bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Short‐term effects of inhaled salbutamol on autonomic cardiovascular control in healthy subjects: a placebo‐controlled study
Authors: Cekici Leyla , Valipour Arschang , Kohansal Robab , Burghuber Otto Chris
Published: February 2009

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT

• Previous reports have demonstrated a link between inhaled β2‐agonist use and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.

• The underlying mechanism for this relationship, however, remains controversial.

WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS

• Inhalation of a therapeutic dose of salbutamol resulted in significant haemodynamic changes, which were accompanied by a shift in cardiovascular autonomic tone towards increased sympathetic outflow in the absence of baroreceptor activation.

• The observed changes in cardiac autonomic function may contribute to an increased cardiac risk associated with inhaled β2‐agonist treatment.

AIMS To investigate short‐term effects of inhaled salbutamol on haemodynamic changes and cardiovascular autonomic control.

METHODS A randomized, single‐blinded, placebo‐controlled study of 0.2 mg of inhaled salbutamol was conducted on 12 healthy nonsmoking volunteers with a mean age of 24 ± 2 years at two different testing sessions. Non‐invasively obtained continuous haemodynamic measurements of cardiac output, beat‐to‐beat arterial blood pressure, and total peripheral resistance were recorded prior to and for a total of 120 min after inhalation of the respective study drug. Continuous cardiovascular autonomic tone was recorded using power spectral analysis of heart rate and blood pressure variability. Spontaneous baroreceptor activity was assessed by the sequence method.

RESULTS There were no significant changes in any of the baseline parameters between the different testing sessions. Inhalation of salbutamol caused a significant increase in cardiac output from 6.7 ± 1.3 to 7.7 ± 1.4 l min−1 (P < 0.05), and a decrease in total peripheral resistance from 1076 ± 192 to 905 ± 172 dyne s−1 cm−5 (P < 0.05) within 15 min after inhalation. Moreover, salbutamol significantly increased sympathetically mediated low‐frequency heart rate variability (P < 0.01), whereas parasympathetically mediated high‐frequency heart rate variability decreased (P < 0.01). All changes persisted for approximately 30 min and were fully reversible at 120 min. There were no significant changes in systolic blood pressure variability or spontaneous baroreceptor activity.

CONCLUSIONS Inhalation of therapeutic doses of salbutamol in healthy subjects resulted in significant haemodynamic changes and a shift of sympathovagal balance towards increased sympathetic tone in the absence of baroreceptor activation.
Determinants of the drug utilization profile in the paediatric population in Italy's Lombardy Region
Authors: Clavenna Antonio , Sequi Marco , Bortolotti Angela , Merlino Luca , Fortino Ida , Bonati Maurizio
Published: February 2009

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT

• Drug utilization studies performed in the Italian paediatric population have found a prescription profile that appears to be specific to Italy.

• Quantitative and qualitative differences with other European countries have been found.

• The prevalence of drug prescription is higher in southern Italy compared with northern Italy.

WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS

• This is the first study to evaluate the geographical differences in the pattern of drug prescribing to children and adolescents in a large Italian region.

• Large differences in the prescription prevalence rate were found between local health units.

• Living in the eastern part of the Lombardy region is associated with the highest risk of drug exposure.

AIMS To evaluate the intraregional differences in drug prescribing to children and adolescents.

METHODS Prescriptions reimbursed by the National Health System, involving 1543 203 children and adolescents <18 years old and dispensed during 2005 by the retail pharmacies of 15 local health units (LHU) in the Lombardy Region, were analysed. Logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the association between drug prescription and age, gender, prescriber, and setting.

RESULTS A total of 747 790 youths (48%) received at least one drug prescription. The prescription prevalence rate was highest in children 1–5 years old (65%), decreased with increasing age to 38% in adolescents, and was slightly higher in boys than in girls. Antibiotics and anti‐asthmatics were the most prescribed therapeutic classes. Amoxicillin + clavulanic acid was the most prescribed drug (18% of children; 20% of packages). Large differences were found in the drug prescription prevalence rate between the different LHUs. The rate ranged between 38.4 and 54.8%, and was not correlated to hospitalization rate in the paediatric population. Being 1–5 years old [odds ratio (OR) 4.51, 95% confidence interval (CI) 4.43, 4.58] and living in the eastern part of the region (OR 2.06, 95% CI 1.99, 2.13) were the factors associated with the highest risk of drug exposure.

CONCLUSIONS The results resemble the profiles observed in other Italian contexts, in particular concerning the wide use of antibiotics and anti‐asthmatics. However, large differences were found between LHUs, highlighting the need for more detailed investigations on therapeutic needs, drug use, and related variables in different geographic contexts.
Novel mechanism of U18666A-induced tumour necrosis factor-α production in RAW 264·7 macrophage cells
Authors: Iftakhar-E-Khuda I , Koide N , Hassan F , Noman A S M , Dagvadorj J , Tumurkhuu G , Naiki Y , Komatsu T , Yoshida T , Yokochi T
Published: February 2009

