bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Targeting Intrinsic and Extrinsic Vulnerabilities for the Treatment of Multiple Myeloma
Authors: Anreddy Nagaraju , Hazlehurst Lori A. 
Published: June 2016

ABSTRACTMultiple myeloma (MM) is a malignant plasma cell disorder, clinically characterized by osteolytic lesions, immunodeficiency, and renal disease. Over the past decade, MM therapy is significantly improved by the introduction of novel therapeutics such as immunomodulatory agents (thalidomide, lenalidomide, and pomalidomide), proteasome inhibitors (bortezomib, carfilzomib, and ixazomib), monoclonal antibodies (daratumumab and elotuzumab), histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors (Panobinostat). The clinical success of these agents has clearly identified vulnerabilities intrinsic to the MM cell, as well as targets that emanate from the tumor microenvironment. Despite these significant improvements, MM remains incurable due to the development of drug resistance. This perspective will discuss more recent strategies which take advantage of multiple targets within the proteome recycling pathway, chromatin remodeling, and disruption of nuclear export. In addition, we will review the development of strategies designed to block opportunistic survival signaling that occurs between the MM cell and the tumor microenvironment including strategies for inhibiting myeloma‐induced immune suppression. It has become clear that MM tumors continue to evolve on therapy leading to drug resistance. It will be important to understand the emerging drug resistant mechanisms and additional vulnerabilities that occur due to the development of clinical resistance. J. Cell. Biochem. 118: 15–25, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
High Quality Independent From a Donor: Human Amniotic Fluid Derived Stem Cells—A Practical Analysis Based on 165 Clinical Cases
Authors: Bajek Anna , Olkowska Joanna , Walentowicz‐Sadłecka Małgorzata , Walentowicz Paweł , Sadłecki Paweł , Grabiec Marek , Bodnar Magdalena , Marszałek Andrzej , Dębski Robert , Porowińska Dorota , Czarnecka Joanna , Kaźmierski Łukasz , Drewa Tomasz 
Published: June 2016

ABSTRACTThe aim of the study was to extend the potential use of human stem cells isolated from amniotic fluid in medical applications by confirming their high homogeneity and quality. Amniotic fluid samples were collected during amniocentesis from 165 women during pregnancy. The proliferation rate, clonogenicity, karyotype, aging process, pluripotent cell markers, expression of surface markers, and the potential to differentiate into adipose, bone and cartilage cells of hAFSCs were analyzed. Obtained results revealed that mesenchymal stem cells could be derived successfully from amniotic fluid, which exhibit properties comparable with MSCs of other origins. It is the first study, in which such a large group of patients was involved. Comprehensive statistical and biological analysis were conducted some of which clearly being innovative in relation to human amniotic fluid‐derived stem cells. J. Cell. Biochem. 118: 116–126, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Spatial characteristics of residential development shift large carnivore prey habits
Authors: Smith Justine A. , Wang Yiwei , Wilmers Christopher C. 
Published: June 2016

ABSTRACTUnderstanding how anthropogenic development affects food webs is essential to implementing sustainable growth measures, yet little is known about how the spatial configuration of residential development affects the foraging behavior and prey habits of top predators. We examined the influence of the spatial characteristics of residential development on prey composition in the puma (Puma concolor). We located the prey remains of kills from 32 pumas fitted with global positioning system (GPS) satellite collars to determine the housing characteristics most influencing prey size and species composition. We examined how differences in housing density, proximity, and clustering influenced puma prey size and diversity. We found that at both local (150 m) and regional (1 km) spatial scales surrounding puma kill sites, housing density (but not the clustering of housing) was the greatest contributor to puma consumption of small prey (<20 kg), which primarily comprised human commensals or pets. The species‐specific relationships between housing density and prey occupancy and detection rates assessed using camera traps were not always similar to those between housing density and proportions of diet, suggesting that pumas may exercise some diet selectivity. The influence of development on puma diet may affect puma disease risk, energetics, and demographics because of altered species interactions and prey‐specific profiles of energetic gain and cost. Our results can help guide future land‐use planners seeking to minimize the impacts of development on wild species interactions and community dynamics. © 2016 The Wildlife Society.
Grasslands bird occupancy of native warm‐season grass
Authors: West Andrew S. , Keyser Patrick D. , Lituma Christopher M. , Buehler David A. , Applegate Roger D. , Morgan John 
Published: June 2016

