bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Antibodies to the CD4-binding site of HIV-1 gp120 suppress gp120-specific CD4 T cell response while enhancing antibody response
Authors: Visciano Maria Luisa , Tuen Michael , Chen Pei-de , Hioe Catarina E 
Published: July 2008

AbstractBackgroundThe binding of Abs to the CD4-binding site (CD4bs) of HIV-1 envelope gp120 has been shown to obstruct the processing and generation of helper epitopes from this antigen, resulting in poor presentation of various gp120 epitopes by MHC class II to CD4 T cells. However, the physiologic significance of these inhibitory anti-CD4bs Absin vivohas remained unclear. In this study, we evaluated the immunologic effects of anti-CD4bs Absin vivousing a murine model.ResultsAnimals were immunized with recombinant envelope proteins with or without CD4-binding activity (designated CD4bs+Env and CD4bs–Env, respectively). As expected, anti-CD4bs Abs were generated only after immunization with CD4bs+ Env and not with CD4bs–Env. The presence of anti-CD4bs Abs was associated with lower levels of envelope-specific lymphoproliferation in animals immunized with CD4bs+ Env. To further determine the specific role of the anti-CD4bs Abs, we immunized mice with gp120 in the presence of an inhibitory anti-CD4bs mAb or a non-inhibitory anti-gp120 mAb. The data show that the presence of anti-CD4bs mAb reduced CD4 T cell responses to gp120. However, we also detected significantly higher titers of anti-gp120 Abs following immunization with gp120 and the anti-CD4bs mAb.ConclusionAnti-CD4bs Abs can exert discordant effects on the gp120-specific CD4 T cell and Ab responsesin vivo, indicating the importance of these particular Abs in influencing both the cellular and the humoral immune responses against HIV-1.
Mycobacterium tuberculosis aortic graft infection with recurrent hemoptysis: a case report
Authors: Clerc Olivier , Jaton Katia , Prod'hom Guy , Von Segesser Ludwig , Greloz Vincent , Greub Gilbert 
Published: July 2008

Abstract

Introduction

Mycobacterium tuberculosis may cause a large variety of clinical presentations due to its ability to disseminate by contiguity or hematogenously. Tuberculosis may remain undiagnosed for years due to the chronic course of the disease, with potentially life-threatening long-term complications.

Case presentation
In this case report, we describe a tuberculous aortic graft infection in a 72-year-old man documented by polymerase chain reaction and cultures. The patient presented with three episodes of hemoptysis following a remote history of miliary tuberculosis. The infection was treated by graft replacement and prolonged antimycobacterial therapy.

Conclusion
Tuberculous infection of a vascular graft is an uncommon complication, but should be considered in patients with an intravascular device and a history of previous tuberculosis, especially when hematogenous spread may have occurred a few months after surgery, or when an active mycobacterial infection is present in close proximity to the graft.
Different serological cross-reactivity of Trypanosoma rangeli forms in Trypanosoma cruzi-infected patients sera
Authors: de Moraes Milene H , Guarneri Alessandra A , Girardi Fabiana P , Rodrigues Juliana B , Eger Iriane , Tyler Kevin M , Steindel Mário , Grisard Edmundo C 
Published: July 2008

Abstract

Background
American Trypanosomiasis or Chagas disease is caused by Trypanosoma cruzi which currently infects approximately 16 million people in the Americas causing high morbidity and mortality. Diagnosis of American trypanosomiasis relies on serology, primarily using indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) with T. cruzi epimastigote forms. The closely related but nonpathogenic Trypanosoma rangeli has a sympatric distribution with T. cruzi and is carried by the same vectors. As a result false positives are frequently generated. This confounding factor leads to increased diagnostic test costs and where false positives are not caught, endangers human health due to the toxicity of the drugs used to treat Chagas disease.

Results
In the present study, serologic cross-reactivity between the two species was compared for the currently used epimastigote form and the more pathologically relevant trypomastigote form, using IFA and immunoblotting (IB) assays. Our results reveal an important decrease in cross reactivity when T. rangeli culture-derived trypomastigotes are used in IFA based diagnosis of Chagas disease. Western blot results using sera from both acute and chronic chagasic patients presenting with cardiac, indeterminate or digestive disease revealed similar, but not identical, antigenic profiles.

