bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Antioxidant activities of pepsin hydrolysates of water‐ and salt‐soluble protein extracted from pork hams
Authors: Park Sung Y. , Chin Koo B.
Published: January 2011

The objective of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant activities of pepsin‐digested water‐soluble protein (WSP) and salt‐soluble protein (SSP) extracted from pork ham. WSP and SSP were hydrolysed by pepsin for 2–10 h with 2‐h increments. The protein hydrolysates by pepsin were analysed by sodium dodecyl sulphate‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and reducing power of the hydrolysates was measured. In addition, antioxidant activity of the hydrolysates was determined using linoleic acid emulsion system. Protein bands with molecular weight higher than 7 kDa in WSP and SSP were completely hydrolysed by pepsin after 2 h of digestion time. WSP hydrolysates (WSPH) and SSP hydrolysates (SSPH) had higher ferric reducing power than controls (WSP and SSP without pepsin digestion). Reducing powers of WSPH were higher than those of SSPH, regardless of digestion time. The oxidative activity of linoleic acid was predominantly inhibited by the addition of WSPH and SSPH, especially 0.5% protein hydrolysate. These results indicate that several functional peptides of pork protein digested by pepsin might have antioxidant activity, and thus they may be used as an antioxidant agent in muscle food system.
Immobilised yeast grape must deacidification in a recycle fixed bed reactor
Authors: Portugal Inês , Ribeiro Susana C. , Xavier Ana M.R.B. , Centeno Filipe , Strehaiano Pierre
Published: January 2011

Maloalcoholic fermentation (MAF) of grape must by Schizosaccharomyces pombe immobilised in calcium‐alginate double‐layer beads (ProMalic®) was studied in Erlenmeyer flasks and in a total recycle fixed‐bed reactor operating in batch mode. The reaction is pseudo‐first order with respect to l‐malic acid and under similar conditions deacidification is faster in the recycle reactor. This was attributed to mass transfer limitations which were confirmed in the recycle reactor by studying the influence of yeast load on the rate of MAF. Mass transfer limitations are also responsible for the lower activation energy of fermentation with the immobilised yeast (67 ± 9 kJ mol−1) in comparison with the free cells (126 ± 19 kJ mol−1). Alcoholic fermentation and MAF were performed simultaneously, both in the recycle reactor and in the industrial trials, confirming the efficacy of immobilised S. pombe to reduce grape must acidity without interfering with the main fermentation. Altogether, the present results are useful for the scale‐up of a recycle reactor to process large volumes of grape must.
Starch conversion and expansion behaviour of wheat starch cooked with either; palm, soybean or sunflower oils in a co‐rotating intermeshing twin‐screw extruder
Authors: Abu‐hardan Madian , Hill Sandra E. , Farhat Imad
Published: January 2011

Wheat starch was extrusion cooked with the addition of three commercial vegetable oils, namely; palm oil, soybean oil and sunflower oil. The effects of the addition of the oils on the degree of starch conversion as well as extrudates expansion were investigated. In order to conduct a comparison between the three added oils, the barrel temperatures, material feed rate, water content and finally the screw speed were fixed. The three selected oils were added at concentrations varied from 1% to 8% on starch dry basis and the quantities added were controlled through the whole process. The results suggested that for the three vegetable oils used, the specific mechanical energy (SME) was decreased as the oil concentration increased up to 5% and further rise in concentration did not impart significant changes. This drop in the SME values was accompanied with a decrease in the extent of starch conversion. This was assessed by rapid viscosity analyser (RVA) viscosity and water solubility and absorbance measurements. The effect of the addition of oil on extradites’ sectional expansion was complex in which a significant increase until 5% oil concentration was reached and further increase of oil quantities resulted in a drastic reduction. This effect was observed for all three oils and no significant differences between oils were noticed. All extrudates exhibited a v‐type crystalline pattern which was ascribed to the amylose lipid complex formation. However, the crystallinity indices indicated no interference by the three oils to the complex formation. This suggested that the endogenous lipids naturally present in wheat starch were sufficient to complex the starch.
Biochemical, microbiological and sensory changes in shrimp (Panaeus aztecus) dipped in different solutions using face‐centred central composite design
Authors: Pardio Violeta T. , Waliszewski Krzysztof N. , Zuñiga Paula
Published: January 2011

Biochemical, microbiological and sensory changes during shelf‐life at −1 °C were determined in shrimp (Panaeus aztecus) previously dipped in ascorbic acid, citric acid, potassium sorbate and 4‐hexyl resorcinol solutions using face‐centred central composite design. Microbiological count, trimethylamine and hypoxantine production were measured. The lowest level of the total psychrotrophic bacteria, hypoxantine and trimethylamine were found in samples dipped in all containing chemicals solutions comparing to control treatment. Sensory studies showed that treatment A (ascorbic acid 4.50, citric acid 0.12, potassium sorbate 18.60 and 4‐hexyl resorcinol 0.25, all g L−1) and B (ascorbic acid 4.37, citric acid 1.26, potassium sorbate 7.03 and 4‐hexyl resorcinol 0.25, all g L−1) did not alter the typical sensory features of shrimp and were effective at delaying the bitter off‐flavour formation for 26 days. This study constitutes a promising alternative to extent shelf‐life of shrimp kept at −1 °C without freezing.
Performance of a photochromic time–temperature indicator under simulated fresh fish supply chain conditions
Authors: Mai Nga , Audorff Hubert , Reichstein Werner , Haarer Dietrich , Olafsdottir Gudrun , Bogason Sigurdur G. , Kreyenschmidt Judith , Arason Sigurjon
Published: January 2011