U18666A is a cholesterol transport-inhibiting agent that is used widely to mimic Niemann–Pick type C disease. The effect of U18666A on tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α production in mouse macrophage cell line, RAW 264·7 cells and peritoneal macrophages was examined. U18666A induced TNF-α mRNA expression 48 h after the treatment, and TNF-α production 48 and 72 h after stimulation in RAW 264·7 cells. U18666A accumulated intracellular free cholesterol in the culture of normal medium but not cholesterol-free medium. U18666A also induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in normal medium but much less in cholesterol-free medium. Anti-oxidant N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) abolished U18666A-induced TNF-α production. U18666A led to the phosphorylation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase 24 and 48 h after the stimulation and the p38 activation was inhibited in presence of cholesterol-free medium or NAC. A p38 inhibitor reduced U18666A-induced TNF-α production. Taken together, U18666A was suggested to induce TNF-α production in RAW 264·7 cells via free cholesterol accumulation-mediated ROS generation.
Cytomegalovirus-seropositivity has a profound influence on the magnitude of major lymphoid subsets within healthy individuals
Authors: Chidrawar S , Khan N , Wei W , McLarnon A , Smith N , Nayak L , Moss P
Published: February 2009

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infects most individuals and elicits a strong CMV-specific immune response. We have studied the influence of CMV-seropositivity on the size of lymphoid subsets in healthy donors and demonstrate that the virus substantially modulates the peripheral lymphoid pool. CD8+ T cell numbers are increased in all CMV-seropositive individuals because of a striking 60% increment in the CD8+ T cell memory pool. The CD45RA+ resting memory pool is doubled after CMV infection and increases further with age. The magnitude of the naïve CD8+ T cell pool is dramatically reduced in CMV-seropositive individuals at all ages, and this accelerates the physiological decline by approximately 40 years. The number of CD4+ effector memory T cells is increased in CMV-seropositive individuals and is differentially accommodated by a reduction in the number of naïve and central memory CD4+ T cells in young and elderly donors respectively. CMV-seropositivity also increases the total number of B cells in older donors and suppresses the number of CD5+ B cells. These data reveal that CMV has a profound influence on the immune system of all healthy individuals and add to growing concern regarding the clinical and immunomodulatory significance of CMV infection in healthy donors.
Impaired Toll-like receptor 2 signalling in monocytes from 5-year-old allergic children
Authors: Amoudruz P , Holmlund U , Saghafian-Hedengren S , Nilsson C , Sverremark-Ekström E
Published: February 2009

The relative composition of the two major monocytic subsets CD14+CD16− and CD14+CD16+ is altered in some allergic diseases. These two subsets display different patterns of Toll-like receptor levels, which could have implications for activation of innate immunity leading to reduced immunoglobulin E-specific adaptive immune responses. This study aimed to investigate if allergic status at the age of 5 years is linked to differences in monocytic subset composition and their Toll-like receptor levels, and further, to determine if Toll-like receptor regulation and cytokine production upon microbial stimuli is influenced by the allergic phenotype. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 5-year-old allergic and non-allergic children were stimulated in vitro with lipopolysaccharide and peptidoglycan. Cells were analysed with flow cytometry for expression of CD14, Toll-like receptors 2 and 4 and p38-mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). The release of cytokines and chemokines [tumour necrosis factor, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12p70] into culture supernatants was measured with cytometric bead array. For unstimulated cells there were no differences in frequency of the monocytic subsets or their Toll-like receptor levels between allergic and non-allergic children. However, monocytes from allergic children had a significantly lower up-regulation of Toll-like receptor 2 upon peptidoglycan stimulation. Further, monocytes from allergic children had a higher spontaneous production of IL-6, but there were no differences between the two groups regarding p38-MAPK activity or cytokine and chemokine production upon stimulation. The allergic subjects in this study have a monocytic population that seems to display a hyporesponsive state as implicated by impaired regulation of Toll-like receptor 2 upon peptidoglycan stimulation.
Ankle arthropathy in the haemophilic patient: a description of a novel ankle arthrodesis technique
Authors: MANN H. A. , BIRING G. S. , CHOUDHURY M. Z. B. , LEE C. A. , GODDARD N. J.
Published: February 2009

Summary.  The ankle joint is well known to show early involvement in severe haemophilia. We describe a novel operative technique developed by the senior author. This combines a medial approach to the ankle, medial malleolar osteotomy, bone graft and compression with staples. All patients had excellent pain relief and improvement in function with 100% achieving bony union. There was a significant improvement in Mazur ankle scores following ankle fusion (P < 0.01). This surgical technique gives good results which are reproducible in this patient population.
Prevalence and risk factors associated with decreased bone mineral density in patients with haemophilia
Authors: GERSTNER G. , DAMIANO M. L. , TOM A. , WORMAN C. , SCHULTZ W. , RECHT M. , STOPECK A. T.
Published: February 2009

