bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prolactin enhances basal and IL‐17‐induced CCL20 production by human keratinocytes
Authors: Kanda Naoko , Shibata Sayaka , Tada Yayoi , Nashiro Kiyoko , Tamaki Kunihiko , Watanabe Shinichi 
Published: April 2009

AbstractPsoriasis vulgaris is an autoimmune dermatosis with Th17 infiltration. Prolactin (PRL) may participate in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. The chemokine CCL20 recruits Th17 cells, and CCL20 production by epidermal keratinocytes is enhanced in psoriatic lesions. We examined the in vitro effects of PRL on CCL20 production in human keratinocytes. PRL increased basal and IL‐17‐induced CCL20 secretion, and mRNA expression in keratinocytes. CCL20 production by PRL was suppressed by antisense oligonucleotides against the AP‐1 components c‐Fos and c‐Jun, whereas that by IL‐17 was suppressed by antisense NF‐κB p50 and p65. CCL20 production induced by PRL plus IL‐17 was suppressed by antisense c‐Fos, c‐Jun, p50, and p65. PRL alone increased the transcriptional activity of AP‐1, and c‐Fos and c‐Jun expression; moderately enhanced NF‐κB activity and IκBα phosphorylation; and potently increased IL‐17‐induced NF‐κB activity. MEK and JNK inhibitors suppressed PRL‐ or PRL‐plus‐IL‐17‐induced CCL20 production and AP‐1 activities. MEK inhibitor suppressed PRL‐induced c‐Fos expression, whereas JNK inhibitor suppressed c‐Jun expression. PRL induced ERK and JNK phosphorylation. These results suggest that PRL may enhance basal and IL‐17‐induced CCL20 production in keratinocytes by AP‐1 and NF‐κB activation, which is partially mediated via MEK/ERK and JNK. PRL may promote Th17 infiltration into psoriatic lesions via CCL20.
Semi‐mature DC are immunogenic and not tolerogenic when inoculated at a high dose in collagen‐induced arthritis mice
Authors: Lim Dae‐Seog , Kang Mi‐Sun , Jeong Ju‐Ah , Bae Yong‐Soo 
Published: April 2009

AbstractSemi‐mature DC (smDC) have been shown to be tolerogenic and thus applicable to the treatment of autoimmune disease. However, in our repeated experiments, even the same batches of smDC were found to be profoundly immunogenic rather than tolerogenic when inoculated at high doses into arthritic mice. In a cytokine chip assay, smDC were characterized by remarkable production of IL‐2, IL‐3, IL‐5, and IL‐13 together with well‐known Th2 cytokines. Low doses (2×105) of smDC showed excellent anti‐arthritic activity in collagen‐induced arthritis animals, whereas high doses (2×106) of smDC uniformly accelerated arthritic symptoms. SmDC, vaccinated at lower doses, markedly induced forkhead box P3 Treg, Th2 cytokines (IL‐4/IL‐10), and TGF‐â in their immune deviation. Interestingly, however, as the number of smDC increased from 2×105 to 2×106 in the same assay, the Treg population, Th2 cytokines, and TGF‐β were dramatically reduced. Our present study clearly indicates that smDC could induce either T‐cell tolerance or T‐cell activation, depending on the inoculum size. Special attention should be paid to the optimal range of smDC in DC‐mediated immunotherapy for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.
The DC‐HIL/syndecan‐4 pathway inhibits human allogeneic T‐cell responses
Authors: Chung Jin‐Sung , Bonkobara Makoto , Tomihari Mizuki , Cruz Ponciano D. , Ariizumi Kiyoshi 
Published: April 2009

