bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Isolation and Characterization of Water‐Extractable Arabinoxylan from Hull‐less Barley Flours
Authors: Trogh Isabel , Courtin Christophe M. , Delcour Jan A.
Published: June 2007

A new procedure was developed for the isolation of highly purified water‐extractable arabinoxylan (WE‐AX) from hull‐less barley flour. It included inactivation of endogenous enzymes, removal of proteins with silica gel, and removing β‐glucans, arabinogalactan‐peptides, and starch fragments by enzyme or solvent precipitation steps. WE‐AX recovered by this isolation procedure represented, on average, 47% of all WE‐AX present in hull‐less barley flour. Purified WE‐AX from flour of different hull‐less European barley cultivars contained 84.9–91.8% AX and showed small structural differences. The apparent peak molecular weight of the purified WE‐AX was 730,000–250,000, and the arabinose‐to‐xylose ratio was 0.55–0.63. Proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy showed that the levels of un‐, O‐2 mono‐, O‐3 mono‐, and O‐2,O‐3 disubstituted xylose residues were 59.1–64.7%, 8.2–10.0%, 5.7–10.6%, and 17.6– 23.1%, respectively, and the ratio of di‐ to monosubstituted xylose was 0.90–1.54. Both O‐3 mono‐ and disubstituted xylose residues occurred isolated or next to disubstituted xylose residues in the WE‐AX chain.
Detecting Vitreous Wheat Kernels Using Reflectance and Transmittance Image Analysis
Authors: Xie Feng , Pearson Tom , Dowell Floyd E. , Zhang Naiqian
Published: June 2007

The proportion of vitreous durum kernels in a sample is an important grading attribute in assessing the quality of durum wheat. The current standard method of determining wheat vitreousness is performed by visual inspection, which can be tedious and subjective. The objective of this study was to evaluate an automated machine‐vision inspection system to detect wheat vitreousness using reflectance and transmittance images. Two subclasses of durum wheat were investigated in this study: hard and vitreous of amber color (HVAC) and not hard and vitreous of amber color (NHVAC). A total of 4,907 kernels in the calibration set and 4,407 kernels in the validation set were imaged using a Cervitec 1625 grain inspection system. Classification models were developed with stepwise discriminant analysis and an artificial neural network (ANN). A discriminant model correctly classified 94.9% of the HVAC and 91.0% of the NHVAC in the calibration set, and 92.4% of the HVAC and 92.7% of the NHVAC in the validation set. The classification results using the ANN were not as good as with the discriminant methods, but the ANN only used features from reflectance images. Among all the kernels, mottled kernels were the most difficult to classify. Both reflectance and transmittance images were helpful in classification. In conclusion, the Cervitec 1625 automated visionbased wheat quality inspection system may provide the grain industry with a rapid, objective, and accurate method to determine the vitreousness of durum wheat.
Oil Binding of Heat‐Treated Waxy Wheat Starch Granules and Starch Granule Ghosts Produced with Concentrated KI and I2
Authors: Hayashi M. , Seguchi M.
Published: June 2007

Dry waxy wheat starch granules were heat‐treated at 120°C for 5 hr, and then shaken vigorously in a biphasic system of oil and water. Non‐heat‐ treated starch remained in the aqueous phase, whereas the heat‐treated starch granules showed a strong oil‐binding ability that was lost by trypsin treatment. This result showed that the starch granule surface protein changed from hydrophilic to hydrophobic due to the heat treatment. The presence of starch granule surface protein was ascertained by staining with fluorescamine and fluorescence microscopic observation. Heat‐treated waxy wheat starch granules were incubated with a 25% KI/10% I2 (w/v) solution, which produced “ghosts” (exterior and interior) structures. The exteriors stained red‐brown, whereas the interiors stained black‐brown. Sonication (20 kHz for 255 sec) followed by centrifugation separated the structures, which were then shaken vigorously in an oil and water system. Only the exterior ghosts exhibited a remarkable emulsification property, which disappeared after trypsin treatment. The ghosts from unheated control granules did not show emulsification. The presence of protein in the exterior ghost fraction was further substantiated by fluorescamine treatment. No protein was detectable in the interior fraction with this dye. From these results, we suggest that the ghost fraction of the waxy wheat starch contained the starch granule surface protein that was made hydrophobic by heat treatment. Also, the nature of the induced emulsification property of the exterior fraction (ghosts) and the oil‐binding ability of the heat‐treated waxy wheat starch granules coincided. Both were due to the hydrophobic nature of the same starch granule surface protein, which showed that the ghosts were the swollen form of the outer region of the waxy starch granule.
End Use Quality of Waxy Wheat Flour in Various Grain‐Based Foods
Authors: Hayakawa K. , Tanaka K. , Nakamura T. , Endo S. , Hoshino T.
Published: June 2007

