bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Fairy rings caused by a killer fungus foster plant diversity in species‐rich grassland
Authors: Bonanomi Giuliano , Mingo Antonio , Incerti Guido , Mazzoleni Stefano , Allegrezza Marina 
Published: October 2011

AbstractQuestionsDoes the fairy ring fungus Agaricus campestris affects spatial distribution of co‐existing plant species? Is ring development related to changes of soil physical, chemical, enzymatic and microbiological properties? What are the causes of weakening and subsequent luxuriance of vegetation during fairy ring dynamics in the soil?LocationSpecies‐rich, mowed calcareous grassland, central Italy (43° 17′26″ N, 12° 51′29″ E).MethodsFairy rings were monitored for total plant biomass, species richness and composition in four zones: external grassland (OUT), fungal front (FF), area with flourishing vegetation (BELT) and internal grassland (IN). In each zone, 17 soil parameter were analysed: physical and chemical properties (water‐holding capacity, pH, electrical conductivity, organic C, Olsen P, total N, NH4+, NO3−, hydrophobicity and cyanide concentration), total enzyme activity (FDA) and microbiological features (community‐level physiological profile using BIOLOG EcoPlates™, microbial biomass, fungal mycelium, culturable actinomycetes, bacteria and fungi). A bioassay was performed to evaluate responses of three co‐existing species (Bromus erectus, Cynosurus echinatus and Centaurea ambigua) growing on soil collected from different fairy ring zones.ResultsPlant species composition dramatically changed in response to fairy ring development, with disappearance of most grassland species in the ring‐affected area. Plant biomass and species richness were higher in OUT and IN areas, and lowest in FF. Profound changes in soil properties occurred after fungal passage, with consistent reductions of C and N content and increases of FDA and microbial physiological profiles. Soil from the FF zone had remarkable increases of mineral N forms, electrical conductivity and hydrophobicity, with no trace of cyanide. The bioassay showed species‐specific responses to different soil types.ConclusionsThis study provides evidence that the spread of fairy ring fungi, coupled with a reduction of perennial plant cover, creates empty niches for many short‐lived species.
Enhanced Nucleotide Excision Repair in Human Fibroblasts Pre‐exposed to Ionizing Radiation
Authors: Cramers Patricia , Filon Alfred Ronald , Pines Alex , Kleinjans Jos C. , Mullenders Leon H. F. , van Zeeland Albert A. 
Published: October 2011

AbstractCellular protection against deleterious effects of DNA damaging agents requires an intricate network of defense mechanisms known as the DNA damage response (DDR). Ionizing radiation (IR) mediated activation of the DDR induces a transcriptional upregulation of genes that are also involved in nucleotide excision repair (NER). This suggests that pre‐exposure to X‐rays might stimulate NER in human cells. Here, we demonstrate in normal human fibroblasts that UV‐induced NER is augmented by pre‐exposure to IR and that this increased repair is accompanied by elevated mRNA and protein levels of the NER factors XPC and DDB2. Furthermore, when IR exposure precedes local UV irradiation, the presence of XPC and DDB2 at the sites of local UV damages is increased. This increase might be p53 dependent, but the mechanism of X‐ray specific stabilization of p53 is unclear as both X‐rays and UV stabilize p53.
Impacts of Climate Change on Hydrology and Water Resources in the Boise and Spokane River Basins1
Authors: Jin Xin , Sridhar Venkataramana 
Published: October 2011

Jin, Xin and Venkataramana Sridhar, 2012. Impacts of Climate Change on Hydrology and Water Resources in the Boise and Spokane River Basins. Journal of the American Water Resources Association (JAWRA) 48(2): 197‐220. DOI: 10.1111/j.1752‐1688.2011.00605.xAbstract:  In the Pacific Northwest, warming climate has resulted in a lengthened growing season, declining snowpack, and earlier timing of spring runoff. This study characterizes the impact of climate change in two basins in Idaho, the Spokane River and the Boise River basins. We simulated the basin‐scale hydrology by coupling the downscaled precipitation and temperature outputs from a suite of global climate models and the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT), between 2010 and 2060 and assess the impacts of climate change on water resources in the region. For the Boise River basin, changes in precipitation ranged from −3.8 to 36%. Changes in temperature were expected to be between 0.02 and 3.9°C. In the Spokane River region, changes in precipitation were expected to be between −6.7 and 17.9%. Changes in temperature appeared between 0.1 and 3.5°C over a period of the next five decades between 2010 and 2060. Without bias‐correcting the simulated streamflow, in the Boise River basin, change in peak flows (March through June) was projected to range from −58 to +106 m3/s and, for the Spokane River basin, the range was expected to be from −198 to +88 m3/s. Both the basins exhibited substantial variability in precipitation, evapotranspiration, and recharge estimates, and this knowledge of possible hydrologic impacts at the watershed scale can help the stakeholders with possible options in their decision‐making process.
Significance of Riverine Hypoxia for Fish: The Case of the Big Sunflower River, Mississippi1
Authors: Shields F. Douglas , Knight Scott S. 
Published: October 2011

