bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Creating Infrastructure Supportive of Evidence‐Based Nursing Practice: Leadership Strategies
Authors: Newhouse Robin P.
Published: March 2007

Background: Nursing leadership is the cornerstone of successful evidence‐based practice (EBP) programs within health care organizations. The key to success is a strategic approach to building an EBP infrastructure, with allocation of appropriate human and material resources.

Purpose: This article indicates the organizational infrastructure that enables evidence‐based nursing practice and strategies for leaders to enhance evidence‐based practice using “the conceptual model for considering the determinants of diffusion, dissemination, and implementation of innovations in health service delivery and organization.”

Discussion: Enabling EBP within organizations is important for promoting positive outcomes for nurses and patients. Fostering EBP is not a static or immediate outcome, but a long‐term developmental process within organizations. Implementation requires multiple strategies to cultivate a culture of inquiry where nurses generate and answer important questions to guide practice.

Implications: Organizations that can enable the culture and build infrastructure to help nurses develop EBP competencies will produce a professional environment that will result in both personal growth for their staff and improvements in quality that would not otherwise be possible.
An Exploration of the Factor Structure of the Nursing Work Index
Authors: Slater Paul , McCormack Brendan
Published: March 2007

Rationale: The nurse shortage is increasing in the developed world. Organisational context is important in determining issues associated with nurse shortages, such as retention, recruitment, and job satisfaction. Recent research has utilised the Nursing Work Index‐Revised (NWI‐R) as a measure of organisational context traits. Within the NWI‐R a four‐factor model has been reported as being important in determining good organisational context, yet researchers have recently questioned the stability of the four‐factor structure.

Aim: No known study has attempted to replicate the four‐factor structure reported in the NWI‐R. The aim of this research is to examine the factor structure of the 15 items that comprise the four factors of the NWI‐R.

Methods: The NWI‐R is an instrument that is focused on capturing organisational attributes that characterise professional nursing environments. A random sample of 172 (50%) acute care hospital nurses completed the NWI‐R as part of a larger research project. The sample was diverse concerning nursing grade and specialty. Data were analysed using SPSS.11.0 to extract factors' structures (principal component and maximum likelihood), measures of homogeneity and descriptive statistics were generated from the findings.

Results: The four‐factor structure of the NWI‐R was not replicated in the data analysis. Instead a modified three‐factor structure was identified accounting for 57% of the variance. Measures of internal consistency were acceptable.

Discussion: Previous research utilised the four factors of the NWI‐R as a method to identify supportive organisational context and practice. The three‐factor model raises questions regarding the stability of the findings using the NWI‐R. This research shows the synthesis of the two models in light of previous findings.

Conclusions/Implications: The findings might have far reaching implications for research that has utilised the NWI‐R as a measure of organisational context. Further research is required to examine this study's findings and literature.
Appraising and Comparing Pressure Ulcer Guidelines
Authors: Wimpenny Peter , Van Zelm Ruben
Published: March 2007

Background: Whilst considerable activity has been related to guideline development for nurses regarding pressure ulcer prevention and management, no attempt has been made to comparatively evaluate these guidelines against some form of quality indicators.

Aim: To compare and contrast four national pressure ulcer guidelines, and identify similarities and differences in their quality and content.

Methods: An international comparative appraisal method, using the AGREE (Appraisal of Guidelines Research and Evaluation) instrument, was undertaken to appraise four published pressure ulcer guidelines. Two further domains were added to the AGREE instrument to assess comparability of the guidelines and their perceived contribution to practice. An international group undertook the comparative appraisal.

Results: The domain scores for each guideline show some but not total agreement among reviewers. One particular set of guidelines was identified as scoring highest in a majority of AGREE domains. Overall, evidence of variability exists between pressure ulcer guidelines and common areas of development to consider for all guidelines.

Implications for Practice: The results raise many questions concerning the “best” pressure ulcer guideline to use, particularly related to the AGREE scoring. Some notable shortcomings exist in all the pressure ulcer guidelines reviewed and these shortcomings need to be addressed from a quality perspective. However, other issues such as style of reporting and potential contribution to practice might more fully affect choice by practitioners as opposed to guideline developers.

Conclusions: Notable differences exist among the four guidelines that are possibly explained by different approaches to development and also because of different cultural factors and intentions for use. Whilst the AGREE tool identifies the quality of the guideline development process it still requires local engagement with practitioners to determine which guideline should be implemented.
A gene duplication led to specialized γ‐aminobutyrate and β‐alanine aminotransferase in yeast
Authors: Andersen Gorm , Andersen Birgit , Dobritzsch Doreen , Schnackerz Klaus D. , Piškur Jure
Published: March 2007