ABSTRACTGrassland birds have declined more than any other guild in the United States because of loss and degradation of native grasslands. The United States Department of Agriculture Farm Bill programs have restored some native warm‐season grasses (NWSG), but populations of many grassland bird species continue to decline. Market‐based NWSG uses focused on hay, pasture, and biofuel feedstock may be more appealing to landowners, and may still provide grassland bird habitat on the landscape. We examined breeding grassland bird occupancy of 102 NWSG production fields including 5 treatments (control [n = 37], grazing [n = 7], hay [n = 22], seed [n = 21], and biofuel [n = 15] production) in Kentucky and Tennessee during 2009–2010 breeding seasons. We used a robust design model in Program MARK to determine occupancy and detection rates for grassland birds. We modeled occupancy differences among treatments and sites (i.e., KY, TN), and included covariates (i.e., field‐level vegetation metrics and landscape composition at 3 scales [250 m, 500 m, and 1 km]) for eastern meadowlark (Sturnella magna), field sparrow (Spizella pusilla), grasshopper sparrow (Ammodramus savannarum), northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus), and red‐winged blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus). Covariates that influenced occupancy included treatment (field sparrow, 2009 only), site (eastern meadowlark, grasshopper sparrow, and northern bobwhite), percent NWSG cover (positive, red‐winged blackbird), and percent forest cover within 250 m (negative for eastern meadowlark, grasshopper sparrow, northern bobwhite, and red‐winged blackbird) or within 1 km (negative, field sparrow). Our results suggest that forest cover in the surrounding landscape negatively influences species occupancy, and species occupancy generally did not differ among NWSG production treatments. These treatments could be an alternative means to provide grassland bird habitat within an agriculture production landscape. © 2016 The Wildlife Society.
Age‐related changes in mastication are not improved by tongue exercise in a rat model
Authors: Krekeler Brittany N. , Connor Nadine P. 
Published: June 2016

Objectives/HypothesisAging results in progressive changes in deglutitive functions, which may be due in part to alterations in muscle morphology and physiology. Mastication is a critical component of bolus formation and swallowing, but aging effects on masticatory function have not been well studied.Study DesignThe purpose of this study was to 1) quantify the effects of aging on mastication, and 2) determine the effects of tongue exercise on mastication in young adult and old rats. We hypothesized that there would be significant differences in mastication characteristics (number of bites, interval between bites, time to eat) as a function of age, and that tongue exercise would resolve preexercise differences between age groups.MethodsWe expanded the established model of progressive, 8‐week tongue exercise to include a mastication measurement: acoustic recordings of vermicelli pasta biting from 17 old and 17 young adult rats, randomized into exercise and control groups.ResultsWe found the following: 1) Mastication characteristics were impacted by age. Specifically in older rats, there was an increase in time to eat and number of bites and intervals between bites decreased, suggesting increased oral motor‐processing requirements for bolus formation. 2) tongue exercise did not impact mastication behaviors in young adult or old rats.ConclusionTongue exercise may not have been specific enough to result in behavioral changes in mastication or exercise dose may not have been sufficient. Nevertheless, results were noteworthy in expanding the established rat model of aging and have relevant clinical implications for future translation to human populations.Level of EvidenceNA Laryngoscope, 127:E29–E34, 2017
Long‐term Effects of Pine Plantations on Soil Quality in Southern Spain
Authors: Martín‐Peinado Francisco J. , Navarro Francisco Bruno , Jiménez Maria Noelia , Sierra Manuel , Martínez Francisco J. , Romero‐Freire Ana , Rojo Leopoldo , Fernández‐Ondoño Emilia 
Published: June 2016

