bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Systems Analysis of complex glaciological processes and application to calving of Amery Ice Shelf, East Antarctica
Authors: Chester M. L. , Kulessa B. , Luckman A. J. , Bassis J. N. , Kuipers Munneke P. 
Published: June 2017

ABSTRACT
Calving is a complex process subject to several cooperating atmospheric, oceanographic and glaciological forcings that vary in space and time, and whose relative effects are challenging to separate. Statistical ‘Systems Analysis’ is commonly used in engineering and economics to extricate complex ‘force–response’ relationships. Here we apply Systems Analysis to the Amery rift system, East Antarctica. We develop a scalable ‘System Model’ driven by a coarsely-sampled dataset characteristic of glaciological observations in remote locations, and validate it using rift lengths observed in 2000–06 and 2012. In this initial demonstration, we forecast a detachment date of ~2019 ± 5 years for the large tabular iceberg colloquially known as the ‘Loose Tooth’, for which relative humidity surprisingly emerges as the best statistical predictor. RACMO2 climate modelling reveals that relative humidity correlates best with surface albedo and snowmelt, both of which are intimately linked to firn compaction and ice shelf temperature and flow. We postulate that relative humidity can therefore serve as a proxy for internal stress, a known key control of ‘Loose Tooth’ calving. Although no physical causality is implied in Systems Analysis, postulates such as this can aid in setting priorities in studies of complex glaciological processes.
The IFAO Radiocarbon Laboratory: A Status Report
Authors: Quiles Anita , Sabri Kamal Nagui , Abd’el Fatah Mostafa , Mounir Nadine 
Published: June 2017

AbstractThe Institut Français d’Archéologie Orientale (IFAO) in Cairo is one of the major French research centers abroad. It is placed under the aegis of the French Ministry of Higher Education and Research and manages an archaeometry department that features laboratories for three units of research: conservation, material studies, and radiocarbon (14C). The 14C laboratory was founded in 2006 to offer the possibility of 14C dating in Egypt. It is totally devoted to archaeological issues, uses the conventional liquid scintillation counting (LSC) method, and is equipped with two benzene synthesis lines. This paper reports on the performances and quality-control procedures of the IFAO 14C laboratory, both from the perspective of the chemical syntheses and from the radiometric measurements (background dispersion, standards, intercomparison programs). It shows how this lab occupies a privileged position to develop interdisciplinary studies of Egyptian chronology and to offer high-standard competencies to the IFAO scientific research programs. Finally, it raises the question of the future perspectives of the laboratory.
FROM MOTIVES THROUGH DESIRES TO INTENTIONS: INVESTIGATING THE REPRODUCTIVE CHOICES OF CHILDLESS MEN AND WOMEN IN POLAND
Authors: Mynarska Monika , Rytel Jolanta 
Published: June 2017

SummaryThis study examined the potential of the theoretical model proposed by Warren Miller (the Traits/Motives–Desires–Intentions–Behaviour or TDIB model) for investigating the involuntary–voluntary childlessness continuum. The first three stages of the theoretical motivational sequence (motives to desires to intentions) were examined using a purposive sample of 314 childless Polish men and women aged 30–39 (at the time of data collection in September 2013). In Poland, this is the age range when the final decision for or against parenthood is taken. To model the motivational sequence, the Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) technique was applied. The results confirmed the hypothesized relations between the constructs for childless individuals in the analysed age group. Their childbearing desires were found to be good predictors of reproductive intentions, while negative and positive childbearing motives (independently) underpinned their desires. Moreover, positive motives appeared to have a stronger effect on desires than negative ones. The study also documented the psychometric properties of the Polish adaptation of the Childbearing Questionnaire, which was originally developed by Miller to measure childbearing motives. The advantages of using this tool for investigating the involuntary–voluntary childlessness continuum are discussed. Overall, the study validated the theoretical model as well as the adaptation of the Childbearing Questionnaire in the new research context: in the new cultural setting and for examining reproductive choices of a specific subpopulation. Directions for future research that could build on the TDIB model and allow for a deeper understanding of permanent childlessness are outlined.
Capacity building for conservation: problems and potential solutions for sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: O'Connell M. J. , Nasirwa O. , Carter M. , Farmer K. H. , Appleton M. , Arinaitwe J. , Bhanderi P. , Chimwaza G. , Copsey J. , Dodoo J. , Duthie A. , Gachanja M. , Hunter N. , Karanja B. , Komu H. M. , Kosgei V. , Kuria A. , Magero C. , Manten M. , Mugo P. , Müller E. , Mulonga J. , Niskanen L. , Nzilani J. , Otieno M. , Owen N. , Owuor J. , Paterson S. , Regnaut S. , Rono R. , Ruhiu J. , Theuri Njoka J. , Waruingi L. , Waswala Olewe B. , Wilson E. 
Published: June 2017