In humans, β‐alanine (BAL) and the neurotransmitter γ‐aminobutyrate (GABA) are transaminated by a single aminotransferase enzyme. Apparently, yeast originally also had a single enzyme, but the corresponding gene was duplicated in the Saccharomyces kluyveri lineage. SkUGA1 encodes a homologue of Saccharomyces cerevisiae GABA aminotransferase, and SkPYD4 encodes an enzyme involved in both BAL and GABA transamination. SkPYD4 and SkUGA1 as well as S. cerevisiaeUGA1 and Schizosaccharomyces pombeUGA1 were subcloned, over‐expressed and purified. One discontinuous and two continuous coupled assays were used to characterize the substrate specificity and kinetic parameters of the four enzymes. It was found that the cofactor pyridoxal 5′‐phosphate is needed for enzymatic activity and α‐ketoglutarate, and not pyruvate, as the amino group acceptor. SkPyd4p preferentially uses BAL as the amino group donor (Vmax/Km = 0.78 U·mg−1·mm−1), but can also use GABA (Vmax/Km = 0.42 U·mg−1·mm−1), while SkUga1p only uses GABA (Vmax/Km = 4.01 U·mg−1·mm−1). SpUga1p and ScUga1p transaminate only GABA and not BAL. While mammals degrade BAL and GABA with only one enzyme, but in different tissues, S. kluyveri and related yeasts have two different genes/enzymes to apparently ‘distinguish’ between the two reactions in a single cell. It is likely that upon duplication ∼200 million years ago, a specialized Uga1p evolved into a ‘novel’ transaminase enzyme with broader substrate specificity.
Mechanisms of cholinesterase inhibition by inorganic mercury
Authors: Frasco Manuela F. , Colletier Jacques‐Philippe , Weik Martin , Carvalho Félix , Guilhermino Lúcia , Stojan Jure , Fournier Didier
Published: March 2007

The poorly known mechanism of inhibition of cholinesterases by inorganic mercury (HgCl2) has been studied with a view to using these enzymes as biomarkers or as biological components of biosensors to survey polluted areas. The inhibition of a variety of cholinesterases by HgCl2was investigated by kinetic studies, X‐ray crystallography, and dynamic light scattering. Our results show that when a free sensitive sulfhydryl group is present in the enzyme, as inTorpedo californicaacetylcholinesterase, inhibition is irreversible and follows pseudo‐first‐order kinetics that are completed within 1 h in the micromolar range. When the free sulfhydryl group is not sensitive to mercury (Drosophila melanogasteracetylcholinesterase and human butyrylcholinesterase) or is otherwise absent (Electrophorus electricusacetylcholinesterase), then inhibition occurs in the millimolar range. Inhibition follows a slow binding model, with successive binding of two mercury ions to the enzyme surface. Binding of mercury ions has several consequences: reversible inhibition, enzyme denaturation, and protein aggregation, protecting the enzyme from denaturation. Mercury‐induced inactivation of cholinesterases is thus a rather complex process. Our results indicate that among the various cholinesterases that we have studied, onlyTorpedo californicaacetylcholinesterase is suitable for mercury detection using biosensors, and that a careful study of cholinesterase inhibition in a species is a prerequisite before using it as a biomarker to survey mercury in the environment.
Cleavage site analysis of a serralysin‐like protease, PrtA, from an insect pathogen Photorhabdus luminescens and development of a highly sensitive and specific substrate
Authors: Marokházi Judit , Mihala Nikolett , Hudecz Ferenc , Fodor András , Gráf László , Venekei István
Published: March 2007

The aim of this study was the development of a sensitive and specific substrate for protease A (PrtA), a serralysin‐like metzincin from the entomopathogenic microorganism, Photorhabdus. First, cleavage of three biological peptides, the A and B chains of insulin and β‐lipotropin, and of 15 synthetic peptides, was investigated. In the biological peptides, a preference for the hydrophobic residues Ala, Leu and Val was observed at three substrate positions, P2, P1′ and P2′. At these positions in the synthetic peptides the preferred residues were Val, Ala and Val, respectively. They contributed to the efficiency of hydrolysis in the order P1′ > P2 > P2′. Six amino acids of the synthetic peptides were sufficient to reach the maximum rate of hydrolysis, in accordance with the ability of PrtA to cleave three amino acids from both the N‐ and the C‐terminus of some fragments of biological peptides. Using the best synthetic peptide, a fluorescence‐quenched substrate, N‐(4‐[4′(dimethylamino)phenylazo]benzoyl–EVYAVES−5‐[(2‐aminoethyl)amino]naphthalene‐1‐sulfonic acid, was prepared. The ∼ 4 × 106 m−1·s−1 specificity constant of PrtA (at Km ∼ 5 × 10−5 m and kcat ∼ 2 × 102 s−1) on this substrate was the highest activity for a serralysin‐type enzyme, allowing precise measurement of the effects of several inhibitors and pH on PrtA activity. These showed the characteristics of a metalloenzyme and a wide range of optimum pH, similar to other serralysins. PrtA activity could be measured in biological samples (Photorhabdus‐infected insect larvae) without interference from other enzymes, which indicates that substrate selectivity is high towards PrtA. The substrate sensitivity allowed early (14 h post infection) detection of PrtA, which might indicate PrtA's participation in the establishment of infection and not only, as it has been supposed, in bioconversion.
Expression and functional characterization of P2Y1 and P2Y12 nucleotide receptors in long‐term serum‐deprived glioma C6 cells
Authors: Krzemiński Patryk , Supłat Dorota , Czajkowski Rafał , Pomorski Paweł , Barańska Jolanta
Published: March 2007

