bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Passive Immunoprotection of Plasmodium falciparum-Infected Mice Designates the CyRPA as Candidate Malaria Vaccine Antigen
Authors: Dreyer Anita M. , Matile Hugues , Papastogiannidis Petros , Kamber Jolanda , Favuzza Paola , Voss Till S. , Wittlin Sergio , Pluschke Gerd 
Published: May 2012

Abstract
An effective malaria vaccine could prove to be the most cost-effective and efficacious means of preventing severe disease and death from malaria. In an endeavor to identify novel vaccine targets, we tested predicted Plasmodium falciparum open reading frames for proteins that elicit parasite-inhibitory Abs. This has led to the identification of the cysteine-rich protective Ag (CyRPA). CyRPA is a cysteine-rich protein harboring a predicted signal sequence. The stage-specific expression of CyRPA in late schizonts resembles that of proteins known to be involved in merozoite invasion. Immunofluorescence staining localized CyRPA at the apex of merozoites. The entire protein is conserved as shown by sequencing of the CyRPA encoding gene from a diverse range of P. falciparum isolates. CyRPA-specific mAbs substantially inhibited parasite growth in vitro as well as in a P. falciparum animal model based on NOD-scid IL2Rγnull mice engrafted with human erythrocytes. In contrast to other P. falciparum mouse models, this system generated very consistent results and evinced a dose-response relationship and therefore represents an unprecedented in vivo model for quantitative comparison of the functional potencies of malaria-specific Abs. Our data suggest a role for CyRPA in erythrocyte invasion by the merozoite. Inhibition of merozoite invasion by CyRPA-specific mAbs in vitro and in vivo renders this protein a promising malaria asexual blood-stage vaccine candidate Ag.
Immunological Disruption of Antiangiogenic Signals by Recruited Allospecific T Cells Leads to Corneal Allograft Rejection
Authors: Tan Yaohong , Cruz-Guilloty Fernando , Medina-Mendez Carlos A. , Cutrufello Nicholas J. , Martinez Rosa E. , Urbieta Maitee , Wilson David , Li Yiwen , Perez Victor L. 
Published: May 2012

Abstract
Corneal transplantation is the most common solid organ transplantation. The immunologically privileged nature of the cornea results in high success rates. However, T cell-mediated rejection is the most common cause of corneal graft failure. Using antiangiogenesis treatment to prevent corneal neovascularization, which revokes immune privilege, prevents corneal allograft rejection. Endostatin is an antiangiogenic factor that maintains corneal avascularity. In this study, we directly test the role of antiangiogenic and immunological signals in corneal allograft survival, specifically the potential correlation of endostatin production and T cell recruitment. We report that 75% of the corneal allografts of BALB/c mice rejected after postoperative day (POD) 20, whereas all syngeneic grafts survived through POD60. This correlates with endogenous endostatin, which increased and remained high in syngeneic grafts but decreased after POD10 in allografts. Immunostaining demonstrated that early recruitment of allospecific T cells into allografts around POD10 correlated with decreased endostatin production. In Rag−/− mice, both allogeneic and syngeneic corneal grafts survived; endostatin remained high throughout. However, after T cell transfer, the allografts eventually rejected, and endostatin decreased. Furthermore, exogenous endostatin treatment delayed allograft rejection and promoted survival secondary to angiogenesis inhibition. Our results suggest that endostatin plays an important role in corneal allograft survival by inhibiting neovascularization and that early recruitment of allospecific T cells into the grafts promotes destruction of endostatin-producing cells, resulting in corneal neovascularization, massive infiltration of effector T cells, and ultimately graft rejection. Therefore, combined antiangiogenesis and immune suppression will be more effective in maintaining corneal allograft survival.
Humoral and Cellular Capsid-Specific Immune Responses to Adeno-Associated Virus Type 1 in Randomized Healthy Donors
Authors: Veron Philippe , Leborgne Christian , Monteilhet Virginie , Boutin Sylvie , Martin Samia , Moullier Philippe , Masurier Carole 
Published: May 2012

