bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quorum-quenching microbial infections: mechanisms and implications
Authors: Dong Yi-Hu , Wang Lian-Hui , Zhang Lian-Hui
Published: March 2007

The discovery of antibiotics early in the past century marked the beginning of active control and prevention of infectious microbial diseases. However, extensive use of antibiotics has also unavoidably resulted in the emergence of ‘superbugs’ that resist conventional antibiotics. The finding that many pathogens rely on cell-to-cell communication mechanisms, known as quorum sensing, to synchronize microbial activities essential for infection and survival in the host suggests a promising disease control strategy, i.e. quenching microbial quorum sensing or in short, quorum quenching. Work over the past few years has demonstrated that quorum-quenching mechanisms are widely conserved in many prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms. These naturally occurring quorum-quenching mechanisms appear to play important roles in microbe–microbe and pathogen–host interactions and have been used, or served as lead compounds, in developing and formulating a new generation of antimicrobials. Characterization of the crystal structures of several types of quorum-quenching enzymes has provided valuable information to elucidate the catalytic mechanisms, as well as clues for future protein tailoring and molecular improvement. The discovery of quorum-sensing signal degradation enzymes in mammalian species represents a new milestone in quorum sensing and quorum quenching research. The finding highlights the importance of investigating their roles in host innate defence against infectious diseases and to determine the factors influencing theirin vivoconcentrations and catalytic activities.
Evolutionary theory of bacterial quorum sensing: when is a signal not a signal?
Authors: Diggle Stephen P , Gardner Andy , West Stuart A , Griffin Ashleigh S
Published: March 2007

The term quorum sensing (QS) is used to describe the communication between bacterial cells, whereby a coordinated population response is controlled by diffusible molecules produced by individuals. QS has not only been described between cells of the same species (intraspecies), but also between species (interspecies) and between bacteria and higher organisms (inter-kingdom). The fact that QS-based communication appears to be widespread among microbes is strange, considering that explaining both cooperation and communication are two of the greatest problems in evolutionary biology. From an evolutionary perspective, intraspecies signalling can be explained using models such as kin selection, but when communication is described between species, it is more difficult to explain. It is probable that in many cases this involves QS molecules being used as ‘cues’ by other species as a guide to future action or as manipulating molecules whereby one species will ‘coerce’ a response from another. In these cases, the usage of QS molecules cannot be described as signalling. This review seeks to integrate the evolutionary literature on animal signalling with the microbiological literature on QS, and asks whether QS within bacteria is true signalling or whether these molecules are also used as cues or for the coercion of other cells.
Hypoxia increases the motility of lung adenocarcinoma cell line A549 via activation of the epidermal growth factor receptor pathway
Authors: Wang Tao , Niki Toshiro , Goto Akiteru , Ota Satoshi , Morikawa Teppei , Nakamura Yu , Ohara Etsuko , Ishikawa Shumpei , Aburatani Hiroyuki , Nakajima Jun , Fukayama Masashi
Published: March 2007

Tumor hypoxia is associated with a malignant phenotype of cancer cells and poor patient prognosis. To investigate the role of hypoxia in tumor progression, we studied the effects of hypoxia in the A549 lung adenocarcinoma cell line. First, we showed that hypoxic treatment decreased cell–cell adhesion and induced a scattering of cancer cells. Concomitant with these morphological changes, the motility of cancer cells was increased, as demonstrated by the Boyden chamber assay. Then, we used oligonucleotide array analyses to identify the genes causally related to the hypoxia‐induced motile phenotype. The results showed that the expression of approximately 100 genes was induced more than 5‐fold by hypoxia. These included (among others) epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), as well as other well‐known hypoxia‐induced genes, such as vascular endothelial growth factor. Immunohistochemical analyses of primary lung adenocarcinomas confirmed the induction of EGFR in tumor cells in the vicinity of necrotic areas, a histological indicator of tumor hypoxia. Remarkably, the EGFR inhibitor AG1478 (10 M) completely blocked the increased cell motility induced by hypoxia. Thus, the present study demonstrates the importance of the EGFR pathway in the increased motility of cancer cells that occurs in a hypoxic tumor environment. (Cancer Sci 2007; 98: 506–511)
Nuclear cyclin B1 in human breast carcinoma as a potent prognostic factor
Authors: Suzuki Takashi , Urano Tomohiro , Miki Yasuhiro , Moriya Takuya , Akahira Jun‐ichi , Ishida Takanori , Horie Kuniko , Inoue Satoshi , Sasano Hironobu
Published: March 2007

Cyclin B1 is translocated to the nucleus from the cytoplasm, and plays an essential role in cell proliferation through promotion of mitosis. Although overexpression of cyclin B1 was previously reported in breast carcinomas, the biological significance of the intracellular localization of cyclin B1 remains unclear. Therefore, in this study, we examined cyclin B1 immunoreactivity in 109 breast carcinomas, according to the intracellular localization, that is, nucleus, cytoplasm or total (nucleus or cytoplasm). Total cyclin B1 was detected in carcinoma cells in 42% of breast carcinomas examined, whereas nuclear and cytoplasmic cyclin B1 were positive in 17 and 35% of the cases, respectively. Total or cytoplasmic cyclin B1 were positively associated with histological grade, mitosis, Ki‐67, p53, c‐myc or 14‐3‐3σ, and inversely correlated with estrogen or progesterone receptor. Nuclear cyclin B1 was significantly associated with tumor size, lymph node metastasis, histological grade, mitosis, Ki‐67 or polo‐like kinase 1. Only nuclear cyclin B1 was significantly associated with adverse clinical outcome of the patients, and multivariate analyses of disease‐free and overall survival demonstrated nuclear cyclin B1 as the independent marker. A similar tendency was detected in the patients receiving adjuvant therapy after surgery. These results suggest that an onocogenic role of overexpressed cyclin B1 is mainly mediated in nuclei of breast carcinoma cells, and the nuclear translocation is regulated by polo‐like kinase 1 and 14‐3‐3σ. Nuclear cyclin B1‐positive breast carcinoma is resistant to adjuvant therapy, and nuclear cyclin B1 immunoreactivity is a potent prognostic factor in breast carcinoma patients. (Cancer Sci 2007; 98: 644–651)
Zinc and its transporter ZIP10 are involved in invasive behavior of breast cancer cells
Authors: Kagara Naofumi , Tanaka Natsumi , Noguchi Shinzaburo , Hirano Toshio
Published: March 2007

