bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Browning of the landscape of interior Alaska based on 1986-2009 Landsat sensor NDVI
Authors: Baird Rebecca A. , Verbyla David , Hollingsworth Teresa N. 
Published: July 2012

We used a time series of 1986–2009 Landsat sensor data to compute the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) for 30 m pixels within the Bonanza Creek Experimental Forest of interior Alaska. Based on simple linear regression, we found significant (p < 0.05) declining trends in mean NDVI of three dominant landscape types of floodplains, lowlands, and uplands. At smaller patch sizes, similar declining trends occurred among topographic classes of north- and south-facing slopes and valley bottoms and among forest classes, including black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) B.S.P.). Significant positive trends in mean NDVI occurred only in areas that were recently burned, whereas wetlands had no significant trend. The greatest departure from the NDVI trend line occurred following the 2004 drought for all forest classes except black spruce, which dominates the coldest sites, and balsam poplar (Populus balsamifera L.), which occurs on low, moist terraces within the Tanana River floodplain. The consistent long-term declining trend at several spatial scales may be due to a regional climatic regime shift that occurred in the mid-1970s.
HDAC Inhibitors Augmented Cell Migration and Metastasis through Induction of PKCs Leading to Identification of Low Toxicity Modalities for Combination Cancer Therapy
Authors: Lin Kuen-Tyng , Wang Yi-Wei , Chen Chiung-Tong , Ho Chun-Ming , Su Wen-Hui , Jou Yuh-Shan 
Published: July 2012

Abstract
Purpose: Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) are actively explored as new-generation epigenetic drugs but have low efficacy in cancer monotherapy. To reveal new mechanism for combination therapy, we show that HDACi induce cell death but simultaneously activate tumor-progressive genes to ruin therapeutic efficacy. Combined treatments to target tumorigenesis and HDACi-activated metastasis with low toxic modalities could develop new strategies for long-term cancer therapy.
Experimental Design: Because metastasis is the major cause of cancer mortality, we measured cell migration activity and profiled metastasis-related gene expressions in HDACi-treated cancer cells. We developed low toxic combination modalities targeting tumorigenesis and HDACi-activated metastasis for preclinical therapies in mice.
Results: We showed that cell migration activity was dramatically and dose dependently enhanced by various classes of HDACi treatments in 13 of 30 examined human breast, gastric, liver, and lung cancer cell lines. Tumor metastasis was also enhanced in HDACi-treated mice. HDACi treatments activated multiple PKCs and downstream substrates along with upregulated proapoptotic p21. For targeting tumorigenesis and metastasis with immediate clinical impact, we showed that new modalities of HDACi combined drugs with PKC inhibitory agent, curcumin or tamoxifen, not only suppressed HDACi-activated tumor progressive proteins and cell migration in vitro but also inhibited tumor growth and metastasis in vivo.
Conclusion: Treatments of different structural classes of HDACi simultaneously induced cell death and promoted cell migration and metastasis in multiple cancer cell types. Suppression of HDACi-induced PKCs leads to development of low toxic and long-term therapeutic strategies to potentially treat cancer as a chronic disease. Clin Cancer Res; 18(17); 4691–701. ©2012 AACR.
Identification of nephropathy candidate genes by comparing sclerosis-prone and sclerosis-resistant mouse strain kidney transcriptomes
Authors: El-Meanawy Ashraf , Schelling Jeffery R , Iyengar Sudha K , Hayden Patrick , Barathan Shrinath , Goddard Katrina , Pozuelo Fatima , Elashi Essam , Nair Viji , Kretzler Matthias , Sedor John R 
Published: July 2012

Abstract

Background
The genetic architecture responsible for chronic kidney disease (CKD) remains incompletely described. The Oligosyndactyly (Os) mouse models focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), which is associated with reduced nephron number caused by the Os mutation. The Os mutation leads to FSGS in multiple strains including the ROP-Os/+. However, on the C57Bl/6J background the mutation does not cause FSGS, although nephron number in these mice are equivalent to those in ROP-Os/+ mice. We exploited this phenotypic variation to identify genes that potentially contribute to glomerulosclerosis.