Abstract
A major impediment to the use of adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated gene delivery to muscle in clinical applications is the pre-existing immune responses against the vector. Pre-existing humoral response to different AAV serotypes is now well documented. In contrast, cellular responses to AAV capsid have not been analyzed in a systematic manner, despite the risk of T cell reactivation upon gene transfer. AAV1 has been widely used in humans to target muscle. In this study, we analyzed PBMCs and sera of healthy donors for the presence of AAV1 capsid-specific T cell responses and AAV1 neutralizing factors. Approximately 30% of donors presented AAV1 capsid-specific T cells, mainly effector memory CD8+ cells. IFN-γ–producing cells were also observed among effector memory CD4+ cells for two of these donors. Moreover, to our knowledge, this study shows for the first time on a large cohort that there was no correlation between AAV1-specific T cell and humoral responses. Indeed, most donors presenting specific Ig and neutralizing factors were negative for cellular response (and vice versa). These new data raise the question of prescreening patients not only for the humoral response, but also for the cellular response. Clearly, a better understanding of the natural immunology of AAV serotypes will allow us to improve AAV gene therapy and make it an efficient treatment for genetic disease.
How an unlearning context can help managers overcome the negative effects of counter-knowledge
Authors: Cegarra-Navarro Juan-Gabriel , Eldridge Stephen , Sánchez Antonio L Gamo 
Published: May 2012

AbstractCustomer relations provide a valuable link between customers and the companies who produce the products they buy and the services they use. Every organisational member carries out actions which reflect the existence of counter-knowledge (i.e., obsolete knowledge and inappropriate knowledge structures) which in turn can lead to detrimental effects on customers. A decision to reorientate counter-knowledge takes an extended period of time to produce significant results as this process involves the integration of existing capabilities with newly acquired knowledge. Crucially, however, it also involves the unlearning of capabilities which are no longer relevant. Unlearning is the process by which firms eliminate old logics and behaviours and make room for new ones. With the development of this paper, we intend to address the following question: How can managers help to correct counter-knowledge in order to foster customer relations? These relationships are examined through an empirical investigation of 164 small and medium enterprises in the Spanish construction industry. Our results show that an unlearning context (i.e., the examination of lens fitting, the framework for changing individual habits and the framework for consolidating emergent understandings) is an important solution for the process of counteracting the negative effects of counter-knowledge (e.g., misunderstandings and misconceptions). The results also shed light on a tangible means for managers to enhance customer relations through unlearning practices.
The Correction of a Secondary Bilateral Cleft Lip Nasal Deformity Using Refined Open Rhinoplasty with Reverse-U Incision, V-Y Plasty, and Selective Combination with Composite Grafting: Long-term Results
Authors: Cho Byung Chae , Choi Kang Young , Lee Jung Hun , Yang Jung Dug , Chung Ho Yun 
Published: May 2012

Background This article presents long-term outcomes after correcting secondary bilateral cleft lip nasal deformities using a refined reverse-U incision and V-Y plasty or in combination with a composite graft in order to elongate the short columella.
Methods A total of forty-six patients underwent surgery between September 1996 and December 2008. The age of the patients ranged from 3 to 19 years of age. A bilateral reverse-U incision and V-Y plasty were used in 24 patients. A composite graft from the helical root was combined with a bilateral reverse-U incision in the 22 patients who possessed a severely shortened columella. The follow-up period ranged between 2 and 10 years.
Results A total of 32 patients out of 46 were evaluated postoperatively. The average columella length was significantly improved from an average of 3.7 mm preoperatively to 8.5 mm postoperatively. The average ratio of the columella height to the alar base width was 0.18 preoperatively and 0.29 postoperatively. The postoperative basal and lateral views revealed a better shape of the nostrils and columella. The elongated columella, combined with a composite graft, presented good maintenance of the corrected position with no growth disturbance. A composite graft showed color mismatching in several patients. Twenty-six patients demonstrated no alar-columella web deformity and satisfactory symmetry of the nostrils. Four patients experienced a drooping and overhanging of the corrected alar-columella web.
Conclusions A bilateral reverse-U incision with V-Y plasty or in combination with a composite graft was effective in correcting secondary bilateral cleft lip nasal deformity.
How Many Presentations Are Published as Full Papers?
Authors: Chung Kyu Jin , Lee Jun Ho , Kim Yong Ha , Kim Tae Gon , Ha Ju Ho 
Published: May 2012