The practical applications of flour from waxy (amylose‐free) hexaploid wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) were assessed. The applications evaluated were bread, cakes, white salted noodles, and pasta for gyoza. An excessive addition of waxy hexaploid wheat flour to total wheat flour (>20%) resulted in poorer functional properties (sticky, lumpy, or less crispy textures) in almost every end use product. However, incorporation of <20% waxy hexaploid wheat flour, produced considerable improvement in shelf‐life characteristics. After one day of storage, the bread from flour including waxy hexaploid wheat flour maintained moistness, softness, and stickiness. This application of waxy hexaploid wheat flour as an antistaling ingredient was also confirmed in cake products. Tests were also conducted on alimentary pasta products. In alimentary pasta, waxy hexaploid wheat flour was most effective when utilized for frozen fried dumplings (gyoza). By using flour including 30 or 50% waxy hexaploid wheat flour, the problem of firmness was solved without other ingredients. In conclusion, flour from waxy hexaploid wheat may be useful in developing more increased staling‐ and freezing‐tolerant grain‐based foods. Starch properties could be responsible for these improved characteristics.
A New Method to Study Simple Shear Processing of Wheat Gluten‐Starch Mixtures
Authors: Peighambardoust S. H. , van der Goot A. J. , Hamer R. J. , Boom R. M.
Published: June 2007

This article introduces a new method that uses a shearing device to study the effect of simple shear on the overall properties of pasta‐like products made from commercial wheat gluten‐starch (GS) blends. The shear‐processed GS samples had a lower cooking loss (CL) and a higher swelling index (SI) than unprocessed materials, suggesting the presence of a gluten phase surrounding starch granules. Pictures of dough micro‐structure by confocal scanning laser microscopy (CSLM) showed the distribution of proteins in the shear‐processed samples. This study revealed that simple shear processing could result in a product with relevant cooking properties as compared with those of commercial pasta. Increasing gluten content in GS mixtures led to a decrease in CL and an increase in maximum cutting stress of processed samples, whereas no clear correlation was found for SI values of sheared products. It was concluded that the new shearing device is unique in its capability to study the effect of pure shear deformation on dough development and properties at mechanical energy and shear stress levels relevant to industrial processing techniques like pasta extrusion.
Effect of Protein Quality, Protein Content, Bran Addition, DATEM, Proving Time, and Their Interaction on Hearth Bread
Authors: Aamodt Anette , Magnus Ellen Merethe , Færgestad Ellen Mosleth
Published: June 2007

The effect of protein quality, protein content, bran addition, diacetyl tartaric acid ester of monoglycerides (DATEM), proving time, and their interaction on hearth bread characteristics were studied by size‐exclusion fast protein liquid chromatography, Kieffer dough and gluten extensibility rig, and small‐scale baking of hearth loaves. Protein quality influenced size and shape of the hearth loaves positively. Enhanced protein content increased loaf volume and decreased the form ratio of hearth loaves. The effect of protein quality and protein content was dependent on the size‐distribution of the proteins in flour, which affected the viscoelastic properties of the dough. Doughs made from flours with strong protein quality can be proved for a longer time and thereby expand more than doughs made from weak protein quality flours. Doughs made from strong protein quality flours tolerated bran addition better than doughs made from weak protein quality flours. Doughs made from high protein content flours were more suited for hearth bread production with bran than doughs made from flours with low protein content. DATEM had small effect on dough properties and hearth loaf characteristics compared with the other factors.
Effect of Foliar Sulfur and Nitrogen Fertilization on Wheat Storage Protein Composition and Dough Mixing Properties
Authors: Tea I. , Genter T. , Naulet N. , Boyer V. , Lummerzheim M. , Kleiber D.
Published: June 2007

Nitrogen (N) and sulfur (S) supplies have a strong influence on the quality and quantity of wheat storage proteins, which play an important role in the breadmaking process. Nitrogen derived from urea, S from micronized elemental sulfur, and a mixture of both (N+S) were applied at anthesis stage on wheat by foliar spray. To relate N and S incorporation in storage proteins to the quality of dough, their incorporation into each storage protein fraction was measured: monomers, low molecular weight glutenin subunits (LMW‐GS), and high molecular weight glutenin subunits (HMW‐GS). Then protein fraction quantities, molecular weight distribution (MWD), polymerization index (PI), and molecular dimensions of unextractable polymeric protein (UPP), as well as dough mixing properties were determined. Fertilizers N and S were differentially incorporated into each storage protein fraction, influencing protein synthesis. Moreover, after the N+S fertilization, the increase of the polymeric proteins induced an increase in molecular weight and compactness, as well as in dough strength and consistency. These results provide evidence that N and S fertilizers applied by foliar spray route at anthesis, simultaneously, play an important role in controlling the storage protein synthesis and the degree of polymerization, which in turn influence dough mixing properties.
Effects of Protein Content and Composition on White Noodle Making Quality: Color
Authors: Wang Chun , Kovacs Miklos I. P. , Fowler D. B. , Holley Richard
Published: June 2007

Wheat cultivars, representing three winter and three spring wheats were grown in western Canada with six levels of nitrogen fertilizer and flours were prepared from them with an extraction rate of 65%. Using a chromameter, flour color and the color of uncooked white noodle sheets made from these flours with different resting times were assessed. The cooked noodle sheet color was also assessed. While protein content initially declined with added nitrogen and increased with further nitrogen addition, brightness (L*) of flour decreased and redness (a*) and yellowness (b*) increased. Positive correlation coefficients of flour brightness with particle size index (PSI) were also observed. Flour redness (a*) and yellowness (b*) were also affected by flour moisture content, whereas L* values were not significantly correlated with moisture contents. For the uncooked white noodle sheet, as protein content increased brightness decreased but there was an increase in a* and b* values. Thus, the L* value for noodle sheets was negatively correlated with the a* and b* values. The percentages of monomeric protein and soluble glutenin in flour were equal to or better than protein content in relation to most noodle sheet color characters. Uncooked noodle sheet brightness decreased, while redness and yellowness increased with rest time. In general, uncooked white noodle sheets prepared from different wheat flours can be ranked in terms of brightness and yellowness within each level of nitrogen fertilization.
A Genomics Approach Reveals That Aroma Production in Apple Is Controlled by Ethylene Predominantly at the Final Step in Each Biosynthetic Pathway
Authors: Schaffer Robert J. , Friel Ellen N. , Souleyre Edwige J.F. , Bolitho Karen , Thodey Kate , Ledger Susan , Bowen Judith H. , Ma Jun-Hong , Nain Bhawana , Cohen Daniel , Gleave Andrew P. , Crowhurst Ross N. , Janssen Bart J. , Yao Jia-Long , Newcomb Richard D.
Published: June 2007