Zinc is an essential element, necessary for sustaining all life. Zinc deficiency causes taste impairments, immune deficiency, skin problems, and growth and mental retardation. Recent reports suggest that zinc is associated with an increased risk of cancer, although it is still unclear whether zinc or its transporters are involved in cancer progression. Here we show that zinc and its transporter ZIP10 are involved in the invasive behavior of breast cancer cells. The screening of clinical samples for ZIP10 mRNA expression suggested that ZIP10 was significantly associated with the metastasis of breast cancer to the lymph node. In addition, the expression of ZIP10 mRNA was higher in the invasive and metastatic breast cancer cell lines MDA‐MB‐231 and MDA‐MB‐435S than in less metastatic breast cancer cell lines, such as MCF7, T47D, ZR75‐1 and ZR75‐30. In in vitro cell migration assays, the depletion of zinc transporter ZIP10 and intracellular zinc inhibited the migratory activity of MDA‐MB‐231 and MDA‐MB‐435S cells. These results showed that zinc and ZIP10 play an essential role in the migratory activity of highly metastatic breast cancer cells, and suggest ZIP10 as a possible marker for the metastatic phenotype of breast cancer and a promising target of novel treatment strategies. (Cancer Sci 2007; 98: 692–697)
Matrix metalloproteinase‐7 triggers the matricrine action of insulin‐like growth factor‐II via proteinase activity on insulin‐like growth factor binding protein 2 in the extracellular matrix
Authors: Miyamoto Shin’ichi , Nakamura Michio , Yano Keiichi , Ishii Genichiro , Hasebe Takahiro , Endoh Yasushi , Sangai Takafumi , Maeda Hiroyuki , Shi‐chuang Zhang , Chiba Tsutomu , Ochiai Atsushi
Published: March 2007

Many growth factors and cytokines are immobilized on the extracellular matrix (ECM) by binding to glycosaminoglycans and are stored in an inactive form in the cellular microenvironment. However, the mechanisms of ECM‐bound growth factor or cytokine activation have not been well documented. We showed that the insulin‐like growth factor type‐1 receptor (IGF‐1R) was rapidly phosphorylated after the addition of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐7 to a serum‐starved human colon cancer cell line (HT29) and that phosphorylation was completely inhibited by an IGF‐II neutralizing antibody. In the ECM of this cell line, IGF‐II and IGF binding protein (BP)‐2 coexisted, but IGFBP‐2 disappeared from the ECM fraction after treatment with MMP‐7 or heparinase III. On the other hand, in a cell line in which IGF‐1R was overexpressed, IGF‐1R was phosphorylated by supernatant from the MMP‐7‐treated ECM fraction of HT29 but not by that from a heparinase‐III‐treated ECM fraction. We also demonstrated that MMP‐7 degrades IGFBP‐2 in vitro at three cleavage sites (peptide bonds E151–L152, G175–L176 and K181–L182), which have not been documented previously. Taken together, these results demonstrate that MMP‐7 generates bioactive IGF‐II by degrading the IGF‐II/IGFBP‐2 complex binding to heparan sulfate proteoglycan in the ECM, resulting in IGF‐II‐induced signal transduction. This evidence indicates that some ECM‐associated growth factors enhance their ability to bind to their receptors by some proteases in the tumor microenvironment. This mechanism of action (‘protease‐triggered matricrine’) represents an attractive model for understanding ECM–tumor interactions. (Cancer Sci 2007; 98: 685–691)
Functions of cyclin D1 as an oncogene and regulation of cyclin D1 expression
Authors: Tashiro Etsu , Tsuchiya Ayako , Imoto Masaya
Published: March 2007

Cyclin D1 binds to the Cdk4 and Cdk6 to form a pRB kinase. Upon phosphorylation, pRB loses its repressive activity for the E2F transcription factor, which then activates transcription of several genes required for the transition from the G1‐ to S‐phase and for DNA replication. The cyclin D1 gene is rearranged and overexpressed in centrocytic lymphomas and parathyroid tumors and it is amplified and/or overexpressed in a major fraction of human tumors of various types of cancer. Ectopic overexpression of cyclin D1 in fibroblast cultures shortens the G1 phase of the cell cycle. Furthermore, it has been demonstrated that introduction of an antisense cyclin D1 into a human carcinoma cell line, in which the cyclin D1 gene is amplified and overexpressed, causes reversion of the malignant phenotype. Thus, increased expression of cyclin D1 can play a critical role in tumor development and in maintenance of the malignant phenotype. However, it is insufficient to confer transformed properties on primary or established fibroblasts. In this review, we summarize the role of cyclin D1 on tumor development and malignant transformation. In addition, our chemical biology study to understand the regulatory mechanism of cyclin D1 transcription is also reviewed. (Cancer Sci 2007; 98: 629–635)
Self‐poisoning with lamotrigine and pregabalin
Authors: Braga A. J. , Chidley K.
Published: March 2007

