bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Selection of the most informative morphoagronomic descriptors for cassava germplasm
Authors: Oliveira Eder Jorge de , Oliveira Filho Osvaldo Sebastião de , Santos Vanderlei da Silva
Published: January 2015

The objective of this work was to select the most informative morphoagronomic descriptors for cassava (Manihot esculenta) germplasm and to evaluate the ability of different methods to select the descriptors. Ninety-five accessions were characterized using 51 morphoagronomic descriptors. Data were subjected to a multiple correspondence analysis (MCA), whose information was used in the following four methods of descriptor selection: reverse order of the descriptor for the pth factorial axis of the MCA (Jolliffe); sequential, multiple correspondence analysis (SMCA); mean of the contribution orders of the descriptor in the first three factorial axes (C3PA); and C3PA method weighted by the respective eigenvalues of the full analysis (C3PAWeig). The correlations between the dissimilarity matrix with all descriptors and the most informative descriptors were high and significant (0.75, 0.77, 0.83, and 0.84 for C3PAWeig, C3PA, SMCA, and Jolliffe, respectively). The less informative descriptors were discarded, considering those common among the selection methods and relevant for the breeding interests. Therefore, 32 morphoagronomic descriptors with correlation between the dissimilarity matrices (r=0.81) were selected, due to their high capacity to discriminate cassava germplasm and to their ability to maintain some preliminary agronomic traits, useful for the initial characterization of the germplasm.
A América Latina de Erico Verissimo: vizinhança, fraternidade, fraturas
Authors: Minchillo Carlos Cortez
Published: January 2015

A trajetória literária e intelectual de Erico Verissimo perfaz uma rota de aproximação com a América Latina, cujos marcos mais importantes são o relato de viagem México e o romance O senhor embaixador. Este artigo analisa como se desenvolveu a compreensão do escritor brasileiro sobre a América Latina. Argumento que os Estados Unidos constantemente funcionam como contraponto e fator condicionante dessa leitura, o que pode ser associado ao debate intelectual fortemente polarizado na América Latina no contexto da Política de Boa Vizinhança e da Guerra Fria. Procuro mostrar ainda que essa polarização ideológica, somada a atributos da fatura ficcional de seus romances, levaram Erico Verissimo a permanecer em uma posição relativamente marginal no cenário cultural internacional durante os anos do boom literário latino-americano.
SPATIAL AND TEMPORALVARIATION OF DISSOLVED INORGANIC NUTRIENTS, AND CHLOROPHYLL-α IN A TROPICAL ESTUARY IN NORTHEASTERN BRAZIL: DYNAMICS OF NUTRIENT REMOVAL
Authors: Silva Maria Aparecida Macedo , Souza Marcelo F. L. , Abreu Paulo C.
Published: January 2015

Monthly sampling campaigns were carried out between February 2010 and January 2011 to evaluate the spatial and temporal distribution of nutrients (ammonium, nitrite, nitrate, dissolved organic nitrogen, phosphate, dissolved organic phosphorus and silicate) and chlorophyll-α along a salinity gradient in the tropical Cachoeira River estuary, subject to the untreated effluents of a sewage treatment plant (STP). During the study period the lowest and highest river discharge occurred in February and April 2010, respectively. High river outflow promoted increased concentrations of inorganic nitrogen and silicate but did not affect the concentration of phosphate. Based on the chlorophyll-α concentration the estuary may be classified as eutrophic / hypereutrophic in its inner portion and mesotrophic in the lower region. The inner portion is more affected by the nutrient load carried out by the river and STP, while dilution by seawater contributed to the reduction of the nutrient concentrations in the lower reaches of the estuary. The results indicate that nutrient uptake by the phytoplankton is the most effective dissolved inorganic nutrient removal processes, especially for phosphate. Mixing diagrams suggest that the coupling of nitrification and denitrification processes is also responsible for the elimination of nitrogen from this ecosystem.
GENOTOXICITY OF SHALLOW WATERS NEAR THE BRAZILIAN ANTARCTIC STATION "COMANDANTE FERRAZ" (EACF), ADMIRALTY BAY, KING GEORGE ISLAND, ANTARCTICA
Authors: Rocha Arthur José da Silva , Botelho Marina Tenório , Hasue Fabio Matsu , Passos Maria José de Arruda Campos Rocha , Vignardi Caroline Patricio , Ngan Phan Van , Gomes Vicente
Published: January 2015

Series of biomonitoring surveys were undertaken weekly in February 2012 to investigate the genotoxicity of the shallow waters around the Brazilian Antarctic Station "Comandante Ferraz" (EACF). The comet assay was applied to assess the damage to the DNA of hemocytes of the crustacean amphipods Gondogeneia antarctica collected from shallow waters near the Fuel Tanks (FT) and Sewage Treatment Outflow (STO) of the research station, and compare it to the DNA damage of animals from Punta Plaza (PPL) and Yellow Point (YP), natural sites far from the EACF defined as experimental controls. The damage to the DNA of hemocytes of G. antarctica was not significantly different between sites in the biomonitoring surveys I and II. In survey III, the damage to the DNA of animals captured in shallow waters near the Fuel Tanks (FT) and Sewage Treatment Outflow (STO) was significantly higher than that of the control site of Punta Plaza (PPL). In biomonitoring survey IV, a significant difference was detected only between the FT and PPL sites. Results demonstrated that the shallow waters in front of the station may be genotoxic and that the comet assay and hemocytes of G. antarctica are useful tools for assessing genotoxicity in biomonitoring studies of Antarctic marine coastal habitats.
Tolerance of benthic macroinvertebrates to organic enrichment in highland streams of northeastern Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
Authors: Mazzoni Aline Correa , Lanzer Rosane , Schafer Alois
Published: January 2015