Ethylene is the major effector of ripening in many fleshy fruits. In apples (Malus x domestica) the addition of ethylene causes a climacteric burst of respiration, an increase in aroma, and softening of the flesh. We have generated a transgenic line of ‘Royal Gala’ apple that produces no detectable levels of ethylene using antisense ACC OXIDASE, resulting in apples with no ethylene-induced ripening attributes. In response to external ethylene these antisense fruits undergo a normal climacteric burst and produced increasing concentrations of ester, polypropanoid, and terpene volatile compounds over an 8-d period. A total of 186 candidate genes that might be involved in the production of these compounds were mined from expressed sequence tags databases and full sequence obtained. Expression patterns of 179 of these were assessed using a 15,720 oligonucleotide apple microarray. Based on sequence similarity and gene expression patterns we identified 17 candidate genes that are likely to be ethylene control points for aroma production in apple. While many of the biosynthetic steps in these pathways were represented by gene families containing two or more genes, expression patterns revealed that only a single member is typically regulated by ethylene. Only certain points within the aroma biosynthesis pathways were regulated by ethylene. Often the first step, and in all pathways the last steps, contained enzymes that were ethylene regulated. This analysis suggests that the initial and final enzymatic steps with the biosynthetic pathways are important transcriptional regulation points for aroma production in apple.
Involvement of a Soybean ATP-Binding Cassette-Type Transporter in the Secretion of Genistein, a Signal Flavonoid in Legume-Rhizobium Symbiosis
Authors: Sugiyama Akifumi , Shitan Nobukazu , Yazaki Kazufumi
Published: June 2007

Legume plants have an ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen into nutrients via symbiosis with soil microbes. As the initial event of the symbiosis, legume plants secrete flavonoids into the rhizosphere to attract rhizobia. Secretion of flavonoids is indispensable for the establishment of symbiotic nitrogen fixation, but almost nothing is known about the membrane transport mechanism of flavonoid secretion from legume root cells. In this study, we performed biochemical analyses to characterize the transport mechanism of flavonoid secretion using soybean (Glycine max) in which genistein is a signal flavonoid. Plasma membrane vesicles prepared from soybean roots showed clear transport activity of genistein in an ATP-dependent manner. This transport activity was inhibited by sodium orthovanadate, a typical inhibitor of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters, but was hardly affected by various ionophores, such as gramicidin D, nigericin, or valinomycin, suggesting involvement of an ABC transporter in the secretion of flavonoids from soybean roots. The K  m and V  max values of this transport were calculated to be 158 μ  m and 322 pmol mg protein−1 min−1, respectively. Competition experiments using various flavonoids of both aglycone and glucoside varieties suggested that this ABC-type transporter recognizes genistein and daidzein, another signaling compound in soybean root exudates, as well as other isoflavonoid aglycones as its substrates. Transport activity was constitutive regardless of the availability of nitrogen nutrition. This is, to our knowledge, the first biochemical characterization of the membrane transport of flavonoid secretion from roots.
Auxin Influx Activity Is Associated with Frankia Infection during Actinorhizal Nodule Formation in Casuarina glauca
Authors: Péret Benjamin , Swarup Ranjan , Jansen Leen , Devos Gaëlle , Auguy Florence , Collin Myriam , Santi Carole , Hocher Valérie , Franche Claudine , Bogusz Didier , Bennett Malcolm , Laplaze Laurent
Published: June 2007

Plants from the Casuarinaceae family enter symbiosis with the actinomycete Frankia leading to the formation of nitrogen-fixing root nodules. We observed that application of the auxin influx inhibitor 1-naphtoxyacetic acid perturbs actinorhizal nodule formation. This suggests a potential role for auxin influx carriers in the infection process. We therefore isolated and characterized homologs of the auxin influx carrier (AUX1-LAX) genes in Casuarina glauca. Two members of this family were found to share high levels of deduced protein sequence identity with Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) AUX-LAX proteins. Complementation of the Arabidopsis aux1 mutant revealed that one of them is functionally equivalent to AUX1 and was named CgAUX1. The spatial and temporal expression pattern of CgAUX1 promoter:β-glucuronidase reporter was analyzed in Casuarinaceae. We observed that CgAUX1 was expressed in plant cells infected by Frankia throughout the course of actinorhizal nodule formation. Our data suggest that auxin plays an important role during plant cell infection in actinorhizal symbioses.
Influences of a Relaxation Intervention on Perceived Stress and Power Spectral Analysis of Heart Rate Variability
Authors: Sneed Nancee V. , Olson Melodie , Bubolz Beth , Finch Nancy
Published: June 2007

