bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cord blood hematopoietic progenitor cell concentration and infant sex
Authors: Aroviita Pekka , Teramo Kari , Hiilesmaa Vilho , Kekomäki Riitta
Published: March 2005

BACKGROUND: Characterization of cord blood facilitates understanding of the factors affecting cord blood transplant quality and improvement of transplantation results. Cord blood obtained from male and female infants has not been thoroughly characterized.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: A study was performed to test the hypothesis that the cord blood hematopoietic progenitor cell content—of which the CD34+ cell and colony‐forming unit (CFU) concentrations were taken as markers—would not only associate with birth weight but also with sex. The hematopoietic progenitor cell concentrations of 1999 healthy infants (47% female) were analyzed in a cord blood bank setting.

RESULTS: Male infants had significantly higher median CD34+ cell concentrations than female infants (31.8/µL vs. 30.2/µL, respectively; p = 0.03). Although the disparity in absolute concentrations was small, it was 5.3 percent. In CFU subgroup analysis, the median CFU–mixed concentration of male infants (11.1/µL) was higher than in female infants (9.9/µL; p = 0.03). The difference was more pronounced when cumulative frequencies of the CFU–mixed concentrations from cesarean section deliveries were compared. In multivariate linear regression analysis, the positive influence of male sex on the CD34+ cell concentration was significant (p < 0.05). The expected higher median nucleated cell concentration of female compared to male infants (13.9 × 109/L vs. 13.3 × 109/L, respectively; p = 0.0001) was mainly due to the higher neutrophil concentration of female infants (7.1 × 109/L vs. 6.5 × 109/L, respectively, p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSION: Cord blood hematopoietic progenitor cell concentration was higher in male infants, even after correcting for birth weight. Sex may affect the hematopoietic potential of cord blood transplants.
Clinical significance of bacteriologic screening in platelet concentrates
Authors: Te Boekhorst P.A.W. , Beckers E.A.M. , Vos M.C. , Vermeij H. , Van Rhenen D.J.
Published: March 2005

BACKGROUND: Despite routine bacterial screening with a bacterial culturing system (BacT/ALERT, bioMérieux) of platelet (PLT) concentrates, two cases of life‐threatening sepsis attributed to transfused PLT products contaminated with Bacillus cereus were reported to the regional hemovigilance office in the southwest region of the Netherlands. These reports necessitated a retrospective evaluation of the currently applied bacteriologic screening program.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Bacteriologic screening of all PLT concentrates on production was introduced in October 2001. Aliquots (5‐10 mL) of pooled PLT concentrates in additive solution were taken for cultures with the BacT/ALERT system 14 to 24 hours after donation. The total culturing period was 7 days and in case of positive signals, identification cultures were taken from the culture bottles. The results of the bacterial screening, identification, and clinical significance of possibly contaminated pooled PLT concentrates were evaluated retrospectively over a 2‐year period.

RESULTS: In this period, a total of 28,104 pooled PLT concentrates were produced. Positive bacterial screening was found in 0.72 percent (n = 203). Of these, in 184 pooled PLT concentrates bacteria were cultured and identified, and in the remaining 19 (9.4%) identification cultures were negative. Before a positive screening was found, 113 PLT concentrates had already been transfused without the occurrence of clinical significant transfusion reactions.

CONCLUSION: Bacterial contamination of pooled PLT concentrates was not related to clinically significant transfusion reactions. Despite negative screening for bacterial contamination, life‐threatening transfusion‐transmitted infections by contaminated PLT products can still occur. Other strategies should be applied to guarantee a higher degree of bacteriologic safety.
Genetic basis of the K0 phenotype in the Swedish population
Authors: Wester Elisabet S. , Storry Jill R. , Schneider Karin , Nilsson Sojka Birgitta , Poole Joyce , Olsson Martin L.
Published: March 2005

BACKGROUND: The absence of all Kell blood group antigens (K0 phenotype) is very rare. K0 persons, however, can produce clinically significant anti‐Ku (K5) after transfusion and/or pregnancy and require K0 blood for transfusion. Ten alleles giving rise to the K0 phenotype have been reported: different populations were studied although none from Scandinavia.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Three K0 samples were identified by blood banks in Sweden (Uppsala, Umeå, and Linköping) during a 20‐year period. Kell antigen typing was performed with standard serologic techniques by the respective blood banks and K0 status was confirmed by the International Blood Group Reference Laboratory in Bristol, England. Polymerase chain reaction and DNA sequencing of the KEL coding region (exons 1‐19) was performed on genomic DNA.

RESULTS: The Uppsala K0 was homozygous for a 1540C>T substitution in exon 13, leading to an immediate stop codon. The Umeå K0 was homozygous for 1023delG in exon 8 that results in a frameshift and a premature stop codon in exon 9. In the Linköping K0, a previously reported mutation g>a at +1 of intron 3 was found.