The objective of this study was to investigate the performance of a photochromic time–temperature indicator (TTI) under dynamic temperature conditions simulating real fresh fish distribution chain scenarios. The work aimed at testing the possibility of extending the application of the TTI kinetic model, developed for specific temperature range of isothermal conditions, at low temperatures. The results showed that the TTI presented reproducible responses after being charged and during the discolouration process under different conditions, which revealed the reliability of the indicator. The TTI reflected well the temperature conditions of the studied scenarios, which indicates its potential application to continuously monitor the temperature history of the fresh fish supply chain. The kinetic model gave good fits in non‐abused scenarios at temperatures below 2 °C, presenting the potential for application of the model in determining the right charging level to suit a product’s shelf life at low temperatures.
Antimicrobial activity of the polyphenolic fractions derived from Grewia asiatica, Eugenia jambolana and Carissa carandas
Authors: Siddiqi Rahmanullah , Naz Shahina , Ahmad Samia , Sayeed Syed Asad
Published: January 2011

Crude methanolic extracts from Grewia asiatica, Eugenia jambolana and Carissa carandas were separated into four major fractions viz. phenolic acids, flavanols, flavonols and anthocyanins which were then analysed for their total phenolic, flavonoid contents, and antimicrobial effects. In addition, anthocyanin fraction was also analysed for total anthocyanins, total colour and polymeric pigments. Total phenolics and flavonoids were highest in the fractions from E. jambolana and lowest in C. carandas, the order being phenolic acid > flavanols > flavonols > anthocyanins in all fruits. All fractions showed significant antibacterial activity except anthocyanin. Being the most active, phenolic acid fractions were also tested for their antifungal activity, the fractions of C. carandas and G. asiatica substantially inhibited all the tested fungal species. These results are being reported for the first time.
Lycopene extraction from extruded products containing tomato skin
Authors: Dehghan‐Shoar Zeinab , Hardacre Allan K. , Meerdink Gerrit , Brennan Charles S.
Published: January 2011

To determine the lycopene content of extruded products containing 10% tomato skin, the conditions for solvent extraction were optimised. After three extraction cycles at 50 °C each for 15 min at a solvent to meal ratio of 40:1, a maximum of 6.6 ppm lycopene was extracted. However, the extraction was considered incomplete, thus the product was digested by pancreatin prior to extraction. The extracted lycopene content was increased to 23.5 ppm using the optimum conditions of 20 min of digestion with 10 mg mL−1 pancreatin. To validate the extraction efficiency at optimum conditions, a set of extruded products containing different lycopene concentrations was used. Digestion increased the extracted lycopene content by more than 2.5‐fold between the products. Furthermore, this inclusion significantly improved the correlation coefficient between the red colour and the extracted lycopene content. Therefore, including a digestion step prior to extraction by solvents was necessary to efficiently extract lycopene from extruded products.
Folic acid stability in the presence of various formulation components including iron compounds in fortified extruded Ultra Rice® over prolonged storage at 40 °C and 60% relative humidity (RH)
Authors: Li Yao O. , Diosady Levente L. , Jankowski Shirley
Published: January 2011

Ultra Rice®, a reconstituted rice product made by extrusion, has been successfully formulated for the fortification of market rice with vitamin A, iron and vitamin B1. As folic acid deficiency is a major health problem in areas targeted by Ultra Rice® technology, including India, Colombia and Brazil, it seems logical to incorporate folic acid into the existing formulation. The effects of various iron compounds on the storage stability of folic acid were studied. Four commercial ferric pyrophosphate compounds were chosen as iron sources and were added at different concentrations. A food‐grade whitener (TiO2) was also tested for its effects on folic acid stability and product colour. Folic acid was generally stable in the prepared rice formulations under high temperature and humidity (40 °C, 60%RH) – with the best sample retaining 95% and >75% of folic acid after 3 and 9 months of storage, respectively. The work demonstrated that folic acid fortification of rice through Ultra Rice® technology is technically feasible.
Effect of sugar acylation on the antioxidant properties of Vitis vinifera red grape malvidin‐3‐glucoside
Authors: Azevedo Joana , Teixeira Natércia , Oliveira Joana , de Freitas Victor , Mateus Nuno
Published: January 2011

This work aims at studying the influence of sugar acylation on the antioxidant properties of Vitis vinifera red grape malvidin‐3‐glucoside. The antioxidant properties of malvidin‐3‐glucoside, malvidin‐3‐acetylglucoside, malvidin‐3‐coumaroylglucoside and malvidin‐3‐caffeoylglucoside were measured using different techniques. Their antiradical and reducing properties were determined using the DPPH and FRAP method, respectively. Malvidin‐3‐caffeoylglucoside displayed a DPPH value (20.2 μm Trolox eq.) much higher than malvidin‐3‐glucoside (13.6 μm Trolox eq.), but no significant differences were observed from the FRAP assay. Furthermore, the ability of these compounds to inhibit lipid peroxidation in a liposome membrane system was examined by monitoring oxygen consumption and the formation of conjugated dienes. Both assays allowed concluding that malvidin‐3‐caffeoylglucoside and malvidin‐3‐coumaroylglucoside inhibit lipid peroxidation significantly more than malvidin‐3‐glucoside. Altogether, the results reported herein indicate that acylation of malvidin‐3‐glucoside with phenolic acids like caffeic or coumaric acids, but not acetic acid, increases their overall antioxidant properties.
Assessment of convection, hot‐air combined with microwave‐vacuum and freeze‐drying methods for mushrooms with regard to product quality
Authors: Argyropoulos Dimitrios , Heindl Albert , Müller Joachim
Published: January 2011

