bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Roles of phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase and p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase in the regulation of protein kinase C‐α activation in interferon‐γ‐stimulated macrophages
Authors: Hardy Pierre‐Olivier , Diallo Tamsir O. , Matte Christine , Descoteaux Albert 
Published: January 2009

SummaryMembers of the protein kinase C (PKC) family are activated by interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ) and modulate IFN‐γ‐induced cellular responses by regulating the activity of transcription factors. We previously reported that PKC‐α enhances the ability of IFN regulatory factor‐1 to transactivate the class II transactivator (CIITA) promoter IV in IFN‐γ‐stimulated macrophages. In addition, we showed that IFN‐γ induces the nuclear translocation of PKC‐α but the mechanisms for this remain to be elucidated. In this study, we sought to identify signalling pathways involved in IFN‐γ‐induced activation of PKC‐α and to characterize their potential roles in modulating IFN‐γ‐induced responses in macrophages. IFN‐γ‐mediated nuclear translocation of PKC‐α was a Janus activated kinase 2 (JAK2)‐independent process, which required phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase (PI3K) and p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK). However, PKC‐α phosphorylation was independent of PI3K and p38 MAPK, indicating that IFN‐γ‐induced phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of PKC‐α are mediated by distinct mechanisms. In addition, inhibition of PI3K, but not of p38 MAPK, strongly impaired IFN‐γ‐induced CIITA and MHC II gene expression. Finally, PKC‐α associated with signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1) and was required for the phosphorylation of STAT1 on serine 727 in IFN‐γ‐stimulated macrophages. Taken together, our data indicate that PI3K and p38 MAPK modulate IFN‐γ‐stimulated PKC‐α nuclear translocation independently of JAK2 activity and that both PI3K and PKC‐α are required for type IV CIITA and MHC II gene expression in IFN‐γ‐stimulated macrophages.
Induction of allogeneic mixed chimerism by immature dendritic cells and bone marrow transplantation leads to prolonged tolerance to major histocompatibility complex disparate allografts
Authors: Yu Ping , Xiong Sidong , He Qiuzao , Chu Yiwei , Lu Chi , Ramlogan Charmaine A. , Steel Jason C. 
Published: January 2009

SummaryMixed chimerism has been shown to lead to prolonged major histocompatibility complex (MHC) disparate allograft survival and immune‐specific tolerance; however, traditional conditioning regimes often involve myeloablation, which may pose a significant safety risk. In this study we examined the use of donor C57BL/6 (H‐2b) immature dendritic cells (imDCs) to tolerize the BALB/c (H‐2d) recipient to bone marrow transplantation (BMT), allowing the induction of mixed chimerism without immunosuppression or myeloablation. We showed that successful mismatched bone marrow engraftment can be achieved using imDCs given up to 3 days prior to BMT and that mixed chimerism can be established and detected in excess of 100 days post‐BMT without evidence of graft‐versus‐host disease. Furthermore, we showed that imDCs can suppress lymphocyte proliferation in response to mismatched MHC stimulation, leading to increased expression of interleukin (IL)‐4 and IL‐10 and decreased expression of IL‐2 and interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ). The induction of stable chimeras through pre‐conditioning of mice with donor imDCs followed by BMT led to tolerance, allowing the long‐term survival (> 110 days) of mismatched cardiac allografts and the prolonged survival of mismatched skin allografts without the need for immunosuppression or myeloablation. Transplantation with third‐party C3H allografts were rapidly rejected in this model, suggesting that immune‐specific tolerance was achieved. The induction of immune‐specific tolerance without the need for immunosuppression or myeloablation represents a significant advance in transplant immunology and may provide clinicians with a plausible alternative in combating organ rejection following transplantation.
Following TRAIL’s path in the immune system
Authors: Falschlehner Christina , Schaefer Uta , Walczak Henning 
Published: January 2009

