bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Conveyance of preaching by vulnerable listeners – A case study of farm workers in the Vredefort Dome South Africa
Authors: De Klerk Barend J. 
Published: July 2015

Farm workers living in and around the Vredefort Dome World Heritage Site are some of the most vulnerable people in South Africa. Research by means of a case study with four participants from this group examined the following question: How do vulnerable people continue preaching the Word in this environment by ministering to other vulnerable people with the sermons that they have heard? The case study considered both the environment and the circumstances in which these participants live. This research aimed to establish what it means to preach to those who are vulnerable and how such preaching can be continued by the hearers. A case study by means of a qualitative empirical investigation called upon a few of the vulnerable hearers to speak.Thefindings included that the participants to this case study do not spread the sermons further on a regular basis, but they would be able to edify and encourage other vulnerable persons with it if needed. If they do talk to each other about the sermon directly after the worship service (like it was done during the interviews), their confidence to proclaim the message to other vulnerable people who do not participate in the worship services will increase. Plaaswerkers wat in die omgewing van die wêrelderfenisgebied, die Vredefortkoepel, woon, is van die mees weerlose wesens in Suid-Afrika. ’n Gevallestudie, waaraan vier van hierdie persone deelgeneem het, is gedoen. Dit het oor die volgende vraag gehandel: Hoe word preke wat aan weerloses bedien word deur hulle aan ander in hulle omgewing wat in dieselfde omstandighede verkeer, voortgedra? Die omgewing waarin die deelnemers woon en hulle lewensomstandighede is nagegaan. Daar is gepoog om vas te stel wat onder prediking aan weerloses verstaan word en hoe sodanige prediking deur die hoorders verder versprei kan word. Die gevallestudie, wat deur middel van ’n kwalitatiewe empiriese ondersoek plaasgevind het, het enkele van die weerlose hoorders self aan die woord laat kom. Die bevinding was dat die deelnemers hieraan nie die preke op ŉgereelde basis verder laat weerklink nie, maar dat hulle wel in staat sou wees om ander weerlose persone daarmee te versterk en te bemoedig. Indien hulle wel onmiddellik na die diens met mekaar oor die preek van die dag sou gesels (soos dit in die onderhoude gedoen is), kan die vrymoedigheid groei om die boodskap ook aan ander weerlose mense wat nie aan die erediens deelgeneem het nie, oor te dra.
A Comparative Study of the Therapeutic Potential of Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Limbal Epithelial Stem Cells for Ocular Surface Reconstruction
Authors: Holan Vladimir , Trosan Peter , Cejka Cestmir , Javorkova Eliska , Zajicova Alena , Hermankova Barbora , Chudickova Milada , Cejkova Jitka 
Published: July 2015

Abstract

Stem cell-based therapy has become an attractive and promising approach for the treatment of severe injuries or thus-far incurable diseases. However, the use of stem cells is often limited by a shortage of available tissue-specific stem cells; therefore, other sources of stem cells are being investigated and tested. In this respect, mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSCs) have proven to be a promising stem cell type. In the present study, we prepared MSCs from bone marrow (BM-MSCs) or adipose tissue (Ad-MSCs) as well as limbal epithelial stem cells (LSCs), and their growth, differentiation, and secretory properties were compared. The cells were grown on nanofiber scaffolds and transferred onto the alkali-injured eye in a rabbit model, and their therapeutic potential was characterized. We found that BM-MSCs and tissue-specific LSCs had similar therapeutic effects. Clinical characterization of the healing process, as well as the evaluation of corneal thickness, re-epithelialization, neovascularization, and the suppression of a local inflammatory reaction, were comparable in the BM-MSC- and LSC-treated eyes, but results were significantly better than in injured, untreated eyes or in eyes treated with a nanofiber scaffold alone or with a nanofiber scaffold seeded with Ad-MSCs. Taken together, the results show that BM-MSCs' therapeutic effect on healing of injured corneal surface is comparable to that of tissue-specific LSCs. We suggest that BM-MSCs can be used for ocular surface regeneration in cases when autologous LSCs are absent or difficult to obtain.