Combined drying of hot air and microwave‐vacuum has been proposed as an alternative method to improve the quality of dried mushrooms, especially the structural and textural properties. In the present study, the effect of different drying methods namely, convective hot‐air drying, hot air combined with microwave‐vacuum drying and freeze‐drying on qualitative attributes of pretreated mushrooms was investigated. The quality assessment was based on colour, texture, density, porosity and rehydration characteristics of the dried mushrooms. Combined drying of hot air and microwave‐vacuum resulted in a dried product of superior quality when compared to the slices dried completely by conventional hot air, exhibiting lower overall colour variation, higher porosity, greater rehydration ratio and softer texture. In a dry state, mushrooms with a puffy structure and unique crispy texture were created by the combined drying method, which might be considered as important characteristics for developing nonfat snack‐type food products.
Effect of micronisation and electromagnetic radiation on physical and mechanical properties of Canadian barley
Authors: Emami Shahram , Meda Venkatesh , Tyler Robert T.
Published: January 2011

The effect of micronisation (high‐intensity infrared heating) and microwave radiation of normal barley (NB), high‐amylose barley (HAB) and waxy barley (WB) on the physical and mechanical properties was studied. Samples were tempered to 42–45% moisture content and then subjected to infrared or microwave radiation to reduce the moisture content to approximately 10%. The grain surface temperature during radiation was maintained at 100 °C. The changes in physical and mechanical properties were compared with unprocessed samples. Thermal radiation increased slightly the volume of the kernels because of the diffusion of water vapour from inside to the outer surface. These changes resulted in a decrease in particle and bulk densities. Thermal radiation affected the Hunter colour values, as well. The mechanical properties including bio‐yield point, modulus of elasticity and breakage susceptibility were affected by micronisation and microwave heating.
College students' text messaging, use of textese and literacy skills
Authors: Drouin M.A.
Published: January 2011

In this study, I examined reported frequency of text messaging, use of textese and literacy skills (reading accuracy, spelling and reading fluency) in a sample of American college students. Participants reported using text messaging, social networking sites and textese more often than was reported in previous (2009) research, and their frequency of textese use varied across contexts. Correlational analyses revealed significant, positive relationships between text messaging frequency and literacy skills (spelling and reading fluency), but significant, negative relationships between textese usage in certain contexts (on social networking sites such as MySpace™ and Facebook™ and in emails to professors) and literacy (reading accuracy). These findings differ from findings reported in recent studies with Australian college students, British schoolchildren and American college students. Explanations for these differences are discussed, and future directions for research are presented.
Finnish and UK English pre‐teen children's text message language and its relationship with their literacy skills
Authors: Plester B. , Lerkkanen M.‐K. , Linjama L.J. , Rasku‐Puttonen H. , Littleton K.
Published: January 2011

The aim of the study was to demonstrate the style of text language used by Finnish pre‐teen texters (n = 65) and determine how their text language related to their traditional literacy skills, and compare descriptively these results with earlier results from work with young English texters. Three kinds of text messages (natural texts, elicited texts and elicited replies) were recorded after cognitive and literacy skills were assessed. Relationships between text language and standard literacy skills were shown to be different between the two languages, and we propose that those differences arise from both the structures of the languages themselves, and the communities of linguistic practice in the two countries. We compared, with a subsample (n = 16), natural, spontaneous text messages with those elicited in experimental conditions, demonstrating metalinguistic sensitivity in these young texters. The conclusion regarding the Finnish text register is that it very closely approximates spoken register Finnish, rather than more formal written Finnish.
Does SMS text messaging help or harm adults' knowledge of standard spelling?
Authors: Powell D. , Dixon M.
Published: January 2011

The recent increase in short messaging system (SMS) text messaging, often using abbreviated, non‐conventional ‘textisms’ (e.g. ‘2nite’), in school‐aged children has raised fears of negative consequences of such technology for literacy. The current research used a paradigm developed by Dixon and Kaminska, who showed that exposure to phonetically plausible misspellings (e.g. ‘recieve’) negatively affected subsequent spelling performance, though this was true only with adults, not children. The current research extends this work to directly investigate the effects of exposure to textisms, misspellings and correctly spelled words on adults' spelling. Spelling of a set of key words was assessed both before and after an exposure phase where participants read the same key words, presented either as textisms (e.g. ‘2nite’), correctly spelled (e.g. ‘tonight’) or misspelled (e.g. ‘tonite’) words. Analysis showed that scores decreased from pre‐ to post‐test following exposure to misspellings, whereas performance improved following exposure to correctly spelled words and, interestingly, to textisms. Data suggest that exposure to textisms, unlike misspellings, had a positive effect on adults' spelling. These findings are interpreted in light of other recent research suggesting a positive relationship between texting and some literacy measures in school‐aged children.
‘txtN is ez f u no h2 rd’: the relation between reading ability and text‐messaging behaviour
Authors: Coe J.E.L. , Oakhill J.V.
Published: January 2011

