bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Invited review: Modelling quality changes of fruits and vegetables during drying: a review
Authors: Devahastin Sakamon , Niamnuy Chalida
Published: September 2010

Fruits and vegetables have received much attention as these materials have been reported to contain various phytochemicals, which are claimed to exert many health benefits. When extraction of bioactive compounds cannot be performed on fresh fruits and vegetables, drying needs to be conducted to keep the materials for later use. Dried fruits and vegetables have also been regarded as alternative fat‐free snacks and received more attention from the food industry during the past decade. This implies that not only nutritional changes, but also other changes including physical and microstructural changes are of importance and need to be optimised, preferably through the use of various modelling approaches. The objective of this article is to provide a brief review of some advances in modelling quality changes of fruits and vegetables during drying. These include modelling of nutritional, colour and selected physical changes. Approaches to monitoring and modelling microstructural changes are also mentioned.
Original article: Effect of sucrose and glycerol mixtures in the osmotic solution on characteristics of osmotically dehydrated mandarin cv. (Sai‐Namphaung)
Authors: Pattanapa Kanitta , Therdthai Nantawan , Chantrapornchai Withida , Zhou Weibiao
Published: September 2010

This study investigated the effects of a series of osmotic solutions consisting of sucrose and glycerol on the quality of osmotically dehydrated mandarin, namely mandarin cv. (Sai‐Namphaung). Mandarin samples were peeled and osmotically dehydrated at 55 °C with agitation at 3.5776 × 10−1g in five osmotic solutions containing various mixtures of 60% sucrose and 60% glycerol (9:1, 8:2, 7:3, 6:4 and 5:5 w/w, respectively). The osmotically dehydrated mandarin was further dried using hot‐air drying at 70 °C for 360 min. Increasing the glycerol ratio in the mixtures significantly (P ≤ 0.05) increased water loss and solid gain during osmotic dehydration, and significantly (P ≤ 0.05) affected kinetic rate constants during drying. An increase in the glycerol ratio in the mixtures caused a significant decrease in the quality factors of hardness, moisture content, water activity and reducing sugar. However, the increase resulted in an increase in the darkness of the dried mandarin, compared with increasing the sucrose ratio in the mixtures (P ≤ 0.05). The increase had an insignificant (P > 0.05) effect on vitamin C content.
Original article: In vitro starch digestion and potassium release in sweet potato from Papua New Guinea†
Authors: Liu Yun , Sabboh Houda , Kirchhof Gunnar , Sopade Peter
Published: September 2010

Twenty samples of sweet potato from Papua New Guinea, made up of cultivars 3‐mun, Carot kaukau, Wahgi besta, Nillgai, Baiyer kaukau, and 1‐mun from three provinces, three farmers, and three locations, were subjected to an in vitro starch digestion procedure. Digestion of starch was studied by glucometry, while potassium release was monitored using electrochemistry. The potassium content of the nondigested samples ranged from 4 to 17 mg g−1 dry solids, while the starch content was from 47 to 80 g per 100 g dry solids and independent of G × E effects. In vitro starch digestibility (2–75 g digested starch per 100 g dry starch) significantly (P < 0.05) varied with time in a nonlinear manner with biphasic digestograms. Potassium release was independent of time in in vitro gastric and pancreatic regions, but more potassium was released during pancreatic than gastric digestion. Results suggest differences in resistant starch and bioavailability of (micro)nutrients that could influence utilisation of sweet potato.
Original article: Super‐chilling maintains freshness of modified atmosphere‐packaged Lateolabrax japonicus
Authors: Liu Shu‐Lai , Lu Fei , Xu Xiao‐Bao , Ding Yu‐Ting
Published: September 2010

The effect of −1.5 °C brine super‐chilling on the quality of the modified atmosphere‐packaged Lateolabrax japonicus fish fillets was studied. The result showed that the total viable mesophilic count (TVC) and H2S‐producing bacterial count (HC) of samples were super‐chilled, and then modified atmosphere‐packaged (Sc + Map) were lower than that of Map (Samples were not super‐chilled but modified atmosphere packaged), and values of total volatile base nitrogen (TVB‐N), thiobarbituric acid (TBA), pH and myofibril fragmentation index (MFI) for Sc + Map increased more slowly than those for Map. Colour of skin and flesh of fish fillets was not affected by brine super‐chilling, except the whiteness of the skin of fish fillets. Sc + Map could extend the shelf life of fish fillets for 4 days longer than Map.
Original article: Innovation in fig syrup production process: a rheological approach
Authors: Gabriele Domenico , Migliori Massimo , De Cindio Bruno
Published: September 2010

An engineering approach, based on rheological characterisation, to the analysis of a food process for fruit syrup production is presented in this paper. The process has been investigated to analyse the effects of selected operating parameters on the product rheology to design materials having mechanical properties suitable for specific applications. Process conditions have been changed either adding alkaline salts, as pH modifiers to improve pectin extraction efficiency, or decreasing operative temperature, reducing thermal damage of the material. It has been found that alkaline salt addition yields structured products because of the improved efficiency of pectin extraction and to the enhancement of the gelation phenomena. Mild conditions during either extraction or concentration lead to a more structured syrup, whereas more drastic operations bring to liquid‐like products. The proposed approach, based on the analysis of rheological properties, may support the design of new products having controlled properties and may reduce the effect of raw material variability onto the product quality.
Gene manipulation of chick embryos in vitro, early chick culture, and long survival in transplanted eggs
Authors: Tanaka Jun , Harada Hidekiyo , Ito Kodai , Ogura Toshihiko , Nakamura Harukazu
Published: September 2010