AbstractTo achieve their conservation goals individuals, communities and organizations need to acquire a diversity of skills, knowledge and information (i.e. capacity). Despite current efforts to build and maintain appropriate levels of conservation capacity, it has been recognized that there will need to be a significant scaling-up of these activities in sub-Saharan Africa. This is because of the rapid increase in the number and extent of environmental problems in the region. We present a range of socio-economic contexts relevant to four key areas of African conservation capacity building: protected area management, community engagement, effective leadership, and professional e-learning. Under these core themes, 39 specific recommendations are presented. These were derived from multi-stakeholder workshop discussions at an international conference held in Nairobi, Kenya, in 2015. At the meeting 185 delegates (practitioners, scientists, community groups and government agencies) represented 105 organizations from 24 African nations and eight non-African nations. The 39 recommendations constituted six broad types of suggested action: (1) the development of new methods, (2) the provision of capacity building resources (e.g. information or data), (3) the communication of ideas or examples of successful initiatives, (4) the implementation of new research or gap analyses, (5) the establishment of new structures within and between organizations, and (6) the development of new partnerships. A number of cross-cutting issues also emerged from the discussions: the need for a greater sense of urgency in developing capacity building activities; the need to develop novel capacity building methodologies; and the need to move away from one-size-fits-all approaches.
Health-related outcomes of new grocery store interventions: a systematic review
Authors: Abeykoon AM Hasanthi , Engler-Stringer Rachel , Muhajarine Nazeem 
Published: June 2017

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the evidence of the impact of new food store (supermarket/grocery store) interventions on selected health-related outcomes.DesignA systematic review following the Effective Public Health Practice Project guidelines. All quantitative studies were assessed for their methodological quality. Results were synthesized narratively.SettingEight electronic databases – MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, ProQuest Public Health, Web of Science, Scopus, PsycINFO and Cochrane Library – were searched to identify relevant records.SubjectsPeer-reviewed scholarly journal articles on new grocery store/supermarket interventions with adult study populations, published in the English language after 1995.ResultsEleven records representing seven new grocery store interventions were identified. Six were assessed having ‘weak’ methodological quality, one as ‘moderate’ and two as ‘strong’. All studies reported fruit and vegetable consumption but results were not consistent, some studies reporting significantly more and others no increase in consumption. BMI and self-rated health did not show significant improvements. Perceptions of food access, neighbourhood satisfaction and psychological health showed significant improvements.ConclusionsImproved food access through establishment of a full-service food retailer, by itself, does not show strong evidence towards enhancing health-related outcomes over short durations. Presently the field is developing and the complex linking pathways/mechanisms are yet to be elucidated. Further evidence, in the form of high-quality research in different communities with longer follow-up periods, is needed to inform policy decisions.
E2F1 induces TINCR transcriptional activity and accelerates gastric cancer progression via activation of TINCR/STAU1/CDKN2B signaling axis
Authors: Xu Tong-Peng , Wang Yan-Fen , Xiong Wei-Liang , Ma Pei , Wang Wen-Yu , Chen Wen-Ming , Huang Ming-De , Xia Rui , Wang Rong , Zhang Er-Bao , Liu Yan-Wen , De Wei , Shu Yong-Qian 
Published: June 2017

