bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Parliamentary Diplomacy
Authors: de Boer Gonnie , Weisglas Frans 
Published: June 2007

AbstractParliamentarians have for decades been present and active in the international arena. 'Parliamentary diplomacy', however, has only quite recently become the common term used to describe the wide range of international activities undertaken by members of parliament in order to increase mutual understanding between countries, to improve scrutiny of government, to represent their people better, and to increase the democratic legitimacy of inter-governmental institutions. It is perhaps a sign of the times that this term has now been coined. The increased blurring of boundaries between national and foreign affairs means that parliamentarians must consider issues put before them with a global mindset. Correspondingly, the significance of international parliamentary contacts is growing, and it is unlikely to cease to do so in the coming years.
A novel natural compound, a cycloanthranilylproline derivative (Fuligocandin B), sensitizes leukemia cells to apoptosis induced by tumor necrosis factor–related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) through 15-deoxy-Δ12, 14 prostaglandin J2 production
Authors: Hasegawa Hiroo , Yamada Yasuaki , Komiyama Kanki , Hayashi Masahiko , Ishibashi Masami , Sunazuka Toshiaki , Izuhara Takeshi , Sugahara Kazuyuki , Tsuruda Kazuto , Masuda Masato , Takasu Nobuyuki , Tsukasaki Kunihiro , Tomonaga Masao , Kamihira Shimeru 
Published: June 2007

Abstract
Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)–related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) induces apoptosis in many transformed cells; however, not all human tumors respond to TRAIL, potentially limiting its therapeutic utility. Although there is substantial evidence that cytotoxic drugs can augment sensitivity to TRAIL, it has become important to know what kinds of nontoxic drugs can be used together with TRAIL. We thus screened several natural compounds that can overcome resistance to TRAIL and found that a cycloanthranilylproline derivative, Fuligocandin B (FCB), an extract of myxomycete Fuligo candida, exhibited significant synergism with TRAIL. Treatment of the TRAIL-resistant cell line KOB with FCB and TRAIL resulted in apparent apoptosis, which was not induced by either agent alone. FCB increased the production of 15-deoxy-Δ12,14 prostaglandin J2 (15d-PGJ2), an endogenous PPARγ ligand, through activation of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). This unique mechanism highlighted the fact that 15d-PGJ2 directly enhanced sensitivity to TRAIL by inhibiting multiple antiapoptotic factors. More importantly, similar effects were observed in other leukemia cell lines irrespective of their origin. The enhancement was observed regardless of PPARγ expression and was not blocked even by peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ) siRNA. These results indicate that 15d-PGJ2 sensitizes TRAIL-resistant cells to TRAIL in a PPARγ-independent manner and that the use of 15d-PGJ2 or its inducers, such as FCB, is a new strategy for cancer therapy.
Molecular phylogeny of the Drosophila obscura species group, with emphasis on the Old World species
Authors: Gao Jian-jun , Watabe Hide-aki , Aotsuka Tadashi , Pang Jun-feng , Zhang Ya-ping 
Published: June 2007

AbstractBackgroundSpecies of theDrosophila obscuraspecies group (e.g.,D. pseudoobscura,D. subobscura) have served as favorable models in evolutionary studies since the 1930's. Despite numbers of studies conducted with varied types of data, the basal phylogeny in this group is still controversial, presumably owing to not only the hypothetical 'rapid radiation' history of this group, but also limited taxon sampling from the Old World (esp. the Oriental and Afrotropical regions). Here we reconstruct the phylogeny of this group by using sequence data from 6 loci of 21 species (including 16 Old World ones) covering all the 6 subgroups of this group, estimate the divergence times among lineages, and statistically test the 'rapid radiation' hypothesis.ResultsPhylogenetic analyses indicate that each of thesubobscura,sinobscura,affinis, andpseudoobscurasubgroups is monophyletic. Thesubobscuraandmicrolabissubgroups form the basal clade in theobscuragroup. Partial species of theobscurasubgroup (theD. ambigua/D. obscura/D. trististriad plus theD. subsilvestris/D. dianensispair) forms a monophyletic group which appears to be most closely related to thesinobscurasubgroup. The remaining basal relationships in theobscuragroup are not resolved by the present study. Divergence times on a ML tree based on mtDNA data are estimated with a calibration of 30–35 Mya for the divergence between theobscuraandmelanogastergroups. The result suggests that at least half of the current major lineages of theobscuragroup originated by the mid-Miocene time (~15 Mya), a time of the last developing and fragmentation of the temperate forest in North Hemisphere.ConclusionTheobscuragroup began to diversify rapidly before invading into the New World. Thesubobscuraandmicrolabissubgroups form the basal clade in this group. Theobscurasubgroup is paraphyletic. Partial members of this subgroup (D. ambigua,D. obscura,D. tristis,D. subsilvestris, andD. dianensis) form a monophyletic group which appears to be most closely related to thesinobscurasubgroup.
Comparative temporal and dose-dependent morphological and transcriptional uterine effects elicited by tamoxifen and ethynylestradiol in immature, ovariectomized mice
Authors: Fong Cora J , Burgoon Lyle D , Williams Kurt J , Forgacs Agnes L , Zacharewski Timothy R 
Published: June 2007

