The Egyptian Cardiothoracic Surgeon (ECTS - E-Journal)
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A central role for hepatic conventional dendritic cells in supporting Th2 responses during helminth infection.
No full textDendritic cells (DCs) are the key initiators of T helper (Th) 2 immune responses against the parasitic helminth Schistosoma mansoni. Although the liver is one of the main sites of Ag deposition during infection with this parasite, it is not yet clear how distinct DC subtypes in this tissue respond to S. mansoni Ags in vivo, or how the liver microenvironment might influence DC function during establishment of the Th2 response. In this study, we show that hepatic DC subsets undergo distinct activation processes in vivo following murine infection with S. mansoni. Conventional DCs (cDCs) from schistosome-infected mice up-regulated expression of the costimulatory molecule CD40 and were capable of priming naïve CD4(+) T cells, whereas plasmacytoid DCs (pDCs) up-regulated expression of MHC class II, CD86 and CD40 but were unable to support the expansion of either naïve or effector/memory CD4(+) T cells. Importantly, in vivo depletion of pDCs revealed that this subset was dispensable for either maintenance or regulation of the hepatic Th2 effector response during acute S. mansoni infection. Our data provides strong evidence that S. mansoni infection favours the establishment of an immunogenic, rather than tolerogenic, liver microenvironment that conditions cDCs to initiate and maintain Th2 immunity in the context of ongoing Ag exposure.Immunology and Cell Biology accepted article preview online, 11 December 2015. doi:10.1038/icb.2015.114
The Enduring Effect of Time-Series Momentum on Stock Returns over nearly 100-Years
No full textThis study documents the significant profitability of “time-series momentum” strategies in individual stocks in the US markets from 1927 to 2014 and in international markets since 1975. Unlike cross-sectional momentum, time-series stock momentum performs well following both up- and down-market states, and it does not suffer from January losses and market crashes. An easily formed dual-momentum strategy, combining time-series and cross-sectional momentum, generates striking returns of 1.88% per month. We test both risk based and behavioral models for the existence and durability of time-series momentum and suggest the latter offers unique insights into its continuing factor dominance
Corporate adaptation behaviour to deal with climate change: The influence of firm-specific interpretations of physical climate impacts
No full textWhile business tends to be seen as a substantial factor in causing climate change, climate-induced physical changes can also pose major challenges to firms in return. Firms can reduce their vulnerability to these changes by defining and implementing an adaptation strategy. Based on an empirical analysis of the oil and gas industry, this paper examines how the way firms interpret climate events in terms of awareness and vulnerability informs their measures to adapt to climate-induced physical change. In the empirical analysis, the paper derives four types of adaptation behaviour – pre-emptive, reactive, continuous, and deferred adaptation – that correspond with different degrees of awareness and vulnerability. The paper concludes with implications for management practice and policymakers
Micro-variation in information structure: Existential constructions in Italo-Romance (to appear in 2013)
No full textInterleukin 17-A inhibition in the treatment of psoriasis.
No full textInterleukin (IL) 17-A appears to be integral to the pathogenesis of chronic plaque psoriasis. Recent clinical trials have shown that blockade of this cytokine with the biologic therapies-secukinumab, ixekizumab and brodalumab-have led to unprecedented treatment efficacy for psoriasis. In addition, their dual efficacy towards psoriatic arthritis increases their potential clinical utility and they promise to be an important treatment option for patients who have tumour necrosis factor inhibitor resistant disease. Here, we present the evidence for the high treatment efficacy of the IL-17A inhibitors but also discuss some potential questions and areas of research needed, including the lack of evidence behind the drug survival, immunogenicity and safety profile
