julilili42/papers huggingface dataset:
Separable roles of the Pseudomonas syringae pv. phaseolicola accessory protein HrpZ1 in ion‐conducting pore formation and activation of plant immunity
2008-10-16

Summary The HrpZ1 gene product from phytopathogenic Pseudomonas syringae is secreted in a type‐III secretion system‐dependent manner during plant infection. The ability of HrpZ1 to form ion‐conducting pores is proposed to contribute to bacterial effector delivery into host cells, or may facilitate the nutrition of bacteria in the apoplast. Furthermore, HrpZ1 is reminiscent of a pathogen‐associated molecular pattern (PAMP) that triggers immunity‐associated responses in a variety of plants. Here, we provide evidence that the ion pore formation and immune activation activities of HrpZ1 have different structure requirements. All HrpZ1 orthologous proteins tested possess pore formation activities, but some of these proteins fail to trigger plant defense‐associated responses. In addition, a C‐terminal fragment of HrpZ1 retains the ability to activate plant immunity, whereas ion pore formation requires intact HrpZ1. Random insertion mutagenesis of HrpZ1 further revealed the C terminus to be important for the PAMP activity of the protein. HrpZ1 binds to plant membranes with high affinity and specificity, suggesting that the activation of plant immunity‐associated responses by HrpZ1 is receptor‐mediated. Our data are consistent with dual roles of HrpZ1 as a virulence factor affecting host membrane integrity, and as a microbial pattern governing the activation of plant immunity during infection.
IL‐4‐mediated fine tuning of IL‐12p70 production by human DC
2008-10-16

Abstract IL‐4 is expressed at high levels in allergic diseases and dominates the early phases of multiple acquired immune responses. However, the precise role of IL‐4 during early inflammation and its impact on the differentiation of newly recruited DC precursors remains elusive. In order to characterize the impact of IL‐4 on the differentiation of human DC, we investigated the role of IL‐4 on the differentiation of monocytes into DC. Human DC were differentiated from peripheral blood precursors under either low or high concentrations of IL–4. We analyzed their cytokine profile and capacity to polarize T‐cell differentiation. Concentrations of 5 (low) and 50 (high) ng/mL IL‐4 induced two distinct types of DC. DC differentiated under low‐dose IL‐4 (5 ng/mL) produced almost no IL–12p70, and primed naïve CD4 + T cells allowing IL‐4 secretion and Th2 induction. In contrast, DC generated under high concentrations of IL‐4 (50 ng/mL) produced large amounts of IL‐12p70, low IL‐10 and primed naïve CD4 + T cells to become Th1 cells. Thus, we demonstrate that the Th2 cell cytokine IL‐4 decisively determines the phenotype of ongoing immune responses by orchestrating the functional phenotype of newly immigrating DC precursors.
Immune Response of Human Propagated γδ-T-Cells to Neuroblastoma Recommend the Vδ1+ Subset for γδ-T-cell–based Immunotherapy
2008-10-16

Human peripheral gammadelta-T-cells are able to induce cytolysis of neuroblastoma (Nb) tumor cells. Besides innate effector functions against infected cells and tumors, gammadelta-T-cells are involved in T-helper 1/T-helper 2 (TH1/TH2) differentiation of alphabeta-T-cells. However, as different gammadelta-T-cell subsets vary considerably in their functional properties, the aim of the present study was to define repertoires of cytokines, chemokines, and angiogenic factors of in vitro expanded Vdelta1+ and Vdelta2+ T cells in response to Nb. After short-term culture, both subsets released TH1 [interleukin (IL)-2, interferon (IFN)-gamma, IL-12, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, TNF-beta)] and TH2 cytokines (IL-4, -5, -6, -10, -13, Vdelta1 also transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta, chemokines (I-309, monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP)-1-3, regulated upon activation, normal T-cell expressed and secreted), ILs (IL-1, -8, -15), cytokines (leptin) as well as angiogenic growth factors [angiogenin (ANG), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), epidermal growth factor (EGF), Insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I]. These molecules were expressed at higher levels in Vdelta2+ than Vdelta1+ T cells. Nb challenge changed protein expression. TH2 cytokine and IFN-gamma release was blocked in both gammadelta-T-cell subsets. In Vdelta2 gammadelta-T-cells, TH1 cytokines were down-regulated and tumor growth-promoting factors (ANG, VEGF, EGF, and IGF-I) were strongly up-regulated. In contrast, Vdelta1+ gammadelta-T-cells stopped the release of tumor-supportive factors and tolerogenic TGF-beta, and strongly up-regulated TNF-alpha, TNF-beta, MCP-1 and -2 and maintained their IL-2 production. In summary, our data show that after being challenged with Nb cells, propagated Vdelta1+ rather than Vdelta2+ T cells support antitumor responses by secretion of proinflammatory cytokines. Furthermore, in contrast to other cell types, Vdelta1+ T cells do not sustain a growth-promoting or tolerogenic microenvironment. These data make Vdelta1+ T cells an ideal candidate for upcoming immunotherapy trials in Nb.
Polarisation of the ω meson in the pd→He3ω reaction at 1360 and 1450 MeV
2008-10-16