Summary.  Osteoporosis in adult males is an under‐recognized problem. Patients with haemophilia have several predisposing factors for developing decreased bone mineral density (BMD) including prolonged periods of immobility, reduced weight bearing and co‐morbidities associated with bone loss. To establish prevalence and risk factors associated with decreased BMD in patients with haemophilia. Adults with moderate or severe haemophilia A or B underwent dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DXA). BMD was correlated to laboratory values, joint mobility measurements and physical activity questionnaires. Thirty patients completed evaluations. The median age was 41.5 years (range 18–61). Median lowest T‐score by DXA was −1.7 (range: −5.8 to +0.6), with the femoral neck being the site of the lowest T‐scores. Based on World Health Organization criteria, 70% of patients had decreased BMD. Twenty‐seven per cent of the participants (n = 8) had osteoporosis and 43% (n = 13) had osteopenia. Variables associated with increased bone loss included lower serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D levels (P = 0.03), lower body mass index (P = 0.047), lower activity scores (P = 0.02), decreased joint range of motion (P = 0.046), HIV (P = 0.03), HCV (P = 0.02), history of inhibitor (P = 0.01) and age (P = 0.03). Adults with haemophilia are at increased risk for developing osteoporosis. A history of HCV and HIV infections, decreased joint range‐of‐motion, decreased activity levels, history of an inhibitor and low body weight predict bone loss and suggest a population to target for screening. A high prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency was observed. Future studies should investigate interventions, including vitamin D supplementation, to prevent bone loss and fractures for this at‐risk population.
A systematic review of the cost‐effectiveness of rFVIIa and APCC in the treatment of minor/moderate bleeding episodes for haemophilia patients with inhibitors
Authors: KNIGHT C. , DANØ A. M. , KENNEDY‐MARTIN T.
Published: February 2009

Summary. The clinical, humanistic and economic consequences associated with haemophilia and inhibitors are considerable. Primary treatment for mild‐to‐moderate bleeding disorders in such patients is recombinant factor VIIa (rFVIIa) or activated prothrombin complex concentrate (APCC). The aims of this study were to identify, review and evaluate the quality of the published literature on the relative cost‐effectiveness of rFVIIa and APCC in treating haemophilia patients with inhibitors. The review concentrates on model type, design and assumptions, and results. The results of this study suggest that rFVIIa may be the cost‐effective alternative to treatment with APCC. In seven out of the nine studies, rFVIIa had the lower average treatment cost. The difference in average treatment cost to resolve a bleed, between rFVIIa and APCC in these seven studies, ranged from $3000 to $17 000. The adapted modelling framework is similar in all the economic models reviewed, suggesting clinical acceptability of the approach used. The estimates of efficacy varied between the models, especially for APCC. The efficacy for APCC derived from retrospective studies was lower than reported in the literature. Sensitivity analysis was undertaken in the majority of the economic analyses and the results were found to be robust to realistic parameter variations. Only one of the studies was a cost‐utility study, showing the lack of measuring health status within this area. This systematic review showed that models based on different sources of data produced fairly similar robust results despite differences in the estimates of efficacy, average dosage required, and unit costs. However, ideally there should be a systematic approach to identifying the relevant data.
Depression, anxiety and suicidal behaviour in children and adolescents with Haemophilia
Authors: GHANIZADEH A. , BALIGH‐JAHROMI P.
Published: February 2009

Summary.  It was aimed to study the prevalence of major depressive disorder, separation anxiety disorder and suicidal behaviour in the children and adolescents with haemophilia. A total of 83 children and adolescents with haemophilia A or B aged 5–19 years old were randomly selected using systematic random sampling method. They were interviewed using the Farsi (Persian) version of Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia by face‐to‐face interview with the subjects and their primary caregivers, according to the DSM‐IV diagnostic criteria. Major depressive disorder, separation anxiety disorder and suicidal behaviour were surveyed. The rate of major depressive disorder was 6.0%. Approximately 2.4% of the patients were suffering from at least five symptoms of major depression, and 4.8% were suffering from more than five symptoms of major depressive disorder. One‐third of the children and adolescents were suffering from irritability. Approximately 36% of the subjects wished to die at least once during the last 6 months. Also, 6% of the subjects had thought about suicidal attempt. Approximately 4.8% of them met the criteria of separation anxiety disorder. The incidences of major depressive disorder and separation anxiety disorder were comparable to that prevalent in the thalassaemic patients. The proportion of patients with death wish was very high. The proportion of patients with suicidal thought and attempt was much lower than that in the children and adolescents with thalassaemia. Therefore, psychiatric consultation needs to be included in the management of these children.
HCV treatment with pegylated interferon and ribavirin in patients with haemophilia and HIV/HCV co‐infection
Authors: DENHOLM J. T. , WRIGHT E. J. , STREET A. , SASADEUSZ J. J.
Published: February 2009

Summary.  Individuals with haemophilia are frequently infected with both human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV); however, limited evidence is currently available regarding the efficacy of HCV treatment with pegylated interferon and ribavirin in this patient population. The aim of this study was to review HCV treatment outcomes in a cohort of patients with haemophilia and HIV/HCV co‐infection. A retrospective, single centre review of 13 consecutive patients treated with pegylated interferon and ribavirin was performed. All patients were male with haemophilia A and a median age of 43 (range 27–62) at initiation of HCV therapy. Nine of 13 (69%) patients had genotype (gt1) 1 HCV (3 × gt3, 1 × gt4). Twelve of 13 (92%) were receiving ART, with a mean CD4+ count of 428 cells μL−1 (range 175–928 cells μL−1) at initiation of HCV therapy. Six of 11 (55%) patients achieved EVR (3 × gt1, 2 × gt3, 1 × gt4) at 12 weeks, 4/13 (31%) had EOTR (2 × gt1, 2 × gt3) and 1/13 (8%) achieved sustained virological response (1 × gt1). Seven of 11 (64%) patients normalized ALT during therapy wherein mean ALT fell from 101 to 76 U L−1. Only 1/13 (8%) patients discontinued therapy prematurely due to side effects. CD4+ cell counts and HIV viral load remained stable during HCV treatment, with a mean 437 cells μL−1 and <50 copies mL−1 at 48 weeks respectively. Patients in our cohort with haemophilia and HCV/HIV co‐infection responded poorly to HCV treatment. Alternative HCV treatment strategies need to be considered in patients with haemophilia and HIV/HCV co‐infection.
Cause and Prevention of Cane Molasses Gelling
Authors: Xu Yichi , Barringer Sheryl , Alvarez Valente
Published: February 2009