AIM: the aim of this study was to determine the ecological valence of benthic macroinvertebrates at different pollution levels in highland rivers and streams of Rio Grande do Sul; METHODS: the dataset proceeds from samplings performed between 2002-2011 in 35 lotic ecosystems. The Chemical Index was used to determine pollution levels. Indices of richness and Shannon diversity were applied to characterize the structure of benthic communities. The descriptors used to determine taxa's ecological valence were selected according to Coefficient of Variation and regression analyses. Groups of tolerance were identified using Interquartile range and cluster analysis; RESULTS: Conductivity and Chemical Index were the descriptors best related with diversity of benthic macroinvertebrate community. These metrics were used to determine the tolerance range of 38 taxa. Interquartile range and cluster analysis revealed three groups of taxa, according to their occurrence in different levels of pollution: taxa with narrow amplitudes, present at sites with very low or very high load of organic enrichment; taxa with moderate amplitude, found until moderately polluted sites; and taxa with occurrence in widespread environmental conditions. The results, when compared to other studies in Brazil, showed differences in some taxa's tolerance. This observation indicates the need to assess the bioindication potential of these taxa in genus and species level; CONCLUSION: the present study contributes to increase knowledge about the bioindicator potential of benthic macroinvertebrates. Therefore, the study supports an advanced biomonitoring of ecological quality in mountain streams of southern Brazil.
Population dynamics of Aegla manuinflata Bond-Buckup and Santos 2009 (Decapoda: Aeglidae), an threatened species
Authors: Trevisan André , Santos Sandro
Published: January 2015

AIM: We evaluate the population density, median size of males and females, age distribution, sex-ratio, reproductive period and recruitment period of the threatened species Aegla manuinflata. METHODS: Monthly samplings were made from May 2006 to April 2007 in the Passo Taquara stream, Brazil. An extra sampling was performed at each season of the year in order to determine population density. Animals were captured with traps and handnets. All the captured specimens were sexed and had their cephalotoraccic length measured with a digital caliper (0.01 mm), and were then released back in the stream. RESULTS: A total of 888 individuals were analyzed, including 17 unsexed juveniles, 572 males, 274 females and 25 ovigerous females. A mean population density of 1.52 ind/m² was estimated. Males showed median sizes larger than females (p < 0.01). Age distribution was bimodal for both males and females. Females predominated in intermediary size-classes, while males were more abundant in the larger classes, with no differences for the lower classes. The sex-ratio, in general, followed the expected 1:1 proportion only in the months of May, October and November (p > 0.05). Males and females caught only with handnet follow the expected 1:1 proportion in all months of the year (p > 0.05), demonstrating that the sampling method clearly affects the results. Ovigerous females and juveniles were registered in all seasons of the year and there is no significant different in the proportion of these animals among the seasons (p > 0.05), indicating continuous reproduction. CONCLUSIONS: Population data of this study can be used as a basis for the creation of conservation measures of A. manuinflata, since the species is considered vulnerable.
Measuring Nursing Error: Psychometrics of MISSCARE and Practice and Professional Issues Items
Authors: Castner Jessica , Dean-Baar Susan
Published: January 2015

Background and Purpose: Health care error causes inpatient morbidity and mortality. This study pooled the items from preexisting nursing error questionnaires and tested the psychometric properties of modified subscales from these item combinations. Methods: Items from MISSCARE Part A, Part B, and the Practice and Professional Issues were collected from 556 registered nurses. Principal component analyses were completed for items measuring (a) nursing error and (b) antecedents to error. Results: Acceptable factor loadings and internal consistency reliability (.70–.89) were found for subscales Acute Care Missed Nursing Care, Errors of Commission, Workload, Supplies Problems, and Communication Problems. Conclusions: The findings support the use of 5 subscales to measure nursing error and antecedents to error in various inpatient unit types with acceptable validity and reliability. The Activities of Daily Living (ADL) Omissions subscale is not appropriate for all inpatient unit types.
Validation of the NE1 Wound Assessment Tool to Improve Staging of Pressure Ulcers on Admission by Registered Nurses
Authors: Lilly Deborah , Estocado Nancy , Spencer-Smith Jesse B. , Englebright Jane
Published: January 2015

