bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cognitive functioning and age at onset in non‐affective psychotic disorder
Authors: van der Werf M. , Köhler S. , Verkaaik M. , Verhey F. , van Os J. ,   GROUP Investigators
Published: May 2012

van der Werf M, Köhler S, Verkaaik M, Verhey F, van Os J, GROUP Investigators. Cognitive functioning and age at onset in non‐affective psychotic disorder.

Objective:  Age at psychosis onset has been related to variability in cognitive functioning, but its effect may be mediated by demographic and clinical factors. The aim of the current study was to study the contribution of age at onset, as well as demographic and illness characteristics, to variation in cognitive functioning in patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorder.

Method:  Patients (n = 1053) and healthy controls (n = 631) underwent comprehensive neuropsychological and clinical assessments. The effect of age at onset on age‐standardized cognitive test scores was assessed with multiple linear regression analyses. Mediation by illness and demographic factors was tested using a multiple mediation Sobel test.

Results:  A diagnosis of schizophrenia, higher antipsychotic dose, and more negative symptoms were associated with earlier onset of illness, while female sex and a more chronic course were associated with later illness onset. Furthermore, earlier onset was associated with worse performance on immediate recall and sustained attention. However, male sex, more negative symptoms, and higher antipsychotic dose mediated the effect of age at onset on memory, while negative symptoms explained its association with attention/vigilance.

Conclusion:  Greater impairment in memory and attention in early‐onset psychosis may be explained by features indicative of underlying neurodevelopmental vulnerability.
Carry‐over effects and compensation: late arrival on non‐breeding grounds affects wing moult but not plumage or schedules of departing bar‐tailed godwits Limosa lapponica baueri
Authors: Conklin Jesse R. , Battley Phil F.
Published: May 2012

In the annual cycle of migratory birds, temporal and energetic constraints can lead to carry‐over effects, in which performance in one life history stage affects later stages. Bar‐tailed godwits Limosa lapponica baueri, which achieve remarkably high pre‐migratory fuel loads, undertake the longest non‐stop migratory flights yet recorded, and breed during brief high‐latitude summers, may be particularly vulnerable to persistent effects of disruptions to their rigidly‐timed annual routines. Using three years of non‐breeding data in New Zealand, we asked how arrival timing after a non‐stop flight from Alaska (>11 000 km) affected an individual godwit's performance in subsequent flight feather moult, contour feather moults, and migratory departure. Late arrival led to later wing moult, but godwits partially compensated for delayed moult initiation by increasing moult rate and decreasing the total duration of moult. Delays in arrival and wing moult up to 34–37 d had no apparent effect on an individual's migratory departure or extent of breeding plumage at departure, both of which were extraordinarily consistent between years. Thus, ‘errors’ in timing early in the non‐breeding season were essentially corrected in New Zealand prior to spring migration. Variation in migration timing also had no apparent effect on an individual's likelihood of returning the following season. The bar‐tailed godwits’ rigid maintenance of plumage and spring migration schedules, coupled with high annual survival, imply a surprising degree of flexibility to address unforeseen circumstances in the annual cycle.
Christians, Jews, Journeys, and Salvation. Intertextuality and Inversion in Laish by Aharon Appelfeld and Crusade by Amos Oz
Authors: Shacham Chaya
Published: May 2012

This article offers a comparative study of two Modern Hebrew novellas: Crusade (1971) by Amos Oz and Laish (1994) by Aharon Appelfeld (both works were written in Hebrew by writers who are Israel Literature Prize laureates). The study is based on revealing both the similarities and the distinct points of difference between these two works, which share similar details in their plot outline. In doing so I am trying to decipher the aim and purpose of the obvious ties woven between the latter novella and the early one that serves as its model.

Both works tell about a caravan making its way from Europe to Jerusalem, encountering hardships and obstacles on the way. In Oz’s novella it is a Christian caravan on a crusade aiming to arrive at Jerusalem but never leaving the European continent; in Appelfeld’s work the story is of a Jewish caravan wandering for years on the soil of Europe on its way to the port of Galacz, aiming to leave Europe on the way to the Land of Israel.

Both authors make their point by using covertly the image of the “Wandering Jew,” but differ about the conclusions that can be drawn from the encounter between that symbol and Jewish fate. In Crusade, by using the image of the Wandering Jew, Oz signals both Jewish weakness in exile and Christian religious fanaticism, the encounter between which is disastrous for the Jews. Oz thus points to what he perceives as an insoluble problem on account of its mythical roots.

Appelfeld uses the image of the Wandering Jew quite differently and for another purpose. In Laish Appelfeld is producing “a realization of a metaphor,” so to speak, when he turns the entire Jewish caravan into the actual exemplification of the Wandering Jew.

