bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Using matching distance in size theory: A survey
Authors: d'Amico Michele , Frosini Patrizio , Landi Claudia
Published: March 2007

In this survey we illustrate how the matching distance between reduced size functions can be applied for shape comparison. We assume that each shape can be thought of as a compact connected manifold with a real continuous function defined on it, that is a pair (ℳ︁,φ : ℳ︁ → ℝ), called size pair. In some sense, the function φ focuses on the properties and the invariance of the problem at hand. In this context, matching two size pairs (ℳ︁, φ) and (𝒩, ψ) means looking for a homeomorphism between ℳ︁ and 𝒩 that minimizes the difference of values taken by φ and ψ on the two manifolds. Measuring the dissimilarity between two shapes amounts to the difficult task of computing the value δ = inff maxP∈ℳ︁ |φ(P) − ψ(f(P))|, where f varies among all the homeomorphisms from ℳ︁ to 𝒩. From another point of view, shapes can be described by reduced size functions associated with size pairs. The matching distance between reduced size functions allows for a robust to perturbations comparison of shapes. The link between reduced size functions and the dissimilarity measure δ is established by a theorem, stating that the matching distance provides an easily computable lower bound for δ. Throughout this paper we illustrate this approach to shape comparison by means of examples and experiments. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Imaging Syst Technol, 16, 154–161, 2006
Image registration methods in high‐dimensional space
Authors: Neemuchwala Huzefa , Hero Alfred , Zabuawala Sakina , Carson Paul
Published: March 2007

Quantitative evaluation of similarity between feature densities of images is an important step in several computer vision and data‐mining applications such as registration of two or more images and retrieval and clustering of images. Previously we had introduced a new class of similarity measures based on entropic graphs to estimate Rènyi's α‐entropy, α‐Jensen difference divergence, α‐mutual information, and other divergence measures for image registration. Entropic graphs such as the minimum spanning tree (MST) and k‐Nearest neighbor (kNN) graph allow the estimation of such similarity measures in higher dimensional feature spaces. A major drawback of histogram‐based estimates of such measures is that they cannot be reliably constructed in higher dimensional feature spaces.

In this article, we shall briefly extrapolate upon the use of entropic graph based divergence measures mentioned above. Additionally, we shall present estimates of other divergence viz the Geometric‐Arithmetic mean divergence and Henze–Penrose affinity. We shall present the application of these measures for pairwise image registration using features derived from independent component analysis of the images. An extension of pairwise image registration is to simultaneously register multiple images, a challenging problem that arises while constructing atlases of organs in medical imaging. Using entropic graph methods we show the feasibility of such simultaneous registration using graph based higher dimensional estimates of entropy measures. Finally we present a new nonlinear correlation measure that is invariant to nonlinear transformations of the underlying feature space and can be reliably constructed in higher dimensions. We present an image clustering experiment to demonstrate the robustness of this measure to nonlinear transformations and contrast it with the clustering performance of the linear correlation coefficient. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Imaging Syst Technol, 16, 130–145, 2006
Bayesian approach to change points detection in time series
Authors: Mohammad‐Djafari Ali , Féron Olivier
Published: March 2007

Change points detection in time series is an important area of research in statistics, has a long history and has many applications. However, very often change point analysis is only focused on the changes in the mean value of some quantity in a process. In this work we consider time series with discrete point changes which may contain a finite number of changes of probability density functions (pdf). We focus on the case where the data in all segments are modeled by Gaussian probability density functions with different means, variances and correlation lengths. We put a prior law on the change point occurances (Poisson process) as well as on these different parameters (conjugate priors) and give the expression of the posterior probability distributions of these change points. The computations are done by using an appropriate Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) technique.

The problem as we stated can also be considered as an unsupervised classification and/or segmentation of the time serie. This analogy gives us the possibility to propose alternative modeling and computation of change points. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Imaging Syst Technol, 16, 215–221, 2006
Bayesian inference for inverse problems in signal and image processing and applications
Authors: Mohammad‐Djafari Ali
Published: March 2007

Probability theory and statistics are two main tools in signal and image processing. Bayesian inference has a privileged place in developing methods for inverse problems arising in signal and image processing, which can be applied in real world applications. In this tutorial presentation, first I will briefly present the Bayesian estimation approach in signal and image processing. Then, I will show a few examples of inverse problems, such as signal deconvolution, image restoration, and tomographic image construction, and then show how the Bayesian estimation approach can be used to give solutions for these problems. Finally, I will focus on two recent research domain, which are blind sources separation and data fusion problems, and present new methods we developed recently and their applications. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Imaging Syst Technol, 16, 209–214, 2006
A method for eye detection based on SVD transforms
Authors: Danafar Somayeh , Sheikh Leila Taghavi , Targhi Alireza Tavakoli
Published: March 2007

A set of transforms (SVD transforms) were introduced in (Shahshahani and Tavakoli Targhi) for understanding images. These transforms have been applied to some problems in computer vision including segmentation, detection of objects in a texture environment, classification of textures, detection of cracks or other imperfections, etc. This technique is shown to be applicable to determination of the location of eyes in a facial image. This method makes no use of color cues, prior geometric knowledge or other assumptions and does not require training. It is also insensitive to local perturbations in lighting, change of orientation and pose, scaling, and complexity of the background including indoor and outdoor environments. The method can be used for eye tracking and has applications to face recognition. It has also been used in animal eye detection and differentiation. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Imaging Syst Technol, 16, 222–229, 2006
Bounded BCK‐algebras and their generated variety
Authors: Gispert Joan , Torrens Antoni
Published: March 2007