Abstract The tensor polarisation of ω mesons produced in the p d → He 3 ω reaction has been studied at two energies near threshold. The He 3 nuclei were detected in coincidence with the π 0 π + π − or π 0 γ decay products of the ω . In contrast to the case of φ -meson production, the ω mesons are found to be unpolarised. This brings into question the applicability of the Okubo–Zweig–Iizuka rule when comparing the production of vector mesons in low energy hadronic reactions.
Interplay and Effects of Temporal Changes in the Phosphorylation State of Serine-302, -307, and -318 of Insulin Receptor Substrate-1 on Insulin Action in Skeletal Muscle Cells
2008-10-17

Abstract Transduction of the insulin signal is mediated by multisite Tyr and Ser/Thr phosphorylation of the insulin receptor substrates (IRSs). Previous studies on the function of single-site phosphorylation, particularly phosphorylation of Ser-302, -307, and -318 of IRS-1, showed attenuating as well as enhancing effects on insulin action. In this study we investigated a possible cross talk of these opposedly acting serine residues in insulin-stimulated skeletal muscle cells by monitoring phosphorylation kinetics, and applying loss of function, gain of function, and combination mutants of IRS-1. The phosphorylation at Ser-302 was rapid and transient, followed first by Ser-318 phosphorylation and later by phosphorylation of Ser-307, which remained elevated for 120 min. Mutation of Ser-302 to alanine clearly reduced the subsequent protein kinase C-ζ-mediated Ser-318 phosphorylation. The Ser-307 phosphorylation was independent of Ser-302 and/or Ser-318 phosphorylation status. The functional consequences of these phosphorylation patterns were studied by the expression of IRS-1 mutants. The E302A307E318 mutant simulating the early phosphorylation pattern resulted in a significant increase in Akt and glycogen synthase kinase 3 phosphorylation. Furthermore, glucose uptake was enhanced. Because the down-regulation of the insulin signal was not affected, this phosphorylation pattern seems to be involved in the enhancement but not in the termination of the insulin signal. This enhancing effect was completely absent when Ser-302 was unphosphorylated and Ser-307 was phosphorylated as simulated by the A302E307E318 mutant. Phospho-Ser-318, sequentially phosphorylated at least by protein kinase C-ζ and a mammalian target of rapamycin/raptor-dependent kinase, was part of the positive as well as of the subsequent negative phosphorylation pattern. Thus we conclude that insulin stimulation temporally generates different phosphorylation statuses of the same residues that exert different functions in insulin signaling.
Experimental study of European bat lyssavirus type-2 infection in Daubenton's bats (Myotis daubentonii)
2008-10-17

European bat lyssavirus type 2 (EBLV-2) can be transmitted from Daubenton's bats to humans and cause rabies. EBLV-2 has been repeatedly isolated from Daubenton's bats in the UK but appears to be present at a low level within the native bat population. This has prompted us to investigate the disease in its natural host under experimental conditions, to assess its virulence, dissemination and likely means of transmission between insectivorous bats. With the exception of direct intracranial inoculation, only one of seven Daubenton's bats inoculated by subdermal inoculation became infected with EBLV-2. Both intramuscular and intranasal inoculation failed to infect the bats. No animal inoculated with EBLV-2 seroconverted during the study period. During infection, virus excretion in saliva (both viral RNA and live virus) was confirmed up to 3 days before the development of rabies. Disease was manifested as a gradual loss of weight prior to the development of paralysis and then death. The highest levels of virus were measured in the brain, with much lower levels of viral genomic RNA detected in the tongue, salivary glands, kidney, lung and heart. These observations are similar to those made in naturally infected Daubenton's bats and this is the first documented report of isolation of EBLV-2 in bat saliva. We conclude that EBLV-2 is most likely transmitted in saliva by a shallow bite.
The social psychology of knowledge management
2008-10-17

