bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Distinct molecular requirements for activation or stabilization of soluble guanylyl cyclase upon haem oxidation‐induced degradation
Authors: Hoffmann LS , Schmidt PM , Keim Y , Schaefer S , Schmidt HHHW , Stasch JP
Published: May 2009

Background and purpose: In endothelial dysfunction, signalling by nitric oxide (NO) is impaired because of the oxidation and subsequent loss of the soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) haem. The sGC activator 4‐[((4‐carboxybutyl){2‐[(4‐phenethylbenzyl)oxy]phenethyl}amino)methyl[benzoic]acid (BAY 58‐2667) is a haem‐mimetic able to bind with high affinity to sGC when the native haem (the NO binding site) is removed and it also protects sGC from ubiquitin‐triggered degradation. Here we investigate whether this protection is a unique feature of BAY 58‐2667 or a general characteristic of haem‐site ligands such as the haem‐independent sGC activator 5‐chloro‐2‐(5‐chloro‐thiophene‐2‐sulphonylamino‐N‐(4‐(morpholine‐4‐sulphonyl)‐phenyl)‐benzamide sodium salt (HMR 1766), the haem‐mimetic Zn‐protoporphyrin IX (Zn‐PPIX) or the haem‐dependent sGC stimulator 5‐cyclopropyl‐2‐[1‐(2‐fluoro‐benzyl)‐1H‐pyrazolo[3,4‐b]pyridin‐3‐yl]‐pyrimidin‐4‐ylamine (BAY 41‐2272).

Experimental approach: The sGC inhibitor 1H‐(1,2,4)‐oxadiazolo[4,3‐a]quinoxalin‐1‐one (ODQ) was used to induce oxidation‐induced degradation of sGC. Activity and protein levels of sGC were measured in a Chinese hamster ovary cell line as well as in primary porcine endothelial cells. Cells expressing mutant sGC were used to elucidate the molecular mechanism underlying the effects observed.

Key results: Oxidation‐induced sGC degradation was prevented by BAY 58‐2667 and Zn‐PPIX in both cell types. In contrast, the structurally unrelated sGC activator, HMR 1766, and the sGC stimulator, BAY 41‐2272, did not protect. Similarly, the constitutively haem‐free sGC mutant β1H105F was stabilized by BAY 58‐2667 and Zn‐PPIX.

Conclusions: The ability of BAY 58‐2667 not only to activate but also to stabilize oxidized/haem‐free sGC represents a unique example of bimodal target interaction and distinguishes this structural class from non‐stabilizing sGC activators and sGC stimulators such as HMR 1766 and BAY 41‐2272, respectively.
Vulnerability Assessment of Mining Subsidence Hazards
Authors: Deck Olivier , Verdel Thierry , Salmon Romuald
Published: May 2009

Between 1996 and 1999, five mining subsidence events occurred in the iron‐ore field in Lorraine, France, and damaged several hundred buildings. Because of the thousand hectares of undermined areas, an assessment of the vulnerability of buildings and land is necessary for risk management. Risk assessment methods changed from initial risk management decisions that took place immediately after the mining subsidence to the risk assessment studies that are currently under consideration. These changes reveal much about the complexity of the vulnerability concept and about difficulties in developing simple and relevant methods for its assessment. The objective of this article is to present this process, suggest improvements on the basis of theoretical definitions of the vulnerability, and give an operational example of vulnerability assessment in the seismic field. The vulnerability is divided into three components: weakness, stakes value, and resilience. Final improvements take into account these three components and constitute an original method of assessing the vulnerability of a city to subsidence.
Estimating Disease Prevalence Using Relatives of Case and Control Probands
Authors: Javaras Kristin N. , Laird Nan M. , Hudson James I. , Ripley Brian D.
Published: May 2009

Summary We introduce a method of estimating disease prevalence from case–control family study data. Case–control family studies are performed to investigate the familial aggregation of disease; families are sampled via either a case or a control proband, and the resulting data contain information on disease status and covariates for the probands and their relatives. Here, we introduce estimators for overall prevalence and for covariate‐stratum‐specific (e.g., sex‐specific) prevalence. These estimators combine the proportion of affected relatives of control probands with the proportion of affected relatives of case probands and are designed to yield approximately unbiased estimates of their population counterparts under certain commonly made assumptions. We also introduce corresponding confidence intervals designed to have good coverage properties even for small prevalences. Next, we describe simulation experiments where our estimators and intervals were applied to case–control family data sampled from fictional populations with various levels of familial aggregation. At all aggregation levels, the resulting estimates varied closely and symmetrically around their population counterparts, and the resulting intervals had good coverage properties, even for small sample sizes. Finally, we discuss the assumptions required for our estimators to be approximately unbiased, highlighting situations where an alternative estimator based only on relatives of control probands may perform better.
Multiple‐Imputation‐Based Residuals and Diagnostic Plots for Joint Models of Longitudinal and Survival Outcomes
Authors: Rizopoulos Dimitris , Verbeke Geert , Molenberghs Geert
Published: May 2009

