bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Metal‐catalyzed oxidation in mackerel skin and meat lipids
Authors: Ke P. J. , Ackman R. G.
Published: March 2007

Kinetic effects of added copper, zinc, and iron compounds have been investigated in the oxidation of lipids in mackerel skin and meat at 60 C using a simple weight gain method. Inorganic Fe(II) and Cu(II) were found to be strong catalysts in mackerel lipid oxidation. The meat lipids were particularly sensitive to oxidation in the presence of Fe(II) and Cu(II) below 5 ppm, and increments above this level did not result in a further increase in catalytic influence. The oxidation of skin lipids increased very rapidly with increased Fe(II) and Cu(II) concentrations of <10 ppm, and slight increases in prooxidative effects were still recorded when additional metals were added. The oxidations catalyzed by hemoglobin and zinc for skin lipids, and hematin for meat lipids, were proportional on a semilogarithmic basis with the increases in the metal catalysts. The slight variations in fatty acids between mackerel skin and meat samples did not seem adequate to explain the rapid oxidation in skin lipids. Thus, we believe that in the skin lipids one or more fat‐solvent‐extractable prooxidants, alone or associated with trace metals, were present and were responsible for the high susceptibility to oxidation found for this lipid.
Free radical addition of thiolacetic acid to esters and amides of unsaturated acids and screening of the products for antimicrobial activity
Authors: Mod R. R. , Harris J. A. , Arthur J. C. , Magne F. C. , Sumrell G. , Novak A. F.
Published: March 2007

Free radical addition of thiolacetic acid to terminal and internal double bonds of mono‐and diunsaturated amides, as well as to unsaturated esters, was achieved by irradiation with Cobalt‐60. Screening for antimicrobial activity againstStaphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Aspergillus species,Torula species, andCandida albicans indicated that terminal addition products may be more active than internal addition products.
Photooxidation of unsaturated oils: Effects of singlet oxygen quenchers
Authors: Carlsson D. J. , Suprunchuk T. , Wiles D. M.
Published: March 2007

The photooxidative deterioration of unsaturated food oils by near UV and visible light was found to be retarded by nickel (II) chelates well known to quench singlet oxygen (1O2). The rates of hydroperoxide formation during light exposure were unaffected by efficient peroxy radical scavengers such as hindered phenols. α‐Tocopherol (vitamin E) underwent a relatively rapid oxidation itself when exposed to1O2 in oil solutions, despite being able to deactivate1O2 quite efficiently. From a comparison of the rates of scavenging by stabilizers and attack on allyl groups,1O2 initiated deterioration is appreciably more difficult to retard than peroxy radical processes.
Computer determination of chemical and physical values of fats and oils from GLC fatty acid composition, acid value, and titer
Authors: Koman V. , Kotuc J.
Published: March 2007

A possibility for determination of 40 theoretically and industrially significant and frequently used values of triglyceride fats and oils with a digital computer is presented. An adequate computer program in the operational FORTRAN language was worked out for this purpose. The only input data are the experimental fatty acid compositions easily and quickly determinable by gas liquid chromatography, titrimetrically determinable acid value, and the titer.
Iodine number determination of milk fat and vegetable fats by refractometry
Authors: Rama Murthy M. K. , Bhat G. S.
Published: March 2007

A refractometric method for the estimation of iodine number of milk fat has been suggested. About 0.2 ml of milk fat was iodinated with ca. 10 ml Wijs iodine reagent for 3 min using mercuric acetate as catalyst. The iodinated fat showed a higher refractive index than the original fat. The changes in refractive indices showed a very high correlation with the iodine values of the fats (T=0.9993). The average of the ratios of change in refractive index to iodine number was 50.7×10−5, from which the iodine number of milk fat can be calculated. The method can also be applied to vegetable fats. The ratios of change in refractive index to iodine number for the oils of peanut, rapeseed, soybean, niger, sesame, and sunflower were similar, and the average was 45.2×10−5. The ratio for linseed oil was 38.4×10−5, and for coconut fat it was similar to that of milk fat.
Reaction of hydrogen bromide with diols of long chain α,β‐unsaturated acids
Authors: Ansari A. A. , Osman S. M.
Published: March 2007

The reaction oferythro‐ andthreo‐glycols oftrans‐2‐hexadecenoic andtrans‐2‐docosenoic acids with hydrogen bromide in the presence of acetic anhydride has been investigated. In each case,erythro‐2,3‐dihydroxy acid gave a separable mixture of isomericthreo‐2(3)‐bromo‐3(2)‐acetoxy acids. In contrast,threo‐2,3‐dihydroxy acid yielded only one isomericerythro‐2‐bromo‐3‐acetoxy acid. The structures of individual bromo‐acetoxy acids have been established by chemical as well as spectral studies. Stereoselectivity observed in the reaction of hydrogen bromide withthreo‐glycol has been explained on the basis of different conformations of the diastereoisomeric 2,3‐glycols.
Solubility of rapeseed protein in aqueous solutions
Authors: Radwan M. N. , Lu B. C. ‐Y.
Published: March 2007

