bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Incorporation of CD40 Ligand into the Envelope of Pseudotyped Single-Cycle Simian Immunodeficiency Viruses Enhances Immunogenicity
Authors: Lin Fan-ching , Peng Yue , Jones Leslie A. , Verardi Paulo H. , Yilma Tilahun D. 
Published: November 2008

ABSTRACTA vaccine for the prevention of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is desperately needed to control the AIDS pandemic. To address this problem, we developed vesicular stomatitis virus glycoprotein-pseudotyped replication-defective simian immunodeficiency viruses (dSIVs) as an AIDS vaccine strategy. The dSIVs retain characteristics of a live attenuated virus without the drawbacks of potential virulence caused by replicating virus. To improve vaccine immunogenicity, we incorporated CD40 ligand (CD40L) into the dSIV envelope. CD40L is one of the most potent stimuli for dendritic cell (DC) maturation and activation. Binding of CD40L to its receptor upregulates expression of major histocompatibility complex class I, class II, and costimulatory molecules on DCs and increases production of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines, especially interleukin 12 (IL-12). This cytokine polarizes CD4+T cells to Th1-type immune responses. DC activation and mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) studies were performed to evaluate the immunogenicity of CD40L-dSIV in vitro. Expression levels of CD80, CD86, HLA-DR, and CD54 on DCs transduced with the dSIV incorporating CD40L (CD40L-dSIV) were significantly higher than on those transduced with dSIV. Moreover, CD40L-dSIV-transduced DCs expressed up to 10-fold more IL-12 than dSIV-transduced DCs. CD40L-dSIV-transduced DCs enhanced proliferation and gamma interferon secretion by naive T cells in an MLR. In addition, CD40L-dSIV-immunized mice exhibited stronger humoral and cell-mediated immune responses than dSIV-vaccinated animals. The results show that incorporating CD40L into the dSIV envelope significantly enhances immunogenicity. As a result, CD40L-dSIVs can be strong candidates for development of a safe and highly immunogenic AIDS vaccine.
Early Events during BK Virus Entry and Disassembly
Authors: Jiang Mengxi , Abend Johanna R. , Tsai Billy , Imperiale Michael J. 
Published: November 2008

ABSTRACT
BK virus (BKV) is a nonenveloped, ubiquitous human polyomavirus that establishes a persistent infection in healthy individuals. It can be reactivated, however, in immunosuppressed patients and cause severe diseases, including polyomavirus nephropathy. The entry and disassembly mechanisms of BKV are not well defined. In this report, we characterized several early events during BKV infection in primary human renal proximal tubule epithelial (RPTE) cells, which are natural host cells for BKV. Our results demonstrate that BKV infection in RPTE cells involves an acidic environment relatively early during entry, followed by transport along the microtubule network to reach the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). A distinct disulfide bond isomerization and cleavage pattern of the major capsid protein VP1 was observed, which was also influenced by alterations in pH and disruption of trafficking to the ER. A dominant negative form of Derlin-1, an ER protein required for retro-translocation of certain misfolded proteins, inhibited BKV infection. Consistent with this, we detected an interaction between Derlin-1 and VP1. Finally, we show that proteasome function is also linked to BKV infection and capsid rearrangement. These results indicate that BKV early entry and disassembly are highly regulated processes involving multiple cellular components.
CD133 Progenitor Cells from the Bone Marrow Contribute to Retinal Pigment Epithelium Repair
Authors: Harris Jeffrey R. , Fisher Robert , Jorgensen Marda , Kaushal Shalesh , Scott Edward W. 
Published: November 2008