Shields, F. Douglas, Jr. and Scott S. Knight, 2011. Significance of Riverine Hypoxia for Fish: The Case of the Big Sunflower River, Mississippi. Journal of the American Water Resources Association (JAWRA) 48(1): 170‐186. DOI: 10.1111/j.1752‐1688.2011.00606.xAbstract:  Degraded streams draining low‐relief, intensively cultivated watersheds may experience periods of hypoxia or anoxia. A three‐year study of water chemistry, fish, and physical habitat in the Big Sunflower River in northwestern Mississippi coupled with continuously logged physicochemical and hydrology data provided by others showed prolonged periods of hypoxia associated with higher flows. Fish species richness was directly related to dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration (r2 = 0.35, p = 0.00004), and ordination using nonmetric multidimensional scaling (NMS) indicated strong association between fish community structure and DO. Low‐head weirs supported relatively dense and diverse fish communities and thus provided local habitat enhancement, but may create stagnant zones upstream due to backwater effects that exacerbate low DO problems. Although hypoxia has been reported for some lightly degraded rivers and floodplains, our observations suggest hypoxia in Big Sunflower River and similar systems alters fish species composition and should be remediated. Cost‐effective remediation will require better understanding of autotrophic and heterotrophic processes that control DO and the relationship of these processes to discharge.
Favorable effects on metabolic risk factors with daily brewer’s yeast in type 2 diabetic patients with hypercholesterolemia: A semi‐experimental study
Authors: KHOSRAVI‐BOROUJENI Hossein , ROSTAMI Ali , RAVANSHAD Shahnaz , ESMAILLZADEH Ahmad 
Published: October 2011

AbstractBackground:  The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of brewer’s yeast on plasma glucose and lipid profiles in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D).Methods:  The present semi‐experimental study was performed on 55 T2D patients with hypercholesterolemia. All patients received 12 tablets of 300 mg yeast per day for 8 weeks. Each tablet contained 1.2 μg chromium. Fasting plasma glucose, total cholesterol, high‐density lipoprotein–cholesterol (HDL–C), low‐density lipoprotein–cholesterol (LDL–C), and triglyceride levels were measured at baseline and then again at Weeks 4 and 8.Results:  Although there was a tendency for plasma glucose levels to decrease at Week 4, the difference failed to reach statistical significance (P = 0.065). However, after 8 weeks, the decrease in plasma glucose was significant (P = 0.043). Again, although there was a tendency for decreased plasma cholesterol at Week 8 compared with baseline, the difference failed to reach statistical significance (215 ± 29 vs 226 ± 37 mg/dL, respectively; P = 0.056). Brewer’s yeast significantly decreased plasma triglyceride and LDL–C levels at Weeks 4 and 8. In contrast, plasma HDL–C levels were significantly increased at both 4 and 8 weeks compared with baseline (41.3 ± 8.8 and 43.3 ± 7.5 vs 36 ± 5 mg/dL, respectively; P < 0.01 and P < 0.01, respectively).Conclusion:  In conclusion, the consumption of brewer’s yeast over a period of 8 weeks may improve cardiometabolic risk factors in T2D patients. However, these findings need to be confirmed in a large double‐blind clinical trial.
Use of a proximal humeral internal locking system enhanced by injectable graft for minimally invasive treatment of osteoporotic proximal humeral fractures in elderly patients
Authors: Liu Zi‐zhang , Zhang Guang‐ming , Ge Tao 
Published: October 2011

