bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Agroforestry as a strategy for carbon sequestration
Authors: Ramachandran Nair P. K. , Mohan Kumar B. , Nair Vimala D. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractDuring the past three decades, agroforestry has become recognized the world over as an integrated approach to sustainable land use because of its production and environmental benefits. Its recent recognition as a greenhouse gas–mitigation strategy under the Kyoto Protocol has earned it added attention as a strategy for biological carbon (C) sequestration. The perceived potential is based on the premise that the greater efficiency of integrated systems in resource (nutrients, light, and water) capture and utilization than single‐species systems will result in greater net C sequestration. Available estimates of C‐sequestration potential of agroforestry systems are derived by combining information on the aboveground, time‐averaged C stocks and the soil C values; but they are generally not rigorous. Methodological difficulties in estimating C stock of biomass and the extent of soil C storage under varying conditions are compounded by the lack of reliable estimates of area under agroforestry. We estimate that the area currently under agroforestry worldwide is 1,023 million ha. Additionally, substantial extent of areas of unproductive crop, grass, and forest lands as well as degraded lands could be brought under agroforestry. The extent of C sequestered in any agroforestry system will depend on a number of site‐specific biological, climatic, soil, and management factors. Furthermore, the profitability of C‐sequestration projects will depend on the price of C in the international market, additional income from the sale of products such as timber, and the cost related to C monitoring. Our knowledge on these issues is unfortunately rudimentary. Until such difficulties are surmounted, the low‐cost environmental benefit of agroforestry will continue to be underappreciated and underexploited.
The effect of grassland renovation on soil mineral nitrogen and on nitrate leaching during winter
Authors: Seidel Kirsten , Kayser Manfred , Müller Jürgen , Isselstein Johannes 
Published: December 2008

AbstractRenovation of grassland may increase the mineralization of organic material and leads to a high amount of mineral N in soil which can be leached in the winter period.Soil mineral N (SMN) in autumn and calculated nitrate leaching during winter were measured after the renewal of 8 y–old cut grassland on a sandy soil in NW Germany in 1999 to 2002. Several factors, which may influence the intensity of N mineralization, were investigated in the 2 years following renewal: the season of renovation (spring or late summer/early autumn), the technique (rotary cultivator or direct drilling), and the amount of N fertilization (0 or 320 kg N ha–1 y–1 in the 7 years before the renovation). Calculated nitrate‐N leaching losses during winter were significantly higher following renewal in early autumn (36–64 kg N ha–1) compared to renewal in spring (1–7 kg N ha–1). This effect was only significant in the first, not in the second winter after renovation. The renovation technique had a significant effect on the nitrate‐N leaching losses only in the first year after the renovation. Direct drilling led to higher leaching losses (35 kg N ha–1) than the use of a rotary cultivator (30 kg N ha–1) in the same year. Calculated nitrate losses (on average over 60 kg N ha–1) were highest after renewal of N‐fertilized grassland in late summer/early autumn. To minimize N leaching losses, it would be more effective to plan grassland renewal in spring rather than in late summer/autumn. Another, however, less effective option is to reduce N fertilization before a renovation in autumn.
Response to chemotherapy predicts survival following resection of hepatic colo‐rectal metastases in patients treated with neoadjuvant therapy
Authors: Small Risa M. , Lubezky Nir , Shmueli Einat , Figer Arie , Aderka Dan , Nakache Richard , Klausner Joseph M. , Ben‐Haim Menahem 
Published: December 2008

