bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Transcutaneous Immunization with Cross-Reacting Material CRM
197
of Diphtheria Toxin Boosts Functional Antibody Levels in Mice Primed Parenterally with Adsorbed Diphtheria Toxoid Vaccine
Authors: Stickings Paul , Peyre Marisa , Coombes Laura , Muller Sylviane , Rappuoli Rino , Del Giudice Giuseppe , Partidos Charalambos D. , Sesardic Dorothea 
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACT

Transcutaneous immunization (TCI) capitalizes on the accessibility and immunocompetence of the skin, elicits protective immunity, simplifies vaccine delivery, and may be particularly advantageous when frequent boosting is required. In this study we examined the potential of TCI to boost preexisting immune responses to diphtheria in mice. The cross-reacting material (CRM
197
) of diphtheria toxin was used as the boosting antigen and was administered alone or together with either one of two commonly used mucosal adjuvants, cholera toxin (CT) and a partially detoxified mutant of heat-labile enterotoxin of
Escherichia coli
(LTR72). We report that TCI with CRM
197
significantly boosted preexisting immune responses elicited after parenteral priming with aluminum hydroxide-adsorbed diphtheria toxoid (DTxd) vaccine. In the presence of LTR72 as an adjuvant, toxin-neutralizing antibody titers were significantly higher than those elicited by CRM
197
alone and were comparable to the functional antibody levels induced after parenteral booster immunization with the adsorbed DTxd vaccine. Time course study showed that high levels of toxin-neutralizing antibodies persisted for at least 14 weeks after the transcutaneous boost. In addition, TCI resulted in a vigorous antigen-specific proliferative response in all groups of mice boosted with the CRM
197
protein. These findings highlight the promising prospect of using booster administrations of CRM
197
via the transcutaneous route to establish good herd immunity against diphtheria.
AMycobacterium tuberculosisMutant Lacking thegroELHomologuecpn60.1Is Viable but Fails To Induce an Inflammatory Response in Animal Models of Infection
Authors: Hu Yanmin , Henderson Brian , Lund Peter A. , Tormay Peter , Ahmed M. Tabish , Gurcha Sudagar S. , Besra Gurdyal S. , Coates Anthony R. M. 
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACTThe causative agent of tuberculosis,Mycobacterium tuberculosis, has two chaperonin (Cpn60) proteins and one cochaperonin (Cpn10) protein. We show here thatcpn60.2andcpn10, but notcpn60.1, are essential for cell survival. A mutant lacking Cpn60.1 was indistinguishable from the wild-type organism in plate and broth culture and within murine macrophages, although it showed increased sensitivity to high temperature (55°C). However, infection of mice with the Δcpn60.1mutant revealed a major difference from the wild-type organism. In spite of having equal numbers of bacteria in infected sites, the Δcpn60.1mutant failed to produce granulomatous inflammation in either mice or guinea pigs. This was associated with reduced cytokine expression in infected animals and macrophages. Cell wall lipid acid composition was not altered in the mutant strain. Thus, it appears that Cpn60.1 is an important agent in the regulation of the cytokine-dependent granulomatous response inM. tuberculosisinfection.
Streptococcal Pyrogenic Exotoxin B-Induced Apoptosis in A549 Cells Is Mediated through α
v
β
3
Integrin and Fas
Authors: Tsai Wan-Hua , Chang Chia-Wen , Lin Yee-Shin , Chuang Woei-Jer , Wu Jiunn-Jong , Liu Ching-Chuan , Tsai Pei-Jane , Lin Ming T. 
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACT

Our previous work suggested that streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxin (SPE) B-induced apoptosis is mediated through a receptor-like mechanism. In this study, we have identified α
v
β
3
and Fas as the SPE B receptors for this function. The SPE B fragment without the RGD motif and G308S, a SPE B mutant with the RSD motif, induced less apoptosis than did native SPE B, suggesting that the RGD motif is critical for SPE B-induced apoptosis. Fluorescein isothiocyanate-SPE B binding assays and immunoprecipitation analysis showed that SPE B specifically interacted with α
v
β
3
. Anti-α
v
β
3
antibody partially inhibited SPE B-induced apoptosis but had no effect on G308S-induced apoptosis. In addition, Fas binding to SPE B was verified in an affinity column and an immunoprecipitation analysis. Anti-Fas antibody inhibited SPE B- and G308S-induced apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner, suggesting that Fas-mediated SPE B-induced apoptosis also occurs RGD independently. Both anti-α
v
β
3
and anti-Fas antibodies synergistically inhibited SPE B-induced apoptosis. The apoptotic cascades were activated by SPE B and G308S, with a little delay by the latter. After SPE B binding, the cell surface level of α
v
β
3
, but not of Fas, was decreased. The decreased α
v
β
3
level was restored by treatment with the proteasome inhibitor MG132, suggesting a SPE B-mediated endocytosis of integrin α
v
β
3
via the ubiquitin-proteasome system. Taken together, our results demonstrate that SPE B-induced apoptosis is mediated through α
v
β
3
integrin and Fas in a synergistic manner.
Identification and Characterization ofChlamydia pneumoniae-Specific Proteins That Activate Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha Production in RAW 264.7 Murine Macrophages
Authors: Jiang Shinn-Jong , Kuo Cho-Chou , Berry Mark W. , Lee Amy W. , Campbell Lee Ann 
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACTChlamydia pneumoniaeis a common respiratory pathogen, which activates macrophages to induce inflammatory cytokines that may promote atherosclerosis. However, the antigens that induce macrophage activation have not been well defined. In the current study, three chlamydial proteins which are recognized during human infection, outer membrane protein 2 (OMP2) and two 53-kDa proteins (Cpn 0980 and Cpn 0809), were investigated to determine whether they activate macrophages and, if they do, what mechanism they use for this activation. It was shown that these three proteins could (i) induce expression of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and tissue factor and (ii) induce phosphorylation of p44/42 mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) and activation of early growth response factor 1 (Egr-1). Control proteins, the N-terminal fragment of polymorphic membrane protein 8 and the thioredoxin portion of the fusion protein, had no effect on macrophages. Treatment of cells with a MEK1/2 inhibitor, U0126, dramatically reduced the phosphorylation of ERK, activation of Egr-1, and expression of TNF-α in macrophages treated with recombinant proteins. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) act as sensors for microbial antigens and can signal via the MAPK pathway. Chlamydial protein-induced expression of TNF-α was significantly reduced in macrophages lacking TLR2 or TLR4. These findings suggest thatC. pneumoniaemay activate macrophages through OMP2, Cpn 0980, and Cpn 0809 in addition to cHSP60 and that activation occurs via TLR2 or TLR4, Egr-1, and MAPK pathways.
IsdA ProtectsStaphylococcus aureusagainst the Bactericidal Protease Activity of Apolactoferrin
Authors: Clarke Simon R. , Foster Simon J. 
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACTAn important facet of theStaphylococcus aureushost-pathogen interaction is the ability of the invading bacterium to evade host innate defenses, particularly the cocktail of host antimicrobial peptides. In this work, we showed that IsdA, a surface protein ofS. aureuswhich is required for nasal colonization, binds to lactoferrin, the most abundant antistaphylococcal polypeptide in human nasal secretions. The presence of IsdA on the surface ofS. aureusconfers resistance to killing by lactoferrin. In addition, the bactericidal activity of lactoferrin was inhibited by addition of phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride, implicating the serine protease activity of lactoferrin in the killing ofS. aureus. Recombinant IsdA was a competitive inhibitor of lactoferrin protease activity. Reciprocally, antibody reactive to IsdA enhanced killing ofS. aureus. Thus, IsdA can protectS. aureusagainst lactoferrin and acts as a protease inhibitor.
Defining normal variables of right ventricular size and function in pulmonary hypertension: an echocardiographic study
Authors: López-Candales A , Dohi K , Rajagopalan N , Edelman K , Gulyasy B , Bazaz R 
Published: January 2008

Abstract

Background
Right ventricular (RV) fractional area change and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) are recognised methods for assessing RV function. However, the way in which these variables are affected by varying degrees of pulmonary hypertension (PH) has not been well characterised.

Methods
RV end-systolic area (RVESA), RV end-diastolic area (RVEDA), pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) and TAPSE were collected from a database of 190 patients who had been referred to the PH clinic for evaluation.