CONCLUSION: Two novel and one previously reported null alleles at the KEL locus are described. The identified nonsense mutations abolish expression of the Kell glycoprotein and are thus responsible for the K0 phenotype in these Swedish families.
A combination of catalase and trehalose as additives to conventional freezing medium results in improved cryoprotection of human hematopoietic cells with reference to in vitro migration and adhesion properties
Authors: Sasnoor Lalita M. , Kale Vaijayanti P. , Limaye Lalita S.
Published: March 2005

BACKGROUND: Cryopreservation of hematopoietic cells from cord blood is an essential component in unrelated transplant settings. Cell damage during freezing is caused by multiple factors, of which membrane damage and oxygen free radical generation are two major factors. It was reported earlier that a combination of catalase and trehalose as additives in freezing medium affords better cryoprotection in terms of long‐term culture assays.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Mononuclear and CD34+ cells isolated from cord blood were used as a source of hematopoietic cells. KG1a cell line was used as a model system in adhesion assays. The cells were frozen in a programmable freezer and stored at −196°C. Various homing‐related assays were carried out on the frozen cells.

RESULTS: Herein it is reported that these two additives afford better preservation of adhesion‐ and migration‐related properties of the frozen cells. The test cells frozen with additives resulted in improved migration toward stromal‐derived factor‐1α and showed higher expression of its receptor CXCR4. Colony‐forming unit assay of migrated test cells showed that these cells are early progenitors having capacity to give rise to all types of myeloid colonies. Test cells also show increased expression of FLT3R and improved responsiveness to FLT3 ligand, the homing‐related cytokine. Adhesion to stroma and extracellular matrix was better in test cells as compared to control cells.

CONCLUSION: The present data provide evidence that addition of catalase and trehalose to the conventional freezing medium preserves migration‐ and adhesion‐related properties of the hematopoietic graft.
Correlation between in vitro aggregation and thromboxane A2 production in fresh, liquid‐preserved, and cryopreserved human platelets: effect of agonists, pH, and plasma and saline resuspension
Authors: Valeri C.R. , Macgregor H. , Ragno G.
Published: March 2005

BACKGROUND: Some of the tests used to assess the quality of fresh and preserved platelets (PLTs) include PLT number, PLT morphology, pH of the PLT medium, PLT response to hypotonic stress, and PLT aggregation to agonists. This study was performed to assess the function of fresh and preserved PLTs by their response to aggregation and their production of thromboxane A2 after in vitro stimulation with agonists.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: PLTs isolated by apheresis procedures were stored at 22°C for as long as 5 days and then frozen with 6 percent dimethyl sulfoxide, stored at −80°C, thawed, washed, and resuspended in medium. The effects of agonists and the pH and composition of the medium on PLT aggregation and PLT production of thromboxane A2 after stimulation were measured.

RESULTS: The agonists and the pH and composition of the medium affected both the aggregation response and the production of thromboxane A2 by the fresh and preserved PLTs. PLT aggregation response to arachidonic acid (AA) and adenosine diphosphate (ADP) was significantly lower in the cryopreserved PLTs than in the fresh and preserved PLTs. After stimulation with AA and ADP, the cryopreserved PLTs produced more thromboxane than did the fresh and liquid‐preserved PLTs.

CONCLUSIONS: The agonists and the pH and composition of the medium affected the response to aggregate and produce thromboxane in vitro in both the fresh and the liquid‐preserved PLTs. PLT thromboxane A2 production may be a better in vitro test than PLT aggregation to assess PLT function in vivo.
Inactivation of viruses in platelet concentrates by photochemical treatment with amotosalen and long‐wavelength ultraviolet light
Authors: Lin Lily , Hanson Carl V. , Alter Harvey J. , Jauvin Valérie , Bernard Kristen A. , Murthy Krishna K. , Metzel Peyton , Corash Laurence
Published: March 2005

BACKGROUND: Viral contamination of platelet (PLT) concentrates can result in transfusion‐transmitted diseases. A photochemical treatment (PCT) process with amotosalen‐HCl and long‐wavelength ultraviolet light (UVA), which cross‐links nucleic acids, was developed to inactivate viruses and other pathogens in PLT concentrates.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: High titers of pathogenic or blood‐borne viruses, representing 10 different families, were added to single‐donor PLT concentrates containing 3.0 × 1011 to 6.0 × 1011 PLTs in approximately 300 mL of 35 percent plasma and 65 percent PLT additive solution (InterSol). After PCT with 150 µmol per L amotosalen and 3 J per cm2 UVA, residual viral infectivity was assayed by sensitive cell culture or animal systems.

RESULTS: Enveloped viruses were uniformly sensitive to inactivation by PCT whereas nonenveloped viruses demonstrated variable inactivation. Log reduction of enveloped viruses for cell‐free HIV‐1 was >6.2; for cell‐associated HIV‐1, >6.1; for clinical isolate HIV‐1, >3.4; for clinical isolate HIV‐2, >2.5; for HBV, >5.5; for HCV, >4.5; for DHBV, >6.2; for BVDV, >6.0; for HTLV‐I, 4.2; for HTLV‐II, 4.6; for CMV, >5.9; for WNV, >5.5; for SARS‐HCoV, >5.8; and for vaccinia virus, >4.7. Log reduction of nonenveloped viruses for human adenovirus 5 was >5.2; for parvovirus B19, 3.5‐>5.0; for bluetongue virus, 5.6‐5.9; for feline conjunctivitis virus, 1.7‐2.4; and for simian adenovirus 15, 0.7‐2.3.