In this paper we prove that the equational class generated by bounded BCK‐algebras is the variety generated by the class of finite simple bounded BCK‐algebras. To obtain these results we prove that every simple algebra in the equational class generated by bounded BCK‐algebras is also a relatively simple bounded BCK‐algebra. Moreover, we show that every simple bounded BCK‐algebra can be embedded into a simple integral commutative bounded residuated lattice. We extend our main results to some richer subreducts of the class of integral commutative bounded residuated lattices and to the involutive case. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Presidential address medical governance: Are we ready to prescribe?
Authors: Weimer David L.
Published: March 2007

Federal and state governments in the United States play substantial and complex roles in promoting, subsidizing, regulating, and even providing health care in the United States. Financial pressures on Medicare and Medicaid, concerns about the translation of evidence‐based findings into medical practice, and efforts to reduce the number of people without any health insurance are likely to expand governments' roles even further in the future. Although a large body of research seeks ways to improve the delivery of medical services, relatively little research addresses the advantages and disadvantages of the various governance arrangements that are or could be used to make better collective decisions about the allocation of medical resources. Assessments of the many types of governance arrangements already employed—advisory committees such as those employed by the Food and Drug Administration, menu‐creating commissions with narrow mandates such as the Oregon Health Plan, and stakeholders trusteeships such as the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network—should be an important topic for health policy research pursued by public policy and management scholars. Absent these efforts, the policy community may not be able to offer good advice about medical governance. © 2007 by the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management
Anomeric sugar configuration of anthocyanin O‐pyranosides determined from heteronuclear one‐bond coupling constants
Authors: Pedersen Atle T. , Andersen Øyvind M. , Aksnes Dagfinn W. , Nerdal Willy
Published: March 2007

Using the nuclear magnetic resonance technique, two‐dimensional inverse heteronuclear shift correlation through multiple quantum coherence (HMQC), the one‐bond coupling constants between the carbon atoms and protons (1J(C, H)) have been measured for a number of anthocyanins represented by 6‐hydroxydelphinidin and all the common aglycones (except peonidin) and monosaccharides found as building blocks of anthocyanins. The large anomeric 1J(C, H) values of rhamnopyranosyls (168‐170 Hz) show that these protons are in equatorial positions while the smaller 1J(C, H) values of the other anomeric protons (162‐165 Hz) correspond to axial positions, thus assigning the anomeric configurations of the examined anthocyanins to be β for the gluco‐, galacto‐ and xylopyranosyls and α for the rhamno‐ and arabinopyranosyls. In the pentoses, xylo‐ and arabinopyranosyls, it was found that the 1J(C, H) couplings for the equatorial H‐5 protons (149‐150 Hz) are larger than for the corresponding axial H‐5 protons (140‐143 Hz).
Entomopathogenicity of native bacteria from Anastrepha fraterculus and Ceratitis capitata against the pest Phyllocnistis citrella
Authors: Campos Yany , Sepúlveda Bernardo , Tume Pedro
Published: March 2007

In Piura (Peru), the pest Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton damages the photosynthetic rate and new bud production of Citrus aurantiifolia Swingle (sweet lemon), decreasing the yield, productivity and commercial price of its fruit. Biological control was evaluated through the crossed effect of bacteria obtained from pests (Anastrepha fraterculus Wied., Ceratitis capitata Wied. and Rhynchophorus palmarum L.) that are pathogenic against their original host species. Enterobacter cloacae (Jordan) Hormaeche & Edwards and Serratia marcescens Bizio (from A. fraterculus and C. capitata) and Pseudomonas mendocina Palleroni (from R. palmarum) were used against P. citrella. The bacterial strains were inoculated into its food and the accumulated mortality was evaluated. Larvae of P. citrella treated with P. mendocina had the highest mortality (66.7%). These bacterial species were entomopathogenic against the original source pest in laboratory and greenhouse bioassays, and this result widens the pathological activity range of these bacterial species. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry
Allelopathy—a natural alternative for weed control
Authors: Macías Francisco A , Molinillo José MG , Varela Rosa M , Galindo Juan CG
Published: March 2007

Allelopathy studies the interactions among plants, fungi, algae and bacteria with the organisms living in a certain ecosystem, interactions that are mediated by the secondary metabolites produced and exuded into the environment. Consequently, allelopathy is a multidisciplinary science where ecologists, chemists, soil scientists, agronomists, biologists, plant physiologists and molecular biologists offer their skills to give an overall view of the complex interactions occurring in a certain ecosystem. As a result of these studies, applications in weed and pest management are expected in such different fields as development of new agrochemicals, cultural methods, developing of allelopathic crops with increased weed resistance, etc. The present paper will focus on the chemical aspects of allelopathy, pointing out the most recent advances in the chemicals disclosed, their mode of action and their fate in the ecosystem. Also, attention will be paid to achievements in genomics and proteomics, two emerging fields in allelopathy. Rather than being exhaustive, this paper is intended to reflect a critical vision of the current state of allelopathy and to point to future lines of research where in the authors' opinion the main advances and applications could and should be expected. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry
Chemical cotton stalk destruction for maintenance of host‐free periods for the control of overwintering boll weevil in tropical and subtropical climates
Authors: Greenberg Shoil M , Sparks Alton N , Norman John W , Coleman Randy , Bradford Joe M , Yang Chenghai , Sappington Thomas W , Showler Allan
Published: March 2007