The solubility of the protein of the dehulled and defatted ‘Tower’ variety of rapeseed in aqueous solutions was determined at temperatures of 25, 35, 45, and 55 C in the pH range of 1–13. It was found that the points of minimum solubility occur at pH values of 4.5, 4.8, 7.0, and 7.2, respectively, for the above four temperatures. No color change of the meal was observed at or near the minimum solubility point. The aqueous solutions were prepared at the selected pH values by using either NaOH or H2SO4.
Acetoxyglycerol acetal derivatives of mono‐ and polyformyloctadecanoate esters: Plasticizers for poly(vinyl chloride)
Authors: Neff W. E. , Frankel E. N. , Pryde E. H. , Riser G. R.
Published: March 2007

Methyl and butyl(acetoxyglycerol acetal) esters were prepared from 9(10)‐formyloctadecanoate or its dimethyl acetal. Mixtures of acetoxy mono‐ and diglycerol acetals, plus acetoxy mono‐, di‐, and triglycerol acetals, were prepared respectively from hydroformylated safflower and linseed methyl esters. The glycerol acetals were characterized with respect to physical, thermal, chromatographic, and spectroscopic properties. Acetoxy‐mixed glycerol acetals from safflower and linseed methyl esters were good primary plasticizers for poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC), whereas acetoxyglycerol acetals of hydroformylated methyl and butyl oleate were good secondary PVC plasticizers. As primary plasticizers, the poly(acetoxyglycerol acetal) esters showed less migration, better heat stability, and higher tensile strength than the generally used PVC plasticizer di(2‐ethylhexyl) phthalate.
Determination of critical micelle concentrations of some surfactants by keto‐enol tautomerism of benzoylacetone
Authors: Shoji N. , Ueno M. , Meguro K.
Published: March 2007

Benzoylacetone, keto‐enol tautomer, was dissolved in aqueous solutions of sodium dodecyl sulfate, dodecyl trimethyl ammonium chloride, hexaethyleneglycol dodecyl ether, polyoxyethylene tert‐octyl phenyl ether, and polyoxyethylene nonyl phenyl ether, respectively. The effect of surfactants on this keto‐enol equilibrium was examined by measuring the intensity of two spectral bands at ca. 250 nm and 315 nm due to ketonic and enolic form of this compound. The existence of keto‐enol equilibrium of the benzoylacetone was indicated by an isosbestic point among the two bands. The absorbances of the two bands showed hardly any change in the range of surfactant concentrations below the critical micelle concentration (cmc) but, in the concentration range above the cmc, the absorbance of the enolic form increased and that of the ketonic form decreased abruptly. These changes at cmc were very noticeable in the case of ionic surfactant solution. The concentrations corresponding to abrupt change of the spectra used for the determination of cmc were in fair agreement with data obtained by other methods. However, in the case of nonionic surfactant solutions, the absorbance due to the enolic form increased gradually with increase of the surfactant concentration, and the distinct break point was not observed at cmc.
Protection by different agents against inactivation of lipoxygenase by hydrogen peroxide
Authors: Pérez‐Gilabert Manuela , Veldink Gerrit A. , Vliegenthart Johannes F. G.
Published: March 2007

H2O2 is a potent inactivator of lipoxygenase. In his paper, the ability of different agents [mannitol, oleic, stearic and linoleic acid,n‐butanol, and hydroperoxy octadecadienoic acid (HPOD)] to prevent the inactivation of tomato lipoxygenase by hydrogen peroxide has been studied. The involvement of OH· in the inactivation process is suggested by the ability of mannitol to prevent the loss of activity. This radical would be produced by reaction of H2O2 with the Fe(II) lipoxygenase. The most effective protection was displayed by HPOD, the product of the reaction of lipoxygenase with linoleic acid. This result could be explained by the conversion of the native enzyme into the Fe(III) lipoxygenase in the presence of HPOD; the Fe(III) enzyme is not able to react with H2O2, and no OH· will be produced. The protective effect obtained with oleic and stearic acid could be explained by an occupation of the active center by these inhibitors. The enzyme would not transform them, but their presence would hamper the conversion of H2O2 in OH· and limit the damage in the active center.
Lipid peroxidation in low density lipoproteins from human plasma and egg yolk promotes accumulation of 1‐acyl analogues of platelet‐activating factor‐like lipids
Authors: Tokumura Akira , Toujima Masaoki , Yoshioka Yasuko , Fukuzawa Kenji
Published: March 2007

Oxidative modification of low density lipoprotein (LDL) is known to be a key event for induction of atherosclerosis. However, there has been little progress in structural elucidation of oxidized lipids, especially oxidatively fragmented phospholipids retaining a glycerol backbone. In this study, we found that LDL derived from egg yolk has no platelet‐activating factor (PAF) acetylhydrolase activity, and that prolonged incubation of egg yolk LDL with Cu2+ resulted in the formation of various PAF‐like lipids: 1‐acyl type phosphatidylcholines with ansn‐2‐short‐chain dicarboxylate or monocarboxylate group. Only a very small amount of the PAF‐like lipid having ansn‐2‐short‐chain monocarboxylate group was detected by gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry in Cu2+‐oxidized LDL from human plasma with high PAF‐acetylhydrolase activity, which has been reported to hydrolyze PAF‐like lipids to lysophosphatidylcholines. Preincubation of plasma LDL with diisopropyl fluorophosphate dose‐dependently inhibited PAF‐acetylhydrolase activity, resulting in accumulation of the PAF‐like lipids when the LDL was oxidized with Cu2+. As well as PAF and lysophosphatidylcholines, several PAF‐like lipids were found to inhibit [3H]thymidine incorporation into cultured vascular smooth muscle cells derived from rat aorta. The possible formation of PAF‐like lipids by lipid peroxidation in LDL is discussed as well as its possible significance for induction of atherosclerosis.
Reactions of some gossypol‐like pigments with aniline andp‐anisidine
Authors: Pominski Catherine Hall , von der Haar Patricia
Published: March 2007

