- Relocation of CLIC1 Promotes Tumor Cell Invasion and Colonization of Fibrin
- Gurski, Lisa A., Knowles, Lynn M., Basse, Per H., Maranchie, Jodi K., Watkins, Simon C., Pilch, Jan | Molecular cancer research (v.13 / no.2 / pp.273-280 / 20151541-7786)
- Chloride intracellular channel 1 (CLIC1) has been shown to be upregulated in various malignancies but its exact function remains unclear. Here, it is revealed that CLIC1
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Chloride intracellular channel 1 (CLIC1) has been shown to be upregulated in various malignancies but its exact function remains unclear. Here, it is revealed that CLIC1 is critical for the stability of invadopodia in endothelial and tumor cells embedded in a 3-dimensional (3D) matrix of fibrin. Invadopodia stability was associated with the capacity of CLIC1 to induce stress fiber and fibronectin matrix formation following its #x03B2;3 integrin (ITGB3)-mediated recruitment into invadopodia. This pathway, in turn, was relevant for fibrin colonization as well as slug (SNAI2) expression and correlated with a significant role of CLIC1 in metastasis in vivo . Mechanistically, a reduction of myosin light chain kinase (MYLK) in CLIC1-depleted as well as #x03B2;3 integrin-depleted cells suggests an important role of CLIC1 for integrin-mediated actomyosin dynamics in cells embedded in fibrin. Overall, these results indicate that CLIC1 is an important contributor to tumor invasion, metastasis, and angiogenesis. Implications: This study uncovers an important new function of CLIC1 in the regulation of cell #x2013;extracellular matrix interactions and ability of tumor cells to metastasize to distant organs. Mol Cancer Res; 13(2); 273 #x2013;80. #x00A9;2014 AACR .
- Probing the chain segment mobility at the interface of semi-crystalline polylactide/clay nanocomposites
- Saiter, A., Delpouve, N., Dargent, E., Oberhauser, W., Conzatti, L., Cicogna, F., Passaglia, E. | European polymer journal (v.78 / pp.274-289 / 20160014-3057)
- The concept of Cooperative Rearranging Region (CRR), an efficient probe of the interaction level in nanocomposites, has been used in Poly(lactic acid) (PLA)-based composi
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The concept of Cooperative Rearranging Region (CRR), an efficient probe of the interaction level in nanocomposites, has been used in Poly(lactic acid) (PLA)-based composites with phyllosilicates prepared in the melt with organomontmorillonite (O-MMT) and using poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) as coupling agent. The samples were crystallized from various thermal treatments in order to obtain a wide range of morphologies and microstructures and accurately characterized by XRD, TEM, standard DSC and MT-DSC with the aim to highlight the effect of lamellae dispersion and distribution at nanoscale onto the thermal features of resulting nanocomposites. The presence of different interaction levels at the interface PLA/O-MMT, even tuned by the presence of PBAT, affects both the crystalline phase structure (by differently promoting crystallization of alpha; and alpha;' forms) and the distribution between the amorphous fractions (rigid and mobile). The variations of molecular dynamics are classified in two categories depending on the composite microstructure. Only in amorphous materials the cooperativity is driven by the filler/matrix interactions. In semi-crystalline materials, the morphological features linked to the presence of O-MMT and PBAT are overwhelmed by the confinement of the amorphous phase. Comparison between the two crystallization modes evidences a stronger change in the glass transition dynamics for systems exhibiting preponderant nucleation and high percentage of rigid amorphous fraction.
- Cultural diversity and mental health
- Gopalkrishnan, Narayan, Babacan, Hurriyet | Australasian psychiatry : bulletin of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (v.23 / no.6 / pp.6-8 / 20151039-8562)
- Objective: Cultural diversity and its impact on mental health has become an increasingly important issue in a globalised world where the interactions between cultures co
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Objective: Cultural diversity and its impact on mental health has become an increasingly important issue in a globalised world where the interactions between cultures continue to grow exponentially. This paper presents critical areas in which culture impacts on mental health, such as how health and illness are perceived, coping styles, treatment-seeking patterns, impacts of history, racism, bias and stereotyping, gender, family, stigma and discrimination. Conclusions: While cultural differences provide a number of challenges to mental health policy and practice they also provide a number of opportunities to work in unique and effective ways towards positive mental health. Ethno-specific approaches to mental health that incorporate traditional and community-based systems can provide new avenues for working with culturally diverse populations.
