bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A comprehensive characterization of the caspase gene family in insects from the order Lepidoptera
Authors: Courtiade Juliette , Pauchet Yannick , Vogel Heiko , Heckel David G 
Published: July 2011

AbstractBackgroundThe cell suicide pathway of apoptosis is a necessary event in the life of multicellular organisms. It is involved in many biological processes ranging from development to the immune response. Evolutionarily conserved proteases, called caspases, play a central role in regulating apoptosis. Reception of death stimuli triggers the activation of initiator caspases, which in turn activate the effector caspases. In Lepidoptera, apoptosis is crucial in processes such as metamorphosis or defending against baculovirus infection. The discovery of p35, a baculovirus protein inhibiting caspase activity, has led to the characterization of the first lepidopteran caspase, Sf-Caspase-1. Studies on Sf-Caspase-1 mode of activation suggested that apoptosis in Lepidoptera requires a cascade of caspase activation, as demonstrated in many other species.ResultsIn order to get insights into this gene family in Lepidoptera, we performed an extensive survey of lepidopteran-derived EST datasets. We identified 66 sequences distributed among 27 species encoding putative caspases. Phylogenetic analyses showed that Lepidoptera possess at least 5 caspases, for which we propose a unified nomenclature. According to homology to theirDrosophilacounterparts and their primary structure, we determined that Lep-Caspase-1, -2 and -3 are putative effector caspases, whereas Lep-Caspase-5 and -6 are putative initiators. The likely function of Lep-Caspase-4 remains unclear. Lep-Caspase-2 is absent from the silkworm genome and appears to be noctuid-specific, and to have arisen from a tandem duplication of the Caspase-1 gene. In the tobacco hawkmoth, 3 distinct transcripts encoding putative Caspase-4 were identified, suggesting at least 2 duplication events in this species.ConclusionsThe basic repertoire of five major types of caspases shared among Lepidoptera seems to be smaller than for most other groups studied to date, but gene duplication still plays a role in lineage-specific increases in diversity, just as in Diptera and mammals.
Phylogenetic analysis consistent with a clinical history of sexual transmission of HIV-1 from a single donor reveals transmission of highly distinct variants
Authors: English Suzanne , Katzourakis Aris , Bonsall David , Flanagan Peter , Duda Anna , Fidler Sarah , Weber Jonathan , McClure Myra ,   SPARTAC Trial Investigators, Phillips Rodney , Frater John 
Published: July 2011

AbstractBackgroundTo combat the pandemic of human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1), a successful vaccine will need to cope with the variability of transmissible viruses. Human hosts infected with HIV-1 potentially harbour many viral variants but very little is known about viruses that are likely to be transmitted, or even if there are viral characteristics that predict enhanced transmissionin vivo. We show for the first time that genetic divergence consistent with a single transmission eventin vivocan represent several years of pre-transmission evolution.ResultsWe describe a highly unusual case consistent with a single donor transmitting highly related but distinct HIV-1 variants to two individuals on the same evening. We confirm that the clustering of viral genetic sequences, present within each recipient, is consistent with the history of a single donor across the viralenv, gagandpolgenes by maximum likelihood and Bayesian Markov Chain Monte Carlo based phylogenetic analyses. Based on an uncorrelated, lognormal relaxed clock ofenvgene evolution calibrated with other datasets, the time since the most recent common ancestor is estimated as 2.86 years prior to transmission (95% confidence interval 1.28 to 4.54 years).ConclusionOur results show that an effective design for a preventative vaccine will need to anticipate extensive HIV-1 diversity within an individual donor as well as diversity at the population level.
Recombinant immunotoxin anti-c-Met/PE38KDEL inhibits proliferation and promotes apoptosis of gastric cancer cells
Authors: Wei Xu , Juan Zhu Xiao , Min Feng Xiao , Nan Cai , Hua Zhang Xiu , Qing Feng Zheng , Zheng Liu 
Published: July 2011

Abstract

Background
Our study aims to evaluate the anti-growth effects of recombinant immunotoxin (IT) anti-c-Met/PE38KDEL on gastric cancer cells, and its mechnisms.

Methods
Gastric cancer cells were treated with increasing doses of IT and c-Met protein was quantified by Western blotting. Cell proliferation was determined by Cell Counting Kit-8 assay (CCK). [3H]-leucine incorporation assay was used to evaluate IT inhibition of protein synthesis. Cell apoptosis was quantified by flow cytometry. Caspase activities were measured using colorimetric protease assays.

