bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Integrins are required for cardioblast polarisation in Drosophila
Authors: Vanderploeg Jessica , Vazquez Paz L Lourdes , MacMullin Allison , Jacobs J Roger 
Published: February 2012

Abstract

Background
The formation of a tubular organ, such as the heart, requires the communication of positional and polarity signals between migratory cells. Key to this process is the establishment of a new luminal domain on the cell surface, generally from the apical domain of a migratory cell. This domain will also acquire basal properties, as it will produce a luminal extracellular matrix. Integrin receptors are the primary means of cell adhesion and adhesion signaling with the extracellular matrix. Here we characterise the requirement of Integrins in a genetic model of vasculogenesis, the formation of the heart in Drosophila.

Results
As with vertebrates, the Drosophila heart arises from lateral mesoderm that migrates medially to meet their contralateral partners, to then assemble a midline vessel. During migration, Integrins are among the first proteins restricted to the presumptive luminal domain of cardioblasts. Integrins are required for normal levels of leading edge membrane motility. Apical accumulation of Integrins is enhanced by Robo, and reciprocally, apicalisation of luminal factors like Slit and Robo requires Integrin function. Integrins may provide a template for the formation of a lumen by stabilising lumen factors like Robo. Subsequent to migration, Integrin is required for normal cardioblast alignment and lumen formation. This phenotype is most readily modified by other mutations that affect adhesion, such as Talin and extracellular matrix ligands.

Conclusion
Our findings reveal an instructive role for Integrins in communicating polarising information to cells during migration, and during transition to an epithelial tube structure.
Fetal exposure to bisphenol A as a risk factor for the development of childhood asthma: an animal model study
Authors: Nakajima Yoichi , Goldblum Randall M , Midoro-Horiuti Terumi 
Published: February 2012

Abstract

Background
The prevalence of asthma in industrialized countries has been increasing dramatically and asthma is now the most common chronic disease of children in the United States. The rapidity of the increase strongly suggests that changes in environmental exposures are the likely cause of this epidemic. Further, the early onset of allergic manifestations suggests that these exposures may act on the prenatal development of the immune system. We have focused on the potential effects of bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical pollutant with one of the largest productions, on the development of childhood asthma. We have reported that perinatal BPA exposure promotes the development of allergic asthma in a mouse model. The current study was designed to identify a critical period of BPA exposure and to begin elucidating the mechanisms for this susceptibility.

Methods
Female BALB/c mice received 10 micro g/ml BPA in their drinking water from one week before pregnancy until the end of the study. Some of the pups were transferred in the first 48 h of life from their BPA-loaded mother to an unexposed mother, or vice versa. Half of the pups were sensitized with a low dose of the experimental allergen ovalbumin (OVA), the rest received PBS as an unsensitized controls. On day 22, the pups were challenged by inhalations of ovalbumin or PBS followed by quantification of eosinophils in and hyperreactivity of their airways, major indicators of experimental asthma in this classical mouse model. Hepatic expression of two isoforms of UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (Ugt) was quantified by quantitative RT-PCR at various ages.

Results
Pups exposed to BPA in utero and through breast milk, or in utero only, displayed an asthma phenotype in response to their "suboptimal" allergic sensitization, whereas, pups only exposed to BPA postnatally from breast milk, did not. The expression of Ugt2b1, an isoform related to BPA clearance in rats, was not detectable in mouse fetuses and newborn pups, but increased by day 5 and approached adult levels by day 25.

Conclusions
Prenatal exposures that produce environmentally relevant burdens of BPA, followed by postnatal allergic sensitization and challenges, promote the development of experimental allergic asthma. Delayed expression of BPA-metabolizing enzymes may explain, at least in part, the enhanced fetal susceptibility to this common environmental contaminant.
Nanoscale elastic modulus of single horizontal ZnO nanorod using nanoindentation experiment
Authors: Soomro Muhammad Yousuf , Hussain Ijaz , Bano Nargis , Broitman Esteban , Nur Omer , Willander Magnus 
Published: February 2012