AbstractRecent evidence indicates that E2F1 transcription factor have pivotal roles in the regulation of cellular processes, and is found to be dysregulated in a variety of cancers. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are also reported to exert important effect on tumorigenesis. E2F1 is aberrantly expressed in gastric cancer (GC), and biology functions of E2F1 in GC are controversial. The biological characteristics of E2F1 and correlation between E2F1 and lncRNAs in GC remain to be found. In this study, integrated analysis revealed that E2F1 expression was significantly increased in GC cases and its expression was positively correlated with the poor pathologic stage, large tumor size and poor prognosis. Forced E2F1 expression promotes proliferation, whereas loss of E2F1 function decreased cell proliferation by blocking of cell cycle in GC cells. Mechanistic analyses indicated that E2F1 accelerates GC growth partly through induces TINCR transcription. TINCR could bind to STAU1 (staufen1) protein, and influence CDKN2B mRNA stability and expression, thereby affecting the proliferation of GC cells. Together, our findings suggest that E2F1/TINCR/STAU1/CDKN2B signaling axis contributes to the oncogenic potential of GC and may constitute a potential therapeutic target in this disease.
Human cancer-associated fibroblasts enhance glutathione levels and antagonize drug-induced prostate cancer cell death
Authors: Cheteh Emarndeena H , Augsten Martin , Rundqvist Helene , Bianchi Julie , Sarne Victoria , Egevad Lars , Bykov Vladimir JN , Östman Arne , Wiman Klas G 
Published: June 2017

AbstractDrug resistance is a major problem in cancer therapy. A growing body of evidence demonstrates that the tumor microenvironment, including cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), can modulate drug sensitivity in tumor cells. We examined the effect of primary human CAFs on p53 induction and cell viability in prostate cancer cells on treatment with chemotherapeutic drugs. Co-culture with prostate CAFs or CAF-conditioned medium attenuated DNA damage and the p53 response to chemotherapeutic drugs and enhanced prostate cancer cell survival. CAF-conditioned medium inhibited the accumulation of doxorubicin, but not taxol, in prostate cancer cells in a manner that was associated with increased cancer cell glutathione levels. A low molecular weight fraction (<3 kDa) of CAF-conditioned medium had the same effect. CAF-conditioned medium also inhibited induction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in both doxorubicin- and taxol-treated cancer cells. Our findings suggest that CAFs can enhance drug resistance in cancer cells by inhibiting drug accumulation and counteracting drug-induced oxidative stress. This protective mechanism may represent a novel therapeutic target in cancer.
Cytoprotective effect of neuropeptides on cancer stem cells: vasoactive intestinal peptide-induced antiapoptotic signaling
Authors: Sastry Konduru S , Chouchane Aouatef Ismail , Wang Ena , Kulik George , Marincola Francesco M , Chouchane Lotfi 
Published: June 2017

AbstractCancer stem cells (CSCs) are increasingly considered to be responsible for tumor initiation, metastasis and drug resistance. The drug resistance mechanisms activated in CSCs have not been thoroughly investigated. Although neuropeptides such as vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) can promote tumor growth and activate antiapoptotic signaling in differentiated cancer cells, it is not known whether they can activate antiapoptotic mechanisms in CSCs. The objectives of this study are to unravel the cytoprotective effects of neuropeptides and identify antiapoptotic mechanisms activated by neuropeptides in response to anticancer drug treatment in CSCs. We enriched and purified CSCs (CD44+/high/CD24−/low or CD133+ population) from breast and prostate cancer cell lines, and demonstrated their stemness phenotype. Of the several neuropeptides tested, only VIP could protect CSCs from drug-induced apoptosis. A functional correlation was found between drug-induced apoptosis and dephosphorylation of proapoptotic Bcl2 family protein BAD. Similarly, VIP-induced cytoprotection correlated with BAD phosphorylation at Ser112 in CSCs. Using pharmacological inhibitors and dominant-negative proteins, we showed that VIP-induced cytoprotection and BAD phosphorylation are mediated via both Ras/MAPK and PKA pathways in CSCs of prostate cancer LNCaP and C4-2 cells, but only PKA signaling was involved in CSCs of DUVIPR (DU145 prostate cancer cells ectopically expressing VIP receptor) and breast cancer MCF7 cells. As each of these pathways partially control BAD phosphorylation at Ser112, both have to be inhibited to block the cytoprotective effects of VIP. Furthermore, VIP is unable to protect CSCs that express phosphorylation-deficient mutant-BAD, suggesting that BAD phosphorylation is essential. Thus, antiapoptotic signaling by VIP could be one of the drug resistance mechanisms by which CSCs escape from anticancer therapies. Our findings suggest the potential usefulness of VIP receptor inhibition to eliminate CSCs, and that targeting BAD might be an attractive strategy for development of novel therapeutics.
RGD-modified oncolytic adenovirus-harboring shPKM2 exhibits a potent cytotoxic effect in pancreatic cancer via autophagy inhibition and apoptosis promotion
Authors: Xu Yanni , Chu Liang , Yuan Sujing , Yang Yuanqin , Yang Yu , Xu Bin , Zhang Kangjian , Liu Xin-Yuan , Wang Ruwei , Fang Ling , Chen Zhinan , Liang Zongsuo 
Published: June 2017

