bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prostaglandin E2 modulates dendritic cell function via EP2 and EP4 receptor subtypes
Authors: Harizi Hedi , Grosset Christophe , Gualde Norbert 
Published: May 2003

Abstract
We have reported previously that PGE2 inhibits dendritic cells (DC) functions. Because E prostanoid receptor (EPR) subtypes involved in this action are unknown, expression and functions of these receptors were examined in DC. Western blot and flow cytometry analyses showed that all EPRs were coexpressed in DC. In a dose-dependent manner, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) enhanced EP2R/EP4R but not EP1R/EP3R expressions. NS-398, a cyclooxygenase (COX)-2-selective inhibitor, suppressed LPS-enhanced EP2R/EP4R expression, suggesting that COX-2-issued prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) modulates DC function through stimulation of specific EPR subtypes. Using selective agonists, we found that butaprost, an EP2R agonist, and PGE1 alcohol, an EP2R and EP2R/EP4R agonist, inhibited major histocompatibility complex class II expression and enhanced interleukin-10 production from DC. However, no effect was observed with sulprostone and 17-phenyl-ω-trinor-PGE2, selective agonists for EP1R and EP1R/EP3R, respectively. Treatment of DC with dibutyryl cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), an analog of cAMP, mimics PGE2-induced, inhibitory effects. Taken together, our data demonstrate that EP2R/EP4R are efficient for mediating PGE2-induced modulation of DC functions.
Severe meningococcal disease is characterized by early neutrophil but not platelet activation and increased formation and consumption of platelet–neutrophil complexes
Authors: Peters M J , Heyderman R S , Faust S , Dixon G L J , Inwald D P , Klein N J 
Published: May 2003

Abstract
Approximately 25% of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL) circulate in heterotypic complexes with one or more activated platelets. These platelet–neutrophil complexes (PNC) require platelet CD62P expression for their formation and represent activated subpopulations of both cell types. In this study, we have investigated the presence, time course, and mechanisms of PNC formation in 32 cases of severe pediatric meningococcal disease (MD) requiring intensive care. There were marked early increases in PMNL CD11b/CD18 expression and activation, and reduced CD62L expression compared with intensive care unit control cases. Minimal platelet expression of the active form of αIIbβ3 (GpIIb/IIIa) was seen. PNC were reduced on presentation and fell to very low levels after 24 h. Immunostaining of skin biopsies demonstrated that PNC appear outside the circulation in MD. In vitro studies of anticoagulated whole blood inoculated with Neisseria meningitidis supported these clinical findings with marked increases in PMNL CD11b/CD18 expression and activation but no detectable changes in platelet-activated αIIbβ3 or CD62P expression. In vitro PMNL activation with N. meningitidis (or other agonists) potentiated the formation of PNC in response to platelet activation with adenine diphosphate. Therefore, in severe MD, PMNL activation is likely to promote PNC formation, and we suggest that the reduced levels of PNC seen in established MD reflect rapid loss of PNC from the circulation rather than reduced formation.
A role for CD1d-restricted NKT cells in injury-associated T cell suppression
Authors: Faunce Douglas E , Gamelli Richard L , Choudhry Mashkoor A , Kovacs Elizabeth J 
Published: May 2003

Abstract
Natural killer T (NKT) cells are known to modulate T cell responses during autoimmunity, tolerance, and antitumor immunity; however, their potential role in regulating the immune response to injury has not been reported. Using a murine model of burn injury, we investigated whether CD1d-restricted NKT cells played a role in the T cell suppression that occurs early after injury. A functional role for CD1d stimulation of NKT cells in the injury-related immune suppression was demonstrated by experiments in which the suppression of antigen (Ag)-specific delayed-type hypersensitivity and in vitro T cell-proliferative responses were prevented if mice were given anti-CD1d monoclonal antibody (mAb) systemically just before injury. The CD1d-NKT cell-dependent suppression of the T cell response after injury occurred in the absence of quantitative changes in NKT cells themselves or CD1d+ Ag-presenting cells. We observed that elevated production of the immunosuppressive cytokine interleukin (IL)-4 correlated with burn-induced immune dysfunction, and we found that NKT cells but not conventional T cells were the source of IL-4 early after injury. Lastly, we observed that the injury-induced production of NKT cell-derived IL-4 could be blocked by systemic treatment of burn-injured mice with anti-CD1d mAb. Together, our results reveal a novel mechanism involving CD1d stimulation of NKT cells in the onset of T cell suppression that occurs subsequent to injury.
Expression of myeloperoxidase (MPO) by neutrophils is necessary for their activation by anti-neutrophil cytoplasm autoantibodies (ANCA) against MPO
Authors: Reumaux Dominique , de Boer Martin , Meijer Alexander B , Duthilleul Patrick , Roos Dirk 
Published: May 2003