Methods
To identify such novel genes, which regulate susceptibility or resistance to renal disease progression, we generated and compared the renal transcriptomes using serial analysis of gene expression (SAGE) from the sclerosis-prone ROP-Os/+ and sclerosis resistant C57-Os/+ mouse kidneys. We confirmed the validity of the differential gene expression using multiple approaches. We also used an Ingenuity Pathway Analysis engine to assemble differentially regulated molecular networks. Cell culture techniques were employed to confirm functional relevance of selected genes.

Results
A comparative analysis of the kidney transcriptomes revealed multiple genes, with expression levels that were statistically different. These novel, candidate, renal disease susceptibility/resistance genes included neuropilin2 (Nrp2), glutathione-S-transferase theta (Gstt1) and itchy (Itch). Of 34 genes with the most robust statistical difference in expression levels between ROP-Os/+ and C57-Os/+ mice, 13 and 3 transcripts localized to glomerular and tubulointerstitial compartments, respectively, from micro-dissected human FSGS biopsies. Network analysis of all significantly differentially expressed genes identified 13 connectivity networks. The most highly scored network highlighted the roles for oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction pathways. Functional analyses of these networks provided evidence for activation of transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) signaling in ROP-Os/+ kidneys despite similar expression of the TGFβ ligand between the tested strains.

Conclusions
These data demonstrate the complex dysregulation of normal cellular functions in this animal model of FSGS and suggest that therapies directed at multiple levels will be needed to effectively treat human kidney diseases.
The School Anxiety Scale-Teacher Report (SAS-TR): translation and psychometric properties of the Iranian version
Authors: Hajiamini Zahra , Mohamadi Ashraf , Ebadi Abbas , Fathi- Ashtiani Ali , Tavousi Mahmoud , Montazeri Ali 
Published: July 2012

Abstract

Background
The School Anxiety Scale-Teacher Report (SAS-TR) was designed to assess anxiety in children at school. The SAS-TR is a proxy rated measure and could assess social anxiety, generalized anxiety and also gives a total anxiety score. This study aimed to translate and validate the SAS-TR in Iran.

Methods
The translation and cultural adaptation of the original questionnaire were carried out in accordance with the published guidelines. A sample of students participated in the study. Reliability was estimated using internal consistency and test-retest analysis. Validity was assessed using content validity. The factor structure of the questionnaire was extracted by performing both exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses.

Results
In all 200 elementary students aged 6 to 10 years were studied. Considering the recommended cut-off values, overall the prevalence of high anxiety condition in elementary students was found to be 21 %. Cronbach's alpha coefficient for the Iranian SAS-TR was 0.92 and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was found to be 0.81. The principal component analysis indicated a two-factor structure for the questionnaire (generalized and social anxiety) that jointly accounted for 55.3 % of variances observed. The confirmatory factory analysis also indicated a good fit to the data for the two-latent structure of the questionnaire.

Conclusion
In general the findings suggest that the Iranian version of SAS-TR has satisfactory reliability, and validity for measuring anxiety in 6 to 10 years old children in Iran. It is simple and easy to use and now can be applied in future studies.
Practices and opinions on nitrous oxide/oxygen sedation from dentists licensed to perform relative analgesia in Brazil
Authors: Daher Anelise , Hanna Renata Pinheiro Lima , Costa Luciane Rezende , Leles Cláudio Rodrigues 
Published: July 2012

Abstract

Background
Relative analgesia (RA), defined as the use of inhalation sedation with nitrous oxide and oxygen, is one of the most common pharmacological behavior management techniques used to provide sedation and analgesia for dental patients. This study aimed to assess RA licensed Brazilian dentists’ practices and opinions about nitrous oxide/oxygen sedation in the dental setting.

Methods
A cross sectional national survey was conducted with 281 dentists who were certified to perform RA, using an electronically mailed self-administered questionnaire containing closed questions about their practices and opinions regarding RA. Practice and opinion were individually analyzed by descriptive statistics. Non-parametric tests assessed the relationships between RA practice and independent variables. To test the interplay between practices and opinions, a k-means clusters analysis was used to divide the group for statistical comparisons.