AbstractThis work evaluated how pine plantations established on old fields and degraded lands influence soil properties in comparison with adjacent unplanted areas that undergo into secondary succession, and native forests, analysing the effects of abiotic variables and stand characteristics in the afforestation process. Thirty‐two paired sites (pine plantations versus unplanted areas) and 10 native forests were selected in the SE Spain. In total, 74 soil profiles were studied, and 222 composite soil samples were collected at three different depths. Soil organic carbon, cation exchange capacity, and C : N ratio showed significantly greater values in pine plantations in relation to the unplanted areas (0–5 cm), and the mean values of soil organic carbon, nitrogen (N), C : N ratio, and cation exchange capacity in these pine plantations were similar to those found under native forests. Only K+ concentrations were clearly higher in the native forests than in the other land uses for all depths analysed. Pine plantations in the drier and warmer areas showed lower soil quality in relation to the paired unplanted areas, as well as the younger and denser ones; it may be because under these situations, more time is needed to produce an improvement. In fact, the paired net variations increased with the stand age and/or tree size. In conclusion, pine plantations were in general more efficient in improving parameters related to soil quality, especially in locations with high soil water retention capacity, which in our study area were found at higher and cooler elevations. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
On methylene‐bridged cysteine and lysine residues in proteins
Authors: Ruszkowski Milosz , Dauter Zbigniew 
Published: June 2016

AbstractCysteine residues ubiquitously stabilize tertiary and quaternary protein structure by formation of disulfide bridges. Here we investigate another linking interaction that involves sulfhydryl groups of cysteines, namely intra‐ and intermolecular methylene‐bridges between cysteine and lysine residues. A number of crystal structures possessing such a linkage were identified in the Protein Data Bank. Inspection of the electron density maps and re‐refinement of the nominated structures unequivocally confirmed the presence of Lys‐CH2‐Cys bonds in several cases.
Destruction‐and‐diffraction by X‐ray free‐electron laser
Authors: Wang Jimin 
Published: June 2016

AbstractIt is common knowledge that macromolecular crystals are damaged by the X‐rays they are exposed to during conventional data collection. One of the claims made about the crystallographic data collection now being collected using X‐ray free‐electron lasers (XFEL) is that they are unaffected by radiation damage. XFEL data sets are assembled by merging data obtained from a very large number of crystals, each of which is exposed to a single femtosecond pulse of radiation, the duration of which is so short that diffraction occurs before the damage done to the crystal has time to become manifest, i.e. “diffraction‐before‐destruction.” However, recent theoretical studies have shown that many of the elemental electronic processes that ultimately result in the destruction of such crystals occur during a single pulse. It is predicted that the amplitudes of atomic scattering factor could be reduced by as much as 75% within the first 5 femtoseconds of such pulses, and that different atoms will respond in different ways. Experimental evidence is provided here that these predictions are correct.
Computational modeling of Repeat1 region of INI1/hSNF5: An evolutionary link with ubiquitin
Authors: Bhutoria Savita , Kalpana Ganjam V. , Acharya Seetharama A. 
Published: June 2016

