bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Special Interests, Regulatory Quality, and the Pesticides Overload
Authors: Marcoux Christopher , Urpelainen Johannes
Published: November 2011

Pesticides overuse is a serious threat to ecosystems and wildlife, human health, and agricultural sustainability. So far, however, social scientists have not produced systematic evidence on the political–economic determinants of pesticides overuse. We argue that the agrochemical industry, as a profit‐motivated interest group, will only mobilize politically to avoid reductions in pesticides use when regulatory institutions are potentially capable of correcting a market failure. If regulatory institutions are weakened by corruption or other factors, pesticides overuse occurs with or without the influence of the agrochemical industry. We test this interactive theory systematically against quantitative data on pesticides use in 24 Organisation for Economic Co‐operation and Development countries, 1991–2003. Using corruption and other indicators to capture bureaucratic quality, we find substantively large and statistically robust interactive effects. The agrochemical industry is a crucial determinant of pesticides use in nations with low corruption, whereas the agrochemical industry has no effect on pesticides use under corrupt regulatory institutions. Troublingly, these results imply that reduced corruption may not improve actual regulatory effectiveness unless political institutions can somehow constrain the influence of special interests.
Psychological and Behavioral Traits Associated with Eating Disorders and Pregnancy: A Pilot Study
Authors: Broussard Brenda
Published: November 2011

Introduction: The aims of this pilot study were to determine the feasibility of conducting a large‐scale study exploring the extent to which self‐report psychological and behavioral traits associated with eating disorders occur during pregnancy, to test the design, and to gather preliminary data on the magnitude of the problem. Although eating disorders are estimated to affect 5.9% of women of childbearing age, little is known about pregnancy in women who have an undocumented history of disordered eating behavior in the United States. Understanding and identifying eating disorders is important because optimal maternal nutrition contributes to favorable pregnancy and neonatal outcomes.

Methods: In our study using a retrospective descriptive design, a convenience sample of 54 postpartum women aged 19 to 43 years voluntarily completed a demographic questionnaire and the Eating Disorder Inventory‐3 (EDI‐3) before discharge from the hospital. Medical records were reviewed for documented eating disorders.

Results: Fifteen women (27.8%) had scores on the EDI‐3 indicating that they had psychological and behavioral traits associated with eating disorders. One (1.85%) of the 54 participants’ medical records listed a history of an eating disorder.

Discussion: Exploration of self‐report symptoms associated with eating disorders during pregnancy warrants further investigation. Health professionals providing care to pregnant women should assess all clients for eating disorders throughout pregnancy and the postpartum period, regardless of history.
Effects of L‐ascorbic acid 2‐phosphate magnesium salt on the properties of human gingival fibroblasts
Authors: Tsutsumi K. , Fujikawa H. , Kajikawa T. , Takedachi M. , Yamamoto T. , Murakami S.
Published: November 2011

Tsutsumi K, Fujikawa H, Kajikawa T, Takedachi M, Yamamoto T, Murakami S. Effects of L‐ascorbic acid 2‐phosphate magnesium salt on the properties of human gingival fibroblasts. J Periodont Res 2012; 47: 263–271. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S

Background and Objective:  l‐Ascorbic acid 2‐phosphate magnesium salt (APM) is an l‐ascorbic acid (AsA) derivative developed to improve AsA stability and display effective biochemical characteristics. This study aimed to investigate the effects of APM on the functions and properties of human gingival fibroblasts with respect to the prevention of periodontal disease in comparison with those of AsA.

Material and Methods:  Human gingival fibroblasts were incubated in the presence or absence of APM or l‐ascorbic acid sodium salt (AsANa). Intracellular AsA was analysed by HPLC. Collagen synthesis was measured by ELISA and real‐time RT‐PCR. Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) induced by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) were quantified using a fluorescence reagent, and cell damage was estimated with calcein acetoxymethyl ester. Furthermore, intracellular ROS induced by tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) were quantified, and expression of TNF‐α‐induced interleukin‐8 expression, which increases due to inflammatory reactions, was measured by ELISA and real‐time RT‐PCR.

Results:  APM remarkably and continuously enhanced intracellular AsA and promoted type 1 collagen synthesis and mRNA expression. Furthermore, APM decreased cell damage through the suppression of H2O2‐induced intracellular ROS and inhibited interleukin‐8 production through the suppression of TNF‐α‐induced intracellular ROS. These effects of APM were superior to those of AsANa.

Conclusion:  These results suggest that APM is more effective than AsANa in terms of intake, collagen synthesis, decreasing cell damage and inhibiting interleukin‐8 expression in human gingival fibroblasts. This suggests that local application of APM can help to prevent periodontal disease.
The antimicrobial peptide LL‐37 is anti‐inflammatory and proapoptotic in human periodontal ligament cells
Authors: Jönsson D. , Nilsson B.‐O.
Published: November 2011

Jönsson D, Nilsson B‐O. The antimicrobial peptide LL‐37 is anti‐inflammatory and proapoptotic in human periodontal ligament cells. J Periodont Res 2012; 47: 330–335. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S

Background and Objective:  The antimicrobial peptide LL‐37 is expressed in periodontal tissue, and variations in LL‐37 levels have been associated with periodontal disease. The effects of LL‐37 on periodontal ligament cell function have not been described before. Here, we assess anti‐inflammatory properties of LL‐37 and investigate the effects of LL‐37 on cell differentiation, cell proliferation and apoptosis in human periodontal ligament cells.