Contrary to Oz’s novella, where unequivocally there is no hope for the wandering Jew, who continues to symbolize the Jewish people in exile among the nations, the use of the myth of the Wandering Jew as frame and form in Laish is quintessentially dialectic. Therefore it also enables its deconstruction. In the hidden dialogue that takes place between Appelfeld’s novella and that of Oz, the latter’s work is in fact disputing with the earlier one trying to refute its deep pessimism. Although the caravan’s way in Laish is not a simple and easy one, the implications of the emergence of a “Zionist” solution, which in turn shatters the Christian “Wandering Jew” myth, hints at a real possibility of salvation.
Topical application of lipopolysaccharide into gingival sulcus promotes periodontal destruction in rats immunized with lipopolysaccharide
Authors: Yoshinaga Y. , Ukai T. , Kaneko T. , Nakatsu S. , Shiraishi C. , Kuramoto A. , Oshino K. , Ichimura I. , Hara Y.
Published: May 2012

Yoshinaga Y, Ukai T, Kaneko T, Nakatsu S, Shiraishi C, Kuramoto A, Oshino K, Ichimura I, Hara Y. Topical application of lipopolysaccharide into gingival sulcus promotes periodontal destruction in rats immunized with lipopolysaccharide. J Periodont Res 2012; 47: 674–680. © 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/S

Background and Objective: The causes of periodontitis are bacteria and the host immune system, but the role of the immune system in the onset and progression of periodontal disease is still unclear. Our previous report showed that the formation of an immune complex in the gingival sulcus induces periodontal destruction. This study was carried out to investigate how the immune system, particularly immunization, is involved in periodontal destruction.

Material and Methods: Animals immunized intraperitoneally with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were used as the immunized group. The nonimmunized group received only phosphate‐buffered saline. LPS was applied daily onto the palatal gingival sulcus in both groups 1 d after the booster injection. Serum levels of anti‐LPS IgG were determined. Loss of attachment and the level of alveolar bone were histopathologically and histometrically investigated. RANKL‐bearing cells and the expression of C1qB were immunohistologically evaluated.

Results: The serum levels of anti‐LPS IgG were elevated in the early experimental period in the immunized group. There were significant increases in loss of attachment, level of alveolar bone and the number of RANKL‐bearing cells in the immunized group. C1qB was observed in the junctional epithelium and adjacent connective tissue. The nonimmunized group showed similar findings at and after the time when the serum level of anti‐LPS IgG was elevated.

Conclusion: Topical application of LPS as an antigen induced periodontal destruction when the serum level of anti‐LPS IgG was elevated in rats immunized with LPS. The presence of C1qB suggests that the formation of immune complexes is involved in this destruction.
Master triathletes have not reached limits in their Ironman triathlon performance
Authors: Stiefel M. , Knechtle B. , Lepers R.
Published: May 2012

The purpose of this study was to analyze the participation and performance trends of male triathletes in the “Ironman Switzerland” from 1995 to 2010. Participation trends of all finishers aged between 18 and 64 years were analyzed over the 16‐year period by considering four 4‐year periods 1995–1998, 1999–2002, 2003–2006, and 2007–2010, respectively. The 3.8‐km swimming, 180‐km cycling, 42‐km running times, and total race times were analyzed for the top 10 triathletes in each age group from 18 to 64 years. The participation of master triathletes (≥40 years old) increased over the years, representing on average 23%, 28%, 37%, and 48% of total male finishers during the four 4‐year periods, respectively. Over the 1995–2010 period, triathletes older than 40 years significantly improved their performance in swimming, cycling, running, and in the total time taken to complete the race. The question whether master Ironman triathletes have yet reached limits in their performance during Ironman triathlon should be raised. Further studies investigating training regimes, competition experience, or socio‐demographic factors are needed to gain better insights into the phenomenon of the relative improvement in ultra‐endurance performance with advancing age.
International Association of Dental Traumatology guidelines for the management of traumatic dental injuries: 3. Injuries in the primary dentition
Authors: Malmgren Barbro , Andreasen Jens O. , Flores Marie Therese , Robertson Agneta , DiAngelis Anthony J. , Andersson Lars , Cavalleri Giacomo , Cohenca Nestor , Day Peter , Hicks Morris Lamar , Malmgren Olle , Moule Alex J. , Onetto Juan , Tsukiboshi Mitsuhiro
Published: May 2012

Traumatic injuries to the primary dentition present special problems and the management is often different as compared with the permanent dentition. The International Association of Dental Traumatology (IADT) has developed a consensus statement after a review of the dental literature and group discussions. Experienced researchers and clinicians from various specialities were included in the task group. In cases where the data did not appear conclusive, recommendations were based on the consensus opinion or majority decision of the task group. Finally, the IADT board members were giving their opinion and approval. The primary goal of these guidelines is to delineate an approach for the immediate or urgent care for management of primary teeth injuries. The IADT cannot and does not guarantee favorable outcomes from strict adherence to the guidelines, but believe that their application can maximize the chances of a positive outcome.
Daytime sleepiness, sleep disturbance and functioning impairment in bipolar disorder
Authors: Walz Julio C. , Magalhães Pedro V. , Reckziegel Ramiro , Costanzi Monise , Giglio Larriany , Kapczinski Flávio
Published: May 2012

Objective

To verify the prevalence and clinical impact of excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) in outpatients with bipolar disorder.

Methods

Eighty‐one outpatients with bipolar disorder and 79 healthy control subjects were recruited. Patients were required not to be acutely manic or depressed. We used the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and the Functioning Assessment Short Test to assess sleepiness, sleep problems and functioning, respectively.

Results

Patients had a higher prevalence of sleepiness (40%) than the control group (18%). Sleepiness and sleep disturbance had independent impacts on disability in the multivariable model.