Abstract
Our goal was to define a clinically significant population of cells by utilizing a single-step selection process to enrich hematopoietic cells capable of regenerating the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). Utilizing intravitreal injection of bone marrow cells from a mouse with pigment (C57BL6:gfp) into albino recipient mice (C57BL6:Tyr-), we show that hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs) enriched for CD133 can regenerate RPE cells and improve retinal function. The chemokine CXCL12 (stromal cell-derived factor 1α) is essential for migration, incorporation, and RPE regeneration by CD133+ HPCs. Once incorporated, CD133+ HPCs become pigmented, adopt an RPE morphology, and express RPE-specific proteins, leading to partial functional recovery by electroretinogram. Human CD133+ HPCs also incorporate in the retina and assume RPE morphology in nonobese diabetic/severe combined immunodeficient mice xenografts. These data show that a clinically accessible CD133+ hematopoietic cell can home to an injured RPE layer, differentiate into cells with significant RPE morphology, and provide therapeutic functional recovery of the visual cycle.
Analysis of exhaled breath from smokers, passive smokers and non‐smokers by solid‐phase microextraction gas chromatography/mass spectrometry
Authors: Buszewski Bogusław , Ulanowska Agnieszka , Ligor Tomasz , Denderz Natalia , Amann Anton 
Published: November 2008

AbstractIn this study, 38 samples of expired air were collected and analyzed from 20 non‐smoking volunteers, four passive smokers and 14 smokers (21 women and 17 men). Measurements were carried out using solid‐phase microextraction (SPME) as an isolation and preconcentration technique. The determination and identification were accomplished by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Our data showed that ca 32% of all identified compounds in the breath of healthy non‐smokers were saturated hydrocarbons. In the breath of smoking and passive smoking volunteers hydrocarbons were predominant, but also present were more exogenous analytes such as furan, acetonitrile and benzene than in the breath of non‐smokers. Acetonitrile, furan, 3‐methylfuran, 2,5‐dimethylfuran, 2‐butanone, octane and decane were identified in breath of smoking and passive smoking persons. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Anion Recognition by Neutral Macrocyclic Azole Amides
Authors: Schnopp Markus , Ernst Silvia , Haberhauer Gebhard 
Published: November 2008

AbstractA straightforward synthesis of C2‐symmetric azole‐containing macrocyclic peptides is presented. This type of macrocycle possesses four amide groups directed into the interior of the scaffold that act as hydrogen‐bond donors and two nitrogen atoms from the azole unit that act as hydrogen‐bond acceptors. This arrangement makes them sensitive receptors for Y‐shaped anions like AcO– and H2PO4– with a selectivity for dihydrogen phosphate versus acetate, as was shown with 1H NMR titration techniques in [D6]DMSO/5 % CDCl3.(© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2009)
Catalytic and Stoichiometric Synthesis of Novel 3‐Aminocarbonyl‐, 3‐Alkoxycarbonyl‐, and 3‐Amino‐4‐indolylmaleimides
Authors: Brennführer Anne , Neumann Helfried , Pews‐Davtyan Anahit , Beller Matthias 
Published: November 2008

AbstractNovel nonsymmetrically substituted 4‐indolylmaleimides have been synthesized via palladium‐catalyzed alkoxy‐ and aminocarbonylation of 3‐bromo‐1‐methyl‐4‐(2‐methyl‐3‐indolyl)maleimide (1) with alcohols and amines in the presence of carbon monoxide. The resulting carboxamide derivatives represent a new class of potentially bioactive compounds. In addition, the direct amination reaction of 1 proceeded smoothly in the absence of catalyst and gave the desired 3‐amino‐4‐indolylmaleimides in good yields.(© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2009)
In situ Preparation of Polyimide Composites Based on Functionalized Carbon Nanotubes
Authors: Srivastava Rohit , Banerjee Susanta , Jehnichen Dieter , Voit Brigitte , Böhme Frank 
Published: November 2008

AbstractThree series of composite films based on polyimide and MWNTs were prepared by conversion of pyromellitic dianhydride and 4,4′‐oxydianiline in the presence of the nanotubes, followed by thermal imidization. Carboxy‐ and amino‐functionalized as well as unmodified nanotubes were used. It was demonstrated that just 0.5 wt.‐% of nanotubes increased the tensile properties of the composite films distinctly. Surprisingly, a significant influence of the functional groups on the mechanical performance of the composite films could not be demonstrated. However, it was shown that functional groups may reduce the conductivity of the films. Furthermore, the influence of ultrasonication is discussed.magnified image
Integrated layout design of multi‐component system
Authors: Zhu Jihong , Zhang Weihong , Beckers Pierre 
Published: November 2008