We report a case of intentional overdose in a 29‐year‐old male with two of the newer anti‐epileptic agents, lamotrigine and pregabalin. To our knowledge, this case report details the highest plasma levels of lamotrigine ever recorded in the literature. The patient presented with seizures and a reduced level of consciousness. Management of these and subsequent complications centres on supportive care in the high dependency and intensive therapy units.
Inadvertent epidural administration of insulin
Authors: Kal J. E. , Vlassak E. E. W. , Bulder E. R. , Franssen E. J. F.
Published: March 2007

A 67‐year‐old female with insulin‐dependent diabetes mellitus underwent an uncomplicated partial liver resection under combined epidural and general anaesthesia. After surgery, 50 U of insulin were accidentally infused into her epidural space over a period of 5 h in addition to her prescribed intravenous insulin infusion. After recognition of the accidental epidural administration, the patient was closely monitored for any neurological signs or symptoms. Blood glucose levels decreased significantly from 17.4 to 6.8 mmol.l−1 over a period of 7 h. Despite the hazard of potentially neurotoxic preservatives in the insulin preparation, she suffered no neurological sequelae and made an uncomplicated recovery.
Non‐detectable levels of 6‐thioguanine nucleotides and 6‐methylmercaptopurine in a patient treated with azathioprine: a case report
Authors: Wong D. R. , Den Dulk M. O. , Derijks L. J. J. , Gemmeke E. H. K. M. , Hooymans P. M.
Published: March 2007

Introduction:  Azathioprine (AZA) is a thiopurine prodrug clinically used for immunosuppression in the treatment of auto‐immune inflammatory diseases and in regimens of organ transplantations. The pharmacological action of AZA is based on the formation of 6‐mercaptopurine (6‐MP), which is metabolised into a variety of active thiopurine‐nucleotide metabolites. We report the case of a 55 year old woman (bodyweight 30 kg) with chronic pancreatitis, weight loss, and progressive elevation of liver transaminases and serum amylase.

Case description:  The woman was treated with prednisolone (30 mg 1 dd; tapered 5 mg each week) and AZA (75 mg 1 dd; 5 weeks later 150 mg 1 dd). Despite good patient‐compliance verified during hospital‐stay, none of the active metabolites of AZA, 6‐thioguanine‐nucleotides (6TGN) and 6‐methylmercaptopurine ribonucleotides (6MMPR), were detected in erythrocytes. After two months of treatment clinical improvement was achieved, but no normalisation of laboratory parameters. Subsequently, AZA was switched to 6‐MP 75 mg 1 dd, and allopurinol 100 mg 1 dd was added. After one week the 6TGN level was 616 pmol/ 8 × 108 red blood cells (RBC), the 6MMPR level was 1319 pmol/ 8 × 108 RBC.

Two weeks later the 6TGN level was 1163 pmol/ 8 × 108 RBC and the 6MMPR level 10015 pmol/ 8 × 108 RBC.

These 6TGN and 6MMPR levels were higher than the upper limits of the therapeutic ranges (500 pmol/ 8 × 108 RBC and 5700 pmol/ 8 × 108 RBC, respectively). Therefore, treatment with 6‐MP was discontinued. A week later the 6TGN and 6MMPR levels decreased to 686 pmol/ 8 × 108 RBC and 4027 pmol/ 8 × 108 RBC, respectively.

Genotyping of the enzym thiopurine S‐methyl transferase (TPMT) revealed a wild‐type TPMT (*1/*1) genotype.

Discussion:  To our knowledge this is the first report of a patient who was not able to form detectable active thiopurine metabolites on the treatment with AZA.

AZA is normally rapidly and almost completely converted to 6‐MP and methylnitroimidazole in the liver. 6‐MP is then further catabolised by xanthine‐oxidase (XO) and TPMT or anabolised by hypoxanthine phosphoribosyl transferase (HPRT). Remarkably, treatment with 6‐MP in combination with the XO‐inhibitor allopurinol resulted in a myelotoxic 6TGN level in the first week after start of treatment.

There are two hypotheses on the mechanism by which this finding could be explained. First, an ‘ultra‐high’ XO activity results in a direct and complete conversion of 6‐MP into 6‐thiouric acid. Secondly, AZA is not converted into 6‐MP. Consequently, there is no formation of active thiopurine nucleotides out of 6‐MP.

Also, a combination of these two mechanisms could lead to a decreased formation of active thiopurine metabolites.

Conclusion:  Our finding indicates non‐conventional insights in the biotransformation of AZA contributing to an interindividual variation in thiopurine metabolism.
A polypharmacy intervention study on Dutch nursing home residents
Authors: Finkers F. , Maring J. G. , Boersma F. , Taxis K.
Published: March 2007

Objectives:  This study firstly aimed to identify the percentage of nursing home patients who were prescribed more than nine drugs (polypharmacy) and compared prescribing patterns of this patient group to patients who were prescribed fewer drugs. Secondly, teams of hospital pharmacists and nursing home physicians aimed to identify the drug related problems of the polypharmacy patients and the extent to which it was feasible to optimise their medication profiles.

Methods:  Characteristics of the polypharmacy population were illustrated by retrospective point measurements in five Dutch nursing homes (total of 742 beds) over the years 2004, 2005 and 2006. Additionally, 91 polypharmacy patients in those nursing homes were included for a medication review by a hospital pharmacist and a nursing home physician. The appropiateness of each drug was discussed adressing indication, effectiveness and safety, as well as possible undertreatment. Drug related problems were accordingly (sub)categorised. The pharmacist and physician prioritised the problems and jointly preparared a plan who to optimise the medication profile.