AbstractBackgroundPrognosis of patients following resection of CRC metastases to the liver has traditionally been predicted by clinical risk factors. In the era of neoadjuvant chemotherapy, determination of new prognostic indicators of outcome are necessary.MethodsThis retrospective study includes patients with CRC liver metastases, who received oxaliplatin or irinotecan based neoadjuvant chemotherapy and underwent R0 resection. Patients were followed by CT and PET‐CT, before, during and after chemotherapy and surgery. The predictive value of the Memorial Sloan‐Kettering Cancer Center Clinical Score (MSKCC‐CS) and degree of response to chemotherapy (measured by CT and PET‐CT), were analyzed by univariate and multivariate COX regression.ResultsIncluded are 54 patients. Overall 1‐, 2‐, 3‐year survival rates 88%, 70%, and 39%. Response to chemotherapy on CT was a significant predictor of survival on univariate (P = 0.03) and multivariate analysis (P = 0.03), whereas MSKCC‐CS and response to chemotherapy on PET‐CT were not. Multivariate analysis demonstrated response to chemotherapy as a predictor of time to recurrence on CT (P = 0.02) and PET‐CT (P = 0.03), while the MSKCC‐CS (P = 0.64) was not.ConclusionsIn this cohort of patients treated by neoadjuvant chemotherapy, the outcome was not predicted by the traditional clinical scoring system, but rather by response to chemotherapy as evaluated by CT and PET‐CT. J. Surg. Oncol. 2009;99: 93–98. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Managing ethics in the tourism supply chain: the case of Chinese travel to Australia
Authors: Keating Byron 
Published: December 2008

AbstractThe purpose of this paper was to provide clues to the industry and the academia on how best to approach the challenge of managing ethics in the tourism supply chain. To achieve this objective, the paper provided a case study of how the Australian government has responded to concerns about unethical practices in the tourism supply chain from China to Australia. A series of best practice recommendations were provided following a review of both the demand side and the supply side processes. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
In vitro effects of low‐level laser irradiation for bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells: Proliferation, growth factors secretion and myogenic differentiation
Authors: Hou Jian‐feng , Zhang Hao , Yuan Xin , Li Jun , Wei Ying‐jie , Hu Sheng‐shou 
Published: December 2008

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesBone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) have shown to be an appealing source for cell therapy and tissue engineering. Previous studies have confirmed that the application of low‐level laser irradiation (LLLI) could affect the cellular process. However, little is known about the effects of LLLI on BMSCs. The aim of this study was designed to investigate the influence of LLLI at different energy densities on BMSCs proliferation, secretion and myogenic differentiation.Study Design/Materials and MethodsBMSCs were harvested from rat fresh bone marrow and exposed to a 635 nm diode laser (60 mW; 0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, or 5.0 J/cm2). The lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release was used to assess the cytotoxicity of LLLI at different energy densities. Cell proliferation was evaluated by using 3‐(4, 5‐dimethylithiazol‐2‐yl)‐2, 5‐diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) and 5‐bromo‐2′‐deoxyuridine (BrdU) assay. Production of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and nerve growth factor (NGF) were measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Myogenic differentiation, induced by 5‐azacytidine (5‐aza), was assessed by using immunocytochemical staining for the expression of sarcomeric α‐actin and desmin.ResultsCytotoxicity assay showed no significant difference between the non‐irradiated group and irradiated groups. LLLI significantly stimulated BMSCs proliferation and 0.5 J/cm2 was found to be an optimal energy density. VEGF and NGF were identified and LLLI at 5.0 J/cm2 significantly stimulated the secretion. After 5‐aza induction, myogenic differentiation was observed in all groups and LLLI at 5.0 J/cm2 dramatically facilitated the differentiation.ConclusionsLLLI stimulates proliferation, increases growth factors secretion and facilitates myogenic differentiation of BMSCs. Therefore, LLLI may provide a novel approach for the preconditioning of BMSCs in vitro prior to transplantation. Lasers Surg. Med. 40:726–733, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Remodeling of the rat gingiva induced by CO2 laser coagulation mode
Authors: Yamasaki Akira , Tamamura Kiyoharu , Sakurai Yuuko , Okuyama Noriko , Yusa Junko , Ito Hiroshi 
Published: December 2008

