bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
CD28 costimulation regulates FOXP3 in a RelA/NF‐κB‐dependent mechanism
Authors: Soligo Marzia , Camperio Cristina , Caristi Silvana , Scottà Cristiano , Porto Paola Del , Costanzo Antonio , Mantel Pierre‐Yves , Schmidt‐Weber Carsten B. , Piccolella Enza 
Published: December 2010

AbstractThe molecular mechanisms whereby CD28 alone or associated with TCR can regulate FOXP3 expression are not understood, although the importance of CD28 as a pivotal regulator of CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ T cells is well recognized. We previously demonstrated that unique CD28‐induced, NF‐κB‐dependent signals were sufficient to activate FOXP3 transcription in human CD4+CD25− T cells; however, the exact mechanisms are currently unknown. In this study, we have identified novel κB‐binding sites on FOXP3 gene and demonstrated that CD28 signals mediated FOXP3 trans activation by nuclear translocation of RelA/NF‐κB and not of c‐Rel. The occupancy of FOXP3 κB‐binding sites by RelA dimers that correlated with histone acetylation and recruitment of Pol II were required both to initiate FOXP3 transcription and to control the promoter occupancy by NFAT. Interestingly, knockdown of RelA in CD4+CD25− T cells stimulated through TCR and CD28 significantly affected FOXP3 expression, confirming that also the transcriptional activation of FOXP3 gene by TCR in the presence of CD28‐costimulatory signals is RelA‐dependent. In conclusion, these data suggest a new mechanism by which FOXP3 is activated and supports the critical role of CD28 in the regulation of peripheral tolerance.
IL‐17 production by γδ T cells is important for the antitumor effect of Mycobacterium bovis bacillus Calmette‐Guérin treatment against bladder cancer
Authors: Takeuchi Ario , Dejima Takashi , Yamada Hisakata , Shibata Kensuke , Nakamura Risa , Eto Masatoshi , Nakatani Tatsuya , Naito Seiji , Yoshikai Yasunobu 
Published: December 2010

AbstractIntravesical inoculation of Mycobacterium bovis bacillus Calmette‐Guérin (BCG) has been used for the treatment of bladder cancer. Recent studies implied the requirement of neutrophil infiltration for the antitumor effect. In this study, we found that IL‐17 was produced in the bladder after BCG treatment, preceding the infiltration of neutrophils. Neutrophils in the bladder after BCG treatment were reduced in IL‐17‐deficient mice, in which BCG‐induced antitumor effect against intravesically inoculated bladder cancer was abolished. Notably, the level of IL‐17 production and the number of neutrophils in BCG‐treated bladder was reduced in γδ T‐cell‐deficient mice but not in CD4‐depleted mice. Survival of bladder cancer‐inoculated γδ T‐cell‐deficient mice was not improved by BCG treatment. These results suggest that IL‐17‐producing γδ T cells play a key role in the BCG‐induced recruitment of neutrophils to the bladder, which is essential for the antitumor activity against bladder cancer.
Measles virus modulates dendritic cell/T‐cell communication at the level of plexinA1/neuropilin‐1 recruitment and activity
Authors: Tran‐Van Hieu , Avota Elita , Börtlein Charlene , Mueller Nora , Schneider‐Schaulies Sibylle 
Published: December 2010