We introduce a revolutionary gene transfer system in chick: transfect chick embryos at early developmental stage by electroporation in vitro, Early Chick (EC) culture, and transplant to the egg to let the embryo survive until E5.5. Referring to the fate map, we could target the tissues of transfection, or transfect large areas of the embryo. We could get tissue‐specific expression of a transgene by tissue‐specific promoter. This method is very convenient and rapid, but allows us to get stable expression of the transgene in combination with transposon system.
Stringent glycaemic control prolongs survival in diabetic patients with end‐stage renal disease on haemodialysis
Authors: SHIMA KENJI , KOMATSU MACHIKO , KAWAHARA KAZUHIKO , MINAGUCHI JUN , KAWASHIMA SHU
Published: September 2010

Aim:  No suitable index or optimal target for diabetic control has been established for diabetic patients with end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) undergoing haemodialysis. To address these issues, the single‐centre observational study was conducted.

Methods:  Two hundred and forty‐five diabetic ESRD patients (23.3% female; age at initiation of haemodialysis 61.7 ± 10.7 years) at start of haemodialysis between 1 January 1995 and 31 December 2004 were enrolled. Subjects were grouped according to glycaemic control level throughout the observational period as follows: mean postprandial plasma glucose (PPG) <8.9 mmol/L, 8.9 mmol/L ≤ PPG < 10.0 mmol/L, 10.0 mmol/L ≤ PPG < 11.1 mmol/L, 11.1 mmol/L ≤ PPG < 12.2 mmol/L and PPG ≥ 12.2 mmol/L; and HbA1c < 6.0%, 6.0–6.4%, 6.5–6.9% and ≥7.0%. Survival was then followed until 31 December 2005.

Results:  Cumulative survival of groups of 10.0 mmol/L ≤ PPG < 11.1 mmol/L, 11.1 ≤ PPG < 12.2 and PPG ≥ 12.2 mmol/L was significantly lower than that for PPG < 8.9 mmol/L as determined by Kaplan–Meier estimation (P = 0.016, 0.009 and 0.031, respectively; log–rank test). In both uni‐ and multivariate Cox proportional hazard models, mortality hazard ratios were significantly higher for PPG ≥ 10.0 mmol/L than for PPG < 8.9 mmol/L (P = 0.002–0.021). Kaplan–Meier survival curves grouped by HbA1c levels showed no correlation between HbA1c and survival during the observational period. No significant difference in mortality hazard ratios was seen for any HbA1c groups evaluated by Cox proportional hazard model.

Conclusion:  Intensive management of diabetic control at a stringent mean on‐study PPG < 10.0 mmol/L will improve the life expectancy in diabetic dialysis patients. However, no range of HbA1c values obtained in this study showed any clear difference in clinical outcomes.
Patient Information about Options for Treatment: Methods of a national audit of information provision in chronic kidney disease
Authors: MORTON RACHAEL L , HOWARD KIRSTEN , WEBSTER ANGELA C , SNELLING PAUL
Published: September 2010

The new CARI guidelines for ‘Acceptance onto dialysis’ suggest patients with chronic kidney disease are referred to a nephrologist at an estimated glomerular filtration rate of <30ml/min per 1.73 m2, to allow 3–6 months for pre‐dialysis education, creation of dialysis access, and planned initiation of renal replacement therapy or conservative management. Similarly, international guidelines recommend education for patients and their families occurs 6 to 12 months prior to the predicted onset of end stage kidney disease or during Stage 4 or Stage 5 chronic kidney disease. However, some patients commencing treatment may not receive information about their options at a time that facilitates effective and informed decision making or that enables consideration of treatment other than centre‐based haemodialysis. Implementation of chronic kidney disease education guidelines has not been widely reported and there are few published studies that assess the provision and delivery of information about all treatment options. Patient INformation about Options for Treatment (PINOT) is a prospective national audit of the type and timing of information provided by renal units to incident pre‐emptive transplant, dialysis and conservatively managed patients over a 3‐month period. PINOT will assess the patient and unit characteristics associated with timely information provision and highlight any regional variation in treatments offered.
Fibrotic idiopathic interstitial pneumonias: Mortality is linked to a decline in gas transfer
Authors: PEELEN Linda , WELLS Athol U. , PRIJS Maurice , BLUMENTHAL Judith P. , Van STEENWIJK Reindert P. , JONKERS René E. , PEEK Niels , BRESSER Paul
Published: September 2010

Background and objective: Baseline clinical and physiological features and changes in these parameters over time are known predictors of survival in patients with fibrotic idiopathic interstitial pneumonia (IIP). Pulmonary hypertension is common in advanced fibrotic IIP, and has a negative impact on survival. Serial pulmonary function profiles, indicative of increasing vascular impairment in patients with IIP, and in particular, selective reductions in gas transfer, have not been studied previously.