Results
Cell growth and protein synthesis of the gastric cancer cell lines were suppressed by IT in a dose- and time-dependent manner. IT also induced apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. The apoptosis rates of gastric cancer cell lines MKN-45 and SGC7901 were 19.19% and 27.37%, respectively when treated with 50 ng/ml of IT. There were significant increase ofcaspase-3 activity at 24 hr of IT treatment (100 ng/ml) (P < 0.01) in these gastric cancer cell lines.

Conclusions
IT anti-c-Met/PE38KDEL has anti-growth effects on the gastric cancer cell lines in vitro, and it provides an experimental basis for c-Met-targeted therapy towards in vivo testing.
X-ray scattering and microtomography study on the structural changes of never-dried silver birch, European aspen and hybrid aspen during drying
Authors: Leppänen Kirsi , Bjurhager Ingela , Peura Marko , Kallonen Aki , Suuronen Jussi-Petteri , Penttilä Paavo , Love Jonathan , Fagerstedt Kurt , Serimaa Ritva 
Published: July 2011

AbstractThe impact of drying on the structure of the never-dried hardwood cell wall was studied at nanometer level by means of wide- and small-angle X-ray scattering (WAXS, SAXS), and at micrometer level by X-ray microtomography (μCT). Never-dried silver birch, European aspen and hybrid aspen samples were measured by WAXSin situduring drying in air. The samples included juvenile and mature wood, as well as normal and tension wood to allow comparison of the effects of different matrix compositions and microfibril angles. The deformations of cellulose crystallites and amorphous components of the cell wall were detected as changes in the cellulose reflections200and004and amorphous halo in the WAXS patterns. Especially, the width of the reflection004,corresponding to the cellulose chain direction, increased due to drying in all the samples, indicating an increase of strain and disorder of the chains. Also, the cellulose unit cell shrank 0.2–0.3% during drying in this direction in all the samples except in hybrid aspen tension wood. According to the SAXS results of silver birch, the distance between micro-fibrils decreased during drying. It was detected by μCT that the mean cross-sectional maximum width of the parenchymatous rays decreased from that of never-dried to air-dried birch by roughly 16%.
Study of stilbene and resin acid content of Scots pine heartwood by electrical impedance spectroscopy (EIS)
Authors: Tomppo Laura , Tiitta Markku , Laakso Tapio , Harju Anni , Venäläinen Martti , Lappalainen Reijo 
Published: July 2011

Abstract
Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) heartwood samples were measured with electrical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) at frequency range 1 Hz–10 MHz in green and relative humidity (RH) 65% conditioned moisture content (MC) after oven-drying. Complex impedance parameters were studied in relation to the density, moisture, resin acid and stilbene contents. The measurements were conducted in tangential (T) and longitudinal (L) directions with 36 samples in each analysis. For green MC, there were significant correlations between impedance phase angle and contents of stilbenes and resin acids at frequencies below 400 Hz. For the resin acid content, the strongest correlation with phase-angleT was -0.45 (P<0.01) at 100 Hz. Impedance magnitude correlated significantly with MC throughout the frequency range, e.g., at 10 kHz, r was -0.71 (P<0.001) for L-direction. In moisture conditioned state, the correlation between stilbenes and T-measured phase angle was strongest at 250 Hz, (r=-0.56, P<0.001). Equivalent circuit model of two ZARC-Cole elements in series was fitted for the measurements in green MC. Several model parameters correlated with MC (e.g., R1, L r=-0.64, P<0.001), but only one parameter correlated weakly with stilbene content (R2, T r=0.35, P<0.05). The study shows that EIS has a potential for independent determination of resin acid or stilbene contents and MC for green pine heartwood.
Ordnen, gestalten, bewahren. Radikales Ordnungsdenken von deutschen Rechtsintellektuellen der Rechtswissenschaft 1920 bis 1960
Authors: Günther Frieder 
Published: July 2011