Abstract
Anti-neutrophil cytoplasm autoantibodies (ANCA) directed against proteinase-3 and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activate tumor necrosis factor-α-primed neutrophils in vitro. We used neutrophils from one completely and one partially MPO-deficient donor to assess the requirement of MPO expression for neutrophil activation by anti-MPO antibodies. The MPO deficiencies were defined enzymatically, by immunocytochemistry and by immunoblotting. The mutations in the MPO genes of these donors were identified as a combination of a novel splice-site mutation at the 3′ end of intron 11 (A-2→C), a deletion of 14 nucleotides in exon 9 (A1555–C1568), and a novel C1907 → T (636Thr→Met) substitution in exon 11 in the completely MPO-deficient donor and as the same splice-site mutation and a novel C995 → T (332Ala→Val) substitution in exon 7 in the partially MPO-deficient donor. Monoclonal antibody 4.15 against MPO and MPO–ANCA–immunoglobulin G induced no superoxide anion production in these MPO-deficient neutrophils despite a normal production induced by other stimuli. Thus, the presence of MPO is a conditio sine qua non for neutrophil activation by anti-MPO antibodies. Moreover, we demonstrated that by means of these MPO-deficient cells, hydrogen peroxide may diffuse from neutrophils to surrounding cells, which may contribute to the damage induced by oxygen radicals in the pathology of systemic vasculitides.
Antibody-mediated blockade of the CXCR3 chemokine receptor results in diminished recruitment of T helper 1 cells into sites of inflammation
Authors: Xie Jenny H , Nomura Naomi , Lu Min , Chen Shiow-Ling , Koch Greg E , Weng Youmin , Rosa Raymond , Di Salvo Jerry , Mudgett John , Peterson Laurence B , Wicker Linda S , DeMartino Julie A 
Published: May 2003

Abstract
Naïve T cells, when activated by specific antigen and cytokines, up-regulate adhesion molecules as well as chemokine receptors on their surface, which allows them to migrate to inflamed tissues. Human studies have shown that CXCR3 is one of the chemokine receptors that is induced during T cell activation. Moreover, CXCR3-positive T cells are enriched at inflammatory sites in patients with autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis. In this study, we use a mouse model of inflammation to demonstrate that CXCR3 is required for activated T cell transmigration to inflamed tissue. Using an anti- mCXCR3 antibody, we have shown that in vitro-differentiated T helper (Th) 1 and Th2 cells up-regulated CXCR3 upon stimulation with specific antigen/major histocompatibility complex. However, only Th1 cells, when adoptively transferred to syngeneic recipients, are efficiently recruited to the peritoneum in an adjuvant-induced peritonitis model. Furthermore, the neutralizing anti-mCXCR3 antibody profoundly inhibits the recruitment of Th1 cells to the inflamed peritoneum. Real-time, quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction analysis demonstrates that the CXCR3 ligands, interferon (IFN)-inducible protein 10 (CXCL10) and IFN-inducible T cell α chemoattractant (CXCL11), are among the many chemokines induced in the adjuvant-treated peritoneum. The anti-mCXCR3 antibody is also effective in inhibiting a delayed-type hypersensitivity response, which is largely mediated by enhanced trafficking of activated T cells to peripheral inflammatory sites. Collectively, our results suggest that CXCR3 has a critical role in T cell transmigration to sites of inflammation and thus, may serve as a molecular target for anti-inflammatory therapies.
Identification of a novel CpG DNA class and motif that optimally stimulate B cell and plasmacytoid dendritic cell functions
Authors: Marshall Jason D , Fearon Karen , Abbate Christi , Subramanian Sandhya , Yee Priscilla , Gregorio Josh , Coffman Robert L , Van Nest Gary 
Published: May 2003

