bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The future of specific immunotherapy: strategies and challenges for the next generation of allergy vaccines
Authors: Sørensen P. 
Published: June 2011

To cite this article: Sørensen P. The future of specific immunotherapy: strategies and challenges for the next generation of allergy vaccines. Allergy 2011; 66 (Suppl. 95): 63–65.AbstractThe use of specific immunotherapy (SIT) for allergic disorders has recently been extended by introduction of a convenient, tablet‐based, disease‐modifying vaccine against grass pollen allergy. Allergy immunotherapy tablet (AIT) programmes targeting house dust mite and other allergies are currently in late‐phase development. Next‐generation allergy vaccines can have optimised potency and onset of action without compromising safety or convenience. Key to achieving these objectives is a combination of evidence‐based mode‐of‐action studies and biomarker‐centric translational research approaches. This will rely on using biobank and bioinformatics resources for multi‐omic characterisations of the ‘immunome’ of allergic disease. Other important areas are ongoing paediatric trials and long‐term studies in adults for further defining the potential role of SIT in allergic disease and primary prevention of asthma. Finally, combining cellular‐ and serological‐based assays, and developments in targeted delivery platforms and component‐resolved diagnostics will lead to increased ability to stratify patients, with more personalised diagnosis and treatment.
Current problems of chronic active antibody‐mediated rejection
Authors: Takeda Asami , Horike Keiji , Ohtsuka Yasuhiro , Inaguma Daijo , Goto Norihiko , Watarai Yoshihiko , Uchida Kazuharu , Morozumi Kunio 
Published: June 2011

Takeda A, Horike K, Ohtsuka Y, Inaguma D, Goto N, Watarai Y, Uchida K, Morozumi K. Current problems of chronic active antibody‐mediated rejection. Clin Transplant 2011: 25 (Suppl. 23): 2–5. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.Abstract:  The Banff 2007 classification allows chronic rejection to be differentiated based on clinicopathological characteristics evidenced by two independent immunologic mechanisms; chronic active antibody‐mediated rejection and chronic active T‐lymphocyte mediated rejection. However, several incompletely understood issues concerning chronic active antibody‐mediated rejection remain. Chronic active antibody‐mediated rejection is characterized by C4d deposition in the capillary basement membrane(PTC), the presence of circulating anti‐donor antibodies(DSA), and morphologic evidence of chronic tissue injury such as glomerular double contours compatible with transplant glomerulopathy (TPG), PTC basement membrane multilayering, interstitial fibrosis/tubular atrophy, and fibrous arterial intimal thickening. PTC basement membrane multilayering correlates highly with TPG, and most of TPG have evidence of either C4d‐positive staining or DSA. However, the proposed criteria do not apply to all situations of chronic active antibody‐mediated rejection. C4d is not a magic marker for antibody‐mediated rejection. C4d staining is not always highly sensitive for detecting antibody‐mediated rejection. Multi‐institutional studies should be conducted to better understand the clinicopathological context of chronic antibody‐mediated rejection. These studies should include well‐designed serial protocol biopsies with evaluation by electron microscopy, C4d staining performed on frozen sections, and assessment using sensitive DSA detection methods.
No evidence for depletion of carbohydrate pools in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) under drought stress
Authors: Gruber A. , Pirkebner D. , Florian C. , Oberhuber W. 
Published: June 2011

AbstractThe physiological mechanisms leading to Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) decline in the dry inner alpine valleys are still unknown. Testing the carbon starvation hypothesis, we analysed the seasonal course of mobile carbohydrate pools (NSC) of Scots pine growing at a xeric and a dry‐mesic site within an inner alpine dry valley (750 m a.s.l., Tyrol, Austria) during 2009, which was characterised by exceptional soil dryness. Although, soil moisture content dropped to ca. 10% at both sites during the growing season, NSC concentrations rose in all tissues (branch, stem, root) until the end of July, except in needles, where maxima were reached around bud break. NSC concentrations were not significantly different in the analysed tissues at the xeric and the dry‐mesic site. At the dry‐mesic site, NSC concentrations in the aboveground tree biomass were significantly higher during the period of radial growth. An accumulation of NSC in roots at the end of July indicates a change in carbon allocation after an early cessation in aboveground growth, possibly due to elevated belowground carbon demand. In conclusion, our results revealed that extensive soil dryness during the growing season did not lead to carbon depletion. However, even though carbon reserves were not exhausted, sequestration of carbohydrate pools during drought periods might lead to deficits in carbon supply that weaken tree vigour and drive tree mortality.
Characterization of Immunoreactive IGF‐I Pattern During the Peri‐ovulatory Period of the Oestrous Cycle of Thoroughbred Mares and Its Relation to Other Hormones
Authors: Derar DR , Taya K , Watanabe G , Miyake Y‐I 
Published: June 2011