- Nicht-immuner Hydrops fetalis in Folge Parvovirus B19 Infektion bei 2 extrem frUhgeborenen Kindern: Perinatales Management und Langzeit-Outcome
- Welcker, S., Heckmann, M. | Zeitschrift f uuml;r Geburtshilfe und Neonatologie (v.219 / no.3 / pp.144-147 / 20150948-2393)
- Parvovirus B19 (B19V) infection during pregnancy can lead to fetal damage and even fetal loss. In some cases a severe fetal anemia with hydrops fetalis occurs. An intraut
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Parvovirus B19 (B19V) infection during pregnancy can lead to fetal damage and even fetal loss. In some cases a severe fetal anemia with hydrops fetalis occurs. An intrauterine red blood cell transfusion can reduce the mortality rate. Neurodevelopmental outcome after fetal B19V infection is affected by fetal anemia and presumably direct infection of the CNS. There are only a few studies on long-term neurodevelopmental outcome after B19V infection induced hydrops fetalis. There are hardly any long-term data especially in preterm infants. We report on the long-term outcomes of 2 extremely preterm children after non-immune hydrops fetalis due to intrauterine B19V Infection.
- Clic1 plays a role in mouse hepatocarcinoma via modulating Annexin A7 and Gelsolin in vitro and in vivo
- Zhang, J., Li, M., Song, M., Chen, W., Mao, J., Song, L., Wei, Y., Huang, Y., Tang, J. | Biomedicine pharmacotherapy = Biom eacute;decine pharmacoth eacute;rapie (v.69 / pp.416-419 / 20150753-3322)
- Clic1 is a member of the family of chloride intracellular ion channels. Previous studies suggest that Clic1 is involved in migration and invasion of the lymphatic metasta
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Clic1 is a member of the family of chloride intracellular ion channels. Previous studies suggest that Clic1 is involved in migration and invasion of the lymphatic metastasis in hepatocarcinoma, however, the mechanism is not fully understood. In the present study, we observed Clic1 is abundant in cytoplasm, higher expression in Hca-F cell than Hca-P cell, and we showed that downregulation of Clic1 by RNA interference was able to markedly enhance the expression of tumor metastasis genes Annexin A7 and Gelsolin in vitro, and downregulation of Annexin A7 and Gelsolin also enhanced the expression of Clic1 in vitro and in vivo. Our results provide novel insight that Clic1 have a role in migration and invasion in hepatocarcinoma maybe via modulating the expression of Annexin A7 and Gelsolin, and provide novel insight into the mechanisms of Clic1 for hepatocarcinoma treatment.
- Using reasoned imagination to learn about cascading hazards: a pilot study
- Mignan, Arnaud, Scolobig, Anna, Sauron, Anne | Disaster prevention and management (v.25 / no.3 / pp.329-344 / 20160965-3562)
- Purpose ndash; The purpose of this paper is to present the results of a pilot study involving high school teachers in natural sciences. The aim was to foster critical t
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Purpose ndash; The purpose of this paper is to present the results of a pilot study involving high school teachers in natural sciences. The aim was to foster critical thinking about cascading hazards via the use of reasoned imagination. Cascading phenomena can lead to extreme catastrophes and are thus a challenge for disaster prevention and management. Design/methodology/approach ndash; Following a presentation listing some known cascading phenomena, the participants completed a questionnaire consisting of a blank hazard correlation matrix (HCM) and some open-ended questions. The HCM qualitatively described possible interactions between 16 different perils selected from a large spectrum of natural, technological and socio-economic hazards. Findings ndash; Most participants were able to describe cascading phenomena within the HCM by reducing them into sets of one-to-one interactions. Based on their experience and imagination, the participants foresaw additional interactions that were not discussed, never observed but are scientifically plausible. The majority of the respondents reported that they learnt something new and wanted to learn more about cascading hazards. Originality/value ndash; The HCM is especially effective in translating complex hazard scenarios into basic interactions and vice versa. Being imaginative (here via the use of reasoned imagination) and accessible, the HCM could be used as basis for transformative learning in the education of the public and of practitioners on the role of cascading hazards in catastrophes.
