bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Female Social Relationships of Cebus apella nigritus in a Southeastern Atlantic Forest: An Analysis Through Ecological Models of Primate Social Evolution
Authors: Izar Patrícia 
Published: February 2004

AbstractTheoretical models about female relationships within primate social groups hypothesise that food abundance and distribution are important factors determining the variation of patterns observed among species and populations. Despite some common premises, models formulated by van Schaik (1989) and Sterck et al. (1997) and by Isbell (1991) differ with respect to the importance of predation risk, the co-variation of contest and scramble competition and causes of female dispersal. In this study, data from a population of Cebus apella nigritus from Brazilian Atlantic Forest are analysed using predictions from these models. Competition among females, both within and between groups, is strong and related to food abundance and distribution. Females can transfer between groups, as well as males. Female dispersal is related to a significant reduction in per capita energy intake by group foragers during fruit scarcity periods. The data from this study are not conclusive about the importance of predation in causing variation of female relationships but favour the assumption from van Schaik and Sterck et al. that contest and scramble competition within and between groups can vary independently; and also favour the formulation from Isbell & Van Vuren (1996) on female dispersal. The exact pattern of female social relationships is not sufficiently explained by ecological causes alone. Social benefits provided by the dominant male also seem to be important.
Chickadee Song Structure is Individually Distinctive Over Long Broadcast Distances
Authors: Christie Peter , Mennill Daniel , Ratcliffe Laurene 
Published: February 2004

AbstractThe two-note fee-bee song of male black-capped chickadees functions during the dawn chorus, in part, as a sexual signal across large distances. How song structure might encode information about male quality, however, remains unclear. We studied the availability of cues to male social rank (a proxy indicator of male quality), within the acoustic structure of dawn chorus songs of male chickadees whose flock dominance status we determined the previous winter. We used analysis of variance and discriminant function analysis to demonstrate that five temporal, frequency or relative amplitude features of song can predict individual identity but not the category of social rank (dominant versus subordinate) to which individuals belong. After transmitting chickadee songs through the forest and re-recording them at four broadcast distances, we found that song structure continued to effectively predict singer identity by our statistical methods despite significant acoustic degradation for as long as songs remained audible (up to 80 m). In particular, the relative frequency interval between the two notes is both the most invariant between-male measure and among the most individually distinctive. We conclude the structure of dawn chorus songs could function across large distances to signal the identity of familiar singing males whose relative quality is known to the listener from other interactions (such as encounters within winter flocks).
East African Monetary Union: The Domestic Politics of Institutional Survival and Dissolution
Authors: Cooper Scott , Asay Clark 
Published: February 2004

AbstractMany regional currency institutions were established in subSaharan Africa under colonial rule. Surprisingly, a number of these colonial institutions survived the transition to national independence, and several have survived to the present day (e.g., the West African franc zones and the Southern African rand zone). In order to understand why some of these regional institutions survived while others collapsed, we have to look carefully at member countries' domestic politics at the time of independence. This study looks at the stop-and-go pattern of postcolonial cooperation in East Africa to provide an understanding of the choice between regional cooperation and the breakup of regional institutions. Newly independent governments in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania faced a choice between continuing regional institutional ties and dissolving regional institutions to issue their own national currencies. We argue that governments maintained regional currencies only when past institutions had created a domestic political constituency for continued regionalism. The most important historical legacy of colonial institutions was the way domestic political coalitions were reshaped. This study suggests, therefore, that there is a political mechanism to path dependence: past institutions continue to shape the present through changes in political alignments.
This is What Democracy Looks Like: Globalization, New Information Technology and the Trade Policy Process: Some Comparative Observations
Authors: Smith Peter , Smythe Elizabeth 
Published: February 2004

AbstractThis article examines the process by which economic globalization and the Internet have facilitated the proliferation and mobilization of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and social movements that are challenging the negotiation of trade rules through the World Trade Organization (WTO). Our focus, however, is not on the WTO per se but on the impact that globally-articulated local networks are having on the national trade policy processes of Canada, Australia, and the European Union (EU), all members of the WTO. We discuss how local networks of NGOs and social movements are inserted into, and relate to, larger global coalitions and global information networks from which they draw support and sustenance. Finally, we compare how local institutions, processes, and histories have shaped the dialogue and interaction of NGOs with trade departments that are occurring at the level of these nation-states and the European Union.
Circulative Linkages of Regional Knowledge Activities: Empirical Evidence from the Korean Case
Authors: Lee Kongrae 
Published: February 2004