Material and Methods:  Periodontal ligament cells were obtained from teeth extracted for orthodontic reasons. Cytokine (interleukin‐6) and chemokine (monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1) expression was determined by quantitative PCR, cell differentiation by alkaline phosphatase activity, cell proliferation by counting cells in a Bürker chamber, DNA synthesis by incorporation of radiolabeled thymidine and apoptosis by cell morphology and activated caspase 3 quantities.

Results:  Treatment with 0.1 and 1 μm of LL‐37 totally reversed lipopolysaccharide‐induced monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 expression and suppressed lipopolysaccharide‐induced interleukin‐6 expression by 50–70%. LL‐37 had no effect on alkaline phosphatase activity. Incubation with 8 μm LL‐37 strongly reduced cell number. DNA synthesis was attenuated by about 90% in response to 8 μm LL‐37, confirming its antiproliferative effect. Cell morphology was altered in an apoptosis‐like fashion in cells treated with 8 μm LL‐37. Furthermore, the quantity of activated caspase 3 was increased in cells treated with 1 and 8 μm of LL‐37, suggesting apoptosis.

Conclusion:  LL‐37 strongly attenuates lipopolysaccharide‐induced cytokine and chemokine expression and, in high concentrations, reduces cell proliferation through inhibition of DNA synthesis and by promoting apoptosis in human periodontal ligament cells.
Effect of JPEG compression on the diagnostic accuracy of periapical images in the detection of root fracture
Authors: Noujeim Marcel , Geha Hassem , Shintaku Werner , Bechara Boulos , Kashi Khosrow Aroni
Published: November 2011

Abstract –  The ability of a periapical radiograph to exhibit the fracture depends on many factors including, but not limited to, the resolution of the image. The quality can be reduced by the image compression. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG) compressions on the diagnostic capability of periapical images in the detection of root fractures. Ten dry human mandibles containing 151 teeth were used in this study. Mandibles were radiographed with direct digital imaging sensor using the paralleling technique. Four observers detected root fracture on the images saved in one uncompressed and two compressed formats. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) and anova analyses were performed to compare the performance of the three different systems and evaluate the effect of the compression on the accuracy of root fracture detection. Results did not show any statistically significant difference between the original, large images presented in tagged image file format (TIFF) and the two compressed images (JPEG medium file and JPEG small file images) in the detection of root fractures. The intra‐rater comparison showed a significant consistency in the detection of the fracture. The compression reduced the file size considerably (from 1.77 MB to 453 and 95 Kb), but it did not affect the accuracy of root fracture detection. The file size reduction, on the other hand, is very beneficial for image electronic storage and mainly in teleradiology.
Species traits weakly involved in plant responses to landscape properties in Mediterranean grasslands
Authors: Bagaria Guillem , Pino Joan , Rodà Ferran , Guardiola Moisès
Published: November 2011

Questions

What is the role of landscape structure and dynamics, compared with climatic and geographic factors, in determining species frequencies of grassland plant specialists under habitat loss? Do species traits mediate the relationship between plant community composition and environmental variables?

Location

TheMediterranean mountain grasslands of southernCatalonia (NE IberianPeninsula), over an area of 100 × 20 km.

Methods

Using redundancy analysis (RDA), we explored the association between frequency of broad plant specialists and both present and past habitat patterns in the landscape (i.e. habitat amount and reduction over the period 1956–2003), after accounting for the effect of geographical location and climate in 29 grassland patches. Then, we constructed a database of biological and ecological plant traits potentially related to population persistence, in order to assess the role of these traits in explaining the found association between species composition and environmental variables. We used a single, three‐table ordination analysis (RLQ) of the species frequencies, environmental variables and species traits to relate species traits to environmental variables, after allowing for phylogenetic dependence of traits.

Results

The main environmental gradient explaining species frequencies was climatic and geographic. Habitat amount in the current landscape significantly affected species frequencies, while habitat amount in the past landscape did not. A weak but significant association of species traits with environmental variables was detected. Taking into account the phylogenetic signal in plant traits did not change the results.

Conclusions

Plant species inMediterranean grasslands seem to respond quickly to landscape change, since no effect of past landscape structure was observed on current species frequencies. Moreover, plant traits did not play a major role in mediating species response to environmental variation in these grasslands. Our findings differ from those obtained in northern and centralEuropean grasslands, probably due to differences in methodology but also to the smaller contrast in environmental conditions between grasslands and the adjacent forests and scrub inMediterranean landscapes.
MicroRNA signature in diabetic wound healing: promotive role of miR‐21 in fibroblast migration
Authors: Madhyastha R , Madhyastha H , Nakajima Y , Omura S , Maruyama M
Published: November 2011