CONCLUSION: PCT inactivates a broad spectrum of pathogenic, blood‐borne viruses. Inactivation of viruses in PLT concentrates with amotosalen and UVA offers the potential to prospectively prevent the majority of PLT transfusion‐associated viral diseases.
Possible transmission of human herpesvirus‐8 by blood transfusion in a historical United States cohort
Authors: Dollard Sheila C. , Nelson Kenrad E. , Ness Paul M. , Stambolis Veronica , Kuehnert Matthew J. , Pellett Philip E. , Cannon Michael J.
Published: March 2005

BACKGROUND: Transmission of human herpesvirus‐8 (HHV‐8) by blood transfusion in the United States appears plausible but has not been demonstrated. The objective of this study was to evaluate evidence of HHV‐8 transmission via blood transfusion.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Serum specimens were collected before and 6 months after surgery from 406 patients who enrolled in the Frequency of Agents Communicable by Transfusion study (FACTS) in Baltimore, Maryland, from 1986 to 1990. The change in HHV‐8 serostatus was measured by a lytic‐antigen immunofluorescence assay.

RESULTS: Of the 284 patients who were initially HHV‐8‐seronegative and who received transfusions, 2 seroconverted, 1 with a postsurgery antibody titer of 1:160 and the other with a titer of 1:1280. These patients received 12 and 13 units of blood, respectively. None of the HHV‐8‐seronegative patients who did not receive transfusions seroconverted. If seroconversion was caused by transfused blood, the transmission risk per transfused component was 0.082 percent.

CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report suggesting transmission of HHV‐8 via blood components in the United States. Because linked donor specimens were not available, other routes of transmission cannot be excluded; however, the evidence is consistent with infection being caused by transfusion. Future studies should include contemporary US populations with linked donor specimens and populations at higher risk for HHV‐8 infection.
West Nile virus in Canadian blood donors
Authors: Cameron Cherie , Reeves Jackie , Antonishyn Nick , Tilley Peter , Alport Ted , Eurich Bernie , Towns Dale , Lane Debra , Saldanha John
Published: March 2005

BACKGROUND:Blood donation screening for West Nile virus (WNV) RNA by nucleic acid testing (NAT) was implemented in Canada in July 2003, and 14 WNV RNA–positive donations were identified. Samples were screened in minipools of six donations with a WNV assay (TaqScreen, Roche). Two of the donors were identified by single‐donor screening that was initiated in the province of Saskatchewan, which had the highest prevalence of WNV in the country, in early September 2003.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS:The original 14 samples and follow‐up samples (2‐35 days after donation), available from 13 of the 14 donors were tested with an in‐house, real‐time, quantitative WNV NAT assay that was specific for WNV. A Health Canada reference reagent was used for calibration. Immunoglobulin M (IgM) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels were determined with commercial enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay kits.

RESULTS:All donors tested positive for the presence of WNV with the in‐house assay. Two donors, 18 and 19, identified by single‐donor testing, had extremely low levels of viremia and that could only be detected in 1:38 or 1:39 replicate tests. The titers of the remaining index samples ranged from below log2.8 (the limit of quantitation) to log4.7 NAT detectable units per mL. Three samples, from Donors 17, 18, and 19, were IgM‐positive, whereas samples from Donors 18 and 19 were also IgG‐positive. The remaining 10 donors with follow‐up samples all seroconverted.

CONCLUSION:The 14 WNV donor samples detected by routine screening were confirmed as WNV RNA–positive by a WNV RNA–specific in‐house assay and by demonstration of seroconversion in 13 of the 14 donors.
Sibling effects on smoking in adolescence: evidence for social influence from a genetically informative design
Authors: Slomkowski Cheryl , Rende Richard , Novak Scott , Lloyd‐Richardson Elizabeth , Niaura Raymond
Published: March 2005

Aims  Behavioral genetic research has suggested that sibling effects on smoking may reflect social rather than genetic processes. We utilize a genetically informative sample of adolescents to test this proposition, focusing on sibling relationship processes (social connectedness) shown to be influential in studies of deviancy.

Design  A combined twin‐sibling design was employed to disentangle genetic and non‐genetic effects.

Participants  We utilized a sample of 1421 adolescent sibling pairs participating in the US National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health). These sibling pairs represent a spectrum of genetic relatedness and include monozygotic twins, dizygotic twins, biological siblings, half‐siblings and unrelated siblings.

Measurements  Participants completed self‐report questionnaires on smoking behavior, quality of relationship with their sibling (social connectedness) and peer and parental smoking.

Findings  Main effects of both shared environment and genetics were found on adolescent smoking frequency. Social connectedness between siblings moderated shared environmental influences on smoking frequency at each time period, as well as on change in smoking frequency. Shared environmental effects were more pronounced when siblings reported high levels of social connectedness. These environmental sibling effects on smoking were significant after controlling for parent and peer smoking.

Conclusions  This report extends prior research on sibling effects on smoking by identifying specific relationship dynamics that underlie transmission of risk within sibships and providing evidence that such relationship dynamics represent social rather than genetic processes.
Could the high level of cirrhosis in central and eastern Europe be due partly to the quality of alcohol consumed? An exploratory investigation
Authors: Sz cs Sándor , Sárváry Attila , McKee Martin , Ádány Róza
Published: March 2005

Background  The burden of alcohol‐related diseases differs widely among countries. Since the 1980s, a band of countries in Central and Eastern Europe have experienced a steep rise in deaths from chronic liver diseases and cirrhosis. A possible risk factor is the consumption of illegally produced home‐made spirits in these countries containing varying amounts of aliphatic alcohols and which may be hepatotoxic. However, little is known about the composition of such beverages.