The gossypol‐like pigments, gossypurpurin and diaminogossypol, have been shown to react with aniline to give the same reaction product as does gossypol. These pigments also react withp‐anisidine to give products whose absorption spectra exhibit maxima in the same positions as that of the reaction product of gossypol andp‐anisidine.
Fractionation of linseed phosphatides
Authors: McGuire T. A. , Earle F. R.
Published: March 2007

Alcohol‐soluble and alcohol‐insoluble fractions of linseed phosphatides were subjected to countercurrent distribution in the Craig apparatus. The soluble portion, which was shown by analysis to contain essentially all of the choline and very little of the inositol, gave little further fractionation on distribution between hexane and 90% methanol. Distribution of the alcohol‐insoluble phosphatides between hexane and 90% ethanol showed two types of phosphoinositides to be present. Those concentrated in the alcohol phase had a phosphorus:nitrogen:inositol ratio of approximately 2:1:1 whereas those more soluble in hexane had a ratio of approximately 4:4:1.

Analysis for “ethanolamine” by the periodate method failed to show as much amino nitrogen as analysis by the Van Slyke method. This difference, considered with the shape of the ethanolamine nitrogen curves, prevents a satisfactory calculation of the amount of cephalin.

Sugar occurs also in all fractions, but its mode of combination, if any, was not demonstrated.
Storage of gossypol
Authors: Pominski Catherine Hall , Castillon Leah E. , Von Der Haar Patricia , Brown Lawrence E. , Damare Hilton
Published: March 2007

Pure gossypol was stored for 18 months at temperatures of 3° and 23–28°C. in the presence or absence of light and air. On the basis of combustion data, absorption spectra, antimony trichloride tests, and melting points of the original and stored samples it can be concluded that gossypol can be stored without deterioration for at least 18 months at temperatures from 3° to 23–28°C. in the absence of light, irrespective of the presence or absence of air.
Molecular mechanisms of ammonium transport and accumulation in plants
Authors: Ludewig Uwe , Neuhäuser Benjamin , Dynowski Marek
Published: March 2007

The integral membrane proteins of the ammonium transporter (AMT/Rh) family provide the major route for shuttling ammonium
urn:x-wiley:00145793:media:feb2s0014579307003006:feb2s0014579307003006-math-0002
across bacterial, archaeal, fungal and plant membranes. These proteins are distantly related to the Rh (rhesus) glycoproteins, which are absent in higher plants, but are present in many species, including bacteria and mammals. It appears that the large nitrogen requirement of plants resulted in unique strategies to acquire, capture and/or release ammonium. The biological function of plant ammonium transporters will be discussed and compared to other AMT/Rh proteins.
Personalised nutrition: status and perspectives
Authors: Joost Hans-Georg , Gibney Michael J. , Cashman Kevin D. , Görman Ulf , Hesketh John E. , Mueller Michael , van Ommen Ben , Williams Christine M. , Mathers John C.
Published: March 2007

Personalised, genotype-based nutrition is a concept that links genotyping with specific nutritional advice in order to improve the prevention of nutrition-associated, chronic diseases. This review describes the current scientific basis of the concept and discusses its problems. There is convincing evidence that variant genes may indeed determine the biological response to nutrients. The effects of single-gene variants on risk or risk factor levels of a complex disease are, however, usually small and sometimes inconsistent. Thus, information on the effects of combinations of relevant gene variants appears to be required in order to improve the predictive precision of the genetic information. Furthermore, very few associations between genotype and response have been tested for causality in human intervention studies, and little is known about potential adverse effects of a genotype-derived intervention. These issues need to be addressed before genotyping can become an acceptable method to guide nutritional recommendations.
Effects of plant food potassium salts (citrate, galacturonate or tartrate) on acid–base status and digestive fermentations in rats
Authors: Sabboh Houda , Coxam Véronique , Horcajada Marie-Noëlle , Rémésy Christian , Demigné Christian
Published: March 2007

Potassium (K) organic anion salts, such as potassium citrate or potassium malate in plant foods, may counteract low-grade metabolic acidosis induced by western diets, but little is known about the effect of other minor plant anions. Effects of K salts (chloride, citrate, galacturonate or tartrate) were thus studied on the mineral balance and digestive fermentations in groups of 6-week-old rats adapted to an acidogenic/5 % inulin diet. In all diet groups, substantial amounts of lactate and succinate were present in the caecum, besides SCFA. SCFA were poorly affected by K salts conditions. The KCl-supplemented diet elicited an accumulation of lactate in the caecum; whereas the lactate caecal pool was low in rats fed the potassium tartrate-supplemented (K TAR) diet. A fraction of tartrate (around 50 %) was recovered in urine of rats fed the K TAR diet. Potassium citrate and potassium galacturonate diets exerted a marked alkalinizing effect on urine pH and promoted a notable citraturia (around 0·5 μmol/24 h). All the K organic anion salts counteracted Ca and Mg hyperexcretion in urine, especially potassium tartrate as to magnesuria. The present findings indicate that K salts of unabsorbed organic anions exert alkalinizing effects when metabolizable in the large intestine, even if K and finally available anions (likely SCFA) are not simultaneously bioavailable. Whether this observation is also relevant for a fraction of SCFA arising from dietary fibre breakdown (which represents the major organic anions absorbed in the digestive tract in man) deserves further investigation.
NATIONAL IQS PREDICT DIFFERENCES IN SCHOLASTIC ACHIEVEMENT IN 67 COUNTRIES
Authors: LYNN RICHARD , MEISENBERG GERHARD , MIKK JAAN , WILLIAMS AMANDY
Published: March 2007