Abstract
We measure the elastic modulus of a single horizontal ZnO nanorod [NR] grown by a low-temperature hydrothermal chemical process on silicon substrates by performing room-temperature, direct load-controlled nanoindentation measurements. The configuration of the experiment for the single ZnO NR was achieved using a focused ion beam/scanning electron microscope dual-beam instrument. The single ZnO NR was positioned horizontally over a hole on a silicon wafer using a nanomanipulator, and both ends were bonded with platinum, defining a three-point bending configuration. The elastic modulus of the ZnO NR, extracted from the unloading curve using the well-known Oliver-Pharr method, resulted in a value of approximately 800 GPa. Also, we discuss the NR creep mechanism observed under indentation. The mechanical behavior reported in this paper will be a useful reference for the design and applications of future nanodevices.
Selective crystallization with preferred lithium-ion storage capability of inorganic materials
Authors: Liu Fei , Song Shuyan , Xue Dongfeng , Zhang Hongjie 
Published: February 2012

Abstract
Lithium-ion batteries are supposed to be a key method to make a more efficient use of energy. In the past decade, nanostructured electrode materials have been extensively studied and have presented the opportunity to achieve superior performance for the next-generation batteries which require higher energy and power densities and longer cycle life. In this article, we reviewed recent research activities on selective crystallization of inorganic materials into nanostructured electrodes for lithium-ion batteries and discuss how selective crystallization can improve the electrode performance of materials; for example, selective exposure of surfaces normal to the ionic diffusion paths can greatly enhance the ion conductivity of insertion-type materials; crystallization of alloying-type materials into nanowire arrays has proven to be a good solution to the electrode pulverization problem; and constructing conversion-type materials into hollow structures is an effective approach to buffer the volume variation during cycling. The major goal of this review is to demonstrate the importance of crystallization in energy storage applications.
Multifocus image fusion scheme based on feature contrast in the lifting stationary wavelet domain
Authors: Li Huafeng , Wei Shanbi , Chai Yi 
Published: February 2012

Abstract
For fusion of multifocus images, a novel image fusion method based on multiscale products in lifting stationary wavelet (LSWT) domain is proposed in this article. In order to avoid the influence of noise and select the coefficients of the fused image properly, different subband coefficients employ different selection principles. For choosing the low frequency subband coefficients, a new modified energy of Laplacian (EOL) is proposed and used as the focus measure to select the coefficients from the clear parts of the low frequency subband images; when choosing the high frequency subband coefficients, a novel feature contrast measurement of the multiscale products is proposed, which is proved to be more suitable for fusion of multifocus images than the traditional contrast measurement, and used to select coefficients from the sharpness parts of the high frequency subbands. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed fusion approach outperforms the traditional discrete wavelet transform (DWT)-based, LSWT-based and LSWT-traditional-contrast-(LSWT-Tra-Con)-based image fusion methods, even though the source images are corrupted by a Gaussian noise, in terms of both visual quality and objective evaluation.
Long-term high-fat-diet feeding induces skeletal muscle mitochondrial biogenesis in rats in a sex-dependent and muscle-type specific manner
Authors: Gómez-Pérez Yolanda , Capllonch-Amer Gabriela , Gianotti Magdalena , Lladó Isabel , Proenza Ana M 
Published: February 2012

Abstract

Background
Mitochondrial dysfunction is thought to play a crucial role in the etiology of insulin resistance, in which skeletal muscle is the main tissue contributor. Sex differences in skeletal muscle insulin and antioxidant responses to high-fat-diet (HFD) feeding have been described. The aim of this study was to elucidate whether there is a sex dimorphism in the effects of HFD feeding on skeletal muscle mitochondrial biogenesis and on the adiponectin signaling pathway, as well as the influence of the muscle type (oxidative or glycolytic).

Methods
Gastrocnemius and soleus muscles of male and female Wistar rats of 2 months of age fed with a high-fat-diet (HFD) or a low fat diet for 26 weeks were used. Mitochondrial biogenesis and oxidative damage markers, oxidative capacity and antioxidant defences were analyzed. Serum insulin sensitivity parameters and the levels of proteins involved in adiponectin signaling pathway were also determined.

Results
HFD feeding induced mitochondrial biogenesis in both sexes, but to a higher degree in male rats. Although HFD female rats showed greater antioxidant protection and maintained a better insulin sensitivity profile than their male counterparts, both sexes showed an impaired response to adiponectin, which was more evident in gastrocnemius muscle.

