bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Methanolic Extract ofCuminum cyminumInhibits Ovariectomy-Induced Bone Loss in Rats
Authors: Shirke Sarika S. , Jadhav Sanket R. , Jagtap Aarti G.
Published: September 2008

Several animal and clinical studies have shown that phytoestrogens, plant-derived estrogenic compounds, can be useful in treating postmenopausal osteoporosis. Phytoestrogens and phytoestrogen-containing plants are currently under active investigation for their role in estrogen-related disorders. The present study deals with anti-osteoporotic evaluation of phytoestrogen-rich plant Cuminum cyminum, commonly known as cumin. Adult Sprague-Dawley rats were bilaterally ovariectomized (OVX) and randomly assigned to 3 groups (10 rats/group). Additional 10 animals were sham operated. OVX and sham control groups were orally administered with vehicle while the other two OVX groups were administered 0.15 mg/kg estradiol and 1 g/kg of methanolic extract of Cuminum cyminum fruits (MCC) in two divided doses for 10 weeks. At the end of the study blood, bones and uteri of the animals were collected. Serum was evaluated for calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase and tartarate resistant acid phosphatase. Bone density, ash density, mineral content and mechanical strength of bones were evaluated. Scanning electron microscopic (SEM) analysis of bones (tibia) was performed. Results were analyzed using ANOVA and Tukeys multiple comparison test. MCC (1 g/kg, p.o.) significantly reduced urinary calcium excretion and significantly increased calcium content and mechanical strength of bones in comparison to OVX control. It showed greater bone and ash densities and improved microarchitecture of bones in SEM analysis. Unlike estradiol it did not affect body weight gain and weight of atrophic uterus in OVX animals. MCC prevented ovariectomy-induced bone loss in rats with no anabolic effect on atrophic uterus. The osteoprotective effect was comparable with estradiol.
Use of Secondary Population-Based Databases to Evaluate the Safety of Medications
Authors: Tennis Patricia , Andrews Elizabeth , Lanza Lee , Johannes Catherine
Published: September 2008

Public concern is increasing over the safety of medicines, particularly serious adverse events detected after extensive use of products in the general marketplace. This concern has led to the need for prompt evaluation of safety signals within large populations following drug approval. The most relevant and available data resources primarily include electronic health care claims and electronic medical records and can be used to identify new safety issues and to evaluate known or suspected signals. In this review paper, we (1) summarize the data resources available for detection and evaluation of safety signals and (2) critically describe these resources and methods used in drug safety research. For each type of data resource, we summarize the characteristics and describe the associated applications and appropriate methods. To place each data resource and method in perspective, we provide examples from disease areas with substantial public health impact. We conclude that in certain circumstances these data resources can be valuable for the relatively cost-effective evaluation of serious adverse events in users of specific medications. However, implementation of such research requires a thorough understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the data sources and the pharmacoepidemiologic methods used for analysis.
Supply chain performance measures for producers and processors of premium beef cuts: A conjoint approach
Authors: McDermott Alan , Lovatt Simon J. , Koslow Scott
Published: September 2008

The performance measures important to New Zealand beef producers and processors in their selling and buying decisions were studied using a conjoint analysis methodology. 98 producers and 5 processors were asked to rank and rate various scenarios. Producers preferred situations in which they received a high price, had high payment security, a premium for quality, had a short lead-time and the processor shared some information. Processors focussed on factors that enabled them to reduce their risk and cost of supply, and ensure traceability back to farms.
Dynamic modelling of inter-organisational information management systems and relationships in food chains
Authors: Storer Christine E. , Soutar Geoffrey N. , Trienekens Jacques H. , Beulens Adrie J.M. , Quaddus Mohammed A.
Published: September 2008

It is agreed that good communication systems between organisations increase customer satisfaction and relationship behaviour. However, less is known about the details of how information is used to manage relationships. Theories that have been found have either been tested on non-perishable goods or on small case studies. In earlier stages of the research, a dynamic model of inter-organisational information management systems (IOIMS) and relationships was developed based on a netchain case study. This paper presents an evaluation of this model based on a survey of Australian food processors and a green life industry case study. Both studies found that the environment (power, dependency and market uncertainty) had a significant influence on (attitudinal) commitment to develop long-term customer/supplier relationships. In addition, the nature of the IOIMS was associated with perceived current outcomes (satisfaction with performance, perceived responsiveness and strength of relationship trust). However, commitment to develop long-term customer supplier relationships was not significantly associated with the IOIMS. Conclusions were more doubtful about the association between the business environment and the IOIMS and perceived current outcomes. Suggestions for future research are made.
Online support for commerce processes: The Dutch food retailing sector
Authors: Lindgreen Adam , Antioco Michael , Wouters Joost
Published: September 2008

