bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Alluvial gully erosion: an example from the Mitchell fluvial megafan, Queensland, Australia
Authors: Brooks A. P. , Shellberg J. G. , Knight J. , Spencer J. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractConsiderable attention has been focused on the role of gullies as a contributor to contemporary sediment loads of rivers in Australia. In southern Australia rapid acceleration of hillslope gully erosion has been widely documented in the post‐European period (∼ last 200 years). In the northern Australian tropics, however, gully erosion processes operating along alluvial plains have not been well documented and can differ substantially from those gullies eroding into colluvium on hillslopes. Aerial reconnaissance surveys in 2004 along 13 500 km of the main stem rivers that drain into the Gulf of Carpentaria (GoC), identified extensive areas of alluvial lands that have been impacted by a pervasive form of gully erosion. More detailed remote sensing based mapping within the 31 000 km2 Mitchell River fluvial megafan has identified that active gullying into alluvium occupies ∼ 0·4% (129 km2) of the lower Mitchell catchment. These alluvial gullies are concentrated along main drainage channels and their scarp heights are highly correlated to the local relief between the floodplain and river thalweg. While river incision into the megafan since the Pleistocene has developed the relief potential for erosion, other factors such as floodplain hydrology, soil dispersibility, and vegetation also influence the distribution of gullies. In this paper we present a conceptual model of alluvial gullies, and contend that they represent a distinct end member in the continuum of gully forms that have been described in the geomorphic literature. An understanding of the processes driving this form of alluvial gullying can only be gained when they are differentiated from widely described colluvial hillslope gully models and theories. We present evidence of type examples of alluvial gullying in the Mitchell, and through analysis of their distribution and morphology at different scales, highlight some of the key mechanisms that are potentially initiating these features and driving their expansion. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Androgen‐regulated gastrin‐releasing peptide receptor expression in androgen‐dependent human prostate tumor xenografts
Authors: Schroeder Rogier P.J. , de Visser Monique , van Weerden Wytske M. , de Ridder Corrina M.A. , Reneman Suzanne , Melis Marleen , Breeman Wout A.P. , Krenning Eric P. , de Jong Marion 
Published: October 2009

AbstractHuman prostate cancer (PC) overexpresses the gastrin‐releasing peptide receptor (GRPR). Radiolabeled GRPR‐targeting analogs of bombesin (BN) have successfully been introduced as potential tracers for visualization and treatment of GRPR‐overexpressing tumors. A previous study showed GRPR‐mediated binding of radiolabeled BN analogs in androgen‐dependent but not in androgen‐independent xenografts representing the more advanced stages of PC. We have further investigated the effect of androgen modulation on GRPR‐expression in three androgen‐dependent human PC‐bearing xenografts: PC295, PC310 and PC82 using the androgen‐independent PC3‐model as a reference. Effects of androgen regulation on GRPR expression were initially studied on tumors obtained from our biorepository of xenograft tissues performing reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) and autoradiography (125I‐universal‐BN). A prospective biodistribution study (111In‐MP2653) and subsequent autoradiography (125I‐GRP and 111In‐MP2248) was than performed in castrated and testosterone resupplemented tumor‐bearing mice. For all androgen‐dependent xenografts, tumor uptake and binding decreased drastically after 7 days of castration. Resupplementation of testosterone to castrated animals restored GRPR expression extensively. Similar findings were concluded from the initial autoradiography and RT‐PCR studies. Results from RT‐PCR, for which human specific primers are used, indicate that variations in GRPR expression can be ascribed to mRNA downregulation and not to castration‐induced reduction in the epithelial fraction of the xenograft tumor tissue. In conclusion, expression of human GRPR in androgen‐dependent PC xenografts is reduced by androgen ablation and is reversed by restoring the hormonal status of the animals. This knowledge suggests that hormonal therapy may affect GRPR expression in PC tissue making GRPR‐based imaging and therapy especially suitable for non‐hormonally treated PC patients.
Expression of estrogen receptor alpha increases leptin‐induced STAT3 activity in breast cancer cells
Authors: Binai Nadine A. , Damert Annette , Carra Gert , Steckelbroeck Stephan , Löwer Johannes , Löwer Roswitha , Wessler Silja 
Published: October 2009