Aims  To compare the concentration of short‐chain aliphatic alcohols in spirits from illegal and legal sources in Hungary.

Design  Samples taken from commercial retailers and illegal sources were collected and their aliphatic patterns and alcohol concentrations were determined by gas chromatographic/mass spectrometric (GC/MS) analysis.

Findings  The concentrations of methanol, isobutanol, 1‐propanol, 1‐butanol, 2‐butanol and isoamyl alcohol were significantly higher in home‐made spirits than those of from commercial sources.

Conclusions  The results suggest that the consumption of home‐made spirits is an additional risk factor for the development of alcohol‐induced cirrhosis and may have contributed to high level of liver cirrhosis mortality in Central and Eastern Europe. Restrictions on supply and sale of alcohol from illicit sources are needed urgently to reduce significantly the mortality from chronic liver disease.
Deterioration over time in effect of Motivational Interviewing in reducing drug consumption and related risk among young people
Authors: McCambridge Jim , Strang John
Published: March 2005

Aim  To test whether beneficial effects of a single session of Motivational Interviewing (MI) on alcohol, tobacco and illicit drug use apparent after 3 months were maintained until 12 months.

Design  Cluster randomized trial, allocating 200 young people in the natural groups in which they were recruited to either MI (n = 105) or to an assessment‐only control condition (n = 95).

Setting  Ten further education colleges across inner London.

Participants  Two hundred young people who were current users of illegal drugs (age range 16–20 years) with whom contact was established through peers trained for the project.

Intervention  The intervention was adapted from MI in the form of a topic‐based 1‐hour single‐session discussion.

Measurements  Changes in cigarette, alcohol, cannabis and other drug use and perceptions of risk and harm between the time of recruitment and follow‐up interviews after 3 and 12 months.

Findings  A satisfactory follow‐up rate (81%) was achieved. After 12 months, 3‐month differences between MI and assessment‐only groups have disappeared almost entirely. Unexpected improvements by the assessment‐only control group on a number of outcomes suggest the possibility of reactivity to the research assessment at 3‐month follow‐up.

Conclusion  In the terms of the original experiment, there is little evidence of enduring intervention effectiveness shown by between‐group differences after 12 months. Deterioration of effect is the most probable explanation, although reactivity to 3‐month assessment, a late Hawthorne effect, cannot be ruled out.
South Africa: alcohol today
Authors: PARRY CHARLES D. H.
Published: March 2005

In 1995 Addiction published an editorial on prospects for substance abuse control in South Africa [1]. This paper reflects on where the country is 10 years later.
Predicting the early therapeutic alliance in the treatment of drug misuse
Authors: Meier Petra S. , Donmall Michael C. , Barrowclough Christine , McElduff Patrick , Heller Richard F.
Published: March 2005

Aims  To predict the early therapeutic alliance from a range of potentially relevant factors, including clients’ social relationships, motivation and psychological resources, and counsellors’ professional experience and ex‐user status.

Design  The study recruited 187 clients starting residential rehabilitation treatment for drug misuse in three UK services. Counsellor and client information was assessed at intake, and client and counsellor ratings of the alliance were obtained during weeks 1, 2 and 3.

Measurements  The intake assessment battery included scales on psychological wellbeing, treatment motivation, coping strategies and attachment style. Client and counsellor versions of the Working Alliance Inventory (WAI‐S) were used for weekly alliance measurement. Hierarchical linear models were used to examine the relationship between alliance and predictor variables.

Findings  Clients who had better motivation, coping strategies, social support and a secure attachment style were more likely to develop good alliances. Findings with regard to counsellor characteristics were not clear cut: clients rated their relationships with ex‐user counsellors, experienced counsellors and male counsellors as better, but more experienced counsellors rated their alliances as worse.

Conclusions  The findings offer important leads as to what interventions might improve the therapeutic alliance. Further work will need to establish whether the therapeutic alliance and ultimately treatment outcomes can be enhanced by working on improving clients’ motivation and psychosocial resources.
Impacts of federal precursor chemical regulations on methamphetamine arrests
Authors: Cunningham James K. , Liu Lon‐Mu
Published: March 2005

Aims  The US government regulated precursor chemicals, ephedrine and pseudoephedrine, multiple times to limit methamphetamine production/availability and thus methamphetamine problems. Research has found that the regulations reduced methamphetamine hospital admissions, but authors have argued that other problems were unaffected. This study examines whether the regulations impacted methamphetamine arrests.

Design  ARIMA‐intervention time‐series analysis with control series.

Setting  California (1982–2001).

Measurements  Dependent variable series: monthly methamphetamine arrests. Control series: monthly marijuana arrests and cocaine/heroin arrests.

Interventions  Bulk powder ephedrine and pseudoephedrine: regulated November 1989. Products containing ephedrine as the single active medicinal ingredient: regulated August 1995. Pseudoephedrine products: regulated October 1997. Large‐scale producers used ephedrine and pseudoephedrine in these forms. Ephedrine combined with other active medicinal ingredients (e.g. various cold medicines)—used mainly by small‐scale producers: regulated October 1996.

Findings  The regulation targeting small‐scale producers (1996) had no significant impact. In contrast, methamphetamine arrests stopped rising and dropped 31% to 45% each of the three times precursor chemicals used by large‐scale producers were regulated. Within 3 years of the bulk powder regulation (1989) and again within 2 years of the ephedrine single ingredient regulation (1995), arrests fully rebounded. During the 4 years following the last regulation (pseudoephedrine products, 1997) arrests only partially rebounded. These effects parallel those reported on hospital admissions. The control series were generally unaffected.

