bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Morphological plasticity in scleractinian corals
Authors: Todd Peter A. 
Published: June 2008

AbstractWhen describing coral shape and form the term phenotypic plasticity, i.e. environment‐induced changes in morphology, is often used synonymously with intraspecific variation. Variation, however, may simply be due to genetic differentiation (polymorphism). Of the 1314 extant scleractinian coral species, less than 20 have been tested for plastic responses. Morphological plasticity has important implications for coral identification, as skeletal features used in coral systematics are directly affected by environment. Furthermore, plastic changes can indicate how corals acclimatise to environmental change. The studies that have examined phenotypic plasticity in corals experimentally can be divided into two groups, i.e. ‘non‐clonal’—those that have transplanted whole colonies or fragments of colonies (but not treated the fragments as clones) to new environments, and ‘clonal’—those that have transplanted colony fragments and used them as clone‐mates. The use of clone‐mates is preferable as it facilitates the identification of among‐genotype variation for plasticity. The heterogeneous nature of the reef environment makes identifying the parameters that affect coral morphology difficult in the field, but there are also many problems conducting suitable aquarium experiments. Nevertheless, evidence to date suggests light and water movement are the most important variables inducing change. As these factors are known to be axiomatic to coral growth, it is possible that associated plastic changes in corals are adaptive; however, this hypothesis is yet to be tested rigorously.
Mineral Status of COPD Patients under Long‐Term Inhaled Corticosteroid Therapy
Authors: Buyukkaplan U. Sebnem , Akkaya Ahmet , Yildiz Mustafa , Bircan Ahmet , Aksoy Dogan Alev , Ozturk Onder 
Published: June 2008

Abstract Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the mineral status of mandibles, femurs, and spines in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients under long‐term inhaled corticosteroid therapy. Materials and Methods: Pulmanory function tests were conducted on patients (n = 30) with COPD under inhaled corticosteroid therapy for at least 1 year. The results were compared to sex‐ and age‐matched controls (n = 30). Analyses of blood gases were also carried out relative to COPD, and bone mineral densities (BMD) of the mandible, lumbar spine, femoral neck, trochanter, and Ward's triangle were also measured by dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DEXA). Levels of serum osteocalcin, alkaline phosphatase, calcium, phosphorus, and cortisol were also assessed. Results: In accordance with the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease criteria, 8 of the COPD patients had moderate, 11 patients had severe, and 11 patients had very severe forms of the disease. All BMD measurements were lower in the COPD patients than in the control group. The serum osteocalcin levels in COPD patients were significantly lower than those in the control group (p < 0.0001). Serum calcium (p < 0.004) and cortisol levels (p < 0.026) in the COPD patients were also significantly lower than those in the control subjects. Although serum alkaline phosphatase level was higher and the phosphorus level was lower in the treatment group than in the control group, the differences were not statistically significant. Conclusion: Regular evaluation of the biochemical markers of bone metabolism and BMD would be helpful for detecting any detrimental changes of bone in COPD patients under long‐term inhaled corticosteroid therapy. In this study, mandibular BMD was observed to be lower in COPD patients under long‐term inhaled corticosteroid therapy than in healthy subjects. Thus, dental implant treatment may require preventive measures in COPD patients under long‐term inhaled corticosteroid therapy.
Expanded donor natural killer cell and IL‐2, IL‐15 treatment efficacy in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Chen Guanghua , Wu Depei , Wang Yi , Cen Jiannong , Feng Yufeng , Sun Aining , Tang Xiaowen , Chang Huirong , Zhu Ziling 
Published: June 2008