Six weeks later, the same pharmacist and physician met again and discussed for each patient the list of problems and the alterations in the medication profile.

Results:  We found an increase in the percentage polypharmacy patients over the years (14.6%, 2004; 17.5%, 2005; 19.8%, 2006). Drugs from the ATC‐groups ‘alimentary tract and metabolism’, ‘cardiovascular system’ and ‘nervous system’ were prescribed most frequently in the polypharmacy population. The 91 reviewed polypharmacy patients used 1226 drugs. We registered 323 drug related problems (mean of 3.5 problems per patient). A decreased renal function (creatinin clearance < 40 ml/min) was observed in a high number of polypharmacy patients (at least 40%). The majority of drug related problems were in the category ‘indication’. In total, 62% of all drug related problems were subcategorised as ‘unclear or not confirmed indication’. These problems were observed in 87% of the polypharmacy patients.

A mean of 1.7 (n=159) problems per patient were solved during the subsequent intervention period and the number of drugs per patients decreased statistically significantly from 13.5 to 12.7 (p < 0.0001).

Conclusion:  The percentage of nursing home patients meeting the polypharmacy definition ranged from 14,6% to 19,8% over 2004–2006. The majority of polypharmacy patients had at least one drug prescribed for which the indication was unknown. The intervention was accompanied with a significant decrease in the number of drugs per patient, but half of the drug related problems remained unsolved.
Augmented hyperemia and reduced tissue injury in response to ischemia in subjects with the 34C > T variant of the AMPD1 gene
Authors: Riksen N. P. , Franke B. , Oyen W. J. G. , Van Den Broek P. , Boerman O. C. , Smits P. , Rongen G. A.
Published: March 2007

Introduction:  In patients with cardiovascular disease the 34C > T variant of the adenosine monophosphate deaminase (AMPD1) gene is associated with improved survival. We hypothesized that this variant results in enhanced intracellular formation of adenosine during ischemia, thereby increasing hyperemia and reducing tissue injury in response to ischemia. As increased intracellular adenosine formation would decrease the transmembranous adenosine concentration gradient, we hypothesized that the potentiating effect of the adenosine transport blocker dipyridamole on reactive hyperemia would be reduced in the subjects with the CT genotype.

Methods:  We studied the forearm vasodilator response to ischemia (venous occlusion plethysmography) in 10 healthy subjects with the CT genotype and in 10 CC controls, matched for all relevant parameters of adenosine transport and metabolism. Reactive hyperemia was measured with and without concomitant administration of the adenosine transport blocker dipyridamole into the brachial artery (7.4 nmol/min/dl of forearm tissue).

In comparable groups, ischemia‐reperfusion injury was assessed in the thenar muscle by 99mTc‐annexin A5 scintigraphy after intermittent forearm exercise during 10 minutes of ischemia. At reperfusion 99mTc‐annexin A5 was administered intravenously. Targeting of annexin was expressed as percentage difference between experimental and contralateral thenar muscle.

Results:  Forearm blood flow (FBF) in response to 2 and 5 minutes of ischemia was higher in the CT genotype group than in controls, whereas maximum vasodilation (induced by 13 minutes of ischemia) did not differ (25.4 ± 2.5, 32.7 ± 2.2, and 38.6 ± 2.6 ml/min/dl in the CT group versus 21.9 ± 2.2, 28.5 ± 2.4, and 41.0 ± 3.3 ml/min/dl in controls, P=0.03).

Dipyridamole potentiated reactive hyperemia in both groups, but this effect of dipyridamole was significantly less in the subjects with the CT genotype (P=0.04).

At 1 and 4 hours post‐injection, annexin targeting was 5.2 ± 1.8% and 3.5 ± 2.3% in the CT group versus 8.9 ± 3.4% and 9.8 ± 3.9% in the controls (n=7; P=0.03).

Conclusions:  The 34C > T variant in the AMPD1 gene augments vasodilation and reduces tissue injury in response to forearm skeletal muscle ischemia. Most probably, this is due to increased intracellular adenosine formation, which decreases cellular uptake of adenosine which is formed in the extracellular compartment. These mechanisms could contribute to the survival benefit of cardiovascular patients with this variant allele.
Reformulated BeneFix®: efficacy and safety in previously treated patients with moderately severe to severe haemophilia B
Authors: LAMBERT T. , RECHT M. , VALENTINO L. A. , POWELL J. S. , UDATA C. , SULLIVAN S. T. , ROTH D. A.
Published: March 2007

Summary.   BeneFix®, the only recombinant factor IX (FIX), has been reformulated. The reformulation involves a change in diluent and allows for more concentrated infusions of recombinant FIX. A double‐blind, randomized, pharmacokinetic (PK) crossover study demonstrated that reformulated BeneFix was bioequivalent to original BeneFix and follow‐up PK evaluation after 6 months of treatment demonstrated the PK stability of reformulated BeneFix after multiple exposures. Favourable efficacy and safety profiles, consistent with those already well‐established for original BeneFix, were observed: 81.1% of haemorrhages resolved with only a single infusion; 85.3% of initial treatment response ratings were Excellent or Good; more than half of the subjects using reformulated BeneFix for routine prophylaxis (11 of 17, 64.7%) had no spontaneous haemorrhages during their 6–12 month course of prophylactic treatment, with an overall spontaneous bleeding rate of 0.72 year−1; and for the single surgical procedure (knee washing), treatment was rated Useful. In addition, there was no FIX inhibitor development, allergic‐type manifestations, or thrombogenic complications with more than 1100 infusions (nearly 5.2 million IUs) administered in this trial. All efficacy and safety outcomes from this study were achieved with more concentrated recombinant protein infusions than that possible with original BeneFix, and utilization of the 2000 IU per vial dosage strength, newly introduced with the reformulated product, was high (>62%). The reformulation of BeneFix allows smaller delivery volumes and an increased choice of dosage strengths without altering the PK properties (including incremental recovery and half‐life) or the established efficacy and safety profile of recombinant FIX.
ON REHYDRATION AND RESPIRATION OF DRY AND PARTIALLY DRIED VEGETABLES
Authors: HAAS G. J. , PRESCOTT H. E. , CANTE C. J.
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACTS

The effect of drying carrots, string beans and peppers to various degrees upon subsequent rehydration was investigated. Rehydration capability at 23°C was lost gradually as drying progressed. Blanching previous to drying under our experimental conditions did not improve rehydration of string beans. In carrots, improvement was observed only upon prolonged rehydration times. Some surface active agents when used as 2.0% presoaks before drying were beneficial for rehydration. Respiration of vegetable tissues measured by Scholander respirometry is decreased upon partial drying; TTC color formation ceases at dehydration between 24% and 40% of fresh weight with carrots and peppers. Loss in respiration capability as shown by TTC staining ceases rapidly when an 80°C temperature is used for drying; this is to be expected as enzymes are heat sensitive.
AMINO ACID LOSSES IN TURNIP GREENS (Brassica rapa L.) DURING HANDLING AND PROCESSING
Authors: MEREDITH F. I. , GASKINS M. H. , DULL G. G.
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACTS

Turnip green samples were collected at harvesting, unloading dock, post‐washing, post‐blanching, at can filling and of the canned product. Amino acids were determined at each of the sample points with losses being small during the processing steps. Major losses of lysine (50%) isoleucine (51%) occurred in the canned drained solids. If the canning liquid is added back to the solids, losses of 27% lysine and 35% isoleucine result. Egg ratios of the essential amino acids are given with methionine being the limiting amino acid if the solid and canning liquid are considered as part of the food.
STUDIES ON REVERSE OSMOSIS FOR CONCENTRATION OF FRUIT JUICES
Authors: MATSUURA TAKESHI , BAXTER A. G. , SOURIRAJAN S.
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACTS

Data are presented for the osmotic pressures of commercially available lime, lemon, prune, carrot and salted and unsalted tomato juices and their concentrates. Similar data are presented for sucrose‐water and glucose‐sucrose (mole ratio 10:1)‐water solutions in the temperature range 7.5–25°C. The effects of the temperature on parameters of process design show that by operation at a lower temperature it is possible to obtain a higher recovery of aroma compounds in the concentrate in the second stage reverse osmosis treatment of fruit juice water obtained from the first stage treatment. This possibility is confirmed by the experimental results at 7.5°C and 25°C.
EFFECT OF GAS ATMOSPHERES ON MICROBIAL QUALITY OF PORK
Authors: HUFFMAN D.L.
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACTS

Ten 100 kg pigs were slaughtered, chilled at 2–3°C for 48 hr and divided at random into two equal groups. Strict sanitary procedures were used in removing loins. Loins from five pigs (expt 1) were vacuum packaged (50.8 cm Hg) in barrier bags, aged at 2–4°C for 5 days, cut into 1.27 cm thick chops and five chops were allotted at random to each treatment group from each animal. Experiment 2 loins were cut into 1.27 cm thick chops 2 days post‐slaughter and 5 chops were allotted at random to each treatment group from each animal. Storage treatments used were: 100% air, 100% O2, 100% N2, 100% CO2 and a gas mixture (70% N2, 25% CO2, 5% O2). Chops were individually packaged in saran bags which were evacuated, gas flushed, evacuated, partially filled again with gas and stored at −1.1°C. Bacteria (total count, lactic acid producers and anaerobes) were enumerated 7, 14, 21, 28 and 35 days post‐slaughter. No significant differences were found in bacterial counts between experiments within any sampling period; therefore, all animals were pooled into one experiment with 10 replications. Aerobic counts illcreased more rapidly and were higher (P < 0.05) for air, O2 and N2 samples at each week than for CO2 and the gas mixture. The gas mixture and CO2 suppressed growth of aerobes throughout storage. Aerobic counts were not suppressed by N2, and there was no significant difference in this count on chops incubated in air, O2 and N2 at any interval. No significant difference was noted in growth of lactic acid producers in the first 2 wk of storage; however, after the third week, counts were higher in CO2 and the gas mixture treatments than in the air, N2 or O2 treatments. The fact that CO2 and the gas mixture inhibited growth is of importance to the fresh meat industry and deserves further research.
PROCESS REQUIREMENTS AND PROPERTIES OF SPRAY‐DRIED SQUID PROTEIN
Authors: LEE C. M. , TOLEDO R. T. , NAKAYAMA T. O. M. , CHICHESTER C. O.
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACTS

The process requirements and properties of dehydrated squid protein prepared by a water extraction and spray dehydration process were studied. After removal of skin and viscera, a water soluble fraction was obtained by filtering the comminuted slurry which, when diluted and spray dried, was converted into a powder having a very light color. A low yield of 29.4% on the semi‐pilot scale appeared to be due to material loss during washing. In a well designed laboratory study however, yield averaged 74% indicating that loss during washing could be minimized. The product averaged 81% protein, had excellent water solubility and a good oil binding capacity as well as emulsion stability. Animal feeding studies showed that nutritionally the quality of the dehydrated squid protein is comparable with that of casein.
CHARACTERIZATION OF LACTASE IMMOBILIZED ON COLLAGEN: CONVERSION OF WHEY LACTOSE BY SOLUBLE AND IMMOBILIZED LACTASE
Authors: GIACIN J. R. , JAKUBOWSKI J. , LEEDER J. G. , GILBERT S. G. , KLEYN D. H.
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACTS

The enzymatic hydrolysis of lactose has been studied using β‐galactosidase (Aspergillus niger) immobilized on collagen. The immobilization process employs simple and inexpensive techniques to bind the enzyme to collagen through noncovalent bond formation. The stability and reusability of collagen bound lactase membranes was evaluated in a biocatalytic modular reactor. Little or no loss in reactor activity was observed after storage for a period of 90 days. Following an initial decrease in activity, stable limit activity was maintained over a number of reactor volume replacements. The activity of the fungal lactase in both the soluble and bound states was determined in ultrafiltered acid whey. The catalytic potency of the enzyme, in both states, showed inhibited enzyme activity in acid whey, as compared to aqueous lactose. In the bound state, the enzyme experienced a partial irreversible inhibition.
SWEET CORN AROMA, CHEMICAL COMPONENTS AND RELATIVE IMPORTANCE IN THE OVERALL FLAVOR RESPONSE
Authors: FLORA L. F. , WILEY R. C.
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACTS

Dimethyl sulfide (DMS) was the most abundant aroma volatile in cooked sweet corn head‐space, followed by ethanol, acetaldehyde, hydrogen sulfide (H2S), ethanethiol, methanethiol and another unidentified compound unique to processed corn. Based on sensory monitoring of GC column effluents, DMS was determined as the primary factor in cooked corn aroma along with H2S, methanethiol and, to a lesser degree, ethanethiol. Also detected in the effluents, but probably of lesser importance, were acetaldehyde, ethanol, and a “grainy” smelling compound in processed corn. When panelists were asked to score corn of widely varying characteristics for aroma, sweetness, texture and overall flavor, it was found that aroma contributed 15% to the flavor response while sweetness and texture contributed 55% and 30%, respectively.
EFFECTS OF LOW TEMPERATURE STORAGE OF TOMATO FRUITS ON ACID‐SOLUBLE NUCLEOTIDES
Authors: BUESCHER R. W. , DOSTAL H. C.
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACTS

ATP and UTP contents of mature, green tomato fruits stored at 1°C increased over a period of about 2 wk and then declined. Transfer of chilled fruits to 20°C accelerated the above noted changes. Marked increases in ADP content and rapid declines in ATP, UTP and UDPG levels occurred when chilled fruits were transferred to 20°C. During normal ripening the adenosine nucleotide concentrations increased while the ATP/ADP, ATP/AMP and “energy charge” ratios steadily declined.
ENZYMATIC DEGRADATION OF ANTHOCYANINS: THE ROLE OF SWEET CHERRY POLYPHENOL OXIDASE
Authors: Pifferi P. G. , Cultrera R.
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACTS

An enzymatic system capable of degrading cyanidin‐3‐glucoside in the absence of phenols is present in the skin of sweet cherries; contrarily, the pulp homogenate degraded the anthocyanin only in the presence of phenols. The degradation of this pigment as a function of pH was studied for two polyphenol oxidases isolated from the fruit pulp on DEAE‐cellulose with chlorogenic acid, D (+) catechine and pyrocatechol substrates. The decoloration was influenced by the anthocyanin structure at different pH and by the nature of the quinone obtained by enzymatic oxidation. The anhydrobase appeared to be the form of the anthocyanin most susceptible to oxidation. The degradation occurred according to the oxidation kinetics of the phenol substrate and was inhibited by ascorbic acid, indicating that the quinone's degradation of the anthocyanin occurred by a consecutive‐type mechanism.
STATISTICAL ESTIMATION OF 12D FOR RADAPPERTIZED FOODS
Authors: ROSS EDWARD W.
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACTS

This paper presents a new mathematical analysis of the inoculated pack method for determining the effectiveness of radappertization (radiation‐sterilization) of canned food. A general theory is developed which makes it clear that two interrelated distribution functions, the probability of organism death and the probability of can sterilization, play important parts in the process. A critique is given of the Schmidt‐Nank method for calculating the 12D dose, and modifications of both the experimental design and data analysis are suggested. Two examples are worked out, one illustrating the use of the suggested method, the other using the theory and an experiment on canned ham to show that the mode of organism death is unlikely to be exponential.
TENDERIZATION OF MEAT WITH PAPAYA LATEX PROTEASES
Authors: KANG C. K. , WARNER W. D.
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACTS

Tenderization of meat by papaya latex preparations was achieved by the combined action of several proteases. Both in vitro and in vivo application of enzymes gave degradation of muscle proteins, and degradation of connective tissue only after heat denaturation. Purified papaya enzymes‐papain, chymopapain and papaya peptidase A‐were uniformly distributed throughout the various muscles and in the extravascular system after antemortem injection into the vascular system. Chymopapain was the primary contributor for tenderization because it constituted the major protease in the mixture and it had higher thermostability and more favorable action at the meat's natural pH than papain or papaya peptidase A.
RELATIONSHIPS OF CERTAIN MUSCLE, CARTILAGE AND BONE TRAITS TO TENDERNESS OF THE BEEF LONGISSIMUS
Authors: BERRY B. W. , SMITH G. C. , CARPENTER Z. L.
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACTS

Histological and chemical characteristics of longissimus muscle and physical measurements of scapular and vertebral cartilage and bone were related to the tenderness of the beef longissimus. The 195 wholesale ribs were selected from carcasses differing widely in physiological maturity. Smaller diameter muscle fibers, longer sarcomeres, shorter muscle fiber fragments following homogenization, lower percentages of wavy fibers, decreased collagen content, increased percentages of soluble collagen, lower myofibril fragmentation scores, increased percentages of fat, decreased percentages of moisture and smaller areas of expressible juice were associated (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01) with increases in tenderness of the beef longissimus. Among physiological maturity indicators, muscle fiber diameter, total pigment concentration and hardness of scapular cartilage and vertebral bone were most closely related to the variability in tenderness of the beef longissimus and were associated with advancements in physiological maturity. Although most of the relationships in this study were of small magnitude, these data generally support the utilization of fatness‐maturity interactions across very wide ranges in physiological maturity for the stratification of beef carcasses according to tenderness.
EFFECTS OF PROTEOLYTIC ENZYMES ON THE FUNCTIONALITY OF CHICKEN EGG ALBUMEN
Authors: GRUNDEN L. P. , VADEHRA D. V. , BAKER R. C.
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACTS

Albumen from eggs of a strain of White Leghorn hens was treated with various proteolytic enzymes (papain, ficin, protease, bromelin and trypsin) for 18 hr at 34°C. Following enzyme treatment the nonprotein nitrogen, measured as moles of tyrosine released per minute, was found to range from 1.1 × to 10‐3 4.8 × 10‐3. All treatments were found to cause some changes in the electrophoretic behavior of albumen. The pH of enzyme‐treated albumen ranged from 6.2 (protease) to 8.4 (trypsin). Enzymatic treatment of albumen, with the exception of papain, improved angel food cake volumes from 3 .9%). In gcneral, enzyme‐treated albumen showed a 6–16% increase in foam volume; however, the foam stability was inferior compared to the control.
CHARACTERISTICS OF MEAT FROM MECHANICALLY DEBONED LAMB BREASTS
Authors: FIELD R. A. , RILEY M. L.
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACTS

Seven lots of choice and prime lamb breasts were mechanically deboned using an AUX 70 Beehive deboner with 0.635 mm diam holes in the cylinder. The meat was compared to hand‐boned meat from the same lots of breasts. Numbers of bacteria per g of meat and percent fat, protein and dry matter were similar in hand‐ and machine‐boned meat. Mechanically deboned meat contained less hydroxyproline and more calcium than hand‐boned meat.
LEAD AND CADMIUM CONTENT OF SELECTED OREGON GROUNDFISH
Authors: CHILDS E. A. , GAFFKE J. N.
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACTS

The lead and cadmium content of selected Oregon groundfish was determined. Rex sole (Glyptocephalus zachirus), English sole (Parophrys vetulus), Dover sole (Microstomus pacificus), petrale sole (Eopsetta jordani), orange rockfish (Sebastes pinniger), lingcod (Ophiodon elongatus), Pacific hake (Merluccius productus), starry flounder (Platichthys stellatus) and sand sole (Psettichthys melanostictus) samples had mean lead and cadmium contents of < 0.25 ppm. Therefore Oregon groundfish would not be a source of toxic levels of Pb and Cd in the diet.
COLOR STABILITY OF MAPLE SIRUP IN VARIOUS RETAIL CONTAINERS
Authors: UNDERWOOD J. C. , KISSINGER J. C. , BELL R. A. , WHITE J. W.
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACTS

Reduced quality and availability of traditional tinned retail containers for pure maple sirup has prompted the appearance of plastic containers for this product. Tests which four sirups were stored 6 months in glass, metal and two types plastic containers at three temperatures showed that the sirups in both plastics darkened significantly more than in the other containers during the storage, and a significant interaction between temperature and container was shown. The possibility of a sirup falling to the next lower USDA grade during storage is pointed out.
AN ANTHOCYANIN RECOVERY SYSTEM FROM GRAPE WASTES
Authors: PHILIP THOMAS
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACTS

A new anthocyanin recovery system from grape wastes based on tartaric acid‐methanol extraction followed by controlled precipitation of excess tartaric acid as potassium hydrogen tartrate is described. An artificial gape drink colored with the anthocyanin extract thus prepared was found to be acceptable.
Concentrations of isometamidium chloride (Samorin®) in sera of Zebu cattle which showed evidence of hepatotoxicity following frequent trypanocidal treatments
Authors: EISLER M. C. , STEVENSON P. , MUNGA L. , SMYTH J. B. A.
Published: March 2007

The concentrations of isometamidium circulating in poorly nourished Zebu cattle which showed morbidity, mortality, and biochemical and histopathological evidence of hepatotoxicity, following frequent treatments with isometamidium chloride and diminazene aceturate were investigated using the isometamidium‐ELISA. As few as two isometamidium treatments one month apart were associated with significant weight loss, and cattle treated with diminazene aceturate after three or four isometamidium treatments suffered a 50% mortality.

Although there were no obvious, marked elevations in isometamidium concentration which might have allowed the use of the ELISA as a predictor of a potential toxicity problem, concentrations did increase significantly with the number of monthly treatments administered, suggesting drug accumulation, and the increases were significantly higher in cattle to which diminazene had also been administered. In cattle treated with both trypanocides, weight loss and serum glutamate dehydrogenase levels were correlated with isometamidium concentrations. These observations, together with the histopathological findings, support the hypothesis that the morbidity and mortality observed were related to the repeated treatment with isometamidium in conjunction with diminazene aceturate, and that the pathogenesis involved a component of hepatic damage.

