bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of patterned Artemisia capillaris on overland flow velocity under simulated rainfall
Authors: Zhang Guanhua , Liu Guobin , Wang Guoliang , Wang Yuxia 
Published: April 2012

AbstractVegetation cover is an important factor for erosion control. Laboratory‐simulated rainfall experiments were conducted to quantify the effectiveness of patchy distributed Artemisia capillaris in retarding overland flow velocity. Simulated storms (60, 90, 120, and 150 mm h−1) were applied on a bare plot (CK) and four different plant patterns, a banded pattern perpendicular to the slope direction (BP), a single long strip parallel to slope direction (LP), small patches distributed like a checkerboard (SP1), and small patches distributed like a letter “X” (SP2). All treatments had three replicates. Each plot underwent two sets of experiments, intact plant plots and root plots (the above‐ground parts were removed, only roots were reserved), respectively. Results showed that flow velocity increased with rainfall intensity, and the lower slope velocity (Vl) was higher than the upper slope velocity (Vu). The removal of grass shoots increased flow velocity. Compared with bare soil plot, intact plants reduced mean flow velocity by 14%–60%, whereas the reduction declined to <40% for the root plots. BP and both SP treatments performed more effectively than LP in retarding flow velocity, whereas no significant differences were identified between BP and SP. The contributions of A. capillaris shoots and roots to the reductions in flow velocity under different rainfall intensities were different. The shoots made greater contribution of 53%–97% at 60 and 90 mm h–1, and the roots contributed more (51%–81%) at 120 and 150 mm h–1. Runoff and sediment rate had significant (p < 0.05) linear correlations with mean flow velocity. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Spatial distribution and temporal trends of mean precipitation and extremes in the arid region, northwest of China, during 1960–2010
Authors: Wang Huaijun , Chen Yaning , Chen Zhongsheng 
Published: April 2012

AbstractOn the basis of daily precipitation records at 76 meteorological stations in the arid region, northwest of China, the spatial and temporal distribution of mean precipitation and extremes were analysed during 1960–2010. The Mann–Kendall trend test and linear least square method were utilized to detect monotonic trends and magnitudes in annual and seasonal mean precipitation and extremes. The results obtained indicate that both the mean precipitation and the extremes have increased except in consecutive dry days, which showed the opposite trend. The changes in amplitude of both mean precipitation and extremes show seasonal variability. On an annual basis, the number of rain days (R0.1) has significantly increased. Meanwhile, the precipitation intensity as reflected by simple daily intensity index (SDII), number of heavy precipitation days (R10), very wet days (R95p), max 1‐day precipitation amount (RX1day) and max 5‐day precipitation amount (RX5day) has also significantly increased. This suggests that the precipitation increase in the arid region is due to the increase in both precipitation frequency and intensity. Trends in extremes are very highly correlated with mean trends of precipitation. The spatial correlation between trends in extremes and trends in the mean is stronger for winter (DJF) than for annual and other seasons. The regional annual and seasonal precipitation and extremes are observed the step jump in mean in the late 1980s. Overall, the results of this study are good indicators of local climate change, which will definitely enhance human mitigation to natural hazards caused by precipitation extremes. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Studies of a regulated dryland river: surface–groundwater interactions
Authors: McDonald Alyson K. , Sheng Zhuping , Hart Charles R. , Wilcox Bradford P. