes released into the extracellular medium by fusion of these endosomal compartments with the plasma membrane. This secretion pathway contributes to reticulocyte plasma membrane remodeling by eliminating certain membrane glycoproteins. We show in this study that galectin-5, although mainly cytosolic, is also present on the cell surface of rat reticulocytes and erythrocytes. In addition, in reticulocytes, it resides in the endosomal compartment. We document galectin-5 translocation from the cytosol into the endosome lumen, leading to its secretion in association with exosomes. Galectin-5 bound onto the vesicle surface may function in sorting galactose-bearing glycoconjugates. Fittingly, we found that Lamp2, a major cellular glycoprotein presenting galectin-reactive poly-N-acetylactosamine chains, is lost during reticulocyte maturation. It is associated with released exosomes, suggestive of binding to galectin-5. Finally, we reveal that the uptake of rat reticulocyte exosomes by macrophages is dependent on temperature and the mechanoenzyme dynamin and that exosome uptake is decreased by adding galectin-5. These data imply galectin-5 functionality in the exosomal sorting pathway during rat reticulocyte maturation.
Autoimmune B-cell lymphopenia after successful adoptive therapy with telomerase-specific T lymphocytes
Authors: Ugel Stefano , Scarselli Elisa , Iezzi Manuela , Mennuni Carmela , Pannellini Tania , Calvaruso Francesco , Cipriani Barbara , De Palma Raffaele , Ricci-Vitiani Lucia , Peranzoni Elisa , Musiani Piero , Zanovello Paola , Bronte Vincenzo 
Published: November 2009

Abstract
Telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) is a good candidate for cancer immunotherapy because it is overexpressed in 85% of all human tumors and implicated in maintenance of the transformed phenotype. TERT-based cancer vaccines have been shown to be safe, not inducing any immune-related pathology, but their impact on tumor progression is modest. Here we show that adoptive cell therapy with the use of high-avidity T lymphocytes reactive against telomerase can control the growth of different established tumors. Moreover, in transgenic adenocarcinoma mouse prostate mice, which develop prostate cancer, TERT-based adoptive cell therapy halted the progression to more aggressive and poorly differentiated tumors, significantly prolonging mouse survival. We also demonstrated that human tumors, including Burkitt lymphoma, and human cancer stem cells, are targeted in vivo by TERT-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes. Effective therapy with T cells against telomerase, different from active vaccination, however, led to autoimmunity marked by a consistent, although transient, B-cell depletion in primary and secondary lymphoid organs, associated with alteration of the spleen cytoarchitecture. These results indicate B cells as an in vivo target of TERT-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes during successful immunotherapy.
In vivo biotinylation of the vasculature in B-cell lymphoma identifies BST-2 as a target for antibody-based therapy
Authors: Schliemann Christoph , Roesli Christoph , Kamada Haruhiko , Borgia Beatrice , Fugmann Tim , Klapper Wolfram , Neri Dario 
Published: November 2009

AbstractThe discovery of accessible markers of lymphoma may facilitate the development of antibody-based therapeutic strategies. Here, we describe the results of a chemical proteomic study, based on the in vivo biotinylation of vascular proteins in lymphoma-bearing mice followed by mass spectrometric and bioinformatic analysis, to discover proteins expressed at the tissue-blood border of disseminated B-cell lymphoma. From a list of 58 proteins, which were more than 10-fold up-regulated in nodal and extranodal lymphoma lesions compared with their levels in the corresponding normal host organs, we validated BST-2 as a novel vascular marker of B-cell lymphoma, using immunochemical techniques and in vivo biodistribution studies. Furthermore, targeting BST-2 with 2 independent monoclonal antibodies delayed lymphoma growth in a syngeneic mouse model of the disease. The results of this study delineate a strategy for the treatment of systemic B-cell lymphoma in humans and suggest that anti–BST-2 antibodies may facilitate pharmacodelivery approaches that target the tumor-stroma interface.
Education of human natural killer cells by activating killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors
Authors: Fauriat Cyril , Ivarsson Martin A. , Ljunggren Hans-Gustaf , Malmberg Karl-Johan , Michaëlsson Jakob 
Published: November 2009