AbstractGraft‐versus‐host disease (GVHD), leukemia relapse, and immune deficiency remain the major limitations of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo‐HSCT). Donor natural killer cells (NK) and cytokines have good potential in GVHD prevention and immune reconstitution enhancement. Improved survival after allo‐HSCT therefore requires effective prophylaxis to reduce GVHD and strategy to mediate graft‐versus‐leukemia (GVL) effect. We studied the administration of expanded donor NK cell infusion and interleukin‐2 (IL‐2) and IL‐15 mixture treatment in a murine allo‐HSCT model for its effects on GVHD, immune reconstitution and leukemia relapse. In the GVHD model, recipient mice were reconstituted with bone marrow (BM) cells and splenocytes via vein. In the leukemia model, recipient mice were inoculated with EL9611 leukemia cells via vein 8 d prior to transplant. NK cell infusion mice group had lower clinical GVHD scores and suffered less severe GVHD‐associated weight loss than control mice group. 90% of control mice died of leukemia relapse within 52 d post‐transplant. NK cell infusion and IL‐2 and IL‐15 treatment recipient mice had improved survival compared with control mice. NK cell infusion and IL‐2 and IL‐15 treatment recipient mice had also accelerated lymphoid immune reconstitution compared with control mice group. Expanded donor NK cell infusion and IL‐2 and IL‐15 treatment could promote lymphoid immune reconstitution, mitigate GVHD, and reduce leukemia relapse in allo‐HSCT recipients. The findings may have important significance for complication prevention in clinical allo‐HSCT.
Characterization of eight polymorphic microsatellite loci for the giant grouper (Epinephelus lanceolatus Bloch)
Authors: ZENG HUA‐SONG , DING SHAO‐XIONG , WANG JUN , SU YONG‐QUAN 
Published: June 2008

AbstractEight polymorphic microsatellite loci were isolated and characterized using a small insert genomic DNA library for the giant grouper (Epinephelus lanceolatus Bloch, 1790), a commercially valuable marine fish in tropical waters. They showed polymorphism information content ranging from 0.177 to 0.775, allele numbers ranging from two to 10, effective allele numbers ranging from 1.227 to 5.012, and observed and expected heterozygosities from 0.2 to 0.733 and from 0.185 to 0.801, respectively, which we anticipate will be useful for population genetic studies of the giant grouper.
Microsatellite markers for the endangered Roanoke logperch, Percina rex (Percidae) and their potential utility for other darter species
Authors: DUTTON DANIEL J. , ROBERTS JAMES H. , ANGERMEIER PAUL L. , HALLERMAN ERIC M. 
Published: June 2008

AbstractThe Roanoke logperch (Percina rex Jordan and Evermann), an endangered fish, occurs in only six watersheds in the Roanoke and Chowan river drainages of Virginia, USA. The species’ population genetic structure is poorly known. We developed 16 microsatellite markers that were reliably scorable and polymorphic P. rex. Markers were also screened in seven other darter species of the genus Percina. Most markers exhibited successful amplification and polymorphism in several species. These markers may therefore prove useful for population genetic studies in other darters, a diverse but highly imperiled group.
Isolation and characterization of polymorphic microsatellite loci from Tetratheca ericifolia (Elaeocarpaceae)
Authors: MCPHERSON HANNAH , PORTER CAROLYN , RYMER PAUL D. , CRAYN DARREN M. , ROSSETTO MAURIZIO 
Published: June 2008

AbstractWe identified 11 informative microsatellite loci in Tetratheca ericifolia from an (AG)n‐enriched library. Using these loci on 32 individuals from two populations (16 individuals from each), we detected an average of 11.3 alleles per locus (range of five to 21, average expected heterozygosity of 0.728), of which 56% were unique to one population or the other. All loci were amplifiable in seven to 12 of a further 12 species of Tetratheca under the same reaction conditions. The markers will be useful tools for evolutionary studies of this Australian endemic group.
A novel transport and delivery mechanism underpins the effectiveness of prolyl‐m‐sarcolysyl‐p‐fluorophenylalanine (PSF) in a human melanoma xenograft nude‐mouse model
Authors: Dierickx Karen ME , Morandini Renato , Nguyen Thi Hien , Salès François , Kauffmann Jean‐Michel , Ghanem Ghanem E 
Published: June 2008

