julilili42/papers huggingface dataset:
Are In Vitro Methods for the Detection of Endocrine Potentials in the Aquatic Environment Predictive for In Vivo Effects? Outcomes of the Projects SchussenAktiv and SchussenAktivplus in the Lake Constance Area, Germany
2014-06-05

Many studies about endocrine pollution in the aquatic environment reveal changes in the reproduction system of biota. We analysed endocrine activities in two rivers in Southern Germany using three approaches: (1) chemical analyses, (2) in vitro bioassays, and (3) in vivo investigations in fish and snails. Chemical analyses were based on gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. For in vitro analyses of endocrine potentials in water, sediment, and waste water samples, we used the E-screen assay (human breast cancer cells MCF-7) and reporter gene assays (human cell line HeLa-9903 and MDA-kb2). In addition, we performed reproduction tests with the freshwater mudsnail Potamopyrgus antipodarum to analyse water and sediment samples. We exposed juvenile brown trout (Salmo trutta f. fario) to water downstream of a wastewater outfall (Schussen River) or to water from a reference site (Argen River) to investigate the vitellogenin production. Furthermore, two feral fish species, chub (Leuciscus cephalus) and spirlin (Alburnoides bipunctatus), were caught in both rivers to determine their gonadal maturity and the gonadosomatic index. Chemical analyses provided only little information about endocrine active substances, whereas the in vitro assays revealed endocrine potentials in most of the samples. In addition to endocrine potentials, we also observed toxic potentials (E-screen/reproduction test) in waste water samples, which could interfere with and camouflage endocrine effects. The results of our in vivo tests were mostly in line with the results of the in vitro assays and revealed a consistent reproduction-disrupting (reproduction tests) and an occasional endocrine action (vitellogenin levels) in both investigated rivers, with more pronounced effects for the Schussen river (e.g. a lower gonadosomatic index). We were able to show that biological in vitro assays for endocrine potentials in natural stream water reasonably reflect reproduction and endocrine disruption observed in snails and field-exposed fish, respectively.
Practical Theology as a hermeneutical science of lived religion
2014-06-05

It is the aim of this paper to explain why and how practical theology is a hermeneutical science of lived religion, concluding with the challenges a practical theology that is constituted as such currently faces, and how they can be encountered. Asking the seemingly old question of what practical theology is – what is theological about it and what practical – anew in the context of deinstitutionalization and pluralization, the paper will approach an answer by drawing upon the concept of "lived religion" including historical sources such as Friedrich Schleiermacher and Paul Drews and with reference to empirical cultural studies. Practical theology is thus seen as a theory of religious practice in society which attends to the relationship between constituted church and lived religion.
Professional Praxis in Practical Theology: Theoretical and Methodological Considerations
2014-06-05

This article discusses the understanding of praxis in practical theology as well as the implications of this understanding for empirical research. It advocates a nominalist understanding of praxis and suggests that definitions of praxis must, in the present context, depend on the theological encyclopedia in use. If practical theology and ethics are organized in separate disciplines, human praxis in general will be the object of ethics while practical theology should concern itself with professional ecclesial praxis. The author understands this praxis in a very broad sense (beyond the church; beyond traditional forms of preaching, teaching, counselling; beyond the focus on professional pastors), not only in terms of the theoretical scope of the discipline but also in respect to the material object to be studied by practical theology. In line with this understanding, the author defines the formal object of practical theology as critically facilitating ecclesial praxis. The methodology of practical theology must be in agreement with this formal object but beyond this, practical theology should not make claims to any special research methods that would be particular only to this discipline. In conclusion, the author offers some answers to the question what practical theology may benefit from theoretical analyses of the present kind.
Heat bath can generate all classes of three-qubit entanglement
2014-06-06