In the Lower Rio Grande Valley (LRGV) of Texas, cotton regrows and produces fruit from undestroyed stalks throughout the winter, and in spring weevils from such locations become a serious threat. The success of the boll weevil eradication program, which was reintroduced in the LRGV in 2005, will be dependent on thorough stalk destruction following harvest. However, adverse weather conditions and conservation tillage often impede immediate and complete stalk destruction using typical tool implements, and alternative stalk control methods are needed. This study provides an examination of the efficacy for cotton stalk destruction of different herbicides (thifensulfuron‐methyl + tribenuron‐methyl, dicamba‐diolamine, 2,4‐D‐dimethylammonium, flumioxazin, 2,4‐DB‐dimethylammonium and carfentrazone‐ethyl) and their rates, spray volumes and application timings on shredded or standing cotton stalks after stripper or picker harvest. None of the tested herbicides, except 2,4‐D‐dimethylammonium, stopped post‐harvest cotton regrowth and fruiting. 2,4‐D‐dimethylammonium sprayed once (0 or 7 days) after cotton was harvested at 1 lb AE acre−1 (1.12 kg ha−1), in a spray volume of 10 gal water acre−1 (93.5 L ha−1) with 5 mL L−1 surfactant, was highly effective in stalk destruction (72–90%). The best results were achieved when the herbicide was applied immediately after the cotton was shredded, followed by standing stripper‐harvested and standing picker‐harvested cotton. 2,4‐D‐dimethylammonium applied twice, 0 and 14 (or 21) days after cotton harvest, was 100% effective in killing stalks, regardless of whether they were shredded or standing, or whether harvest was by stripper or picker. These findings showed that 2,4‐D‐dimethylammonium cotton stalk destruction eliminated food and reproductive opportunities for managing overwintering boll weevils [Anthonomus grandis grandis Boheman (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)]. Published in 2007 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Binding energy of a hydrogenic donor impurity in an ellipsoidal finite‐potential quantum dot
Authors: Barati M. , Rezaei G. , Vahdani M. R. K.
Published: March 2007

In this article, the binding energy of a hydrogenic donor impurity in weakly oblate Ellipsoidal Quantum Dot (EQD), using the perturbation theory within the framework of effective mass approximation, is investigated. In this regard, the binding energies of 1S, 2S and 2P0 states for GaAs/Alx Ga1–x As structures, as functions of the dot radius and ellipticity constant, are calculated. Results show that variations of binding energies of a hydrogenic impurity with respect to the dot dimension are similar to the case of Spherical Quantum Dot (SQD). In addition, it is found that the binding energy is inversely proportional to the ellipticity constant. This behavior is more profound for 2P0 state, where, depending on the dot's dimensionality and ellipticity, the binding energy may become negative. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Third‐order optical nonlinearity of azobenzene side‐chain polymer thin film
Authors: He Tingchao , Cheng Yongguang , Wang Changshun , Jia Tingjian , Li Pengwei , Mo Yujun
Published: March 2007

This paper reports both the nonlinear refractive index and nonlinear absorption coefficient of an azobenzene side‐chain polymer measured by a single‐beam Z ‐scan technique under 532 nm and 1064 nm excitation. Experimental results at 532 nm excitation show large optical nonlinearity and nonlinear absorption coefficient induced by the trans–cis transition in the dye molecule with γ being –9.46 × 10–12 cm2/W with β = –285.29 cm/GW, respectively. Under 1064 nm excitation, the large nonlinearity induced by the nonresonant electronic effect with γ = 4.57 × 10–12 cm2/W is obtained. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Electron capture atmospheric pressure photoionization mass spectrometry: analysis of fullerenes, perfluorinated compounds, and pentafluorobenzyl derivatives
Authors: Song Liguo , Wellman Amber D. , Yao Huifang , Adcock Jamie
Published: March 2007

An electron capture (EC) ionization mechanism has been found to be highly efficient in negative‐ion atmospheric pressure photoionization (APPI) for the analysis of compounds with positive electron affinity (EA). Using negative‐ion APPI, we first report the sensitive detection of natural electrophores with limited polarity, such as fullerenes and perfluorinated compounds, by mass spectrometry (MS). Using direct infusion on a quadrupole time‐of‐flight (QTOF) mass spectrometer, the limits of detection (LODs) for C60 and perfluoromethylcyclohexane were determined to be 0.15 pg (0.2 fmol) and 1 femtoliter (fL) (∼1.5 pg or 4.3 fmol), respectively. As the EA of the analyte increases, the detection sensitivity is enhanced. Making use of the accurate mass measurement capability of the QTOF mass spectrometer, we were able to investigate the elemental composition of the ions in each spectrum and attribute the observed high sensitivity to an EC‐initiated ionization process. The proposed EC ionization mechanism is further supported by the observation of a dissociative EC reaction of pentafluorobenzyl (PFB)‐derivatized phenols. The analysis of phenols by EC‐APPI of their PFB derivatives resulted in very high sensitivity, with the lowest reported LOD of ∼0.17 pg (0.5 fmol) being for 2,4‐dinitrophenol. For future LC/EC‐APPI‐MS applications, the effect of additives and solvents on sensitivity was also tested and reported. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Study of bis(bibenzyls) in bryophytes using electron ionization time‐of‐flight and electrospray ionization triple‐quadrupole mass spectrometry
Authors: Guo Huaifang , Xing Jie , Xie Chunfeng , Qu Jianbo , Gao Yanhui , Lou Hongxiang
Published: March 2007