Results
The mean (SD) age of the study population was 56 (17) years; 82 men were included with a mean (SD) PASP of 54 (33) mm Hg (range 16–150), RVESA of 14 (9) cm2, RVEDA of 24 (9) cm2, RV fractional area change of 44 (18)% and TAPSE of 2.06 (0.69) cm. Receiver-operating characteristic curves identified TAPSE &lt;2.01 cm, RV fractional area change &lt;40.9%, RVESA &gt;12.3 cm2 and RVEDA &gt;23.4 cm2 as abnormal values with PH. Finally stratification of patients into sub-groups according to their PASP allowed means and standard deviations to be reported for each echocardiographic variable.

Conclusion
This analysis provides a range of normal variables of RV size and function, not previously published, that can be used in routine evaluation and follow-up of patients with PH.
Clinical and laboratory profile of primary hyperparathyroidism in India
Authors: Priya G , Jyotsna V P , Gupta N , Chumber S , Bal C S , Karak A K , Seth A , Ammini A C 
Published: January 2008

Abstract

Aim
To assess 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) concentrations in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism and to study the relationship, if any, between vitamin D concentration and bone disease.

Methods
Consecutive patients with diagnosed primary hyperparathyroidism were enrolled in the study. Clinical and biochemical details, including serum calcium, phosphate, alkaline phosphatase, parathyroid hormone (PTH) and 25OHD levels, were recorded. An abbreviated skeletal survey and preoperative localisation with ultrasound/CT scan of the neck and tetrofosmin/technetium-99m hexakis(2-methoxyisobutylisonitrile) parathyroid scan was performed.

Results
39 patients with primary hyperparathyroidism were identified (mean (SD) age 38.4 (15.0) years (range 12–72)). The most common presenting features were bone pain (80%), fatigue (80%) and proximal muscle weakness (78%). Brown tumours were present in 58% of cases, renal calculi in 42% and nephrocalcinosis in 12%. The mean (SD) corrected serum calcium concentration was 12.47 (1.58) mg/dl (3.2 (0.4) mmol/l). Serum 25OHD concentration was &lt;5 ng/ml in 11 patients (28%), 5–10 ng/ml in nine (23%), 10–20 ng/ml in 14 (36%), and &gt;20 ng/ml in five (13%). Serum alkaline phosphatase, PTH and gland weight were higher, whereas serum 25OHD was lower, in patients with skeletal disease. Patients with 25OHD concentrations ⩽10 ng/ml had higher body mass index, lower postoperative calcium and higher postoperative PTH. There was a significant correlation between serum calcium and adenoma weight.

Conclusion
The profile of patients with diagnosed primary hyperparathyroidism does not seem to have changed over the last decade. Parathyroid gland weight was found to correlate with serum calcium and PTH.
Mixing in Shallow Cumulus Clouds Studied by Lagrangian Particle Tracking
Authors: Heus Thijs , van Dijk Gertjan , Jonker Harm J. J. , Van den Akker Harry E. A. 
Published: January 2008

Abstract
Mixing between shallow cumulus clouds and their environment is studied using large-eddy simulations. The origin of in-cloud air is studied by two distinct methods: 1) by analyzing conserved variable mixing diagrams (Paluch diagrams) and 2) by tracing back cloud-air parcels represented by massless Lagrangian particles that follow the flow. The obtained Paluch diagrams are found to be similar to many results in the literature, but the source of entrained air found by particle tracking deviates from the source inferred from the Paluch analysis. Whereas the classical Paluch analysis seems to provide some evidence for cloud-top mixing, particle tracking shows that virtually all mixing occurs laterally. Particle trajectories averaged over the entire cloud ensemble also clearly indicate the absence of significant cloud-top mixing in shallow cumulus clouds.
Variability and Linkages of New Guinea Coastal Undercurrent and Lower Equatorial Intermediate Current
Authors: Kawabe Masaki , Kashino Yuji , Kuroda Yoshifumi 
Published: January 2008

