bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Characteristics of Low Pressure Systems Associated with Intraseasonal Oscillation of Rainfall over Bangladesh during Boreal Summer
Authors: Hatsuzuka Daisuke , Yasunari Tetsuzo , Fujinami Hatsuki 
Published: September 2014

AbstractCharacteristics of low pressure systems (LPSs) responsible for submonthly-scale (7–25 days) intraseasonal oscillation (ISO) in rainfall over Bangladesh and their impact on the amplitude of active peaks are investigated for 29 summer monsoon seasons. Extreme and moderate active peaks are obtained based on the amplitude of 7–25-day-filtered rainfall series. By detecting the LPSs that formed over the Indian monsoon region, it was found that about 59% (62%) of extreme (moderate) active peaks of rainfall are related to LPSs. These LPSs have horizontal scale of about 600 km and vertical scale of about 9 km. For the extreme active peak, the locations of the LPS centers are clustered significantly over and around Bangladesh, accompanied by the maximum convergence in the southeast sector of the LPSs. After their formation, they tend to remain almost stationary over and around Bangladesh. In contrast, for the moderate active peak, the LPS centers are located over the Ganges Plain around 85°E, and the maximum convergence of the LPSs occurs around their centers. This difference in the convergence fields is closely associated with the geographical features to the north and east of Bangladesh and the horizontal scale of the LPSs. These features suggest that the amplitude of the active peaks in the submonthly-scale ISO is modulated by small differences in the locations of the LPS centers. These findings suggest that improved predictions of both genesis location and the tracks of the LPSs are crucial to forecasting seasonal rainfall over Bangladesh.
RETRACTED ARTICLE: Jacarelhyperol A induced apoptosis in leukaemia cancer cell through inhibition the activity of Bcl-2 proteins
Authors: Zhang Shoude , Yin Jun , Li Xia , Zhang Jigang , Yue Rongcai , Diao Yanyan , Li Honglin , Wang Hui , Shan Lei , Zhang Weidong 
Published: September 2014

Abstract
Background
Hypericum japonicum Thunb. ex Murray is widely used as an herbal medicine for the treatment of hepatitis and tumours in China. However, the molecular mechanisms of its effects are unclear. Our previous research showed that extracts of H. japonicum can induce apoptosis in leukaemia cells. We also previously systematically analysed and isolated the chemical composition of H. japonicum.

Methods
The fluorescence polarisation experiment was used to screen for inhibitors of Bcl-2 proteins which are proved as key proteins in apoptosis. The binding mode was modelled by molecular docking. We investigated the proliferation attenuating and apoptosis inducing effects of active compound on cancer cells by MTT assay and flow cytometry analysis. Activation of caspases were tested by Western blot. A broad-spectrum caspase inhibitor Z-VAD-FMK was used to investigate the caspases-dependence. In addition, co-immunoprecipitation was performed to analyse the inhibition of heterodimerization between anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 proteins with pro-apoptotic proteins. Moreover, in vivo activity was tested in a mouse xenograph tumour model.

Result
Jacarelhyperol A (Jac-A), a characteristic constituent of H. japonicum, was identified as a potential Bcl-2 inhibitor. Jac-A showed binding affinities to Bcl-xL, Bcl-2, and Mcl-1 with Ki values of 0.46 μM, 0.43 μM, and 1.69 μM, respectively. This is consistent with computational modelling results, which show that Jac-A presents a favorable binding mode with Bcl-xL in the BH3-binding pocket. In addition, Jac-A showed potential growth inhibitory activity in leukaemia cells with IC50 values from 1.52 to 6.92 μM and significantly induced apoptosis of K562 cells by promoting release of cytochrome c and activating the caspases. Jac-A also been proved that its effect is partly caspases-dependent and can disrupt the heterodimerization between anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 proteins with pro-apoptotic proteins. Moreover, Jac-A dose-dependently inhibited human K562 cell growth in a mouse xenograph tumour model with low toxicity.

