bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sphingosine 1‐Phosphate Receptors Negatively Regulate Collagen Type I/III Expression in Human Bone Marrow‐derived Mesenchymal Stem Cell
Authors: Chang Na , Xiu Lei , Li Liying 
Published: September 2013

ABSTRACTCollagen is the most abundant structural protein in mammals and is expressed in various tissues. In recent years, sphingosine 1‐phosphate receptors (S1PRs) have been proven to play an important role in the regulation of collagen expression. Our previous studies reported that S1PRs are involved in TGF‐β1‐induced collagen expression via up‐regulating S1PR1/3 in mouse bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs), and result in experimental mouse liver fibrogenesis. But it remains unclear whether this process happens in human bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs). In this study, we provide evidences that S1PR1/3, but not S1PR2, negatively regulate the expression of collagen in hMSCs using cellular and molecular approaches in vitro. We find that treatment of hMSCs with TGF‐β1 up‐regulated collagen expression in a dose‐ and time‐dependent manner. Meanwhile, TGF‐β1 inhibited the expression of S1PR1/3, but not S1PR2, in hMSCs in a time‐dependent manner. Furthermore, either selective knock‐down of S1PR1 or silencing S1PR3 induced collagen α1(I) and collagen α1(III) expression in hMSCs. In contrast, inhibition of S1PR2 by siRNA had no effects on the expression of collagen. Altogether, all these findings demonstrated that collagen expression was negatively regulated by S1PR1 and S1PR3 in hMSCs. This study highlights the differences between hMSCs and mouse BMSCs, provides a new regulation mechanism for collagen expression, and points out the risk of utilizing hMSCs in clinical applications. J. Cell. Biochem. 115: 359–367, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Imaging the lithosphere‐asthenosphere boundary of the Indian plate using converted wave techniques
Authors: Kumar P. , Ravi Kumar M. , Srijayanthi G. , Arora Kusumita , Srinagesh D. , Chadha R. K. , Sen Mrinal K. 
Published: September 2013

AbstractThe lithospheric structure of the Indian plate has been investigated using converted wave techniques (P and S receiver functions) and a novel stacking analysis technique (without using deconvolution) applied to a large seismological data set from permanent and temporary broadband seismic stations. We observe coherent energy from at least two seismic discontinuities, i.e., the crust‐mantle (Moho) and lithosphere‐asthenosphere boundary (LAB) in the uppermost mantle. Here we provide a novel seismic image of the Indian lithosphere showing definitive evidence of its flexure, which is interpreted to be primarily caused by the hard collision at ~55 Myr resulting in the world's highest mountain chain—the Himalayas and the Tibetan plateau. Results from geoidal and gravity studies do suggest postcollisional flexuring of the Indian plate; however, the flexure lacks observational constraints. The observed wavelength of the flex is ~1000 km with the thickness of the Indian shield lithosphere varying from ~70 km to 140 km; such a low value for a continent implies that the Indian plate has been reworked in the past. The plate deepens in the Himalayan region to a depth of ~170 km. Further, the converted phases are interpreted to be resulting from the bottom of the lithosphere. We clearly demonstrate that these are distinct and different from the midlithospheric discontinuity. For a large number of stations, the midlithospheric discontinuity and LAB are clearly separated in depth. Our observations suggest that the Archaean lithosphere is no longer intact and is prone to deformation.
Impact of Pacific and Atlantic sea surface temperatures on interannual and decadal variations of GRACE land water storage in tropical South America
Authors: de Linage Caroline , Kim Hyungjun , Famiglietti James S. , Yu Jin‐Yi 
Published: September 2013