SummaryThe members of the tumour necrosis factor (TNF) superfamily of cytokines play important roles in the regulation of various immune‐cell functions. Likewise, induction of cell death by apoptosis is indispensable for the normal functioning of the immune system. There are two major pathways of apoptosis induction. The intrinsic, or mitochondrial, pathway is regulated by the activation and interaction of members of the Bcl‐2 family. The extrinsic, or death receptor, pathway is triggered by certain TNF family members when they engage their respective cognate receptors on the surface of the target cell. Hence, cell‐to‐cell‐mediated death signals are induced by activation of these death receptor–ligand systems. Besides TNF itself and the CD95 (Fas/APO‐1) ligand (FasL/Apo1L), the TNF‐related apoptosis‐inducing ligand (TRAIL/Apo2L) belongs to the subfamily of ligands that is responsible for extrinsic induction of cell death. Depending on their status of stimulation, TRAIL can be expressed by various cells of the immune system, amongst them natural killer (NK) cells, T cells, natural killer T cells (NKT cells), dendritic cells and macrophages. TRAIL has been implicated in immunosuppressive, immunoregulatory and immune‐effector functions. With respect to pathological challenges, TRAIL and its receptors have been shown to play important roles in the immune response to viral infections and in immune surveillance of tumours and metastases. In this review we summarize the current knowledge on the role of TRAIL and its receptors in the immune system and, based on this, we discuss future directions of research into the diverse functions of this fascinating receptor–ligand system.
Separating the influences of environment and species interactions on patterns of distribution and abundance: competition between large herbivores
Authors: Ritchie Euan G. , Martin Jennifer K. , Johnson Christopher N. , Fox Barry J. 
Published: January 2009

Summary

Much recent research has focused on the use of species distribution models to explore the influence(s) of environment (predominantly climate) on species’ distributions. A weakness of this approach is that it typically does not consider effects of biotic interactions, including competition, on species’ distributions.
Here we identify and quantify the contribution of environmental factors relative to biotic factors (interspecific competition) to the distribution and abundance of three large, wide‐ranging herbivores, the antilopine wallaroo (Macropus antilopinus), common wallaroo (Macropus robustus) and eastern grey kangaroo (Macropus giganteus), across an extensive zone of sympatry in tropical northern Australia.
To assess the importance of competition relative to habitat features, we constructed models of abundance for each species incorporating habitat only and habitat + the abundance of the other species, and compared their respective likelihoods using Akaike's information criterion. We further assessed the importance of variables predicting abundance across models for each species.
The best‐supported models of antilopine wallaroo and eastern grey kangaroo abundance included both habitat and the abundance of the other species, providing evidence of interspecific competition. Contrastingly, models of common wallaroo abundance were largely influenced by climate and not the abundance of other species. The abundance of antilopine wallaroos was most influenced by water availability, eastern grey kangaroo abundance and the frequency of late season fires. The abundance of eastern grey kangaroos was most influenced by aspects of climate, antilopine wallaroo abundance and a measure of cattle abundance.
Our study demonstrates that where census and habitat data are available, it is possible to reveal species’ interactions (and measure their relative strength and direction) between large, mobile and/or widely‐distributed species for which competition is difficult to demonstrate experimentally. This allows discrimination of the influences of environmental factors and species interactions on species’ distributions, and should therefore improve the predictive power of species distribution models.
The CHAP domain of Cse functions as an endopeptidase that acts at mature septa to promote Streptococcus thermophilus cell separation
Authors: Layec Séverine , Gérard Joëlle , Legué Valérie , Chapot‐Chartier Marie‐Pierre , Courtin Pascal , Borges Frédéric , Decaris Bernard , Leblond‐Bourget Nathalie 
Published: January 2009