Methods: Predictors of event‐free survival time were investigated in a cohort of Dutch patients with IPF and fibrotic non‐specific interstitial pneumonia (n = 117). Pulmonary function test data were prospectively collected from November 1993 to December 2005. Multivariate Cox regression models were developed to identify the prognostic relevance to survival of variables related to baseline demographics, histopathology, pulmonary function and the 6‐ and 12‐month changes in pulmonary function parameters.

Results: Different survival patterns were observed for patients with different histopathological diagnoses. At baseline, FVC was the most important prognostic factor. At the 6‐month follow up, change in transfer coefficient (KCO, DLCO/VA), and at the 12‐month follow up, age, baseline KCOand 12‐month change in FVC and KCO, were independent predictors of event‐free survival.

Conclusions: Apart from histopathology, change in KCOover time appeared to be the most consistent and powerful predictor of survival in these patients. The decline in KCOmay be indicative of increasing vascular impairment, which may have a major impact on survival, in patients with fibrotic IIP.
Hydrogen sulphide, a novel gasotransmitter involved in guard cell signalling
Authors: García‐Mata Carlos , Lamattina Lorenzo
Published: September 2010

Commentary p910
The Modified Total Body Rotation Test: A Rapid, Reliable Assessment of Physical Function in Older Adults
Authors: Stanziano Damian C. , Signorile Joseph F. , Mow Sara , Davidson Erin E. , Ouslander Joseph G. , Roos Bernard A.
Published: September 2010

OBJECTIVES: To describe a quick, modified measure of total body rotation with performance rankings for elderly persons and to highlight the importance of total body rotational ability for overall physical performance.

DESIGN: Scores were collected during the same testing session and were compared with other measures using a Pearson correlation.

SETTING: Community‐based senior centers.

PARTICIPANTS: One hundred forty‐five participants aged 79.6±7.2 were recruited using flyers distributed at health fairs, senior centers, and lifelong learning programs.

MEASUREMENTS: The modified total body rotation test (MTBR), the back‐scratch test, the modified sit‐and‐reach test, the 30‐second chair‐stand test, the Short Physical Performance Battery, and the short version of the Continuous‐Scale Physical Functional Performance Test.

RESULTS: The MBTR significantly correlated to all standard measures of physical performance. Norms are reported for all participants, and reliability analyses were conducted using data from 18 participants. Data were divided into quintiles to create cutoffs for physical performance rankings that can be used when reporting results to the general public.

CONCLUSION: Many evaluations measure isolated components of physical performance, but few examine whole body movements that allow all components necessary for independence and function to work in harmony as needed considering the task and the individual's movement strategy. The current study offers the MTBR as a quick, easy, and cost‐effective evaluation method to quantify the degree of impairment or injury and the rate of improvement with treatment or training.
Galacto‐Oligosaccharides: Production, Properties, Applications, and Significance as Prebiotics
Authors: Torres Duarte P.M. , Gonçalves Maria do Pilar F. , Teixeira José A. , Rodrigues Lígia R.
Published: September 2010

Abstract: Galacto‐oligosaccharides (GOS) have now been definitely established as prebiotic ingredients after in vitro and animal and human in vivo studies. Currently, GOS are produced by glycoside hydrolases (GH) using lactose as substrate. Converting lactose into GOS by GH results in mixtures containing GOS of different degrees of polymerization (DP), unreacted lactose, and monomeric sugars (glucose and galactose). Recent and future developments in the production of GOS aim at delivering purer and more efficient mixtures. To produce high‐GOS‐content mixtures, GH should not only have good ability to catalyze the transgalactosylation reaction relative to hydrolysis, but also have low affinity for the GOS formed relative to the affinity for lactose. In this article, several microbial GH, proposed for the synthesis of GOS, are hierarchized according to the referred performance indicators. In addition, strategies for process improvement are discussed. Besides the differences in purity of GOS mixtures, differences in the position of the glycosidic linkages occur, because different enzymes have different regiochemical selectivity. Depending on oligosaccharide composition, GOS products will vary in terms of prebiotic activity, as well as other physiological effects. This review focuses on GOS production from synthesis to purification processes. Physicochemical characteristics, physiological effects, and applications of these prebiotic ingredients are summarized. Regulatory aspects of GOS‐containing food products are also highlighted with emphasis on the current process of health claims evaluation in Europe.
Probiotic Dairy Products as Functional Foods
Authors: Granato Daniel , Branco Gabriel F. , Cruz Adriano Gomes , Faria José de Assis Fonseca , Shah Nagendra P.
Published: September 2010

Abstract:  Foods that affect specific functions or systems in the human body, providing health benefits beyond energy and nutrients—functional foods—have experienced rapid market growth in recent years. This growth is fueled by technological innovations, development of new products, and the increasing number of health‐conscious consumers interested in products that improve life quality. Since the global market of functional foods is increasing annually, food product development is a key research priority and a challenge for both the industry and science sectors. Probiotics show considerable promise for the expansion of the dairy industry, especially in such specific sectors as yogurts, cheeses, beverages, ice creams, and other desserts. This article presents an overview of functional foods and strategies for their development, with particular attention to probiotic dairy products. Moreover, special attention is paid to the sensory properties of such products to provide important information about their most desirable attributes.
Risk Assessment and Management of Listeria Monocytogenes in Ready‐to‐Eat Lettuce Salads
Authors: Carrasco Elena , Pérez‐Rodríguez Fernando , Valero Antonio , García‐Gimeno Rosa M. , Zurera Gonzalo
Published: September 2010