A major complication of diabetes mellitus is the disruption of normal wound repair process, characterised by insufficient production of growth factors. A molecular genetic approach wherein resident cells synthesise and deliver the growth factors to the wound site would be a powerful therapeutic strategy to treat diabetic wounds. One such molecular approach could be the application of microRNAs (miRNAs). This study reports differential expression of miRNAs related to cell development and differentiation, during wound healing in diabetic mice. Comparison of skin tissue from normal and diabetic mice showed that 14 miRNAs were differentially expressed in diabetic skin; miR‐146b and miR‐21 were the most noteworthy. Expression pattern of these miRNAs was also altered during healing of diabetic wounds. A subset of miRNAs (miR‐20b, miR‐10a, miR‐10b, miR‐96, miR‐128, miR‐452 and miR‐541) exhibited similar basal levels in normal and diabetic skins, but displayed dysregulation during healing of diabetic wounds. Amongst the miRNAs studied, miR‐21 showed a distinct signature with increased expression in diabetic skin but decreased expression during diabetic wound healing. We analysed the role of miR‐21 in fibroblast migration, because migration of fibroblasts into the wound area is an important landmark facilitating secretion of growth factors and migration of other cell types into the wound, thus enhancing the healing process. Using gain‐of and loss‐of function approaches, we show that miR‐21 is involved in fibroblast migration. Our preliminary studies implicate an important role for miRNAs in the pathogenesis of diabetic wounds.
DOUBLE‐PIPETTE METHOD FOR SELECTION OF MOTILE FOODBORNE PATHOGENS (LISTERIA MONOCYTOGENES OR SALMONELLA TYPHIMURIUM) FROM MIXED CULTURE SYSTEMS1
Authors: KANG DONGHYUN , FUNG DANIEL Y.C.
Published: November 2011

Abstract  A rapid and simple method using two pipettes was developed to determine the presence of Listeria monocytogenes/Listeria spp. or Salmonella typhimurium/Salmonella spp. in mixed cultures. This method involved the following steps. A 10 mL pipette with a sealed tip was used for the enrichment phase. Lactose broth for Salmonella spp., and Universal preenrichment broth for Listeria spp. were used as enrichment broth. The broth was inoculated with a mixture of target organisms with Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus as competitive bacteria and added directly into the 10 mL pipette. Three tenth (0.3 mL) of selective agar media (MOX for Listeria monocytogenes and XLD for Salmonella typhimurium) were placed in a 1 mL pipette. After solidification, BHI broth was added on top of the selective medium. Then, the 1 mL pipette was inserted into the 10 mL pipette to provide the combination of enrichment and selective procedures. The top of the large pipette was sealed with sterilized Parafilm, and the apparatus was incubated at 37C for 24 h. Following the growth of the motile foodborne pathogens (L. monocytogenes or S. typhimurium) in enrichment broth placed in the 10 mL pipette, these organisms moved into the selective agar medium causing characteristic changes in the color of the medium. The results showed high efficiency for recovery of motile foodborne pathogens from mixed culture systems. This new method is developed to be economic, rapid, and a simple way to recover motile foodborne pathogens from food systems.
MOLECULAR DETECTION AND IDENTIFICATION OF ASPERGILLUS NIGER CONTAMINATION IN COSMETIC/PHARMACEUTICAL RAW MATERIALS AND FINISHED PRODUCTS
Authors: JIMENEZ LUIS , BOSKO YOOPA , SMALLS STACEY , IGNAR RAYMOND , ENGLISH DONALD
Published: November 2011

Abstract  A PCR‐based assay using a one step sample preparation was developed and validated against standard methods for the rapid detection of Aspergillus niger contamination in cosmetic/pharmaceutical raw materials and finished products. Artificially contaminated samples were added to Sabouraud Dextrose Broth (SDB) with 10% Tween 20 and 3% Soy Lecithin. Samples were then agitated at 200 revolutions per minute for 24 h at 35C. Prior to the PCR assay, sample preparation consisted of adding 10 μL of the 24 h enrichment broth sample mixture to a lysis buffer containing Tris‐EDTA and 0.4% SDS. DNA extraction was accomplished by boiling for 1 h to release the mycelial DNA. After DNA extraction, a 50 μL aliquot of the lysate was then added to a PCR tube containing the following ingredients: 4 Ready‐To‐Go PCR beads, 2 μL of two fungal primers, and 48 μL of sterile water. The DNA primers encoded for specific sequences of the Aspergillus spp. 18S rRNA gene. A 363 bp DNA fragment was detected in all of the artificially contaminated samples. Standard methods require 6–8 days to complete the isolation and identification of mold contamination. However, the PCR‐based assay was completed within 27–30 h. Rapid detection of mold contamination in cosmetic/pharmaceutical raw materials and finished products can be used to optimize the quality evaluation of a sample to allow the release in 27–30 h.
RAPID DETECTION OF SALMONELLA TYPHIMURIUM USING AN IMMUNOELECTROCHEMICAL METHOD COUPLED WITH IMMUNOMAGNETIC SEPARATION
Authors: CHE YIHUA , YANG ZHONGPING , LI YANBIN , PAUL DAVID , SLAVIK MICHAEL
Published: November 2011

Abstract  An immunoelectrochemical method coupled with magnetic separation was developed for rapid detection of Salmonella typhimurium. Samples containing Salmonella were mixed with anti‐Salmonella coated magnetic beads (ASCMB) and alkaline phosphatase labeled anti‐Salmonella (APLAS) simultaneously to form ASCMB‐Sdhaoaella‐APLAS conjugates by antibody‐antigen reaction. The conjugates were separated by a magnetic field and were incubated with phenyl phosphate substrate to produce phenol. The number of Salmonella was determined by measuring the phenol concentration using an amperometric tyrosinase biosensor. This method could be completed within two hours with a detection limit of 5 times 103 cells/mL under optimized conditions (with ***1 mM MgCl2, 0.2 μg/mL APLAS and ***l mM phenyl phosphate in pH 7.0 TBS). A linear response on semi‐log scale was found for Salmonella pure culture between 5 times 103 and 1 times 106 cells/mL.
DETECTION OF IMMUNOMAGNETIC BEAD CAPTURED ESCHERICHIA COLI O157:H7 BY LIGHT ADDRESSABLE POTENTIOMETRIC SENSOR1
Authors: TU SHU‐I , UKNALIS JOSEPH , GEHRING ANDREW
Published: November 2011