AbstractWe analyze 10 years of Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) terrestrial water storage anomalies (TWSAs) over tropical South America along with seven climate indices linked to equatorial Pacific and tropical Atlantic oceans sea surface temperatures (SSTs) using a multichannel singular spectrum analysis and lagged cross correlations. We focus on the interannual, nonlinear modes of covariability between TWSAs and SSTs. By comparing the relative distributions of the leading modes, we identify teleconnections between TWSAs, Pacific and Atlantic SSTs at different time periods. Thus, the northern and northeastern regions of tropical South America are mainly influenced by Pacific SSTs, while the central and western Amazon regions are more influenced by Atlantic SSTs. The former regions are more sensitive to central Pacific SSTs than to eastern Pacific SSTs. A quasi‐biennial mode explains the largest part (27%) of the residual, interannual cross covariance and is found both in the El Niño–Southern Oscillation and in the Atlantic meridional mode. A trend‐like mode explains the second largest part (24%) of the residual cross covariance and may be caused by the following: (1) the decadal variability in the North Pacific climate, as expressed by the negative trend in the Pacific decadal oscillation and by increased water storage in northern and northeastern South America, (2) the melting of Andean glaciers in Peru and Bolivia due to man‐induced increase in land surface temperatures, and (3) the land use/cover changes after deforestation leading to increased runoff and groundwater recharge, expressed by increased water storage in southern Amazon regions.
Aluminium–phosphate interactions in the rhizosphere of two bean species: Phaseolus lunatus L. and Phaseolus vulgaris L
Authors: Mimmo Tanja , Ghizzi Massimiliano , Cesco Stefano , Tomasi Nicola , Pinton Roberto , Puschenreiter Markus 
Published: September 2013

AbstractBACKGROUNDPlants differ in their response to high aluminium (Al) concentrations, which typically cause toxicity in plants grown on acidic soils. The response depends on plant species and environmental conditions such as substrate and cultivation system. The present study aimed to assess Al–phosphate (P) dynamics in the rhizosphere of two bean species, Phaseolus vulgaris L. var. Red Kidney and Phaseolus lunatus L., in rhizobox experiments.RESULTSRoot activity of the bean species induced up to a sevenfold increase in exchangeable Al and up to a 30‐fold decrease in extractable P. High soluble Al concentrations triggered the release of plant‐specific carboxylates, which differed between soil type and plant species. The results suggest that P. vulgaris L. mitigates Al stress by an internal defence mechanism and P. lunatus L. by an external one, both mechanisms involving organic acids.CONCLUSIONRhizosphere mechanisms involved in Al detoxification were found to be different for P. vulgaris L. and P. lunatus L., suggesting that these processes are plant species‐specific. Phaseolus vulgaris L. accumulates Al in the shoots (internal tolerance mechanism), while P. lunatus L. prevents Al uptake by releasing organic acids (exclusion mechanism) into the growth media. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry
High‐speed and low‐voltage write addressing of plasma display panels by use of extremely weak discharge
Authors: Yoshita Mao , Shiga Tomokazu 
Published: September 2013

AbstractAlthough the priming effect shortens address period and reduces address voltage, it is difficult to use the priming effect for the conventional write addressing method because the ramp reset pulses provide little priming effect. An extremely weak discharge for priming has been incorporated with write addressing method. The extremely weak discharge is generated by priming pulse applied just prior to the scan pulse. In the 4‐in‐diagonal test panel containing Ne + 10%Xe mixture gas, infrared emission intensity of the discharge is 900 times smaller than that of sustain discharge. Therefore, there is no degradation of dark room contrast ratio. Because the priming discharge generates a very small amount of charges, there is little reduction in the amount of wall charge accumulated during reset period. Namely, increase in address voltage can be avoided. Although the discharge intensity is extremely low, it provides sufficient priming particles for high‐speed and low‐voltage addressing. When priming pulse voltage is 70 V and width is 10 µs, the address discharge delay is reduced to less than half. When the scan voltage margin is 10 V, the data voltage is reduced to 17 V, which is 20 V lower than that of conventional method.
Quantitative wearable sensors for objective assessment of Parkinson's disease
Authors: Maetzler Walter , Domingos Josefa , Srulijes Karin , Ferreira Joaquim J. , Bloem Bastiaan R. 
Published: September 2013