Advances in information technology have changed not only traditional goods and services, but also business-to-consumer relationships in terms of interactivity. For example, by facilitating access to company data, offering additional services, and/or providing self-service options through the World Wide Web, consumer requests can be recorded, handled faster, and dealt with more individually in a cost-effective manner. This article examines the extent to which companies in the Dutch food retailing sector are using the World Wide Web and its associated technologies to conduct their business. Employing the electronic commerce architecture suggested by Basu and Muylle (1999, 2002), Muylle and Basu (2003), we analyse the commercial Web sites of Dutch food retail companies (numbering 34 in all) to determine which commerce processes are being supported online in this sector. The results of the research provide insights to academics on the adoption of electronic commerce in a particular industry sector and to food retail managers on their competitors’ usage of the World Wide Web. Our findings show that, generally, support for electronic commerce processes and sub-processes is merely 16 per cent of the considered sample. Most retailers use the Internet only as a medium of communications, although others have set up commercial Web sites that provide higher customer support. Several sub-processes appear to be supported such as core logistics, online search of products, and price information display and determination. With the exception of search, there is practically no online customisation possible in the processes. A high correlation was observed between search, valuation, and authentication on the one hand and support for online payment on the other hand. Lastly, there is no significant difference between regional/national retailers or firm size, especially for the search and valuation processes, which share close to identical extent of support.
Entrepreneurial innovation in chains and networks in Dutch greenhouse horticulture
Authors: Pannekoek L. , van Kooten O. , Kemp R. , Omta S.
Published: September 2008

This paper focuses on the critical success factors in entrepreneurial innovation, and the role of cooperation with chain partners, knowledge institutions and colleague firms in the Dutch glasshouse industry. This industry, typified by a large number of family-owned entrepreneurial firms, is generally acknowledged as one of the world leaders in horticultural production and trade. Not only are the auctions of Aalsmeer and Naaldwijk among the most important horticultural auctions in the world, but the knowledge of cultivation techniques is also highly developed in the Netherlands. In order to maintain its leading position and to compete successfully with low-cost countries, Dutch horticulture is constantly reinventing itself. If we take a closer look, however, we see that only a limited number (3%) of the Dutch glasshouse companies actually take the lead in innovation. Using expert advice, we selected the 74 most successful innovative companies to be included in this study, of which 44 companies were willing to participate. In 2004, all the participating companies were visited. In total 139 innovations were analysed, using a combination of half-structured in-depth interviews with the glasshouse entrepreneurs and a structured questionnaire based on 10-point Likert scales. The entrepreneurs were asked to fill out the questionnaire for their most and least successful innovations. As expected, more successful (87) than failed innovations (52) were reported. Our results show that the characteristics demonstrated by the innovative entrepreneurs are essential for success in innovation. The innovative entrepreneur has a strategic vision of how to serve the market and create value. Also, team communication was extremely important. Successful entrepreneurs maintain an open atmosphere and show real commitment to the innovation process. They are in contact with a diverse network of business relations to develop innovations. Intensifying the network relations, e.g. by clustering glasshouse companies, leads to more successful innovation. The more firms in the horticultural production chain were actively involved in the innovation process, the bigger the chances of success. This was especially true for firms downstream toward the market.
Social capital and vertical ties in agrifood supply chains
Authors: Sporleder Thomas , Wu Steven
Published: September 2008

There is increasing evidence that agrifood supply chains are evolving from transaction-based markets to alliance-based networks. The purpose of this manuscript is to explore the relationships between agrifood networks and social capital. There are some unique characteristics of agrifood chains that influence the formation of vertical ties or governance structures within the chain. The nature of interfirm dependency and product differentiation are important drivers in the type of transaction governance. Incomplete contracts are ubiquitous with supply chains and lead to distortions. The contractual distortions however can be mitigated through self-enforcing agreements. Social capital and the role of trust influence network ties. The pecuniary risks especially prevalent in agrifood chains may imply that managers prefer embedded ties and cohesive networks rather than the flexibility available from structural holes.
The performance of relational ties: A functional approach in the biotechnology industry
Authors: Ng D. , Unterschultz J. , Laate E.
Published: September 2008

