bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enumeration of condition-dependent dense modules in protein interaction networks
Authors: Georgii Elisabeth , Dietmann Sabine , Uno Takeaki , Pagel Philipp , Tsuda Koji
Published: February 2009

Motivation: Modern systems biology aims at understanding how the different molecular components of a biological cell interact. Often, cellular functions are performed by complexes consisting of many different proteins. The composition of these complexes may change according to the cellular environment, and one protein may be involved in several different processes. The automatic discovery of functional complexes from protein interaction data is challenging. While previous approaches use approximations to extract dense modules, our approach exactly solves the problem of dense module enumeration. Furthermore, constraints from additional information sources such as gene expression and phenotype data can be integrated, so we can systematically mine for dense modules with interesting profiles.

Results: Given a weighted protein interaction network, our method discovers all protein sets that satisfy a user-defined minimum density threshold. We employ a reverse search strategy, which allows us to exploit the density criterion in an efficient way. Our experiments show that the novel approach is feasible and produces biologically meaningful results. In comparative validation studies using yeast data, the method achieved the best overall prediction performance with respect to confirmed complexes. Moreover, by enhancing the yeast network with phenotypic and phylogenetic profiles and the human network with tissue-specific expression data, we identified condition-dependent complex variants.

Availability: A C++ implementation of the algorithm is available at http://www.kyb.tuebingen.mpg.de/~georgii/dme.html.

Contact:  koji.tsuda@tuebingen.mpg.de

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Acupuncture at “Zusanli" (St.36) and “Sanyinjiao" (SP.6) Points on the Gastrointestinal Tract: A Study of the Bioavailability of  99mTc‐Sodium Pertechnetate in Rats
Authors: Senna-Fernandes Vasco , França Daisy L. M. , de Souza Deise , Santos Kelly C. M. , Sousa Rafael S. , Manoel Cristiano V. , Santos-Filho Sebastião D. , Cortez Célia M. , Bernardo-Filho Mario , Guimarães Marco Antonio M.
Published: February 2009

The objective of this study is to investigate the differences of acupuncture effect between the Zusanli (St.36) and Sanyinjiao (SP.6) points on the gastrointestinal‐tract (GIT) segment performed by the bioavailability of
 99mTc‐sodium‐pertechnetate (Na99mTcO4) in rats. Male Wistar rats (n = 21) were allocated into three groups of seven each. Group 1 was treated by acupuncture bilaterally at St.36; Group 2 at SP.6; and Group 3 was untreated (control). After 10 min of needle insertion in anesthetized rats, 0.3 mL of Na99mTcO4 (7.4 MBq) was injected via ocular‐plexus. After 20 min, the exitus of animals was induced by cervical‐dislocation and GIT organs isolated. However, immediately before the exitus procedure, blood was collected by cardiac‐puncture for blood radio‐labeling (BRL). The radioactivity uptake of the blood constituents was calculated together with the GIT organs by a well gamma counter. The percentage of injected dose per gram of tissue (%ID/g) of Na99mTcO4 was calculated for each GIT organs, while BRL was calculated in %ID. According to the one‐way ANOVA, the stomach, jejunum, ileum from the treated groups (Group 1 and Group 2) had significant differences compared to the controls (Group 3). However, between the treated groups (Group 1 and Group 2), there were significant differences (P < .05) in the stomach, jejunum, ileum, cecum, transverse and rectum. In BRL analysis, Group 2 showed significant increase and decrease of the insoluble and soluble fractions of the blood cells, respectively (P < .0001). The authors suggest that St.36 may have a tendency of up‐regulation effect on GIT, whereas SP.6, down‐regulation effect. However, further rigorous experimental studies to examine the effectiveness of acupuncture in either acupuncture points need to be carried out.
Anti‐inflammatory effects of eplerenone on viral myocarditis
Authors: Xiao Jie , Shimada Miho , Liu Wenling , Hu Dayi , Matsumori Akira
Published: February 2009

Aims

Inflammation contributes to increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality associated with activation of the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system. The aim of this study was to investigate whether eplerenone, a selective aldosterone receptor antagonist, has anti‐inflammatory effects on viral myocarditis.

Methods and results

Four‐week‐old inbred male DBA/2 mice were inoculated intraperitoneally with 10 plaque‐forming units (pfu) of the encephalomyocarditis (EMC) virus. Mice were fed with standard chow (control) or with chow containing 2.5 mg/kg of eplerenone, starting either on day 0 (inoculation) or day 7. Survival at 28 days was significantly higher in the mice which started eplerenone treatment on day 0 (35 vs. 15% in controls, each n = 40, P < 0.05). The area of myocardial fibrosis on day 28 was significantly smaller in the eplerenone‐treated mice than in controls (19.8 ± 2.6%, n = 14, vs. 33.4 ± 5.4%, n = 6, mean ± SEM, P < 0.05). Gene expression of mouse mast cell proteases‐4 and ‐5, matrix metalloproteinase‐9, and type I procollagen on day 6 after EMC virus inoculation was significantly decreased in the hearts of eplerenone‐treated mice.