ABSTRACTThere is a rapidly growing interest in the quantitative assessment of Parkinson's disease (PD)‐associated signs and disability using wearable technology. Both persons with PD and their clinicians see advantages in such developments. Specifically, quantitative assessments using wearable technology may allow for continuous, unobtrusive, objective, and ecologically valid data collection. Also, this approach may improve patient‐doctor interaction, influence therapeutic decisions, and ultimately ameliorate patients' global health status. In addition, such measures have the potential to be used as outcome parameters in clinical trials, allowing for frequent assessments; eg, in the home setting. This review discusses promising wearable technology, addresses which parameters should be prioritized in such assessment strategies, and reports about studies that have already investigated daily life issues in PD using this new technology. © 2013 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Validation of claims‐based algorithms for identification of high‐grade cervical dysplasia and cervical cancer
Authors: Kim Seoyoung C. , Gillet Victoria G. , Feldman Sarah , Lii Huichuan , Toh Sengwee , Brown Jeffrey S. , Katz Jeffrey N. , Solomon Daniel H. , Schneeweiss Sebastian 
Published: September 2013

ABSTRACTBackgroundHigh‐grade cervical dysplasia or cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 or worse has been widely used as a surrogate endpoint in cervical cancer screening or prevention trials.MethodsTo identify high‐grade cervical dysplasia and cervical cancer, we developed claims‐based algorithms that incorporated a combination of diagnosis and procedure codes using the billing data in an electronic medical records database and assessed the validity of the algorithms in an independent administrative claims database. We calculated the positive predictive value (PPV) with the 95% confidence interval (CI) of each algorithm, using new cytologic or pathologic diagnosis of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 2 or 3, carcinoma in situ, or cervical cancer as the gold standard.ResultsHaving ≥1 diagnosis code for high‐grade cervical dysplasia or cervical cancer had a PPV of 57.1% (95%CI, 54.7–59.5%). By requiring ≥2 diagnoses for high‐grade cervical dysplasia or cervical cancer, separated by 7–30 days, the PPV increased to 60.2% (95%CI, 53.9–66.1%). At least two diagnoses and a procedure code within a month from the first diagnosis date yielded a PPV of 80.7% (95%CI, 73.6–86.2%). The algorithms had greater PPVs in identifying prevalent high‐grade cervical dysplasia or cervical cancer. Overall, the PPVs of these algorithms were similar or slightly lower in the external claims data than in the sample used to derive the algorithms.ConclusionsUse of ≥2 diagnosis codes in combination with a procedure code appears to be a valid tool for studying high‐grade cervical dysplasia and cervical cancer in both electronic medical record and administrative claims databases. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Multiple time scales in multi‐state models
Authors: Iacobelli Simona , Carstensen Bendix 
Published: September 2013

In multi‐state models, it has been the tradition to model all transition intensities on one time scale, usually the time since entry into the study (‘clock‐forward’ approach). The effect of time since an intermediate event has been accommodated either by changing the time scale to time since entry to the new state (‘clock‐back’ approach) or by including the time at entry to the new state as a covariate. In this paper, we argue that the choice of time scale for the various transitions in a multi‐state model should be dealt with as an empirical question, as also the question of whether a single time scale is sufficient. We illustrate that these questions are best addressed by using parametric models for the transition rates, as opposed to the traditional Cox‐model‐based approaches. Specific advantages are that dependence of failure rates on multiple time scales can be made explicit and described in informative graphical displays.Using a single common time scale for all transitions greatly facilitates computations of probabilities of being in a particular state at a given time, because the machinery from the theory of Markov chains can be applied. However, a realistic model for transition rates is preferable, especially when the focus is not on prediction of final outcomes from start but on the analysis of instantaneous risk or on dynamic prediction.We illustrate the various approaches using a data set from stem cell transplant in leukemia and provide supplementary online material in R. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Physiological and Subjective Responses after Psychosocial Stress in Chinese Hepatitis B Patients
Authors: Zhao Xiansheng , Zhao Li , Lai Yinyan , Jiang Suwen , Shen Xueyong , Liu Sheng 
Published: September 2013

