bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Immune Response to Autologous Bacteroides in Ankylosing Spondylitis Is Characterized by Reduced Interleukin 10 Production
Authors: STEBBINGS SIMON M. , TAYLOR CORINDA , TANNOCK GERALD W. , BAIRD MARGARET A. , HIGHTON JOHN 
Published: April 2009

Objective.Ileocolitis is a recognized feature of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and is likely to play a role in the pathogenesis of AS, in conjunction with the normal intestinal microbiota. In order to investigate the host immune response in AS, we measured cytokines in tissue culture following exposure of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) to autologous colonic bacteria.Methods.Twenty-one patients with AS and 21 matched controls were recruited. Subjects in the AS group were assessed clinically.Bacteroidesspecies belonging to theB. fragilisgroup were selectively cultured from stool samples and paired with blood samples from each participant. Ten cultures of autologousBacteroideswere randomly selected from cultures grown from the fecal specimens of each of the 21 patients with AS and 21 controls. These were then tested for reactivity with PBMC and the cytokines produced by proliferating lymphocytes [interleukin 10 (IL-10), IL-17, interferon-γ, tumor necrosis factor-α] were measured in cell culture supernatants. Differences between groups were analyzed using censored normal regression analysis.Results.The patients with AS had severe active AS with Bath AS Disease Activity Index 5.5 (± 1.6) and C-reactive protein (mg/l) 13.8 (± 12.2) (mean ± standard deviation). IL-10 concentrations inex vivoassay supernatants were lower in the AS group compared with controls (p = 0.047). There were no statistically significant differences between the groups for other cytokines.Conclusion.In AS, reduced IL-10 production in response to stimulation with autologousBacteroidescultures may represent a mechanism by which intestinal inflammation develops and persists, a situation analogous to inflammatory bowel disease.
The Immune Response to Tumors
Authors: Dougan Michael , Dranoff Glenn 
Published: April 2009

AbstractThe immune response to tumors is complex. Cells of the immune system can inhibit tumor growth and progression through the recognition and rejection of malignant cells, a process referred to as immunoediting. Yet, immune responses can also promote tumor cell growth, survival, and angiogenesis through the induction of oncogenic inflammation. Immunodeficiency can predispose to the development of spontaneous and virally induced cancer, and established tumors often generate immunosuppressive microenvironments that can block productive antitumor immunity, serving as a substantial barrier to effective immune therapy. Through a deeper understanding of the complicated relationship between tumors and the immune system, tumor immunology strives to harness the immune system to generate protective antitumor responses in patients. Curr. Protoc. Immunol. 85:20.11.1‐20.11.4. © 2009 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Finger Millet
Authors: Reddy V.D. , Rao K.V. , Reddy T.P. , Kishor P.B.K. 
Published: April 2009

AbstractMillets are one of the world's important food crops among cereals grown in arid and semi‐arid regions. The projected food demand for 2025 warrants yields of millets to be increased from 2.5 to 4.5tha−1(Borlaug, 2002). These increases are expected to come from genetically improved varieties and transgenics exhibiting durable resistance to abiotic and biotic stresses using tertiary gene pools. Reproducible protocols forin vitroplant regeneration and genetic transformation have been established in finger millet using particle inflow gun‐mediated method. Transgenics expressing antifungal genepinwereresistant to blat disease. While, transgenics expressingPcSrpshowed tolerance to salinity.
Asiatic Beans
Authors: Sahoo Lingaraj , Jaiwal Pawan K. 
Published: April 2009

AbstractVignaspecies of the subgenusCeratotropisconstitute an economically important group of cultivated and wild species, of which a rich diversity occurs in Asian subcontinent. Progress in genetic improvement inVignaspecies has been made mainly by conventional breeding methods. These methods, in addition of being time‐consuming and labor‐intensive, are met with a wide range of problems including traits associated with low genetic variation, low survivability of interspecific hybrids, specific inheritance of some valuable traits such as yield, disease, and pest resistance, as well as harvesting characteristics. Advances in genetic transformation technology offer enormous opportunities for crop improvement complementing traditional breeding programs. In this review, we highlight the progress inin vitroplant regeneration and genetic transformation ofVignaspecies. Applications of the developed gene transfer methods in specific crops vis‐a‐vis the limitations associated with each crop and gene transfer method, and the opportunities for future improvement are discussed.
Chickpea
Authors: Uncuoglu Ahu Altinkut , Sarmah Bidyut K. , Sharma Kiran K. , Bhatnagar‐Mathur P. , Ratnaparkhe Milind B. , Pawar Pankaj , Ranjekar Prabhakar K. 
Published: April 2009