AbstractExpression of inhibitory killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) specific for self–major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules provides an educational signal that generates functional natural killer (NK) cells. However, the effects of activating KIRs specific for self-MHC class I on NK-cell education remain elusive. Here, we provide evidence that the activating receptor KIR2DS1 tunes down the responsiveness of freshly isolated human NK cells to target cell stimulation in donors homozygous for human leukocyte antigen (HLA)–C2, the ligand of KIR2DS1. The tuning was apparent in KIR2DS1+ NK cells lacking expression of inhibitory KIRs and CD94/NKG2A, as well as in KIR2DS1+ NK cells coexpressing the inhibitory MHC class I–specific receptors CD94/NKG2A and KIR2DL3, but not KIR2DL1. However, the tuning of responsiveness was restricted to target cell recognition because KIR2DS1+ NK cells responded well to stimulation with exogenous cytokines. Our results provide the first example of human NK-cell education by an activating KIR and suggest that the education of NK cells via activating KIRs is a mechanism to secure tolerance that complements education via inhibitory KIRs.
Illumina WG-6 BeadChip strips should be normalized separately
Authors: Shi Wei , Banerjee Ashish , Ritchie Matthew E , Gerondakis Steve , Smyth Gordon K 
Published: November 2009

Abstract

Background
Illumina Sentrix-6 Whole-Genome Expression BeadChips are relatively new microarray platforms which have been used in many microarray studies in the past few years. These Chips have a unique design in which each Chip contains six microarrays and each microarray consists of two separate physical strips, posing special challenges for precise between-array normalization of expression values.

Results
None of the normalization strategies proposed so far for this microarray platform allow for the possibility of systematic variation between the two strips comprising each array. That this variation can be substantial is illustrated by a data example. We demonstrate that normalizing at the strip-level rather than at the array-level can effectively remove this between-strip variation, improve the precision of gene expression measurements and discover more differentially expressed genes. The gain is substantial, yielding a 20% increase in statistical information and doubling the number of genes detected at a 5% false discovery rate. Functional analysis reveals that the extra genes found tend to have interesting biological meanings, dramatically strengthening the biological conclusions from the experiment. Strip-level normalization still outperforms array-level normalization when non-expressed probes are filtered out.

Conclusion
Plots are proposed which demonstrate how the need for strip-level normalization relates to inconsistent intensity range variation between the strips. Strip-level normalization is recommended for the preprocessing of Illumina Sentrix-6 BeadChips whenever the intensity range is seen to be inconsistent between the strips. R code is provided to implement the recommended plots and normalization algorithms.
Variation in genetic admixture and population structure among Latinos: the Los Angeles Latino eye study (LALES)
Authors: Shtir Corina J , Marjoram Paul , Azen Stanley , Conti David V , Le Marchand Loic , Haiman Christopher A , Varma Rohit 
Published: November 2009

Abstract

Background
Population structure and admixture have strong confounding effects on genetic association studies. Discordant frequencies for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) risk alleles and for AMD incidence and prevalence rates are reported across different ethnic groups. We examined the genomic ancestry characterizing 538 Latinos drawn from the Los Angeles Latino Eye Study [LALES] as part of an ongoing AMD-association study. To help assess the degree of Native American ancestry inherited by Latino populations we sampled 25 Mayans and 5 Mexican Indians collected through Coriell's Institute. Levels of European, Asian, and African descent in Latinos were inferred through the USC Multiethnic Panel (USC MEP), formed from a sample from the Multiethnic Cohort (MEC) study, the Yoruba African samples from HapMap II, the Singapore Chinese Health Study, and a prospective cohort from Shanghai, China. A total of 233 ancestry informative markers were genotyped for 538 LALES Latinos, 30 Native Americans, and 355 USC MEP individuals (African Americans, Japanese, Chinese, European Americans, Latinos, and Native Hawaiians). Sensitivity of ancestry estimates to relative sample size was considered.

Results
We detected strong evidence for recent population admixture in LALES Latinos. Gradients of increasing Native American background and of correspondingly decreasing European ancestry were observed as a function of birth origin from North to South. The strongest excess of homozygosity, a reflection of recent population admixture, was observed in non-US born Latinos that recently populated the US. A set of 42 SNPs especially informative for distinguishing between Native Americans and Europeans were identified.