AbstractT‐cell activation is regulated by binding of ligands on APC to corresponding receptors on T cells. In mice, we discovered that binding of DC‐HIL on APC to syndecan‐4 (SD‐4) on activated T cells potently inhibits T‐cell activation. In humans, we now show that DC‐HIL also binds to SD‐4 on activated T cells through recognition of its heparinase‐sensitive saccharide moiety. DC‐HIL blocks anti‐CD3‐induced T‐cell responses, reducing secretion of pro‐inflammatory cytokines and blocking entry into the S phase of the cell cycle. Binding of DC‐HIL phosphorylates SD‐4's intracellular tyrosine and serine residues. Anti‐SD‐4 Ab mimics the ability of DC‐HIL to attenuate anti‐CD3 response more potently than Ab directed against other inhibitory receptors (CTLA‐4 or programmed cell death‐1). Among leukocytes, DC‐HIL is expressed highest by CD14+ monocytes and this expression can be upregulated markedly by TGF‐β. Among APC, DC‐HIL is expressed highest by epidermal Langerhans cells, an immature type of dendritic cells. Finally, the level of DC‐HIL expression on CD14+ monocytes correlates inversely with allostimulatory capacity, such that treatment with TGF‐β reduced this capacity, whereas knocking down the DC‐HIL gene augmented it. Our findings indicate that the DC‐HIL/SD‐4 pathway can be manipulated to treat T‐cell‐driven disorders in humans.
The hope but challenge for developing a vaccine that might control malaria
Authors: Good Michael F. 
Published: April 2009

AbstractAs World Malaria Day approaches again it is timely, as an immunologically focussed community, to consider the consequence of not yet having an efficacious vaccine but also the progress that is being made and the challenges that we face in developing one. Key issues that need to be addressed for the leading vaccine candidates include antigenic polymorphism and loss of immunological memory.
Dealing with deviants: The effectiveness of rejection, denial, and apologies on protecting the public image of a group
Authors: van Leeuwen Esther , van den Bosch Marieke , Castano Emanuele , Hopman Petra 
Published: April 2009

AbstractPublic transgressions by group members threaten the public image of a group when outside observers perceive them as representative of the group in general. In three studies, we tested the effectiveness of rejection of a deviant group member who made a racist comment in public, and compared this to several other strategies the group could employ to protect their image. In Study 1 (N = 75) and Study 2 (N = 51), the group was judged less racist after rejecting the deviant than after claiming a non‐racist position or not responding to the transgression. Perceived typicality of the deviant partially mediated this effect in Study 2. In Study 3 (N = 81), the group was judged least racist after forcing the deviant to apologize and as most racist after denying the severity of the transgression. Results also showed a negative side‐effect of rejection. Perceived exclusion of the deviant contributed to a perception of the group as disloyal to its members, which resulted in a less favorable overall group evaluation. Potential benefits and risks of rejection, denial, and apologies are further discussed in the General Discussion. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sample stacking in CZE using dynamic thermal junctions II: Analytes with high dpKa/dT crossing a single thermal junction in a BGE with low dpH/dT
Authors: Mandaji Marcos , Rübensam Gabriel , Hoff Rodrigo Barcellos , Hillebrand Sandro , Carrilho Emanuel , Kist Tarso Ledur 
Published: April 2009

AbstractIn a previous work [M. Mandaji, et al., this issue] a sample stacking method was theoretically modeled and experimentally demonstrated for analytes with low dpKa/dT (analytes carrying carboxylic groups) and BGEs with high dpH/dT (high pH–temperature‐coefficients). In that work, buffer pH was modulated with temperature, inducing electrophoretic mobility changes in the analytes. In the present work, the opposite conditions are studied and tested, i.e. analytes with high dpKa/dT and BGEs that exhibit low dpH/dT. It is well known that organic bases such as amines, imidazoles, and benzimidazoles exhibit high dpKa/dT. Temperature variations induce instantaneous changes on the basicity of these and other basic groups. Therefore, the electrophoretic velocity of some analytes changes abruptly when temperature variations are applied along the capillary. This is true only if BGE pH remains constant or if it changes in the opposite direction of pKa of the analyte. The presence of hot and cold sections along the capillary also affects local viscosity, conductivity, and electric field strength. The effect of these variables on electrophoretic velocity and band stacking efficacy was also taken into account in the theoretical model presented. Finally, this stacking method is demonstrated for lysine partially derivatized with naphthalene‐2,3‐dicarboxaldehyde. In this case, the amino group of the lateral chain was left underivatized and only the alpha amino group was derivatized. Therefore, the basicity of the lateral amino group, and consequently the electrophoretic mobility, was modulated with temperature while the pH of the buffer used remained unchanged.
Human mitochondrial DNA complete amplification and sequencing: A new validated primer set that prevents nuclear DNA sequences of mitochondrial origin co‐amplification
Authors: Ramos Amanda , Santos Cristina , Alvarez Luis , Nogués Ramon , Aluja Maria Pilar 
Published: April 2009

