bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Kepler's invention of the second planetary law
Authors: Donahue William H. 
Published: January 2009

Kepler saw it as one of the chief advantages of the Copernican system that it put order into the planetary motions. Although Copernicus had indeed noted that the planetary periods increase with their distance from the sun, he did not, as far as we know, attempt to find a relationship between the two. Believing that God would not have failed to establish some mathematically precise ratio, Kepler sought from the very first to find it. Thus we see, in some of his earliest surviving letters, his attempts to relate planetary periods to the radii of their orbits using circular quadrants intersected by straight lines. Right from the beginning, Kepler gave the sun that dynamic role that was to characterize his ‘new astronomy based upon physics’. Immediately after describing the nested polyhedra that he believed determined the number and distances of the planets, he wrote:Next, there is a moving soul and an infinite motion in the sun, and a double decrement of motion in the movables. In the first place, there is the inequality of their circuits, caused by the unequal amplitude of the orbs, which would occur even were the moving power the same in all orbs. But (2) actually this moving power (like light, in optics) is weaker the further it is from the source.
Invisible resource: William Crookes and his circle of support, 1871–81
Authors: Gay Hannah 
Published: January 2009

In a 1976 paper, Robert DeKosky wrote ‘William Crookes is a puzzle to historians of latenineteenth century science. Despite his achievements we are forced to ask why he did not accomplish more.’ It is an interesting question; equally interesting is the question that prompts this paper – how did he accomplish so much?Why some scientists become prolific and successful is a question with both historical and ahistorical dimensions. Among the former are a number of cultural aspects rarely studied by historians. They include the nature of childhood experience, family attitudes, mentoring, and the existence of intellectual and practical support networks in adulthood. Ail are important, but how they contribute to individual success varies with time and place.
Fatty acid metabolism (desaturation, elongation and β-oxidation) in rainbow trout fed fish oil- or linseed oil-based diets
Authors: Turchini Giovanni M. , Francis David S. 
Published: January 2009

In consideration of economical and environmental concerns, fish oil (FO) substitution in aquaculture is the focus of many fish nutritionists. The most stringent drawback of FO replacement in aquafeeds is the consequential modification to the final fatty acid (FA) make-up of the fish fillet. However, it is envisaged that a solution may be achieved through a better understanding of fish FA metabolism. Therefore, the present study investigated the fate of individual dietary FA in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) fed a FO-based diet (rich in 20 : 5n-3) or a linseed oil-based diet (LO; rich in 18 : 3n-3). The study demonstrated that much of the 18 : 3n-3 content from the LO diet was oxidised and, despite the significantly increased accretion of Δ-6 and Δ-5 desaturated FA, a 2- and 3-fold reduction in the fish body content of 20 : 5n-3 and 22 : 6n-3, respectively, compared with the FO-fed fish, was recorded. The accretion of longer-chain FA was unaffected by the dietary treatments, while there was a greater net disappearance of FA provided in dietary surplus. SFA and MUFA recorded a net accretion of FA producedex novo. In the fish fed the FO diet, the majority of dietary 20 : 5n-3 was accumulated (53·8 %), some was oxidised (14·7 %) and a large proportion (31·6 %) was elongated and desaturated up to 22 : 6n-3. In the fish fed the LO diet, the majority of dietary 18 : 3n-3 was accumulated (58·1 %), a large proportion was oxidised (29·5 %) and a limited amount (12·4 %) was bio-converted to longer and more unsaturated homologues.
Eternal Youth, the Fate of Developing Arabidopsis Leaves uponRhodococcus fasciansInfection
Authors: Depuydt Stephen , De Veylder Lieven , Holsters Marcelle , Vereecke Danny 
Published: January 2009

AbstractThe phytopathogenic actinomycete Rhodococcus fascians induces neoplastic shooty outgrowths on infected hosts. Upon R. fascians infection of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), leaves are formed with small narrow lamina and serrated margins. These symptomatic leaves exhibit reduced tissue differentiation, display more but smaller cells that do not endoreduplicate, and accumulate in the G1 phase of the cell cycle. Together, these features imply that leaf growth occurs primarily through mitotic cell division and not via cell expansion. Molecular analysis revealed that cell cycle gene expression is activated continuously throughout symptomatic leaf development, ensuring persistent mitotic cycling and inhibition of cell cycle exit. The transition at the two major cell cycle checkpoints is stimulated as a direct consequence of the R. fascians signals. The extremely reduced phenotypical response of a cyclind3;1-3 triple knockout mutant indicates that the D-type cyclin/retinoblastoma/E2F transcription factor pathway, as a major mediator of cell growth and cell cycle progression, plays a key role in symptom development and is instrumental for the sustained G1-to-S and G2-to-M transitions during symptomatic leaf growth.
Efficacy and safety of 5‐grass pollen sublingual immunotherapy tablets in patients with different clinical profiles of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis
Authors: Malling H‐J. , Montagut A. , Melac M. , Patriarca G. , Panzner P. , Seberova E. , Didier A. 
Published: January 2009

