bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Putting Justice at the Heart of Faith: Reflecting on Ecumenism from an Asian Perspective
Authors: Peacock Philip V. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractAs we celebrate 60 years of the Christian Conference of Asia, it becomes incumbent on us to reflect on what it means to speak of ecumenism from an Asian perspective. What is uniquely Asian about ecumenism in Asia? And how have Asians imagined ecumenism and contributed to the larger ecumenical discourse? In this article, I shall first consider what is specific to the Asian context and specifically map both Asian continental uniqueness and the Asian context itself; secondly, I will look at specific issues in Asian ecumenism; and lastly, I will attempt to chart trajectories for Asian ecumenism by seeking an alternative interpretation of the marks of the church as expounded in the Nicene Creed.
Just Call Me by My Name: Worship Music in Asian Ecumenism
Authors: Lim Swee Hong 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThis article examines the historical development of worship music in Asian ecumenism by examining three ecumenical hymnals from the 1960s to the present. It identifies key personalities and institutions involved in the formation of Asian worship music. The essay argues that the maturation of Asian Christian spirituality via music making requires the church to hold in tension both its missional heritage and local cultural practices. It proposes the development of robust theo‐liturgical scholarship as being critical in helping the church mature.
Ecumenical and Inter‐religious Engagement of Asian Pentecostals and Charismatics
Authors: Au Connie 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThe Christian Conference of Asia (CCA) has been a significant platform for all ecumenical organizations and churches in Asia to collaborate. However, although Pentecostal and charismatic churches have been growing rapidly in Asia and a number of megachurches have been founded, none of them have become members of the CCA. This article sets out the official ecumenical engagements of Asian Pentecostals with other Protestant churches and the Roman Catholic Church in recent years, before discussing the ecumenical impact of the charismatic renewal in several Asian countries. Finally, since Asia is the birthplace of Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism, and ecumenism is also concerned with inter‐religious relations, it discusses the development of Pentecostalism in the countries dominated by those three religions.
The South Asian Presence in the Ecumenical Movement
Authors: Athyal Jesudas M. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThis article surveys the distinct role South Asian Christianity played in the modern ecumenical movement. It explores how the longevity, vitality, and diversity of Christianity in South Asia, coupled with the pluralistic ethos and inter‐religious context of the region, provided a conducive atmosphere for the ecumenical movement to take root in the early decades of the 20th century. The article argues that while there were outstanding ecumenical thinkers and path‐breaking church unity efforts in the region, what was most important was the emergence of new theological trends that reverberated across the ecumenical world, such as Dalit theology, tribal theology, and Urban and Rural Mission. While discussing these developments from a historical perspective, this article also tries to identify contemporary issues and challenges in these areas. Today, as the forces of religious nationalism, sectarianism, and fundamentalism are gaining ground in South Asia, the task before us is to realize anew the meaning of ecumenism.
Asian Ecumenical Contributions to Theologies of Justice and Peace
Authors: Rajkumar Peniel Jesudason Rufus 
Published: December 2017

AbstractIssues of justice and peace have been at the centre of Asian ecumenical theology, which has developed within the context of the Asian reality of multi‐religiosity, on the one hand, and rampant poverty, on the other. This article examines how Asian ecumenical theological expressions, such as Dalit theology from India, Minjung theology from Korea, the many Asian womanist theologies, indigenous theologies, the theology of struggle from the Philippines, Burakumin theologies from Japan, and homeland theology from Taiwan, have sought to engage with these realities. It examines the impact of socio‐political movements on theological formation through a focus on the life and work of the Indian ecumenical leader M. M. Thomas, and offers a detailed examination of Dalit and Minjung theologies as expressions of the Asian ecumenical theological engagement with justice.
Interleukin‐21 receptor signalling is not critically required for imiquimod‐induced psoriasiform dermatitis in mice
Authors: Kim Hee Joo , Kim Sung Hee , Kim Tae‐Gyun , Park Je Yun , Lee Minseok , Kim Dae Suk , Lee Min‐Geol 
Published: December 2017