Vorspann
Carl Schmitt, einer der Kronjuristen des Dritten Reiches, war nach 1945 öffentlich verfemt, im Stillen aber fast omnipräsent. Vor allem galt das für die Rechtswissenschaft, wo herausragende Gelehrte wie Ernst Forsthoff und Ernst Rudolf Huber sein Erbe verwalteten. Selbst nicht ganz unbelastet, bezogen sie sich namentlich auf Schmitts konkretes Ordnungs- und Gestaltungsdenken, das in seiner wuchtigen Unbestimmtheit Raum für vieles ließ und so auch manchen anderen Rechtsintellektuellen den Übergang von der Diktatur zur Demokratie erleichterte, ohne dass diese ihr Weltbild ändern mussten, wie Frieder Günther eindrucksvoll zeigen kann.
“Die Straße ist deutsch.” Der sowjetische Partisanenkrieg und seine militärische Effizienz
Authors: Stopper Sebastian 
Published: July 2011

Vorspann
Partisanen sind ein Mythos, die sowjetischen erst recht. Ihr Widerstand gegen die unbarmherzigen deutschen Okkupanten scheint eine solche Deutung nahezulegen. Doch führten sie im Rücken der deutschen Front nicht nur einen „Volkskrieg“ gegen die Besatzer, sondern immer auch einen Bürgerkrieg, an dem sich viel mehr Gruppen beteiligten, als es die sowjetische und nun teilweise auch die russische Historiographie suggeriert. Auch sonst scheinen Korrekturen angebracht an der Geschichte des sowjetischen Partisanenkriegs; das betrifft seinen Charakter, seine Gegner, seine Opfer und nicht zuletzt seine militärische Bedeutung. Dass diese weit übertrieben wurde, wird schon lange vermutet. Mit Hilfe eines systematischen Vergleichs deutscher und sowjetischer Quellen kann Sebastian Stopper dies erstmals exakt mit Zahlen belegen.
Keine neutralen Vermittler. Die Gruppe der neutralen und nicht-paktgebundenen Staaten und das Belgrader KSZE-Folgetreffen 1977/78
Authors: Gilde Benjamin 
Published: July 2011

Vorspann
Als Hauptakteure des Kalten Krieges gelten sie nicht, die neutralen und bündnisfreien Staaten. Ihre militärischen, ökonomischen und demografischen Ressourcen waren begrenzt, und ihre Außenpolitik schien sich zu großen Teilen darin zu erschöpfen, ihren neutralen Status zu sichern. Doch verschaffte die besondere Situation dieser verhältnismäßig kleinen Staatengruppe mitunter auch Vorteile, etwa bei der Konferenz über Sicherheit und Zusammenarbeit in Europa. Während der langwierigen und zähen Verhandlungen entwickelten sie teilweise einen Einfluss auf die große Politik, wie man ihn zunächst kaum erwarten würde.
Transition from Metallic to Semiconducting Behavior in Oxygen Plasma-treated Single-layer Graphene
Authors: Nourbakhsh Amirhasan , Cantoro Mirco , Vosch Tom , Pourtois Geoffrey , Hofkens Johan , Heyns Marc M. , Sels Bert F. , De Gendt Stefan 
Published: July 2011

ABSTRACTWe investigate the structural, optical and electrical properties of single-layer graphene exposed to oxygen plasma treatment. We find that the pristine semimetallic behavior of graphene disappears upon plasma treatment, in favour of the opening of a bandgap and the featuring of semiconducting properties. The metal-to-semiconductor transition observed appears to be dependent on the plasma treatment time. The semiconducting behavior is also confirmed by photoluminescence measurements. The opening of a bandgap in graphene is explained in terms of graphene surface functionalization with oxygen atoms, bonded as epoxy groups. Ab initio calculations of the density of states show more details about the oxygen–graphene interaction and its effects on the graphene optoelectronic properties, predicting no states near the Fermi level at increasing epoxy group density. The structural changes are also monitored by Raman spectroscopy, showing the progressive evolution of the sp2 character of pristine graphene to sp3, due to the lattice decoration with out-of-plane epoxy groups.
The search for high cycle life, high capacity, self healing negative electrodes for lithium ion batteries and a potential solution based on lithiated gallium
Authors: Verbrugge Mark W. , Deshpande Rutooj D. , Li Juchuan , Cheng Yang-Tse 
Published: July 2011