Abstract
Recent reports have identified two major classes of CpG motif-containing oligodeoxynucleotide immunostimulatory sequences (ISS): uniformly modified phosphorothioate (PS) oligodeoxyribonucleotides (ODNs), which initiate B cell functions but poorly activate dendritic cells (DCs) to make interferon (IFN)-α, and chimeric PS/phosphodiester (PO) ODNs containing runs of six contiguous guanosines, which induce very high levels of plasmacytoid DC (PDC)-derived IFN-α but poorly stimulate B cells. We have generated the first reported ISS, C274, which exhibits very potent effects on all human immune cells known to recognize ISS. C274 is a potent inducer of IFN-γ/IFN-α from peripheral blood mononuclear cells and exhibits accelerated kinetics of activity compared with standard ISS. This ODN also effectively stimulates B cells to proliferate, secrete cytokines, and express costimulatory antigens. In addition, C274 specifically activates PDCs to undergo maturation and secrete cytokines, including very high levels of IFN-α. Sequence variation studies based on C274 were used to identify the general motif requirements for this novel and distinct class of ISS. In contrast, chimeric PO/PS CpG-containing ODNs with polyguanosine sequences exert a differential pattern of ISS activity compared with C274, perhaps in part as a result of their greatly different structural nature. This pattern is composed of high IFN-α/IFN-γ induction and low DC maturation in the absence of B cell stimulation. In conclusion, we have generated a novel class of ISS that transcends the limitations ascribed to classes described previously in that it provides excellent stimulation of B cells and simultaneously activates PDCs to differentiate and secrete large amounts of type I IFN.
Effects of Large Scale Wind Power on Total System Variability and Operation: Case Study of Northern Ireland
Authors: Persaud Shashi , Fox Brendan , Flynn Damian 
Published: May 2003

The paper simulates the potential impact of significant wind power capacity on key operational aspects of a medium-sized grid-power system, viz. generator loading levels, system reserve availability and generator ramping requirements. The measured data, from Northern Ireland, consist of three years of 1/2 hourly metered records of (i) total energy generation and (ii) five wind farms, each of 5 MW capacity. These wind power data were scaled-up to represent a 10% annual energy contribution, taking account of diversity on the specific variability of total wind power output. The wind power generation reduced the system non-wind peak-generation. This reduction equalled 20% of the installed wind power capacity. There was also a reduction in the minimum non-wind generation, which equalled 43% of the wind power capacity. The analysis also showed that the spinning-reserve requirement depended on the accuracy of forecasting wind power ahead of scheduling, i.e. on the operational mode. When wind power was predicted accurately, (i) it was possible to reduce non-wind generation without over-commitment, but, (ii) the spinning-reserve non-wind conventional generation would usually have to be increased by 25% of the wind power capacity, unless quick-start gas generation was available. However, with unpredicted wind power generation, (i) despite reductions in non-wind generation, there was frequent over-commitment of conventional generation, but (ii) usually the spinning-reserve margin could be reduced by 10% of the wind power capacity with the same degree of risk. Finally, it was shown that wind power generation did not significantly increase the ramping duty on the system. For accurately predicted and unpredicted wind power the increases were only 4% and 5% respectively.
New Wind-Diesel System on Osmussaare
Authors: Ruin Sven 
Published: May 2003