SummaryBackground
The optimal dose of grass pollen tablets for sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) in allergic rhinoconjunctivitis patients was previously established in a multinational, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study in 628 adults. Patients were randomized to receive once‐daily 5‐grass pollen sublingual tablets of 100 IR (index of reactivity), 300 IR or 500 IR, or placebo starting 4 months before the pollen season.Objective
The aim of this complementary analysis was to determine whether 300 IR 5‐grass pollen SLIT‐tablets is effective in different subtypes of patients who are allergic to grass pollen.Methods
Different subgroups could be identified regarding comorbidities (with or without asthma during the grass‐pollen season), sensitization (mono/polysensitization) and symptom severity. An additional exploratory analysis was performed within four subgroups based on pre‐treatment assessment: Group 1=high specific IgE; Group 2=high symptom scores; Group 3=high skin sensitivity; Group 4=any of Group 1, 2 or 3.Results
Asthma and sensitization status were not significant covariates as the average Rhinoconjunctivitis Total Symptom Score (RTSS) was identical for patients with and without grass‐pollen asthma, as well as for mono‐ and polysensitized patients. Across the four subgroups, average RTSSs (± SD) for the optimal dosage (300 IR) were 3.91 ± 3.16, 3.83 ± 3.14, 2.55 ± 2.13 and 3.61 ± 2.97, for subgroups 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively. ancova showed that in Group 1 average RTSS did not differ significantly with different doses of SLIT. In Groups 2, 3 and 4, doses of 300 IR and 500 IR were significantly more effective than 100 IR and placebo (P0.035). All doses of SLIT administered in this study can be considered safe in the patients investigated.Conclusions
The risk–benefit ratio validates the use of 300 IR tablets in clinical practice in all of these patient subgroups, regardless of severity profile, sensitization status and presence of asthma.
CD200R surface expression as a marker of murine basophil activation
Authors: Torrero M. N. , Larson D. , Hübner M. P. , Mitre E. 
Published: January 2009

SummaryBackground
Basophils are increasingly recognized as playing important roles in the immune responses of allergic diseases and helminth infections. One of the main obstacles to studying basophils has been the lack of a simple and rapid assay to measure basophil activation in mice.Objective
The purpose of this study was to develop an assay to measure murine basophil activation.Methods
Mouse blood cells were stained with various combinations of positive and negative markers for basophils – sorted and then assessed for basophil purity by May‐Grünwald staining of cytospins. Once a flow cytometric strategy for staining basophils was determined, basophil surface expression of CD200R was assessed by multi‐colour flow cytometry after stimulation of whole blood with anti‐IgE, ionomycin or N‐formyl MetLeuPhe (fMLP). Confirmation of basophil activation was assessed by concomitant staining of cells for intracellular IL‐4. To test the ability of flow cytometric basophil CD200R measurements to assess for antigen‐specific IgE‐mediated activation of basophils, surface CD200R expression in response to in vitro stimulation with media alone, helminth antigen or ovalbumin was measured on basophils obtained from control mice, mice infected with helminths and mice sensitized to ovalbumin.Results
Using anti‐IgE‐FITC as a positive marker and a combination of anti‐CD4‐PERCP and anti‐B220‐PERCP as negative markers resulted in a well‐separated basophil population. Additional staining with anti‐CD200R‐PE demonstrated that (1) basophil CD200R expression increases in response to anti‐IgE, ionomycin and fMLP, (2) most CD200R‐positive basophils also stain positively for IL‐4 and (3) CD200R expression increases after antigen‐specific activation of basophils in murine models of helminth disease and allergy.Conclusion
We developed a multi‐colour flow cytometry assay that measures murine basophil activation by utilizing CD200R as an activation marker. This assay is straightforward and rapid, taking approximately half a day for obtaining blood, in vitro stimulation and flow cytometric analysis.
BSACI guidelines for the management of drug allergy
Authors: Mirakian R. , Ewan P. W. , Durham S. R. , Youlten L. J. F. , Dugué P. , Friedmann P. S. , English J. S. , Huber P. A. J. , Nasser S. M. 
Published: January 2009

