bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
microRNA156‐targeted SPL/SBP box transcription factors regulate tomato ovary and fruit development
Authors: Silva Geraldo Felipe Ferreira e , Silva Eder Marques , da Silva Azevedo Mariana , Guivin Mike Anderson Corazon , Ramiro Daniel Alves , Figueiredo Cassia Regina , Carrer Helaine , Peres Lázaro Eustáquio Pereira , Nogueira Fabio Tebaldi Silveira 
Published: March 2014

SummaryFruit ripening in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is well understood at the molecular level. However, information regarding genetic pathways associated with tomato ovary and early fruit development is still lacking. Here, we investigate the possible role(s) of the microRNA156/SQUAMOSA promoter‐binding protein‐like (SPL or SBP box) module (miR156 node) in tomato ovary development. miR156‐targeted S. lycopersicum SBP genes were dynamically expressed in developing flowers and ovaries, and miR156 was mainly expressed in meristematic tissues of the ovary, including placenta and ovules. Transgenic tomato cv. Micro‐Tom plants over‐expressing the AtMIR156b precursor exhibited abnormal flower and fruit morphology, with fruits characterized by growth of extra carpels and ectopic structures. Scanning electron microscopy and histological analyses showed the presence of meristem‐like structures inside the ovaries, which are probably responsible for the ectopic organs. Interestingly, expression of genes associated with meristem maintenance and formation of new organs, such as LeT6/TKN2 (a KNOX‐like class I gene) and GOBLET (a NAM/CUC‐like gene), was induced in developing ovaries of transgenic plants as well as in the ovaries of the natural mutant Mouse ear (Me), which also displays fruits with extra carpels. Conversely, expression of the MADS box genes MACROCALYX (MC) and FUL1/TDR4, and the LEAFY ortholog FALSIFLORA, was repressed in the developing ovaries of miR156 over‐expressors, suggesting similarities with Arabidopsis at this point of the miR156/SPL pathway but with distinct functional consequences in reproductive development. Altogether, these observations suggest that the miR156 node is involved in maintenance of the meristematic state of ovary tissues, thereby controlling initial steps of fleshy fruit development and determinacy.
Financial Sector Volatility, Banking Market Structure and Exports
Authors: Lin Pei‐Chien , Huang Ho‐Chuan 
Published: March 2014

AbstractThis paper assesses the impacts of financial sector volatility and banking market structure on industrial exports. By utilising the specification of Rajan and Zingales (American Economic Review 1998; 88, 559) on the cross‐country, cross‐industry data from Manova (Journal of International Economics 2008; 76, 33), we find that financial sector volatility, measured as the standard deviation of the growth of private credit, and banking market structure, measured as the share of the three largest banks’ assets in a country, respectively exert significantly negative and positive impacts on industrial exports, particularly for those industries that are more externally financially dependent. The findings are robust to a variety of kinds of sensitivity analysis and thus lend support to the notion that a more stable and concentrated banking system is important to the exports of those industries that rely more on external finance.
Aid for Trade: Do Those Countries that Need it, Get it?
Authors: Gamberoni Elisa , Newfarmer Richard 
Published: March 2014

AbstractThis paper is designed to help both the beneficiary governments and donors of aid for trade identify countries that are under‐performing in trade and which are receiving less aid for trade than their global performance might otherwise suggest is necessary. Building on previous work, it provides a procedure to assess potential need for spurring trade volume, and then looks at country allocations of aid for trade to see which are receiving below‐average amounts in the supply of aid for trade – relative to their potential needs. Countries, as they design national development strategies, may wish to consider giving greater attention to trade and requesting that donors allocate to them more aid for trade. As part of the analysis, the paper provides a conceptual framework for selecting indicators of trade performance and its policy determinants that the WTO and its partners might monitor closely as part of the aid for trade initiative.
Analytical performance of a dry chemistry analyzer designed for in‐clinic use
Authors: Flatland Bente , Breickner Liesl C. , Fry Michael M. 
Published: March 2014