AbstractThis paper argues that there are circulative linkages between knowledge creation, sharing and utilization in regional innovative clusters. Based upon discussions about characteristics of circulative linkages between three types of knowledge activities, this paper presents three hypotheses: the more regions generate knowledge, the more active they tend to share knowledge; the more regions share knowledge, the more vigorous they tend to utilize knowledge; and the more regions generate knowledge, the more vigorously they utilize knowledge. Empirical analysis into the South Korean case showed that regions with higher knowledge generation have stronger knowledge-sharing and knowledge-utilization activities, strongly supporting the hypotheses. However, taking a weak corelation between knowledge sharing and knowledge utilization into account, it is suggested that regions with active knowledge sharing do not automatically lead to stronger knowledge utilization. There should be an effective policy measure for leading active knowledge sharing to active knowledge utilization. This study helps guide provincial governments in choosing policy goals to promote knowledge activities so as to accelerate regional innovation. It also leads to the conclusion that maintaining balance among the three types of knowledge activities (creation, sharing, and utilization) is a way to make policies that promote regional innovative clusters.
Indonesian Political Laws in Habibie Era: Between Political Struggle and Law Reform
Authors: Hosen Nadirsyah 
Published: February 2004

AbstractFollowing the resignation of President Soeharto in May 1998, political and civic leaders,along withgovernmental officials,began the process of developing a new political system. The most important step was to create a new legal framework for early national elections. New political laws governing elections, political parties and the structure of legislative bodies were signed by President B.J. Habibie on 1 February 1999. The article examines the three 1999 political laws at three levels: political and legal processes, content and implementation. The article argues that those laws were a reflection of political compromise and, therefore, did not meet demands for genuine reform: promoting good governance and the rule of law.
Characterization of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia xenograft models for the preclinical evaluation of new therapies
Authors: Liem Natalia L. M. , Papa Rachael A. , Milross Christopher G. , Schmid Michael A. , Tajbakhsh Mayamin , Choi Seoyeon , Ramirez Carole D. , Rice Alison M. , Haber Michelle , Norris Murray D. , MacKenzie Karen L. , Lock Richard B. 
Published: February 2004

Abstract
Continuous xenografts from 10 children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) were established in nonobese diabetic/severe combined immunodeficient (NOD/SCID) mice. Relative to primary engrafted cells, negligible changes in growth rates and immunophenotype were observed at second and third passage. Analysis of clonal antigen receptor gene rearrangements in 2 xenografts from patients at diagnosis showed that the pattern of clonal variation observed following tertiary transplantation in mice exactly reflected that in bone marrow samples at the time of clinical relapse. Patients experienced diverse treatment outcomes, including 5 who died of disease (median, 13 months; range, 11-76 months, from date of diagnosis), and 5 who remain alive (median, 103 months; range, 56-131 months, following diagnosis). When stratified according to patient outcome, the in vivo sensitivity of xenografts to vincristine and dexamethasone, but not methotrexate, differed significantly (P = .028, P = .029, and P = .56, respectively). The in vitro sensitivity of xenografts to dexamethasone, but not vincristine, correlated significantly with in vivo responses and patient outcome. This study shows, for the first time, that the biologic and genetic characteristics, and patterns of chemosensitivity, of childhood ALL xenografts accurately reflect the clinical disease. As such, they provide powerful experimental models to prioritize new therapeutic strategies for future clinical trials.
Familial essential thrombocythemia associated with a dominant-positive activating mutation of the c-MPL gene, which encodes for the receptor for thrombopoietin
Authors: Ding Jianmin , Komatsu Hirokazu , Wakita Atsushi , Kato-Uranishi Miyuki , Ito Masato , Satoh Atsushi , Tsuboi Kazuya , Nitta Masakazu , Miyazaki Hiroshi , Iida Shinsuke , Ueda Ryuzo 
Published: February 2004