It is common knowledge that coupling to a heat bath, in general, tends to\\nreduce the entanglement in a quantum system. In recent years, increasing\\ninterest has been devoted to the opposite situation where thermal or\\nspecifically tailored environments may stabilize or even generate entanglement.\\nWe prove the universality of this phenomenon for multipartite entanglement in\\nthe frame of an exactly solvable dephasing model. We show by evaluating\\nanalytical lower bounds for the appropriate entanglement measures that a common\\nthermal environment can dynamically generate all entanglement classes of three\\nqubits for almost any initial product state. For sufficiently weak dissipation\\nthis entanglement may persist up to arbitrarily large times.\\n
Religion in Childhood and Adolescence: How should it be studied? A Critical Review of Problems and Challenges in Methodology and Research
2014-06-06

This article discusses the question of how religion in childhood and adolescence should be studied. More exactly, the focus is on problems of methodology and research which are discussed in relationship to religion in childhood and adolescence. It does not present a handbook type of overview, however, but is focused on problems and challenges for future research. Four questions are addressed specifically: How can empirical research do justice to the special nature of religion in childhood and adolescence? What are the implications of viewing religion within non-religious interpretive frameworks? What methodological problems do we have to face concerning religion in childhood and adolescence? What interdisciplinary challenges can be identified in this context? The final section relates these questions to the main topic of the present publication by stating a number or criteria, i.e., criteria related to the concept of religion to be used in research across different approaches and disciplines.
Synthesis and structural characterization of a gold(I) complex containing 1,3-dimethylcyanurate ligand
2014-06-06

The gold(I) complex [Au(DMC)(PPh3)] (1) (DMC = 1,3-dimethylcyanurate) was synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR, 1H, 13C, 31P NMR and FAB mass spectroscopies. The structure of the complex was determined by X-ray diffraction and crystallizes in the triclinic space group P−1 with Z = 2. The gold(I) ion in complex 1 is coordinated by DMC ligand and PPh3 ligand, resulting in a slightly distorted linear structure. Molecules of 1 are connected via intermolecular CH···O hydrogen bonds, which lead to the formation of supramolecular network. Other intramolecular interactions which include Au···O contacts [Au···O25 3.045(1) and Au···O29 3.164(1)Å] were observed.
Onset of aquaporin‐4 expression in the developing mouse brain
2014-06-07

Abstract The main water channel in the brain, aquaporin‐4 (AQP4) is involved in maintaining homeostasis and water exchange in the brain. In adult mammalian brains, it is expressed in astrocytes, mainly, and in high densities in the membranes of perivascular and subpial endfeet. Here, we addressed the question how this polarized expression is established during development. We used immunocytochemistry against AQP4, zonula occludens protein‐1, glial fibrillary acidic protein, and β‐dystroglycan to follow astrocyte development in E15 to P3 NMRI mouse brains, and expression of AQP4. In addition we used freeze‐fracture electron microscopy to detect AQP4 in the form of orthogonal arrays of particles (OAPs) on the ultrastructural level. We analyzed ventral, lateral, and dorsal regions in forebrain sections and found AQP4 immunoreactivity to emerge at E16 ventrally before lateral (E17) and dorsal (E18) areas. AQP4 staining was spread over cell processes including radial glial cells in developing cortical areas and became restricted to astroglial endfeet at P1–P3. This was confirmed by double labeling with GFAP. In freeze‐fracture replicas OAPs were found with a slight time delay but with a similar ventral to dorsal gradient. Thus, AQP4 is expressed in the embryonic mouse brain starting at E16, earlier than previously reported. However a polarized expression necessary for homeostatic function and water balance emerges at later stages around and after birth.
MicroRNAs play a role in spontaneous recovery from acute liver failure
2014-06-09