In December 2002, a new wind-diesel system, rated 30 kVA, was commissioned on the island of Osmussaare, Estonia, by the Swedish company PitchWind Systems AB. The wind-diesel system is the only power source on this isolated island, where a radar station is under construction. The end user is the Estonian Border Guard and the project was carried out in cooperation with a local partner, Empower EEE AS, which also supplied the tower of the wind turbine. PitchWind's wind turbines are especially suited for wind-diesel applications, because of the variable speed operation and special control system. The concept, originally developed by Chalmers University of Technology, saves expense by not requiring a dumpload, rotary converter or custom-built diesel genset. The system efficiency results from the use of power electronic interfaces, robust, but sophisticated, control and the special characteristics of the wind turbine. On Osmussaare, it was decided to include a battery bank in the system to increase fuel savings, because of the very high cost of fuel on the island, but the system works also without the battery bank. The power electronics used in the project are standard industrial products made by ABB and the wind-diesel control system, based on LonWorks technology, was supplied by the ÅF Group. LonWorks is a wide-spread technology for open, distributed control systems, and brings several important benefits for hybrid power systems. During 2003, PitchWind plans to install a similar wind-diesel system together with Empower EEE on Vaindloo, another remote Estonian island.
Factors Affecting Patient Adherence to Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy
Authors: Escobar Ismael , Campo Mercedes , Martín Jesus , Fernández-Shaw Clara , Pulido Federico , Rubio Rafael 
Published: May 2003

OBJECTIVE: To determine the clinical and demographic variables related to adherence to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in patients treated in our hospital and identify the characteristics of nonadherent patients. METHODS: Outpatients receiving treatment with HAART (n = 283) were asked about variables related to adherence and to complete the APGAR (family support), State-Trait Anxiety questionnaire (STAI) (emotional situation), and IAS (social support) questionnaires. Patients were classified in 2 groups depending on whether adherence was ≥95% or <95%. Adherence was defined as the percentage of dosage forms prescribed that were obtained by the patient at the hospital pharmacy. A multivariate analysis was created to analyze how each significant variable affected adherence. RESULTS: Our data showed significant nonadherence for patients with the following factors: low level of education, unemployed, emotional situation, and abuse of substances including intravenous drugs. All significant variables were included in a logistic regression model to optimize the results. This model considered 4 variables: age (95% CI 0.89 to 0.99), number of antiretroviral drugs (95% CI 1.05 to 2.11), STAI Anxiety/Trait test (95% CI 2.02 to 6.02), and abuse of drugs (95% CI 1.20 to 3.95). CONCLUSIONS: We recommended special intervention to reinforce adherence for younger patients, patients taking a high number of antiretroviral drugs, those who have a history of intravenous drug use, and those with high anxiety status.
Quality Assessment Programs for Dietary Supplements
Authors: Larimore Walter L , O'Mathúna Dónal P 
Published: May 2003

BACKGROUND: In the US, consumers and healthcare professionals have been forced to depend on self-regulation by the dietary supplement industry for product quality, consistency, potency, and purity, a system that has yielded mixed results at best. OBJECTIVE: To characterize the current state of product quality verification in the dietary supplement industry and review recent developments and future plans to improve supplement safety and regulation. METHODS: Studies describing the quality of dietary supplements are reviewed, along with recent Food and Drug Administration (FDA) plans to improve supplement regulation. Several independent dietary supplement quality certification programs are described and evaluated. RESULTS: Quality control standards for dietary supplements run the gamut from good to nonexistent. Contamination, false labeling, and incomplete labeling are not uncommon problems — as are significant discrepancies in disintegration, dissolution, and in vitro release characteristics of various dietary supplements. The need for improved regulation has led to plans for increased FDA involvement through enforcement of good manufacturing practices and truths in labeling. Meanwhile, independent product certification companies have emerged and provide some reassurances; however, they possess several limitations as well. CONCLUSIONS: Until proposed FDA initiatives are finalized and implemented, certification programs can help provide assurances of safety and assist in product selection. Although they do not testify to effectiveness (and may even inadvertently mislead some consumers), certification programs may help curb what has been called “the Wild West nature of the dietary supplement industry.”
The Geology and Origin of Sepiolite, Palygorskite and Saponite in Neogene Lacustrine Sediments of the Serinhisar-Acipayam Basin, Denizli, SW Turkey
Authors: Akbulut Aydoǵan , Kadir Selahattin 
Published: May 2003