SummaryThe majority of the statistical literature for the joint modeling of longitudinal and time‐to‐event data has focused on the development of models that aim at capturing specific aspects of the motivating case studies. However, little attention has been given to the development of diagnostic and model‐assessment tools. The main difficulty in using standard model diagnostics in joint models is the nonrandom dropout in the longitudinal outcome caused by the occurrence of events. In particular, the reference distribution of statistics, such as the residuals, in missing data settings is not directly available and complex calculations are required to derive it. In this article, we propose a multiple‐imputation‐based approach for creating multiple versions of the completed data set under the assumed joint model. Residuals and diagnostic plots for the complete data model can then be calculated based on these imputed data sets. Our proposals are exemplified using two real data sets.
Description and Phylogenetic Relationships of Spumochlamys perforata n. sp. and Spumochlamys bryora n. sp. (Amoebozoa, Arcellinida)
Authors: KUDRYAVTSEV ALEXANDER , PAWLOWSKI JAN , HAUSMANN KLAUS
Published: May 2009

ABSTRACT. Spumochlamys perforata n. sp. and Spumochlamys bryora n. sp. were isolated and described from dry epiphytic moss. The morphology and ultrastructure of both species clearly demonstrate that they belong to the genus Spumochlamys (family Microchlamyiidae). They differ from its only described member, Spumochlamys iliensis (as well as from species of Microchlamys), in the relief of the dorsal surface of the test, revealed by scanning electron microscopy, which can represent a good characteristic for species identification. They also differ in the structure of the dorsal part of the test wall (especially S. perforata). Small subunit ribosomal DNA‐based molecular phylogenetic analyses show that Spumochlamys is a deeply branching lineage of the Arcellinida, without any close affinities. Actin gene sequence analysis places this genus within the Tubulinea, close to two other arcellinid lineages but without forming a monophyletic group with them. These data together strongly suggest that the lack of resolution in the arcellinid molecular phylogenies is due to serious undersampling of taxa, a limited number of sequence data, and high divergence rates in most of the species.
Relationship between phenotypic traits and selected fitness components ofDiabrotica virgifera virgifera
Authors: Li Hongmei , Toepfer Stefan , Kuhlmann Ulrich
Published: May 2009

Diabrotica virgifera virgiferaLeConte (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) is one of the most important and best‐studied maize pests, yet little information is available regarding the basic relationships among its phenotypic traits, particularly those that reflect the overall fitness of this successful invader in Europe and North America. Such information is critical for studies on the invasiveness, behavioural ecology, and management of this pest. Phenotypic traits that change over the lifetime of the beetle were investigated (e.g., fresh body weight) as they can indicate changes in adult physiology or fitness ofD. v. virgifera.Phenotypic traits that remain stable over the beetle’s lifetime were also investigated (e.g., pronotum width, head capsule width, hind tibia length), as they most likely allow detection of genetic differences between populations. Furthermore, phenotypic traits were investigated that may best predict fecundity (e.g., fresh body weight, elytra width) and life span (e.g., elytra length), as these two factors influence the population growth of this highly invasive species. Finally, regression equations are provided for the age‐specific oviposition and survival of the long‐livingD. v. virgiferaadults, which may allow researchers to reduce the duration of their bioassays without losing information.
How to read and understand and use systematic reviews and meta‐analyses
Authors: Leucht S. , Kissling W. , Davis J. M.
Published: May 2009

Objective : Systematic reviews and meta‐analyses are increasingly frequently used in the evaluation of medical treatments. This review explains the principles of the methodology, significance and limitations of systematic reviews.

Method:  Short review article.

Results:  In contrast to conventional reviews, systematic reviews use a structured approach in retrieving, analyzing and interpreting the evidence. A comprehensive search strategy is applied to identify all relevant trials. Study selection and data extraction is performed independently by at least two reviewers. The data are usually synthesized in a meta‐analysis applying statistical methods to examine homogeneity. Funnel plots and other statistical methods are applied to detect publication bias.

Conclusion:  Due to the enormous amount of scientific information published every year, systematic reviews and meta‐analyses have become indispensable methods for the evaluation of medical treatments.
A systematic review of definitions of periodontitis and methods that have been used to identify this disease
Authors: Savage Amir , Eaton Kenneth A. , Moles David R. , Needleman Ian
Published: May 2009

Objective:

To perform a systematic review and critical analysis of the definitions of periodontitis and the methods which have been used to identify and measure this disease.

Material and Methods:

Relevant publications were identified after searching MEDLINE, EMBASE, SCISEARCH and LILACS electronic databases. Screening of titles and abstracts and data extraction was conducted independently by two reviewers. To be included in the review, studies were required to define periodontitis and to indicate how it was measured. Studies that related purely to gingivitis, and/or intervention studies, and/or studies where prevalence or severity of periodontitis was not a principal outcome were excluded.

Results:

From a total of 3472 titles and abstracts, 104 potentially relevant full text papers were identified. Of these, 15 met the criteria for inclusion in the final stage of the review. The survey revealed heterogeneity between the studies in the measurement tools used, particularly the types of probes and the sites and areas of the mouth that were assessed. There was also heterogeneity in the use of clinical attachment loss (CAL) and pocket probing depth (PPD) as criteria for periodontitis. In the 15 studies, the threshold for a diagnosis of periodontitis when CAL was the criterion ranged from 2 to 6 mm and when PPD was used, from 3 to 6 mm.

