bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Peroxidase of Dioscorea esculenta: Partial Purification and Characterisation
Authors: Okpuzor J. , Omidiji O. 
Published: February 2015

Abstract
Dioscorea esculenta. Peroxidase. Ion Exchange Chrom atography. Gel Filtration We isolated two types of peroxidase from the fresh tuber of Dioscorea esculenta using a combination of ion exchange and gel filtration chrom atography. The results showed one type to be neutral and the other to be strongly ionic. The strongly ionic type constitutes 70% of total peroxidase activity in the tissue. The apparent molecular weight of the neutral type is 38 kD a while the anionic type has an apparent molecular weight of 57 kD a. It was possible with the use of gel filtration on Sephadex G-200 followed by FPLC on phenyl superose to purify the lower size POD by a factor of 15, while the larger ionic peroxidase was purified 68 fold com pared to the crude with protein yields of 0.90% and 1.30% respectively. The ionic POD is m ore therm o-stable, has a higher optimum temperature for activity and has a higher ap parent activation energy com pared to the neutral POD from this source.
Photosynthesis and Heat Response of the Green Alga Micrasterias denticulata (Desmidiaceae)
Authors: Weiss Dagmar , Ltitz Cornelius , Lütz-Meindl Ursula 
Published: February 2015

Abstract
Cells of the green alga Micrasterias denticulata cultivated at 15 °C, 20 °C or 25 °C were exposed to heat shocks at different temperatures (30 -40 °C) for varying duration ( 5 - 90 m in). Cell pattern formation, division rate as well as photosynthesis and respiration by measuring oxygen production and consumption have been studied. The degree of cell shape malformations was found dependent on the preceding cultivation temperature along with the mode of the heat shock. Cells cultivated at 15 °C and 20 °C could counteract a 90 min heat shock at 35 °C much better than those cultivated at 25 °C, which was seen by a less reduced young semicell. Cells cultivated at 15 °C and 25 °C reveal a reduced division activity compared to those grown at 20 °C even with a marked retardation when affected by a preceding heat shock.
Photosynthesis and the level of plastid pigments (carotenoids, chlorophylls, β-carotene, lutein) of controls determined by HPLC analysis reached a plateau after about 26 days when starting with 22-day old cultures. Photosynthesis and respiration were determined in a range between 15 °C and 40 °C in defined Micrasterias cell cultures of about this age (cultivation temperature 15 °C, 20 °C or 25 °C). Both processes rose steadily with increasing temperature starting with 15 °C and reached peaks between 30 °C and 32 °C, followed by a considerable drop when increasing the incubation temperature up to 40 °C. The experiments reveal that primary processes of energy formation and consumption are much less affected by temperature influences than cell shape formation and division rate
Non-Enzymatic RNA Hydrolysis Promoted by the Combined Catalytic Activity of Buffers and Magnesium Ions
Authors: AbouHaidar Mounir G. , Ivanov Ivan G. 
Published: February 2015

Abstract
Although Mg2+ is an important cofactor for the specific degradation of RNA by ribozymes, it is not considered as a typical chemical nuclease. In this study we show that in combination with common buffers such as tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane and sodium borate. Mg2+ is a powerful catalyst for the degradation of RNA. pH and temperature are found to be the principal factors for the efficient degradation of RNA. Whereas in Tris-HCl/Mg2+ the effi­cient cleavage starts at pH values higher than 7.5 and temperatures higher than 37 °C, in sodium borate RNA degradation begins at pH 7.0 and at 37 °C. RNA hydrolysis promoted under the combined catalytic activity of buffer/Mg2+ results in partially degraded RNA and negligible amounts of acid-soluble material. Reaction is insensitive to the concentration of monovalent cations but is completely prevented by chelating agents (EDTA and citrate) at concentrations exceeding that of Mg2+. Borate-magnesium reaction is inhibited also by some polyvalent alcohols (glycerol) and sugars.
Nitrogen Shortage in a Tomato Crop; Scaling up from Effects on Electron-Transport Rate to Plant Productivity
Authors: Schapendonk Ad H. C. M. , Oijen  , Pot Sander C. , den Boogaard Riki Van , Harbinson Jeremy 
Published: February 2015