Abstract

Background
Uterine temporal and dose-dependent histopathologic, morphometric and gene expression responses to the selective estrogen receptor modulator tamoxifen (TAM) were comprehensively examined to further elucidate its estrogen receptor-mediated effects. These results were systematically compared to the effects elicited by the potent estrogen receptor ligand 17α-ethynylestradiol (EE) to identify pathways similarly and uniquely modified by each compound.

Results
Three daily doses of 100 μg/kg TAM elicited a dose-dependent increase in uterine wet weight (UWW) in immature, ovariectomized C57BL/6 mice at 72 hrs with concurrent increases in luminal epithelial cell height (LECH), luminal circumference and glandular epithelial tubule number. Significant UWW and LECH increases were detected at 24 hrs after a single dose of 100 μg/kg TAM. cDNA microarray analysis identified 2235 differentially expressed genes following a single dose of 100 μg/kg TAM at 2, 4, 8, 12, 18 and 24 hrs, and at 72 hrs after three daily doses (3 × 24 hrs). Functional annotation of differentially expressed genes was associated with cell growth and proliferation, cytoskeletal organization, extracellular matrix modification, nucleotide synthesis, DNA replication, protein synthesis and turnover, lipid metabolism, glycolysis and immunological responses as is expected from the uterotrophic response. Comparative analysis of TAM and EE treatments identified 1209 common, differentially expressed genes, the majority of which exhibited similar profiles despite a temporal delay in TAM elicited responses. However, several conserved and treatment specific responses were identified that are consistent with proliferation (Fos, Cdkn1a, Anapc1), and water imbibition (Slc30a3, Slc30a5) responses elicited by EE.

Conclusion
Overall, TAM and EE share similar gene expression profiles. However, TAM responses exhibit lower efficacy, while responses unique to EE are consistent with the physiological differences elicited between compounds.
Comparison of hybridization-based and sequencing-based gene expression technologies on biological replicates
Authors: Liu Fang , Jenssen Tor-Kristian , Trimarchi Jeff , Punzo Claudio , Cepko Connie L , Ohno-Machado Lucila , Hovig Eivind , Patrick Kuo Winston 
Published: June 2007

Abstract

Background
High-throughput systems for gene expression profiling have been developed and have matured rapidly through the past decade. Broadly, these can be divided into two categories: hybridization-based and sequencing-based approaches. With data from different technologies being accumulated, concerns and challenges are raised about the level of agreement across technologies. As part of an ongoing large-scale cross-platform data comparison framework, we report here a comparison based on identical samples between one-dye DNA microarray platforms and MPSS (Massively Parallel Signature Sequencing).

Results
The DNA microarray platforms generally provided highly correlated data, while moderate correlations between microarrays and MPSS were obtained. Disagreements between the two types of technologies can be attributed to limitations inherent to both technologies. The variation found between pooled biological replicates underlines the importance of exercising caution in identification of differential expression, especially for the purposes of biomarker discovery.

