bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Microbial quality of honey mixture with pollen
Authors: Kňazovická Vladimí­ra , Kačániová Miroslava , Dovičičová Mária , Melich Martin , Kadási-Horáková Miriam , Barboráková Zuzana , Mareček Ján
Published: February 2011

The aim of this study was evaluation of microbial quality in raw materials (honey, pollen) and evaluation of microbial quality in honey mixture with pollen (2.91 % and 3.85 %) and also dynamics of microbial groups in honey mixtures with pollen after 14 days storage at the room temperature (approximately 25 °C) and in cold store (8 °C). We used dilution plating method for testing of samples. Detections of total plate microbial count (aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms), sporulating bacteria, coliform bacteria, Bifidobacterium sp., Lactobacillus sp. and microscopic fungi were performed. In general, counts of microorganisms decreased in honey mixture with pollen compared to raw pollen and these counts increased compared to natural honey. Total plate count was 5.37 log KTJ.g-1 in pollen; 1.36 log KTJ.g-1 in honey; 2.97 log KTJ.g-1 in honey mixture with 2.91 % pollen and 2.04 log KTJ.g-1 in honey mixture with 3.85 % pollen. Coliform bacteria were detected in pollen (1.77 log KTJ.g-1). Then, we found coliform bacteria in one sample of honey mixtures with pollen (2.91 %) - 1.00 log KTJ.g-1.Bifidobacterium species were detected only in raw pollen. We did not findLactobacillus sp. in any of the samples. Microscopic fungi were detected on two cultivating media. Yeasts were present in pollen sample (average 5.39 log KTJ.g-1), honey mixture with 2.91 % pollen (average 2.51 log KTJ.g-1) and honey mixture with 3.85 % pollen (average 1.58 log KTJ.g-1). Filamentous microscopic fungi were detectable in pollen (average 3.38 log KTJ.g-1), in honey (only on one medium: 1.00 log KTJ.g-1), in honey mixture with 2.91 % pollen (average 1.15 log KTJ.g-1) and in honey mixture with 3.85 % pollen (1.71 %). Raw pollen contained microscopic fungi as Absidiasp., Mucor sp., Alternaria sp. andEmericella nidulans. Honey mixture with 2.91 % pollen after storage (14 days) contained lower microbial counts when compared with the sample analyzed at the beginning, beside sporulating bacteria and filamentous microscopic fungi in sample stored at 8 °C. We recorded growth of anaerobic microorganisms in honey mixture with 3.85 % pollen after storage (8 °C, 25 °C / 14 days).
The influence of first wort part and afterworts on saccharification of wort
Authors: Tóth Žigmund , Dráb Štefan , Frančáková Helena , Lí­šková Miriam , Návojská Jana
Published: February 2011

Wort is a basic product of mashing, which forms the first intermediate in beer production and constitute the base of its final value. For qualitative value wort has the greatest impact grist per brew, which is a description of materials, they bring to brew extract and determine its the volume and concentration. The main component grist per brew for light and dark beers is stored pale malt and possibly a smaller proportion of adjuncts. The aim of our work was to assess the qualitative parameters of malt in terms of content extract and its impact on the amount of produced the first wort part and afterwort and their qualitative values expressed in % saccharification and volumes. We measured 3 types of malts with the content of the extract 75.2%, 76.1%, 77.2% in the original sample, which determined mainly reached saccharification of first part wort and other afterwort parts one and two. In terms attained of saccharification it was necessary to use on sparge of spent grains at afterwort number two only the amount of water, which would be not affect the total saccharification of wort and its qualitative parameters.
Analyse of traits of milk production in dairy cows
Authors: Bujko Jozef , Kocman Roman , Žitný Julius , Trakovická Anna , Hrncar Cyril
Published: February 2011

When evaluating milk performance indicators, we mainly focused on dairy cows of the Holstein breed and its cross-breeds. Within the Holstein breed and its cross-breeds we evaluated 68 dairy cows, which produced on average 6447.63 kg of milk, 272.42 kg of fat, 210.73 kg of proteins and 307.79 kg of lactose. By means of a device LACTOSCAN 90 we defined basic milk components in our samples in laboratory conditions on the basis of set working procedures. Average fat content in our samples stood at 3.87 g/100 g. Average proteins content in our samples stood at 3.36 g/100 g. Average lactose content stood at 4.96 g/100 g. When assessing milk technological qualities we determined the average milk acidity value in our samples, which was 5.85 oSH. The average thermostability value of the tested samples was 2.75. In the milk cheeseability test the shortest time needed for sample precipitation was detected in samples No. 4 (42 s.),   No. 13 (185 s.) and No.11 (190 s.).
Metal-on-Metal Hip Resurfacing in Rheumatoid Patients. A Report on Thirteen Hips with Minimum 3 Year Follow-Up
Authors: Wisk Lauren E. , Amstutz Harlan C.
Published: February 2011

Rheumatoid disease can be extremely debilitating due to progressive joint destruction and multiple joint involvement. While there are varying results for THR in patients with RA, there is only one report of metal-on-metal resurfacing for rheumatoid patients with hip arthritis. We present preoperative and latest follow-up UCLA scores, SF-12 scores, HHS and range of motion in a series of 13 hips (10 patients). The patients experienced no complications associated with their resurfacing procedure and there have been no failures 3 to 13 years after surgery. Our results show that rheumatoid arthritis patients with hip involvement treated with metal-on-metal resurfacing can have extremely good outcomes.
Treatment-Related Mortality With Bevacizumab in Cancer Patients
Authors: Ranpura Vishal , Hapani Sanjaykumar , Wu Shenhong
Published: February 2011

Context

Fatal adverse events (FAEs) have been reported in cancer patients treated with the widely used angiogenesis inhibitor bevacizumab in combination with chemotherapy. Currently, the role of bevacizumab in treatment-related mortality is not clear.