Significance
Damage of ocular surface represents one of the most common causes of impaired vision or even blindness. Cell therapy, based on transplantation of stem cells, is an optimal treatment. However, if limbal stem cells (LSCs) are not available, other sources of stem cells are tested. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are a convenient type of cell for stem cell therapy. The therapeutic potential of LSCs and MSCs was compared in an experimental model of corneal injury, and healing was observed following chemical injury. MSCs and tissue-specific LSCs had similar therapeutic effects. The results suggest that bone marrow-derived MSCs can be used for ocular surface regeneration in cases when autologous LSCs are absent or difficult to obtain.
Low-Dose Irradiation Enhances Gene Targeting in Human Pluripotent Stem Cells
Authors: Hatada Seigo , Subramanian Aparna , Mandefro Berhan , Ren Songyang , Kim Ho Won , Tang Jie , Funari Vincent , Baloh Robert H. , Sareen Dhruv , Arumugaswami Vaithilingaraja , Svendsen Clive N. 
Published: July 2015

Abstract

Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) are now being used for both disease modeling and cell therapy; however, efficient homologous recombination (HR) is often crucial to develop isogenic control or reporter lines. We showed that limited low-dose irradiation (LDI) using either γ-ray or x-ray exposure (0.4 Gy) significantly enhanced HR frequency, possibly through induction of DNA repair/recombination machinery including ataxia-telangiectasia mutated, histone H2A.X and RAD51 proteins. LDI could also increase HR efficiency by more than 30-fold when combined with the targeting tools zinc finger nucleases, transcription activator-like effector nucleases, and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats. Whole-exome sequencing confirmed that the LDI administered to hPSCs did not induce gross genomic alterations or affect cellular viability. Irradiated and targeted lines were karyotypically normal and made all differentiated lineages that continued to express green fluorescent protein targeted at the AAVS1 locus. This simple method allows higher throughput of new, targeted hPSC lines that are crucial to expand the use of disease modeling and to develop novel avenues of cell therapy.

Significance
The simple and relevant technique described in this report uses a low level of radiation to increase desired gene modifications in human pluripotent stem cells by an order of magnitude. This higher efficiency permits greater throughput with reduced time and cost. The low level of radiation also greatly increased the recombination frequency when combined with developed engineered nucleases. Critically, the radiation did not lead to increases in DNA mutations or to reductions in overall cellular viability. This novel technique enables not only the rapid production of disease models using human stem cells but also the possibility of treating genetically based diseases by correcting patient-derived cells.
Wave structure and polarization electric field development in the bottomside F layer leading to postsunset equatorial spread F
Authors: Abdu M. A. , de Souza J. R. , Kherani E. A. , Batista I. S. , MacDougall J. W. , Sobral J. H. A. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractIn this paper we present the results of a study on the characteristics of large‐scale wave structure in the equatorial ionospheric F region that serve as precursor to postsunset development of the spread F/plasma bubble irregularities. The study is based on analysis of Digisonde data from three equatorial sites in Brazil (Fortaleza, Sao Luis, and Cachimbo) for a period of about 2 months at a medium solar activity phase. Small‐amplitude oscillations in the F layer heights, extracted at a number of plasma frequencies, present characteristics as them being generated from upward propagating gravity waves. They represent wave structures in polarization electric field having zonal scale of a few hundred kilometers. Their amplitudes in the afternoon hours undergo amplification toward evening, leading to postsunset development of equatorial spread F/plasma bubble irregularities, on a statistical basis. On the days of their larger amplitudes they appear to occur in phase coherence on all days, and correspondingly, the evening prereversal vertical drift velocities are larger than on days of the smaller amplitudes of the wave structure that appear at random phase on the different days. The sustenance of these precursor wave structures is supported by the relatively large ratio (approaching unity) of the F region‐to‐total field line‐integrated Pedersen conductivities as calculated using the Sheffield University Plasmasphere‐Ionosphere Model simulation of the low‐latitude ionosphere. The significant amplification in the wave structure toward sunset and the “phase coherent” nature of their occurrences on different days are explained tentatively on the basis of the spatial resonance mechanism.
Wind‐driven upwelling around grounded tabular icebergs
Authors: Stern Alon A. , Johnson Eric , Holland David M. , Wagner Till J.W. , Wadhams Peter , Bates Richard , Abrahamsen E. Povl , Nicholls Keith W. , Crawford Anna , Gagnon Jonathan , Tremblay Jean‐Eric 
Published: July 2015