Optimization of nitrogen supply in a tomato plant is stepwise assessed, from chloroplast characteristics to whole crop performance. Experiments are reported in which important key processes are quantified in relation to the nitrogen content of leaves. Interactions of N effects with leaf aging and canopy light distribution are analyzed.
A simulation model that integrates this knowledge is constructed. The results of three nitrogen partitioning scenarios for Rubisco suggest that optimization of the distribution of Rubisco between leaf layers is less important for plant productivity than within-leaf optimization of the photosynthetic apparatus
The New Bishomoflavone Ononin and Its Glucoside from Ononis vaginalis
Authors: Bernhardt Mirko , Shaker Kamel H. , Elgamal M. Hani A. , Seifert Karlheinz 
Published: February 2015

Abstract
The new bishomoflavone ononin and its glucoside have been isolated from Ononis vaginalis. The structures were determined primarily by NMR spectroscopy. The assignment of NMR signals was performed by means of 1H - 1H COSY, HMQC and HMBC experiments.
Carbohydrates Protect Mitochondrial F0F1-ATPase Complex against Thermal Inactivation
Authors: Saad-Nehme Jorge , Silva Jerson L. , Meyer-Fernandes Jose Roberto 
Published: February 2015

Abstract
Organisms and cellular systems are required to adapt to stress conditions like high temperature, often responding by accumulating organic solutes, such as sugars. This accumulation is associated with the effectiveness of these osmolytes in minimizing protein denaturation and membrane damage under stress conditions. In this work, we have studied the effect of sugars on the protection against thermal inactivation of mitochondrial F0F1-ATPase complex, in preparations of submitochondrial particles containing or depleted of inhibitor protein. We observed that after 15 min of pre-incubation at 70 °C of latent MgATP-submitochondrial particles (with inhibitor protein) in the presence of 1.5 м of sucrose or trehalose, or 3.0 ᴍ of glucose or fructose, about 80% of enzyme activity remained active. In the same conditions, but in the absence of sugars, the activity of the particles was completely abolished. Submitochondrial particles depleted of the inhibitor protein (AS-particles) were almost completely inactivated after 3 min of pre-incubation at 70 °C in the absence of sugars and more than 60% of the enzyme activity remained active when these particles were pre-incubated in the presence of sugars. In such condition, the enzyme acquires a more compact and heat-stable conformation. Sugars, as well as the inhibitor protein, inhibit reversibly F0F1-ATPase complex activity and protect this enzyme against inactivation by high temperature. Interestingly, the protection, promoted by sugars, of particles containing inhibitor protein is higher than of particles depleted of inhibitor protein, suggesting a synergism between sugar and inhibitor protein.
Preparative Isolation of Anthraquinones from the Fungus Dermocybe sanguined Using Enzymatic Hydrolysis by the Endogenous β-Glucosidase
Authors: Hynninen Paavo H. , Räisänen Riikka , Elovaara Pia , Nokelainen Eila 
Published: February 2015

Abstract
A new and simple enzymatic method was developed for preparative isolation of anthraquinone pigments from Dermocybe sanguined. The endogenous β-glucosidase of the fungus was used to catalyze the hydrolysis of the O-glycosyl linkage in emodin- and dermocybin-1-β-ᴅ-glucopyranosides. The developed enzymatic method was found to be effective for the pigment isolation, as the hydrolysis occurred virtually completely, thus leading to a high pigment yield. Two fractions were obtained by the method: Fraction 1 (94% of the total pigment amount), containing almost exclusively the main pigments emodin and dermocybin, and Fraction 2 (6% ), containing the anthraquinone carboxylic acids. A 10.5 kg amount of fresh fungi yielded 56 g of Fraction 1 and 3.3 g of Fraction 2 anthraquinones. The anthraquinones in each fraction were separated by thin-layer chromatography using toluene-ethyl acetateethanol- formic acid (10:8:1:2, v/v/v/v) as eluent. The components on the chromatograms were detected and characterized by measurements on a densitometer-spectrophotometer. Combined gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was applied to determine the anthraquinone derivatives of Fraction 1 after methylation and acetylation.
Purification, Characterization and Thermostability of Ribulose 1,5-Bisphosphate Carboxylase-Oxygenase from Barley Leaves
Authors: Dolashka-Angelova Pavlina , Ali Syed Abid , Demirevska-Kepova Klimentina , Stoeva Stanka , Voelter Wolfgang 
Published: February 2015