AbstractThe M2 isoform of pyruvate kinase (PKM2) is a key driver of glycolysis in cancer cells and has critical ‘non-metabolic’ functions in some cancers; however, the role of PKM2 in pancreatic cancer remains unclear. The aim of the current study was to elucidate the role of PKM2 in pancreatic cancer progression and the potential of PKM2 as a therapeutic target. In this study, we observed that PKM2 is highly expressed in patients with pancreatic cancer and is correlated to survival. Elevated PKM2 expression promoted cell proliferation, migration and tumor formation. The inhibition of cell growth by silencing PKM2 is caused by impairment of the autophagy process. To test the potential effects of downregulating PKM2 as a clinical therapy, we constructed an RGD-modified oncolytic adenovirus containing shPKM2 (OAd.R.shPKM2) to knock down PKM2 in pancreatic cancer cells. Cells transduced with OAd.R.shPKM2 exhibited decreased cell viability, and, in a PANC-1 xenograft model, intratumoral injection of OAd.R.shPKM2 resulted in reduced tumor growth. Furthermore, OAd.R.shPKM2 induced apoptosis and impaired autophagy in PANC-1 cells. Our results suggested that targeting PKM2 with an oncolytic adenovirus produced a strong antitumor effect, and that this strategy could broaden the therapeutic options for treating pancreatic cancer.
Oocyte-specific deletion of furin leads to female infertility by causing early secondary follicle arrest in mice
Authors: Meng Tie-Gang , Hu Meng-Wen , Ma Xue-Shan , Huang Lin , Liang Qiu-Xia , Yuan Yue , Hou Yi , Wang Hongmei , Schatten Heide , Wang Zhen-Bo , Sun Qing-Yuan 
Published: June 2017

AbstractThe process of follicular development involves communications between oocyte and surrounding granulosa cells. FURIN is a member of the family of proprotein convertases that is involved in the activation of a large number of zymogens and proproteins by cleavage at its recognition motif. To investigate the functions of FURIN in female fertility, furinflox/flox (furfl/fl) mice were crossed with Zp3-Cre mice and Gdf9-Cre, respectively, to achieve oocyte-specific disruption of FURIN. Here we report for the first time that FURIN is dispensable for primordial follicle maintenance and activation but important for early secondary follicular development, as ablation of FURIN in oocytes caused failure of follicle development beyond the type 4 and/or 5a follicles in mutant mice, resulting in increased number of early secondary follicles and the severely decreased number of mature follicles, thus anovulation and infertility. We also found that the developmental arrest of early secondary follicles might be rooted in the loss of the mature form of ADAMTS1 (85-kDa prodomain truncated) and compromised proliferation of granulosa cells in mutant mice. Taken together, our data highlight the importance of FURIN in follicle development beyond the early secondary follicle stage and indicate that compromised FURIN function leads to follicular dysplasia and female infertility in mice.
Single-cell time-lapse imaging of intracellular O2 in response to metabolic inhibition and mitochondrial cytochrome-c release
Authors: Düssmann Heiko , Perez-Alvarez Sergio , Anilkumar Ujval , Papkovsky Dmitri B , Prehn Jochen HM 
Published: June 2017

AbstractThe detection of intracellular molecular oxygen (O2) levels is important for understanding cell physiology, cell death, and drug effects, and has recently been improved with the development of oxygen-sensitive probes that are compatible with live cell time-lapse microscopy. We here provide a protocol for the use of the nanoparticle probe MitoImage-MM2 to monitor intracellular oxygen levels by confocal microscopy under baseline conditions, in response to mitochondrial toxins, and following mitochondrial cytochrome-c release. We demonstrate that the MitoImage-MM2 probe, which embeds Pt(II)-5,10,15,20-tetrakis-(2,3,4,5,6–pentafluorophenyl)-porphyrin as oxygen sensor and poly(9,9-dioctylfluorene) as an O2-independent component, enables quantitative, ratiometric time-lapse imaging of intracellular O2. Multiplexing with tetra-methyl-rhodamine-methyl ester in HeLa cervical cancer cells showed significant increases in intracellular O2 accompanied by strong mitochondrial depolarization when respiratory chain complexes III or IV were inhibited by Antimycin A or sodium azide, respectively, and when cells were maintained at ‘physiological’ tissue O2 levels (5% O2). Multiplexing also allowed us to monitor intracellular O2 during the apoptotic signaling process of mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization in HeLa expressing cytochrome-c-eGFP, and demonstrated that mitochondria post cytochrome-c release are able to retain their capacity to respire at physiological O2 despite a decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential.
Inflammatory mediator ultra-low-molecular-weight hyaluronan triggers necrosis of B-precursor leukemia cells with high surface CD44 expression
Authors: Kasai Shin , Furuichi Yoshiyuki , Ando Norie , Kagami Keiko , Abe Masako , Nakane Takaya , Goi Kumiko , Inukai Takeshi , Saitoh Sei , Ohno Shinichi , Okazaki Shogo , Nagano Osamu , Saya Hideyuki , Sugita Kanji 
Published: June 2017