Conclusion

These results suggest that eplerenone has anti‐inflammatory effects, and exerts its beneficial effects on viral myocarditis by suppression of genes related to mast cells and cardiac remodelling in the hearts of mice.
Unswitched immunoglobulin M response prolongs mouse survival in prion disease
Authors: Tayebi Mourad , Collinge John , Hawke Simon
Published: February 2009

Several studies have failed to demonstrate the presence of immune responses to infectious prions during the course of prion disease, reflecting the identical primary structure of normal and disease-associated isoforms and the widespread expression of the normal cellular form of prion protein, PrPC, leading to B- and/or T-cell tolerance of disease-associated isoforms and also possibly because antigen-presenting cells are unable to process the highly aggregated, detergent-insoluble, protease-resistant form, PrPSc. Under certain circumstances, PrPSc can be revealed to the immune system in immunogenic form, and it has been shown previously that anti-PrP antibodies can be induced to prions immunoadsorbed to Dynabeads using specific anti-PrP monoclonal antibodies, even in PrP-sufficient mice. This study demonstrated in a murine scrapie model that PrP–Dynabeads effectively stimulated the immune system to produce anti-PrP IgM antibodies over prolonged periods after repeated immunization. It was also shown that these immune responses prolonged incubation times in murine scrapie.
In vivo importance of heparan sulfate-binding glycoproteins for murid herpesvirus-4 infection
Authors: Gillet Laurent , May Janet S. , Stevenson Philip G.
Published: February 2009

Many herpesviruses bind to heparan sulfate (HS). Murid herpesvirus-4 (MuHV-4) does so via its envelope glycoproteins gp70 and gH/gL. MuHV-4 gp150 further regulates an HS-independent interaction to make that HS-dependent too. Cell binding by MuHV-4 virions is consequently strongly HS-dependent. Gp70 and gH/gL show somein vitroredundancy: an antibody-mediated blockade of HS binding by one is well tolerated, whereas a blockade of both severely impairs infection. In order to understand the importance of HS binding for MuHV-4in vivo, we generated mutants lacking both gL and gp70. As expected, gL−gp70−MuHV-4 showed very poor cell binding. It infected mice at high dose but not at low dose, indicating defective host entry. But once entry occurred, host colonization, which for MuHV-4 is relatively independent of the infection dose, was remarkably normal. The gL−gp70−entry deficit was much greater than that of gL−or gp70−single knockouts. And gp150 disruption, which allows HS-independent cell binding, largely rescued the gL−gp70−cell binding and host entry deficits. Thus, it appeared that MuHV-4 HS binding is importantin vivo, principally for efficient host entry.
Cytomegaloviral protein kinase pUL97 interacts with the nuclear mRNA export factor pUL69 to modulate its intranuclear localization and activity
Authors: Thomas Marco , Rechter Sabine , Milbradt Jens , Auerochs Sabrina , Müller Regina , Stamminger Thomas , Marschall Manfred
Published: February 2009

Human cytomegalovirus encodes a number of phosphorylation-regulated proteins, including the autophosphorylating protein kinase pUL97 and the nuclear mRNA export factor pUL69. Recently, it was reported that the kinase inhibitor roscovitine induces an intranuclear aggregation of pUL69 in infected fibroblasts. Here, we demonstrate that pUL97-specific kinase inhibitors induce a similar pUL69 aggregation. Furthermore, a direct pUL69–pUL97 interaction was demonstrated by coimmunoprecipitation analyses. Deletion mapping identified the domains required for interaction in both proteins (1–140/478–532 in pUL69 and 231–336 in pUL97). Further analysis of the immunoprecipitates by in vitro kinase assays demonstrated the phosphorylation of pUL69 by pUL97. However, catalytically inactive mutants of pUL97 and interaction-negative fragments of pUL69 were phosphorylation-negative. Moreover, an analysis of the pUL69-mediated nuclear RNA export indicated a correlation of the export efficiency with the presence of active pUL97 kinase. These data suggest a specific pUL69–pUL97 interaction and pUL97-mediated phosphorylation which influences the regulatory activities of pUL69.
Cleavage of Epstein–Barr virus glycoprotein B is required for full function in cell–cell fusion with both epithelial and B cells
Authors: Sorem Jessica , Longnecker Richard
Published: February 2009

Glycoprotein B (gB) homologues within the herpesvirus family display high sequence conservation, and a number of gB homologues contain a cleavage motif R-X-K/R-R recognized by the cellular protease furin. Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) gB contains this motif and cleaved gB is found in EBV virions. To determine the functional significance of this cleavage motif in EBV gB, a deletion mutant (gB Δfurin) was created lacking the motif. This cleavage mutant was expressed well in cell culture but was not cleaved. Experiments examining gB Δfurin in a cell-fusion assay revealed that fusion was reduced by 52 % in epithelial and 28 % in B cells when compared with wild-type EBV gB. This decrease in cell–cell fusion is similar to that observed with multiple alphaherpesvirus gB cleavage mutants and supports a conserved function for cleaved gB.
Genetically engineered attenuated measles virus specifically infects and kills primary multiple myeloma cells
Authors: Hummel Horst-Dieter , Kuntz Gabriele , Russell Stephen J. , Nakamura Takafumi , Greiner Axel , Einsele Hermann , Topp Max S.
Published: February 2009