Conclusions

This study suggests that EDS is a relevant clinical dimension in patients with bipolar disorder. It is a frequent symptom that often overlaps with other sleep disturbances. This study also reveals that once present it has the potential to increase functional impairment.
Perspectives on providing good access to dental services for elderly people: patient selection, dentists’ responsibility and budget management
Authors: Grytten Jostein , Holst Dorthe
Published: May 2012

doi: 10.1111/j.1741‐2358.2012.00646.x

Perspectives on providing good access to dental services for elderly people: patient selection, dentists’ responsibility and budget management

Objectives:  To suggest a model for organizing and financing dental services for elderly people so that they have good access to services.

Background:  There are few studies on how dental services for elderly people should be organized and financed. This is surprising if we take into consideration the fact that the proportion of elderly people is growing faster than any other group in the population, and that elderly people have more dental diseases and poorer access to dental services than the rest of the adult population. In several countries, dental services are characterized by private providers who often operate in a market with competition and free price‐setting. Private dentists have no community responsibility, and they are free to choose which patients they treat.

Material and methods:  Literature review and critical reasoning.

Results:  In order to avoid patient selection, a patient list system for elderly people is recommended, with per capita remuneration for the patients that the dentist is given responsibility for. The patient list system means that the dentist assumes responsibility for a well‐defined list of elderly people.

Conclusion:  Our model will lead to greater security in the dentist/patient relationship, and patients with great treatment needs will be ensured access to dental services.
High Bird Species Diversity in Structurally Heterogeneous Farmland in Western Kenya
Authors: Mulwa Ronald K. , Böhning‐Gaese Katrin , Schleuning Matthias
Published: May 2012

Tropical ecosystems are globally important for bird diversity. In many tropical regions, land‐use intensification has caused conversion of natural forests into human‐modified habitats, such as secondary forests and heterogeneous agricultural landscapes. Despite previous research, the distribution of bird communities in these forest‐farmland mosaics is not well understood. To achieve a comprehensive understanding of bird diversity and community turnover in a human‐modified Kenyan landscape, we recorded bird communities at 20 sites covering the complete habitat gradient from forest (near natural forest, secondary forest) to farmland (subsistence farmland, sugarcane plantation) using point counts and distance sampling. Bird density and species richness were on average higher in farmland than in forest habitats. Within forest and farmland, bird density and species richness increased with vegetation structural diversity,i.e.,were higher in near natural than in secondary forest and in subsistence farmland than in sugarcane plantations. Bird communities in forest and farmland habitats were very distinct and very few forest specialists occurred in farmland habitats. Moreover, insectivorous bird species declined in farmland habitats whereas carnivores and herbivores increased. Our study confirms that tropical farmlands can hardly accommodate forest specialist species. Contrary to most previous studies, our findings show that structurally rich tropical farmlands hold a surprisingly rich and distinct bird community that is threatened by conversion of subsistence farmland into sugarcane plantations. We conclude that conservation strategies in the tropics must go beyond rain forest protection and should integrate structurally heterogeneous agroecosystems into conservation plans that aim at maintaining the diverse bird communities of tropical forest‐farmland mosaics.
Proteomic analysis of the immune response of the silkworm infected by Escherichia coli and Bacillus bombyseptieus
Authors: Zhong Xiao‐Wu , Zhao Ping , Zou Yong , Nie Hong‐Yi , Yi Qi‐Ying , Xia Qing‐You , Xiang Zhong‐Huai
Published: May 2012

Abstract  The silkworm, Bombyx mori, is an economically important insect with a 5 000‐year history of domestication. During evolution, the silkworm has developed highly effective defenses against invasion and parasitization by microorganisms. In this study, two microorganisms Escherichia coli and Bacillus bombyseptieus were orally infected to silkworm larvae. After infection with E. coli and B. bombyseptieus for 24 h, we investigated the polypeptide changes in the hemolymph, midgut and integument using two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis and matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight mass spectrometry. Forty‐seven differentially expressed proteins were identified in these tissues. They belonged to a variety of functional classes, including immune proteins, metabolic proteins and structural proteins. Compared with controls, E. coli‐infected silkworms showed 21 up‐regulated proteins, 25 down‐regulated proteins and lost one protein. After infection with B. bombyseptieus, silkworms showed 15 up‐regulated proteins, 27 down‐regulated proteins, lost three proteins and retained two proteins unchanged. We speculate that all these proteins may play a role in the silkworm immune response, although it is unclear why and how the two kinds of bacteria can so markedly alter expression of these proteins. These results offer valuable insights for measuring the proteomic responses of the silkworm innate immune mechanism.
Fossil history of Mesozoic weevils (Coleoptera: Curculionoidea)
Authors: Legalov Andrei A.
Published: May 2012

Abstract The first synopsis of Mesozoic weevils (Curculionoidea: Coleoptera) is presented. Changes of family, genera and species abundance during the Mesozoic revealed three distributional patterns. The Jurassic (Karatau) fauna was dominated by the Nemonychidae. During the Early Cretaceous (beginning at the Jurassic/Cretaceous border), the Ithyceridae was the prevalent group with a significant role played by the Nemonychidae. In the Late Cretaceous (Cenomanian and Turonian), the major groups were the Curculionidae and Brentidae. Obviously, the change of weevil fauna during this period was due to the expansion of the angiosperms, which provided multiple niches in their vegetative and reproductive organs for weevil development.
Prediction of Organ Toxicity Endpoints by QSAR Modeling Based on Precise Chemical‐Histopathology Annotations
Authors: Myshkin Eugene , Brennan Richard , Khasanova Tatiana , Sitnik Tatiana , Serebriyskaya Tatiana , Litvinova Elena , Guryanov Alexey , Nikolsky Yuri , Nikolskaya Tatiana , Bureeva Svetlana
Published: May 2012

