bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association analysis between the polymorphisms of HSD17B5 and HSD17B6 and risk of polycystic ovary syndrome in Chinese population
Authors: Ju Rong , Wu Wei , Fei Juan , Qin Yufeng , Tang Qiuqin , Wu Di , Xia Yankai , Wu Jie , Wang Xinru
Published: November 2014

Objective

To assess whether single nucleotide polymorphisms of HSD17B5 (AKR1C3) (rs1937845 and rs12529) and HSD17B6 (rs898611) are associated with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in a Chinese population.

Design

A case–control study was conducted to investigate the relation between HSD17B5 and HSD17B6 polymorphisms and PCOS.

Methods

In this study, 335 patients with PCOS and 354 controls were recruited. The genotypes of HSD17B5 (rs1937845 and rs12529) and HSD17B6 (rs898611) were detected by the TaqMan method.

Results and conclusions

We found that the genotypic frequencies of the rs1937845 polymorphism were different in subjects with PCOS compared with control, with the CT genotype being more commonly found in patients with PCOS than in controls (P=0.005). We observed a significantly 1.74-fold higher risk of CT genotype in the polymorphism rs1937845 in women with PCOS vs the control group (adjusted odds ratio (OR), 1.74; 95% CI=1.19–2.54; P=0.005). A similar, significant 1.47-fold higher risk (adjusted OR, 1.47; 95% CI=1.07–2.03; P=0.018) was demonstrated for T allele of polymorphism rs1937845 associated with PCOS. In patients with PCOS, the rs12529 (G>C) and rs1937845 (C>T) polymorphisms were strongly associated with the high level of testosterone. The TT carriers of polymorphism rs1937845 had a significantly increased homeostatic model assessment-B% (HOMA-B%) (P=0.045) and that might be associated with the high risk of insulin resistance. However, no significant difference was found in genotype or allele distributions of the polymorphisms rs12529 of HSD17B5 and rs898611 of HSD17B6 between patients with PCOS and controls. Additionally, the two polymorphisms of HSD17B5 are associated with hyperandrogenemia in patients with PCOS. In conclusion, our findings showed a significant statistical association between HSD17B5 rs1937845 and PCOS risk in Chinese women. The CT genotype and T allele frequency are influenced significantly to a higher extent in patients with PCOS than controls. Further studies are needed to confirm the results and find out the exact molecular mechanism of the polymorphism on the risk of hyperandrogenemia and PCOS.
A Comparison of Interferon-γ and IP-10 for the Diagnosis of Tuberculosis
Authors: Holm Line Lindebo , Rose Michala Vaaben , Kimaro Godfather , Bygbjerg Ib C. , Mfinanga Sayoki G. , Ravn Pernille , Ruhwald Morten
Published: November 2014

OBJECTIVE:

Interferon-γ and IP-10 release assays are diagnostic tests for tuberculosis infection. We have compared the accuracy of IP-10 and QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-tube [QFT-IT] in Tanzanian children suspected of having active tuberculosis (TB).

METHODS:

Hospitalized Tanzanian children with symptoms of TB were tested with the QFT-IT and IP-10 tests and retrospectively classified into diagnostic groups. Adults with confirmed TB were assessed in parallel.

RESULTS:

A total of 203 children were included. The median age was 3.0 years (interquartile range: 1.2–7.0), 38% were HIV infected, 36% were aged <2 years, and 58% had a low weight-for-age. IP-10 and QFT-IT test performance was comparable but sensitivity was low: 33% (1 of 3) in children with confirmed TB and 29% (8 of 28) in children with probable TB. Rates of indeterminate responders were high: 29% (59 of 203) for IP-10 and 26% (53 of 203) for QFT-IT. Age <2 years was associated with indeterminate test outcome for both IP-10 (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 2.2; P = .02) and QFT-IT (aOR: 2.4; P = .01). TB exposure was associated with positive IP-10 test outcome (aOR: 3.6; P = .01) but not with positive QFT-IT outcome (aOR 1.4; P = .52). In 102 adults, test sensitivity was 80% for both tests (P = .248).

CONCLUSIONS:

Although IP-10 and QFT-IT performed well in Tanzanian adults, the tests exhibited an equally poor performance in diagnosing active TB in children. Test performance was especially compromised in young children. Neither test can be recommended for use in hospitalized children in high-burden settings.
Postnatal Growth Following Prenatal Lead Exposure and Calcium Intake
Authors: Hong Yun-Chul , Kulkarni Surabhi Shah , Lim Youn-Hee , Kim Eunjeong , Ha Mina , Park Hyesook , Kim Yangho , Kim Bung-Nyun , Chang Namsoo , Oh Se-Young , Kim Young-Ju , Park Chooghee , Ha Eun-hee
Published: November 2014

BACKGROUND:

The effects on postnatal growth of maternal exposure to low levels of lead during pregnancy have not been well established. In addition, information is limited regarding the protective effect of dietary calcium intake during pregnancy against the effect of lead for fetal and postnatal growth. We investigated the relationship between prenatal exposure to lead and growth at birth and 6, 12, and 24 months postnatal, and evaluated the role of calcium intake against the effect of lead.

METHODS:

A total of 1150 pregnant women, and their subsequent offspring, enrolled in a prospective birth cohort study (Mothers and Children's Environmental Health Study), were evaluated. Multivariable regression analysis was conducted to estimate the effects of prenatal maternal blood lead levels on growth at each follow-up.

