bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Susceptibility of water‐emulsified extra virgin olive oils to oxidation
Authors: Ambrosone L. , Cinelli G. , Mosca M. , Ceglie A.
Published: November 2006

The effect of emulsion structure on the susceptibility to oxidation of emulsified olive oils was tested. Olive oil samples were emulsified by adding a certain quantity of water in different ways. The resulting water‐in‐oil emulsions were then oxidized with UV light. The results revealed that the emulsion structure played a significant role in the oxidation process of emulsified olive oils. A kinetic mechanism is discussed based on the PV determined experimentally. The susceptibility of water‐emulsified extra virgin olive oils to oxidation was quantified by means of a dimensionless parameter that displayed a characteristic dependence on the specific surface area of the water dispersed phase.
Clinical application of C18 and C20 chain length polyunsaturated fatty acids and their biotechnological production in plants
Authors: Griffiths G. , Morse N.
Published: November 2006

A potential revolution in FA therapies is on the horizon. In recent years, the full magnitude of various FA treatments and their overall importance to health has become increasingly apparent. Fetal and infant nutrition studies have clearly shown that FA status at birth can have life‐long health implications affecting eye and brain function, insulin resistance, and blood pressure control. As well, nutrition studies have identified dietary imbalances and deficiencies that have the potential to alter the health of future generations severely and to promote progression of age‐related degenerative disorders.

Mixtures of naturally occurring FA have shown promise as therapeutic agents for a diverse range of health conditions including atopic eczema, rheumatoid arthritis, cardiovascular disease, and neurological problems. Through the 1990s, the creation of technologies to concentrate and formulate pharmacologically active individual FA components as well as tailored combinations propelled development of this new drug category. However, high production costs and government regulatory encumbrance limited the expansion of this emerging pharmaceutical sector. Fortunately, many countries are now creating regulatory frameworks that are better suited for product evaluation and control of the manufacturing FA products than historical drug models, and hence expansion in this area is now anticipated.
Influence of chemical refining on the major and minor components of rice brain oil
Authors: Van Hoed V. , Depaemelaere G. , Ayala J. Vila , Santiwattana P. , Verhe R. , De Greyt W.
Published: November 2006

The effects of each individual step of the chemical refining process on major and minor components of rice bran oil were examined. In comparison with common vegetable oils, rice brain oil contains a significantly higher level of several bioactive minor components such as γ‐oryzanol, tocotrienols, and phytosterols. Alkali treatment or neutralization results in a significant loss of oryzanol. In addition, it gives rise to a change in the individual phytosterol composition. After bleaching, some isomers of 24‐methylenecycloartanol were detected. Because of their relatively high volatility, phytosterols and tocotrienols are stripped from the rice brain oil during deodorization and concentrated in the deodorizer distillate. At the same time, oryzanol is not volatile enough to be stripped during deodorization; hence, the oryzanol concentration does not change after deodorization. Complete refining removed 99.5% of the FFA content. Depending on the applied deodorization conditions, trans FA can be formed, but the total trans content generally remains below 1%.
Measurement of soybean fatty acids by near‐infrared spectroscopy: Linear and nonlinear calibration methods
Authors: Kovalenko Igor V. , Rippke Glen R. , Hurburgh Charles R.
Published: November 2006

A key element of successful development of new soybean cultivars is availability of inexpensive and rapid methods for measurement of FA in seeds. Published research demonstrated applicability of NIR spectroscopy for FA profiling in oilseeds. The objectives of this study were to investigate the applicability of NIR spectroscopy for measurement of FA in whole soybeans and compare performance of calibration methods. Equations were developed using partial least squares (PLS), artificial neural networks (ANN), and support vector machines (SVM) regression methods. Validation results demonstrated that (i) equations for total saturates had the highest predictive ability (r2=0.91–0.94) and were usable for quality assurance applications, (ii) palmitic acid models (r2=0.80–0.84) were usable for certain research applications, and (iii) equations for stearic (r2=0.49–0.68), oleic (r2=0.76–0.81), linoleic (r2=0.73–0.76), and linolenic (r2=0.67–0.74) acids could be used for sample screening. The SVM models produced significantly more accurate predictions than those developed with PLS. ANN calibrations were not different from the other two methods. Reduction in the number of calibration samples reduced predictive ability of all equations. The rate of performance degradation of SVM models with sample reduction was the lowest.
Effects of expeller‐pressed/physically refined soybean oil on frying oil stability and flavor of french‐fried potatoes
Authors: Warner K. , Dunlap Christopher
Published: November 2006

To determine effects of expeller pressing/physical refining of soybean oil (SBO) on frying, studies were conducted with expeller‐pressed, physically refined, bleached, deodorized SBO (EPSBO); hexane‐extracted, refined, bleached, deodorized SBO+TBHQ; and hydrogenated SBO (HSBO). Oils contained citric acid and dimethylpolysiloxane and were used for 35 h of frying french‐fried potatoes. Polar compound levels in EPSBO were similar to SBO+TBHQ or HSBO. Flavor quality of potatoes was evaluated by trained, experienced, analytical sensory panelists. In early frying stages, potatoes fried in EPSBO had significantly lower intensities of fishiness than potatoes fried in SBO+TBHQ. Potatoes fried in HSBO were described as “hydrogenated”. Because of differences in flavor intensities and types, potatoes prepared in EPSBO had significantly better quality scores than those fried in SBO+TBHQ or HSBO during the first 15 h of frying. During later stages (25 and 35 h), potatoes fried in EPSBO had significantly better quality scores than potatoes fried in HSBO. Variations in minor oil constituents may partly explain these differences. EPSBO had less total tocopherols and phytosterols than did SBO at 0‐time. During frying, TBHQ in SBO and Maillard reaction products in EPSBO probably inhibited tocopherol loss and therefore improved quality.
Comparison of membrane extraction with traditional extraction methods for biodiesel production
Authors: He H. Y. , Guo X. , Zhu S. L.
Published: November 2006