Background and Purpose: There is a need for a simple bedside tool to improve the ability of nurses to identify skin alterations, describe wounds, and stage pressure ulcers for proper care management and present on admission documentation. This study tests the test–retest reliability and criterion validity of the NE1 Wound Assessment Tool (NE1 WAT), a single-use tool featuring wound pictures and stage descriptions according to National Pressure Ulcer Advisor Panel criteria. Methods: Registered nurses (N = 94) identified and staged 30 wound photographs under 3 test conditions: (a) without NE1 WAT, (b) with NE1 WAT after viewing a 10-min instructional presentation, (c) with NE1 WAT but no additional instruction after a 7–14-day delay. Results: Out of a possible 90 points, scores increased 12.3 points between Tests 1 and 2 (p <.001) and 14.1 points between Tests 1 and 3 (p <.001). Test–retest reliability was high: intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC; 3, 1) = .892 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.840–0.927). Conclusions: The NE1 WAT is a simple tool that, with little training, improved the skin assessment ability of registered nurses.
Comparative effectiveness research and big data: balancing potential with legal and ethical considerations
Authors: Gray Elizabeth Alexandra , Thorpe Jane Hyatt
Published: January 2015

Big data holds big potential for comparative effectiveness research. The ability to quickly synthesize and use vast amounts of health data to compare medical interventions across settings of care, patient populations, payers and time will greatly inform efforts to improve quality, reduce costs and deliver more patient-centered care. However, the use of big data raises significant legal and ethical issues that may present barriers or limitations to the full potential of big data. This paper addresses the scope of some of these legal and ethical issues and how they may be managed effectively to fully realize the potential of big data.
Anticipating Action Effects with Different Attention Foci is Reflected in Brain Activation
Authors: Bischoff Matthias , Zentgraf Karen , Pilgramm Sebastian , Krueger Britta , Balser Nils , Sauerbier Isabell , Stark Rudolf , Munzert Joern
Published: January 2015

Anticipation is informed by experience. Having focused on action effects in the past will lead to differences when the focus is now on the effector. Boules-type throwing movements were presented as point-light displays of shoulder and arm-markers. Activation in motor-related areas measured with functional magnetic resonance imaging was compared between two tasks: Task A anticipating action effects and Task B judging the velocity of the hand marker. One group of participants performed a session of Task A followed by a session of Task B; the other group started with Task B followed by Task A. The group starting with Task A exhibited higher brain activation during Task A bilaterally in intraparietal areas and in right hemispheric frontal and premotor areas. These areas are known to be involved in effect estimation and action simulation. The second group showed higher activation during Task B in premotor cortex and human intraparietal area 3 of the right hemisphere. The results suggest that the instruction to focus on anticipating action effects facilitates the recruitment of core components of the simulation network during anticipation and when effect anticipation is not the primary intention.
Standardized Iron Ore Characterization Methodology for Metallurgy
Authors: Kolb F. , Pichler A. , Mali H. , Schenk J.
Published: January 2015

A comprehensive and reproducible evaluation of iron ores requires structured analytical methods. Therefore, a methodology has been developed which serves to evaluate the chemical and morphological characteristics. Seven different iron ores were examined with regard to their specific properties. For the standardized methodology, the following analytical methods have been applied: sieve analysis, chemical analysis, porosity measurement, reflected light and transmitted light microscopy.

The developed method is suitable for a general mineralogical/petrographic characterization of all common raw or reduced iron ores and may also be applied with other ores.
Antidiabetic and hypolipidemic potential of Rhazya stricta Decne extract and its fractions
Authors: Ahmed Asma , Asad Muahammad Javaid , Ahmad Muhammad Sheeraz , Qureshi Rehmatullah , Shah Syed Imam , Gul Hina , Gulfraz Muhammad
Published: January 2015

Diabetes mellitus is the most common human disease and there is growing interest for plant based therapy in managing diabetes mellitus specifically in the developing world. In the present study, Rhazya stricta Decne extract was analysed for its antidiabetic activities. Crude methanolic extracts of different plant parts were tested in vivo on albino mice Balb-C, for the reduction of blood glucose, urea, cholesterol, triacylglycerides and glycosylated haemoglobin. Results obtained showed that leaves of R. stricta have best antidiabetic effect by reducing blood glucose level, Glycosylated haemoglobin, triacylglycerides and Cholesterol in hyperglycaemic mice. The R. stricta leaves extract being most active was further fractionated by solvent extraction using n- Hexane, ethyl acetate, chloroform and water and all fractions were tested for same activities. It was found that ethyl acetate fraction is most effective in the reduction of blood glucose level at fasting and random conditions and blood glucose reduction was comparable to Glucophage, a standard antidiabetic drug. The present study suggests that Rhazya stricta leaves extract and its ethyl acetate fraction has great potential for development of antidiabetic drug.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/icpj.v4i2.21484 International Current Pharmaceutical Journal, January 2015, 4(2): 353-361
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Agriculture in 2014
Authors: Agriculture Editorial Office
Published: January 2015

The editors of Agriculture would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2014:[...]
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Animals in 2014
Authors: Office Animals
Published: January 2015

The editors of Animals would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2014:[...]
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Antioxidants in 2014
Authors: Antioxidants Editorial Office
Published: January 2015

The editors of Antioxidants would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2014:[...]
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Arts in 2014
Authors: Arts Editorial Office
Published: January 2015