SummaryThe alkylating peptide PSF shows very promising results in vitro on different cancer cells but its efficacy in animals has not been assessed. Here we evaluate the efficacy of PSF in human melanoma‐bearing nude mice and examine the underlying mechanism. In melanoma‐bearing nude mice, escalating doses of PSF showed dose‐dependent responses and reached tumor regression with an optimal dose of 20 mg/kg for 1 month. A comparison of PSF with its free moiety m‐sarcolysin and melphalan showed a highly significant advantage of PSF. Furthermore, dose fractionation yielded an even better control of tumor regrowth. In vitro studies unraveled an original delivery mechanism based on the rapid binding of PSF mainly due to red blood cells to form a pro‐drug complex and the subsequent release of active metabolites by tumor‐associated proteolytic enzymes. Blood kinetics showed one major metabolite partially released over time, while in the presence of melanoma cells three additional metabolites are generated. Interestingly, tumor‐shed proteases also induce the production of these metabolites and varying combinations of enzyme inhibitors indicate the involvement of metallo‐ and other families of proteases in the delivery process. This particular transport and delivery of such an alkylating agent may have several benefits, mainly lowering the drug‐free moiety in plasma and at the same time increasing its concentration in protease rich areas such as tumors.
TATA Box-Binding Protein–Associated Factor 12 Is Important for RAS-Induced Transformation Properties of Colorectal Cancer Cells
Authors: Voulgari Angeliki , Voskou Stella , Tora Làszlò , Davidson Irwin , Sasazuki Takehiko , Shirasawa Senji , Pintzas Alexander 
Published: June 2008

Abstract
Activating mutations in the RAS proto-oncogene result in constant stimulation of its downstream pathways, further leading to tumorigenesis. Transcription factor IID (TFIID) can be regulated by cellular signals to specifically alter transcription of particular subsets of genes. To investigate potential links between the regulation of TFIID function and the RAS-induced carcinogenesis, we monitored the expression of the TATA box-binding protein and its associated factors (TAF) in human colon carcinoma cells. We primarily identified TAF12 levels as being up-regulated in cell lines bearing natural RAS mutations or stably overexpressing a mutated RAS isoform via a mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase kinase–dependent pathway. We further showed by electrophoretic mobility shift assays and chromatin immunoprecipitation that the ETS1 protein was interacting with an ETS-binding site on the TAF12 promoter and was regulating TAF12 expression. The binding was enhanced in extracts from oncogenic RAS-transformed cells, pointing to a role in the RAS-mediated regulation of TAF12 expression. Reduction of TAF12 levels by small interfering RNA treatment induced a destabilization of the TFIID complex, enhanced E-cadherin mRNA and protein levels, and reduced migration and adhesion properties of RAS-transformed cells with epithelial to mesenchymal transition. Overall, our study indicates the importance of TAF12 in the process of RAS-induced transformation properties of human colon cells and epithelial to mesenchymal transition, most notably those related to increased motility, by regulating specifically expression of genes such as E-cadherin. (Mol Cancer Res 2008;6(6):1071–83)
Targeting Nuclear Factor-κB Activation Pathway by Thymoquinone: Role in Suppression of Antiapoptotic Gene Products and Enhancement of Apoptosis
Authors: Sethi Gautam , Ahn Kwang Seok , Aggarwal Bharat B. 
Published: June 2008

Abstract
Thymoquinone (TQ), derived from the medicinal plant Nigella sativa, exhibits antiinflammatory and anticancer activities through mechanism(s) that is not fully understood. Because numerous effects modulated by TQ can be linked to interference with the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling, we investigated in detail the effect of this quinone on NF-κB pathway. As examined by DNA binding, we found that TQ suppressed tumor necrosis factor–induced NF-κB activation in a dose- and time-dependent manner and inhibited NF-κB activation induced by various carcinogens and inflammatory stimuli. The suppression of NF-κB activation correlated with sequential inhibition of the activation of IκBα kinase, IκBα phosphorylation, IκBα degradation, p65 phosphorylation, p65 nuclear translocation, and the NF-κB–dependent reporter gene expression. TQ specifically suppressed the direct binding of nuclear p65 and recombinant p65 to the DNA, and this binding was reversed by DTT. However, TQ did not inhibit p65 binding to DNA when cells were transfected with the p65 plasmid containing cysteine residue 38 mutated to serine. TQ also down-regulated the expression of NF-κB–regulated antiapoptotic (IAP1, IAP2, XIAP Bcl-2, Bcl-xL, and survivin), proliferative (cyclin D1, cyclooxygenase-2, and c-Myc), and angiogenic (matrix metalloproteinase-9 and vascular endothelial growth factor) gene products. This led to potentiation of apoptosis induced by tumor necrosis factor and chemotherapeutic agents. Overall, our results indicate that the anticancer and antiinflammatory activities previously assigned to TQ may be mediated in part through the suppression of the NF-κB activation pathway, as shown here, and thus may have potential in treatment of myeloid leukemia and other cancers. (Mol Cancer Res 2008;6(6):1059–70)
The RNA Exosome Component hRrp6 Is a Target for 5-Fluorouracil in Human Cells
Authors: Kammler Susanne , Lykke-Andersen Søren , Jensen Torben Heick 
Published: June 2008

