bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of repeated fertilization in a young spruce stand in central British Columbia
Authors: Brockley R. P. 
Published: September 2010

Sustained growth responses and large reductions in rotation length can be achieved by repeatedly fertilizing young boreal forests. This paper reports the effects of different regimes and frequencies of fertilization on the foliar nutrition and growth of 10-year-old sub-boreal white spruce ( Picea glauca (Moench) Voss) in central British Columbia. Mean stand volume in treatment plots fertilized twice (at 6-year intervals) with N and B (totaling 400 kg N/ha and 3 kg B/ha) was 20 m3/ha (75%) greater than in the unfertilized control at year 12. Significantly larger stand volume gains (34 m3/ha, 128%) were obtained when S (totaling 100 kg S/ha) was added to this treatment. The inclusion of other nutrients (P, K, and Mg) with N, S, and B did not result in further incremental growth gains. When combined with other nutrients, yearly applications of 100–200 kg N/ha (totaling 1600 kg N/ha) produced 74 m3/ha (277%) more volume compared with the unfertilized stand at year 12. The large effects of fertilization on stand growth were accompanied by large increases in leaf area. Results indicate that repeated fertilization of young sub-boreal spruce forests may offer an excellent opportunity to increase fibre yield and reduce rotation length.
Targeting the α Receptor for Platelet-Derived Growth Factor as a Primary or Combination Therapy in a Preclinical Model of Prostate Cancer Skeletal Metastasis
Authors: Russell Mike R. , Liu Qingxin , Fatatis Alessandro 
Published: September 2010

Abstract
Purpose: Platelet-derived growth factor α (PDGFRα) is highly expressed in primary prostate cancer and associated skeletal metastases. Here, we tested whether targeting this receptor could impair metastatic colonization and progression, as well as prolong survival, either as primary or as combination therapy.
Experimental Design: We used a preclinical animal model of metastasis in which PC3-ML human prostate cancer cells are inoculated directly in the blood circulation. First, the humanized, monoclonal antibody IMC-3G3 was administered to mice bearing established skeletal metastases. Second, we targeted the stromal PDGFRα with IMC-1E10, an antibody specific for the murine receptor. Third, IMC-3G3 and the bisphosphonate zoledronic acid (ZA), administered separately or in combination, were tested on the progression of skeletal lesions and overall survival. In addition, the ability of IMC-3G3 and ZA to impair initial colonization of the bone marrow by prostate cancer cells was investigated.
Results: The blockade of PDGFRα on prostate cancer cells by IMC-3G3 reduces the size of established skeletal metastases, whereas the IMC-1E10 antibody directed against the stromal PDGFRα fails to inhibit metastatic progression. IMC-3G3 and ZA, either separately or in combination, significantly slow tumor growth and seem to prolong survival. Lastly, the blockade of PDGFRα by IMC-3G3 inhibits the initial phase of bone colonization, whereas ZA is ineffective at this stage.
Conclusion: This study presents compelling evidence that targeting PDGFRα with IMC-3G3 delays the progression of early metastatic foci and reduces the size of more established lesions. In addition, IMC-3G3, either alone or in combination with ZA, prolongs survival in animal models. Clin Cancer Res; 16(20); 5002–10. ©2010 AACR.
Linguistic and Human Effects on F₀ in a Tonal Dialect of Qiang
Authors: Evans Jonathan , Chu Man-ni , Aston John A.D. , Su Chao-yu 
Published: September 2010

Abstract
While both human and linguistic factors affect fundamental frequency (F₀) in spoken language, capturing the influence of multiple effects and their interactions presents special challenges, especially when there are strict time constraints on the data-gathering process. A lack of speaker literacy can further impede the collection of identical utterances across multiple speakers. This study employs linear mixed effects analysis to elucidate how various effects and their interactions contribute to the production of F₀ in Luobuzhai, a tonal dialect of the Qiang language. In addition to the effects of speaker sex and tone, F₀ in this language is affected by previous and following tones, sentence type, vowel, position in the phrase, and by numerous combinations of these effects. Under less than ideal data collecting conditions, a single experiment was able to yield an extensive model of F₀ output in an endangered language of the Himalayas.
Inhibition of Elevated Ca2+/Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase II Improves Contractility in Human Failing Myocardium
Authors: Sossalla Samuel , Fluschnik Nina , Schotola Hanna , Ort Katharina R. , Neef Stefan , Schulte Timo , Wittköpper Katrin , Renner André , Schmitto Jan D. , Gummert Jan , El-Armouche Ali , Hasenfuss Gerd , Maier Lars S. 
Published: September 2010