Conclusions:

This review has confirmed previous work which has suggested that epidemiological studies of periodontal diseases are complicated by the diversity of methodologies and definitions used. The studies that were reviewed utilized a minimum diagnostic threshold defining periodontitis, at a given site in terms of CAL of 2 mm and PPD of 3 mm.
Lipomatous apocrine mixed tumor of the skin: an unusual giant lesion occurring in the breast
Authors: Magro Gaetano , Floridia Francesco , Geraci Guido , Marino Bruno
Published: May 2009

Cutaneous mixed tumors (MTs), also known as chondroid syringomas, usually arise as small nodules in the head and neck region. We describe an unusual case of a giant MT measuring 9 cm in its greatest diameter, occurring as a slowly growing pedunculated mass on the breast of a 74‐year‐old woman. Although MT may rarely occur outside the head and neck region, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first case described in the breast. Apart this unusual clinical presentation, another intriguing feature of tumor was the histological picture, being composed of an extensive mature fatty stromal component closely intermingling with the epithelial structures. As adipocytes were variable in size and focally showed a lipoblast‐like appearance, some tumor areas were reminiscent of a well‐differentiated liposarcoma, lipoma‐like. Based on the histological features, the term ‘lipomatous mixed tumor, apocrine type’ was proposed for such a lesion. Histogenetic considerations about the lipomatous stromal component of the tumor are provided.
Her‐2/neu evaluation in Sister Mary Joseph’s nodule from breast carcinoma: a case report and review of the literature
Authors: Brunelli Matteo , Manfrin Erminia , Miller Keith , Eccher Albino , Gobbo Stefano , Reghellin Daniela , Chilosi Marco , Remo Andrea , Martignoni Guido , Menestrina Fabio , Bonetti Franco
Published: May 2009

Sister Mary Joseph’s nodule (SMJN) involving the umbilicus can often be a clinical sign of metastatic cancer, but rarely cancer originating from the breast. We report a rare case of umbilical metastases from breast cancer and reviewed the literature. A 54‐year‐old woman was referred to a pre‐surgery clinic for an examination of an umbilical nodule. The patient had a history of ductal breast carcinoma. Cytological smear from fine needle aspiration showed epithelial neoplastic cells resembling those of breast carcinoma. Neoplastic cells from tissue were positive for cytokeratin 8–18, estrogen and progesterone receptor and negative for E‐cadherin and had a low proliferative index. Her‐2/neu immunodetection showed a 2+ equivocal positive rate, but Her‐2/neu gene amplification was found on the cytological smear by fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis. Similar results were obtained within a tissue section. Concordant findings have been obtained when comparing the recent American Society of Clinical Oncology/College of American Pathologists scoring system. Fine needle aspiration from the SMJN is a useful tool for the diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer. Furthermore, the predictive biomarkers for tumors of the breast, hormonal receptors and Her‐2/neu not only assist with the identification of the source of the metastatic disease but also provide clinical information for patient management.
Comparative analysis of the expression of cytokeratins (1, 10, 14, 16, 4), involucrin, filaggrin and e‐cadherin in plane warts and epidermodysplasia verruciformis plane wart‐type lesions
Authors: Barcelos Andrezza C. N. , Sotto Mirian N.
Published: May 2009

Background: Epidermodysplasia verruciformis (EV) is a rare genodermatosis with susceptibility to human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, and high risk of skin cancer considered a model of viral oncogenesis.

Methods: Fifteen cases of EV plane wart (PW)‐type lesions (EV) and 14 cases of PW in healthy individuals were subjected to immunohistochemical technique for cytokeratins (K) 1, 10, 14, 16, 4, involucrin, filaggrin and e‐cadherin.

Results: K1/10 showed retarded or negative expression in EV, being substituted by K14. Expression of K14 occurred in the basal and suprabasal layers in both groups, but in EV, its expression was observed up to the more superficial layers. Both groups showed positivity for K16 and K4, involucrin expression in lower levels of the spinous layer and unaltered filaggrin expression. E‐cadherin expression was diminished at the koilocytotic foci of both lesions, more superficially in EV.

Conclusion: Infection by HPV may alter the differentiation status of the epidermis, leading to a major expression of K14, delayed or absent expression of K1/10 and earlier involucrin expression, especially in EV. It also stimulates the expression of K16 and K4. Filaggrin expression is not altered, and e‐cadherin is diminished in superficial koilocytotic cells’ foci in EV.
C4d immunohistochemical stain is a sensitive method to confirm immunoreactant deposition in formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded tissue in bullous pemphigoid
Authors: Chandler Wells , Zone John , Florell Scott
Published: May 2009

Background:  Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is characterized clinically by the onset of pruritic urticarial plaques, vesicles and bullae in a predominantly elderly population. While the diagnosis may be suspected on routine hematoxylin and eosin histology of formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded tissue, fresh‐frozen tissue must be used to show the immunologic nature of the bullous process by direct immunofluorescence (DIF). The diagnosis is further confirmed and separated from epidermolysis bullosa acquisita (EBA) by subsequent serologic studies to detect antibodies directed against BP180 and BP230 antigens and characteristic antibody deposition on salt‐split skin.

Methods:  Using a polyclonal complement fragment 4d (C4d) antibody, we stained formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded skin biopsy specimens from cases of BP and controls.

Results:  We showed characteristic linear basement membrane deposition of C4d in formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded tissue in seven of nine cases diagnosed as BP vs. EBA by DIF on fresh‐frozen tissue. None of the four controls for which we had adequate tissue were positive.