Conclusion
In this study, a characteristic constituent of H. japonicum, Jac-A, was shown to induce apoptosis in leukaemia cells by mediating the Bcl-2 proteins. Therefore, we propose a new lead compound for cancer therapy with a low toxicity, and have provided evidence for using H. japonicum as an anti-cancer herb.
CheS-Mapper 2.0 for visual validation of (Q)SAR models
Authors: Gütlein Martin , Karwath Andreas , Kramer Stefan 
Published: September 2014

Abstract

Background
Sound statistical validation is important to evaluate and compare the overall performance of (Q)SAR models. However, classical validation does not support the user in better understanding the properties of the model or the underlying data. Even though, a number of visualization tools for analyzing (Q)SAR information in small molecule datasets exist, integrated visualization methods that allow the investigation of model validation results are still lacking.

Results
We propose visual validation, as an approach for the graphical inspection of (Q)SAR model validation results. The approach applies the 3D viewer CheS-Mapper, an open-source application for the exploration of small molecules in virtual 3D space. The present work describes the new functionalities in CheS-Mapper 2.0, that facilitate the analysis of (Q)SAR information and allows the visual validation of (Q)SAR models. The tool enables the comparison of model predictions to the actual activity in feature space. The approach is generic: It is model-independent and can handle physico-chemical and structural input features as well as quantitative and qualitative endpoints.

Conclusions
Visual validation with CheS-Mapper enables analyzing (Q)SAR information in the data and indicates how this information is employed by the (Q)SAR model. It reveals, if the endpoint is modeled too specific or too generic and highlights common properties of misclassified compounds. Moreover, the researcher can use CheS-Mapper to inspect how the (Q)SAR model predicts activity cliffs. The CheS-Mapper software is freely available at http://ches-mapper.org.

Graphical abstract
Comparing actual and predicted activity values with CheS-Mapper.
Identification of positron emission tomography (PET) tracer candidates by prediction of the target-bound fraction in the brain
Authors: Fridén Markus , Wennerberg Marie , Antonsson Madeleine , Sandberg-Ställ Maria , Farde Lars , Schou Magnus 
Published: September 2014

Abstract

Background
Development of tracers for imaging with positron emission tomography (PET) is often a time-consuming process associated with considerable attrition. In an effort to simplify this process, we herein propose a mechanistically integrated approach for the selection of tracer candidates based on in vitro measurements of ligand affinity (Kd), non-specific binding in brain tissue (Vu,brain), and target protein expression (Bmax).

Methods
A dataset of 35 functional and 12 non-functional central nervous system (CNS) PET tracers was compiled. Data was identified in literature for Kd and Bmax, whereas a brain slice methodology was used to determine values for Vu,brain. A mathematical prediction model for the target-bound fraction of tracer in the brain (ftb) was derived and evaluated with respect to how well it predicts tracer functionality compared to traditional PET tracer candidate selection criteria.

Results
The methodology correctly classified 31/35 functioning and 12/12 non-functioning tracers. This predictivity was superior to traditional classification criteria or combinations thereof.

Conclusions
The presented CNS PET tracer identification approach is rapid and accurate and is expected to facilitate the development of novel PET tracers for the molecular imaging community.
Flow of generalized Burgers fluid between parallel walls induced by rectified sine pulses stress
Authors: Sultan Qamar , Nazar Mudassar , Imran Muhammad , Ali Usman 
Published: September 2014

Abstract
This paper presents the unsteady magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) flow of a generalized Burgers’ fluid between two parallel side walls perpendicular to a plate. The plate applies a shear stress induced by rectified sine pulses to the fluid. The obtained solutions by means of the Laplace and Fourier cosine and sine transforms are presented as a sum of the corresponding Newtonian and non-Newtonian contributions. The effects of the magnetic field, permeability, and the period of the oscillation have been observed on the fluid motion. Moreover, the influence of the side walls on the fluid motion and the distance between the walls for which the velocity of the fluid in the middle of the channel is negligible are presented by graphical illustrations.