AbstractTo date, there are no published primers to amplify the entire mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) that completely prevent the amplification of nuclear DNA (nDNA) sequences of mitochondrial origin. The main goal of this work was to design, validate and describe a set of primers, to specifically amplify and sequence the complete human mtDNA, allowing the correct interpretation of mtDNA heteroplasmy in healthy and pathological samples. Validation was performed using two different approaches: (i) Basic Local Alignment Search Tool and (ii) amplification using isolated nDNA obtained from sperm cells by differential lyses. During the validation process, two mtDNA regions, with high similarity with nDNA, represent the major problematic areas for primer design. One of these could represent a non‐published nuclear DNA sequence of mitochondrial origin. For two of the initially designed fragments, the amplification results reveal PCR artifacts that can be attributed to the poor quality of the DNA. After the validation, nine overlapping primer pairs to perform mtDNA amplification and 22 additional internal primers for mtDNA sequencing were obtained. These primers could be a useful tool in future projects that deal with mtDNA complete sequencing and heteroplasmy detection, since they represent a set of primers that have been tested for the non‐amplification of nDNA.
CE‐MS: A useful tool for the identification of water‐soluble polar organics in air and vehicular emitted particulate matter
Authors: Yassine Mahmoud M. , Dabek‐Zlotorzynska Ewa , Schmitt‐Kopplin Philippe 
Published: April 2009

AbstractA CE‐ESI/quadrupole‐MS method using an ammonium acetate‐based BGE (pH 4.7) was developed for the determination of isomeric benzoic acids in atmospheric aerosols and vehicular emission. UltraTrol™ LN was employed as the pre‐coating polymer to suppress the EOF (0.3×10−9 m2 V−1 s−1) and achieve a baseline separation of the studied acids. Good repeatability for migration time (RSD<1%, N=10) was obtained without coating regeneration. The high pre‐coating stability allowed coupling of CE to MS without ion suppression in the MS. In scanning mode and using field‐amplified sample injection with electrokinetic injection (−5 kV for 60 s), LODs (S/N=3) ranged from 2.5 to 6 μg/L for standard target analytes prepared in DI water. In the presence of 100 mg/L of sulfate (added to simulate a sample matrix), LODs ranged from 8 to 90 μg/L. Several isomeric aromatic acids could be separated in atmospheric and diesel‐engine‐emitted particulate matter extracts based on their different acidities. Additional measurements with a flow infusion ESI Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance MS were used for further structural information acquisition on the unknown compounds and allowed their formula to be proposed.
The effects of nanoparticles uptaken by cells on electrorotation
Authors: Chuang Cheng‐Hsin , Hsu You‐Ming , Yeh Chen‐Che 
Published: April 2009

AbstractElectrorotation (ER) has become a very powerful diagnostic technique for the measurement of dielectric properties of cells. However, only a few papers have investigated the electric‐induced rotation of particles in a stationary alternating (AC) electric field instead of a rotating electric field. In this study, a microchip composed of a top‐grounded electrode, flow chamber and bottom chess‐type electrode arrays was used to construct a stationary non‐uniform AC electric field for the manipulation of cells by dielectrophoretic force. We focused on the effects of metal and dielectric nanoparticles uptaken by cells under ER, by using human promyelocytic leukemia cells (HL‐60), 13 nm Au and 19 nm SiO2 nanoparticles. As revealed by the experimental results, both the percentage of cells in rotation and the range of rotational (ROT) frequency for the uptake of Au nanoparticle cells were higher and wider than in the case of SiO2 nanoparticles. In addition, the rotation of lone cells and pearl‐chain cells under non‐uniform and uniform electric field were quantitatively investigated, respectively. The membrane capacitance and membrane conductance of HL‐60 cells can be extracted from the ROT spectra as 10.18±1.92 mF/m2 and 1500±321 S/m2, respectively. In general, the ER of cells in a stationary AC electric field can be attributed to the highly non‐uniform electric field and non‐uniform dispersion of nanoparticles within cells; therefore, the electrical properties of uptaken nanoparticles and the aggregation phenomenon have significant influences on the resulting electrical torque.
Antigenotoxic effects of Citrus aurentium L. fruit peel oil on mutagenicity of two alkylating agents and two metals in the Drosophila wing spot test
Authors: Demir Eşref , Kocaoğlu Serap , Cetin Huseyin , Kaya Bülent 
Published: April 2009

