The LTAR Cropland Common Experiment at Upper Mississippi River Basin-Ames.

Agricultural systems evolve from the interactions of climate, crops, soils, management practices (e.g., tillage, cover crops, nutrient management), and economic risks and rewards.

Interdependency and differential expression of ERK1 and ERK2 in breast and melanoma cell lines.

Background: Regulatory mechanism of ERK1 and ERK2, their mechanisms of action, and how they impact on development, growth, and homeostasis of different organisms have been given much emphasis for long. ERK1 and 2 though are isoforms of ERK mitogen-activated protein kinase but are coded by two different genes MAPK3 and MAPK1 respectively and show differential expressions and interdependency in different cancer cell lines. Our previous investigations substantially stated the effect of ERK1 and ERK2 on different extracellular molecules like MMPs and integrins, responsible for cell growth and differentiation.

Phosphorus distributions in alluvial soils of the Lower Mississippi River Basin: A case of dual legacies.

Legacies can become intertwined, none more so than the body of work of Dr. Andrew Sharpley examining agricultural nutrient delivery to waterbodies and the phosphorus (P) accumulation in agricultural soils, or "legacy P." Although Sharpley's work focused on the anthropogenic influence on soil P, our study suggests soils of the Lower Mississippi Alluvial Plain (MAP) represent a natural legacy with moderate levels of available P resulting from minimal anthropogenic input.

A Fractional-Order Variational Framework for Retinex: Fractional-Order Partial Differential Equation-Based Formulation for Multi-Scale Nonlocal Contrast Enhancement with Texture Preserving.

This paper discusses a novel conceptual formulation of the fractional-order variational framework for retinex, which is a fractional-order partial differential equation (FPDE) formulation of retinex for the multi-scale nonlocal contrast enhancement with texture preserving. The well-known shortcomings of traditional integer-order computation-based contrast-enhancement algorithms, such as ringing artefacts and staircase effects, are still in great need of special research attention. Fractional calculus has potentially received prominence in applications in the domain of signal processing and image processing mainly because of its strengths like long-term memory, nonlocality, and weak singularity, and because of the ability of a fractional differential to enhance the complex textural details of an image in a nonlinear manner.

Microbes as Engines of Ecosystem Function: When Does Community Structure Enhance Predictions of Ecosystem Processes?

Microorganisms are vital in mediating the earth's biogeochemical cycles; yet, despite our rapidly increasing ability to explore complex environmental microbial communities, the relationship between microbial community structure and ecosystem processes remains poorly understood. Here, we address a fundamental and unanswered question in microbial ecology: 'When do we need to understand microbial community structure to accurately predict function?' We present a statistical analysis investigating the value of environmental data and microbial community structure independently and in combination for explaining rates of carbon and nitrogen cycling processes within 82 global datasets. Environmental variables were the strongest predictors of process rates but left 44% of variation unexplained on average, suggesting the potential for microbial data to increase model accuracy.

Extracellular matrix protein laminin induces matrix metalloproteinase-9 in human breast cancer cell line mcf-7.

Studies on interaction of tumor cells with extracellular matrix (ECM) components showed increased extracellular protease activity mediated by the family of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). Here we studied the effect of human breast cancer cell line MCF-7-laminin (LM) interaction on MMPs and the underlying signaling pathways. Culturing of MCF-7 cells on LM coated surface upregulated MMP-9 expression as well as reduced tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1) expression.

Matrix metalloproteinase-9 as a potential tumor marker in breast cancer.

This study aimed to detect the comparative expression and activity of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and its correlation with known pathological parameters such as estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) in 81 malignant breast tumors and adjacent normal breast tissues and in blood sera of these patients from different clinical TNM stages (ductal carcinoma in situ to T4) of breast cancer. MMP-9 was highly expressed in node-positive tumors and the preoperative blood serum of patients, but MMP-9 activity was appreciably inhibited in blood serum samples collected after surgery. The mature form of MMP-9 (84 kD) was expressed only in clinical stage III tumors (T2-4).