Abstract  A modified approach using a light addressable Potentiometric sensor (LAPS) method to detect Escherichia coli O157.H7 in solutions is described. The bacterial cells were captured by the specific antibody coated on magnetic beads. The immuno paramagnetic beads (IMB) were then concentrated by a magnetic separator. Fluorescein‐labeled anti E. coli antibody and urease‐conjugated anti‐fluorescein antibody were then used to label the cells captured by the beads. After labeling, the mixtures were rapidly filtered through 0.45 or 1.0 μm nitrocellulose or polycarbonate filters. The production of NH3 from urea by the conjugated urease associated with the captured bacteria was then analyzed. The results indicate that IMB approach can be used to increase the specificity of the LAPS method for pathogenic bacteria detection. With this procedure, the presence of about one E. coli O157:H7 CFU per g of hamburger meat can be detected after a 6 h incubation.
MODIFIED POLYMERASE CHAIN REACTION AND SELECTIVE MEDIA METHODS FOR DETECTION OF HELICOBACTER PYLORI IN PORK LOIN CHOPS1
Authors: D'COSTA V.J. , WILLIAMS S.K. , RODRICK G.E.
Published: November 2011

Abstract  Selective media, and a modified polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were evaluated for use in the detection and enumeration of Helicobacter pylori in pork loin chops. The chops were treated with tap water, or H. pylori‐ATCC 43504, packaged in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) film (7 days), or vacuum packaged (24 days), stored at 2C, and analyzed for survival of H. pylori. Modifying the amplification cycles and annealing temperature of the PCR resulted in detection of H. Pylori on inoculated chops. Helicobacter pylori survived for 5, and 10 days on the PVC, and vacuum packaged chops, respectively. Skirrow agar was the most effective medium, when compared to blood agar, and egg yolk emulsion agar.
COMPARISON OF METHODS FOR PROCESSING LITTER AND AIR FILTER MATRICES FROM POULTRY HOUSES TO OPTIMIZE POLYMERASE CHAIN REACTION DETECTION OF SALMONELLA TYPHIMURIUM
Authors: KWON Y.M. , WOODWARD C.L. , PEÑA J. , CORRIER D.E. , PILLAI S.D. , RICKE S.C.
Published: November 2011

Abstract  An integrated effort to reduce the occurrence of Salmonella in poultry products should include the control of Salmonella in poultry production in early stages, which requires an efficient monitoring of Salmonella spp. in poultry houses. Studies were conducted to evaluate the potential advantages of using air samples as an alternative to litter samples for PCR detection of Salmonella spp. from poultry houses. The air filter and litter samples from a poultry house were spiked with a culture of Salmonella typhimurium. The intact samples and the DNA extracted from the samples were used for amplification of Salmonella‐specific DNA using hns gene specific primers. The ***hns gene was more effectively amplified with filter samples than litter samples when the intact sample was used as template. When extracted DNA was used, however, there was no difference between the two samples in their intensities of PCR products as visualized on an agarose gel. The dilution of the matrices from both sampling methods greatly increased the amplification efficiency, indicating that it was the background matrices that hindered the PCR amplification. The results in this study suggest that air filter sampling may be a labor‐saving alternative to litter sampling, which can be used to increase the sensitivity of PCR detection of Salmonella spp. without prior sample processing.
NEW METHOD FOR EVALUATING BACTERIAL REDUCTION OF TRIMETHYLAMINE N‐OXIDE AND ITS APPLICATION TO BACTERIAL POPULATIONS IN FISH MUSCLE
Authors: VALLÉ MICHEL , EB PHILIPPE , TAILLIEZ ROGER , MALLE PIERRE
Published: November 2011

Abstract  Bacterial reduction of trimethylamine N‐oxide (TMAO) cannot be reliably determined try qualitative methods, which are unusable because of problems relating to incubation time, the indicator and the equilibrium of the redox potential. This makes it difficult to reproduce results. These problems have been observed with various semi‐agar media used in the evaluation of TMAO reduction. We propose a new and rapid method of quantitative evaluation by means of assay of trimethylamine (TMA) in a new TMA‐free culture medium. This methodology has been used to evaluate the TMAO‐reducing capacity of different endogenous and exogenous bacterial strains found in fish flesh (Aeromonas hydrophila, Alteromonas communis, Escherichia coli, Flavobacterium branchiophilum, Micrococcus sedentarius, Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Pseudomonas nautica, Serratia marcescens, Shewanella putrefaciens, Vibrio parahaemolyticus). Unlike the qualitative methods, our method showed that all tested strains were able to reduce TMAO. Fish spoilage bacteria can form TMA under anaerobic conditions, as shown by tests using bacterial suspensions from fish (Helicolenus dactylopterus, Merlangus merlangus, Clupea harengus). Such tests can be used to assess fish spoilage.
EVALUATION OF THE TECRA™ VISUAL IMMUNOASSAY FOR DETECTING STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS IN COSMETIC/PHARMACEUTICAL RAW MATERIALS AND FINISHED PRODUCTS
Authors: ENGLISH D. , SCALICI C. , HAMILTON J. , DESTRO C. , JIMENEZ L.
Published: November 2011