Conclusion
Based on different principles, hybridization-based and sequencing-based technologies should be considered complementary to each other, rather than competitive alternatives for measuring gene expression, and currently, both are important tools for transcriptome profiling.
Evaluation of a one-way airflow system in an animal room based on counts of airborne dust particles and bacteria and measurements of ammonia levels
Authors: Yamauchi C. , Obara T. , Fukuyama N. , Ueda T. 
Published: June 2007

Air cleanliness in the working area of an animal room equipped with a conventional turbulent flow air distribution systems was compared with that in a similar room fitted with a one-way-flow air distribution system; in this, the supply air flowed from the working area through the racks of cages and was removed from the exhaust side. Before the introduction of animals, the air in the working and exhaust areas of both rooms was ascertained to be Class 100. With animals in situ, however, whereas in the turbulent airflow room both the workspace and exhaust air reached about Class 10 000 (with particle counts, bacterial counts and ammonia levels being almost the same) in the one-way-flow room, the air in the work space only went up to about Class 1000. With the addition of sliding doors or curtains in front of the rack in the one-way-flow room the work space air was maintained at Class 100 with almost no dust particles over 1 μm in size, airborne bacteria or ammonia being detectable. A comparison of all factors measured showed that whereas in the turbulent flow room the contamination of the work space air was 91% of that of the exhaust air, in the one-way-flow room it was only 47%, with curtains added this was reduced to 7% and with sliding doors to only 2%. In the latter case, contamination levels increased markedly on both sides during and immediately after cage changing, but recovered to the pre-cage changing levels within 30 min in the personnel working area and within 60 min on the exhaust side.
Sensory and pulmonary irritation of inhaled n-butylamine in CF-1 and NMRI mice
Authors: Vinggaard A. M. , Nielsen G. D. , Fries A. S. 
Published: June 2007

Sensory and pulmonary irritation of butylamine was investigated in CF-1 and NMRI mice according to the American standard test method (ASTM E981-84). The method is based on the reflexively induced reduction of the respiratory rate of mice, when exposed to chemical irritants. Sensory irritation was investigated in normal mice, yielding RD50 values (concentration which reduces the respiratory rate by 50%) of 121 and 246 ppm for CF-1 and NMRI mice, respectively. The concentration-effect curves were parallel, but had significantly different elevations, indicating a lower sensitivity of NMRI mice. Pulmonary irritation was investigated in mice, inhaling through a tracheal cannula, yielding RD50 values of 300 and 362 ppm for CF-1 and NMRI mice, respectively. No statistically significant difference between either the slopes or the elevations of the concentration-effect curves was found, indicating the same level of sensitivity of CF-1 and NMRI mice regarding pulmonary irritation. It can be concluded that the 2 mice stocks gave qualitatively comparable responses, but regarding sensory irritation they responded differently quantitatively. Thus for sensory irritation investigations the RD50 values obtained with NMRI mice should be multiplied by 0·49 to obtain comparable values to those, expected in the recommended stock given by E981-84.
Computerized ordering of experimental animals and test authorization
Authors: Maerki Ulrich , Walther Albert , Rossbach Walter 
Published: June 2007

The authorization procedure required by law in Switzerland and the internal set-up at Roche for acquiring experimental animals has made a computerized system for monitoring authorizations and animal deliveries essential. The INQUIRE software program, which can be run on the central computer, was used to set-up databases with information on all personnel who place orders and perform experiments (PERI), authorization matters (BEWI), orders (ORDR), deliveries (SPED), animal species (SPEC), animal strains (STRE), populations (POPU) and the management of various data (BARA). The authorizations database (BEWI) permits sequential searches on specific questions. The animals ordered in the ORDR database are constantly updated in BEWI, thus ensuring that the authorized animal quotas are not exceeded. Expiry of an authorization or an unregistered experimenter will come to light in the course of the plausibility study. Through ORDR the experimenter has a good overview of the animals that he has ordered or have been ordered for him, and he can select the most appropriate strain or population for his studies in STRE or POPU, which contain data on the genetic and physiological characteristics as well as the breeding and keeping of all sublines and stocks. Realization of the IFIS project has made it a simple matter to keep a check on the legal requirements pertaining to animal experimentation and to update the information and evaluate the entire stock of data at any time.
A modified technique for the production of an arterio-venous shunt in sheep, allowing a comparison of biocompatibility of synthetic materials
Authors: Stertmann W. A. , Scheld H. H. , Kubicek J. , Fitz H. , Lukas H. , Schulze H. 
Published: June 2007

Polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE) prostheses were implanted in 12 sheep as a shunt between the carotid artery and the jugular vein using an end-to-side anastomosis technique. This technique allows repeated tests of the pharmacological and toxicological safety of artificial kidney units after both single and multiple administration. Further-more, it enables the investigation of detoxification of compounds via dialysis, thus contributing to drug safety. Implantation of the prosthesis was uncomplicated. Connection to the extracorporeal circulation was achieved via catheters and maintained using a pump with an output of up to 300 ml/min. This enabled maintenance of extracorporeal circulation for several hours without clinical impairment to the animals. The AV-shunts remained functional for between 8 and 253 days (mean 112·3 days).
A third component causing random variability beside environment and genotype. A reason for the limited success of a 30 year long effort to standardize laboratory animals?
Authors: Gärtner Klaus 
Published: June 2007

This paper is a review of experiments, performed in our laboratory during the past 20 years, designed to analyse the significance of different components of random variability in quantitative traits in laboratory rats and mice. Reduction of genetic variability by using inbred strains and reduction of environmental variability by highly standardized husbandry in laboratory animals did not remarkably reduce the range of random variability in quantitative biological traits. Neither did a tremendous increase of the environmental variability (i.e., living in a natural setting) increase it. Therefore, the postnatal environment cannot be that important as the source of random variability. Utilizing methods established in twin research, only 20–30% of the range of the body weight in inbred mice were directly estimated to be of environmental origin. The remaining 70–80% were due to a third component creating biological random variability, in addition to the genetic and environmental influences. This third component is effective at or before fertilization and may originate from ooplasmic differences. It is the most important component of the phenotypic random variability, fixing its range and dominating the genetic and the environmental component. The Gaussian distribution of the body weights observed, even in inbred animals, seems to be an arrangement supporting natural selection rather than the consequence of heterogeneous environmental influences. In a group of inbred rats, the males with the highest chance of parenting the next generation were gathered in the central classes of the distribution of the body weight.
Nominale: flektiert und unflektiert / Nominals: inflected and uninflected
Authors: Fuhrhop Nanna 
Published: June 2007

AbstractGerman is, of course, an inflectional language. Some parts of speech are normally inflected: verbs, adjectives, nouns, pronouns and articles, to name the most predominate ones. This introduction asks whether it makes sense to even mention uninflected forms of inflectional word classes. It is a well-known fact that adjectives are only inflected in one special position – as an attribute preceding a noun. In other syntactic functions adjectives are used in their simple form. Verbal infinitives can be described as partly uninflected as they are not inflected for person and number. Finite and infinite forms have totally different syntactic functions: finite verbs are predicates and infinite verbs are everything else. Now we must ask ourselves if we can also find uninflected, i.e. undeclined nouns? We can also find undeclined forms among pronouns and articles. On the other hand, perhaps there are inflected prepositions and conjunctions. This introduction produces more questions than answers, but it presents the framework for the articles found in this volume.
Unflektierte Substantive sind nicht infinit / Uninflected substantives are not infinite
Authors: Thieroff Rolf 
Published: June 2007

AbstractAfter a short look on traditional paradigms of the German noun and after a look on paradigms with so-called underspecified forms, this paper first addresses the question of how paradigms of German nouns would look like if periphrastic noun forms (consisting of a determiner and a noun) were taken into consideration. Since nonperiphrastic noun forms co-exist with such hypothesized periphrastic noun forms, the traditional German noun paradigm with 8 positions would have to be enlarged to paradigms with up to 14 different forms, which is considered to be a severe argument against the hypothesis of periphrastic nouns. Next, starting out from the forms of the verb, the notions finite and non-finite are discussed and it is shown that with the verb there are clear formal differences between finite and non-finite forms which correspond to as clear functional differences between these two different sets of forms. As for the adjective, it is shown that, though similar differences are less straightforward than in the verb, a distinction between finite and non-finite forms still could be made. Finally, two different concepts of non-finite nouns are discussed and it is argued that neither concept leads to a convincing notion of non-finite noun. In conclusion, the idea of non-finite nouns is rejected.
Computerlinguistik im Internet / Computer linguistics on the Internet
Authors: Schmitz Ulrich 
Published: June 2007