AbstractA new integrated layout optimization method is proposed here for the design of multi‐component systems. By introducing movable components into the design domain, the components layout and the supporting structural topology are optimized simultaneously. The developed design procedure mainly consists of three parts: (i) Introduction of non‐overlap constraints between components. The finite circle method (FCM) is used to avoid the components overlaps and also overlaps between components and the design domain boundaries. (ii) Layout optimization of the components and supporting structure. Locations and orientations of the components are assumed as geometrical design variables for the optimal placement while topology design variables of the supporting structure are defined by the density points. Meanwhile, embedded meshing techniques are developed to take into account the finite element mesh change caused by the component movements. (iii) Consistent material interpolation scheme between element stiffness and inertial load. The commonly used solid isotropic material with penalization model is improved to avoid the singularity of localized deformation in the presence of design dependent loading when the element stiffness and the involved inertial load are weakened by the element material removal.Finally, to validate the proposed design procedure, a variety of multi‐component system layout design problems are tested and solved on account of inertia loads and gravity center position constraint. Solutions are compared with traditional topology designs without component. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Prevalence, prenatal diagnosis and survival of gastroschisis
Authors: Fillingham Anna , Rankin Judith 
Published: November 2008

AbstractObjectiveTo describe the prevalence, associated anomalies, prenatal diagnosis and survival of cases of gastroschisis.MethodData were extracted from the Northern Congenital Abnormality Survey (NorCAS) for cases delivered during 1997 to 2006.ResultsA total of 143 cases of gastroschisis were notified from 310 410 registered births. Ten (7%) gastroschisis cases were associated with other structural anomalies. The male to female ratio among isolated gastroschisis cases was 1:1.1 and 4:1 among non‐isolated cases. The total prevalence for isolated cases was 4.28 per 10 000 births (95% CI 3.56–5.01), and the overall live birth prevalence was 4.21 per 10 000 live births (95% CI 3.49–4.93). There was an increase in total prevalence during the ten years, although this increase did not reach statistical significance (χ2 test for trend = 0.996, p = 0.318). The maternal age‐specific prevalence was highest in the less than 20 years age group (18.6 per 10 000 births (95% CI 14.0–23.3)). 130 (97.7%) isolated cases resulted in a live birth; 122 (91.7%) infants were alive at age one year. The accuracy of prenatal diagnosis was high, with gastroschisis being detected in 130 (97.7%) isolated cases.ConclusionThis population‐based study demonstrates a continued increase in gastroschisis, especially in young mothers. The accuracy of prenatal diagnosis was very high. Just over 90% of children born with gastroschisis survived. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Intensification of workplace regimes in British horticulture: the role of migrant workers
Authors: Rogaly Ben 
Published: November 2008

AbstractIn Britain, international migrants have very recently become the major workforce in labour‐intensive horticulture. This paper explores the causes of the dramatic increase since the 1990s in the employment of migrant workers in this subsector. It locates this major change in a general pattern of intensification of horticultural production driven by an ongoing process of concentration in retailer power, and in the greater availability of migrant workers, shaped in part by state initiatives to manage immigration.The paper draws on concepts developed in the US literature on agrarian capitalism. It then uses case histories from British horticulture to illustrate how growers have directly linked innovations involving intensification through labour control to their relationships with retailers. Under pressure on ‘quality’, volume and price, growers are found to have ratcheted up the effort required from workers to achieve the minimum wage through reducing the rates paid for piecework, and in some cases to have changed the type of labour contractor they use to larger, more anonymous businesses. The paper calls for further, commodity‐specific and spatially‐aware research with a strong ethnographic component. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A proteomic analysis of powdery mildew (Blumeria graminis f.sp. hordei) conidiospores
Authors: NOIR SANDRA , COLBY THOMAS , HARZEN ANNE , SCHMIDT JÜRGEN , PANSTRUGA RALPH 
Published: November 2008