This study was designed to determine whether power spectral analysis (PSA) of heart rate variability (HRV) can detect change in autonomic tone following a relaxation intervention called therapeutic touch (TT). Thirty healthy subjects underwent TT by one of three TT practitioners using the steps developed by Krieger and Kunz (The Therapeutic Touch, Prentice‐Hall, 1979). Both subjects and TT practitioners were monitored by continuous electrocardiographic monitoring (Holter) before (15 minutes), during, and after (15 minutes) TT was administered. Subjects and TT practitioners completed a visual analogue scale (VAS) of perceived stress before and after TT. Change scores for VAS and PSA of high‐frequency/low‐frequency (HF/LF) ratios were compared for the 2‐minute interval before TT began and the end of TT and the end of the recovery period, using t tests. VAS scores decreased (less stress) from before to after TT for both subjects (p<0.0005) and TT practitioners (p<0.0005). Mean HF/LF ratios increased significantly to reflect greater parasympathetic dominance from before TT to the end of treatment for subjects (p=0.006), but not for TT practitioners. However, further analysis revealed that this change was due to an exaggerated HF/LF response from four outliers (p<0.0005). Data collected in this study did not reveal differences between these four subjects and the rest of the sample. There were no significant changes in HF/LF ratios from the end of TT to end of recovery for either group. Further research is needed to determine why some subjects may have greater change in autonomic tone in response to relaxation in order to be able to predict who will demonstrate physiologic response to relaxation interventions.
The Effects of Music on Cardiac Patients on Bed Rest
Authors: Cadigan Mary E. , Caruso Nancy A. , Haldeman Sioban M. , McNamara Mary Ellen , Noyes Dorothy A. , Spadafora M. Ann , Carroll Diane L.
Published: June 2007

Hospitalizations that require invasive cardiac procedures or support with an intra‐aortic balloon pump can be unsettling. This study was undertaken to measure the effect of a music intervention on physiologic and psychological responses of patients on bed rest due to procedural sheaths or an intra‐aortic balloon pump. A randomized, two‐group, pretest/post‐test design was utilized to measure the effect of a 30‐minute music intervention on heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, skin temperature, pain perception, and mood states. One hundred forty subjects participated, 65 in the control group and 75 in the treatment group. There were no significant differences between the groups in demographic, clinical, or baseline variables, except for respiratory rate. After the music intervention, there were reductions in blood pressure, respiratory rate, and psychological distress, as measured by the Profile of Mood States (p<0.05). Music appeared to affect selected physiologic responses and reduce psychological distress in patients on bed rest.
Diagnostic difficulties in the interpretation of fine needle aspirates of salivary gland lesions: the problem revisited
Authors: ORELL S. R.
Published: June 2007

Diagnostic difficulties in the interpretation of he needle aspirates of salivary gland lesions: the problem revisited

Cases of salivary gland lesions (n=325), mainly neoplastic but including a small number of non‐neoplastic lesions, investigated by fine needle aspiration (FNA) and with histological correlation, are reviewed. The review identified a number of differential diagnostic problems which are discussed in some detail. One false‐positive and eight false‐negative diagnoses had been made resulting in a 99.5% specificity and a 85.5% sensitivity. If type‐specific diagnoses are made only when all defined diagnostic criteria are present and if any uncertainty is clearly conveyed to the clinician, FNA is a safe and accurate tool in the investigation of salivary gland lesions.
c‐FLIP expression in colorectal carcinomas: association with Fas/FasL expression and prognostic implications
Authors: Korkolopoulou P , Saetta A A , Levidou G , Gigelou F , Lazaris A , Thymara I , Scliri M , Bousboukea K , Michalopoulos N V , Apostolikas N , Konstantinidou A , Tzivras M , Patsouris E
Published: June 2007

Aims:  Disruption of apoptotic cell death has been implicated in tumour aggressiveness in colonic carcinogenesis. The Fas–Fas ligand (FasL) system is involved in the execution of apoptosis induced by the immune system. c‐FLIP protein constitutes an inhibitor of Fas and other (TRAIL) death receptor‐mediated apoptosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the simultaneous expression of Fas, FasL and c‐FLIP in relation to standard clinicopathological parameters and patients' outcome in colorectal cancer.

Methods and results:  Levels of Fas, FasL and c‐FLIP protein expression were quantified immunohistochemically in paraffin‐embedded tissues from 90 patients. Immunopositivity was detected for Fas, FasL and c‐FLIP in 71%, 35.5% and 68.8% of cases, respectively. Concurrent expression of Fas/FasL was seen in 28 samples (31%), of which 24 (85.7%) also displayed c‐FLIP positivity (P = 0.04). c‐FLIP overexpression (> 10%) tended to prevail marginally in higher stage tumours (P = 0.09). Additionally, FasL and c‐FLIP adversely affected survival on both univariate (P = 0.001 and P = 0.0024, respectively) and multivariate analysis [hazard ratio (HR) 3.491, P = 0.005 and HR 2.960, P = 0.036, respectively].

Conclusions:  The frequent expression and coexpression of Fas, FasL and c‐FLIP in colorectal carcinoma implicates c‐FLIP as an inhibitor of the Fas–FasL‐induced death pathway in these tumours. Moreover, c‐FLIP conveys independent prognostic information in the presence of classical prognosticators.
Dental attrition and degenerative arthritis of the temporomandibular joint
Authors: RICHARDS L. C. , BROWN T.
Published: June 2007

The extent and rate of occlusal attrition in relation to degenerative arthritis of the temporomandibular joint were studied in 101 skulls representing early Aboriginal man in Australia. Joint degenerations affected 40% of the specimens and were associated with both the rate and extent of tooth attrition. Age, unaccompanied by tooth wear, was not significant in the progress of the disease. Degenerations affected the temporal joint surface more frequently than the condyle, particularly in the lateral and central regions of the articular eminence.