This paper examines the relationship of the national IQs reported by Lynn & Vanhanen (2002, 2006) to national achievement in mathematics and science among 8th graders in 67 countries. The correlation between the two is 0·92 and is interpreted as establishing the validity of the national IQs. The correlation is so high that national IQs and educational achievement appear to be measures of the same construct. National differences in educational achievement are greater than differences in IQ, suggesting an amplifier effect such that national differences in IQs amplify differences in educational achievement. Controlling for national differences in IQ, slight inverse relationships of educational achievement are observed with political freedom, subjective well-being, income inequality, and GDP. However, public expenditure on education (as % of GDP) was not a significant predictor of differences in educational achievement.
CHILD WORK AND SCHOOLING IN BANGLADESH: THE ROLE OF BIRTH ORDER
Authors: KHANAM RASHEDA , RAHMAN MOHAMMAD MAFIZUR
Published: March 2007

Using data from Bangladesh, this paper examines how the birth order of a child influences parental decisions to place children in one of four activities: ‘study only’, ‘study and work’, ‘neither work nor study’ and ‘work only’. The results of the multinomial logit model show that being a first-born child increases the probability of work as the prime activity, or at least a combination of school and work, rather than schooling only. The results confirm that later-born children are more likely to be in school than their earlier-born counterparts.
THE RELATION OF SON PREFERENCE AND RELIGION TO INDUCED ABORTION: THE CASE OF SOUTH KOREA
Authors: CHUNG WOOJIN
Published: March 2007

This paper explores the factors that influence the practice of induced abortion in a very low fertility society, with particular emphasis on son preference and three distinct religions: Confucianism, Buddhism and Christianity. Using multivariate logistic regression models fitted by the generalized estimating equation (GEE) method, this paper analysed the data collected by the 2000 Korea National Fertility and Family Health Survey of 6348 married women aged 15–49 years with a total of 1217 pregnancy outcomes. The results showed that the likelihood of induced abortions in women with two or more children, compared with those with one child, was significantly influenced by the sex composition of the previous children: odds ratio (OR)=12·71 (95% CI=5·49, 29·42) for women with only son(s), and OR=3·91 (95% CI=1·67, 9·14) for women with only daughter(s). At parity two, women with two sons were much more likely to have induced abortions than women with two daughters (OR=5·88, 95% CI=2·70, 12·85). Although Buddhist women were not significantly different from Confucian women in induced abortion practice, Christian women were much less likely than Confucian women to have an induced abortion (OR=0·39, 95% CI=0·18, 0·88 for women with only sons and OR=0·44, 95% CI=0·24, 0·81 for women with two children). This suggests that even in this very low fertility society, son preference and religious affiliation are significant predictors of women’s practice of induced abortion.
Race, Sex and Slavery: ‘Forced Labour’ in Central Asia and Afghanistan in the Early 19th Century
Authors: HOPKINS B. D.
Published: March 2007

The word ‘slavery’ conjures images of cruelty, racial bigotry and economic exploitation associated with the plantation complex crucial to the Atlantic trading economy from the seventeenth to the nineteenth centuries. Yet this was only one manifestation of practices of human bondage. This article examines the practice of ‘slavery’ in a very different context, looking at Central Asia, Afghanistan and the Punjab in the early nineteenth century. Here, bondage was largely a social institution with economic ramifications, in contrast to its Atlantic counterpart. Slavery served a social, and often sexual function in many of these societies, with the majority of slaves being female domestic servants and concubines. Its victims were often religiously, rather than racially defined, although bondage was a cross-confessional phenomenon. The practice continued to be widespread throughout the region into the early twentieth century.
Experimental infections, using a fluorescent marker, of two elasmobranch species by unciliated larvae of Branchotenthes octohamatus (Monogenea: Hexabothriidae): invasion route, host specificity and post-larval development
Authors: GLENNON V. , CHISHOLM L. A. , WHITTINGTON I. D.
Published: March 2007

The infection biology of Branchotenthes octohamatus (Monogenea: Hexabothriidae) from the gills of the southern fiddler ray, Trygonorrhina fasciata (Rhinobatidae), was studied using the fluorescent dye, 5(6)-carboxyfluorescein diacetate N-succinimidyl ester (CFSE). This is the first use of this technique on a monogenean species with unciliated larvae and the first for any monogenean larva infecting an elasmobranch host. CFSE-labelled post-larvae were recovered from gills of T. fasciata within 30 min of exposure to the host, providing strong evidence that larvae invade host gills directly and do not migrate after initial attachment elsewhere. The rapidity with which larvae settled suggests that the mode of infection may deliver larvae directly to the gills via the host's inhalant respiratory current. The specificity of B. octohamatus was investigated by exposing a sympatric rhinobatid host species, the western shovelnose ray, Aptychotrema vincentiana, to B. octohamatus larvae newly emerged from eggs laid by adult parasites from gills of T. fasciata. Experimental exposure of A. vincentiana to freshly hatched B. octohamatus larvae resulted in a persistent infection, indicating that B. octohamatus may not be strictly host specific. Post-larval development charted on these experimentally infected A. vincentiana specimens was slow. Parasites appeared to be sexually mature at 91 days at 21–25°C. Branchotenthes octohamatus larvae bear only 4 pairs of hooklets on the haptor whereas all other hexabothriid larvae described so far have 5 hooklet pairs. Ontogenetic changes to the haptor revealed that it is probably hooklet pair III that is lost from B. octohamatus prior to larval development.
The migration ofAscaris suumlarvae, and the associated pulmonary inflammatory response in susceptible C57BL/6j and resistant CBA/Ca mice
Authors: Lewis R. , Behnke J. M. , Cassidy J. P. , Stafford P. , Murray N. , Holland C. V.
Published: March 2007