We characterized the expression and functional properties of the ADP‐sensitive P2Y1 and P2Y12 nucleotide receptors in glioma C6 cells cultured in medium devoid of serum for up to 96 h. During this long‐term serum starvation, cell morphology changed from fibroblast‐like flat to round, the adhesion pattern changed, cell‐cycle arrest was induced, extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK1/2) phosphorylation was reduced, Akt phosphorylation was enhanced, and expression of the P2Y12 receptor relative to P2Y1 was increased. These processes did not reflect differentiation into astrocytes or oligodendrocytes, as expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein and NG2 proteoglycan (standard markers of glial cell differentiation) was not increased during the serum deprivation. Transfer of the cells into fresh medium containing 10% fetal bovine serum reversed the changes. This demonstrates that serum starvation caused only temporary growth arrest of the glioma C6 cells, which were ready for rapid division as soon as the environment became more favorable. In cells starved for 72 and 96 h, expression of the P2Y1 receptor was low, and the P2Y12 receptor was the major player, responsible for ADP‐evoked signal transduction. The P2Y12 receptor activated ERK1/2 kinase phosphorylation (a known cell proliferation regulator) and stimulated Akt activity. These effects were reduced by AR‐C69931MX, a specific antagonist of the P2Y12 receptor. On the other hand, Akt phosphorylation increased in parallel with the low expression of the P2Y1 receptor, indicating the inhibitory role of P2Y1 in Akt pathway signaling. The shift in nucleotide receptor expression from P2Y1 to P2Y12 would appear to be a new and important self‐regulating mechanism that promotes cell growth rather than differentiation and is a defense mechanism against effects of serum deprivation.
The role of Ureaplasma nucleoside monophosphate kinases in the synthesis of nucleoside triphosphates
Authors: Wang Liya
Published: March 2007

Mollicutes are wall‐less bacteria and cause various diseases in humans, animals and plants. They have the smallest genomes with low G + C content and lack many genes of DNA, RNA and protein precursor biosynthesis. Nucleoside diphosphate kinase (NDK), a house‐keeping enzyme that plays a critical role in the synthesis of nucleic acids precursors, i.e. NTPs and dNTPs, is absent in all the Mollicutes genomes sequenced to date. Therefore, it would be of interest to know how Mollicutes synthesize dNTPs/NTPs without NDK. To answer this question, nucleoside monophosphate kinases (NMPKs) from Ureaplasma were studied regarding their role in the synthesis of NTPs/dNTPs. In this work, Ureaplasma adenylate kinase, cytidylate kinase, uridylate kinase and thymidylate kinase were cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. The recombinant enzymes were purified and characterized. These NMPKs are base specific, as indicated by their names, and capable of converting (d)NMPs directly to (d)NTPs. The catalytic rates of (d)NTPs and (d)NDP synthesis by these NMPKs were determined using tritium‐labelled (d)NMPs, and the rates for (d)NDP synthesis, in general, were much higher (up to 100‐fold) than that of (d)NTP. Equilibrium studies with adenylate kinase suggested that the rates of NTPs/dNTPs synthesis by NMPKs in vivo are probably regulated by the levels of (d)NMPs. These results strongly indicate that NMPKs could substitute the NDK function in vivo.
A dideoxynucleotide‐sensitive DNA polymerase activity characterized from endoreduplicating cells of mungbean (Vigna radiata L.) during ontogeny of cotyledons
Authors: Roy Sujit , Sarkar Sailendra Nath , Singh Sanjay K. , Sengupta Dibyendu N.
Published: March 2007

Within this work we describe the purification and biochemical characterization of a ddNTP‐sensitive DNA polymerase purified from mungbean (Vigna radiata cv B1, L.) seeds at 18 days after fertilization, when > 70% of the nuclei are reported to be in the endoreduplicated state. The purified enzyme is a single polypeptide of 62 kDa and many of its physicochemical properties are similar to those of mammalian DNA polymerase β. Similar to the other X‐family DNA polymerases, it lacks 3′−5′ exonuclease activity and has short gap‐filling and strand‐displacement activity. The enzyme shows moderately processive DNA synthesis on a single‐strand template. The determined N‐terminal heptapeptide sequence of the enzyme showed clear homology with helix 1 of the N‐terminal single strand DNA‐binding domain (residues 32–41) of rat and human DNA polymerase β. These results represent the first evidence for the identification and characterization of a ddNTP‐sensitive DNA polymerase expressed during the endoreduplication cycle that shares biochemical and immunological similarity with mammalian DNA polymerase β.
FK1706 Enhances the Recovery of Erectile Function Following Bilateral Cavernous Nerve Crush Injury in the Rat
Authors: Bella Anthony J. , Hayashi Narihiko , Carrion Rafael E. , Price Raymond , Lue Tom F.
Published: March 2007

Introduction

Advances in neurobiology have led to a surge of clinical interest in the development of protective and regenerative neuromodulatory strategies, as surgical therapies for prostate cancer often result in neuronal damage and debilitating loss of sexual function.

Aim

To investigate the dose-dependent efficacy of FK1706, a nonimmunosuppressant immunophilin ligand, for the recovery of erectile function following bilateral cavernous nerve crush injury in the rat.

Main Outcome Measures

Recovery of erectile function was assessed by cavernous nerve electrostimulation and reported as maximal increase of intracavernous pressure (ICP) and area under the curve (AUC). Changes in animal weights, percentage completion of treatment course, and survival were compared between groups.