Abstract:  Foodborne diseases constitute a major concern in societies, and their causes are aimed to be identified and minimized. Only in the last few years, this is encouraged by the application of risk assessment, management, and communication. This work presents a probabilistic quantitative microbiological risk assessment and management of Listeria monocytogenes in ready‐to‐eat lettuce salads in Spain. For risk assessment, a guideline provided by Codex Alimentarius was followed. Food chain was modeled from processing of raw material at the factory up to consumption. Different assumptions were made to describe the variables of the model by probability distributions or mathematical models. Monte Carlo simulations of the model were run to estimate the number of cases in low‐risk and high‐risk populations. Although results deviated from the number of cases observed in Spain, given an ideal situation of 100% compliance of the microbiological criterion ≤100 cfu/g throughout the shelf‐life of the product, the resulting number of cases was near the real situation. From the 4 risk management measures simulated, the injection of a mixture of gases into packages at manufacture (CO2 about 5.5%, O2 about 3%, and N2 for the balance) was the most effective in reducing the number of cases, followed by 4 d of storage at home and prevention of high‐risk consumers from consumption of ready‐to‐eat lettuce salads. More research and cooperation between different stakeholder organizations are needed in order to progressively improve the model. With this work, a breakthrough has been made with regards to risk assessment and management procedures and implementation.
Nonmeat Protein Alternatives as Meat Extenders and Meat Analogs
Authors: Asgar M.A. , Fazilah A. , Huda Nurul , Bhat Rajeev , Karim A.A.
Published: September 2010

Abstract: The direct consumption of vegetable proteins in food products has been increasing over the years because of animal diseases, global shortage of animal protein, strong demand for wholesome and religious (halal) food, and economic reasons. The increasing importance of legume and oilseed proteins in the manufacturing of various functional food products is due to their high‐protein contents. However, the greatest obstacle to utilizing these legumes and oilseeds is the presence of antinutrients; but these antinutrients can be successfully removed or inactivated by employing certain processing methods. In contrast, the potential negative impact of the antinutrients is partially balanced by the fact that they may have a health‐promoting role. Legumes and oilseeds provide well‐balanced amino acid profiles when consumed with cereals. Soybean proteins, wheat gluten, cottonseed proteins, and other plant proteins have been used for texturization. Texturized vegetable proteins can extend meat products while providing an economical, functional, and high‐protein food ingredient or can be consumed directly as a meat analog. Meat analogs are successful because of their healthy image (cholesterol free), meat‐like texture, and low cost. Mycoprotein is fungal in origin and is used as a high‐protein, low‐fat, health‐promoting food ingredient. Mycoprotein has a good taste and texture. Texturized vegetable proteins and a number of mycoprotein products are accepted as halal foods. This article summarizes information regarding the molecular, nutritional, and functional properties of alternative protein sources to meat and presents current knowledge to encourage further research to optimize the beneficial effects of alternative protein sources.
Should Red Wine Be Considered a Functional Food?
Authors: Yoo Yung J. , Saliba Anthony J. , Prenzler Paul D.
Published: September 2010

Abstract: Functional foods may be regarded as foods that have nutritional value, but in particular, they also have beneficial effects on one or more body functions. Thus, functional foods may improve health and/or reduce the risk of developing certain diseases when taken in amounts that can be consumed in a normal diet. Based on nearly 2 decades of research since the term “French paradox” was first coined in 1992, wine would appear to fit this definition. Yet there seems to be reluctance to consider wine as a functional food. In this review, we present an overview of the accumulated evidence for the health benefits of wine—and its key phenolic components such as resveratrol, quercetin, catechin—and show that these alone are not enough to firmly establish wine as a functional food. What is required is to create clearly defined products based on wine that are targeted to consumers’ needs and expectations when it comes to purchasing functional foods. Moreover, the crucial question of alcohol and health also needs to be addressed by the functional food industry. Suggestions are presented for working through this issue, but in many regards, wine is like any other food—it should be consumed sensibly and in amounts that are beneficial to health. Overindulgence of any kind does not promote good health.
Development and Evaluation of an Undergraduate Training Course for Developing International Council of Nurses Disaster Nursing Competencies in China
Authors: Chan Sunshine S. S. , Chan Wai‐shan , Cheng Yijuan , Fung Olivia W. M. , Lai Timothy K. H. , Leung Amanda W. K. , Leung Kevin L. K. , Li Sijian , Yip Annie L. K. , Pang Samantha M. C.
Published: September 2010

Background: Nurses are often called upon to play the role of first responder when disaster occurs. Yet the lack of accepted competencies and gaps in education make it difficult to recruit nurses prepared to respond to a disaster and provide assistance in an effective manner.

Design: Based on the International Council of Nurses (ICN) Framework of Disaster Nursing Competencies and Global Standards for the Initial Education of Professional Nurses and Midwives, a training course titled “Introduction to Disaster Nursing” was designed and implemented with 150 students. A pre‐post survey design was used to assess changes in participants’ self‐rated disaster nursing competencies. The impact of the training course on participants’ attitudes toward disaster nursing and their learning experience were also assessed.