- Trimerization of the HIV Transmembrane Domain in Lipid Bilayers Modulates Broadly Neutralizing Antibody Binding
- Reichart, Timothy M., Baksh, Michael M., Rhee, Jin #8208, Kyu, Fiedler, Jason D., Sligar, Stephen G., Finn, M. G., Zwick, Michael B., Dawson, Philip E. | Angewandte Chemie (v.128 / no.8 / pp.2738-2742 / 20160044-8249)
- Abstract The membrane #8208;proximal external region (MPER) of HIV gp41 is an established target of antibodies that neutralize a broad range of HIV isolates. To evaluate
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Abstract The membrane #8208;proximal external region (MPER) of HIV gp41 is an established target of antibodies that neutralize a broad range of HIV isolates. To evaluate the role of the transmembrane (TM) domain, synthetic MPER #8208;derived peptides were incorporated into lipid nanoparticles using natural and designed TM domains, and antibody affinity was measured using immobilized and solution #8208;based techniques. Peptides incorporating the native HIV TM domain exhibit significantly stronger interactions with neutralizing antibodies than peptides with a monomeric TM domain. Furthermore, a peptide with a trimeric, three #8208;helix bundle TM domain recapitulates the binding profile of the native sequence. These studies suggest that neutralizing antibodies can bind the MPER when the TM domain is a three #8208;helix bundle and this presentation could influence the binding of neutralizing antibodies to the virus. Lipid #8208;bilayer presentation of viral antigens in Nanodiscs is a new platform for evaluating neutralizing antibodies.
- Chloride intracellular channel 1 (CLIC1) is activated and functions as an oncogene in pancreatic cancer.
- Lu, Jianhua, Dong, Qian, Zhang, Bingtai, Wang, Xuefeng, Ye, Bin, Zhang, Fei, Song, Xiaoling, Gao, Guofeng, Mu, Jiasheng, Wang, Zheng, Ma, Fei, Gu, Jun | Medical oncology (v.32 / no.6 / pp.616 / 20151357-0560)
- Chloride intracellular channel 1 (CLIC1), a newly discovered member of the chloride channel protein family, has been implicated in multiple human cancers. However, little
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Chloride intracellular channel 1 (CLIC1), a newly discovered member of the chloride channel protein family, has been implicated in multiple human cancers. However, little is known with regard to its expression and biological functions in pancreatic cancer. In this study, we focused on the clinical significance and biological functions of CLIC1 in pancreatic cancer and found that this protein was overexpressed in pancreatic cancer tissues. Patients with CLIC1-positive tumours had worse overall survival than those with CLIC1-negative tumours. Furthermore, the treatment of pancreatic cancer cell lines with CLIC1-targeting siRNA oligonucleotides significantly reduced cell proliferation and diminished anchorage-independent growth on both soft agar and cell migration. These data indicate that CLIC1 acts as a putative oncogene in pancreatic cancer and may represent a novel diagnostic and therapeutic target for pancreatic cancer.