BackgroundThe Heska Dri‐Chem 4000 uses dry slide technology to evaluate serum or plasma. No previous independent performance evaluation is published to the authors' knowledge.ObjectivesThe objectives were to (1) characterize analytical performance of a Dri‐Chem 4000 by measuring precision and bias, (2) compare analytical performance of that Dri‐Chem 4000 unit with a predetermined quality requirement, and (3) determine whether statistical QC of the Dri‐Chem 4000 is possible using the 13s control rule.MethodsSixteen analytes were measured using plasma from dogs, cats, and horses. Coefficient of variation (CV), bias, and observed total error (TEobs) were calculated. TEobs was compared with allowable total error (TEa). Sigma metric and quality goal index were calculated where relevant. QC validation was performed.ResultsBias and TEobs calculated using quality control material (QCM) data were smaller than those calculated using method comparison data. Using TEobs calculated from species‐specific CV and QCM‐based bias, 100% of analytes in each species met ASVCP‐recommended TEa. Desired error detection and false rejection rates were achievable using the 13s control rule and ASVCP‐recommended TEa values for 9/16 (56%) of analytes in dogs, 9/14 (64%) of analytes in cats, and 8/13 (62%) of analytes in horses.ConclusionsAnalytical performance of the Dri‐Chem 4000 is comparable to that reported by other authors for other small benchtop biochemistry analyzers. Statistical QC using a simple control rule is possible for most analytes in dogs, cats, and horses.
An automated turbidimetric method for fibrinogen determination in dogs
Authors: Tecles F. , Tvarijonaviciute A. , Caldín M. , Martínez‐Subiela S. , Cerón J.J. 
Published: March 2014

BackgroundSeveral methods have been used for fibrinogen determination in dogs, but to the authors' knowledge, methods based on ammonium sulfate precipitation have not yet been reported in this species.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to develop and validate an automated method based on ammonium sulfate precipitation for canine fibrinogen determination.MethodsA reagent containing ammonium sulfate, sodium chloride, and K2EDTA was used to precipitate fibrinogen at a final ammonium sulfate concentration of 0.57 M and final turbidity was measured on a Cobas Mira Plus autoanalyzer. Analytic validation included imprecision, accuracy, comparison with reference method (Clauss), limits of detection and quantification, and the evaluation of the influence of different anticoagulants. For diagnostic validation, fibrinogen was determined in a group of Beagle dogs before and after neutering, and in dogs affected by diseases known to produce low fibrinogen plasma concentration, such as liver insufficiency, disseminated intravascular coagulation, and protein‐losing enteropathy.ResultsLow imprecison (<4%), excellent recovery (>90%), and low bias (0.092 g/L) with respect to Clauss method indicated a high reproducibility and accuracy. Limits of detection and quantification were 0.01 and 0.22 g/L, respectively. The method was applicable in plasma samples anticoagulated with EDTA, heparin, or sodium citrate. The fibrinogen concentration in Beagle dogs after neutering was increased, and decreased in animals with disseminated intravascular coagulation, liver insufficiency, or gastrointestinal protein loss.ConclusionsThe automated method validated in this study represents a rapid, cheap, and easy protocol to quantify canine fibrinogen in routine practice.
Pedometers and Aerobic Capacity: Evaluating an Elementary After-School Running Program
Authors: Wanless Elizabeth , Judge Lawrence W. , Dieringer Shannon T. , Bellar David , Johnson James , Plummer Sheli 
Published: March 2014

Childhood obesity affects 1 of every 6 youth in the United States. One contributing factor to this statistic is a lack of physical activity (PA). Demands related to accountability which are placed on educators to demonstrate academic achievement often result in resistance to allocating time during the school day for PA. One possible solution is to consider utilizing time after school to integrate PA programs. The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of a 12-week after-school pedometer-focused PA program on aerobic capacity and to examine the relationship between step count and aerobic capacity in elementary school aged children. A group of elementary students (n=24;9.5±0.9years) participated in a 12-week pedometer-focused PA program that included pretraining and posttraining fitness testing via the 20-meter version of the PACER test. Paired samplet-tests revealed significant differences between the pretest(M=21.0laps,SD=9.9)and posttest(M=25.2laps,SD=12.2)scores(t=4.04, P≤0.001). A Pearson correlation revealed no significant relationship between individual step count and the difference between PACER pre- and posttest(r=0.318, P=0.130). The program improved aerobic capacity, but an increase in pedometer-calculated step count was not a predictor.
Wiener Polarity Index of Cycle-Block Graphs
Authors: Jia Zhen , Wei Fuyi , Wu Yang 
Published: March 2014