Objective:  To investigate the effect of treatment of osteoporotic proximal humeral fractures in elderly patients with a proximal humeral internal locking system (PHILOS) and minimally invasive injectable graft (MIIG).Methods:  Patients who conformed to the inclusion criteria were randomly divided into two groups: group A (21 cases) were treated with PHILOS alone and group B (29 cases) were treated with PHILOS augmentation plus minimally invasive injectable graft (MIIG) X3 Hivisc. Postoperative follow‐up was performed regularly to check for complications, reduction loss and fracture healing by imaging. Shoulder joint function was scored and clinical results evaluated according to the Neer scoring system.Results:  All patients were followed‐up and achieved fracture healing. The complication rate in group A (six cases) was greater than in group B (one case), the differences being statistically significant. The reduction loss in group A (2.9 ± 0.4 mm) was greater than in group B (1.5 ± 0.3 mm), this difference also being statistically significant. According to the Neer system, the excellent and good rate was 76.2% in group A and 82.8% in group B.Conclusion:  PHILOS using MIPPO and augmented with MIIG X3 Hivisc produces satisfactory clinical results in aged patients with osteoporotic proximal humeral fractures and the method has advantages such as relatively minor trauma, stable fixation, fewer complications, and better joint function.
Frontal sinus depth at four landmarks in breeds of dog typically affected by sinonasal aspergillosis
Authors: Burrow R. , McCarroll D. , Baker M. , Darby P. , McConnell F. , Cripps P. 
Published: October 2011

The objective of this study was to assess whether the frontal sinuses in dogs with aspergillosis and of breeds typically affected by this condition were deeper at a more caudal location. CT scans of the head performed at the Small Animal Teaching Hospital, University of Liverpool, between April 2007 and March 2009 for dogs diagnosed with aspergillosis (group 1) and unaffected dogs of similar breeds (group 2) were selected for study. Sinus depth was measured at four standardised locations from reconstructed images of these CT scans. Data were compared for differences in sinus depth between groups and between landmarks. No significant difference was found between measurements within individual dogs or for each of the various landmarks between groups. Difference in depth of the sinuses between landmarks was significant (P<0.001). Sinus depth was significantly greater at the more caudal landmarks and was shallowest at the previously recommended landmark for sinus entry. In 54 per cent of dogs, the frontal sinus depth measured less than or equal to 2 cm at one or more of the landmarks. Sinus entry at the deepest point will reduce the risk of accidentally damaging underlying structures. This may be approximately 1 cm caudal, in breeds of dog that typically develop aspergillosis, to a previously suggested landmark.
Characterization of Alisertib (MLN8237), an Investigational Small-Molecule Inhibitor of Aurora A Kinase Using Novel In Vivo Pharmacodynamic Assays
Authors: Manfredi Mark G. , Ecsedy Jeffrey A. , Chakravarty Arijit , Silverman Lee , Zhang Mengkun , Hoar Kara M. , Stroud Stephen G. , Chen Wei , Shinde Vaishali , Huck Jessica J. , Wysong Deborah R. , Janowick David A. , Hyer Marc L. , LeRoy Patrick J. , Gershman Rachel E. , Silva Matthew D. , Germanos Melissa S. , Bolen Joseph B. , Claiborne Christopher F. , Sells Todd B. 
Published: October 2011