Molasses is a dark, viscous by‐product of the sugar‐refining process. However, molasses from sugar cane experience a sporadic problem with gelling during storage. Gelled molasses is impossible to pump, resulting in financial loss when it cannot be pumped out of the holding tank. The objective of this project was to discover what causes molasses gelling and how to prevent gelling in the future. Analysis of industrial samples determined that dextran, pH, and calcium content are correlated with gelling. Molasses gelling occurs when dextran chains are bound together by calcium at a slightly acidic pH. The exact values needed for gelling vary because of interaction effects. The addition of dextran, Ca, or Mn increases the speed of gelling. A pH below 3.5 or above 8.1 prevents gelling. Ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA), aluminum lactate, and sodium citrate prevent gelling by chelating calcium so that it cannot bind the dextran chains. Addition of Mg, Cu, Zn, Sn, or Al prevents gelling through competitive inhibition with the calcium.
Development of Muscle Thermal Rigorometer and Characterization of Heat‐induced Muscle Shortening of Tilapia
Authors: Su Chung‐Wen , Kong Ming‐Sheng
Published: February 2009

A muscle thermal rigorometer was constructed, allowing muscle shortenings induced by dynamic heating or isothermal aging to be monitored. Operating isothermally like a traditional rigorometer at 10 °C, postmortem dorsal muscle shortening (S10°C) developing from 0% to 10% of its initial length in corresponding to RIfiber along fiber‐direction developing from 0% to 100% within 16 h was monitored for freshwater tilapia. Monitoring meat cooking in the dynamic heating mode, heat‐induced shortenings could be observed for all muscle samples possessing different degrees of rigor induced by 10°C aging. The heat‐induced shortening (Sdynamic) plus its 10°C aging shortening (S10°C) for each sample was the same, Soverall= S10°C+ Sdynamic= 10%. Their heat‐induced shortening peak temperatures (Ts) from 30°C to 48°C were inversely correlated with the sample RIfiber from 0% to near 100%. These findings together with an additional calcium/adenosine triphosphate (ATP) model studies showed that the ATPase related myofibrillar contractile system was responsible for these low‐temperature cooking shortenings, which along with Ts values could thus be adopted as new rigor indices.
Recovery and Purification of 10‐oxo‐trans‐8‐decenoic Acid Enzymatically Produced Using a Crude Homogenate of Agaricus bisporus
Authors: Morawicki Ruben O. , Beelman Robert B. , Peterson Devin
Published: February 2009

A two‐step method was developed to recover 10‐oxo‐trans‐8‐decenoic acid (ODA) at 85% purity using GRAS solvents that may be used either at laboratory or industrial scale. ODA was recovered from an aqueous reaction broth via extraction with ethyl acetate followed by evaporation. The residue was dissolved in hot hexane and subsequently crystallized at 5 °C. Optimal recovery of ODA from the reaction broth was optimized by determining the partition coefficient between phosphate buffer (range pH 2.0 to 7.5) and ethyl acetate. The intrinsic partition coefficients were 75.38 and 1.43 for the undissociated and dissociated forms, respectively. To obtain a good recovery, the optimal pH was determined to be 3.0. Purification was optimized by determining the solubility curve of ODA in hexane as a function of temperature. The solubility of ODA in hexane decreased from 0.7 mg/mL at 50 °C to 0.05 mg/ mL at 10 °C. The solubility at intermediate temperatures followed a linear van't Hoff model, indicating an approximately constant enthalpy of solution. Even when the solubility of ODA in hexane is relatively low, the temperature‐solubility profile was adequate to recrystallize ODA.
The Effective Methods in Refolding and Activation of Cathepsin L‐like Soybean Protease D3
Authors: Kodera Tomohiro , Asano Minao , Kawai Misako , Miwa Tetsuya , Nio Noriki
Published: February 2009

A novel cysteine protease D3, which was purified from germinating soybean cotyledons, showed high homology with cathepsin L and cathepsin K. In our previous study, because of the specificity of the enzyme, hydroly‐sates treated with D3 treatment showed a prominent property of less bitterness than other hydrolysates treated with commercially available proteases. However, active recombinant D3 prepared from Escherichia coli inclusion bodies was so intricate and less productive that it made further studies on this protease and hydrolysates difficult. In the concrete, the refolding process of the immature proD3 from inclusion bodies takes more than a day, and autocatalytic activation of refolded immature proD3 at low pH was difficult to control. In this study, we aimed to establish an efficient refolding and activating method of protease D3. In the refolding step, the procedures could be simplified by using a size‐exclusive column‐based method. In the activation step from immature proD3, we utilized another protease, subtilisin, rather than autocatalytic activation by D3 itself. After subtilisin treatment, the peptide having 12 amino acids‐length of N‐terminal pro sequence was initially cleaved, and residual proD3 showed only a half proteolytic activity of active D3. However, when the pH was shifted lower (pH4.5), D3 automatically changed to have the same proteolytic activity as active one, and this activated recombinant had the same N‐terminal sequence as purified D3 from germinating soybean cotyledons. By using this method, all preparation processes of D3 from inclusion bodies to active D3 could be completed within a few hours, and it became possible to carry out the investigation on hydrolysates on a large scale.
Contribution of Response Surface Design to the Synthesis of Monoacylglycerols Catalyzed by Rhizopus sp. lipase
Authors: Koblitz Maria G.B. , Pastore Glaucia M.
Published: February 2009