AbstractPsoriasis is largely mediated by interleukin (IL)‐23/T helper (Th) 17 axis, and IL‐21 is a pleiotropic cytokine expressed by Th17 cells. Despite previously reported possible pathogenic roles of IL‐21 in human psoriasis, we found that IL‐21 receptor (IL‐21R) signalling was not crucial for imiquimod‐induced psoriatic inflammation, using IL‐21R−/− mice. The severity of imiquimod‐induced psoriatic manifestation and pro‐inflammatory Th17 cytokine levels, IL‐17A‐producing γδ T cells and CD4+ T cells, and in vitro IL‐17A production by γδ T cells after IL‐23 stimulation was comparable between wild‐type and IL‐21R−/− mice. Collectively, IL‐21R signalling was not critically involved in IMQ‐induced psoriatic inflammation despite an increased IL‐21 expression in the IMQ‐treated mouse skin. Our data may represent the significant differences between human psoriasis and murine psoriasis model, and further studies using other models will be required to elucidate the role of IL‐21 in psoriasis pathogenesis.
Elevated levels of the antimicrobial peptide LL‐37 in hidradenitis suppurativa are associated with a Th1/Th17 immune response
Authors: Thomi Rahel , Schlapbach Christoph , Yawalkar Nikhil , Simon Dagmar , Yerly Daniel , Hunger Robert E. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractHidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is an inflammatory skin disease with poorly understood immunopathogenic mechanisms. LL‐37 is an antimicrobial peptide, which is transcribed from the CAMP (cathelicidin antimicrobial peptide) gene. Previous reports showed upregulated levels of CAMP and LL‐37 in HS lesions, and therefore, the aim of this study was to compare levels of LL‐37 in HS to other inflammatory skin diseases and to establish immunomodulatory functions of LL‐37 in HS. We confirm an upregulation of the LL‐37 peptide in lesional HS skin with comparable levels as in psoriasis patients and are able to positively correlate the presence of LL‐37 in HS with the presence of T cells, macrophages, neutrophils, IFN‐γ, IL‐17, IL‐23, TNF‐α, IL‐32 and IL‐1β. Mechanistically, LL‐37 boosts the proliferation of unspecifically activated CD4+ T cells via an increased calcium signalling independent of antigen‐presenting cells. Targeting LL‐37 may therefore represent a new therapeutic option for the treatment of this recalcitrant disease, but it has to be kept in mind that LL‐37 also has an antimicrobial function.
Stemazole promotes survival and preserves stemness in human embryonic stem cells
Authors: Sun Ying , Zhang Xiaoyan , Li Huajun , Xu Shasha , Zhang Xiaoyan , Liu Yinan , Han Mei , Wen Jinhua 
Published: December 2017

Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) are extremely delicate, and survive poorly under suboptimal culture conditions, severely restricting long‐term studies and practical applications. Thus, a protective agent that promotes stem cell survival is urgently needed. In this study, we evaluated the protective effects of stemazole in single‐cell and starved hESC cultures. Colony formation was quantified by alkaline phosphatase and immunofluorescence staining, while apoptosis was assessed by flow cytometry and TUNEL assay. Expression of hESC and other stem cell markers was evaluated by western blot, RT‐PCR, and qPCR. We found that stemazole enhanced clonal expansion from single cells in dose‐dependent fashion and clearly decreased apoptosis from 54.1% to 25.2%. Furthermore, the drug reduced apoptosis from 43.6% to 8.4% over 15 h of starvation, with 66% of stemazole‐treated cells remaining viable after 2 weeks of starvation. Importantly, starved cells protected with stemazole retained the same proliferation and differentiation properties as cells in normal culture. In conclusion, stemazole significantly promotes survival of stem cells in single‐cell or starvation cultures without compromising stemness and pluripotency.
Rapid soil formation after glacial retreat shaped by spatial patterns of organic matter accrual in microaggregates
Authors: Schweizer Steffen A. , Hoeschen Carmen , Schlüter Steffen , Kögel‐Knabner Ingrid , Mueller Carsten W. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractGlobal change contributes to the retreat of glaciers at unprecedented rates. The deglaciation facilitates biogeochemical processes on glacial deposits with initiating soil formation as an important driver of evolving ecosystems. The underlying mechanisms of soil formation and the association of soil organic matter (SOM) with mineral particles remain unclear, although further insights are critical to understand carbon sequestration in soils. We investigated the microspatial arrangement of SOM coatings at intact soil microaggregate structures during various stages of ecosystem development from 15 to >700 years after deglaciation in the proglacial environment of the Damma glacier (Switzerland). The functionally important clay‐sized fraction (<2 μm) was separated into two density fractions with different amounts of organo‐mineral associations: light (1.6–2.2 g/cm3) and heavy (>2.2 g/cm3). To quantify how SOM extends across the surface of mineral particles (coverage) and whether SOM coatings are distributed in fragmented or connected patterns (connectivity), we developed an image analysis protocol based on nanoscale secondary ion mass spectrometry (NanoSIMS). We classified SOM and mineral areas depending on the 16O−, 12C−, and 12C14N− distributions. With increasing time after glacial retreat, the microspatial coverage and connectivity of SOM increased rapidly. The rapid soil formation led to a succession of patchy distributed to more connected SOM coatings on soil microaggregates. The maximum coverage of 55% at >700 years suggests direct evidence for SOM sequestration being decoupled from the mineral surface, as it was not completely masked by SOM and retained its functionality as an ion exchange site. The chemical composition of SOM coatings showed a rapid change toward a higher CN:C ratio already at 75 years after glacial retreat, which was associated with microbial succession patterns reflecting high N assimilation. Our results demonstrate that rapid SOM sequestration drives the microspatial succession of SOM coatings in soils, a process that can stabilize SOM for the long term.
The relative importance of the bacterial pathway and soil inorganic nitrogen increase across an extreme wood‐ash application gradient
Authors: Vestergård Mette , Bang‐Andreasen Toke , Buss Sebastian Micki , Cruz‐Paredes Carla , Bentzon‐Tilia Sara , Ekelund Flemming , Kjøller Rasmus , Hindborg Mortensen Louise , Rønn Regin 
Published: December 2017