A detailed analysis of mass spectra generated from bis(bibenzyl) compounds in bryophytes under electron ionization time‐of‐flight (EI‐TOF) and electrospray ionization triple‐quadrupole (ESI‐TQ) mass spectrometry conditions is reported. Proposed structures of the fragment ions were obtained by tracking the functional groups of 15 bis(bibenzyls), the structures of which are similar except for some alkoxyl substituents and linkage sites of biphenyl ether bonds. The elucidation was aided by the use of accurate mass measurements. Attempts have been made to provide rational pathways for the formation of these fragment ions, and a generalized fragmentation mechanism is proposed. The bis(bibenzyls) mentioned in this study include three types according to their structure characteristics, i.e. one biphenyl ether bond (A‐type), two biphenyl ether bonds (B‐type), one biphenyl ether and one biphenyl bond (C‐type). The three types display different EI‐MS and ESI‐MS/MS product profiles, by which the bis(bibenzyl) type and the number of alkoxyl substituents can be identified. Isomers of bis(bibenzyls) can be differentiated to some extent, while the linkage sites of biphenyl ether bonds are difficult to identify. The structure‐fragmentation relationships will facilitate the characterization of other bis(bibenzyls) and this will be of value for the high‐throughput screening of novel bis(bibenzyls) in bryophytes. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Analyzing survival curves at a fixed point in time
Authors: Klein John P. , Logan Brent , Harhoff Mette , Andersen Per Kragh
Published: March 2007

A common problem encountered in many medical applications is the comparison of survival curves. Often, rather than comparison of the entire survival curves, interest is focused on the comparison at a fixed point in time. In most cases, the naive test based on a difference in the estimates of survival is used for this comparison. In this note, we examine the performance of alternatives to the naive test. These include tests based on a number of transformations of the survival function and a test based on a generalized linear model for pseudo‐observations. The type I errors and power of these tests for a variety of sample sizes are compared by a Monte Carlo study. We also discuss how these tests may be extended to situations where the data are stratified. The pseudo‐value approach is also applicable in more detailed regression analysis of the survival probability at a fixed point in time. The methods are illustrated on a study comparing survival for autologous and allogeneic bone marrow transplants. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
On robustness of marginal regression coefficient estimates and hazard functions in multivariate survival analysis of family data when the frailty distribution is mis‐specified
Authors: Hsu Li , Gorfine Malka , Malone Kathleen
Published: March 2007

The shared frailty model is an extension of the Cox model to correlated failure times and, essentially, a random effects model for failure time outcomes. In this model, the latent frailty shared by individual members in a cluster acts multiplicatively as a factor on the hazard function and is typically modelled parametrically. One commonly used distribution is gamma, where both shape and scale parameters are set to be the same to allow for unique identification of baseline hazard function. It is popular because it is a conjugate prior, and the posterior distribution possesses the same form as gamma. In addition, the parameter can be interpreted as a time‐independent cross‐ratio function, a natural extension of odds ratio to failure time outcomes. In this paper, we study the effect of frailty distribution mis‐specification on the marginal regression estimates and hazard functions under assumed gamma distribution with an application to family studies. The simulation results show that the biases are generally 10% and lower, even when the true frailty distribution deviates substantially from the assumed gamma distribution. This suggests that the gamma frailty model can be a practical choice in real data analyses if the regression parameters and marginal hazard function are of primary interest and individual cluster members are exchangeable with respect to their dependencies. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Role of Gts1p in regulation of energy‐metabolism oscillation in continuous cultures of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Xu Zhaojun , Tsurugi Kunio
Published: March 2007

Energy‐metabolism oscillation (EMO) in an aerobic chemostat culture of yeast is basically regulated by a feedback loop of redox reactions in energy metabolism and modulated by metabolism of storage carbohydrates. In this study, we investigated the role of Gts1p in the stabilization of EMO, using the GTS1‐deleted transformant gts1Δ. We found that fluctuations in the redox state of the NAD co‐factor and levels of redox‐regulated metabolites in glycolysis, especially of ethanol, are markedly reduced in amplitude during EMO of gts1Δ, while respiration indicated by the oxygen uptake rate (OUR) and energy charge is not so affected throughout EMO in gts1Δ. Further, the transitions of the levels of OUR, NAD+ : NADH ratio and intracellular pH between the two phases were apparently retarded compared with those in the wild‐type, suggesting attenuation of EMO in gts1Δ. Furthermore, the mRNA levels of genes encoding enzymes for the synthesis of trehalose and glycogen are fairly reduced in gts1Δ, consistent with the decreased synthesis of storage carbohydrates. In addition, the level of inorganic phosphate, which is required for the reduction of NAD+ and mainly supplied from trehalose synthesis, was decreased in the early respiro‐fermentative phase in gts1Δ. Thus, we suggested that the deletion of GTS1 as a transcriptional co‐activator for these genes inhibited the metabolism of storage carbohydrates, which causes attenuation of the feedback loop of dehydrogenase reactions in glycolysis with the restricted fluctuation of ethanol as a main synchronizing agent for EMO in a cell population. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A practical approach to maternal phenylketonuria management
Authors: Maillot F. , Cook P. , Lilburn M. , Lee P. J.
Published: March 2007

