bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Hyperinsulinemia improves ischemic LV function in insulin resistant subjects
Authors: Heck Patrick M , Hoole Stephen P , Khan Sadia N , Dutka David P 
Published: June 2010

AbstractBackgroundGlucose is a more efficient substrate for ATP production than free fatty acid (FFA). Insulin resistance (IR) results in higher FFA concentrations and impaired myocardial glucose use, potentially worsening ischemia. We hypothesized that metabolic manipulation with a hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp (HEC) would affect a greater improvement in left ventricular (LV) performance during dobutamine stress echo (DSE) in subjects with IR.Methods24 subjects with normal LV function and coronary disease (CAD) awaiting revascularization underwent 2 DSEs. Prior to one DSEs they underwent an HEC, where a primed infusion of insulin (rate 43 mU/m2/min) was co-administered with 20% dextrose at variable rates to maintain euglycemia. At steady-state the DSE was performed and images of the LV were acquired with tissue Doppler at each stage for offline analysis. Segmental peak systolic velocities (Vs) were recorded, as well as LV ejection fraction (EF). Subjects were then divided into two groups based on their insulin sensitivity during the HEC.ResultsHEC changed the metabolic environment, suppressing FFAs and thereby increasing glucose use. This resulted in improved LV performance at peak stress, measured by EF (IS group mean difference 5.3 (95% CI 2.5-8) %, p = 0.002; IR group mean difference 8.7 (95% CI 5.8-11.6) %, p < 0.0001) and peak Vsin ischemic segments (IS group mean improvement 0.7(95% CI 0.07-1.58) cm/s, p = 0.07; IR group mean improvement 1.0 (95% CI 0.54-1.5) cm/s, p < 0.0001),that was greater in the subjects with IR.ConclusionsIncreased myocardial glucose use induced by HEC improves LV function under stress in subjects with CAD and IR. Cardiac metabolic manipulation in subjects with IR is a promising target for future therapy.
The small molecule curcumin analog FLLL32 induces apoptosis in melanoma cells via STAT3 inhibition and retains the cellular response to cytokines with anti-tumor activity
Authors: Bill Matthew A , Fuchs James R , Li Chenglong , Yui Jennifer , Bakan Courtney , Benson Don M , Schwartz Eric B , Abdelhamid Dalia , Lin Jiayuh , Hoyt Dale G , Fossey Stacey L , Young Gregory S , Carson William E , Li Pui-Kai , Lesinski Gregory B 
Published: June 2010

AbstractBackgroundWe characterized the biologic effects of a novel small molecule STAT3 pathway inhibitor that is derived from the natural product curcumin. We hypothesized this lead compound would specifically inhibit the STAT3 signaling pathway to induce apoptosis in melanoma cells.ResultsFLLL32 specifically reduced STAT3 phosphorylation at Tyr705 (pSTAT3) and induced apoptosis at micromolar amounts in human melanoma cell lines and primary melanoma cultures as determined by annexin V/propidium iodide staining and immunoblot analysis. FLLL32 treatment reduced expression of STAT3-target genes, induced caspase-dependent apoptosis, and reduced mitochondrial membrane potential. FLLL32 displayed specificity for STAT3 over other homologous STAT proteins. In contrast to other STAT3 pathway inhibitors (WP1066, JSI-124, Stattic), FLLL32 did not abrogate IFN-γ-induced pSTAT1 or downstream STAT1-mediated gene expression as determined by Real Time PCR. In addition, FLLL32 did not adversely affect the function or viability of immune cells from normal donors. In peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), FLLL32 inhibited IL-6-induced pSTAT3 but did not reduce signaling in response to immunostimulatory cytokines (IFN-γ, IL 2). Treatment of PBMCs or natural killer (NK) cells with FLLL32 also did not decrease viability or granzyme b and IFN-γ production when cultured with K562 targets as compared to vehicle (DMSO).ConclusionsThese data suggest that FLLL32 represents a lead compound that could serve as a platform for further optimization to develop improved STAT3 specific inhibitors for melanoma therapy.
Immunohistochemical expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in oral squamous cell carcinoma in relation to proliferation, apoptosis, angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis
Authors: Sarkis Seta A , Abdullah Bashar H , Abdul Majeed Ban A , Talabani Nazar G 
Published: June 2010

Abstract

Objectives
Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is by far the most common malignant neoplasm of the oral cavity. A number of etiologic factors have been implicated in its development. During the past few decades, a particular focus has been placed on the investigation of valid biomarkers predictive of cancer behavior and cervical lymph node metastasis in head and neck Squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).The present study was designed to investigate the expression of epidermal growth factor in these tumors in relation to proliferation, apoptosis, angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis.