RESULTS:

The blood lead levels of participating mothers were <5.0 μg/dL and mean levels were 1.25 μg/dL during the early (before 20 gestational weeks) and late (at delivery) gestational periods. Prenatal exposure to lead, particularly in late pregnancy, was significantly associated with a reduction in infantile growth at 24 months. When pregnant women had dietary calcium intake at mean or upper level, the association was not significant. In contrast, lower than mean level of calcium intake intensified the adverse effect of prenatal lead exposure on growth in children.

CONCLUSIONS:

Prenatal lead exposure <5.0 μg/dL adversely affects postnatal growth and low calcium intake aggravates the effect, indicating more stringent control of lead and sufficient intake of calcium are necessary to help children’s health.
Age-Based Risk Factors for Pediatric ATV-Related Fatalities
Authors: Denning Gerene M. , Harland Karisa K. , Jennissen Charles A.
Published: November 2014

OBJECTIVES:

To compare and contrast characteristics and determinants of fatal all-terrain vehicle (ATV) crashes among pediatric age groups.

METHODS:

Retrospective descriptive and multivariable analyses of Consumer Product Safety Commission fatality data (1985–2009) were performed.

RESULTS:

Relative to 1985–1989 (baseline), pediatric deaths over the subsequent 4-year periods were lower until 2001–2004, when they markedly increased. Also, the proportion of vehicles involved in fatalities with engine sizes >350 cubic centimeter increased, reaching ∼50% of crashes in 2007–2009. Ninety-five percent of all pediatric fatalities were on adult-size vehicles. Victims <6 years old had the highest proportion of girls (24%) and passengers (76%), and the lowest helmet use (17%). More than half of 6- to 11-year-old children were vehicle operators; 1 in 4 were carrying passengers in their own age range. Over the study period, 12- to 15-year-old children accounted for more than half of all pediatric ATV-related fatalities. The proportion of youth riding on the road increased with age, as did the proportion of collisions with other vehicles. Older teens had the highest proportions of roadway fatalities (72%) and collision events (63%), and 19% of their crashes involved alcohol. Head injuries occurred in 63% of victims (the major determinant being roadway riding), and helmets reduced the likelihood of head injury among fatal crash victims by 58%.

CONCLUSIONS:

There were significant differences between pediatric age groups in the relative contribution of known risk factors for ATV-related fatalities. Future injury prevention efforts must recognize these differences and develop interventions based on the age range targeted.
Isotope engineering of silicon and diamond for quantum computing and sensing applications
Authors: Itoh Kohei M. , Watanabe Hideyuki
Published: November 2014

Some of the stable isotopes of silicon and carbon have zero nuclear spin, whereas many of the other elements that constitute semiconductors consist entirely of stable isotopes that have nuclear spins. Silicon and diamond crystals composed of nuclear-spin-free stable isotopes (28Si,30Si, or12C) are considered to be ideal host matrixes to place spin quantum bits (qubits) for quantum-computing and -sensing applications, because their coherent properties are not disrupted thanks to the absence of host nuclear spins. The present paper describes the state-of-the-art and future perspective of silicon and diamond isotope engineering for development of quantum information-processing devices.
Leptospirose mit hämorrhagisch-nekrotisierender Cholezystitis bei einem Boxerwelpen
Authors: Quandt A. , Mayer-Scholl A. , Sie J. M. , Löhr C. V. , Teifke J. P. , Steil D.
Published: November 2014

Ein von der Insel Rügen stammender altersgemäß geimpfter Boxerwelpe wurde mit akuter Magen-Darm-Symptomatik vorgestellt. Die Verdachtsdiagnose Leptospirose mit akutem Nierenversagen, Leberschädigung und Ikterus ließ sich durch Serokonversion (Titeranstieg auf 1:800 bei einer Nicht-Impfserogruppe 4 Wochen nach Krankheitsbeginn) bestätigen. Klinisch und sonographisch wurde eine Gallenblasenentzündung diagnostiziert. Nach anfänglicher Besserung kam es zu Rezidiven, sodass schließlich eine kurative Cholezystektomie durchgeführt wurde. Histopathologisch fand sich eine hämorrhagischnekrotisierende Cholezystitis.
Actitudes lingüísticas en la Argentina. El español en Buenos Aires: Una aproximación a las representaciones de sus hablantes
Authors: Llull Gabriela , Pinardi Lilián Carolina
Published: November 2014

Resumen

Este artículo analiza las actitudes lingüísticas de hablantes nativos de español de la Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, hacia al español de la Argentina y el español de los otros países hispanohablantes. El artículo es parte de los resultados del Proyecto LIAS (Linguistic Identity and Attitudes in Spanish-speaking Latin America), financiado por El Consejo Noruego de Investigación (RCN). La recolección de los datos se realizó en la capital del país, entrevistando a una muestra de 400 informantes previamente estratificada con las variables de edad, sexo y nivel socioeconómico. El procesamiento estadístico de los datos de campo recolectados arrojó resultados de interés en torno a la mayoría de los tópicos analizados y especialmente en lo referente a aspectos tales como la valoración positiva de la propia variedad lingüística; la resistencia a identificar a España como la única fuente de la norma lingüística de la lengua española; el rechazo a la unificación de la lengua y, por consiguiente, la defensa de la diversidad lingüística como portadora de riqueza cultural.