Findings: All participants passed the assessments and examination with an average score of 70%. Pre‐ and posttraining self‐ratings of the disaster nursing competencies increased from 2.09 to 3.71 (p < .001) on a Likert scale of 1 to 5, and the effect size was large, with Cohen's d higher than 0.8. No significant difference in both examination results (60% group assignments; 40% written examination) and self‐rated competencies was noted between the senior year students and graduate nurse participants by Mann‐Whitney U test (p value = .90). The majority of participants indicated their willingness to participate as a helper in disaster relief and saw themselves competent to work under supervision.

Conclusions: The ICN Framework of Disaster Nursing Competencies was instrumental to guide the training curriculum development. This introductory training course could be incorporated into undergraduate nursing education programs as well as serve as a continuing education program for graduate nurses.

Clinical Relevance: The training program can be used for preparing generalist nurses of their nursing competencies in disaster preparedness, response and post‐disaster recovery and rehabilitation.
Getting Past the Accident:
Authors: Messinger Seth D.
Published: September 2010

I describe the refashioning of a sense of self and identity of a junior officer in the U.S. Army who was injured in Iraq. Ethnographic data for this article were collected between July 2006 and January 2008. The setting for this article is the U.S. Armed Forces Amputee Patient Care Program at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Two models of rehabilitation are contrasted in the rehabilitation program. The first focuses on the refashioning of identity through a sports model of rehabilitation emphasizing physical functioning. The second approaches rehabilitation by emphasizing individual interests and the concern of a person who has a future life to develop. I conclude by arguing that understanding the process of rehabilitation from traumatic injury would benefit from a perspective that melds multiple dimensions, taking into account both the physical body and the social world that patients have inhabited and will inhabit.
“A Disease of Frozen Feelings”:
Authors: Zigon Jarrett
Published: September 2010

In a Russian Orthodox Church drug rehabilitation program in St. Petersburg, drug addiction was often described as a disease of frozen feelings. This image suggests that rehabilitation is a process of thawing emotional worlds and, thus, allows the emotions to flow once again. In this article I argue that “frozen feelings” is better understood as the unsocial emotional worlds many drug users experience, and that rehabilitation in this church‐run program particularly focuses on the cultivation of an emotional world that supports sociality. This is done, I argue, by means of ethically training rehabilitants to learn how to control and manage their emotional worlds, and in so doing, rehabilitants become new moral persons better able to live in the social world.
“All I Eat Is ARVs”:
Authors: Kalofonos Ippolytos Andreas
Published: September 2010

The number of people on antiretroviral treatment in Mozambique has increased by over 1,500 percent since it first became free and publicly available in 2004. The rising count of “lives saved” seems to portray a success story of high‐tech treatment being provided in one of the poorest contexts in the world, as people with AIDS experience dramatic recoveries and live longer. The “scale‐up” has had significant social effects, however, as it unfolds in a region with a complicated history and persistent problems related to poverty. Hunger is the principal complaint of people on antiretroviral treatment. The inability of current interventions to adequately address this issue leads to intense competition among people living with HIV/AIDS for the scarce resources available, undermining social solidarity and the potential for further community action around HIV/AIDS issues. Discourses of hunger serve as a critique of these shortcomings, and of the wider political economy underlying the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
Perils to Pregnancies:
Authors: Van Der Sijpt Erica , Notermans Catrien
Published: September 2010

This article explores the local perceptions and practices surrounding pregnancy loss in Cameroon—a topic that has long been neglected in international reproductive health debates. Based on extended periods of anthropological fieldwork in an urban and a rural setting in the East province of the country, it shows the inherent ambiguities that underlie pregnancies and their perceived dangers. By situating meanings of pregnancy loss within the complex dynamics of marriage and kinship, pregnant bodies are argued to be social bodies—the actions and interpretations of which shift along with social situations. This approach not only forms an alternative to the current focus on the body politic in global discourses on fertility risks but also shows how conventional assumptions such as the rigid distinction between voluntary and involuntary pregnancy loss distort ambiguous daily life realities for Cameroonian women whose pregnancies are not being carried to term.
Myogenic response of human skeletal muscle to 12 weeks of resistance training at light loading intensity
Authors: Mackey A. L. , Holm L. , Reitelseder S. , Pedersen T. G. , Doessing S. , Kadi F. , Kjaer M.
Published: September 2010

There is strong evidence for enhanced numbers of satellite cells with heavy resistance training. The satellite cell response to very light muscle loading is, however, unknown. We, therefore, designed a 12‐week training protocol where volunteers trained one leg with a high load (H) and the other leg with a light load (L). Twelve young healthy men [mean age 25 ± 3 standard deviation (SD) years] volunteered for the study. Muscle biopsies were collected from the m. vastus lateralis of both legs before and after the training period and satellite cells were visualized by CD56 immunohistochemistry. A significant main effect of time was observed (P<0.001) for the number of CD56+ cells per fiber (L: from 0.11 ± 0.02 to 0.13 ± 0.03; H: from 0.12 ± 0.03 to 0.15 ± 0.05, mean ± SD). The finding that 12 weeks of training skeletal muscle even with very light loads can induce an increase in the number of satellite cells reveals a new aspect of myogenic precursor cell activation and suggests that satellite cells may play a role in skeletal muscle adaptation over a broad physiological range.
Molecular signaling in muscle is affected by the specificity of resistance exercise protocol
Authors: Hulmi J. J. , Walker S. , Ahtiainen J. P. , Nyman K. , Kraemer W. J. , Häkkinen K.
Published: September 2010