A study was carried out to explore whether or not there is a relationship between children's reading ability and text‐messaging behaviour. The aims of this study were to compare good and poor readers on their amount of usage of mobile phones, the frequency and type of text devices they used, and the speed at which they could read messages in ‘text’ versus those written in formal English. Ten‐ and 11‐year‐olds completed three assessments: a questionnaire, two writing tasks and a reading task. The results showed that, overall, poor readers spent more minutes per day using their phones. Despite their less frequent use of phones, the good readers used more textisms in their written text message and were faster at reading all the messages.
Evaluating clinical practice guidelines developed for the management of thyroid nodules and thyroid cancers and assessing the reliability and validity of the AGREE instrument
Authors: Irani Shirin , Rashidian Arash , Yousefi‐Nooraie Reza , Soltani Akbar
Published: January 2011

Objectives  We assessed the quality of a sample of clinical guidelines for thyroid nodules and thyroid cancers, using the Appraisal of Guidelines Research and Evaluation (AGREE) instrument. We also evaluated the reliability and validity of the AGREE instrument and summarized the key recommendations of the appraised guidelines.

Methods  Twenty‐six clinical researchers and endocrinologists who had been trained in the principles of developing clinical guidelines and using the AGREE instrument participated in the study and appraised the guidelines. Clinical guidelines selected via a systematic search were assessed, each by eight participants. We compared the AGREE domain scores of the guidelines, and compared the participants' scores before and after group discussions. We used Cronbach's alpha, and intraclass correlation coefficients to assess the reliability, and the Spearman's rho to assess the correlation between the overall assessment and other variables.

Results  Seven guidelines were included in the study. ‘Scope and purpose’ and ‘clarity and presentation’ achieved the highest domain scores. ‘Applicability’ received the lowest domain scores and reliability coefficients. ‘Rigor of development’ and ‘clarity and presentation’ obtained the highest correlations with overall assessment scores. There was a significant relationship between the overall assessment score and the numbers of algorithms, tables and figures in the guidelines.

Conclusions  We identified three clinical guidelines that obtained high overall assessment scores and were recommended for use in practice. Our findings have important implications for those developing clinical guidelines, especially as clarity and presentation significantly influenced the participants' assessment of the guidelines. The developers should ensure that the recommendations are presented clearly and unambiguously, and flowcharts, algorithms and other tools are developed to help the users in applying the recommendations into practice. The optimal number of appraisers for each guideline is four. Further work is needed to improve the ‘applicability’ domain of the AGREE.
An early decrease in serum HBeAg titre is a strong predictor of virological response to entecavir in HBeAg‐positive patients
Authors: Zhang X. , Lin S.‐m. , Ye F. , Chen T.‐y. , Liu M. , Chen Y.‐r. , Zheng S.‐q. , Zhao Y.‐r. , Zhang S.‐l.
Published: January 2011

Summary.  Quantification of HBeAg levels has been found to be useful in monitoring and predicting the outcomes of interferon and lamivudine treatment in HBeAg‐positive patients. The aim of this study was to determine whether quantification of HBeAg at baseline and on treatment could predict which patients would achieve HBeAg seroconversion after 96 weeks of entecavir therapy. Sixty‐five HBeAg‐positive naïve chronic hepatitis B patients who were treated with entecavir at a dose of 0.5 mg once daily for 96 weeks were evaluated. Serum HBV DNA levels were assessed at baseline, week 24, 48 and 96; serum HBeAg levels were assessed at baseline, week 12, 24, 48, 72 and 96. Serum HBeAg levels were associated with a higher likelihood of HBeAg seroconversion to entecavir at weeks 96 than serum HBV DNA levels both at baseline and on treatment (at baseline: OR = 9.932, P = 0.003 vs OR = 5.045, P = 0.036; on treatment: OR = 112.5, P < 0.0001 vs OR = 47.782, P < 0.0001). A maintained reduction in HBeAg > 65% of pretreatment HBeAg values after 24 weeks of entecavir therapy is the strongest predictor for HBeAg seroconversion at week 96 (OR = 70.578, P < 0.0001). Quantification of HBeAg at the start and early during therapy showed a higher predictive value than that of HBV DNA for HBeAg seroconversion by entecavir. A significant decrease in serum HBeAg levels at week 24 may be a useful on‐treatment measurement in the early phase for predicting HBeAg seroconversion and identifying patients who will most likely benefit from finite entecavir treatment.
IL28B polymorphisms determine early viral kinetics and treatment outcome in patients receiving peginterferon/ribavirin for chronic hepatitis C genotype 1
Authors: Lindh M. , Lagging M. , Arnholm B. , Eilard A. , Nilsson S. , Norkrans G. , Söderholm J. , Wahlberg T. , Wejstål R. , Westin J. , Hellstrand K.
Published: January 2011