Methods

Thirty-five Sprague–Dawley male rats were randomly divided into five equal groups: seven animals received a sham operation, whereas 28 animals underwent bilateral cavernous nerve crush injury, followed by subcutaneous injection of vehicle alone (1.0 mL/kg), or low (0.1 mg/kg), medium (0.32 mg/kg), or high dose (1.0 mg/kg) FK1706 5 days per week for 8 weeks.

Results

Erectile dysfunction did not occur in the sham group (mean maximal ICP increase of 100.8 ± 6.3 cmH2O), whereas nerve injury and vehicle treatment produced a significant reduction in ICP response to 34.4 ± 12.8 cmH2O. The mean ICP increase for high-dose FK106 treatment was 73.9 ± 6.3 cmH2O (P < 0.01 vs. vehicle) compared with 58.3 ± 7.4 cmH2O and 56.9 ± 8.3 for low and medium doses (P > 0.05). Similar stepwise findings were observed using AUC data. No significant maximal aortic blood pressure or weight differences occurred between groups and all animals completed treatment.

Conclusion

High-dose subcutaneous FK1706 therapy promoted recovery of erectile function following bilateral cavernous nerve crush injury in the rat. No significant differences between groups were observed for changes in weight, and the 8-week treatment course was completed for all animals.
Deficit irrigation in grapevine improves water‐use efficiency while controlling vigour and production quality
Authors: Chaves M.M. , Santos T.P. , Souza C.R. , Ortuño M.F. , Rodrigues M.L. , Lopes C.M. , Maroco J.P. , Pereira J.S.
Published: March 2007

Grapevine irrigation is becoming an important practice to guarantee wine quality or even plant survival in regions affected by seasonal drought. Nevertheless, irrigation has to be controlled to optimise source to sink balance and avoid excessive vigour. The results we present here in two grapevine varieties (Moscatel and Castelão) during 3 years, indicate that we can decrease the amount of water applied by 50% (as in deficit irrigation, DI, and in partial root drying, PRD) in relation to full crop’s evapotranspiration (ETc) [full irrigated (FI) vines] with no negative effects on production and even get some gains of quality (in the case of PRD). We report that in non‐irrigated and in several cases in PRD vines exhibit higher concentrations of berry skin anthocyanins and total phenols than those presented by DI and FI vines. We showed that these effects on quality were mediated by a reduction in vigour, leading to an increase on light interception in the cluster zone. Because plant water status during most of the dates along the season was not significantly different between PRD and DI, and when different, PRD even exhibited a higher leaf water potential than DI vines, we conclude that growth inhibition in PRD was not a result of a hydraulic control. The gain in crop water use in DI and PRD was accompanied by an increase of the δ13C values in the berries in DI and PRD as compared to FI, suggesting that we can use this methodology to assess the integrated water‐use efficiency over the growing season.
New Method for Fast and Accurate Binding‐site Identification and Analysis
Authors: Halgren Tom
Published: March 2007

Structure‐based drug design seeks to exploit the structure of protein‐ligand or protein‐protein binding sites, but the site is not always known at the outset. Even when the site is known, the researcher may wish to identify alternative prospective binding sites that may result in different biological effects or new class of compounds. It is also vital in lead optimization to clearly understand the degree to which known binders or docking hits satisfy or violate complementarity to the receptor. SiteMap is a new technique for identifying potential binding sites and for predicting their druggability in lead‐discovery applications and for characterizing binding sites and critically assessing prospective ligands in lead‐optimization applications. In large‐scale validation tests, SiteMap correctly identifies the known binding site in > 96% of the cases, with best results (> 98%) coming for sites that bind ligands tightly. It also accurately distinguishes between sites that bind ligands and sites that don't. In binding‐site analysis, SiteMap provides a wealth of quantitative and graphical information that can help guide efforts to modify ligand structure to enhance potency or improve physical properties. These attributes allow SiteMap to nicely complement techniques such as docking and computational lead optimization in structure‐base drug design.
Root canal preparation with the NiTi systems K3, Mtwo and ProTaper
Authors: Sonntag David , Ott Mareike , Kook Kathrin , Stachniss Vitus
Published: March 2007

The aim of this paper was to examine the result of rotary root canal preparation with the nickel‐titanium (NiTi) systems K3, ProTaper and Mtwo. One hundred and fifty curved artificial root canals and 60 mesial canals of human mandibular molars were selected. In the group of curved artificial canals, all canals were prepared to size 35/0.04 taper with the three systems. In the group of human mandibular molars, the teeth with mature root canals were radiographed with silver points inserted in bucco‐lingual and in mesio‐distal positions. In the artificial root group, one K3 instrument separated. Mtwo (20%) showed significantly (P = 0.003) less zips than K3 (46.9%) or ProTaper (50%). There were no significant differences in ledge and elbow formation. K3 and Mtwo had the lowest percentage of canal transportation. There was no significant difference regarding the preparation length or the condition of the apical foramina following the preparation. Canals prepared with K3 (26.5%) were significantly (P < 0.001) less tapered than ProTaper (62%) and Mtwo (82%). In the human mandibular molar group, one Mtwo and one ProTaper instrument separated. No significant differences were found in the preparation length, transportation or taper. The three systems tested, K3, Mtwo and ProTaper, achieved good preparation results.
‘It's Urban Living, Not Ethnicity Itself’: Race, Crime and the Urban Geography of High‐Risk Youth
Authors: Brown Elizabeth
Published: March 2007