AbstractMeasles virus (MV)‐infected DC fail to promote T‐cell expansion, and this could explain important aspects of measles immunosuppression. The efficiency of the immune synapse (IS) is determined by the formation of stable, stimulatory conjugates involving a spatially and timely controlled architecture. PlexinA1 (plexA1) and its co‐receptor neuropilin (NP‐1) have been implicated in IS efficiency, while their repulsive ligand, SEMA3A, likely acts in terminating T‐cell activation. Conjugates involving MV‐infected DC and T cells are unstable and not stimulatory, and thus we addressed the potential role of plexA1/NP‐1 and semaphorins (SEMAs) in this system. MV does not grossly affect expression levels of plexA1/NP‐1 on T cells or DC, yet prevents their recruitment towards stimulatory interfaces. Moreover, MV infection promoted early release of SEMA3A from DC, which caused loss of actin based protrusions on T cells as did the plexA4 ligand SEMA6A. SEMA3A/6A differentially modulated chemokinetic migration of T cells and conjugation with allogeneic DC. Thus, MV targets SEMA receptor function both at the level of IS recruitment, and by promoting a timely inappropriate release of their repulsive ligand, SEMA3A. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first example of viral targeting of SEMA receptor function in the IS.
Creek enlargement in a low‐energy degrading saltmarsh in southern England
Authors: Chen Yining , Collins Michael B. , Thompson Charlotte E.L. 
Published: December 2010

AbstractA low‐energy saltmarsh in the Beaulieu River Estuary, southern England was investigated. A geomorphological survey revealed that the creek bank geometry was characterized by the presence of cantilevers, a result of the protection provided by roots over the upper part of the bank. The saltmarsh deposits, consisting mainly of clay and organic matter, have a high resistance to flow‐induced erosion. Short‐term hydrographic deployments revealed that the tidal currents and waves recorded were insufficient to cause erosion of the bank surface. However, pin measurements over a 2‐year period revealed that the tidal creeks within the saltmarsh did experience bank erosion, particularly below the cantilevers, in spite of this low‐energy setting. Bank face erosion was therefore considered to be related to long‐term processes. The bases of the cantilevers were found to be located at a precise level, in relation to the tides. Water level data over a 2‐year period were examined against erosion measured below the cantilevers. The results suggest that the erosion on the bank faces, particularly below the cantilevers, is associated with the frequency of water level variations and long‐term submergence/emergence cycles, which can decrease the bonds between the particles and enable erosion by low tidal and wind‐wave currents within this low‐energy environment. This mechanism is probably responsible for tidal creek enlargement via erosion of the bank face and subsequent bank failure, a process which acts over a long temporal scale (1–10 years). Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dynamic controls on wind erosion and dust generation on west‐central Free State agricultural land, South Africa
Authors: Wiggs Giles , Holmes Peter 
Published: December 2010

AbstractThe west‐central part of South Africa's Free State Province falls within the transition zone between South Africa's sub‐humid, temperate grasslands to the east, and the semi‐arid Karoo and arid Kalahari to the south and west, respectively. The area is characterized by low rainfall (typically 500 mm or less) with high variability, but environmental conditions allow widespread dryland commercial agriculture (maize, sunflowers and stock farming). However, human activity promotes wind erosion and the area is susceptible to dust emissions. This study is the first to quantify the degree of wind erosion on the agricultural soils in the region under prevailing winter to spring climatic conditions and land management practices. Using arrays of cup anemometers, dust deposition traps and saltation impact sensors (Safires), measurements were made of the key erosivity and erodibility drivers that control the degree of wind erosion. Results demonstrate that significant quantities of dust are mobilized, particularly during the months of September and October. Thresholds of wind erosion are shown to respond particularly closely to changes in surface and aerodynamic roughness (z0) with the amount of collected dust correlating well with measures of wind erosivity that weight the impact of higher wind speeds. Given the importance of surface roughness in controlling erosion thresholds, results show that the opportunity exists for well designed farming practices to control wind erosion. However, it is likely that climatically driven environmental change will impact on some of the identified controls on erosion (wind power, moisture availability) with the result that the wind erosion hazard is likely to increase within this marginal environment. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Application of BDI‐based intelligent multi‐agent systems for distribution system service restoration planning
Authors: Tsai Men‐Shen , Pan Yen‐Tsung 
Published: December 2010