Abstract  An assessment of the new TECRA™ Staphylococcus aureus Visual Immunoassay (VIA) was conducted to detect the presence of Staphylococcus aureus in cosmetic/pharmaceutical raw materials and finished products. Samples were inoculated with pure cultures of Staphylococcus aureus. In addition, a mixed bacterial inoculum of Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa was used to inoculate samples of raw materials and finished products. After a 24 h incubation period at 35C, each enrichment broth was analyzed for the presence of Staphylococcus aureus by the standard conventional method and the TECRA™ VIA. The following preenrichment broths were analyzed: the TECRA™ Staphylococcus Growth Medium, a modified version of the TECRA™ Staphylococcus Growth Medium with 4% Tween 20. Tryptic Soy Broth (TSB), and TSB with 4% Tween 20. Uninoculated enrichment broth samples were used as negative test controls. There was a 100% correlation between the visual immunoassay and the standard method in both pure and mixed culture studies for the detection of Staphylococcus aureus in preenrichment samples of the modified TECRA™ Staphylococcus Growth Medium and TSB. However, the TECRA™ VIA detected Staphylococcus aureus in 26 h while standard USP detection method required 4–5 days to be completed. These test results indicate that the TECRA™ Staphylococcus aureus VIA is equivalent to the conventional method for detecting the presence of Staphylococcus aureus contamination in cosmetic/pharmaceutical finished products and raw materials, but in a considerably shorter period of time. Furthermore, the TECRA™ Staphylococcus aureus VIA provides a user‐friendly alternative to the standard conventional method for the detection of Staphylococcus aureus contamination.
IMAGE ANALYSIS OF COLONY SIZE FOR INVESTIGATING SUBLETHAL INJURY IN LISTERIA MONOCYTOGENES
Authors: DYKES GARY A.
Published: November 2011

Abstract  The traditional method for measuring sublethal injury in bacteria involves differential plating of injured cells on selective and nonselective media. Image analysis of the size of colonies from injured Listeria monocytogenes cells plated on nonselective media only was investigated as an alternative. With colonies from healthy cells, colony area was normally distributed, but heat‐ and starvation‐stressed cells produced colonies with areas that showed a significant (p ≤ 0.05) skewness to the right. Although no relationship between sublethal injury and skewness was apparent, mean colony area was linearly (r2 = 0.90) related to sublethal injury. Mean colony area can therefore be used as a measure of sublethal injury in Listeria monocytogenes, eliminating the need for differential plating in certain experiments examining this phenomenon. Since significantly different (P ≤ 0.05) skewness was apparent between colonies derived from heat‐stressed cells as opposed to those derived from starvation‐stressed cells, this method also provides further information on variations in injury between individual cells within stressed populations. Due to variations in colony size between strains, the method is limited in many cases to application in single‐culture studies.
GROWTH OF CAMPYLOBACTER JEJUNI IN VARIOUS MEDIA UNDER DIFFERENT ATMOSPHERIC CONDITIONS
Authors: BLAIS BURTON W. , PHILLIPPE L.M.
Published: November 2011

Abstract  The growth characteristics of several Campylobacter jejuni serotypes were examined using a variety of media and atmospheric conditions. The strains grew well in a variety of liquid media using a standard CO2 incubator in an atmosphere of 5% CO2 and moist air at 40C. When growth media were supplemented with a mixture of antibiotics for selectivity, it was found that the best growth was achieved in Hunt broth, and that the presence of blood enabled the strains to overcome the toxic effects of the antibiotics.
A ONE ‐ TUBE NUCLEIC ACID EXTRACTION AND AMPLIFICATION (ERTPCR) METHOD FOR DETECTING RNA VIRUSES
Authors: COOK NIGEL , KURDZIEL ANDREW S. , HAYS JOHN P. , GORDON SUSAN H. , DONALD BRYAN J. , MYINT STEVEN H.
Published: November 2011

Abstract  Extraction Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (ERTPCR), a rapid and simple method which allows detection of RNA viruses, is described. Unlike conventional Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction(RTPCR), which requires extraction of viral nucleic acid prior to reverse transcription and cDNA amplification, ERTPCR allows these procedures to be accomplished in one step in the same reaction tube. This is facilitated through heat extraction of viral RNA, and the use of a thermostable enzyme which can perform reverse transcription and cDNA amplification in the same buffer system. The technique is at least as sensitive as a standard RTPCR. Its use in detecting rotavirus in feces, and hepatitis A virus in infected tissue cultures, is demonstrated. A silica spin column was used to remove RTPCR inhibitors from these samples.
Approximate Solutions for Radial Travel Time and Capture Zone in Unconfined Aquifers
Authors: Zhou Yangxiao , Haitjema Henk
Published: November 2011

Radial time‐of‐travel (TOT) capture zones have been evaluated for unconfined aquifers with and without recharge. The solutions of travel time for unconfined aquifers are rather complex and have been replaced with much simpler approximate solutions without significant loss of accuracy in most practical cases. The current “volumetric method” for calculating the radius of a TOT capture zone assumes no recharge and a constant aquifer thickness. It was found that for unconfined aquifers without recharge, the volumetric method leads to a smaller and less protective wellhead protection zone when ignoring drawdowns. However, if the saturated thickness near the well is used in the volumetric method a larger more protective TOT capture zone is obtained. The same is true when the volumetric method is used in the presence of recharge. However, for that case it leads to unreasonableness over the prediction of a TOT capture zone of 5 years or more.
Antioxidant Activity of Medicinal Plant Extracts in Cookies
Authors: Mišan Aleksandra , Mimica‐Dukić Neda , Sakač Marijana , Mandić Anamarija , Sedej Ivana , Šimurina Olivera , Tumbas Vesna
Published: November 2011