Mammalian target of rapamycin and mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways have been highlighted as important for muscle adaptations and thus, they may distinguish adaptations to different exercises. Typically, resistance exercise designed for muscle hypertrophy has moderate intensity (60–80% of one repetition maximum, 1 RM) while one prioritizing maximal strength with minor hypertrophy has a higher intensity (≥90% of 1 RM). Eight untrained men (28.4±3.7 years) conducted two different bilateral leg press exercise protocols: hypertrophic (5 × 10 RM) and pure maximal strength (15 × 1 RM) in a counterbalanced, cross‐over design with 1 week between exercises. Vastus lateralis muscle biopsies were taken before and 0.5 h after resistance exercise, or in six controls (26.5±3.6 years) who rested. The phosphorylation of p70S6K (Thr421/Ser424), rpS6 (Ser240/244 and Ser235/236) and MAPK p38 as increased (∼2–16 fold) after both exercise protocols. However, the phosphorylation of MAPK Erk1/2 and p70S6K at Thr389 increased only after 5 × 10 RM. The increase in the phosphorylation of p70S6K (Thr421/Ser424), rpS6 (Ser235/236) and Erk1/2 were higher after 5 × 10 RM (P<0.05). No changes were seen in controls. In conclusion, MAPK signaling is greater after hypertrophic than maximal strength exercise protocol. This may mediate adaptations specific to these different types of training regimens.
Faecal microbiota in breast‐fed infants after antibiotic therapy
Authors: Savino F , Roana J , Mandras N , Tarasco V , Locatelli E , Tullio V
Published: September 2010

Aim:  To evaluate modifications of gut microbiota after antibiotic therapy in breast‐fed infants.

Study design:  Twenty‐six exclusively breast‐fed infants younger than 5 months hospitalized for pneumonia treated with ceftriaxone (50 mg per kilo per day administered intramuscularly) were recruited. Intestinal microbiota at day 0 – before starting antibiotic administration – at the end of the therapy (5 days after) and after 15 days after the stop was analysed. Stool samples were collected and immediately diluted and cultured on selective media to detect total bacteria, Enterobacteriaceae, enterococci and lactobacilli. Statistical analysis was performed by using Wilcoxon test.

Results:  After 5 days of antibiotic therapy, we observed a significant reduction in total faecal bacterial count (p = 0.003) in Enterobacteriaceae (p = 0.001) and enterococci (p < 0.001), in comparison with day 0. After 5 days of therapy, lactobacilli are no longer detected. Conversely, bacterial count values for all bacteria detected after 15 days from the end of therapy are significantly increased and similar to day 0.

Conclusion:  Our findings showed that gut microbiota was significantly modified after 5 days of antibiotic therapy; exclusively, breast‐feeding may be relevant in promoting the re‐establishment of gut microbiota composition in early infancy.
Screening for In Vitro Antimycobacterial Activity and Three‐Dimensional Quantitative Structure–Activity Relationship (3D‐QSAR) Study of 4‐(arylamino)coumarin Derivatives
Authors: Virsdoia Vijay , Shaikh Mushtaque S. , Manvar Atul , Desai Bhavik , Parecha Alpesh , Loriya Raju , Dholariya Kinnari , Patel Gautam , Vora Vipul , Upadhyay Kuldip , Denish Karia , Shah Anamik , Coutinho Evans C.
Published: September 2010

The resurgence of tuberculosis and the emergence of multidrug‐resistant strains of Mycobacteria necessitate the search for new classes of antimycobacterial agents. We have synthesized a small library of 50 analogues of 4‐(arylamino)coumarins with various aromatic amines at the C4‐ position of the coumarin scaffold. The compounds were evaluated for antimycobacterial activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv with rifampicin as the standard. Of the molecules synthesized, compound 9 was found to be most potent with a minimum inhibitory concentration >6.25 μg/mL for 100% inhibition. In an effort to develop new and more effective molecules in this series, the relationship between structure and activity was investigated by comparative molecular field analysis. Various models were generated using comparative molecular field analysis alone and comparative molecular field analysis plus a hydropathy field (HINT). In all, eight models were generated with atom‐fit and field‐fit alignment strategies. The comparative molecular field analysis models (Models 3a and 4a) based on field‐fit alignment were the best with statistically good correlation coefficients (r2) and cross‐validated q2. The values of r2pred for the validation set were 0.469 and 0.516. Based on the comparative molecular field analysis contours, some insights into the structure–activity relationship of the compounds could be gained.
Evolutionary process of Bos taurus cattle in favourable versus unfavourable environments and its implications for genetic selection
Authors: O’Neill Christopher J. , Swain David L. , Kadarmideen Haja N.
Published: September 2010