Patterns of degenerative joint disease in the Aboriginals illustrated a break‐down in the physiological adaptability of the masticatory system resulting from increased occlusal stress consequent upon progressive tooth wear. Under these conditions, the teeth and the temporomandibular joints enter a ‘wear‐out’ phase of occlusal function which usually commences in early adult life and becomes more severe as the conditions continue.
QTL analysis of a rapidly evolving speciation phenotype in the Hawaiian cricket Laupala
Authors: SHAW KERRY L. , PARSONS YVONNE M. , LESNICK SKY C.
Published: June 2007

In mate recognition systems, the functional necessity to coordinate traits involved in sexual communication should result in reduced pairing potential for new variants outside the distribution of common reproductive signals. Yet, many closely related, sexual species differ in mate recognition traits, suggesting that directional selection influences the divergence of mate recognition systems. Species of the endemic Hawaiian cricket genus Laupala are morphologically and ecologically cryptic, although both male calling song and female acoustic preference have diverged rapidly between closely related species. These mate recognition phenotypes are therefore often likely to be speciation phenotypes, i.e. traits whose divergence contributes, directly or indirectly, to a reduction of gene flow during speciation, given their frequent participation in early lineage divergence. We conducted a replicated, quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping study of the genetic basis of differences in male calling song between two closely related species, Laupala paranigra and Laupala kohalensis, allowing us to examine the genetic basis of traits involved in rapid speciation. We found statistical support for eight QTL in one replicate, with at least four of these QTL mapping to the same regions in a second replicate. QTL effects ranged between 3.0% and 10.7% of the difference in pulse rate between L. paranigra and L. kohalensis, and are thus of moderate to small effect. All QTL identified show directional effects consistent with the hypothesis of directional selection. Thus, we conclude that rapid speciation can occur under the influence of many genes of moderate to small effect. This study implicates the role of directional selection in the divergence of mate recognition traits and speciation the Hawaiian cricket genus Laupala.
Effect of alpha‐helical CRH on quantitative electroencephalogram in patients with irritable bowel syndrome
Authors: Tayama J. , Sagami Y. , Shimada Y. , Hongo M. , Fukudo S.
Published: June 2007

Abstract  Patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) may have a higher tone of corticotropin‐releasing hormone (CRH) in the brain. We tested our hypothesis that peripheral administration of CRH antagonist, α‐helical CRH9−41 (αhCRH), improves decreased alpha power spectra and increased beta power spectra of electroencephalogram (EEG) in IBS patients. A barostat bag was inserted to the descending colon of 10 normal controls and 10 IBS patients. The EEG power spectra and topography were measured during baseline period and colonic distention period with the administration of saline followed by the administration of 10 μg kg−1 of αhCRH. IBS patients showed a significantly lower alpha power percentage and a higher beta power percentage than normal controls during baseline. Colonic distention induced a decrease in the alpha power percentage and an increase in the beta power percentage in both groups without difference between groups. After the administration of αhCRH, changes in the EEG power spectra in response to colonic distention were blunted and the differences in the EEG power spectra between IBS patients and controls vanished. Peripheral administration of αhCRH almost normalized EEG activities in IBS patients. Our data strongly suggest that CRH plays an important role in IBS.
Effect of reflux‐induced inflammation on transient receptor potential vanilloid one (TRPV1) expression in primary sensory neurons innervating the oesophagus of rats
Authors: Banerjee B. , Medda B. K. , Lazarova Z. , Bansal N. , Shaker R. , Sengupta J. N.
Published: June 2007

Abstract  A possible mechanism of oesophageal hypersensitivity is the acid‐induced activation of transient receptor potential vanilloid receptor 1 (TRPV1) in the primary sensory neurons. We investigated TRPV1 expression and its colocalization with substance P (SP) and isolectin B4 (IB4)‐positive cells in the thoracic dorsal root ganglia (DRGs) and nodose ganglia (NGs) of rats with reflux‐induced oesophagitis (RO). RO was developed by fundus ligation and partial obstruction of the pylorus of Sprague‐Dawley rats. Four groups of rats were used; fundus ligated acute (RO 48 h), chronic 7 days (RO 7D), RO 7D + omeprazole (7D + Omz, 40 mg kg−1, i.p.) and sham‐operated controls. Immunohistochemical analysis of TRPV1, SP and IB4 expression were carried out in spinal cord (SC), DRGs and NGs. RO rats exhibited significant inflammation and increase in TRPV1‐ir and SP‐ir expressions in the SC, DRGs and NGs. The maximum colocalization of TRPV1 and SP was observed in RO 7D rats, but Omz prevented inflammation and over expression of TRPV1 and SP. TRPV1‐ir significantly increased in IB4‐positive cells in DRGs and SC, but not in the NGs. Results document that acid‐induced oesophagitis increases TRPV1 expression in both SP‐ and IB4‐positive sensory neurons. The over expression of TRPV1 may contribute to oesophageal hypersensitivity observed in gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease (GORD).
Infant programming of bone size and bone mass in 10‐year‐old black and white South African children
Authors: Vidulich Linda , Norris Shane A. , Cameron Noël , Pettifor John M.
Published: June 2007

In developed countries, the earliest of factors shown to identify those at a high risk of having low bone mass and so be prone to osteoporosis in later life is that of quality of early life reflected by low birthweight (BW) and size in infancy. It is unclear whether such relationships exist in developing countries and in black populations. Associations were studied between BW, weight (WT1) and length (LT1) at 1 year and bone size and bone mass in 476 children (boys: 182 black, 72 white; girls: 158 black, 64 white) aged 10 years, who formed part of a longitudinal cohort of children born in Johannesburg, South Africa, during 1990. Bone area (BA) and bone mineral content (BMC) measurements were made of the whole body, femoral neck and lumbar spine (L1‐L4) by dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DXA).