MSC: 76A05, 76A10.
Transcriptional factor snail controls tumor neovascularization, growth and metastasis in mouse model of human ovarian carcinoma
Authors: Abdulkhalek Samar , Geen Olivia D , Brodhagen Lacey , Haxho Fiona , Alghamdi Farah , Allison Stephanie , Simmons Duncan J , O'Shea Leah K , Neufeld Ronald J , Szewczuk Myron R 
Published: September 2014

AbstractBackgroundSnail, a transcriptional factor and repressor of E‐cadherin is well known for its role in cellular invasion. It can regulate epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) during embryonic development and in epithelial cells. Snail also mediates tumor progression and metastases. Silencing of Snail and its associate member Slug in human A2780 ovarian epithelial carcinoma cell line was investigated to identify its role in tumor neovascularization.MethodsLive cell sialidase, WST‐1 cell viability and immunohistochemistry assays were used to evaluate sialidase activity, cell survival and the expression levels of tumor E‐cadherin, N‐cadherin, VE‐cadherin, and host endothelial CD31+(PECAM‐1) cells in archived paraffin‐embedded ovarian A2780, A2780 Snail shRNA GIPZ lentiviral knockdown (KD) and A2780 Slug shRNA GIPZ lentiviral KD tumors grown in RAGxCγ double mutant mice.ResultsOseltamivir phosphate (OP), anti‐Neu1 antibodies and MMP‐9 specific inhibitor blocked Neu1 activity associated with epidermal growth factor (EGF) stimulated A2780 ovarian epithelial carcinoma cells. Silencing Snail in A2780 cells abrogated the Neu1 activity following EGF stimulation of the cells compared to A2780 and A2780 Slug KD cells. OP treatment of A2780 and cisplatin‐resistant A2780cis cells reproducibly and dose‐dependently abated the cell viability with a LD50 of 7 and 4 μm, respectively, after 48 h of incubation. Heterotopic xenografts of A2780 and A2780 Slug KD tumors developed robust and bloody tumor vascularization in RAG2xCγ double mutant mice. OP treatment at 50 mg/kg daily intraperitoneally did not significantly impede A2780 tumor growth rate but did cause a significant reduction of lung metastases compared with the untreated and OP 30mg/kg cohorts. Silencing Snail in A2780 tumor cells completely abrogated tumor vascularization, tumor growth and spread to the lungs in RAGxCγ double mutant mice. A2780 and A2780 Slug KD tumors expressed high levels of human N‐ and VE‐cadherins, and host CD31+ endothelial cells, while A2780 Snail KD tumors expressed E‐cadherin and reduced host CD31+ cells. OP 50mg/kg cohort tumors had reduced numbers of host CD31+ cells compared to a higher expression levels of CD31+ cells in tumors from the untreated control and OP 30mg/kg cohorts.ConclusionSnail transcriptional factor is an important intermediate player in human ovarian tumor neovascularization.
Lung flute improves symptoms and health status in COPD with chronic bronchitis: A 26 week randomized controlled trial
Authors: Sethi Sanjay , Yin Jingjing , Anderson Pamela K 
Published: September 2014

AbstractBackgroundChronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by mucus hypersecretion that contributes to disease related morbidity and is associated with increased mortality. The Lung Flute® is a new respiratory device that produces a low frequency acoustic wave with moderately vigorous exhalation to increase mucus clearance. We hypothesized that the Lung Flute, used on a twice daily basis will provide clinical benefit to patients with COPD with chronic bronchitis.MethodsWe performed a 26 week randomized, non‐intervention controlled, single center, open label trial in 69 patients with COPD and Chronic Bronchitis. The primary endpoint was change in respiratory symptoms measured with the Chronic COPD Questionnaire (CCQ). Secondary endpoints included health status, assessed by the St. George Respiratory questionnaire (SGRQ), BODE (Body‐Mass Index, Airflow Obstruction, Dyspnea, and Exercise Capacity)index score and exacerbation frequency.ResultsWhile the control patients did not demonstrate any significant changes in the primary endpoint (CCQ change at 26 weeks of +0.01, p = 0.8), a trend (p = 0.08) to decrease (improvement) in the CCQ (‐0.23 at 26 weeks) was seen with the Lung Flute. Furthermore, a significant improvement in the symptom domain of the CCQ was seen only with the lung flute (‐0.42, p = 0.004). Health status (SGRQ) improvement, was also only seen with the Lung Flute (‐3.23, p = 0.03). The BODE score increased in the control group (3.31 at baseline, 4.14 at 26 weeks), however it remained stable in the Lung Flute arm (3.16 at baseline and 26 weeks), with the changes from baseline being significantly different between the 2 arms (p = 0.01). There was a trend for less exacerbations in the Lung Flute group (p = 0.07). Adverse effects were minor, with only 1 patient discontinuing treatment because of lack of efficacy. Serious adverse effects seen were all determined to be unrelated to the device use.ConclusionsThe Lung Flute is a safe and effective treatment in COPD with chronic bronchitis, providing a wide array of benefits.ClinicalTrials.gov IdentifierNCT01186822
Price Advertising by Manufacturers and Dealers
Authors: Xu Linli , Wilbur Kenneth C. , Siddarth S. , Silva-Risso Jorge M. 
Published: September 2014