The editors of Arts would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2014:[...]
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Atmosphere in 2014
Authors: Atmosphere Editorial Office
Published: January 2015

The editors of Atmosphere would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2014:[...]
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Biosensors in 2014
Authors: Biosensor Editorial Office
Published: January 2015

The editors of Biosensors would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2014:[...]
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Buildings in 2014
Authors: Buildings Editorial Office
Published: January 2015

The editors of Buildings would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2014:[...]
The Roles of Akt Isoforms in the Regulation of Podosome Formation in Fibroblasts and Extracellular Matrix Invasion
Authors: Eves Robert , Oldham Robyn , Jia Lilly , Mak Alan
Published: January 2015

Mesenchymal cells employ actin-based membrane protrusions called podosomes and invadopodia for cross-tissue migration during normal human development such as embryogenesis and angiogenesis, and in diseases such as atherosclerosis plaque formation and cancer cell metastasis. The Akt isoforms, downstream effectors of phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3K), play crucial roles in cell migration and invasion, but their involvement in podosome formation and cell invasion is not known. In this study, we have used Akt1 and/or Akt2 knockout mouse embryonic fibroblasts and Akt3-targeted shRNA to determine the roles of the three Akt isoforms in Src and phorbol ester-induced podosome formation, and extracellular matrix (ECM) digestion. We found that deletion or knockdown of Akt1 significantly reduces Src-induced formation of podosomes and rosettes, and ECM digestion, while suppression of Akt2 has little effect. In contrast, Akt3 knockdown by shRNA increases Src-induced podosome/rosette formation and ECM invasion. These data suggest that Akt1 promotes, while Akt3 suppresses, podosome formation induced by Src, and Akt2 appears to play an insignificant role. Interestingly, both Akt1 and Akt3 suppress, while Akt2 enhances, phorbol ester-induced podosome formation. These data show that Akt1, Akt2 and Akt3 play different roles in podosome formation and ECM invasion induced by Src or phorbol ester, thus underscoring the importance of cell context in the roles of Akt isoforms in cell invasion.
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Cells in 2014
Authors: Cells Editorial Office
Published: January 2015

The editors of Cells would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2014:[...]
Effects of Land Use Change on Sediment and Water Yields in Yang Ming Shan National Park, Taiwan
Authors: Huang Thomas , Lo Kwong
Published: January 2015

The Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) is a watershed-based, semi-distributed hydrologic model for simulating hydrological processes at different spatial scales. The SWAT hydrology and erosion/sediment components are first validated after the hydrologic components calibration. The SWAT model also utilizes geographic information system (GIS) and digital elevation model (DEM) to delineate watersheds and extract the stream network. This study applies SWAT model to assess the impacts of land use change on soil and water losses from Yang Ming Shan National Park Watershed in northern Taiwan. Although the government has formulated regulations to limit the development, however, intense human activities, such as farming and building construction, still continue to exist. This study utilized two land-use data periods, one in 1996 and another in 2007, along with the SWAT model to simulate soil and water losses in Yang Ming Shan National Park. Based on the baseline scenario, the SWAT model was also successful in simulating the future scenario. Study results for scenario 2007, as compared to 1996 baseline period indicate that land use change shows forest land decreases about 6.9%, agricultural land increases about 9.5%, and causes sediment yield increase of 0.25 t/ha. Human activities deserve more attention when assessing soil and water losses because of their inevitable impacts. Government needs to modify land development policies and plans for land use change detection using satellite imagery to avoid illegal development activities.
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Forests in 2014
Authors: Forest Editorial Office
Published: January 2015

The editors of Forests would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2014:[...]
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Genes in 2014
Authors: Genes Editorial Office
Published: January 2015

The editors of Genes would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2014:[...]
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health in 2014
Authors: IJERPH Editorial Office
Published: January 2015

The editors of the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2014:[...]
Multi-Stakeholder Taskforces in Bangladesh — A Distinctive Approach to Build Sustainable Tobacco Control Implementation
Authors: Jackson-Morris Angela , Chowdhury Ishrat , Warner Valerie , Bleymann Kayleigh
Published: January 2015

The MPOWER policy package enables countries to implement effective, evidence-based strategies to address the threat posed to their population by tobacco. All countries have challenges to overcome when implementing tobacco control policy. Some are generic such as tobacco industry efforts to undermine and circumvent legislation; others are specific to national or local context. Various factors influence how successfully challenges are addressed, including the legal-political framework for enforcement, public and administrative attitudes towards the law, and whether policy implementation measures are undertaken. This paper examines District Tobacco Control Taskforces, a flexible policy mechanism developed in Bangladesh to support the implementation of the Smoking and Tobacco Products Usage (Control) Act 2005 and its 2013 Amendment. At the time of this study published research and/or data was not available and understanding about these structures, their role, contribution, limitations and potential, was limited. We consider Taskforce characteristics and suggest that the “package” comprises a distinctive tobacco control implementation model. Qualitative data is presented from interviews with key informants in ten districts with activated taskforces (n = 70) to provide insight from the perspectives of taskforce members and non-members. In all ten districts taskforces were seen as a crucial tool for tobacco control implementation. Where taskforces were perceived to be functioning well, current positive impacts were perceived, including reduced smoking in public places and tobacco advertising, and increased public awareness and political profile. In districts with less well established taskforces, interviewees believed in their taskforce’s ‘potential’ to deliver similar benefits once their functioning was improved. Recommendations to improve functioning and enhance impact were made. The distinctive taskforce concept and lessons from their development may provide other countries with a flexible local implementation model for tobacco control.
Association between Self-Reported Global Sleep Status and Prevalence of Hypertension in Chinese Adults: Data from the Kailuan Community
Authors: Lu Kai , Ding Rongjing , Tang Qin , Chen Jia , Wang Li , Wang Changying , Wu Shouling , Hu Dayi
Published: January 2015