Materials and methods
Immunohistochemical (IHC) evaluation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression in 40 retrospective OSCC specimens and its correlation with proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), antiapoptotic antibody (P53), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and D2-40 monoclonal antibodies (Mab), in relation to the clinicopathological parameters.

Results
Data revealed positive EGFR immunoreactivity in 35(87.5%) cases. There was a statistically significant correlation regarding EGFR extent score with respect to intratumoral lymphatic vessel density (ILVD) (r = 0.35) as well as EGFR intensity score with respect to ILVD and peritumoral lymphatic vessel density (PLVD) (r = 0.33, r = 0.36 respectively). EGFR expression was not correlated with the clinicopathological parameters. Conclusions: EGFR is expressed by most of the cases. EGFR correlation with D2- 40 positive lymphatic vessels suggests a higher tendency of OSCC for lymphatic dissemination. Lack of correlation among the studied markers suggests their independent effect on tumor behavior.
Co-variation between autotrophy and heterotrophy in the Mediterranean coralCladocora caespitosa
Authors: Hoogenboom Mia , Rodolfo-Metalpa Riccardo , Ferrier-Pagès Christine 
Published: June 2010

SUMMARYThis study quantifies the relative contributions of autotrophy and heterotrophy to the energy budget of the temperate scleractinian species Cladocora caespitosa Linnaeus 1767. Colonies were incubated under different light and feeding regimes, and changes in carbon acquisition through photosynthesis and feeding were measured during a 2-month time period. This approach allowed us to quantify the rate at which adjustments to physiology occurred, as well as the magnitude of up- or downregulation of both feeding modes. In addition, we explored how shifts in carbon acquisition mode influenced tissue biomass (protein content), energy stores (lipid content) and colony growth (calcification). Increases in feeding capacity during prolonged exposure to darkness were correlated with decreases in photosynthetic capacity. However, feeding effort did not decrease when photosynthesis was high. In fact, feeding was maximal under high light conditions when food was not available. During starvation, colonies used their lipid stores to partially meet their metabolic requirements. Colonies kept in low light used nutrients from feeding to supplement calcification, whereas those kept at high light converted carbon from feeding into tissue biomass. This work provides the first estimates of rates of adjustment of heterotrophic feeding capacity in a Mediterranean scleractinian coral. For the study species, flexibility in carbon acquisition through heterotrophy was approximately equal to flexibility in photosynthesis both in magnitude and in the rate at which physiological adjustments occurred. The ability to alter feeding effort rapidly and strongly may explain the wide depth distribution of C. caespitosa, and its ability to survive in turbid coastal waters where light is often limited.
Selection of entomopathogenic nematodes for enhanced responsiveness to a volatile root signal helps to control a major root pest
Authors: Hiltpold Ivan , Baroni Mariane , Toepfer Stefan , Kuhlmann Ulrich , Turlings Ted C. J. 
Published: June 2010

SUMMARY
The efficacy of natural enemies as biological control agents against insect pests can theoretically be enhanced by artificial selection for high responsiveness to foraging cues. The recent discovery that maize roots damaged by the western corn rootworm (WCR) emit a key attractant for insect-killing nematodes has opened the way to explore whether a selection strategy can improve the control of root pests. The compound in question, (E)-β-caryophyllene, is only weakly attractive to Heterorhabditis bacteriophora, one of the most infectious nematodes against WCR. To overcome this drawback, we used a six-arm below-ground olfactometer to select for a strain of H. bacteriophora that is more readily attracted to (E)-β-caryophyllene. After six generations of selection, the selected strain responded considerably better and moved twice as rapidly towards a (E)-β-caryophyllene source than the original strain. There was a minor trade-off between this enhanced responsiveness and nematode infectiveness. Yet, in subsequent field tests, the selected strain was significantly more effective than the original strain in reducing WCR populations in plots with a maize variety that releases (E)-β-caryophyllene, but not in plots with a maize variety that does not emit this root signal. These results illustrate the great potential of manipulating natural enemies of herbivores to improve biological pest control.
Object preference by walking fruit flies,Drosophila melanogaster, is mediated by vision and graviperception
Authors: Robie Alice A. , Straw Andrew D. , Dickinson Michael H. 
Published: June 2010