Ascariasis is an important infection in humans (Ascaris lumbricoides) and pigs (Ascaris suum) and individuals appear to be predisposed to either heavy or light worm burdens. These extremes of susceptibility and resistance are represented in a mouse model by 2 strains of mice, CBA mice showing high resistance to infection and C57BL/6 which are highly susceptible, as reflected in worm burdens in the lungs 6–7 days after infection. In an attempt to identify the point at which the difference between these 2 strains is first manifested, we quantified worm burdens at key stages during infection leading up to the pulmonary stage of development. Thus mice were inoculated with fully embryonatedA. suumeggs and larval burdens were enumerated in the large intestine and rectum, liver and lungs of the 2 strains at 6 h post-inoculation (p.i.) and on each of days 1–8 p.i. inclusively. A higher percentage of the total inoculum was recovered from the intestine/rectum of C57BL/6j mice in contrast to CBA/Ca mice at 6 h p.i. Larvae were recovered from the intestinal contents and also whilst actively migrating through the large intestinal wall. The number of larvae recovered was significantly reduced in CBA/Ca mice in contrast to C57BL/6j mice between the phase of migration from the liver and arrival in the lungs. The combined results of the inoculation of mice with corticosteroids and the examination of the change in profile and number of leukocytes present in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid suggested that the pulmonary inflammatory immune response was not prominently involved in primary protection of mice toA. suuminfection in the latter days of infection in the lungs. The susceptible C57BL/6j mice produced a BAL response almost twice as intense as that of resistant CBA/Ca mice with stronger neutrophil, lymphocyte and eosinophil but not macrophage components, suggesting that the difference in worm burdens between the strains was generated earlier in the course of infection. These results were further corroborated by a histological examination of the lung tissues which showed that the passage of the larval stages ofA. suumthrough the mouse lungs was associated with a marked inflammatory response in both strains. Again, C57BL/6j mice exhibited increased inflammation relative to CBA/Ca mice. Hence some hepatic/post-hepatic factor that varies between the 2 strains, but exerts its effect before the lung phase plays a critical role in determining the success of larvae through the host tissues. The possible sites of this host defence are reviewed.
Dynamic redundancy resolution in a nonholonomic wheeled mobile manipulator
Authors: White Glenn D. , Bhatt Rajankumar M. , Krovi Venkat N.
Published: March 2007

Wheeled Mobile Manipulators (WMM) possess many advantages over fixed-base counterparts in terms of improved workspace, mobility and robustness. However, the combination of the nonholonomic constraints with the inherent redundancy limits effective exploitation of end-effector payload manipulation capabilities. The dynamic-level redundancy-resolution scheme presented in this paper decomposes the system dynamics into decoupled task-space (end-effector motions/forces) and a dynamically consistent null-space (internal motions/forces) component. This simplifies the subsequent development of a prioritized task-space control (of end-effector interactions) and a decoupled but secondary null-space control (of internal motions) in a hierarchical WMM controller. Various aspects of the ensuing novel capabilities are illustrated using a series of simulation results.
Age is a risk factor for maladaptive changes in rats exposed to increased pressure loading of the right ventricular myocardium
Authors: Vida Vladimiro L. , Angelini Annalisa , Ausoni Simonetta , Bilardi Alessandra , Ori Carlo , Vlassich Francesca , Zoso Valentina , Milanesi Ornella , Sartore Saverio , Barbera Mila della , Zaglia Tania , Thiene Gaetano , Stellin Giovanni
Published: March 2007

Objective: To study the adaptive potential of the right ventricular myocardium after 30 days of mechanical-induced overload in rats from two different age groups. Materials and methods: We banded the pulmonary trunk, so as to increase the systolic work load of the right ventricle, in 19 adult Sprague-Dawley rats at the age of 10 weeks, and 16 weanlings when they were 3 weeks-old, using 10 adults and 10 weanlings as controls. We analysed the functional adaptation and structural changes of the right ventricular myocardium, blood vessels and interstitial tissue after 30 days of increased afterload. Results: The increased workload induced an increase of the right ventricular weight and free wall thickness in animals from both age groups when compared to controls. These changes were mostly related to cardiomyocytic hypertrophy, as confirmed by the expression of myocardial hypertrophic markers, without any apparent increase of their number, a “reactive” fibrosis especially evident in the adult rats, with p-value less than 0.0001, and a more extensive neocapillary network in the weanlings compared to the adults aubsequent to banding, the p-value being less than 0.0001. Conclusion: In response to right ventricular afterload, weanlings showed a higher adaptive capillary growth, which hampered the development of fibrosis as seen in the adult rats. Age seems to be a risk factor for adverse structural-functional changes of right ventricle subjected to increased workload.
Dietary intake of heterocyclic amines in relation to socio-economic, lifestyle and other dietary factors: estimates in a Swedish population
Authors: Ericson U , Wirfält E , Mattisson I , Gullberg B , Skog K
Published: March 2007

Objectives

To estimate the dietary intakes of heterocyclic amines (HCAs), to examine the intakes in relation to socio-economics, lifestyle and other dietary factors and to compare the classification of subjects by intake of HCA versus intake of meat and fish.