SUMMARYConidiospores are the asexual propagation units of many plant‐pathogenic fungi. In this article, we report an annotated proteome map of ungerminated conidiospores of the ascomycete barley powdery mildew pathogen, Blumeria graminis f.sp. hordei. Using a combination of two‐dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization‐time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry, we have identified the proteins in 180 spots, which probably represent at least 123 distinct fungal gene products. Most of the identified proteins have a predicted function in carbohydrate, lipid or protein metabolism, indicating that the spore is equipped for the catabolism of storage compounds as well as for protein biosynthesis and folding on germination.
Comparison of sedimentary processes on adjacent passive and active continental margins offshore of SW Taiwan based on echo character studies
Authors: Chiu J.‐K. , Liu C.‐S. 
Published: November 2008

ABSTRACTEcho character recorded on Chirp sub‐bottom sonar data from offshore of SW Taiwan was analysed to examine and compare the sedimentary processes of adjacent passive and active continental margin settings. Seafloor echoes in the study area are classified into four types: (1) distinct echoes, (2) indistinct echoes, (3) hyperbolic echoes and (4) irregular echoes. Based on the mapped distribution of the echo types, the sedimentary processes offshore of SW Taiwan are different in the two tectonic settings. On the passive South China Sea (SCS) margin, slope failure is the main process on the upper continental slope, whereas turbidite deposits accumulate in the lower continental slope. In contrast, the submarine Taiwan orogenic wedge is characterized by fill‐and‐spill processes in intraslope basins on the upper slope, and mass‐transport deposits are observed in the canyons and on the lower Kaoping slope. This difference is largely caused by the huge influx of terrigenous sediments into the submarine Taiwan orogenic wedge compared with the passive SCS continental margin. In the latter, loading and movement of the Taiwan orogenic wedge has had a significant effect on the seafloor morphology and has triggered retrogressive failures. Gas hydrate dissociation may have enhanced the slope failure processes at some locations.
Enhanced complement resistance in drug-selected P-glycoprotein expressing multi-drug-resistant ovarian carcinoma cells
Authors: Odening K E , Li W , Rutz R , Laufs S , Fruehauf S , Fishelson Z , Kirschfink M 
Published: November 2008

SummaryMulti-drug resistance (MDR) is a major obstacle in cancer chemotherapy. There are contrasting data on a possible correlation between the level of expression of the drug transporter P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and susceptibility to complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC). We therefore investigated the sensitivity of human ovarian carcinoma cells and their P-gp expressing MDR variants to complement. Chemoselected P-gp expressing MDR cells showed increased resistance to CDC associated with overexpression of membrane-bound complement regulatory proteins (mCRP) and increased release of the soluble inhibitors C1 inhibitor and factor I. MDR1 gene transfection alone did not alter the susceptibility of P-gp expressing A2780-MDR and SKOV3-MDR cells to CDC. However, subsequent vincristine treatment conferred an even higher resistance to complement to these cells, again associated with increased expression of mCRP. Blocking the function of P-gp with verapamil, cyclosporine A or the anti-P-gp-antibody MRK16 had no impact on their complement resistance, whereas blocking of mCRP enhanced their susceptibility to complement. These results suggest that enhanced resistance of chemoselected MDR ovarian carcinoma cells to CDC is not conferred by P-gp, but is due at least partly to overexpression of mCRP, probably induced by treatment with the chemotherapeutic agents.
Altered monocyte cyclo-oxygenase response in non-obese diabetic mice
Authors: Beyan H , Buckley L R , Bustin S A , Yousaf N , Pozzilli P , Leslie R D 
Published: November 2008