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractUnlike rivers in humid regions, dryland rivers typically exhibit reduced flow in the downstream direction as a result of transmission losses, which include seepage of streamflow into the aquifer, evaporation, and transpiration. However, much remains to be learned about the nature of the exchange between surface water and groundwater in these landscapes, especially in terms of spatial and temporal variability. Our study focused on streambank seepage and groundwater flow in the alluvial aquifer, specifically on answering questions such as: Is there seasonal variability in seepage losses? Is seepage permanently lost? Can losses be reduced by killing riparian vegetation? To better understand the magnitude, variability, and fate of streambank seepage, we assessed river stages, groundwater hydraulic gradients, and groundwater flow paths at two sites along a reach of the Pecos River, a dryland perennial river in West Texas. We found that along this reach the river was losing water to the aquifer even under low‐flow conditions; but seepage was controlled by a number of different mechanisms. Seepage increased not only during high‐flow events but also when the groundwater level was declining owing to long periods of no irrigation release. Tamarix (saltcedar) control did not affect hydraulic gradients nor reduce streambank seepage and given that this reach of the Pecos River is a losing one, streamflow will not be enhanced by controlling saltcedar. These findings can be used to improve basic conceptual models of dryland river systems and to predict hydrologic responses to changes in the timing and magnitude of streamflows and to riparian vegetation management. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Susceptibility variants for obesity and colorectal cancer risk: The multiethnic cohort and PAGE studies
Authors: Lim Unhee , Wilkens Lynne R. , Monroe Kristine R. , Caberto Christian , Tiirikainen Maarit , Cheng Iona , Park Sungshim Lani , Stram Daniel O. , Henderson Brian E. , Kolonel Laurence N. , Haiman Christopher A. , Le Marchand Loïc 
Published: April 2012

AbstractObesity is a leading contributor to colorectal cancer risk. We investigated whether the risk variants identified in genome‐wide association studies of body mass index (BMI) and waist size are associated with colorectal cancer risk, independently of the effect of obesity phenotype due to a shared etiology. Twenty‐four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 15 loci (BDNF, FAIM2, FTO, GNPDA2, KCTD15, LYPLAL1, MC4R, MSRA, MTCH2, NEGR1, NRXN3, SEC16B, SH2B1, TFAP2B and TMEM18) were genotyped in a case–control study of 2,033 colorectal cancer cases and 9,640 controls nested within the multiethnic cohort study, as part of the population architecture using genomics and epidemiology consortium. Risk alleles for two obesity SNPs were associated with colorectal cancer risk—KCTD15 rs29941 [odds ratio (OR) for C allele = 0.90, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.83–0.98; p = 0.01] and MC4R rs17782313 (OR for C allele = 1.12, 95% CI 1.02–1.22; p = 0.02). These associations were independent of the effect of BMI. However, none of the results remained significant after adjustment for multiple comparisons. No heterogeneity was observed across race/ethnic groups. Our findings suggest that the obesity risk variants are not likely to affect the risk of colorectal cancer substantially.
Association of time since last birth, age at first birth and parity with breast cancer survival among parous women: A register‐based study from Norway
Authors: Alsaker Mirjam D.K. , Opdahl Signe , Romundstad Pål R. , Vatten Lars J. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractReproductive factors that have a well‐documented effect on breast cancer risk may also influence the prognosis of the disease, but previous studies on breast cancer survival have yielded conflicting results. We combined information from two population‐based registries and obtained information on 16,970 parous women with invasive breast cancer. Cox regression analysis was used to assess breast cancer survival in relation to age at diagnosis, age at first birth, time since last birth and parity. We stratified the analyses by age at diagnosis (<50 and ≥50 years) as an approximation for menopausal age. In women diagnosed before 50 years of age, breast cancer survival was reduced with younger age at diagnosis (p for trend <0.001), whereas in women diagnosed at 50 years or later, survival was reduced with older age at diagnosis (p for trend 0.011). For breast cancer diagnosed before 50 years, survival was poorer in women with four or more births compared to women with one or two births (hazard ratio 1.3, 95% confidence interval 1.1–1.6). A short time since last birth was associated with reduced survival (p for trend 0.05), but adjustment for stage and grade attenuated the association. Among women diagnosed at 50 years or later, we found no association with survival for any of the reproductive factors. In summary, reproductive factors were associated with survival from breast cancer diagnosed before but not after age 50 years. Young women had a particularly poor prognosis throughout the study period.