Conclusions  Precursor regulations targeting large‐scale producers impacted methamphetamine arrests, a criminal justice problem, much as they impacted the public health problem of methamphetamine hospital admissions. Ongoing research is needed to determine whether these problems eventually fully rebound from the last regulation.
Gender differences in the association between substance use and elevated depressive symptoms in a general adolescent population
Authors: Poulin Christiane , Hand Denise , Boudreau Brock , Santor Darcy
Published: March 2005

Aims  This study explores gender differences in the association between substance use and elevated depressive symptoms in the general adolescent population.

Design  Cross‐sectional self‐reported anonymous survey, the 2002/2003 Student Drug Use Survey in the Atlantic Provinces. The sample design was a single‐stage cluster sample of randomly selected classes stratified by grade and region.

Setting  The four Atlantic provinces of Canada.

Participants  A total of 12 771 students in junior and senior high schools of the public school systems, representing a response rate of about 97%. The average age of participants was 15.2 years.

Measurements  The measure of elevated depressive symptoms was a 12‐item version of the CES‐D with three categories of depression risk validated in a companion study.

Findings  The prevalence of very elevated depressive symptoms was 8.6% in females and 2.6% in males. Alcohol use and cigarette smoking were found to be independent predictors of elevated depressive symptoms in females, but not males; cannabis use was found to be an independent predictor of elevated depressive symptoms in both males and females. Age was found to have a curvilinear relationship with elevated depressive symptoms in females but not in males. The adolescent's academic performance and province of residence were found to be independent risk factors of elevated depressive symptoms among both males and females. About 10.3% of adolescents considered to be potential candidates for needing help reported having received help because they felt depressed.

Conclusions  The association between depression risk and age, alcohol use, cigarette smoking and cannabis use in the general adolescent population is not straightforward and may differ according to gender. There is unmet need for help for depression among adolescents.
Adolescent drinking level and adult binge drinking in a national birth cohort*
Authors: Jefferis B. J. M. H. , Power C. , Manor O.
Published: March 2005

Aims  To assess (i) continuities in binge drinking across adulthood and (ii) the association between adolescent drinking level and adult binge drinking.

Design  Population‐based prospective birth cohort.

Setting  England, Scotland and Wales.

Participants  All births during one week in March 1958 (n = 8520 in analysis).

Measurements  Alcohol consumption reported at 16, 23, 33 and 42 years. Binge drinkers were identified by dividing number of units of alcohol consumed in the last week by usual drinking frequency, with limits of ≥10 units/occasion for men and ≥7 for women.

Findings  Four in five cohort members drank alcohol at least twice a month. Prevalences of binge drinking at 23, 33 and 42 years among men were 37%, 28% and 31% and among women 18%, 13% and 14%. Most binge drinkers in adulthood changed drinking status during this period. Nevertheless, binge drinking at age 23 increased the odds of binge drinking at 42 years: odds ratio (OR) 2.10 (95% CI 1.85, 2.39) for men; OR 1.56 (95% CI 1.29,1.89) for women. Women who rarely or never drank aged 16 were less likely than light drinkers (0–2 units/week) to binge drink as adults, OR at 23 years 0.65 (95% CI 0.55, 0.77). Men who were heavier drinkers (≥7 units/week) at 16 years were more likely than light drinkers to binge drink throughout adulthood; at 42 years, OR 1.64 (95% CI 1.33, 2.08).

Conclusions  Binge drinking is common in British men and women throughout adulthood with continuities between the 20s and 40s. Adolescent drinking has a modest although important association with adult binge drinking.
Nefazodone in out‐patient treatment of inhaled cocaine dependence: a randomized double‐blind placebo‐controlled trial
Authors: Passos Sonia Regina Lambert , Camacho Luiz Antonio Bastos , Lopes Claudia S. , Borges dos Santos Maria Angélica
Published: March 2005

Aims  To assess the efficacy of oral nefazodone in the treatment of cocaine dependence.

Design  A 10‐week randomized double‐blind clinical trial was performed.

Methods  All 210 subjects fulfilled Diagnostic and Statistical Manual version IV (DSM‐IV) criteria for cocaine dependence and were assigned randomly to 300 mg/day of oral nefazodone (N) or placebo (P). Self‐reported drug use, retention interval in treatment, adherence to prescription and depressive symptoms were assessed by the Hamilton scale.

Findings  Abstinence from cocaine for 3 weeks or more was achieved by 49.5% (N) and 45.7% (P) (P = 0.58), but 16.2% (N) and 22.9% (P) used other drugs during abstinence. The average interval to resumption of drug use was 33.9 days (N) and 36.1 days (P). Adverse effects were reported by 45.8% (N) and 29.5% (P) (P = 0.01). Treatment for these events was needed more often in N (24.0%) than in P (9.5%) (P < 0.02).