The ability to accurately predict the toxicity of drug candidates from their chemical structure is critical for guiding experimental drug discovery toward safer medicines. Under the guidance of the MetaTox consortium (Thomson Reuters, CA, USA), which comprised toxicologists from the pharmaceutical industry and government agencies, we created a comprehensive ontology of toxic pathologies for 19 organs, classifying pathology terms by pathology type and functional organ substructure. By manual annotation of full‐text research articles, the ontology was populated with chemical compounds causing specific histopathologies. Annotated compound‐toxicity associations defined histologically from rat and mouse experiments were used to build quantitative structure–activity relationship models predicting subcategories of liver and kidney toxicity: liver necrosis, liver relative weight gain, liver lipid accumulation, nephron injury, kidney relative weight gain, and kidney necrosis. All models were validated using two independent test sets and demonstrated overall good performance: initial validation showed 0.80–0.96 sensitivity (correctly predicted toxic compounds) and 0.85–1.00 specificity (correctly predicted non‐toxic compounds). Later validation against a test set of compounds newly added to the database in the 2 years following initial model generation showed 75–87% sensitivity and 60–78% specificity. General hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity models were less accurate, as expected for more complex endpoints.
Identification of Novel Polo‐like Kinase 1 Inhibitors by a Hybrid Virtual Screening
Authors: Lu Shuai , Sun Shan‐Liang , Liu Hai‐Chun , Chen Ya‐Dong , Yuan Hao‐Liang , Gao Yi‐Ping , Yang Pei , Lu Tao
Published: May 2012

Polo‐like kinase 1 is an important and attractive oncological target that plays a key role in mitosis and cytokinesis. A combined pharmacophore‐ and docking‐based virtual screening was performed to identify novel polo‐like kinase 1 inhibitors. A total of 34 hit compounds were selected and tested in vitro, and some compounds showed inhibition of polo‐like kinase 1 and human tumor cell growth. The most potent compound (66) inhibited polo‐like kinase 1 with an IC50 value of 6.99 μm. The docked binding models of two hit compounds were discussed in detail. These compounds contained novel chemical scaffolds and may be used as foundations for the development of novel classes of polo‐like kinase 1 inhibitors.
Inbreeding–stress interactions: evolutionary and conservation consequences
Authors: Reed David H. , Fox Charles W. , Enders Laramy S. , Kristensen Torsten N.
Published: May 2012

The effect of environmental stress on the magnitude of inbreeding depression has a long history of intensive study. Inbreeding–stress interactions are of great importance to the viability of populations of conservation concern and have numerous evolutionary ramifications. However, such interactions are controversial. Several meta‐analyses over the last decade, combined with omic studies, have provided considerable insight into the generality of inbreeding–stress interactions, its physiological basis, and have provided the foundation for future studies. In this review, we examine the genetic and physiological mechanisms proposed to explain why inbreeding–stress interactions occur. We specifically examine whether the increase in inbreeding depression with increasing stress could be due to a concomitant increase in phenotypic variation, using a larger data set than any previous study. Phenotypic variation does usually increase with stress, and this increase can explain some of the inbreeding–stress interaction, but it cannot explain all of it. Overall, research suggests that inbreeding–stress interactions can occur via multiple independent channels, though the relative contribution of each of the mechanisms is unknown. To better understand the causes and consequences of inbreeding–stress interactions in natural populations, future research should focus on elucidating the genetic architecture of such interactions and quantifying naturally occurring levels of stress in the wild.
The fundamental role of competition in the ecology and evolution of mutualisms
Authors: Jones Emily I. , Bronstein Judith L. , Ferrière Régis
Published: May 2012

Abstract  Mutualisms are interspecific interactions that yield reciprocal benefits. Here, by adopting a consumer–resource perspective, we show how considering competition is necessary in order to understand the evolutionary and ecological dynamics of mutualism. We first review the ways in which competition shapes the ecology of mutualisms, using a graphical framework based on resource flows rather than net effects to highlight the opportunities for competition. We then describe the known mechanisms of competition and show how it is a critical driver of the evolutionary dynamics, persistence, and diversification of mutualism. We argue that empirical and theoretical research on the ecology and evolution of mutualisms will jointly progress by addressing four key points: (i) the existence and shape of physiological trade‐offs among cooperation, competition, and other life‐history and functional traits; (ii) the capacity for individuals to express conditional responses to variation in their mutualistic and competitive environment; (iii) the existence of heritable variation for mutualistic and competitive traits and their potentially conditional expression; and (iv) the structure of the network of consumer–resource interactions in which individuals are embedded.
Dietary Combination of Fish Oil and Taurine Decreases Fat Accumulation and Ameliorates Blood Glucose Levels in Type 2 Diabetic/Obese KK‐Ay Mice
Authors: Mikami Nana , Hosokawa Masashi , Miyashita Kazuo
Published: May 2012