Conclusions
We conclude that HFD rats may induce skeletal muscle mitochondrial biogenesis as an attempt to compensate the deleterious consequences of adiponectin and insulin resistance on oxidative metabolism, and that the effects of HFD feeding are sex-dependent and muscle-type specific.
The human parasite Loa loa in cytokine and cytokine receptor gene knock out BALB/c mice: survival, development and localization
Authors: Tendongfor Nicholas , Wanji Samuel , Ngwa Julius C , Esum Mathias E , Specht Sabine , Enyong Peter , Matthaei Klaus I , Hoerauf Achim 
Published: February 2012

AbstractBackgroundImmunological mechanisms involved in the survival and development of human filarial species in the vertebrate host are poorly known due to the lack of suitable experimental models. In order to understand the role of cytokines in the survival and development of filarial larvae in the vertebrate host, we infected different strains of BALB/c mice deficient in a number of cytokine or cytokine receptor genes withLoa loa. The survival and development of larvae were monitored.MethodsBALB/c mice genetically deficient in IL-4R, IFN-γ, IFN-γ/IL-5, IL-5, and IL-4R/IL-5 cytokine or cytokine receptor genes were infected with a human strain ofL. loaand necropsies were performed at different time intervals up to 70 days post infection to monitor the survival and development ofL. loalarvae. The larvae were teased out of the skin, muscles, peritoneal and pleural cavities, heart and lung tissues. The length and width of the recovered larvae were measured to assess their growth.ResultsIn mice deficient for IL-4R, IFN-γ, IFN-γ/IL-5, IL-5 and IL-4R/IL-5, the larvae survived up to 5, 20, 40, 50 and 70 days respectively. Worms recovered 70 days post infection in IL-4R/IL-5 DKO mice were young adults and measured 10.12 mm in length and 0.1 mm in width. Overall, 47% of larvae were recovered from subcutaneous tissues, 40% from muscles, 6% from the peritoneal cavity and 4% from the pleural cavity, lungs and heart.ConclusionL. loaexhibits a differential survival and development in different strains of cytokine or cytokine receptor gene knockout mice with IL-4R and IL-5 playing critical roles in the host resistance toL. loainfection. The knock out BALB/c mouse therefore represents a useful tool to explore the key effectors of adaptive immunity involved in the killing of theL. loaparasite in a mammal host.
A Web-based archive of systematic review data
Authors: Ip Stanley , Hadar Nira , Keefe Sarah , Parkin Christopher , Iovin Ramon , Balk Ethan M , Lau Joseph 
Published: February 2012

Abstract
Systematic reviews have become increasingly critical to informing healthcare policy; however, they remain a time-consuming and labor-intensive activity. The extraction of data from constituent studies comprises a significant portion of this effort, an activity which is often needlessly duplicated, such as when attempting to update a previously conducted review or in reviews of overlapping topics.
In order to address these inefficiencies, and to improve the speed and quality of healthcare policy- and decision-making, we have initiated the development of the Systematic Review Data Repository, an open collaborative Web-based repository of systematic review data. As envisioned, this resource would serve as both a central archive and data extraction tool, shared among and freely accessible to organizations producing systematic reviews worldwide. A suite of easy-to-use software tools with a Web frontend would enable researchers to seamlessly search for and incorporate previously deposited data into their own reviews, as well as contribute their own.
In developing this resource, we identified a number of technical and non-technical challenges, as well as devised a number of potential solutions, including proposals for systems and software tools to assure data quality, stratify and control user access effectively and flexibly accommodate all manner of study data, as well as means by which to govern and foster adoption of this new resource.
Herein we provide an account of the rationale and development of the Systematic Review Data Repository thus far, as well as outline its future trajectory.
Honokiol activates AMP-activated protein kinase in breast cancer cells via an LKB1-dependent pathway and inhibits breast carcinogenesis
Authors: Nagalingam Arumugam , Arbiser Jack L , Bonner Michael Y , Saxena Neeraj K , Sharma Dipali 
Published: February 2012

Abstract
Introduction
Honokiol, a small-molecule polyphenol isolated from magnolia species, is widely known for its therapeutic potential as an antiinflammatory, antithrombosis, and antioxidant agent, and more recently, for its protective function in the pathogenesis of carcinogenesis. In the present study, we sought to examine the effectiveness of honokiol in inhibiting migration and invasion of breast cancer cells and to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms.

Methods
Clonogenicity and three-dimensional colony-formation assays were used to examine breast cancer cell growth with honokiol treatment. The effect of honokiol on invasion and migration of breast cancer cells was evaluated by using Matrigel invasion, scratch-migration, spheroid-migration, and electric cell-substrate impedance sensing (ECIS)-based migration assays. Western blot and immunofluorescence analysis were used to examine activation of the liver kinase B1 (LKB1)-AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) axis. Isogenic LKB1-knockdown breast cancer cell line pairs were developed. Functional importance of AMPK activation and LKB1 overexpression in the biologic effects of honokiol was examined by using AMPK-null and AMPK-wild type (WT) immortalized mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) and isogenic LKB1-knockdown cell line pairs. Finally, mouse xenografts, immunohistochemical and Western blot analysis of tumors were used.