Abstract:  The antioxidant activity of ethanolic extracts of parsley, buckthorn, mint, caraway, and their mixture “Vitalplant” was evaluated, and the potential of “Vitalplant” mixture extract to retard the process of lipid oxidation in cookies was tested. The antioxidant activity was estimated by 2 direct (ESR) and 4 indirect (spectrophotometric) tests and correlated with the total phenolic and flavonoid content. The potential of “Vitalplant” mixture extract to retard the process of lipid oxidation in cookies was measured by thiobarbituric acid (TBA)‐reactive‐substances assay (TBARS) and DPPH˙ (1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picryl‐hydrazyl) test. Significantly different (P < 0.05) amounts of total phenolics were found among extracts in the following order: mint > buckthorn > “Vitalplant” > parsley > caraway. Total flavonoid content varied from 0.510% (parsley) to 2.05% (“Vitalplant”). A statistically significant correlation was found between IC50 values on DPPH˙ and total flavonoid content of the samples (r=– 0.94, P < 0.05) and between IC50 values on DPPH˙ and IC50 values on O2·− scavenging activity (r= 0.89, P < 0.05). A correlation between reducing activity and total phenolic content was found to be positive and statistically significant (r= 0.94, P < 0.05). “Vitalplant” mixture exhibited a relatively high antioxidant activity in most of the tests, which can be explained by synergistic effects of the ingredients of which it is composed. Finally, “Vitalplant” extract addition (2%, 4%, and 6%) improved antioxidant activity and oxidative stability of the cookies in dose‐dependent manner.

Practical Application:  Supplementation of cookies with a mixture of Petroselini fructus, Frangulae cortex, Mentha piperitae folium, Carvi fructus can retard the process of lipid oxidation and elevate antioxidant activity of the final product.
A Colored Avocado Seed Extract as a Potential Natural Colorant
Authors: Dabas Deepti , Elias Ryan J. , Lambert Joshua D. , Ziegler Gregory R.
Published: November 2011

Abstract:  There is an increasing consumer demand for and scientific interest in new natural colorants. Avocado (Persea americana) seed when crushed with water develops an orange color (= 480 nm) in a time‐dependent manner. Heat treatment of the seed prevented color development, whereas the addition of exogenous polyphenol oxidase (PPO), but not peroxidase restored color development. Color development was also inhibited by the addition of tropolone, an inhibitor of PPO. Color formation resulted in a decrease in the concentration of polyphenols indicating utilization for color formation. The orange color intensified as the pH was adjusted from 2.0 to 11.0, and these changes were only partially reversible when pH was adjusted from 7.5 to 11.0 in the presence of oxygen, but completely reversible when the pH was changed in the absence of oxygen. The color was found to be stable in solution at −18 °C for 2 mo. These results suggest that the avocado seed may be a potential source of natural colorant, and that color development is PPO‐dependent.

Practical Application:  There is growing public and scientific interest in the development of natural alternatives to synthetic colorants in foods. Extracts of turmeric, paprika, and beets are examples of food‐derived natural colorants. Avocado seeds, which represent an under‐utilized waste stream, form a stable orange color when crushed in the presence of air. Our data indicate that avocado seed represents a potential source of new natural colorants for use in foods.
Improving Functionality of Whole Egg Powder by the Addition of Gelatine, Lactose, and Pullulan
Authors: Koç Mehmet , Koç Banu , Susyal Gonca , Yilmazer Melike Sakin , Bağdatlıoğlu Neriman , Kaymak‐Ertekin Figen
Published: November 2011

Abstract:  The addition of gelatine (G), lactose (L), pullulan (P), and their mixtures at equal ratios (gelatine + lactose [GL] and gelatin + pullulan [GP]) to whole egg prior to drying was studied. Their effects on the functional properties (emulsion and gelling ability, water holding capacity of gel, foaming, color) and soluble protein content of spray dried egg powder during the 6 mo of storage at 20 °C and 50% relative humidity were investigated. It was demonstrated that the emulsion and foaming stability, water holding capacity of gel, and color change were significantly affected by the storage time, whereas storage time did not affect the strength of gel texture prepared by egg powders. Gelatine and pullulan improved the foaming stability and water holding capacity. Lactose caused a decrease in emulsion and foaming stability values. The maximum color change was observed for the plain egg powder, showing that mixing whole egg with carbohydrate‐ and/or protein‐based additives before the drying process preserved the color of egg powder. Adding carbohydrate and/or protein caused significant changes in functional properties of egg powder.
Uric Acid, Heart Failure Survival, and the Impact of Xanthine Oxidase Inhibition
Authors: Harzand Arash , Tamariz Leonardo , Hare Joshua M.
Published: November 2011