Background The publication rate of presentations at medical international meetings has ranged from 11% to 78% with an average of 45%. To date, there are no studies about the final rate of publications at scientific meetings associated with plastic surgery from Korea. The present authors investigated the publication rate among the presentations at meetings associated with plastic surgery.
Methods The titles and authors of the abstracts from oral and poster presentations were collected from the program books of the Congress of the Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons (CKSPRS) for 2005 to 2007 (58th-63rd). All of the abstracts presented were searched for using PubMed, KoreaMed, KMbase, and Google Scholar. The titles, key words from the titles, and the authors' names were then entered in database programs. The parameters reviewed included the publication rate, type of presentation including running time, affiliation, subspecialty, time to publication, and publication journal.
Results A total of 1,176 abstracts presented at the CKSPRS from 2005 to 2007 were evaluated. 38.7% of the abstracts, of which oral presentations accounted for 41.0% and poster presentations 34.8%, were published as full papers. The mean time to publication was 15.04 months. Among journals of publication, the Journal of the Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons was most used.
Conclusions Brilliant ideas and innovative approaches are being discussed at CKSPRS. The 38.7% publication rate found from this research appeared a bit lower than the average rate of medical meetings. If these valuable presentations are not available as full papers, the research would be a waste of time and effort.
High‐Efficiency Transfection and siRNA‐Mediated Gene Knockdown in Human Pluripotent Stem Cells
Authors: Ma Yinghong , Lin Haifan , Qiu Caihong 
Published: May 2012

AbstractThis unit describes a protocol on how to achieve high transfection efficiency on human embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells using the common transfection reagent Lipofectamine 2000 as a carrier instead of involving a virus, and/or expensive equipment and reagents. Applying this technique for siRNA‐mediated gene targeting to knockdown genes in the pluripotent stem cells, the expression of pluripotent genes, such as OCT4 and LIN28, was downregulated by more than 90% in multiple pluripotent cell lines. Beyond reaching high transfection efficiency on pluripotent cells, this protocol should also have application to primary cells that are traditionally difficult to transfect. Curr. Protoc. Stem Cell Biol. 21:5C.2.1‐5C.2.9. © 2012 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Intelligent gels and cryogels with embedded emulsions of various oils
Authors: Komarova Galina A. , Starodubtsev Sergey G. , Lozinsky Vladimir V. , Nasimova Irina R. , Khokhlov Alexei R. 
Published: May 2012

AbstractThermo‐responsive gels and cryogels with embedded microdroplets of Vaseline, olive, peanut, and linseed oils and their mixtures with hydrophobic dye Sudan 3 have been synthesized and studied. These composite gel matrices were obtained by the three‐dimensional copolymerization of N‐isopropylacrylamide and N, N'‐bis(acryloyl)cystamine in the presence of oil emulsions stabilized with sodium dodecylsulfate or Span 80. Polymerization was performed at room temperature for conventional gels and at −15°C for cryogels. It was shown that all synthesized systems exhibit heat‐induced collapse at temperatures higher then 34°C. For conventional gels prepared at room temperature shrinking lasts within 20 to 80 min in accordance with gel composition. No squeezing of oil droplets was observed. In the case of cryogels, shrinking was accompanied by release of oils and response time was significantly shorter, about tens of seconds. Collapse character and release of lipophilic phase did not depend on the chemical nature of oils, dissolved compounds, and surfactant used for emulsion stabilization. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Improvement of interfacial shear strengths of polybenzobisoxazole fiber/epoxy resin composite by n‐TiO2 coating
Authors: Qian Jun , Wu Junling , Liu Xiaoyun , Zhuang Qixin , Han Zhewen 
Published: May 2012