Abstract
The drug 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) is a widely used chemotherapeutic in the treatment of solid tumors. Recently, the essential 3′-5′ exonucleolytic multisubunit RNA exosome was implicated as a target for 5-FU in yeast. Here, we show that this is also the case in human cells. HeLa cells depleted of the inessential exosome component hRrp6, also called PM/Scl100, are significantly growth impaired relative to control cells after 5-FU administration. The selective stabilization of bona fide hRrp6 RNA substrates on 5-FU treatment suggests that this exosome component is specifically targeted. Consistently, levels of hRrp6 substrates are increased in two 5-FU–sensitive cell lines. Interestingly, whereas down-regulation of all tested core exosome components results in decreased hRrp6 levels, depletion of hRrp6 leaves levels of other exosome components unchanged. Taken together, our data position hRrp6 as a promising target for antiproliferative intervention. (Mol Cancer Res 2008;6(6):990–5)
Effects of Raf Kinase Inhibitor Protein Expression on Metastasis and Progression of Human Epithelial Ovarian Cancer
Authors: Li Hong Zhao , Wang Yue , Gao Yan , Shao Jie , Zhao Xiu Lan , Deng Wei Min , Liu Yi Xin , Yang Jie , Yao Zhi 
Published: June 2008

Abstract
Loss of function of metastasis suppressor genes is an important step in the progression to a malignant tumor type. Studies in cell culture and animal models have suggested a role of Raf kinase inhibitor protein (RKIP) in suppressing the metastatic spread of prostate cancer, breast cancer, and melanoma cells. However, the function of RKIP in ovarian cancer (OVCA) has not been reported. To explore the potential role of RKIP in epithelial OVCA metastasis, we detected the expression levels of RKIP protein in tissue samples from patients with epithelial OVCA. Consequently, the expression of RKIP is reduced in the poorly differentiated OVCA than in the well-differentiated and moderately differentiated OVCA. In addition, in vitro cell invasion assay indicated that the RKIP expression was inversely associated with the invasiveness of five OVCA cell lines. Consistent with this result, the cell proliferation, anchorage-independent growth, cell adhesion, and invasion were decreased in RKIP overexpressed cells but increased in RKIP down-regulated cells. Further investigation indicated that RKIP inhibited OVCA cell proliferation by altering cell cycle progression rather than promoting apoptosis. Furthermore, the overexpression of RKIP suppressed the ability of human OVCA cells to metastasize when the tumor cells were transplanted into nude mice. Our data show the effect of RKIP on the proliferation, migration, or adhesion of OVCA cells. These results indicate that RKIP is also a metastasis suppressor gene of human epithelial OVCA. (Mol Cancer Res 2008;6(6):917–28)
On the Validation of the Simulation of Early Season Precipitation on the Island of Puerto Rico Using a Mesoscale Atmospheric Model
Authors: Comarazamy Daniel E. , González Jorge E. 
Published: June 2008

Abstract
The ability of a mesoscale atmospheric model to reproduce the spatial distribution of the precipitation of the Caribbean island of Puerto Rico during an early rainfall season month (April) is evaluated in this paper, taking the month of April 1998 as the primary test case, and analyzed in detail with subsequent simulations for April 1993. The monthly accumulated rainfall was simulated using the Regional Atmospheric Modeling System (RAMS), and the results were validated with precipitation data from 15 cooperative stations located throughout the island. The monthlong numerical simulation for April 1998 replicated the observed precipitation pattern, including the general spatial distribution, and daily and monthly totals, to varying degrees of accuracy. At specific locations, errors ranged from 2% in the rainy mountains to 82% in the San Juan metropolitan area, with a general tendency of the model to produce lower precipitation values throughout the simulation domain. An error analysis proved that the accuracy of the simulation is independent of elevation. The station data showed two dominant precipitation events during the month of April 1998: one on 2 April and the other on 16 April. The model was able to replicate the precipitation observed during the first precipitation event with less precision than for the second event. This might be attributed to the model’s inability to capture the large-scale forcing that produced the recorded amounts of rainfall observed during the second precipitation event. The results for total accumulated precipitation for April 1993 were very similar to the results for the April 1998 simulation, for both the spatial distribution and total values of rainfall.
Evaluation of a MODIS-Based Potential Evapotranspiration Product at the Point Scale
Authors: Kim Jongyoun , Hogue Terri S. 
Published: June 2008