ContentsThe aim of this study was to characterize ir‐IGF‐I pattern and its relation to other hormones during the oestrous cycle in mares. Nine non‐pregnant non‐lactating pluriparous thoroughbred mares were used. The studied mares were examined ultrasonically and bled daily to follow the ovarian changes and the hormonal milieu for a complete Interovulatory interval (IOI). Two (minor and major) follicular waves were characterized per IOI in thoroughbred mares. The largest follicle of the first follicular wave (DF1) was firstly detected at D – 1.75 ± 0.47 with a growth rate of 2.78 ± 0.14 mm/day and maximum diameter of 22.45 ± 0.75 mm on day 6.65 ± 0.82. The largest follicle of the second follicular wave (DF2) had a growth rate of 2.15 ± 0.29 mm/day, reached a maximum diameter of 42.70 ± 2.63 mm on D 19.25 ± 0.43. Ir‐IGF‐I increased significantly prior to ovulation and had a similar pattern to oestrogen (r = 0.84, p < 0.05), suggesting that the ovarian follicles are the main source of circulating ir‐IGF‐I during the oestrous cycle of mares and that ir‐IGF‐I may be a crucial factor in follicular differentiation and maturation. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that ir‐IGF‐I is secreted during the oestrous phase of the cycle concomitant with the development of the future ovulatory dominant follicle, and it may act in synergy with other hormones for the selection and differentiation of the dominant follicle.
Early weight changes after birth and serum high‐molecular‐weight adiponectin level in preterm infants
Authors: Yoshida Tomohide , Nagasaki Hiraku , Asato Yoshihide , Ohta Takao 
Published: June 2011

AbstractBackground:  Extra‐uterine growth retardation (EUGR) is associated with an increased risk for cardiometabolic diseases later in life. The aim of the present study was to examine the relationship between early weight change after birth in preterm infants and adiponectin (adn) multimeric complexes.Methods:  Subjects included 28 preterm infants born between weeks 24 and 33 of gestation. Serum adn multimeric complexes and the anthropometric parameters were measured in preterm infants at birth and at corrected term.Results:  Bodyweight (BW) decreased during the first week of life, with birthweight restored at approximately 19 days after birth. Nineteen of the subjects had EUGR at corrected term. Total (T)‐adn, high‐molecular‐weight (H)‐adn, and the ratio of H‐adn to T‐adn (H/T‐adn) were significantly elevated at corrected term than at birth. Postmenstrual age, birthweight, birth length and lowest BW after birth were positively correlated with H‐adn and H/T‐adn. Weight reduction after birth was negatively correlated with H‐adn. Age to restore birthweight was negatively correlated with T‐adn, H‐adn and H/T‐adn. Stepwise multiple regression analysis indicated age to restore birthweight as the major predictor of T‐adn and H‐adn.Discussion:  Early weight changes after birth may alter serum adn level in preterm infants at corrected term. The appropriate nutritional support in the early postnatal period could reduce the prevalence of EUGR and the future risk for cardiometabolic diseases.
Toxicity of local anesthetic drugs: a pediatric perspective
Authors: Lönnqvist Per‐Arne 
Published: June 2011