AbstractBy changing the status of switches on distribution feeders, service to de‐energized customers can be restored after an occurrence of a fault. In this paper, multi‐agent system (MAS) is applied for the power distribution system service restoration task using local information by utilizing the characteristics of information sharing. Each software agent is running autonomously and is able to exchange information within limited distance. Every agent is capable of performing service restoration such that service restoration can be performed in parallel when a multiple fault scenario occurs. As a result, the outage period can be reduced. BDI (believe–desire–intention) agent architecture is implemented in this paper for group and zone service restoration for power distribution systems. Zone/switch relation table is built and used by agents in order to identify adequate switching actions during the service restoration planning stage. The proposed MAS is implemented on JADE (Java Agent Development) platform. The simulation results show that the proposed BDI‐based service restoration agent system is capable of providing adequate restoration switching plan in several scenarios. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Strategy as the focus for evaluation
Authors: Quinn Patton Michael , Patrizi Patricia A. 
Published: December 2010

AbstractStrategic thinking and planning have long been the focus of management training and organizational development, but strategy is a new unit of analysis for evaluation. The authors examine the increasing attention given to being strategic in the private sector, in government, in philanthropy, and in the not‐for‐profit sectors. To respond and adapt to concerns about the implementation and impacts of strategy, strategy needs to be evaluated. The authors look at what strategy is, offer a framework for evaluating strategy, consider issues in strategic evaluation, and examine opportunities for strategic learning based on evaluating strategy. © Wiley Periodicals, Inc., and the American Evaluation Association.
The W. K. Kellogg Foundation's Devolution Initiative: An experiment in evaluating strategy
Authors: Sherwood Kay E. 
Published: December 2010

AbstractWhen Congress passed and President Bill Clinton signed a major welfare reform law in 1996, there were significant concerns across the public policy spectrum about how it would be implemented and how it would affect poor families, in part because the law shifted much responsibility for decision making from the federal government to state and local officials, a process called “devolution.” The Kellogg Foundation was one of the concerned parties, and, as a result, it launched the Devolution Initiative to learn about the changes taking place and mobilize responses to the reform as its implications unfolded. The author revisits the Foundation's Devolution Initiative and its external evaluation from the perspective of evaluation as a strategic intervention. © Wiley Periodicals, Inc., and the American Evaluation Association.
Amantadine versus methylphenidate in children and adolescents with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder: a randomized, double‐blind trial
Authors: Mohammadi Mohammad‐Reza , Kazemi Mohammad‐Reza , Zia Ebtehal , Rezazadeh Shams‐Ali , Tabrizi Mina , Akhondzadeh Shahin 
Published: December 2010

AbstractObjective The aim of the present study was to further evaluate, under double blind and controlled conditions, the efficacy of amantadine for attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children and adolescents as compared to methylphenidate.Methods This was a 6‐week randomized clinical trial. Forty patients (28 boys and 12 girls) with a DSM‐IV‐TR diagnosis of ADHD were the study population of this trial. All study subjects were randomly assigned to receive the treatment using capsule of amantadine at a dose of 100–150 mg/day depending on weight (100 mg/day for <30 kg and 150 mg/day for >30 kg) or methylphenidate at a dose of 20–30 mg/day for a 6‐week double blind, randomized clinical trial. The principal measure of outcome was the Teacher and Parent Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder Rating Scale‐IV.Results No significant differences were observed between the two groups on the Parent and Teacher Rating Scale scores (df = 1; F = 0.02; p = 0.86 and df = 1; F = 0.01; p = 0.89, respectively). Side effects of decreased appetite and restlessness were observed more frequently in the methylphenidate group.Conclusion The results of this study indicate that amantadine significantly improved symptoms of ADHD and was well tolerated and it may be beneficial in the treatment of children with ADHD. Nevertheless, the present results do not constitute proof of efficacy. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
2‐Pyridyl Tosylate Derivatives—Building Blocks for Structural Diversity via Transition Metal Catalysis
Authors: Lindhardt Anders T. , Gøgsig Thomas M. , Gauthier Delphine , Lupp Daniel , Mantel Mette Louise Hallager , Bjerglund Klaus M. , Skrydstrup Troels 
Published: December 2010