Objective

To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of published randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to determine the overall risk of FAEs associated with bevacizumab.

Data Sources

PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases as well as abstracts presented at American Society of Clinical Oncology conferences from January 1966 to October 2010 were searched to identify relevant studies.

Study Selection and Data Extraction

Eligible studies included prospective RCTs in which bevacizumab in combination with chemotherapy or biological therapy was compared with chemotherapy or biological therapy alone. Summary incidence rates, relative risks (RRs), and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using fixed- or random-effects models.

Data Synthesis

A total of 10 217 patients with a variety of advanced solid tumors from 16 RCTs were included in the analysis. The overall incidence of FAEs with bevacizumab was 2.9% (95% CI, 2.0%-4.2%). Compared with chemotherapy alone, the addition of bevacizumab was associated with an increased risk of FAEs, with an RR of 1.33 (95% CI, 1.02-1.73; P = .04; incidence, 2.9% vs 2.2%). This association varied significantly with chemotherapeutic agents (P = .006) but not with tumor types (P = .06) or bevacizumab doses (P = .32). Bevacizumab was associated with an increased risk of FAEs in patients receiving taxanes or platinum agents (RR, 3.49; 95% CI, 1.82-6.66; incidence, 3.3% vs 1.0%) but was not associated with increased risk of FAEs when used in conjunction with other agents (RR, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.37-1.85; incidence, 1.6% vs 1.6%). The most common causes of FAEs were hemorrhage (23.5%), neutropenia (12.2%), and gastrointestinal tract perforation (7.1%).

Conclusion

In a meta-analysis of RCTs, bevacizumab in combination with chemotherapy or biological therapy, compared with chemotherapy alone, was associated with increased treatment-related mortality.
Cosmological constant from quarks and torsion
Authors: Popławski N.J.
Published: February 2011

We present a simple and natural way to derive the observed small, positive cosmological constant from the gravitational interaction of condensing fermions. In the Riemann‐Cartan spacetime, torsion gives rise to the axial–axial vector four‐fermion interaction term in the Dirac Lagrangian for spinor fields. We show that this nonlinear term acts like a cosmological constant if these fields have a nonzero vacuum expectation value. For quark fields in QCD, such a torsion‐induced cosmological constant is positive and its energy scale is only about 8 times larger than the observed value. Adding leptons to this picture could lower this scale to the observed value.
Are female researchers less cited? A large‐scale study of Norwegian scientists
Authors: Aksnes Dag W. , Rorstad Kristoffer , Piro Fredrik , Sivertsen Gunnar
Published: February 2011

Numerous studies have shown that female scientists tend to publish significantly fewer publications than do their male colleagues. In this study, we have analyzed whether similar differences also can be found in terms of citation rates. Based on a large‐scale study of 8,500 Norwegian researchers and more than 37,000 publications covering all areas of knowledge, we conclude that the publications of female researchers are less cited than are those of men, although the differences are not large. The gender differences in citation rates can be attributed to differences in productivity. There is a cumulative advantage effect of increasing publication output on citation rates. Since the women in our study publish significantly fewer publications than do men, they benefit less from this effect. The study also provides results on how publication and citation rates vary according to scientific position, age, and discipline.
Comparison of Prognostic Outcome Between Left Circumflex Artery–Related and Right Coronary Artery–Related Acute Inferior Wall Myocardial Infarction Undergoing Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention
Authors: Chen Yung‐Lung , Hang Chi‐Ling , Fang Hsiu‐Yu , Tsai Tzu‐Hsien , Sun Cheuk‐Kwan , Chen Chien‐Jen , Chen Shyh‐Ming , Yang Cheng‐Hsu , Hsieh Yuan‐Kai , Wu Chiung‐Jen , Fu Morgan , Yip Hon‐Kan
Published: February 2011

Background

This study evaluated the 30‐day clinical outcome of patients with acute inferior wall ST‐elevation myocardial infarction (AIW‐STEMI) from occlusion of the left circumflex artery (LCX) vs the right coronary artery (RCA) undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Hypothesis

The clinical outcomes of AIW‐STEMI caused by RCA and LCX occlusion may be different for patients undergoing primary PCI.

Methods

Between May 2002 and September 2009, 646 consecutive patients with AIW‐STEMI undergoing primary PCI were enrolled. Of these patients, 520 (80.5%) with AIW‐STEMI caused by RCA occlusion were categorized into group 1, whereas the remaining 126 (19.5%) whose AIW‐STEMI was caused by LCX occlusion served as group 2.

Results

The results demonstrated that the frequency of advanced congestive heart failure, respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilatory support, and 30‐day mortality were remarkably higher in group 2 than in group 1 (all P < 0.01). Conversely, the incidence of right ventricular infarction and complete heart block were notably higher in group 1 than in group 2 (all P < 0.001). Additionally, the peak level of creatine kinase‐isoenzyme MB was significantly higher, whereas the left ventricular ejection fraction was notably lower in group 2 than in group 1. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that advanced CHF, high serum creatinine level, low systolic blood pressure, low left ventricular ejection fraction, and LCX as the infarct‐related artery were significantly and independently predictive of 30‐day mortality (all P < 0.05).