Abstract

This article analyzes the linguistic attitudes of native Spanish speakers from Buenos Aires City, towards Spanish spoken in Argentina and in the other Spanish-speaking countries. It is a result of the LIAS-Project (Linguistic Identity and Attitudes in Spanish-speaking Latin America), funded by The Research Council of Norway (RCN). The data were gathered in the capital of the country, interviewing a stratified sample of 400 respondents, based on the variables of age, sex and socioeconomic status. The analysis of the data rendered interesting results on most of the analyzed topics; especially important was the positive appraisal of Argentineans' own linguistic variety; the strong resistance against identifying Spain as the only source of the linguistic norm for the Spanish language; and the rejection of language unification, defending in this way linguistic diversity as an important conveyor of cultural richness.
Actitudes lingüísticas hacia el castellano en Bolivia. Entre la fidelidad y la conciencia lingüística
Authors: Aguilar María Juana
Published: November 2014

Resumen

Este artículo analiza las actitudes lingüísticas de hablantes nativos de español de la ciudad de La Paz, hacia al español de Bolivia y el español de los otros países hispanohablantes. El artículo es parte de los resultados del Proyecto LIAS (Linguistic Identity and Attitudes in Spanish-speaking Latin America), financiado por El Consejo Noruego de Investigación (RCN). La recolección de los datos se realizó en La Paz, entrevistando a una muestra de 400 informantes estratificada con las variables de edad, sexo y nivel socioeconómico. En análisis muestra, en general, una actitud positiva de parte de los hablantes bolivianos hacia su propia variedad de habla española. Se concluye también que los entrevistados son conscientes de que existen diversas variantes del español, no solamente dentro de su país, sino también fuera de este, las cuales reconocen como diferentes entre sí y las que no perciben como incorrectas o correctas, mejores o peores que otras.

Abstract

This article analyzes the linguistic attitudes of native Spanish speakers from La Paz, towards Spanish spoken in Bolivia and in the other Spanish-speaking countries. It is a result of the LIAS-Project (Linguistic Identity and attitudes in Spanish-speaking Latin America), funded by The Research Council of Norway (RCN). The data were gathered in La Paz, interviewing a stratified sample of 400 respondents based on the variables of age, sex and socioeconomic status. The analysis shows, in general, that Spanish speakers in Bolivia have a positive attitude towards their own variety of the language. It is also shown that the interviewees are aware that there are other varieties of the Spanish language, not only in their country, but also in the other Spanish-speaking countries. They do not characterize these varieties as incorrect or correct, better or worse, but only consider them as different from the others.
Actitudes lingüísticas en Colombia
Authors: Bernal Julio , Munévar Alejandro , Barajas Catalina
Published: November 2014

Resumen

Este artículo analiza las actitudes lingüísticas de hablantes nativos de español de Bogotá, hacia al español de Colombia y el de los otros países hispanohablantes. El artículo es parte de los resultados del Proyecto LIAS (Linguistic Identity and Attitudes in Spanish-speaking Latin America), financiado por El Consejo Noruego de Investigaciones (NRC). La recolección de los datos se realizó en la capital del país, entrevistando a una muestra de 400 personas, estratificada con las variables de edad, sexo y nivel socioeconómico. Los resultados muestran que el habla de la capital cuenta con alto prestigio entre los bogotanos, en comparación con menor estima por las hablas de la costa del Caribe y la región nariñense, al sur del país; asimismo sienten una alta autoestima lingüística, ya que consideran el habla colombiana como parte esencial de la identidad nacional y poseedora de una corrección lingüística que supera la del español hablado en España, México y la Argentina.

Abstract

This article analyzes the linguistic attitudes of native Spanish speakers from Bogotá, towards Spanish spoken in Colombia and in the other Spanish-speaking countries. It is a result of the LIAS-Project (Linguistic Identity and Attitudes in Spanish-speaking Latin America), funded by The Norwegian Research Council (NRC). The data were gathered in the capital of the country, interviewing a stratified sample of 400 persons, based on the variables of age, sex and socioeconomic status. The results of the project show that Spanish spoken in the capital has higher prestige than Spanish spoken on the Caribbean coast and in Nariño, the southern region of the country; the respondents show high linguistic self-esteem for Colombian Spanish, which they consider an essential part of their national identity, the linguistic correctness of which goes beyond that of Spanish spoken in Spain, Mexico and Argentina.
Actitudes lingüísticas de los hablantes de San Salvador, El Salvador
Authors: Rivera Orellana Erick
Published: November 2014

Resumen

Este artículo analiza las actitudes lingüísticas de hablantes nativos de español de la ciudad de San Salvador hacia al español de El Salvador y el de los otros países hispanohablantes. El artículo es parte de los resultados del Proyecto LIAS (Linguistic Identity and Attitudes in Spanish-speaking Latin America), financiado por El Consejo Noruego de Investigación (RCN). La recolección de los datos se realizó en la capital del país, entrevistando a una muestra de 400 personas estratificada con las variables de edad, sexo y nivel socioeconómico. Los estudios sobre actitudes lingüísticas en el país son escasos y este es el estudio que más dimensiones abarca respecto de cómo los salvadoreños que habitan en la capital se identifican con el idioma que hablan, cómo valoran o califican las formas de hablar de los habitantes de su entorno y cómo reaccionan ante formas de hablar el español en otros países, tanto de aquellos que conocen directamente como de otros con los cuales tienen una relación indirecta, principalmente a través de los medios de comunicación.