SUMMARYWalking fruit flies, Drosophila melanogaster, use visual information to orient towards salient objects in their environment, presumably as a search strategy for finding food, shelter or other resources. Less is known, however, about the role of vision or other sensory modalities such as mechanoreception in the evaluation of objects once they have been reached. To study the role of vision and mechanoreception in exploration behavior, we developed a large arena in which we could track individual fruit flies as they walked through either simple or more topologically complex landscapes. When exploring a simple, flat environment lacking three-dimensional objects, flies used visual cues from the distant background to stabilize their walking trajectories. When exploring an arena containing an array of cones, differing in geometry, flies actively oriented towards, climbed onto, and explored the objects, spending most of their time on the tallest, steepest object. A fly's behavioral response to the geometry of an object depended upon the intrinsic properties of each object and not a relative assessment to other nearby objects. Furthermore, the preference was not due to a greater attraction towards tall, steep objects, but rather a change in locomotor behavior once a fly reached and explored the surface. Specifically, flies are much more likely to stop walking for long periods when they are perched on tall, steep objects. Both the vision system and the antennal chordotonal organs (Johnston's organs) provide sufficient information about the geometry of an object to elicit the observed change in locomotor behavior. Only when both these sensory systems were impaired did flies not show the behavioral preference for the tall, steep objects.
Jumping mechanisms and performance of pygmy mole crickets (Orthoptera, Tridactylidae)
Authors: Burrows M. , Picker M. D. 
Published: June 2010

SUMMARYPygmy mole crickets live in burrows at the edge of water and jump powerfully to avoid predators such as the larvae and adults of tiger beetles that inhabit the same microhabitat. Adults are 5–6 mm long and weigh 8 mg. The hind legs are dominated by enormous femora containing the jumping muscles and are 131% longer than the body. The ratio of leg lengths is: 1:2.1:4.5 (front:middle:hind, respectively). The hind tarsi are reduced and their role is supplanted by two pairs of tibial spurs that can rotate through 180 deg. During horizontal walking the hind legs are normally held off the ground. Jumps are propelled by extension of the hind tibiae about the femora at angular velocities of 68,000 deg s−1 in 2.2 ms, as revealed by images captured at rates of 5000 s−1. The two hind legs usually move together but can move asynchronously, and many jumps are propelled by just one hind leg. The take-off angle is steep and once airborne the body rotates backwards about its transverse axis (pitch) at rates of 100 Hz or higher. The take-off velocity, used to define the best jumps, can reach 5.4 m s−1, propelling the insect to heights of 700 mm and distances of 1420 mm with an acceleration of 306 g. The head and pronotum are jerked rapidly as the body is accelerated. Jumping on average uses 116 μJ of energy, requires a power output of 50 mW and exerts a force of 20 mN. In jumps powered by one hind leg the figures are about 40% less.
The role of the anterior lateral eyes in the vision-based behaviour of jumping spiders
Authors: Zurek Daniel B. , Taylor Alan J. , Evans Christopher S. , Nelson Ximena J. 
Published: June 2010

SUMMARYJumping spiders, or salticids, sample their environment using a combination of two types of eyes. The forward-facing pair of ‘principal’ eyes have narrow fields of view, but exceptional spatial resolution, while the two or three pairs of ‘secondary’ eyes have wide fields of view and function especially well as motion analysers. Motion detected by the secondary eyes may elicit an orienting response, whereupon the object of interest is examined further using the high-acuity principal eyes. The anterior lateral (AL) eyes are particularly interesting, as they are the only forward-facing pair of secondary eyes. In this study, we aimed to determine characteristics of stimuli that elicit orienting responses mediated by the AL eyes. After covering all eyes except the AL eyes, we measured orienting responses to dot stimuli that varied in size and contrast, and moved at different speeds. We found that all stimulus parameters had significant effects on orientation propensity. When tethered flies were used as prey, we found that visual information from the AL eyes alone was sufficient to elicit stalking behaviour. These results suggest that, in terms of overall visual processing, the relevance of spatial vision in the AL eyes has been underestimated in the literature. Our results also show that female spiders are significantly more responsive than males. We found that hunger caused similar increases in orientation propensity in the two sexes, but females responded more often than males both when sated and when hungry. A higher propensity by females to orient toward moving objects may be related to females tending to experience higher nutritional demands than males.
Hysteresis in the production of force by larval Dipteran muscle
Authors: Paterson Bethany A. , Anikin Ilya Marko , Krans Jacob L. 
Published: June 2010