AbstractTemperature and salinity data collected around grounded tabular icebergs in Baffin Bay in 2011, 2012, and 2013 indicate wind‐induced upwelling at certain locations around the icebergs. These data suggest that along one side of the iceberg, wind forcing leads to Ekman transport away from the iceberg, which causes upwelling of the cool saline water from below. The upwelling water mixes with the water above the thermocline, causing the mixed layer to become cooler and more saline. Along the opposite side of the iceberg, the surface Ekman transport moves towards the iceberg, which causes a sharpening of the thermocline as warm fresh water is trapped near the surface. This results in higher mixed layer temperatures and lower mixed layer salinities on this side of the iceberg. Based on these in situ measurements, we hypothesize that the asymmetries in water properties around the iceberg, caused by the opposing effects of upwelling and sharpening of the thermocline, lead to differential deterioration around the iceberg. Analysis of satellite imagery around iceberg PII‐B‐1 reveals differential decay around the iceberg, in agreement with this mechanism.
2‐Propenal (Acrolein) [BAT Value Documentation in German language, 2015]
Authors: Jäger T. 
Published: July 2015

Abstract

Veröffentlicht in der Reihe
Biologische Arbeitsstoff‐Toleranz‐Werte (BAT‐Werte), Expositionsäquivalente für krebserzeugende Arbeitsstoffe (EKA) und Biologische Leitwerte (BLW)
, 22. Lieferung, Ausgabe 2015

Der Artikel enthält folgende Kapitel:

Metabolismus und Toxikokinetik

Aufnahme, Verteilung und Elimination

Metabolismus

Kritische Toxizität

Belastung und Beanspruchung

Auswahl der Indikatoren

Untersuchungsmethoden

Hintergrundbelastung

Evaluierung

Interpretation
Immune Defence: Microbial Interference
Authors: Merino Susana , Tomás Juán M 
Published: July 2015

Abstract

To cause diseases, pathogens must first breach physical barriers and then successfully replicate and disseminate while avoiding destruction by immune system. The immune system control is achieved by two defence mechanisms: the innate immune defence, which consists in a non‐specific mechanism present in organisms across all kingdoms, and the adaptive immunity defence, acquired over time following infections or vaccination. Despite the sophisticated immune system, extracellular and intracellular pathogens have developed numerous, and often ingenious strategies, to evade, interfere or eradicate the effectiveness of host immune defences. Although the strategies used by viral and bacterial pathogens are numerous, there are several general mechanisms shared between these microbial pathogens. The success of each pathogen depends on the coordinated activities of its virulence factors to overcome host barriers to colonisation and its ability to mount an effective anti‐immune response within the infected host, which can ultimately result in acute disease or chronic infection.

Key Concepts

Immunoglobulin proteases cleave antibodies rendering them non‐functional and leading to deficiencies in the immune system.

Complement regulators prevent complement activation and cell destruction.

Interference with major histocompatibility complexes overcomes T‐cell recognition.

Microbial interference with cytokines modulates intracellular signalling critical to the regulation, proliferation and differentiation of lymphocytes, which drive inflammation.

Intracellular resistance allows microorganisms to circumvent humoral defence mechanisms and spread within the host.