- Impurity segregation in zone-refined precursors for crystalline halide scintillators
- Swider, S., Lam, S., Motakef, S., Donohoe, E., Coers, L., Taylor, S., Spencer, S. | Nuclear instruments methods in physics research. Section A, Accelerators, spectrometers, detectors and associated equipment (v.784 / pp.5-8 / 20150168-9002)
- Successful growth of halide scintillator crystals depends on a supply of ultra-high purity (UHP) precursor materials. Metallic interstitials and substitutions may provide
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Successful growth of halide scintillator crystals depends on a supply of ultra-high purity (UHP) precursor materials. Metallic interstitials and substitutions may provide traps that quench luminescence. Oxygen impurities can create competing compounds within a matrix, such as oxyhalides, that disrupt crystallinity and nucleate cracks. Using mass spectroscopy and oxygen combustion analysis, we analyzed impurities in SrI 2 , EuI 2 , and YCl 3 precursors before and after zone refining. The data show most alkali and alkali earth impurities segregated easily. However, with the exception of iron, many transition metals were incorporated into the solid. Reliable oxygen measurements proved difficult to achieve. Additional oxygen was measured in nitrates and sulfates, via ion chromatography. Zone refining reduced the overall impurity content, but levels remained above a 10ppm target.
- Sex-Steroid Imbalance in Females and Dry Eye
- Versura, Piera, Giannaccare, Giuseppe, Campos, Emilio C. | Current eye research (v.40 / no.2 / pp.162-175 / 20150271-3683)
- Dry eye (DE) is a multifactorial disorder of the ocular surface unit that results in eye discomfort, visual disturbance and ocular surface damage. It is one of the most c
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Dry eye (DE) is a multifactorial disorder of the ocular surface unit that results in eye discomfort, visual disturbance and ocular surface damage. It is one of the most common complaints in daily ophthalmic practice. The risk of DE increases with age in both sexes, while its incidence is higher among females. In addition, the condition of menopause in aging women may also contribute to DE onset or worsening as a consequence of an overall hormonal imbalance. Sex hormones play a key role in ocular surface physiology and they impact differently on ocular surface tissues. Reduced estrogen levels were historically thought to be responsible in age-related DE onset but more recent investigations have reconsidered the role of androgens that are present and exert a protective function on the ocular surface. Hormone levels themselves, withdrawal changes in hormone levels, and the changes in hormone-receptor responsiveness are all important factors but it remains to be fully elucidated how estrogen or androgen insufficiency act alone or together in a combined imbalance or interplay to raise the risk of disease. The purpose of this review is to briefly outline current scientific evidence on the influence of androgens and estrogens, on the Lachrymal and Meibomian glands and on ocular surface epithelia including conjunctival goblet cells during reproductive and menopausal periods. The role of sex steroids is also discussed in relation to the pathogenesis of different forms of DE and Sjogren rsquo;s syndrome (SS). The impact of systemic hormone therapy (HT) in DE post-menopausal women still appears as a controversial issue, despite the many clinical studies. Finally, the outcomes of topical applications of steroid-based products are summarized, underlying the need for potential (tear) biomarker(s) in the rationale of DE-targeted therapy.
- Effect of crystallinity and plasticizer on mechanical properties and tissue integration of starch-based materials from two botanical origins
- Velasquez, D., Pavon-Djavid, G., Chaunier, L., Meddahi-Pelle, A., Lourdin, D. | Carbohydrate polymers (v.124 / pp.180-187 / 20150144-8617)
- The application of starch-based materials for biomedical purposes has attracted significant interest due to their biocompatibility. The physical properties and crystal st
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The application of starch-based materials for biomedical purposes has attracted significant interest due to their biocompatibility. The physical properties and crystal structure of materials based on potato starch (PS) and amylomaize starch (AMS) were studied under physiological conditions. PS plasticized with 20% glycerol presented the best mechanical properties with an elastic modulus of 1.6MPa and a weak swelling, remaining stable for 30 days. The in vitro cell viability of 3T3 cells after contact with extracts from PS and AMS with 20% glycerol is 72% and 80%, respectively. PS presented good tissue integration and no significant inflammation or foreign body response after 30 days intra-muscular implantation in a rat model, contrary to AMS. It was shown that glycerol plasticization favors a fast B-type crystallization of PS materials, enhancing their mechanical strength and durability, and making them a good candidate for bioresorbable and biocompatible materials for implantable medical devices.
- Chloride Accumulators NKCC1 and AE2 in Mouse GnRH Neurons: Implications for GABAA Mediated Excitation.