SUMMARYWe describe neuromuscular hysteresis – the dependence of muscle force on recent motoneuron activity – in the body wall muscles of larval Sarcophaga bullata and Drosophila melanogaster. In semi-intact preparations, isometric force produced by a train of nerve impulses at a constant rate was significantly less than that produced by the same train of stimuli with a brief (200 ms) high-frequency burst of impulses interspersed. Elevated force did not decay back to predicted values after the burst but instead remained high throughout the duration of the stimulus train. The increased force was not due to a change in excitatory junction potentials (EJPs); EJP voltage and time course before and after the high-frequency burst were not statistically different. Single muscle and semi-intact preparations exhibited hysteresis similarly, suggesting that connective tissues of the origin or insertion are not crucial to the mechanism of hysteresis. Hysteresis was greatest at low motoneuron rates – yielding a ~100% increase over predicted values based on constant-rate stimulation alone – and decreased as impulse rate increased. We modulated motoneuron frequency rhythmically across rates and cycle periods similar to those observed during kinematic analysis of larval crawling. Positive force hysteresis was also evident within these more physiological activation parameters.
Neuromuscular control of wingbeat kinematics in Anna's hummingbirds (Calypte anna)
Authors: Altshuler Douglas L. , Welch Kenneth C. , Cho Brian H. , Welch Danny B. , Lin Amy F. , Dickson William B. , Dickinson Michael H. 
Published: June 2010

SUMMARYHummingbirds can maintain the highest wingbeat frequencies of any flying vertebrate – a feat accomplished by the large pectoral muscles that power the wing strokes. An unusual feature of these muscles is that they are activated by one or a few spikes per cycle as revealed by electromyogram recordings (EMGs). The relatively simple nature of this activation pattern provides an opportunity to understand how motor units are recruited to modulate limb kinematics. Hummingbirds made to fly in low-density air responded by moderately increasing wingbeat frequency and substantially increasing the wing stroke amplitude as compared with flight in normal air. There was little change in the number of spikes per EMG burst in the pectoralis major muscle between flight in normal and low-density heliox (mean=1.4 spikes cycle−1). However the spike amplitude, which we take to be an indication of the number of active motor units, increased in concert with the wing stroke amplitude, 1.7 times the value in air. We also challenged the hummingbirds using transient load lifting to elicit maximum burst performance. During maximum load lifting, both wing stroke amplitude and wingbeat frequency increased substantially above those values during hovering flight. The number of spikes per EMG burst increased to a mean of 3.3 per cycle, and the maximum spike amplitude increased to approximately 1.6 times those values during flight in heliox. These results suggest that hummingbirds recruit additional motor units (spatial recruitment) to regulate wing stroke amplitude but that temporal recruitment is also required to maintain maximum stroke amplitude at the highest wingbeat frequencies.
Detection of Androgen Receptor Mutations in Circulating Tumor Cells in Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer
Authors: Jiang Yuqiu , Palma John F , Agus David B , Wang Yixin , Gross Mitchell E 
Published: June 2010

BACKGROUND
Coding mutations in the AR (androgen receptor) gene have been identified in tissue samples from patients with advanced prostate cancer and represent a possible mechanism underlying the development of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). There is a paucity of tumor-derived tissue available for molecular studies of CRPC patients. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in the blood of CRPC patients represent a possible avenue for interrogating the disease of such patients.