Understanding the performance of social networks has attracted the attention of contemporary management research. The performance of a firm's strength of social ties has been the subject of considerable debate. On the one hand, strong ties draw on redundant and close partner experiences to increase a firm's specialization. On the other hand, weak ties gain access to non-redundant ideas, resources and opportunities to increase a firm's flexibility to market opportunities. Strong and weak ties have, thus, been depicted as opposing influences to a firm's performance. This study, however, offers an alternative explanation to this strong and weak tie debate. In this study, a theoretical and empirical examination of strong and weak tie performance is conducted in the biotechnology industry. This study finds strong and weak ties exhibit distinct knowledge sharing and commercializing functions that positively impact a biotechnology firm's performance. By incorporating the distinctive functions of strong and weak ties, a firm's tie strength does not exert opposing influences to performance. In addition, due to their distinctive functions, strong and weak ties exhibit diminishing return effects. This suggests a firm can develop a network structure that maximizes its ability to develop its research knowledge and capitalize on commercializing opportunities. The contributions and implications of this study are also discussed.
Exploring the relationship between supply chain management theory and practice
Authors: Lietke Britta , Boslau Madlen , Finch Ross
Published: September 2008

This study reports on the results of an exploratory study surveying how German companies have implemented supply chain management. The data is used to test hypotheses developed from supply chain management theory in order to determine whether the phenomena detailed in the theory can be observed in practice. Few significant influences between a strategic orientation and actual supply chain implementation were found. Most notably, a company's commitment to supply chain management impacts its strategic orientation, which in turn significantly influences the supply chain's stability and the firm's independence from partners. However, at least for the sample observed, companies appear to be far removed from the strategic and systemic perspective of supply chain management proposed by researchers when evaluating current supply chain management implementation.
Chain mapping tools for analysis and improvement of inter-organisational information systems and relationships
Authors: Storer Christine , Taylor David
Published: September 2008

It is argued there is a gap between existing 'zero level' chain diagrams that only show the organisations involved and detailed process mapping tools that are commonly used when analysing supply chains. To address this, a number of relationship mapping tools are presented. More detailed zero level maps are suggested to identify opportunities for improvement that may have the greatest strategic impact on the chain as well as to highlight likely obstacles to cooperation. Multiple level relationship diagrams are suggested to identify the departments and the organisational hierarchical levels involved in these interactions so a team to work on the problem or opportunity can be established. More detailed work can be facilitated with process diagrams.
Evaluating the network's value creation and its dependence on absorptive capacity and social capital factors
Authors: Passiante Giuseppina , Ndou Valentina
Published: September 2008

Networks are assumed to enhance small firms' performance and competitiveness. Research indicates that there are various sources of value that could derive from networks, such as cost and time efficiency, quality improvement, flexibility and innovation. However, in most cases these values are associated with a general framework of what Information Communication Technologies (ICT) and network models are supposed to offer to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and their participating actors. Little empirical research has focused on the real value that participating firms can appropriate and create. Based on an empirical study involving SMEs, this paper analyses the value that SMEs can create and/or appropriate by participating in networks and the extent to which value creation depends on factors such as absorptive capability and social capital. This study demonstrates that SMEs can create and appropriate a great deal of value when they become an integral part of network systems. However, factors such as absorptive capacity and social capital need to be taken into consideration, since they greatly impact and affect the capability of firms to create and appropriate value. It is argued that in order to create and appropriate value through networks, they need to emphasize knowledge assimilation and sharing as well as creating continuous learning capability.
Governance structure, mechanisms and methods for managing collaborative eBusiness projects
Authors: Cameron Julie
Published: September 2008

