bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
On the Significance of Multiple Consecutive Days of Tornado Activity
Authors: Trapp Robert J. 
Published: February 2014

Abstract
Motivated by the temporal behavior of recent high-end tornado events, a 30-yr historical record of tornadoes in the United States is examined for multiple-day periods of tornado activity. Comprising the 3129 tornado days during 1983–2012 are 1406 unique, nonoverlapping periods. Only 24% of these periods have lengths of 3 or more days. However, the conditional probability of such a multiday period given an outbreak day (OB; one with 20 or more tornado reports) is 74%, and given a significant tornado day [SIGTOR; one rated Fujita/enhanced Fujita (F/EF) ≥ 3] is 60%. Alternative ways of expressing these conditional probabilities all lead to the conclusion that SIGTORs and/or OBs are more likely to be contained within multiday periods of tornadoes than within 1–2-day periods. Two additional conclusions are offered: 1) SIGTORs and OBs have a relatively higher likelihood of occurrence during the latter half of the multiday periods, and 2) multiday periods have a relatively higher likelihood of occurrence during the warm months of April–July. A hypothesized connection, illustrated using reanalysis data from 2013, is proposed between such behaviors and the characteristics of the larger-scale meteorological forcing. Some speculations are made about possible relationships between multiday periods of tornado activity and convective feedbacks, extended predictability, and modes of internal climate variability.
Economic Value of Meteorological Services to Switzerland’s Airlines: The Case of TAF at Zurich Airport
Authors: von Gruenigen Stefan , Willemse Saskia , Frei Thomas 
Published: February 2014

AbstractJust as in other state-subsidized service areas, in the field of aviation weather there is political pressure as well as a growing economic need to substantiate or at least evaluate the economic benefits of meteorological information. The research presented in this paper has been conducted as part of a broad study concerning the economic benefits of the meteorological services in the Swiss transport sector. For the aviation sector, interviews revealed that meteorological information is a pivotal input factor in the decision-making process of airlines: In addition to security and safety purposes, airlines use meteorological information to optimize the economic efficiency of daily operations as well as for strategic decisions regarding flight routes and flight planning.In this paper a decision-making model is used to evaluate at least part of the economic benefits of the meteorological services to Switzerland’s domestic airlines by analyzing the use of terminal aerodrome forecasts (TAF) at Zurich Airport (Switzerland). By lowering the probability of costly wrong decisions, meteorological information generates direct economic benefits for the airlines. The total benefits for all domestic airlines at Zurich Airport amount to between 11 and 17 million Swiss francs per year [12 to 18 million USD; 1 U.S. dollars (USD) = 0.934 Swiss francs (CHF), average exchange rate 2012]. By extrapolating the results based on the number of flights, the total economic benefits of TAF to Switzerland’s domestic airlines at both main Swiss airports (Zurich and Geneva) add up to somewhere between 13 and 21 million Swiss francs per year (14 to 22 million USD).
Characterization of Facial Paresis in Hemifacial Microsomia
Authors: Cline Jay M. , Hicks Katherine E. , Patel Krishna G. 
Published: February 2014

ObjectiveTo provide an overview of the incidence, characteristics, and proposed etiologic mechanisms of facial paresis in patients with manifestations of hemifacial microsomia.Data SourcesPubMed database for English‐language studies with no date restrictions.Review MethodsA comprehensive literature review was performed identifying all studies that discussed incidence, characterization, or etiologic mechanisms for facial paresis in hemifacial microsomia/oculo‐auriculo‐vertebral spectrum.ConclusionsThis review supports that the prevalence of facial weakness in the spectrum of hemifacial microsomia/oculo‐auriculo‐vertebral spectrum ranges from 10% to 45%. Most of these patients have involvement of all facial nerve branches or lower branches only. The most commonly involved single nerve branch has yet to be described. The 2 most common associated anomalies involve the mandible and auricle. Dysmorphogeneisis of the temporal bone and its effects on the facial nerve are most likely implicated in the cause of facial weakness.Implications for PracticeThere is a wide variety of facial nerve presentations seen within oculo‐auriculo‐vertebral spectrum for which the exact etiologic mechanism is unclear. Through a better understanding of the presentation and etiology surrounding facial paresis in hemifacial microsomia, improved treatment options may be offered in the management of the facial weakness.
Multiple major QTL lead to stable yield performance of rice cultivars across varying drought intensities
Authors: Dixit Shalabh , Singh Anshuman , Sta Cruz Ma Teresa , Maturan Paul T , Amante Modesto , Kumar Arvind 
Published: February 2014