Purpose This article seeks to address the social aspects of handling knowledge and information. For this purpose, it considers findings from social psychology and discusses their applicability in knowledge management research and practice. Design/methodology/approach The article presents a selective but systematical review of recent social psychological literature that can be applied for knowledge management purposes. Findings Two social psychological concepts that strongly influence knowledge processes in organizations are first introduced: social norms and social identity. Two types of social processes that are particularly relevant for knowledge management subsequently take center stage in this article: knowledge sharing and knowledge processing in organizations. The roles social norms and social identity play in knowledge sharing and knowledge processing are then assessed. Originality/value Implications for knowledge management practice are considered: among other implications, it is discussed what computer‐mediated support can contribute to knowledge management processes in organizations with respect to both knowledge sharing and knowledge processing.
Manual stimulation of the orbicularis oculi muscle improves eyelid closure after facial nerve injury in adult rats
2008-10-17

Abstract We have shown that manual stimulation of rat whisker‐pad muscles following facial–facial‐anastomosis (FFA) restores normal whisking by lowering the proportion of polyinnervated motor endplates. Here we examined whether manual stimulation of the orbicularis oculi muscle (OOM) after FFA would also improve outcome. Blink responses to standardized air puffs were analyzed using video‐based motion analysis. Two months after FFA, blink capacity was impaired, as indicated by a largely increased minimum distance between the eyelids after air‐puff stimulation compared with intact rats (2.7 ± 0.4 vs. 0.2 ± 0.01 mm). Manual stimulation reduced this deficit by a factor of two (1.3 ± 0.5 mm). The functional improvement after manual stimulation was associated with a 2‐fold decrease in the proportion of polyinnervated OOM endplates (21 ± 10% vs. 42 ± 10% without manual stimulation, 0% in intact rats). We conclude that manual stimulation is a noninvasive and simple procedure with immediate potential for clinical rehabilitation of eyelid closure following facial nerve injury. Muscle Nerve, 2008
Computed tomography findings of human polyomavirus bk (bkv)-associated cystitis in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients
2008-10-17

Background: Over 70% of the general population worldwide is positive for antibodies against polyomavirus hominis type 1 (BKV). Polyomavirus can be reactivated in immunocompromised patients and thereby induce urogenital tract infection, including cystitis. Purpose: To describe the computed tomography (CT) findings of human polyomavirus-induced cystitis in adult patients after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allogeneic HCT). Material and Methods: The study population was a retrospective cohort of 11 consecutive adult patients (eight men, three women; age range 22–59 years, mean 42.9 years) who received allogeneic HCT between December 2003 and December 2007 and were tested positive for urinary BKV infection. All CT scans were evaluated with regard to bladder wall thickness, mucosal enhancement, distinct layering of thickened bladder wall, and presence of intravesical clots, perivesical stranding as well as attenuation values of intravesical urine. Clinical data concerning transplant and conditioning regimen variables and laboratory parameters were correlated with degree and extent of imaging findings. Results: All patients had clinical signs of cystitis with different degrees of thickening of the urinary bladder wall. Well-delineated urinary bladder layers were present in six patients. Thickening of the urinary bladder wall was continuous in nine of 11 patients. Increased attenuation of intravesical urine was found in seven patients with hemorrhagic cystitis. Four patients had intraluminal clots. Perivesical stranding was not a major CT finding, occurring in a mild fashion in three of 11 patients. The clinical classification of hemorrhagic cystitis did not correlate with the analyzed imaging parameters. Patient outcome was not influenced by this infectious complication. Conclusion: CT findings in patients with polyomavirus BK cystitis consist of different degrees of bladder wall thickening usually with good delineation of all mural layers and increased mucosal enhancement. These findings are not specific for BKV cystitis, but awareness of this differential diagnosis should help in the early diagnosis and correct management of this infectious complication.
Modulation of potassium channel function confers a hyperproliferative invasive phenotype on embryonic stem cells
2008-10-18