In the 1990s, panic about urban youth led to the intensification of punishment within the juvenile justice system. This article places this panic about urban youth within the context of the historical development of the juvenile justice system as an institution of urban governance, and within contemporary ‘new penology’ trends. In doing so, I argue that the idea of ‘risk’ and dangerousness as applied to juvenile offenders has two important consequences. First, these labels act to target juvenile justice interventions at youth of color. Second, these interventions attempt racial neutrality by using urban conditions as indicators of risk, but end up reinscribing racial difference in juvenile offending. In conclusion, I argue that the use of risk assessment in the juvenile court acts to continue a century‐long tradition of using law enforcement to contain, control, and dispose of urban youth of color.
Effect of Ionic Strength and Temperature on Interaction between Fish Myoglobin and Myofibrillar Proteins
Authors: Chaijan M. , Benjakul S. , Visessanguan W. , Lee S. , Faustman C.
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACT:  The effects of ionic strength (0, 0.3, and 0.6 M KCl) and temperature (4 and 25 °C) on the interaction between fish myoglobin and myofibrillar proteins were investigated in a model system. Increases in the relative content of bound myoglobin and metmyoglobin formation in myoglobin‐natural actomyosin (NAM) mixtures with concurrent decreases in whiteness and Ca2+‐ATPase activity were observed with increasing ionic strength (P < 0.05). The relative content of bound myoglobin and the oxidation of oxymyoglobin were generally greater at 25 °C than at 4 °C (P < 0.05). Binding of myoglobin to NAM resulted in decreased whiteness (P < 0.05). Ca2+‐ATPase was not affected by temperature (P > 0.05). SDS‐PAGE patterns of protein samples suggested that myoglobin‐NAM interactions did not involve disulfide bonds. The formation of high‐molecular‐weight aggregates (>206 kDa) was observed and was more pronounced at higher ionic strength and higher temperature.
Inactivation of Escherichia coli on Almonds Using Nonthermal Plasma
Authors: Deng Shaobo , Ruan Roger , Mok Chul Kyoon , Huang Guangwei , Lin Xiangyang , Chen Paul
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACT:  This study was carried out to investigate the applicability of nonthermal plasma (NTP) technology for the pasteurization of almonds. Almonds were spiked with various levels of Escherichia coli by dipping the almonds in E. coli culture broth followed by drying. The spiked almonds were treated with NTP under different treatment conditions. The pattern of the microorganisms reduction by NTP was analyzed. NTP was found to be effective on reduction of E. coli on almond evidenced by almost 5‐log reduction after 30‐sec treatment at 30 kV and 2000 Hz. The NTP bactericidal effect on E. coli inoculated on almond increased with the applied voltage and the frequency. The NTP reduction followed the 1st‐order reaction kinetics, and the reduction rate constants varied with almond types and grades. The E. coli cells at logarithmic phase were more sensitive to the NTP than those at stationary and declining phases.
Conversion of Isoflavone Glucosides to Aglycones in Soymilk by Fermentation with Lactic Acid Bacteria
Authors: Chun Jiyeon , Kim Gyoung Min , Lee Kang Wook , Choi In Duck , Kwon Gun‐Hee , Park Jae‐Young , Jeong Seon‐Ju , Kim Jeong‐Sang , Kim Jeong Hwan
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACT:  Four lactic acid bacteria (LAB), Lactobacillus paraplantarum KM, Enterococcus durans KH, Streptococcus salivarius HM and Weissella confusa JY, were isolated from humans and tested for their capabilities of converting isoflavone glucosides to aglycones in soymilk. Changes in growth, pH, and titratable acidity (TA) were investigated during fermentation at 37 °C for 12 h. After 6 to 9 h of fermentation, each population of 4 LAB reached 108 to 109 CFU/mL. The initial pH of 6.3 ± 0.1 decreased while the TA of 0.13%± 0.01% increased as fermentation proceeded, resulting in the final range between 4.1 ± 0.2 and 4.6 ± 0.1 for pH and between 0.51%± 0.02% and 0.67%± 0.06% for TA after the 12 h of fermentation. The glucoside concentrations were significantly decreased in soymilks fermented with either L. paraplantarum KM, S. salivarius HM, or W. confusa JY with fermentation time (P < 0.05). L. paraplantarum KM was the best in percent conversion of glucosides to corresponding aglycones, resulting in 100%, 90%, and 61% hydrolysis of genistin, daidzin, and glycitin, respectively, in 6 h. Consequently, the aglycone concentrations in soymilk fermented with L. paraplantarum KM were 6 and 7‐fold higher than the initial levels of daidzein and genistein, respectively, after 6 h of fermentation. Changes in the daidzin and genistin levels were not significant in soymilk fermented with E. durans KH. The rates of hydrolysis of glucosides varied depending on the species of LAB. Especially, L. paraplantarum KM seems to be a promising starter for bioactive‐fermented soymilk based on its growth, acid production, and isoflavone conversion within a short time.
Consumer Sensory Analysis of Organically and Conventionally Grown Vegetables
Authors: Zhao Xin , Chambers Edgar , Matta Ziad , Loughin Thomas M. , Carey Edward E.
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACT:  Consumers of organically grown fruits and vegetables often believe that these products taste better than conventional produce. However, comparison of produce from supermarket shelves does not permit adequate assessment of this consumer perception, given potentially confounding cultivar and environmental effects. We used replicated side‐by‐side plots to produce organic and conventional vegetables for consumer sensory studies. In one test, red loose leaf lettuce, spinach, arugula, and mustard greens, grown organically and conventionally, were evaluated for overall liking as well as for intensity of flavor and bitterness. Another consumer test was conducted comparing organically and conventionally grown tomatoes, cucumbers, and onions. Overall, organically and conventionally grown vegetables did not show significant differences in consumer liking or consumer‐perceived sensory quality. The only exception was in tomatoes where the conventionally produced tomato was rated as having significantly stronger flavor than the organically produced tomato. However, overall liking was the same for both organic and conventional samples. As conventional tomatoes also were scored marginally significantly higher in ripeness and a positive correlation was found between ratings of flavor intensity and ripeness, the flavor difference observed could not be simply ascribed to the contrasting growing conditions. Consumer panelists in both tests considered organic produce to be healthier (72%) and more environmentally friendly (51%) than conventional produce, while 28% considered organic produce to have better taste. Covariance analysis indicated that consumer demographics affected sensory comparisons of organic and conventional lettuce and cucumbers. Future study is needed to substantiate the influence of segmentation of consumers on their preference for organic food.