Results
Analysis of the underlying molecular mechanisms revealed that honokiol treatment increases AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) phosphorylation and activity, as evidenced by increased phosphorylation of the downstream target of AMPK, acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase (ACC) and inhibition of phosphorylation of p70S6kinase (pS6K) and eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E binding protein 1 (4EBP1). By using AMPK-null and AMPK-WT (MEFs), we found that AMPK is required for honokiol-mediated modulation of pACC-pS6K. Intriguingly, we discovered that honokiol treatment increased the expression and cytoplasmic translocation of tumor-suppressor LKB1 in breast cancer cells. LKB1 knockdown inhibited honokiol-mediated activation of AMPK and, more important, inhibition of migration and invasion of breast cancer cells. Furthermore, honokiol treatment resulted in inhibition of breast tumorigenesis in vivo. Analysis of tumors showed significant increases in the levels of cytoplasmic LKB1 and phospho-AMPK in honokiol-treated tumors.

Conclusions
Taken together, these data provide the first in vitro and in vivo evidence of the integral role of the LKB1-AMPK axis in honokiol-mediated inhibition of the invasion and migration of breast cancer cells. In conclusion, honokiol treatment could potentially be a rational therapeutic strategy for breast carcinoma.
Bild und Geschlecht in den drei „Religionen des Buches”: Judentum, Christentum, Islam
Authors: von Braun Christina 
Published: February 2012

Zusammenfassung
Trotz vieler Gemeinsamkeiten kam und kommt es oft zu Konflikten zwischen den drei „Religionen des Buches” – Judentum, Christentum und Islam. Viele von ihnen machen sich an der Geschlechterordnung fest. Diese ist zwar symbolischer Art, wird aber von allen Seiten nicht nur als gottgegeben, sondern auch als „natürlich” betrachtet. Der Aufsatz versucht, den strukturellen Unterschieden zwischen den symbolischen Geschlechterordnungen in den drei Religionen des Buches nachzugehen und zeigt auf, dass das Verhältnis von Mann und Frau in jeder der drei Religionen nach ganz ähnlichen Muster konstruiert ist wie das jeweilige Verhältnis von Gott und Mensch. Diese Verhältnisse, so wird dargestellt, setzen sich fort im nicht-religiösen Leben und prägen das Verständnis von „Welt”.
Die Emotionen im arabischen Kontext. Analogien und Widersprüche
Authors: Seif Antoine 
Published: February 2012

Zusammenfassung
Die aus der Antike tradierte philosophische Geringschätzung der Emotionen wird in ihrem Niederschlag in Theologie und Philosophie der arabisch-islamischen Kultur seit ihren Anfängen untersucht. Das wird kontrastiert mit heutigen Auffassungen von Emotion als eher kulturell geprägt und flexibel statt als körperlich bedingt und fest und leitet über zu aktuellen wechselseitigen Emotionen der Feindseligkeit im Verhältnis von Orient und Okzident und ihrer Geschichte, denen ein Plädoyer für den interkulturellen Dialog gegenübergestellt wird.
Islamität: Emotion und Glaube
Authors: Triki Fathi 
Published: February 2012

Zusammenfassung
Vor dem Hintergrund der gegenwärtigen Umwälzungen in einigen arabischen Ländern befasst sich der Beitrag mit dem Spannungsfeld, in dem die Freiheit des Individuums (gegenüber der Freiheit als Gattungseigenschaft oder Merkmal einer Gruppenzugehörigkeit) zu seinem unabdingbaren Leben in Gemeinschaft steht. Die Frage, wie Muslime ihre individuelle Freiheit mit ihrer Zugehörigkeit zur umma in Einklang bringen, führt zur These, dass der Islam dem Prinzip nach als Religion der Individualität betrachtet werden kann.
Trust in Humanity. Reason and Emotions in Wartime
Authors: Costea Miriam 
Published: February 2012