More women with phenylketonuria are becoming pregnant and need appropriate management to avoid the effects of raised phenylalanine on the fetus: facial dysmorphism, microcephaly, growth retardation, developmental delay and congenital heart disease. Here we describe our experiences from a single centre gained over almost three decades. A series of six cases is presented to illustrate key points in management. Ideally, phenylalanine‐restricted diet is started before conception in a planned fashion, but some women present pregnant and blood phenylalanine must be lowered rapidly. The aims of management are to maintain blood phenylalanine concentration in the target range (100–250 μmol/L) before and throughout the pregnancy, and to ensure adequate maternal nutrition and appropriate weight gain. Blood phenylalanine is monitored twice, three times a week, before and after conception respectively. Weight is monitored on a weekly basis and key micronutrients are monitored every 6–8 weeks in clinic. From the second trimester onwards, dietary phenylalanine intake has to be promptly increased, as phenylalanine tolerance increases rapidly. Postnatal management includes a neurological assessment of the infant at 4–8 weeks and an echocardiogram for infants conceived off diet. Subsequently, offspring are seen at 1 year, 4 years, 8 years and 14 years for neuropsychometric evaluations. Regular follow‐up of the mother remains important whether on or off a phenylalanine‐restricted diet.
Response of the oxygen uptake efficiency slope to exercise training in patients with chronic heart failure
Authors: Van Laethem Christophe , Van De Veire Nico , De Backer Guy , Bihija Salhi , Seghers Tony , Cambier Dirk , Vanderheyden Marc , De Sutter Johan
Published: March 2007

Background:

The oxygen uptake efficiency slope (OUES) is a new exercise parameter that provides prognostic power in patients with CHF. Little is known about the effects of exercise training (ET) on OUES.

Aim:

To describe the response of OUES to 6 months of ET in CHF patients and compare its evolution to that of other exercise variables.

Methods:

35 patients with CHF (NYHA II–III, age 54±9y, LVEF 31±10%) performed 3 maximal exercise tests, i.e. at the start, middle and end of a 6 month ET program. OUES, PeakVO2, ventilatory anaerobic threshold (VAT) and slope VE/VCO2 were determined.

Results:

OUES, peakVO2, VAT, slope VE/VCO2, peak Watt, 6MWT and NYHA‐class improved during the first part of the ET period (p<0.05). Only VAT, peak Watt and 6MWT continued to improve during the second part of the ET period (p>0.05) Improvements in OUES correlated better with improvements in peakVO2 (r=0.77, p<0.001), than changes in other prognostic variables.

Discussion:

OUES improves significantly after 6 months of ET. Changes in peakVO2 correlate best with changes in OUES. OUES is sensitive to ET and can be used to evaluate the progression of exercise capacity in CHF patients.
Identification of the TPO1 gene in yeast, and its human orthologue TETRAN, which cause resistance to NSAIDs
Authors: Mima Shinji , Ushijima Hironori , Hwang Hyun-Jung , Tsutsumi Shinji , Makise Masaki , Yamaguchi Yoshihiro , Tsuchiya Tomofusa , Mizushima Hiroshi , Mizushima Tohru
Published: March 2007

Non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as indomethacin, have serious gastrointestinal side effects. Since their direct cytotoxicity was suggested to be involved in this side effect, we here tried to identify NSAID‐resistant genes. We screened for Saccharomyces cerevisiae genes whose overexpression causes indomethacin resistance and identified the TPO1 gene, which encodes a major facilitator superfamily transporter. Its overexpression or deletion made yeast cells resistant or sensitive, respectively, to some NSAIDs. A BLAST search identified the possible human orthologue of Tpo1p, tetracycline transporter‐like protein (TETRAN), whose overexpression in cultured human cells caused resistance to some NSAIDs, suggesting that TETRAN is an efflux pump for some NSAIDs.
Effects of fructans-containing yacon (Smallanthus sonchifoliusPoepp & Endl.) flour on caecum mucosal morphometry, calcium and magnesium balance, and bone calcium retention in growing rats
Authors: Lobo Alexandre R. , Colli Célia , Alvares Eliana P. , Filisetti Tullia M. C. C.
Published: March 2007