METHODS
Circulating tumor cells were captured with the CellSearch® Circulating Tumor Cell (CTC) Kit and with the CellSearch Profile Kit plus Qiagen's AllPrep DNA/RNA Micro Kit for the measurement of the CTC count per 7.5 mL of blood and for the isolation of nucleic acids, respectively. The AR gene was amplified by the PCR, and mutation status and relative abundance were analyzed by applying Transgenomic's WAVE® denaturing HPLC technology followed by direct sequencing.

RESULTS
AR mutations were detected in 20 of 35 CRPC patients; 19 missense mutations, 2 silent mutations, 5 deletions, and 1 insertion were observed. The relative abundance of the mutants in the amplified products ranged from 5% to 50%. Many of the AR mutations were identified in surgical biopsies or at autopsy and were associated with resistance to androgen-directed therapies.

CONCLUSIONS
AR mutations can be identified in CTC-enriched peripheral blood samples from CRPC patients. This approach has the potential to open new perspectives in understanding CTCs and the mechanisms for tumor progression and metastasis in CRPC.
VKORC1 haplotypes influence the performance characteristics of PIVKAII for screening of hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Wang Yibo , Luo Fang , Zheng Yi , Fan Xiaohan , Chen Jinxing , Zhang Yu , Hui Rutai 
Published: June 2010

Abstract

Background: PIVKAII (protein induced by vitamin K absence), used for screening for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), is influenced by vitamin K epoxide reductase complex subunit 1 (VKORC1). VKORC1 haplotype frequency is significantly different in ethnic groups. We evaluated whether VKORC1 haplotypes could influence the performance characteristics of PIVKAII in screening for HCC.

Methods: A total 228 HCC patients and 258 patients with hepatitis B were recruited. Tumor size was measured in 76 patients with HCC. Serum PIVKAII concentrations and VKORC1 haplotype were determined in the cohort. Youden's index and ROC curves were used to compare the performance characteristics of PIVKAII in screening for HCC.

Results: In the HCC group and in patients with hepatitis B, serum PIVKAII concentrations were higher in VKORC1 rs2395612 TT carriers than in CC/CT carriers (50.34±72.18 vs. 11.98±27.45, p<0.05 in HCC group and 1.92±0.52 vs. 1.48±0.36, p<0.01). The estimated optimal cut-off value of PIVKAII for screening HCC was 2.0 and 3.0 ng/mL in CC/CT carriers and TT carriers, respectively. Furthermore, VKORC1 haplotypes also influenced the association of serum PIVKAII concentrations with HCC tumor size in patients with HCC.

Conclusions:
VKORC1 haplotypes influence the performance characteristics of PIVKAII for screening of HCC. Thus, measurement could be complementary for PIVKAII in HCC screening.
Clin Chem Lab Med 2010;48:1475–9.
Defining Overfished Stocks: Have We Lost the Plot?
Authors: Hilborn Ray , Stokes Kevin 
Published: June 2010

Abstract
In recent years, there has been increasing emphasis on prevention of overfishing and agencies such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration now report the proportion of stocks that are overfished as a primary indicator of the agencies' performance. Almost all national and international legislation makes specific reference to maximum sustainable yield (MSY) and most definitions of overfishing are related in some way to achievement of MSY. We show that many of the definitions of overfishing now being adopted by fisheries agencies are increasingly unrelated to achievement of MSY and have become, to a great extent, arbitrary. We argue that overfishing definitions and management targets are generally better based on levels of historical stock size rather than the growing trend to setting targets in relation to theoretical unfished stock sizes.
Resumen
Recientemente se le ha dado especial énfasis a la prevención de la sobrepesca y agencias como la Nacional de Administración Oceánica y Atmosférica reportan como su principal indicador de desempeño, la proporción de stocks sobreexplotados. Casi toda la legislación existente, nacional e internacional, hace referencia específica al Rendimiento Máximo Sostenible (RMS) y la mayor parte de las definiciones de sobrepesca se relacionan de alguna forma a la adquisición de dicho nivel de rendimiento. En la presente contribución se muestra que muchas de las definiciones de sobrepesca que adoptan las agencias de pesquerías, se alejan cada vez más del nivel de RMS y que se han convertido, en buena medida, en algo arbitrario. Se discute que las definiciones de sobrepesca y objetivos de manejo generalmente tienen una mejor base en los niveles históricos del tamaño del stock que en la tendencia creciente de establecerlos en relación al tamaño teórico del stock en estado virgen.