Three traditional methods for the refining step in biodiesel production were compared: (i) washing with distilled water; (ii) washing with acid (HCl); and (3) dissolving and extracting in a solvent (hexane or petroleum ether) and then washing with distilled water. Biodiesel with a high purity (97.5%) could be obtained by all three methods, but serious emulsification occurred during the refining processes, which led to high refining losses. A novel refining method was developed by using hollow fiber membrane extraction, and polysulfone was selected as the most suitable membrane. This process effectively avoided emulsification during refining and decreased the refining loss. The purity of the biodiesel obtained was about 99%; and other properties, such as density, kinematic viscosity, water content, and acid value, conformed to the standards.
Accumulation of phospholipids and glycolipids in seed kernels of different sunflower mutants (Helianthus annuus)
Authors: Salas Joaquín J. , Martínez‐Force Enrique , Garcés Rafael
Published: November 2006

Phospholipids are essential components of the oil bodies present in seeds, and they are also the main components of the commercial seed lecithins used in many food formulas. In the present study, we analyzed the characteristics of the polar lipid fraction of seeds from different sunflower FA mutants. In sunflower seeds the accumulation of polar lipids reaches a maximum 25 d after anthesis before diminishing during the final stages of maturation and desiccation. We have developed an HPLC method, using ELSD, that produces optimal separation of all polar seed lipids. This method improves the results that could be obtained with previous HPLC methods and hence, we have used it to analyze the polar lipid fraction of sunflower seeds. We show that this fraction comprises phospholipids and glycolipids, of which PC is the most abundant species. Moreover, we found that the relative polar lipid content in control and mutant seeds is similar, suggesting that the mutant traits do not affect polar lipid synthesis. The degradation of polar lipids in isolated seeds was also examined and we found that the PC and PE present in developing sunflower seed kernels were rapidly degraded owing to the activity of D‐type phospholipases.
Purification of arachidonic acid from fungal single‐cell oil via Al2O3‐supported CuSO4 column chromatography
Authors: Zhang Yun‐Xiao , Tao Jing‐Chao , Wang Le
Published: November 2006

A new method has been proven successful to obtain high‐purity arachidonic acid (AA), an important human nutrient, from fungal single‐cell oil via Al2O3‐supported CuSO4 column chromatography; the stationary phase is stable and readily reusable. In the first step, the mixed FA extracted from saponified fungal single‐cell oil, containing 47.3% AA, were purified via urea inclusion to afford a fraction of PUFA containing 74.9% AA with an 85.9% yield. The enriched AA fraction was subsequently passed through an Al2O3‐supported CuSO4 column with a hexane/acetone eluent to provide AA with 90.8% purity at a 46.5% yield. The total yield for the two‐step process was 39.9%.
Molecular characterization of a new scorpion venom lipolysis activating peptide: Evidence for disulfide bridge‐mediated functional switch of peptides
Authors: Zhu S. , Gao B.
Published: November 2006

Venoms from scorpions contain extremely rich bioactive peptides that often carry diverse functions and are presumably needed to achieve synergistic effects for rapidly immobilizing prey and defending themselves. BotLVP1 is a unique heterodimer protein recently found in the scorpion Buthus occitanus tunetanus venom that is structurally related to scorpion toxins affecting sodium channels (NaScTxs) but exhibits adipocyte lipolysis activity. We have isolated and identified two cDNA clones encoding subunits α and β of a BotLVP1‐like peptide (named BmLVP1) from the Chinese scorpion Buthus martensii venom gland and determined the first complete gene structure of this subfamily. These results highlight a genetic link between these lipolysis activating peptides and NaScTxs. Comparison of cDNA and genomic sequences combined with protein structural and functional analysis provides evidence supporting the existence of RNA editing mechanism in scorpion venom glands, which could mediate functional switch of BmLVP1 gene, from adipocyte lipolysis to neurotoxicity, by altering the wrapper disulfide bridge (WDB) pattern of the peptides.
Augmentation of chemokine production by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 3a/X1 and 7a/X4 proteins through NF‐κB activation
Authors: Kanzawa Noriyuki , Nishigaki Kazuo , Hayashi Takaya , Ishii Yuichi , Furukawa Souichi , Niiro Ayako , Yasui Fumihiko , Kohara Michinori , Morita Kouichi , Matsushima Kouji , Le Mai Quynh , Masuda Takao , Kannagi Mari
Published: November 2006

Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is characterized by rapidly progressing respiratory failure resembling acute/adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) associated with uncontrolled inflammatory responses. Here, we demonstrated that, among five accessory proteins of SARS coronavirus (SARS‐CoV) tested, 3a/X1 and 7a/X4 were capable of activating nuclear factor kappa B (NF‐κB) and c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK), and significantly enhanced interleukin 8 (IL‐8) promoter activity. Furthermore, 3a/X1 and 7a/X4 expression in A549 cells enhanced production of inflammatory chemokines that were known to be up‐regulated in SARS‐CoV infection. Our results suggest potential involvement of 3a/X1 and 7a/X4 proteins in the pathological inflammatory responses in SARS.
Surface freshwater from Bay of Bengal runoff and Indonesian Throughflow in the tropical Indian Ocean
Authors: Sengupta Debasis , Bharath Raj G. N. , Shenoi S. S. C.
Published: November 2006

According to recent estimates, the annual total continental runoff into the Bay of Bengal (BoB) is about 2950 km3, which is more than half that into the entire tropical Indian Ocean (IO). Here we use climatological observations to trace the seasonal pathways of near surface freshwater from BoB runoff and Indonesian Throughflow (ITF) by removing the net contribution from precipitation minus evaporation. North of 20°S, the amount of freshwater from BoB runoff and ITF changes with season in a manner consistent with surface currents from drifters. BoB runoff reaches remote regions of the Arabian Sea; it also crosses the equator in the east to join the ITF. This freshwater subsequently flows west across the southern tropical IO in the South Equatorial Current.
Niflumic acid inhibits chloride conductance of rat skeletal muscle by directly inhibiting the CLC‐1 channel and by increasing intracellular calcium
Authors: Liantonio A , Giannuzzi V , Picollo A , Babini E , Pusch M , Conte Camerino D
Published: November 2006

Background and purpose:

Given the crucial role of the skeletal muscle chloride conductance (gCl), supported by the voltage‐gated chloride channel CLC‐1, in controlling muscle excitability, the availability of ligands modulating CLC‐1 are of potential medical as well as toxicological importance. Here, we focused our attention on niflumic acid (NFA), a molecule belonging to the fenamates group of non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAID).

Experimental approach:

Rat muscle Cl−conductance (gCl) and heterologously expressed CLC‐1 currents were evaluated by means of current‐clamp (using two‐microelectrodes) and patch‐clamp techniques, respectively. Fura‐2 fluorescence was used to determine intracellular calcium concentration, [Ca2+]i, in native muscle fibres.

Key results:

NFA inhibited native gCl with an IC50of 42 μM and blocked CLC‐1 by interacting with an intracellular binding site. Additionally, NFA increased basal [Ca2+]iin myofibres by promoting a mitochondrial calcium efflux that was not dependent on cyclooxygenase or CLC‐1. A structure‐activity study revealed that the molecular conditions that mediate the two effects are different. Pretreatment with the Ca‐dependent protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor chelerythrine partially inhibited the NFA effect. Therefore, in addition to direct channel block, NFA also inhibits gCl indirectly by promoting PKC activation.

Conclusions and Implications:

These cellular effects of NFA on skeletal muscle demonstrate that it is possible to modify CLC‐1 and consequently gCl directly by interacting with channel proteins and indirectly by interfering with the calcium‐dependent regulation of the channel. The effect of NFA on mitochondrial calcium stores suggests that NSAIDs, widely used drugs, could have potentially dangerous side‐effects.

British Journal of Pharmacology(2007)150, 235–247. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0706954
Elevated pressure selectively blunts flow‐evoked vasodilatation in rat mesenteric small arteries
Authors: Christensen F H , Hansen T , Stankevicius E , Buus N H , Simonsen U
Published: November 2006

Background and purpose:

The present study investigated mechanisms underlying impaired endothelium‐dependent vasodilatation elicited by elevating the intraluminal pressure in rat mesenteric small arteries.

Experimental approach:

Arterial segments (internal diameter 316±2 μm, n=86) were mounted in a pressure myograph. The effect of elevating pressure from 50 to 120 mmHg for 1 h before resetting it to 50 mmHg was studied on endothelium‐dependent vasodilatation.

Key results:

In arteries constricted with U46619 in the presence of indomethacin, shear stress generated by flow, evoked vasodilatation that was abolished by an inhibitor of nitric oxide (NO) synthase, asymmetric dimethylarginine (1 mM), whereas acetylcholine‐induced vasodilatation was unchanged. After elevation of intraluminal pressure for 1 h and then resetting it to 50 mmHg, vasodilatation induced by shear stress and the NO donor, S‐nitrosopenicillamine was inhibited, while vasodilatation induced by a guanylyl cyclase activator, BAY 412272, and acetylcholine was unaltered. Superoxide levels sensitive to polyethylene glycol superoxide dismutase were increased in segments exposed to elevated pressure. A superoxide scavenger, tempol (300 μM), a general endothelin receptor antagonist, SB 217242 and the selective ETA receptor antagonist, BQ 123 preserved shear stress‐evoked vasodilatation.

Conclusions and Implications:

The present study shows that transient exposure to an elevated intraluminal pressure selectively inhibits flow‐evoked NO‐mediated vasodilatation, probably through activation of endothelin receptors and increased formation of superoxide. In contrast, elevation of pressure did not affect the acetylcholine‐evoked endothelium‐derived hyperpolarizing factor type vasodilatation in mesenteric small arteries.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2007) 150, 80–87. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0706965
Little or no ability of obestatin to interact with ghrelin or modify motility in the rat gastrointestinal tract
Authors: Bassil A K , Häglund Y , Brown J , Rudholm T , Hellström P M , Näslund E , Lee K , Sanger G J
Published: November 2006

Background and purpose:

Obestatin, encoded by the ghrelin gene may inhibit gastrointestinal (GI) motility. This activity was re‐investigated.