Conclusions

The 30‐day prognostic outcome was less favorable in LCX‐related AIW‐STEMI compared with RCA‐related AIW‐STEMI undergoing primary PCI. Copyright © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Chi‐Ling Hang, MD, contributed equally in this study with Yung‐Lung Chen, MD. Morgan Fu, MD, contributed equally in this study with Hon‐Kan Yip, MD.

The authors have no funding, financial relationships, or conflicts of interest to disclose.
Circulating Soluble Lectin‐Like Oxidized Low‐Density Lipoprotein Receptor‐1 Levels Are Associated With Angiographic Coronary Lesion Complexity in Patients With Coronary Artery Disease
Authors: Zhao Zi‐Wen , Zhu Xue‐Li , Luo Yu‐Kun , Lin Chao‐Gui , Chen Liang‐Long
Published: February 2011

Background

Angiographic coronary lesion complexity has been reported to predict plaque vulnerability. It is important to develop a noninvasive blood biomarker for accurate prognostication of angiographically complex lesions in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).

Hypothesis

Serum soluble lectin‐like oxidized low‐density lipoprotein receptor‐1 (sLOX‐1) levels may be correlated with coronary lesion complexity in patients with CAD.

Methods

We measured serum sLOX‐1 levels in 180 consecutive patients undergoing coronary angiography for the evaluation of CAD. Coronary lesions were classified as simple or complex lesions based on coronary plaque morphology.

Results

Stable CAD patients with complex lesions (n = 50) had significantly higher serum sLOX‐1 levels than those with simple lesions (n = 72), at 0.914 ng/mL (range, 0.489–1.296 ng/mL) vs 0.426 ng/mL (range, 0.195–1.075 ng/mL), respectively, P < 0.01. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that sLOX‐1 levels were independently associated with the presence of complex lesions in patients with stable CAD (odds ratio [OR]: 1.964, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.149–3.356, P < 0.05). Among patients with acute coronary syndrome (n = 58), who had significantly higher circulating sLOX‐1 levels than stable CAD patients (n = 122) at 1.610 ng/mL (range, 0.941–2.264 ng/mL) vs 0.579 ng/mL (range, 0.265–1.172 ng/mL), respectively, P < 0.01, sLOX‐1 levels were independently associated with the presence of multiple complex coronary lesions (OR: 1.967, 95% CI: 1.075–3.600, P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Serum sLOX‐1 levels were associated with complex lesions that might predict vulnerable plaques. This study suggested sLOX‐1 might be a useful biomarker of coronary plaque vulnerability in patients with CAD. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

This work is supported in part by the Science Research Foundation of the Ministry of Health & United Fujian Provincial Health and Education Project for Tackling Key Research, People's Republic of China (No. WKJ2008‐2‐62), and by the key program of scientific research of Fujian Medical University (09ZD011). The authors have no other funding, financial relationships, or conflicts of interest to disclose.
Effect of the histone deacetylase inhibitor SNDX‐275 on Fas signaling in osteosarcoma cells and the feasibility of its topical application for the treatment of osteosarcoma lung metastases
Authors: Koshkina Nadezhda V. , Rao‐Bindal Krithi , Kleinerman Eugenie S.
Published: February 2011

BACKGROUND:

Patients with lung metastases from osteosarcoma (OS) have poor response to salvage therapy. Understanding the mechanisms involved in the metastatic process of OS may lead to new effective therapeutic approaches. The authors reported previously that up‐regulation of the Fas receptor by transfecting OS cells with Fas plasmid inhibited the in vivo growth of metastases in the lungs.

METHODS:

In the current study, the authors treated OS cells with the histone deacetylase inhibitor SNDX‐275 and studied its cytotoxicity and its effect on Fas signaling in vitro and in vivo.

RESULTS:

Subtoxic doses of SNDX‐275 were able to activate the Fas pathway in OS cells by increasing the expression of Fas messenger RNA; however, the increased expression was not always followed by increased levels of Fas receptor expression on the cell surface. The treatment of cells with a combination of SNDX‐275 and Fas ligand (FasL) had a stronger cytotoxic effect on tested OS cells than either agent alone. Inhibition of the Fas pathway in cells by inhibition of the Fas‐associated death domain (FADD) molecule eliminated this combination effect, indicating that activity of FADD is important for the efficacy of this agent in the FasL‐expressing environment of the lungs. Intranasal administration of SNDX‐275 in mice with OS lung metastases revealed that SNDX‐275 may inhibit metastatic growth at a dose of 0.13 mg/kg, which is approximately 200‐fold lower than the therapeutically effective oral dose reported previously.

CONCLUSIONS:

The current findings indicated that SNDX‐275 can activate Fas signaling in OS cells in vitro and in vivo and that the administration of SDNX‐275 by inhalation is feasible as a treatment for OS metastases and warrants its further investigation. Cancer 2011. © 2011 American Cancer Society.
A phase 2 study of temsirolimus (CCI‐779) in patients with soft tissue sarcomas
Authors: Okuno Scott , Bailey Howard , Mahoney Michelle R. , Adkins Douglas , Maples William , Fitch Tom , Ettinger David , Erlichman Charles , Sarkaria Jann N.
Published: February 2011

BACKGROUND:

The primary goal of this trial was to evaluate the confirmed response rate of temsirolimus (CCI‐779), a mammalian target of rapamycin in patients with advanced soft tissue sarcomas (STS).