AbstractAntigenotoxic effects of Citrus aurentium L. (Rutaceae) fruit peel oil (CPO) in combination with mutagenic metals and alkylating agents were studied using the wing spot test of D. melanogaster. The four reference mutagens, potassium dichromate (K2Cr2O7), cobalt chloride (CoCl2), ethylmethanesulfonate (EMS), and N‐ethyl‐N‐nitrosourea (ENU) were clearly genotoxic. CPO alone at doses from 0.1 to 0.5% in Tween 80 was not mutagenic and did not enhance the mutagenic effect of the reference mutagens. However, antigenotoxic effects of CPO were clearly demonstrated in chronic cotreatments with mutagens and oil, by a significant decrease in wing spots induced by all four mutagens. The D. melanogaster wing spot test was found to be a suitable assay for detecting antigenotoxic effects in vivo. Environ. Mol. Mutagen., 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Inherent flammability parameters—Room corner test application
Authors: Quintiere J. G. , Lian Danjun 
Published: April 2009

AbstractIt has been hypothesized that four parameters are solely responsible for a material's performance in a flammability scenario. This excludes effects of material physical integrity, i.e. melting, delamination, etc. They are (1) the critical heat flux below which piloted ignition cannot occur (CHF), (2) the ratio of heat of combustion to heat of gasification (HRP), (3) the thermal response parameter related to the thermal inertia and the ignition temperature (TRP), and (4) the available energy per unit area (AEP). The fire scenario controls the process by its initial heat flux and region of ignition. The hypothesis is applied to 54 tests of the ISO Room Corner Test to assess its validity. It is shown that these four parameters give good correlations in predicting the time to flashover and whether it occurs. In principle, different correlations could be developed for other scenarios of tests and fire configurations. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Consistent discretization for simulations of flows with moving generalized curvilinear coordinates
Authors: Chou Y. J. , Fringer O. B. 
Published: April 2009

AbstractWe develop a consistent discretization of conservative momentum and scalar transport for the numerical simulation of flow using a generalized moving curvilinear coordinate system. The formulation guarantees consistency between the discrete transport equation and the discrete mass conservation equation due to grid motion. This enables simulation of conservative transport using generalized curvilinear grids that move arbitrarily in three dimensions while maintaining the desired properties of the discrete transport equation on a stationary grid, such as constancy, conservation, and monotonicity. In addition to guaranteeing consistency for momentum and scalar transport, the formulation ensures geometric conservation and maintains the desired high‐order time accuracy of the discretization on a moving grid. Through numerical examples we show that, when the computation is carried out on a moving grid, consistency between the discretized scalar advection equation and the discretized equation for flow mass conservation due to grid motion is required in order to obtain stable and accurate results. We also demonstrate that significant errors can result when non‐consistent discretizations are employed. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Investigation of a Novel Catalyst Coated Membrane Method to Prepare Low‐Platinum‐Loading Membrane Electrode Assemblies for PEMFCs
Authors: Leimin X. , Shijun L. , Lijun Y. , Zhenxing L. 
Published: April 2009

AbstractIn this work, a novel catalyst coated membrane (CCM) approach–a catalyst‐sprayed membrane under irradiation (CSMUI)–was developed to prepare MEAs for proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) application. Catalyst ink was sprayed directly onto the membrane and an infrared light was used simultaneously to evaporate the solvents. The resultant MEAs prepared by this method yielded very high performance. Based on this approach, the preparation of low‐platinum‐content MEAs was investigated. It was found that for the anode, even if the platinum loading was decreased from 0.2 to 0.03 mg cm–2, only a very small performance decrease was observed; for the cathode, when the platinum loading was decreased from 0.3 to 0.15 mg cm–2, just a 5% decrease was detected at 0.7 V, but a 35% decrease was observed when the loading was decreased from 0.15 to 0.06 mg cm–2. These results indicate that this approach is much better than the catalyst coated gas diffusion layer (GDL) method, especially for the preparation of low‐platinum‐content MEAs. SEM and EIS measurements indicated ample interfacial contact between the catalyst layer and the membrane.
Option implied cost of equity and its properties
Authors: Câmara António , Chung San‐Lin , Wang Yaw‐Huei 
Published: April 2009