Abstract

Pulses form a major source of protein, particularly for vegetarian diet, and chickpea ranks among the leading legumes in this regard. Albeit considerable efforts at national and international levels, productivity of the chickpea crop has been stagnated for long due to the major biotic and abiotic constraints caused by

Ascochyta

blight,

Fusarium

wilt, pod borer, drought, and cold. Though many wild annual

Cicer

species possess a wealth of agronomically desirable donor genes, particularly those conferring resistance to stresses, they are sexually incompatible with the cultivated species. Transgenic approach is, therefore, a potential alternative means for incorporation of desirable alien genes into chickpea. This chapter highlights various dimensions of the international efforts in producing transgenic chickpea and provides a comprehensive perspective of strategies and achievements. Development of transgenic chickpea includes different aspects such as locating genes for particular traits from available chickpea germplasm, their isolation, making suitable constructs to transfer into chickpea through modifying them by adding marker gene, promoter sequence, and termination sequence for their effective expression, and finally transformation followed by an efficient regeneration protocol. This technology will have a very important role in developing newer varieties of chickpea with desired traits such as insect resistance, disease resistance, and drought/cold resistance.
Lupin
Authors: Smith Penelope M.C. , Atkins Craig A. 
Published: April 2009

AbstractThree species of lupins,Lupinus angustifolius,L. luteus, andL. mutabilishave had methods for stable transformation developed.Agrobacterium tumefacienswas used as vector, and bar (L. angustifolius,L. luteus) ornptII(L. mutabilis) was used as selectable marker gene. Transformation methods forL. angustifolius,L. luteus, andL. mutabilisuse the shoot apex of a germinating seed as the explant with regeneration either from axillary buds or from regenerating bud at the periphery of the apical meristem. Slices of the embryonic axis of immature seeds can also be used as explants for transformation ofL. angustifoliuswith regeneration of shoots via organogenesis. The main targets for transgenic breeding for lupin have been improved seed quality, disease resistance, and seed set. Problems with use of third party intellectual property and regulatory issues in Australia have slowed the commercial release of transgenic lines.
Vegetable Brassicas
Authors: Christey Mary C. , Braun Robert H. 
Published: April 2009

AbstractVegetable Brassicas are economically important and grown worldwide for consumption as both fresh and frozen produce. In addition, they are highly nutritious and are gaining in popularity as they contain compounds with anticancer properties. Transformation systems have been developed for several vegetableBrassica oleraceaandBrassica rapatypes and a range of genes introduced.Agrobacterium tumefaciens‐mediated transformation is the method of choice but remains difficult with rates low and genotype dependent. In this chapter, we review factors to enhance transformation rates and discuss the range of genes of agronomic importance that have been introduced including pest and disease resistance. Research is also being conducted to produce plants with altered adaptation to water and salt stress and with altered health benefits. While no transgenic vegetable Brassicas have yet been released commercially, field testing and nontarget impacts research of transgenic vegetable Brassicas is in progress. In the future, commercial release could occur if environmental and public concerns are adequately addressed.
Radish
Authors: Curtis Ian S. 
Published: April 2009

AbstractRadish is an important vegetable grown globally. Through conventional breeding, the radish plant has changed from being an oilseed crop to a root vegetable exhibiting a wide diversity of shapes, sizes, and colors. Despite the success of breeding practices, the procedure of producing new varieties remains time consuming and labor intensive. Since the 1980s, researchers have devoted their attention toward producing transgenic radish by gene transfer technology to help accelerate the output of novel germplasms. The recalcitrance of various explants toward shoot production in culture has greatly delayed the onset of transgenic plants. This milestone was finally reached by immersing young inflorescences of radish into a suspension ofAgrobacterium tumefaciensresulting in transformed seeds being produced from such hand‐pollinated plants. This technique, commonly referred to as ‘floral‐dip’, has been used to produce late‐flowering radishes through the expression of an antisenseGIGANTEA(GI) gene. Indeed, the use ofin plantamethods for transferring agronomic traits into the crop has also seen drought‐tolerant radishes being created. Future research will focus on how recent improvements in tissue culture andin plantatransformation systems have worked toward improving the medicinal value of the crop and its ability to be cultivated out of season.
Coffee
Authors: Etienne Hervé , Alpizar Edgardo , Lashermes Philippe , Menéndez‐Yuffá Andrea , De Guglielmo‐Cróquer Zoraya , Sreenath Hosahalli L. 
Published: April 2009

