bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Different regulation of T helper 1‐ and T helper 2‐promoting cytokine signalling factors in human dendritic cells after exposure to protein versus contact allergens
Authors: Böttcher Ingo , Bellinghausen Iris , König Bettina , Knop Jürgen , Saloga Joachim 
Published: February 2008

SummaryCytokine‐dependent T helper 1 (Th1) differentiation versus T helper 2 (Th2) differentiation is controlled by distinct transcription factors. Previously, we have demonstrated that immature human dendritic cells (DC) from blood donors with allergies show rapid phosphorylation of the Th2‐associated signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 (STAT6) upon contact with protein allergens. In the present study we investigated whether this process is regulated by the downstream molecules suppressor of cytokine signalling (SOCS) and/or by the factors T‐bet and GATA3. Therefore, immature DC of grass or birch pollen‐allergic donors were treated with the respective Th2‐promoting protein allergens, and, for comparison, with the Th1‐promoting contact allergen 5‐chloro‐2‐methylisothiazolinone plus 2‐methylisothiazolinone (MCI/MI) or with the antigen tetanus toxoid. Changes in the mRNA levels of SOCS1, SOCS3, T‐bet and GATA3 were analysed by quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction. Exposure of DC to protein allergens led to the up‐regulation of the Th2‐associated genes SOCS3 and GATA3, whereas the contact allergen MCI/MI preferentially enhanced the expression of the Th1‐associated gene T‐bet. Treatment of immature DC with the antigen tetanus toxoid increased both Th1‐ and Th2‐associated genes. Our data indicate that polarization of type 1 versus type 2 immune responses takes place already at the level of antigen‐presenting cells, involving molecules similar to those used in T‐cell polarization.
Special regulatory T‐cell review: FOXP3 biochemistry in regulatory T cells – how diverse signals regulate suppression
Authors: Li Bin , Greene Mark I. 
Published: February 2008

SummaryFOXP3 is an acetylated and phosphorylated protein active in human regulatory T cells and forms oligomers which then associate with an even larger molecular complex. FOXP3 actively regulates transcription by recruiting enzymatic co‐repressors and/or co‐activators. FOXP3 complex ensembles are dynamically regulated by physiological stimuli such as T‐cell receptor, IL‐2 and proinflammation cytokine signals. Understanding the post‐translational modifications of FOXP3 regulated by diverse signals and the biochemistry and structural chemistry of enzymatic proteins in the FOXP3 complex is critical for therapeutically modulating regulatory T cell function.
Special regulatory T cell review: How I became a T suppressor/ regulatory cell maven
Authors: Shevach Ethan M. 
Published: February 2008

SummaryI have briefly reviewed the factors that motivated me to change my views about the existence and importance of suppressor/regulatory T cells and to devote the majority of my laboratory efforts to this newly revitalized area of immunologic research. I am optimistic that manipulation of regulatory T‐cell function will shortly be applicable to the clinic.
Aeolian sand sea development along the mid‐Cretaceous western Tethyan margin (Spain): erg sedimentology and palaeoclimate implications
Authors: RODRÍGUEZ‐LÓPEZ JUAN PEDRO , MELÉNDEZ NIEVES , DE BOER POPPE L. , SORIA ANA ROSA 
Published: February 2008