METHODS:

Patients ≥18 years with measurable advanced STS, no prior chemotherapy for metastatic disease (adjuvant and neoadjuvant chemotherapy allowed), adequate organ function, and performance status of ≤2 were eligible. After premedication with an antihistamine, CCI‐779 was given intravenously at 25 mg over 30 minutes on Days 1, 8, 15, and 22, repeated every 4 weeks. The primary endpoint was confirmed response rate per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors.

RESULTS:

Between June 2004 and November 2005, a total of 41 patients were enrolled and began treatment; 40 patients are evaluable for response and adverse events. The median age was 62 years (range, 28‐72 years) with 56% women. Eighty percent had high‐grade STS, and 22% had prior adjuvant chemotherapy. There were 2 patients (5%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1‐17) (undifferentiated fibrosarcoma and uterine leiomyosarcoma) who achieved a confirmed partial response lasting 3 and 17 months, respectively. Thirty‐nine (95%) patients have progressed, with a median time to progression of 2.0 months (95% CI, 1.8‐3.5). The median overall survival was 7.6 months (95% CI, 6.1‐15.9). Forty‐three percent experienced grade 3+ adverse events that were possibly related to therapy.

CONCLUSIONS:

Temsirolimus in this patient population of STS had limited clinical activity and had moderate toxicities. Cancer 2011. © 2011 American Cancer Society.
Hypomethylating agents for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia in the elderly
Authors: Ferrara Felicetto , Musto Pellegrino
Published: February 2011

The research with new agents is particularly active in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and different studies suggest a potential utility of hypomethylating agents (HMA) in this disease. In this article, we critically appraise some recent clinical data reported on the use of HMA for the treatment of AML in older patient.
Measuring success in ovarian cancer risk reducing strategies
Authors: Goodman Annekathryn
Published: February 2011

Success in ovarian cancer risk‐reducing strategies is based in outcome data and on patient satisfaction. Despite increased estrogen deficiency symptoms, satisfaction rates were higher with risk‐reducing bilateral salpingo‐oophorectomy. Reduced satisfaction was due to uncertainty in decision making.
Preservation of fine‐needle aspiration specimens for future use in RNA‐based molecular testing
Authors: Ladd Amy C. , O'Sullivan‐Mejia Emerald , Lea Tasha , Perry Jessica , Dumur Catherine I. , Dragoescu Ema , Garrett Carleton T. , Powers Celeste N.
Published: February 2011

BACKGROUND:

The application of ancillary molecular testing is becoming more important for the diagnosis and classification of disease. The use of fine‐needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy as the means of sampling tumors in conjunction with molecular testing could be a powerful combination. FNA is minimally invasive, cost effective, and usually demonstrates accuracy comparable to diagnoses based on excisional biopsies. Quality control (QC) and test validation requirements for development of molecular tests impose a need for access to pre‐existing clinical samples. Tissue banking of excisional biopsy specimens is frequently performed at large research institutions, but few have developed protocols for preservation of cytologic specimens. This study aimed to evaluate cryopreservation of FNA specimens as a method of maintaining cellular morphology and ribonucleic acid (RNA) integrity in banked tissues.

METHODS:

FNA specimens were obtained from fresh tumor resections, processed by using a cryopreservation protocol, and stored for up to 27 weeks. Upon retrieval, samples were made into slides for morphological evaluation, and RNA was extracted and assessed for integrity by using the Agilent Bioanalyzer (Agilent Technologies, Santa Clara, Calif).

RESULTS:

Cryopreserved specimens showed good cell morphology and, in many cases, yielded intact RNA. Cases showing moderate or severe RNA degradation could generally be associated with prolonged specimen handling or sampling of necrotic areas.

CONCLUSIONS:

FNA specimens can be stored in a manner that maintains cellular morphology and RNA integrity necessary for studies of gene expression. In addition to addressing quality control (QC) and test validation needs, cytology banks will be an invaluable resource for future molecular morphologic and diagnostic research studies. Cancer (Cancer Cytopathol) 2011;. © 2011 American Cancer Society.
Gossip‐based scalable directed diffusion for wireless sensor networks
Authors: Tang Junhua , Dai Sisi , Li Jianhua , Li Shenghong
Published: February 2011

Directed diffusion (DD) is a promising data‐centric routing scheme for wireless sensor networks (WSNs). But the heavy flooding overhead involved in interest propagation causes scalability issues when DD is applied in large scale, interactive and dynamically changing sensor networks. To solve this problem, we propose a scalable version of DD called gossip‐based scalable directed diffusion (GSDD) in this paper. GSDD uses the same routing framework as DD but integrates gossiping in interest propagation and employs dynamic regional gossiping in path exploration phase to reduce the flooding overhead. Our analysis and simulation results demonstrate that GSDD is able to reduce the data delivery cost of DD by up to 25%; thus, significantly reduce energy consumption and prolong the lifetime of sensor nodes. Therefore, GSDD overcomes the scalability problem of DD and is suitable for large‐scale WSNs. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Neurogenin3 initiates stepwise delamination of differentiating endocrine cells during pancreas development
Authors: Gouzi Mathieu , Kim Yung Hae , Katsumoto Keiichi , Johansson Kerstin , Grapin‐Botton Anne
Published: February 2011