AbstractAdipositas correlates with an enhanced risk of developing malignant diseases such as breast cancer, endometrial tumor or prostate carcinoma, but the molecular basis for this is not well understood. Potential mechanisms include increased bioavailability of adipocytokines (e.g. leptin) and steroid hormones. Here, we investigated cross‐talk between ERα (estrogen receptor alpha) and leptin‐induced activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), a transactivator of important oncogenes. Upon leptin binding to its receptor Ob‐RL (obesity receptor), STAT3 tyrosine phosphorylation and transactivation activity were enhanced by simultaneously expressing ERα. Downregulation of ERα using small interfering RNA abolished leptin‐induced STAT3 phosphorylation. Interestingly, leptin‐mediated STAT3 activation was unaffected by co‐stimulation with the ERα ligands estradiol (E2) or estrogen antagonists ICI182,780 and tamoxifen, implying that enhancement of leptin‐mediated STAT3 activity is independent of ERα ligands. We also detected ERα binding to STAT3 and JAK2 (Janus kinase 2), resulting in enhanced JAK2 activity upstream of STAT3 in response to leptin that might lead to an increased ERα‐dependent cell viability. Altogether, our results indicate that leptin‐induced STAT3 activation acts as a key event in ERα‐dependent development of malignant diseases.
The anticancer effect of probiotic Bacillus polyfermenticus on human colon cancer cells is mediated through ErbB2 and ErbB3 inhibition
Authors: Ma Elise L. , Choi Yoon Jeong , Choi Jinyoung , Pothoulakis Charalabos , Rhee Sang Hoon , Im Eunok 
Published: October 2009