AbstractThe existence of a mid‐Cretaceous erg system along the western Tethyan margin (Iberian Basin, Spain) was recently demonstrated based on the occurrence of wind‐blown desert sands in coeval shallow marine deposits. Here, the first direct evidence of this mid‐Cretaceous erg in Europe is presented and the palaeoclimate and palaeoceanographic implications are discussed. The aeolian sand sea extended over an area of 4600 km2. Compound crescentic dunes, linear draa and complex aeolian dunes, sand sheets, wet, dry and evaporitic interdunes, sabkha deposits and coeval extradune lagoonal deposits form the main architectural elements of this desert system that was located in a sub‐tropical arid belt along the western Tethyan margin. Sub‐critically climbing translatent strata, grain flow and grain fall deposits, pin‐stripe lamination, lee side dune wind ripples, soft‐sediment deformations, vertebrate tracks, biogenic traces, tubes and wood fragments are some of the small‐scale structures and components observed in the aeolian dune sandstones. At the boundary between the aeolian sand sea and the marine realm, intertonguing of aeolian deposits and marine facies occurs. Massive sandstone units were laid down by mass flow events that reworked aeolian dune sands during flooding events. The cyclic occurrence of soft sediment deformation is ascribed to intermittent (marine) flooding of aeolian dunes and associated rise in the water table. The aeolian erg system developed in an active extensional tectonic setting that favoured its preservation. Because of the close proximity of the marine realm, the water table was high and contributed to the preservation of the aeolian facies.A sand‐drift surface marks the onset of aeolian dune construction and accumulation, whereby aeolian deposits cover an earlier succession of coastal coal deposits formed in a more humid period. A prominent aeolian super‐surface forms an angular unconformity that divides the aeolian succession into two erg sequences. This super‐surface formed in response to a major tectonic reactivation in the basin, and also marks the change in style of aeolian sedimentation from compound climbing crescentic dunes to aeolian draas.The location of the mid‐Cretaceous palaeoerg fits well to both the global distribution of other known Cretaceous erg systems and with current palaeoclimate data that suggest a global cooling period and a sea‐level lowstand during early mid‐Cretaceous times. The occurrence of a sub‐tropical coastal erg in the mid‐Cretaceous of Spain correlates with the exposure of carbonate platforms on the Arabian platform during much of the Late Aptian to Middle Albian, and is related to this eustatic sea‐level lowstand.
Yield and Osmotic Adjustment Capacity of Barley Under Terminal Water‐Stress Conditions
Authors: González A. , Martín I. , Ayerbe L. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractThis paper reports the influence of the osmotic adjustment capacity and turgor potential (TP) on tolerance to drought in 12 cultivated genotypes, six breeding lines and six cultivars of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) under terminal water‐stress conditions. When the crops reached the flag leaf stage, half of the experimental plots in which they were grown were submitted to water stress treatment and the remainder maintained under optimal irrigation conditions. Differences were seen in the osmotic adjustment, relative water content (RWC) and water potential (WP) of the different genotypes. Two of the breeding lines showed the greatest osmotic adjustment capacities, maintaining their TPs better than the other genotypes studied. A positive, significant correlation was found between yield and osmotic adjustment capacity, RWC and WP under water‐stress conditions. Osmotic adjustment capacity and TP were linearly related, indicating that as water stress increases osmotic adjustment favours the maintenance of higher TPs. Significant correlations were found between osmotic adjustment capacity and grain filling rate and grain yield. Under conditions of terminal water stress, yield was negatively correlated with the number of days to ear emergence; no correlation was found between osmotic adjustment capacity and earliness. Early ear emergence, a good osmotic adjustment capacity and high RWC values all contributed to yield increases under terminal water‐stress conditions.
Estimation of Different Cellular Compounds from the Mycelium of Phomopsis theae, Causal Agent of Phomopsis Canker Disease of Tea
Authors: Ponmurugan P. , Baby U. I. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractVariations between three isolates (MP, TP and WP) of Phomopsis theae were studied based on the growth pattern, cellular constituents in the mycelium and protein expression profile. The growth initially increased and later decreased. The growth of these isolates in terms of mycelial dry weight exhibited in the order of MP > TP > WP isolates. The quantitative estimation of cellular constituents such as total sugar, reducing sugar, non‐reducing sugar, nitrogen, protein, amino acids, polyphenol, catechin and lipid showed that there was no significant difference in these constituents between the isolates. The detection of amino acids in the mycelium of P. theae isolates showed 16 free forms and 11 bound forms. Amino acids in the bound form were elucidated to be higher in all the isolates than in the free form. All the isolates of P. theae exhibited prominent protein pattern with three common bands, which lies between the molecular weight of 116 and 66.2 kDa.
Erythromycin attenuates MUC5AC synthesis and secretion in cultured human tracheal cells infected with RV14
Authors: INOUE Daisuke , KUBO Hiroshi , SASAKI Takahiko , YASUDA Hiroyasu , NUMASAKI Muneo , SASAKI Hidetada , YAMAYA Mutsuo 
Published: February 2008