The partially purified lipase from Rhizopus sp was tested as a biocatalyst for the synthesis of monolaurin from lauric acid and glycerol. A central composite rotatable design was applied to optimize the substrate molar ratio and the percentage of molecular sieve for achieving maximum monolaurin yield. The best results were obtained when the molar ratio of substrates was 1:1, the medium contained 100% (w/w) molecular sieve, and the reaction was conducted at 50 °C and 200 rpm applying 2 mg of the partially purified lipase. The maximum yield in monolaurin (17.52%) was achieved after a 72‐h reaction.
Non‐destructive Visible/NIR Spectroscopy for Differentiation of Fresh and Frozen‐thawed Fish
Authors: Uddin Musleh , Okazaki Emiko , Turza Sandor , Yumiko Yamashita , Tanaka Munehiko , Fukuda Yutaka
Published: February 2009

Nondestructive visible/near‐infrared (NIR) spectroscopy was evaluated to investigate whether fish has been frozen‐thawed. Fresh or frozen‐thawed red sea bream Pagrus major (n= 108) were scanned using a NIRSystems 6500 spectrophotometer equipped with a surface interactance fiber‐optic accessory then discriminated by soft independent modeling of class analogy (SIMCA) and linear discriminant analysis (LDA) based on principal component analysis (PCA) scores. The major effect of freeze‐thawing treatment involves a gross change in total reflectance after freezing and thawing; this arises from changes in light scatter presumably arising from alterations in the physical structure of at least the surface layer of fish. Untreated original absorbance spectra achieved much better (100%) classification accuracy for the prediction samples while the same figures for multiplicative scatter correction (MSC) treated spectra are considerably worse, indicating that scattering is the major information that makes classification work. No incorrect type of classification at all and also there are no samples classified to both groups either. This faster technique has the potential to differentiate fresh and frozen‐thawed fish and could be applied for online or at‐line processing control.
Partially Purified Collagen from Refiner Discharge of Pacific Whiting Surimi Processing
Authors: Kim Jin Soo , Park Jae W.
Published: February 2009

The physicochemical properties of acid‐soluble collagen (ASC) from refiner discharge and the partially purified collagen (PPC) from both the refiner discharge and the fish skin were evaluated. Yield of collagen from refiner discharge was 34% higher in PPC than ASC. Mercury, lead, cadmium, and chromium contents of PPC from refiner discharge were not detected. There was no difference in the pattern of sodium dodecyl sulfate‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS‐PAGE) between ASC and PPC from refiner discharge. PPC from refiner discharge showed better functional properties than that from skin and was similar to ASC: whiteness, solubility, emulsifying activity, and cooking stability. Therefore, PPC from refiner discharge could be used as a new resource.
Aroma Active Compounds of Bulgogi
Authors: Ko Hye Sung , Kim Tae Hwan , Cho In Hee , Yang Ji‐Yeon , Kim Young‐Suk , Lee Hyong Joo
Published: February 2009

: Volatile components in bulgogi were extracted by high vacuum sublimation (HVS) and solid phase microextraction (SPME). The extracts were then analyzed by gas chromatography‐olfactometry (GCO) conducted on 2 columns with different polarities. Aroma dilution methods were used with a serial dilution of the extract in HVS‐GCO and varying the GC injector split ratios in SPME‐GCO to determine aroma active compounds of bulgogi. In HVS‐GCO, methional (described as cooked potato/soy sauce) exhibited the highest flavor dilution (FD) factor, followed by 2‐acetyl‐2‐thiazoline (described as nutty/popcorn/peanut), furaneol (described as caramel/sweet), and 2‐ethyl‐3,5‐dimethylpyrazine (described as nutty/coffee/chocolate). In SPME‐GCO, allyl mercaptan (described as garlic/bulgogi) showed the highest FD factor, followed by methional (described as cooked potato/soy sauce), 2‐ethyl‐3,5‐dimethylpyrazine (described as nutty/coffee/chocolate), and 2‐acetylpyrazine (described as nutty/peanut/cooked rice). These sulfur‐containing compounds and heterocyclic compounds, which had high FD factors and characteristic odor notes, could be important to bulgogi flavor.
Modeling of Active Modified Atmosphere Packaging of Endives Exposed to Several Postharvest Temperatures
Authors: Charles Florence , ANCHEZ JOSÉ S , Gontard Nathalie
Published: February 2009

Endives were sealed in low‐density polyethylene flexible pouches containing or not containing individual oxygen or carbon dioxide scavenger sachet and stored at 5 °C and 20 °C. A mathematical model has been applied to predict gas changes for these passive and active modified atmosphere packaging (MAP). The model took into account the respiration rate of endives, the transmission rate of gases through the film, the absorption kinetics of gas scavengers, and the temperature influence of all these parameters. Whatever the temperature, the model was successfully validated with root mean square error values still lower than 1 kPa and thus represented a real tool to improve the design of MAP for fresh fruits and vegetables. Oxygen scavengers reduced by half the transient period duration (50 h compared with 100 h without scavengers) and did not modify the gas equilibrium composition, suggesting a beneficial influence on keeping the quality of the product. The carbon dioxide scavengers’ influence was limited and needs further study with carbon dioxide‐sensitive products.
An Image Processing Method for Quantifying Fiber Formation in Meat Analogs Under High Moisture Extrusion
Authors: Ranasinghesagara Janaka , Hsieh Fu‐Hung , Yao Gang
Published: February 2009