SummaryThe main mechanism of action of local anesthetics (LA) is to block sodium channels, thereby interrupting the propagation of nerve impulses. However, this action not only is localized to the sodium channels of nerve tissues involved with pain transmission but will have its effect on any tissue containing sodium channels. Thus, if there is a rapid absorption into the systemic circulation of locally injected LA or if LA inadvertently is injected into a blood vessel, then significant blockade of sodium channels in other tissues may also be blocked and serious complications may ensue. The two most important tissues associated with systemic toxicity of LA are the central nervous and the cardiovascular systems, which may lead to seizures, tachyarrhythmias, and ultimately death from apnea and cardiovascular collapse. The aim of this communication is to elucidate some issues that are associated with toxicity of LA and its treatment in the pediatric population.
The incommensurability of nursing as a practice and the customer service model: an evolutionary threat to the discipline
Authors: Austin Wendy J. 
Published: June 2011

AbstractCorporate and commercial values are inducing some healthcare organizations to prescribe a customer service model that reframes the provision of nursing care. In this paper it is argued that such a model is incommensurable with nursing conceived as a moral practice and ultimately places nurses at risk. Based upon understanding from ongoing research on compassion fatigue, it is proposed that compassion fatigue as currently experienced by nurses may not arise predominantly from too great a demand for compassion, but rather from barriers to enacting compassionate care. These barriers are often systemic. The paradigm shift in which healthcare environments are viewed as marketplaces rather than moral communities has the potential to radically affect the evolution of nursing as a discipline.
Maths for medications: an analytical exemplar of the social organization of nurses' knowledge
Authors: Dyjur Louise , Rankin Janet , Lane Annette 
Published: June 2011

AbstractWithin the literature that circulates in the discourses organizing nursing education, there are embedded assumptions that link student performance on maths examinations to safe medication practices. These assumptions are rooted historically. They fundamentally shape educational approaches assumed to support safe practice and protect patients from nursing error. Here, we apply an institutional ethnographic lens to the body of literature that both supports and critiques the emphasis on numeracy skills and medication safety. We use this form of inquiry to open an alternate interrogation of these practices. Our main argument posits that numeracy skills serve as powerful distraction for both students and teachers. We suggest that they operate under specious claims of safety and objectivity. As nurse educators, we are captured by taken‐for‐granted understandings of practices intended to produce safety. We contend that some of these practices are not congruent with how competency actually unfolds in the everyday world of nursing practice. Ontologically grounded in the materiality of work processes, we suggest there is a serious disjuncture between educators' assessment and evaluation work where it links into broad nursing assumptions about medication work. These underlying assumptions and work processes produce contradictory tensions for students, teachers and nurses in direct practice.
Distance decay of similarity in freshwater communities: do macro‐ and microorganisms follow the same rules?
Authors: Astorga Anna , Oksanen Jari , Luoto Miska , Soininen Janne , Virtanen Risto , Muotka Timo 
Published: June 2011

ABSTRACTAim  An intensively debated issue in macroecology is whether unicellular organisms show biogeographic patterns different from those of macroorganisms. One aspect of this debate addresses beta diversity, that is, do microbial organisms exhibit distance‐decay patterns similar to those of macroorganisms? And if so, is the decay of community similarity caused by spatially limited dispersal or by niche‐related factors? We studied the community similarity of stream diatoms, macroinvertebrates and bryophytes across the same set of sites in relation to environmental and geographic distance.Location  A geographical gradient of c. 1100 km in Finland.Methods  We first identified the subset of environmental variables that produced the highest correlation with community similarities for each taxonomic group. Based on these variables, we used partial Mantel tests to separate the independent influences of environmental and geographical distance for distance decay of community similarity, separately for diatoms, bryophytes and macroinvertebrates. Finally, macroinvertebrates were divided into three groups based on their different dispersal categories and a partial Mantel test was used to assess whether each of these groups were differently affected by environmental versus geographic distance, i.e. is dispersal a key factor in tests of niche versus neutral models.Results  The level of environmental control was by far the strongest for diatoms; however, all groups were controlled more by environmental factors than by limited dispersal. Macroinvertebrate species with low dispersal ability were significantly related to geographic distance, while more effective dispersers showed no relationship to geography but were instead strongly related to environmental distance.Main conclusions  Our results suggest that patterns between macro‐ and microorganisms are not fundamentally different, but the level of environmental control varies according to dispersal ability. The relative importance of niche versus dispersal processes is not simply a function of organism size but other traits (e.g. life‐history type, dispersal capacity) may obscure this relationship.
Rapid global change: implications for defining natives and aliens
Authors: Webber Bruce L. , Scott John K. 
Published: June 2011