Background and objective:  The common cold is a major cause of asthma exacerbation and chronic obstructive lung disease. Rhinovirus is reported to be responsible for more than 50% of cases of the common cold. In a previous study, we reported that rhinovirus infection of cultured airway cells induced MUC5AC mucin overproduction and hypersecretion by activating the p44/42 mitogen‐activated protein kinase (p44/42 MAPK) pathway. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of erythromycin on RV14‐induced airway mucin overproduction and hypersecretion.Methods:  RV14‐infected human tracheal epithelial cells were treated with erythromycin.Results:  Erythromycin blocked RV14‐induced MUC5AC protein overproduction and hypersecretion, and also blocked RV14‐induced p44/42 MAPK activation in the cells.Conclusions:  Erythromycin may attenuate RV14‐induced MUC5AC overproduction and hypersecretion by blocking the p44/42 MAPK pathway or its upstream regulators.
Effect of thixotropy conditioning of inspiratory muscles on the chest wall response to CPAP
Authors: IZUMIZAKI Masahiko , NAKAJIMA Takayuki , IWASE Michiko , OHSHIMA Yasuyoshi , HOMMA Ikuo 
Published: February 2008

Background and objective:  Thixotropy conditioning of inspiratory muscles changes the end‐expiratory position of the respiratory system during resting breathing. We examined the immediate effects of thixotropy conditioning of inspiratory muscles on chest wall inflation induced by CPAP.Methods:  A cross‐over design study was performed in 13 healthy men. Operating chest wall volume (Vcw) was measured by respiratory inductive plethysmography. Conditioning consisting of a 5 s inspiratory effort at a mask pressure of −20 cm H2O was performed under CPAP (10 cm H2O) at three Vcw values to change the muscle length at which conditioning occurred: (i) FRC at a CPAP of 10 cm H2O (FRC10); (ii) FRC at a CPAP of 0 cm H2O (FRC0); and (iii) RV at a CPAP of 10 cm H2O (RV10).Results:  CPAP (10 cm H2O) increased FRC by 0.60–0.70 L. Decreases in operating Vcw were noted after conditioning at RV10, which decreased end‐expiratory Vcw by 0.16 ± 0.12 L and end‐inspiratory Vcw by 0.20 ± 0.14 L at 180 s (P < 0.01). Inspiratory capacity (1.59 ± 0.45 L) and inspiratory reserve volume (1.18 ± 0.40 L) were greater than preconditioning values (1.44 ± 0.49 L and 0.99 ± 0.41 L, respectively; P < 0.01). Conditioning at FRC0 also decreased operating Vcw significantly, but conditioning at FRC10 did not change operating Vcw.Conclusions:  Thixotropy conditioning of inspiratory muscles performed below inflated FRC decreased the level of CPAP‐induced inflation.
Initial experience of functional imaging of upper urinary tract neoplasm by diffusion‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Yoshida Soichiro , Masuda Hitoshi , Ishii Chikako , Saito Kazutaka , Kawakami Satoru , Kihara Kazunori 
Published: February 2008