Increasing evidence suggests that serum uric acid (UA), a product of xanthine oxidase (XO), may be a useful marker for metabolic, hemodynamic, and functional staging in heart failure (HF) and a valid predictor of survival in HF patients. Recent data support an expanded role for UA and the XO pathway in the pathogenesis of HF, as studies have shown that an elevation in the enzymatic activity of XO can lead to increases in oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction, and reduced myocardial function. Numerous population studies have previously reported that elevated UA levels are an independent predictor of cardiovascular mortality, and recent evidence suggests that lowering serum levels of UA may lead to improved outcomes in HF patients. The question of whether UA is only a marker rather than a causal factor in the pathogenesis of HF remains. Regardless of whether UA levels are ready for routine clinical use, either as a prognostic factor or novel therapeutic target, further prospective studies are necessary to demonstrate that routine measurement or reduction of UA levels improves outcomes in HF patients. ©2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Divine Difference: On the Theological Divide between Hölderlin and Hegel
Authors: Spencer Tom
Published: November 2011

In this essay I compare the poetic thought of Hölderlin with the systematic Idealism of his intellectual peer, Hegel. Although they share a single intellectual genealogy and manifest similar Idealist tendencies, Hölderlin's poetry presents the reader with a decidedly non‐Hegelian religious phenomenology suggestive of transcendence. Images of physical and historical interruption are key to this phenomenological effect, and they motivate the characteristically Hölderlinian language of supplication, gratitude, and grace. I conclude that the poet's work is “rhetorically heterogeneous,” reflecting the mixed philosophical and religious impulses of the German Enlightenment.
Tropical geometry and the motivic nearby fiber
Authors: Katz Eric , Stapledon Alan
Published: November 2011

We construct motivic invariants of a subvariety of an algebraic torus from its tropicalization and initial degenerations. More specifically, we introduce an invariant of a compactification of such a variety called the ‘tropical motivic nearby fiber’. This invariant specializes in the schön case to the Hodge–Deligne polynomial of the limit mixed Hodge structure of a corresponding degeneration. We give purely combinatorial expressions for this Hodge–Deligne polynomial in the cases of schön hypersurfaces and matroidal tropical varieties. We also deduce a formula for the Euler characteristic of a general fiber of the degeneration.
Picard groups of punctured spectra of dimension three local hypersurfaces are torsion-free
Authors: Dao Hailong
Published: November 2011

Let (R,m) be a Noetherian local ring and UR=Spec(R)−{m} be the punctured spectrum of R. Gabber conjectured that if R is a complete intersection of dimension three, then the abelian group Pic(UR) is torsion-free. In this note we prove Gabber’s statement for the hypersurface case. We also point out certain connections between Gabber’s conjecture, Van den Bergh’s notion of non-commutative crepant resolutions and some well-studied questions in homological algebra over local rings.
Slodowy slices and universal Poisson deformations
Authors: Lehn M. , Namikawa Y. , Sorger Ch.
Published: November 2011

We classify the nilpotent orbits in a simple Lie algebra for which the restriction of the adjoint quotient map to a Slodowy slice is the universal Poisson deformation of its central fibre. This generalises work of Brieskorn and Slodowy on subregular orbits. In particular, we find in this way new singular symplectic hypersurfaces of dimension four and six.
Equivalences and stratified flops
Authors: Cautis Sabin
Published: November 2011

We construct natural equivalences between derived categories of coherent sheaves on the local models for stratified Mukai and Atiyah flops (of type A).
The resolution property of algebraic surfaces
Authors: Gross Philipp
Published: November 2011

We prove that on separated algebraic surfaces every coherent sheaf is a quotient of a locally free sheaf. This class contains many schemes that are neither normal, reduced, quasiprojective nor embeddable into toric varieties. Our methods extend to arbitrary two-dimensional schemes that are proper over an excellent ring.
A Supplement to Treat Diabetes?
Authors: Gesty-Palmer Diane
Published: November 2011

Nicotinamide mononucleotide reverses defects in NAD
+
biosynthesis and glucose metabolism in mice with type 2 diabetes.
An Oncogene Arises
Authors: Damani Samir
Published: November 2011

A new candidate oncogene for ovarian cancer emerges from a genome-wide scan of both common and rare genetic variants.
Yo-Yo Dieting: Biology or Behavior?
Authors: Evans-Molina Carmella
Published: November 2011

Patient study identifies changes in key metabolic hormones that may promote weight regain after dieting.
Barriers to staff adoption of a surgical safety checklist
Authors: Fourcade Aude , Blache Jean-Louis , Grenier Catherine , Bourgain Jean-Louis , Minvielle Etienne
Published: November 2011

Objective

Implementation of a surgical checklist depends on many organisational factors and on socio-cultural patterns. The objective of this study was to identify barriers to effective implementation of a surgical checklist and to develop a best use strategy.

Setting

18 cancer centres in France.

Design

The authors first assessed use compliance and completeness rates of the surgical checklist on a random sample of 80 surgical procedures performed under general or loco-regional anaesthesia in each of the 18 centres. They then developed a typology of the organisational and cultural barriers to effective checklist implementation and defined each barrier's contents using data from collective and semi-structured individual interviews of key staff, the results of an email questionnaire sent to the 18 centres, and direct observations over 20 h in two centres.

Results

The study consisted of 1440 surgical procedures, 1299 checklists, and 28 578 items. The mean compliance rate was 90.2% (0, 100). The mean completion rate was 61% (0, 84). 11 barriers to effective checklist implementation were identified. Their incidence varied widely across centres. The main barriers were duplication of items within existing checklists (16/18 centres), poor communication between surgeon and anaesthetist (10/18), time spent completing the checklist for no perceived benefit, and lack of understanding and timing of item checks (9/18), ambiguity (8/18), unaccounted risks (7/18) and a time-honoured hierarchy (6/18).