The central prediction of the current paper is that manufacturer price advertising may be a less effective tool for influencing demand than retailer price advertising. We manipulate the source of a price advertisement in an experiment run on a sample of pickup truck owners. Manufacturer price advertising leads to lower indicators of potential demand than dealer price advertising, even among consumers who are experienced with the brand. An econometric analysis of pickup truck sales, price, and advertising data shows that this effect is large enough to detect in market data. Manufacturer and dealer price advertising both increase the demand intercept and the responsiveness of demand to price, but the effects of dealer price advertising are larger. Although dealer price advertising is more effective than manufacturer price advertising, manufacturer price advertising may still be useful to reduce channel conflict. This paper was accepted by Pradeep Chintagunta, marketing.
Effects of timber harvest on structural diversity and species composition in hardwood forests
Authors: TAVANKAR FARZAM , BONYAD AMIR ESLAM 
Published: September 2014

Tavankar F, Bonyad AE. 2015. Effects of timber harvest on structural diversity and species composition in hardwood forests. Biodiversitas 16: 1-9. Forest management leads to changes in structure and species composition of stands. In this research vertical and horizontal structure and species composition were compared in two harvested and protected stands in the Caspian forest of Iran. The results indicated the tree and seedling density, total basal area and stand volume was significantly (P < 0.01) higher in the protected stand. The Fagus orientalis L. had the most density and basal area in the both stands. Species importance value (SIV) of FagusÂ orientalis in the protected stand (92.5) was higher than in the harvested stand (88.5). While, the SIV of shade-intolerant tree species such as Acer insigne, Acer cappadocicum and Alnus subcordata was higher in the harvested stand. The density of trees and seedling of raretree species, such as Ulmus glabra, Tilia begonifolia, Zelkova carpinifolia and Fraxinus coriarifolia, was also higher in the protected Â stand. The Shannon-Wiener diversity index in the protected stand (0.84) was significantly higher (P < 0.01) than in the harvested stand (0.72). The highest diversity value in the harvested stand was observed in DBH of 10-40 cm class, while DBH of 40-70 cm had the highest diversity value in the protected stand.
Harmonization protocols for thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) immunoassays: different approaches based on the consensus mean value
Authors: Clerico Aldo , Ripoli Andrea , Zucchelli Gian Carlo , Plebani Mario 
Published: September 2014

AbstractThe lack of interchangeable laboratory results and consensus in current practices has underpinned greater attention to standardization and harmonization projects. In the area of method standardization and harmonization, there is considerable debate about how best to achieve comparability of measurement for immunoassays, and in particular heterogeneous proteins. The term standardization should be used only when comparable results among measurement procedures are based on calibration traceability to the International System of Units (SI unit) using a reference measurement procedure (RMP). Recently, it has been promoted the harmonization of methods for many immunoassays, and in particular for thyreotropin (TSH), as accepted RMPs are not available. In a recent paper published in this journal, a group of well-recognized authors used a complex statistical approach in order to reduce variability between the results observed with the 14 TSH immunoassay methods tested in their study. Here we provide data demonstrating that data from an external quality assessment (EQA) study allow similar results to those obtained using the reported statistical approach.
Uric acid: a potential biomarker of multiple sclerosis and of its disability
Authors: Moccia Marcello , Lanzillo Roberta , Palladino Raffaele , Russo Cinzia , Carotenuto Antonio , Massarelli Marco , Vacca Giovanni , Vacchiano Veria , Nardone Antonio , Triassi Maria , Morra Vincenzo Brescia 
Published: September 2014