The circadian clock gene BMAL1 is a novel therapeutic target for malignant pleural mesothelioma
Authors: Elshazley Momen , Sato Mitsuo , Hase Tetsunari , Yamashita Ryo , Yoshida Kenya , Toyokuni Shinya , Ishiguro Futoshi , Osada Hirotaka , Sekido Yoshitaka , Yokoi Kohei , Usami Noriyasu , Shames David S. , Kondo Masashi , Gazdar Adi F. , Minna John D. , Hasegawa Yoshinori 
Published: April 2012

AbstractMalignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a highly aggressive neoplasm arising from the mesothelial cells lining the parietal pleura and it exhibits poor prognosis. Although there has been significant progress in MPM treatment, development of more efficient therapeutic approaches is needed. BMAL1 is a core component of the circadian clock machinery and its constitutive overexpression in MPM has been reported. Here, we demonstrate that BMAL1 may serve as a molecular target for MPM. The majority of MPM cell lines and a subset of MPM clinical specimens expressed higher levels of BMAL1 compared to a nontumorigenic mesothelial cell line (MeT‐5A) and normal parietal pleural specimens, respectively. A serum shock induced a rhythmical BMAL1 expression change in MeT‐5A but not in ACC‐MESO‐1, suggesting that the circadian rhythm pathway is deregulated in MPM cells. BMAL1 knockdown suppressed proliferation and anchorage‐dependent and independent clonal growth in two MPM cell lines (ACC‐MESO‐1 and H290) but not in MeT‐5A. Notably, BMAL1 depletion resulted in cell cycle disruption with a substantial increase in apoptotic and polyploidy cell population in association with downregulation of Wee1, cyclin B and p21WAF1/CIP1 and upregulation of cyclin E expression. BMAL1 knockdown induced mitotic catastrophe as denoted by disruption of cell cycle regulators and induction of drastic morphological changes including micronucleation and multiple nuclei in ACC‐MESO‐1 cells that expressed the highest level of BMAL1. Taken together, these findings indicate that BMAL1 has a critical role in MPM and could serve as an attractive therapeutic target for MPM.
Novel therapy for therapy‐resistant mantle cell lymphoma: Multipronged approach with targeting of hedgehog signaling
Authors: Hegde Ganapati V. , Nordgren Tara M. , Munger Corey M. , Mittal Amit K. , Bierman Philip J. , Weisenburger Dennis D. , Vose Julie M. , Sharp J. Graham , Joshi Shantaram S. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractMantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is one of the most aggressive B‐cell lymphomas with a median patient survival of only 5–7 years. The failure of existing therapies is mainly due to disease relapse when therapy‐resistant tumor cells remain after chemotherapy. Therefore, development and testing of novel therapeutic strategies to target these therapy‐resistant MCL are needed. Here, we developed an in vivo model of therapy‐resistant MCL by transplanting a patient‐derived MCL cell line (Granta 519) into NOD/SCID mice followed by treatment with combination chemotherapy. Cytomorphologic, immunophenotypic, in vitro and in vivo growth analyses of these therapy‐resistant MCL cells confirm their MCL origin and resistance to chemotherapy. Moreover, quantitative real‐time PCR revealed the upregulation of GLI transcription factors, which are mediators of the hedgehog signaling pathway, in these therapy‐resistant MCL cells. Therefore, we developed an effective therapeutic strategy for resistant MCL by treating the NOD/SCID mice bearing Granta 519 MCL with CHOP chemotherapy to reduce tumor burden combined with GLI‐antisense oligonucleotides or bortezomib, a proteosome inhibitor, to target therapy‐resistant MCL cells that remained after chemotherapy. This regimen was followed by treatment with MCL‐specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes to eliminate all detectable leftover minimal residual disease. Mice treated with this strategy showed a significantly increased survival and decreased tumor burden compared to the mice in all other groups. Such therapeutic strategies that combine chemotherapy with targeted therapy followed by tumor‐specific immunotherapy are effective and have excellent potential for clinical application to provide long‐term, disease‐free survival in MCL patients.
ATRP with Alkyl Pseudohalides Acting as Initiators and Chain Transfer Agents: When ATRP and RAFT Polymerization Become One
Authors: Nicolaÿ Renaud , Kwak Yungwan 
Published: April 2012

AbstractAll controlled radical polymerization (CRP) procedures rely on a dynamic and rapid equilibrium between dormant and active species. This equilibrium can be established through different mechanisms and all the resulting CRP processes have their own advantages and limitations. Therefore, it becomes interesting to investigate the possibility of combining CRP techniques to eliminate specific drawbacks of each individual procedure. Atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) with alkyl pseudohalides acting as initiators and chain transfer agents was developed for that purpose. The process relies on a dual mechanism involving both activationdeactivation and reversible additionfragmentation chain transfer (RAFT). This peculiar characteristic of ATRP with alkyl pseudohalides acting as chain transfer agents made it possible to overcome some of the limitations typically associated with conventional ATRP and RAFT polymerization as well as to prepare new responsive materials.