Abstract
One Japanese pedigree of familial essential thrombocythemia (FET) inherited in an autosomal-dominant manner is presented. A unique point mutation, serine 505 to asparagine 505 (Ser505Asn), was identified in the transmembrane domain of the c-MPL gene in all of the 8 members with thrombocythemia, but in none of the other 8 unaffected members in this FET family. The Ba/F3 cells expressing the mutant Asn505 acquired interleukin 3 (IL-3)-independent survival capacity, whereas those expressing wild-type Ser505 did not. The autonomous phosphorylation of Mek1/2 and Stat5b was observed in the mutant Ba/F3 cells in the absence of IL-3. The former was also found in platelets derived from the affected individual in the absence of thrombopoietin. These results show that the Asn505 is an activating mutation with respect to the intracellular signaling and survival of the cells. This is the first report of FET deriving from a dominant-positive activating mutation of the c-MPL gene. (Blood. 2004;103: 4198-4200)
Dynamics of cytokine expression in HIV productively infected primary CD4+ T cells
Authors: Bahbouhi Bouchaib , Landay Alan , Al-Harthi Lena 
Published: February 2004

AbstractUsing intracellular p24 staining to discriminate between bystander and HIV productively infected cells, we evaluated the properties of HIV productively infected cells in terms of cytokine expression, activation status, apoptosis, and cell proliferation. We demonstrate that HIV productively infected primary CD4+ T cells express 12- to 47-fold higher type 1 cytokines than bystander or mock-infected cells. The frequency of HIV productive replication occurred predominantly in T-helper 1 (Th1), followed by Th0, then by Th2 cells. These productively infected cells expressed elevated levels of CD95, CD25, CXC chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4), and CC chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5). While productively infected cells were only 1.8-fold higher in apoptosis frequency, they up-regulated the antiapoptotic protein B-cell leukemia 2 (Bcl-2) by 10-fold. Up-regulation of interleukin-2 (IL-2) and Bcl-2 were dependent on phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase signal transduction, given that it was down-regulated by Wortmanin treatment. Additionally, 60% of productively infected cells entered the cell cycle, as evaluated by Ki67 staining, but none divided, as evaluated by carboxyfluoresccin diacetate succinimidyl ester (CFSE) staining. Evaluation of cell cycle progression by costaining for DNA and RNA indicated that the cells were arrested in G2/M. Collectively, these data indicate that HIV replication occurs predominantly in Th1 cells and is associated with immune activation and up-regulation of Bcl-2, conferring a considerable degree of protection against apoptosis in the productively infected subpopulation. (Blood. 2004;103:4581-4587)
Substitution of the γ-chain Asn308 disturbs the D:D interface affecting fibrin polymerization, fibrinopeptide B release, and FXIIIa-catalyzed cross-linking
Authors: Okumura Nobuo , Gorkun Oleg V. , Terasawa Fumiko , Lord Susan T. 
Published: February 2004

AbstractCrystallographic structures indicate that γ-chain residue Asn308 participates in D:D interactions and indeed substitutions of γAsn308 with lysine or isoleucine have been identified in dysfibrinogens with impaired polymerization. To probe the role of Asn308 in polymerization, we synthesized 3 variant fibrinogens: γAsn308 changed to lysine (γN308K), isoleucine (γN308I), and alanine (γN308A). We measured thrombin-catalyzed polymerization by turbidity, fibrinopeptide release by high-performance liquid chromatography, and factor XIIIa–catalyzed cross-linking by sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. In the absence of added calcium, polymerization was clearly impaired with all 3 variants. In contrast, at 0.1 mM calcium, only polymerization of γN308K remained markedly abnormal. The release of thrombin-catalyzed fibrinopeptide B (FpB) was delayed in the absence of calcium, whereas at 1 mM calcium FpB release was delayed only with γN308K. Factor XIIIa–catalyzed γ-γ dimer formation was delayed with fibrinogen (in absence of thrombin), whereas with fibrin (in presence of thrombin) γ-γ dimer formation of only γN308K was delayed. These data corroborate the recognized link between FpB release and polymerization. They show fibrin cross-link formation likely depends on the structure of protofibrils. Together, our results show substitution of Asn308 with a hydrophobic residue altered neither polymer formation nor polymer structure at physiologic calcium concentrations, whereas substitution with lysine altered both.
Reduced GRK2 level in T cells potentiates chemotaxis and signaling in response to CCL4
Authors: Vroon Anne , Heijnen Cobi J , Lombardi Maria Stella , Cobelens Pieter M , Mayor Federico , Caron Marc G , Kavelaars Annemieke 
Published: February 2004