Design

Cross-sectional analysis within the Malmö Diet and Cancer (MDC) cohort. Data were obtained from a modified diet history, a structured questionnaire on socio-economics and lifestyle, anthropometric measurements and chemical analysis of HCAs. HCA intake was cross-classified against meat and fish intake. The likelihood of being a high consumer of HCAs was estimated by logistic regression analysis. Dietary intakes were examined across quintiles of HCA intake using analysis of variance.

Setting

Baseline examinations conducted in 1991–1994 in Malmö, Sweden.

Subjects

A sub-sample of 8599 women and 6575 men of the MDC cohort.

Results

The mean daily HCA intake was 583 ng for women and 821 ng for men. Subjects were ranked differently with respect to HCA intake compared with intake of fried and baked meat and fish (κ = 0.13). High HCA intake was significantly associated with lower age, overweight, sedentary lifestyle and smoking. Intakes of dietary fibre, fruits and fermented milk products were negatively associated with HCA intake, while intakes of selenium, vegetables, potatoes, alcohol (among men) and non-milk-based margarines (among women) were positively associated with HCA intake.

Conclusions

The estimated daily HCA intake of 690 ng is similar to values obtained elsewhere. The present study suggests that lifestyle factors (e.g. smoking, physical activity, fruit and vegetable intakes, and types of milk products and margarines) may confound associations between HCA intake and disease. The poor correlation between HCA intake and intakes of fried meat and fish facilitates an isolation of the health effects of HCAs.
Diet and cancer risk in Mediterranean countries: open issues
Authors: Vecchia Carlo La , Bosetti Cristina
Published: March 2007

Objective

To analyse various aspects of the Mediterranean diet in relation to the risk of several common cancers in Italy.

Design

Data from a series of case-control studies conducted in northern Italy between 1983 and 2004 on over 20 000 cases of several major cancers and 18 000 controls.

Results

For most digestive tract cancers, the risk decreased with increasing vegetable and fruit consumption, with relative risks between 0.3 and 0.7 for the highest level of intake, and the population-attributable risks for low intake of vegetables and fruit ranged between 15 and 40%. Less strong inverse relations were observed for other (epithelial) cancers, too. A number of micronutrients contained in vegetables and fruit showed an inverse relation with cancer risk. In particular, flavones, flavonols and resveratrol were inversely related to breast cancer risk. Olive oil, which is a typical aspect of the Mediterranean diet, has also been inversely related to cancers of the colorectum and breast, and mainly of the upper digestive and respiratory tract. Consumption of pizza, one of the most typical Italian foods, was related to a reduced risk of digestive tract cancers, although pizza may simply be an aspecific indicator of the Italian diet.

Conclusions

Adherence to the Mediterranean diet is a favourable indicator of the risk of several common epithelial cancers in Italy. A score summarising the major characteristics of the Mediterranean diet was related to a priori defined reduced risks of several digestive tract neoplasms by over 50%.
Mediterranean diet and metabolic syndrome: a cross-sectional study in the Canary Islands
Authors: Álvarez León EE , Henríquez P , Serra-Majem L
Published: March 2007

Objective

Assessment of relation between metabolic syndrome (MS) and Mediterranean diet (MD) adherence.

Design

Cross-sectional study. ATP III definition of MS was used. Adherence to MD was assessed with a Food Frequency Questionnaire. Intakes of cereal, fruit, legumes, vegetables, fish, nuts, monounsaturated to saturated ratio, alcohol from red wine, whole-fat dairy products and red meat were considered.

Setting

Representative sample of population from the Canary Islands (Spain) participating in the Canarian Nutrition Survey (ENCA).

Subjects

578 adults>18 years.

Results

Of the subjects, 24.4% presented MS. Once adjusted, MD adherence was not related to MS prevalence, but subjects in the third tertile of adherence presented 70% lower prevalence of the blood pressure criteria and 2.5 times more prevalence of the glycaemia criteria with respect to the first tertile. Red meat intake was associated with higher prevalence of blood pressure criteria. Moderate alcohol intake from red wine was associated with lower prevalence of these criteria in women and lower prevalence of HDL cholesterol criteria in men. Fruit intake showed a protective effect on triglyceride criteria, whereas vegetable intake was associated with higher prevalence of this criterion. Cereals' intake showed a protective effect over insulin resistance measured by high insulinaemia level. Fruit intake showed a significative protective effect over high Homeostasis Model Assessment index. Whole-fat dairy products showed a significant protective effect on the glycaemia criteria. High monounsaturated to saturated fatty acid intake showed a protective effect on insulin resistance.

Conclusions

Some components of the MD showed a protective effect on the MS and its components.
Evaluating associations between Mediterranean diet adherence indexes and biomarkers of diet and disease
Authors: Bach-Faig A , Geleva D , Carrasco JL , Ribas-Barba L , Serra-Majem L
Published: March 2007

Objective

We examined associations between two Mediterranean diet (MD) adherence indexes (the MD index, MDI, and the MD score, MDS) and several blood biomarkers of diet and disease.