Identification of C‐glycoside Flavonoids as Potential Mutagenic Compounds in Kava
Authors: Jhoo J.‐W. , Ang C. Y. W. , Heinze T. M. , Deck J. , Schnackenberg L. K. , Beger R. D. , Dragull K. , Tang C.‐S.
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACT:  Kava (Piper methysticum) extract products have been implicated in a number of severe hepatotoxicity cases. However, systematic toxicological studies regarding kava consumption have not been reported. In this study, 6 major kavalactones and different solvent fractions of kava roots, leaves, and stem peelings were evaluated for their mutagenic potential. None of the kavalactones was found to be positive in the experimental concentration ranges tested by the umu test (a sensitive test for point mutations). However, among the different solvent fractions, the n‐butanol fraction of kava leaves was positive. Further investigations using bioassay‐directed isolation and analysis indicated that 2 C‐glycoside flavonoid compounds accounted for the positive mutagenic results. Two isolated compounds were identified as 2″‐O‐rhamnosylvitexin and schaftoside by NMR and MS techniques.
Sanitation Procedure Affects Biochemical and Nutritional Changes of Shredded Carrots
Authors: Ruiz‐Cruz Saúl , Islas‐Osuna María A. , Sotelo‐Mundo Rogerio R. , Vázquez‐Ortiz Francisco , González‐Aguilar Gustavo A.
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACT:  Fresh‐cut vegetables are considered convenient but with less nutritional quality compared to raw natural produce. Carrots are highly appreciated because of their carotene and antioxidant nutrients, but processing requires an appropriate sanitation procedure that ensures microbiological safety to consumers. The effect of the sanitation processing on the nutritional composition of shredded carrots was studied. Treatments tested were tap water, 200 ppm sodium hypochlorite (Cl), 40 ppm peroxyacetic acid (PA), and 100, 250, and 500 ppm acidified sodium chlorite (ASC). Measured parameters were oxygen radical absorbing capacity (ORAC), total phenolics and carotenoids, sugars, and phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) and peroxidase (POD) activity. Shredded carrots sanitized with ASC retained higher levels of sugars, carotene, and antioxidant capacity. ASC also delayed the PAL and POD activity. These results show the importance of evaluating nutritional parameters during processing stages, since minimal processing does not necessarily imply loss of nutritional value. Furthermore, the availability of fresh‐cut produce may increase the intake of nutrients, with a positive effect on health.
Improvement of the in vitro Digestible Iron and Zinc Content of Okra (Hibiscus esculentus L.) Sauce Widely Consumed in Sahelian Africa
Authors: Avallone Sylvie , Bohuon Philippe , Hemery Youna , Treche Serge
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACT:  The effects of the formulation (okra, fish, soumbala, extract of wood ash) and cooking time of okra sauce on total iron and zinc content and on their in vitro digestibility were evaluated following a Doehlert uniform shell design with 5 factors and 33 trials. Cooking time had no significant effect on in vitro digestible iron and zinc content, whereas formulation did. Each ingredient had a specific effect. Extract of wood ash, which is a source of soluble and digestible iron and zinc, is a good way of increasing the digestible mineral content of the dish. Okra, the main ingredient in this sauce, has a negative effect and should be added in moderate quantities (< 37.7% of the DM of the sauce). An optimization using the desirability function allows us to identify the optimal recipe that enabled the quantity of digestible iron to be doubled and the quantity of digestible zinc to be increased by one third. This recipe calls for a mixture of 37.7% okra, 26.3% dried fish, 18.5% soumbala, and 3.7% extract of wood ash cooked for 25 min.
Expression and Purification of Goat Lactoferrin from Pichia pastoris Expression System
Authors: Chen Gen‐Hung , Yin Li‐Jung , Chiang I‐Hua , Jiang Shann‐Tzong
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACT:  The recombinant goat lactoferrin (rGLF) was expressed in the methylotropic yeast Pichia pastoris using pGAPZαC vector, GAP as promoter, and Zeocin as the selective marker. After transformation of the GLF‐pGAPZαC into Pichia pastoris X‐33 expression host, the GLF‐pGAPZαC vector was integrated into the GAP promoter locus of Pichia pastoris X‐33 chromosome. The rGLF was expressed and secreted into the broth using α‐factor preprosequence. SDS‐PAGE and PAS staining analysis indicated that the rGLF could be purified to electrophoretic homogeneity by heparin‐Sepharose 6 Fast Flow affinity chromatography and glycosylated by the expression host. The yield of purified rGLF was approximately 2.0 mg/L of culture broth. The N‐terminal sequence was identical to the native goat lactoferrin (nGLF). The iron‐binding behavior, papain‐inhibiting property, and thermal stability of the purified rGLF were comparable to nGLF. This is the 1st report of intact goat lactoferrin expression using the P. pastoris system.
The Chemistry and Physiology of Sour Taste—A Review
Authors: Da Conceicao Neta Edith Ramos , Johanningsmeier Suzanne D. , McFeeters Roger F.
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACT:  Sour taste is the key element in the flavor profile of food acidulants. Understanding the chemistry and physiology of sour taste is critical for efficient control of flavor in the formulation of acid and acidified foods. After a brief introduction to the main applications of food acidulants, several chemical parameters associated with sour taste are discussed. Special emphasis is given to hydrogen ions, protonated (undissociated) acid species, titratable acidity, anions, molar concentration, and physical and chemical properties of organic acids. This article also presents an overview of the physiology of sour taste and proposed theories for the transduction mechanisms for sour taste. The physiology of sour taste perception remains controversial and significant diversity exists among species with regard to cellular schemes used for detection of stimuli. The variety of mechanisms proposed, even within individual species, highlights the complexity of elucidating sour taste transduction. However, recent evidence suggests that at least one specific sour taste receptor protein has been identified.
Investigation and clinical application of a novel axial pattern flap for nasal and facial reconstruction in the dog
Authors: Yates G , Landon B , Edwards G
Published: March 2007