AbstractChemokine receptors belong to the family of G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCR). Phosphorylation of GPCR by GPCR kinases (GRKs) is considered to play an important role in desensitization of these receptors. We have recently shown in patients with rheumatoid arthritis that the level of GRK2 in lymphocytes is reduced by ∼50%. However, the physiological relevance of reduced GRK2 levels in lymphocytes is not known. Here, we investigated whether reduced GRK2 expression changes the chemotactic response of T cells to the chemokines CCL3, CCL4, and CCL5. Activated T cells from GRK2+/− mice, which have a 50% reduction in GRK2 protein levels, showed a significant 40% increase in chemotaxis toward the CCR5 ligand CCL4. In addition, chemotaxis toward the CCR1 and CCR5 ligands CCL3 and CCL5 was also increased. Binding of CCL4 to activated T cells from GRK2+/− and wild-type (WT) mice was similar, but agonist-induced CCR5 phosphorylation was attenuated in GRK2+/− cells. Moreover, the calcium response and phosphorylation of protein kinase B and extracellular-regulated kinase in response to CCL4 were significantly increased in GRK2+/− T cells, showing that signaling is increased when the level of GRK2 is reduced. GRK2+/− and WT cells do become refractory to restimulation with CCL4. In conclusion, a 50% decrease in T cell GRK2 expression results in increased responsiveness to CCL3, CCL4, and CCL5, suggesting that the 50% reduction in lymphocyte GRK2 level as observed during inflammation can have functional consequences for the response of these cells to chemokines.
Mannose-binding lectin deficiency alters the development of fungal asthma: effects on airway response, inflammation, and cytokine profile
Authors: Hogaboam Cory M , Takahashi Kazue , Ezekowitz R Alan B , Kunkel Steven L , Schuh Jane M 
Published: February 2004

AbstractAspergillus fumigatus is a major fungal pathogen that may be fatal to immunocompromised individuals and causes airway hyperreactivity and remodeling in sensitized individuals. Herein, we examined the role of mannose-binding lectin (MBL), a complement-activating plasma protein, during ulmonary innate and allergic immune responses directed against A. fumigatus spores or conidia. Neither group of nonsensitized MBL-A-sufficient (MBL-A+/+) nor -deficient (MBL-A−/−) mice challenged with an intravenous or intratracheal (i.t.) bolus of A. fumigatus spores experienced fungus-induced mortality, but marked airway remodeling was observed in MBL-A−/− mice challenged i.t. with conidia. In a model of chronic fungal asthma, MBL-A+/+ and MBL-A−/− A. fumigatus-sensitized mice were examined at days 4 and 28 after an i.t. challenge with A. fumigatus conidia. Airway hyperresponsiveness in sensitized MBL-A−/− mice was significantly decreased at both times after conidia challenge compared with the sensitized MBL-A+/+ group. In the sensitized MBL-A−/− mice, whole lung T helper cell type 2 cytokine levels were significantly decreased at day 4 after conidia, and whole lung interferon-γ levels were significantly increased at day 28 after conidia when compared with controls. However, histological evidence showed similar airway remodeling at day 28 after conidia (i.e., subepithelial fibrosis and goblet cell metaplasia) in the two groups of mice. Thus, these findings show that MBL-A is not required for mouse survival following exposure to A. fumigatus conidia, and this murine collectin isoform contributes to the development and maintenance of airway hyperresponsiveness but not chronic airway remodeling during chronic fungal asthma.
Differential gene expression profile of human tonsil high endothelial cells: implications for lymphocyte trafficking
Authors: Palmeri Diana , Zuo Feng-Rong , Rosen Steven D , Hemmerich Stefan 
Published: February 2004