Background: Assessment of sleep only by sleep duration is not sufficient. This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the potential association of self-reported global sleep status, which contained both qualitative and quantitative aspects, with hypertension prevalence in Chinese adults. Methods: A total of 5461 subjects (4076 of them were male) were enrolled in the current study and were divided into two groups with the age of 45 years as the cut-off value. Sleep status of all subjects was assessed using the standard Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Hypertension was defined as blood pressure ≥140/90 mmHg in the current study. Results: After adjusting for basic cardiovascular characteristics, the results of multivariate logistic regression indicated that sleep status, which was defined as the additive measurement of sleep duration and sleep quality, was associated with hypertension prevalence in males of both age groups (odds ratio (OR) = 1.11, 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.07–1.15, p < 0.05; OR = 1.12, 95% CI, 1.08–1.15, p < 0.05) and in females aged ≤45years (OR = 1.10, 95% CI, 1.02–1.18, p < 0.05). As one component of PSQI, short sleep duration was associated with hypertension prevalence only in Chinese male subjects, but this association disappeared after the further adjustment of the other components of PSQI that measured the qualitative aspect of sleep. Conclusion: Association between sleep status and hypertension prevalence in Chinese adults varied by age and sex. Sleep should be measured qualitatively and quantitatively when investigating its association with hypertension.
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of the ISPRS International Journal of Geo-Information in 2014
Authors: IJGI Editorial Office
Published: January 2015

The editors of the ISPRS International Journal of Geo-Information would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2014:[...]
Molecular Targeting of the Oncoprotein PLK1 in Pediatric Acute Myeloid Leukemia: RO3280, a Novel PLK1 Inhibitor, Induces Apoptosis in Leukemia Cells
Authors: Wang Na-Na , Li Zhi-Heng , Zhao He , Tao Yan-Fang , Xu Li-Xiao , Lu Jun , Cao Lan , Du Xiao-Juan , Sun Li-Chao , Zhao Wen-Li , Xiao Pei-Fang , Fang Fang , Su Guang-Hao , Li Yan-Hong , Li Gang , Li Yi-Ping , Xu Yun-Yun , Zhou Hui-Ting , Wu Yi , Jin Mei-Fang , Liu Lin , Ni Jian , Wang Jian , Hu Shao-Yan , Zhu Xue-Ming , Feng Xing , Pan Jian
Published: January 2015

Polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) is highly expressed in many cancers and therefore a biomarker of transformation and potential target for the development of cancer-specific small molecule drugs. RO3280 was recently identified as a novel PLK1 inhibitor; however its therapeutic effects in leukemia treatment are still unknown. We found that the PLK1 protein was highly expressed in leukemia cell lines as well as 73.3% (11/15) of pediatric acute myeloid leukemia (AML) samples. PLK1 mRNA expression was significantly higher in AML samples compared with control samples (82.95 ± 110.28 vs. 6.36 ± 6.35; p < 0.001). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis revealed that shorter survival time correlated with high tumor PLK1 expression (p = 0.002). The 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of RO3280 for acute leukemia cells was between 74 and 797 nM. The IC50 of RO3280 in primary acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) and AML cells was between 35.49 and 110.76 nM and 52.80 and 147.50 nM, respectively. RO3280 induced apoptosis and cell cycle disorder in leukemia cells. RO3280 treatment regulated several apoptosis-associated genes. The regulation of DCC, CDKN1A, BTK, and SOCS2 was verified by western blot. These results provide insights into the potential use of RO3280 for AML therapy; however, the underlying mechanisms remain to be determined.
The Oxidative Fermentation of Ethanol in Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus Is a Two-Step Pathway Catalyzed by a Single Enzyme: Alcohol-Aldehyde Dehydrogenase (ADHa)
Authors: Gómez-Manzo Saúl , Escamilla José , González-Valdez Abigail , López-Velázquez Gabriel , Vanoye-Carlo América , Marcial-Quino Jaime , De la Mora-de la Mora Ignacio , Garcia-Torres Itzhel , Enríquez-Flores Sergio , Contreras-Zentella Martha , Arreguín-Espinosa Roberto , Kroneck Peter , Sosa-Torres Martha
Published: January 2015

Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus is a N2-fixing bacterium endophyte from sugar cane. The oxidation of ethanol to acetic acid of this organism takes place in the periplasmic space, and this reaction is catalyzed by two membrane-bound enzymes complexes: the alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and the aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH). We present strong evidence showing that the well-known membrane-bound Alcohol dehydrogenase (ADHa) of Ga. diazotrophicus is indeed a double function enzyme, which is able to use primary alcohols (C2–C6) and its respective aldehydes as alternate substrates. Moreover, the enzyme utilizes ethanol as a substrate in a reaction mechanism where this is subjected to a two-step oxidation process to produce acetic acid without releasing the acetaldehyde intermediary to the media. Moreover, we propose a mechanism that, under physiological conditions, might permit a massive conversion of ethanol to acetic acid, as usually occurs in the acetic acid bacteria, but without the transient accumulation of the highly toxic acetaldehyde.
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of the International Journal of Molecular Sciences in 2014
Authors: IJMS Editorial Office
Published: January 2015

The editors of the International Journal of Molecular Sciences would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2014:[...]
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Information in 2014
Authors: Information Editorial Office
Published: January 2015

The editors of Information would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2014:[...]
Statistical Research on the Bioactivity of New Marine Natural Products Discovered during the 28 Years from 1985 to 2012
Authors: Hu Yiwen , Chen Jiahui , Hu Guping , Yu Jianchen , Zhu Xun , Lin Yongcheng , Chen Shengping , Yuan Jie
Published: January 2015

Every year, hundreds of new compounds are discovered from the metabolites of marine organisms. Finding new and useful compounds is one of the crucial drivers for this field of research. Here we describe the statistics of bioactive compounds discovered from marine organisms from 1985 to 2012. This work is based on our database, which contains information on more than 15,000 chemical substances including 4196 bioactive marine natural products. We performed a comprehensive statistical analysis to understand the characteristics of the novel bioactive compounds and detail temporal trends, chemical structures, species distribution, and research progress. We hope this meta-analysis will provide useful information for research into the bioactivity of marine natural products and drug development.
New Meroterpenoids from the Endophytic Fungus Aspergillus flavipes AIL8 Derived from the Mangrove Plant Acanthus ilicifolius
Authors: Bai Zhi-Qiang , Lin Xiuping , Wang Junfeng , Zhou Xuefeng , Liu Juan , Yang Bin , Yang Xianwen , Liao Shengrong , Wang Lishu , Liu Yonghong
Published: January 2015

Four new meroterpenoids (2–5), along with three known analogues (1, 6, and 7) were isolated from mangrove plant Acanthus ilicifolius derived endophytic fungus Aspergillus flavipes. The structures of these compounds were elucidated by NMR and MS analysis, the configurations were assigned by CD data, and the stereochemistry of 1 was confirmed by X-ray crystallography analysis. A possible biogenetic pathway of compounds 1–7 was also proposed. All compounds were evaluated for antibacterial and cytotoxic activities.
The Role of Visible and Infrared Spectroscopy Combined with Chemometrics to Measure Phenolic Compounds in Grape and Wine Samples
Authors: Cozzolino Daniel
Published: January 2015

The content of phenolic compounds determines the state of phenolic ripening of red grapes, which is a key criterion in setting the harvest date to produce quality red wines. Wine phenolics are also important quality components that contribute to the color, taste, and mouth feel of wines. Spectroscopic techniques (e.g., near and mid infrared) offer the potential to simplify and reduce the analytical time for a range of grape and wine analytes. It is this characteristic, together with the ability to simultaneously measure several analytes in the same sample at the same time, which makes these techniques very attractive for use in both industry and research. The objective of this mini review is to present examples and to discuss different applications of visible (VIS), near infrared (NIR) and mid infrared (MIR) to assess and measure phenolic compounds in grape and wines.
Pinelliae Rhizoma, a Toxic Chinese Herb, Can Significantly Inhibit CYP3A Activity in Rats
Authors: Wu Jinjun , Cheng Zaixing , He Shugui , Shi Jian , Liu Shuqiang , Zhang Guiyu , Zhu Lijun , Liu Liang , Liu Zhongqiu , Lin Na , Lu Linlin
Published: January 2015

Raw Pinelliae Rhizoma (RPR) is a representative toxic herb that is widely used for eliminating phlegm or treating cough and vomiting. Given its irritant toxicity, its processed products, including Pinelliae Rhizoma Praeparatum (PRP) and Pinelliae Rhizoma Praeparatum cum Zingibere et Alumine (PRPZA), are more commonly applied and administered concomitantly with other chemical drugs, such as cough medications. This study aimed to investigate the effects of RPR, PRP, and PRPZA on CYP3A activity. Testosterone (Tes) and buspirone (BP) were used as specific probe substrates ex vivo and in vivo, respectively. CYP3A activity was determined by the metabolite formation ratios from the substrates. Ex vivo results show that the metabolite formation ratios from Tes significantly decreased, indicating that RPR, PRP, and PRPZA could inhibit CYP3A activity in rats. CYP3A protein and mRNA levels were determined to explore the underlying mechanism. These levels showed marked and consistent down-regulation with CYP3A activity. A significant decrease in metabolite formation ratios from BP was also found in PRPZA group in vivo, implying that PRPZA could inhibit CYP3A activity. Conclusively, co-administration of PR with other CYP3A-metabolizing drugs may cause drug–drug interactions. Clinical use of PR-related formulae should be monitored carefully to avoid adverse interactions.
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Nanomaterials in 2014
Authors: Nanomaterials Editorial Office
Published: January 2015