Yacon roots have been considered a functional food due to the high levels of fructans they contains. In the present study, Ca and Mg balance, bone mass and strength, and caecum mucosal morphometry were evaluated. Growing male Wistar rats (n24) were fedad libitumcontrol diets or diets supplemented with yacon flour (5 or 7·5 % fructooligosaccharides) for 27 d. Mineral balance was evaluated in three periods of 5 d (starting on the 4th, 10th and 16th days). After the rats were killled, the bones were removed and bone mineral density was measured. Ca analyses were performed on left femurs and tibias and biomechanical testing on right femurs. The caecum was removed and tissue samples were collected for histological analysis. Caecal histology changed noticeably in rats fed yacon flour: there was an increase in the depth and number of total and bifurcated crypts as well. Yacon flour consumption significantly (P < 0·05) resulted in a positive Ca and Mg balance, leading to higher values of bone mineral retention and biomechanical properties (peak load and stiffness) when compared to the control group. The positive effects on mineral intestinal absorption, bone mass and biomechanical properties showed an important role of yacon roots in the maintenance of healthy bones. The increased number of bifurcating crypts might be related to the higher mineral absorption caused by the enlargement of the absorbing surface in the large intestine of the animals.
Effect of meal composition and cooking duration on the fate of sulforaphane following consumption of broccoli by healthy human subjects
Authors: Rungapamestry Vanessa , Duncan Alan J. , Fuller Zoë , Ratcliffe Brian
Published: March 2007

The isothiocyanate, sulforaphane, has been implicated in the cancer-protective effects of brassica vegetables. When broccoli is consumed, sulforaphane is released from hydrolysis of glucoraphanin by plant myrosinase and/or colonic microbiota. The influence of meal composition and broccoli-cooking duration on isothiocyanate uptake was investigated in a designed experiment. Volunteers (n 12) were each offered a meal, with or without beef, together with 150 g lightly cooked broccoli (microwaved 2·0 min) or fully cooked broccoli (microwaved 5·5 min), or a broccoli seed extract. They received 3 g mustard containing pre-formed allyl isothiocyanate (AITC) with each meal. Urinary output of allyl (AMA) and sulforaphane (SFMA) mercapturic acids, the biomarkers of production of AITC and sulforaphane respectively, were measured for 24 h after meal consumption. The estimated yield of sulforaphane in vivo was about 3-fold higher after consumption of lightly cooked broccoli than fully cooked broccoli. Absorption of AITC from mustard was about 1·3-fold higher following consumption of the meat-containing meal compared with the non meat-containing alternative. The meal matrix did not significantly influence the hydrolysis of glucoraphanin and its excretion as SFMA from broccoli. Isothiocyanates may interact with the meal matrix to a greater extent if they are ingested pre-formed rather than after their production from hydrolysis of glucosinolates in vivo. The main influence on the production of isothiocyanates in vivo is the way in which brassica vegetables are cooked, rather than the effect of the meal matrix.
Whole body and muscle energy metabolism in preruminant calves: effects of nutrient synchrony and physical activity
Authors: van den Borne Joost J. G. C. , Hocquette Jean-François , Verstegen Martin W. A. , Gerrits Walter J. J.
Published: March 2007

The effects of asynchronous availability of amino acids and glucose on muscle composition and enzyme activities in skeletal muscle were studied in preruminant calves. It was hypothesized that decreased oxidative enzyme activities in muscle would explain a decreased whole body heat production with decreasing nutrient synchrony. Preruminant calves were assigned to one of six degrees of nutrient synchrony, step-wise separating the intake of protein and lactose over the two daily meals. Calves at the most synchronous treatment received two identical meals daily. At the most asynchronous treatment, 85 % of the daily protein and 20 % of the daily lactose supply were fed in one meal and the remainder in the other meal. Daily intakes of all dietary ingredients were identical for all treatments. Oxidative enzyme activities and fat content increased with decreasing nutrient synchrony inM. Rectus Abdominis(RA), but not inM. Semitendinosus. Cytochrome-c-oxidase activity was positively correlated with fat content in RA (r0·49;P < 0·01). Oxidative enzyme activities in both muscles were not correlated with average daily heat production, but citrate synthase activity in RA was positively correlated (P < 0·01) with the circadian amplitude (r0·53) and maximum (r0·61) of heat production associated with physical activity. In conclusion, this study indicates that muscle energy stores are regulated by nutrient synchrony. The lack of correlation between muscle oxidative enzyme activities and average daily heat production was in contrast with findings in human subjects. Therefore, oxidative enzyme activity in muscle should not be used as an indicator for whole body heat production in growing calves.
An NMR-based metabonomic investigation on effects of milk and meat protein diets given to 8-year-old boys
Authors: Bertram Hanne Christine , Hoppe Camilla , Petersen Bent O. , Duus Jens Ø. , Mølgaard Christian , Michaelsen Kim F.
Published: March 2007

The objective of the study was to investigate the ability of an NMR-based metabonomic approach, applied to biofluids, to explore and identify overall exogenous and endogenous biochemical effects of a short-time high intake of milk protein or meat protein given to prepubertal children, the aim being to compare relative differences and not an absolute quantification. A total of twenty-four 8-year-old boys were asked to take 53 g protein as milk (n 12) or meat daily (n 12). At baseline and after 7 d, urine and serum samples were collected and high-resolution 1H NMR spectra were acquired on these using a 800 MHz spectrometer. The milk diet reduced the urinary excretion of hippurate, while the meat diet increased the urinary excretion of creatine, histidine and urea. The NMR measurements on serum revealed minor changes in the lipid profile, which most probably should be ascribed to an increase in the content of SCFA in the blood after consumption of the milk diet. The meat diet had no effect on the metabolic profile of serum. The study for the first time demonstrates the capability of proton NMR-based metabonomics to identify the overall biochemical effects of consumption of different animal proteins. The urine metabolite profile is more susceptible to perturbations as a result of short diet interventions than the serum metabolite profile. The milk diet-induced reduction in urinary excretion of hippurate suggests alterations in gut microflora, which may be useful information for further studies elucidating the effects of bioactive components in milk.
The glycaemic response to rolled oat is not influenced by the fat content
Authors: Tuomasjukka Saska , Viitanen Matti , Kallio Heikki
Published: March 2007