Conclusion:  These results indicate that formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded tissue can be stained for the immunoreactant C4d to show characteristic immunoreactant deposition, potentially obviating the need for repeat biopsy for DIF and allowing clinicians to proceed to serologic confirmation of BP.
Histopathologic characteristics of neonatal cutaneous lupus erythematosus: description of five cases and literature review
Authors: Peñate Y. , Guillermo N. , Rodríguez J. , Hernández‐Machín B. , Montenegro T. , Afonso J. L. , Borrego L.
Published: May 2009

Background:  Neonatal lupus erythematosus (NLE) is a disease associated with the transplacental transfer of maternal anti‐Ro/SSA. The histopathologic characteristics of neonatal lupus have been described as compatible with cutaneous lupus based on isolated cases.

Methods:  We retrospectively review the available literature and compare them with findings obtained in seven biopsies of five cases.

Results:  Erythematous‐desquamative lesions and urticaria‐like lesions were observed in our series. Two cases showed both type of lesions. Vacuolar alterations at the dermoepidermal interface and adnexal structures were the histopathologic findings on erythematous‐desquamative lesions, and a superficial and deep perivascular and periadnexal lymphocytic infiltrate was the major pattern in urticaria‐like lesions. One case showed prevalence of eosinophils in the inflammatory infiltrate. Sixty cases have been reported previously. Sixty‐five percent presented erythematous‐desquamative and 29% urticaria‐like lesions. Pathologic findings of erythematous‐desquamative lesions were similar to those found in our series, but epidermal vacuolar changes were the predominant histopathologic finding in urticaria‐like lesions of cases reported in the literature.

Conclusions:  The majority of cases of NLE show vacuolar alteration at the dermoepidermal interface and adnexal structures. Some cases exhibit a superficial and deep perivascular and periadnexal lymphocytic infiltrate without epidermal alteration, and rare cases may have eosinophils in the infiltrate.
Stromal CD10 expression, as well as increased dermal macrophages and decreased Langerhans cells, are associated with malignant transformation of keratinocytes
Authors: Takahara Masakazu , Chen Shanjuan , Kido Makiko , Takeuchi Satoshi , Uchi Hiroshi , Tu Yating , Moroi Yoichi , Furue Masutaka
Published: May 2009

Background:  It has become evident that resident stromal cells, such as fibroblasts and inflammatory cells, are involved in the metastatic process, including proliferation or migration of malignant neoplasms. We analyzed CD10+ stromal cells, dermal macrophages and Langerhans cells (LCs) in skin tumors.

Methods:  Immunohistological staining was performed with markers for macrophages (CD68), LC (CD1a), stromal fibroblasts (CD10) and cell proliferation (Ki67) in 12 normal skins (NSs) and 15 cases each of seborrheic keratosis (SK), actinic keratosis (AK), keratoacanthoma (KA), Bowen’s disease (BD) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).

Results:  All SCCs showed weak to strong stromal CD10 expression, while all NS, SK and AK were negative. Weak CD10 expression was observed in only 2 of 15 samples in both BD and KA. The number of CD68+ cells and Ki67 labeling index in SCC and BD were significantly higher than that in KA, AK and SK. In contrast, the number of LC was lower in SCC and BD. The stromal CD10 expression was significantly correlated with the Ki67 labeling indices and CD68+ cells and negatively correlated with decreased LC.

Conclusions:  The stromal CD10 expression is associated with malignant transformation of keratinocytes together with infiltration of dermal macrophages and loss of LC.
Parathyroid hormone administration may modulate periodontal tissue levels of interleukin‐6, matrix metalloproteinase‐2 and matrix metalloproteinase‐9 in experimental periodontitis
Authors: Marques M. R. , Dos Santos M. C. L. G. , Da Silva A. F. , Nociti Jr F. H. , Barros S. P.
Published: May 2009

Background and Objective:  Intermittent administration of the parathyroid hormone (1–34) has an anabolic effect on bone and it has been shown to reduce alveolar bone loss in experimental periodontitis models. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of parathyroid hormone on tissue degradation‐related factors in an experimental periodontitis model in rats.

Material and Methods:  Periodontitis was induced in seventy‐six male Wistar rats using ligature around the lower right first molars. The animals were then treated with parathyroid hormone (1–34) (T‐group) or vehicle (C‐group), three times a week for 15 d (C15, T15) or 30 d (C30, T30). At each experimental time‐point, the 19 rats were killed in each group and the gingival tissue around the first lower molar was removed and prepared for the following analyses: mRNA expression of interleukin‐1beta, interleukin‐6, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐2 and MMP‐9, and gelatinolytic activity of MMP‐2 and MMP‐9. Hemimandibles were decalcified, and serial sections were processed and analyzed for interleukin‐6 immohistochemistry. Samples were also histochemically stained by tartrate‐resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) to evaluate the number of osteoclasts present.

Results:  Parathyroid hormone‐treated samples showed decreased of levels of mRNA for interleukin‐6 in the T30 group (p < 0.01) and of MMP‐2 in the T15 and T30 groups (p < 0.05). Zymography assays demonstrated that treatment with parathyroid hormone led to a decrease in MMP‐9 activity (p < 0.01). TRAP staining of alveolar bone revealed that osteoclasts were present in higher numbers (p < 0.05) in the groups not treated with parathyroid hormone.