SummaryCell separation is dependent on cell wall hydrolases that cleave the peptidoglycan shared between daughter cells. In Streptococcus thermophilus, this step is performed by the Cse protein whose depletion resulted in the formation of extremely long chains of cells. Cse, a natural chimeric enzyme created by domain shuffling, carries at least two important domains for its activity: the LysM expected to be responsible for the cell wall‐binding and the CHAP domain predicted to contain the active centre. Accordingly, the localization of Cse on S. thermophilus cell surface has been undertaken by immunogold electron and immunofluorescence microscopies using of antibodies raised against the N‐terminal end of this protein. Immunolocalization shows the presence of the Cse protein at mature septa. Moreover, the CHAP domain of Cse exhibits a cell wall lytic activity in zymograms performed with cell walls of Micrococcus lysodeikticus, Bacillus subtilis and S. thermophilus. Additionally, RP‐HPLC analysis of muropeptides released from B. subtilis and S. thermophilus cell wall after digestion with the CHAP domain shows that Cse is an endopeptidase. Altogether, these results suggest that Cse is a cell wall hydrolase involved in daughter cell separation of S. thermophilus.
Challenge and co‐operation: civil society activism for access to HIV treatment in Thailand
Authors: Ford Nathan , Wilson David , Cawthorne Paul , Kumphitak Aree , Kasi‐Sedapan Siriras , Kaetkaew Suntharaporn , Teemanka Saengsri , Donmon Boripat , Preuanbuapan Chalerm 
Published: January 2009

SummaryCivil society has been a driving force behind efforts to increase access to treatment in Thailand. A focus on HIV medicines brought civil society and non‐governmental and government actors together to fight for a single cause, creating a platform for joint action on practical issues to improve care for people with HIV/AIDS (PHA) within the public health system. The Thai Network of People with HIV/AIDS, in partnership with other actors, has provided concrete support for patients and for the health system as a whole; its efforts have contributed significantly to the availability of affordable generic medicines, early treatment for opportunistic infections, and an informed and responsible approach towards antiretroviral treatment that is critical to good adherence and treatment success. This change in perception of PHA from ‘passive receiver’ to ‘co‐provider’ of health care has led to improved acceptance and support within the healthcare system. Today, most PHA in Thailand can access treatment, and efforts have shifted to supporting care for excluded populations.
DNA methylation and mental retardation
Authors: Grant ME 
Published: January 2009

Interaction between chromatin proteins MECP2 and ATRX is disrupted by mutations that cause inherited mental retardation Nan et al. (2007) Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 104: 2709–2714Structural consequences of disease‐causing mutations in the ATRX‐DNMT3‐DNMTL (ADD) domain of the chromatin‐associated protein ATRX Argentaro et al. (2007) Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 104: 11939–11944
Pregnancy‐associated Glycoprotein Profile during the First Trimester of Pregnancy in Egyptian Buffalo Cows
Authors: El‐Battawy KA , Sousa NM , Szenci O , Beckers JF 
Published: January 2009

SummaryPregnancy‐associated glycoprotein (PAG) concentrations were measured in buffalo cows starting from day 28 after breeding. Oestrus was synchronized in 10 buffaloes using two injections of 25 mg prostraglandin (PG)F2α (Lutalyse®) at a 11‐day interval. Blood sampling was conducted nearly twice weekly. Results indicated that plasma PAG concentrations in non‐pregnant buffaloes were low (<0.20 ng/ml) during the whole experimental period (day 28 to 103), while in pregnant animals plasma PAG levels increased from day 28 (4.48 ± 0.92 ng/ml) until day 41 (27.27 ± 6.74 ng/ml), remaining high (20.71 ± 9.20 ng/ml) until day 103. Progesterone levels were significantly (p < 0.0001) higher in pregnant (3.51–4.80 ng/ml) than in non‐pregnant buffaloes (0.28–1.52 ng/ml). A significant difference (p < 0.0001) in plasma PAG concentrations between pregnant and non‐pregnant animals starting at day 28 after breeding suggests that PAG‐radioimmunoassay could be suitable for pregnancy diagnosis in buffaloes during this period. In conclusion, PAG test offers the advantages that it requires a single plasma sample for early pregnancy diagnosis as well as the accuracy of the test for the detection of pregnancy as early as day 28.
Families' acceptance of near death: A qualitative study of the process for introducing end‐of‐life care
Authors: Wakunami Mitsuru , Kawabata Hidenobu , Murakami Manabu , Maezawa Masaji 
Published: January 2009