After adjusting BA and BMC for race, gender, age, socio‐economic status, bone age, height and weight at 10 years, on which BA and BMC in children are so dependent, WT1, LT1 and BW were significant predictors of whole body BA (WT1, P < 0.0001; LT1, P < 0.01; BW, P < 0.05) and BMC (WT1, P < 0.01; LT1, P < 0.05; BW, P < 0.05) and of BMC of the femoral neck (WT1, P < 0.01; LT1, P < 0.05). When BMC was in addition corrected for BA, then BW, WT1 and LT1 were predictive of femoral neck BMC (BW, P < 0.05; WT1, P < 0.05; LT1, P < 0.01) but not whole body BMC. Thus, BMC at 10 years appears to be independently associated with weight and length at 1 year, which is not completely mediated by the tracking of skeletal growth. Low BW and small size at 1 year resulted in smaller bones and/or bones of lower BMC at the femoral neck. The findings support the hypothesis that growth and development, both intrauterine and in the first year, which are measures of genetic, intrauterine and postnatal environmental factors, may have long‐term consequences when compromised, and may be associated with the risk of osteoporosis in later life.
Racial disparity in risk of preterm birth associated with lower genital tract infection
Authors: Hitti Jane , Nugent Robert , Boutain Doris , Gardella Carolyn , Hillier Sharon L. , Eschenbach David A.
Published: June 2007

The objective of this study was to examine the associations between lower genital tract infection, racial group and preterm birth in the Vaginal Infections and Prematurity Study, a large prospective cohort study conducted between 1984 and 1989. This analysis included 11 910 women enrolled at 23–26 weeks' gestation with equal representation from self‐identified African American, Hispanic and white women. Subjects were screened for Chlamydia trachomatis, Trichomonas vaginalis and bacterial vaginosis at study entry, and their pregnancy outcomes were ascertained after delivery. The primary outcome of interest was preterm delivery of a low‐birthweight infant (<37 weeks and <2500 g). The associations between lower genital tract infection and preterm delivery of a low‐birthweight infant were examined within each racial group, with adjustment for potential confounders using multivariable logistic regression.

In this cohort, 6.4% of African Americans, 3.8% of Hispanics, and 4.4% of whites had a preterm delivery of a low‐birthweight infant (P < 0.001). Lower genital tract infection was significantly associated with preterm delivery of a low‐birthweight infant among African Americans, but not among other racial groups. The proportion of preterm birth associated with lower genital tract infection was 21% among African Americans and 5% among whites. The increase in infection‐associated preterm birth among African Americans appears to be related both to an increased prevalence of lower genital tract infection, and also to an increased risk of preterm delivery of a low‐birthweight infant in the context of lower genital tract infection.
Clinical and economic outcomes for term infants associated with increasing administration of antibiotics to their mothers
Authors: Glasgow Tiffany S. , Speakman Mori , Firth Sean , James Brent , Byington Carrie L. , Young Paul C.
Published: June 2007

Implementation of national guidelines for the prevention of group B streptococcal (GBS) infections has led to an increase in intrapartum antibiotic use and reduction in early‐onset GBS infections in newborns. Other outcomes, including the clinical diagnosis of sepsis in term infants, treatment with antibiotics, length of stay, and cost have not been described. To examine these outcomes, we performed an analysis of maternal and newborn data collected between 1998 and 2002 of 130 447 in‐hospital births of newborns ≥37 weeks gestation and their mothers from a large vertically integrated healthcare organisation in Utah. The main outcome measures included: (i) the number of women delivering at term who received intravenous antibiotics; (ii) the number of newborns treated for ‘clinical sepsis’, which was defined as receiving antibiotics for >72 h and the number of newborns who received antibiotics for ≤48 h, i.e. a ‘rule‐out‐sepsis’ course. We also compared the lengths of stay and variable costs of infants whose mothers received antibiotics with those whose mothers did not.

We found that the proportion of mothers who received intravenous antibiotics rose from 26.8% in 1998 to 40.6% in 2002 (P < 0.0001). The proportion of newborns treated for clinical sepsis ranged from 1.2% to 1.4% over the 5‐year period. (P for trend = 0.04). After controlling for maternal chorioamnionitis, delivery by caesarean section and maternal GBS status, newborns of mothers who received antibiotics were significantly more likely to be treated for clinical sepsis than were newborns of mothers who had not received them [adjusted OR = 3.3; 95% CI 2.9, 3.8]. The average length of stay for newborns whose mothers were treated with antibiotics was 55.8 h compared with 41.6 h for those not treated (P < 0.0001). The cost of caring for newborns whose mothers received antibiotics was $740 compared with $638 for those whose mothers had not received them (P < 0.001).
The effect of maternal socio‐economic status throughout the lifespan on infant birthweight
Authors: Astone Nan Marie , Misra Dawn , Lynch Courtney
Published: June 2007

The objective of this study was to investigate whether maternal socio‐economic status during childhood and at the time of pregnancy each have unique associations with infant birthweight when biological determinants of birthweight are controlled. The data are from a three‐generation study which contains information on the mothers and grandmothers of 987 singleton infants, collected over a period of 25 years. We used simple and multivariable regression to assess the association between indicators of a woman's socio‐economic status and her offspring's birthweight.