AbstractCoffee is one of the world's most valuable export commodities and about 125 millions people depend on coffee for their live hood. The recent development of large coffee expressed sequence tag (EST) as well as the development of coffee bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) libraries is leading to an enormous production of information in the area of coffee genomics. To take advantage of these resources, a key issue is the development and use of methods like genetic transformation to define gene functions at the molecular and organism level. The present chapter first describes the actual breeding and genomics strategies for the two cultivated speciesCoffea arabicaandC. canephora. In a second part, all the methods and gene constructs used to develop transgenic coffees since the first work in 1991 are precisely analyzed. These methods include electroporation, biolistic delivery andAgrobacterium tumefaciensandA. rhizogenes‐mediated transformation. Results of transgene expression for herbicide resistance, pathogen resistance and physiological traits are also presented. In the following part, the expected products of coffee transgenics are discussed. They deal with resistance to insect pests and nematodes, decaffeinated coffee, resistance to abiotic stresses, pathogen resistance, and improvement in cup quality characteristics and fruit ripening. Finally, the actual bottlenecks of coffee genetic transformation and the ongoing technology developments are described.
American Elm
Authors: Newhouse Andrew E. , Kaczmar Nicholas S. , Powell William A. , Maynard Charles A. 
Published: April 2009

AbstractAmerican elms (Ulmus americanaL.) were very common street and forest trees in the eastern half of North America until Dutch‐elm disease, caused by the introduced fungusOphiostoma ulmiandnovo‐ulmi, killed nearly all mature trees in the mid‐20th century. Breeding and selection programs have had some limited success in producing disease‐tolerant clones, and fungicide or insecticide treatments can temporarily protect uniquely valuable trees. Transgenic elm trees expressing antimicrobial peptides could potentially address limitations inherent to each of those strategies. American elm was transformed withAgrobacteriumcarrying a vascular‐expressed gene encoding the synthetic antimicrobial peptide ESF39A. Gene expression was confirmed by RT‐PCR, and peptide activity againstO. novo‐ulmiwas tested with anin vitro“minimum inhibitory concentration” assay. At least three unique, single‐copy transgenic lines were produced, which showed significantly less dieback and sapwood staining than nontransformed controls afterO. novo‐ulmiinoculation. Preliminary observations show that mycorrhizal colonization is not significantly different between transgenic and wild‐type trees. These results indicate that transgenes encoding antimicrobial peptides hold promise for enhancing pathogen resistance in American elm.
Selective vulnerability in Alzheimer's disease: Amyloid precursor protein and p75NTR interaction
Authors: Fombonne Joanna , Rabizadeh Shahrooz , Banwait Surita , Mehlen Patrick , Bredesen Dale E. 
Published: March 2009

AbstractObjectiveSelective neuronal vulnerability in neurodegenerative diseases is poorly understood. In Alzheimer's disease, the basal forebrain cholinergic neurons are selectively vulnerable, putatively because of their expression of the cell death mediator p75NTR (the common neurotrophin receptor), and its interaction with proapoptotic ligands pro–nerve growth factor and amyloid‐β peptide. However, the relation between amyloid precursor protein (APP) and p75NTR has not been described previously.MethodsAPP and p75NTR were assayed for interaction by coimmunoprecipitation in vitro and in vivo, yeast two‐hybrid assay, bioluminescence resonance energy transfer, and confocal microscopy. Effects on APP processing and signaling were studied using immunoblotting, enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays, and luciferase reporter assays.ResultsThe results of this study are as follows: (1) p75NTR and APP interact directly; (2) this interaction is modified by ligands nerve growth factor and β‐amyloid; (3) APP and p75NTR colocalization in vivo is modified in Alzheimer's model transgenic mice; (4) APP processing is altered by p75NTR, and to a lesser extent, p75NTR processing is altered by the presence of APP; (5) APP‐dependent transcription mediated by Fe65 is blocked by p75NTR; and (6) coexpression of APP and p75NTR triggers cell death.InterpretationThese results provide new insight into the emerging signaling network that mediates the Alzheimer's phenotype and into the mechanism of basal forebrain cholinergic neuronal selective vulnerability. In addition, the results argue that the interaction between APP and p75NTR may represent a therapeutic target in Alzheimer's disease. Ann Neurol 2009;65:294–303
A Supramolecular Hydrogen‐Bonded Network as a Diffusion Barrier for Metal Adatoms
Authors: Silien Christophe , Räisänen Minna T. , Buck Manfred 
Published: April 2009