During development, pancreatic endocrine cells are specified within the pancreatic epithelium. They subsequently delaminate out of the epithelium and cluster in the mesenchyme to form the islets of Langerhans. Neurogenin3 (Ngn3) is a transcription factor required for the differentiation of all endocrine cells and we investigated its role in their delamination. We observed in the mouse pancreas that most Ngn3‐positive cells have lost contact with the lumen of the epithelium, showing that the delamination from the progenitor layer is initiated in endocrine progenitors. Subsequently, in both mouse and chick newly born endocrine cells at the periphery of the epithelium strongly decrease E‐cadherin, break‐down the basal lamina and cluster into islets of Langerhans. Repression of E‐cadherin is sufficient to promote delamination from the epithelium. We further demonstrate that Ngn3 indirectly controls Snail2 protein expression post‐transcriptionally to repress E‐cadherin. In the chick embryo, Ngn3 independently controls epithelium delamination and differentiation programs. Developmental Dynamics 240:589–604, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Racemic and Optically Pure Heptahelicene‐2‐carboxylic Acid: Its Synthesis and Self‐Assembly into Nanowire‐Like Aggregates (Eur. J. Org. Chem. 5/2011)
Authors: Rybáček Jiří , Huerta‐Angeles Gloria , Kollárovič Adrian , Stará Irena G. , Starý Ivo , Rahe Philipp , Nimmrich Markus , Kühnle Angelika
Published: February 2011

The cover picture shows heptahelicene‐2‐carboxylic acid, whose synthesis and self‐assembly are central to the article. The background features Prague's riverbank, which is intermixed with the nanowire‐like aggregates of heptahelicene‐2‐carboxylic acid. The alignment of the swans makes the link between self‐assembly and the Prague view. Details are discussed in the article by I. G. Stará, I. Starý, A. Kühnle et al. on p. 853 ff. Background photo by M. Bělohradský.
Effects of AC‐Electrolysis on the Enzymatic Activity of Glucose Oxidase
Authors: Ammam Malika , Fransaer Jan
Published: February 2011

The change in the activity of glucose oxidase subjected to an asymmetrical alternating current (AC) electric field is investigated via horseradish peroxidase (HRP)‐coupled bioassay. The effect of the amplitude, frequency and enzyme concentration have been shown to affect the enzyme activity towards glucose oxidation. The decrease in the enzyme activity is directly related to the change in pH and temperature of the GOx solution during AC electrolysis. The enzyme activity reduces with increasing amplitude, enzyme concentration and decreasing frequency. Results from UV‐vis, FT‐IR and UV CD spectroscopy showed that the AC treated GOx samples undergo structural modifications.
Effects of aging and mixed nonaqueous-phase liquid sources in soil systems on earthworm bioaccumulation, microbial degradation, sequestration, and aqueous desorption of pyrene
Authors: Petersen Elijah J , Tang Jixin , Weber Walter J
Published: February 2011

The effects of loading and aging pyrene in soils in the presence of four environmentally common nonaqueous-phase liquids (NAPLs) (hexadecane, 2,2,4,4,6,8,8-heptamethylnonane [HMN], toluene, and dimethyl phthalate [DMP]) on its subsequent desorption from those soils, earthworm accumulation, biodegradation, and extractability were tested by using two dissimilar soils. The presence of each of the four NAPLs increased fractions and rates of pyrene desorption, and hexadecane slowed the effects of aging on these same parameters. Loading with hexadecane and HMN caused earthworm accumulation of pyrene to decrease. These results contrast with generally observed faster desorption rates resulting from NAPL addition, suggesting that additional factors (e.g., association of pyrene with NAPL phases and NAPL toxicities to earthworms) may impact bioaccumulation. The presence of HMN and toluene increased pyrene biodegradation, whereas hexadecane and DMP had the opposite effects. These results correlate with changes in the extractability of pyrene from the soils. After aging and biodegradation, hexadecane and DMP substantially increased pyrene residues extractable by methanol and decreased nonextractable fractions, whereas HMN and toluene had the opposite effects. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2011; 30:988–996. © 2010 SETAC
Use of vegetated agricultural drainage ditches to decrease pesticide transport from tomato and alfalfa fields in California, USA
Authors: Moore Matthew T , Denton Debra L , Cooper Charles M , Wrysinski Jeanette , Miller Jeff L , Werner Inge , Horner Gerald , Crane David , Holcomb Diane B , Huddleston George M
Published: February 2011

Irrigation and storm water runoff from agricultural fields has the potential to cause impairment to downstream aquatic receiving systems. Over the last several years, scientists have discovered the benefit of using edge-of-field practices, such as vegetated agricultural drainage ditches, in the mitigation of pesticides and sediment. After demonstrating this practice's feasibility in California, field trials were initiated to document irrigation runoff pesticide mitigation in California alfalfa and tomato fields. In the alfalfa field, chlorpyrifos concentration was decreased by 20% from the inflow to the ditch outflow. Thirty-two percent of the measured chlorpyrifos mass was associated with ditch plant material. In the tomato field, permethrin concentration was decreased by 67% and there was a 35% reduction in suspended sediment concentration from inflow to the ditch outflow. When surface water was not present in the ditch systems, the sediment was a significant repository for pesticides. Based on the field trials, vegetated agricultural drainage ditches can be successfully used as part of a suite of management practices to reduce pesticide and sediment runoff into aquatic receiving systems. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2011; 30:1044–1049. © 2011 SETAC
Simulation of the spatio‐temporal extent of groundwater flooding using statistical methods of hydrograph classification and lumped parameter models
Authors: Upton K. A. , Jackson C. R.
Published: February 2011