The evolutionary processes that have enabled Bos taurus cattle to establish around the globe are at the core to the future success of livestock production. Our study focuses on the history of cattle domestication including the last 60 years of B. taurus breeding programmes in both favourable and unfavourable environments and its consequences on evolution and fitness of cattle. We discuss the emergence of ‘production diseases’ in temperate production systems and consider the evolutionary genetics of tropical adaptation in cattle and conclude that the Senepol, N’Dama, Adaptaur and Criollo breeds, among others with similar evolutionary trajectories, would possess genes capable of improving the productivity of cattle in challenging environments. Using our own experimental evidence from northern Australia, we review the evolution of the Adaptaur cattle breed which has become resistant to cattle tick. We emphasize that the knowledge of interactions between genotype, environment and management in the livestock systems will be required to generate genotypes for efficient livestock production that are both economically and environmentally sustainable. Livestock producers in the 21st century will have less reliance on infrastructure and veterinary products to alleviate environmental stress and more on the animal’s ability to achieve fitness in a given production environment.
The Effect of Feeling Respected and the Patient Role on Patient Outcomes
Authors: Clucas Claudine , St Claire Lindsay
Published: September 2010

Despite respect being central to good doctor–patient relationships, little research has investigated the effect of respect from doctors on patient outcomes. Group‐level influences such as patients' identification with a traditional or consumerist patient role have also received little attention. We investigated these factors in two studies. Participants imagined they had tinnitus and either identified with one of the two patient roles (Study 1, n = 85) or completed a scale measuring their usual role preferences (Study 2, n = 54). They read a hypothetical respectful or disrespectful doctor–patient scenario and completed measures of personal self‐esteem, visit outcomes, and the Illness Perception Questionnaire. Study 1 was experimental, while Study 2 was quasi‐experimental in design. In both studies, participants playing a patient whose doctor's behaviours were respectful reported greater patient satisfaction, adherence, and likelihood of revisiting the doctor, and in Study 1 also scored lower on (imagined) illness identity and consequences and reported higher self‐esteem. In Study 1, participants acting as traditional patients reported lower self‐esteem. In Study 2, participants self‐categorising as traditional patients reported greater patient satisfaction, adherence, trust and respect for the doctor, but lower self‐esteem. Respect and the patient role should be considered when predicting health outcomes.
Subjective Well‐Being during Political Violence and Uncertainty: A Study of College Youth in Lebanon
Authors: Ayyash‐Abdo Huda
Published: September 2010

The present research seeks to compare the subjective well‐being (SWB) of Lebanese college youth between a sample assessed in 2003, during peace time, and a comparable one assessed in 2007 during politically violent and tumultuous times. The current study builds on a positive psychology framework that asserts that, in spite of adverse circumstances, positive affect and subjective well‐being and its correlates allow for daily functioning in most cases. Results did not support any significant differences between the first (2003) and second study (2007) data. As expected, optimism, self‐esteem, and negative affect predicted SWB. Additional findings show that demographic variables such as socioeconomic status were associated with higher SWB. Gender differences were found, whereby males scored higher on positive affect than females.
Protein resistant oligo(ethylene glycol) terminated self-assembled monolayers of thiols on gold by vapor deposition in vacuum
Authors: Kankate Laxman , Werner Udo , Turchanin Andrey , Gölzhäuser Armin , Großmann Helge , Tampé Robert
Published: September 2010

Protein resistant oligo(ethylene glycol) (OEG) terminated self-assembled monolayers SAMs) of thiols on gold are commonly used for suppression of nonspecific protein adsorption in biology and biotechnology. The standard preparation for these SAMs is the solution method (SM) that involves immersion of the gold surface in an OEG solution. Here the authors present the preparation of 11-(mercaptoundecyl)-triethylene glycol [HS(CH2)11(OCH2CH2)3OH] SAMs on gold surface by vapor deposition (VD) in vacuum. They compare the properties of SAMs prepared by VD and SM using x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), polarization modulation infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy, and surface plasmon resonance measurements. VD and SM SAMs exhibit similar packing density and show a similar resistance to the nonspecific adsorption of various proteins bovine serum albumin, trypsin, and myoglobin) under physiological conditions. A very high sensitivity of the OEG SAMs to x-ray radiation is found, which allows tuning their protein resistance. These results show a new path to in situ engineering, analysis, and patterning of protein resistant OEG SAMs by high vacuum and ultrahigh vacuum techniques.
Two stages in three-dimensional in vitro growth of tissue generated by osteoblastlike cells
Authors: Kommareddy Krishna P. , Lange Claudia , Rumpler Monika , Dunlop John W. C. , Manjubala Inderchand , Cui Jing , Kratz Karl , Lendlein Andreas , Fratzl Peter
Published: September 2010

Bone regeneration is controlled by a variety of biochemical, biomechanical, cellular, and hormonal mechanisms. In particular, physical properties of the substrate such as stiffness and architecture highly influence the proliferation and differentiation of cells. The aim of this work is to understand the influence of scaffold stiffness and cell seeding densities on the formation of tissue by osteoblast cells within polyether urethane scaffolds containing pores of different sizes. MC3T3-E1 preosteoblast cells were seeded on the scaffold, and the amount of tissue formed within the pores was analyzed for culture times up to 49 days by phase contrast microscopy. The authors show that the kinetics of three-dimensional tissue growth in these scaffolds follows two stages and can be described by a universal growth law. The first stage is dominated by cell-material interactions with cell adherence and differentiation being strongly dependent on the polymer material. After a delay time of a few weeks, cells begin to grow within their own matrix, the delay being strongly dependent on substrate stiffness and seeding protocols. In this later stage of growth, three-dimensional tissue amplification is controlled rather by the pore geometry than the scaffold material properties. This emphasizes how geometric constraints may guide tissue formation in vitro and shows that optimizing scaffold architectures may improve tissue formation independent of the scaffold material used.
Confinement and compression of an oligomer brush
Authors: Foster Stephen , Wainwright Christopher , Staple Douglas B. , Kreuzer Hans Jürgen
Published: September 2010