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesThis study was conducted to clarify the morphologic characteristics and subsequent repair process of coagulation necrosis produced by pulsed CO2 laser irradiation with relatively low fluence, and thereby to evaluate the clinical efficacy of this irradiation mode.Study Design/Materials and MethodsWounding of rat gingiva to produce coagulation necrosis was done with a CO2 laser with a fluence of 326 J/cm2. The structural characteristics of the wound and subsequent repair process were examined by means of histology, immunohistochemistry, and electron microscopy.ResultsAt 6 hours after irradiation, the cells in the laser wound appeared histologically intact but had lost the immunoreactivity to antibodies against Hsp47 and exhibited various ultrastructural signs of cell death. This wound area was lined by Hsp70‐positive cells. At 1‐day post‐irradiation, the uptake of BrdU rapidly increased in the adjacent epithelium and connective tissue. The re‐epithelization commenced at 1 day and was completed by 7 days. The necrotic tissue gradually became integrated within the newly formed connective tissue and the original contour of the gingiva was retained during the repair process. The repair process of the laser‐induced wound progressed more rapidly than that of a scalpel‐made wound.ConclusionsThe present study suggests that the coagulation necrosis produced by the low fluence pulsed CO2 laser does not disturb the repair process but promotes its steady progress and subsequent tissue remodeling. This laser mode will pave the way for more conservative and minimally invasive surgery for treating a wide variety of oral soft tissue disorders. Lasers Surg. Med. 40:695–703, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Mechanical tissue optical clearing devices: Enhancement of light penetration in ex vivo porcine skin and adipose tissue
Authors: Rylander Christopher G. , Milner Thomas E. , Baranov Stepan A. , Nelson J. Stuart 
Published: December 2008

AbstractBackground and ObjectiveThe complex morphological structure of tissue and associated variations in the indices of refraction of components therein, provides a highly scattering medium for visible and near‐infrared wavelengths of light. Tissue optical clearing permits delivery of light deeper into tissue, potentially improving the capabilities of various light‐based therapeutic techniques, such as adipose tissue removal or reshaping.Study Design/Materials and MethodsWe report results of a study to evaluate effectiveness of novel mechanical tissue optical clearing devices (TOCD) using white light photography and infrared imaging radiometry (IIR). The TOCD consists of a pin array and vacuum pressure source applied directly to the skin surface. IIR images recorded light absorption and temperature increase of ex vivo porcine skin and adipose during laser irradiation (980 and 1,210 nm) before and after TOCD application.ResultsWhite light photographic images of in vivo human skin demonstrated localized compression and altered visual appearance, indicative of water and blood movement in skin. White light photographic images also showed increased visible light transport through regions of ex vivo porcine skin compressed by TOCD pins. Rate of heating in sub‐dermal adipose regions beneath TOCD pins was twofold higher following TOCD application.ConclusionsResults of our study suggest that mechanical optical clearing may provide a means to deliver increased light fluence to dermal and adipose tissues. Lasers Surg. Med. 40:688–694, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Understanding older consumers through cognitive age and the list of values: A U.K.‐based perspective
Authors: Sudbury Lynn , Simcock Peter 
Published: December 2008

AbstractAlthough the importance of older consumers to marketers is well documented, there exists a relative paucity of U.K.‐based empirical studies into the perceptions and values of these consumers. This is the first study to investigate the relationship between age, cognitive age, and values of consumers aged between 50 and 79 years (n = 650). Results confirm that by combining cognitive age with the List of Values, much richer insights into the 50+ market can be gained. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Influence of postharvest processing and storage on the content of phenolic acids and flavonoids in foods
Authors: Amarowicz Ryszard , Carle Reinhold , Dongowski Gerhard , Durazzo Alessandra , Galensa Rudolf , Kammerer Dietmar , Maiani Guiseppe , Piskula Mariusz K. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractThe review is based on the evaluation of electronically collated data published between 2002 to June 2006. It is based on 325 references dealing with the following subclasses of phenolic compounds: hydroxycinnamic and hydroxybenzoic acids, chalcones, flavanones, flavones, flavonols, monomeric flavanols and anthocyanins. Only publications dealing directly with the effects of storage and postharvest processing on the phenolic acid and flavonoid contents of foods were considered. The expectation that the structural diversity even within each subgroup, and the number of different procedures and of different parameters would make finding homogenous tendencies unlikely, has, in most instances, been confirmed. By adding a database Excel table combined with a focused and unified evaluation, specific additional information was rendered accessible and concise. It holds true for most of the subclasses in question that the effect of storage and food processing on the polyphenol content is negligible in comparison to the differences between different varieties of plants. Variety dependence must always be considered, for all classes of compounds.
Betulinic acid: A natural product with anticancer activity
Authors: Fulda Simone 
Published: December 2008