Abstract

This article analyzes the linguistic attitudes of native Spanish speakers from San Salvador towards Spanish spoken in El Salvador and in the other Spanish-speaking countries. It is a result of the LIAS-Project (Linguistic Identity and Attitudes in Spanish-speaking Latin America), funded by The Research Council of Norway (RCN). The data were gathered in the capital of the country, interviewing a stratified sample of 400 respondents, based on the variables of age, sex and socioeconomic status. Studies of linguistic attitudes are scarce in the country and this research study is the first one with a broad scope regarding how people living in the capital identify themselves with the way they speak; how they value or characterize the way people around them speak, and how they react to the way people speak Spanish in other countries that they know personally or through mass media.
Actitudes lingüísticas en Honduras. Un estudio sociolingüístico sobre el español de Honduras frente al de otros países de habla hispana
Authors: Hernández Hilcia
Published: November 2014

Resumen

Este artículo analiza las actitudes lingüísticas de hablantes nativos de español de Tegucigalpa, hacia al español de Honduras y el de los otros países hispanohablantes. El artículo hace parte de los resultados del Proyecto LIAS (Linguistic Identity and Attitudes in Spanish-speaking Latin America), financiado por El Consejo Noruego de Investigación (RCN). La recolección de los datos se realizó en la capital del país, entrevistando a una muestra de 400 informantes estratificada con las variables de edad, sexo y nivel socioeconómico. Se muestran los resultados del análisis cualitativo y cuantitativo desde una perspectiva sociolingüística y dejan al descubierto no solo las actitudes lingüísticas positivas y negativas, sino también expresiones de lealtad por la variedad lingüística nacional, opiniones sobre la corrección lingüística y la alta estima hacia el español de Honduras en relación con el español de los demás países hispanohablantes.

Abstract

This article analyzes the linguistic attitudes of native Spanish speakers from Tegucigalpa, towards Spanish spoken in Honduras and in the other Spanish-speaking countries. It is a result of the LIAS-Project (Linguistic Identity and Attitudes in Spanish-speaking Latin America), funded by The Research Council of Norway (RCN). The data were gathered in the capital, interviewing a stratified sample of 400 respondents based on the variables of age, sex and socioeconomic status. The results from the qualitative and quantities analysis are drawn using a sociolinguistic perspective and show not only the positive and negative linguistic attitudes towards specific varieties of Spanish, but also expressions of linguistic loyalty towards the national variety of the Spanish language, opinions about linguistic correctness and the high degree of appreciation towards Honduran Spanish compared to the variants of Spanish spoken in the other Spanish-speaking countries.
Actitudes lingüísticas en México. Entre el chovinismo y el malinchismo
Authors: Morett Sonia
Published: November 2014

Resumen

Este artículo analiza las actitudes lingüísticas de hablantes nativos de español de la Ciudad de México, hacia al español del país y el de los otros países hispanohablantes. El artículo hace parte de los resultados del Proyecto LIAS (Linguistic Identity and Attitudes in Spanish-speaking Latin America), financiado por El Consejo Noruego de Investigación (RCN). La recolección de los datos se realizó en la capital del país, entrevistando una muestra de 400 informantes previamente estratificada con las variables de edad, sexo y nivel socioeconómico sobre sus preferencias y opiniones de las variantes dialectales mexicanas y del mundo hispanohablante. El análisis identifica factores lingüísticos y extralingüísticos que devienen en percepciones cognitivas y actitudes afectivas de orgullo, aceptación, rechazo y estigmatización. Se dedicó especial atención a las creencias sobre la corrección lingüística y al rol de los medios de comunicación en la propagación de estereotipos. En relación con investigaciones precedentes, la española y la mexicana se mantuvieron como las variantes más prestigiosas, aunque en varios aspectos se registró una mayor autoestima lingüística y, al mismo tiempo, una creciente conciencia y aceptación hacia la diversidad intralingüística y cultural, especialmente hacia las hablas de otros países hispanohablantes. Se concluye que las creencias sobre los grupos sociales se encuentran en la base de las actitudes lingüísticas, antes que los criterios inherentes al lenguaje.

Abstract

This article analyzes the linguistic attitudes of native Spanish speakers from Mexico City, towards Spanish spoken in the country, and in the other Spanish-speaking countries. It is a result of the LIAS-Project (Linguistic Identity and Attitudes in Spanish-speaking Latin America), funded by The Research Council of Norway. The data were gathered in the capital of the country, interviewing a stratified sample of 400 respondents based on the variables of age, sex and socioeconomic status about their preferences and opinions about the varieties of Spanish spoken in Mexico and in the Spanish-speaking world. The analysis has identified linguistic and non-linguistic factors that lead to cognitive and affective attitudes of pride, acceptance, rejection and stigmatization. Special emphasis was put on beliefs about linguistic correctness and the role of communication media on the dissemination of stereotypes. We focus especially on beliefs about linguistic correctness as well as on the role that media play in the dissemination of stereotypes. In relation to previous research, the Spanish and Mexican dialectal variants maintain their status as the most prestigious; however, a greater linguistic self-esteem was detected, as well as a growing awareness and acceptance of intralinguistic and cultural diversity, especially regarding the varieties of other Spanish-speaking countries. We conclude that beliefs about social groups rather than intralinguistic criteria basically shape linguistic attitudes.
Actitudes lingüísticas en Paraguay. Identidad lingüística de los hablantes de lengua materna castellana en Asunción
Authors: Chiquito Ana Beatriz , Saldívar Dick María Celeste
Published: November 2014