AbstractSmooth polybenzobisoxazole (PBO) fiber has limited interfacial interaction with resin matrix. In this article, nano‐TiO2 coating on PBO fiber is applied to improve the interfacial adhesion between PBO fiber and epoxy resin. The test results suggest that the PBO fiber had good interaction with epoxy resin matrix after its treatment with n‐TiO2 sol. Nano TiO2 particle embedded onto PBO fiber surface, acting as a chock, which made fiber implanted into the resin better. This greatly improved the shear strengths (IFSS) of PBO fiber/epoxy resin composite. It has been found that a 56% increase in interfacial IFSS has achieved without sacrificing mechanical properties of fiber. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Effects of substrate composition and roughness on mechanical properties and conformality of parylene C coatings
Authors: Verwolf Adrian , White Grady , Poling Chris 
Published: May 2012

AbstractNanoindentation was used to determine reduced elastic modulus Er and hardness H of 16 μm thick Parylene C coatings vapor‐deposited on mill‐finished samples of aluminum, copper, nickel steel, and stainless steel. Profilometry was used to compare average surface roughnesses of the polymeric coatings to the roughnesses of the underlying metals, thereby providing a quantitative index for determining conformality. Roughness, elasticity, and hardness of coatings were found to be affected by both chemical composition and surface roughness of four different metallic substrates. Standard nanoindentation evaluations of Er and H distributions for the various metals were found to be positively skewed, which precluded use of simple averages for purposes of comparison. However, analysis of the nanoindentation and profilometry data by use of alternative techniques indicated that coatings were consistently smoother and flatter than their underlying substrates, i.e., they were not truly conformal, and nanomechanical properties of Parylene C were affected by the chemical composition of the substrates independently of the effects of substrate roughness. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Effect of organoclay and silane grafting of polyethylene on morphology, barrierity, and rheological properties of HDPE/PA6 blends
Authors: Sharif‐Pakdaman Ali , Morshedian Jalil , Jahani Yousef 
Published: May 2012

AbstractSilane‐grafted high‐density polyethylene (HDPE‐g‐Si) was prepared by reactive extrusion. The grafted polyethylene (PE) was then melt compounded with organically modified montmorillonite and polyamide‐6 (PA6) to form ternary nanocomposite. Fourier Transfer Infrared was used for investigation of grafting efficiency of specimens. Dispersion of clay in the blends and individual polymers were examined by X‐ray diffraction (SAXS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Scanning electron microscopy and dynamic rheology were also used for further study of microstructure along with compatibilization effect of silane grafting and adding organoclay in the blends. SAXS and TEM study showed that nanoclay was delaminated by PA6 or HDPE‐g‐Si chains, whereas the intercalation of neat HDPE in clay layers was negligible especially in higher level of clay. The morphological studies indicated that silane‐grafted HDPE had hydrophilic characteristics and, therefore, was more compatible with PA6 than neat PE. Furthermore, in the same way adding nanoclay to this blends resulted in more uniform and finer morphology. And finally, results of oxygen and hydrocarbon permeability measurement demonstrated synergetic effect of silane grafting and presence of clay on barrierity improvement of samples. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Crystal phase of poly(vinylidene fluoride‐co‐trifluoroethylene) synthesized via hydrogenation of poly(vinylidene fluoride‐co‐chlorotrifluoroethylene)
Authors: Zhang Qiuping , Xia Weimin , Zhu Zhigang , Zhang Zhicheng 
Published: May 2012

AbstractTrifluoroethylene addition and thermal treatment induced crystal phase transition in a series of poly(vinylidene fluoride‐co‐trifluoroethylene) [P(VDF‐co‐TrFE)] containing varied TrFE molar ratio (6, 9, 12, and 20 mol %) prepared from the hydrogenation of poly(vinylidene fluoride‐co‐chlorotrifluoroethylene have been investigated by means of Fourier transform infrared spectral (FTIR), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analyses. The comprehensive applications of the three techniques could distinguish α, β and γ phase of P(VDF‐co‐TrFE) very well. The multipeak fitting technique of DSC is successfully applied to calculate the percentage of different phases in the samples, which allows us to investigate the phase transition process of P(VDF‐co‐TrFE) precisely. It is found that the crystal phase of P(VDF‐co‐TrFE) films is turned from α + γ phase (6 mol % TrFE) to α + γ + β phase (9 and 12 mol % TrFE) to β phase (20 mol % TrFE) at high temperature, and from α + γ phase (6 mol % TrFE) to γ + β phase (9 mol % TrFE) to β phase (>12 mol % TrFE) at low fabricated temperature. Both the fabrication conditions and TrFE addition are responsible for the crystal phase transition of the hydrogenised P(VDF‐co‐TrFE). © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
How do the shape of clay and type of modifier affect properties of polymer blends?
Authors: Gallego Raúl , García‐López David , Merino Juan Carlos , Pastor José María 
Published: May 2012