Oat is promoted as a low-glycaemic index food. Our aim was to measure the effect of the fat content of oat in glycaemia and insulinaemia and compare it with the effect of wheat. The study design was a double-blind, randomised cross-over study with four treatment segments. Eight healthy males attended four study sessions in which porridge made from four different raw materials was consumed: rolled oat (O), defatted rolled oat (DO), rolled whole wheat (W) or rolled whole wheat with added oat fat (WF). Available carbohydrate content was analysed enzymatically, and was adjusted to 50 g in each test meal. Fat content per meal was either 6·1 g (O, WF) or approximately 1·9 g (W, DO). Venous plasma glucose, insulin and triacylglycerol concentrations were measured at 0, 30, 60, 90, 120 and 180 min. All products caused a rapid increase in glucose with a peak at 30 min, where W and WF were significantly higher than O (0 = 0·006). Also insulin peaked at 30 min (no differences). A 4·2 g difference in fat content between O and DO or W and WF did not result in any significant differences in their glycaemia or insulinaemia. W and O did not differ in their overall glycaemic or insulinaemic responses. The removal of two-thirds of oat fat did not affect the postprandial plasma triacylglycerol concentration. The present study shows that neither the glycaemic nor the insulinaemic response to rolled oat is affected by the fat content, and that rolled wheat differed from rolled oat in terms of peak glucose concentration only.
On the supposed influence of milk homogenization on the risk of CVD, diabetes and allergy
Authors: Michalski Marie-Caroline
Published: March 2007

Commercial milk is homogenized for the purpose of physical stability, thereby reducing fat droplet size and including caseins and some whey proteins at the droplet interface. This seems to result in a better digestibility than untreated milk. Various casein peptides and milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) proteins are reported to present either harmful (e.g. atherogenic) or beneficial bioactivity (e.g. hypotensive, anticarcinogenic and others). Homogenization might enhance either of these effects, but this remains controversial. The effect of homogenization has not been studied regarding the link between early cow's milk consumption and occurrence of type I diabetes in children prone to the disease and no link appears in the general population. Homogenization does not influence milk allergy and intolerance in allergic children and lactose-intolerant or milk-hypersensitive adults. The impact of homogenization, as well as heating and other treatments such as cheesemaking processes, on the health properties of milk and dairy products remains to be fully elucidated.
Microarray analysis of hepatic genes differentially expressed in the presence of the unsaponifiable fraction of olive oil in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice
Authors: Acín Sergio , Navarro María A. , Perona Javier S. , Surra Joaquín C. , Guillen Natalia , Arnal Carmen , Sarría Alfonso J. , Arbonés-Mainar José M. , Carnicer Ricardo , Ruiz-Gutiérrez Valentina , Osada Jesús
Published: March 2007

The hypothesis that the unsaponifiable fraction of olive oil dramatically influences hepatic gene expression was tested in mice. Two olive oils, obtained from the same olive cultivar but by different technological procedures, were characterized to show that they differed mainly in terms of the composition/quantity of this unsaponifiable fraction. Using DNA microarrays, hepatic gene expression was analysed in apoE-deficient mice fed one of two isoenergetic, isonitrogenous diets containing either 10 % (w/w) olive oil or unsaponifiable fraction-enriched olive oil. To provide an initial screening of potential candidate genes involved in a differential response, only genes with remarkably modified expression (signal log2ratio >3 or < − 3) were further considered. The eleven genes fulfilling these prerequisites were confirmed by quantitative RT–PCR, and then analysed in apoE-deficient mice with a C57BL/6J genetic background.Orosomucoidandserum amyloid A2were upregulated (to variable extents depending on the genetic background) in the absence of hepatic steatosis and inflammation.Fabp5andMt2were also strongly upregulated. Several proteases were highly suppressed by the unsaponifiable-enriched olive diet, independent of the genetic background. The findings indicate that change in the expression of these genes is a good marker of the intake of the unsaponifiable fraction of olive oil. The results highlight the important biological effects of the unsaponifiable fraction of olive oil. The term ‘monounsaturated fatty acid-enriched oil’ no longer appears appropriate for describing all the oils to which it is currently applied since it does not adequately reflect that they have different biological effects.
Central adiposity in Brazilian schoolchildren aged 7–10 years
Authors: de Assis M. A. A. , Rolland-Cachera M. F. , de Vasconcelos F. A. G. , Bellisle F. , Conde W. , Calvo M. C. M. , Luna M. E. P. , Ireton M. J. , Grosseman S.
Published: March 2007