The applicability of cytoreductive treatment of malignant diseases using recombinant viruses strongly depends on specific recognition of surface receptors to target exclusively neoplastic cells. A recently generated monoclonal antibody (mAb), Wue-1, specifically detects CD138+ multiple myeloma (MM) cells. In this study, a haemagglutinin (H) protein that was receptor-blinded (i.e. did not bind to CD46 and CD150) was genetically re-engineered by fusing it to a single-chain antibody fragment (scFv) derived from the Wue-1 mAb open reading frame (scFv-Wue), resulting in the recombinant retargeted measles virus (MV)-Wue. MV-Wue efficiently targeted and fully replicated in primary MM cells, reaching titres similar to those seen with non-retargeted viruses. In agreement with its altered receptor specificity, infection of target cells was no longer dependent on CD150 or CD46, but was restricted to cells that had been labelled with Wue-1 mAb. Importantly, infection with MV-Wue rapidly induced apoptosis in CD138+ malignant plasma cell targets. MV-Wue is the first fully retargeted MV using the restricted interaction between Wue-1 mAb and primary MM cells specifically to infect, replicate in and deplete malignant plasma cells.
Rapid host adaptation by extensive recombination
Authors: van der Walt Eric , Rybicki Edward P. , Varsani Arvind , Polston J. E. , Billharz Rosalind , Donaldson Lara , Monjane Adérito L. , Martin Darren P.
Published: February 2009

Experimental investigations into virus recombination can provide valuable insights into the biochemical mechanisms and the evolutionary value of this fundamental biological process. Here, we describe an experimental scheme for studying recombination that should be applicable to any recombinogenic viruses amenable to the production of synthetic infectious genomes. Our approach is based on differences in fitness that generally exist between synthetic chimaeric genomes and the wild-type viruses from which they are constructed. In mixed infections of defective reciprocal chimaeras, selection strongly favours recombinant progeny genomes that recover a portion of wild-type fitness. Characterizing these evolved progeny viruses can highlight both important genetic fitness determinants and the contribution that recombination makes to the evolution of their natural relatives. Moreover, these experiments supply precise information about the frequency and distribution of recombination breakpoints, which can shed light on the mechanistic processes underlying recombination. We demonstrate the value of this approach using the small single-stranded DNA geminivirus, maize streak virus (MSV). Our results show that adaptive recombination in this virus is extremely efficient and can yield complex progeny genomes comprising up to 18 recombination breakpoints. The patterns of recombination that we observe strongly imply that the mechanistic processes underlying rolling circle replication are the prime determinants of recombination breakpoint distributions found in MSV genomes sampled from nature.
Identification of species-specific and cross-reactive epitopes in human polyomavirus capsids using monoclonal antibodies
Authors: Randhawa Parmjeet , Viscidi Raphael , Carter Joseph J. , Galloway Denise A. , Culp Tim D. , Huang Cathy , Ramaswami Bala , Christensen Neil D.
Published: February 2009

The human antibody response to polyomavirus capsid proteins is not well characterized. Recombinant BK virus (BKV), JC virus (JCV) and simian virus 40 (SV40) virus-like particles (VLP) were produced in a baculovirus system, and mouse monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to these proteins were generated using standard methods. Nine of 12 BKV mAbs showed neutralizing activity. The non-neutralizing antibodies also bound BKV pseudocapsids in an ELISA binding assay. Most antibodies recognized conformational species-specific epitopes, but several exceptions were found: (i) BKV mAb BK-F11 cross-reacted with a linear buried epitope common to both JCV and SV40 pseudocapsids, (ii) two of six JCV antibodies (JC-6.7 and JC-7.9) and two of 13 SV40 antibodies (VP1-H2 and VP1-I2) recognized linear buried epitopes common to all three viruses and (iii) SV40 antibody VP1-E5 recognized a linear surface epitope on JCV pseudocapsids.
In vivo animal studies with sugammadex
Authors: Booij L. H. D. J. , Van Egmond J. , Driessen J. J. , De Boer H. D.
Published: February 2009

A review is presented of animal studies of the selective steroidal neuromuscular blocking drug binding agent sugammadex. These studies demonstrate that sugammadex is faster in onset than the currently used acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, has no muscarinic effects, and is characterised by lack of adverse effects on other organs. These results offer support for the further development of sugammadex for clinical use in humans.
Sugammadex in clinical practice
Authors: Mirakhur R. K.
Published: February 2009

The availability of sugammadex allows greater flexibility in the use of rocuronium and vecuronium during anaesthesia and surgery. The neuromuscular block induced by both drugs can be reversed from both superficial and deep levels of block by adjusting the dose of sugammadex. The dose of sugammadex for reversal of shallow block produced by these neuromuscular blocking drugs is approximately 2 mg.kg−1 and for deep block the dose is 4 mg.kg−1. A larger dose of sugammadex (16 mg.kg−1) administered 3 min after the neuromuscular blocking drug allows rapid reversal of a neuromuscular block induced by 1–1.2 mg.kg−1 of rocuronium, thereby raising the possibility of using rocuronium as a replacement for suxamethonium. The use of sugammadex has not been reported to be associated with recurrence of block provided a dose that is adequate for reversal has been used. Sugammadex appears to have an acceptable safety profile. There are no requirements for dose adjustment for age or the use of potent volatile anaesthetic agents.
Neuromuscular blocking drugs and their antagonists in patients with organ disease
Authors: Craig R. G. , Hunter J. M.
Published: February 2009

The pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of the currently available neuromuscular blocking and reversal drugs may be altered by organ disease. Adverse effects such as prolonged neuromuscular block, postoperative residual curarisation, recurarisation, the muscarinic effects of the anticholinesterases, and the side‐effects of the antimuscarinics are encountered more frequently. This review will consider these potential problems and assess the role of sugammadex in enabling the anaesthetist to avoid them. It will also present the latest knowledge regarding the safety and efficacy of sugammadex in patients with renal, hepatic, cardiovascular and pulmonary disease.
Clinical implications of sugammadex
Authors: Caldwell J. E. , Miller R. D.
Published: February 2009