Immunosuppression reduces T or B lymphocytes' defence.
Cilia and Flagella
Authors: Linck Richard W 
Published: July 2015

Abstract

Eukaryotic cilia and flagella are hair‐like cellular appendages composed of specialised microtubules and covered by a specialised extension of the cellular membrane. Their structure, genes, proteins and functions are highly conserved throughout evolution from protists to humans. Ciliary defects lead to physiological dysfunctions, developmental disorders and disease. Cilia and flagella have three, often interrelated functions: (1) As motile organelles beating like whips or oars, they propel cells through their environment or transport fluids along the surfaces of ciliated epithelia. (2) Both motile and nonmotile cilia act as antennae, sensing environmental cues and metabolic compounds and initiating specific cellular responses. (3) Their microtubules act as railroad tracks, along which molecular motors transport other molecules out to the ciliary tip and back to the cell body – a process called intraflagellar transport. Given these functions, cilia and flagella are micromachines and they act as cybernetic devices to receive, process and communicate information.

Key Concepts

Structural concepts in ciliary/flagellar axoneme assembly and function include the template function of the basal body, the polarity of the microtubules and the enantiomorphic asymmetry (handedness) of the axoneme.

The assembly of the axoneme is tightly regulated by the expression of specific genes, by the limited amount of axonemal precursor proteins and by kinase enzymes.

The mechanochemical force for motility is provided by dynein arms (large multisubunit ATPase enzymes) that cause the doublet microtubules to slide past each other.

The beating of cilia and flagella depends on many biochemical factors including the different effects of outer versus inner dynein arm motors, the DRC (dynein regulatory complex) and DRC–radial spoke interactions mediated by kinases.

The waveform of beating cilia/flagella also depends on the precise geometric assemblage of the axoneme structures, the mechanical properties of those structures and principles of the Geometric Clutch hypothesis.

Associated with ciliary/flagellar membranes are numerous ion channels and signalling molecules.

Intraflagellar transport (IFT) involves anterograde and retrograde transport of specific molecules along the axoneme (via kinesin and dynein motors respectively), and it is an essential process for ciliary/flagellar assembly and their signalling functions.

The ciliary gate is formed by the membrane collar at the base of the cilium and by the stellate fibres of the basal body; it functions to sort, modify and permit entry of only membrane and protein constituents destined for transport and incorporation into the developing cilium.

Mutations in genes encoding structural and functional proteins of cilia and flagella lead to innumerable diseases and disorders called ciliopathies.

Eukaryotic cilia and flagella are estimated to have evolved roughly a billion years ago, following the appearance of the genes for tubulin (from bacteria) and proteins that establish the ninefold symmetry.
Major Histocompatibility Complex: Disease Associations
Authors: Alper Chester A , Larsen Charles E 
Published: July 2015

Abstract

Human major histocompatibility complex (MHC) alleles can be used as markers for a wide variety of autoimmune and other disorders. The interpretation of and possible bases for these associations should be considered in relation to conserved extended MHC haplotypes (CEHs). The latter are fixed stretches of up to several million base pairs of genomic deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). CEHs constitute at least a third of normal European Caucasian MHC haplotypes and contribute most of the MHC disease susceptibility genetic markers. While this has facilitated the detection of MHC gene–disease association, it paradoxically makes the identification of true susceptibility genetic loci (as distinguished from genetic markers) more difficult. It is likely that the great majority of true susceptibility genes for MHC‐associated diseases are yet to be discovered. It may take new methods and new approaches to identify the true MHC susceptibility genes and their relation to many of the polygenic MHC‐associated diseases.

Key Concepts

Most human major histocompatibility complex (MHC)‐associated diseases and physiological disorders are complex conditions whose genetic architecture remains largely unknown.

The genetic architecture of simple Mendelian MHC‐associated conditions help us understand the bases for MHC associations in more complex conditions.

The genomic architecture of the MHC, strongly influenced by the presence of conserved extended haplotypes (CEHs), which are 1–5 megabase essentially identical by descent common population MHC haplotypes, should be considered when analysing MHC disease markers.

Association studies that dissect disease genetic architecture (including MHC‐linked mode of inheritance) provide far greater biological insight than ‘risk’‐based statistical associations.

Family‐based association studies provide far better insight into MHC‐linked diseases and are less affected by population stratification than case
versus
control association studies.

Significant deviation from random affected sib pair allele/haplotype sharing is required to confirm the biological relevance of detected MHC associations.

Hypotheses based on the statistical association of particular single nucleotide polymorphisms or particular amino acids in candidate disease genes are moot until biological evidence is provided that such candidate genes play a causal role in such diseases.