AbstractCompared with healthy participants, Chinese patients with hepatitis B (HB) experience more psychosocial stress. The present study provided the first examination of physiological and subjective responses to stress in Chinese HB patients. A standard psychosocial stressor, the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST), was administered to 26 Chinese HB patients and 24 healthy control participants. Cortisol concentrations were measured in blood samples collected before and after the stressor. Self‐reported emotional responses and cardiovascular measures were examined before and after the TSST. Depression and anxiety were assessed using Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Chinese HB patients exhibited higher cortisol response to the stressor than healthy control participants. Compared with healthy participants, Chinese HB patients showed higher levels of anxiety, depression and nervousness, and lower levels of calmness after the TSST. HB patients reported more negative life events in the previous 6 months and obtained higher adversity scores, as compared with control participants. Significant correlations were obtained between adversity scores and change cortisol secretion after TSST in HB patients, but not in healthy participants. This study firstly demonstrates that physiological and subjective responses to psychosocial stress among Chinese HB patients were different from that in healthy control participants. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A lean and mean strategy: a data migration industrial study
Authors: Razavian Maryam , Lago Patricia 
Published: September 2013

SUMMARYMany companies have legacy assets to be integrated or modernized. Like today's software developments, migration projects are faced with steadily increasing demands for efficiency: migration has to be carried out faster, better, and cheaper. At the same time, migration complexity increases, and migration projects remain challenging despite the companies' extensive experience.To cope with such efficiency demands, companies need a well‐defined migration strategy. In previous work, we have defined such a migration strategy called lean and mean strategy. In this paper, following technical action research, we apply our migration strategy, and evaluate it, in two large industrial case studies in the field of data migration. The use of the strategy in our case studies reveals the benefits of lean and mean strategy for meeting the efficiency demands. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Impact analysis in the presence of dependence clusters using Static Execute After in WebKit
Authors: Schrettner Lajos , Jász Judit , Gergely Tamás , Beszédes Árpád , Gyimóthy Tibor 
Published: September 2013

SUMMARYImpact analysis based on code dependence can provide opportunities to identify parts of the software affected by a change. Because changes usually have far reaching effects in programs, effective and efficient impact analysis is vital. Static Execute After (SEA) is a relation on procedures that is efficiently computable and accurate enough to be a candidate for the use in impact analysis in practice. To assess the applicability of SEA in terms of capturing real defects, we present results on integrating it into the build system of WebKit, a large, open source software system, and on related experiments. We show that a large number of real defects can be captured by impact sets computed by SEA, albeit many of them are large. We demonstrate that this is not an issue in applying it to regression test prioritization, but generally it can be an obstacle in the path to efficient use of impact analysis. We believe that the main reason for large impact sets is the formation of dependence clusters in code. As apparently dependence clusters cannot be easily avoided in the majority of cases, we focus on determining the effects these clusters have on impact analysis and regression test prioritization. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Domestic ships as a potential pathway of nonindigenous species from the Saint Lawrence River to the Great Lakes
Authors: Adebayo Abisola A. , Zhan Aibin , Bailey Sarah A. , MacIsaac Hugh J. 
Published: September 2013

AbstractBallast water moved by transoceanic vessels has been recognized globally as a predominant vector for the introduction of aquatic nonindigenous species (NIS). In contrast, domestic ships operating within confined geographic areas have been viewed as low risk for invasions, and are exempt from regulation in consequence. We examined if the St. Lawrence River could serve as a source of NIS for the Laurentian Great Lakes by surveying ballast water carried by domestic vessels and comparing biological composition in predominant St. Lawrence River—Great Lakes port-pairs in order to determine the likelihood that NIS could be transported to, and survive in, the Great Lakes. Thirteen potential invaders were sampled from ballast water, while 26 taxa sampled from St. Lawrence River ports are not reported from the Great Lakes. The majority of NIS recorded in samples are marine species with low potential for survival in the Great Lakes, however two euryhaline species (copepodOithona similis, and amphipodGammarus palustris) and two taxa reported from brackish waters (copepodMicrosetella norvegicaand decapodCancer irroratus) may pose a risk for invasion. In addition, four marine NIS were collected in freshwater samples indicating that at least a subset of marine species have potential as new invaders to the Great Lakes. Based on results from this study, the ports of Montreal, Sorel, Tracy and Trois Rivières appear to pose the highest risk for new ballast-mediated NIS from the St. Lawrence River to the Great Lakes.
Soil CO2 efflux and soil carbon balance of a tropical rubber plantation
Authors: Satakhun Duangrat , Gay Frédéric , Chairungsee Naruenat , Kasemsap Poonpipope , Chantuma Pisamai , Thanisawanyangkura Sornprach , Thaler Philippe , Epron Daniel 
Published: September 2013