AbstractThe estimation of the cost of equity capital (COE) is one of the most important tasks in financial management. Existing approaches compute the COE using historical data, i.e. they are backward‐looking methods. This study derives a method to calculate forward‐looking estimates of the COE using the current market prices of stocks and stock options. Our estimates of the COE reflect the expectation of the market investors about the COE during the life of the investment project. We test empirically our method and compare it with the Fama/French (1993) three‐factor model for the S&P 100 firms. The empirical results indicate that our COE estimates (1) are plausible and stable over the years as required by appropriate discount rates for capital budgeting, (2) yield an equity risk premium close to the market equity risk premium reported by Fama E. F. and French K. R. (2002), (3) generate strong return‐risk relationships, and (4) are significantly related with investor sentiment. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Jrl Fut Mark 29: 599–629, 2009
Explaining country and cross‐border liquidity commonality in international equity markets
Authors: Zhang Zheng , Cai Jun , Cheung Yan Leung 
Published: April 2009

AbstractUsing a large cross section of intraday data from 25 developed countries, we study commonality in liquidity, both within and across international equity markets, over 15‐minute intervals. Within‐country and cross‐border liquidity commonalities are found to be significant and, after controlling for country and industry effects, relate to such firm‐specific measures as size, bid–ask spread, and the extent of analyst coverage. Additionally, within‐country liquidity commonality is lower for firms with depository receipts cross listed in New York or London. Cross‐border liquidity commonality is particularly high for firms with relatively high actual ownership by foreign institutions. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Jrl Fut Mark 29:630–652, 2009
Neural integration of iconic and unrelated coverbal gestures: A functional MRI study
Authors: Green Antonia , Straube Benjamin , Weis Susanne , Jansen Andreas , Willmes Klaus , Konrad Kerstin , Kircher Tilo 
Published: April 2009

AbstractGestures are an important part of interpersonal communication, for example by illustrating physical properties of speech contents (e.g., “the ball is round”). The meaning of these so‐called iconic gestures is strongly intertwined with speech. We investigated the neural correlates of the semantic integration for verbal and gestural information. Participants watched short videos of five speech and gesture conditions performed by an actor, including variation of language (familiar German vs. unfamiliar Russian), variation of gesture (iconic vs. unrelated), as well as isolated familiar language, while brain activation was measured using functional magnetic resonance imaging. For familiar speech with either of both gesture types contrasted to Russian speech‐gesture pairs, activation increases were observed at the left temporo‐occipital junction. Apart from this shared location, speech with iconic gestures exclusively engaged left occipital areas, whereas speech with unrelated gestures activated bilateral parietal and posterior temporal regions. Our results demonstrate that the processing of speech with speech‐related versus speech‐unrelated gestures occurs in two distinct but partly overlapping networks. The distinct processing streams (visual versus linguistic/spatial) are interpreted in terms of “auxiliary systems” allowing the integration of speech and gesture in the left temporo‐occipital region. Hum Brain Mapp, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Dissociating networks of imitation
Authors: Menz Mareike M. , McNamara Adam , Klemen Jane , Binkofski Ferdinand 
Published: April 2009

AbstractThe investigation of imitation, which consists of observation and later reproduction of voluntary actions, promises insights into the complex processes of human actions. Although several aspects concerning the component neural processes necessary for action execution are known, our current understanding of the neural networks underlying these remains sparse. The present study applies independent component analysis (ICA) to functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data acquired during imitation of abstract gestures and object‐related actions. This enables identification of neural networks underlying the production of these imitations. The explorative approach of ICA is complemented by an analysis of time courses from the maxima of each component. Four independent networks were active during delayed imitation. These can be assigned to the aspects of (1) action perception, (2) motor preparation and action execution, (3) encoding and retrieval into and from working memory, as well as (4) the dynamic integration of object affordances into the action. At least two of these networks participate in action preparation, one contains areas involved with motor working memory and one includes areas which are connected to the true action execution. The fourth network only shows activity shortly before an object‐related action is imitated. This indicates a late integration of object affordances into the movement as the time course of activity in this network pertains to action rather than perception of the object. Hum Brain Mapp, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.