Abstract
This paper outlines the development of a continuous, daily time series of potential evapotranspiration (PET) using Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) sensor data from the Terra satellite platform. The approach is based on the Priestley–Taylor equation, incorporating a daily net radiation model during cloudless days. A simple algorithm using “theoretical clear-sky” net radiation (incorporating daily cloud fraction and cloud optical thickness) and PET is then used to estimate net radiation and PET under cloudy conditions. The method requires minimal ground-based observations for initial calibration of regional radiation algorithm coefficients. Point-scale comparisons are undertaken at four flux-tower sites in North America covering a range of hydroclimatic conditions and biomes. Preliminary results at the daily time step for a 4-yr period (2001–04) show good correlation (R2 = 0.89) and low bias (0.34 mm day−1) for three of the more humid sites. Results are further improved when aggregated to the monthly time scale (R2 = 0.95, bias = 0.31 mm day−1). Performance at the semiarid site is less satisfactory (R2 = 0.95, bias = 2.05 mm day−1 at the daily time step). In general, the MODIS-based daily PET estimates derived in this study are promising and show the potential for use in theoretical and operational water resource studies in both gauged and ungauged basins.
Multilag Singular Value Decomposition Analysis of ENSO Convection with Tropical Stratospheric Temperature
Authors: Weare Bryan C. 
Published: June 2008

Abstract
Multilag singular value decomposition (MLSVD) analysis is developed and applied to diagnosing the impact of interannual variations of outgoing longwave radiation (OLR) on tropical stratospheric temperature changes. MLSVD is designed to analyze simultaneously variations at multiple levels and for a large number of temporal lags and leads. The two dominant MLSVDs are strongly related to El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO). The associated patterns of tropical OLR are similar to the canonical ENSO SST patterns with strong negative sign regions stretching along the equator in the eastern and central Pacific. These dominant modes are strongly linked to temperature perturbations at a wide range of lags. At the lowest analyzed level (200 hPa) and zero lag positive temperatures anomalies are in the region of low OLR. In the lower stratosphere near 100 hPa, strong negative temperature perturbations replace the positive values of the lowest level. Higher in the stratosphere near 20 hPa, equatorial temperature perturbations are again positive, but with a more zonally elongated spatial pattern. Overall, the equatorial temperature anomalies propagate slowly to the east, at a speed strongly related to ocean–atmosphere coupling of less than 1 m s−1, and vertically and westward into the stratosphere by Rossby waves with a speed in the range of 30 m s−1.
Model-Based Drought Indices over the United States
Authors: Mo Kingtse C. 
Published: June 2008

Abstract
Drought indices derived from the North American Land Data Assimilation System (NLDAS) Variable Infiltration Capacity (VIC) and Noah models from 1950 to 2000 are intercompared and evaluated for their ability to classify drought across the United States. For meteorological drought, the standardized precipitation index (SPI) is used to measure precipitation deficits. The standardized runoff index (SRI), which is similar to the SPI, is used to classify hydrological drought. Agricultural drought is measured by monthly-mean soil moisture (SM) anomaly percentiles based on probability distributions (PDs). The PDs for total SM are regionally dependent and influenced by the seasonal cycle, but the PDs for SM monthly-mean anomalies are unimodal and Gaussian.
Across the eastern United States (east of 95°W), the indices derived from VIC and Noah are similar, and they are able to detect the same drought events. Indices are also well correlated. For river forecast centers (RFCs) across the eastern United States, different drought indices are likely to detect the same drought events.
The monthly-mean soil moisture (SM) percentiles and runoff indices between VIC and Noah have large differences across the western interior of the United States. For small areas with a horizontal resolution of 0.5° on the time scales of one to three months, the differences of SM percentiles and SRI between VIC and Noah are larger than the thresholds used to classify drought. For the western RFCs, drought events selected according to SM percentiles or SRI derived from different NLDAS systems do not always overlap.