AbstractAsh from combustion of biofuels, for example wood chips, is often deposited as waste, but due to its high content of essential plant nutrients and alkalinity, it has been proposed to recycle ash as a fertilizer and liming agent in biofuel production forest. However, current legislation sets rather strict limitations for wood‐ash application in biofuel production systems. The soil microfood web, that is microorganisms and their microfaunal grazers, protozoa and nematodes, is pivotal for essential ecosystem processes such as decomposition and plant nutrient release. Therefore, a thorough assessment of the impacts on microfood web structure and functioning must precede actions towards raising the currently allowed application rates. In a Danish Norway spruce plantation, we evaluate the impact of wood ash applied at dosages from 0 to the extreme case of 90 t ash ha−1 on the microfood web, the bacterial community structure, soil content of inorganic nitrogen, organic matter, dissolved organic carbon and nitrogen. Using structural equation modelling (SEM), we disentangled the direct effect of the disturbance imposed by ash per se, the associated pH increase and changes in prey abundance on individual organism groups in the microfood web. The SEM showed that the pH rise was the main driver of increasing abundances of culturable heterotrophic bacteria with increasing ash doses, and via trophical transfer, this also manifested as higher abundances of bacterial grazers. Fungal‐feeding nematodes were unaffected by ash, whereas carnivorous/omnivorous nematodes decreased due to the direct effect of ash. Increasing ash doses enhanced the difference between bacterial communities of control plots and ash‐amended plots. The ash‐induced stimulation of culturable heterotrophic bacteria and bacterial grazers increased inorganic nitrogen availability at ash doses of 9 t ha−1 and above. Hence, raised limits for ash application may potentially benefit tree growth via enhanced N mineralization activity of the soil food web.
Written action plans for children with long‐term conditions: A systematic review and synthesis of qualitative data
Authors: Waldecker Andrea , Malpass Alice , King Anna , Ridd Matthew J. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractBackgroundLong‐term conditions (LTCs) in children require a high level of self‐management. Written action plans (WAPs) have been advocated to guide decision‐making and support self‐management but there is uncertainty about how WAPs “work” and what aspects are important for successful implementation.ObjectiveTo review and synthesize existing qualitative evidence about the design and use of WAPs across childhood LTCs.MethodWe undertook a systematic search of the literature (Medline, EMBASE, CiNAHL, PsycInfo, Web of science) from inception to May 2015; critically appraised included studies; and synthesized the findings, drawing on normalisation process theory.Results3473 titles were screened and 53 papers read in full. Nine studies (four key, two minor and three of poor quality) contributed to our analysis, predominantly work on asthma from the USA and in specialist settings. WAPs may help to alleviate user worry and boost confidence. Confidence to act was closely linked to feelings of responsibility and authority. The value and use of WAPs are determined by multiple factors, and varies between different user groups. Logistical challenges include sharing a WAP between different stakeholders and keeping it up to date. Colour coding and pictures may enhance the appeal and usability of WAPS.ConclusionWAPs are complex interventions but our understanding of their use and value in children with LTCs is limited. WAPs need to meet the needs of users who have different requirements/levels of understanding and confidence according to their different roles. Future research into WAPs needs to be both disease and context‐specific.
Amino acid composition and anti‐polyphenol oxidase of peptide fractions from sericin hydrolysate
Authors: Puangphet Aschariyakul , Jiamyangyuen Sudarat , Tiyaboonchai Waree , Thongsook Tipawan 
Published: December 2017