Increasingly ebusiness projects are undertaken by collaborations. Many collaborative ebusiness projects fail to achieve their stated objectives due partly to inadequate project management. Additional management functions result from the lack of central authority and the characteristics of the three levels involved in these projects: the participating organizations that voluntarily collaborate (a form of virtual organization) to achieve agreed ebusiness objectives; the project teams (normally operating as "virtual" teams); and representatives from participating organizations. Because management functions change during the three stages of the "Collaborative Project Management Lifecycle"©®, it is proposed that the governance structure, mechanisms and methods adopted also need to change to effectively coordinate participating organizations and manage project activities. This proposal is evaluated using case studies of five Australian ebusiness collaborative projects. The paper contributes to practice by comparing various governance structures, mechanisms and methods and discussing the implications from a management perspective. The results are used to suggest governance structures, mechanisms and methods appropriate to key attributes of collaborative ebusiness projects. The paper synthesizes and builds on existing research related to collaborations, project management, virtual organizations and virtual teams, and then applies these findings to a real world environment.
A netchain development perspective on woolfarmers' associations in poor communities: a case study in South Africa
Authors: D'Haese Marijke , Van Huylenbroeck Guido , Doyer O. , Calus Mieke
Published: September 2008

In this article we describe an initiative from the local wool growing industry to integrate small-scale farmers in the wool chain in the Transkei area, one of the former homelands of South Africa. These communities are poor and sustain their livelihoods from diverse income sources, primarily pensions and remittances; therefore income-generating activities are needed to alleviate poverty. In this light, agriculture remains an important activity for many of the rural poor in former homelands to generate food and cash. Small-scale farmers, however, face many challenges, such as inadequate access to technology, credit, land and markets. The local associations are a mechanism for collective access to technology, post-harvest handling and marketing, and are supported by a development initiative from the National Woolgrowers' Association (NWGA). The aim of this research note is to discuss our research into the difficulties woolgrowers in the Transkei area encounter in their production and market environment and to provide insights into how collective action by farmers' associations can contribute to access the most basic chain links.
The global farmer: typology, institutions and organisation
Authors: Karantinini Kostas , Zylbersztajn Decio
Published: September 2008

The purpose of this paper is to study the phenomenon of 'global farmers' and how they are organised. The paper establishes a definition and a typology of global farming; sketches a theoretical framework based on property rights theory; and uses case studies to illustrate the theory and typologies. Global farmers are defined as farmers or farming enterprises that carry out activities in more than one country. Specific objectives of the present paper are first to define a typology of global farming, second to explore evidence of the existence of and incentives for global farming, third to propose a theoretical approach to examining the global farmer phenomenon, and fourth to discuss regularities in the governance and contractual choices made by farmers to coordinate their production. Global farms are found to have a variety of governance forms; they tend to not be operated as traditional family farms, but are more often incorporated or operated as formal partnership corporations. The farmers also form alliances and contractual arrangements with other farmers and agri-businesses in both the host country and their country of origin. The study is based on case studies developed in Latin America and Europe. The results of a questionnaire completed by four farmers reveal their reasons for choosing global farming, the specifi contract profile for farm resources and product marketing as well as the institution-related costs faced by farmers. Specific contracts for land, labor and farm inputs are compared in relation to the available services, credit, horizontal collaboration and product distribution.
Bargaining power and revenue distribution in the Costa Rican mango supply chain: a gaming simulation approach with local producers
Authors: Zúñiga-Arias Guillermo , Meijer Sebastiaan , Ruben Ruerd , Jan Hofstede Gert
Published: September 2008

By the time a European consumer eats a Costa Rican mango, the product has been traded in several transactions between producers, traders, retailers and consumers. This paper investigates the position of Costa Rican smallholders in the mango supply chain in terms of bargaining power and revenue distribution. It examines data derived using a specially developed research tool: the Mango Chain Game (MCG), a gaming simulation that mimics the negotiation conditions in the Costa Rican mango supply chain. The MCG defines roles for all agents in the chain and records transaction attributes. Five sessions with the MCG were played with different groups of mango producers, resulting in a data set of 82 transactions and 43 bargaining power positions. Bargaining power was assessed at a 10-point Likert scale. Revenue distribution was measured in terms of value added. The results show that self-perceived bargaining power was dependent on negotiation skills, wealth and good partnership of the negotiators, but independent of market imperfections. Revenue distribution was related to the bargaining power of the trading partner, risk perception and the duration of the contract. Conclusions include that using a gaming simulation as data source can help identify less tangible issues in supply chain research, which is a new field of application for gaming simulations. Agency cooperation, skills and being able to bear risks play a role for improving the efficiency of the mango supply chain in Costa Rica as seen from a producers' perspective. The gaming results indicate that initiatives for improving the bargaining power of producers are more promising if they focus on improving skills and relations in trade rather than on solving market imperfections.
Supply chain performance measurement: the case of the traditional food sector in the EU
Authors: Gellynck Xavier , Molnár Adrienn , Aramyan Lusine
Published: September 2008