Objectives:  Diffusion‐weighted (DW) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provides functional information widely used in the diagnosis of acute cerebral stroke. We reported our initial experience of this imaging technique of upper urinary tract (UUT) urothelial carcinoma (UC).Methods:  Diffusion‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging was carried out in 10 consecutive patients with suspected UUT UC. With conventional imaging, seven were diagnosed as having renal pelvic tumors and two were highly suspected of having UUT UC. These nine patients were diagnosed histopathologically as having renal pelvic UC by subsequent operation. The last patient was confirmed as experiencing benign stenosis. DW MRI was obtained with a 1.5‐T MR imager without a breath‐holding sequence. The apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values of renal parenchyma, dilated collecting system, and tumor were calculated. The differences were analyzed using Wilcoxon t‐test.Results:  On DW MRI, all nine tumors showed hyperintensity with negligible urinary intensity. Two cases of highly suspected UUT UC with unclear conventional MRI had high signal intensity and contrast. The case of benign stenosis had negative DW MRI. The median (range) ADC value of the tumor (0.803 [0.412–0.958] × 10−3 mm2/s) was significantly lower than those of the dilated collecting system (2.19 [1.42–2.40] × 10−3) and renal parenchyma (1.28 [0.922–1.45] × 10−3, respectively (P < 0.01 and P < 0.01).Conclusions:  This is the first report on the application of DW MRI for a series of UUT UC. With this technique, a clear demonstration of UUT UC could be obtained. Moreover, this imaging technique is potentially useful to identify small lesions if they have a low diffusion coefficient.
ANALYSIS OF COMPLICATIONS FOLLOWING SURGICAL TREATMENT OF BENIGN PAROTID DISEASE*
Authors: Nouraei S. A. Reza , Ismail Yasmin , Ferguson Mark S. , McLean Neil R. , Milner Richard H. , Thomson Peter J. , Welch Andrew R. 
Published: February 2008

Background:  The objective of the study was to study the incidence of, and risk factors for developing complications following parotidectomy for benign disease, to improve preoperative patient counselling and better inform future surgical management.Methods:  An 11‐year retrospective review of 162 parotidectomies for benign disease, collecting and analysing data about presentation, investigations, surgical treatment, postoperative facial nerve function, Frey’s syndrome and other surgical complications.Results:  The mean age at presentation was 58 years. The commonest pathology was benign pleomorphic adenoma (43%), followed by Warthin’s tumour (30%) and chronic sialadenitis (22%). Sialadenitis was a significant risk factor for facial nerve palsy and increased the incidence of salivary fistulas. Parotid duct ligation increased the risk of nerve palsy in the distribution of zygomatic and buccal branches. Operations for Warthin’s tumour were associated with an increased risk of dysfunction of the cervical branch of the nerve. Half the patients had intraoperative facial nerve stimulation and this did not influence the likelihood of facial paresis. The recovery of facial nerve function showed a biphasic distribution, with 90% of patients having normal function within 12 months, followed by a slower recovery rate for up to 2 years.Conclusion:  The incidence of postoperative complications was influenced by the pathology, with inflammatory lesions significantly increasing the risk of facial nerve dysfunction and other complications, but also by variations in surgical practice, such as parotid duct ligation. Overall, the incidence of permanent facial paralysis was less than 2%, but temporary nerve palsy was common at 40%, with most patients regaining normal function within 1 year of the operation.
The Integration of Health and Social Care: The Lessons from Northern Ireland
Authors: Heenan Deirdre , Birrell Derek 
Published: February 2008

Abstract Mechanisms for the integration of social services with health have come to dominate the debate on providing a more seamless provision of health and social care. Working together at the health and social care interface has been strongly promoted and endorsed in government documents since the late 1990s. Moves towards integration have been treated with suspicion and scepticism in the academic literature, with many authors highlighting the many barriers and challenges presented by this method of working. Yet these proposals do not represent a paradigm shift in culture in all parts of the United Kingdom, as Northern Ireland has had an integrated health and social care system for over thirty years. Based on an empirical study of senior health care professionals in Northern Ireland, this study identifies and discusses the key issues associated with integration. It concludes that the experiences in Northern Ireland have to date been overlooked or misrepresented and could prove extremely valuable in gaining an understanding of the challenges and benefits of integrated arrangements.
Social Policy in a Cold Climate: Health and Social Welfare in Russia
Authors: Titterton Mike 
Published: February 2008