Acute liver failure (ALF) represents a life-threatening situation characterized by sudden and massive liver cell death in the absence of preexisting liver disease. Although most patients require liver transplantation to prevent mortality, some recover spontaneously and show complete liver regeneration. Because of the rarity of this disease, the molecular mechanisms regulating liver regeneration in ALF patients remain largely unknown. In this study, we investigated the role of microRNAs (miRs) that have been implicated in liver injury and regeneration in sera from ALF patients (n = 63). Patients with spontaneous recovery from ALF showed significantly higher serum levels of miR-122, miR-21, and miR-221, compared to nonrecovered patients. In liver biopsies, miR-21 and miR-221 displayed a reciprocal expression pattern and were found at lower levels in the spontaneous survivors, whereas miR-122 was elevated in both serum and liver tissue of those patients. As compared to nonrecovered patients, liver tissue of spontaneous survivors revealed not only increased hepatocyte proliferation, but also a strong down-regulation of miRNA target genes that impair liver regeneration, including heme oxygenase-1, programmed cell death 4, and the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors p21, p27, and p57. Conclusion : Our data suggest that miR-122, miR-21, and miR-221 are involved in liver regeneration and might contribute to spontaneous recovery from ALF. Prospective studies will show whether serological detection of those miRNAs might be of prognostic value to predict ALF outcome. (Hepatology 2014;60:1346–1355)
Prognostic Value of Blood Flow Measurements Using Arterial Spin Labeling in Gliomas
2014-06-09

The period of event-free survival (EFS) within the same histopathological glioma grades may have high variability, mainly without a known cause. The purpose of this study was to reveal the prognostic value of quantified tumor blood flow (TBF) values obtained by arterial spin labeling (ASL) for EFS in patients with histopathologically proven astrocytomas independent of WHO (World Health Organization) grade. Twenty-four patients with untreated gliomas underwent tumor perfusion quantification by means of pulsed ASL in 3T. The clinical history of the patients was retrospectively extracted from the local database. Six patients had to be excluded due to insufficent follow-up data for further evaluation or histopathologically verified oligodendroglioma tumor components. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to define an optimal cut-off value of maximum TBF (mTBF) values for subgrouping in low-perfused and high-perfused gliomas. Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox proportional hazard regression model were used to determine the prognostic value of mTBF for EFS. An optimal mTBF cut-off value of 182 ml/100 g/min (sensitivity = 83%, specificity = 100%) was determined. Patients with low-perfused gliomas had significantly longer EFS compared to patients with high-perfused gliomas (p = 0.0012) independent of the WHO glioma grade. Quantified mTBF values obtained by ASL offer a new and totally non-invasive marker to prognosticate the EFS, independently on histopathological tumor grading, in patients with gliomas.
Fair Trade
2014-06-09

This paper analyses a setting in which a vertically integrated fair‐trade firm competes against vertically disintegrated, profit‐maximising oligopolists. Consumers of the fair‐trade product derive a ‘warm glow’ that depends on the wage paid to fair‐trade producers; the firm returns all surplus to its farmers. Trade integration will unambiguously increase the size of the fair‐trade firm, but the relative size compared to oligopolists may shrink. Furthermore, we show that the ‘warm glow’ effect may support a marginal expansion of the volume of fair trade, but for rather perverse reasons.
Modelling proton and metal binding to humic substances with the NICA–EPN model
2014-06-09

Environmental context The toxicity of metals in the environment is greatly influenced by natural organic matter owing to its ability to bind metals to form complexes that can be immobile and non-bioavailable. Sound mathematical models are important to reliably predict the behaviour of such contaminants, and how they are affected by organic matter and other environmental colloids. Here a new model is discussed and compared with precedent ones. Abstract The mathematical modelling of metal cation–natural organic matter interactions is a fundamental tool in predicting the state and fate of pollutants in the environment. In this work, the binding of protons and metal cations to humic substances is modelled applying the Elastic Polyelectrolyte Network (EPN) electrostatic model with the Non-Ideal Competitive Adsorption (NICA) isotherm as the intrinsic part (NICA–EPN model). Literature data of proton and metal binding to humic substances at different pH and ionic strength values are analysed, discussing in depth the model predictions. The NICA–EPN model is found to describe well these phenomena. The electrostatic contribution to the Gibbs free energy of adsorbate–humic interaction in the EPN model is lower than that predicted by the Donnan phase model; the intrinsic mean binding constants for protons and metal cations are generally higher, closer to independent estimations and to the range of acid–base and complexation equilibrium values for common carboxylic acids. The results for metal cations are consistent with recent literature findings. The model predicts shrinking of the humic particles with increased metal binding, as a consequence of net charge decrease.
Post‐Learning Verbal Information Changes Visual and Motor Memory for Hand‐Manipulative Tasks
2014-06-09