Abstract:  n‐3 Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and taurine are functional compounds abundantly present in seafoods. In this study, we examined the combined effects of EPA‐ and DHA‐rich fish oil and taurine on white adipose tissue (WAT) weight and blood glucose levels in diabetic/obese KK‐Ay mice. After a 4‐wk administration of experimental diets (soybean oil or fish oil, supplemented with 0%, 2%, or 4% taurine), the increase in WAT weight of the mice fed the “fish oil + 4% taurine” diet was significantly suppressed compared to the “soybean oil + 4% taurine” and “fish oil only” diets. Serum triglycerides, free fatty acids, and total cholesterol levels decreased by fish oil administration. In addition, fish oil and taurine increased the activity of acyl‐CoA oxidase, which is the rate‐limiting enzyme of peroxisomal β‐oxidation, increased in the liver of KK‐Ay mice. The activity of fatty acid synthase decreased by fish oil diets. Furthermore, blood glucose and insulin levels were significantly lower in the mice fed fish oil than in the soybean oil‐fed mice. In fish oil + 4% taurine group, hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia were effectively improved in KK‐Ay mice compared to the fish oil only groups. In particular, the combination of fish oil and taurine enhanced the glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) distribution in the plasma membrane of muscle tissue. These results suggest that EPA‐ and DHA‐rich fish oil, especially in combination with taurine, exhibits preventive effects on WAT weight gain and hyperglycemia in diabetic/obese KK‐Ay mice.
Effect of α‐Tocopherol on Lactone Formation in Marbled Beef and Changes in Lactone Volatility during Storage
Authors: Watanabe Akira , Imanari Mai , Yonai Miharu , Shiba Nobuya
Published: May 2012

Abstract:  Dynamic‐headspace sampling with a standard‐addition method was employed to quantitatively analyze aliphatic lactones in rendered fat from marbled beef and to evaluate the effect of the matrix on volatility. Further, the effects of different levels of the antioxidant α‐tocopherol on lactone formation were examined. The slopes of the linear regression curves from the standard‐addition method were significantly changed (P < 0.05 or 0.01) for all lactones after storage, with the exception of γ‐octalactone, indicating the volatility of the longer‐chain lactones were increased after storage. The concentrations of γ‐lactones were increased after 7 d of storage at 2 °C (P < 0.01), and the α‐tocopherol content in the meat affected the formation of γ‐octalactone (P < 0.05) and γ‐nonalactone (P < 0.01). The greatest increase was observed for γ‐nonalactone in the lowest α‐tocopherol (2.9 ppm) group: the concentration of 51.4 ppb was 11.7‐fold higher than that before storage. Meanwhile, δ‐tetradecalactone in the highest α‐tocopherol (28.8 ppm) group showed the highest concentration for the lactones at 415.8 ppb, which was 2.6‐fold higher than the concentration before storage. The effect of α‐tocopherol was unclear for the δ‐lactones. The results indicate that most of the γ‐lactones are produced by oxidation during storage but that the other lactones are also generated by other processes as well.
Transfer, Attachment, and Formation of Biofilms by Escherichia coli O157:H7 on Meat‐Contact Surface Materials
Authors: Simpson Beauchamp Catherine , Dourou Dimitra , Geornaras Ifigenia , Yoon Yohan , Scanga John A. , Belk Keith E. , Smith Gary C. , Nychas George‐John E. , Sofos John N.
Published: May 2012

Abstract:  Studies examined the effects of meat‐contact material types, inoculation substrate, presence of air at the liquid–solid surface interface during incubation, and incubation substrate on the attachment/transfer and subsequent biofilm formation by Escherichia coli O157:H7 on beef carcass fabrication surface materials. Materials studied as 2 × 5 cm coupons included stainless steel, acetal, polypropylene, and high‐density polyethylene. A 6‐strain rifampicin‐resistant E. coli O157:H7 composite was used to inoculate (6 log CFU/mL, g, or cm2) tryptic soy broth (TSB), beef fat/lean tissue homogenate (FLH), conveyor belt‐runoff fluids, ground beef, or beef fat. Coupons of each material were submerged (4 °C, 30 min) in the inoculated fluids or ground beef, or placed between 2 pieces of inoculated beef fat with pressure (20 kg) applied. Attachment/transfer of the pathogen was surface material and substrate dependent, although beef fat appeared to negate differences among surface materials. Beef fat was the most effective (P < 0.05) inoculation substrate, followed by ground beef, FLH, and TSB. Incubation (15 °C, 16 d) of beef fat‐inoculated coupons in a beef fat homogenate (pH 4.21) allowed the pathogen to survive and grow on coupon surfaces, with maximal biofilm formation observed between 2 and 8 d of storage and when air was present at the liquid–solid interface. The results indicated that the process of fabricating beef carcasses may be conducive to the attachment of E. coli O157:H7 onto meat‐contact surfaces and subsequent biofilm formation. Furthermore, it is recommended that substrates found in beef fabrication settings, rather than laboratory culture media, be used in studies designed to investigate E. coli O157:H7 biofilm development and control in these environments.