Abstract
The enzyme ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase-oxygenase (rubisco) and its functional subunits from barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) leaves were purified to homogeneity by activitydirected sequencial steps of chromatography. Based on the molecular mass estimation by SDS-PAGE, the large subunit (LS) had an apparent molecular weight of ca. 55 kDa, whereas the small subunit (SS) was ca. a 14 kDa polypeptide chain. The N-terminal sequences, established by automated Edman degradation analysis of the purified subunits, showed very close sequence homologies (52-92%) with the subunits of other rubisco enzymes reported from several photosynthetic species. In order to establish the chemical heterogeneity in the rubisco from barley, the amino acid composition of purified native enzyme was analyzed and the results systematically compared with other known type-I rubisco enzymes from spinach, maize, tobacco and pea. Major differences have been observed in the amino acid composition of barley rubisco, the concentration of cysteine, serine, threonine, isoleucine, leucine, arginine and tryptophan residues were found quite variable as compared to other higher plants. The thermostability of the native rubisco was also investigated using circular dichroism and fluorescence spectroscopy. The critical ( Tc) and melting ( Tm) temperatures were determined to be 60 °C and 57 °C, respectively, and at this temperature the enzyme not only retains its structural integrity but also its enzymatic activity. Results of these studies were discussed in the light of structural and functional adaptation of this bifunctional enzvme in C3 and C4 plants to their environments.
Effects of Static Magnetic Field on the Ultradian Lateral Leaflet Movement Rhythm in Desmodium gyrans
Authors: Sharma Vijay Kumar , Engelmann Wolfgang , Johnsson Anders 
Published: February 2015

Abstract
The rhythmic leaflet movements of the plant Desmodium gyrans (L.f.) DC slow down in the presence of a static magnetic field. The leaflet positions were digitally retrieved from sequential CCD camera images of the moving leaflets. The experiments were performed under constant light (ca. 500 lux) and temperature (about 20 °C) conditions. The period of the leaflet was then around 5 min. Leaflets moving up and down in a magnetic field of approximately 50 mT flux density increased the period by about 10% due to a slower motion in the “up” position. Since during this position a rapid change of the extracellular potentials of the pulvinus occurs, it is proposed that the effects are mediated via the electric processes in the pulvinus tissue.
Fatty Acid Profiles of Main Lipid Classes in Adult Chrysomela vigintipunctata (Scopoli) (Coleopterai:Chrysomelidae)
Authors: Nikolova Nelly , Rezanka Tomas , Nikolova-Damyanova Boryana 
Published: February 2015

Abstract
The fatty acid composition of the willow leaf beetle Chrysomela vigintipunctata (Scopoli) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) is presented in this paper. Fatty acids in the total lipid extract, triacylglycerols, free fatty acids and polar lipids were compared. One hundred and fifteen fatty acids were identified in the total lipids. The mixture comprised compounds with normal and branched-chains of 12-30 carbon atoms and zero to six double bonds in different positions in the carbon chain. Substantial amounts of unsaturated eicosanoic fatty acids known as important precursor of eicosanoids in insects were detected in the lipids as were biologically significant positionally isomeric dienes, trienes and tetraenes of the series (n-3) and (n-6) of C16, C18, and C22 fatty acids. Also present was a mixture of hydroxy-FA. Triacylglycerols contained mostly saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids. Polyunsaturated fatty acids were found mostly in free fatty acids and especially in polar lipids.
Intra-cardiac echocardiography in alcohol septal ablation: a prospective comparative study against trans-thoracic echocardiography
Authors: Cooper Robert M. , Shahzad Adeel , Newton James , Vejlstrup Niels , Axelsson Anna , Sharma Vishal , Ormerod Oliver , Stables Rodney H. 
Published: February 2015

Abstract
Alcohol septal ablation (ASA) in hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy reduces left ventricular outflow tract gradients. A third of patients do not respond; inaccurate localisation of the iatrogenic infarct can be responsible. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) using myocardial contrast can be difficult in the laboratory environment. Intra-cardiac echocardiography (ICE) provides high-quality images. We aimed to assess ICE against TTE in ASA. The ability of ICE and TTE to assess three key domains (mitral valve (MV) anatomy and systolic anterior motion, visualisation of target septum, adjacent structures) was evaluated in 20 consecutive patients undergoing ASA. Two independent experts scored paired TTE and ICE images off line for each domain in both groups. The ability to see myocardial contrast following septal arterial injection was also assessed by the cardiologist performing ASA. In patients undergoing ASA, ICE was superior in viewing MV anatomy (P=0.02). TTE was superior in assessing adjacent structures (P=0.002). There was no difference in assessing target septum. Myocardial contrast: ICE did not clearly identify the area of contrast in 17/19 patients due to dense acoustic shadowing (8/19) and inadequate opacification of the myocardium (6/19). ICE only clearly localised contrast in 2/19 cases. ICE does not visualise myocardial contrast well and therefore cannot be used to guide ASA. TTE was substantially better at viewing myocardial contrast. There was no significant difference between ICE and TTE in the overall ability to comment on cardiac anatomy relevant to ASA.
Photoactive film by covalent immobilization of a bacterial photosynthetic protein on reduced graphene oxide surface
Authors: Tangorra Rocco Roberto , Antonucci Alessandra , Milano Francesco , Operamolla Alessandra , Italiano Francesca , Ragni Roberta , Omar Omar Hassan , Salice Patrizio , Silvestrini Simone , Menna Enzo , Maggini Michele , Agostiano Angela , Trotta Massimo , Farinola Gianluca M. 
Published: February 2015