Summary.  Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) upstream of IL28B predict the outcome of treatment in chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, but their impact on viral kinetics and relation to other predictors are not well known. Here, two SNPs, rs12979860 and rs8099917, were analysed and related to early viral kinetics during treatment in 110 patients with HCV genotype 1 infection. The reduction of HCV RNA after 7 days of therapy was more pronounced (P < 0.0001) in patients with CCrs12979860 or TTrs8099917 than in patients carrying TTrs12979860 or GGrs8099917, respectively. The two SNPs were in linkage disequilibrium (d’ = 1, r2 = 0.44), but CCrs12979860 was less common (43%vs 71%) than TTrs8099917. Patients carrying both CCrs12979860 and TTrs8099917 genotypes achieved lower levels of HCV RNA at week 4 than those with CT or TT at rs12979860 and TTrs8099917 (P = 0.0004). The viral elimination was significantly influenced by rs12979860 independently of baseline viral load, age or fibrosis. This translated into high rates of sustained viral response (SVR) among patients carrying CCrs12979860 despite the presence of high viral load at baseline (SVR 74%), high age (SVR 79%) or severe liver fibrosis (SVR 83%). We conclude that the IL28B variability influences the antiviral efficiency of interferon/ribavirin therapy and has a strong impact on SVR, independently of traditional response predictors. A combined assessment of these SNPs in conjunction with other response predictors may better predict outcome in difficult‐to‐treat patients.
Drug dispensing practices during implementation of artemisinin‐based combination therapy at health facilities in rural Tanzania, 2002–2005
Authors: Thwing J. I. , Njau J. D. , Goodman C. , Munkondya J. , Kahigwa E. , Bloland P. B. , Mkikima S. , Mills A. , Abdulla S. , Kachur S. P.
Published: January 2011

Objective  To assess the degree to which policy changes to artemisinin‐based combination therapies (ACTs) as first‐line treatment for uncomplicated malaria translate into effective ACT delivery.

Methods  Prospective observational study of drug dispensing practices at baseline and during the 3 years following introduction of ACT with sulfadoxine–pyrimethamine (SP) plus artesunate (AS) in Rufiji District, compared with two neighbouring districts where SP monotherapy remained the first‐line treatment, was carried out. Demographic and dispensing data were collected from all patients at the dispensing units of selected facilities for 1 month per quarter, documenting a total of 271 953 patient encounters in the three districts.

Results  In Rufiji, the proportion of patients who received a clinical diagnosis of malaria increased from 47.6% to 57.0%. A majority (75.9%) of these received SP + AS during the intervention period. Of patients who received SP + AS, 94.6% received the correct dose of both. Among patients in Rufiji who received SP, 14.2% received SP monotherapy, and among patients who received AS, 0.3% received AS monotherapy.

Conclusions  The uptake of SP + AS in Rufiji was rapid and sustained. Although some SP monotherapy occurred, AS monotherapy was rare, and most received the correct dose of both drugs. These results suggest that implementation of an artemisinin combination therapy, accompanied by training, job aids and assistance in stock management, can rapidly increase access to effective antimalarial treatment.
Prevalence and molecular characterization of abnormal hemoglobin in eastern Guangdong of southern China
Authors: Lin M , Wang Q , Zheng L , Huang Y , Lin F , Lin CP , Yang LY
Published: January 2011

Lin M, Wang Q, Zheng L, Huang Y, Lin F, Lin CP, Yang LY. Prevalence and molecular characterization of abnormal hemoglobin in eastern Guangdong of southern China.

Abnormal hemoglobins (Hbs) are the most commonly inherited disorders in humans. Their frequency and types change considerably with geographic location and ethnic group. To investigate the molecular epidemiological characterization of abnormal Hbs in eastern Guangdong of southern China, a total of 11,450 ‘healthy’ subjects were subjected to hemoglobin electrophoresis screening. Samples of EDTA‐K2 blood with abnormal Hbs were analyzed by CELL‐DYN1700 blood analyzer; thalassemia genotypes and Hb E variant were identified by gap‐PCR and/or reverse dot blot (RDB). The genotypes of Hb variants were detected by PCR and sequencing. The incidence of abnormal Hbs was 0.358%(41/11,450) in Chaozhou, including 12.2% (5/41) Hb J, 4.9% (2/41) Hb K, 9.7% (4/41) Hb Q, 31.7% (13/41) Hb G/D and 41.5% (17/41) Hb E. Eight types of Hb variants were found, including 3 cases of Hb J‐Bangkok, 2 cases of Hb J‐Wenchang‐Wuming, 2 cases of Hb New York, 4 cases of Hb Q‐Thailand, 5 cases of Hb G‐Waimanalo, 4 cases of Hb Ottawa, 4 cases of Hb G‐Chinese and 17 cases of Hb E. In comparison with other areas of Guangdong, Chaozhou had a different pattern of abnormal Hbs with a high prevalence of Hb G/D. This study describes the prevalence and molecular characterization of abnormal Hbs in eastern Guangdong.
Identification of an AluY‐mediated deletion of exon 5 in the CPOX gene by MLPA analysis in patients with hereditary coproporphyria
Authors: Barbaro M , Kotajärvi M , Harper P , Floderus Y
Published: January 2011

Barbaro M, Kotajärvi M, Harper P, Floderus Y. Identification of an AluY‐mediated deletion of exon 5 in the CPOX gene by MLPA analysis in patients with hereditary coproporphyria.