Results
The response rate was 45.2%. Women made up 64.6% of the respondents, the mean age was 39.1 years (SD = 9.8), and the mean time since graduation in dentistry was 16 years (SD = 9.7). Seventy-seven percent of respondents reported the use of RA in clinical practice, most of them ‘sometimes’ (53.5%), and focusing more on adult patients. Patients with certain physical or mental deficiencies were indications associated with RA practice. ‘Equipment acquisition’ (p < 0.001) and ‘living in Southeast and South regions’ (p < 0.02) were also associated with RA practice. The scores for dentists’ opinions ranged from 15 to 41 points (mean 29.2, SD = 5.6), based on nine items scored from 1 to 5. Two clusters representing more favorable (n = 65) and less favorable (n = 55) opinions were established. Dentists who were women (p = 0.04), practiced RA in dental settings (p < 0.01) or practiced it frequently (p < 0.001), had more favorable opinions about RA.

Conclusion
Most of the RA licensed Brazilian dentists interviewed currently use RA. Current practice of RA and frequency of use determined the degree of favorable opinion about this inhalation sedation among this group of respondents.
Continuing Exposure to Low-Dose Nonylphenol Aggravates Adenine-Induced Chronic Renal Dysfunction and Role of Rosuvastatin Therapy
Authors: Yen Chia-Hung , Sun Cheuk-Kwan , Leu Steve , Wallace Christopher Glenn , Lin Yu-Chun , Chang Li-Teh , Chen Yung-Lung , Tsa Tzu-Hsien , Kao Ying-Hsien , Shao Pei-Lin , Hsieh Chi-Ying , Chen Yen-Ta , Yip Hon-Kan 
Published: July 2012

Abstract

Background
Nonylphenol (NP), an environmental organic compound, has been demonstrated to enhance reactive-oxygen species (ROS) synthesis. Chronic exposure to low-dose adenine (AD) has been reported to induce chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Methods
In this study, we tested the hypothesis that chronic exposure to NP will aggravate AD-induced CKD through increasing generations of inflammation, ROS, and apoptosis that could be attenuated by rosuvastatin. Fifty male Wistar rats were equally divided into group 1 (control), group 2 (AD in fodder at a concentration of 0.25%), group 3 (NP: 2 mg/kg/day), group 4 (combined AD & NP), and group 5 (AD-NP + rosuvastatin: 20 mg/kg/day). Treatment was continued for 24 weeks for all animals before being sacrificed.

Results
By the end of 24 weeks, serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine levels were increased in group 4 than in groups 1–3, but significantly reduced in group 5 as compared with group 4 (all p < 0.05). Histopathology scorings of renal-parenchymal and tubular damages were significantly higher in group 4 than in groups 1–3, but remarkably lower in group 5 compared with group 4 (all p < 0.01). Both gene and protein levels of inflammation, oxidative stress, ROS, and cellular apoptosis were remarkably higher in group 4 compared with groups 1–3, but lowered in group 5 than in group 4 (all p < 0.001). Conversely, both gene and protein levels of anti-oxidants, anti-inflammation and anti-apoptosis were markedly increased in group 5 compared with group 4 (all p < 0.001).

Conclusion
NP worsened AD-induced CKD that could be reversed by rosuvastatin therapy.
Forced oscillation of higher-order nonlinear neutral difference equations with positive and negative coefficients
Authors: Gao Yali , Sun Yuangong , Zha Bin , Liu Hongshuang 
Published: July 2012

AbstractIn this paper, we study the forced oscillation of the higher-order nonlinear difference equation of the formΔm[x(n)−p(n)x(n−τ)]+q1(n)Φα(n−σ1)+q2(n)Φβ(n−σ2)=f(n),wherem≥1,τ,σ1andσ2are integers,0<α<1<βare constants,Φ∗(u)=|u|∗−1u,p(n),q1(n),q2(n)andf(n)are real sequences withp(n)>0. By taking all possible values ofτ,σ1andσ2into consideration, we establish some new oscillation criteria for the above equation in two cases: (i)q1=q1(n)≤0,q2=q2(n)>0; (ii)q1≥0,q2<0.MSC:39A10.
LXtoo: an integrated live Linux distribution for the bioinformatics community
Authors: Yu Guangchuang , Wang Li-Gen , Meng Xiao-Hua , He Qing-Yu 
Published: July 2012