Conclusions  These results do not support the indication of nefazodone for out‐patient treatment of inhaled cocaine dependence with or without other associated drug dependence diagnoses.
Detection and analysis of alternative splicing in the silkworm by aligning expressed sequence tags with the genomic sequence
Authors: Zha X.‐F. , Xia Q.‐Y. , Zhao P. , Li J. , Duan J. , Wang Z.‐L. , Qian J.‐F. , Xiang Z.‐H.
Published: March 2005

We identified 277 alternative splice forms in silkworm genes based on aligning expressed sequence tags with genomic sequences, using a transcipt assembly program. A large fraction (74%) of these alternative splices are located in protein‐coding regions and alter protein products, whereas only 26% are in untranslated regions. From the alternative splices located in protein‐coding regions, some (43%) affect protein domains that bind various biological molecules. The vast majority of the detected alternative forms in this study appear to be novel, and potentially affect biologically meaningful control of function in silkworm genes. Our results indicate that alternative splicing in silkworm largely produces protein diversity and functional diversity, and is a widely used mechanism for regulating gene expression.
Midgut and salivary gland transcriptomes of the arbovirus vector Culicoides sonorensis (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae)
Authors: Campbell C. L. , Vandyke K. A. , Letchworth G. J. , Drolet B. S. , Hanekamp T. , Wilson W. C.
Published: March 2005

Numerous Culicoides spp. are important vectors of livestock or human disease pathogens. Transcriptome information from midguts and salivary glands of adult female Culicoides sonorensis provides new insight into vector biology. Of 1719 expressed sequence tags (ESTs) from adult serum‐fed female midguts harvested within 5 h of feeding, twenty‐eight clusters of serine proteases were derived. Four clusters encode putative iron binding proteins (FER1, FERL, PXDL1, PXDL2), and two clusters encode metalloendopeptidases (MDP6C, MDP6D) that probably function in bloodmeal catabolism. In addition, a diverse variety of housekeeping cDNAs were identified. Selected midgut protease transcripts were analysed by quantitative real‐time PCR (q‐PCR): TRY1_115 and MDP6C mRNAs were induced in adult female midguts upon feeding, whereas TRY1_156 and CHYM1 were abundant in midguts both before and immediately after feeding. Of 708 salivary gland ESTs analysed, clusters representing two new classes of protein families were identified: a new class of D7 proteins and a new class of Kunitz‐type protease inhibitors. Additional cDNAs representing putative immunomodulatory proteins were also identified: 5′ nucleotidases, antigen 5‐related proteins, a hyaluronidase, a platelet‐activating factor acetylhydrolase, mucins and several immune response cDNAs. Analysis by q‐PCR showed that all D7 and Kunitz domain transcripts tested were highly enriched in female heads compared with other tissues and were generally absent from males. The mRNAs of two additional protease inhibitors, TFPI1 and TFPI2, were detected in salivary glands of paraffin‐embedded females by in situ hybridization.
Genetic variation in the sand fly salivary protein, SP‐15, a potential vaccine candidate against Leishmania major
Authors: Elnaiem D.‐E. A. , Meneses C. , Slotman M. , Lanzaro G. C.
Published: March 2005

SP‐15 is a sandfly salivary protein that provides strong protection against cutaneous leishmaniasis, caused by Leishmania major, and has been proposed as a potential vaccine against this disease. To investigate possible antigenic variation in this protein, we examined genetic polymorphism of SP‐15 in 100 Phlebotomus papatasi sandflies, from a natural population from Sudan and four laboratory colonies from Egypt, Jordan, Israel and Saudi Arabia. We found that although many variants of SP‐15 may be found in nature, differences among them are minimal (mean ± SD pairwise differences = 1.69 ± 0.83% for forty nucleotide sequences and 3.06 ± 1.13% for thirty amino acid sequence variants). Analysis of proportions of synonymous and non‐synonymous substitutions indicated that SP‐15 is not under diversifying selection. Our results suggest that a vaccine based on SP‐15 protein should result in a uniform immune response.
Identification and molecular characterization of a prophenoloxidase involved in Aedes aegypti chorion melanization
Authors: Kim S. R. , Yao R. , Han Q. , Christensen B. M. , Li J.
Published: March 2005

Chorion melanization is a vital biochemical event for the survival of mosquito eggs in the environment. This study describes the identification and molecular characterization of a prophenoloxidase (proPO) involved in chorion melanization in Aedes aegypti by various biochemical and molecular techniques. Results revealed that transcription of the chorion proPO occurs only in adults, blood feeding greatly stimulated its transcription and haemocytes are responsible for its transcription. Our study provides a solid basis for suggesting an essential role of the isolated proPO in chorion melanization during chorion hardening and also raises fundamental questions regarding its transportation and distribution in the chorion. This study should serve as a useful reference towards functional elucidation of other proPOs in mosquitoes.
A novel fatty acid binding protein produced by teratocytes of the aphid parasitoid Aphidius ervi
Authors: Falabella P. , Perugino G. , Caccialupi P. , Riviello L. , Varricchio P. , Tranfaglia A. , Rossi M. , Malva C. , Graziani F. , Moracci M. , Pennacchio F.
Published: March 2005

Aphidius ervi is an endophagous braconid, parasitoid of the pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum. A. ervi teratocytes, deriving from the dissociation of the embryonic serosa, synthesize and release two major proteins into the host haemocoel. The gene of one of these proteins has been cloned and characterized. This gene codes for a 15.8 kDa protein belonging to the fatty acid binding protein (FABP) family, named Ae‐FABP (A. ervi‐FABP). It is abundantly present in the host haemolymph when the parasitoid larva attains its maximum growth rate. The recombinant Ae‐FABP binds to fatty acids in vitro, showing a high affinity to C14–C18 saturated fatty acids and to oleic and arachidonic acid. The possible nutritional role for the parasitoid larva of Ae‐FABP is discussed.
An Anopheles gambiae salivary gland promoter analysis in Drosophila melanogaster and Anopheles stephensi
Authors: Lombardo F. , Nolan T. , Lycett G. , Lanfrancotti A. , Stich N. , Catteruccia F. , Louis C. , Coluzzi M. , Arcà B.
Published: March 2005