Sugammadex is a cyclodextrin molecule that encapsulates and inactivates rocuronium and vecuronium. As a result, any degree of neuromuscular block produced by rocuronium or vecuronium can be rapidly and completely reversed without autonomic effects. Because sugammadex is optimised for reversing rocuronium it is most likely to be used in conjunction with this drug. Sugammadex will allow deep levels of block to be maintained until the very end of surgery, and will allow block to be reversed at any time after rocuronium administration, even just a few minutes. The recommended dose‐range is 2–16 mg.kg‐1 (ascender), depending on the level of block. The availability of sugammadex reversal may increase the use of rocuronium, and decrease the use of suxamethonium and benzylisoquinoline neuromuscular blocking drugs. In addition, it will certainly increase pharmacy costs, which may be offset by faster recovery and discharge from the post‐anesthesia recovery unit. Sugammadex may also change monitoring practices in that post‐tetanic count will be required to quantify deep block, and quantitative monitoring of recovery may be driven by cost concerns in order to allow the use of the smallest dose of sugammadex that gives a satisfactory train‐of‐four ratio. Alternatively, monitoring may essentially be abandoned since a large dose of sugammadex will reliably reverse any degree of rocuronium‐induced block. The ultimate clinical utility of sugammadex will be clear only after large‐scale clinical use.
Monitoring neuromuscular block: an update
Authors: Fuchs‐Buder T. , Schreiber J.‐U. , Meistelman C.
Published: February 2009

The first part of this article presents an update of the basic considerations of neuromuscular monitoring. It emphasises the need to assure supramaximal stimulation, to place the stimulating electrodes correctly and to use appropriate sites for nerve stimulation as well as appropriate stimulation patterns. The second part focuses on current developments and ongoing discussion. The authors describe the performance of acceleromyography and the need for initial calibration when using these quantitative devices.
Population pharmacokinetics of sirolimus inde novoChinese adult renal transplant patients
Authors: Jiao Zheng , Shi Xiao‐jin , Li Zhong‐dong , Zhong Ming‐kang
Published: February 2009

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT?

• Sirolimus is an immunosuppressive agent used for the prophylaxis of renal allograft rejection.

• Several conventional pharmacokinetic and population pharmacokinetic studies have been conducted to assess the pharmacokinetic characteristics of sirolimus in White or African‐American recipients.

WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS?

• The population pharmacokinetics of sirolimus in Chinese adult renal transplant recipients was characterized for the first time.

• New drug–drug interactions between herbal medicines and sirolimus were identified as the covariates on sirolimus clearance.

AIMS

This study was aimed at determining the population pharmacokinetics of sirolimus and identifying factors that explain pharmacokinetic variability inde novoChinese adult renal transplant patients.

METHODS

Data were retrospectively extracted from a formal multicentre clinical trial, which was originally designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of ciclosporin dose reduction and ciclosporin elimination in patients receiving sirolimus. All patients received 12‐month treatment, i.e. induction therapy with ciclosporin, sirolimus and corticosteroids during the first 3 months followed by either ciclosporin dose reduction or ciclosporin discontinuation thereafter. Eight‐hundred and four sirolimus trough blood concentrations (C0) from 112 patients were used to develop a population pharmacokinetic model using thenonmemprogram. A one‐compartment model with first‐order absorption and elimination was selected as the base model. The influence of demographic characteristics, biochemical and haematological indices, ciclosporin daily dose, ciclosporinC0as well as other commonly used co‐medications were explored.

RESULTS

The typical values with interindividual variability for apparent clearance (CL/F) and apparent volume of distribution (V/F) were 10.1 l h−1(23.8%) and 3670 l (56.7%), respectively. The residual variability was 29.9%. CL/Fdecreased significantly with silymarin or glycyrrhizin co‐therapy in hepatically impaired patients, and with increasing total cholesterol levels or ciclosporinC0. Moreover, CL/Fincreased nonlinearly with increasing sirolimus daily dose. The median parameter estimates from a nonparametric bootstrap procedure were comparable and within 5% of the estimates fromnonmem.

CONCLUSIONS

These results provide important information for clinicians to optimize sirolimus regimens in Chinese renal transplant patients.
A laboratory assessment of coronal bacterial leakage in root canals filled with new and conventional sealers
Authors: Eldeniz A. U. , Ørstavik D.
Published: February 2009

Aim  To evaluate the resistance to ex vivo bacterial leakage over a 40‐day period of root canal fillings with five new root canal sealers: RC Sealer, Epiphany, EndoREZ, GuttaFlow and Acroseal, compared with Apexit, AH Plus and RoekoSeal.

Methodology  One hundred and forty‐four single rooted human teeth were divided randomly into eight test (n = 15) and two control groups (n = 12). The root canals were filled using a single cone technique with gutta‐percha except in the Epiphany and EndoREZ groups. These were filled with Resilon and resin‐coated gutta‐percha, respectively. The gutta‐percha surface of the GuttaFlow group was coated with an experimental primer prior to filling. Positive controls were filled with gutta‐percha without sealer and tested with bacteria, whereas negative controls were sealed with wax to test the seal between the chambers. Filled roots were incorporated in a split chamber model system using Streptococcus mutans as a microbial marker. Leakage was assessed for turbidity of the broth in the lower chamber every day for 40 days. Survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan–Meier product limit method and event times were compared using the Log‐rank test (α = 0.05).