Abstract2‐Pyridyl tosylate derivatives have proved to be highly reactive electrophiles in palladium‐catalyzed Mizoroki–Heck reactions with electron‐rich olefins. These results suggest that the tosylate anion is able to dissociate from the catalyst’s metal center subsequent to the oxidative addition step, providing a tricoordinated cationic complex mandatory for a high degree of α‐regioselectivity. Further development of the 2‐pyridyl electrophiles as counterparts in palladium catalysis led to the development of several efficient protocols including amidation, amination, aminocarbonylations, Suzuki–Miyaura, and a fast iron‐catalyzed Kumada–Tamao–Curriu cross coupling. Interestingly, in all but one of the palladium‐catalyzed reactions, the optimized conditions employed the ligand DPPF (1,1′‐bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene) or the diisopropyl analog DiPrPF (1,1′‐bis(diisopropylphosphino)ferrocene) in dioxane. As with the Mizoroki–Heck couplings, the existence of the cationic tricoordinated complex in dioxane was speculated to play an important role, facilitating steps such as transmetallation and CO incorporation. The mild conditions developed in all of the catalytic reactions described in this overview can be applied to the pyridine/pyrimidine core, providing highly functionalized heteroaromatic compounds in a few steps.
Cell culture plastics with immobilized interleukin‐4 for monocyte differentiation
Authors: Hansen Morten , Hjortø Gertrud M. , Met Özcan , Jakobsen Mogens H. , Svane Inge M. , Larsen Niels B. 
Published: December 2010

AbstractStandard cell culture plastic was surface modified by passive adsorption or covalent attachment of interleukin (IL)‐4 and investigated for its ability to induce differentiation of human monocytes into mature dendritic cells, a process dose‐dependently regulated by IL‐4. Covalent attachment of IL‐4 proceeded via anthraquinone photochemistry to introduce amine functionalities at the surface followed by coupling of IL‐4 through a bifunctional amine‐reactive linker. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy showed that undesirable multilayer formation of the photoactive compound could be avoided by reaction in water instead of phosphate‐buffered saline. Passively adsorbed IL‐4 was observed to induce differentiation to dendritic cells, but analysis of cell culture supernatants revealed that leakage of IL‐4 into solution could account for the differentiation observed. Covalent attachment resulted in bound IL‐4 at similar concentrations to the passive adsorption process, as measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays, and the bound IL‐4 did not leak into solution to any measurable extent during cell culture. However, covalently bound IL‐4 was incapable of inducing monocyte differentiation. This may be caused by IL‐4 denaturation or improper epitope presentation induced by the immobilization process, or by biological irresponsiveness of monocytes to IL‐4 in immobilized formats. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A, 2011.
Role of thiol‐complex formation in 2‐hydroxyethyl‐ methacrylate‐induced toxicity in vitro
Authors: Samuelsen J. T. , Kopperud H. M. , Holme J. A. , Dragland I. S. , Christensen T. , Dahl J. E. 
Published: December 2010

AbstractMethacrylate monomers that are found to leach from cured resin‐based dental materials induce biological effects in vitro. The underlying mechanisms have not been fully elucidated although involvement of increased cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and DNA‐damage has been suggested. In this in vitro study we have elucidated the impact of a commonly used methacrylate monomer, HEMA, on the level and oxidation state of cellular glutathione, intracellular ROS level, as well as the formation of complex between HEMA and glutathione. HEMA exposure rapidly led to increased level of ROS and reduced level of GSH (reduced form of glutathione). Antioxidants effectively counteracted the ROS increase, but had no effect on the GSH depletion. No change in glutathione‐disulphide (GSSG; oxidized form of glutathione) concentration was detected in the HEMA treated cells, showing that oxidation of glutathione was not responsible for the reduced GSH concentration. Further we demonstrated spontaneous formation of a complex between HEMA and GSH. In conclusion, we showed that exposure to HEMA led to drop in cellular glutathione level probably caused by complex formation with HEMA. A similar covalent binding of HEMA to macromolecules combined with increased level of cellular ROS due to lower levels of GSH is suggested to be important factors triggering the toxic response. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A, 2011.
Novel tissue‐derived biomimetic scaffold for regenerating the human nucleus pulposus
Authors: Mercuri Jeremy J. , Gill Sanjitpal S. , Simionescu Dan T. 
Published: December 2010