It is therefore recommended that cattle, particularly those under nutritional stress, are not subjected to repeated treatments with isometamidium at intervals as short as one month, and particularly not with concurrent administration of diminazene.
Pharmacokinetic study of dipyrone metabolite 4‐MAA in the horse and possible implications for doping control
Authors: KLAUS ANA‐MARIA , SCHLINGLOFF Y. , KLEINITZ U. , BÖTTCHER M. , HAPKE H.‐J.
Published: March 2007

The pharmacokinetic behaviour of dipyrone metabolite 4‐MAA in serum was determined in seven horses of different breeds after a single intravenous dose administration. A biexponential formula was fitted to the serum concentration vs. time data. The median half‐life of the elimination phase (t1/2β) was 4.85 h (range 5.04 h), the median volume of distribution (Vdarea) was 1.85 L/kg (range 3.2 L/kg) and median of total clearance was 4.0 mL/min/kg (range 2.3 mL/min/kg).
Relaxation of equine tracheal muscle in vitro by different adrenoceptor drugs
Authors: TÖRNEKE K. , LARSSON C. INGVAST , APPELGREN L.‐ E.
Published: March 2007

Strips of tracheal smooth muscle from 12 horses were contracted by carbachol in tissue baths under isometric conditions. This contraction (≅50% of maximum: EC50) was relaxed completely with adrenoceptor drugs. The only exception was clenbuterol, where the degree of relaxation was ≅90%. In all horses the EC50‐value for isoprenaline (mean 1.6 × 10−8M) was less than that for adrenaline (mean 9.6 × 10− 8M) and noradrenaline (mean 1. 8 × 10‐ 6M). The potency ratio was 1 < 6 < 110 which indicates that the β2‐subtype dominates among the β‐adrenoceptors of equine airways. All preparations were also very sensitive to the specific and potent β2‐receptor agonists clenbuterol (mean 5.7 × 10− 9M) and procaterol (mean 3.6 × 10−10M). No differences in EC50‐values due to age, sex and breed were observed in this material. The standard deviation of the mean EC50‐values seems to be larger for the specific β2‐adrenoceptor agonists than for the unspecific. A reason for this could be differences in the pattern of the β‐adrenoceptor population.
Lack of local anaesthetic efficacy of Sarapin® in the abaxial sesamoid block model
Authors: HARKINS J. D. , MUNDY G. D. , STANLEY S. D. , SAMS R. A. , TOBIN T.
Published: March 2007

Sarapin® is a distillate of the pitcher plant that has long been used in human and veterinary medicine for‘regional analgesia’. The mechanism of the reported analgesic response is unknown; however, the agent is purported to provide more effective analgesia for slow, chronic pain than for sharp, acute pain. Reportedly, Sarapin® is also widely used as an analgesic agent in the horse, generally in combination with corticosteroids and other agents. To determine its local anaesthetic efficacy in the horse, we tested Sarapin® in a unilateral abaxial sesamoid block model at two dose levels, 2 mL and 10 mL per site, respectively. Cutaneous pain was induced with a light/heat lamp, and analgesia was assessed by measuring the hoof‐withdrawal reflex latency period. Neither dose of Sarapin® altered hoof‐withdrawal reflex latency in this experimental model tested over a two‐week period. Based on the demonstrated efficacy of this local anaesthetic model, it seems clear that Sarapin® has no significant classical local anaesthetic actions in the horse, and probably not in other species either.
Passage through India: the Mozambique Ocean suture, high‐pressure granulites and the Palghat‐Cauvery shear zone system
Authors: Collins Alan S. , Clark Chris , Sajeev K. , Santosh M. , Kelsey David E. , Hand Martin
Published: March 2007

The Mozambique Ocean closed as Gondwana formed. Its suture has been identified in Madagascar (Betsimisaraka suture), but its continuation, into India, is controversial. The Palghat‐Cauvery shear system appears an ideal candidate as it: (i) lies along strike of the Betsimisaraka suture in Gondwana; (ii) forms a high‐pressure granulite belt; and (iii) separates crustal domains with different geological histories. However, existing age constraints have been used to suggest that the structure is Archaean/Palaeoproterozoic. Here we date metamorphic zircons using secondary ion mass spectrometry (535.0 ± 4.9 Ma) and monazites using electron probe micro‐analysis (537 ± 9, 532 ± 8, 525 ± 10 Ma). No evidence for an earlier metamorphic event was found. The identification of Palghat‐Cauvery high‐pressure metamorphism as Cambrian, and recognition that it bounds crustal domains of contrasting origin, points to it being the southern continuation of the Betsimisaraka suture and southern margin of Neoproterozoic India.
Aseismic deformation in the Alps: GPS vs. seismic strain quantification
Authors: Sue Christian , Delacou Bastien , Champagnac Jean‐Daniel , Allanic Cecile , Burkhard Martin
Published: March 2007

Neotectonics of the Western and Central Alps is characterized by ongoing widespread extension in the highest zones of the chain and transcurrent/compressive tectonics at the external limits of the belt. The overall geodetically measured deformations also indicate extension across the Western Alps. There is a good qualitative coherency between seismotectonic and geodetic approaches. Here we attempt to quantify the seismic part of the deformation. The seismic strain is compared to the deformation derived from geodesy. In sub‐areas of homogeneous seismic stress/strain, we computed the total seismic moment tensor and related strain tensor. This study provides new quantitative elements about the ongoing geodynamic processes in the alpine belt. The important discrepancies obtained between seismic strains and geodetically‐measured deformations raise the issue of aseismic deformation in the Alps, which could be related to elastic loading, creeping and/or a slower ductile‐style deformation.