Resumen

Este artículo analiza las actitudes lingüísticas de hablantes nativos de español de la Ciudad de Asunción, hacia el español del Paraguay y el de los otros países hispanohablantes. El artículo hace parte de los resultados del Proyecto LIAS (Linguistic Identity and Attitudes in Spanish-speaking Latin America), financiado por El Consejo Noruego de Investigación (RCN). La recolección de los datos se realizó en la capital del país, entrevistando a una muestra de 400 informantes estratificada con las variables de edad, sexo y nivel socioeconómico. El artículo resalta la particularidad del bilingüismo del país y la situación de diglosia entre el guaraní y el castellano; el mayor prestigio del castellano de Asunción frente al habla de las ciudades fronterizas con Brasil y Argentina, en las cuales se hablan el portugués brasileño, el guaraní y el español argentino, además del español paraguayo. Los resultados del estudio confirman el prestigio del castellano, cuyo papel oficial se mantiene, a pesar del creciente prestigio del guaraní, impulsado por las nuevas leyes de educación bilingüe y el establecimiento de la Academia de la Lengua Guaraní.

Abstract

This article analyzes the linguistic attitudes of native Spanish speakers of Asunción, towards Spanish spoken in Paraguay and in the other Spanish-speaking countries. It is a result of the LIAS-Project (Linguistic Identity and Attitudes in Spanish-speaking Latin America), funded by The Research Council of Norway (RCN). The data were gathered in the capital of the country, interviewing a stratified sample of 400 respondents, based on the variables of age, sex and socioeconomic status. The article highlights the special situation of bilingualism in the country and the diglosic relationship between Guarani and Spanish; the higher prestige of the Spanish variety spoken in Asunción, compared to the ones spoken in the Paraguayan cities on the border with Brazil and Argentina, where Brazilian Portuguese, Guarani and Argentinean Spanish are spoken in addition to the Paraguayan variety of Spanish. The results of the study confirm the prestige that Spanish maintains and its standing in official settings, in spite of the increasing prestige of Guarani driven by the new laws on bilingual education and the establishment of the Guarani Language Academy.
Actitudes lingüísticas en Venezuela. Exploración de creencias hacia la variante nacional, la lengua española y el español dialectal
Authors: Coello Millán Hecsil Yosibel
Published: November 2014

Resumen

Este artículo analiza las actitudes lingüísticas de hablantes nativos de español de Caracas hacia al español de Venezuela y el de los otros países hispanohablantes. El artículo es parte de los resultados del Proyecto LIAS (Linguistic Identity and Attitudes in Spanish-speaking Latin America), financiado por El Consejo Noruego de Investigación (RCN). La recolección de los datos se realizó en la capital, entrevistando a una muestra de 400 personas, estratificada con las variables de edad, sexo y nivel socioeconómico. Se analizaron los datos cuantitativa y cualitativamente para identificar las opiniones y creencias de los hablantes y poder describir sus actitudes lingüísticas hacia el habla española de las regiones del país y de otros países hispanohablantes. Este estudio observa un cambio de actitud hacia la variante del español nacional y describe las creencias que comparten los caraqueños hacia el español

Abstract

This article analyzes the linguistic attitudes of native Spanish-speakers from Caracas towards Spanish spoken in Venezuela and in the other Spanish-speaking countries. It is a result of the LIAS-Project (Linguistic Identity and Attitudes in Spanish-speaking Latin America), funded by The Research Council of Norway (RCN). The data were gathered in the capital of the country, interviewing a stratified sample of 400 respondents, based on the variables of age, sex and socioeconomic status. The quantitative and qualitative data were analyzed in order to identify the opinions and beliefs of the speakers, and to be able to describe their linguistic attitudes towards the Spanish varieties of the different regions of the country. This study shows an attitudinal change towards the national variety of Spanish and describes the beliefs that caraqueños share towards the Spanish language.
The variations in maize grain composition induced by different environments
Authors: Dragicevic Vesna , Mladenovic-Drinic Snezana , Babic Vojka , Filipovic Milomir , Camdzija Zoran , Kovacevic Dragan
Published: November 2014

Nine maize hybrids were grown with the aim to determine variations in
chemical composition of the grain. Analyzed hybrids were grown in split-plot
experimental design with tree replications in Sremska Mitrovica and Zemun
Polje, during the summer of 2010 and 2011. Grain yield, protein, starch, oil,
as well as, antioxidants like phytate, soluble phenolics and free sulfhydryl
groups (PSH) were analyzed. Unfavorable meteorological conditions affected
not only grain yield, but its chemical composition too, by decreasing starch,
phenolics and PSH and increasing protein, oil and phytate concentrations.
Hybrids from the FAO 600 maturity group achieved higher grain yield during
unfavourable conditions, with higher starch and phytate contents and
decreased levels of PSH and phenolics. Hybrids from the FAO 500 maturity
group were much more stable in respect of protein and oil contents,
irrespective to year and location. The grain yield did not have the same
source of variations as the factors which determine nutritional quality, an
exception being oil content, which decreased with the increase in the grain
yield.
Effect of bread dough mixing method on rye bread quality
Authors: Djukic Dragutin , Radovic Milorad , Mandic Leka , Veskovic-Moracanin Slavica
Published: November 2014