Practical Application:  Findings of this study provide knowledge on the effect of type of beef carcass fabrication surface material, fabrication‐floor fluids and residues, and incubation conditions on attachment/transfer and subsequent biofilm formation by E. coli O157:H7. The results highlight the importance of thoroughly cleaning soiled surfaces to remove all remnants of beef fat or other organic material that may harbor or protect microbial contaminants during otherwise lethal antimicrobial interventions.
Optimizing the Orosensory Properties of Model Functional Beverages: The Influence of Novel Sweeteners, Odorants, Bitter Blockers, and Their Mixtures on (+)‐Catechin
Authors: Gaudette Nicole J. , Pickering Gary J.
Published: May 2012

This paper is dedicated to the memory of colleague and friend, Dr. Samson Agboola, who recently passed away.

Abstract:  The use of flavor‐modifying strategies are important to improving the sensory profile of some excessively bitter and astringent functional ingredients, such as (+)‐catechin (CAT). Two bitter blockers (ß‐cyclodextrin [CYCLO], homoeriodictyol sodium salt [HED]), two sweeteners (sucrose [SUC], rebaudioside A [REB]), and two odorants (vanillin [VAN], black tea aroma [TEA]) were assessed for their efficacy at modifying the bitterness and astringency of CAT in model aqueous solutions. The intensity of oral sensations elicited by CAT was determined in duplicate in binary, ternary, and quaternary mixtures of these stimuli by a trained panel (n= 15) using a 15 cm visual analogue scale. Overall, bitterness and astringency were most effectively reduced by ternary solutions containing CYCLO + REB or CYCLO + SUC (68%, 60%, and 45%, 43% for bitterness and astringency, respectively). Odorants were not effective at modifying the bitterness or astringency of CAT. We conclude that the use of select bitter blockers and sweeteners may be of value in optimizing the flavor and acceptance of functional food and beverages fortified with phenolic compounds.

Practical Application:  (+)‐Catechin is a bitter‐tasting plant‐derived health‐promoting phenolic compound of interest to functional food and beverage manufacturers. We investigated the efficacy of bitter blockers, plant‐based sweeteners, and odorants in decreasing the bitterness and astringency elicited by (+)‐catechin. Some of these additives, both alone and in combination, reduced bitterness and astringency, and may therefore assist in optimizing the flavor and consumer acceptance of some phenolic‐based functional foods and beverages.
Cassava Starch‐Based Films Plasticized with Sucrose and Inverted Sugar and Reinforced with Cellulose Nanocrystals
Authors: da Silva Jania B.A. , Pereira Fabiano V. , Druzian Janice I.
Published: May 2012

Abstract:  Bionanocomposites films of cassava starch plasticized with sucrose and inverted sugar and reinforced by cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) were prepared by solution casting method incorporating 0.1 to 5 wt% of eucalyptus CNCs. The nanocrystals were characterized using transmission electron microscopy, whereas the bionanocomposites properties were studied using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, tensile measurements, water solubility, swelling behavior, and water activity (aw). The water resistance properties (solubility and swelling behavior) of the nanocomposites were enhanced with the addition of cellulose nanofillers. These results were explained in terms of the high crystallinity of the nanocrystals and the formation of a rigid network with the nanofillers, which provide physical barriers to the permeation of water within the hydrophilic cassava matrix. The addition of CNCs in the bionanocomposites decreases aw linearly, reaching values below 0.5 (for CNCs concentration higher than 4 wt%), a reference value for no microbial proliferation for food product design. The presence of small concentrations of CNCs (0.1–0.3 wt%) also effectively increased the maximum tensile strength (more than 90%) and elastic modulus (more than 400%), indicating the formation of a suitable percolation network in this concentration range. Because the cellulose nanofillers enhanced the mechanical and water stability properties of the nanocomposites, the obtained results in this work may be applied to the development of biodegradable packaging or coatings to enhance shelf life of food products.

Practical Application:  The main drawbacks of using starch‐based polymers as packaging or coating in the food industry are their low mechanical properties and inherent water sensitivity. This study demonstrates that cellulose nanocrystals can be used to: (i) obtain better mechanical properties (increasing the tensile strength and modulus more than 90% and 400%, respectively; (ii) enhance the water stability and (iii) water activity of starch‐based films. These results indicate that the obtained environmentally friendly nanocomposites in this work can be used to the development of films or coatings to enhance the shelf life of food products.
Formation of β‐Cyclodextrin Inclusion Enhances the Stability and Aqueous Solubility of Natural Borneol
Authors: Su Jianyu , Chen Jianping , Li Lin , Li Bing , Shi Lei , Chen Ling , Xu Zhenbo
Published: May 2012

Abstract:  The aims of this study were to optimize the preparation conditions of natural borneol/β‐cyclodextrin (NB/β‐CD) inclusion complex by ultrasound method, and to investigate its improvement of stability and solubility. The complex was characterized by different various spectroscopic techniques including Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffractometry, and differential scanning calorimetry. The results demonstrate that NB could be efficiently loaded into β‐CD to form an inclusion complex by ultrasound method at a molar ratio of 1 : 1 and mass ratio of 1 : 6. The complex exhibited different physicochemical characteristics from that of free NB. Typically, formation of β‐CD inclusion significantly enhanced the stability and aqueous solubility of NB.