The era of ‘personalised’ or ‘precision’ genetics will require both family‐based and directly observed data and should not rely on statistically associated and/or imputed results.
Filoviruses: Ebola, Marburg and Disease
Authors: Groseth Allison , Eickmann Markus , Ebihara Hideki , Becker Stephan , Hoenen Thomas 
Published: July 2015

Abstract

Ebola‐ and marburgviruses belong to the family of filoviruses and cause severe haemorrhagic fevers in humans and nonhuman primates. Since their discovery in 1967, during outbreaks in Germany and former Yugoslavia originating with nonhuman primates imported from Uganda, they have been responsible for numerous disease outbreaks in Africa, including that of unprecedented size, which is currently ongoing in West Africa. Filoviruses have also been implicated in massive die‐offs of great apes, and in recent years there have been several cases of imported infections into Europe and North America. Filoviral haemorrhagic fevers are severe diseases with case fatality rates of up to 90%. Currently, there is neither a licensed vaccine nor a specific therapy available, although experimental vaccines and treatments have shown promise in nonhuman primates, and are now being vigorously pursued in human clinical trials.

Key Concepts

Human pathogenic filoviruses (Ebola virus (EBOV), Sudan virus (SUDV), Taï Forest virus (TAFV), Bundibugyo virus (BDBV) and Marburg virus (MARV)) are found in Africa, primarily in bats and nonhuman primates. In contrast, Reston virus (RESTV), which is nonpathogenic in humans, originates in the Philippines, where it is found in both nonhuman primates and pigs.

Imported nonhuman primates have been the cause of outbreaks of filoviral haemorrhagic fever in Europe and North America, both among humans and nonhuman primates. Tourism and the return of medical aid workers have also resulted in several imported infections during the last years.

Bats represent the most likely reservoir for filoviruses.

The recent outbreak in West Africa has been responsible for over 27 000 cases (as of 27 May 2015) and is still ongoing; highlighting the threat that filovirus infection continues to pose to human health.

While the absolute number of filoviral haemorrhagic fever cases remain low compared to other diseases, the severe disease picture and high case fatality rates have led to a high public profile of filoviral haemorrhagic fevers.

The pathophysiology of filoviral haemorrhagic fevers involves vascular dysfunction, impairment of the immune system and massive dysregulation of cytokine production.

Death is caused by multiple organ failure as result of a syndrome resembling septic shock.

Currently, the only measures to combat filovirus infections are supportive therapy and patient isolation. However, basic public health measures are very effective at controlling outbreaks, when consistently and rigorously implemented.

Experimental treatments and vaccines in nonhuman primates exist, but are not yet licensed for use in humans. However, public interest in the current West African EBOV outbreak has accelerated efforts to see several of the more advanced therapeutic and vaccination approaches licenced.
Bioethics – Overview
Authors: Chadwick Ruth F 
Published: July 2015

AbstractBioethics is a multidisciplinary field of study including ethical, legal, philosophical and social aspects of developments in life sciences and medicine. Its remit includes not only questions about options for action in relation to such developments but also definition of terms such as “life”, “death” and “person” as well as questions about the implications for how we understand human life in changing social contexts. There are multiple theoretical approaches to bioethics and this gives rise to controversy about its aims, objectives and methodologies, including the roles of contributory disciplines and the relations between them. The global dimension of many bioethical issues, such as differences in life expectancy, access to resources and the problems caused by pandemics, raise questions regarding the feasibility of a global bioethics.Key ConceptsBioethics is a multidisciplinary field of study.Bioethics is wider than medical ethics.Bioethics and genomics have co‐evolved.Bioethics has moved from being predominantly individual‐centred to a greater emphasis on public health.Questions of definition, for example, of life and death, are affected by technological developments and are part of the subject matter of bioethics.The relation between philosophical work and empirical research is a matter for ongoing reflection.Bioethics has both a theoretical aspect and a public policy role.In the context of global challenges such as pandemics, the possibility of global bioethics becomes increasingly important.