ABSTRACTCovalent functionalization of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) with the photosynthetic reaction center (RC) from Rhodobacter sphaeroides R26 via click chemistry reaction has been performed. The hybrid system was characterized by flash photolysis and infrared spectroscopy and the RC was found to retain its photoactivity and structural integrity. The strategy is applicable for the fabrication of hybrid bio-electronic devices capable of absorbing and converting solar energy.
Degradation in aluminum resonant optical rod antennas
Authors: Schwab Patrick M. , Moosmann Carola , Dopf Katja , Ilin Konstantin S. , Siegel Michael , Lemmer Uli , Eisler Hans-Juergen 
Published: February 2015

ABSTRACTResonant optical rod antennas are made from aluminum using electron-beam lithography and are optically characterized by linear dark-field microscopy and nonlinear multi-photon luminescence spectroscopy. It is demonstrated that by exciting close to the interband transition of aluminum at about 1.5 eV different radiative decay channels can be addressed. Over a period of weeks, a slight spectral red-shift and a decrease in the scattering intensity are observed due to the formation of a native oxide layer at the metal-air interface. To investigate the concurrent influence of shape transformation and dielectric environment on the spectral response function we carry out numerical calculations using finite difference time domain (FDTD) methods. It is found that the induced energy shift is mainly determined by the change of the dielectric constant in the nanovicinity resulting in an overall red-shift as seen in the experiment. These findings allow for a better understanding of designing and modeling plasmonic aluminum nanostructures for e.g. UV sensing where the shift in peak resonance and linewidth are key observables.
Fluctuation Electron Microscopy Study of Medium-Range Packing Order in Ultrastable Indomethacin Glass Thin Films
Authors: He L. , Gujral A. , Ediger M. D. , Voyles P. M. 
Published: February 2015

ABSTRACTWe have used fluctuation electron microscopy (FEM) to measure the medium range order in the molecular packing of 40 nm thick indomethacin glass films. Vapor deposition of indomethacin can create glasses with extraordinary kinetic stability and high density. We find peaks in the FEM variance at diffraction vector magnitudes between 0.03 and 0.09 Å-1, corresponding to intermolecular packing distances of 1-3 nm. FEM experiments were performed with a 13 nm diameter electron probe, so these data are sensitive to medium-range order in intermolecular packing. The FEM variance from an indomethacin glass with normal stability cooled from the liquid is significantly smaller than the variance from the ultrastable glass, suggesting that ultrastable glass is more structurally heterogeneous at a 13 nm length scale. A dose of ∼7×105 e-/nm2 with a very low beam current of ∼ 2.5 pA at 200 kV was used to minimize electron beam damage to the sample, and the average electron diffraction from the sample is unchanged at total electron doses fourteen times larger than required for a FEM experiment. These preliminary results on medium-range order in molecular glasses suggest that we may be able to provide insight into the structural differences between the remarkable ultrastable thin films and ordinary glasses.
The Role of Smoking Status on the Progression-Free Survival of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients Harboring Activating Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) Mutations Receiving First-Line EGFR Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor Versus Platinum Doublet Chemotherapy: A Meta-Analysis of Prospective Randomized Trials
Authors: Hasegawa Yoshikazu , Ando Masahiko , Maemondo Makoto , Yamamoto Satomi , Isa Shun-ichi , Saka Hideo , Kubo Akihito , Kawaguchi Tomoya , Takada Minoru , Rosell Rafael , Kurata Takayasu , Ou Sai-Hong Ignatius 
Published: February 2015

Abstract

Background.
Univariate analyses from several randomized phase III trials seemed to suggest ever-smokers with advanced mutated epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFRm) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) did not seem to benefit from EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) as first-line treatment when compared with platinum-doublet chemotherapy as measured by progression-free survival (PFS).