The editors of Nanomaterials would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2014:[...]
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Nutrients in 2014
Authors: Nutrients Editorial Office
Published: January 2015

The editors of Nutrients would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2014:[...]
The Impact of Positional Errors on Soft Classification Accuracy Assessment: A Simulation Analysis
Authors: Gu Jianyu , Congalton Russell , Pan Yaozhong
Published: January 2015

Validating or accessing the accuracy of soft classification maps has rapidly developed over the past few years. This assessment employs a soft error matrix as generalized from the traditional, hard classification error matrix. However, the impact of positional error on the soft classification is uncertain and whether the well-accepted half-pixel registration accuracy is suitable for the soft classification accuracy assessment is unknown. In this paper, a simulation analysis was conducted to examine the influence of positional error on the overall accuracy (OA) and kappa in soft classification accuracy assessment under different landscape conditions (i.e., spatial characteristics and spatial resolutions). Results showed that with positional error ranging from 0 to 3 soft pixels, the OA-error varied from 0 to 44.6 percent while the kappa-error varied from 0 to 93.7 percent. Landscape conditions with smaller mean patch size (MPS) and greater fragmentation produced greater positional error impact on the accuracy measures at spatial resolutions of 1 and 2 unit distances. However, this trend did not hold for spatial resolutions of 5 and 10 unit distances. A half of a pixel was not sufficient to keep the overall accuracy error and kappa error under 10 percent. The results indicate that for soft classification accuracy assessment the requirement for registration accuracy is higher and depends greatly on the landscape characteristics. There is a great need to consider positional error for validating soft classification maps of different spatial resolutions.
The Ground-Based Absolute Radiometric Calibration of Landsat 8 OLI
Authors: Czapla-Myers Jeffrey , McCorkel Joel , Anderson Nikolaus , Thome Kurtis , Biggar Stuart , Helder Dennis , Aaron David , Leigh Larry , Mishra Nischal
Published: January 2015

This paper presents the vicarious calibration results of Landsat 8 OLI that were obtained using the reflectance-based approach at test sites in Nevada, California, Arizona, and South Dakota, USA. Additional data were obtained using the Radiometric Calibration Test Site, which is a suite of instruments located at Railroad Valley, Nevada, USA. The results for the top-of-atmosphere spectral radiance show an average difference of −2.7, −0.8, 1.5, 2.0, 0.0, 3.6, 5.8, and 0.7% in OLI bands 1–8 as compared to an average of all of the ground-based measurements. The top-of-atmosphere spectral reflectance shows an average difference of 1.6, 1.3, 2.0, 1.9, 0.9, 2.1, 3.1, and 2.1% from the ground-based measurements. Except for OLI band 7, the spectral radiance results are generally within ±5% of the design specifications, and the reflectance results are generally within ±3% of the design specifications. The results from the data collected during the tandem Landsat 7 and 8 flight in March 2013 indicate that ETM+ and OLI agree to each other to within ±2% in similar bands in top-of-atmosphere spectral radiance, and to within ±4% in top-of-atmosphere spectral reflectance.
An Integrated Backscatter Ultrasound Technique for the Detection of Coronary and Carotid Atherosclerotic Lesions
Authors: Kawasaki Masanori
Published: January 2015

The instability of carotid and coronary plaques has been reported to be associated with acute coronary syndrome, strokes and other cerebrovascular events. Therefore, recognition of the tissue characteristics of carotid and coronary plaques is important to understand and prevent coronary and cerebral artery disease. Recently, an ultrasound integrated backscatter (IB) technique has been developed. The ultrasound IB power ratio is a function of the difference in acoustic characteristic impedance between the medium and target tissue, and the acoustic characteristic impedance is determined by the density of tissue multiplied by the speed of sound. This concept allows for tissue characterization of carotid and coronary plaques for risk stratification of patients with coronary and cerebral artery disease. Two- and three-dimensional IB color-coded maps for the evaluation of tissue components consist of four major components: fibrous, dense fibrosis, lipid pool and calcification. Although several ultrasound techniques using special mathematical algorithms have been reported, a growing body of literature has shown the reliability and usefulness of the IB technique for the tissue characterization of carotid and coronary plaques. This review summarizes concepts, experimental procedures, image reliability and the application of the IB technique. Furthermore, the IB technique is compared with other techniques.
Can the Concept of Integrative and Segregative Institutions Contribute to the Framing of Institutions of Sustainability?
Authors: Hagedorn Konrad
Published: January 2015