SummaryThese guidelines have been prepared by the Standards of Care Committee (SOCC) of the British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology (BSACI) and are intended for allergists and others with a special interest in allergy. As routine or validated tests are not available for the majority of drugs, considerable experience is required for the investigation of allergic drug reactions and to undertake specific drug challenge. A missed or incorrect diagnosis of drug allergy can have serious consequences. Therefore, investigation and management of drug allergy is best carried out in specialist centres with large patient numbers and adequate competence and resources to manage complex cases. The recommendations are evidence‐based but where evidence was lacking consensus was reached by the panel of specialists on the committee. The document encompasses epidemiology, risk factors, clinical patterns of drug allergy, diagnosis and treatment procedures. In order to achieve a correct diagnosis we have placed particular emphasis on obtaining an accurate clinical history and on the physical examination, as these are critical to the choice of skin tests and subsequent drug provocation. After the diagnosis of drug allergy has been established, communication of results and patient education are vital components of overall patient management.
Efficacy and safety of high‐doses sublingual immunotherapy in ultra‐rush scheme in children allergic to grass pollen
Authors: Stelmach I. , Kaczmarek‐Woźniak J. , Majak P. , Olszowiec‐Chlebna M. , Jerzynska J. 
Published: January 2009

SummaryBackground
Although sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) has been used with increasing frequency, the data on the efficacy of SLIT in pediatric asthma are limited.Aim
The aim of our study was to evaluate the efficacy and the safety of high‐dose SLIT given pre‐seasonally and co‐seasonally in an ultra‐rush scheme in children with bronchial asthma allergic to grass pollen.Methods
Fifty children with asthma, aged 6–17, sensitive to grass pollen, participated in the 2‐year prospective, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial, to investigate the efficacy and safety of SLIT (Staloral 300 IR, Stallergenes SA, 25 μg major allergens) as a standardized extract of five grass pollen with ultra‐rush induction.Results
SLIT significantly improved asthma symptom scores (41% vs. placebo group), reduced nasal symptoms (25% vs. placebo group) and the use of rescue medications (10% vs. placebo group), improved forced expiratory volume in 1 s, but had no effect on ocular symptoms, nasal hyper‐reactivity, peak expiratory flow and forced expiratory volume between 25% and 75% of vital capacity. Serum levels of immunoglobulin E and IgG4 did not change after SLIT. After the second season of SLIT, an improvement in bronchial hyperresponsiveness was observed; however, compared with placebo, this effect was not significant. Among all subjects in SLIT group, predominantly local reactions have been recorded in 59% of subjects in the first year of treatment and in 35% in the second.Conclusions
Our study indicated that high‐dose ultra‐rush, co‐seasonal SLIT given for 2 years, was safe and reduced a multiple symptom–medication score.
Role of Ca2+mobilization and Ca2+sensitization in 8‐iso‐PGF2α‐induced contraction in airway smooth muscle
Authors: Shiraki A. , Kume H. , Oguma T. , Makino Y. , Ito S. , Shimokata K. , Honjo H. , Kamiya K. 
Published: January 2009