Conclusion
This is the first study addressing the serological cross-reactivity between distinct forms and strains of T. rangeli and T. cruzi using sera from distinct phases of the Chagasic infection. Several T. rangeli-specific proteins were detected, which may have potential as diagnostic tools.
Approaches to Finding the Molecular Basis of Mitochondrial Oxidative Phosphorylation Disorders
Authors: Kirby Denise M. , Thorburn David R. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractInherited disorders of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation are the most common group of inborn errors of metabolism and cause a wide range of clinical presentations. Mitochondrial DNA encodes 13 protein subunits required for oxidative phosphorylation plus 22 transfer RNAs and two ribosomal RNAs, and mutations in most of these genes cause human disease. Nuclear genes encode most of the protein subunits and all other proteins required for mitochondrial biogenesis and mitochondrial DNA replication and expression. Mutations in 64 nuclear genes and 34 mitochondrial genes are now known to cause mitochondrial disease and many novel mitochondrial disease genes await discovery. The genetic complexity of oxidative phosphorylation means that maternal, autosomal recessive, autosomal dominant and X-linked modes of inheritance can occur, along with de novo mutations. This complexity presents a challenge in planning efficient molecular genetic diagnosis of patients with suspected mitochondrial disease. In some situations, clinical phenotype can be strongly predictive of the underlying genotype. However, more often this is not the case and it is usually helpful, particularly with pediatric patients, to determine whether the activity of one or more of the individual oxidative phosphorylation enzymes is deficient before proceeding with mutation analysis. In this review we will summarize the genetic bases of mitochondrial disease and discuss some approaches to integrate information from clinical presentation, laboratory findings, family history, and imaging to guide molecular investigation.
Effect of Inflammatory Cytokines on Major Histocompatibility Complex Expression and Differentiation of Human Neural Stem/Progenitor Cells
Authors: Johansson Saga , Price Jack , Modo Michel 
Published: July 2008

AbstractTo develop transplantation of neural stem/progenitor cells (NSPCs) as a successful treatment of neurodegenerative disorders, the possible induction of an inflammatory response following implantation needs to be taken into consideration. Inflammatory cytokines can upregulate major histocompatibility complex (MHC) expression on transplanted cells, thereby rendering them more susceptible to graft rejection. Furthermore, cytokines also have a profound effect on cell differentiation, migration, and proliferation, which can greatly affect the outcome of transplantation. Here we studied the effect of three inflammatory cytokines, interferon-γ (IFN-γ), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6), from three different species (human, monkey, rat) on expression of MHC molecules and differentiation of two human NSPC lines derived from striatum and hippocampus. Human and monkey IFN-γ strongly upregulate MHC expression in both NSPC lines in a dose-dependent manner, whereas rat IFN-γ has an effect on MHC expression only in hippocampal cells. Furthermore, TNF-α, but not IL-6, upregulates MHC expression in both NSPC lines. Differentiation of NSPCs in the presence of cytokines showed that IFN-γ increased the neuronal yield threefold in striatal NSPC cultures and increased the number of oligodendrocytes twofold in hippocampal NSPC cultures. Addition of TNF-α enhanced gliogenesis in both cell lines, whereas IL-6 stimulated neurogenesis. Human NSPC lines' response to cytokines is therefore species specific and also dependent on the NSPCs' region of origin. The successful translation of different cell lines from animal models to clinical trials could be substantially influenced by the species-specific regulation of MHC and differentiation as reported here.Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.
Adult Germ Line Stem Cells as a Source of Functional Neurons and Glia
Authors: Glaser Tamara , Opitz Thoralf , Kischlat Thomas , Konang Rachel , Sasse Philipp , Fleischmann Bernd K. , Engel Wolfgang , Nayernia Karim , Brüstle Oliver 
Published: July 2008