Rationale:Heart failure (HF) is known to be associated with increased Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (CaMK)II expression and activity. There is still controversial discussion about the functional role of CaMKII in HF. Moreover, CaMKII inhibition has never been investigated in human myocardium.Objective:We sought to investigate detailed CaMKIIδ expression in end-stage failing human hearts (dilated and ischemic cardiomyopathy) and the functional effects of CaMKII inhibition on contractility.Methods and Results:Expression analysis revealed that CaMKIIδ, both cytosolic δCand nuclear δBsplice variants, were significantly increased in both right and left ventricles from patients with dilated or ischemic cardiomyopathy versus nonfailing. Experiments with isometrically twitching trabeculae revealed significantly improved force frequency relationships in the presence of CaMKII inhibitors (KN-93 and AIP). Increased postrest twitches after CaMKII inhibition indicated an improved sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+loading. This was confirmed in isolated myocytes by a reduced SR Ca2+spark frequency and hence SR Ca2+leak, resulting in increased SR Ca2+load when inhibiting CaMKII. Ryanodine receptor type 2 phosphorylation at Ser2815, which is known to be phosphorylated by CaMKII thereby contributing to SR Ca2+leak, was found to be markedly reduced in KN-93–treated trabeculae. Interestingly, CaMKII inhibition did not influence contractility in nonfailing sheep trabeculae.Conclusions:The present study shows for the first time that CaMKII inhibition acutely improves contractility in human HF where CaMKIIδ expression is increased. The mechanism proposed consists of a reduced SR Ca2+leak and consequently increased SR Ca2+load. Thus, CaMKII inhibition appears to be a possible therapeutic option for patients with HF and merits further investigation.
Polarimetric Attenuation Correction in Heavy Rain at C Band
Authors: Gu Ji-Young , Ryzhkov A. , Zhang P. , Neilley P. , Knight M. , Wolf B. , Lee Dong-In 
Published: September 2010

Abstract
The ability of C-band polarimetric radar to account for strong attenuation/differential attenuation is demonstrated in two cases of heavy rain that occurred in the Chicago, Illinois, metropolitan area on 5 August 2008 and in central Oklahoma on 10 March 2009. The performance of the polarimetric attenuation correction scheme that separates relative contributions of “hot spots” (i.e., strong convective cells) and the rest of the storm to the path-integrated total and differential attenuation has been explored. It is shown that reliable attenuation correction is possible if the radar signal is attenuated by as much as 40 dB. Examination of the experimentally derived statistics of the ratios of specific attenuation Ah and differential attenuation ADP to specific differential phase KDP in hot spots is included in this study. It is shown that these ratios at C band are highly variable within the hot spots. Validation of the attenuation correction algorithm at C band has been performed through cross-checking with S-band radar measurements that were much less affected by attenuation. In the case of the Oklahoma storm, a comparison was made between the data collected by closely located C-band and S-band polarimetric radars.
Satellite Sampling and Retrieval Errors in Regional Monthly Rain Estimates from TMI, AMSR-E, SSM/I, AMSU-B, and the TRMM PR
Authors: Fisher Brad , Wolff David B. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractPassive and active microwave rain sensors on board Earth-orbiting satellites estimate monthly rainfall from the instantaneous rain statistics collected during satellite overpasses. It is well known that climate-scale rain estimates from meteorological satellites incur sampling errors resulting from the process of discrete temporal sampling and statistical averaging. Sampling and retrieval errors ultimately become entangled in the estimation of the mean monthly rain rate. The sampling component of the error budget effectively introduces statistical noise into climate-scale rain estimates that obscures the error component associated with the instantaneous rain retrieval. Estimating the accuracy of the retrievals on monthly scales therefore necessitates a decomposition of the total error budget into sampling and retrieval error quantities. This paper presents results from a statistical evaluation of the sampling and retrieval errors for five different spaceborne rain sensors on board nine orbiting satellites. Using an error decomposition methodology developed by one of the authors, sampling and retrieval errors were estimated at 0.25° resolution within 150 km of ground-based weather radars located at Kwajalein, Marshall Islands, and Melbourne, Florida. Error and bias statistics were calculated according to the land, ocean, and coast classifications of the surface terrain mask developed for the Goddard Profiling (GPROF) rain algorithm. Variations in the comparative error statistics are attributed to various factors related to differences in the swath geometry of each rain sensor, the orbital and instrument characteristics of the satellite, and the regional climatology. The most significant result from this study found that each of the satellites incurred negative long-term oceanic retrieval biases of 10%–30%.
Visual metacontrast masking in migraine
Authors: Shepherd Alex J , Wyatt Geddes , Tibber Marc S 
Published: September 2010