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of sourdough (indirect
bread dough mixing method) on the quality of rye/wheat bread (TYPE 500 wheat
flour and whole grain rye flour - 60:40) and determine its advantages over
the straight dough method. Three bread dough mixing methods were used: I -
indirect bread dough mixing using flour scalding; II - indirect bread dough
mixing without flour scalding; III - straight dough mixing. The study
involved the monitoring of the following: microbial characterristics of the
flour and dough (yeasts and lactic acid bacteria) and of the bread (presence
of Enterobacteriaceae, yeasts and moulds); chemical properties of the dough
and the bread (pH and degree of acidity); organoleptic attributes of bread
(volume, porosity according to Dallman, crumb elasticity, pore structure
fineness, bread crumb score, external appearance, crumb appearance, flavour
of both the crust and the crumb). The results showed the highest counts of
lactic acid bacteria and yeasts in the indirect bread dough mixing method
using rye flour scalding. The rye/wheat bread made with sourdough had a mild
sourish flavour, an intense aroma, a prolonged shelf life, and reduced
crumbliness. The study suggests that the technological process of
sourdough-type rye/wheat bread making is an important requirement in
improving bread quality and assortment that can be used in any bakery
facility.
Improvement of antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of chitosan film with caraway and oregano essential oils
Authors: Hromis Nevena , Lazic Vera , Markov Sinisa , Vastag Zuzana , Popovic Senka , Suput Danijela , Dzinic Natalija
Published: November 2014

In this work, caraway or oregano essential oils were added to the cast
chitosan film in an attempt to design a natural, biodegradable, bioactive
(antioxidant and antimicrobial) packaging film. When the structure of the
tested films was analyzed with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, no
significant differences were found between the chitosan film with and without
essential oils of caraway or oregano. The lowest antioxidant activity, based
on the scavenging of the stable DPPH? free radical, was detected for the
chitosan film without oil addition, going from 11.64%, after 2.5 h to 28.96%,
after 24 h. When the caraway essential oil was added to the chitosan film,
the antioxidant activity was increased (p<0.05) to 33.47?4.77%, after 2.5 h
and to 81.08?0.64%, after 24 h. This increase in the antioxidant activity was
even higher in the film with oregano essential oil (p<0.05). After 2.5 h, the
value for the antioxidant activity of the chitosan-oregano film was
87.58?1.71%, and after 4 h and 24 h it was above 90%. The obtained results
for the antimicrobial activity showed that the chitosan film is an effective
antimicrobial agent against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. When
caraway essential oil was added in 1% volume concentration to the film, no
increase in the antimicrobial action of chitosan film was detected. On the
other hand, the addition of oregano essential oil promoted chitosan film
antimicrobial activity, which was particularly evident with Escherichia coli.
The results showed that the chitosan film can be successfully applied as a
matrix carrier for essential oils in the active film system.
Impact of the seed storage time on the quality of cold-pressed sunflower oil
Authors: Premovic Tamara , Dimic Sanja , Radocaj Olga , Dimic Etelka
Published: November 2014

The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of seed storage
time on the quality of cold-pressed sunflower oil. The quality and oxidative
stability of oil was determined in samples of domestic varieties of sunflower
hybrid, linoleic type seeds, obtained from fresh seeds and from seeds stored
in silo cell for 6 and 12 months at temperature below 30oC and in good
ventilation conditions. It was found that the longer storage time of seeds
had a negative impact on many quality aspects of the oil, such as flavor,
odor and aroma, primarily on the sensory profile. Chemical characteristics
and oxidative stability of oil were also influenced by the storage time,
which was confirmed by increased values of the acid value (AV) and peroxide
value (PV) of the oil samples. Fresh seed oil had an AV of 0.49?0.01 mgKOH/g,
while oils that were obtained from one-year old seeds had an AV of 1.95?0.02
mgKOH/g. Content of the primary oxidation products in the oil obtained by
cold-pressing of the fresh seeds was 1.73?0.02 mmol/kg (measured as PV), and
2.22?0.07 mmol/kg in that from the seeds stored for 12 months. The anisidine
value for the oil obtained from the seeds stored for 12 months was 0.86?0.04
(100A1% 350nm).
The content of buckwheat flour in wheat bread
Authors: Psodorov Djordje , Vujic Djura , Acanski Marijana , Pastor Kristian , Razmovski Radojka , Kravic Snezana
Published: November 2014

Seven samples of bread were prepared in a special way. Samples were made of a
mixture of wheat and buckwheat flour in defined proportions. Carbohydrates
from crumbs of bread were derivatized with BSTFA and analyzed by GC-MS.
Multivariate analysis was applied. The purpose of this study was not the
identification and quantification of carbohydrate composition. The results
demonstrated a clear relation between the carbohydrate composition of the
bread samples and the type of flour used for their production.
Antioxidant, antiproliferative and antimicrobial activity of freeze-dried raspberry
Authors: Vulic Jelena , Velicanski Aleksandra , Cetojevic-Simin Dragana , Tumbas-Saponjac Vesna , Djilas Sonja , Cvetkovic Dragoljub , Markov Sinisa
Published: November 2014