AbstractBetulinic acid (BA) is a naturally occurring pentacyclic triterpene that exhibits a variety of biological activities including potent antitumor properties. This anticancer activity has been linked to its ability to directly trigger mitochondrial membrane permeabilization, a central event in the apoptotic process that seals the cell's fate. In contrast to the potent cytotoxicity of BA against a variety of cancer types, nonmalignant cells and normal tissue remained relatively resistant to BA, indicating a therapeutic window. Since agents that exert a direct action on mitochondria may trigger cell death under circumstances in which standard chemotherapeutics fail, there is increasing interest to develop such compounds as experimental cancer therapeutics. Thus, mitochondrion‐targeted agents such as BA hold great promise as a novel approach to bypass certain forms of drug resistance in human cancers.
Absence of glycochenodeoxycholic acid (GCDCA) in human bile is an indication of cholestasis: A 1H MRS study
Authors: Ijare Omkar B. , Bezabeh Tedros , Albiin Nils , Arnelo Urban , Bergquist Annika , Lindberg Bo , Smith Ian C.P. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractThe utility of 1H MR spectroscopy in detecting chronic cholestasis has been investigated. The amide proton region of the 1H MR spectrum of human bile plays a major role in differentiating cholestatic (Ch) patterns from the normal ones. Bile obtained from normal bile ducts contains both taurine and glycine conjugates of bile acids – cholic acid (CA), chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA), and deoxycholic acid (DCA). Absence of a glycine‐conjugated bile acid glycochenodeoxycholic acid (GCDCA) has been observed in bile samples obtained from primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) patients. A total of 32 patients with various hepatobiliary diseases were included in the study. Twenty‐one patients had PSC and 11 had normal cholangiograms. One PSC patient was excluded from the study because of a bad spectrum. Seventeen out of the 20 PSC patients showed an absence of GCDCA in their 1H MR spectrum of bile. Six of the 11 reference patients with normal cholangiogram also showed spectra similar to those of PSC, indicating the possibility of cholestasis. DQF‐COSY and TOCSY experiments performed on bile samples from PSC patients also revealed absence of phosphatidylcholine (PC) in some of the bile samples, suggesting possible damage to the cholangiocytes by the toxic bile. These observations suggest that analysis of human bile by 1H MRS could be of value in the diagnosis of chronic Ch liver disorders. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Kinetic study of the neutral and base hydrolysis of diketene
Authors: Gómez‐Bombarelli Rafael , González‐Pérez Marina , Pérez‐Prior María Teresa , Manso José A. , Calle Emilio , Casado Julio 
Published: December 2008