AbstractThe Russian Federation faces multiple challenges for its health and welfare systems and for the development of social policy responses. This article provides a review of some of the key challenges for social policy in Russia and assesses the adequacy of the responses to date. The author surveys recent developments in health and social welfare and makes recommendations on priorities for Russia's policy‐makers and international funders. A range of public health challenges including drug and alcohol misuse, health in prisons and mental health is discussed; HIV/AIDS is singled out for particular attention. While Russia is increasingly attracting the attention of social scientists in the West, there is uncertainty about models and concepts suitable for the analysis of this complex society. Although empirical trends are largely discussed in this article, it is argued that theoretical development is required and some suggestions are made about concepts of the ‘middle range’ to assist in future analyses. Intermediate theories, such as those relating to the management of personal welfare, and development of resilience in a formerly collectivized context, are identified as having explanatory potential for this task.
The Latinization of the Central Shenandoah Valley
Authors: Zarrugh Laura 
Published: February 2008

AbstractVirginia is among a number of southern states in the United States, such as North Carolina, Arkansas and Georgia, which have experienced a sudden growth in Latino immigration during the past decade. Not only is the volume of growth unprecedented, but many of the destinations are new and located in rural areas. Places that have not hosted immigrant populations for generations are quickly becoming multicultural. The small city of Harrisonburg (population 43,500 according to the 2005 estimate), which is located in the rural Central Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, is perhaps the premier example of this new pattern of change. While local advertising once promoted Harrisonburg for its “99.2% American‐born and 93.7% white” population, the area today holds the distinction of hosting the most diverse public school enrollment in the state (in 2006‐2007), with students from 64 countries who speak 44 languages. Among them are Spanish speakers from at least 14 different countries. Drawing on social network theory, the paper examines how social networks among Latino immigrants become activated in new settlement areas. It presents a case history of the historic process of “Latinization” involving the settlement of a number of diverse Latino populations (from Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Cuba and Uruguay) in Harrisonburg and the surrounding Central Shenandoah Valley. The study demonstrates how a number of key institutions, including local agricultural industries (apples and poultry), a refugee resettlement office and churches recruited “pioneers” from these immigrant groups to the area and how “pioneers” subsequently engaged in further social network recruitment, thus creating multiple transnational “daughter communities” in the Harrisonburg area. The policy implications of this historical process are explored.
Testing for Equality of Standardized Composite Measures of Linkage Disequilibrium
Authors: Hamilton D. C. , Cole D. E. C. 
Published: February 2008

SummaryWe described the approximate variance for a composite measure of linkage disequilibrium (LD), which depends only on genotype frequencies and allows for departure from Hardy‐Weinberg disequilibrium (Hamilton et al. 2006). Here we extend this work to allow for inferences about differences in composite LD coefficients, as we illustrate with two examples. Simulations demonstrate consistency of type I error rates under most conditions. Calculations for power and sample size are also given.
Mitochondrial DNA Variability in Slovaks, with Application to the Roma Origin
Authors: Malyarchuk B. A. , Perkova M. A. , Derenko M. V. , Vanecek T. , Lazur J. , Gomolcak P. 
Published: February 2008

SummaryTo gain insight into the mitochondrial gene pool diversity of European populations, we studied mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) variability in 207 subjects from western and eastern areas of Slovakia. Sequencing of two hypervariable segments, HVS I and HVS II, in combination with screening of coding region haplogroup‐specific RFLP‐markers, revealed that the majority of Slovak mtDNAs belong to the common West Eurasian mitochondrial haplogroups (HV, J, T, U, N1, W, and X). However, a few sub‐Saharan African (L2a) mtDNAs were detected in a population from eastern part of Slovakia. In addition, about 3% of mtDNAs from eastern Slovakia encompass Roma‐specific lineages. By means of complete mtDNA sequencing we demonstrate here that the Roma‐specific M‐lineages observed in gene pools of different Slavonic populations (Slovaks, Poles and Russians), belong to Indian‐specific haplogroups M5a1 and M35. Moreover, we show that haplogroup J lineages found in gene pools of the Roma and some Slavonic populations (Czechs and Slovaks) belong to new subhaplogroup J1a, which is defined by coding region mutation at position 8460.