The Wiener polarity index WP of a graph G is the number of unordered pairs of vertices u,v of G such that the distance dG(u, v) between u and v is 3. Cycle-block graph is a connected graph in which every block is a cycle. In this paper, we determine the maximum and minimum Wiener polarity index of cycle-block graphs and describe their extremal graphs; the extremal graphs of 4-uniform cactus with respect to Wiener polarity index are also discussed.
A Novel Radiotracer to Image Glycogen Metabolism in Tumors by Positron Emission Tomography
Authors: Witney Timothy H. , Carroll Laurence , Alam Israt S. , Chandrashekran Anil , Nguyen Quang-Dé , Sala Roberta , Harris Robert , DeBerardinis Ralph J. , Agarwal Roshan , Aboagye Eric O. 
Published: March 2014

Abstract
The high rate of glucose uptake to fuel the bioenergetic and anabolic demands of proliferating cancer cells is well recognized and is exploited with 18F-2-fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose positron emission tomography (18F-FDG–PET) to image tumors clinically. In contrast, enhanced glucose storage as glycogen (glycogenesis) in cancer is less well understood and the availability of a noninvasive method to image glycogen in vivo could provide important biologic insights. Here, we demonstrate that 18F-N-(methyl-(2-fluoroethyl)-1H-[1,2,3]triazole-4-yl)glucosamine (18F-NFTG) annotates glycogenesis in cancer cells and tumors in vivo, measured by PET. Specificity of glycogen labeling was demonstrated by isolating 18F-NFTG–associated glycogen and with stable knockdown of glycogen synthase 1, which inhibited 18F-NFTG uptake, whereas oncogene (Rab25) activation–associated glycogen synthesis led to increased uptake. We further show that the rate of glycogenesis is cell-cycle regulated, enhanced during the nonproliferative state of cancer cells. We demonstrate that glycogen levels, 18F-NFTG, but not 18F-FDG uptake, increase proportionally with cell density and G1–G0 arrest, with potential application in the assessment of activation of oncogenic pathways related to glycogenesis and the detection of posttreatment tumor quiescence. Cancer Res; 74(5); 1319–28. ©2014 AACR.
Sero-positivity rate of rubella and associated factors among pregnant women attending antenatal care in Mwanza, Tanzania
Authors: Mwambe Berno , Mirambo Mariam M , Mshana Stephen E , Massinde Anthony N , Kidenya Benson R , Michael Denna , Morona Domenica , Majinge Charles , Groß Uwe 
Published: March 2014

Abstract

Background
Sero-positivity rates of the rubella virus among pregnant women vary widely throughout the world. In Tanzania, rubella vaccination is not included in the national immunization schedule and there is therefore no antenatal screening for this viral disease. So far, there are no reports on the sero-prevalence of rubella among pregnant women in Tanzania. As a result, this study was undertaken to establish the sero-positivity rate of rubella and rubella risk factors among pregnant women attending antenatal care clinics in Mwanza, Tanzania.

Methods
From November 2012 to May 2013 a total of 350 pregnant women were enrolled and their serum samples collected and analyzed using the AXSYM anti-rubella virus IgG/IgM-MEIA test. Demographic and clinical data were collected using a standardized data collection tool. Data analysis was done using STATA version 12.

Results
Of 342 pregnant women tested for rubella antibodies, 317 (92.6%) were positive for anti-rubella IgG while only 1 (0.3%) was positive for IgM. Higher sero-positivity rates were found in the age group of 25–44 years. Furthermore, it was observed that with each year increase in age, the risk of contracting rubella increases by 12% (OR = 1.12, 95% CI: 1.02-1.22, P = 0.019). Women involved in farming and business women were at a higher risk of contracting rubella infection compared to formally employed women (OR: 4.9, P = 0.011; OR 7.1, p = 0.003 respectively). In univariate analysis, the risk of contracting rubella virus infection was found to increase with gestational age with a statistical significance.