AbstractDiketene (4‐methylene‐2‐oxetanone) is inactive as a carcinogen, although it is more reactive toward nucleophiles than the analogs β‐propiolactone and β‐butyrolactone, both of which are alkylating agents of known carcinogenicity. In the literature the lack of carcinogenic effects has been ascribed to the rapid hydrolysis of diketene, which could preclude its in vivo alkylating capacity. In this work, the kinetics of the neutral and alkaline hydrolysis of diketene in aqueous and different water–dioxane media have been studied. The following conclusions can be drawn: (i) The neutral hydrolysis of diketene is slightly faster than that of β‐propiolactone and β‐butyrolactone. (ii) The hydrolysis reaction of diketene is very slow when compared to its alkylation reaction of a DNA‐model nucleophile, suggesting that, contrary to earlier results, competitive hydrolysis is not the cause of its lack of carcinogenicity. (iii) The diketene neutral hydrolysis rate constant increases with the water/dioxane ratio, the opposite occurring in base hydrolysis. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evidence for a possible role of 3‐hydroxyanthranilic acid as an antioxidant
Authors: Chadha Ridhima , Mahal H. S. , Mukherjee Tulsi , Kapoor S. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractThe reactions of 3‐hydroxyanthranilic acid (3‐OHAA) with N3•, NO2•, NO•, CCl3O2• , and OH•radicals were examined using a pulse radiolysis technique mainly at pH 7. The bimolecular electron transfer from secondary one‐electron oxidants results in the formation of anilino radical (λmax ≅ 380 nm). The rate constant for the reaction of N3•radical with 3‐OHAA at pH 7 was found to be 6.3 × 109 dm3 mol−1 s−1. It was observed that the 3‐OHAA reacts with oxygen centered radicals. The repair rate constant for the electron transfer reaction from 3‐OHAA to guanosine radical and chlorpromazine cation radical was also examined using a pulse radiolysis technique. Kinetic studies indicate that 3‐OHAA may act as an antioxidant to repair free‐radical damage to above mentioned biologically important compounds. The rate constants of electron transfer from the 3‐OHAA to the guanosine and chlorpromazine radicals were determined. The one‐electron reduction potential for 3‐OHAA radical was found to be 0.53 ± 0.06 VversusNHE. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Tuning the conformational properties of the prion peptide
Authors: Ho Chai‐Chi , Lee Lily Y.‐L. , Huang Kuo‐Ting , Lin Chun‐Cheng , Ku Mei‐yun , Yang Chien‐Chih , Chan Sunney I. , Hsu Ruei‐Lin , Chen Rita P.‐Y. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractPreviously, we disclosed that O‐linked glycosylation of Ser‐132 or Ser‐135 could dramatically change the amyloidogenic property of the hamster prion peptide (sequence 108–144). This peptide, which corresponds to the flexible loop and the first β‐strand in the structure of the prion protein, is a random coil when it is initially dissolved in buffer, but amyloid fibrils are formed with time. Thus, it offers a convenient model system to observe and compare how different chemical modifications and sequence mutations alter the amyloidogenic property of the peptide within a reasonable experimental time frame. In our earlier study, aside from uncovering a site‐specificity of the glycosylation on the fibrillogenesis, different effects of α‐GalNAc and β‐GlcNAc were observed. In this work, we explore further how different sugar configurations affect the conformational property of the polypeptide chain. We compare the effects of O‐linked glycosylation by the common sugars α‐GalNAc, β‐GlcNAc with their non‐native analogs β‐GalNAc, α‐GlcNAc in an effort to uncover the origin of the sugar‐specificity on the fibril formation. We find that the anomeric configuration of the sugar is the most important factor affecting the fibrillogenesis. Sugars with the glycosidic bond in the α‐configuration at Ser‐135 have a dramatic inhibitory effect on the structural conversion of the glycosylated peptide. Because O‐glycosylation of Ser‐135 with α‐linked sugars also promote the formation of three slowly converting conformations at the site of glycosylation, we surmise that the amyloidogenic property of the peptide is related to its conformational flexibility, and the proclivity of this region of the peptide to undergo the structural conversion from the random coil to form the β‐structure. Upon O‐glycosylation with an α‐linked sugar, this conversion is inhibited and the nucleation of fibril formation is largely retarded. Consistent with this scenario, Arg‐136 is the residue most affected in the TOCSY NMR spectra of the glycosylated peptides, other than the serine site modified. In addition, when Arg‐136 is substituted by Gly, a mutation that should provide higher structural flexibility in this part of the peptide, the amyloidogenic property of the peptide is greatly enhanced, and the inhibition effect of glycosylation is largely diminished. These results are consistent with Ser‐135 and Arg‐136 being part of the kink region involved in the structural conversion. Proteins 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Refining near‐native protein–protein docking decoys by local resampling and energy minimization
Authors: Liang Shide , Wang Guangce , Zhou Yaoqi 
Published: December 2008

AbstractHow to refine a near‐native structure to make it closer to its native conformation is an unsolved problem in protein‐structure and protein–protein complex‐structure prediction. In this article, we first test several scoring functions for selecting locally resampled near‐native protein–protein docking conformations and then propose a computationally efficient protocol for structure refinement via local resampling and energy minimization. The proposed method employs a statistical energy function based on a Distance‐scaled Ideal‐gas REference state (DFIRE) as an initial filter and an empirical energy function EMPIRE (EMpirical Protein‐InteRaction Energy) for optimization and re‐ranking. Significant improvement of final top‐1 ranked structures over initial near‐native structures is observed in the ZDOCK 2.3 decoy set for Benchmark 1.0 (74% whose global rmsd reduced by 0.5 Å or more and only 7% increased by 0.5 Å or more). Less significant improvement is observed for Benchmark 2.0 (38% versus 33%). Possible reasons are discussed. Proteins 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.