Summary Many instructions of a motor task include visual and verbal information. However, verbal information presented after a visual event has been shown to influence memory. This study examined whether this effect applies for hand‐manipulative motor tasks such as knot tying. Eighty‐six naive participants learned to tie the archaic bowline. Subsequently, half of the participants received misleading verbal information about the cowboy bowline, which differs from the originally instructed archaic bowline in one central detail: At a certain point, the rope crosses from left to right instead of from right to left. The remaining half of the participants received no misinformation. Dependent variables measured visual and motor memory for the knot. Results showed that misleading verbal information influenced visual and motor memory for knot‐tying tasks. More specifically, the misleading information changed memory at exactly this point to which it referred. This study suggests new avenues for our understanding and design of learning environments. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.
An Interactive Network of Elastase, Secretases, and PAR-2 Protein Regulates CXCR1 Receptor Surface Expression on Neutrophils
2014-06-10

CXCL8 (IL-8) recruits and activates neutrophils through the G protein-coupled chemokine receptor CXCR1. We showed previously that elastase cleaves CXCR1 and thereby impairs antibacterial host defense. However, the molecular intracellular machinery involved in this process remained undefined. Here we demonstrate by using flow cytometry, confocal microscopy, subcellular fractionation, co-immunoprecipitation, and bioluminescence resonance energy transfer that combined α- and γ-secretase activities are functionally involved in elastase-mediated regulation of CXCR1 surface expression on human neutrophils, whereas matrix metalloproteases are dispensable. We further demonstrate that PAR-2 is stored in mobilizable compartments in neutrophils. Bioluminescence resonance energy transfer and co-immunoprecipitation studies showed that secretases, PAR-2, and CXCR1 colocalize and physically interact in a novel protease/secretase-chemokine receptor network. PAR-2 blocking experiments provided evidence that elastase increased intracellular presenilin-1 expression through PAR-2 signaling. When viewed in combination, these studies establish a novel functional network of elastase, secretases, and PAR-2 that regulate CXCR1 expression on neutrophils. Interfering with this network could lead to novel therapeutic approaches in neutrophilic diseases, such as cystic fibrosis or rheumatoid arthritis.
They Are Laughing at Me: Cerebral Mediation of Cognitive Biases in Social Anxiety
2014-06-11

The fear of embarrassment and humiliation is the central element of social anxiety. This frequent condition is associated with cognitive biases indicating increased sensitivity to signals of social threat, which are assumed to play a causal role in the maintenance of social anxiety. Here, we employed laughter, a potent medium for the expression of acceptance and rejection, as an experimental stimulus in participants selected for varying degrees of social anxiety to identify cerebral mediators of cognitive biases in social anxiety using functional magnetic resonance imaging in combination with mediation analysis. We directly demonstrated that cerebral activation patterns within the dorsal attention network including the left dorsolateral and dorsomedial prefrontal cortex mediate the influence of social anxiety on laughter perception. This mediation proved to be specific for social anxiety after correction for measures of general state and trait anxiety and occurred most prominently under bimodal audiovisual laughter presentation when compared with monomodal auditory or visual laughter cues. Considering the possibility to modulate cognitive biases and cerebral activity by neuropsychological trainings, non-invasive electrophysiological stimulation and psychotherapy, this study represents a starting point for a whole line of translational research projects and identifies promising targets for electrophysiological interventions aiming to alleviate cognitive biases and symptom severity in social anxiety.
Histological Control of Tumor Surgical Margins with Three-Dimensional Histology
2014-06-11