Conclusions
Sero-positivity rates of rubella are high in Mwanza and are significantly associated with an increase in age and being a farmer or a business woman. Screening of rubella and immunization of women at risk are highly recommended in this area with a high non-immune rate against rubella virus.
Effective policy initiatives to constrain lipid-lowering drug expenditure growth in South Korea
Authors: Bae Green , Park Chanmi , Lee Hyejin , Han Euna , Kim Dong-Sook , Jang Sunmee 
Published: March 2014

Abstract

Background
The rapid growth of prescription drug expenditures is a major problem in South Korea. Accordingly, the South Korean government introduced a positive listing system in 2006. They also adopted various price reduction policies. Nevertheless, the total expenditure for lipid-lowering drugs have steadily increased throughout South Korea. The present study explores the factors that have influenced the increased expenditures of lipid-lowering drugs with a particular focus on the effects of statins in this process.

Methods
This paper investigates the National Health Insurance claims data for prescribed lipid-lowering drugs collected between January 1, 2005 and December 31, 2009. We specifically focused on statins and assessed the yearly variation of statin expenditure by calculating the increased rate of paired pharmaceutical expenditures over a 2 year period. Our study classified statins into three categories: new entrants, core medicines and exiting medicines. For core medicines, we further examined influencing factors such as price, amount of drugs consumed by volume, and prescription changes (substitutes for other drug).

Results
Statin expenditure showed an average annual increase of 25.7% between 2005 and 2009. Among the different statins, the expenditure of atorvastatin showed a 36.6% annual increase rate, which was the most dramatic among all statins. Also we divided expenditure for core medicines by the price factor, volume factor, and prescription change. The result showed that annual weighted average prices of individual drug decreased each year, which clearly showed that price influenced statin expenditure in a negative direction. The use of generic drugs containing the same active ingredient as name-brand drugs increased and negatively affected statin expenditure (Generic Mix effect). However, the use of relatively expensive ingredients within statin increase, Ingredient Mix effect contributed to increased statin expenditure (Ingredient Mix effect). In particular, the volume effect was found to be critical for increasing statin expenditure as the amount of statin consumed increased steadily throughout the study period.

Conclusions
The recent rapid increase in statin expenditure can largely be attributed to an increase in consumption volume. In order to check drug expenditures effectively in our current situation, in which chronic diseases remain steadily on the rise, it is necessary to not only have supply-side initiatives such as price reduction, but also demand-side initiatives that could control drug consumption volume, for example: educational programs for rational prescription, generic drug promotional policies, and policies providing prescription targets.
The antibacterial activity, antioxidant activity and selectivity index of leaf extracts of thirteen South African tree species used in ethnoveterinary medicine to treat helminth infections
Authors: Adamu Mathew , Naidoo Vinny , Eloff Jacobus N 
Published: March 2014

Abstract

Background
Diseases caused by bacteria remain a major challenge globally and particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. The plants used in this study have been used in South Africa to treat helminth infections in livestock and humans. In a previous study we found a correlation between antifungal and anthelmintic activity in some cases. In this study we examined other potential uses of these thirteen plant species by determining the antibacterial and antioxidant activity of the leaf acetone extracts.
The antibacterial activity was determined by using a serial microdilution method against Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli and Enterococcus faecalis. Bioautography was used to determine the number of antibacterial compounds. The antioxidant activity was determined using the ABTS and DPPH methods.

Results

Maesa lanceolata and Leucosidea sericea with an MIC of 0.02 mg/ml had excellent antibacterial activity against Enterococcus faecalis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. There was a poor correlation between antioxidant activity and antibacterial activity with R2 = 0.143. This is because antibacterial activity is mainly related to non-polar compounds and antioxidant activity to polar compounds. Maesa lanceolata extracts had a low cytotoxicity with a selectivity index of 5.2, 2.6, 2.6 and 1.3 for P. aeruginosa, E. faecalis, E. coli and S. aureus respectively. Strychnos mitis extracts had a therapeutic index of 1.1 for E. coli.