Conclusion
These findings reflect the historic migration patterns of Native Americans and suggest that while the 'Latino' label is used to categorize the entire population, there exists a strong degree of heterogeneity within that population, and that it will be important to assess this heterogeneity within future association studies on Latino populations. Our study raises awareness of the diversity within "Latinos" and the necessity to assess appropriate risk and treatment management.
Insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 has dual effects on gastrointestinal stromal tumor cell viability and sensitivity to the anti-tumor effects of imatinib mesylate in vitro
Authors: Dupart Jheri J , Trent Jonathan C , Lee Ho-Young , Hess Kenneth R , Godwin Andrew K , Taguchi Takahiro , Zhang Wei 
Published: November 2009

Abstract

Background
Imatinib mesylate has significantly improved survival and quality of life of patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs). However, the molecular mechanism through which imatinib exerts its anti-tumor effects is not clear. Previously, we found up-regulation of insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP3) expression in imatinib-responsive GIST cells and tumor samples. Because IGFBP3 regulates cell proliferation and survival and mediates the anti-tumor effects of a number of anti-cancer agents through both IGF-dependent and IGF-independent mechanisms, we hypothesized that IGFBP3 mediates GIST cell response to imatinib. To test this hypothesis, we manipulated IGFBP3 levels in two imatinib-responsive GIST cell lines and observed cell viability after drug treatment.

Results
In the GIST882 cell line, imatinib treatment induced endogenous IGFBP3 expression, and IGFBP3 down-modulation by neutralization or RNA interference resulted in partial resistance to imatinib. In contrast, IGFBP3 overexpression in GIST-T1, which had no detectable endogenous IGFBP3 expression after imatinib, had no effect on imatinib-induced loss of viability. Furthermore, both the loss of IGFBP3 in GIST882 cells and the overexpression of IGFBP3 in GIST-T1 cells was cytotoxic, demonstrating that IGFBP3 has opposing effects on GIST cell viability.

Conclusion
This data demonstrates that IGFBP3 has dual, opposing roles in modulating GIST cell viability and response to imatinib in vitro. These preliminary findings suggest that there may be some clinical benefits to IGFBP3 therapy in GIST patients, but further studies are needed to better characterize the functions of IGFBP3 in GIST.
The solubilisation of boar sperm membranes by different detergents - a microscopic, MALDI-TOF MS, 31P NMR and PAGE study on membrane lysis, extraction efficiency, lipid and protein composition
Authors: Jakop Ulrike , Fuchs Beate , Süß Rosmarie , Wibbelt Gudrun , Braun Beate , Müller Karin , Schiller Jürgen 
Published: November 2009

Abstract

Background
Detergents are often used to isolate proteins, lipids as well as "detergent-resistant membrane domains" (DRMs) from cells. Different detergents affect different membrane structures according to their physico-chemical properties. However, the effects of different detergents on membrane lysis of boar spermatozoa and the lipid composition of DRMs prepared from the affected sperm membranes have not been investigated so far.

Results
Spermatozoa were treated with the selected detergents Pluronic F-127, sodium cholate, CHAPS, Tween 20, Triton X-100 and Brij 96V. Different patterns of membrane disintegration were observed by light and electron microscopy. In accordance with microscopic data, different amounts of lipids and proteins were released from the cells by the different detergents. The biochemical methods to assay the phosphorus and cholesterol contents as well as 31P NMR to determine the phospholipids were not influenced by the presence of detergents since comparable amounts of lipids were detected in the organic extracts from whole cell suspensions after exposure to each detergent. However, matrix-assisted laser desorption and ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry applied to identify phospholipids was essentially disturbed by the presence of detergents which exerted particular suppression effects on signal intensities. After separation of the membrane fractions released by detergents on a sucrose gradient only Triton X-100 and sodium cholate produced sharp turbid DRM bands. Only membrane solubilisation by Triton X-100 leads to an enrichment of cholesterol, sphingomyelin, phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylethanolamine in a visible DRM band accompanied by a selective accumulation of proteins.

Conclusion
The boar sperm membranes are solubilised to a different extent by the used detergents. Particularly, the very unique DRMs isolated after Triton X-100 exposure are interesting candidates for further studies regarding the architecture of sperm.