AbstractLymphocyte recirculation is dependent on the interactions of adhesion and signaling molecules expressed on lymphocytes and their partners on high endothelial cells (HEC). Many of the events in this process have yet to be molecularly characterized. To identify novel HEC-specific proteins with potential function in the recruitment cascade, we sequenced a normalized human tonsil HEC cDNA library (generated from an inflamed tonsil) from which lymphocyte and human umbilical vein endothelial cell cDNAs had een subtracted. One-thousand forty-nine sequences were analyzed. All but three mapped to known cDNAs or genomic DNAs. The two most abundant transcripts encoded α2-macroglobulin and hevin. The next-abundant transcripts encoded several other protease inhibitors, making this protein class the most prominent in HEC. Several endothelial-specific transcripts were also identified, including those encoding E-selectin, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, vascular endothelial-junctional adhesion molecule, and platelet-endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1. The library contains a great diversity of transcripts, and studies of the encoded proteins will provide further insight into the complex biology of these specialized endothelial cells.
Immature dendritic cells reduce proinflammatory cytokine production by a coculture of macrophages and apoptotic cells in a cell-to-cell contact-dependent manner
Authors: Takahashi Munehisa , Kurosaka Kahori , Kobayashi Yoshiro 
Published: February 2004

AbstractWe have demonstrated that phagocytosis of late apoptotic cells by mouse macrophages leads to the production of proinflammatory cytokines, notably macrophage-inflammatory protein (MIP-2), and therefore, a yet-unknown mechanism(s) should keep our body free of inflammation. In this study, we examined the effect of the addition of immature dendritic cells (iDCs) to a coculture of macrophages and apoptotic cells on MIP-2 production and phagocytosis by macrophages. The addition of iDCs to the coculture reduced MIP-2 production significantly but unexpectedly enhanced the phagocytosis by macrophages. Further study revealed that the reduction of MIP-2 production was dependent on cell-to-cell contact partly involving the β2 integrin family Mac-1. In addition, anti-inflammatory cytokines, interleukin-10 and transforming growth factor-β, were involved in the reduction of MIP-2 production, as antibodies against these cytokines recovered MIP-2 production. Both cytokines were expressed by iDCs more sigificantly than macrophages at the mRNA levels, although they were hardly detected in the supernatant at the protein levels, suggesting that minute amounts of these anti-inflammatory cytokines were produced mainly by iDCs to block MIP-2 production in a cell-to-cell contact-dependent manner. Thus, this study reveals a new mechanism by which MIP-2 production by macrophages phagocytosing apoptotic cells is prevented.
Mechanisms of glucocorticoid-induced down-regulation of neutrophil L-selectin in cattle: evidence for effects at the gene-expression level and primarily on blood neutrophils
Authors: Weber Patty S D , Toelboell Trine , Chang Ling-Chu , Tirrell Janelle Durrett , Saama Peter M , Smith George W , Burton Jeanne L 
Published: February 2004

AbstractOne anti-inflammatory action of glucocorticoids is down-regulation of surface L-selectin on circulating neutrophils. However, it is unclear if this is a result of release of affected bone marrow neutrophils or if the steroid has direct effects on L-selectin expression in existing blood neutrophils. We recently demonstrated that circulating neutrophils from cattle with high blood concentrations of endogenous glucocorticoid had reduced L-selectin mRNA, suggesting that the steroid interrupted L-selectin gene expression. In the current study, dexamethasone (DEX) was administered to cattle in vivo, and blood and bone marrow neutrophils were studied simultaneously within the animal to determine which pool of cells responds to glucocorticoids with inhibited L-selectin expression. Purified blood neutrophils were also treated with DEX ± RU486 in vitro, and glucocorticoid effects on L-selectin expression were determined. Our results indicate that glucocorticoid-induced suppression of L-selectin, which accompanies neutrophilia, is likely mediated by direct effects of glucocorticoid receptor activation on intracellular reservoirs of L-selectin mRNA and protein in cattle, predominantly in blood neutrophils.