Abstract
Velocity at depths of 700–800 m was measured between September 1998 and October 2002 at 2.5°S, 142°E off the New Guinea coast and at 0°, 138°E to examine the New Guinea Coastal Undercurrent (NGCUC) and the current on the equator carrying Antarctic Intermediate Water (AAIW). Velocity characteristics before November 1999 were markedly different from those after November 1999. The typical state occurred during the second period: the intermediate NGCUC and the Lower Equatorial Intermediate Current (LEIC) varied markedly with an annual cycle in opposite phases. In austral winter, the NGCUC flowed west-northwestward strongly (14 cm s−1, 285°T), especially in May–July during which the LEIC disappeared and eddylike equatorial variations with periods of 20–60 days were significant. In austral summer, the LEIC flowed westward strongly (12 cm s−1, 270°T), especially in October–December, whereas the NGCUC reversed its direction repeatedly to flow east-southeastward in November–February. Thus, the intermediate NGCUC and LEIC are present stably in austral winter and summer, respectively. These variations of the currents must change the pathway of AAIW seasonally. The state during the first period was atypical: the current on the equator flowed eastward strongly (13.0 cm s−1, 81°T), that is, no LEIC was present, and the NGCUC flowed west-northwestward strongly (14.8 cm s−1, 280°T) without changing direction. The atypical state may be related to the 1998–99 La Niña. In addition, power spectral peaks at periods of 14–35 days of meridional velocity at the equator suggest that intermediate tropical instability waves are generated in October–December in the typical state.
Arthroscopic Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation in Osteochondral Lesions of the Talus
Authors: Giannini Sandro , Buda Roberto , Vannini Francesca , Di Caprio Francesco , Grigolo Brunella 
Published: January 2008

Background Autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) in the ankle was considered up to now an extremely technically demanding surgery with considerable morbidity for the patients. Hypothesis Hyalograft C scaffold allows arthroscopic ACI, thanks to a specifically designed instrumentation. Study Design Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods Forty-six patients with a mean age of 31.4 years (range, 20–47) underwent operation from 2001 to 2004. They had posttraumatic talar dome lesions, type II or IIA. In the first step of surgery, an ankle arthroscopy was performed, with cartilage harvest from the detached osteochondral fragment or from the margins of the lesion. Chondrocytes were cultured on a Hyalograft C scaffold. In the second step of surgery, the Hyalograft C patch was arthroscopically implanted into the lesion, with a specifically designed instrumentation. Lesions >5 mm deep were first filled with autologous cancellous bone. Patients were evaluated clinically with the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score preoperatively and at 12 and 36 months after surgery. At a mean time interval of 18 months, the first 3 patients underwent a second-look arthroscopy with cartilage harvest from the implant and histological examination. Results The mean preoperative AOFAS score was 57.2 ± 14.3. At the 12-month follow-up, the mean AOFAS score was 86.8 ± 13.4 ( P < .0005), while at 36 months after surgery, the mean score was 89.5 ± 13.4 ( P < .0005). Clinical results were significantly related to the age of patients and to previous operations for cartilage repair. The results of the histological examinations revealed hyaline-like cartilage regeneration. Conclusions The Hyalograft C scaffold and the specifically designed instrumentation allowed arthroscopic implantation of chondrocytes, with excellent clinical and histological results.
The petrography of weathering processes: facts and outlooks
Authors: Meunier A. , Sardini P. , Robinet J. C. , Prêt D. 
Published: January 2008

AbstractRock weathering has been investigated from atomic to global scales through the different but complementary approaches of mineralogy, petrography, geomorphology and geochemistry. The sequences of mineral reactions involved in the alteration process are now well known. They explain the global trend of weathering phenomena but do not account for the actual rock transformation dynamics. In particular, they ignore the intimate relation of the mineral reaction progress with the increase in connected porosity. At the hand specimen scale, heterogeneity is the rule: mineral reactions are controlled by local physicochemical conditions. Alteration processes depend largely on the rock microstructure properties. They proceed through nearly-closed, semi- and completely open microsystems which are interconnected by fractures or pores. Before being leached out by the solutions which flow in the large fractures (flux), the soluble elements migrate inside the connected porosity through chemical diffusion. The dissolution of the primary minerals is mediated through local gradients of chemical potential. With increasing alteration, the rock porosity increases, as does the length of the fluid passageways and their constrictivity and tortuosity. Consequently, the apparent diffusion coefficient for the most soluble elements decreases. The amplitude of the chemical potential gradients for the most soluble elements is reduced by the progressive coating of the reactive surfaces by clays and Fe oxyhydroxides. The residence time of these elements inside the weathered rock increases as alteration progresses; an effect enhanced by their temporary adsorption on the exchangeable sites of clays and Fe oxyhydroxides. Consequently, the weathering rate decreases with time. A possible new way to calculate weathering rates could be to measure the residence time of soluble elements inside the different microsystems during their migration towards the diluted solution which occurs in the large fractures.
Interactions in organic rectorite composite gel polymer electrolyte
Authors: Huang Y. , Ma X. Y. , Liang G. Z. , Yan H. X. 
Published: January 2008