Background: In visual metacontrast masking, the visibility of a brief target stimulus can be reduced substantially if it is preceded (forward masking) or followed (backward masking) by a non-overlapping mask. These effects have been attributed to inhibitory processes within the visual system. Two previous studies have used metacontrast masking to assess inhibitory function in migraine and control groups, however, each used different types of masking and obtained different results. Subjects and Methods: Forward, backward and combined forward and backward masking were compared in migraine (15 with visual aura, 15 without) and control ( n = 15) groups. Baseline trials were also included (target only). Results: For all types of masking, both migraine groups were more accurate than the control group. When performance for the masking trials was expressed relative to baseline, however, there were no significant group differences. Performance in certain conditions nevertheless correlated significantly with migraine frequency and with the recency of the last attack. Conclusions: The inhibitory processes involved in the masking tasks employed in this study do not appear to be impaired in migraine. Their better overall performance may reflect a sensitivity difference, perhaps as a consequence of a heightened neuronal response, which varies with the migraine cycle.
PtdIns3P and Rac direct the assembly of the NADPH oxidase on a novel, pre-phagosomal compartment during FcR-mediated phagocytosis in primary mouse neutrophils
Authors: Anderson Karen E. , Chessa Tamara A. M. , Davidson Keith , Henderson Robert B. , Walker Simon , Tolmachova Tanya , Grys Katarzyna , Rausch Oliver , Seabra Miguel C. , Tybulewicz Victor L. J. , Stephens Len R. , Hawkins Phillip T. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractThe generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase is an important mechanism by which neutrophils kill pathogens. The oxidase is composed of a membrane-bound cytochrome and 4 soluble proteins (p67phox, p40phox, p47phox, and GTP-Rac). These components form an active complex at the correct time and subcellular location through a series of incompletely understood mutual interactions, regulated, in part, by GTP/GDP exchange on Rac, protein phosphorylation, and binding to lipid messengers. We have used a variety of assays to follow the spatiotemporal assembly of the oxidase in genetically engineered primary mouse neutrophils, during phagocytosis of both serum- and immunoglobulin G-opsonized targets. The oxidase assembles directly on serum-Staphylococcus aureus–containing phagosomes within seconds of phagosome formation; this process is only partially dependent (∼ 30%) on PtdIns3P binding to p40phox, but totally dependent on Rac1/2 binding to p67phox. In contrast, in response to immunoglobulin G-targets, the oxidase first assembles on a tubulovesicular compartment that develops at sites of granule fusion to the base of the emerging phagosome; oxidase assembly and activation is highly dependent on both PtdIns3P-p40phox and Rac2-p67phox interactions and delivery to the phagosome is regulated by Rab27a. These results define a novel pathway for oxidase assembly downstream of FcR-activation.
Sample size and statistical power considerations in high-dimensionality data settings: a comparative study of classification algorithms
Authors: Guo Yu , Graber Armin , McBurney Robert N , Balasubramanian Raji 
Published: September 2010