Subjects

We studied 328 individuals from Catalonia (Northeastern Spain), ages 18–75, who provided fasting blood samples, a subset of the 2346 individuals as part of a larger representative and random sample from the 1992–1993 Catalan Nutritional Survey.

Design and method

Diet was measured using 24-h recalls. Biomarkers studied were plasma levels of β-carotene, α-tocopherol, retinol, vitamins B12, C and folates as well as serum total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides. Multivariate linear regression was used to analyse associations of the nutrient biomarkers with the dietary pattern indexes, adjusting for potential confounders.

Results and conclusions

Subjects with higher MD adherence, as measured by the two dietary indexes, had significantly higher plasma concentrations of β-carotene, folates, vitamin C, α-tocopherol and HDL cholesterol. The most highly significant relationship was that between folates and the adherence to the MD Pattern, as determined by both indexes.

These research findings suggest the potential usefulness of biomarkers as complementary tools for assessing adherence to a dietary pattern. This type of data not only informs the development of robust dietary adherence indexes, but it also provides specific clues about the potential physiological mechanisms that explain the beneficial effects of the MD pattern on chronic disease risk.
Childhood obesity prevention studies: lessons learned and to be learned
Authors: Livingstone MBE , McCaffrey TA , Rennie KL
Published: March 2007

Objective

To provide an overview of methodological issues in the design, delivery and evaluation of childhood obesity prevention programmes.

Design

Review of existing literature.

Setting

International.

Results

Interventions have varied considerably with regard to their design, subject selection criteria, sample size, attrition rates, intervention components and duration of both the intervention and the follow-up phases. However, overall, there is only a limited body of consistent, high-quality evidence on which valid and generalisable conclusions can be drawn about best practices for the prevention of childhood obesity.

Conclusions

Although the rationale for targeting children and adolescents through primary prevention is now compelling, effective obesity prevention remains elusive. There is increasing consensus that prevention of childhood obesity necessitates multifaceted health promotion interventions based on population health principles. By definition, such interventions should have a range of outcome indicators of effectiveness, generalisability and sustainability, not just the traditional ones focused on individual lifestyle behaviour change. Given the complexity and intricacy of population-based intervention programmes, multiple methods of data collection which combine both qualitative and quantitative approaches will need to be fully exploited in order to move towards evidence-based practice in the future.
Pseudoobstruktion
Authors: Haack
Published: March 2007

Die intestinale Pseudoobstruktion ist eine seltene Motilitätsstörung des Gastrointestinaltrakts, mit Symptomen eines akuten oder chronischen Darmverschlusses, ohne mechanisches Korrelat. Bei der akuten Pseudoobstruktion des Kolon (Ogilvie Syndrom) wird eine Imbalance des autonomen Nervensystems vermutet. Die chronisch intestinale Pseudoobstruktion kann angeboren oder erworben sein, und verschiedene Ursachen, unter anderem eine viszerale Neuro- oder Myopathie, sind beschrieben. Die Patienten leiden unter Bauchschmerzen, Erbrechen, Obstipation oder Diarrhö. Diagnostisch sollten eine mechanische Obstruktion, eine Ischämie oder eine Perforation ausgeschlossen werden. Die akute Pseudoobstruktion wird in Abhängigkeit des Ausmaßes und Dauer der Kolondilatation supportiv, medikamentös oder interventionell behandelt. Die Behandlung der chronischen Pseudoobstruktion ist abhängig vom Schweregrad der Erkrankung und erfolgt in aller Regel interdisziplinär.
Permeability and petrophysical properties of 30 natural mudstones
Authors: Yang Yunlai , Aplin Andrew C.
Published: March 2007

We present permeability and other petrophysical data (including pore size distribution, porosity, particle size distribution, grain density, specific surface area, total carbon content, organic carbon content, and sulphur content) for 30 deeply buried mudstones. Permeabilities were measured at different effective consolidation stresses ranging from 2.5 to 60 MPa with a 30,000 mg L−1 NaCl solution. Samples represent a wide spectrum of mudstone types with clay size particle contents ranging from 13 to 66%. Porosities range from 6 to 27%; pore size data show that porosity loss is driven primarily by collapse of the largest pores. Our results confirm and considerably extend previously reported results indicating the influence of clay content on pore size distributions and the way they evolve as a result of compaction. Vertical permeabilities, measured using the transient pulse decay technique, range from 2.4 × 10−22 m2 to 1.6 × 10−19 m2. Horizontal permeabilities range from 3.9 × 10−21 m2 to 9.5 × 10−19 m2, overlapping with but generally higher than vertical permeabilities. In general, permeability decreases logarithmically with porosity. The relationship between permeability and porosity is strongly influenced by clay content, especially at higher porosities. Ratios of horizontal to vertical permeability measured on four samples range from 1.7 to 11.8, implying the influence of both particle alignment and sedimentological heterogeneity. We have used the data to calibrate two permeability models. For the Kozeny‐Carman model, values of 200 and 1000 for the product of shape and tortuosity factors provide the best fit for the vertical and horizontal permeabilities, respectively. The calibrated Yang‐Aplin model predicts the permeability of almost all the samples to within a factor of ±3 over a 4 orders of magnitude range of permeability.
Relating estimates of CaCO3 production, export, and dissolution in the water column to measurements of CaCO3 rain into sediment traps and dissolution on the sea floor: A revised global carbonate budget
Authors: Berelson W. M. , Balch W. M. , Najjar R. , Feely R. A. , Sabine C. , Lee K.
Published: March 2007