Practical Application:  Natural borneol (NB) has the potential to be widely used in the fields of medical and functional food, due to its specificity. However, the disadvantages of unstability in the preparation and storage process due to its easy sublimation and the low water solubility limit its application. This research provides an effective way to improve the solubility and stability of NB by preparing NB/β‐CD inclusion complex. Furthermore, theoretical basis is also provided for the application development of NB.
Contemplative Science, Education and Child Development: Introduction to the Special Section
Authors: W. Roeser Robert , Zelazo Philip David
Published: May 2012

Contemplative science is a transdisciplinary project aimed at understanding the effects of various kinds of mental and physical training (such as mindfulness meditation and tai chi) on the body, brain, and mind at different stages of the lifespan. As such, the goals of contemplative science are to create new knowledge regarding human plasticity and to generate new forms of human services that optimize development. This Special Section introduces readers to new applications of contemplative science in the areas of child development and education. Collectively, the articles explore the prospects for designing age‐appropriate forms of secular contemplative trainings that scaffold the development of executive function, emotion regulation, empathy, and compassion in children, adolescents, and the adults who serve them in educational settings alike.
Photochemically Inactivated Hepatitis B Virus Promotes Upregulation of Th1‐Type Cytokines
Authors: Liu Xiaoying , Zhao Xiaoyan , Wang Xun , Zhang Jingjing , Huang Yuwen , Mo Qin , Qian Kaicheng , Zhu Yongming
Published: May 2012

Photochemical virus inactivation technology is widely used to improve the safety of blood products. However, the process by which this inactivation occurs and the resulting immunogenicity of treated viruses remain to be elucidated. This study aimed to explore the effects of two photochemical inactivation methods (methylene and riboflavin, MP and RP) on hepatitis B virus (HBV) immunogenicity. Inactivated HBV were incubated with PBMC from six healthy donors. Culture supernatants were collected at 0, 24 and 72 h for the analysis of HBsAg and HBeAg expression using ELISA. Cytokine expression was analyzed at 72 h using ELISA. Costimulatory and cell adhesion molecule mRNA expression was analyzed at 24 h by RT–PCR. No significant changes in HBsAg and HBeAg were detected following MP. However, the secretion of TNF‐α and IFN‐γ was upregulated. Expression of CD80, CD86, ICAM2 and LFA3 mRNA was also upregulated. In contrast, although RP did not significantly alter HBsAg expression, a reduction in HBeAg expression was observed. Furthermore, no upregulation of cytokines and intracellular molecule expression was observed following RP. These data indicate that the immunogenicity of HBV is retained following MP, and the inactivation of HBV could upregulate the Th1‐type cellular immune responses, which may play significant roles in the antiviral process.
Fluence Rate‐Dependent Photobleaching of Intratumorally Administered Pc 4 Does not Predict Tumor Growth Delay
Authors: Baran Timothy M. , Foster Thomas H.
Published: May 2012

We examined effects of fluence rate on the photobleaching of the photosensitizer Pc 4 during photodynamic therapy (PDT) and the relationship between photobleaching and tumor response to PDT. BALB/c mice with intradermal EMT6 tumors were given 0.03 mg kg−1 Pc 4 by intratumor injection and irradiated at 667 nm with an irradiance of 50 or 150 mW cm−2 to a fluence of 100 J cm−2. While no cures were attained, significant tumor growth delay was demonstrated at both irradiances compared with drug‐only controls. There was no significant difference in tumor responses to these two irradiances (P = 0.857). Fluorescence spectroscopy was used to monitor the bleaching of Pc 4 during irradiation, with more rapid bleaching with respect to fluence shown at the higher irradiance. No significant correlation was found between fluorescence photobleaching and tumor regrowth for the data interpreted as a whole. Within each treatment group, weak associations between photobleaching and outcome were observed. In the 50 mW cm−2 group, enhanced photobleaching was associated with prolonged growth delay (P = 0.188), while at 150 mW cm−2 this trend was reversed (P = 0.308). Thus, it appears that Pc 4 photobleaching is not a strong predictor of individual tumor response to Pc 4‐PDT under these treatment conditions.
Retinal Photodamage by Endogenous and Xenobiotic Agents†
Authors: Wielgus Albert R. , Roberts Joan E.
Published: May 2012

The human eye is constantly exposed to sunlight and artificial lighting. Light transmission through the eye is fundamental to its unique biological functions of directing vision and circadian rhythm and therefore light absorbed by the eye must be benign. However, exposure to the very intense ambient radiation can pose a hazard particularly if the recipient is over 40 years of age. There are age‐related changes in the endogenous (natural) chromophores (lipofuscin, A2E and all‐trans‐retinal derivatives) in the human retina that makes it more susceptible to visible light damage. Intense visible light sources that do not filter short blue visible light (400–440 nm) used for phototherapy of circadian imbalance (i.e. seasonal affective disorder) increase the risk for age‐related light damage to the retina. Moreover, many drugs, dietary supplements, nanoparticles and diagnostic dyes (xenobiotics) absorb ocular light and have the potential to induce photodamage to the retina, leading to transient or permanent blinding disorders. This article will review the underlying reasons why visible light in general and short blue visible light in particular dramatically raises the risk of photodamage to the human retina.
Platanthera ovatilabris and P. dulongensis spp. nov. and new records of Platanthera (Orchidaceae, Orchidoideae) for Yunnan and Tibet, China
Authors: Jin Xiao‐Hua , Efimov Petr
Published: May 2012