Abstract

Background
Data generated using 'omics' technologies are characterized by high dimensionality, where the number of features measured per subject vastly exceeds the number of subjects in the study. In this paper, we consider issues relevant in the design of biomedical studies in which the goal is the discovery of a subset of features and an associated algorithm that can predict a binary outcome, such as disease status. We compare the performance of four commonly used classifiers (K-Nearest Neighbors, Prediction Analysis for Microarrays, Random Forests and Support Vector Machines) in high-dimensionality data settings. We evaluate the effects of varying levels of signal-to-noise ratio in the dataset, imbalance in class distribution and choice of metric for quantifying performance of the classifier. To guide study design, we present a summary of the key characteristics of 'omics' data profiled in several human or animal model experiments utilizing high-content mass spectrometry and multiplexed immunoassay based techniques.

Results
The analysis of data from seven 'omics' studies revealed that the average magnitude of effect size observed in human studies was markedly lower when compared to that in animal studies. The data measured in human studies were characterized by higher biological variation and the presence of outliers. The results from simulation studies indicated that the classifier Prediction Analysis for Microarrays (PAM) had the highest power when the class conditional feature distributions were Gaussian and outcome distributions were balanced. Random Forests was optimal when feature distributions were skewed and when class distributions were unbalanced. We provide a free open-source R statistical software library (MVpower) that implements the simulation strategy proposed in this paper.

Conclusion
No single classifier had optimal performance under all settings. Simulation studies provide useful guidance for the design of biomedical studies involving high-dimensionality data.
Multiple imputation for estimation of an occurrence rate in cohorts with attrition and discrete follow-up time points: a simulation study
Authors: Soullier Noémie , de La Rochebrochard Elise , Bouyer Jean 
Published: September 2010

Abstract

Background
In longitudinal cohort studies, subjects may be lost to follow-up at any time during the study. This leads to attrition and thus to a risk of inaccurate and biased estimations. The purpose of this paper is to show how multiple imputation can take advantage of all the information collected during follow-up in order to estimate the cumulative probability P(E) of an event E, when the first occurrence of this event is observed at t successive time points of a longitudinal study with attrition.

Methods
We compared the performance of multiple imputation with that of Kaplan-Meier estimation in several simulated attrition scenarios.

Results
In missing-completely-at-random scenarios, the multiple imputation and Kaplan-Meier methods performed well in terms of bias (less than 1%) and coverage rate (range = [94.4%; 95.8%]). In missing-at-random scenarios, the Kaplan-Meier method was associated with a bias ranging from -5.1% to 7.0% and with a very poor coverage rate (as low as 0.2%). Multiple imputation performed much better in this situation (bias <2%, coverage rate >83.4%).

Conclusions
Multiple imputation shows promise for estimation of an occurrence rate in cohorts with attrition. This study is a first step towards defining appropriate use of multiple imputation in longitudinal studies.
The chondrogenic response to exercise in the proximal femur of normal and mdx mice
Authors: Nye David J , Costas Jeffrey M , Henley Jessica B , Kim Jin-Kwang , Plochocki Jeffrey H 
Published: September 2010

AbstractBackgroundSubmaximal exercise is used in the management of muscular dystrophy. The effects of mechanical stimulation on skeletal development are well understood, although its effects on cartilage growth have yet to be investigated in the dystrophic condition. The objective of this study was to investigate the chondrogenic response to voluntary exercise in dystrophin-deficient mice.MethodsControl and dystrophin-deficient (mdx) mice were divided into sedentary and exercise-treated groups and tested for chondral histomorphometric differences at the proximal femur.ResultsControl mice ran 7 km/week further than mdx mice on average, but this difference was not statistically significant (P> 0.05). However, exercised control mice exhibited significantly enlarged femur head diameter, articular cartilage thickness, articular cartilage tissue area, and area of calcified cartilage relative to sedentary controls and exercised mdx mice (P< 0.05). No differences were found between other treatment groups.ConclusionsMdx mice exhibit a reduced chondrogenic response to increased mechanical stimulation relative to controls. However, no significant reduction in articular dimensions was found, indicating loss of chondral tissue may not be a clinical concern with dystrophinopathy.
Coordination of glioblastoma cell motility by PKCι
Authors: Baldwin R Mitchell , Barrett Gordon M , Parolin Doris AE , Gillies Jana K , Paget Judith A , Lavictoire Sylvie J , Gray Douglas A , Lorimer Ian AJ 
Published: September 2010