SummarySericin hydrolysate (SH), prepared from enzymatic hydrolysis of sericin, was investigated for its antipolyphenol oxidase (PPO) properties. SH decreased PPO activity from both purified mushroom PPO and extracts from apple and eggplant, and retarded browning in fresh‐cut apple and eggplant. SH was a competitive inhibitor using catechol as a substrate. SH exhibited copper ion‐chelating power and reducing power abilities. Fractionation of SH using size exclusion chromatography resulted in four fractions, designated as F1, F2, F3 and F4, with PPO inhibition of 35.75%, 3.89%, 24.52% and 14.75%, respectively. Ser and Asp were major amino acids found in F1. Amino acid sequences in F1, as investigated by LC‐MS/MS using de novo sequencing, contained a high ratio of amino acids with chelating ability. Moreover, amino acids with reducing power ability and with antityrosinase ability were also identified in the sequences.
γ‐Glu‐Met synthesised using a bacterial glutaminase as a potential inhibitor of dipeptidyl peptidase IV
Authors: Yang Juan , Sun‐Waterhouse Dongxiao , Cui Chun , Dong Keming , Zhao Mouming 
Published: December 2017

SummaryThis study describes γ‐glutamyl dipeptides as competitive inhibitors of dipeptidyl peptidase‐IV (DPP‐IV), and the feasible synthesis of γ‐Glu‐Met through transpeptidation catalysed by a commercial glutaminase of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens. γ‐Glu‐Met, γ‐Glu‐Leu, γ‐Glu‐Phe, γ‐Glu‐Trp or γ‐Glu‐Tyr exhibited a competitive inhibitory effect on DPP‐IV. The yield of γ‐Glu‐Met was 26.16% under optimised conditions: 200 mm Gln, 20 mm Met, 0.1 U mL−1 enzyme, pH 9.0, 37 °C and reaction time 3 h. For the first time, the side products containing characteristic sequences, that is poly‐γ‐glutamyl short chains with a terminal Met residue (γ‐Glu‐γ‐Glu‐Met and γ‐Glu‐γ‐Glu‐γ‐Glu‐Met) were identified. The superiority of the commercial glutaminase in the synthesis of DPP‐IV‐inhibitory peptides can enable the application of this novel process for manufacturing γ‐glutamyl‐peptides as potential functional ingredients in the type 2 diabetic diet.
Thermal stability of catechin and epicatechin upon disaccharides addition
Authors: Lončarić Ante , Pablo Lamas Juan , Guerra Eugenia , Kopjar Mirela , Lores Marta 
Published: December 2017

SummaryInfluence of sucrose and trehalose addition on epimerisation and thermal degradation of catechin and epicatechin have been studied. Sucrose addition accelerated epimerisation of catechin and epicatechin at 80 and 100 °C. Addition of trehalose had protective effect on epimerisation of catechin and epicatechin. Considering thermal degradation, it was confirmed that thermal degradation of catechin and epicatechin follows the first‐order kinetics. Increasing the temperature causes shorter half‐lives of catechin and epicatechin. Addition of sucrose had negative effect on catechin stability. However, in samples with epicatechin, sucrose impact was temperature dependent. Trehalose addition had positive impact on preventing catechin and epicatechin degradation almost doubling the half‐life of studied compounds. Data presented in this study could help to predict chemical conversions of investigated phenolics in various food systems and to prolong their shelf life in thermally processed foods.
CaTiO3 linear dielectric ceramics with greatly enhanced dielectric strength and energy storage density
Authors: Zhou Hai Yang , Liu Xiao Qiang , Zhu Xiao Li , Chen Xiang Ming 
Published: December 2017

