The transcription factor T-bet (Tbx21) plays a major role in adaptive immunity and is required for optimal IFN-gamma production by DCs. Here we demonstrate an essential function for T-bet in DCs in controlling inflammatory arthritis. We show that collagen antibody-induced arthritis (CAIA), a model of human RA, is a bipartite disease characterized by an early innate immune system component intac...

Previously, defined naturally occurring isoforms of allergenic proteins were classified as hypoallergens and therefore suggested as an agent for immunotherapy in the future. In this paper, we report for the first time the molecular background of hypoallergenicity by comparing the immunological behavior of hyperallergenic Betula verrucosa major Ag 1a (Bet v 1a) and hypoallergenic Bet v 1d, two i...

The protein Bet v 1 represents the main cause for allergic reactions to birch pollen in Europe and North America. Structurally homologous isoforms of Bet v 1 can have different properties regarding allergic sensitization and Th2 polarization, most likely due to differential susceptibility to proteolytic cleavage. Using NMR relaxation experiments and molecular dynamics simulations, we demonstrat...

Elusive bugs can be particularly expensive because they often survive testing and are released in a deployed system. They are characterized as involving a combination of properties. One approach to their detection is bounded exhaustive testing (BET). This paper describes how to implement BET using a variation of JUnit, called BETUnit. The idea of a BET pattern is also introduced. BET patterns d...

The tripod (ding 鼎) and the nine tripods (jiuding 九鼎) are significant in ancient China, appearing often Daoist alchemy. However, they have been largely ignored by scholarship on Daoism. Early alchemy saw as critical elements production of immortality, but outer (waidan 外丹) gave up refining elixir due to technical reasons. was merely mentioned elaboration Later, Southern Song dynasty, inner (nei...

Background Birch pollen-allergic subjects often develop Bet v 1-specific IgE that cross-reacts with homologous food allergens. Bet v 1 and its homologs in pollen and food display exclusively conformational epitopes. We established a system to specifically analyze epitope cross-reactivity of Bet v 1-related allergens. The enzyme norcoclaurine synthase (NCS) from Thalictrum flavum is structurally...

We describe for the first time, the synthesis and some bioconjugation applications of an original heterotrifunctional cross-linking reagent (also named tripod) bearing three different bioorthogonal functional groups which are fully compatible amongst themselves. Contrary to the first generation tripod recently reported by us (Org. Biomol. Chem., 2008, 6, 3065), the use of an azido group instead...

In this paper we provide a vibration analysis model and the modeling method for a fully flexible 3-Parallel-Revolute-joint-and-Spherical-joint (3PRS) manipulator—a sliding-leg tripod with flexible links and joints. A series of tripod configurations are set by rigid kinematics for simulation and experiment. All the links are modeled by finite elements: triangular membranes combined with bending ...

This paper defines the concept of the ‘tripod’ method of design that uses VDC modeling (multi-disciplinary performance-based virtual design and construction modeling), an integrated POP model (a formal and integrated model of Product, Organization and Process of the project) and Extreme Collaboration (a very rapid concurrent and technologically enabled social process of design). The paper focus...