Conclusion:  These data suggest that intermittent administration of parathyroid hormone can down‐regulate the expression of biomarkers responsible for connective tissue breakdown and bone resorption, and potentially affect alveolar bone resorption activity.
Modelling and simulating interleukin‐10 production and regulation by macrophages after stimulation with an immunomodulator of parasitic nematodes
Authors: Figueiredo Ana Sofia , Höfer Thomas , Klotz Christian , Sers Christine , Hartmann Susanne , Lucius Richard , Hammerstein Peter
Published: May 2009

Parasitic nematodes can downregulate the immune response of their hosts through the induction of immunoregulatory cytokines such as interleukin‐10 (IL‐10). To define the underlying mechanisms, we measured in vitro the production of IL‐10 in macrophages in response to cystatin from Acanthocheilonema viteae, an immunomodulatory protein of filarial nematodes, and developed mathematical models of IL‐10 regulation. IL‐10 expression requires stimulation of the mitogen‐activated protein kinases extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) and p38, and we propose that a negative feedback mechanism, acting at the signalling level, is responsible for transient IL‐10 production that can be followed by a sustained plateau. Specifically, a model with negative feedback on the ERK pathway via secreted IL‐10 accounts for the experimental data. Accordingly, the model predicts sustained phospho‐p38 dynamics, whereas ERK activation changes from transient to sustained when the concentration of immunomodulatory protein of Acanthocheilonema viteae increases. We show that IL‐10 can regulate its own production in an autocrine fashion, and that ERK and p38 control IL‐10 amplitude, duration and steady state. We also show that p38 affects ERK via secreted IL‐10 (autocrine crosstalk). These findings demonstrate how convergent signalling pathways may differentially control kinetic properties of the IL‐10 signal.
The activity of Plasmodium falciparum arginase is mediated by a novel inter‐monomer salt‐bridge between Glu295–Arg404
Authors: Wells Gordon A. , Müller Ingrid B. , Wrenger Carsten , Louw Abraham I.
Published: May 2009

A recent study implicated a role for Plasmodium falciparum arginase in the systemic depletion of arginine levels, which in turn has been associated with human cerebral malaria pathogenesis. Arginase (EC 3.5.3.1) is a multimeric metallo‐protein that catalyses the hydrolysis of arginine to ornithine and urea by means of a binuclear spin‐coupled Mn2+ cluster in the active site. A previous report indicated that P. falciparum arginase has a strong dependency between trimer formation, enzyme activity and metal co‐ordination. Mutations that abolished Mn2+ binding also caused dissociation of the trimer; conversely, mutations that abolished trimer formation resulted in inactive monomers. By contrast, the monomers of mammalian (and therefore host) arginase are also active. P. falciparum arginase thus appears to be an obligate trimer and interfering with trimer formation may therefore serve as an alternative route to enzyme inhibition. In the present study, the mechanism of the metal dependency was explored by means of homology modelling and molecular dynamics. When the active site metals are removed, loss of structural integrity is observed. This is reflected by a larger equilibration rmsd for the protein when the active site metal is removed and some loss of secondary structure. Furthermore, modelling revealed the existence of a novel inter‐monomer salt‐bridge between Glu295 and Arg404, which was shown to be associated with the metal dependency. Mutational studies not only confirmed the importance of this salt‐bridge in trimer formation, but also provided evidence for the independence of P. falciparum arginase activity on trimer formation.
Genome‐wide identification of glucosinolate synthesis genes inBrassica rapa
Authors: Zang Yun‐Xiang , Kim Hyun Uk , Kim Jin A , Lim Myung‐Ho , Jin Mina , Lee Sang Choon , Kwon Soo‐Jin , Lee Soo‐In , Hong Joon Ki , Park Tae‐Ho , Mun Jeong‐Hwan , Seol Young‐Joo , Hong Seung‐Beom , Park Beom‐Seok
Published: May 2009

Glucosinolates play important roles in plant defense against herbivores and microbes, as well as in human nutrition. Some glucosinolate‐derived isothiocyanate and nitrile compounds have been clinically proven for their anticarcinogenic activity. To better understand glucosinolate biosynthesis inBrassica rapa, we conducted a comparative genomics study withArabidopsis thalianaand identified total 56 putative biosynthetic and regulator genes. This established a high colinearity in the glucosinolate biosynthesis pathway betweenArabidopsisandB. rapa. Glucosinolate genes inB. rapashare 72–94% nucleotide sequence identity with theArabidopsisorthologs and exist in different copy numbers. The exon/intron split pattern ofB. rapais almost identical to that ofArabidopsis, although inversion, insertion, deletion and intron size variations commonly occur. Four genes appear to be nonfunctional as a result of the presence of a frame shift mutation and retrotransposon insertion. At least 12 paralogs of desulfoglucosinolate sulfotransferase were found inB. rapa, whereas only three were found inArabidopsis. The expression of those paralogs was not tissue‐specific but varied greatly depending onB. rapatissue types. Expression was also developmentally regulated in some paralogs but not in other paralogs. Most of the regulator genes are present as triple copies. Accordingly, glucosinolate synthesis and regulation inB. rapaappears to be more complex than that ofArabidopsis. With the isolation and further characterization of the endogenous genes, health‐beneficial vegetables or desirable animal feed crops could be developed by metabolically engineering the glucosinolate pathway.
EFFECT OF WATER ACTIVITY ON PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF CONJUGATED LINOLEIC ACID (CLA) MICROCAPSULES
Authors: JIMENEZ MARIBEL , GARCIA HUGO S. , BERISTAIN CESAR I.
Published: May 2009