The objective of this study is to develop a sound measurement instrument of traditional food supply chain performance integrating the perspectives of different stakeholders. Therefore first, stakeholders’ goals are generalized via focus groups and individual interviews. Second, stakeholders’ goals are consolidated, based on their specificity and conflicting/divergent nature and as a result, supply chain goals are developed. Third, potential performance indicators are listed, supporting the developed supply chain goals. Fourth, key performance indicators (KPIs) are selected. As a result, five main supply chain goals are formulated (traditionalism, efficiency, responsiveness, quality and chain balance) together with their supporting performance indicators. Future research should focus on validating the instrument in other food and non-food sectors.
Screening of antifungal and antimycotoxigenic activity of plant phenolic extracts
Authors: Oliveira M. dos Santos , Furlong E. Badiale
Published: September 2008

The antifungal and antimycotoxigenic activities of extracts from edible plants were tested by the agar dilution method using the growth diameter of Aspergillus flavus as response and the determination of aflatoxins B1 and B2 in the culture medium. On the 7th incubation day, the greatest fungal inhibitions were reached by the extracts from potato peel; rice and wheat; lemon peel and pulp; eggplant peel; orange peel and pulp; and apple pulp. After the 14-day incubation, the extracts from banana (30 µg phenol/ml agar), eggplant (30 µg phenol/ml agar), and potato (50 and 67 µg phenol/ml agar) pulp reduced the production of aflatoxin B1 by 3.2%/µg phenol/ml agar, 2.9%/µg phenol/ml agar, 1.8%/µg phenol/ml agar and 0.85%/µg phenol/ml agar, respectively, in relation to the control. The extracts from the other vegetables fully inhibited the synthesis of the mycotoxin. These results point to the studied plants and their residues as potential sources of phenolic compounds that may have an inhibitory effect on fungal development and the production of mycotoxins in food.
Deoxynivalenol and nivalenol analysis in soybean and soy flour
Authors: Barros G. , García D. , Oviedo S. , Ramirez M. , Torres A. , Chulze S.
Published: September 2008

A rapid and accurate method of quantifying deoxynivalenol (DON) and nivalenol (NIV) in soybean and soy flour is described. The samples were extracted with acetonitrile:water (84:16, v/v) and cleaned through a solidphase extraction (SPE) column. The mycotoxins were separated, detected and quantified by reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with UV detection (220 nm) using water:methanol (88:12, v/v) as mobile phase. Characteristics of this in-house method such as accuracy, precision and detection and quantification limits were defined by means of a recovery test with spiked soybean and soy flour samples. The detection limit (LOD) was 0.1 µg/g for DON and 0.2 µg/g for NIV, based on a signal-noise ratio 3:1. Quantification limit (LOQ) was established as three times the detection limit.
A conceptual model for identification of emerging risks, applied to mycotoxins in wheat-based supply chains
Authors: van der Fels-Klerx H. , Kandhai M. , Booij C.
Published: September 2008

The research described in this paper focuses on identification of the most important indicators for emerging
mycotoxins, starting from those produced by Fusarium fungi, in wheat-based feed and food supply chains, as well
as the development of a conceptual model to predict the occurrence of these emerging toxins, based on the selected
indicators. The selection of the most important indicators was based on a literature review and evaluation of the
resulting indicators for their relevance. Each indicator selected was appointed to relevant stage(s) of the supply chain
to which it is related and, for each indicator, a suggestion for a potential information source is given. The selected
indicators cover various influential sectors, amongst others, weather conditions, agronomical practices, trade
and legislation, as well as a variety of information sources, e.g. on-farm records and statistical organisations. The
conceptual model developed is aimed at predicting the occurrence of emerging mycotoxins – based on the selected
indicators – in a particular unit of wheat. The model takes a supply chain approach and can handle various types
of indicators and various levels of detail of information on origin of the unit of wheat. The proposed model could
be useful in the development of an identification system for emerging risks related to mycotoxins in wheat-based
supply chains. Ultimately, such a system will help industry and policy makers in their decision-making process with
regard to prevention and control of upcoming risks.
The TRI101 story: engineering wheat and barley to resist Fusarium head blight
Authors: Alexander N.
Published: September 2008