Experimental approach:

Rat GI motility was studied in vitro (jejunum contractility and cholinergically‐mediated contractions of forestomach evoked by electrical field stimulation; EFS) and in vivo (gastric emptying and intestinal myoelectrical activity). Ghrelin receptor function was studied using a GTPγS assay and transfected cells.

Key results:

Contractions of the jejunum or forestomach were unaffected by obestatin 100 nM or 0.01–1000 nM, respectively (P>0.05 each; n=4‐18). Obestatin (0.1‐1 nM) reduced the ability of ghrelin 1 μM to facilitate EFS‐evoked contractions of the stomach (increases were 42.7±7.8% and 21.2±5.0 % in the absence and presence of obestatin 1 nM; P<0.05; n=12); higher concentrations (10–1000 nM) tended to reduce the response to ghrelin but changes were not statistically significant. Similar concentrations of obestatin did not significantly reduce a facilitation of contractions caused by the 5‐HT4 receptor agonist prucalopride, although an inhibitory trend occurred at the higher concentrations (increases were 69.3±14.0% and 42.6±8.7% in the absence and presence of 1000 nM obestatin; n=10). Obestatin (up to 10 μM) did not modulate recombinant ghrelin receptor function. Ghrelin increased gastric emptying and reduced MMC cycle time; obestatin (1000 and 30,000 pmol kg−1 min−1) had no effects. Obestatin (2500 pmol kg−1 min−1, starting 10 min before ghrelin) did not prevent the ability of ghrelin (500 pmol kg−1 min−1) to shorten MMC cycle time.

Conclusions and implications:

Obestatin has little ability to modulate rat GI motility.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2007) 150, 58–64. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0706969
A novel locust (Schistocerca gregaria) serine protease inhibitor with a high affinity for neutrophil elastase
Authors: Brillard-Bourdet Michèle , Hamdaoui Ahmed , Hajjar Eric , Boudier Christian , Reuter Nathalie , Ehret-Sabatier Laurence , Bieth Joseph G. , Gauthier Francis
Published: November 2006

We have purified to homogeneity two forms of a new serine protease inhibitor specific for elastase/chymotrypsin from the ovary gland of the desert locust Schistocerca gregaria. This protein, greglin, has 83 amino acid residues and bears putative phosphorylation sites. Amino acid sequence alignments revealed no homology with pacifastin insect inhibitors and only a distant relationship with Kazal-type inhibitors. This was confirmed by computer-based structural studies. The most closely related homologue is a putative gene product from Ciona intestinalis with which it shares 38% sequence homology. Greglin is a fast-acting and tight binding inhibitor of human neutrophil elastase (kass=1.2×107 M−1·s−1, Ki=3.6 nM) and subtilisin. It also binds neutrophil cathepsin G, pancreatic elastase and chymotrypsin with a lower affinity (26 nM≤Ki≤153 nM), but does not inhibit neutrophil protease 3 or pancreatic trypsin. The capacity of greglin to inhibit neutrophil elastase was not significantly affected by exposure to acetonitrile, high temperature (90 °C), low or high pH (2.5–11.0), N-chlorosuccinimide-mediated oxidation or the proteolytic enzymes trypsin, papain and pseudolysin from Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Greglin efficiently inhibits the neutrophil elastase activity of sputum supernatants from cystic fibrosis patients. Its biological function in the locust ovary gland is currently unknown, but its physicochemical properties suggest that it can be used as a template to design a new generation of highly resistant elastase inhibitors for treating inflammatory diseases.
Investigation of the mechanism of proton translocation by NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase (complex I) from bovine heart mitochondria: does the enzyme operate by a Q-cycle mechanism?
Authors: Sherwood Steven , Hirst Judy
Published: November 2006

Complex I (NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase) is the first enzyme of the membrane-bound electron transport chain in mitochondria. It conserves energy, from the reduction of ubiquinone by NADH, as a protonmotive force across the inner membrane, but the mechanism of energy transduction is not known. The structure of the hydrophilic arm of thermophilic complex I supports the idea that proton translocation is driven at (or close to) the point of quinone reduction, rather than at the point of NADH oxidation, with a chain of iron–sulfur clusters transferring electrons between the two active sites. Here, we describe experiments to determine whether complex I, isolated from bovine heart mitochondria, operates via a Q-cycle mechanism analogous to that observed in the cytochrome bc1 complex. No evidence for the ‘reductant-induced oxidation’ of ubiquinol could be detected; therefore no support for a Q-cycle mechanism was obtained. Unexpectedly, in the presence of NADH, complex I inhibited by either rotenone or piericidin A was found to catalyse the exchange of redox states between different quinone and quinol species, providing a possible route for future investigations into the mechanism of energy transduction.
The Dbs PH domain contributes independently to membrane targeting and regulation of guanine nucleotide-exchange activity
Authors: Baumeister Mark A. , Rossman Kent L. , Sondek John , Lemmon Mark A.
Published: November 2006