ABSTRACTAutomotive components, for the most part, are designed to last for the life of the vehicle. This is especially true for more expensive subsystems. As we move towards electrified vehicles with large traction batteries, it becomes increasingly important to (a) reduce the cost of the batteries and (b) improve battery life. This life challenge for the traction battery is quite different from that of most consumer electronics applications, which often require no more than a few years of life and a few hundred cycles of full charge and discharge. In this paper, we provide context for the automotive battery landscape and subsequently introduce a potential solution pathway to the cycle life problem associated with high capacity negative electrodes for lithium ion batteries. The approach is based on a solid (in the substantially lithiated state) to liquid (in the absence of significant lithium) transition for the gallium electrode. Because of gallium’s low melting point (29°C), heating the cell to just above ambient temperature transforms the electrode to a semi-liquid state, cracks vanish, to a large extent, and the electrode heals.
The Buddha’s Teachings to Lay People
Authors: Kelly John L 
Published: July 2011

In this work, all the discourses addressed to lay people in the four main nik?yas of the P?li Canon, and most of those in the fifth (Khuddaka), have been surveyed, categorised, and analysed. The different ways in which the Buddha customised his style of teaching and the Dhamma being taught according to the various demographic characteristics of his audience (i.e., age, gender, class, and spiritual attainment) are explored, highlighted and discussed.
Some of the findings are to be expected, whereas others are less so. There are several clear gender and class differences in the type of discourse used, the topics of the teaching, and in whether the sutta is oriented to lead the listener to the more worldly goals of happiness in this life or a good rebirth, as opposed to being directed towards complete liberation from rebirth. There are differences too based on the age of the addressees, but less pronounced.
This survey has also brought forth some distinct characteristics of the different nik?yas of the P?li Canon in terms of their suttas to the lay community. The A?guttara Nik?ya contains more suttas targeted directly to lay people, plus many others of the ‘indirect’ variety, more suttas addressed to women and to the middle-class, and a higher emphasis on the goals of happiness in this life and a good rebirth.
Overall the suttas addressed to lay people show a very strong emphasis on good conduct by body, speech, and mind. But this paper hasn’t addressed whether there would be a different emphasis shown in an examination of the suttas addressed exclusively to the monastic community, and this is an area that warrants further exploration.
A comprehensive catalogue of suttas in the P?li Canon that are addressed to householders is included in an appendix.
Positional Plagiocephaly and Excessive Folic Acid Intake during Pregnancy
Authors: Michels Alice C. , Van Den Elzen Marijke E. , Vies J.S.H. , Van Der Hulst Rene R. 
Published: July 2011

Objective To assess the relationship between high intake of folic acid and positional plagiocephaly. Design Retrospective case-control study with questionnaires administered in the clinic to biological mothers of children with positional plagiocephaly (PP group) and mothers of children without it (CO group). Setting Tertiary, institutional clinic. University Hospital of Maastricht, The Netherlands. Patients, Participants Exclusion criteria: mothers of children with syndromic disease or bone deformation and of children with clearly continuous forces on the skull (torticollis). A total of 94 mothers were included in the PP group (response rate: 85%), and 74 were included in the CO group (response rate: 75%). Final sample sizes were 75 in the PP group and 54 in the CO group. Main Outcome Measures The recommended daily dosage of folic acid in The Netherlands is 400 μg. The primary outcome was folic acid dosage in relation to the recommended dosage. A secondary outcome was duration of folic acid intake in relation to the recommended period of use during pregnancy. Results In the PP group, 20% used double the recommended dosage of folic acid, compared with 6% in the CO group ( p < .05). In the CO group, 59% used folic acid longer than recommended compared with 56% in the PP group (not significant). There were no differences in baseline characteristics except for gestational period: 39.5 weeks in the PP group and 37.9 in the CO group ( p < .05). Conclusion Excessive daily intake of folic acid during pregnancy is seen among mothers of positional plagiocephaly patients.
Relationship between Occlusion and Lisping in Children with Cleft Lip and Palate
Authors: Whitaker Melina Evangelista , De Souza Freitas José Alberto , Pegoraro-Krook Maria Iněs , Ozawa Terumi Okada , De Cássia Moura Carvalho Lauris Rita , Lauris José Roberto Pereira , Dutka Jeniffer Cássia Rillo 
Published: July 2011