Fusarium head blight (FHB), caused primarily by Fusarium graminearum, is a major disease of wheat and barley
in the United States and Canada. FHB epidemics have been on the increase since 1993 and have caused severe
monetary damage for the growers and seed industry. Along with reduced yields, the presence of mycotoxins in
moldy grain constitutes a major problem for the grain industry. These mycotoxins pose health hazards to humans
and animals upon ingestion. The acute phytotoxicity of these mycotoxins and their occurrence in plant tissues
correlates with their role in pathogenesis and the production of plant disease. Transgenic plants incorporating the
Fusarium sporotrichioides Tri101 gene, a gene that reduces toxicity of trichothecenes, have reduced levels of disease, thus demonstrating that FHB severity and deoxynivalenol (DON) accumulation can be reduced in small grains by
the introduction of a toxin-modification gene.
Stability and epimerisation behaviour of ergot alkaloids in various solvents
Authors: Hafner M. , Sulyok M. , Schuhmacher R. , Crews C. , Krska R.
Published: September 2008

In this paper the stability and degree of epimerisation of six major ergot alkaloids at three different temperature
levels (-20 °C, +4 °C and +20 °C) over periods of 18 hours and six weeks is reported for the first time. The behaviour
of ergometrine, ergocornine, ergocristine, α-ergocryptine, ergosine and ergotamine was thoroughly studied in seven
solvents which are employed for the preparation of calibrants and extraction mixtures, respectively. Moreover, the
stability of the ergot alkaloids was tested in different cereal extracts (rye, wheat, barley, oats) for 1, 2 and 6 days. Of the toxins tested, the ergopeptide-type toxins ergosine, ergotamine, ergocornine, α-ergocryptine and ergocristine showed similar behaviour patterns. The simple lysergic acid derivative ergometrine was more stable and showed
hardly any epimerisation to ergometrinine, with the sum of both epimers remaining constant in all seven solvents.
The ergopeptides tested show variable epimerisation tendencies, and were also less stable during six weeks at
20 °C. Ergosine showed the highest degree of epimerisation (43% after 6 weeks at 20 °C). In general, the order of
epimerisation promotion was methanol/dichloromethane > acetonitrile/buffer > extraction mix > stabilising solution
> acetonitrile >> chloroform. Long-term storage at room temperature can only be carried out in chloroform, which
showed no epimerisation for all toxins even at 20 °C and also kept the sum of R and S forms constant, which indicates
no formation of aci-epimers or other degradation products. Long-term storage of ergot alkaloids in acetonitrile, the
most convenient solvent with respect to HPLC analysis, should be carried out at temperatures of -20 °C or below. The
constant epimer ratio of all ergot alkaloids in the extraction mixture acetonitrile/ammonium carbonate buffer (200
mg/l; 92:8, v/v) during an HPLC run (18 hours) demonstrates the stability of the toxins in this extraction mixture.
Alternaria mycotoxins: an overview of chemical characterization, producers, toxicity, analysis and occurrence in foodstuffs
Authors: Ostry V.
Published: September 2008

Microfungi of the genus Alternaria are ubiquitous pathogens and saprophytes. Many species of the genus Alternaria commonly cause spoilage of various food crops in the field or post-harvest decay. Due to their growth even at low temperatures, they are also responsible for spoilage of these commodities during refrigerated transport and storage. Several Alternaria species are known producers of toxic secondary metabolites - Alternaria mycotoxins. A. alternata produces a number of mycotoxins, including alternariol, alternariol monomethyl ether, altenuene, altertoxins I, II, III, tenuazonic acid and other less toxic metabolites. Tenuazonic acid is toxic to several animal species, e.g. mice, chicken, dogs. Alternariol, alternariol monomethyl ether, altenuene and altertoxin I are not very acutely toxic. There are several reports on the mutagenicity and genotoxicity of alternariol, and alternariol monomethyl ether. Alternariol has been identified as a topoisomerase I and II poison which might contribute to the impairment of DNA integrity in human colon carcinoma cells. Analytical methods to determine Alternaria toxins are largely based on procedures, involving cleanup by solvent partitioning or solid phase extraction, followed by chromatographic separation techniques, in combination with ultraviolet, fluorescence, electrochemical and mass spectroscopic detection. A large number of Alternaria metabolites has been reported to occur naturally in food commodities (e.g. fruit, vegetables, cereals and oil plants). Alternariol, alternariol monomethyl ether and tenuazonic acid were frequently detected in apples, apple products, mandarins, olives, pepper, red pepper, tomatoes, tomato products, oilseed rape meal, sunflower seeds, sorghum, wheat and edible oils. Alternariol and alternariol monomethyl ether were detected in citrus fruit, Japanese pears, prune nectar, raspberries, red currant, carrots, barley and oats. Alternariol monomethyl ether and tenuazonic acid were detected in melon. Natural occurrence of alternariol has been reported in apple juice, cranberry juice, grape juice, prune nectar, raspberry juice, red wine and lentils.
Mouldy fruits and vegetables as a source of mycotoxins: part 1
Authors: Barkai-Golan R. , Paster N.
Published: September 2008