Three-dimensional (3D) histology provides a complete 3D representation of the margins of a tumor specimen on histological slides. This eliminates diagnostic gaps and provides maximum sensitivity in identifying tumor outgrowths. The method is used to confirm tumor-free margins or, in case of an incomplete tumor resection, to make even very small infiltrated areas visible with topographic orientation. The basic principle of 3D histology is the conversion from the 3D structure of the tumor-specimen margins into a two-dimensional view of histological sections. The 3D margins are flattened with their outside down and then cut into pieces, suitable for histopathological procedures of cryo or paraffin sections. The management of a full 3D histology needs a tight communication between the surgeon and the pathologist. Clear and safe rules are necessary to enable both the surgeon and the pathologist to point out areas of incomplete tumor excisions very precisely. Using a circle as representation of the separation between tumor base and margin, the pathologist can point out the exact position of an outgrowth by referring to different positions on the circle in clock times. This system will be sufficient to point out tumor outgrowths. The advantage is that it is very simple to communicate and easy implemented in any electronic communication.
CFTR: cystic fibrosis and beyond
2014-06-12

Cystic fibrosis (CF) remains the most common fatal hereditary lung disease. The discovery of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator ( CFTR ) gene 25 years ago set the stage for: 1) unravelling the molecular and cellular basis of CF lung disease; 2) the generation of animal models to study in vivo pathogenesis; and 3) the development of mutation-specific therapies that are now becoming available for a subgroup of patients with CF. This article highlights major advances in our understanding of how CFTR dysfunction causes chronic mucus obstruction, neutrophilic inflammation and bacterial infection in CF airways. Furthermore, we focus on recent breakthroughs and remaining challenges of novel therapies targeting the basic CF defect, and discuss the next steps to be taken to make disease-modifying therapies available to a larger group of patients with CF, including those carrying the most common mutation ΔF508-CFTR. Finally, we will summarise emerging evidence indicating that acquired CFTR dysfunction may be implicated in the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, suggesting that lessons learned from CF may be applicable to common airway diseases associated with mucus plugging.
Mechanistic Study of Gold(I)‐Catalyzed Hydroamination of Alkynes: Outer or Inner Sphere Mechanism?
2014-06-12

Abstract An experimental mechanistic study of the gold(I)‐catalyzed hydroamination shows the formation of conformationally flexible auro‐iminium salts Au‐Im , which originate from the protonation of a vinyl gold species. Rotation around the CCAu bond is the reason for the loss of stereospecificity of protodeauration, which explains the stereochemical result of the Stradiotto reaction. The ambiguity about inner or outer sphere mechanism is thus resolved in favor of the outer sphere mechanism.
Point-of-Care Platforms
2014-06-12

Point-of-care applications are gaining increasing interest in clinical diagnostics and emergency applications. Biosensors are used to monitor the biomolecular interaction process between a disease biomarker and a recognition element such as a reagent. Essential are the quality and selectivity of the recognition elements and assay types used to improve sensitivity and to avoid nonspecific interactions. In addition, quality measures are influenced by the detection principle and the evaluation strategies. For these reasons, this review provides a survey and validation of recognition elements, assays, and various types of detection methods for point-of-care testing (POCT) platforms. Common applications of clinical parameters are discussed and considered. In this ever-changing field, a snapshot of current applications is needed. We provide such a snapshot by way of a table including literature citations and also discuss these applications in more detail throughout.
Towards integration of PET/MR hybrid imaging into radiation therapy treatment planning
2014-06-12

The newly designed RT devices for hybrid PET/MR imaging are PET and MR compatible. The mechanically rigid design and the reproducible positioning allow for straightforward CT-based AC. The systematic evaluation within this study provides the technical basis for the clinical integration of PET/MR hybrid imaging into RT treatment planning.
Synthesis of 1,2,3-Triazole-Linked Glycoconjugates of N-(2-Aminoethyl)glycine: Building Blocks for the Construction of Combinatorial Glycopeptide Libraries
2014-06-12

Twenty-nine glycoconjugate building blocks based on the <i>N</i>-(2-aminoethyl)glycine (AEG) backbone and sugars linked to the backbone by a 1,2,3-triazole moiety were prepared via copper-catalyzed 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of monosaccharides bearing an azide group and <i>N</i>-4-pentynoyl-AEG. The initial glycoconjugates were converted to the corresponding acids and pentafluorophenyl esters, respectively, which are useful building blocks for the construction of combinatorial glycopeptide libraries.