The global CaCO3 budget is constrained by new estimates of standing stocks, fluxes through the water column, and dissolution in the water column and on the sea floor. Previous estimates of carbonate production and export are indistinguishable within a large range of values, 0.4–1.8 Gt PIC yr−1. Globally, excess alkalinity (TA*) and water mass tracers indicate dissolution of 1.0 Gt PIC yr−1 between 200 and 1500 m, suggesting production and export must at least equal this amount. Most water column dissolution occurs at high latitudes, and alkalinity fluxes from outer shelf and upper slope sediments (100–1500 m) only support 5–10% of the TA* inventory. Below 2000 m, the sinking flux of PIC (0.6 Gt PIC yr−1) is consistent with the rate of sea floor dissolution (0.4 Gt PIC yr−1) plus burial (0.1 Gt PIC yr−1). This rain rate constrains the export value to >1.6 Gt PIC yr−1. Satellite‐based estimates of standing stocks of CaCO3 indicate a decrease equatorward, which is opposite in trend to sediment trap fluxes. This observation may be explained by an equatorward decrease in sinking particle dissolution, systematic changes in PIC residence time with latitude, or satellite retrieval problems. Globally averaged euphotic zone standing stock (5.4 mmol m−2) and export estimates indicate PIC residence times of 5–18 days.
Rapid freshening of Antarctic Bottom Water formed in the Indian and Pacific oceans
Authors: Rintoul Stephen R.
Published: March 2007

Repeat hydrographic sections occupied in 1995 and 2005 reveal a rapid decline in the salinity and density of Antarctic Bottom Water throughout the Australian Antarctic Basin. The basin‐wide shift of the deep potential temperature‐salinity (θ − S) relationship reflects freshening of both the Indian and Pacific sources of Antarctic Bottom Water. The θ − S curves diverge for waters cooler than −0.1°C, corresponding to a layer up to 1000 m thick over the Antarctic continental slope and rise. Changes over the last decade are in the same direction but more rapid than those observed between the late 1960s and the 1990s. When combined with recent observations of similar freshening of North Atlantic Deep Water, these results demonstrate that dense water formed in both hemispheres is freshening in response to changes in the high latitude freshwater balance and rapidly transmitting the signature of changes in surface climate into the deep ocean.
Constraints on magma transfers and structures involved in the 2003 activity at Piton de La Fournaise from displacement data
Authors: Peltier A. , Staudacher T. , Bachèlery P.
Published: March 2007

Piton de La Fournaise (Réunion Island) had shown 8 months of high activity during 2003, including four eruptions and one intrusion. The monitoring networks, provided by the Volcanological Observatory of Piton de La Fournaise, show two different kinds of behavior: strong and rapid deformations linked with the magma injections and a slight continuous intereruptive inflation of the summit area. Inversed modeling based on the deformation data, using a three‐dimensional elastostatic boundary element code, combined with seismicity provides new insights into the volcanic feeding system involved in the 2003 activity. (1) The 2003 eruptions are fed from a pressurized magma chamber located beneath the summit at 300 m above sea level. (2) A vertical path was activated between the magma chamber and the surface during the December 2002 collapse, allowing the magma to rise into it and leading to the initial summit eruption in May 2003. (3) The August and September 2003 lateral eruptions had been fed by dikes intruding along the same vertical pathway, at an estimated velocity of 1.1 to 1.3 m/s before intruding the flank into the rift zones at a velocity of 0.2 to 0.8 m/s. This last point suggests a strong structural control on the dike pathway.
Forecast impact studies of zenith total delay data from European near real‐time GPS stations in Météo France 4DVAR
Authors: Poli P. , Moll P. , Rabier F. , Desroziers G. , Chapnik B. , Berre L. , Healy S. B. , Andersson E. , El Guelai F.‐Z.
Published: March 2007

Several networks of Global Positioning System receiving stations over Europe send their data to several processing centers to generate atmospheric Zenith Total Delay (ZTD) observations. Thanks to the efforts of the Targeting Optimal Use of Global Positioning System Humidity measurements in meteorology project, these observations combining surface pressure and total precipitable water information in the atmosphere have been delivered to the operational meteorological centers in near real‐time since 2004. This paper presents forecast impact trials of such ZTD observations in a global Four‐Dimensional Variational (4DVAR) assimilation and forecasting system. The implementation of the ZTD assimilation in the 4DVAR system is described, including a preprocessing developed specifically for the ZTD data. The preprocessing involves a time averaging procedure of the observations in order to ensure consistency with the resolution of the 4DVAR, a bias correction, and a station selection based on χ2 tests of the normality of the observation minus first‐guess differences. Three forecast trials were conducted: winter, spring, and summer 2005. These trials cover various meteorological conditions and a total of about 10 weeks of assimilation. All three trials suggest a positive impact of the ZTD data in helping constrain the synoptic circulation in 1 to 4 day forecasts. In the spring and the summer trials, the impact of the ZTD data also shows positively on the prediction of precipitation patterns as indicated by improved Quantitative Precipitation Forecast scores for total precipitation forecasts over France between +12 and +36 hours. We also assess in this paper ZTD observation and background errors.