AbstractThe Serinhisar-Acıpayam basin of western Anatolia hosts a Neogene alkaline lake which formed in some graben and semi-graben depression zones as a result of N–S tension. The basin is filled with fluvial and lacustrine sediments dominated by clayey materials. The filling of the basin with fine sediments and associated water level changes caused the development of swampy and/or semi-swampy, alkaline-lake environments where sepiolite, palygorskite, saponite and dolomitic sepiolite or palygorskite precipitated periodically in the basin. Sepiolite is predominant in the Kuyucak section and is intercalated with saponite-dominated levels, whereas saponite accompanied palygorskite at Kocapınar where basaltic volcanism occurred. The contacts between sepiolite-palygorskite and saponite levels are more or less sharp, reflecting rapid changes in the physicochemical conditions of the depositional environment. Micromorphological images reveal that both sepiolite and palygorskite grew as interwoven fibers or fiber bundles and masses where dolomite was absent, indicating direct precipitation from solution, whereas fibrous networks grew authigenically on and out of dolomite in dolomitic sepiolite and dolomitic palygorskite. Saponite is either green or reddish brown due to its organic material-rich content and derivation from products of basaltic volcanism. Synsedimentary basaltic volcanism was the main source of Fe and Al, whereas Si and Mg were derived from surrounding ultrabasic and detrital units and partly from the volcanism. It can be concluded that sepiolite, palygorskite and saponite formed either by direct precipitation from alkaline lake water or authigenically from interstitial pore-water between dolomite rhombs as controlled by concentration of Si, Mg, Al and Fe, rather than by mutual transformation.
Characterization of the Acidity of Al- and Zr-Pillared Clays
Authors: Carvalho Ana P. , Martins Angela , Silva João M. , Pires João , Vasques Helena , de Carvalho M. Brotas 
Published: May 2003

AbstractThe surface acidic properties of pillared clays (PILCs) with Al or Zr oxide pillars (prepared from a natural Portuguese smectite and a synthetic Laponite), and of a protonic NaHY zeolite, were studied by two methods: pyridine adsorption followed by infrared (IR) spectroscopy, and the catalytic transformation of 1-butene. The results of the pyridine adsorption revealed that all the pillared clays studied have mainly Lewis-type acidity, the exception being the clay pillared with Zr oxide, obtained from natural smectite, which also presents a significant number of Brönsted acid sites. The results of 1-butene transformation showed that the pillared clays exhibit catalytic properties similar to those of the protonic Y zeolite. The acid character of the solids was confirmed by the values of the cis/trans 2-butene isomers ratio. At short reaction times, product distribution showed that the main reaction is oligomerization, followed by cracking. After 15 min the products are mainly the linear isomers, cis and trans-2-butene, showing that the majority of the catalytic active sites, are already poisoned after 15 min of reaction. The particular behaviour of Laponite intercalated with Al oxide pillars is discussed. The IR spectra of the pyridine adsorbed on the fresh samples and after the catalytic assays, revealed that Lewis acid sites behave as active sites for 1-butene catalytic transformation. The consistency between the results of the two complementary techniques used for the characterization of the acidity of the solids was proved.
A Peculiar Morphology of Gibbsite and Nordstrandite Co-Crystallized in the Presence of Tartrate in a Strongly Alkaline Environment
Authors: Adamo P. , Pigna M. , Vingiani S. , Violante A. 
Published: May 2003

AbstractThe nature and morphology of Al(OH)3 polymorphs obtained by precipitating Al and tartrate at pH 12.0 and at a tartrate/Al molar ratio (R) of 0.1 were studied by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and electron diffraction. Co-crystallization of unusually long (up to 18 µm) ‘stick-shaped’ gibbsite with platy particles of both nordstrandite, mainly, and bayerite was observed. Face-to-face associations of plates nucleated perpendicularly on the gibbsite surfaces parallel to the c axis produced peculiar elongated ‘brush’ -shaped particles. In a strongly alkaline environment the inhibiting effect of tartrate on Al(OH)3 polymorph formation is reduced and production of co-crystallized phases with structural crystallographic similarities can be observed.