The main chemical composition, i.e. the total content of bioactive compounds
(phenolics 2209.86 ? 70.32 mg GAE/100g FDR, flavonoids 831.87 ? 12.61 mg
R/100g FDR and anthocyanins 144.55 ? 0.39 mg CGE/100g FDR), in freeze-dried
raspberry (FDR) was evaluated spectrophotometrically. Vitamin C content was
determined by HPLC analysis (88.81 ? 4.38 mg vit C/100g FDR). Antioxidant
activities of FDR extract were evaluated spectrophotometrically on stable
2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radicals and by electron spin
resonance spectroscopy (ESR) method on hydroxyl radicals (?OH). EC50 values
were evaluated. EC50 DPPH? was 0.127 ? 0.013 mg/ml, while EC50 ?OH was 1.366
? 0.026 mg/ml. Antiproliferative activity of the FDR extract was evaluated in
vitro in three human cell lines by colorimetric sulphorhodamine B (SRB)
assay. The most pronounced effects were obtained in the breast adenocarcinoma
cell line (MCF7). EC50 value was 395.07 ? 96.38 ?g/ml. Antimicrobial activity
was determined by disk diffusion method. The FDR extract produced a clear
inhibition zone (without visible colonies) only toward Staphylococcus aureus.
The minimal inhibitory (MIC) and minimal bactericidal (MBC) concentrations of
FDR extract were evaluated. The values MIC were in the range of 4.7 - 100
mg/ml, and of MBC in the range of 6.3 - > 100 mg/ml.
Adsorption of cellulases onto sugar beet shreds and modeling of the experimental data
Authors: Ivetic Darjana , Omorjan Radovan , Antov Mirjana
Published: November 2014

This study investigated the adsorption of cellulases onto sugar beet shreds.
The experiments were carried out using untreated, as well as dried and not
dried dilute acid and steam pretreated sugar beet shreds at different initial
enzyme loads. Both dilute acid and steam pretreatment were beneficial in
respect of cellulases adsorption providing 8 and 9 times higher amounts of
adsorbed proteins, respectively, in comparison to the results obtained with
the untreated substrate. Although the use of higher solids load enabled by
drying of pretreated substrates, could be beneficial for process
productivity, at the same time it decreases the adsorption of enzymes. The
obtained experimental data were fitted to five adsorption models, and the
Langmuir model having the lowest residual sum of squares was used for the
determination of adsorption parameters which were used to calculate the
strength of cellulases binding to the substrates.
Chemometric analysis of metal contents in different types of chocolates
Authors: Jevric Lidija , Podunavac-Kuzmanovic Sanja , Svarc-Gajic Jaroslava , Kovacevic Strahinja
Published: November 2014

The relationships between the contents of various metals (Cu, Ni, Pb and Al)
in 38 different milk chocolate samples were studied using a chemometric
approach. The chemometric expressions were generated using a training set of
25 chocolate samples and the predictive ability of the resulting models was
evaluated against a test set of 13 chocolate samples. The chemometric
analysis was based on the application of multiple linear regression analysis
(MLR). MLR was performed in order to select the significant models for
predicting the metal contents. The MLR equations that represent the content
of one metal as a function of the contents of other metals were established.
High agreement between experimental and predicted values, obtained in the
validation procedure, indicated the good quality of the models. It enables
the researchers to establish reliable relationships between the contents of
various metals which can be used for their prediction in different types of
chocolate prior to their analysis. This can reduce the trial-and-error
element and experimental costs in the production.
Simulation of bending stress variation in long buried thick-walled pipes under the earth’s movement using combined linear dynamics and beam theories
Authors: Salau Tajudeen , Oke Sunday , Ighravwe Desmond
Published: November 2014

This study reported a simulation approach to the understanding of the
interactions between a buried pipe and the soil system by computing the
bending stress variation of harmonically-excited buried pipes. The
established principles of linear dynamics theory and simple beam theory were
utilised in the analysis of the problem of buried pipe bending stress
accumulation and its dynamics. With regards to the parameters that influence
the bending stress variations, the most important are the isolation factor,
uniform external load, and the corresponding limiting conditions. The
simulated mathematical expressions, containing static and dynamic parameters
of the buried pipe and earth, were coded in Fortran programming language and
applied in the simulation experiment. The results obtained showed that
harmonically-excited buried thick-walled pipe became stable and effective
when the ratio of the natural frequency of vibration to the forced frequency
is greater than 2.0, whenever the damped factor is used as the control
parameter for the maximum bending stress. The mirror image of the stress
variation produces variation in the location of the maximum bending stress in
quantitative terms. The acceptable pipe materials for the simulated cases
must have yield strength in bending greater than or equal to 13.95 MPa. The
results obtained in this work fill a gap in the literature and will be useful
to pipeline engineers and designers, as well as to environmental scientists
in initialising and controlling environmental issues and policy formulation
concerning the influence of buried pipe on the soil and water in the
environment.
FTIR investigation of solvent-induced carbonyl band shifts of 17β-hydroxy-17α-picolyl-androst-4-en-3-one
Authors: Jovic Branislav , Ajdukovic Jovana , Djurendic Evgenija , Nikolic Aleksandar
Published: November 2014