Conclusions

Several of the barriers to the successful implementation of the surgical checklist depended on organisational and cultural factors within each centre. The authors propose a strategy for change for checklist design, use and assessment, which could be used to construct a feedback loop for local team organisation and national initiatives.
Getting the message: a quality improvement initiative to reduce pages sent to the wrong physician
Authors: Wong Brian M , Cheung C Mark , Dharamshi Hasan , Dyal Sonia , Kiss Alex , Morra Dante , Quan Sherman , Sivjee Khalil , Etchells Edward E
Published: November 2011

Background

One in seven pages are sent to the wrong physician and may result in unnecessary delays that potentially threaten patient safety. The authors aimed to implement a new team-based paging process to reduce pages sent to the wrong physician.

Methods

The authors redesigned the paging process on general internal medicine (GIM) wards at a Canadian academic medical centre by implementing a standardised team-based paging process (pages directed to one physician responsible for receiving pages on behalf of the entire physician team) using rapid-cycle change methods. The authors evaluated the intervention using a controlled before–after study design by measuring pages sent to the wrong physician before and after implementation of the redesigned paging process.

Results

Pages sent to the wrong physician from the GIM (intervention) wards decreased from 14% to 3% (11% reduction), while pages sent to the wrong physician from control wards fell from 13% to 7% (6% reduction). The difference between the intervention wards and the control wards was significant (5% greater reduction in the intervention group compared with the control group, p=0.008). Nurses were more satisfied with team-based paging than the existing paging process. Team-based paging may, however, introduce changes in communication workflow that lead to increased paging interruptions for certain members of the physician team.

Conclusions

The authors successfully redesigned the hospital's paging process to decrease pages sent to the wrong physician. They recommend that the frequency of pages sent to the wrong physician is measured and changes be implemented to paging processes to reduce this error.
Association between sleep duration and haemoglobin A1cin young adults
Authors: Hancox Robert J , Landhuis C Erik
Published: November 2011

Background

Epidemiological and experimental evidence suggests that inadequate sleep can cause both obesity and impaired glucose tolerance. Short sleep duration in childhood appears to have a greater impact on the risk for adult obesity than adult sleep duration. The long-term effects of childhood sleep on glucose metabolism have not been investigated. The authors assessed the associations between childhood and adult sleep duration and adult glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) levels.

Methods

An unselected cohort of 1037 individuals, born in Dunedin, New Zealand, between 1972 and 1973. Parent reports of times in bed at ages 5, 7, 9 and 11 were used to estimate childhood sleep duration. Adult sleep duration was estimated from self-reported times in bed at age 32. HbA1clevels were measured at age 32. Pregnant women and participants with diabetes were excluded from the analyses.

Results

Childhood sleep duration did not predict adult HbA1c. However, less time spent in bed at age 32 was associated with higher levels of HbA1c(p=0.002) and an increased risk of prediabetes (p=0.015). The inverse association between adult sleep times and HbA1cwas independent of body mass index, smoking, socioeconomic status, shift work and symptoms of obstructive sleep apnoea.

Conclusions

Short sleep duration is associated with higher levels of HbA1cand an increased risk of prediabetes in young adults. The findings suggest that inadequate sleep impairs glucose control in the short term and may increase the risk for long-term health problems.
The plasma 5′-AMP acts as a potential upstream regulator of hyperglycemia in type 2 diabetic mice
Authors: Zhang Ying , Wang Zhongqiu , Zhao Yue , Zhao Ming , Wang Shiming , Hua Zichun , Zhang Jianfa
Published: November 2011

Increased plasma free fatty acid (FFA) level is a hallmark of type 2 diabetes. However, the underlying molecular basis for FFA-caused hyperglycemia remains unclear. Here we identified plasma 5′-adenosine monophosphate (pAMP) markedly elevated in the plasma of type 2 diabetic mice. High levels of FFAs induced damage in vein endothelial cells and contributed to an increase in pAMP. Administration of synthetic 5′-AMP caused hyperglycemia and impaired insulin action in lean wild-type mice. 5′-AMP elevated blood glucose in mice deficient in adenosine receptors with equal efficiency as wild-type mice. The function of pAMP was initiated by the elevation of cellular adenosine levels, directly stimulating G-6-Pase enzyme activity, attenuating insulin-dependent GLUT4 translocation in skeletal muscle, and displaying a rapid and steep increase in blood glucose and a decrease in hepatic glycogen level. It was followed by an increase in the gene expression of hepatic Foxo1 and its targeting gene Pepck and G6Pase, which was similar to diabetic phenotype in db/db mice. Our results suggest that pAMP is a potential upstream regulator of hyperglycemia in type 2 diabetes.
Sudden Tracheal Collapse during EGD and Subsequent Anesthetic Management with Dexmedetomidine-Ketamine in a Patient with Achalasia and Tracheomalacia
Authors: Atkins Joshua H. , Mandel Jeff E. , Metz David C.
Published: November 2011

We present a patient who experienced airway obstruction during an elective esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) under anesthesia secondary to previously undiagnosed tracheomalacia. Physiology of airway obstruction with forced breathing maneuvers is discussed along with the potential advantages of dexmedetomidine-ketamine sedation for management of patients with achalasia undergoing outpatient endoscopic procedures.