AbstractA wealth of data implicates that ErbB receptors have essential roles in tumor development. Probiotic bacteria are known to exert an anticancer activity in animal studies. Bacillus polyfermenticus (B.P.), a probiotic bacterium, has been clinically used for a variety of gastrointestinal disorders in East Asia. Here, we investigated the effect of B.P. on the growth of tumors and its putative mechanism of actions. Conditioned medium of B.P. cultures (B.P. CM) inhibited the growth of human colon cancer cells including HT‐29, DLD‐1 and Caco‐2 cells. Moreover, B.P. CM suppressed colony formation of HT‐29 cells cultured on soft agar and reduced carcinogen‐induced colony formation of normal colonocytes. Furthermore, data from the mouse xenograft model of human colon cancer cells showed reduced tumor size in B.P. CM‐injected mice when compared to E. coli conditioned medium‐injected mice. Exposure of B.P. CM to HT‐29 cells for 24 hr, 48 hr and 2 weeks reduced ErbB2 and ErbB3 protein expression as well as mRNA levels. Moreover, cyclin D1 expression that is required for ErbB‐dependent cell transformation was decreased by B.P. CM. Furthermore, transcription factor E2F‐1 that regulates cyclin D1 expression was also decreased by B.P. CM. These results show that B.P. inhibits tumor growth and its anticancer activity occurs, at least in part, through suppressing ErbB2 and ErbB3. Taken together, our study suggests that this probiotic may be clinically used as a prophylactic treatment to prevent colon cancer development.
Risk factors and survival by HPV‐16 E6 and E7 antibody status in human papillomavirus positive head and neck cancer
Authors: Smith Elaine M. , Pawlita Michael , Rubenstein Linda M. , Haugen Thomas H. , Hamsikova Eva , Turek Lubomir P. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractHigh‐risk human papillomavirus types (HPV‐HR) are associated with head and neck cancer (HNC) risk and better survival. Most patients with HPV‐HR DNA‐positive tumors develop anti‐HPV E6/E7 antibodies; however, it is unclear whether those who mount an immune response have similar risk factors or clinical outcomes as those who do not. HPV‐16 DNA tumor‐positive HNC cases were evaluated for HPV‐16 E6 and E7 antibodies using a GST capture ELISA system. Among 57 HPV‐16 DNA tumor‐positive HNC cases, 67% were detected with HPV‐16 E6 and/or E7 antibodies. Male gender (76% vs. 42%, p = 0.02), younger age (63% vs. 16%, p = 0.001) but not tobacco or alcohol were associated with E6 and/or E7 seropositivity. Seropositivity was associated more often with late stage (76%), poor grade (65%), positive nodes (82%). and in the oropharynx (82%), Median disease‐specific and recurrence‐free survival were longer in E6 and/or E7 seropositive compared to E6/E7‐negative cases (2.2 years vs. 1.4 years, both outcomes), although results were not statistically significant. When examined jointly with p16 expression, E6 and/or E7‐positive/p16‐positive cases had better disease‐specific (2.1 years vs. 1.1 years, p = 0.06) and recurrence‐free (2.3 years vs. 1.1 years, p = 0.03) survival compared to E6‐/E7‐/p16‐ cases. These findings suggest there are 2 distinct HNC patient groups with HPV DNA‐positive tumors, distinguishable by E6 and/or E7 antibody status. Differences in antibody status are associated with distinct risk factors and clinical outcomes. This information can be available as a simple blood test at initial presentation, before the removal of tissue through biopsy or surgery.
Controlled release of hepatocyte growth factor from a bovine acellular scaffold for vocal fold reconstruction
Authors: Xu Chet C. , Chan Roger W. , Weinberger Debra G. , Efune Guy , Pawlowski Karen S. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractA bovine acellular scaffold was found to facilitate tissue remodeling in a rat model of vocal fold injury, whereas hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) has been shown to have an antiscarring effect in the larynx. This study examined the loading and release kinetics of HGF in vitro, and the potential of the acellular scaffold as a timed‐release system for the delivery of HGF in vivo. Bilateral wounds were created in the posterior vocal folds of 20 rats, with HGF‐loaded acellular scaffolds implanted into the wounds unilaterally, and scaffolds without HGF implanted into the contralateral vocal folds as control. The rats were humanely sacrificed after 3, 7, 30, and 90 days and their larynges were examined histologically and immunohistochemically. Expressions of key matrix proteins in the vocal fold coronal sections were quantified by digital image analysis. Results demonstrated a gradual, sustained release of HGF for at least 7 days in vitro, consistent with the detection of glycosaminoglycans inherent of the scaffold. In rat vocal folds implanted with HGF‐loaded scaffolds, apparently fewer inflammatory cells were observed 3 days after surgery when compared to the control. The mean relative densities of collagen III and hyaluronic acid were significantly lower than those of the control 7 days after surgery. Scaffold implants were apparently degraded by 3 months in all animals, with no evidence of fibrosis or calcification. These data suggested that the bovine acellular scaffold could be promising for the exogenous delivery of select growth factors in vivo. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2010
Immunization with a DNA vaccine candidate in chronic hepatitis C patients is safe, well tolerated and does not impair immune response induction after anti‐hepatitis B vaccination
Authors: Castellanos Marlen , Cinza Zurina , Dorta Zaily , Veliz Gloria , Vega Héctor , Lorenzo Irma , Ojeda Sergio , Dueñas‐Carrera Santiago , Alvarez‐Lajonchere Liz , Martínez Gillian , Ferrer Elena , Limonta Miladys , Linares Marbelis , Ruiz Odalis , Acevedo Boris , Torres Dinorah , Márquez Gabriel , Herrera Luis , Arús Enrique 
Published: October 2009

AbstractBackgroundIn the present study, we evaluated the safety of CIGB‐230, a novel vaccine candidate based on the mixture of a plasmid for DNA immunization, expressing hepatitis C virus (HCV) structural antigens, with a recombinant HCV Core protein.MethodsFifteen HCV chronically‐infected volunteers with detectable levels of HCV RNA genotype 1b, who were nonresponders to previous treatment with interferon plus ribavirin, were intramuscularly injected with CIGB‐230 on weeks 0, 4, 8, 12, 16 and 20. Individuals were also immunized at weeks 28, 32 and 36 with a recombinant vaccine against hepatitis B. Adverse events were recorded and analyzed. Blood samples were taken every 4 weeks up to month 12 for hematological, biochemical, virological and immunological analysis.ResultsAll patients completed the treatment with CIGB‐230. Adverse events were only slight (83.6%) or moderate (16.4%). No significant differences in hematological and biochemical parameters, including serum aminotransferases, were detected between the baseline and post‐treatment state. Induction of a CD4+ T lymphocyte response against a particular region in HCV E1, spanning amino acids 230–312 in HCV polyprotein, was detected in 42.8% of patients during treatment with CIGB‐230. The ability of T cells to proliferate in response to mitogenic stimulation was not weakened. Most individuals (78.6%) were seroprotected after anti‐hepatitis B vaccination and 42.8% were hyper‐responders (antibody titers > 100 UI/ml). No anti‐mitochondrial, anti‐nuclear and anti‐extractable nuclear antigen antibodies were generated during immunization with CIGB‐230.ConclusionsVaccination with CIGB‐230 in HCV chronically‐infected individuals was safe, well tolerated and did not impair the ability to respond to non‐HCV antigens. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The journal Communications in Numerical Methods in Engineering with Biomedical Applications becomes the International Journal for Numerical Methods in Biomedical Engineering (IJNMBE) from 1st January 2010
Authors: Nithiarasu Perumal , Löhner Rainald 
Published: October 2009