- Taylor-Burds, Carol, Cheng, Paul, Wray, Susan | PloS one (v.10 / no.6 / pp.0131076 / 2015)
- A developmental 'switch' in chloride transporters occurs in most neurons resulting in GABAA mediated hyperpolarization in the adult. However, several neuronal cell subtyp
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A developmental 'switch' in chloride transporters occurs in most neurons resulting in GABAA mediated hyperpolarization in the adult. However, several neuronal cell subtypes maintain primarily depolarizing responses to GABAA receptor activation. Among this group are gonadotropin-releasing hormone-1 (GnRH) neurons, which control puberty and reproduction. NKCC1 is the primary chloride accumulator in neurons, expressed at high levels early in development and contributes to depolarization after GABAA receptor activation. In contrast, KCC2 is the primary chloride extruder in neurons, expressed at high levels in the adult and contributes to hyperpolarization after GABAA receptor activation. Anion exchangers (AEs) are also potential modulators of responses to GABAA activation since they accumulate chloride and extrude bicarbonate. To evaluate the mechanism(s) underlying GABAA mediated depolarization, GnRH neurons were analyzed for 1) expression of chloride transporters and AEs in embryonic, pre-pubertal, and adult mice 2) responses to GABAA receptor activation in NKCC1-/- mice and 3) function of AEs in these responses. At all ages, GnRH neurons were immunopositive for NKCC1 and AE2 but not KCC2 or AE3. Using explants, calcium imaging and gramicidin perforated patch clamp techniques we found that GnRH neurons from NKCC1-/- mice retained relatively normal responses to the GABAA agonist muscimol. However, acute pharmacological inhibition of NKCC1 with bumetanide eliminated the depolarization/calcium response to muscimol in 40% of GnRH neurons from WT mice. In the remaining GnRH neurons, HCO3- mediated mechanisms accounted for the remaining calcium responses to muscimol. Collectively these data reveal mechanisms responsible for maintaining depolarizing GABAA mediated transmission in GnRH neurons.
- Anti-infective Natural Products from Cyanobacteria
- Niedermeyer, Timo Horst Johannes | Planta medica (v.81 / no.15 / pp.1309-1325 / 20150032-0943)
- Cyanobacteria are a promising yet underexplored source for novel natural products with potent biological activities. While predominantly cytotoxic compounds have been iso
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Cyanobacteria are a promising yet underexplored source for novel natural products with potent biological activities. While predominantly cytotoxic compounds have been isolated from cyanobacteria in the past, there are also a significant number of compounds known that possess anti-infective activities. As the need for novel anti-infective lead compounds is high, this manuscript aims at giving a concise overview on the current knowledge about anti-infective secondary metabolites isolated from cyanobacteria. Antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, antiprotozoal, and molluscicidal activities are discussed. Covering up to February 2015.
- OEE enhancement in SMEs through mobile maintenance: a TPM concept
- Jain, Abhishek, Bhatti, Rajbir S., Singh, Harwinder | The International journal of quality reliability management (v.32 / no.5 / pp.503-516 / 20150265-671x)
- Purpose ndash; The purpose of this paper is to introduce mobile maintenance a new concept of total productive maintenance (TPM) implementation practice, especially in s
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Purpose ndash; The purpose of this paper is to introduce mobile maintenance a new concept of total productive maintenance (TPM) implementation practice, especially in small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs). This study tries to introduce this new concept for SMEs in SMEs to help traditional maintenance program which is already available in particular industries. Design/methodology/approach ndash; The approach is to study the role of mobile maintenance (a part of TPM program) in context of Indian industries either from small and medium scale to large scale industries through overall equipment effectiveness (OEE). Findings ndash; Researchers evolutes a new maintenance concept of TPM implementation practice as mobile maintenance concept in SMEs for enhancing OEE of equipments to improve competitiveness of SMEs in a globalized market. This mobile maintenance strategy can reduce major breakdowns, setup and adjustment losses and improve productivity, product quality and OEE of equipments. Research limitations/implications ndash; In the dynamic and highly challenging environment, reliable manufacturing equipments are regarded as the major contributor to the performance and profitability of manufacturing systems. A researcher has found that some SMEs of Banmore industrial areas is also using mobile maintenance and preventive maintenance along with traditional maintenance process and getting improvements in the maintenance process as well as machine reliability and OEE of equipments. After the globalization of market, SMEs has got many opportunities to work on integration with large-scale organizations. Originality/value ndash; It will be very benefitted for the Indian SMEs. SMEs can improve machine availability and OEE by implementing this mobile maintenance concept especially in SMEs.