Results  Epiphany, GuttaFlow with test primer and Apexit prevented leakage significantly better than AH Plus, RC Sealer, RoekoSeal, EndoREZ and Acroseal (P < 0.05). None of the specimens in the AH Plus, RC Sealer, RoekoSeal and EndoREZ groups resisted bacterial penetration for 40 days.

Conclusion  The new sealers, Epiphany and GuttaFlow with primer, along with Apexit, showed better resistance to bacterial penetration than the other new or traditional sealers tested.
Evaluation of the strength and radiopacity of Portland cement with varying additions of bismuth oxide
Authors: Saliba E. , Abbassi‐Ghadi S. , Vowles R. , Camilleri J. , Hooper S. , Camilleri J.
Published: February 2009

Aim  To study the effect of addition of various proportions of bismuth oxide on compressive strength and radiopacity of Portland cement.

Methodology  The compressive strength of white Portland cement and cement replaced with 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30% bismuth oxide was evaluated by testing cylinders 6 mm in diameter and 12 mm high. Twelve cylinders were tested for each material under study. The radiopacity of the cements tested was evaluated using an aluminium step‐wedge and densitometer. The optical density was compared with the relevant thickness of aluminium (Al). Statistical analysis was performed using Analysis of Variance (anova) with P = 0.05 and Tukey test to perform multiple comparison tests.

Results  Various additions of bismuth oxide had no significant effect on the strength of the material when compared with the unmodified Portland cement (P > 0.05). The radiopacity of the cements tested ranged from 2.02 mm Al for Portland cement to 9.79 mm Al for the highest bismuth replacement.

Conclusions  Addition of bismuth oxide did not affect the compressive strength of Portland cement. All the bismuth oxide cement mixtures had radio‐opacities higher than 3 mm thickness of aluminium.
Topographical evaluation of the major apical foramen in permanent human teeth
Authors: Martos J. , Ferrer‐Luque C. M. , González‐Rodríguez M. P. , Castro L. A. S.
Published: February 2009

Aim  To determine the distance from the anatomical root apex to the major apical foramen and the position of the major foramen on the root apex.

Methodology  Crowns of 926 human teeth were sectioned at the cementum‐enamel junction. Specimens were mounted on microscope slides for measurement parallel to the long axis of the teeth. The major foramen was identified as the largest‐diameter opening at the root apex. A total of 1331 root specimens were evaluated using an optical stereomicroscope to an accuracy of 0.01 mm at 40 × (±10) magnification. The distance from the anatomical apex to the most apical point of the major foramen was measured, and its location (central, buccal, lingual, mesial and distal) was recorded.

Results  The mean distance between the major foramen and the anatomical root apex was 0.69 mm; the mean distance was larger in posterior teeth (0.82 mm) and smaller in anterior teeth (0.39 mm). A wide range of anatomical apex to major foramen distances were observed in all tooth groups: the greatest distance was in maxillary molars (0.95 mm) followed by mandibular pre‐molars (0.87 mm) and mandibular molars (0.80 mm). The major foramen was at the tip of the root in 40% of teeth. The most frequent deviations of the foramen were to the buccal (20%) and distal (14%).

Conclusion  In this sample of teeth without apical resorption the distance between the major foramen and the anatomical root apex was always <1 mm. Deviation of the major foramen from the anatomic apex varied widely amongst tooth groups.
Continuous dense‐phase CO2 processing of a coconut water beverage
Authors: Damar Sibel , Balaban Murat O. , Sims Charles A.
Published: February 2009

Effects of dense‐phase CO2 (DPCD) on microbial, physical, chemical and sensorial quality of coconut water (CW) beverage were evaluated. Pressure during DPCD treatment was not significant in microbial reduction whereas temperature and % CO2 levels were significant. DPCD‐treated (34.5 MPa, 25 °C, 13% CO2, 6 min), heat‐pasteurised (74 °C, 15 s) and untreated CW beverages were evaluated during 9 weeks of refrigerated storage (4 °C). Total aerobic bacteria of DPCD and heat‐treated samples decreased whereas that of untreated samples increased to >105 CFU mL−1 after 9 weeks. DPCD increased titratable acidity but did not change pH (4.20) and °Brix (6.0). Likeability of DPCD‐treated CW was similar to untreated. Heat‐treated samples were less liked (α = 0.05) at the beginning of storage. Off flavour and taste‐difference‐from‐control scores of heated samples were higher than DPCD during the first two weeks. DPCD extended shelf life of acidified, sweetened and carbonated CW over 9 weeks at 4 °C.
Biogenic and volatile amines in Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis) stored at different temperatures
Authors: Xu Yanshun , Xia Wenshui , Kim Jin M.
Published: February 2009

Biogenic amines, total volatile base nitrogen (TVB‐N) and trimethylamine nitrogen (TMA‐N) concentrations in the muscle of postmortem Chinese mitten crab stored at 4 and 20 °C were studied. Among five biogenic amines, histamine, tyramine, tryptamine, putrescine and cadaverine, histamine was the main biogenic amine formed during the storage time and reached highest levels of 91.22 mg kg−1 after 72 h at 4 °C and 181.23 mg kg−1 after 24 h at 20 °C. Histamine could be used a safety index for crab. The levels of other biogenic amines were less than 10 mg kg−1 and fluctuated with storage time. TVB‐N and TMA‐N levels did not change greatly throughout 72 h storage at refrigerated temperature. TVB‐N and TMA‐N were not considered to be reliable indicators of the freshness of crab.
Effects of sulphurisation on vitamins (A, C and E) and malondialdehyde in apricots
Authors: Kamışlı Fethi , Karatas Fikret
Published: February 2009