The physical properties of spray drying powders must be considered for the design of equipment. Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) microcapsules were spray dried by using the following as wall materials: whey protein concentrate (WPC), a blend of whey protein concentrate–maltodextrins (WPC‐MD) and gum arabic (GA). These were prepared and their physical properties were studied. The bulk density, packed density, particle density, compressibility and color of the microcapsules were evaluated in a range of water activities from 0.108 to 0.898. No significant differences in the physical properties were found when WPC was used as a wall material in the microcapsules stored at the whole range of water activities tested. Maltodextrins conferred changes in some of the physical properties of the microcapsules (WPC‐MD) upon storage at high water activities. GA microcapsules showed drastic changes in all physical properties studied at water activities above 0.628.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

This work shows the best conditions for storing conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) microcapsules elaborated with different wall materials, which have been reported to have a high potential as a food additive because of the nutraceutical properties of CLA. This research should reveal the behavior of water activity during storage on physical properties, and make it possible to predict what characteristics need to be added to a food, besides being important for the design of equipment, packing and transport.
Osmotic Dehydration of Tomato in Sucrose Solutions: Fick's Law Classical Modeling
Authors: Bui Huu‐Thuan , Makhlouf Joseph , Ratti Cristina
Published: May 2009

ABSTRACT:  Osmotic dehydration of tomato was modeled by the classical Fick's law including shrinkage, convective resistance at the interface and the presence of water bulk flow. Tomato slices having 8 mm thickness were osmotically dehydrated in sucrose solutions at 50, 60, and 70 °Brix and at 35, 45, and 55 °C. Other experiments were done in a 70 °Brix sucrose solution at 35 °C with tomato slices of 4, 6, and 8 mm thickness and at different motion levels (velocities 0, 0.053, and 0.107 m/s). Tomato weight, water content, and °Brix of the products were measured as a function of processing time (20, 40, 80, 160, and 320 min). Results showed that temperature, concentration, thickness, and solution movement significantly influenced water loss and sucrose gain during the osmotic dehydration of tomato. The model predicted the modifications of soluble solid content and water content as a function of time in close agreement with the experimental data. Experimental Sherwood number correlations for sucrose and water were determined as Shs = 1.3 Re0.5Scs0.15 and Shw = 0.11 Re0.5Scw0.5, respectively. The effective diffusion coefficients of water (4.97 10−11– 2.10 10−10 m2/s) and sucrose (3.18 10−11– 1.69 10−10 m2/s) depended only on temperature through an Arrhenius‐type relationship.
Effects of Waxy Wheat Flour and Water on Frozen Dough and Bread Properties
Authors: Yi Jinhee , Kerr William L. , Johnson Jerry W.
Published: May 2009

ABSTRACT:  The quality of bread made from frozen dough is diminished by changes that occur during freezing. New cultivars of waxy wheat flour (WWF), containing less than 2% amylose, offer unique properties for the production of baked products. In this study, dough properties and bread quality were investigated at various levels of WWF (0% to 45% flour weight) and water (55% to 65%). Dough stickiness increased with higher levels of WWF and water. During frozen storage, dough with greater WWF and lower water had less change in stickiness. Maximum resistance to extension (MRE) decreased with higher WWF and water. Dough with greater WWF and less water had less change in extensibility after frozen storage. Dough with greater WWF and water was more extensible. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) studies showed that frozen dough with higher WWF content had lower transverse relaxation (T2) time of 9 to 11ms. After frozen storage, dough with higher WWF still showed lower T2. Dough with 15% WWF had higher yeast activity. Bread made from 15% and 30% WWF had higher volume in bread made from unfrozen and frozen dough. Bread firmness decreased with higher amounts of WWF and water. This research demonstrated that specific combinations of WWF and water produced a better quality of frozen dough and bread.
Iron, Zinc, and Protein Bioavailability Proxy Measures of Meals Prepared with Nutritionally Enhanced Beans and Maize
Authors: Pachón H. , Ortiz D.A. , Araujo C. , Blair M.W. , Restrepo J.
Published: May 2009

ABSTRACT:  Nutritionally enhanced beans (NEB) with more Fe and Zn than conventional beans (CB) and nutritionally enhanced maize (NEM) with more tryptophan and lysine than conventional maize (CM) were developed as part of a crop‐biofortification strategy to improve human nutrition. Proxy measures were used to assess Fe and Zn bioavailability and protein digestibility of a bean recipe (fríjol sancochado) and a maize–milk recipe (mazamorra) prepared with enhanced or conventional crops in Colombia. Fe concentration was similar in the cooked NEB and CB and in NEM and CM (P≥ 0.05); in vitro Fe dialyzability was similar in cooked NEB (9.52%) and CB (9.72%) and greater for NEM (37.01%) than CM (32.24%). Zn concentration was higher in the uncooked and cooked NEB than in the CB (P < 0.05); phytate: Zn molar ratios were high in cooked NEB (36: 1) and CB (47: 1), suggesting low Zn bioavailability, and not different from each other (P = 0.07). There were no differences in Zn concentration or phytate: Zn molar ratio in the maize recipes. Nitrogen, tryptophan, and lysine concentrations were higher in the cooked NEM than CM; nitrogen was higher in the cooked NEB than CB (P < 0.05). In vitro protein digestibility was comparable (82% to 83%) for NEM and CM and higher for NEB (84%) than for CB (82%). The higher nutrient concentrations + similar bioavailability (protein in NEM, Zn in NEB), same nutrient concentrations + higher bioavailability (Fe in NEM) or higher nutrient concentrations + higher bioavailability (protein in NEB) can translate into more nutrients absorbed and utilized by the body.
GC/MS Method for the Determination of Adipate Plasticizers in Ham Sausage and Its Application to Kinetic and Penetration Studies
Authors: Wei D.Y. , Wang M.L. , Guo Z.Y. , Wang S. , Li H.L. , Zhang H.N. , Gai P.P.
Published: May 2009