Hereditary coproporphyria (HCP) is an autosomal dominantly inherited hepatic porphyria, caused by a mutation in the coproporphyrinogen oxidase (CPOX) gene. The genetic defect leads to a partial defect of CPOX, the sixth enzyme involved in haem biosynthesis. Affected individuals can develop acute life‐threatening attacks of neurovisceral symptoms and/or more rarely cutaneous symptoms such as skin fragility and blistering. The identification of the genetic defect in HCP families is of crucial importance to detect the carrier status which allows counselling to prevent possible triggering factors, e.g. certain drugs, alcohol, or fasting. In a total of nine Swedish HCP families, routine gene sequence analysis had identified a causative mutation in only five. In the present study, using an in‐house developed synthetic probe set for multiplex ligation‐dependent probe amplification (MLPA) analysis, we detected a deletion of the fifth exon in the CPOX gene in the remaining four families. The deletion is 3381 bp in size and has originated by an Alu‐mediated mechanism. This finding emphasizes the usefulness of MLPA analysis as a complement to gene sequencing for comprehensive genetic diagnostics in HCP patients.
Maternal diet during lactation and allergic sensitization in the offspring at age of 5
Authors: Nwaru Bright I. , Erkkola Maijaliisa , Ahonen Suvi , Kaila Minna , Lumia Mirka , Prasad Marianne , Haapala Anna‐Maija , Kronberg‐Kippilä Carina , Veijola Riitta , Ilonen Jorma , Simell Olli , Knip Mikael , Virtanen Suvi M.
Published: January 2011

To cite this article: Nwaru BI, Erkkola M, Ahonen S, Kaila M, Lumia M, Prasad M, Haapala A‐Maija, Kronberg‐Kippilä C, Veijola R, Ilonen J, Simell O, Knip M, Virtanen SM. Maternal diet during lactation and allergic sensitization in the offspring at age 5 years. Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2011; 22: 334–341.

The objective of this study was to examine the effect of maternal dietary intake during lactation on allergic sensitization at the age of 5 in children carrying HLA‐DQB1‐conferred susceptibility to type 1 diabetes. We analyzed data for 652 consecutively born children with complete information on maternal diet and allergen‐specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) measurements who are participating in the Finnish Type 1 Diabetes Prediction and Prevention (DIPP) Nutrition and allergy study. Analysis was performed using logistic regression. In models that included the significant uncorrelated dietary variables, maternal intake of butters and saturated fatty acids was associated with increased risk, while margarine was associated with a decreased risk, of sensitization to wheat allergen in the offspring. Maternal intake of potatoes, milks, and margarine and low‐fat spreads were associated with decreased risk of sensitization to birch allergen. On the other hand, intake of potatoes decreased the risk, while vitamin C and eggs increased the risk, of cat allergic sensitization. Maternal intake of butters and saturated fatty acids during lactation may increase the risk, while margarines may decrease the risk, of sensitization to wheat allergen in the offspring. Maternal intake of potatoes, milks, and margarines may decrease the risk of sensitization to birch allergen. On the other hand, intake of potatoes may decrease the risk, while vitamin C and eggs may increase the risk, of cat allergic sensitization. These effects may persist regardless of maternal or parental allergic status.
Growth performance and metabolic efficiency in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus L.) fed on a diet containing Jatropha platyphylla kernel meal as a protein source
Authors: Kumar V. , Akinleye A. O. , Makkar H. P. S. , Angulo‐Escalante M. A. , Becker K.
Published: January 2011

Jatropha platyphylla is available on the pacific coast from Sinaloa to Michoacán including the Nayarit and Jalisco states in Mexico. The seeds of J. platyphylla are rich in oil and protein, and the kernel meal (JPKM) prepared after oil extraction contains 70–75% crude protein (CP). Contents of essential amino acids (except lysine) are higher in JPKM than in soybean meal (SBM). Phorbol‐esters, the main toxin present in most Jatropha species is absent in J. platyphylla. Heat‐treated JPKM (H‐JPKM) was evaluated as a protein supplement in tilapia feed and compared with that of SBM and fish meal (FM). Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus L.) fingerlings (15 fish; av. body mass 13.9 ± 0.17 g) were randomly distributed in three groups with five replicates each. A 12‐week experiment was conducted in a respirometer system to evaluate the growth performance, nutrient utilization and energy budget. Nile tilapia fingerlings were fed three iso‐nitrogenous diets (36% CP): Control containing FM, and Jatropha and Soybean diets in which 62.5% of FM protein was replaced by H‐JPKM and SBM respectively. The growth performance, feed conversion ratio, protein efficiency ratio, apparent lipid conversion and energy retention did not differ significantly among the three groups. Higher protein productive value was observed in plant protein fed groups. Average metabolic rate, energy expenditure per g protein fed and retained in the body did not differ significantly among the three groups. Conclusively, Nile tilapia fed plant protein (heated JPKM and SBM) and FM protein‐based diets exhibited equal average metabolic rate which indicate that JPKM can be used as a protein source in aqua feed.
Systematic evaluation of the nefopam–paracetamol combination in rodent models of antinociception
Authors: Girard Philippe , Niedergang Betty , Pansart Yannick , Coppé Marie‐Claude , Verleye Marc
Published: January 2011

1. The aim of the present study was to explore the concept of multimodal anaesthesia using a combination of two non‐opioid analgesics, namely nefopam, a centrally acting non‐opioid that inhibits monoamine reuptake, and paracetamol, an inhibitor of central cyclo‐oxygenases. The antinociceptive characteristics of the combination were evaluated using four different animal models of pain.

2. In the mouse writhing test, antinociceptive properties were observed with ED50values of 1.5 ± 0.2 and 120.9 ± 14.8 mg/kg for nefopam and paracetamol, respectively. In the mouse formalin test, both compounds significantly inhibited the licking time of the injected hind paw, with ED50values in the early phase of 4.5 ± 1.1 and 330.7 ± 80.3 mg/kg for nefopam and paracetamol, respectively, compared with 4.3 ± 0.2 and 206.1 ± 45.1 mg/kg for nefopam and paracetamol, respectively, in the inflammatory phase. Isobolographic analysis revealed that this drug combination was synergistic in the writhing test and additive in the formalin test.