AbstractBackgroundRecent advances in high-throughput technologies dramatically increase biological data generation. However, many research groups lack computing facilities and specialists. This is an obstacle that remains to be addressed. Here, we present a Linux distribution, LXtoo, to provide a flexible computing platform for bioinformatics analysis.FindingsUnlike most of the existing live Linux distributions for bioinformatics limiting their usage to sequence analysis and protein structure prediction, LXtoo incorporates a comprehensive collection of bioinformatics software, including data mining tools for microarray and proteomics, protein-protein interaction analysis, and computationally complex tasks like molecular dynamics. Moreover, most of the programs have been configured and optimized for high performance computing.ConclusionsLXtoo aims to provide well-supported computing environment tailored for bioinformatics research, reducing duplication of efforts in building computing infrastructure. LXtoo is distributed as a Live DVD and freely available athttp://bioinformatics.jnu.edu.cn/LXtoo.
Genetic mismatch affects the immunosuppressive properties of mesenchymal stem cells in vitro and their ability to influence the course of collagen-induced arthritis
Authors: Sullivan Catherine , Murphy J Mary , Griffin Matthew D , Porter Ryan M , Evans Christopher H , O'Flatharta Cathal , Shaw Georgina , Barry Frank 
Published: July 2012

Abstract

Introduction

The immunological and homing properties of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) provide a potentially attractive treatment for arthritis. The objective of this study was to determine effects of genetic disparity on the immunosuppressive potential of MSCs in vitro and in vivo within collagen induced arthritis (CIA).

Methods

The ability of DBA/1, FVB and BALB/c MSC preparations to impact the cytokine release profile of CD3/CD28 stimulated DBA/1 T cells was assessed in vitro. The effect of systemically delivered MSCs on the progression of CIA and cytokine production was assessed in vivo.

Results

All MSC preparations suppressed the release of TNFα and augmented the secretion of IL-4 and IL-10 by stimulated DBA/1 T-cells. However, assessment of the ratio of IFNγ to IL-4 production indicated that the more genetically distant BALB/c MSCs had significantly less immunosuppressive capacity. Systemic delivery of BALB/c MSC resulted in an exacerbation of CIA disease score in vivo and a higher erosive disease burden. This was not seen after treatment with syngeneic or partially mismatched MSCs. An increase in serum levels of IL-1β was observed up to 20 days post treatment with allogeneic MSCs. An initial elevation of IL-17 in these treatment groups persisted in those treated with fully mismatched BALB/c MSCs. Over the course of the study, there was a significant suppression of serum IL-17 levels in groups treated with syngeneic MSCs.

Conclusions

These data demonstrate a significant difference in the immunosuppressive properties of syngeneic and allogeneic MSCs in vitro and in vivo, which needs to be appreciated when developing MSC based therapies for inflammatory arthritis.
Oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma: relationship between fluorine-18 fludeoxyglucose positron emission tomography CT maximum standardised uptake value, metabolic tumour volume, and tumour, node and metastasis classification
Authors: Zhu W-Q , Sun X , Xing L , Li M , Yue J , Qu W , Sun X , Kong L , Yu J 
Published: July 2012

Objectives: We aimed to evaluate the relationships between primary tumour, maximum standardised uptake value, metabolic tumour volume and seventh edition American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) classification in oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) patients.
Methods: Fluorine-18 fludeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) positron emission tomography (PET)-CT scans of 41 consecutive newly diagnosed OSCC patients were retrospectively reviewed. Maximum standard uptake value (SUVmax) and metabolic tumour volume (MTV) were recorded. Two-tailed Spearman's correlation was used to analyse the relationships between the metabolic parameters and the AJCC staging system.
Results: Positive correlations were observed between SUVmax, MTV and tumour (T) stage, in addition to node (N) stage and AJCC stage. Both metabolic parameters were independent variables that significantly affected the N stage and AJCC stage, and SUVmax was the only independent variable that significantly affected the T stage.
Conclusion: The metabolic parameters derived from 18F-FDG PET-CT were positively correlated with T, N and AJCC stage in primary OSCC. Our findings may suggest a complementary role of these parameters to seventh-edition AJCC staging in the prognostication of OSCC patients.
The effect of chlorides upon the hydration of Portland cement and upon some clinker minerals
Authors: Skalný J. , Odler I. 
Published: July 2012

Summary The influence of various chlorides upon the hydration process of Portland cement and of calcium chloride upon some clinker minerals has been studied by means of chemical and thermoanalytical methods and X-ray diffractometry. From the results, conclusions may be drawn regarding the mechanism of the influence of chlorides upon the hydration process.
Fatigue of concrete and its effect upon prestressed concrete beams
Authors: Sawko F. , Saha G. P. 
Published: July 2012