ABSTRACT:  A GC/MS method was developed and successfully validated for the determination of adipate plasticizers in ham sausage migrated from polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC) packaging film. The sample pretreatment includes liquid extraction, solvent evaporation, and reconstitution before and after solid phase extraction (SPE). For the 5 adipate plasticizers studied, the SPE process with Oasis MAX cartridge showed an extraction efficiency from 85.7% to 106%, and the calibration curves are all linear in the range of 5 to 1000 ng/g with correlation coefficients greater than 0.998. The method proved to be accurate and precise; the average intraday recovery ranges from 85.4% to 114.6% with a %CV value from 2.5 to 11.3, and the average interday recovery from 83.6% to 118.5% with a %CV value from 2.8 to 15.6, respectively, for the adipate plasticizers. The method is sensitive and was effectively applied in the kinetic and penetration studies of the adipate plasticizers migrating from food‐grade PVDC packaging film into ham sausage. The experimental data showed that approximately 6.8% of dibutyl adipate (DBA) in the packaging film migrated into the ham sausage in 4 mo and the migration reached the innermost portion of the sausage in 6 mo.
Use of a hydrodynamic model to forecast floods of Kalu River in Sri Lanka
Authors: Nandalal K.D.W.
Published: May 2009

Kalu River, the third longest river in Sri Lanka, discharges the largest amount of water into the ocean while causing floods along its route from the most upstream major town, Ratnapura, to the most downstream town, Kalutara. It has become necessary to either totally control these floods or instruct people to adjust their activities to the rhythm of the river and prepared them to live with floods with minimum damages. This paper presents a model developed to determine water levels along the river from Ratnapura to 79 km downstream Kalutara using the HEC‐RAS hydrodynamic model. The model was calibrated and verified for both steady and unsteady flow conditions. It provides water levels and inundation areas along the river for different discharges. A set of tables, which could be used by people with less technical knowledge, were prepared to predict flood levels at downstream locations based on observed water levels at upstream locations.
Materialising Oceania: New ethnographies of things in Melanesia and Polynesia
Authors: Bell Joshua A. , Geismar Haidy
Published: May 2009

Oceania occupies an intriguing place within anthropology’s genealogy. In the introduction to this collection of essays, we examine the role of the ethnography of Oceania in the development of our anthropological perspectives on materialisation, the dynamic process by which persons and things are inter‐related. Building upon the recent resurgence of theoretical interests in things we use the term materialisation (rather than material culture or materiality) to capture the vitality of the lived processes by which ideas of objectivity and subjectivity, persons and things, minds and bodies are entangled. Taking a processual view, we advocate for an Oceanic anthropology that continues to engage with things on the ground; that asks what strategies communities use to materialise their social relations, desires and values; and that recognises how these processes remain important tools for understanding historical and contemporary Oceanic societies. Examining these locally articulated processes and forms contributes to a material (re)turn for anthropology that clarifies how we, as scholars, think about things more widely.
What’s the matter with technology? Long (and short) yams, materialisation and technology in Nyamikum village, Maprik district, Papua New Guinea
Authors: Coupaye Ludovic
Published: May 2009

Things are not just consumable, they are made so. They acquire their ‘materiality’ not only through engagements with them as finished products, but also through processes that make them material, i.e. technical activities. This field of study in anthropology, rejected by dominant trends because of its deterministic connotations, is a useful way to explore processes of materialisation and to investigate the ‘inbuilt’ relationality of things and activities. This paper focuses on yam gardening in Nyamikum, an Abelam village of the East Sepik. Once harvested, long (and short) yams emerge not solely as phallic symbols, but also as artefacts, representations, living beings, ancestors, artworks, valuables and, mostly, food. Starting observations at the beginning of the operational sequences (‘chaînes opératoire’,Lemonnier 1992) within gardening techniques, a combination of gestures, body, materials, energy, tools, knowledge and behaviours takes us across domains of experience (embodiments, transformations, sociality, narratives) to illuminate how yams are made into ‘relational’ entities. They demonstrate that techniques create a web that materialises social and cultural values, condensing networks of relations into things. As the results of these (known or imagined) processes, things can demonstrate the material validities of representational—or ideological—components of technological phenomena and may be used to generate sociality.
Te Kupenga: Re‐casting entangled networks
Authors: Baker Jade Tangiāhua
Published: May 2009