In this study, the 1.0 m H2SO4 solution was used as a sulphur source to sulphurise apricots. Apricot samples were immersed into 1.0 m H2SO4 solution at room temperature for time of 30, 60, 120, 180 and 240 min. Amounts of vitamins (A, C and E) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were determined as function of sulphurisation time and thus, sulphur content. It was determined that the optimum immersion time for sufficient sulphur content is 120 min. It is concluded that while amounts of vitamins decrease, the level of MDA increases with increasing immersion time and thus, sulphur contents.
Thymol and modified atmosphere packaging to control microbiological spoilage in packed fresh cod hamburgers
Authors: Corbo Maria Rosaria , Di Giulio Stefania , Conte Amalia , Speranza Barbara , Sinigaglia Milena , Del Nobile Matteo Alessandro
Published: February 2009

A study on the use of mild technologies to produce packaged fish hamburgers was presented. In particular, the antimicrobial effect of some natural compounds (carvacrol, eugenol, thymol, green tea extract, rosemary extract, grapefruit seed extract and lemon extract), at various concentrations (500–10 000 ppm), was screened in vitro against the main fish spoilage micro‐organisms (Shewanella putrefaciens and Photobacterium phosphoreum). Lemon extract and thymol, in combination with modified atmosphere packaging, showed the greatest inhibition activity, therefore, thymol was subsequently used as an ingredient for producing fish hamburgers. Results pointed out that this combination is effective in controlling the growth of microbial species mainly involved in fresh fish spoilage; in particular, it significantly (P < 0.05) reduced the growth rate of bacterial population, performing about 4.8 log CFU g−1 and 6.5 log CFU g−1 reduction of the hydrogen sulphide producing bacteria and psychrotrophic aerobic specific spoilage organisms cell load, respectively, if compared with the control.
Quality of minimally processed red chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) evaluated by anthocyanin content, radical scavenging activity, sensory descriptors and microbial indices
Authors: Lavelli Vera , Pagliarini Ella , Ambrosoli Roberto , Zanoni Bruno
Published: February 2009

Changes in the quality of minimally processed red chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) were studied during storage in a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) film and in a mono‐oriented polypropylene (OPP) film at 4 °C. The maximum limit of 5 × 107 CFU g−1 for mesophilic aerobic bacterial count was attained after 4 days using the PVC film and after 4.5 days using the OPP film. The loss of fruity aroma occurred after 3 days in the products stored in PVC but not in those stored in OPP. In spite of microbial growth, no off‐odour was perceived by trained panellists. Storage in PVC slightly decreased the contents of cyanidin 3‐O‐malonyl glucoside, total phenolics and antioxidant activity, whereas these parameters increased upon storage in OPP. When red chicory heads subjected to mild stress in the field were minimally processed, OPP packaging decreased the microbial growth with respect to PVC, but antioxidants were degraded in both conditions.
Quality changes of farmed blackspot seabream (Pagellus bogaraveo) subjected to slaughtering and storage under flow ice and ozonised flow ice
Authors: Álvarez Victoria , Feás Xesús , Barros‐Velázquez Jorge , Aubourg Santiago P.
Published: February 2009

Flow ice (FI) combined with ozone (OFI condition) was evaluated for slaughter and storage of farmed blackspot seabream (Pagellus bogaraveo) when compared with FI alone (FI condition). When processed in either OFI or FI conditions, this species exhibited slow biochemical and microbiological spoilage mechanisms when compared with other commercial fish species. The presence of ozone slowed down microbial development (1.00–3.53 and 1.60–4.04 log CFU g−1 for fish mesophile counts from OFI and FI conditions, respectively) and trimethylamine formation, so that fish kept under OFI condition was still acceptable at the end of the experiment (day 16), while its counterpart fish treated with FI was rejectable. In contrast, a small pro‐oxidant effect could be assessed by means of the ozone presence; however, oxidation values (peroxide value and thiobarbituric acid index) reached at day 16 by individuals treated under OFI conditions (8.34 and 0.19, respectively) cannot be considered specially high.
Effect of apple cultivar and enzyme treatment on phenolic compounds content during clear apple juice production
Authors: Markowski Jarosław , Mieszczakowska Monika , Płocharski Witold
Published: February 2009

The aim of the investigation was evaluation of phenolic compounds content, measured by HPLC method at selected stages of clear apple juice production with pectolytic mash enzymation from ‘Shampion’ and ‘Idared’ apples. Sum of phenolic compounds in ‘Shampion’ mash was significantly higher than in ‘Idared’ mash, 520 and 352 mg kg−1, respectively. Enzymation of ‘Idared’ mash resulted in a higher phenolic compounds decrease compared to ‘Shampion’, 23% and 14% respectively. Sum of phenolics in juices from ‘Shampion’ for Panzym at 50 °C (366 mg kg−1) was significantly higher than in juices from ‘Shampion’ for Rohapect at 20 °C and ‘Idared’ for Panzym at 50 °C (256 and 234 mg kg−1, respectively). The lowest phenolics (95 mg kg−1) was in juices from ‘Idared’ for Rohapect at 20 °C. There was a positive correlation (R2 = 0.933) between phenolics content and antioxidant activity of juices (ABTS?+). In general, enzymation at 50 °C with Panzym lead to a higher content of the phenolic compounds in juices compared to Rohapect at 20 °C.
Anthocyanin profiles of major red grape (Vitis vinifera L.) varieties cultivated in Greece and their relationship with in vitro antioxidant characteristics
Authors: Kallithraka Stamatina , Aliaj Laura , Makris Dimitris P. , Kefalas Panagiotis
Published: February 2009