Aim:  Providing effective end‐of‐life (EOL) care for the elderly with severe brain damage is difficult because patients' families find it hard to accept the condition of their loved ones as “near death”. In Japan, this has become an urgent social problem. Although health‐care teams sometimes expect that the elderly with severe brain damage should be treated as terminal, many find that patients' families cannot accept the condition as near death. As a result, they are not able to appropriately introduce any EOL services. It was the aim of the present study to develop a comprehensive understanding of the process by which families accept the elderly with severe brain damage as near death.Methods:  Qualitative methodology with focus groups and semi‐structured interviews were used. Twenty‐three participants in two sets of male and female focus groups were interviewed in a semi‐structured format. Ten participants (five men and five women) who made important medical decisions were then interviewed separately.Results:  Eleven categories emerged: (i) family affection with wishes for continued survival; (ii) vacillation of desire for death with dignity; (iii) family members' hierarchy; (iv) awareness that others may make different decisions; (v) family members' discussion overcoming discordance; (vi) satisfaction with physicians' explanations; (vii) impressions of life‐sustaining measures; (viii) entrusting important decisions to hospital physicians; (ix) significance of family members' previous experiences; (x) patient's age; and (xi) duration of medical treatment.Conclusion:  We developed a conceptual model that is useful for evaluating which stage of the process families are currently experiencing as well as introducing EOL care in a timely manner.
Risk factors for cesarean hysterectomy in tertiary center in Thailand: A case–control study
Authors: Yamasmit Waralak , Chaithongwongwatthana Surasith 
Published: January 2009

AbstractAim:  To identify the risk factors for cesarean hysterectomy in a tertiary center in Bangkok, Thailand.Methods:  A case–control study was conducted by reviewing the medical records of pregnant women delivered at BMA Medical College and Vajira Hospital between 1 January 2001 and 28 February 2007. The case refers to pregnant women who underwent hysterectomy immediately or within 24 h following cesarean delivery. Controls included pregnant women who received cesarean section during the same study period by a ratio of 1:5 (case : control).Results:  During the study period, cesarean hysterectomy complicated 30 deliveries out of 31 106 deliveries (0.96:1000). Independent risk factors for cesarean hysterectomy from a multivariate logistic regression analysis were placental adherence (odds ratio [OR] = 440, 95% confidence interval [CI] 28–7000), placenta previa (OR = 57, 95% CI 6.0–540) and uterine atony (OR = 37, 95% CI 7.5–190). Sixty‐three percent (5/8) of placental adherence were associated with placenta previa. Of these five patients, four had a uterine scar from a prior cesarean section. The following outcomes were significantly higher in the cesarean hysterectomy group as compared to the controls: operative time, blood loss, hypovolemia, coagulopathy, transfusions, febrile morbidity, secondary surgery, and duration of hospitalization.Conclusion:  Placental adherence, placenta previa and uterine atony were identified as significant risk factors for cesarean hysterectomy. Cesarean section due to placenta previa should be electively scheduled with well‐prepared blood components. The obstetrician should provide counsel and obtain detailed informed consent with regard to the possibility of cesarean hysterectomy.
Should diagnostic laparoscopy be performed initially or not, during infertility management of primary and secondary infertile women? A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Kahyaoglu Serkan , Kahyaoglu Inci , Yılmaz Bulent , Var Turgut , Ertas Ibrahim Egemen , Mollamahmutoglu Leyla , Batioglu Sertac 
Published: January 2009

AbstractObjective:  The debate about the timing of diagnostic laparoscopy in unexplained infertile women has been investigated in this prospective study.Study design:  A total of 328 infertile women who underwent diagnostic laparoscopy for investigation of infertility at any stage of their infertility management from April 2001 to April 2003 were investigated. When the study group was resized according to the inclusion criteria 191 unexplained infertile patients were included. Preoperative and postoperative treatment strategies were compared. The correlation between hysterosalpingography and laparoscopy findings was identified. The results were evaluated using SPSS version 10.0 for Windows.Results:  A total of 106 patients were primary and 85 were secondary infertile. The mean ages of primary and secondary infertile patients were 27 ± 5 and 29 ± 5, respectively. Sixty percent of primary and 69% of secondary infertile patients had pelvic pathologies. Treatment strategies of 29 (43%) primary infertile and 27 (49%) secondary infertile patients with infertility‐related risk factors changed after diagnostic laparoscopy.Conclusion:  Diagnostic laparoscopy in preparation for operative procedures (especially for secondary infertile women) should be performed initially in all unexplained infertile patients with or without risk factors related to pelvic pathologies.
Comparison of intramuscular magnesium sulfate with low dose intravenous magnesium sulfate regimen for treatment of eclampsia
Authors: Chowdhury Joydeb Roy , Chaudhuri Snehamay , Bhattacharyya Nabendu , Biswas Pranab Kumar , Panpalia Madhabi 
Published: January 2009