Polar functional groups in the A- and D-ring (positions C-3 and C-17) are
common for the most of natural and synthetic steroid hormones. It is assumed
that these pharmacophoric groups are involved in the strong hydrogen bonding
interactions with the respective steroid receptors. Infrared spectroscopy
studies of 17?-hydroxy-17?-picolyl-androst-4-en-3-one were undertaken in 13
organic solvents to investigate solvent-solute interactions. The wavenumbers
of carbonyl stretching vibration n(C=O) in different solvents were correlated
with the solvent acceptor number (AN), the linear solvation energy
relationships (LSER) and extended KBM-Buckingham equation. Significant
correlation of the position of the carbonile band with empirical parameters
was obtained in alcoholic and non-alcoholic solvents. Based on the obtained
results it was concluded that the hydrogen bonding formation and the
dipolarity/polarizability properties are important factors that determine
position of carbonyl group band in the IR spectra, and are also important for
the interactions in biological systems.
Comparative analysis of the chemical composition and antimicrobal activities of some of Lamiaceae family species and Eucaliptus (Eucaliptus globules M)
Authors: Pecarski Danijela , Knezevic-Jugovic Zorica , Dimitrijevic-Brankovic Suzana , Mihajilovski Katarina , Jankovic Slobodan
Published: November 2014

The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the antimicrobial activity
of four essential oils that belong to Lamiaceae family (sage, oregano, thyme)
and eucalyptus oil. Gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS)
revealed that the highest percent of essential oils 98.93% include three
classes of compounds - monoterpene hydrocarbons, aromatic hydrocarbons and
oxidized monoterpenes. The main components are oxidized monoterpenes:
carvacrol (59.03%); thymol (36.12%), eucalyptol (20.66%), hydrocarbon
monoterpenes: limonene (30.96%) and ?-pinene (12.21%) and aromatic
monoterpene, p-cymene (22.25%) All essential oils showed great potential of
antimicrobial activity against several bacteria and yeast C. albicans, using
the agar diffusion method with wells. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC)
for the essential oils has been determined by the broth dilution method and
valued in the range from 1 to 5 ?L/m, depending on the essential oil and
bacteria tested, and up to 100 ?L/ml for C. albicans. The essential oils of
Lamiaceae family exhibited a strong antibacterial activity for tested
microorganisms, while the essential oils of thyme were especially recognized.
Chlorophyll a and chlorophyllide a inside liposomes made of saturated and unsaturated lipids: A possible impact of the lipids microenvironment
Authors: Petrovic Sanja , Tugulea Laura , Markovic Dejan , Barbanta-Patrascu Marcela
Published: November 2014

The aim of this work was to examine a possible impact of liposomes lipids
microenvironment, dictated by a chemical composition of the fatty acid
branches, on incorporation and spectral behaviour of chlorophyll a, and its
derivative, chlorophyllide a inside small liposomes. The liposomes with the
incorporated chlorophylls were made of dimirystoyl phosphatidylcholine
(DMPC), and unsaturated phosphatidylcholine (PC), containing significant
fractions of unsaturated fatty acid moieties. In order to achieve the goal,
both absorption and fluorescence polarization spectroscopy were applied, and
the obtained data for the two incorporated pigments, which play a role of
molecular sensors, were compared. In addition, quercetin, a well-known
antioxidant, was used as the (chlorophylls) emission quencher, in order to
estimate the type of environment sensed by the two pigments for the two
liposomes that differ in chemical composition. The results, based primarily
on fluorescence polarization data have shown that the emissions as well as
the emission quenching were notably affected by a change in the lipids?
chemical composition. That is an indirect proof of the impact of the
liposomes microenvironment on the incorporated pigments? spectral behaviour.
Optimization of medium composition for the production of compounds effective against Xanthomonas campestris by bacillus subtilis
Authors: Roncevic Zorana , Grahovac Jovana , Vucurovic Damjan , Dodic Sinisa , Bajic Bojana , Tadijan Ivana , Dodic Jelena
Published: November 2014

The biocontrol agents are a very promising alternative to synthetic
pesticides that are presently used to control plant diseases caused by
phytopathogenic microorganisms. Members of the Bacillus genera are soil
bacteria that produce significant quantities of agriculturally important
bioactive compounds. Production of these compounds can be improved by
changing the nutritional and environmental conditions. The aim of this study
was the optimization of medium composition, using response surface
methodology, for the production of compounds effective against Xanthomonas
campestris ATCC 13951 by Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633. To study the production
of antimicrobial compounds by selected Bacillus strain, the producing
microorganisms were cultivated on nutrient broth. The inhibition zone
diameter of 18.0 mm obtained by the diffusion-disc method indicated that the
used Bacillus subtilis strain produces compounds with antimicrobial activity
against Xanthomonas campestris ATCC 13951. To optimize the composition of the
cultivation medium in terms of glycerol, sodium nitrite and phosphates
content, experiments were carried out in accordance with Box-Behnken design,
and optimization of multiple responses was performed using the concept of
desirability function. The developed model predicted that the maximum
inhibition zone diameter (26.23 mm) against tested phytopathogen is achieved
when the initial content of glycerol, sodium nitrite and phosphate were 50.00
g/L, 2.85 g/L and 11.00 g/L, respectively. To minimize the consumption of
medium components and costs of effluents processing, additional optimization
set was made. The techno-economic analysis of the obtained results has to be
done to select optimal medium composition for industrial production of
antimicrobial compounds.