Abstract
The derivation of autologous pluripotent cells has become a central goal in translational stem cell research. Although somatic cell nuclear transfer and transcription factor-based reprogramming enable the generation of pluripotent cells from adult tissue, both methodologies depend on complex epigenetic alterations. Recent data suggest that the adult germ line may represent an alternative and natural source of pluripotent stem cells. Multipotent adult germ line stem cells (maGSCs) with properties similar to those of embryonic stem cells have been derived from mouse spermatogonial stem cells. These cells exhibit extensive self-renewal, expression of pluripotency markers, and differentiation into derivatives of all three germ layers. Here we report the derivation of multipotent neural and glial precursors as well as adherently proliferating neural stem cells from maGSCs. Characterization of maGSC-derived neurons revealed segregation into GABAergic, glutamatergic, serotonergic, and tyrosine hydroxylase-positive phenotypes. On a functional level, maGSC-derived neurons generate spontaneously active functional networks, which use both glutamatergic and GABAergic synaptic transmission and engage in synchronized oscillatory activity. maGSC-derived oligodendrocytes undergo full maturation and ensheathe host axons in myelin-deficient tissue. Our data suggest that neural stem and precursor cells derived from maGSCs could provide a versatile and potentially autologous source of functional neurons and glia.
Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.
Directed Evolution of Motor Neurons from Genetically Engineered Neural Precursors
Authors: Bohl Delphine , Liu Song , Blanchard Stéphane , Hocquemiller Michaël , Haase Georg , Heard Jean-Michel 
Published: July 2008

Abstract
Stem cell-based therapies hold therapeutic promise for degenerative motor neuron diseases, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and for spinal cord injury. Fetal neural progenitors present less risk of tumor formation than embryonic stem cells but inefficiently differentiate into motor neurons, in line with their low expression of motor neuron-specific transcription factors and poor response to soluble external factors. To overcome this limitation, we genetically engineered fetal rat spinal cord neurospheres to express the transcription factors HB9, Nkx6.1, and Neurogenin2. Enforced expression of the three factors rendered neural precursors responsive to Sonic hedgehog and retinoic acid and directed their differentiation into cholinergic motor neurons that projected axons and formed contacts with cocultured myotubes. When transplanted in the injured adult rat spinal cord, a model of acute motor neuron degeneration, the engineered precursors transiently proliferated, colonized the ventral horn, expressed motor neuron-specific differentiation markers, and projected cholinergic axons in the ventral root. We conclude that genetic engineering can drive the differentiation of fetal neural precursors into motor neurons that efficiently engraft in the spinal cord. The strategy thus holds promise for cell replacement in motor neuron and related diseases.
Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.
Remediation Strategies for Historical Mining and Smelting Sites
Authors: Dybowska Agnieszka , Farago Margaret , Valsami-Jones Eugenia , Thornton Iain 
Published: July 2008

The environmental, social and economic problems associated with abandoned mine sites are serious and global. Environmental damage arising from polluted waters and dispersal of contaminated waste is a feature characteristic of many old mines in North America, Australia, Europe and elsewhere. Today, because of the efficiency of mining operations and legal requirements in many countries for prevention of environmental damage from mining operations, the release of metals to the environment from modern mining is low. However, many mineralized areas that were extensively worked in the 18th and 19th centuries and left abandoned after mining had ceased, have left a legacy of metal contaminated land. Unlike organic chemicals and plastics, metals cannot be degraded chemically or biologically into non-toxic and environmentally neutral constituents. Thus sites contaminated with toxic metals present a particular challenge for remediation. Soil remediation has been the subject of a significant amount of research work in the past decade; this has resulted in a number of remediation options currently available or being developed. Remediation strategies for metal/metalloid contaminated historical mining sites are reviewed and summarized in this article. It focuses on the current applications of in situ remediation with the use of soil amendments (adsorption and precipitation based methods are discussed) and phytoremediation fin situ plant based technology for environmental clean up and restoration). These are promising alternative technologies to traditional options of excavation and ex situ treatment, offering an advantage of being non-invasive and low cost. In particular, they have been shown to be effective in remediation of mining and smelting contaminated sites, although the long-term durability of these treatments cannot be predicted.
Disilylphenylene and Tetrasilylphenylene as a New Building Unit for Highly Fluorescent Poly(aryleneethynylene)s
Authors: Iida Azusa , Nagura Kazuhiko , Yamaguchi Shigehiro 
Published: July 2008