Waist circumference (WC) is a measure of central adiposity related to elevated risk factor levels in children and adolescents. The aim of the present study was to describe WC percentiles in 7- to 10-year-old Brazilian children and to compare frequencies of obesity and overweight as defined by BMI and frequencies of excess and at risk of abdominal adiposity as defined by WC to the corresponding age and sex data from British references. A representative sample of 2919 schoolchildren of the city of Florianopolis (southern Brazil) was examined. Smoothed WC percentiles were derived using the least mean square method. Frequencies of overweight and obesity and of excess and at risk of abdominal adiposity were assessed using the 91st and 98th centiles of the British references as cut-off points. WC increased with age in both boys and girls, with higher values for boys at every age and percentile level. Nutritional status categories of children assessed by the 91st and 98th British BMI and WC centiles showed moderate agreement (weighted κ = 0·58). Overweight was more frequent in Brazilian than British children: 15·1 % of girls and 20·1 % of boys were above the 91st percentile of the 1990 BMI for age British references. About one-quarter (22·0 % of girls and 26·9 % of boys) exceeded the 91st percentile of WC British references. The present data could be used to compare WC in children in other populations and may serve as a baseline for future studies of temporal trends in WC in Brazil.
Calcium intake and vitamin D metabolism and action, in healthy conditions and in prostate cancer
Authors: Bonjour Jean-Philippe , Chevalley Thierry , Fardellone Patrice
Published: March 2007

An association between Ca intake and the risk of prostate cancer has been reported in some but not all epidemiological studies. Assuming that a pathophysiological relationship would underlie this association, a favoured hypothesis proposes that relatively high Ca consumption could promote prostate cancer by reducing the production of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25(OH)2D; calcitriol), the hormonal form of vitamin D. The present review analyses the plausibility of this hypothesis by considering the quantitative relationships linking Ca intake to 1,25(OH)2D production and action in healthy conditions and in prostate cancer. Changes in the plasma level of 1,25(OH)2D in response to Ca intake are of very small magnitude as compared with the variations required to influence the proliferation and differentiation of prostate cancer cells. In most studies, 1,25(OH)2D plasma level was not found to be reduced in patients with prostate cancer. The possibility that the level of 1,25(OH)2D in prostate cells is decreased with a high-Ca diet has not been documented. Furthermore, a recent randomised placebo-controlled trial did not indicate that Ca supplementation increases the relative risk of prostate cancer in men. In conclusion, the existence of a pathophysiological link between relatively high Ca intake and consequent low production and circulation level of 1,25(OH)2D that might promote the development of prostate cancer in men remains so far an hypothesis, the plausibility of which is not supported by the analysis of available clinical data.
Dietary red palm oil reduces ischaemia–reperfusion injury in rats fed a hypercholesterolaemic diet
Authors: Kruger Maritza J. , Engelbrecht Anna-Mart , Esterhuyse Johan , du Toit Eugene F. , van Rooyen Jacques
Published: March 2007

We have previously shown that dietary red palm oil (RPO) supplementation improves functional recovery in hearts subjected to ischaemia–reperfusion. However, little knowledge exists concerning the effects of RPO supplementation of a high-cholesterol diet on ischaemia–reperfusion injury. The signalling mechanisms responsible for RPO's effects in the presence of cholesterol also remain to be elucidated. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to examine the effects of RPO, given with a high-cholesterol diet, on mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphorylation and apoptosis. Long–Evans rats were fed a control diet, a control diet containing 2 % cholesterol, or a control diet containing 2 % cholesterol and 7 g RPO per kg (CRPO) for 5 weeks. Hearts were excised and mounted on an isolated working heart perfusion apparatus. Cardiac function was measured after which hearts were freeze-clamped and used to assess MAPK phosphorylation and to evaluate apoptosis. Cholesterol supplementation caused a poor aortic output (AO) recovery compared with the control group (35·5 (sem 6·2) v. 55·4 (sem 2·5) %), but when RPO was added, the percentage AO increased significantly. The cholesterol group's poor AO was associated with a significant increase in p38-MAPK phosphorylation, whereas the CRPO-supplemented group showed as significant reduction in p38-MAPK phosphorylation when compared with the cholesterol-supplemented group. This significant reduction in p38-MAPK was also associated with reduced apoptosis as indicated by significant reductions in caspase-3 and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage.
U–Pb zircon age dating of a rapakivi granite batholith in Rangnim massif, North Korea
Authors: ZHAI MINGGUO , GUO JINGHUI , PENG PENG , HU BO
Published: March 2007

Rapakivi granites and several small leucogabbroic and gabbroic bodies are located in the Rangnim Massif, North Korea. The largest batholith in the Myohyang Mountains covers an area of 300 km2 and was intruded into Precambrian metamorphosed rocks. It has a SHRIMP U–Pb zircon weighted mean 207Pb/206Pb age of 1861 ± 7 Ma. The country rocks of rapakivi granites are Neoarchaean orthogneisses and Palaeo-Mesoproterozoic graphite-bearing metasedimentary rocks of granulite facies, and they are similar to those of the rapakivi granites and anorthosites exposed in South Korea and in the North China Craton. We conclude that the three massifs in the Korean Peninsula commonly record an identical Palaeo-Mesoproterozoic anorogenic magmatic event, indicating that they have a common Precambrian basement with the North China Craton.