AbstractRectorite (REC) was modified with dodecyl benzyl dimethyl ammonium chloride (1227) to form an organic-modified rectorite, termed OREC. The OREC was used as a filler additive to modify gel polymer electrolytes (GPEs) which consisted of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), propylene carbonate (PC) and LiClO4. Studies of ionic conductivity and viscosity of liquid electrolytes and pure PC, respectively, clearly showed that these properties are greatly influenced by temperature and the amount of OREC added; a consequence of the interactions between the components of CPEs. The Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy results indicated that there were two kinds of interaction: namely (1) a strong hydrogen bond between Si–OH and C=O of PC and (2) a weak interaction between Li+ and C=O. Inverse gas chromatography (IGC) research supported the FTIR interpretation, indicating that the two interactions exist and that the H bond is the stronger of the two. In CPEs, the polymer matrix of PMMA merely supports the active components and does not influence the interactions between them. The OREC greatly increased the crucial plasticizer maintenance property when the amount of clay added was optimum.
Pedogenic formation of smectites in a vertisol developed from granitic rock from Kaélé (Cameroon, Central Africa)
Authors: Nguetnkam J. P. , Kamga R. , Villiéras F. , Ekodeck G. E. , Yvon J. 
Published: January 2008

AbstractSmectite formation in a vertisol developed from a granitic parent rock in the Kaélé region of Cameroon in a tropical, dry climate was studied by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), chemical analyses, cation exchange capacity (CEC) and low temperature gas adsorption. The soil profile comprises three horizons (from base to top): (1) a saprolite, (2) an intermediate horizon, and (3) an upper dark grey horizon. In the saprolite, the progressive alteration of feldspars gave rise to the exclusive neoformation of beidellite exhibiting a typical honeycomb fabric. This process resulted in Al, Fe, Ca, Mg, Ti and Mn enrichment, a depletion of Si and Na and a significant negative Eu anomaly. In the upper horizons, beidellite evolves and is transformed into montmorillonite and kaolinite, probably through a series of smectite-kaolinite mixed layers. This transformation, from the saprolite to the upper horizons, causes the observed decrease in the CEC and the increase in specific surface area and mesoporosity of the clay. The REE patterns of the bulk soil and clay fraction display similar behaviour, indicating that the three horizons, and hence the clay minerals, have a common source in the underlying granite. Mass-balance calculations show that the intense weathering of the granite leads to a mass reduction of ~80–90%.
Unique subset of natural killer cells develops from progenitors in lymph node
Authors: Veinotte Linnea L. , Halim Timotheus Y. F. , Takei Fumio 
Published: January 2008

AbstractNatural killer (NK) cells have been thought to develop from committed progenitors in the bone marrow. However, a novel pathway of thymus-dependent NK-cell development that produces a unique subset of NK cells expressing CD127 has recently been reported. We now have identified 2 populations of NK progenitors, one in the thymus and the other in the lymph node (LN). Immature double-negative 2 (CD4−CD8−CD44+CD25+) thymocytes have potential to produce NK cells with rearranged T-cell receptor γ genes (Tcrγ+) in vitro. Tcrγ+ NK cells are rare in spleen but relatively abundant in the thymus and LN. Approximately 20% of LN NK cells are Tcrγ+, and they are found at similar levels in both CD127+ and CD127− subsets. Moreover, a subpopulation of LN cells resembling immature thymocytes differentiates into Tcrγ+ NK cells in vitro and also repopulates the NK compartment in lymphopenic mice. Athymic mice lack the LN NK progenitors expressing CD127 as well as Tcrγ+ NK cells. These results suggest that Tcrγ+ NK cells may be generated from unique progenitors in the thymus as well as in the LN.