Species of Aspergillus, Penicillium and Alternaria are major contributors to fruit and vegetable decay and to mycotoxin production during various stages of pathogenesis. The mycotoxins most commonly associated with fruits and vegetables and their products are aflatoxins, patulin, ochratoxin A and Alternaria toxins. Naturally occurring aflatoxins are found in fruits of tropical and subtropical regions where environmental conditions support growth of aflatoxigenic aspergilli. Aflatoxins in figs and dates have been associated with Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus, ochratoxin A in figs has been related mainly to A. alliaceus, and ochratoxin A in wines and other grape-based products has been associated with A. carbonarius and, to a lesser extent, with A. tubingensis and A. niger. Human exposure to patulin is primarily via apple-based products, following fruit infection by Penicillium expansum. Attention has been drawn to patulin contamination in infant apple products, and in organic fruits versus conventional ones. Alternaria species, which naturally attack a wide range of harvested fruits and vegetables, are capable of producing several mycotoxins during pathogenesis. The major mycotoxins include alternariol, alternariol methyl ether, altenuene, tenuazonic acid, and altertoxin-I. Although A. alternata is regarded as the major producer of Alternaria mycotoxins, other species, such as A. citri, A. longipes, A. tenuissima, A. arborescens, may also produce these mycotoxins. Mycotoxin accumulation in fruits and vegetables may occur in the field, and during harvest, postharvest and storage. Factors affecting mycotoxin production include the fruit or vegetable type and cultivar, geographical location, climate, pre-harvest treatments, method of harvest, postharvest treatments and storage conditions. Considering geostatistics, knowledge of the ecology of the fungi, data on crop distribution and meteorological conditions, risk predicting maps have recently been drawn. The methodologies of detection and determination of mycotoxigenic moulds and of ochratoxin A in grape products, of patulin in apple products and of Alternaria mycotoxins in fruit and vegetable products, are summarised and discussed. The present review is based on the multi-author book 'Mycotoxins in Fruits and Vegetables' published by Elsevier (2008).
Rapid LC and LC/MS for routine analysis of mycotoxins in foods
Authors: Şenyuva H. , Gilbert J. , Özcan S. , Gürel N.
Published: September 2008

Affinity column clean-up of food samples for mycotoxin analysis produces extracts which are free of co-extractives and therefore require little chromatography for separation and quantification of the target analytes. Using such clean extracts, we report rapid chromatographic methods for aflatoxins B1, B2, G1 and G2, aflatoxin M1, ochratoxin A, zearalenone and fumonisins. Using short columns with small particle size packing, HPLC conditions have been developed reducing analysis time typically by 75%, e.g. for aflatoxins from 19.0 min to 4.0 min with full separation of the four toxins and for aflatoxin M1 giving an analysis time of less than 1 min compared to 5 min for conventional analysis. Fumonisins were analysed directly by LC/MS in a run time of 4.1 min, using selected ion monitoring to avoid the need for derivatisation for fluorescence detection by HPLC. Peak purity under rapid analysis conditions has been demonstrated by LC/MS for a variety of food extracts such as pistachios, hazelnuts, paprika, cocoa, coffee, cereals, sesame oil, cheese, maize, animal feed, dried figs, dried vine fruits, cornflakes and bread. These substantial reductions in analysis time offer significant benefits to laboratories undertaking routine screening and quantitative analysis of mycotoxins in foods.
Fate of fusarium mycotoxins in the cereal industry: recent UK studies
Authors: Scudamore K.
Published: September 2008