AbstractUric acid (UA) is a strong natural scavenger of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, with evidence of possible use in the treatment of animal models of multiple sclerosis (MS). Consequently, serum UA has gained much attention as a possible biomarker of MS. We aim to investigate differences in serum UA levels between MS subjects and controls and evaluate possible relationships of UA with MS clinical features.We recruited relapsing-remitting and secondary progressive MS subjects and healthy controls and measured their serum UA levels. We excluded subjects presenting concomitant conditions affecting UA levels.MS subjects (n=362) and controls (n=181) were recruited by propensity score matching (PSM). Statistical analyses were corrected for age, gender, and renal function. MS subjects presented significantly lower serum UA levels than controls (analysis of variance, p=0.014, adjusted rOur findings support the importance of serum UA as a biomarker of MS disability and progression. Further studies with longitudinal design should be specifically designed to evaluate the importance of UA in the different stages of MS and in relation to distinct therapeutic strategies.
Recent guidelines and recommendations for laboratory assessment of the direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs): is there consensus?
Authors: Lippi Giuseppe , Favaloro Emmanuel J. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractA new generation of antithrombotic agents, which are conventionally known as direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs), have recently emerged and are continuing to be developed. These provide direct inhibition of either thrombin (factor IIa; FIIa) or activated factor X (FXa) and currently include dabigatran (FIIa inhibitor) and rivaroxaban, apixaban, and edoxaban (FXa inhibitors). The dogma that DOACs do not require laboratory monitoring is countered by ongoing recognition that laboratory testing for drug effects is needed in many situations. In this review, we summarize the background to establishment of DOACs, assess which tests were found to be useful to screen for or quantitate drug effects/levels, and then review published guidelines/recommendations to assess concordance. In brief, (a) for the anti-FIIa agent dabigatran, the recommended screening assays are activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and/or thrombin time (TT), and the quantitative assays (using a dabigatran standard) are dilute TT/direct thrombin inhibitor assay (Hemoclot thrombin inhibitor) or an ecarin-based assay such as the ecarin clot time (ECT); (b) for the anti-FXa agent rivaroxaban, the recommended screening assay is the prothrombin time (PT), but this was not endorsed by all guidelines, and the quantitative assay (using a specific rivaroxaban standard) is an anti-FXa assay; (c) for the anti-FXa agent apixaban, the general insensitivity of PT and APTT prevented most groups from providing recommendation, and instead there was generalized support for direct quantitative assessment using anti-FXa assays and specific apixaban standard; (d) there is insufficient data for other direct anti-FXa agents and limited guidance in the literature.
Atmospheric corrosion modeling
Authors: Simillion Hans , Dolgikh Olga , Terryn Herman , Deconinck Johan 
Published: September 2014

AbstractA better understanding of corrosion processes during the last years is leading to an increased demand for numerical corrosion models. Corrosion models become increasingly relevant toward simulations, lifetime predictions, and the optimization of corrosion prevention. Also, the improvements in computational power and capacity give rise to an increased number of research projects in this field. Totally different modeling approaches are applied to a wide range of different corrosion processes. This leads to a dispersion of information in the literature. The aim of this paper is to give an overview of the present approaches in atmospheric corrosion modeling. In the past, atmospheric corrosion has been modeled based on empirical, historical data. These models provide fitted functions of the corrosion rate or damage as a function of time for different environmental parameters. These methods give no or little information about the underlying physicochemical phenomena that determine the corrosion processes. During the last decade, more and more work has been done on causal approaches. Therefore, the focus will be on these recent advances in atmospheric corrosion modeling. The links will be made to the microscopic models of isolated corrosion phenomena. The examples are crevice corrosion, corrosion under porous layers, and the modeling of local electrochemical methods. Also, some more general, macroscopic approaches will be discussed. These macroscopic approaches will be compared to each other and positioned into the scope of multiscale modeling. The first goal of atmospheric corrosion modeling is to provide tools in the understanding and quantification of the processes under the influence of external atmospheric conditions. These models could reduce the current corrosion assessment methods that essentially rely on empirical models. On a longer term, modeling would aid in optimizing the material selection, structural design, and maintenance management.