ABSTRACTThe ability to ascribe native or alien status to species in a rapidly changing world underpins diverse research fields that overlap with global change and biological invasions via biodiversity. Current definitions generally link alien status to anthropogenic dispersal events, but this can create conflicts for active management and global change adaptation strategies, such as managed relocation and restoration ecology. Here we propose a unifying approach that allows for the incorporation of rapid global change into biological invasion terminology. We introduce the concept of a projected dispersal envelope (PDE) to define the region where a species is or could be native, irrespective of human involvement. The PDE integrates biogeography and niche theory with existing invasion terminology to place a spatial and temporal context on species movements. We draw on a diverse suite of topical organism movements to illustrate these concepts. Our restructured definitions allow for native species to move into or with rapidly shifting climatic regions, as well as identifying the inappropriate introduction of alien species to new areas. Moreover, our definitions framework forms a timely and essential component of adaptation policies and responses for invasive species management and the enhancement of biodiversity in a rapidly changing world.
Large‐scale patterns of tree species richness and the metabolic theory of ecology
Authors: Fang Jingyun , Wang Zhiheng , Tang Zhiyao , Brown James H. 
Published: June 2011

ABSTRACTThe metabolic theory of ecology (MTE) endeavours to explain ecosystem structure and function in terms of the effects of temperature and body size on metabolic rate. In a recent paper (Wang et al., 2009, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA, 106, 13388), we tested the MTE predictions of species richness using tree distributions in eastern Asia and North America. Our results supported the linear relationship between log‐transformed species richness and the inverse of absolute temperature predicted by the MTE, but the slope strongly depends on spatial scale. The results also indicate that there are more tree species in cold climate at high latitudes in North America than in eastern Asia, but the reverse is true in warm climate at low latitudes. Qian & Ricklefs (2011, Global Ecology and Biogeography, 20, 362–365) recently questioned our data and some of the analyses. Here we reply to them, and provide further analyses to show that their critiques are primarily based on unsuitable data and subjective conjecture.
TESTING FOR CONTINUOUS LOCAL MARTINGALES USING THE CROSSING TREE
Authors: Rolls David A. , Jones Owen D. 
Published: June 2011

SummaryWe present statistical tests for the continuous martingale hypothesis; that is, for whether an observed process is a continuous local martingale, or equivalently a continuous time‐changed Brownian motion. Our technique is based on the concept of the crossing tree. Simulation experiments are used to assess the power of the tests, which is generally higher than that of recently proposed tests using the estimated quadratic variation (i.e. realized volatility). In particular, the crossing tree shows significantly higher power with shorter data sets. We then show results from applying the methodology to five high‐frequency currency exchange rate data sets from 2003. For four of them we show that at small time‐scales (less than 15 minutes or so) the continuous martingale hypothesis is rejected, but not so at larger time‐scales. For the fifth, the hypothesis is rejected at small time‐scales and at some moderate time‐scales, but not all.
Building Agent‐Based Walking Models by Machine‐Learning on Diverse Databases of Space‐Time Trajectory Samples
Authors: Torrens Paul , Li Xun , Griffin William A. 
Published: June 2011