Introduction The literature suggests that individuals with history of cleft lip and palate who present with midfacial growth deficiency are at higher risk of presenting lisping. The relationship between distortions during production of linguoalveolar fricative sounds and the severity of malocclusion, however, has not been established for the population with cleft. Objective To study the association between lisping and dental arch relationship. Methodology Speech samples and dental arch casts were obtained from 106 children with operated unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) during the stage of mixed dentition and before orthodontic treatment. Videotaped productions of the phrase lu saci saiw sedul were rated by speech-language pathologists for the identification of lisping during [s]. Dental arch casts were rated by orthodontists using the Goslon Yardstick and the Five-Year Index to establish dental arch relationship. Results Multiple logistic regression showed no significant association between lisping and dento-occlusal index ( p = .802) and age ( p = .662). Substantial interjudge agreement during auditory-perceptual ratings was found (kappa = .63). Almost perfect agreement was found between orthodontists while establishing the dental arch relationship (kappa = .81). Discussion This study failed to reveal an association between lisping and dental arch relationship in children with operated UCLP. Multiple variables may play a role in determining occurrence of lisping, warranting further investigation.
Factors Associated with Parental Adaptation to Having a Child with a Cleft Lip and/or Palate: The Impact of Parental Diagnosis
Authors: O'hanlon Katherine , Camic Paul M. , Shearer Joanna 
Published: July 2011

Objective To investigate the impact of parental diagnosis of cleft lip and/or palate on factors associated with parental adaptation to having a child with a cleft. Design A mixed-methodological, quasi-experimental, causal-comparative research design. Participants A total of 27 parents born with a cleft lip and/or palate and 27 parents born without a cleft lip and/or palate completed the study measures. Outcome Measures The Ways of Coping Questionnaire, the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, the Interpersonal Support Evaluation List, and the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory were included along with a researcher-designed, cleft-specific questionnaire. Results The cleft-specific questionnaire revealed that parents born with a cleft lip and/or palate reported feelings of guilt significantly more often than did parents without a cleft lip and/ or palate. Parents without a cleft reported feeling anxious significantly more often than did parents born with a cleft lip and/or palate. The qualitative aspect of the study yielded further between-group differences. The feeling that their own cleft-related experiences influenced their adjustment to having a child with a cleft emerged as a dominant theme for parents born with a cleft; whereas, parents without a cleft lip and/or palate highlighted the importance of accurate information and positive interactions with clinicians in facilitating adjustment to their situation. No significant between-group differences were found on the standardized measures; however, the study's small sample size increases the risk of type II error and may account for the lack of significant findings. Conclusions These findings appear to provide support for the widely held clinical opinion that parental diagnosis of cleft lip and/or palate impacts how parents cope with and adjust to their child's diagnosis.
Velopharyngeal Dysfunction and 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome: A Longitudinal Study of Functional Outcome and Preoperative Prognostic Factors
Authors: Spruijt N.E. , Widdershoven J.C.C. , Breugem C.C. , Speleman L. , Homveld I.L.M. , Kon M. , Van Der Molen A.B. Mink 
Published: July 2011

Objective To describe the effect of time after velopharyngoplasty on outcome and to search for preoperative prognostic factors for residual hypernasality in patients with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome. Design Retrospective chart review. Setting Tertiary hospital. Patients Patients with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome and velopharyngeal dysfunction who underwent a primary (modified) Honig velopharyngoplasty between 1989 and 2009. Main Outcome Measures Clinically obtained perceptual and instrumental measurements of resonance, nasalance, and understandability before and after velopharyngoplasty. Results Data were available for 44 of 54 patients (81% follow-up), with a mean follow-up time of 7.0 years (range, 1.0 to 19.4 years). During follow-up, 24 (55%) patients attained normal resonance and 20 (45%) had residual hypernasality or underwent revision surgery. Mean postoperative nasalance and understandability scores were closer to the norm than mean preoperative scores were (2.0 versus 5.5 standard deviations for the normal passage, 1.3 versus 8.1 standard deviations for the nonnasal passage, and score 2.3 versus 4.1 understandability). Serial measurements revealed that hypernasality only resolved an average of 5 years after surgery, and three patients whose resonance initially normalized later relapsed to hypernasality. Gender, age at surgery, lateral pharyngeal wall adduction, velar elevation, presence of a palatal defect, previous intravelar veloplasty, nasalance, understandability, adenoidectomy, hearing loss, and IQ were not able to predict poor outcome following primary velopharyngoplasty (all p > .05). Conclusions In this chart review of patients with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome and velopharyngeal dysfunction, residual hypernasality persisted in many patients after velopharyngoplasty. None of the preoperative factors that were studied had prognostic value for the outcome.