AbstractObjectives:  Our objective was to compare intramuscular (i.m.) magnesium sulfate with a low dose intravenous (i.v.) magnesium sulfate regimen in prevention of convulsion recurrence and maternal deaths in women with eclampsia.Methods:  This prospective trial was conducted in Nilratan Sircar Medical College, India from January 2001 to December 2005. All women with a clinical diagnosis of eclampsia were included in the trial. Magnesium sulfate (4 gm) was given as an i.v. loading dose, followed by either i.m. injections as recommended by Pritchard or low dose i.v. infusions (0.6 gm/h). Primary measures of outcome were recurrence of convulsions and maternal death. Secondary measures of outcome were potentially life threatening events, events related to labor and delivery as well as perinatal mortality and morbidity.Results:  Of the 630 women participating in the trial, 480 women received i.m. magnesium sulphate according to the Pritchard regimen and 150 women were subjected to a low dose i.v. regimen of magnesium sulphate. There was no significant difference in recurrence of convulsion (3.3% in the i.m. and 2% in the i.v. groups P = 0.586). Maternal deaths were not significantly lower in the i.v. group than the i.m. group (5% in the i.m. and 3.3% in the i.v. groups, P = 0.506) There were no significant differences in other measures of serious maternal morbidity, in perinatal morbidity or mortality.Conclusion:  Low dose i.v. magnesium sulfate regimen is equally effective in prevention of convulsion recurrence and maternal deaths in eclamptic women when compared with an i.m. magnesium sulfate regimen.
Numerical and experimental applications of the least‐squares method to determine mode‐II stress intensity factors for double fillet welded lap joints
Authors: CHUNG H. Y. , LIN Y. Z. , LIN R. S. 
Published: January 2009

ABSTRACTDue to its simplicity, the least‐squares method provides an efficient means to evaluate the stress intensity factors (SIFs) of cracks in complicated structures. This paper demonstrates numerical and experimental applications of the least‐squares method to study mode‐II SIFs of double fillet welded lap joints. In the numerical application, double fillet welded lap joints with different geometric parameters, including overlap length, weld leg size, plate thickness and plate length, were systematically analysed by the finite‐element method combined with the least‐squares method. The computed SIF results were then employed to develop the general formulae of the shearing fracture mode (mode‐II) stress intensity factors. To validate the numerical results, three double fillet welded lap joint specimens were tested by a non‐contact optical experiment using a common digital camera and a proposed image processing scheme. The measured crack shearing displacements near the crack tip were substituted into the least‐squares procedure to obtain the SIFs of the specimens. The numerical and experimental results were in good agreement with the existing numerical results for double fillet welded lap joints provided in the handbook (Murakami, 1987). The non‐contact optical experiment makes the field measurement of SIFs possible, which is very useful for fracture analysis or fatigue evaluation of structures like steel bridges, naval structures and offshore structures.
The metabolic syndrome: in need of a global mission statement
Authors: Cameron A. J. , Zimmet P. Z. , Shaw J. E. , Alberti K. G. M. M. 
Published: January 2009

AbstractAims  The value of clinical definitions of the metabolic syndrome has been questioned, with confusion surrounding their intended use and purpose. Our aim was to construct a mission statement that outlines the value of the metabolic syndrome in clinical and public health settings.Methods  Case studies have been used to demonstrate three key points.Results  We argue here for recognition of obesity as being a crucial element within the metabolic syndrome but perhaps even more important before its development. We also contend that the concept does indeed have a role as a risk prediction tool, and that it could provide a useful metric for the scale and progress of the looming global epidemic of diabetes and cardiovascular disease.Conclusions  Through appreciation of its purpose, and recognition of both its limitations and those attributes that make it unique and valuable, we believe we have demonstrated here that the metabolic syndrome deserves its place in the global toolbox of diabetes and CVD prevention.