AbstractCommunications in Numerical Methods in Engineering, founded by Roland W. Lewis in 1985, will change its title to the ‘International Journal for Numerical Methods in Biomedical Engineering’ and have a revised Aims and Scope. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Trends of precipitation over the Iberian Peninsula and the North Atlantic Oscillation under climate change conditions
Authors: Rodríguez‐Puebla Concepción , Nieto Susana 
Published: October 2009

AbstractThe trends of precipitation over the Iberian Peninsula (IP) and the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) index from December to March are compared using observations and model simulations from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project phase 3 (CMIP3). The evaluation is performed in two multi‐models as derived by averaging simulations corresponding to two experiments: one represents climate in the 20th century (20C3M) and the other the scenario with medium forcing IPCC SRES A1B in the 21st century. The NAO index shows a trend to more positive phases and precipitation tends to decrease in the case of observations, with greater significance in the NAO than in precipitation. The simulations in the 20th century underestimate the trend both in the NAO and in precipitation compared to observations. The multi‐model in the 21st century indicates a change in the NAO regimes to being more positive; this leads to a reduction of precipitation over the IP. To explain the precipitation trend changes we consider the response of precipitation to the NAO, the regression between sea level pressure (SLP) over the Euro‐Atlantic area onto precipitation averaged over the IP and the composite of precipitation for years with greater and lower NAO. Copyright © 2009 Royal Meteorological Society
Interannual variability in the subseasonal northward excursion of the Baiu front
Authors: Tomita Tomohiko , Nonaka Masami , Yamaura Tsuyoshi 
Published: October 2009

AbstractThe Baiu front, a quasi‐stationary front that appears in early boreal summer near the northwestern rim of the subtropical Pacific high, shows interannual variability characterised by polarity changes in precipitation anomalies during the subseasonal northward excursion in the western North Pacific (WNP). These changes are forced by motion over the fixed surface divergence/convergence anomalies in the WNP, which are regulated by the atmospheric bridge or the Pacific–East Asian (PEA) teleconnection. The PEA teleconnection is caused by the tropical sea surface temperature anomalies (SSTAs) associated with the El Niño/Southern Oscillation. The upper ocean mixed layer depth (MLD) is crucial in regulating the SSTAs in the WNP. In the tropical WNP (lower than 20°N), the large MLD (and hence large heat capacity in the upper ocean) can maintain the SSTAs for about half‐a‐year. In the mid‐latitude WNP (higher than 20°N), the development of the seasonal thermocline in early summer reduces the heat capacity, whereas the atmospheric variation modifies the SSTAs within a season. The MLD is regarded as an important parameter that controls the strength and time scale of the air–sea feedback, and the latitude of 20°N approximately separates regions where the oceanic thermal properties are active or passive for the early‐summer atmospheric circulations in the WNP. Copyright © 2009 Royal Meteorological Society
Grazing‐induced alterations of soil hydraulic properties and functions in Inner Mongolia, PR China
Authors: Krümmelbein Julia , Peth Stephan , Zhao Ying , Horn Rainer 
Published: October 2009