Conclusions
This study shows that plant extracts of some species used in ethnoveterinary medicine as anthelmintic may also have excellent antibacterial activity.
Autocatalytic sets in a partitioned biochemical network
Authors: Smith Joshua I , Steel Mike , Hordijk Wim 
Published: March 2014

AbstractBackgroundIn previous work, RAF theory has been developed as a tool for making theoretical progress on the origin of life question, providing insight into the structure and occurrence of self-sustaining and collectively autocatalytic sets within catalytic polymer networks. We present here an extension in which there are two “independent” polymer sets, where catalysis occurs within and between the sets, but there are no reactions combining polymers from both sets. Such an extension reflects the interaction between nucleic acids and peptides observed in modern cells and proposed forms of early life.ResultsWe present theoretical work and simulations which suggest that the occurrence of autocatalytic sets is robust to the partitioned structure of the network. We also show that autocatalytic sets remain likely even when the molecules in the system are not polymers, and a low level of inhibition is present. Finally, we present a kinetic extension which assigns a rate to each reaction in the system, and show that identifying autocatalytic sets within such a system is an NP-complete problem.ConclusionsRecent experimental work has challenged the necessity of an RNA world by suggesting that peptide-nucleic acid interactions occurred early in chemical evolution. The present work indicates that such a peptide-RNA world could support the spontaneous development of autocatalytic sets and is thus a feasible alternative worthy of investigation.
Spatial variation of net radiation and its contribution to energy balance closures in grassland ecosystems
Authors: Shao Changliang , Li Linghao , Dong Gang , Chen Jiquan 
Published: March 2014

Abstract

Introduction
Low energy balance closure (EBC) at a particular eddy-covariance flux site has increased the uncertainties of carbon, water, and energy measurements and has thus hampered the urgent research of scaling up and modeling analyses through site combinations in regional or global flux networks.

Methods
A series of manipulative experiments were conducted in this study to explore the role of net radiation (R
n) in the EBC in relation to spatial variability of vegetation characteristics, source area, and sensor type in three sites of the Inner Mongolian grassland of northern China.

Results
At all three sites, the residual fluxes of EBC peaked consistently at 110 W m−2. The spatial variability in net radiation was 19 W m−2 (5% of R
n) during the day and 7 W m−2 (16%) at night, with an average of 13 W m−2 (11%) from eight plot measurements across the three sites. Large area measurements of R
n significantly increased by 9 W m−2 during the day and decreased by 4 W m−2 at night in the unclipped treatments. Net radiation decreased by 25 W m−2 (6% of R
n) at midday and 81 MJ m−2 (6%) during a growing season with heavier regular clipping than that in unclipped treatments. The R
n was lower by 11–21 W m−2 (~20–40% of R
n) measured by CNR1 than by Q7.1 at night, while there was only 6 W m−2 (~1–2% of R
n) difference during the daytime between these two types of commonly used net radiometers.

Conclusions
Overall, the inclusion of the uncertainty in available energy accounted for 65% of the ~110 W m−2 shortfalls in the lack of closure. Clearly, the unclosed energy balance at these three grassland sites remains significant, with unexplored mechanisms for future research.
Clinical drug response can be predicted using baseline gene expression levels and in vitro drug sensitivity in cell lines
Authors: Geeleher Paul , Cox Nancy J , Huang R Stephanie 
Published: March 2014

AbstractWe demonstrate a method for the prediction of chemotherapeutic response in patients using only before-treatment baseline tumor gene expression data. First, we fitted models for whole-genome gene expression against drug sensitivity in a large panel of cell lines, using a method that allows every gene to influence the prediction. Following data homogenization and filtering, these models were applied to baseline expression levels from primary tumor biopsies, yielding an in vivo drug sensitivity prediction. We validated this approach in three independent clinical trial datasets, and obtained predictions equally good, or better than, gene signatures derived directly from clinical data.