Dbl family GEFs (guanine nucleotide-exchange factors) for the Rho GTPases almost invariably contain a PH (pleckstrin homology) domain adjacent to their DH (Dbl homology) domain. The DH domain is responsible for GEF activity, and the PH domain plays a regulatory role that remains poorly understood. We demonstrated previously that Dbl family PH domains bind phosphoinositides with low affinity and cannot function as independent membrane targeting modules. In the present study, we show that dimerization of a Dbs (Dbl's big sister) DH/PH domain fragment is sufficient to drive it to the plasma membrane through a mechanism involving PH domain–phosphoinositide interactions. Thus, the Dbs PH domain could play a significant role in membrane targeting if it co-operates with other domains in the protein. We also show that mutations that prevent phosphoinositide binding by the Dbs PH domain significantly impair cellular GEF activity even in chimaeric proteins that are robustly membrane targeted by farnesylation or by the PH domain of phospholipase C-δ1. This finding argues that the Dbs PH domain plays a regulatory role that is independent of its ability to aid membrane targeting. Thus, we suggest that the PH domain plays dual roles, contributing independently to membrane localization of Dbs (as part of a multi-domain interaction) and allosteric regulation of the DH domain.
ATPase activity associated with the magnesium chelatase H-subunit of the chlorophyll biosynthetic pathway is an artefact
Authors: Sirijovski Nick , Olsson Ulf , Lundqvist Joakim , Al-Karadaghi Salam , Willows Robert D. , Hansson Mats
Published: November 2006

Magnesium chelatase inserts Mg2+ into protoporphyrin IX and is the first unique enzyme of the chlorophyll biosynthetic pathway. It is a heterotrimeric enzyme, composed of I- (40 kDa), D- (70 kDa) and H- (140 kDa) subunits. The I- and D-proteins belong to the family of AAA+ (ATPases associated with various cellular activities), but only I-subunit hydrolyses ATP to ADP. The D-subunits provide a platform for the assembly of the I-subunits, which results in a two-tiered hexameric ring complex. However, the D-subunits are unstable in the chloroplast unless ATPase active I-subunits are present. The H-subunit binds protoporphyrin and is suggested to be the catalytic subunit. Previous studies have indicated that the H-subunit also has ATPase activity, which is in accordance with an earlier suggested two-stage mechanism of the reaction. In the present study, we demonstrate that gel filtration chromatography of affinity-purified Rhodobacter capsulatus H-subunit produced in Escherichia coli generates a high- and a low-molecular-mass fraction. Both fractions were dominated by the H-subunit, but the ATPase activity was only found in the high-molecular-mass fraction and magnesium chelatase activity was only associated with the low-molecular-mass fraction. We demonstrated that light converted monomeric low-molecular-mass H-subunit into high-molecular-mass aggregates. We conclude that ATP utilization by magnesium chelatase is solely connected to the I-subunit and suggest that a contaminating E. coli protein, which binds to aggregates of the H-subunit, caused the previously reported ATPase activity of the H-subunit.
Congruence and disparity in benthic diatom community structure of small lakes in New Zealand and Tasmania
Authors: Vanhoutte K. , Verleyen E. , Sabbe K. , Kilroy C. , Sterken M. , Vyverman W.
Published: November 2006

The ecological characteristics of benthic diatom genera from lakes and tarns in mountainous areas of Tasmania (76 lakes) and the South Island (65 lakes) and Stewart Island (6 lakes) of New Zealand were investigated. Community composition and diversity were mainly governed by gradients in calcium, pH and the monovalent/divalent ionic (M/D) ratio, with typical acidophilous and calciphilous communities present in both regions. Highest genus diversity occurred in the pH range between 5.5 and 7.5. Marked interregional differences were present in both calciphilous and acidophilous diatom community assemblages, which were at least partially related to variations in the concentration of the chloride, sodium, potassium and humic substances. Acidophilous communities in New Zealand were typically dominated by Frustulia, Brachysira and Kobayasiella, whereas Eunotia and Actinella dominated in Tasmania. Calciphilous communities in New Zealand were characterised by higher relative abundances of the genera Hantzschia, Diploneis, Nupela, Stauroneis and Synedra, whereas their Tasmanian counterparts were typified by the genera Amphora (subgenus Psammamphora), Biremis, Navicula and Psammothidium. The provinciality of the floras underscores the need for continued protection and conservation of high latitude aquatic ecosystems worldwide and in the Australasian region in particular.
Kostmann syndrome or infantile genetic agranulocytosis, part one: Celebrating 50 years of clinical and basic research on severe congenital neutropenia
Authors: CARLSSON GÖRAN , ANDERSSON MATS , PÜTSEP KATRIN , GARWICZ DANIEL , NORDENSKJÖLD MAGNUS , HENTER JAN‐INGE , PALMBLAD JAN , FADEEL BENGT
Published: November 2006

Congenital neutropenia in man was first reported 50 years ago by the Swedish paediatrician Rolf Kostmann. He coined the term “infantile genetic agranulocytosis” for this condition, which is now known as Kostmann syndrome. Recent studies have demonstrated a lack of antibacterial peptides and severe periodontitis in these patients despite recombinant growth factor treatment. Moreover, an increased degree of apoptosis of myeloid progenitor cells in the bone marrow has been shown.