Abstract
Purpose: Small-molecule inhibitors of Aurora A (AAK) and B (ABK) kinases, which play important roles in mitosis, are currently being pursued in oncology clinical trials. We developed three novel assays to quantitatively measure biomarkers of AAK inhibition in vivo. Here, we describe preclinical characterization of alisertib (MLN8237), a selective AAK inhibitor, incorporating these novel pharmacodynamic assays.
Experimental Design: We investigated the selectivity of alisertib for AAK and ABK and studied the antitumor and antiproliferative activity of alisertib in vitro and in vivo. Novel assays were used to assess chromosome alignment and mitotic spindle bipolarity in human tumor xenografts using immunofluorescent detection of DNA and alpha-tubulin, respectively. In addition, 18F-3′-fluoro-3′-deoxy-l-thymidine positron emission tomography (FLT-PET) was used to noninvasively measure effects of alisertib on in vivo tumor cell proliferation.
Results: Alisertib inhibited AAK over ABK with a selectivity of more than 200-fold in cells and produced a dose-dependent decrease in bipolar and aligned chromosomes in the HCT-116 xenograft model, a phenotype consistent with AAK inhibition. Alisertib inhibited proliferation of human tumor cell lines in vitro and produced tumor growth inhibition in solid tumor xenograft models and regressions in in vivo lymphoma models. In addition, a dose of alisertib that caused tumor stasis, as measured by volume, resulted in a decrease in FLT uptake, suggesting that noninvasive imaging could provide value over traditional measurements of response.
Conclusions: Alisertib is a selective and potent inhibitor of AAK. The novel methods of measuring Aurora A pathway inhibition and application of tumor imaging described here may be valuable for clinical evaluation of small-molecule inhibitors. Clin Cancer Res; 17(24); 7614–24. ©2011 AACR.
A gene signature in histologically normal surgical margins is predictive of oral carcinoma recurrence
Authors: Reis Patricia P , Waldron Levi , Perez-Ordonez Bayardo , Pintilie Melania , Galloni Natalie Naranjo , Xuan Yali , Cervigne Nilva K , Warner Giles C , Makitie Antti A , Simpson Colleen , Goldstein David , Brown Dale , Gilbert Ralph , Gullane Patrick , Irish Jonathan , Jurisica Igor , Kamel-Reid Suzanne 
Published: October 2011

AbstractBackgroundOral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC) is a major cause of cancer death worldwide, which is mainly due to recurrence leading to treatment failure and patient death. Histological status of surgical margins is a currently available assessment for recurrence risk in OSCC; however histological status does not predict recurrence, even in patients with histologically negative margins. Therefore, molecular analysis of histologically normal resection margins and the corresponding OSCC may aid in identifying a gene signature predictive of recurrence.MethodsWe used a meta-analysis of 199 samples (OSCCs and normal oral tissues) from five public microarray datasets, in addition to our microarray analysis of 96 OSCCs and histologically normal margins from 24 patients, to train a gene signature for recurrence. Validation was performed by quantitative real-time PCR using 136 samples from an independent cohort of 30 patients.ResultsWe identified 138 significantly over-expressed genes (> 2-fold, false discovery rate of 0.01) in OSCC. By penalized likelihood Cox regression, we identified a 4-gene signature with prognostic value for recurrence in our training set. This signature comprised the invasion-related genesMMP1,COL4A1,P4HA2, andTHBS2. Over-expression of this 4-gene signature in histologically normal margins was associated with recurrence in our training cohort (p = 0.0003, logrank test) and in our independent validation cohort (p = 0.04, HR = 6.8, logrank test).ConclusionGene expression alterations occur in histologically normal margins in OSCC. Over-expression of the 4-gene signature in histologically normal surgical margins was validated and highly predictive of recurrence in an independent patient cohort. Our findings may be applied to develop a molecular test, which would be clinically useful to help predict which patients are at a higher risk of local recurrence.
Nck2 promotes human melanoma cell proliferation, migration and invasion in vitro and primary melanoma-derived tumor growth in vivo
Authors: Labelle-Côté Mélissa , Dusseault Julie , Ismaïl Salma , Picard-Cloutier Aude , Siegel Peter M , Larose Louise 
Published: October 2011

Abstract

Background
Nck1 and Nck2 adaptor proteins are involved in signaling pathways mediating proliferation, cytoskeleton organization and integrated stress response. Overexpression of Nck1 in fibroblasts has been shown to be oncogenic. Through the years this concept has been challenged and the consensus is now that overexpression of either Nck cooperates with strong oncogenes to transform cells. Therefore, variations in Nck expression levels in transformed cells could endorse cancer progression.

Methods
Expression of Nck1 and Nck2 proteins in various cancer cell lines at different stages of progression were analyzed by western blots. We created human primary melanoma cell lines overexpressing GFP-Nck2 and investigated their ability to proliferate along with metastatic characteristics such as migration and invasion. By western blot analysis, we compared levels of proteins phosphorylated on tyrosine as well as cadherins and integrins in human melanoma cells overexpressing or not Nck2. Finally, in mice we assessed tumor growth rate of human melanoma cells expressing increasing levels of Nck2.