- Protection of Non-Trade Values in WTO Appellate Body Jurisprudence: Exceptions, Economic Arguments, and Eluding Questions
- Andersen, Henrik | Journal of international economic law (v.18 / no.2 / pp.383-405 / 20151369-3034)
- The article suggests that the constitutional scope of the WTO leaves a wide space for the Appellate Body to protect non-trade values. That has, to some extent, materializ
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The article suggests that the constitutional scope of the WTO leaves a wide space for the Appellate Body to protect non-trade values. That has, to some extent, materialized in Appellate Body practice; human health and environment are attaining general protection across the WTO treaties. They are recognized as vital and important values and protected through the exceptions in the WTO treaties. However, the Appellate Body has also found ways to protect those values without resorting to the exceptions. Instead, they are part of an economic argument in national treatment analyses and they are part of economic externality assessments in subsidy determinations. It is, however, still unsettled how other vital values, like those which can fall under peremptory norms, can be protected by the Appellate Body and whether its current approach provides the necessary tools for their protection.
- Action seniors! - secondary falls prevention in community-dwelling senior fallers: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.
- Liu-Ambrose, Teresa, Davis, Jennifer C, Hsu, Chun Liang, Gomez, Caitlin, Vertes, Kelly, Marra, Carlo, Brasher, Penelope M, Dao, Elizabeth, Khan, Karim M, Cook, Wendy, Donaldson, Meghan G, Rhodes, Ryan, Dian, Larry | Trials (v.16 / pp.144 / 2015)
- Falls are a #039;geriatric giant #039; and are the third leading cause of chronic disability worldwide. About 30% of community-dwellers over the age of 65 experience one
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Falls are a #039;geriatric giant #039; and are the third leading cause of chronic disability worldwide. About 30% of community-dwellers over the age of 65 experience one or more falls every year leading to significant risk for hospitalization, institutionalization, and even death. As the proportion of older adults increases, falls will place an increasing demand and cost on the health care system. Exercise can effectively and efficiently reduce falls. Specifically, the Otago Exercise Program has demonstrated benefit and cost-effectiveness for the primary prevention of falls in four randomized trials of community-dwelling seniors. Although evidence is mounting, few studies have evaluated exercise for secondary falls prevention (that is, preventing falls among those with a significant history of falls). Hence, we propose a randomized controlled trial powered for falls that will, for the first time, assess the efficacy and efficiency of the Otago Exercise Program for secondary falls prevention.
- The Spatiality of Local Immigration Policies in the United States
- Walker, Kyle E. | Tijdschrift voor economische en sociale geografie = Journal of economic and social geography = Revue de g eacute;ographie eacute;conomique et humaine = Zeitschrift f uuml;r ouml;konomische und sozia (v.106 / no.4 / pp.486-498 / 20150040-747x)
- Abstract Recent scholarship within geography has emphasised the co #8208;implication of multiple forms of spatiality within sociospatial theory. This scholarship contend
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Abstract Recent scholarship within geography has emphasised the co #8208;implication of multiple forms of spatiality within sociospatial theory. This scholarship contends that spatial relationships like scale, networks, and place, which tend to be treated as ontologically separate, ought to be considered as mutually constitutive. In this paper, I argue that this framework helps explain why local communities have pursued vastly different policy responses to immigration in the United States. Drawing evidence from local policies considered in two Chicago #8208;area communities in the late 2000s, I show how these debates simultaneously reflected a politics of scale, a politics of networking, and a politics of place, each of which interacted to constrain or enable different political responses.