AbstractWe report the synthesis and photophysical properties of poly(aryleneethynylene)s (PAEs) containing disilyl‐ or tetrasilyl‐substituted phenylene as the key building unit. The fluorescence spectra of one of the PAEs, consisting of the diethynylbis(trimethylsilyl)phenylene and fluorenylene units, shows an intense blue emission with the maximum at 428 nm. The absolute quantum yield (ΦF) and the fluorescence lifetime (τs) are 0.92 and 0.39 ns, respectively. The calculated radiative decay rate constant (kr) from the singlet excited state, based on ΦF and τs, is 2.4×109 s−1, which is extremely large for organic molecules. A series of silyl‐substituted PAEs, including a tricyclic tetrasilylphenylene‐containing polymer, also show intense emissions with large kr values. Theoretical calculations of the model systems with the bis(phenylethynyl)benzene skeleton reveal the general substituent effect of the silyl groups attached to the PAE skeleton.
A new photobioreactor for continuous microalgal production in hatcheries based on external‐loop airlift and swirling flow
Authors: Loubière Karine , Olivo Erell , Bougaran Gael , Pruvost Jérémy , Robert René , Legrand Jack 
Published: July 2008

AbstractThis study deals with the scale of a new photobioreactor for continuous microalgal production in hatcheries. The combination of the state‐of‐art with the constraints inherent to hatcheries has turned the design into a closed, artificially illuminated and external‐loop airlift configuration based on a succession of elementary modules, each one being composed of two transparent vertical interconnected columns. The liquid circulation is ensured pneumatically (air injections) with respect to a swirling motion (tangential inlets). A single module of the whole photobioreactor was built‐up to scale its geometry (diameter and length) and to optimize its design (air sparger, tangential inlets). The volumetric productivities were predicted by modeling radiative transfer and growth of Isochrysis affinis galbana (clone Tahiti). The hydrodynamics of the liquid phase was modeled in terms of global flow behavior (circulation and mixing times, Péclet number) and of swirling motion decay along the column (Particle Image Velocimetry). The aeration performances were determined by overall volumetric mass transfer measurements. Continuous cultures of Isochrysis affinis galbana (clone Tahiti) were run in two geometrical configurations, generating either an axial or a swirling flow. Lastly, the definitive options of design are presented as well as a 120‐L prototype, currently implemented in a French mollusk hatchery and commercialized. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2009;102: 132–147. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Rapid Hydrolysis of Quorum‐Sensing Molecules in the Gut of Lepidopteran Larvae
Authors: Funke Matthias , Büchler Rita , Mahobia Vertica , Schneeberg Alexander , Ramm Michael , Boland Wilhelm 
Published: July 2008

AbstractMicroorganisms compete for nutrients and living space in the gut of plant‐feeding insect larvae, such as Spodoptera spp. Their physiological activities and their organization are generally controlled or synchronised by “autoinducers”, such as N‐acylhomoserinelactones (AHLs). Due to the strongly alkaline milieu in the insect gut, the lactone ring of AHLs is rapidly and spontaneously opened. Further degradation to the inactive components homoserine and the acyl moiety is then achieved by a microbial N‐acylamino acid hydrolase (AAH) and related enzymatic activities in the insect gut. Initialised by the alkaline milieu, such activities might account for the complete absence of AHLs in the intestinal fluid of the studied Spodoptera spp. The AHL‐recognition system of E. coli RV308pSB40, but not that of Agrobacterium tumefaciens NT1/pZLR4 and Chromobacterium violaceum CV026, was found to be inhibited by the structurally related N‐acylglutamines, which are abundantly present in the gut of many lepidopteran larvae. Our observations suggest an active role of the insect in interfering with the quorum sensing of their gut microbiota by several independent strategies.
Chemical Defence Strategies of Higher Fungi
Authors: Spiteller Peter 
Published: July 2008