AbstractErwartungsgemäß gehörten ComputerlinguistInnen zu den ersten und aktivsten Wissenschaftlern, die im Web präsent waren. Bis heute verfügen sie über besonders umfangreiche Angebote. Das gilt auch dann, wenn man – wie hier – Computerlinguistik im engeren Sinne versteht als eine gleichermaßen theoretisch wie anwendungstechnisch orientierte Disziplin, die sprachliche Gesetzmäßigkeiten möglichst explizit formulieren will, um auf dieser Grundlage Rechnersysteme zu bauen, die natürliche (menschliche) Sprache analysieren, bearbeiten, ,verstehen‘ und erzeugen können. (Davon zu unterscheiden sind allgemeine computergestützte Werkzeuge für Sprachwissenschaftler wie elektronische Wörterbücher, Online-Korpora und linguistische Lernsoftware; sie wurden in anderen Ausgaben dieser ZGL-Rubrik „Linguistik im Internet“ vorgestellt.) Wegen der großen Menge computer-linguistischer Materialien im WWW konzentriert sich dieser Bericht aufzwei Arten von Wegweisern. Einerseits werden einige ausgewählte einzelne Adressen vorgestellt, die vor allem Germanisten einen gewissen Querschnitt durch die Vielfalt des Angebots geben mögen. Andererseits werden besonders ergiebige Linklisten genannt, über die man die zahlreichen und vielfältigen Angebote zur CL im Netz bestens erschließen kann.
Predictive Morphometric Relationships for Estimating Fecundity of Sea Lampreys from Lake Champlain and Other Landlocked Populations
Authors: Smith Stephen J. , Marsden J. Ellen 
Published: June 2007

AbstractLandlocked populations of sea lamprey Petromyzon marinus are a nuisance in the Great Lakes and other lakes in the northeastern United States. In an effort to optimize control efforts, recent research has focused on creating population models to test various control scenarios. Accurate population parameters, such as fecundity, are an important component of these models. To determine the fecundity of sea lampreys in Lake Champlain, we sampled 29 female sea lampreys (mean length = 456 mm [range = 364–550 mm]; mean total wet weight = 173.8 g [range = 96.5–321.4 g]). The estimated fecundity of our sample was 67,660 ± 6,870 eggs/female (95% confidence interval around the mean). To determine the best morphometric indices to estimate fecundity, we examined the relationships between fecundity and length, weight, length and gonadosomatic index (GSI), weight and GSI, and several additional morphological measures. Regression analyses were also conducted on length, weight, and GSI data from previously published studies on sea lamprey fecundity in other landlocked populations. The wet weight of the female was a significant predictor of fecundity in all cases. The predictive ability of a model based on wet weight was improved with the addition of GSI. The addition of nine other morphometric measures did not improve the fit of the model based on wet weight alone.
The Sandbar Shark Summer Nursery within Bays and Lagoons of the Eastern Shore of Virginia
Authors: Conrath Christina L. , Musick John A. 
Published: June 2007

AbstractWe sought to examine the spatial use of coastal bays and lagoons associated with the Eastern Shore of Virginia (i.e., the Atlantic shoreline north of the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay) as nursery habitat for sandbar sharks Carcharhinus plumbeus. Generalized linear mixed models were used to examine the relationship between physical factors and the abundance of neonate and juvenile sandbar sharks within the study area. Neonates, small juveniles, and large juveniles were present throughout the sampling area in relatively high abundance throughout the months of June‐September. Abundances of neonates and small juveniles were correlated with sampling distance from the inlet; larger fractions of these groups were captured as distance from the inlet increased. Large‐juvenile abundance was not significantly correlated with any physical factor. The catch rates of neonate and juvenile sandbar sharks within this area were comparable with those observed in nearby Chesapeake Bay, although a larger number of juveniles greater than 100 cm total length were caught within the Eastern Shore lagoons. The bays and lagoons we examined function as an important primary and secondary nursery ground for this species and fit the criteria to be included in future management measures as a habitat area of particular concern.