Women who grew up in poor households had smaller babies than those who did not, and a unit increase in the income/needs ratio (analogous to the poverty index), in non‐poor households only, was associated with a 185 g [95% CI 70, 200] increase in infant birthweight. Maternal age at the index infant's birth had a positive association with birthweight that diminished as women reached their mid‐twenties. Among mothers with low education, high grandmaternal education was associated with a 181 g [95% CI 71, 292] increase in infant birthweight, while high grandmaternal education had no effect among infants whose mothers were relatively well‐educated. This interaction between grandmaternal and maternal education is consistent with claims that cumulative stress is an important mechanism connecting maternal socio‐economic status and infant health.
Does lateral gas diffusion in leaves matter?
Authors: MORISON JAMES I. L. , LAWSON TRACY
Published: June 2007

Photosynthesis depends on the diffusion of gaseous CO2inside the leaf spaces from the stomatal entry point to the mesophyll cell walls. Although most research considers only the vertical diffusion from stomata on upper and/or leaf lower surfaces, some of the gas will diffuse in the lateral (paradermal) direction. The importance of lateral CO2diffusion is reviewed, and the anatomical characteristics of leaves, including the variation of air space volume between species and conditions are discussed. The contribution of the air space conductance to the limitation of photosynthesis by the overall CO2diffusion pathway is usually ignored. However, the need to consider three‐dimensional diffusion at the small scale of a few stomata is emphasized because stomata are discrete, and separated by 20–300 µm. At the large scale of 100s of micrometres, there may be barriers to CO2caused by the vascular tissue, particularly if there are bundle sheath extensions. The possible extent and controls on CO2lateral and vertical diffusion in different species and conditions are illustrated using chlorophyllafluorescence imaging techniques. It is clear that there is a range of effective lateral permeabilities depending on the particular vascular patterns and cell arrangements, and that species cannot be simply divided into homobaric and heterobaric anatomies. Lateral diffusion in more permeable leaves can be sufficient to affect measurements of leaf gas exchange, particularly when fluxes are low, although its contribution to leaf photosynthesis in natural conditions needs clarification.
Mapping hydrocarbon‐induced mineralogical alteration in the northern Tian Shan using ASTER multispectral data
Authors: Fu Bihong , Zheng Guodong , Ninomiya Yoshiki , Wang Chuanyuan , Sun Guoqiang
Published: June 2007

Seepage from hydrocarbon reservoirs can cause a number of chemical and/or mineralogical changes in overlying rocks and soils. These surface changes can be detected by remote sensing imaging systems. The Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) is an advanced multispectral imaging system in the visible and near infrared (VNIR) to shortwave infrared (SWIR) region. Band ratios of ASTER VNIR and SWIR data to detect red bed bleaching and secondary carbonate formation induced by hydrocarbon seepage are proposed through analysis of the spectral properties of rock samples. Results show that ASTER band ratios of 2/1 and 4/8 can discriminate bleached red beds and secondary carbonate minerals due to hydrocarbon seepage in the northern Tian Shan. They are in good agreement with mineral identification using X‐ray diffraction. The ratio technique derived from ASTER data may provide a potential approach for hydrocarbon exploration in areas with sparse vegetation cover.
SB401, a pollen‐specific protein from Solanum berthaultii, binds to and bundles microtubules and F‐actin
Authors: Huang Shuli , Jin Lifeng , Du Jizhou , Li Hua , Zhao Qian , Ou Guangshuo , Ao Guangming , Yuan Ming
Published: June 2007

We characterize a novel, pollen‐specific, microtubule‐associated protein, SB401, found in Solanum berthaultii. This protein binds to and bundles taxol‐stabilized microtubules and enhances tubulin polymerization in a concentration‐dependent manner, particularly at lower temperatures. Electron microscopy revealed that the protein decorates the entire length of microtubules. Cross‐linking and electrophoresis studies showed that SB401 protein forms dimers, and suggest that dimerization could account for bundling. Double immunofluorescent staining of pollen tubes of S. berthaultii showed that SB401 protein co‐localized with cortical microtubule bundles. SB401 protein also binds to and bundles actin filaments, and could connect actin filaments to microtubules. SB401 protein had a much higher affinity for microtubules than for actin filaments. In the presence of both cytoskeletal elements, the protein preferentially bound microtubules to form bundles. These results demonstrate that SB401 protein may have important roles in organizing the cytoskeleton in pollen tubes.
Cyclaneusma gen. nov., Naemacyclus and Lasiostictis, a nomenclatural problem resolved
Authors: Dicosmo F. , Peredo H. , Minter D. W.
Published: June 2007