New data on the taxonomy and distribution of Platanthera species in China are discussed. Two new species, Platanthera ovatilabris and P. dulongensis, are described and illustrated. Platanthera ophiocephala is recorded for the first time in China (Yunnan). Platanthera dyeriana in the ‘Flora of China’ was misidentified as P. sikkimensis, although P. dyeriana is easily distinguishable by reduced leaves 1.5–3.0(4.0) cm long, lower bracts not exceeding the flowers, smaller flowers with sepals 4.5–6.5 mm long and lip ca 8 mm long. True P. sikkimensis is reported from China (Tibet) for the first time. All new localities are mapped. The descriptions of all taxa are accompanied by information on the species’ affinities, geographical distribution and implications for their conservation. Platanthera ovatilabris, P. dulongensis and P. ophiocephala are known from 1–3 localities and are assessed as ‘Critically Endangered’, being threatened by depletion of their habitat (primary forests).
Should the Study of Homo sapiens be Part of Cognitive Science?
Authors: Clark Barrett H. , Stich Stephen , Laurence Stephen
Published: May 2012

Beller, Bender, and Medin argue that a reconciliation between anthropology and cognitive science seems unlikely. We disagree. In our view, Beller et al.’s view of the scope of what anthropology can offer cognitive science is too narrow. In focusing on anthropology’s role in elucidating cultural particulars, they downplay the fact that anthropology can reveal both variation and universals in human cognition, and is in a unique position to do so relative to the other subfields of cognitive science. Indeed, without cross‐cultural research, the universality of any aspect of human cognition cannot truly be established. Therefore, if the goal of cognitive science is to understand the cognitive capacities of our species as a whole, then it cannot do without anthropology. We briefly review a growing body of anthropological work aimed at answering questions about human cognition and offer suggestions for future work.
The Original Sin of Cognitive Science
Authors: Levinson Stephen C.
Published: May 2012

Classical cognitive science was launched on the premise that the architecture of human cognition is uniform and universal across the species. This premise is biologically impossible and is being actively undermined by, for example, imaging genomics. Anthropology (including archaeology, biological anthropology, linguistics, and cultural anthropology) is, in contrast, largely concerned with the diversification of human culture, language, and biology across time and space—it belongs fundamentally to the evolutionary sciences. The new cognitive sciences that will emerge from the interactions with the biological sciences will focus on variation and diversity, opening the door for rapprochement with anthropology.
Review of Rabies Epidemiology and Control in South, South East and East Asia: Past, Present and Prospects for Elimination
Authors: Tenzin  , Ward M. P.
Published: May 2012

Rabies is a serious public health problem in Asia. It causes substantial animal welfare, economic and human health impacts, with approximately 39 000 human deaths each year. Domestic dogs are the main reservoir and source of rabies in Asia. Common constraints for the control of rabies in the countries of Asia include inadequate resources; lack of political commitment to control programs; lack of consensus on strategy; weak intersectoral coordination and inadequate management structure; insensitive surveillance systems; limited accessibility to modern rabies vaccine and supply problems; lack of public awareness and public cooperation; and the existence of myths and religious issues. In this review, we summarize the epidemiology of rabies in both human and animals in each South and South East Asian country, the past and current approaches to control and the prospect for rabies elimination. We conclude that defining the cost of rabies to society and communicating this to decision‐makers might be the key to achieving such an advance.
Meta‐analysis of simultaneous versus staged resection for synchronous colorectal liver metastases
Authors: Li Zhi‐qing , Liu Kai , Duan Ji‐cheng , Li Zhe , Su Chang‐qing , Yang Jia‐he
Published: May 2012

Aim:  There is no clear consensus on the optimal timing of surgical resection for synchronous colorectal liver metastases (SCLM). This study is a meta‐analysis of the available evidence.

Methods:  Systematic review and meta‐analysis of trials comparing outcomes following simultaneous resection with staged resection for SCLM published from 1990 to 2010 in PubMed, Embase, Ovid and Medline. Pooled odds ratios (OR) or weighted mean differences (WMD) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated using either the fixed effects or random effects model.

Results:  Nineteen non‐randomized controlled trials (NRCT) studies were included in this analysis. These studies included a total of 2724 patients: 1116 underwent simultaneous resection and 1608 underwent staged resection. Meta‐analysis showed that shorter hospital stay (P < 0.001) and lower total complication rate (P < 0.001) were observed in patients undergoing simultaneous resection group. The overall survival rate in the simultaneous resection group did not statistically differ with that in the staged resection group at 1 year (P = 0.13), 3 years (P = 0.26), 5 years (P = 0.38), as well as the 1, 3 and 5 years disease‐free survival rates (respectively, P = 0.55; P = 0.16; P = 0.12). No significant difference was noted between the two groups in terms of mortality (P = 0.16), intraoperative blood loss (P = 0.06) and recurrence (P = 0.47).

Conclusion:  Simultaneous resection is safe and efficient in the treatment of patients with SCLM while avoiding a second laparotomy. In selected patients, simultaneous resection might be considered as the preferred approach. However, the findings have to be carefully interpreted due to the lower level of evidence and the existence of heterogeneity.