Abstract

Background
Availability of irrigation water is becoming a major limiting factor in rice cultivation. Production in rainfed areas is affected in particular by drought events, as these areas are commonly planted to high-yielding drought-susceptible rice (Oryza sativa L.) varieties. The use of bulk segregant analysis (BSA), taking grain yield (GY) as a selection criterion, has resulted in the identification of several large-effect QTL. A QTL mapping study was undertaken on a BC1F3:4 population developed from the cross IR55419-04/2*TDK1 with the aim of identifying large-effect QTL in the background of TDK1, a popular variety from Lao PDR.

Results
The study identified three QTL—qDTY

3.1
(RM168-RM468), qDTY

6.1
(RM586-RM217), and qDTY

6.2
(RM121-RM541)—for grain yield under drought. qDTY

3.1
and qDTY

6.1
, showed consistent effect across seasons under lowland drought-stress conditions while qDTY

6.1
and qDTY

6.2
showed effect under both upland and lowland drought conditions. The test of QTL effect, conducted through a QTL class analysis, showed the complimentary nature of qDTY

3.1
and qDTY

6.1
. Both QTL showed specific patterns of effect across different maturity groups within the mapping population and higher stability for grain yield was seen across stress levels for lines with both QTLs as compared to those with single or no QTL.

Conclusions
The study offers a clear understanding of large-effect QTL for grain yield under drought and their effect as individual QTL and in various combinations. The study also opens up an opportunity to develop a drought-tolerant version of TDK1 through marker-assisted backcross breeding and has led to a large-scale QTL pyramiding program aiming to combine these QTL with Sub1 in the background of TDK1 as recipient variety.
Characterization of the glutathione S-transferase gene family through ESTs and expression analyses within common and pigmented cultivars of Citrus sinensis(L.) Osbeck
Authors: Licciardello Concetta , D’Agostino Nunzio , Traini Alessandra , Recupero Giuseppe Reforgiato , Frusciante Luigi , Chiusano Maria Luisa 
Published: February 2014

Abstract

Background
Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) represent a ubiquitous gene family encoding detoxification enzymes able to recognize reactive electrophilic xenobiotic molecules as well as compounds of endogenous origin. Anthocyanin pigments require GSTs for their transport into the vacuole since their cytoplasmic retention is toxic to the cell. Anthocyanin accumulation in Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck fruit flesh determines different phenotypes affecting the typical pigmentation of Sicilian blood oranges. In this paper we describe: i) the characterization of the GST gene family in C. sinensis through a systematic EST analysis; ii) the validation of the EST assembly by exploiting the genome sequences of C. sinensis and C. clementina and their genome annotations; iii) GST gene expression profiling in six tissues/organs and in two different sweet orange cultivars, Cadenera (common) and Moro (pigmented).

Results
We identified 61 GST transcripts, described the full- or partial-length nature of the sequences and assigned to each sequence the GST class membership exploiting a comparative approach and the classification scheme proposed for plant species. A total of 23 full-length sequences were defined. Fifty-four of the 61 transcripts were successfully aligned to the C. sinensis and C. clementina genomes. Tissue specific expression profiling demonstrated that the expression of some GST transcripts was 'tissue-affected' and cultivar specific. A comparative analysis of C. sinensis GSTs with those from other plant species was also considered. Data from the current analysis are accessible at http://biosrv.cab.unina.it/citrusGST/, with the aim to provide a reference resource for C. sinensis GSTs.

Conclusions
This study aimed at the characterization of the GST gene family in C. sinensis. Based on expression patterns from two different cultivars and on sequence-comparative analyses, we also highlighted that two sequences, a Phi class GST and a Mapeg class GST, could be involved in the conjugation of anthocyanin pigments and in their transport into the vacuole, specifically in fruit flesh of the pigmented cultivar.
Downregulation of Smurf2, a tumor-suppressive ubiquitin ligase, in triple-negative breast cancers: Involvement of the RB-microRNA axis
Authors: Liu Xianpeng , Gu Xin , Sun Limin , Flowers Ashley B , Rademaker Alfred W , Zhou Yiran , Kiyokawa Hiroaki 
Published: February 2014

Abstract

Background
The HECT family ubiquitin ligase Smurf2 regulates cell polarity, migration, division, differentiation and death, by targeting diverse substrates that are critical for receptor signaling, cytoskeleton, chromatin remodeling and transcription. Recent studies suggest that Smurf2 functions as a tumor suppressor in mice. However, no inactivating mutation of SMURF2 has been reported in human, and information about Smurf2 expression in human cancer remains limited or complicated. Here we demonstrate that Smurf2 expression is downregulated in human breast cancer tissues, especially of the triple-negative subtype, and address the mechanism of Smurf2 downregulation in triple-negative breast cancer cells.