AbstractThe structure of a protein can be very informative of its function. However, determining protein structures experimentally can often be very challenging. Computational methods have been used successfully in modeling structures with sufficient accuracy. Here we have used computational tools to predict the structure of an evolutionarily conserved and functionally significant domain of Integrase interactor (INI)1/hSNF5 protein. INI1 is a component of the chromatin remodeling SWI/SNF complex, a tumor suppressor and is involved in many protein‐protein interactions. It belongs to SNF5 family of proteins that contain two conserved repeat (Rpt) domains. Rpt1 domain of INI1 binds to HIV‐1 Integrase, and acts as a dominant negative mutant to inhibit viral replication. Rpt1 domain also interacts with oncogene c‐MYC and modulates its transcriptional activity. We carried out an ab initio modeling of a segment of INI1 protein containing the Rpt1 domain. The structural model suggested the presence of a compact and well defined ββαα topology as core structure in the Rpt1 domain of INI1. This topology in Rpt1 was similar to PFU domain of Phospholipase A2 Activating Protein, PLAA. Interestingly, PFU domain shares similarity with Ubiquitin and has ubiquitin binding activity. Because of the structural similarity between Rpt1 domain of INI1 and PFU domain of PLAA, we propose that Rpt1 domain of INI1 may participate in ubiquitin recognition or binding with ubiquitin or ubiquitin related proteins. This modeling study may shed light on the mode of interactions of Rpt1 domain of INI1 and is likely to facilitate future functional studies of INI1.
Subsidized commercial harvesting for cost‐effective wildlife management in urban areas: A case study with kangaroo sharpshooting
Authors: Mawson Peter R. , Hampton Jordan O. , Dooley Brendan 
Published: June 2016

ABSTRACTThe management of overabundant urban fauna is a contentious issue worldwide, particularly for populations of white‐tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in North America and kangaroos (Macropus spp.) in Australia. To be successful, management programs in such settings must be cost‐effective, humane, and publicly acceptable. Here, we describe the management of a fenced, urban population of western grey kangaroos (M. fuliginosus) in southwestern Australia, with an estimated population density of 189 kangaroos/km2. After a period of >12 months of solicited public involvement by key stakeholder groups, a licensed professional shooting team, observing a national code of practice, conducted night‐time sharpshooting. Over an 11‐month period in 2006–2007, 1,009 kangaroos were shot in 43 shooting nights, a mean (±SE) culling rate of 23 ± 3 kangaroos/night or harvest rate of 12 ± 2 kangaroos/hr. Inspectors under the relevant Western Australian legislation functioned as animal welfare observers to ensure that the methods employed for the culling program met the national code of practice and that all license conditions were met. No accidents or injuries occurred during the program. The program produced 17 kg/kangaroo of harvestable meat and biological samples for several research projects. The operational costs of the project were very low, at AU$36/kangaroo, with payments largely limited to incentives paid to commercial harvesters and management staff monitoring public safety and animal welfare. This case study is an example of a publicly acceptable, cost‐effective, humane, and lethal urban wildlife control operation. It demonstrates that public acceptance of a cull of wildlife can be forthcoming with appropriate prior consultation and high professional standards. © 2016 The Wildlife Society.
A noninvasive method to detect Mexican wolves and estimate abundance
Authors: Piaggio Antoinette J. , Cariappa Chip A. , Straughan Dyan J. , Neubaum Melissa A. , Dwire Margaret , Krausman Paul R. , Ballard Warren B. , Bergman David L. , Breck Stewart W. 
Published: June 2016

ABSTRACTMonitoring wolf abundance is important for recovery efforts of Mexican wolves (Canis lupus baileyi) in the Blue Range Wolf Recovery Area in Arizona and New Mexico, USA. Although radiotelemetry has been a reliable method, collaring and tracking wolves in an expanding population will be prohibitively expensive and alternative methods to estimate abundance will become necessary. We applied 10 canid microsatellite loci to 235 Mexican wolf samples, 48 coyote (C. latrans) samples, and 14 domestic dog (C. lupus familiaris) samples to identify alleles that provide reliable separation of these species. We then evaluated an approach for prescreening, noninvasively collected DNA obtained from fecal samples to identify Mexican wolves. We generated complete genotypes for only those samples identified as probable Mexican wolves. We used these genotypes to estimate mark–recapture population estimates of Mexican wolves and compared these to known numbers of wolves in the study area. We collected fecal samples during 3 sampling periods in 2007–2008 and used Huggins‐type mark–recapture models to estimate Mexican wolf abundance. We were able to generate abundance estimates with 95% confidence for 2 of 3 sampling periods. We estimated abundance to be 10 (95% CI = 6–34) during one sampling period when the known abundance was 10 and we estimated abundance to be 9 (95% CI = 6–30) during the other sampling period when the known abundance was 10. The application of this noninvasive method to estimate Mexican wolf abundance provides an alternative monitoring tool that could be useful for long‐term monitoring of this and other recovering populations. Published 2016. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Effectiveness of the toxicant DRC‐1339 in reducing populations of common ravens in Wyoming
Authors: Peebles Luke W. , Conover Michael R. 
Published: June 2016