This article presents the development of a relatively low cost and rapidly applicable methodology to simulate the spatio‐temporal occurrence of groundwater flooding in chalk catchments. In winter 2000/2001 extreme rainfall resulted in anomalously high groundwater levels and groundwater flooding in many chalk catchments of northern Europe and the southern United Kingdom. Groundwater flooding was extensive and prolonged, occurring in areas where it had not been recently observed and, in places, lasting for 6 months. In many of these catchments, the prediction of groundwater flooding is hindered by the lack of an appropriate tool, such as a distributed groundwater model, or the inability of models to simulate extremes adequately. A set of groundwater hydrographs is simulated using a simple lumped parameter groundwater model. The number of models required is minimized through the classification and grouping of groundwater level time‐series using principal component analysis and cluster analysis. One representative hydrograph is modelled then transposed to other observed hydrographs in the same group by the process of quantile mapping. Time‐variant groundwater level surfaces, generated using the discrete set of modelled hydrographs and river elevation data, are overlain on a digital terrain model to predict the spatial extent of groundwater flooding. The methodology is applied to the Pang and Lambourn catchments in southern England for which monthly groundwater level time‐series exist for 52 observation boreholes covering the period 1975–2004. The results are validated against observed groundwater flood extent data obtained from aerial surveys and field mapping. The method is shown to simulate the spatial and temporal occurrence of flooding during the 2000/2001 flood event accurately. British Geological Survey © NERC 2011. Hydrological Processes © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Lysimeter soil water balance evaluation for an experiment developed in the Southern Brazilian Atlantic Forest region
Authors: Feltrin Rafael Matias , de Paiva João Batista Dias , de Paiva Eloiza Maria Cauduro Dias , Beling Fábio Alex
Published: February 2011

This study aims at monitoring the behaviour of the rainfall, runoff, drainage, soil water storage, and evapotranspiration variables involved in the water balance measured by lysimeter data. The evaluation of the water balance considered different time scales, where the components were monitored daily and in 10‐day accumulated period intervals. The results demonstrated that in wet periods the soil water content was greater at a depth of 10 cm, whereas in the dry periods a greater concentration was observed at 70 cm depth. At the depth of 30 cm, the lowest values of soil water content were observed for both wet and dry periods. The results, obtained through the use of tensiometers and time domain reflectometry installed internally and externally to the lysimeter, were very close, which was more noticeable during the periods of lower water loss by the soil. The water balance, calculated from the lysimeter data, demonstrated that 70% of the total rainfall was lost by the process of evapotranspiration. The drainage accounted for 27·5% of the precipitated water, highlighting the fact that this component should not be disregarded in the water balance calculation. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Load or concentration, logged or unlogged? Addressing ten years of uncertainty in neural network suspended sediment prediction
Authors: Mount Nick J. , Abrahart Robert J.
Published: February 2011

This paper addresses current inconsistencies in methodological approaches for neural network modelling of suspended sediment. An expansion in the number of case studies being published over the last decade has yet to result in agreed guidelines on whether suspended sediment load or concentration should be modelled, and whether log‐transformation of data is either necessary or potentially beneficial. This contrasts with the well‐recognized guidelines that direct traditional sediment rating curve studies. The paper reports a comprehensive set of single‐input single‐output neural network suspended sediment modelling experiments performed on two catchments in Puerto Rico. It examines the impact of internal complexity, input variable choice and data transformation on the form, consistency and physical rationality of model outputs, the existence of localized overfitting and the usefulness of global performance metrics. Sound guidance on whether to model sediment load or concentration, and whether to model log‐transformed data is provided. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Water storage dynamics and runoff response of a boreal Shield headwater catchment
Authors: Oswald Claire J. , Richardson Murray C. , Branfireun Brian A.
Published: February 2011

Thresholds in terrestrial water storage were quantified to explain differences in observed rainfall‐runoff relationships for a 71·5 ha research catchment in northwestern Ontario, Canada. Using terrain analysis techniques, the catchment was partitioned into discrete hydrologic response units (HRUs). Unsaturated and saturated water storage was calculated for depression and midslope HRUs using continuous hydrometric measurements and a depth function for drainable porosity. The relationship between total water storage in these HRUs and catchment discharge was then examined for evidence of threshold behaviour. Piecewise regression analysis (PRA) was used to quantify a breakpoint in the nonlinear storage‐discharge relationship, with separate linear regressions explaining the change in discharge with storage above and below this value. Above the breakpoint, a large increase in discharge is associated with a small increase in storage. Our results show that event‐scale hydrologic response displays a threshold relationship with antecedent storage and maximum event storage in the terminal depression in the catchment. Our results also suggest that predictions of event runoff improve when storage excesses from upslope depressions are explicitly routed through the catchment taking into consideration storage deficits in downslope HRUs that may impede flow. The application of landscape delineation, hydrometric monitoring and PRA to model S‐Q relationships is demonstrated to be an objective means of quantifying the transition between the two distinct hydrologic regimes in this catchment and provides new insight into how S‐Q dynamics govern the hydrologic functioning of bedrock‐dominated catchments. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The orally bioavailable met inhibitor PF-2341066 inhibits osteosarcoma growth and osteolysis/matrix production in a xenograft model
Authors: Sampson Erik R , Martin Brad A , Morris Aimee E , Xie Chao , Schwarz Edward M , O'Keefe Regis J , Rosier Randy N
Published: February 2011

Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most common primary bone tumor in children and adolescents. Ninety percent of patients who present with metastatic and 30% to 40% of patients with nonmetastatic disease experience relapse, creating an urgent need for novel therapeutic strategies. The Met receptor tyrosine kinase and its ligand, hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), are important for mitosis, motility, and cell survival. Upregulation of Met/HGF signaling via receptor overexpression, amplification, or mutation drives the proliferation, invasiveness, and metastasis of a variety of cancer cells, including OS, prompting the development of Met/HGF inhibitors. OS cells depend on Met overexpression because introduction of dominant-negative Met inhibits in vivo tumorigenicity. Despite the importance of Met/HGF signaling in the development and maintenance of OS, the potential efficacy of pharmacologic Met inhibition in OS has been addressed only in in vitro studies. PF-2341066 is an orally bioavailable, selective ATP-competitive Met inhibitor that showed promising results recently in a phase I clinical trial in non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. We tested the ability of PF-2341066 to inhibit malignant properties of osteosarcoma cells in vitro and orthotopic xenograft growth in vivo. In vitro, PF-2341066 inhibited osteosarcoma behavior associated with primary tumor growth (eg, proliferation and survival) as well as metastasis (eg, invasion and clonogenicity). In nude mice treated with PF-2341066 via oral gavage, the growth and associated osteolysis and extracortical bone matrix formation of osteosarcoma xenografts were inhibited by PF-2341066. PF-2341066 may represent an effective new systemic therapy for localized and potentially disseminated osteosarcoma. © 2011 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Retinol (vitamin A) maintains self‐renewal of pluripotent male germline stem cells (mGSCs) from adult mouse testis
Authors: Zhang Shanshan , Sun Junwei , Pan Shaohui , Zhu Haijing , Wang Long , Hu Yue , Wang Jing , Wang Fang , Cao Hui , Yan Xinrong , Hua Jinlian
Published: February 2011

Studies have shown that male germline stem cells (mGSCs), which are responsible for maintaining spermatogenesis in the male, could be obtained from mouse and human testis. However, the traditional cultural methods were mostly dependent on serum and feeder, and the initial mGSCs were either obtained from neonatal mice or the detailed description of its potency and origin was not provided. Here we reported a novel (retinol (RE) serum‐free and feeder‐free) system for the successful culture of adult germline stem cells from adult Kunming mice (8–24 weeks) testis. The isolated mGSCs cultured in RE serum‐free and feeder‐free medium maintained the typical morphology of undifferentiated embryonic stem cells (ESCs), and they proliferated well in RE medium analyzed by proliferation assay, RT‐PCR, microarray, and Western blotting. These cells also showed typical properties of ESCs (alkaline phosphatase (AP) positive, expressions of Oct4, Sox2, Nanog, and SSEA1, with the capacity to form teratomas and differentiate into various types of cells within three germ layers). Taken together, we conclude that RE promotes the self‐renewal of mGSCs and maintains the pluripotency of mGSCs, the RE serum‐free and feeder‐free system may be useful for the culture of pluripotent stem cell lines from adult testis tissues, which provides a new resource for tissue engineering and therapy for infertility. J. Cell. Biochem. 112: 1009–1021, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Protein phosphatase 1‐dependent dephosphorylation of Akt is the prime signaling event in sphingosine‐induced apoptosis in Jurkat cells
Authors: Thayyullathil Faisal , Chathoth Shahanas , Shahin Allen , Kizhakkayil Jaleel , Hago Abdulkader , Patel Mahendra , Galadari Sehamuddin
Published: February 2011

Sphingosine (SPH) is an important bioactive lipid involved in mediating a variety of cell functions including apoptosis. However, the signaling mechanism of SPH‐induced apoptosis remains unclear. We have investigated whether SPH inhibits survival signaling in cells by inhibiting Akt kinase activity. This study demonstrates that treatment of Jurkat cells with SPH leads to Akt dephosphorylation as early as 15 min, and the cells undergo apoptosis after 6 h. This Akt dephosphorylation is not mediated through deactivation of upstream kinases, since SPH does not inhibit the upstream phosphoinositide‐dependent kinase 1 (PDK1) phosphorylation. Rather, sensitivity to the Ser/Thr protein phosphatase inhibitors (calyculin A, phosphatidic acid, tautomycin, and okadaic acid) indicates an important role for protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) in this process. In vitro phosphatase assay, using Akt immunoprecipitate following treatment with SPH, reveals an increase in Akt‐PP1 association as determined by immunoprecipitation analysis. Moreover, SPH‐induced dephosphorylation of Akt at Ser473 subsequently leads to the activation of GSK‐3β, caspase 3, PARP cleavage, and ultimately apoptosis. Pre‐treatment with caspase 3 inhibitor z‐VAD‐fmk and Ser/Thr phosphatase inhibitor abrogates the effect of SPH on facilitating apoptosis. Altogether, these results demonstrate that PP1‐mediated inhibition of the key anti‐apoptotic protein, Akt, plays an important role in SPH‐mediated apoptosis in Jurkat cells. J. Cell. Biochem. 112: 1138–1153, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Model potentials for molecular calculations. I. The sd‐MP set for transition metal atoms Sc through Hg
Authors: Sakai Yoshiko , Miyoshi Eisaku , Klobukowski Mariusz , Huzinaga Sigeru
Published: February 2011