Methods
Human breast cancer tissues (47 samples expressing estrogen receptor (ER) and 43 samples with triple-negative status) were examined by immunohistochemistry for the expression of Smurf2. Ten widely-studied human breast cancer cell lines were examined for the expression of Smurf2. Furthermore, microRNA-mediated regulation of Smurf2 was investigated in triple-negative cancer cell lines.

Results
Immunohistochemical analysis showed that benign mammary epithelial cells expressed high levels of Smurf2, so did cells in ductal carcinomas in situ. In contrast, invasive ductal carcinomas showed focal or diffuse decrease in Smurf2 expression, which was observed more frequently in triple-negative tumors than in ER-positive tumors. Consistently, human triple-negative breast cancer cell lines such as BT549, MDA-MB-436, DU-4475 and MDA-MB-468 cells showed significantly lower expression of Smurf2 protein, compared to ER + or HER2+ cell lines. Studies using quantitative PCR and specific microRNA inhibitors indicated that increased expression of miR-15a, miR-15b, miR-16 and miR-128 was involved in Smurf2 downregulation in those triple-negative cancer cell lines, which have mutations in the retinoblastoma (RB) gene. Forced expression of RB increased levels of Smurf2 protein with concomitant decreases in the expression of the microRNAs.

Conclusions
This study provides evidence of posttranscriptional downregulation of Smurf2 in triple-negative breast cancers, and demonstrates that the loss of RB function is involved in microRNA-mediated interference with Smurf2 translation. The new link from RB inactivation to Smurf2 downregulation is likely to play a role in malignant phenotypes of triple-negative breast cancer cells.
A retrospective comparative exploratory study on two Methylentetrahydrofolate Reductase (MTHFR) polymorphisms in esophagogastric cancer: the A1298C MTHFR polymorphism is an independent prognostic factor only in neoadjuvantly treated gastric cancer patients
Authors: Blank Susanne , Rachakonda Sivaramakrishna , Keller Gisela , Weichert Wilko , Lordick Florian , Langer Rupert , Springfeld Christoph , Bruckner Thomas , Becker Karen , Kumar Rajiv , Ott Katja 
Published: February 2014

Abstract

Background
Methylentetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) plays a major role in folate metabolism and consequently could be an important factor for the efficacy of a treatment with 5-fluorouracil. Our aim was to evaluate the prognostic and predictive value of two well characterized constitutional MTHFR gene polymorphisms for primarily resected and neoadjuvantly treated esophagogastric adenocarcinomas.

Methods
569 patients from two centers were analyzed (gastric cancer: 218, carcinoma of the esophagogastric junction (AEG II, III): 208 and esophagus (AEG I): 143). 369 patients received neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by surgery, 200 patients were resected without preoperative treatment. The MTHFR C677T and A1298C polymorphisms were determined in DNA from peripheral blood lymphozytes. Associations with prognosis, response and clinicopathological factors were analyzed retrospectively within a prospective database (chi-square, log-rank, cox regression).

Results
Only the MTHFR A1298C polymorphisms had prognostic relevance in neoadjuvantly treated patients but it was not a predictor for response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The AC genotype of the MTHFR A1298C polymorphisms was significantly associated with worse outcome (p = 0.02, HR 1.47 (1.06-2.04). If neoadjuvantly treated patients were analyzed based on their tumor localization, the AC genotype of the MTHFR A1298C polymorphisms was a significant negative prognostic factor in patients with gastric cancer according to UICC 6th edition (gastric cancer including AEG type II, III: HR 2.0, 95% CI 1.3-2.0, p = 0.001) and 7th edition (gastric cancer without AEG II, III: HR 2.8, 95% CI 1.5-5.7, p = 0.003), not for AEG I. For both definitions of gastric cancer the AC genotype was confirmed as an independent negative prognostic factor in cox regression analysis. In primarily resected patients neither the MTHFR A1298C nor the MTHFR C677T polymorphisms had prognostic impact.