The correct binomial for the type species of Naemacyclus is N. fimbriatus comb, nov. Lasiostictis fimbriata is a synonym. The common pint; needlecast fungi hitherto called N. niveus and N. minor are not congeneric with this species and are therefore redisposed in Cyclaneusma gen. nov. (Rhytismataceae) as C. niveum and C. minus combs. nov. Cyclaneusma minus is illustrated and the taxonomic position of the new genus is discussed.
Presence and accumulation of fungitoxic substances against Ceratocystis ulmi in Ulmus americana: possible relation to induced resistance1
Authors: Jeng R. S. , Alfenas A. C. , Hubbes M. , Dumas M.
Published: June 2007

This paper reports the differential accumulation of inhibitory compounds in American elm seedlings after inoculation with a non‐aggressive and an aggressive strain of C, ulmi.
Poplar seed‐transmission of Marssonina brunnea
Authors: Spiers A. G. , Wenham H. T.
Published: June 2007

Laboratory studies established that poplar seed became contaminated with conidia of Marssonina brunnea during extraction from infected seed capsules. Contaminating conidia were loosely associated with the testa and were capable of initiating seedling infections. Examination of 23 imported Dutch seedlines showed that 20 were contaminated with viable conidia of M. brunnea. Ten seedlines produced infected seedlings when sown on blotters and in soil, confirming M. brunnea as a seed‐borne contaminant of poplar seed.
Resistance of improved Pinus monticola and some other white pines to the blister rust fungus, Cronartium ribicola, of Hokkaido, Japan
Authors: Yokota Shun‐ichi
Published: June 2007

Resistant progenies of Pinus monticola, improved in the northwestern USA, and Asian and European white pines were inoculated with the blister rust fungus, Cronartium ribicola, of Hokkaido. No resistance was observed in P. monticola but the other pines remained healthy. This shows that the resistance of white pines to the blister rust fungus is limited to a particular pathogenic race and a different race of the rust fungus exists in Hokkaido.
Die natürliche Astreinigung und ihre biologischen Voraussetzungen
Authors: Butin H. , Kowalski T.
Published: June 2007

The natural pruning of branches and their biological conditions. II. The fungal flora of English oak (Quercus robur L.). A study was made on the mycoflora of dead twigs during natural pruning of branches from oak. Most of the species belong to the ascomycetes and deuteromycetes; basidiomycetes were identified only on larger branches.
Üer das Auftreten von Ozon und Stickstoffoxiden in Waldgebieten Österreichs
Authors: Von Smidt S.
Published: June 2007

Studies on the presence of ozone and nitrogen oxides in Austrian forests. Ozone and nitrogen oxide measurements were made in the region of Innsbruck/Tirol. Low concentrations of ozone and relatively high concentrations of nitrogen oxides were found in Hall (560 m. a. s. 1.). As opposed to this, the concentration of ozone at Patscherkofel (1954 m. a. s. 1.) showed, in winter, a very high base level while nitrogen oxides could not be detected there.

The course of the mean daily runs depended on season and the particular gas. The increased base level of ozone at higher altitudes as well as the combination of ozone with other harmful gases in over‐crowded areas is considered as an additional stress for forest vegetation.

The occurrence of all smog components at the same time and their combination leads to an intensifi‐cation of single effects. The phytotoxic effect of the main pollutant SO2 is especially increased by ozone and nitrogen oxides in overcrowded areas.
Identification of some compounds associated with resistance of Pinus densiflora to Fomes annosus
Authors: Dumas M. T. , Hubbes M. , Strunz G. M.
Published: June 2007

From the heartwood‐free stemwood of Pinus densiflora, 7 compounds inhibitory to the linear growth of Fomes annosus were isolated. These were identified as pinosylvin, pinosylvin monomethyl ether, (3‐sitosterol, a cembrol‐like diterpene alcohol, and three isomeric diterpene acids belonging to the abietane group, one of which is probably palustric acid. Other antifungal fractions contained complex mixtures and were not characterized.
Fungi that destroyed a Populus tremula stand in Lagow Lubuski
Authors: Domański S.
Published: June 2007

The decay of a 20‐year‐old stand of Populus tremula growing on old agricultural waste land was observed from 1975 to 1981. There were 16 species of pathogenic and saprophytic fungi found on dying and dead trees, of which Heterobasidion annosum (Fr.) Bref. and Cytospora chrysosperma Fr. were the most frequent. The circumstances of combined action of both fungi in the disease process are discussed.
Vergleichende Feinwurzeluntersuchungen an gesunden und erkrankten Altfichten auf zwei Standorten in Bayernein Beitrag zur Waldsterbensforschung
Authors: Liss Von B. , Blaschke H. , Schütt P.
Published: June 2007

Fine root studies in two old growth spruce forests affected by “Wadsterben” in Bavaria. Fine roots of healthy and declining Norway spruce (Picea abies) were investigated. We observed fewer active myeorrhizac associated with affected spruce in two old growth Forests. It has been hypothesised that air pollution is dimaging the needles resulting in less photosynthate and that the reduction of active mycorrhizae is due to such an initial weakening of the tree.
Populations of bacteria in poplar stems
Authors: Scott Eileen S.
Published: June 2007

Wetwood taken from euramerican hybrid poplars (Populus×euramericana) generally contained large and diverse populations of bacteria. The distribution of bacteria within tissues was discontinuous in both radial and axial directions. Most of the common bacterial strains were capable of altering wood components. The bacteria most consistently associated with wetwood were identified as Enterobacter and Clostridium species. The Enterobacter was hemicllulolytic and one Clostridium strain could degrade pectin in anaerobic conditions. These bacteria may play an important rote in the development of wetwood in poplar.