AbstractCaTiO3 is a typical linear dielectric material with high dielectric constant, low dielectric loss, and high resistivity, which is expected as a promising candidate for the high energy storage density applications. In the previous work, an energy density of 1.5 J/cm3 was obtained in CaTiO3 ceramics, where the dielectric strength was only 435 kV/cm. In fact, the intrinsic dielectric strength of CaTiO3 is predicted as high as 4.2 MV/cm. Therefore, it should be a challenge issue to enhance the dielectric strength and energy storage density of CaTiO3 ceramics by optimizing the microstructures. In the present work, dense CaTiO3 ceramics with fine and uniform microstructures are prepared by spark plasma sintering, and the greatly enhanced dielectric strength (910 kV/cm) and energy storage density (6.9 J/cm3) are obtained. This can be ascribed to the improved resistivity and thermal conductivity, associated with the fine and uniform microstructures. The different post‐breakdown features of CaTiO3 ceramics prepared by different process well interpret why the enhanced dielectric strength is achieved in the SPS sample. The energy storage density can be further improved to 11.8 J/cm3 by introducing the amorphous alumina thin films as the charge blocking layer, where the dielectric strength is 1188 kV/cm.
Drug treatment of hypertension in Sweden in relation to sex, age, and comorbidity
Authors: Wallentin Fredrik , Wettermark Björn , Kahan Thomas 
Published: December 2017

The authors investigated antihypertensive drug treatment in Sweden using the Stockholm Regional Healthcare Data Warehouse, providing information on all healthcare consultations, diagnoses, hospitalizations, dispensed prescription drugs, sex, and age in 2.1 million persons. This cross‐sectional analysis identified 292 428 individuals 20 years or older with hypertension (mean age 68 ± 13 years, 53% women). About half had no diabetes mellitus or cardiovascular comorbidity. The number of dispensed drugs was lower in women than in men (1.9 ± 1.3 vs 2.1 ± 1.5, P < .001). Women more often used diuretics, angiotensin receptor blockers, and β‐blockers, while men used more angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors and calcium channel blockers (all P < .01). In women, 66% with diabetes mellitus and 72% with heart failure used angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers vs 76% and 79% in men (all P < .001, adjusted for age and comorbidity). Thus, sex differences in treatment prevail. There is room for improvement, which could reduce cardiovascular complications.
The prevalence and odds of depression in patients with vitiligo: a meta‐analysis
Authors: Wang G. , Qiu D. , Yang H. , Liu W. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractObjectiveThe objective of this study was to provide a pooled estimate of the prevalence and odds of depression in patients with vitiligo.MethodsA systematic literature search of Medline, Embase and Cochrane library databases was conducted. The proportions and mean questionnaire values for depression were pooled according to different evaluation methods. In controlled studies, odds ratio and standardized mean differences compared depression in vitiligo patients with healthy controls.ResultsOne thousand nine hundred and sixty‐five patients were identified from 20 eligible cohorts to be included in the present meta‐analysis review. Sample sizes ranged from 30 to 308 for each analysis. The pooled prevalence of depression across 17 unique populations (n = 1711) was 29% (95% CI 20–39). The prevalence of clinical depression was 8% (95% CI 2%–14%) using Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders IV or International Classification of Diseases codes‐10, and the prevalence of depressive symptoms was 33% (95% CI 23%–44%) using validated screening inventory and rating scales. Patient with vitiligo was 4.96 times more likely to display depression compared with controls. Subgroup analysis showed that the prevalence of depression in Asian and female patients with vitiligo was significantly higher than that in Caucasian and male ones. The pooled prevalence of depressive symptoms was higher (56%, 95% CI 0.5–0.62), and the heterogeneity was lowering cases with Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) questionnaire when compared with other questionnaires.ConclusionsThis meta‐analysis review indicates that the prevalence of depression is high in patients with vitiligo. The HDRS questionnaire may be the most sensitive tool for testing the depressive symptoms among patients with vitiligo.