AbstractWe introduce a novel scheme for automatically deriving synthetic walking (locomotion) and movement (steering and avoidance) behavior in simulation from simple trajectory samples. We use a combination of observed and recorded real‐world movement trajectory samples in conjunction with synthetic, agent‐generated, movement as inputs to a machine‐learning scheme. This scheme produces movement behavior for non‐sampled scenarios in simulation, for applications that can differ widely from the original collection settings. It does this by benchmarking a simulated pedestrian's relative behavioral geography, local physical environment, and neighboring agent‐pedestrians; using spatial analysis, spatial data access, classification, and clustering. The scheme then weights, trains, and tunes likely synthetic movement behavior, per‐agent, per‐location, per‐time‐step, and per‐scenario. To prove its usefulness, we demonstrate the task of generating synthetic, non‐sampled, agent‐based pedestrian movement in simulated urban environments, where the scheme proves to be a useful substitute for traditional transition‐driven methods for determining agent behavior. The potential broader applications of the scheme are numerous and include the design and delivery of location‐based services, evaluation of architectures for mobile communications technologies, what‐if experimentation in agent‐based models with hypotheses that are informed or translated from data, and the construction of algorithms for extracting and annotating space‐time paths in massive data‐sets.
Size Effects on the Transmission Mechanism from Finance to Development: A Study of Large Emerging Economies
Authors: Sun Puyang , Sen Somnath , Tong Jiadong 
Published: June 2011

AbstractLarge emerging economies, typically Brazil, India, China and South Africa (BICS), demonstrate a strong upward trend in many aspects of their macroeconomic performance in recent decades. This surge is attributed to ‘size effects’ whereby economies of scale and scope, and agglomeration impact, create productivity improvements. This paper concentrates on both conceptual and empirical studies about the most important contributions from real and financial sectors towards economic growth in large emerging economies. In particular, the transmission channels from finance to growth are discussed in this paper, to show how size effects can affect these transmission mechanisms from finance to development. The econometric estimations use a structural vector autoregressive (SVAR) model for four specific large emerging economies – BICS – and analyse dynamic shocks from real sectors and financial sectors, together with size‐effect variables: education investment, government spending and military expenditures. We conclude that real shocks have much higher impact effects on output and growth compared to financial shocks.
Protectionist Responses to the Crisis: Global Trends and Implications
Authors: Bussière Matthieu , Pérez‐Barreiro Emilia , Straub Roland , Taglioni Daria 
Published: June 2011

AbstractIn this paper, we take a systematic look at recent trends in global protectionism and at the potential implications of a protectionist backlash for economic growth, using results from the recent economic literature and new model simulations. We find that so far the increase in actual protectionist measures to restrict trade through tariff and non‐tariff barriers has been moderate. None of the World Trade Organization (WTO) members has retreated into widespread trade restrictions or protectionism to date. At the same time, however, evidence from surveys shows that public pressure for more economic protection has been mounting since the mid‐2000s and has possibly intensified since the start of the financial crisis. Meanwhile, our model‐based simulations suggest that the impairment of the global flow of trade would hamper the recovery process from the crisis as well as the long‐term growth of the global economy. At the same time, it is unlikely that protectionism would help correct existing current account imbalances. Moreover, the countries implementing protectionist measures should expect a deterioration of their international competitiveness, which would further affect the potential for longer‐term real GDP growth.
Characterization of Dp71Δ78‐79, a novel dystrophin mutant that stimulates PC12 cell differentiation
Authors: Aragón Jorge , Romo‐Yáñez José , Martínez‐Herrera Alejandro , Ceja Víctor , Rendon Alvaro , Montañez Cecilia 
Published: June 2011

J. Neurochem. (2011) 119, 697–707.AbstractDp71 has an important role in the central nervous system. To better understand the function of Dp71 domains in neuronal differentiation, PC12 cells were stably transfected with a dystrophin mutant, Dp71Δ78‐79, which lacks exons 78 and 79. Based on the percentage of cells bearing neurites and neurite length analyses, we found that cells stably expressing Dp71Δ78‐79 (PC12‐C11) differentiate more efficiently than non‐transfected cells. While wild‐type cells reach their maximum differentiation 9–12 days after initiating the differentiation process, the PC12‐C11 cells reach differentiation in 4–6 days. Protein expression analysis showed a down‐regulation of Dp71a and an up‐regulation of Dp71ab and/or Up71, β‐dystroglycan and neuron‐specific enolase in undifferentiated and in neural growth factor differentiated PC12‐C11 cells. No change was observed in the expression of Grb2 and Up400. The subcellular localization of Dp71Δ78‐79 was in the cell periphery, and there was no change in localization during the differentiation process, which was also observed throughout the neurite extensions.