Summary The paper reviews the extensive literature on fatigue of concrete and summarizes the most important conclusions. Fatigue hardening of the compressive zone and fatigue softening of the tension zone are examined in detail, and the authors' tests to verify these effects are described. The effects are illustrated by suggested transformations in equivalent section properties in members subjected to fatigue. The increase or decrease of fatigued strength is plotted against maximum stress in the fatigue stress range. It is finally concluded that, with a load factor of 2 specified in the Code of Practice for prestressed concrete, fatigue is never likely to be a design criterion for strength.
Bending and torsion of reinforced concrete beams
Authors: Goode C. D. , Helmy M. A. 
Published: July 2012

Summary Combined bending and torsion tests were carried out on 55 rectangular concrete beams to study the influence of concrete strength, reinforcement and the intensity of applied bending moment on their torsional behaviour and strength. Two series contained only longitudinal reinforcement, two contained longitudinal reinforcement and stirrups inclined at 45°, and six series contained longitudinal reinforcement and vertical stirrups. The intensity of applied bending moment had little effect on the initial torsional stiffness of the beams or on the torque at which diagonal cracking started. A theory is outlined for determining the mode of failure and ultimate strength under bending and torsion and this is compared with the results of these tests and those of other investigators.
A creep rig for testing concrete under multiaxial compressive stress
Authors: Jordaan I. J. , Illston J. M. 
Published: July 2012

Summary The paper describes the design and testing of apparatus for the study of time-dependent strains in concrete under sustained multiaxial loading. The apparatus is designed to measure the three orthogonal strains under three independent compressive stresses. Special attention is given to the problem of frictional effects between the loading platens and the concrete specimens.
The ultimate moment of resistance of unbonded prestressed concrete beams
Authors: Pannell F. N. 
Published: July 2012

Synopsis The method set out in CP 115: 1959 for the determination of the ultimate moment of resistance of unbonded prestressed concrete beams is simple but inaccurate. Alternative methods have been proposed which are more tedious to use, but because (in common with CP 115) they fail to consider.a factor which proves to be of importance, namely the span/depth ratio of the beam, the accuracy of prediction is little better. This is demonstrated by the results of tests on 38 beams, which are then used to investigate the validity of a revised theory. A substantial increase in accuracy of prediction is obtained, and this is confirmed by the results of 19 independent tests. Proposals are put forward for a safe design approach. The equations proposed predict the ultimate moment of resistance of the 57 test beams as having a mean value of 0·995 Mtest, and a coefficient of variation of 4·7%.
On the necessity of a non-slip mechanism between steel and concrete in the region of a crack
Authors: Brown Colin B. 
Published: July 2012

Synopsis Experiments have suggested that the width of a crack occurring in reinforced concrete in flexure becomes zero around the reinforcement. In this paper it is shown that the bond mechanism of no-slip, although obviously sufficient, is not necessary in order that these closed regions of a crack may occur. This allows theories of cracking to proceed unhampered by unduly restrictive conditions on bond.
Strength and deformation of concrete in uniaxial tension and compression
Authors: Johnston C. D. 
Published: July 2012

Synopsis The paper examines the influence of mix parameters upon the strength and deformation of plain concrete subjected to uniaxial tensile or compressive stress. Parameters considered are the effective water/cement ratio, aggregate/cement ratio, aggregate maximum size and grading defined in terms of mean particle size, and the strength, elastic modulus and crushing value (B.S. 812) of the coarse aggregate. Tensile and compressive strength, tensile strain at failure and compressive strain at 50 % compressive strength are related to each parameter in turn, often by expressing the values in relative terms. The results obtained from 94 mixes are used to develop charts which permit reasonably accurate prediction of any of the four properties listed above for a wide range of mixes.
Some observations on the components of creep in concrete
Authors: Parrott L. J. 
Published: July 2012

Synopsis Some experimental creep data are analysed with reference to recent ideas that creep can be separated into recoverable and irrecoverable basic creep and recoverable and irrecoverable drying creep. Data on lateral strain behaviour are also presented. It is shown that this division of creep on the basis of axial strain measurements is not satisfactory. The implications of the results for future work on creep under uniaxial and multiaxial loading are indicated.