AbstractNumerous scaffold formulations have been investigated to support the regeneration of nucleus pulposus (NP) tissue for use as an early‐stage therapy for intervertebral disc degeneration. Particular attention has focused on recreating the biochemical and mechanical properties of the native NP via the incorporation of exogenous extracellular matrix (ECM) components or synthetic surrogates. In the present study, we describe a novel approach to develop a tissue engineering (TE) scaffold comprised acellular porcine NP ECM. Complete decellularization of porcine NP was successfully achieved using a combination of chemical detergents, ultrasonication, and treatment with nucleases. Resulting NP scaffolds were devoid of host‐cell remnants and the porcine antigen alpha‐Gal. Native NP ECM components including aggrecan/chondroitin‐6‐sulfate and collagens types II, IX, and XI were found in physiologically relevant ratios within the NP scaffold. NP scaffold swelling capacity and unconfined mechanical properties were not significantly different from porcine NP tissue. Furthermore, NP scaffolds were conducive to repopulation with human adipose‐derived stem cells as cell viability and proliferative capacity were maintained. These results demonstrate the successful decellularization of porcine NP and the resultant formation of a biomimetic scaffold exhibiting potential utility for TE the human NP. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A, 2011.
Digestive flexibility in females of the subterranean rodent ctenomys talarum in their natural habitat
Authors: del Valle Juana C. , López Mañanes Alejandra A. 
Published: December 2010

AbstractWe studied the occurrence of digestive strategies at different levels in females of the subterranean herbivorous rodent Ctenomys talarum living in their natural habitat. We determined the dimensions of different parts of the gastrointestinal tract and organs along as the activity of key digestive enzymes(sucrase, maltase and N‐aminopeptidase) in small intestine in females seasonally caught. Females of C. talarum did not show seasonal variations in the mass of the different parts of the gastrointestinal tract. In nonreproductive females large intestine was longer in autumn, whereas reproductive females did not show seasonal variations in the length of the different parts of the gut. Females of C. talarum exhibited a high sucrose, maltase and N‐aminopeptidase activity in small intestine, although these activities were higher in small intestine of females caught in autumn (nonreproductive) than in females caught in winter (reproductive). The results show that C. talarum females exhibit characteristics in the gut at the morphological and biochemical level, which could represent digestive strategies to face the constraints imposed by their costly particular way of life. J. Exp. Zool. 315:141–148, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Antiglioma effects of combined use of a baculovirual vector expressing wild‐type p53 and sodium butyrate
Authors: Guo Haiyan , Choudhury Yukti , Yang Jing , Chen Can , Tay Felix Chang , Lim Tit Meng , Wang Shu 
Published: December 2010

AbstractBackgroundCombination therapy is usually desirable for successful cancer treatment, especially in cancers that are resistant to single forms of therapy.MethodsTo achieve an optimal therapeutic effect against glioblastoma, we tested a strategy that combines baculovirus‐mediated transfer of the p53 tumor suppressor gene with the use of sodium butyrate, a histone deacetylase inhibitor. This strategy was designed based on the findings that the transduction efficiency of baculovirus in mammalian cells can be markedly enhanced by the addition of histone deacetylase inhibitors and that these inhibitors are effective in inducing cell cycle arrest, differentiation, or apoptosis in tumor cells.ResultsWe observed a synergistic effect of the combination of the two treatments in provoking apoptosis in glioblastoma cells with mutant p53. In a mouse glioma xenograft model, the tumor inhibitory effect of baculovirus‐expressed p53 was significantly enhanced by co‐administration of sodium butyrate.ConclusionsThese findings suggest a new approach to treat glioblastoma using baculovirus‐mediated gene transfer in combination with administration of histone deacetylase inhibitor. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.