Conclusion: Future studies should aim to clarify the underlying molecular genetic defect in Kostmann syndrome.
Getting by with a little help: The importance of various types of social support for health problems
Authors: Östberg Viveca , Lennartsson Carin
Published: November 2006

Aims: Our understanding of the relative importance of various types of social support is still limited. This study examines the overall and relative importance of various types of social support for health problems in a general population. The support resources focused on differ in character and represent companionship and emotional, instrumental, and informational types of social support. The health problems are depression, circulatory problems, and self-rated general health. Methods: The logistic regression analyses are based on a Swedish nationally representative sample of 5,053 adults, aged 18—75, interviewed in the Level of Living Survey in 2000. Panel data from the earlier interview wave in 1991 were also used. Results: The number of support resources was associated with all the health problems studied. The availability of economic support was important relative to the other support resources (or of similar importance), irrespective of marital status, social class, and own economic situation. The associations hold when earlier health status was controlled for. Having someone to talk to about personal problems and having someone for company were relevant, especially the latter. This support resource demonstrated an association with all health problems, which remains when the other support resources and earlier health status are taken into consideration. Conclusions: In the Swedish population, the number of support resources was linked to health problems, indicating the usefulness of a diverse resource pool. The multidimensional approach revealed that economic support, company, and, to a more limited extent, the opportunity to discuss personal problems were most important.
The impact of moderate and major workplace expansion and downsizing on the psychosocial and physical work environment and income in Sweden
Authors: Ferrie Jane E. , Westerlund Hugo , Oxenstierna Gabriel , Theorell Töres
Published: November 2006

Aims: To describe the effect of organizational change (moderate and major expansion and downsizing) on psychosocial work characteristics, physical hazards, and income in a representative sample of larger workplaces in Sweden. Methods: Annual changes in workforce size for the years 1991—1996 were derived from tax registry data. Work environment characteristics were measured in a sub-set of participants from the biennial Swedish Work Environment Surveys for 1991, 1993, and 1995. Income data were derived from national registries. Results: Not all organizational change resulted in a poorer work environment. The number of beneficial outcomes associated with moderate downsizing and moderate expansion in the public sector outweighed the number of adverse outcomes. However, in the private sector the overall effect of moderate organizational change was a poorer work environment. Major downsizing was associated with a better psychosocial work environment for private-sector men and major expansion with a poorer environment for public-sector women and private-sector men. Otherwise, associations between major organizational change and the psychosocial work environment were mixed across sex and sector, although major organizational change was consistently associated with a greater risk of physical hazards. Low income was associated exclusively with organizational downsizing in the private sector. Conclusions: More research is needed to determine whether the work environment can explain observed associations between organizational change and health. Data limitations prevented the authors from examining this in the present study. Their findings indicate that future research on the work environment should pay more attention to physical hazards.
Relative validity of fruit and vegetable intake estimated by the food frequency questionnaire used in the Danish National Birth Cohort*
Authors: Mikkelsen Tina B. , Olsen Sjurdur F. , Rasmussen Salka E. , Osler Merete
Published: November 2006

Objective: To validate the fruit and vegetable intake estimated from the Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) used in the Danish National Birth Cohort (DNBC). Subjects and setting: The DNBC is a cohort of 101,042 pregnant women in Denmark, who received a FFQ by mail in gestation week 25. A validation study with 88 participants was made. A seven-day weighed food diary (FD) and three different biomarkers were employed as comparison methods. Results: Significant correlations between FFQ and FD-based estimates were found for fruit (r=0.66); vegetables (r=0.32); juice (r=0.52); fruit and vegetables (F&V) (r=0.57); and fruit, vegetables, and juice (F&V&J) (r=0.62). Sensitivities of correct classification by FFQ into the two lowest and the two highest quintiles of F&V&J intake were 58—67% and 50— 74%, respectively, and specificities were 71—79% and 65—83%, respectively. F&V&J intake estimated from the FFQ correlated significantly with urinary flavonoids (r=0.39, p<0.005), plasma β-carotene (r=0.21, p<0.05) and erythrocyte folate (r=0.33, p<0.005); all average biomarker levels increased across increasing quintiles of F&V&J intake. Conclusion: Data on F&V&J recorded by FFQ in DNBC can be used in etiological analyses of associations between fruit and vegetable intake and health outcomes, provided that the potential misclassification of dietary exposure is kept in mind.
Self-rated health and age: A cross-sectional and longitudinal study of 11,000 Danes aged 45—102
Authors: Andersen Frank Krarup , Christensen Kaare , Frederiksen Henrik
Published: November 2006

Aims: The aim of this study was to explore and describe self-rated health in middle-aged and elderly Danes using both a cross-sectional and a longitudinal design. Global and (age) comparative self-rated health are examined and compared. Methods: This study is interview based and comprises data on 11,294 Danes aged 45—102 with more than 1,900 participants aged 90 years and older. Results: As expected, global self-rated health declines with age in both cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses. In contrast, comparative self-rated health either increases or remains stable with age in cross-sectional analyses while in longitudinal analyses there is a slight decline in comparative self-rated health. Conclusions: The age-trajectory of global self-rated health is similar in individuals and populations. For comparative self-rated health, however, the individual on average experiences a slight decline, whereas on the population level comparative self-rated health either increases or remains stable. The explanation for this is likely to be higher mortality and higher non-response among the participants with the poorest self-rated health.
Unintentional injury mortality in the European Union: How many more lives could be saved?
Authors: Petridou Eleni Th. , Kyllekidis Spyros , Jeffrey Susanne , Chishti Parveen , Dessypris Nick , Stone David H.
Published: November 2006