Results
We found that expression of Nck2 is consistently increased in various metastatic cancer cell lines compared with primary counterparts. Particularly, we observed significant higher levels of Nck2 protein and mRNA, as opposed to no change in Nck1, in human metastatic melanoma cell lines compared with non-metastatic melanoma and normal melanocytes. We demonstrated the involvement of Nck2 in proliferation, migration and invasion in human melanoma cells. Moreover, we discovered that Nck2 overexpression in human primary melanoma cells correlates with higher levels of proteins phosphorylated on tyrosine residues, assembly of Nck2-dependent pY-proteins-containing molecular complexes and downregulation of cadherins and integrins. Importantly, we uncovered that injection of Nck2-overexpressing human primary melanoma cells into mice increases melanoma-derived tumor growth rate.

Conclusions
Collectively, our data indicate that Nck2 effectively influences human melanoma phenotype progression. At the molecular level, we propose that Nck2 in human primary melanoma promotes the formation of molecular complexes regulating proliferation and actin cytoskeleton dynamics by modulating kinases or phosphatases activities that results in increased levels of proteins phosphorylated on tyrosine residues. This study provides new insights regarding cancer progression that could impact on the therapeutic strategies targeting cancer.
Primary plasmacytoma of the testicle: a case report
Authors: Berrondo Claudia , Gorman Timothy E , Yap Ronald L 
Published: October 2011

Abstract

Introduction
Extramedullary plasmacytoma is a rare plasma cell neoplasm. Plasmacytomas are most commonly found in the head and neck region, but can occur in many other locations. They rarely occur in the testis, and are commonly associated with concurrent multiple myeloma at the time of diagnosis. Isolated plasmacytoma of the testis is exceedingly rare, with few cases reported in the literature.

Case presentation
A 72-year-old Caucasian man presented with a painless testicular mass treated by orchiectomy. The mass was determined to be plasmacytoma on pathological examination. At the time of diagnosis, our patient did not have multiple myeloma, and is currently undergoing chemotherapy for treatment of his disease.

Conclusion
Isolated plasmacytoma of the testicle is a rare cause of testicular mass, and is seldom reported in the literature. Patients with this disease require careful monitoring because of their high risk of progression to multiple myeloma. The diagnosis of testicular plasmacytoma can be challenging for primary care doctors and urologic specialists. This condition should be in the differential diagnosis in elderly men.
Association between antidepressant resistance in unipolar depression and subsequent bipolar disorder: cohort study
Authors: Li Cheng-Ta , Bai Ya-Mei , Huang Yu-Lin , Chen Ying-Sheue , Chen Tzeng-Ji , Cheng Ju-Yin , Su Tung-Ping 
Published: October 2011

BackgroundPeople with major depressive disorder who fail to respond to adequate trials of antidepressant treatment may harbour hidden bipolar disorder.AimsWe aimed to compare the rates of a change in diagnosis to bipolar disorder among people with major depressive disorder with stratified responses to antidepressants during an 8-year follow-up period.MethodInformation on individuals with major depressive disorder identified during 2000 (cohort 2000, n = 1485) and 2003 (cohort 2003, n = 2459) were collected from a nationally representative cohort of 1 000 000 health service users in Taiwan. Participants responding well to antidepressants were compared with those showing poor responses to adequate trials of antidepressants.ResultsIn 7.6–12.1% of those with a diagnosis of unipolar major depressive disorder this diagnosis was subsequently changed to bipolar disorder, with a mean time to change of 1.89–2.98 years. Difficult-to-treat participants presented higher rates of change to a bipolar diagnosis (25.6% in cohort 2000; 26.6% in cohort 2003) than easy-to-treat participants (8.8–8.9% in cohort 2000; 6.8–8.6% in cohort 2003; P<0.0001). Regression analysis showed that the variable most strongly associated with the change in diagnosis was antidepressant use history. The difficult-to-treat participants were associated most with diagnostic changing (cohort 2000: odds ratio (OR) = 1.88 (95% CI 1.12–3.16); cohort 2003: OR = 4.94 (95% CI 2.81–8.68)).ConclusionsThis is the first large-scale study to report an association between antidepressant response history and subsequent change in diagnosis from major depressive disorder to bipolar disorder. Our findings support the view that a history of poor response to antidepressants in unipolar depression could be a useful predictor for bipolar diathesis.