Regulatory regions driving gene expression in specific target organs of the African malaria vector Anopheles gambiae are of critical relevance for studies on Plasmodium–Anopheles interactions as well as to devise strategies for blocking malaria parasite development in the mosquito. In order to identify an appropriate salivary gland promoter we analysed the transactivation properties of genomic fragments located just upstream of the An. gambiae female salivary gland‐specific genes AgApy and D7r4. An 800 bp fragment from the AgApy gene directed specific expression of the LacZ reporter gene in the salivary glands of transgenic Anopheles stephensi. However, expression levels were lower than expected and the transgene was expressed in the proximal‐rather than in the distal‐lateral lobes of female glands. Surprisingly, a promoter fragment from the D7r4 gene conferred strong tissue‐specific expression in Drosophila melanogaster but only low transcription levels in transgenic An. stephensi. These results imply a certain conservation of gland‐specific control elements between the fruit fly and the mosquito suggesting that an increased degree of complexity, probably connected to the evolution of haematophagy, underlies the regulation of tissue‐specific expression in mosquito female salivary glands.
Genome size and organization in the blacklegged tick, Ixodes scapularis and the Southern cattle tick, Boophilus microplus
Authors: Ullmann A. J. , Lima C. M. R. , Guerrero F. D. , Piesman J. , Black W. C.
Published: March 2005

Genome sizes and the organization of repetitive DNA were determined in the hard ticks Ixodes scapularis and Boophilus microplus using reassociation kinetics. The I. scapularis genome contains ∼2.15 pg (2.1 × 103 Mbp) of DNA and consists of no foldback (FB), 27% highly repetitive (HR), 39% moderately repetitive (MR), and 34% unique DNA. The B. microplus genome contains 7.5 pg (7.1 × 103 Mbp) DNA, and consists of 0.82% FB, 31% HR, 38% MR, and 30% unique DNA. In both species, repetitive sequences occur in a mixture of long and short period interspersion but most (65–80%) of the DNA follows a pattern of short period interspersion. Genome size and organization in the three tick species so far examined are distinct from other arthropods in having a greater proportion of MR, a lower proportion of unique and HR DNA of very low sequence complexity.
Consumers’ beliefs, attitudes and intentions towards genetically modified foods, based on the ’perceived safety vs. benefits’ perspective
Authors: Arvanitoyannis Ioannis S. , Krystallis Athanasios
Published: March 2005

It has been repeatedly claimed that the application of genetic engineering in the field of agricultural and food production is both beneficial and advantageous. However, biotechnology is developing in an environment where public concerns about food safety and environmental protection are steadily increasing. The present study aims at gaining an insight into Greek consumers’ beliefs, attitudes and intentions towards genetically modified (GM) food products. The objectives of this study are summarized as follows (i) to provide evidence that consumer beliefs are built around the ‘safety‐benefits’ axis, and (ii) to segment the Greek market in terms of consumer beliefs about GM food products and identify a number of clusters with clear‐cut behavioural profiles. Although the overall attitude of Greek consumers towards GM food is negative, the research very interestingly concludes that there exists a market segment of substantial size, whose beliefs about GM food appears to be positive. This finding suggests that there is not a ‘consensus’ regarding the rejection of GM foods in the Greek market as one might have expected thus ‘encouraging’ the implementation of adequate marketing strategies to target this segment of ‘early adopters’ in the first place.
Mechanical and fracture properties for predicting cracking in semi‐sweet biscuits
Authors: Saleem Qasim
Published: March 2005

Mechanical and fracture properties required for predicting crack development in semi‐sweet (‘rich tea’) biscuits have been experimentally determined. Pilot‐scale biscuits of different fat concentrations were prepared and studied with commercial biscuits at different moisture contents. Bending modulus, fracture stress and strain were measured using three‐point bending tests. All biscuit types showed considerable dependence on moisture content over a range of 4–12%. Young's modulus and failure stress showed a uniform decrease and failure strain showed an increase with increasing moisture content. For pilot‐scale biscuits of different fat concentrations, an increase in fat level caused a decrease in modulus and failure stress values; however, the failure strains were very similar for all the fat types. The testing of the samples with top surface up and top surface down revealed that the sample orientation does not affect the measured parameters. The measured parameters also did not show any directional dependence within the plane, thus assuring that the assumption of an isotropic material would be valid for modelling. The mechanical and fracture properties measured in this study will serve as a very useful set of data to predict the stress state and cracking of the checked biscuits.
Sensory quality and internal atmosphere of fresh‐cut Golden Delicious apples
Authors: Soliva‐Fortuny Robert C. , Ricart‐Coll Marc , Martín‐Belloso Olga
Published: March 2005