Extracellular matrix protein fibronectin induces matrix metalloproteinases in human prostate adenocarcinoma cells PC-3.

Studies on interaction of tumor cells with ECM components showed increased extracellular protease activity mediated by the family of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). Here we studied the effect of human prostate adenocarcinoma PC-3 cells-fibronectin (FN) interaction on MMPs and the underlying signaling pathways. Culturing of PC-3 cells on FN-coated surface upregulated MMP-9 and MMP-1.

Integrins and metastasis.

Metastasis is a combination of biological events that makes the difference between cancer and other diseases. Metastasis requires flow of erroneous but precisely coordinated basic cellular activities like cell migration-invasion, cell survival-apoptosis, cell proliferation, etc. All of these processes require efficient regulation of cell attachment and detachment, which recruit integrin receptors in this flow of events.

Soil metabolic pulses: water, substrate, and biological regulation.

Pulses of metabolic activity are a common ecological response to intermittently available resources, and in soils these pulses often occur in response to wetting. To better understand variation in soil pulses, we conducted a distributed field experiment at seven sites along a 2200-m elevation transect in southern California, USA. Treatments included both water and water + substrate additions and two measurements of soil respiration within one hour.

Modulation of MMPs by cell surface integrin receptor α5β1.

MMPs are a family of Zn dependent endopeptidases, which can mediate degradation of ECM components during various physiological and pathological processes including cancer. Some ECM components, through interaction with integrin receptor and modulation of downstream signaling, are capable of regulating expression and activity of several MMPs. α₅β₁ integrin is the universally accepted receptor for the ECM component fibronectin (FN).

Fibronectin-integrin (alpha5beta1) modulates migration and invasion of murine melanoma cell line B16F10 by involving MMP-9.

Cell adhesion to extracellular matrix (ECM) initiates signaling cascade regulated by cell surface integrin receptors, which affects the proliferation and invasion of cells. Cells cultured in the presence of ECM ligand fibronectin (FN) stimulate secretion of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), facilitating cancer cell invasion and metastasis. Among all the members of the MMP family, MMP-9 is of crucial importance in tumor invasion and metastasis.

Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) downregulates EGF-induced MMP-9 in breast cancer cells: involvement of integrin receptor α5β1 in the process.

Purpose: Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR/ErbB1) is a transmembrane protein with tyrosine kinase activity activated mainly by ligand, EGF. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of proteinases that catalyses the destruction of ECM, among which MMP-9 has important role in tumor cell invasion. Secretion of MMP-9 is stimulated by a variety of factors, EGFR being significant.

Correlation technique and least square support vector machine combine for frequency domain based ECG beat classification.

The present work proposes the development of an automated medical diagnostic tool that can classify ECG beats. This is considered an important problem as accurate, timely detection of cardiac arrhythmia can help to provide proper medical attention to cure/reduce the ailment. The proposed scheme utilizes a cross-correlation based approach where the cross-spectral density information in frequency domain is used to extract suitable features.

Culture of human breast cancer cell line (MDA-MB-231) on fibronectin-coated surface induces pro-matrix metalloproteinase-9 expression and activity.

Interaction between cell surface integrin receptors with extracellular matrix (ECM) plays an important role in cell survival, proliferation, and migration including tumor development and invasion. Binding of ECM to integrins initiates intracellular signaling cascades, modulating expression and activity of different matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) which is important in ECM degradation. The present study investigates fibronectin-integrin-mediated signaling and thereby modulation of MMPs expression and activity in human breast cancer cell line, MDA-MB-231.

Fibronectin induces matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in human laryngeal carcinoma cells by involving multiple signaling pathways.

Cell adhesion to extracellular matrix initiates intracellular signaling cascade regulated by integrin family of receptors. Evidences show that cultured cells in presence of extracellular matrix adhesion molecule Fibronectin (FN) stimulates secretion of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), facilitating cancer cell invasion. Amongst all MMPs, MMP-9 is often reported to play crucial role in tumor cell growth and metastasis.