Conclusions
The MTHFR A1298C polymorphisms was an independent prognostic factor in patients with neoadjuvantly treated gastric adenocarcinomas (according to both UICC 6th or 7th definitions for gastric cancer) but not in AEG I nor in primarily resected patients, which confirms the impact of this enzyme on chemotherapy associated outcome.
Proteogenomic analysis of pathogenic yeast Cryptococcus neoformans using high resolution mass spectrometry
Authors: Nagarajha Selvan Lakshmi Dhevi , Kaviyil Jyothi Embekkat , Nirujogi Raja Sekhar , Muthusamy Babylakshmi , Puttamallesh Vinuth N , Subbannayya Tejaswini , Syed Nazia , Radhakrishnan Aneesha , Kelkar Dhanashree S , Ahmad Sartaj , Pinto Sneha M , Kumar Praveen , Madugundu Anil K , Nair Bipin , Chatterjee Aditi , Pandey Akhilesh , Ravikumar Raju , Gowda Harsha , Prasad Thottethodi Subrahmanya Keshava 
Published: February 2014

Abstract

Background

Cryptococcus neoformans, a basidiomycetous fungus of universal occurrence, is a significant opportunistic human pathogen causing meningitis. Owing to an increase in the number of immunosuppressed individuals along with emergence of drug-resistant strains, C. neoformans is gaining importance as a pathogen. Although, whole genome sequencing of three varieties of C. neoformans has been completed recently, no global proteomic studies have yet been reported.

Results
We performed a comprehensive proteomic analysis of C. neoformans var. grubii (Serotype A), which is the most virulent variety, in order to provide protein-level evidence for computationally predicted gene models and to refine the existing annotations. We confirmed the protein-coding potential of 3,674 genes from a total of 6,980 predicted protein-coding genes. We also identified 4 novel genes and corrected 104 predicted gene models. In addition, our studies led to the correction of translational start site, splice junctions and reading frame used for translation in a number of proteins. Finally, we validated a subset of our novel findings by RT-PCR and sequencing.

Conclusions
Proteogenomic investigation described here facilitated the validation and refinement of computationally derived gene models in the intron-rich genome of C. neoformans, an important fungal pathogen in humans.
Fixed points of set-valued Caristi-type mappings on semi-metric spaces via partial order relations
Authors: Nimana Nimit , Petrot Narin , Saksirikun Warut 
Published: February 2014

Abstract
In this paper, we present some fixed-point theorems that are related to a set-valued Caristi-type mapping. The main results extend the recent work which was presented by Jiang and Li (Fixed Point Theory Appl. 2013:74, 2013) from a single-valued setting to a set-valued case. Further, the presented results also improve essentially many results that have appeared, because we have removed some conditions from the auxiliary function. Meanwhile, we give some partial answers to an important problem which was raised by Kirk (Colloq. Math. 36:81-86, 1976).

MSC:47H10, 37C25.
Anti-inflammatory properties of a novel peptide interleukin 1 receptor antagonist
Authors: Klementiev Boris , Li Shizhong , Korshunova Irina , Dmytriyeva Oksana , Pankratova Stanislava , Walmod Peter S , Kjær Laura K , Dahllöf Mattias S , Lundh Morten , Christensen Dan P , Mandrup-Poulsen Thomas , Bock Elisabeth , Berezin Vladimir 
Published: February 2014

Abstract

Background
Interleukin 1 (IL-1) is implicated in neuroinflammation, an essential component of neurodegeneration. We evaluated the potential anti-inflammatory effect of a novel peptide antagonist of IL-1 signaling, Ilantide.

Methods
We investigated the binding of Ilantide to IL-1 receptor type I (IL-1RI) using surface plasmon resonance, the inhibition of Il-1β-induced activation of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) in HEK-Blue cells that contained an IL-1β-sensitive reporter, the secretion of TNF-α in macrophages, protection against IL-1-induced apoptosis in neonatal pancreatic islets, and the penetration of Ilantide through the blood–brain barrier using competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). We studied the effects of the peptide on social behavior and memory in rat models of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)- and amyloid-induced neuroinflammation, respectively, and its effect in a rat model of experimental autoimmune enchephalomyelitis.