Model potential parameters and valence orbitals were generated for the transition metal atoms Sc through Hg. Only the nd and (n + 1)s valence electrons were treated explicitly and the effects of the remaining electrons were replaced by model potentials. For brevity they may be called sd‐MPs. Major relativistic effects were incorporated on the level of Cowan and Griffin's quasirelativistic Hartree‐Fock (QRHF) method for the second and third transition metal atoms. The model potential parameters and valence orbitals were determined so as to reproduce the results of the numerical Hartree‐Fock reference calculations. The obtained valence orbitals have inner nodal structure. The model potential method can yield a balanced description of the s2dn–1, sdn, and dn + 1 configurations of the atoms. The polarization functions were also generated for the use in molecular calculations.
Regulation of apoptosis and autophagy by sphingosylphosphorylcholine in vascular endothelial cells
Authors: Ge Di , Jing Qingchuan , Meng Ning , Su Le , Zhang Yun , Zhang Shangli , Miao Junying , Zhao Jing
Published: February 2011

Sphingosylphosphorylcholine (SPC), an important cardiovascular mediator derived from sphingomyelin that has atheroprotective effects via actions on vascular endothelial cells (VECs) at normal levels in vivo. However, the underlying mechanism is not well known. To clarify this question, we first investigated the effect of SPC on VEC apoptosis and autophagy induced by deprivation of serum and fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF‐2). SPC at 5–20 µM inhibited apoptosis and induced autophagy in vitro. To understand the underlying mechanism, we investigated the role of integrin β4 in SPC‐induced autophagy in VECs. SPC significantly decreased the level of integrin β4, whereas overexpression of integrin β4 inhibited SPC‐induced autophagy. Moreover, knockdown of integrin β4 promoted VEC autophagy. To understand the downstream factors of integrin β4 in this process, we observed the effects of SPC on phosphatidylcholine‐specific phospholipase C (PC‐PLC) activity and level of p53. PC‐PLC activity and p53 level in cytoplasm was decreased during autophagy induced by SPC, and knockdown of integrin β4 inhibited the activity of PC‐PLC and the cytoplasmic level of p53. SPC may promote autophagy via integrin β4. Moreover, PC‐PLC and p53 may be the downstream factors of integrin β4 in autophagy of VECs deprived of serum and FGF‐2. J. Cell. Physiol. 226: 2827–2833, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Bcr‐Abl oncogene stimulates jab1 expression via cooperative interaction of β‐catenin and STAT1 in chronic myeloid leukemia cells
Authors: Yang Kuei‐Ting , Wang Ming‐Chung , Chen Jing‐Yi , Hsu Ming‐Chuan , Hung Wen‐Chun
Published: February 2011

Jab1, a co‐activator of AP‐1 transcription factor and the fifth subunit of the COP9 signalosome, mediates degradation of the tumor suppressor p53 and p27Kip1 and functions as a tumor promoter in different types of human cancer. In this study, we show that inhibition of Bcr‐Abl oncogene by imatinib induces down‐regulation of Jab1 in Bcr‐Abl‐positive K562, Ku812, and MEG01 leukemia cells suggesting Bcr‐Abl may regulate Jab1 expression. Promoter deletion and mutation analysis indicate the Tcf‐4/β‐catenin and STAT1 binding sites located between the −405/−223 region of the human Jab1 promoter are important for the activation of Jab1 by Bcr‐Abl. Double mutation of these two sites reverses the inhibitory effect of imatinib. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assay verifies the binding of β‐catenin and STAT1 to human Jab1 promoter. Ectopic expression of dominant‐negative Tcf‐4 mutant significantly attenuates Jab1 expression while over‐expression of β‐catenin and STAT1 cooperatively up‐regulates Jab1 promoter activity and mRNA expression. Our results also demonstrate that the AKT signaling pathway is involved in the regulation of Jab1 by Bcr‐Abl because the AKT inhibitor LY294002 but not the ERK inhibitor PD98059 reduces Jab1 promoter activity and mRNA expression. Taken together, our results suggest that Bcr‐Abl stimulates Jab1 expression via the cooperative interaction of β‐catenin and STAT1 in leukemia cells. J. Cell. Physiol. 226: 2849–2856, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Unexpectedly low mutation rates in beta‐myosin heavy chain and cardiac myosin binding protein genes in italian patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Authors: Roncarati Roberta , Latronico Michael V.G. , Musumeci Beatrice , Aurino Stefania , Torella Annalaura , Bang Marie‐Louise , Jotti Gloria Saccani , Puca Annibale A. , Volpe Massimo , Nigro Vincenzo , Autore Camillo , Condorelli Gianluigi
Published: February 2011

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most common genetic cardiac disease. Fourteen sarcomeric and sarcomere‐related genes have been implicated in HCM etiology, those encoding β‐myosin heavy chain (MYH7) and cardiac myosin binding protein C (MYBPC3) reported as the most frequently mutated: in fact, these account for around 50% of all cases related to sarcomeric gene mutations, which are collectively responsible for approximately 70% of all HCM cases. Here, we used denaturing high‐performance liquid chromatography followed by bidirectional sequencing to screen the coding regions of MYH7 and MYBPC3 in a cohort (n = 125) of Italian patients presenting with HCM. We found 6 MHY7 mutations in 9/125 patients and 18 MYBPC3 mutations in 19/125 patients. Of the three novel MYH7 mutations found, two were missense, and one was a silent mutation; of the eight novel MYBPC3 mutations, one was a substitution, three were stop codons, and four were missense mutations. Thus, our cohort of Italian HCM patients did not harbor the high frequency of mutations usually found in MYH7 and MYBPC3. This finding, coupled to the clinical diversity of our cohort, emphasizes the complexity of HCM and the need for more inclusive investigative approaches in order to fully understand the pathogenesis of this disease. J. Cell. Physiol. 226: 2894–2900, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.