Self-assembled monolayers and oligomer brushes confined between two parallel plates show compressional forces that are nonmonotonic as a function of plate separation. In a realistic model of short alkanethiols, based on the rotationally isomeric state model with parameters from ab initio calculations, the authors show that nonmonotonic forces arise from the elimination of longer conformers as the distance between the plates is reduced. This nonmonotonicity is a size effect that disappears when the length of the polymer molecule is sufficiently increased. An analytical model is developed that allows experimentalists to extract energy-averaged brush height distributions from compressional force curves.
Biodiversity Conservation: Challenges Beyond 2010
Authors: Rands Michael R. W. , Adams William M. , Bennun Leon , Butchart Stuart H. M. , Clements Andrew , Coomes David , Entwistle Abigail , Hodge Ian , Kapos Valerie , Scharlemann Jörn P. W. , Sutherland William J. , Vira Bhaskar
Published: September 2010

Biodiversity Convention

In October 2010, the Convention on Biological Diversity will meet to assess the current condition of global biodiversity and to propose and agree on priorities for its future conservation. In this context,

Rands
et al.

(p.
1298
; see the
News Focus section
; see the cover) review recent patterns of biodiversity conservation, highlighting successes, as well as current and future threats. They argue that biodiversity should be treated as a public good, with responsibility for its conservation integrated across sectors of society and government, rather than be confined to the business of environmental agencies, and review the conditions under which this goal might be achieved.
Hemocyte Differentiation Mediates Innate Immune Memory in
Anopheles gambiae
Mosquitoes
Authors: Rodrigues Janneth , Brayner Fábio André , Alves Luiz Carlos , Dixit Rajnikant , Barillas-Mury Carolina
Published: September 2010

Mosquito Malarial Memory

During their life cycle malaria parasites produce vast numbers of successive proliferative stages in their vertebrate hosts, and yet in the field most mosquitoes are free of parasites.

Rodrigues
et al.

(p.
1353
) report that the immune system of mosquitoes is primed early-on when the malaria parasite (
Plasmodium
spp.) first crosses the mosquito gut epithelial barrier. A substantial (2- to 3.2-fold) increase in a single type of hemocyte (macrophage-like insect immune cells) is implicated in long-lived antiplasmodial immunity. This work may prove important for malaria control and for understanding immune memory in invertebrates.
Oscillating Gene Expression Determines Competence for Periodic
Arabidopsis
Root Branching
Authors: Moreno-Risueno Miguel A. , Van Norman Jaimie M. , Moreno Antonio , Zhang Jingyuan , Ahnert Sebastian E. , Benfey Philip N.
Published: September 2010

The Root of the Problem

Developmental processes can define repeated patterns of structure, such as somites in vertebrates. In plants, too, repeated structures arise during growth and development. As the above-ground shoot grows, it sends out leaves or branches at intervals guided by hormone signaling. As the below-ground root grows, it too ramifies, sending out lateral roots.

Moreno-Risueno
et al.

(p.
1306
; see the Perspective by

Traas and Vernoux

) explored the expression of genes underlying development of lateral roots and found that oscillations in gene expression guide the specification of lateral roots.
Ion-Mediated Electron Transfer in a Supramolecular Donor-Acceptor Ensemble
Authors: Park Jung Su , Karnas Elizabeth , Ohkubo Kei , Chen Ping , Kadish Karl M. , Fukuzumi Shunichi , Bielawski Christopher W. , Hudnall Todd W. , Lynch Vincent M. , Sessler Jonathan L.
Published: September 2010

Charging Back and Forth

Ion binding by proteins can exert a major influence on electron transfer events in biological systems.

Park
et al.

(p.
1324
) discovered an analogous phenomenon in a simpler synthetic system. Specifically, a certain flexible molecule, known as a calix[4]pyrrole derivative, adopts a conical conformation upon binding anions, such as chloride or bromide, and this in turn leads to electron transfer to a guest acceptor that drifts into the cone. Addition of a cation that fitted more snugly into the conical cavity resulted in a reversal of the electron transfer reaction. The whole process was mapped out by spectroscopic and crystallographic characterization of the intermediates and products.
RETRACTED: Human SIRT6 Promotes DNA End Resection Through CtIP Deacetylation
Authors: Kaidi Abderrahmane , Weinert Brian T. , Choudhary Chunaram , Jackson Stephen P.
Published: September 2010

UnSIRT6ain Repair

Efficient and accurate repair of double-strand DNA breaks is critical for genome stability and involves a process known as homologous recombination. During repair of the sheared ends, the DNA must be resected by trimming one of the two strands on either side of the break. For the repair to be accurate, the remaining single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) has to be bound by the ssDNA-binding protein, RPA, after which the ssDNA can then bind homologous sequences.

Kaidi
et al.

(p.
1348
) found that the mammalian deacetylase, SIRT6 (which has been implicated in maintaining genome stability), was critical for resection. At sites of DNA damage, SIRT6 deacetylated and activated CtIP (a protein important for resection), ensuring that resection occurred at the appropriate place and time.