Abstract
This paper attempts to shed light on the intricate mechanisms of preserving trust in humanity in the face of the persecution of Jews in the Second World War. Three non-Jew confessional leaders attempted to communicate to a Jewish notary public in their village their fear that the latter, as a Jew of Hungarian part of Transylvania, may not survive the war. But their attempt proved to be ineffective; it seemed to be totally disregarded by the person whom they tried to save from deportation. Several theories and ideas about trust are examined in order to explain his decision. Drawing on Levinas (1969), we propose the concept of “perpetual faith” in order to explain the attitudes of some social roles in crisis situations. It may explain the decision taken by the Jewish notary acting as a “perpetual trustor”, referring to a more important trustee – humanity.
Mimesis und die Zirkulation von Emotionen in Ritualen. Das Bestattungsritual Michael Jacksons
Authors: Wulf Christoph 
Published: February 2012

Zusammenfassung
Mimetische und performative Prozesse spielen für die Erzeugung und Verbreitung von Emotionen in Ritualen eine zentrale Rolle. Nach der Klärung einiger Grundbegriffe wird am Beispiel von Michael Jacksons Beerdigung gezeigt, wie Rituale Emotionen in mimetischen und performativen Prozessen hervorbringen und erinnerbar machen. Anhand dieses Beispiels wird verdeutlicht, dass Rituale für die Erzeugung und Verbreitung von Emotionen von zentraler Bedeutung sind. Entsprechendes gilt für religiöse Rituale, Zeremonien und Feste sowie für Übergangs- und Alltagsrituale, die dem Leben der Menschen Orientierung und Sinn geben. Viele in alltäglichen Ritualen entstehende Emotionen werden uns nicht bewusst. Sie sind Teil unseres Gedächtnisses, stehen jedoch unserer Erinnerung nur eingeschränkt zur Verfügung. Für die Entwicklung einer individuellen und kollektiven Identität sind sie von zentraler Bedeutung. Sie tragen dazu bei, Fähigkeiten hervorzubringen, deren Entstehung in rituellen Lernprozessen wir vergessen haben.
Ästhetische Erfahrung und Emotion: Das künstlerische Schaffen als Probe
Authors: Triki Rachida 
Published: February 2012

Zusammenfassung
Die emotionale und sinnliche (aisthetische) Dimension wird als unerlässlich für die rationale Beurteilung von Kunst bzw. Kunstwerken aufgezeigt, im Schaffensprozess ebenso wie in der Betrachtung des Werkes. Damit verbindet sich auch die Rolle von Kunst als Gegengewicht zur verwalteten Welt.
Community Asthma Initiative: Evaluation of a Quality Improvement Program for Comprehensive Asthma Care
Authors: Woods Elizabeth R. , Bhaumik Urmi , Sommer Susan J. , Ziniel Sonja I. , Kessler Alaina J. , Chan Elaine , Wilkinson Ronald B. , Sesma Maria N. , Burack Amy B. , Klements Elizabeth M. , Queenin Lisa M. , Dickerson Deborah U. , Nethersole Shari 
Published: February 2012

OBJECTIVES:
The objective of this study was to assess the cost-effectiveness of a quality improvement (QI) program in reducing asthma emergency department (ED) visits, hospitalizations, limitation of physical activity, patient missed school, and parent missed work.

METHODS:
Urban, low-income patients with asthma from 4 zip codes were identified through logs of ED visits or hospitalizations, and offered enhanced care including nurse case management and home visits. QI evaluation focused on parent-completed interviews at enrollment, and at 6- and 12-month contacts. Hospital administrative data were used to assess ED visits and hospitalizations at enrollment, and 1 and 2 years after enrollment. Hospital costs of the program were compared with the hospital costs of a neighboring community with similar demographics.

RESULTS:
The program provided services to 283 children. Participants were 55.1% male; 39.6% African American, 52.3% Latino; 72.7% had Medicaid; 70.8% had a household income &lt;$25 000. Twelve-month data show a significant decrease in any (≥1) asthma ED visits (68.0%) and hospitalizations (84.8%), and any days of limitation of physical activity (42.6%), patient missed school (41.0%), and parent missed work (49.7%) (all P &lt; .0001). Patients with greatest functional impairment from ED visits, limitation of activity, and missed school were more likely to have any nurse home visit and greater number of home visits. There was a significant reduction in hospital costs compared with the comparison community (P &lt; .0001), and a return on investment of 1.46.

CONCLUSIONS:
The program showed improved health outcomes and cost-effectiveness and generated information to guide advocacy efforts to finance comprehensive asthma care.