3. In a rat incision model of postoperative thermal hyperalgesia, coadministration of nefopam at a non‐analgesic dose (3 mg/kg) with paracetamol at a low analgesic dose (300 mg/kg) showed the appearance of a strong antihyperalgesic effect, maintained for at least 3 h. In rat carrageenan‐induced tactile allodynia, the combination of low analgesic doses of nefopam (10 or 30 mg/kg) with a non‐analgesic dose of paracetamol (30 mg/kg), significantly blocked allodynia with a longer duration of efficacy.

4. In conclusion, coadministration of nefopam with paracetamol is worthy of clinical evaluation.
Long‐term outcome in patients with a Gleason score ≤6 prostate cancer treated by radical prostatectomy
Authors: Birkhahn Marc , Penson David F. , Cai Jie , Groshen Susan , Stein John P. , Lieskovsky Gary , Skinner Donald G. , Cote Richard J.
Published: January 2011

Study Type – Therapy (individual cohort)

Level of Evidence 2b

What’s known on the subject? and What does the study add?

Gleason score is an important clinical characteristic for treatment decisions in patients with prostate cancer. Gleason score ≤6 are generally considered low‐risk tumours with favourable clinical outcome.

In this study we report long‐term data on the actual recurrence risk and survival in patients with Gleason score ≤6 tumours. We were able to demonstrate that while recurrence rates are relatively low, 18% of patients experience PSA recurrence, and 6% experience overt clinical metastases at 15‐year follow‐up.

OBJECTIVE

• To determine the actual recurrence risk of patients with a Gleason score (GS) ≤6 treated with radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP) and bilateral lymphadenectomy in a cohort with long‐term follow‐up.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

• The USC/Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center database included 3235 consecutive patients who underwent RRP for prostate cancer between January 1972 and December 2005. We identified 1383 patients with a GS ≤ 6 in prostatectomy specimens. Median follow‐up was 8.3 years. Data on pathological and clinical characteristics and outcome were prospectively recorded.

• Statistical analysis was performed using the stratified log‐rank test and stepwise Cox regression analysis.

RESULTS

• A GS of 6 was present in 66%, 5 in 27%, 4 in 5% and 3 or 2 in 3% of cases. Tumour classification was pT2N0 (83%), pT3N0 (14%), pT4N0 (0.1%) and any TN1 (2%).

• Positive margins were seen in 18%. Estimated PSA and clinical recurrence rate were 14% and 4% after 10 years and 18% and 6% after 15 years, respectively. In multivariate analysis, N‐stage (P < 0.001), T‐stage (P= 0.02) and margin status (P < 0.001) were associated with PSA recurrence.

• N‐stage (P < 0.001) and T‐stage (P= 0.01) were associated with clinical recurrence.

• Overall, patients with a GS ≤ 6 accounted for 26% of all PSA recurrences and for 20% of all patients with clinical recurrences in the database.

CONCLUSION

• A relatively small proportion of patients with a GS ≤ 6 cancer developed PSA recurrence and/or overt metastasis. However, these patients account for a substantial minority of those who experienced recurrence and metastasis.
Renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system blockade and urinary albumin excretion in community‐based patients with Type 2 diabetes: The Fremantle Diabetes Study
Authors: Fegan P. G. , Davis W. A. , Kamber N. , Sivakumar S. , Beilby J. , Davis T. M. E.
Published: January 2011

Diabet. Med. 28, 849–855 (2011)

Aims  To determine whether the reduction in urinary albumin excretion through renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system blockade found in intervention trials extends to community‐based patients with Type 2 diabetes.

Methods  We analysed data from 302 participants in the longitudinal observational Fremantle Diabetes Study who commenced angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker therapy during follow‐up and who had an annual assessment on either side of this therapeutic change.

Results  At baseline, the patients had a mean age of 63.8 years, a median diabetes duration of 4 years, a median HbA1c of 7.6% (60 mmol/mol) and a geometric mean (sd range) urinary albumin:creatinine ratio of 3.3 mg/mmol (0.8–13.1 mg/mmol). The percentages with normo‐, micro‐ and macroalbuminuria were 49.0, 38.4 and 12.6%, respectively. During 6.1 ± 1.7 years of follow‐up, initiation of renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system blockade was associated with a larger geometric mean (sd range) absolute albumin:creatinine ratio reduction in the patients with macroalbuminuria compared with those who had either normo‐ or microalbuminuria [−40.9 (−825.7 to 159.9) mg/mmol) vs. 1.7 (−1.6 to 20.0) mg/mmol and −0.5 (−23.0 to 39.5) mg/mmol, respectively; P < 0.001]. These changes remained significant after adjustment for changes in blood pressure and other potentially confounding variables, including drug dose and angiotensin‐converting enzyme genotype. The post‐treatment median albumin:creatinine ratios were 35.4 and 27.4% lower than before treatment in those with micro‐ or macroalbuminuria, respectively.