Ion transporters, and the resulting voltage gradients and electric fields, have been implicated in embryonic development and regeneration. These biophysical signals are key physiological aspects of the microenvironment that epigenetically regulate stem and tumor cell behavior. Here, we identify a previously unrecognized function for KCNQ1, a potassium channel known to be involved in human Romano–Ward and Jervell–Lange–Nielsen syndromes when mutated. Misexpression of its modulatory wild-type β-subunit XKCNE1 in the Xenopus embryo resulted in a striking alteration of the behavior of one type of embryonic stem cell: the pigment cell lineage of the neural crest. Depolarization of embryonic cells by misexpression of KCNE1 non-cell-autonomously induced melanocytes to overproliferate, spread out, and become highly invasive of blood vessels, liver, gut, and neural tube, leading to a deeply hyperpigmented phenotype. This effect is mediated by the up-regulation of Sox10 and Slug genes, thus linking alterations in ion channel function to the control of migration, shape, and mitosis rates during embryonic morphogenesis. Taken together, these data identify a role for the KCNQ1 channel in regulating key cell behaviors and reveal the molecular identity of a biophysical switch, by means of which neoplastic-like properties can be conferred upon a specific embryonic stem cell subpopulation.
The relation between design patterns and schema theory
2008-10-18

Patterns capture the design knowledge of experts. But how is this expertise represented by the expert? When we mine for patterns, what is the ground in which we seek? Are there patterns in our head? And if so, how do the patterns in our head relate to the design patterns in the real world and the patterns we document? This paper tries to give some answers by referring to the principles of psychological schema theory. Schemas are some sort of patterns in our heads. A special type of schema, the problem schema, has many features in common with design patterns. The paper will discuss how schemata are organized in memory, how they are activated and constructed. At the end, we will discuss implications for the mining of patterns.
Lateglacial and Holocene vegetation dynamics in the Aegean region: an integrated view based on pollen data from marine and terrestrial archives
2008-10-20

To elucidate the vegetation dynamics in the Aegean region during the last 20 kyr, we have studied terrestrial palynomorphs in marine core GeoTü SL152 (Mount Athos Basin, northern Aegean Sea) at centennial-scale (125 to 300 yr) resolution. The robust chronology of the core allows us to reliably date signals of short-term vegetation change in the Aegean region. For the Pleniglacial interval until ~14.6 kyr BP, our data document steppe vegetation, suggesting dry climatic conditions in the borderlands of the Aegean Sea. Subaerially exposed parts of the shelf were probably colonized by Pinus-dominated vegetation until shelf areas were flooded during Lateglacial sea-level rise. The final, rapid decrease of Pinus pollen percentages between ~14 and ~13 kyr BP appears to be connected to meltwater pulse MWP-1A. The Lateglacial interstadial complex (ie, Meiendorf, Bølling and Allerød) is characterized by the spread of oak trees, but also by the continuous presence of steppe elements, indicating only slightly increased humidity. The Younger Dryas chronozone was the driest interval of the past 20 kyr. Insufficient humidity was most likely also responsible for the ~2.0 kyr delay in Holocene reforestation in the Aegean region relative to western Greece. During the Holocene, the vegetation was repeatedly affected by centennial-scale episodes of reduced moisture availability. Radiocarbon-based age models of previously published pollen records imply strong discrepancies in vegetation development in the Aegean region, but there are reasons to doubt the accuracy of these age models. Here we use the well-dated pollen record from marine core SL152 and biostratigraphic correlation to propose revised chronologies for several published terrestrial pollen records. This re-assessment yields a spatiotemporally consistent pattern of vegetation dynamics in the borderlands of the Aegean Sea.
Liquid-gas phase transition in nuclear matter from realistic many-body approaches
2008-10-20

The existence of a liquid-gas phase transition for hot nuclear systems at subsaturation densities is a well-established prediction of finite-temperature nuclear many-body theory. In this paper, we discuss for the first time the properties of such a phase transition for homogeneous nuclear matter within the self-consistent Green's function approach. We find a substantial decrease of the critical temperature with respect to the Brueckner-Hartree-Fock approximation. Even within the same approximation, the use of two different realistic nucleon-nucleon interactions gives rise to large differences in the properties of the critical point.
Long-Term Measurement of Tremor
2008-10-20