High moisture extrusion using twin‐screw extruders shows great promise for producing meat analog products with vegetable proteins. The resulting products have well‐defined fiber formations and resemble real meat in both visual appearance and taste sensation. Developing reliable nondestructive techniques to quantify the textural properties of extrudates is important for quality control in the manufacturing process. In this study, we developed an image‐processing technique to automatically characterize sample fiber formation using digital imaging. The algorithm is based on statistical analysis of Hough transform. This objective method can be used as a standard method for evaluating other noninvasive methods. We have compared the fiber formation indices measured using this technique and a noninvasive fluorescence polarization method and obtained a high correlation.
Chitosan and Protein Coatings Affect Yield, Moisture Loss, and Lipid Oxidation of Pink Salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) Fillets During Frozen Storage
Authors: Sathivel Subramaniam
Published: February 2009

The effects of chitosan (CH1 = 1% and CH2 = 2% solution), egg albumin (EA), soy protein concentrate (SPC), pink salmon protein powder (PSP), and arrowtooth flounder protein powder (AFP) as edible coatings on quality of skinless pink salmon fillets were evaluated during 3 mo frozen storage. Coating with 2% chitosan (CH2) resulted in significantly higher yield than coating with PSP and AFP. The thaw yield of salmon fillets coated with CH2 was higher than those of the control and fillets coated with AFP. The noncoated, CH1‐, and CH2‐coated fillets had similar drip loss (0.4% to 1.2%), which was lower than those observed for PSP‐ and AFP‐coated fillets. All fillet samples had similar cook yield (84.2% to 88.8%). The fillet coated with CH1, CH2, SPC, and EA had significantly higher (P < 0.05) moisture content after thawing than the control noncoated fillets. Coating with CH1 and CH2 was effective in reducing about 50% relative moisture loss compared with the control noncoated fillets. Chitosan (CH1 and CH2) and SPC delayed lipid oxidation. There were no significant (P > 0.05) effects of coating on a*, b*, and whiteness values for cooked fillets after 3 mo frozen storage.
Pulsed Ohmic Heating–A Novel Technique for Minimization of Electrochemical Reactions During Processing
Authors: Samaranayake Chaminda P. , Sastry Sudhir K. , Zhang Howard
Published: February 2009

Minimization of electrochemical reactions during ohmic heating would be desirable. This study examines a pulsed ohmic heating technique to determine its effect on electrochemical reactions. Effects of pulse parameters, such as frequency, pulse width, and delay time were studied, in comparison with conventional (60 Hz, sine wave) ohmic heating using various electrode materials. Analyses of electrode corrosion, hydrogen gas generation, and pH change of the heating media were performed. The results suggest that pulsed ohmic heating is capable of significantly (P < 0.05) reducing the electrochemical reactions of stainless steel, titanium, and platinized‐titanium electrodes, compared with conventional 60 Hz ohmic heating. The importance of allowing enough delay time for discharge of the electrical double layers after each pulse input is emphasized.
Effect of Heating and Homogenization on the Stability of Coconut Milk Emulsions
Authors: Tangsuphoom Nattapol , Coupland John N.
Published: February 2009

: The effects of homogenization and heat treatment on the colloidal stability of coconut milk were studied. Fresh coconut milk (15% to 17% fat, 1.5% to 2% protein) was extracted and stored at 30 °C before homogenization at 40/4 MPa (stage I/stage II). Both homogenized and non‐homogenized samples were heated at 50 °C, 60 °C, 70 °C, 80 °C, and 90 °C for 1 h. Homogenization reduced the size of the primary emulsion droplets from 10.9 to 3.0 μm, but increased the degree of flocculation, presumably via a bridging mechanism. This flocculation was also responsible for increased viscosity of the homogenized samples. Heating increased the degree of flocculation in both non‐homogenized and homogenized samples. A slight amount of coalescence was also observed after heating above 80 °C. All samples creamed after 24 h of storage, but the heated samples formed a larger cream layer, presumably because the flocculated droplets packed together less efficiently. Optical microscopy was used to confirm the combination of flocculation and creaming responsible for changes in coconut milk quality. The information obtained from this study provides a better understanding of the emulsion science important in controlling coconut milk functionality.
Probiotic Strains as Starter Cultures Improve Angiotensin‐converting Enzyme Inhibitory Activity in Soy Yogurt
Authors: Donkor O.N. , Henriksson Anders , Vasiljevic Todor , Shah Nagendra P.
Published: February 2009