AbstractIonen hinter Gitter: Ein supramolekulares Netzwerk verändert den Mechanismus der Unterpotential(UP)‐Abscheidung von Kupfer auf einer Goldelektrode mit einer selbstorganisierten Monoschicht (SAM) als Überzug. Die laterale Diffusion der Cu‐Adatome zwischen benachbarten Zellen der Netzwerk‐SAM‐Hybridstruktur wird unterdrückt, und es kommt stattdessen zur direkten UP‐Abscheidung in die Poren des SAM‐belegten Netzwerks, in denen die Cu‐Adatome eingesperrt sind.magnified image
A Supramolecular Hydrogen‐Bonded Network as a Diffusion Barrier for Metal Adatoms
Authors: Silien Christophe , Räisänen Minna T. , Buck Manfred 
Published: April 2009

AbstractConfined in a molecular corral: A supramolecular network changes the mechanism by which underpotential deposition (UPD) of copper proceeds on a gold electrode modified by a self‐assembled monolayer (SAM). Lateral diffusion of Cu adatoms is suppressed between adjacent cells of a network/SAM hybrid structure. Instead, UPD occurs by direct deposition into the SAM filled pores of the network, where the Cu adatoms are confined.magnified image
Oxidation Reactivity of Bis(μ‐oxo) Dinickel(III) Complexes: Arene Hydroxylation of the Supporting Ligand
Authors: Honda Kaoru , Cho Jaeheung , Matsumoto Takahiro , Roh Jungyun , Furutachi Hideki , Tosha Takehiko , Kubo Minoru , Fujinami Shuhei , Ogura Takashi , Kitagawa Teizo , Suzuki Masatatsu 
Published: April 2009

AbstractIn the nick(el) of time: Bis(μ‐oxo) dinickel(III) complexes 2 (see scheme), generated in the reaction of 1 with H2O2, are capable of hydroxylating the xylyl linker of the supporting ligand to give 3. Kinetic studies reveal that hydroxylation proceeds by electrophilic aromatic substitution. The lower reactivity than the corresponding μ‐η2:η2‐peroxo dicopper(II) complexes can be attributed to unfavorable entropy effects.magnified image
Practical Microwave Synthesis for Organic Chemists.Strategies, Instruments, and Protocols. Edited by C. Oliver Kappe, Doris Dallinger and Shaun Murphree.
Authors: Van der Eycken Erik V. 
Published: March 2009

AbstractWiley‐VCH, Weinheim 2008. 300 pp., hardcover € 59.00.—ISBN 978‐3527320974magnified image
Analysis of a perovskite ceramic hollow fibre membrane reactor for the partial oxidation of methane to syngas
Authors: Tan Xiaoyao , Thursfield A. , Metcalfe I. S. , Li K. 
Published: April 2009

AbstractA mathematical model of an oxygen permeable dense ceramic hollow membrane reactor packed with a Ni/γ‐Al2O3 catalyst for the partial oxidation of methane (POM) to syngas has been developed. With the present model, various operating conditions such as temperature, operating pressures and feed concentrations affecting the performance of the reactor were investigated theoretically. The applied membrane area plays the key role in the operation of the membrane reactor. Assuming that the La0.6Sr0.4Co0.2Fe0.8O3−δ (LSCF) membrane is stable under the pressures and temperatures operated, the optimum membrane area required for the POM to syngas is predicted to be varied from 98 to 16 cm2 per cm3/s (STP) of methane feed when the operating temperatures are increased from 1148 to 1248 K. In order to run the membrane reactor economically and safely, the pressures in both shell and lumen sides should be kept close to one atmosphere. Copyright © 2009 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Leaching characteristics of heavy metals in fly ash from a Chinese coal‐fired power plant
Authors: Gong Xun , Yao Hong , Zhang Dan , Qiao Yu , Li Lin , Xu Minghou 
Published: March 2009