Objective To describe the vascular supply to a facial skin flap based at the commissure of the lip in the dog and report on its use in four dogs.

Study design Experimental and prospective clinical study.

Animals Five canine cadavers and four client‐owned dogs.

Methods  In the cadavers, the ventral aspect of the zygomatic arch, the ventral margin of the caudal mandible and the wing of the atlas were marked as anatomical boundaries of a skin flap that was elevated from the subcutaneous tissues to the level of the medial canthus of the eye. Methylene blue dye and barium sulphate solution were independently infused through a common carotid (three dogs) or facial artery (two dogs) catheter. Distribution of dye throughout the harvested skin was assessed subjectively. After contrast infusion the flap was excised and radiographed. The technique was used to reconstruct large facial or nasal defects in four dogs after tumour or skin lesion excision.

Results Cadaver dissections and contrast studies clearly demonstrated three direct cutaneous arteries, the superior and inferior labial arteries and the angularis oris artery, arborising within the base of the flap. A separate direct cutaneous branch of the angularis oris artery was identified. An arterial plexus was identified within the distal flap, within which this artery communicates with the transverse facial artery and a cutaneous branch of the masseteric artery. Dye infusion caused discolouration of the elevated skin and vasculature within the flap. The flap survived in all clinical cases with marginal distal necrosis in one dog.

