University of South Florida

About: University of South Florida is a education organization based out in Tampa, Florida, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Poison control. The organization has 34231 authors who have published 72644 publications receiving 2538044 citations. The organization is also known as: USF.

The microglial "activation" continuum: from innate to adaptive responses

Abstract: Microglia are innate immune cells of myeloid origin that take up residence in the central nervous system (CNS) during embryogenesis While classically regarded as macrophage-like cells, it is becoming increasingly clear that reactive microglia play more diverse roles in the CNS Microglial "activation" is often used to refer to a single phenotype; however, in this review we consider that a continuum of microglial activation exists, with phagocytic response (innate activation) at one end and antigen presenting cell function (adaptive activation) at the other Where activated microglia fall in this spectrum seems to be highly dependent on the type of stimulation provided We begin by addressing the classical roles of peripheral innate immune cells including macrophages and dendritic cells, which seem to define the edges of this continuum We then discuss various types of microglial stimulation, including Toll-like receptor engagement by pathogen-associated molecular patterns, microglial challenge with myelin epitopes or Alzheimer's β-amyloid in the presence or absence of CD40L co-stimulation, and Alzheimer disease "immunotherapy" Based on the wide spectrum of stimulus-specific microglial responses, we interpret these cells as immune cells that demonstrate remarkable plasticity following activation This interpretation has relevance for neurodegenerative/neuroinflammatory diseases where reactive microglia play an etiological role; in particular viral/bacterial encephalitis, multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer disease

Single-marker identification of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cancer stem cells with aldehyde dehydrogenase.

Abstract: Background. In accord with the cancer stem cell (CSC) theory, only a small subset of cancer cells are capable of forming tumors. We previously reported that CD44 isolates tumorigenic cells from head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC). Recent studies indicate that aldehyde dehydrogen- ase (ALDH) activity may represent a more specific marker of CSCs. Methods. Six primary HNSCCs were collected. Cells with high and low ALDH activity (ALDH high /ALDH low ) were isolated. ALDH high and ALDH low populations were implanted into NOD/

Three Avenues for Future Research on Creativity, Innovation, and Initiative

Abstract: La creativite, l’innovation et l’initiative sont des processus psychologiques qui facilitent la transformation des roles professionnels individuels, des equipes et des organisations en ce qui est souhaitable. Cet article est donc axe sur des orientations de recherche virtuelles de ce secteur de plus en plus important. Plus precisement, nous indiquons trois graves lacunes, a savoir la necessite d’une plus grande differenciation des processus, d’une integration des concepts et d’une analyse transculturelle. Tout d’abord, les differents antecedents potentiels de la creativite specifique ou des phases de l’innovation ont beneficie d’une attention insuffisante. Ensuite, la recherche sur la creativite et l’innovation peut etre enrichie par une integration des concepts de proactivite recemment developpes telles que l’initiative personelle et la parole. Enfin, les differences transculturelles dans les valeurs, les orientations motivationnelles et les preferences relatives au leadership peuvent rendre compte de la facon dont la creativite et l’innovation sont mises en œuvre et cultivees a travers le monde. Eu egard a chacun de ces futurs defis, nous faisons des suggestions pour des avancees theoriques et empiriques et discutons des developpements virtuels pratiques et methodologiques. Creativity, innovation, and initiative are psychological processes that facilitate the transformation of individual work roles, teams, and organisations into desired future states. Therefore, the present paper focuses on potential research trends in this increasingly important area. Specifically, we identify three substantive gaps reflecting the needs for greater process differentiation, concept integration, and cross-cultural analysis. First, potential differential antecedents of specific creativity or innovation phases have received insufficient attention. Second, the creativity and innovation research domain may benefit from an integration of recently developed proactivity concepts such as personal initiative and voice behavior. Third, cross-cultural differences in values, motivational orientations, and leadership preferences may determine how creativity and innovation are enacted and cultivated across the globe. With respect to each of these future challenges, we provide suggestions for theoretical and empirical advancements and discuss potential practical and methodological developments.

Constitutive activation of Stat3 in fibroblasts transformed by diverse oncoproteins and in breast carcinoma cells

Abstract: Signal transducers and activators of transcription (STATs) were originally identified as key components of signaling pathways involved in mediating responses to IFNs. Previous studies showed that the Src oncoprotein constitutively activates one STAT family member, Stat3. In this study, we investigated STAT activation in a panel of rodent fibroblast cell lines stably transformed by diverse viral oncoproteins. Using a temperature-sensitive mutant of v-Src, we determined that Stat3 is activated within 15 min of shift from nonpermissive to permissive temperature for cell transformation. This finding indicates that v-Src tyrosine kinase activity is required for Stat3 activation and suggests that Stat3 is proximal to signaling initiated by Src. In addition, Stat3 activation is induced by another nonreceptor tyrosine kinase, v-Fps; by polyoma virus middle T antigen, which activates Src family kinases; and by v-Sis, which acts as a ligand for the platelet-derived growth factor receptor. In contrast SV40 large T antigen, which transforms cells through different mechanisms, and the v-Ras and v-Raf oncoproteins, which lie in signaling pathways downstream of tyrosine kinases, do not activate Stat3. We did not detect significant activation of Stat1, Stat5, or Stat6 in fibroblasts transformed by the viral oncoproteins investigated. Moreover, Stat3 is activated in response to epidermal growth factor (EGF) but not heregulins in immortalized normal human breast epithelial cells. Because constitutive activation of c-Src and EGF receptor kinases is associated with the progression of breast cancer, we examined activation of STATs in human cell lines derived from breast carcinomas. We detected constitutive activation of Stat3 in five of nine breast carcinoma cell lines but not in normal breast epithelial cells. Furthermore, experiments with an EGF receptor-specific inhibitor indicated that the constitutive activation of Stat3 in these breast carcinoma cell lines is not necessarily dependent on signaling through the EGF receptor, although EGF stimulation further increases Stat3 activation. Taken together, our results demonstrate that selective activation of Stat3 is a common event during oncogenic transformation that directly or indirectly involves activation of specific tyrosine kinase signaling pathways.

Measuring Epistemic Curiosity and Its Diversive and Specific Components

Abstract: A questionnaire constructed to assess epistemic curiosity (EC) and perceptual curiosity (PC) curiosity was administered to 739 undergraduates (546 women, 193 men) ranging in age from 18 to 65. The study participants also responded to the trait anxiety, anger, depression, and curiosity scales of the State-Trait Personality Inventory (STPI; Spielberger et al., 1979) and selected subscales of the Sensation Seeking (SSS; Zuckerman, Kolin, Price, & Zoob, 1964) and Novelty Experiencing (NES; Pearson, 1970) scales. Factor analyses of the curiosity items with oblique rotation identified EC and PC factors with clear simple structure. Subsequent analyses of the EC items provided the basis for developing an EC scale, with Diversive and Specific Curiosity subscales. Moderately high correlations of the EC scale and subscales with other measures of curiosity provided strong evidence of convergent validity. Divergent validity was demonstrated by minimal correlations with trait anxiety and the sensation-seeking measures,...