AbstractChina is the largest coal ash producer in the world. Hydraulic ash transport systems are used in most coal‐fired power plants, which lead to serious water pollution due to leaching of trace elements. The investigation on the leaching behavior of trace contaminants from coal ash is critical to environmental risk assessments. Batch leaching tests have been performed on the fly ash collected from each field of the electrostatic precipitator (ESP) of a coal‐fired power plant to study the leaching characteristics of Cd, Cr, Pb and V. Leaching solutions included HCl solution of initial pH = 4 and NaOH solution of pH = 10. The liquid/solid (L/S) ratio was about 4:1 in all leaching tests. Fourteen leaching time intervals were selected, ranging from 15 min to 7 days. The results show that under studied experimental conditions, Cr has a relatively higher leachability in the acid‐leaching solution, while Pb has a higher leachability in the alkaline solution. With the increase of leaching time, the leachability of Cr in each ash sample increases obviously. Within the same time interval, Cr in the ash sample from the last field of ESP has the highest leachability. The concentration of Cd in FA3 is the highest, but the leachability of Cd for FA3 is not the highest among the three ash samples. The concentration of V in FA1 is the highest; no increased trend with leaching time has been found in the experiment. Copyright © 2009 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Understanding why rheumatoid arthritis patient treatment preferences differ by race
Authors: Constantinescu Florina , Goucher Suzanne , Weinstein Arthur , Smith Wally , Fraenkel Liana 
Published: March 2009

AbstractObjectiveRheumatoid arthritis (RA) patient preferences may account for some of the variability in treatment between racial groups. How and why treatment preferences differ by race is not well understood. We sought to determine whether African American and white RA patients differ in how they evaluate the specific risks and benefits related to medications.MethodsA total of 136 RA patients completed a conjoint analysis interactive computer survey to determine how they valued the specific risks and benefits related to treatment characteristics. The importance that respondents assigned to each characteristic and the ratio of the importance that patients attached to overall benefit versus overall risk were calculated. Subjects having a risk ratio <1 were classified as being risk averse.ResultsThe mean age of the study sample was 55 years (range 22–84). Forty‐nine percent were African American and 51% were white. African American subjects assigned the greatest importance to the theoretical risk of cancer, whereas white subjects were most concerned with the likelihood of remission and halting radiographic progression. Fifty‐two percent of African American subjects were found to be risk averse compared with 12% of the white subjects (P < 0.0001). Race remained strongly associated with risk aversion (adjusted odds ratio [95% confidence interval] 8.4 [3.1, −23.1]) after adjusting for relevant covariates.ConclusionAfrican American patients attach greater importance to the risks of toxicity and less importance to the likelihood of benefit than their white counterparts. Effective risk communication and improved understanding of expected benefits may help decrease unwanted variability in health care.
The cannabinoid receptor CB2 exerts antifibrotic effects in experimental dermal fibrosis
Authors: Akhmetshina Alfiya , Dees Clara , Busch Nicole , Beer Jürgen , Sarter Kerstin , Zwerina Jochen , Zimmer Andreas , Distler Oliver , Schett Georg , Distler Jörg H. W. 
Published: March 2009

AbstractObjectiveThe cannabinoid receptor CB2 is predominantly expressed in non‐neuronal tissue and exerts potent immunomodulatory effects. This study was undertaken to evaluate the role of CB2 in the pathogenesis of dermal fibrosis.MethodsMice deficient in CB2 (CB2−/− mice) and their wild‐type littermates (CB2+/+ mice) were injected with bleomycin to induce experimental fibrosis. Mice were treated with selective agonists and antagonists of CB2. Lesional skin was evaluated for dermal thickness and numbers of infiltrating leukocytes. Bone marrow transplantation experiments were performed.ResultsCB2−/− mice were more sensitive to bleomycin‐induced dermal fibrosis than were CB2+/+ mice, and showed increased dermal thickness. Leukocyte counts were significantly higher in the lesional skin of CB2+/+ mice. Increased dermal fibrosis was also observed upon treatment with the CB2 antagonist AM‐630. In contrast, the selective CB2 agonist JWH‐133 reduced leukocyte infiltration and dermal thickening. The phenotype of CB2−/− mice was mimicked by transplantation of CB2−/− bone marrow into CB2+/+ mice, whereas CB2−/− mice transplanted with bone marrow from CB2+/+ mice did not display an increased sensitivity to bleomycin‐induced fibrosis, indicating that leukocyte expression of CB2 critically influences experimental fibrosis.ConclusionOur findings indicate that CB2 limits leukocyte infiltration and tissue fibrosis in experimental dermal fibrosis. Since selective CB2 agonists are available and well tolerated, CB2 might be an interesting molecular target for the treatment of early inflammatory stages of systemic sclerosis.