Methods.
A literature-based meta-analysis of PFS outcomes as measured by log-transformed pooled hazard ratio (HR) was performed using a random-effect model. Pooled HRs for smoking status, age, gender, ethnicity, type of EGFR mutation, and EGFR TKI were obtained. Comparison of the pooled HR was performed by metaregression analysis.

Results.
Among the 1,649 EGFRm NSCLC patients analyzed from 7 prospective randomized trials (WJTOG3405, NEJ002, EURTAC, OPTIMAL, LUX Lung-3, LUX Lung-6, and ENSURE), 83.7% were Asians, and 30.0% were ever-smokers. An equal percentage of ever-smokers received doublet chemotherapy (30.2%) or EGFR TKI (30.0%). The pooled HR for PFS was 0.29 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.21–0.39) for never-smokers and 0.54 (95% CI: 0.38–0.76) for ever-smokers (p &lt; .007 by metaregression). The pooled PFS HR for exon 19 deletion was 0.25 (95% CI: 0.19–0.31) and 0.44 for exon 21 substitution (95% CI: 0.34–0.57) (p &lt; .001 by metaregression analysis). The pooled PFS HR was 0.33 (95% CI: 0.24–0.46) for Asians and 0.48 for non-Asians (95% CI: 0.28–0.84) (p = .261 by metaregression analysis).

Conclusion.
EGFRm NSCLC patients derived significant PFS benefit from TKI over platinum-doublet chemotherapy as first-line treatment regardless of smoking status; however, PFS benefit is significantly better in never-smokers by metaregression analysis.
Immunohistochemical Validation of Overexpressed Genes Identified by Global Expression Microarrays in Adrenocortical Carcinoma Reveals Potential Predictive and Prognostic Biomarkers
Authors: Ip Julian C.Y. , Pang Tony C.Y. , Glover Anthony R. , Soon Patsy , Zhao Jing Ting , Clarke Stephen , Robinson Bruce G. , Gill Anthony J. , Sidhu Stan B. 
Published: February 2015

Abstract

Background.
Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare malignancy with a poor prognosis. The aim of this study was to identify novel protein signatures that would predict clinical outcomes in a large cohort of patients with ACC based on data from previous gene expression microarray studies.

Materials and Methods.
A tissue microarray was generated from the paraffin tissue blocks of 61 patients with clinical outcomes data. Selected protein biomarkers based on previous gene expression microarray profiling studies were selected, and immunohistochemistry staining was performed. Staining patterns were correlated with clinical outcomes, and a multivariate analysis was undertaken to identify potential biomarkers of prognosis.

Results.
Median overall survival was 45 months, with a 5-year overall survival rate of 44%. Median disease-free survival was 58 months, with a 5-year disease-free survival rate of 44%. The proliferation marker Ki-67 and DNA topoisomerase TOP2A were associated with significantly poorer overall and disease-free survival. The results also showed strong correlation between the transcriptional repressor EZH2 and TOP2A expression, suggesting a novel role for EZH2 as an additional marker of prognosis. In contrast, increased expression of the BARD1 protein, with its ubiquitin ligase function, was associated with significantly improved overall and disease-free survival, which has yet to be documented for ACC.

Conclusion.
We present novel biomarkers that assist in determining prognosis for patients with ACC. Ki-67, TOP2A, and EZH2 were all significantly associated with poorer outcomes, whereas BARD1 was associated with improved overall survival. It is hoped that these biomarkers may help tailor additional therapy and be potential targets for directed therapy.
DESTINAÇÃO DO LIXO DOMÉSTICO E AGRÍCOLA EM PROPRIEDADES RURAIS DO MUNICÍPIO DE CASTILHO-SP
Authors: Arante de Souza Aparecida Brunetti , Luís de Carvalho Sérgio , Checon Freitas Lima Elizete Aparecida 
Published: February 2015

Nome (s) do Orientador (a) (s) Sérgio Luís de Carvalho Aparecida Brunetti Arante de Souza Instituição ou Empresa Universidade Estadual Paulista “Júlio de Mesquita Filho” Faculdade de Engenharia Campus de Ilha Solteira Instituição (s) de Fomento Universidade Estadual Paulista “Júlio de Mesquita Filho” Faculdade de Engenharia Campus de Ilha Solteira E-mail de contato aparecidabrunetti@yahoo.com.br Palavras-chave Percepção ambiental. Descarte. Resíduos.