Black tea polyphenol (theaflavin) downregulates MMP-2 in human melanoma cell line A375 by involving multiple regulatory molecules.

The tumor-inhibiting property of black tea polyphenol, theaflavin, is well documented. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) play a pivotal role in tumor invasion through degradation of extracellular matrix (ECM). In the present study, we observed the effect of theaflavin on MMP-2, which is upregulated in most tumor types, and its regulatory molecules, in human melanoma cell line, A375.

Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) downregulates gelatinase-B (MMP-9) by involvement of FAK/ERK/NFkappaB and AP-1 in the human breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231.

Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is effective against the initiation, progression, and invasion of carcinogenesis.Matrix-metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of endopeptidases that hydrolyze the majority of extracellular proteins. MMP-9 is one of the most important members of the family and we observed the effect of EGCG on MMP-9 in the human breast cancer cell line, MDA-MB-231.

Laminin induces matrix metalloproteinase-9 expression and activation in human cervical cancer cell line (SiHa).

Purpose: Interaction between cell surface integrin receptors and extracellular matrix (ECM) components plays an important role in cell survival, proliferation and migration including tumor development and invasion. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) are a family of metalloproteinases capable of digesting ECM and facilitate cell migration. Binding of ECM to integrins initiates signaling cascades modulating expression and activity of different MMPs.

All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) downregulates MMP-9 by modulating its regulatory molecules.

Unlabelled: The vitamin A derivative all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) is considered as a potent chemotherapeutic drug for its capability of regulating cell growth and differentiation. We aimed to study the effect of ATRA on MMP-9 in MDA-MB-231, human breast cancer cells and the probable molecular mechanisms through which ATRA exerts its effect.

Results: Our experimental findings demonstrate that ATRA enters into the nucleus and regulates various signaling pathways viz.

Culture of K562 human myeloid leukemia cells in presence of fibronectin expresses and secretes MMP-9 in serum-free culture medium.

The interaction of cells with adhesion proteins in the extracellular matrix (ECM) provides signals which affect the morphology, motility, gene expression and survival of adherent cells. In the present communication we cultured K562 cells in presence of fibronectin to study the fibronectin-integrin mediated signalling and modulation of MMP expression. Our experimental findings demonstrate that exposure of K562 cells in serum free medium in presence of fibronectin up-regulates the expression of pro-MMP-9 within 2 hrs.

Fibronectin-integrin mediated signaling in human cervical cancer cells (SiHa).

Interaction between cell surface integrin receptors and extracellular matrix (ECM) components plays an important role in cell survival, proliferation, and migration, including tumor development and invasion of tumor cells. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of metalloproteinases capable of digesting ECM components and are important molecules for cell migration. Binding of ECM to integrins initiates cascades of cell signaling events modulating expression and activity of different MMPs.

Studies on Multifunctional Effect of All-Trans Retinoic Acid (ATRA) on Matrix Metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and Its Regulatory Molecules in Human Breast Cancer Cells (MCF-7).

Background. Vitamin A derivative all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) is considered as a potent chemotherapeutic drug for its capability of regulating cell growth and differentiation. We studied the effect of ATRA on MMP-2 in MCF-7, human breast cancer cells, and the probable signaling pathways which are affected by ATRA on regulating pro-MMP-2 activity and expression.

Multifunctional effect of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) in downregulation of gelatinase-A (MMP-2) in human breast cancer cell line MCF-7.

Aims: The tumor inhibiting property of green tea polyphenol epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is well documented. Studies reveal that matrix-metalloproteinases (MMPs) play pivotal roles in tumor invasion through degradation of basement membranes and extracellular matrix (ECM). We studied the effect of EGCG on matrixmetalloproteinases-2 (MMP-2), the factors involved in activation, secretion and signaling molecules that might be involved in the regulation of MMP-2 in human breast cancer cell line, MCF-7.