To account for the fluctuating and context-dependent nature of tremor, the method of ambulatory long-term electromyography (EMG) was developed for quantification of this symptom. It is based on successive evaluation of 15-s intervals by using a fast Fourier transformation (FFT). The standard results obtained are (a) tremor occurrence, a measure of how many intervals contain tremor; (b) mean tremor intensity; and (v) mean tremor frequency. This new method fulfills the so-called "test criteria" such as reliability, validity, sensitivity, and specificity for tremor quantification in essential tremor (ET) and Parkinson's disease (PD). In addition, we developed a method of determining the antagonist activation pattern by using cross-correlation analysis, also based on the long-term approach. This allows differentiation between ET and PD with a high sensitivity and a high interrater reliability. We conclude that long-term EMG is useful for both quantification and differentiation of tremor.
A Combined Gas‐Phase Electron Diffraction/Mass Spectrometric Study of the Sublimation Processes of TeBr4 and TeI4: The Molecular Structure of Tellurium Dibromide and Tellurium Diiodide
2008-10-20

Abstract The sublimation processes of TeBr 4 at 471(5) K and TeI 4 at 373(5) K were studied with a combined gas‐phase electron diffraction and mass spectrometric technique (GED/MS). The mass spectra and the analysis of the GED intensities showed that a contribution of 40(3) mol‐% TeBr 2 , 59(3) mol‐% Br 2 , and 1 mol‐% TeBr 4 was formed in the vapor over TeBr 4 (s). Solid tellurium tetraiodide decomposes to form I 2 (g) and Te(s). A very small contribution of 3.3 ± 2.1 mol‐% of gaseous TeI 2 was also determined by both GED and MS. The “metallic” Te accumulated in the solid phase vaporizes at above ca. 670 K as the predominately Te 2 molcular species. Refinement of the GED intensities resulted in r g (Te–Br) = 2.480(5) Å and ∠ g Br–Te–Br = 99.0(6)° for TeBr 2 and r g (Te–I) = 2.693(9) Å and ∠ g (I–Te–I) = 103.1(22)° for TeI 2 . The small contribution of TeBr 4 observed in the mass spectra of the vapor over TeBr 4 could not be observed in the GED data. Geometric parameters and vibrational frequencies for the tellurium dihalides TeX 2 with X = F, Cl, Br, and I were calculated with B3LYP, MP2, CCSD, and CCSD(T) methods by using aug‐cc‐pVTZ basis sets and various core potentials for the tellurium atom. Bonding properties in tellurium dihalides are discussed on the basis of natural bond orbital analyses. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH &amp; Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2008)
Tin triggers suicidal death of erythrocytes
2008-10-20

Abstract Suicidal erythrocyte death or eryptosis is characterized by cell shrinkage and cell membrane scrambling with phosphatidylserine (PS) exposure at the erythrocyte surface. Triggers of eryptosis include increase in cytosolic Ca 2+ activity, formation of ceramide and energy depletion. Excessive eryptosis contributes to several anemic conditions. Intoxication with inorganic tin(II) may lead to anemia. The present study therefore explored whether tin influences eryptosis. To this end, erythrocytic phosphatidylserine exposure was estimated from annexin V‐binding, cell volume from forward scatter, cytosolic Ca 2+ activity from Fluo3 fluorescence, ceramide formation from binding of fluorescent antibodies and cytosolic ATP utilizing a luciferin–luciferase assay kit. Under control conditions, eryptosis was observed in less than 5% of the erythrocytes. Exposure to tin (1–100 μ m ) significantly increased the percentage of PS‐exposing erythrocytes and decreased cell volume. The effect was paralleled by an increase in the cytosolic Ca 2+ concentration, ceramide formation and a decrease of intracellular ATP concentration. In conclusion, tin triggers eryptosis, an effect at least partially due to Ca 2+ entry, ceramide formation and ATP depletion. The effect could contribute to tin‐induced anemia. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.
Quantitative Assessment of Postoperative Blood Collection in Brain Tumor Surgery Under Valproate Medication
2008-10-20

In our dataset, we found that tumor size had a significant effect on postoperative blood volume. In contrast, no serious bleeding complications occurred in the patients receiving VPA. Therefore, the present study does not provide any evidence for the need to discontinue VPA medication prior to and during surgery.