A range of fourty‐six red grape (Vitis vinifera spp.) samples, originating from six widely cultivated varieties and covering major parts of the Hellenic vineyard, were assayed for their content in six principal anthocyanin pigments. Representative in vitro antioxidant parameters were also determined, including antiradical activity (AAR), reducing power (PR) and hydroxyl free radical scavenging activity (SAHFR). Quantitative determination using high performance liquid chromatography showed that the prevalent pigment was malvidin 3‐O‐glucoside (average content 82.53 mg per 100 g fresh berry weight), followed by its coumarate derivative (29.26 mg per 100 g), paeonidin 3‐O‐glucoside (10.84 mg per 100 g), petunidin 3‐O‐glucoside (7.80 mg per 100 g) cyanidin 3‐O‐glucoside (5.67 mg per 100 g) and delphinidin 3‐O‐glucoside (1.28 mg per 100 g). The richest variety was Syrah, with total average anthocyanin content of 186.02 mg per 100 g, whereas the Hellenic native variety Xinomavro had the lowest average anthocyanin level (38.70 mg per 100 g). The establishment of correlations of individual and total anthocyanin contents with the values from the antioxidant test was accomplished with linear regression. The links of total anthocyanins were significant with all antioxidant parameters (P < 0.001), but more importantly with SAHFR (R2 = 0.740). Malvidin 3‐O‐glucoside content had the higher correlation with SAHFR compared with all other anthocyanins (R2 = 0.698, P < 0.001).
Determination of proximate composition, fatty acid content and amino acid profile of five lesser‐common sea organisms from the Mediterranean Sea
Authors: Zlatanos Spiros , Laskaridis Kostas , Sagredos Angelos
Published: February 2009

Proximate composition, fatty acid and amino acid analysis of an echinoderm (Paracentrotus lividus), a crustacean (Penaeus kerathurus), a tunicate (Microcosmus sulcatus), and two gastropod molluscs (Littorina littorea and Patella coerulea) were determined. All organisms except M. sulcatus, were found to be good protein sources. P. lividus contained on average 15.1 g/100 g, P. kerathurus 15.6 g/100 g, L. littorea 8.3 g/100 g and P. coerulea 9.2 g/100 g protein. The crustacean contained high percentages of n‐3 fatty acids (28.3 g/100 g fatty acids), the tunicate high percentages of saturated fatty acids (62.2 g/100 g fatty acids) while the gastropod molluscs and the echinoderm had a balanced content of all fatty acid families. The most abundant amino acid in P. kerathurus, M. sulcatus, L. littorea and P. coerulea was glutamic acid (11.13 ± 0.9, 1.05 ± 0.3, 5.39 ± 0.3, 5.55 ± 0.8 g/100 g freeze‐dried sample respectively), while glycine was the most abundant amino acid in P. lividus (10.34 ± 1.0 g/100g freeze‐dried sample).
Supporting structures for team situation awareness and decision making: insights from four delivery suites
Authors: Mackintosh Nicola , Berridge Emma‐Jane , Freeth Della
Published: February 2009

Rationale, aims and objectives  ‘Human factors’ (non‐technical skills such as communication and teamwork) have been strongly implicated in adverse events during labour and delivery. The importance of shared ‘situation awareness’ between team members is highlighted as a key factor in patient safety. Arising from an ethnographic study of safety culture in the delivery suites of four UK hospitals, the aim of this study is to describe the main mechanisms supporting team situation awareness (TSA) and examine contrasting configurations of supports.

Methods  Stage I: 177 hours of lightly structured non‐participant observation (sensitizing concepts: safety culture, non‐technical skills, teamwork and decision making) analysed to identify a core organizing concept, main supporting categories and preliminary conceptual models. Stage II: (approximately 11 months after first observations) 104 hours of observation to test and elaborate stage I analyses.

Results  Handover, whiteboard use and a coordinator role emerged as the key processes facilitating work and team coordination. The interplay between these supporting processes and the contextual features of each site promoted or inhibited TSA. Three configurations of supports for TSA were evident. These are described.

Conclusions  Context configurations of supporting mechanisms and artefacts influence TSA, with implications for the maintenance of patient safety on delivery suites. A balanced model of supports for TSA is commended. Examining contrasting configurations helps reveal how local mechanisms or organizational, environmental and temporal factors might be manipulated to improve TSA.
Development and psychometric testing of the Clinician Readiness for Measuring Outcomes Scale
Authors: Bowman Julia , Lannin Natasha , Cook Catherine , McCluskey Annie
Published: February 2009

Background  If allied health professionals are to begin measuring outcomes routinely, a change in attitudes and behaviour is necessary. However, individuals need to be ready to change and often move through several stages before practice change is observed.

Aim  To develop and test the psychometric properties of a questionnaire that determines clinicians' readiness to measure outcomes.