AbstractLike plants, fungi have evolved a variety of defence strategies in order to protect themselves against feeding mammals, insects and infection with parasitic fungi. In contrast to plants little is known on the chemical ecology of fruiting bodies of higher fungi, particularly those defence mechanisms which are induced upon wounding have only occasionally been recognised. Methods both for the detection of permanently present defence compounds and for the elucidation of wound‐activated chemical defence mechanisms are discussed in this concept paper.
Characterization of Three Members of the Electron‐Transfer Series [Fe(pda)2]n (n=2−, 1−, 0) by Spectroscopy and Density Functional Theoretical Calculations [pda=Redox Non‐innocent Derivatives of N,N′‐Bis(pentafluorophenyl)‐o‐phenylenediamide(2−, 1.−, 0)]
Authors: Khusniyarov Marat M. , Bill Eckhard , Weyhermüller Thomas , Bothe Eberhard , Harms Klaus , Sundermeyer Jörg , Wieghardt Karl 
Published: July 2008

AbstractThe four‐coordinate iron complexes, [FeIII(pda2−)(pda.−)] (1) and [AsPh4]2[FeII(pda2−)2] (2) were synthesized and fully characterized; pda2− is the closed‐shell ligand N,N′‐bis(pentafluorophenyl)‐o‐phenylenediamido(2−), and pda.− represents its one‐electron‐oxidized π‐radical anion. Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction studies of 1 and 2 performed at 100(2) K reveal a distorted tetrahedral coordination environment at the iron centers, as a result of the intramolecular π–π interactions between C6F5 rings. The electronic structures of 1 and 2 were unambiguously determined by a combination of 57Fe Mössbauer and electronic spectroscopy, magnetic susceptibility measurements, X‐ray crystallography, and DFT calculations. Compound 1 contains an intermediate‐spin FeIII ion (SFe=3/2) strongly antiferromagnetically coupled to a π‐ligand radical (SR=1/2) yielding an St=1 ground state. Complex 2 possesses a high‐spin FeII center (SFe=2) with two closed‐shell dianionic ligands. Complexes 1 and 2 are members of the redox series [Fe(pda)2]n with n=0 for 1 and n=2− for 2. The anion n=1− has been reported previously in the coordination salt [Fe(dad)3][Fe(pda)2] (3; dad=N,N′‐bis(phenyl)‐2,3‐dimethyl‐1,4‐diaza‐1,3‐butadiene). A complicated temperature‐dependent electronic structure has been observed for this salt. Here, DFT calculations performed on 3 confirm the previous assignments of spin‐ and oxidation‐states. Thus, [Fe(pda)2]n (n=0, 1−, 2−) constitutes an electron‐transfer series, which has also been established by cyclic voltammetry; the mono‐ and dications (n=1+ and 2+) are also accessible in solution, but have not been further investigated. The 57Fe Mössbauer spectra of [Fe(pda)2]n species in 1 and 3 show extremely large quadrupole splitting constants due to addition of the valence and covalence contributions that have been confirmed by DFT calculations.
ChemInform Abstract: Single Crystal Structures of InPF6, InAsF6, TlPF6 and TlAsF6.
Authors: Goreshnik Evgeny , Mazej Zoran 
Published: July 2008

AbstractChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
ChemInform Abstract: Structure of Compounds in the Sr1‐3x/2CexTiO3 Homologous Series.
Authors: Ubic Rick , Subodh Ganesanpotti , Sebastian Mailadil T. , Gout Delphine , Proffen Thomas 
Published: July 2008

AbstractChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
ChemInform Abstract: Rare‐Earth Cuprates for Ceramic Coloring Application — An Investigation.
Authors: Kar Jitendra Kumar , Stevens Ron , Bowen Christopher R. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
ChemInform Abstract: α‐CuV2O6 Nanowires: Hydrothermal Synthesis and Primary Lithium Battery Application.
Authors: Ma Hua , Zhang Shaoyan , Ji Weiqiang , Tao Zhanliang , Chen Jun 
Published: July 2008

AbstractChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
ChemInform Abstract: Synthesis and Catalysis of Di‐ and Tetranuclear Metal Sandwich‐Type Silicotungstates [(γ‐SiW10O36)2M2 (μ‐OH)2]10‐ and [(γ‐SiW10O36)2M4 (μ4‐O)(μ‐OH)6]8‐ (M: Zr or Hf).
Authors: Kikukawa Yuji , Yamaguchi Syuhei , Tsuchida Kazutaka , Nakagawa Yoshinao , Uehara Kazuhiro , Yamaguchi Kazuya , Mizuno Noritaka 
Published: July 2008

AbstractChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.