Conclusions  Usual‐care initiation of renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system blockade confers a quantitatively similar renal benefit to that in intervention trials in Type 2 diabetes.
Earnings quality and corporate cash holdings
Authors: Sun Qian , Yung Kenneth , Rahman Hamid
Published: January 2011

Poor earnings quality exacerbates information asymmetry between internal and external stakeholders of a firm. Agency considerations then persuade investors to discount the value of corporate cash holdings out of concern about the inappropriate use of funds. In this study, we show that poor earnings quality has a negative impact on the value of corporate cash holdings and a positive impact on the level of cash reserves. We find that the negative effect of poor earnings quality either neutralizes or more than offsets the positive effect of excess cash on firm value. Our results are robust to several measures of earnings quality and model specifications.
The Optimal Environmental Tax and Urban Unemployment in an Open Economy
Authors: Daitoh Ichiroh , Omote Masaya
Published: January 2011

This paper investigates how a rise in the urban pollution tax rate may affect urban unemployment and welfare in a small open Harris–Todaro (HT) model with intersectoral capital mobility. First, by formulating urban pollution as a dirty input in manufacturing, we find that an increase in the urban pollution tax rate can increase the level of urban unemployment even with intersectoral capital mobility. That is, the optimistic finding by Rapanos (2007) that environmental protection policy reduces urban unemployment in the long run does not always hold. Second, the (sub)optimal pollution tax rate under urban unemployment is higher than the Pigouvian tax rate (the marginal damage of pollution). This result opposes those of Beladi and Chao (2006) for a closed HT economy and that of Tsakiris et al. (2008) for an open HT economy with sector‐specific capital.
Stigma and sex work from the perspective of female sex workers in Hong Kong
Authors: Wong William C.W. , Holroyd Eleanor , Bingham Amie
Published: January 2011

While the stigma surrounding sex work is both well documented and easily recognised, few studies examine stigma in this context from the perspective of the sex workers themselves. In this article we report on a study using a modified grounded theory approach to analyse a series of semi‐structured interviews with 49 female sex workers in Hong Kong, in order to examine the ways in which this group experiences and negotiates the stigma which arises from their employment in the sex industry. Sex workers in Hong Kong were subject to various stigmatising forces in their daily lives in their interactions with the public, the police and their families. These processes could have a negative impact on the sex workers’ health, both through obvious manifestations such as physical or verbal abuse and through more subtle processes such as those which generated or perpetuated vulnerability and those which compelled the sex workers to conceal their identities and withdraw themselves from social networks. These findings are situated in the context of broader research surrounding sex work, drawing attention to the consequences of stigma on health and their interaction with health‐service providers, before briefly discussing possible means of overcoming stigma‐related barriers to providing adequate healthcare for this marginalised group.
Meanings of the embryo in Japan: narratives of IVF experience and embryo ownership
Authors: Kato Masae , Sleeboom‐Faulkner Margaret
Published: January 2011

This article explores the sociocultural meanings of the embryo implied in the narratives of 58 women who have undergone in vitro fertilisation in Japan over a period from 2006 to 2008. We argue that a lack of sufficient analysis of the sociocultural meanings of the embryo result in a situation where the use of reproductive technologies in Japan advances without reflecting upon the voices of women and couples that use them. Additionally, we argue that the often‐heard view that pre‐implantation genetic diagnosis causes less pain to women and couples than selective abortion in which foetuses are discarded, should be reviewed in the light of the new empirical evidence offered in this article. Furthermore, this article shows that the view often expounded by Japanese scientists that in Japan the cultural meanings attached to the embryo are insignificant, is incorrect. Consequently, the argument that Japan has no need for an active national debate on the status of embryos should be questioned. Though agreeing with some feminist views on the embryo debate, this article is also critical of feminist views that discuss embryo donation in terms of the loss of ownership of the embryo and the alienation of the embryo due to commodification.
Bayesian Methods to Detect Dye-Labelled DNA Oligonucleotides in Multiplexed Raman Spectra
Authors: Zhong Mingjun , Girolami Mark , Faulds Karen , Graham Duncan
Published: January 2011

Recent advances in the development of technology based on Raman scattering as a chemical analytical technique have made it possible to detect spectral mixtures of multiple DNA sequences quantitatively. However, to exploit these techniques fully, inferential methodologies are required which can deconvolute the observed mixture and infer the composition of distinct DNA sequences in the overall composite. Inferring the component spectra is posed as a model selection problem for a bilinear statistical model, and the Markov chain Monte Carlo inferential methodology required is developed. In particular a Gibbs sampler and reversible jump Markov chain Monte Carlo methods are presented along with techniques based on estimation of the marginal likelihood. The results reported are particularly encouraging, highlighting that, for multiplexed Raman spectra, inference of the composition of original sequences in the mixture is possible to acceptable levels of accuracy. This statistical methodology makes the exploitation of multiplexed surface-enhanced resonance Raman scattering spectra in disease identification a reality. A Web site containing supplementary material, the spectral data that are used in the paper as well as MATLAB scripts implementing the proposed statistical methods is available at http://www.ucl.ac.uk/stats/research/serrs.
Estimating the Density of Antarctic Krill (Euphausia Superba) from Multi-Beam Echo-Sounder Observations Using Distance Sampling Methods
Authors: Cox Martin J. , Borchers David L. , Demer David A. , Cutter George R. , Brierley Andrew S.
Published: January 2011

Antarctic krill is a key species in the Antarctic food web, an important prey item for marine predators and a commercial fishery resource. Although single-beam echo-sounders are commonly used to survey the species, multi-beam echo-sounders may be more efficient because they sample a larger volume of water. However, multi-beam echo-sounders may miss animals because they involve lower energy densities. We adapt distance sampling theory to deal with this and to estimate krill density and biomass from a multi-beam echo-sounder survey. The method provides a general means for estimating density and biomass from multi-beam echo-sounder data.