AbstractNatural rubber is a valuable source of income in many tropical countries and rubber trees are increasingly planted in tropical areas, where they contribute to land‐use changes that impact the global carbon cycle. However, little is known about the carbon balance of these plantations. We studied the soil carbon balance of a 15‐year‐old rubber plantation in Thailand and we specifically explored the seasonal dynamic of soil CO2 efflux (FS) in relation to seasonal changes in soil water content (WS) and soil temperature (TS), assessed the partitioning of FS between autotrophic (RA) and heterotrophic (RH) sources in a root trenching experiment and estimated the contribution of aboveground and belowground carbon inputs to the soil carbon budget. A multiplicative model combining both TS and WS explained 58 % of the seasonal variation of FS. Annual soil CO2 efflux averaged 1.88 kg C m−2 year−1 between May 2009 and April 2011 and RA and RH accounted for respectively 63 and 37 % of FS, after corrections of FS measured on trenched plots for root decomposition and for difference in soil water content. The 4‐year average annual aboveground litterfall was 0.53 kg C m−2 year−1 while a conservative estimate of belowground carbon input into the soil was much lower (0.17 kg C m−2 year−1). Our results highlighted that belowground processes (root and rhizomicrobial respiration and the heterotrophic respiration related to belowground carbon input into the soil) have a larger contribution to soil CO2 efflux (72 %) than aboveground litter decomposition.
Disruption of pro‐oxidant and antioxidant systems with elevated expression of the ubiquitin proteosome system in the cachectic heart muscle of nude mice
Authors: Hinch E. C. A. , Sullivan-Gunn M. J. , Vaughan V. C. , McGlynn M. A. , Lewandowski Paul A. 
Published: September 2013

BackgroundCurrent research into the mechanisms of organ atrophy associated with cancer cachexia have centred on the loss of skeletal muscle, as it is one of the most profound physical changes of the disease. However, many patients with cancer cachexia also experience significant atrophy of the heart. The mechanisms causing cardiac tissue wastage in cancer cachexia are largely unknown. However, it is believed to involve a number of molecular interactions between the tumour and host. Increased levels of oxidative stress have been found in cancer cachectic skeletal muscle and has been linked to the activation of the ubiquitin proteosome system (UPS). The aim of the current study was to examine the role of oxidative stress and the UPS in the hearts of mice with cancer cachexia.MethodsOxidative damage to DNA (8‐OH‐2dG), mRNA levels of the ROS‐producing enzymes NADPH oxidase (NOX), and xanthine oxidase (XDH), the antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD) and key components of the UPS was measured in the heart of mice with cancer cachexia. Protein expression levels of NOX enzyme subunits and SOD enzyme activity was also measured in the same heart samples.Results8‐OH‐2dG levels were 1.5‐fold higher in the heart of mice with cancer cachexia, and this was associated with a 1.7‐fold lower level of NOX2 mRNA and twofold higher XDH mRNA in the same hearts. Cancer cachexia was also associated with a 1.5‐fold lower level of SOD activity in the heart. Accompanying these pro‐ and antioxidant differences was a significantly higher level of mRNA for the key UPS elements MURF‐1 (4.3=fold) and MAFbx (3.8‐fold) in the hearts of mice with cancer cachexia.ConclusionsThe current study demonstrated that cardiac atrophy of cachectic mice is associated with oxidative damage to DNA in the myocardium. The higher levels of XDH mRNA in cachectic hearts suggest that xanthine oxidase may have an important role to play in producing oxidative stress. It appears that the combination of higher XDH expression and lower SOD enzyme activity are key contributors to oxidative stress and cardiac tissue damage in cancer‐induced cardiac atrophy. Oxidative stress in the myocardium as with skeletal muscle may also induce increased expression of the E3 ligases MURF‐1 and MAFbx as seen in this study.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s13539‐013‐0116‐8) contains supplementary material.