The sensory shelf‐life of Golden Delicious fresh‐cut apples, dipped in 10 g L−1 ascorbic acid and 5 g L−1 calcium chloride and packaged under different modified atmosphere conditions, was assessed throughout refrigerated storage. An initial atmosphere of 0 kPa O2 and plastic packages of an O2 permeability of 15 cm3 m−2 bar−1 day−1 were very effective in preserving the initial colour and firmness of apple cubes during at least 3 weeks of storage. These conditions resulted in increased respiration coefficients, which curbed the product consumer acceptance beyond the second week of storage. However, reduced ethylene and CO2 production limited the appearance of fermentative metabolites during this period.
Biochemical changes of fresh‐cut pineapple slices treated with antibrowning agents
Authors: González‐Aguilar Gustavo Adolfo , Ruiz‐Cruz Saúl , Soto‐Valdez Herlinda , Vázquez‐Ortiz Francisco , Pacheco‐Aguilar Ramón , Wang Chien Yi
Published: March 2005

The effectiveness of ascorbic acid (AA), isoascorbic acid (IAA) and N‐acetyl‐cysteine (AC) in inhibiting browning of fresh‐cut pineapple slices that were stored for up to 14 days at 10 °C, were studied. Slices treated with IAA and AA maintained higher levels of sugars and vitamin C than AC and controls. A low reduction of total phenolic content in treated slices was correlated with a lower polyphenol oxidase activity. IAA and AA slowed the degradation rates of sugars, vitamin C, and phenolic content, whereas AC was less effective in affecting these processes. A higher content of AA and IAA was associated with better compositional quality parameters and appearance of the pineapple slices during the storage period.
The effects of soaking of whole, dehulled and ground millet and soybean seeds on phytate degradation and Phy/Fe and Phy/Zn molar ratios
Authors: Lestienne Isabelle , Mouquet‐Rivier Claire , Icard‐Vernière Christèle , Rochette Isabelle , Trèche Serge
Published: March 2005

The degradation and leaching of phytates, phytase activity and iron and zinc concentrations have been studied after soaking of whole seeds, dehulled seeds and flours of millet and soybean, in order to investigate the efficiency of soaking on reducing Phy/Fe and Phy/Zn molar ratios. When using millet grains, dehulling and milling before soaking facilitated the leaching of phytates and phytases in the aqueous medium and hence phytate degradation. Dehulling of soybean seeds led to a marked increase in phytate content, whereas milling favoured reactions between phytases and phytates. The Phy/Fe and Phy/Zn molar ratios decreased only slightly during soaking. The highest decreases for millet were obtained after soaking of flour for 8 h (Phy/Fe: 10.8–7.7 and Phy/Zn: 20.3–15.1), and after soaking of whole seeds for 24 h for soybean (Phy/Fe: 10.4–9.4 and Phy/Zn: 23.8–19.1). Cooking of flours with water used for soaking did not increase phytate degradation.
The heat pipe and its potential for enhancing the cooking and cooling of meat joints
Authors: James Christian , Araujo Marlene , Carvalho Andreia , James Stephen J.
Published: March 2005

The rate of cooking and cooling of meat is limited by its poor thermal conductivity. Providing a high conductivity path to the thermal centre of the meat is a potential method of overcoming this problem. The aim of this research was to investigate the feasibility of using heat pipes to increase cooking and cooling rates in meat joints. Three diameters of heat pipe were inserted into 1 kg bacon joints, which were then cooked and cooled under catering/domestic conditions. These results show that the use of heat pipes in the cooking and cooling of meat joints has substantial potential. Heat pipes can halve the cooking time and help guarantee that joints are cooked to a safe internal temperature. They can also reduce the cooling time of joints by over 25%.
Molecular analysis of Oenococcus oeni population dynamics and the effect of aeration and temperature during alcoholic fermentation on malolactic fermentation
Authors: Reguant Cristina , Carreté Ramon , Ferrer Noemí , Bordons Albert
Published: March 2005

The effects of aeration and temperature during alcoholic fermentation (AF) on spontaneous and inoculated malolactic fermentation (MLF) of wine have been analysed by following the population dynamics of Oenococcus oeni strains with multiplex random amplified polymorphic DNA‐polymerase chain reaction. It has enabled us to follow precisely the proportion of different autochthonous strains and the starter strain through fermentations. Lack of aeration led to delays in AF, which meant that autochthonous lactic acid bacteria could develop earlier and prevented the starter strain from developing correctly. Temperature was not found to lead to any differences. Two strains were isolated in the same spontaneous MLF, suggesting that, in some cases, multiple strains might be responsible for the degradation of malic acid in wine. It can be concluded that delays in the AF can negatively affect the control of MLF and that this can be studied by following the development of the different strains of O. oeni.
The effect of different paprika types on the ripening process and quality of dry sausages
Authors: Revilla Isabel , Quintana Ana María Vivar
Published: March 2005

The main objective of the study was to evaluate the effects of large amounts of paprika and different amounts of hot paprika on the ripening process of dry sausage. The sausages, called ‘chorizo’ were evaluated for changes in texture, colour and physico‐chemical parameters, including rancidity. The results show that when either paprika contents or concentrations of hot paprika were increased, compared with a control, the ripening process of dry sausages was accelerated, probably by the promotion of lactic acid bacteria growth, which, in turn, lead to a fast drop in pH and water activity. These effects cause a rapid development of texture when compared with a suitable control, with an optimal hardness being reached in less time. These products have greater colour intensity, which remains more stable, together with lower malonaldehyde contents than controls. It was shown that paprika, especially the hot variety, exerts a protective effect against rancidity.