Heparanase 1 Upregulation Promotes Tumor Progression and Is a Predictor of Low Survival for Oral Cancer

Background: Oral cavity cancer is still an important public health problem throughout the world. Oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCCs) can be quite aggressive and metastatic, with a low survival rate and poor prognosis. However, this is usually related to the clinical stage and histological grade, and molecular prognostic markers for clinical practice are yet to be defined. Heparanase (HPSE1) is an endoglycosidase associated with extracellular matrix remodeling, and although involved in several malignancies, the clinical implications of HPSE1 expression in OSCCs are still unknown.Methods: We sought to investigate HPSE1 expression in a series of primary OSCCs and further explore whether its overexpression plays a relevant role in OSCC tumorigenesis. mRNA and protein expression analyses were performed in OSCC tissue samples and cell lines. A loss-of-function strategy using shRNA and a gain-of-function strategy using an ORF vector targeting HPSE1 were employed to investigate the endogenous modulation of HPSE1 and its effects on proliferation, apoptosis, adhesion, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), angiogenesis, migration, and invasion of oral cancer in vitro.Results: We demonstrated that HPSE1 is frequently upregulated in OSCC samples and cell lines and is an unfavorable prognostic indicator of disease-specific survival when combined with advanced pT stages. Moreover, abrogation of HPSE1 in OSCC cells significantly promoted apoptosis and inhibited proliferation, migration, invasion, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition by significantly decreasing the expression of N-cadherin and vimentin. Furthermore, a conditioned medium of HPSE1-downregulated cells resulted in reduced vascular endothelial growth.Conclusion: Our results confirm the overexpression of HPSE1 in OSCCs, suggest that HPSE1 expression correlates with disease progression as it is associated with several important biological processes for oral tumorigenesis, and can be managed as a prognostic marker for patients with OSCC.Peer reviewe

Project Idea Note: afforestation/restoration of riparian areas along Santa Cruz River, Arizona USA

Riparian forests are crucial ecosystems linking the aquatic and the terrestrial environment. As a result, these riverine systems process large fluxes of energy, nutrients and life at various spatial and temporal scales. This project idea is for the revegetation of approximately 2,634 acres of riparian lands along the middle and lower reaches of the Santa Cruz River in the U.S. Five different properties were chosen for the implementation of this project. The revegetation project would generate a wide array of social and environmental benefits, such as: carbon sequestration, maintenance of water quality and quantity, fish and wildlife habitat enhancement, and aesthetics and human recreation improvement. In terms of sequestered carbon, the project would result in the uptake of as much as 150,000 tons of CO2e from the atmosphere by 2050. Unfortunately, the implementation of this project was considered unfeasible in economic terms. Prices of the verifiable emission reductions (VER) would have to reach levels that are unlikely in the near future. For this project to break-­‐‑even between costs and benefits (IRR = 0%) the price of the negotiated VER would have to reach US$67.00. Assuming a current estimate of US$ 7.00 it is unlikely this project can be implemented only using revenues from carbon sequestration

Project Idea Note: afforestation/restoration of riparian areas along Santa Cruz River, Arizona USA

Riparian forests are crucial ecosystems linking the aquatic and the terrestrial environment. As a result, these riverine systems process large fluxes of energy, nutrients and life at various spatial and temporal scales. This project idea is for the revegetation of approximately 2,634 acres of riparian lands along the middle and lower reaches of the Santa Cruz River in the U.S. Five different properties were chosen for the implementation of this project. The revegetation project would generate a wide array of social and environmental benefits, such as: carbon sequestration, maintenance of water quality and quantity, fish and wildlife habitat enhancement, and aesthetics and human recreation improvement. In terms of sequestered carbon, the project would result in the uptake of as much as 150,000 tons of CO2e from the atmosphere by 2050. Unfortunately, the implementation of this project was considered unfeasible in economic terms. Prices of the verifiable emission reductions (VER) would have to reach levels that are unlikely in the near future. For this project to break-­‐‑even between costs and benefits (IRR = 0%) the price of the negotiated VER would have to reach US$67.00. Assuming a current estimate of US$ 7.00 it is unlikely this project can be implemented only using revenues from carbon sequestration

Methods for the quantification of GHG emissions at the landscape level for developing countries in smallholder contexts

Landscape scale quantification enables farmers to pool resources and expertise. However, the problem remains of how to quantify these gains. This article considers current greenhouse gas (GHG) quantification methods that can be used in a landscape scale analysis in terms of relevance to areas dominated by smallholders in developing countries. In landscape scale carbon accounting frameworks, measurements are an essential element. Sampling strategies need careful design to account for all pools/fluxes and to ensure judicious use of resources. Models can be used to scale-up measurements and fill data gaps. In recent years a number of accessible models and calculators have been developed which can be used at the landscape scale in developing country areas. Some are based on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) method and others on dynamic ecosystem models. They have been developed for a range of different purposes and therefore vary in terms of accuracy and usability. Landscape scale assessments of GHGs require a combination of ground sampling, use of data from census, remote sensing (RS) or other sources and modelling. Fitting of all of these aspects together needs to be performed carefully to minimize uncertainties and maximize the use of scarce resources. This is especially true in heterogeneous landscapes dominated by smallholders in developing countries

Methods for the quantification of GHG emissions at the landscape level for developing countries in smallholder contexts

Landscape scale quantification enables farmers to pool resources and expertise. However, the problem remains of how to quantify these gains. This article considers current greenhouse gas (GHG) quantification methods that can be used in a landscape scale analysis in terms of relevance to areas dominated by smallholders in developing countries. In landscape scale carbon accounting frameworks, measurements are an essential element. Sampling strategies need careful design to account for all pools/fluxes and to ensure judicious use of resources. Models can be used to scale-up measurements and fill data gaps. In recent years a number of accessible models and calculators have been developed which can be used at the landscape scale in developing country areas. Some are based on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) method and others on dynamic ecosystem models. They have been developed for a range of different purposes and therefore vary in terms of accuracy and usability. Landscape scale assessments of GHGs require a combination of ground sampling, use of data from census, remote sensing (RS) or other sources and modelling. Fitting of all of these aspects together needs to be performed carefully to minimize uncertainties and maximize the use of scarce resources. This is especially true in heterogeneous landscapes dominated by smallholders in developing countries