SummaryBackgroundIsoprostanes are prostaglandin (PG)‐like compounds synthesized by oxidative stress, not by cyclooxygenase, and increase in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of patients with asthma. The airway inflammation implicated in this disease may be amplified by oxidants. Although isoprostanes are useful biomarkers for oxidative stress, the action of these agents on airways has not been fully elucidated.ObjectiveThis study was designed to determine the intracellular mechanisms underlying the effects of oxidative stress on airway smooth muscle, focused on Ca2+signalling pathways involved in the effect of 8‐iso‐PGF2α.MethodsUsing simultaneous recording of isometric tension and F340/F380(an indicator of intracellular concentrations of Ca2+, [Ca2+]i), we examined the correlation between tension and [Ca2+]iin response to 8‐iso‐PGF2αin the fura‐2 loaded tracheal smooth muscle.ResultsAugmented tension and F340/F380by 8‐iso‐PGF2αwere attenuated by ICI‐192605, an antagonist of thromboxane A2receptors (TP receptors). Moreover, D609, an antagonist of phosphatidylcholine‐specific phospholipase C, markedly reduced both the tension and F340/F380induced by 8‐iso‐PGF2α, whereas U73122, an antagonist of phosphatidylinositol‐specific phospholipase C, modestly inhibited them by 8‐iso‐PGF2α. SKF96365, a non‐selective antagonist of Ca2+channels, markedly reduced both tension and F340/F380by 8‐iso‐PGF2α. However, diltiazem and verapamil, voltage‐dependent Ca2+channel inhibitors, modestly attenuated tension although their reduction of F340/F380was not different from that by SKF96365. Y‐27632, an inhibitor of Rho‐kinase, significantly attenuated contraction induced by 8‐iso‐PGF2αwithout reducing F340/F380, whereas GF109203X and Go6983, protein kinase C inhibitors, did not markedly antagonize them although reducing F340/F380with a potency similar to Y‐27632.Conclusion8‐iso‐PGF2αcauses airway smooth muscle contraction via activation of TP receptors. Ca2+mobilization by SKF96365‐ and D609‐sensitive Ca2+influx and Ca2+sensitization by Rho‐kinase contribute to the intracellular mechanisms underlying the action of 8‐iso‐PGF2α. Rho‐kinase may be a therapeutic target for the physiologic abnormalities induced by oxidative stress in airways.
Functional analysis of a polymorphism in the promoter region of the IL‐12/23p40 gene
Authors: Shimokawa N. , Nishiyama C. , Hirota T. , Tamari M. , Hara M. , Ikeda S. , Okumura K. , Ogawa H. 
Published: January 2009

SummaryBackground
Human IL‐12B gene on chromosome 5q31 encodes the common p40 subunit of IL‐12 and IL‐23. IL‐12 is known to play critical roles in the generation of T‐helper type 1 (TH1) cells, whereas IL‐23 is involved in maintenance and/or population expansion of TH17 cells. Although several reports suggested an association between a polymorphism (−6415CTCTAA/GC) in IL‐12B and asthma, the molecular mechanism how this polymorphism is involved in allergic inflammation is still unclear.Methods
The transcription activity was analysed by reporter assay. A transcription factor binding to −6415 polymorphic site was identified by electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay. The amount of cytokines produced from peripheral monocytes were determined by ELISA.Results
Reporter assay showed that the transcription activity of the GC allele was higher than that of the CTCTAA allele. A transcription factor Sp1 bound to the region including the GC allele with a higher affinity than that of the CTCTAA allele in EMSA. In vivo binding of Sp1 to IL‐12B gene carrying −6415GC was confirmed by ChIP assay. Overexpression of Sp1 up‐regulated transcription activity of promoter carrying GC allele sequence, whereas the CTCTAA promoter was not affected by Sp1. We examined the correlation between −6415CTCTA/GC polymorphism and production of cytokine IL‐12/23p40, IL‐12p70, and IL‐23 on peripheral blood monocytes, and monocytes with the GC/GC allele exhibited significantly higher expression of IL‐12p70 protein than those with the CTCTAA/CTCTAA allele (P=0.009).Conclusions
The −6415 polymorphism is involved in cytokine production potential by affecting Sp1‐mediated transcription activity.
Impact of Peroxynitrite Modification on Structure and Immunogenicity of H2A Histone
Authors: Khan M. A. , Dixit K. , Jabeen S. , Moinuddin  , Alam K. 
Published: January 2009

AbstractPeroxynitrite is an extremely reactive entity and hasin vivoexistence. Its interaction with biomolecules may cause oxidation and nitration. In this study, commercially available H2A histone was exposed to peroxynitrite generatedin vitro. The peroxynitrite‐mediated structural changes in histone were studied by ultraviolet & fluorescence spectroscopy, high performance liquid chromatography, anilinonaphthalene‐8‐sulfonic acid binding and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Analysis of results revealed that carbonyl, nitrotyrosine and dityrosine contents were significantly increased in peroxynitrite‐modified H2A compared with native H2A. Rabbits challenged with peroxynitrite‐modified H2A induced high titre antibodies. The immunogenicity of peroxynitrite‐modified H2A was directly proportional to protein nitrotyrosine content and induced antibodies showed specificity for the immunogen and good cross‐reaction with nitrated epitopes of other modified proteins. Formation of high molecular weight immune complex with retarded mobility further supports the specificity of induced anti‐100 μmperoxynitrite‐modified H2A antibodies for the immunogen. It may be concluded that induction of anti‐H2A histone antibodies could be due to protection of peroxynitrite‐modified histone from proteolytic breakdown and its subsequent recognition by immunoregulatory cells as foreign molecule.
Induction of TLR Tolerance in Human Macrophages by Adiponectin: Does LPS Play a Role?
Authors: Turner J. J. O. , Smolinska M. J. , Sacre S. M. , Foxwell B. M. J. 
Published: January 2009