The removal of objects from indigenous communities to private ownership, and sometimes to museums was clearly a one‐way path, with little consideration given to the effects of this displacement. After all, collection‐making was a serious enterprise and collections, as mutable sites, were pivotal in materialising compelling colonial discourses in Aotearoa New Zealand during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Recently, however, museums have engaged in negotiating the passage of object information back to their original communities. In an investigation of two individual taonga from the Mair collection, and in recasting tribal perspectives, surprising networks of interrelations are untangled, which reveal that ancestor agency materialised object‐people commitments that continue to be especially poignant for contemporary descendants.
Reynolds Number Effects on the Performance Characteristic of a Small Regenerative Pump
Authors: Kang Shin-Hyoung , Ryu Su-Hyun
Published: May 2009

This paper studies the effect of the Reynolds number on the performance characteristics of a small regenerative pump. Since regenerative pumps have low specific speeds, they are usually applicable to small devices such as micropumps. As the operating Reynolds number decreases, nondimensional similarity parameters such as flow and head coefficients and efficiency become dependent on the Reynolds number. In this study, the Reynolds number based on the impeller diameter and rotating speed varied between 5.52×103 and 1.33×106. Complex three-dimensional flow structures of internal flow vary with the Reynolds numbers. The coefficients of the loss models are obtained by using the calculated through flows in the impeller. The estimated performances obtained by using one-dimensional modeling agreed reasonably well with the numerically calculated performances. The maximum values of flow and head coefficients depended on the Reynolds number when it is smaller than 2.65×105. The critical value of the Reynolds number for loss coefficient and maximum efficiency variations with Reynolds number was 1.0×105.
Experimental Investigations on the Thermal Conductivity of Silica Aerogels by a Guarded Thin-Film-Heater Method
Authors: Spagnol Sandra , Lartigue Bérangère , Trombe Alain , Despetis Florence
Published: May 2009

A thin-film-heater method is setup to measure the thermal conductivity of super insulating materials such as silica aerogels. The experimental setup is purposely designed for insulating materials and allows direct measurement of the thermal conductivity. Few experimental data are available in the literature concerning thermal conductivity of aerogels even though these materials are of major interest in thermal insulation. More data are necessary in order to understand thermal transport and to validate existing models. Monolithic and granular silica aerogels are investigated. Our experimental technique enables to quantify the influence of important parameters, such as air pressure and distribution of grain sizes, on the insulating performance of this material.
Spray Cooling With Ammonia on Microstructured Surfaces: Performance Enhancement and Hysteresis Effect
Authors: Bostanci Huseyin , Rini Daniel P. , Kizito John P. , Chow Louis C.
Published: May 2009

Experiments were performed to investigate spray cooling on microstructured surfaces. Surface modification techniques were utilized to obtain microscale indentations and protrusions on the heater surfaces. A smooth surface was also tested to have baseline data for comparison. Tests were conducted in a closed loop system with ammonia using RTI’s vapor atomized spray nozzles. Thick film resistors, simulating heat source, were mounted onto 1×2 cm2 heaters, and heat fluxes up to 500 W/cm2 (well below critical heat flux limit) were removed. Two nozzles each spraying 1 cm2 of the heater area used 96 ml/cm2 min(9.7 gal/in.2 h) liquid and 13.8 ml/cm2 s(11.3 ft3/in.2 h) vapor flow rate with only 48 kPa (7 psi) pressure drop. Comparison of cooling curves in the form of surface superheat (ΔTsat=Tsurf−Tsat) versus heat flux in the heating-up and cooling-down modes (for increasing and decreasing heat flux conditions) demonstrated substantial performance enhancement for both microstructured surfaces over smooth surface. At 500 W/cm2, the increases in the heat transfer coefficient for microstructured surfaces with protrusions and indentations were 112% and 49% over smooth surface, respectively. Moreover, results showed that smooth surface gives nearly identical cooling curves in the heating-up and cooling-down modes, while microstructured surfaces experience a hysteresis phenomenon depending on the surface roughness level and yields lower surface superheat in the cooling-down mode, compared with the heating-up mode, at a given heat flux. Microstructured surface with protrusions was further tested using two approaches to gain better understanding on hysteresis. Data indicated that microstructured surface helps retain the established three-phase contact lines, the regions where solid, liquid, and vapor phases meet, resulting in consistent cooling curve and hysteresis effect at varying heat flux conditions (as low as 25 W/cm2 for the present work). Data also confirmed a direct connection between hysteresis and thermal history of the heater.
Specific Heat Measurement of Three Nanofluids and Development of New Correlations
Authors: Vajjha Ravikanth S. , Das Debendra K.
Published: May 2009

This paper presents the specific heat measurements of three nanofluids containing aluminum oxide, zinc oxide, and silicon dioxide nanoparticles. The first two are dispersed in a base fluid of 60:40 by mass of ethylene glycol and water (60:40 EG/W) and the last one in deionized water. Measurements were conducted over a temperature range of 315–363 K, which is the normal range of operation of automobile coolants and building heating fluids in cold regions. The nanoparticle volumetric concentrations tested were up to 10%. The measured values were compared with existing equations for the specific heat of nanofluids. A close agreement with the experimental data was not observed. Therefore, a new general correlation was developed for the specific heat as functions of particle volumetric concentration, temperature, and the specific heat of both the particle and the base fluid from the present set of measurements. The correlation predicts the specific heat values of each nanofluid within an average error of about 2.7%.