AbstractIncreasing grazing intensities of sheep and goats can lead to an increasing degradation of grasslands. We investigated four plots of different grazing intensities (heavily grazed, winter‐grazed, ungrazed since 1999, and ungrazed since 1979) in Inner Mongolia, PR China, in order to study the effects of trampling‐induced mechanical stresses on soil hydraulic properties. Soil water transport and effective evapotranspiration under “heavily grazed” and “ungrazed since 1979” were modeled using the HYDRUS‐1D model. Model calibration was conducted using data collected from field studies. The field data indicate that grazing decreases soil C content and hydrophobicity. Pore volume is reduced, and water‐retention characteristics are modified, the saturated hydraulic conductivity decreases, and its anisotropy (vertical vs. horizontal conductivity) is influenced. Modeling results revealed higher evapotranspiration on the ungrazed site (ungrazed since 1979) compared to the grazed site (heavily grazed) due to wetter soil conditions, more dense vegetation, litter cover, and decreased runoff and drainage, respectively. Grazing modified the partitioning of evapotranspiration with lower transpiration and higher evaporation at the grazed site owing to reduced root water uptake due to reduced evaporation and a patchy soil cover.
Cooperative multimodal retention of IgG, fragments, and aggregates on hydroxyapatite
Authors: Gagnon Pete , Cheung Chia‐Wei , Yazaki Paul J. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractRetention mapping of chimeric monoclonal IgG1, Fc, Fab, F(ab′)2, and aggregated antibody was conducted on hydroxyapatite (HA) by systematically varying phosphate and chloride concentrations during gradient elution in order to characterize the interactions of each solute with calcium and phosphate residues on the solid phase. Lysozyme was used as a control to model cation exchange‐dominant interactions. Bovine serum albumin was used as a control for calcium affinity‐dominant interactions. Calcium affinity and phosphoryl cation exchange were positively cooperative for IgG‐related species. Fc retention was dominated by calcium affinity, while retention of Fab was dominated by cation exchange. F(ab′)2 exhibited a curve shape similar to Fab, but stronger retention. The retention curve for intact IgG incorporated the distinctive elements of its fragments but stronger retention than that predicted by their addition to one another. Aggregate retention paralleled the curve for non‐aggregated antibody, with stronger retention by both binding mechanisms. Experimental data revealed evidence of charge repulsion between IgG carboxyls and HA phosphate at low conductivity values. Electrostatic repulsion of amino residues and attraction of carboxyls by HA calcium appeared to be blocked by strong complexation of calcium with mobile phase phosphate.
Organic–inorganic hybrid silica as supporting matrices for selective recognition of bovine hemoglobin via covalent immobilization
Authors: Lin Zian , Yang Fan , He Xiwen , Zhang Yukui 
Published: October 2009

AbstractThe synthesis of poly‐aminophenylboronic acid (APBA) imprinted hybrid silica‐based polymers for selective recognition of bovine hemoglobin (BHb) was described, where the mesoporous hybrid silica supporting matrices were prepared by a mild sol–gel process with tetraethoxysilane and 3‐aminopropyltriethoxysilane as two precursors. Covalent immobilization of BHb was adopted in order to create homogeneous recognition sites. After removal of the template, the resulting imprinted polymers showed high binding affinity toward BHb and the imprinting factor (α) reached 2.12. The specificity of the BHb recognition was evaluated with competitive experiments, indicating the imprinted polymers have a higher selectivity for the template BHb. The easy preparation protocol and good protein recognition properties made the approach an attractive solution to depletion of high‐abundance protein from bovine blood.
Characterization of the yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis) volatile fraction using solid‐phase microextraction‐comprehensive 2‐D GC‐MS
Authors: Purcaro Giorga , Tranchida Peter Q. , Jacques Rosângela Assis , Caramão Elina Bastos , Moret Sabrina , Conte Lanfranco , Dugo Paola , Dugo Giovanni , Mondello Luigi 
Published: October 2009

AbstractThe present research is focused on the use of a solid‐phase microextraction‐comprehensive 2‐D GC methodology, in the analysis of the volatile fraction of yerba mate. Yerba mate is used for the generation of a tea‐like beverage, widely consumed in South America. A rapid‐scanning quadrupole mass spectrometer (qMS), employed as a detection system and operated at a 25 Hz scanning frequency, supplied high‐quality mass spectra. The effectiveness of the 3‐D comprehensive 2‐D GC‐qMS experiment was compared to that of GC‐qMS analysis on the same sample. Peak identification, in both applications, was achieved through MS library matching, with the support of linear retention index data. Apart from a great increase in the number of analytes separated (approx. by a factor of 5) and identified (approx. by a factor of 3.5), the comprehensive 2‐D GC‐qMS approach enabled the determination of a high number of hazardous contaminants (aliphatic hydrocarbons, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and plasticizers), barely visible in the GC‐qMS analysis.