AbstractPolyamide 6/ethylene–propylene–diene metallocene terpolymer/(ethylene–propylene–diene copolymer)‐graft‐(maleic anhydride) blends with clay (3 and 5 wt % depending on the formulation), different clays (montmorillonite and sepiolite) and different surface functionalization (ammonium salts and silanes) were studied to analyze the effect of the shape of clay and type of modifier on their properties. The results have shown that sepiolite has higher influence on the morphology and on the mechanical properties than montmorillonite. In that sense, blends with 3 wt % of sepiolite have reached the best balanced properties, i.e., tensile modulus and impact strength, than their homologous with montmorillonite. Furthermore, the blends with 3 wt % of sepiolite have reached the highest mechanical properties compared with blends with higher montmorillonite content. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Protective role of systemic furin in immune response–induced arthritis
Authors: Lin Hilène , Ah Kioon Marie‐Dominique , Lalou Claude , Larghero Jerome , Launay Jean‐Marie , Khatib Abdel‐Majid , Cohen‐Solal Martine 
Published: May 2012

AbstractObjectiveRheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune joint disease associated with chronic inflammation of the synovium that causes profound damage of joints. Inflammation results in part from the influx of immune cells secreting inflammatory cytokines and the reduction in the number of Treg cells. We undertook this study to assess the effect of furin, a proteinase implicated in the proteolytic activity of various precursor proteins and involved in the regulation of both proteinase maturation and immune cells, in an experimental model of RA.MethodsThe effect of furin and its inhibitor α1‐PDX was tested in mice with collagen‐induced arthritis (CIA). Joints were processed for histology and protein expression. Levels of cytokines were measured in joint tissue, and Treg cell numbers were measured in spleens.ResultsFurin expression and activity were high in the synovial pannus in RA patients and mice with CIA. Systemic administration of furin prevented increases in the arthritis score, joint destruction, and bone loss, in contrast to systemic administration of the furin inhibitor α1‐PDX, which enhanced these parameters. By preventing the development of synovial pannus, furin reduced the expression of metalloproteinases in the joints. In contrast, α1‐PDX enhanced synovial proliferation and the expression and activity of matrix metalloproteinases. Furthermore, furin reversed the local Th1/Th2 balance and restored the number of Treg cells in the spleen, indicating mediation by immune cells.ConclusionThese findings show the protective role of exogenous furin against RA, mediated by an immune response. The data suggest the potential therapeutic use of furin or its derivatives in autoimmune diseases including RA.
Variable selection via the weighted group lasso for factor analysis models
Authors: Hirose Kei , Konishi Sadanori 
Published: May 2012

AbstractWe consider the problem of selecting variables in factor analysis models. The$L_1$regularization procedure is introduced to perform an automatic variable selection. In the factor analysis model, each variable is controlled by multiple factors when there are more than one underlying factor. We treat parameters corresponding to the multiple factors as grouped parameters, and then apply the group lasso. Furthermore, the weight of the group lasso penalty is modified to obtain appropriate estimates and improve the performance of variable selection. Crucial issues in this modeling procedure include the selection of the number of factors and a regularization parameter. Choosing these parameters can be viewed as a model selection and evaluation problem. We derive a model selection criterion for evaluating the factor analysis model via the weighted group lasso. Monte Carlo simulations are conducted to investigate the effectiveness of the proposed procedure. A real data example is also given to illustrate our procedure.The Canadian Journal of Statistics40: 345–361; 2012 © 2012 Statistical Society of Canada