ABSTRACTCommon raven (Corvus corax) populations have increased several‐fold in the western United States during the past century; these birds cause problems when they kill new‐borne lambs and calves and depredate nests of greater sage‐grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus). The toxicant DRC‐1339 is used by U.S. Department of Agriculture/Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Wildlife Services to manage common raven populations and reduce the severity of these problems, but it is difficult to determine how many ravens are killed by an application because carcasses are rarely found. We examined the effectiveness of DRC‐1339 applications for preventative control of ravens at 3 landfills and 5 nearby roosts in Wyoming, USA, from 2013 through 2015. Wildlife Services removed 23%, 34%, and 7% of the radiomarked sample of ravens in southwestern Wyoming during 2013, 2014, and 2015, respectively, according to Kaplan–Meier survival estimates. During the 3 winters, 235 of 240 raven carcasses that we collected died from DRC‐1339 poisoning. The following year, raven fecundity and immigration had offset most, but not all, of the mortality produced by the DRC‐1339 program. Raven population estimates declined 9% from the 2013 winter to the 2014 winter and 12% from the 2014 winter to the 2015 winter, based on telemetry data and roost counts. Ravens did not avoid landfills after they were treated with DRC‐1339 probably because few ravens died there. Estimated mortality rates from DRC‐1339 applications based on carcass counts underestimated the actual rates by 79% and landfill counts of ravens underestimated it by 49%. Roost count estimates of mortality were within 15% of the actual mortality rate. © 2016 The Wildlife Society.
Ergonomics of laparoscopic graspers and the importance of haptic feedback: the surgeons’ perspective
Authors: Alleblas Chantal C. J. , Vleugels Michel P. H. , Nieboer Theodoor E. 
Published: June 2016

AbstractHaptic feedback is drastically reduced in laparoscopic surgery compared to open surgery. Introducing enhanced haptic feedback in laparoscopic instruments might well improve surgical safety and efficiency. In the design process of a laparoscopic grasper with enhanced haptic feedback, handle design should be addressed to strive for optimal usability and comfort. Additionally, the surgeons’ perspective on the potential benefits of haptic feedback should be assessed to ascertain the clinical interest of enhanced haptic feedback. A questionnaire was designed to determine surgeons’ use and preferences for laparoscopic instruments and expectations about enhanced haptic feedback. Surgeons were also asked whether they experience physical complaints related to laparoscopic instruments. The questionnaire was distributed to a group of laparoscopic surgeons based in Europe. From the 279 contacted subjects, 98 completed the questionnaire (response rate 35 %). Of all respondents, 77 % reported physical complaints directly attributable to the use of laparoscopic instruments. No evident similarity in the main preference for graspers was found, either with or without haptic feedback. According to respondents, the added value of haptic feedback could be of particular use in feeling differences in tissue consistencies, feeling the applied pressure, locating a tumor or enlarged lymph node, feeling arterial pulse, and limiting strain in the surgeon’s hand. This study stresses that the high prevalence of physical complaints directly related to laparoscopic instruments among laparoscopic surgeons is still relevant. Furthermore, the potential benefits of enhanced haptic feedback in laparoscopic surgery are recognized by laparoscopic specialists. Therefore, haptic feedback is considered an unmet need in laparoscopy.