Conclusions The complex facial flap described is perfused by three direct cutaneous arteries and functions reliably in clinical cases.
How Can Genomics Inform Education?
Authors: Grigorenko Elena L.
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACT—This article offers some thoughts on possible connections between genomics and education. Genomics is already revolutionizing the way medical care is delivered and distributed; it will inevitably affect children‘s developmental trajectories by introducing more pharmacological and behavioral therapies. Educators should be prepared to understand the effect of these changes on children in the classroom, where children around the world spend a large portion of their formative years. Educators should also be prepared to understand the current advances in genomics and be able to discuss them with the parents and health care providers of their students.
Generalist Genes: Genetic Links Between Brain, Mind, and Education
Authors: Plomin Robert , Kovas Yulia , Haworth Claire M. A.
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACT— Genetics contributes importantly to learning abilities and disabilities—not just to reading, the target of most genetic research, but also to mathematics and other academic areas as well. One of the most important recent findings from quantitative genetic research such as twin studies is that the same set of genes is largely responsible for genetic influence across these domains. We call these “generalist genes” to highlight their pervasive influence. In other words, most genes found to be associated with a particular learning ability or disability (such as reading) will also be associated with other learning abilities and disabilities (such as mathematics). Moreover, some generalist genes for learning abilities and disabilities are even more general in their effect, encompassing other cognitive abilities such as memory and spatial ability. When these generalist genes are identified, they will greatly accelerate research on general mechanisms at all levels of analysis from genes to brain to behavior.
A Few Steps Toward a Science of Mental Life
Authors: Dehaene Stanislas
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACT—Under what conditions can a true “science of mental life” arise from psychological investigations? Can psychology formulate scientific laws of a general nature, comparable in soundness to the laws of physics? I argue that the search for such laws must return to the forefront of psychological and developmental research, an enterprise that requires extensive collaboration between psychologists, neuroscientists, physicists, and mathematicians. Psychological laws may arise from at least 3 sources: the anchoring of thought processes in the biophysics of the brain, the computational constraints on possible mental algorithms, and the internalization of physical or statistical laws into our brains during evolution or development. I consider as an illustration the domain of numerical cognition, where a few solid psychophysical and decision‐making laws have been established and related in part to their evolutionary precursors and neural bases. From this platform, I tentatively outline a few promising research directions in the domains of infant development, reading acquisition, executive control of multiple tasks, access to conscious report, and the spontaneous flow of conscious thoughts.
We Feel, Therefore We Learn: The Relevance of Affective and Social Neuroscience to Education
Authors: Immordino‐Yang Mary Helen , Damasio Antonio
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACT—Recent advances in neuroscience are highlighting connections between emotion, social functioning, and decision making that have the potential to revolutionize our understanding of the role of affect in education. In particular, the neurobiological evidence suggests that the aspects of cognition that we recruit most heavily in schools, namely learning, attention, memory, decision making, and social functioning, are both profoundly affected by and subsumed within the processes of emotion; we call these aspectsemotional thought. Moreover, the evidence from brain‐damaged patients suggests the hypothesis that emotion‐related processes are required for skills and knowledge to be transferred from the structured school environment to real‐world decision making because they provide anemotional rudderto guide judgment and action. Taken together, the evidence we present sketches an account of the neurobiological underpinnings of morality, creativity, and culture, all topics of critical importance to education. Our hope is that a better understanding of the neurobiological relationships between these constructs will provide a new basis for innovation in the design of learning environments.
Are There Separate Neural Systems for Spelling? New Insights into the Role of Rules and Memory in Spelling from Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Authors: Norton Elizabeth S. , Kovelman Ioulia , Petitto Laura‐Ann
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACT— How do people spell the thousands of words at the tips of their tongues? Are words with regular sound‐to‐letter correspondences (e.g., “blink”) spelled using the same neural systems as those with irregular correspondences (e.g., “yacht”)? By offering novel neuroimaging evidence, we aim to advance contemporary debate about whether people use a single lexical memory process or whether dual mechanisms of lexical memory and sublexical phonological rules work in concert. We further aim to advance understanding of how people read by taking a fresh look at the related yet distinct capacity to spell. During functional magnetic resonance imaging scanning, 12 participants heard low‐frequency regular words, irregular words, and nonwords (e.g., “shelm”) and responded whether a visual presentation of the word was spelled correctly or incorrectly. While behavioral measures suggested some differences in accuracy and reaction time for the different word types, the neuroimaging results alone demonstrated robust differential processing and support a dual‐route model of spelling, with implications for how spelling is taught and remediated in clinical and educational contexts.
A Comparison of Dental Caries Levels in Two Communities with Different Oral Health Prevention Strategies Stratified in Different Social Classes
Authors: Sagheri Darius , McLoughlin Jacinta , Clarkson John J.
Published: March 2007

Objectives: To compare dental caries levels of schoolchildren stratified in different social classes whose domestic water supply had been fluoridated since birth (Dublin) with those living in an area where fluoridated salt was available (Freiburg).

Methods: A representative, random sample of twelve‐year‐old children was examined and dental caries was recorded using World Health Organization criteria.

Results: A total of 699 twelve‐year‐old children were examined, 377 were children in Dublin and 322 in Freiburg. In Dublin the mean decayed, missing, and filled permanent teeth (DMFT) was 0.80 and in Freiburg it was 0.69. An examination of the distribution of the DMFT score revealed that its distribution is highly positively skewed. For this reason this study provides summary analyses based on medians and inter‐quartile range and nonparametric rank sum tests. In both cities caries levels of children in social class 1 (highest) were considerably lower when compared with the other social classes regardless of the fluoride intervention model used. The caries levels showed a reduced disparity between children in social class 2 (medium) and 3 (lowest) in Dublin compared with those in social class 2 and 3 in Freiburg.

Conclusions: The evidence from this study confirmed that water fluoridation has reduced the gap in dental caries experience between medium and lower social classes in Dublin compared with the greater difference in caries experience between the equivalent social classes in Freiburg. The results from this study established the important role of salt fluoridation where water fluoridation is not feasible.
Hepatic vena cava disease: Etiologic relation to bacterial infection
Authors: Shrestha Santosh Man , Shrestha Shobhana
Published: March 2007

Aim:  Hepatic vena cava disease is a primary obliterative disease of the hepatic portion of the inferior vena cava (IVC) that often causes liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Its geographic prevalence is inversely related to the standard of community hygiene. The disease is endemic in Nepal and is commonly associated with bacterial infection. The cause of the disease is not known. It was previously thought to be congenital. Thrombosis due to hypercoagulable condition is suggested as a possible cause of the disease. This study looks at the relation of the disease to bacterial infection.

Methods:  Ultrasonography is sensitive and specific for the diagnosis of acute and chronic lesions of hepatic vena cava disease. Patients attending the Liver Clinic with pyrexia with and without bacteremia were examined by ultrasonography for acute “thrombophlebitic” lesion of the IVC, and five patients with bacterial infection with acute lesion in the hepatic portion of the IVC were followed.

Results:  Sixty eight percent of the patients with bacteremia had ultrasonographic evidence of acute lesion in the hepatic portion of the IVC, compared to 18% patients without bacteremia. A follow‐up study of five patients showed transformation of the acute lesion into chronic obliterative lesion – stenosis or complete obstruction.

Conclusion:  Bacterial infection is probably the cause of hepatic vena cava disease seen in developing countries.