Aims: The wide variation of unintentional (accidental) injury mortality rates in the European Union (EU) member states suggests that there is high potential for prevention. This paper attempts to quantify the potential for saving lives in this part of the world if all 25 member states were to learn from the experience of countries with advanced injury prevention records. Methods: Unintentional injury mortality data (latest three available years), including denominator population estimates, were obtained from the World Health Organization (WHO) mortality database for all 22 EU countries with a population of more than one million. Annual average age-adjusted injury mortality rates were used to derive the potential for saving of lives under two scenarios: (a) if all EU member states matched the country with the lowest unintentional rate for all causes of injury combined; (b) if the benchmark was alternatively the country with the lowest unintentional injury cause-specific rate. Separate calculations were performed for children (0—14), adults (15—64), and the elderly (65 and over). Results: Under the first scenario, over 73,000 lives could have been saved in the EU 25 in a single year, notably nearly half (47.4%) fewer unintentional injury deaths could be observed in children, over half in adult (54%), and two-fifths (38%) in the elderly. Under the second, more optimistic, scenario 59% of childhood and adult and 75% of unintentional injury deaths among the elderly would have been avoided. Conclusions: A substantial proportion of lives lost due to unintentional injury might be saved if all countries were to achieve the lowest unintentional injury mortality rates in the EU. The above calculations are based on a simple theoretical model but there is increasing evidence on the array of existing effective preventive interventions and improved trauma care calls for public health action in each member state that could in practice halt, to the extent possible, the unintentional injury epidemic.
Medical ethics in prisons: Rules, standards and challenges
Authors: Pont Jörg
Published: November 2006

Health care practitioners in prison face the challenge of providing high standards of health care within the unique peculiarities and restraints of the prison environment. The strict adherence to principles of medical ethics by the prison health care staff and the knowledge and acceptance of these principles by the whole prison community not only results in ethical conduct but also yields practical professional advantages such as guidance in situations of conflict, promotion of confidence and avoidance of misunderstandings. The internationally consented conventions, declarations and recommendations relevant on medical ethics in prison are presented and their basic principles ‐ the primary task of the prison doctor, access to a doctor, equivalence of care, patient’s consent and confidentiality, preventive health care, humanitarian assistance, professional independence, professional competence ‐ are discussed. In addition, the personal obligation of the prison doctor for ethical reflection and decision making in individual ethical issues not covered by the quoted documents and in ethically controversial issues is emphasized. A training course and published guidelines for ethical conduct in prison health care are recommended.
Is the Growth of Subjective Time in Humans a Linear or Nonlinear Function of Real Time?
Authors: Wearden J.H. , Jones Luke A.
Published: November 2006

The difficulties of deciding whether subjective time grows as a linear or nonlinear function of real time are discussed, and two experiments are presented to address this question. In Experiment 1, people received a 10-s standard duration and then had to judge what proportion other durations (ranging from 1 to 10 s) were of the standard. Counting was prevented by a concurrent task. The relation between judged and actual proportions was linear. In Experiment 2, people were required to average together three tone durations (mean duration 600 ms) and to judge whether subsequently presented comparisons were or were not the average. The spacing of the tone durations had no effect on judgements, suggesting a linear underlying time scale.
Judging Multi-Minute Intervals Retrospectively
Authors: Grondin Simon , Plourde Marilyn
Published: November 2006

A total of 50 participants were asked to perform five different cognitive tasks lasting 120, 210, 300, 390 and 480 s, respectively. After completing the series of tasks, they were asked to estimate retrospectively the duration of each one. Psychophysical analyses linking psychological time to physical time revealed that the value of the power law exponent was about .47, but was .79 when the estimate of the total duration of the session was taken into account—a value lower than unity, indicating that shorter durations have been overestimated, and longer durations underestimated. The Weber fraction, or the ratio of variability to time, ranged from .59 (at 120 s) to .21 (at 480 s). Overall, the study shows that it is possible to make certain changes in the traditional retrospective timing method and thus adapt it for further investigations of the mechanisms involved in memory for the duration of past events.
Secondary Structure of a KCNE Cytoplasmic Domain
Authors: Rocheleau Jessica M. , Gage Steven D. , Kobertz William R.
Published: November 2006

Type I transmembrane KCNE peptides contain a conserved C-terminal cytoplasmic domain that abuts the transmembrane segment. In KCNE1, this region is required for modulation of KCNQ1 K+ channels to afford the slowly activating cardiac IKs current. We utilized alanine/leucine scanning to determine whether this region possesses any secondary structure and to identify the KCNE1 residues that face the KCNQ1 channel complex. Helical periodicity analysis of the mutation-induced perturbations in voltage activation and deactivation kinetics of KCNQ1-KCNE1 complexes defined that the KCNE1 C terminus is α-helical when split in half at a conserved proline residue. This helical rendering assigns all known long QT mutations in the KCNE1 C-terminal domain as protein facing. The identification of a secondary structure within the KCNE1 C-terminal domain provides a structural scaffold to map protein–protein interactions with the pore-forming KCNQ1 subunit as well as the cytoplasmic regulatory proteins anchored to KCNQ1–KCNE complexes.
In vitro interactions between Neoparamoeba spp. and salmonid leucocytes; the effect of parasite sonicate on anterior kidney leucocyte function
Authors: Gross K. , Alcorn S. , Murray A. , Morrison R. , Nowak B.
Published: November 2006