This paper begins with the question “What is special about those institutions that bring about sustainability”? In an attempt to answer this, I use the Institutions of Sustainability (IoS) framework, which structures sustainability analytically according to four main categories, namely: transactions, actors, institutions and governance structures. I then argue that sustainability has to do with balancing two sorts of costs an actor may face while being constrained by institutions. One is the costs from the integrative effects of institutions on his individual decision making. The other is the costs from the segregative effect of institutions. In this way, sustainability can be understood as societies’ compromise between institutions that integrate individual actors’ decisions in a wider system, holding them fully responsible for more or less all of the effects of their choices and those institutions that partly free individual decision makers from parts of such responsibilities. If a governance problem is characterized by a high degree of “decomposability”, segregative rules may be sufficient. The more a governance problem is characterized by complexity due to low modularity and high functional interdependencies, the more accurate integrative rules may be. The paper concludes by identifying “sustainability area of institutional embedding” as a regulative idea in understanding sustainability.
Geoheritage at the Equator: Selected Geosites of São Tomé Island (Cameron Line, Central Africa)
Authors: Henriques Maria , Neto Keynesménio
Published: January 2015

This work presents, for the first time, an overview of the rich geodiversity outcropping in the São Tomé island, one of the two islands that make up the archipelago of São Tomé and Príncipe, the second smallest state of Africa in area. Located at the equator, in the alignment known as the “Cameroon Volcanic Line”, this archipelago represents a privileged area for the comparative study between oceanic and continental alkaline volcanism, and therefore between the subcontinental and suboceanic mantle. Ten geosites of São Tomé island were selected, described and evaluated on the basis of their geoheritage value and using a qualitative system of classification, which integrates both the meaning attributed to the objects by scientific communities and the public understanding of such meanings related to its social use. The selected geosites display different heritage values (documental, scenic, symbolic, iconographic and indicial) potentially usable for different purposes, namely scientific and educational, but mostly tourism. Geotourism can play a key role in the promotion of sustainable development in the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe, and the geosites here described are likely to ground a geo-itinerary on this “pearl” of the Cameron Line.
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Sustainability in 2014
Authors: Sustainability Editorial Office
Published: January 2015

The editors of Sustainability would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2014:[...]
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Symmetry in 2014
Authors: Symmetry Editorial Office
Published: January 2015

The editors of Symmetry would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2014:[...]
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Water in 2014
Authors: Water Editorial Office
Published: January 2015

The editors of Water would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2014:[...]
Transcriptional response ofArabidopsisseedlings during spaceflight reveals peroxidase and cell wall remodeling genes associated with root hair development
Authors: Kwon Taegun , Sparks J. Alan , Nakashima Jin , Allen Stacy N. , Tang Yuhong , Blancaflor Elison B.
Published: January 2015

•Premise of the study:Plants will be an important component of advanced life support systems during space exploration missions. Therefore, understanding their biology in the spacecraft environment will be essential before they can be used for such systems.

•Methods:Seedlings ofArabidopsis thalianawere grown for 2 wk in the Biological Research in Canisters (BRIC) hardware on board the second to the last mission of the space shuttle Discovery (STS‐131). Transcript profiles between ground controls and space‐grown seedlings were compared using stringent selection criteria.

•Key results:Expression of transcripts associated with oxidative stress and cell wall remodeling was repressed in microgravity. These downregulated genes were previously shown to be enriched in root hairs consistent with seedling phenotypes observed in space. Mutations in genes that were downregulated in microgravity, including two uncharacterized root hair‐expressed class III peroxidase genes (PRX44andPRX57), led to defective polar root hair growth on Earth.PRX44andPRX57mutants had ruptured root hairs, which is a typical phenotype of tip‐growing cells with defective cell walls and those subjected to stress.

•Conclusions:Long‐term exposure to microgravity negatively impacts tip growth by repressing expression of genes essential for normal root hair development. Whereas changes in peroxidase gene expression leading to reduced root hair growth in space are actin‐independent, root hair development modulated by phosphoinositides could be dependent on the actin cytoskeleton. These results have profound implications for plant adaptation to microgravity given the importance of tip growing cells such as root hairs for efficient nutrient capture.
Microsatellite development and flow cytometry in the African tree genus Afzelia (Fabaceae, Caesalpinioideae) reveal a polyploid complex
Authors: Donkpegan Armel S. L. , Doucet Jean‐Louis , Dainou Kasso , Hardy Olivier J.
Published: January 2015

• Premise of the study: Microsatellites were developed in the vulnerable African rainforest tree Afzelia bipindensis to investigate gene flow patterns.

• Methods and Results: Using 454 GS‐FLX technique, 16 primer sets were identified and optimized, leading to 11 polymorphic and readable markers displaying each six to 25 alleles in a population. Up to four alleles per individual were found in each of the loci, without evidence of fixed heterozygosity, suggesting an autotetraploid genome. Cross‐amplification succeeded for all loci in the African rainforest species A. pachyloba and A. bella, which appeared tetraploid, and for most loci in the African woodland species A. africana and A. quanzensis, which appeared diploid, but failed in the Asian species A. xylocarpa. Flow cytometry confirmed the suspected differences in ploidy.

• Conclusions: African Afzelia species are diploid or tetraploid, a situation rarely documented in tropical trees. These newly developed microsatellites will help in the study of their mating system and gene flow patterns.