Abstract

Background
Glioblastoma is one of the deadliest forms of cancer, in part because of its highly invasive nature. The tumor suppressor PTEN is frequently mutated in glioblastoma and is known to contribute to the invasive phenotype. However the downstream events that promote invasion are not fully understood. PTEN loss leads to activation of the atypical protein kinase C, PKCι. We have previously shown that PKCι is required for glioblastoma cell invasion, primarily by enhancing cell motility. Here we have used time-lapse videomicroscopy to more precisely define the role of PKCι in glioblastoma.

Results
Glioblastoma cells in which PKCι was either depleted by shRNA or inhibited pharmacologically were unable to coordinate the formation of a single leading edge lamellipod. Instead, some cells generated multiple small, short-lived protrusions while others generated a diffuse leading edge that formed around the entire circumference of the cell. Confocal microscopy showed that this behavior was associated with altered behavior of the cytoskeletal protein Lgl, which is known to be inactivated by PKCι phosphorylation. Lgl in control cells localized to the lamellipod leading edge and did not associate with its binding partner non-muscle myosin II, consistent with it being in an inactive state. In PKCι-depleted cells, Lgl was concentrated at multiple sites at the periphery of the cell and remained in association with non-muscle myosin II. Videomicroscopy also identified a novel role for PKCι in the cell cycle. Cells in which PKCι was either depleted by shRNA or inhibited pharmacologically entered mitosis normally, but showed marked delays in completing mitosis.

Conclusions
PKCι promotes glioblastoma motility by coordinating the formation of a single leading edge lamellipod and has a role in remodeling the cytoskeleton at the lamellipod leading edge, promoting the dissociation of Lgl from non-muscle myosin II. In addition PKCι is required for the transition of glioblastoma cells through mitosis. PKCι therefore has a role in both glioblastoma invasion and proliferation, two key aspects in the malignant nature of this disease.
18F-FDG PET/CT-based gross tumor volume definition for radiotherapy in head and neck Cancer: a correlation study between suitable uptake value threshold and tumor parameters
Authors: Kao Chia-Hung , Hsieh Te-Chun , Yu Chun-Yen , Yen Kuo-Yang , Yang Shih-Neng , Wang Yao-Ching , Liang Ji-An , Chien Chun-Ru , Chen Shang-Wen 
Published: September 2010

Abstract

Background
To define a suitable threshold setting for gross tumor volume (GTV) when using 18Fluoro-deoxyglucose positron emission tomography and computed tomogram (PET/CT) for radiotherapy planning in head and neck cancer (HNC).

Methods
Fifteen HNC patients prospectively received PET/CT simulation for their radiation treatment planning. Biological target volume (BTV) was derived from PET/CT-based GTV of the primary tumor. The BTVs were defined as the isodensity volumes when adjusting different percentage of the maximal standardized uptake value (SUVmax), excluding any artifact from surrounding normal tissues. CT-based primary GTV (C-pGTV) that had been previously defined by radiation oncologists was compared with the BTV. Suitable threshold level (sTL) could be determined when BTV value and its morphology using a certain threshold level was observed to be the best fitness of the C-pGTV. Suitable standardized uptake value (sSUV) was calculated as the sTL multiplied by the SUVmax.

Results
Our result demonstrated no single sTL or sSUV method could achieve an optimized volumetric match with the C-pGTV. The sTL was 13% to 27% (mean, 19%), whereas the sSUV was 1.64 to 3.98 (mean, 2.46). The sTL was inversely correlated with the SUVmax [sTL = -0.1004 Ln (SUVmax) + 0.4464; R2 = 0.81]. The sSUV showed a linear correlation with the SUVmax (sSUV = 0.0842 SUVmax + 1.248; R2 = 0.89). The sTL was not associated with the value of C-pGTVs.

Conclusion
In PET/CT-based BTV for HNC, a suitable threshold or SUV level can be established by correlating with SUVmax rather than using a fixed threshold.