Suitability of soy yogurt as a system for delivering probiotics and other bioactive compounds was assessed by fermenting soy milk using starter culture containing Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus Lb1466, Streptococcus thermophilus St1342, and probiotic organisms (Lactobacillus acidophilus LAFTI® L10, Bifidobacterium lactis LAFTI® B94, and Lactobacillus paracasei LAFTI® L26). Fermentations were terminated at different pH of 4.50, 4.55, and 4.60 and metabolic patterns of cultures (viability, proteolytic activity, organic acids production, angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity) were investigated during 28 d of storage at 4 °C. The presence of probiotics enhanced the growth of L. delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus Lb1466 and S. thermophilus St134 in soy yogurt in comparison to the control produced by sole yogurt culture. In general, different termination pH had no effect (P > 0.05) on the viability of probiotic organisms that maintained good viability in soy yogurt during cold storage. Higher levels of essential growth factors in the form of peptides and amino acids in soy yogurts may have promoted the growth of L. acidophilus LAFTI® L10, B. lactis LAFTI® B94, and L. paracasei LAFTI® L26. The use of probiotic strains as a part of starter culture in soy yogurt resulted in a substantial increase in in vitro ACE inhibitory activity compared with the control produced by yogurt culture only. This improvement of ACE inhibition in soy yogurt is partly due to higher proteolytic activity of probiotics.
Drying Kinetics and β‐Carotene Degradation in Carrot Undergoing Different Drying Processes
Authors: Suvarnakuta Peamsuk , Devahastin Sakamon , Mujumdar Arun S.
Published: February 2009

Superheated steam drying, which is an airless drying technology, has recently received much attention as an alternative to conventional hot air drying, which is a relatively oxygen‐rich drying process and causes much product quality degradation. However, because most food products are damaged when subjected to superheated steam at atmospheric or higher pressures, lowering the dryer operating pressure is preferred. In this study, the effects of a low‐pressure superheated steam drying (LPSSD), vacuum drying, and hot air drying on the drying and degradation kinetics of β‐carotene in carrot were investigated experimentally. LPSSD and vacuum drying led to less degradation of β‐carotene in carrot than in the case of hot air drying. The empirical models, which can describe the experimental data of β‐carotene degradation in carrot undergoing different drying techniques, were also proposed. β‐Carotene degradation in carrot depended more on the carrot temperature than its moisture content in all cases.
Effect of Sensory Characteristics and Non‐sensory Factors on Consumer Liking of Various Canned Tea Products
Authors: Cho Hae‐Young , Chung Seo‐Jin , Kim Hee‐Sup , Kim Kwang‐OK
Published: February 2009

The objectives of this study were to understand the sensory attributes that drive consumer liking for tea products and to investigate the effects of consumer age and product information on the acceptance of tea products. Descriptive analysis and consumer taste testing were conducted with 10 canned tea products. In the descriptive analysis, the sensory characteristics of tea products were evaluated using 17 attributes. In the consumer taste testing, 500 tea drinkers were recruited from 5 age groups (that is, ages in the 10′s to 50′s). Each age group was divided into 2 subgroups and rated the acceptance of samples with or without accompanying information about each sample. The General Linear Model was constructed to evaluate the effect of information and age on the liking of the tea products. Preference mapping was performed to understand the important sensory characteristics that drive consumer liking. The non‐sensory factors significantly affected the acceptance for tea products. The younger consumers distinctly preferred black tea to green/oolong tea, but this tendency diminished in the older groups. The majority of consumers liked lemon‐flavored black tea when the product information was not provided. When the information was presented, the acceptance tended to shift to bitter/astringent‐tasting green/oolong teas, which are marketed for their health benefits.
Feasibility and reliability of body composition measurements in adults with severe intellectual and sensory disabilities
Authors: Waninge A. , Van Der Weide W. , Evenhuis I. J. , Van Wijck R. , Van Der Schans C. P.
Published: February 2009

Background  Anthropometric measurements are widely used to reliably quantify body composition and to estimate risks of overweight in healthy subjects and in patients. However, information about the reliability of anthropometric measurements in subjects with severe intellectual and sensory disabilities is lacking.

Objective  The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility and the test–retest reliability of body composition measures in subjects with severe intellectual and sensory disabilities.

Method  The study population consisted of 45 subjects with severe intellectual and sensory disabilities. Body mass index, waist circumference, skin folds and tibia length were measured. Reliability was assessed by Wilcoxon signed rank test, limits of agreement (LOA) and intraclass correlation coefficients. The outcomes were compared with values provided by the World Health Organization.

Results  There were no significant differences between test and retest (P < 0.05). For the skinfold measurements, however, the LOA was insufficient. Intraclass correlation coefficients for all variables, except skinfold measurements, were 0.90 or above.

Conclusion  Test–retest reliability and feasibility for all measurements are acceptable in subjects with severe intellectual and sensory disabilities. Skinfold measurements, however, could not be reliably performed in these subjects. Measuring tibia length and using the determined formula to calculate body height from tibia length is a reliable alternative for measuring body height. Although measuring the body height of subjects with severe disabilities was feasible, measuring tibia length was more feasible.
HIV‐1 and intestinal helminth review update: Updating a Cochrane Review and building the case for treatment and has the time come to test and treat?
Authors: ALEXANDER P. E. , DE P.
Published: February 2009