AbstractObesity is regarded as a pro‐inflammatory state. It is associated with low circulating levels of the adipokine, adiponectin, which is considered to be an anti‐inflammatory. However, adiponectin knockout mice do not consistently demonstrate pro‐inflammatory phenotypes, suggesting more complexity in the in vivo immunomodulatory effects of adiponectin than originally anticipated. Moreover, adiponectin exerts pro‐inflammatory effects in some experimental systems. This contradiction has been resolved by hypothesizing that adiponectin induces tolerance to inflammatory stimuli, notably Toll‐like receptor (TLR) ligands. We noticed that this effect resembled lipopolysaccharide (LPS) tolerance and therefore tested adiponectin from a variety of sources for LPS contamination. All adiponectin tested carried low levels of LPS in the range of 1–30 pg/μg of adiponectin, sufficient to produce final LPS concentrations in the pg/ml range under experimental conditions. We found that induction of tolerance to TLR ligands by adiponectin in human monocyte‐derived macrophages could be reproduced by such LPS concentrations. Moreover, the LPS antagonist, polymixin B, substantially inhibited induction of tolerance by adiponectin. Furthermore, polymixin B and a naturally occurring antagonist LPS were able to partially attenuate induction of tumour necrosis factor‐α and interleukin‐6 in human monocyte‐derived macrophages by adiponectin. Polymixin B also inhibited nuclear factor‐κB and mitogen‐activated protein kinase signalling elicited by adiponectin. We therefore propose that some of adiponectin’s immunomodulatory effects, in particular, its TLR‐tolerising actions in human monocyte‐derived macrophages, may be confounded by induction of tolerance by contaminating LPS.
IC31®, a Two‐Component Novel Adjuvant Mixed with a Conjugate Vaccine Enhances Protective Immunity against Pneumococcal Disease in Neonatal Mice
Authors: Olafsdottir T. A. , Lingnau K. , Nagy E. , Jonsdottir I. 
Published: January 2009

AbstractIC31® is a novel adjuvant which combines the immunostimulatory effects of an 11‐mer antibacterial peptide (KLKL5KLK) and a synthetic oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN1a) which is a Toll‐like receptor 9 agonist without containing cytosine phosphate guanine (CpG) motifs. The effects of IC31® on neonatal immune response to vaccination have not been reported. Neonatal mice were immunized once or twice with a Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype 1 polysaccharide conjugate containing Tetanus Toxoid (Pnc1‐TT) carrier protein, with or without IC31® or CpG‐ODN. IC31® significantly enhanced IgG1, IgG2a and IgG2b antibodies (Ab) to the serotype 1 polysaccharide. One dose of Pnc1‐TT and low dose IC31® elicited high Ab levels that protected the neonatal mice completely from bacteraemia and significantly reduced lung infection following i.n. challenge with serotype 1 pneumococcal strain. One‐sixth of an adult murine dose of IC31® was sufficient and optimal for induction of protective immunity in neonatal mice. Two doses of Pnc1‐TT with or without adjuvants protected the neonatal mice completely, but more rapid Ab response was observed when IC31® was given with the Pnc1‐TT. IC31® is a promising new adjuvant for neonatal vaccinations, rapidly enhancing protective humoral responses when combined with Pnc1‐TT.
ASPIRATIONSPNEUMONIEN
Authors: Tufeanu I. , Alexianu D. , Tuffeanu V. 
Published: January 2009

ZUSAMMENFASSUNG27 Fälle von Aspirationspneumonie verschiedener Genese mit 9 Todesfällen (33%) werden vorgelegt.Die wirksamsten Präventivmassnahmen bestanden in Hochlagerung und Anwendung einer Magensonde.Die gunstige Wirkung der Corticoide im Tierversuch bei der Behandlung der Aspirationspneumonie, findet in der Klinik ihre Bestatigung.