Results
Ilantide bound IL-1RI, inhibited the IL-1β-induced activation of NF-κB, and inhibited the secretion of TNF-α in vitro. Ilantide protected pancreatic islets from apoptosis in vitro and reduced inflammation in an animal model of arthritis. The peptide penetrated the blood–brain barrier. It reduced the deficits in social activity and memory in LPS- and amyloid-treated animals and delayed the development of experimental autoimmune enchephalomyelitis.

Conclusions
These findings indicate that Ilantide is a novel and potent IL-1RI antagonist that is able to reduce inflammatory damage in the central nervous system and pancreatic islets.
Upregulation of Cystathionine-β-Synthetase Expression Contributes to Inflammatory Pain in Rat Temporomandibular Joint
Authors: Miao Xiuhua , Meng Xiaowen , Wu Geping , Ju Zhong , Zhang Hong-G , Hu Shufen , Xu Guang-Yin 
Published: February 2014

Background: Hydrogen sulfide (H2S), an endogenous gaseotransmitter/modulator, is becoming appreciated that it may be involved in a wide variety of processes including inflammation and nociception. However, the role for H2S in nociceptive processing in trigeminal ganglion (TG) neuron remains unknown. The aim of this study was designed to investigate whether endogenous H2S synthesizing enzyme cystathionine-β-synthetase (CBS) plays a role in inflammatory pain in temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Methods: TMJ inflammatory pain was induced by injection of complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) into TMJ of adult male rats. Von Frey filaments were used to examine pain behavioral responses in rats following injection of CFA or normal saline (NS). Whole cell patch clamp recordings were employed on acutely isolated TG neurons from rats 2 days after CFA injection. Western blot analysis was carried out to measure protein expression in TGs. Results: Injection of CFA into TMJ produced a time dependent hyperalgesia as evidenced by reduced escape threshold in rats responding to VFF stimulation. The reduced escape threshold was partially reversed by injection of O-(Carboxymethyl) hydroxylamine hemihydrochloride (AOAA), an inhibitor for CBS, in a dose-dependent manner. CFA injection led to a marked upregulation of CBS expression when compared with age-matched controls. CFA injection enhanced neuronal excitability as evidenced by depolarization of resting membrane potentials, reduction in rheobase, and an increase in number of action potentials evoked by 2 and 3 times rheobase current stimulation and by a ramp current stimulation of TG neurons innervating the TMJ area. CFA injection also led to a reduction of IK but not IA current density of TG neurons. Application of AOAA in TMJ area reduced the production of H2S in TGs and reversed the enhanced neural hyperexcitability and increased the IK currents of TG neurons. Conclusion: These data together with our previous report indicate that endogenous H2S generating enzyme CBS plays an important role in TMJ inflammation, which is likely mediated by inhibition of IK currents, thus identifying a specific molecular mechanism underlying pain and sensitization in TMJ inflammation.
Single-base resolution of mouse offspring brain methylome reveals epigenome modifications caused by gestational folic acid
Authors: Barua Subit , Kuizon Salomon , Chadman Kathryn K , Flory Michael J , Brown W Ted , Junaid Mohammed A 
Published: February 2014

Abstract

Background
Epigenetic modifications, such as cytosine methylation in CpG-rich regions, regulate multiple functions in mammalian development. Maternal nutrients affecting one-carbon metabolism during gestation can exert long-term effects on the health of the progeny. Using C57BL/6 J mice, we investigated whether the amount of ingested maternal folic acid (FA) during gestation impacted DNA methylation in the offspring’s cerebral hemispheres. Reduced representation bisulfite sequencing at single-base resolution was performed to analyze genome-wide DNA methylation profiles.

Results
We identified widespread differences in the methylation patterns of CpG and non-CpG sites of key developmental genes, including imprinted and candidate autism susceptibility genes (P <0.05). Such differential methylation of the CpG and non-CpG sites may use different mechanisms to alter gene expressions. Quantitative real time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction confirmed altered expression of several genes.

Conclusions
These finding demonstrate that high maternal FA during gestation induces substantial alteration in methylation pattern and gene expression of several genes in the cerebral hemispheres of the offspring, and such changes may influence the overall development. Our findings provide a foundation for future studies to explore the influence of gestational FA on genetic/epigenetic susceptibility to altered development and disease in offspring.