Summary
Monocytes infiltrate islets in non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice. Activated monocyte/macrophages express cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX-2) promoting prostaglandin-E2 (PGE2) secretion, while COX-1 expression is constitutive. We investigated in female NOD mice: (i) natural history of monocyte COX expression basally and following lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation; (ii) impact of COX-2 specific inhibitor (Vioxx) on PGE2, insulitis and diabetes. CD11b+ monocytes were analysed for COX mRNA expression from NOD (n = 48) and C57BL/6 control (n = 18) mice. NOD mice were treated with either Vioxx (total dose 80mg/kg) (n = 29) or methylcellulose as control (n = 29) administered by gavage at 4 weeks until diabetes developed or age 30 weeks. In all groups, basal monocyte COX mRNA and PGE2 secretion were normal, while following LPS, after 5 weeks of age monocyte/macrophage COX-1 mRNA decreased (P &lt; 0·01) and COX-2 mRNA increased (P &lt; 0·01). However, diabetic NOD mice had reduced COX mRNA response (P = 0·03). Vioxx administration influenced neither PGE2, insulitis nor diabetes. We demonstrate an isoform switch in monocyte/macrophage COX mRNA expression following LPS, which is altered in diabetic NOD mice as in human diabetes. However, Vioxx failed to affect insulitis or diabetes. We conclude that monocyte responses are altered in diabetic NOD mice but COX-2 expression is unlikely to be critical to disease risk.
Establishment of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay system for determining soluble CD96 and its application in the measurement of sCD96 in patients with viral hepatitis B and hepatic cirrhosis
Authors: Gong J , Zhu C , Zhuang R , Song C , Li Q , Xu Z , Wei Y , Yang K , Yang A , Chen L , Jin B 
Published: November 2008

SummaryCD96, previously named T cell activation increased late expression (Tactile), is a transmembrane molecule that functions as an activated receptor on natural killer cells. It is well known that many transmembrane molecules have soluble forms, which were either shed from the cell surface or spliced at mRNA level. In many cases, the levels of soluble forms in the circulation could be used as biomarkers of lymphocyte activation in bacterial or virus infection, tumour, transplantation and autoimmue disease. To investigate whether CD96 could be released into the sera and the possible biological fuction of soluble hCD96 (sCD96), we generated and characterized five clones of anti-hCD96 mouse monoclonal antibodies (mAb) and developed a sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) system based on two anti-hCD96 mAbs with different epitope specificities. Using this ELISA system, sCD96 in serum samples from 99 healthy individuals could be detected. Furthermore, we found that the level of sCD96 in serum samples from patients with chronic viral hepatitis B or classes B and C of hepatic cirrhosis classified using the Child–Pugh score was much higher (P &lt; 0·001 versus healthy individuals; P = 0·006 versus healthy individuals respectively) than that from healthy individuals (0·98 ng/ml). Our study demonstrates for the first time that sCD96 existed in sera, and suggestes that sCD96 may be used as a serous marker for some diseases such as chronic viral hepatitis B infection or hepatic cirrhosis in classes B and C. The level of sCD96 in patients' serum may have some relationship with a chronic inflammatory reaction.
Analysis of T cell receptor Vβ diversity in peripheral CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes in patients with autoimmune thyroid diseases
Authors: Okajima M , Wada T , Nishida M , Yokoyama T , Nakayama Y , Hashida Y , Shibata F , Tone Y , Ishizaki A , Shimizu M , Saito T , Ohta K , Toma T , Yachie A 
Published: November 2008

SummaryAutoimmune thyroid diseases are characterized by intrathyroidal infiltration of CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes reactive to self-thyroid antigens. Early studies analysing T cell receptor (TCR) Vα gene usage have shown oligoclonal expansion of intrathyroidal T lymphocytes but not peripheral blood T cells. However, TCR Vβ diversity of the isolated CD4+ and CD8+ T cell compartments in the peripheral blood has not been characterized fully in these patients. We performed complementarity-determining region 3 (CDR3) spectratyping as well as flow cytometric analysis for the TCR Vβ repertoire in peripheral CD4+ and CD8+ T cells from 13 patients with Graves' disease and 17 patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Polyclonal TCR Vβ repertoire was demonstrated by flow cytometry in both diseases. In contrast, CDR3 spectratyping showed significantly higher skewing of TCR Vβ in peripheral CD8+ T cells but not CD4+ T cells among patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis compared with healthy adults. We found trends towards a more skewed CDR3 size distribution in those patients having disease longer than 5 years and requiring thyroid hormone replacement. Patients with Graves' disease exhibited no skewing both in CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. These findings indicate that clonal expansion of CD8+ T cells in Hashimoto's thyroiditis can be detected in peripheral blood and may support the role of CD8+ T cells in cell-mediated autoimmune attacks on the thyroid gland in Hashimoto's thyroiditis.