AbstractAcute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) with mixed lineage leukemia (MLL) gene rearrangements (MLL+ALL) has a dismal prognosis and is characterized by high surface CD44 expression. Known that CD44 has the specific binding sites for a natural ligand hyaluronan (HA), we investigated biological effects of HA with different molecular sizes on MLL+ALL cell lines, and found that the addition of ultra-low-molecular-weight (ULMW)-HA strongly suppressed their thymidine uptakes. The MLL+ALL cell line lacking surface CD44 expression established by genome editing showed no suppression of thymidine uptake. Surface CD44-high B-precursor ALL cell lines other than MLL+, but not T-ALL cell lines, were also suppressed in their thymidine uptakes. The inhibition of thymidine uptakes was because of induction of cell death, but dead cells lacked features of apoptosis on cytospin smears and flow cytometric analysis. The cell death was neither blocked by pan-caspase inhibitor nor autophagy inhibitor, but was completely blocked by necrosis inhibitor necrostatin-1. Necrotic cell death was further supported by a marked release of a high-mobility protein group B1 and morphological changes on transmission electron microscopy. Elevation of intracellular reactive oxygen species production suggested a role for inducing this necrotic cell death. ULMW-HA-triggered cell death was similarly demonstrated in surface CD44-high primary B-precursor leukemia cells. Assuming that ULMW-HA is abundantly secreted at the site of infection and inflammation, this study sheds light on understanding the mechanism of a transient inflammation-associated remission of leukemia. Further, the CD44-targeting may become an effective approach in future for the treatment of refractory B-precursor ALL by its capability of predominantly eradicating CD44-high leukemia-initiating cells.
Clinical manifestations in two patients with pyruvate dehydrogenase deficiency and long-term survival
Authors: Yoshida Takanobu , Kido Jun , Mitsubuchi Hiroshi , Matsumoto Shirou , Endo Fumio , Nakamura Kimitoshi 
Published: June 2017

AbstractPyruvate dehydrogenase E1-alpha deficiency (PDHAD) results in lactic acidosis and hyperpyruvatemia. Two patients with PDHAD, a man with a p.R263Q mutation, and a girl with a p.C145del mutation in PDHE1α, presented with lactic acidosis with neurological disorder. These patients were able to survive for a long period under careful nursing care. Herein, we discuss the factors contributing to their relatively stable clinical course, albeit with intellectual disability.
Detection of Zak phases and topological invariants in a chiral quantum walk of twisted photons
Authors: Cardano Filippo , D’Errico Alessio , Dauphin Alexandre , Maffei Maria , Piccirillo Bruno , de Lisio Corrado , De Filippis Giulio , Cataudella Vittorio , Santamato Enrico , Marrucci Lorenzo , Lewenstein Maciej , Massignan Pietro 
Published: June 2017

AbstractTopological insulators are fascinating states of matter exhibiting protected edge states and robust quantized features in their bulk. Here we propose and validate experimentally a method to detect topological properties in the bulk of one-dimensional chiral systems. We first introduce the mean chiral displacement, an observable that rapidly approaches a value proportional to the Zak phase during the free evolution of the system. Then we measure the Zak phase in a photonic quantum walk of twisted photons, by observing the mean chiral displacement in its bulk. Next, we measure the Zak phase in an alternative, inequivalent timeframe and combine the two windings to characterize the full phase diagram of this Floquet system. Finally, we prove the robustness of the measure by introducing dynamical disorder in the system. This detection method is extremely general and readily applicable to all present one-dimensional platforms simulating static or Floquet chiral systems.