Sonicated Neoparamoeba spp. (Nspp) did not affect the in vitro respiratory burst response of leucocytes isolated from Atlantic salmon Salmo salar, rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss and chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha anterior kidneys (P > 0·05). Atlantic salmon and chinook salmon leucocytes pre‐incubated with the parasites, however, responded to phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) stimulation with a greater response compared to cells incubated with PMA on its own (P < 0·05). Sonicated Nspp was not chemo‐attractive for anterior kidney leucocytes isolated from all three fish species.
Phylogeography of the banded killifish (Fundulus diaphanus): glacial races and secondary contact
Authors: April J. , Turgeon J.
Published: November 2006

Spatial patterns of morphological and genetic polymorphisms between the two banded killifish sub‐species (Fundulus diaphanus diaphanus and F. d. menona) provide evidence that these sub‐species represent distinct evolutionary lineages corresponding to glacial races of Atlantic and Mississippian origins. Individuals with intermediate phenotypes in Lake Ontario and the upper St Lawrence River probably result from secondary contacts between these races. The hybrid zone unexpectedly extends to Lake Erie and involves the introgression of the F. d. diaphanus mitochondrial genome into fish with morphology like that of F. d. menona.
Interspecific differentiation and intraspecific substructure in two closely related clupeids with extensive hybridization,Alosa alosaandAlosa fallax
Authors: Alexandrino P. , Faria R. , Linhares D. , Castro F. , Le Corre M. , Sabatié R. , Baglinière J. L. , Weiss S.
Published: November 2006

In this study, the evolutionary relationships within and among populations of European shads,Alosa alosaandAlosa fallax, was investigated. Screening of allelic variation across eight allozyme loci and sequencing 448 bp of the mtDNA cytochromebgene in 14 rivers throughout the range of the species supported that the two taxa were independent lineages (1·3% net nucleotide divergence) despite extensive hybridization. Genetic diversity and structure was considerably higher inA. fallaxthanA. alosaand the former species revealed evidence of distinct lineages in the Mediterranean and Atlantic basins. A Bayesian clustering approach combined with gill raker counts verified that individuals of the two species could be assigned to their parent group with relatively high confidence. Evaluation of hybridization in the Lima and Mondego Rivers in Portugal provided evidence that introgression is extensive but is not currently obscuring (through hybrid swarming) the diagnosability of the two species.
Genetic diversity of invasive and native Cichla (Pisces: Perciformes) populations in Brazil with evidence of interspecific hybridization
Authors: Oliveira A. V. , Prioli A. J. , Prioli S. M. A. P. , Bignotto T. S. , Júlio H. F. , Carrer H. , Agostinho C. S. , Prioli L. M.
Published: November 2006

Invasive and native populations of the Amazonian fishes ‘peacock bass’Cichla monoculus and of a not yet described species ‘blue tucunaré’ here referred as Cichla sp. ‘Azul’ were analysed for genetic diversity using the hypervariable domain of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region plus steady diagnostic random amplified polymorphic DNA loci. There is no detailed historical record of the introduction of Cichla species into the Upper Paraná River basin, where they became invasive and a potential threat to local ichthyofauna. Genetic diversity among invasive populations confirmed the hypothesis of multiple introductions in this hydrographic basin. Moreover, a large and previously unknown population of natural fertile hybrids between C. cf. monoculus and Cichla sp. ‘Azul’ was identified in the Itaipu hydroelectric reservoir and in the floodplain of the Upper Paraná River. Crossbred morphotypes were similar to C. cf. monoculus, but their morphological identification was not unequivocal. This hybrid population was characterized by high genetic diversity and it was composed of hybrids possessing concurrently nuclear DNA fragments specific for C. cf. monoculus as well as fragments specific for Cichla sp. ‘Azul’. The nuclear DNA markers indicated that reproductive isolation between C. cf. monoculus and Cichla sp. ‘Azul’ has broken down in the new environment, and mtDNA sequences revealed that both species can be the female donor in the interspecific crosses. The data presented herein are potentially useful for future taxonomic, genetic and evolutionary studies in the complex Cichla group, for monitoring of invasive populations, and for further development of ecological guidelines.
MECHANISM OF EROSION OF NOZZLES IN OPEN‐HEARTH LADLES*
Authors: Snow R. B. , Shea James A.
Published: November 2006

Abstract

A detailed report is presented of experiments made with removable nozzle extensions to determine the relative amount of erosion when various types of steel are teemed through (1) regular fire‐clay nozzles fired to different temperatures and (2) nozzles of the more refractory types. The mechanism of erosion is discussed. The data indicate the limitation of refractory materials having a P.C.E. of 28 or higher for use in nozzles or as open‐hearth ladle brick.
ATTACK OF GLASSES BY ALKALINE SOLUTIONS*
Authors: Smith Rowland D. , Corbin Paul E.
Published: November 2006

Abstract

A comparison is made between the attack by NaOH and that by sodium silicate solutions on a borosilicate glass, a lime glass, and a lead glass. Below roughly 0.5 Na2O normality the rate of attack by NaOH is greater, but at higher normalities this is more than doubled in some instances by that of silicate solutions of equivalent Na2O normality. The rate of attack by sodium silicates generally reaches a maximum as a function of the SiO2:Na2O ratio and decreases to low rates for high ratios. A similar behavior is observed for potassium silicate solutions, the maxima occurring at about the same silica‐to‐alkali ratios.