Assessment on pollution of ochratoxin a in grain in China and its apoptosis effect on vitro‐cultured human tubular kidney cells
Authors: Li Zengning , Zhang Xianghong , Cui Jinfeng , Kang Weijun 
Published: April 2012

AbstractOchratoxin A (OTA) is nephrotoxic, immunosuppressive, and teratogenic in many species and is a possible human carcinogen. In this study, we investigated the OTA pollution situations of grains in northern China and the signaling pathway that mediated OTA‐induced apoptosis in human tubular kidney cells (HKCs). Samples of grains collected from three representative areas were determined by using high‐performance liquid chromatography fluorescence method. The effects of OTA on cell apoptosis, caspase‐3, Bax, and Bcl‐2 expression, and phosphorylation of c‐Jun NH2 terminal kinase (JNK) were detected in cultured HKCs via flow cytometry (FCM), Hoechst 33258 staining, and Western blot. It showed that OTA pollution of edible grains was very common in north China. OTA could affect caspase‐3, Bax, and Bcl‐2 expression and increased cell apoptosis in cultured HKCs. The JNK signalling pathway might play an important role during these cellular events. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 26:139–146, 2012; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/jbt.20420
Functional heterogeneity of mesenchymal stem cells: Implications for cell therapy
Authors: Phinney Donald G. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractThe term mesenchymal stem cell (MSCs) was adopted in the 1990s to describe a population of bone‐marrow‐derived cells that demonstrated the capacity for tri‐lineage differentiation at a clonal level. Research conducted during the ensuing decades has demonstrated that MSCs fulfill many functions in addition to connective tissue progenitors including contributing to the HSC niche and regulating the function of immune effector cells of both the innate and adaptive immune system. Despite these advances, fundamental aspects of MSC biology remain indeterminate. For example, the embryonic origin of MSCs and their niche in vivo remains a highly debated topic. More importantly, the mechanisms that regulate self‐renewal and lineage specification have also been largely unexplored. The later is significant in that MSC population's exhibit considerable donor‐to‐donor and intra‐population heterogeneity but knowledge regarding how different functional attributes of MSCs are specified at the population level is unknown. This poses significant obstacles in research and in efforts to develop clinical manufacturing protocols that reproducibly generate functionally equivalent MSC populations. Herein, I discuss data demonstrating that MSC populations are intrinsically heterogeneous, elaborate on the molecular basis for this heterogeneity, and discuss how heterogeneity impacts clinical manufacturing and the therapeutic potency of MSCs. J. Cell. Biochem. 113: 2806–2812, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Influence of smoking cessation on carotid artery wall elasticity evaluated by echo‐tracking
Authors: Zhang Pu , Guo Ruijun , Xiao Dan , Chu Shuilian , Gong Lihuan , Zhang Chunmei , Jing Baihua , Li Mingqiu 
Published: April 2012

AbstractObjective.Exploring the use of echo‐tracking (ET) for evaluating changes in carotid artery wall elasticity after smoking cessation.Methods.Carotid artery ultrasound examination was performed in 67 male patients before and after smoking cessation treatment, for measurement of intimal media thickness (IMT), and ET measurement of wall elasticity variables, ie, wall stiffness index (β), pressure‐strain elastic modulus (Ep), compliance (AC), augmentation index (AI), and local pulse wave velocity (PWVβ). We also measured heart rate (HR), systolic pressure (Ps), diastolic pressure (Pd), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride level (TG), low‐density lipoprotein (LDL), and high‐density lipoprotein (HDL).Results.Hyperlipemia and/or arterial hypertension and/or hyperglycemia were absent in 22 (group A1) and 12 (group B1) and present in 19 (group A2) and 14 (group B2) of the patients with successful (group A, n = 41) and unsuccessful (group B, n = 26) treatment, respectively. In the A1 group, there was no significant difference in AI before and after smoking cessation, whereas β, Ep, and PWVβ decreased, and AC increased (p< 0.05). None of these variables changed after smoking cessation in groups A2, B1, and B2. There was no change in IMT in either group. HR decreased and HDL increased in the A1 group, without change in Ps, Pd, TC, TG, and LDL. There was no change in HR, Ps, Pd, TC, TG, LDL, and HDL in groups A2, B1, and B2.Conclusions.ET can be used to evaluate quantitatively the impact of smoking cessation on common carotid artery wall elasticity. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound, 2012