Methods  A study of instrument development, validation and reliability. Ten expert allied health professionals were involved in content validity testing. A further 396 allied health professionals completed the questionnaire to establish content and construct validity, internal consistency and temporal reliability (or stability). Of these 396 allied health professionals, 70 participated in the temporal reliability assessment. Content validity was established using the Content Validity Index (CVI). Construct validity was determined using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and internal consistency was ascertained using Cronbach's alpha. Temporal reliability was confirmed using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC 3,1).

Results  A 30‐item questionnaire was developed, reflecting the five stages of change from the Transtheoretical Model of Change, and commonly cited barriers to outcome measurement. Content validity was excellent (CVI = 0.96). Using CFA, a two‐factor model provided best fit. Based on CFA results, four items were dropped resulting in a 26‐item questionnaire (range 26–156). Internal consistency reliability was excellent (α = 0.94). Temporal (stability) reliability ICC (3,1) was very good (r = 0.86, P = 0.0001).

Conclusions  The final 26‐item questionnaire takes 10 minutes to complete and 5 minutes to score. The Clinician Readiness for Measuring Outcomes Scale provides educators with useful information about clinician readiness and helps identify strategies for affecting behaviour change.
External feedback in general practice: a focus group study of trained peer reviewers of significant event analyses
Authors: McKay John , Pope Lindsey , Bowie Paul , Lough Murray
Published: February 2009

Background and aims Peer feedback is well placed to play a key role in satisfying educational and governance standards in general practice. Although the participation of general practitioners (GPs) as reviewers of evidence will be crucial to the process, the professional, practical and emotional issues associated with peer review are largely unknown. This study explored the experiences of GP reviewers who make educational judgements on colleagues' significant event analyses (SEAs) in an established peer feedback system.

Methods Focus groups of trained GP peer reviewers in the west of Scotland. Interviews were taped, transcribed and analysed for content.

Results Consensus on the value of feedback in improving SEA attempts by colleagues was apparent, but there was disagreement and discomfort about making a dichotomous ‘satisfactory’ or ‘unsatisfactory’ judgement. Differing views on how peer feedback should be used to compliment the appraisal process were described. Some concern was expressed about professional and legal obligations to colleagues and to patients seriously harmed as a result of significant events. Regular training of peer reviewers using several different educational methods was thought essential in enhancing or maintaining their skills. Involvement of the participants in the development of the feedback instrument and the peer review system was highly valued and motivating.

Conclusions Acting as a peer reviewer is perceived by this group of GPs to be an important professional duty. However, the difficulties, emotions and tensions they experience when making professional judgements on aspects of colleagues' work need to be considered when developing a feasible and rigorous system of educational feedback. This is especially important if peer review is to facilitate the ‘external verification’ of evidence for appraisal and governance.
A before and after study of the impact of Specialist Workers for Older People
Authors: Fletcher K. , Mant J.
Published: February 2009

Background  Case management of vulnerable older people by Community Matrons has been introduced into the UK. A locally designed case management approach, the Specialist Workers for Older People (SWOP) Service, was implemented by a Central England Primary Care Trust. Here, we report an evaluation of this service.

Methods  Before and after study of 418 people (207 before; 211 after) aged ≥75 at high risk of emergency hospital admission. SWOPs carry out assessments of social and medical needs, produce individual care plans, co‐ordinate care and refer to appropriate agencies. Univariable analysis was used to determine the association of SWOPs on changes in hospital admission rates and primary care workload.

Results  There was a non‐significant reduction in hospital admissions from 0.91 to 0.67 per patient. There was a significant increase in routine general practitioner surgery visits, from an average 1.3 to 2.6 per patient. The number of emergency home visits decreased from an average 2.8 to 1.1 per patient (P < 0.001).

Conclusions  Case management might reduce hospital admissions and is potentially a cost‐effective service. However, not all case management schemes are successful. With the introduction of Community Matrons, it is important to understand what elements of the SWOP service contributed to its success.
Impact of early viral kinetics on pegylated interferon alpha 2b plus ribavirin therapy in Japanese patients with genotype 2 chronic hepatitis C
Authors: Nomura H. , Miyagi Y. , Tanimoto H. , Ishibashi H.
Published: February 2009

Summary.  The recommended therapy for genotype‐2 chronic hepatitis C is a regimen of pegylated interferon alpha (peginterferon) plus ribavirin. This study was conducted to determine the value of early viral kinetics as a predictive factor for sustained virologic responder (SVR). Peginterferon alpha 2b (1.5 μg/kg/week) plus weight‐based ribavirin (600–1000 mg/day) was administered to 51 patients with chronic HCV genotype 2 for 24 weeks. The HCV‐RNA loads were measured at the baseline, hour 24, and week 1. The rebound index (RI, an index obtained from the viral load of week 1 divided by that of hour 24) was calculated. Compared with the baseline, the viral load at hour 24 for SVR was reduced by more than 1‐log: it continued to decline thereafter, and at week 1 it was significantly lower than at hour 24 (P < 0.05). The viral load for non‐SVR increased again between hour 24 and week 1. The SVR of patients with RI ≤1.0 was 100% (39/39). The SVR conversion for rapid virologic responders was 92% (35/38). The RI (≤1.0) was the only significant independent factor for SVR by multiple logistic regression analysis and is the first predictive factor in 24‐week peginterferon plus ribavirin therapy for patients infected with genotype 2.