Intestinal helminth infection activates and dysregulates the immune system and impacts the host's capacity to respond to illness. Such neglected tropical infections exact the greatest burden on resource‐limited settings and there appears to be considerable overlapping epidemiology with HIV‐1 and other high‐burden infections and illnesses in such settings. Recent limited yet controlled RCT evidence suggests a potentially beneficial therapeutic effect when persons co‐infected with soil‐transmitted worms and HIV‐1, are treated with albendazole. The positive impact on CD4+ counts and plasma RNA levels appears to delay HIV‐1 progression. The evidence‐base has been conflicting and the unequivocal evidence needed to support large‐scale de‐worming remains lacking. The recent RCT by Walson and colleagues provides the first real tantalizing evidence of a beneficial impact of worm treatment and adds to a prior Cochrane review that was inconclusive. Further controlled, longer duration and larger trial arm designs that are minimally biased and comparable, are needed to provide the conclusive evidence needed yet the case for de‐worming in delaying high‐burden illnesses such as HIV‐1 has been made much stronger.
Palaeosols in early Himalayan foreland basin sequences demonstrate latitudinal shift‐related long‐term climatic change
Authors: SINGH B. P. , TANDON S. K. , SINGH G. P. , PAWAR J. S.
Published: February 2009

The Palaeogene sedimentary record in the Himalayan foreland basin contains palaeosols that are interpreted as reflecting changes in climate through time with the passage of the Indian Plate from the equator to 30° N latitude. To understand spatial and temporal variation in the occurrence of diagnostic palaeosol types, 12 exposed stratigraphic sections were investigated and studied in detail using petrographic and geochemical techniques, including scanning electron microscopy and X‐ray mineralogy. Oxisol (bauxite) is a karst bauxite that occurs in crudely bedded and laminated forms. It contains gibbsite, goethite and kaolinite and shows chemical index of alteration values close to 100, demonstrating intense weathering. No gradual change in the concentrations of trace and rare earth elements is recorded. However, their behaviour suggests that the Oxisol was produced by weathering of basalt under a warm and humid climate. Histosol (coal), found stratigraphically higher than Oxisols, contains woody structures dominated by vitrinite maceral. The Histosol is interpreted as having originated from an undisturbed peat developed in a swamp of high tree density under wet tropical climatic conditions. Up‐section, calcrete profiles of stages 3 and 4, containing rhizoliths, pellets, filamentous calcite andMicrocodium, have developed by pedogenic processes. Large negative stable carbon (−8·5‰ to −11·2‰) and oxygen isotope values (−8·5‰ to −12·6‰) suggest that the studied calcretes formed under the influence of meteoric water and soil organic matter in dry sub‐tropical climatic conditions. The formation of Oxisol in a warm and humid climate was possible in the equatorial region when part of the Indian subcontinent was close to the equator. The coal developed under a humid climate when the northern tip of the Indian subcontinent reached the intertropical convergence zone, while the pedogenic calcrete formed once the sub‐tropical climatic zone was reached. Hence, it is suggested that these palaeosols formed in different climatic zones during northward drift of the Indian plate and that the drift brought them to their present positions between 30° N and 35° N within the sub‐tropical climatic zone.
A novel ATM‐dependent X‐ray‐inducible gene is essential for both plant meiosis and gametogenesis
Authors: Dean Philip J. , Siwiec Tanja , Waterworth Wanda M. , Schlögelhofer Peter , Armstrong Susan J. , West Christopher E.
Published: February 2009

DNA damage in Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings results in upregulation of hundreds of genes. One of the earliest and highest levels of induction is displayed by a previously uncharacterized gene that we have termed X‐ray induced 1 (XRI1). Analysis of plants carrying a null xri1 allele revealed two distinct requirements for this gene in plant fertility. XRI1 was important for the post‐meiotic stages of pollen development, leading to inviability of xri− pollen and abnormal segregation of the mutant allele in heterozygous xri1+/− plants. In addition, XRI1 was essential for male and female meiosis, as indicated by the complete sterility of homozygous xri1 mutants due to extensive chromosome fragmentation visible in meiocytes. Abolition of programmed DNA double‐strand breaks in a spo11‐1 mutant background failed to rescue the DNA fragmentation of xri1 mutants, suggesting that XRI1 functions at an earlier stage than SPO11‐1 does. Yeast two‐hybrid studies identified an interaction between XRI1 and a novel component of the Arabidopsis MND1/AHP2 complex, indicating possible requirements for XRI1 in meiotic DNA repair.
Granulocyte transfusions in neutropenic patients: beneficial effects proven?
Authors: Peters C.
Published: February 2009

Despite the huge armamentarium of modern antibiotics and anti‐fungals infections remain life‐threatening events in patients with profound neutropenia. For decades, the value of granulocyte transfusions (GT) has been explored and results are still not conclusive. However, it has been shown that GT increase peripheral blood neutrophil counts of recipients and lead to migration of functional neutrophils into inflamed tissues. A favourable increment of absolute neutrophil counts is observed after concentrates from technically up‐to‐date apherese from granulocyte‐colony stimulating factor‐stimulated donors. Most studies indicated a potential positive effect on infection elimination with a minimum cell content of GT (1·5–3 × 108/kg recipient body weight). Although to date the beneficial effect of GT is not proven in prospective randomized trials, in specific situations GT is an option to treat infections along with antibiotics when there is profound neutropenia. However, these patients in critical situations need to be treated within carefully designed studies based on the best known methods for providing granulocyte concentrates in sufficient dose and frequency, standardized similar to other blood product transfusions. That includes definition of minimum cell content, maximum interval between apheresis and application, storage conditions, methods of donor stimulation according to patient's body weight and frequency of GT. This review considers the results of recent studies using GT from cytokine‐stimulated donors and the consequences and effects in recipients and donors.