Identification of ages and determination of paeoniflorin in roots of Paeonia lactiflora Pall. From four producing areas based on growth rings
Authors: Zha Liang‐Ping , Cheng Ming‐En , Peng Hua‐Sheng 
Published: April 2012

AbstractGrowth rings were used to determine the root age of medicinal Paeonia lactiflora from four producing areas, and their corresponding paeoniflorin content were measured based on the identification of ages. Different P. lactiflora root samples of different ages were collected from the four major growing areas in China: Bozhou, Anhui Province; Pan'an, Zhejiang Province; Zhongjiang, Sichuan Province; and Heze, Shandong Province. The relationship between the number of growth rings and age was analyzed using hand sections and paraffin sections. The paeoniflorin content in the roots of different P. lactiflora cultivars from different growing areas was measured using high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The growth rings in the P. lactiflora roots were consistent with the age of the plant from Heze, Zhongjiang, Pan'an, whereas that for the P. lactiflora from Bozhou was one less than the age of the plant. The HPLC results show that the paeoniflorin content was highest in P. lactiflora ‘Baihuachuanshaoyao,’ followed by ‘Baihuahangshaoyao,’ ‘Honghuachuanshaoyao,’ and ‘Honghuahangshaoyao,’ ‘Bozhoushaoyao’ had the lowest levels of paeoniflorin. With increasing age, the paeoniflorin in the roots of the different P.lactiflora cultivars slowly declined or remained the same. In summary, the age of the roots of P. lactiflora from different growing areas can be determined using growth rings. The paeoniflorin content in the roots of P. lactiflora is correlated with cultivar and it was slowly declined with increasing age. Microsc. Res. Tech. 75:1191–1196, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Comparing dry ashing and wet oxidation methods. The case of the rice husk (Oryza sativa L.)
Authors: Sun Xiuping , Wu Yan , Wang Changsui , Hill David V. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractExperiments were conducted to determine the effects that different methods for the preparation of modern plant samples have on the resulting phytoliths using rice husks (Oryza sp.). The methods that are commonly used in phytolith extraction include (1) dry ashing, (2) acid extraction (3) a combination of both techniques. The results showed that processing methods have an impact on the morphology of two subspecies of rice phytoliths, dry ashing producing more conjoined cell phytoliths or multicells phytoliths than acid extraction. Using a combination of both methods resulted in the presence of fewer conjoined cells than dry ashing alone, but more conjoined cells than acid extraction. Alternative explanations are proposed to explain the formation of conjoined phytolith cells. Microsc. Res. Tech. 75:1272–1276, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Walking, Paddling, Waddling: 3D Kinematics Anatidae Locomotion (Callonetta leucophrys)
Authors: PROVINI PAULINE , GOUPIL PIERRE , HUGEL VINCENT , ABOURACHID ANICK 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACTWalking and paddling motions were studied in a semiaquatic bird, the ringed teal (Callonetta leucophrys), to investigate the motions associated with movements in two environments with radically divergent physical properties. A three‐dimensional (3D) kinematic reconstruction based on nonsynchronous biplanar cineradiographic data was used to quantify the 3D trajectories of the body and hind limb segments. Our study revealed that two subsystems interact to provide propulsion in water and on land. During paddling, the trunk, the femur, and the tibiotarsus are in a stable position and play the role of the hull. The femur and tibiotarsus are positioned laterally and parasagittaly and the intertarsal joint is fixed and positioned caudally allowing large amplitude movements of the “paddle” (tarsometatarsus and palmate foot). During walking, the center of mass is held above the medially oriented foot, providing stability during the single support phase. During stance, the foot is medially oriented because of the lateral and parasagittal positions of the tibiotarsus and tarsometatarsus during both walking and paddling. This position of the foot during walking imposes trunk translation and results in the typical waddling motion of Anatidae. This study provides new insights into how waddling motion relates to semiaquatic birds’ ability to move in both terrestrial and aquatic environments. J. Exp. Zool. 317:275–282, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.