The cereal food chain covers events from the sowing of the seed until the point of ingestion of a food by the consumer. Mycotoxins may develop prior to harvest or through inadequate storage. Most mycotoxins are inherently stable natural chemicals but cleaning, milling and different methods of processing can change their concentrations. Legislation is necessary to protect the consumer so it is important to consider, among other things, the relationship between concentrations of mycotoxins in the raw grains and those in the product purchased by the consumer, especially where different limits are specified at successive stages in manufacture. Recent studies of the fate of fusarium mycotoxins in the cereal food chain carried out alongside industry in the UK have examined changes in the concentrations of deoxynivalenol, nivalenol, T-2 toxin, HT-2 toxin and zearalenone in wheat, maize and oats and the fumonisin mycotoxins in maize at key stages in the cereal chain. For example, fumonisin concentrations in maize grits after milling were reduced by about 75% compared with the raw maize, but remained similar to the maize in the flour and were increased (x3 to x5) in the bran and meal. Maize flour and grits were then processed into a range of food products such as breakfast cereals, cornflakes, extruded snack products and tortillas and the changes in concentrations were established. Simple extrusion of flour or grits reduced fumonisins by a further 30-70% depending on the process. Deoxynivalenol and zearalenone were found to be more stable than fumonisins during most processes.
Occurrence of deoxynivalenol in Czech grain
Authors: Polišenská I. , Sýkorová S. , Matějová E. , Chrpová J. , Nedomová L.
Published: September 2008

A survey of deoxynivalenol (DON) content in cereals intended for human consumption was carried out in the Czech Republic (CR) over a seven-year period (2000-2006). Wheat, barley and rye samples of harvested cereals were collected directly from farmers where the selection was based on sample origin. In wheat, randomly sampled spikes and risk samples selected on the basis of visually scabby kernels (VSK) were also analysed. An immunochemical method, ELISA, was used for analysis. The maximum limit, according to Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1881/2006, for DON content (1,250 µg/kg) in unprocessed cereals for human nutrition was exceeded in random samples of wheat in 3.5% out of 345 analysed samples, of barley in 1.6% out of 498 analysed samples, and there were no samples of rye (out of 113) exceeding this limit. The analysis of spike samples and the samples that were selected based on VSK occurrence revealed much higher levels of DON content. Highly significant effects of the year, sample origin, and preceding crop on the DON content were found.
Bioactivation and DNA adduction as a rationale for ochratoxin A carcinogenesis
Authors: Manderville R. , Pfohl-Leszkowicz A.
Published: September 2008

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a para-chlorophenolic mycotoxin produced by strains of Aspergillus and Penicillium that is widely found as a contaminant of improperly stored food products. The toxin is a potent renal carcinogen in rats, especially male, and has an implicated role in the etiology of Balkan endemic nephropathy and its associated urinary tract tumours. Although the mechanism of OTA-mediated tumour formation is not fully understood, and represents a hotly debated topic, bioactivation and subsequent DNA adduction through covalent attachment of electrophilic OTA species remains a viable mechanism for OTA-mediated carcinogenesis. In this paper we outline the established chemistry for the bioactivation of chlorophenol carcinogens and demonstrate how this chemistry relates to the bioactivation of OTA. From this basis it is predicted that OTA will form a benzoquinone electrophile following activation by cytochrome P450 enzymes and radical species following activation by enzymes with peroxidase activities. These electrophiles react preferentially with deoxyguanosine (dG) to form benzetheno adducts and C8- dG adducts, respectively. Analysis of OTA-mediated DNA adduction using the 32P-postlabelling method correlates with OTA chemistry and adduct spots derived from the quinone electrophile are generated following activation by cytochrome P450, while a C8-OTA adduct is formed following activation of OTA by peroxidase enzymes. These same adduct spots are also produced in animal (rat and pig) and human tumoral kidney tissue. This model for OTAmediated carcinogenesis is consistent with established structure-activity relationships for covalent attachment of OTA analogues and OTA toxicity. The model also provides a rationale for the synergistic effect observed for OTA in the presence of the mycotoxin citrinin and for the sexual differences observed in rat carcinogenesis where the male is particularly susceptible to OTA-mediated tumour formation.
A LC/MS/MS method for the simultaneous quantification of free and masked fumonisins in maize and maize-based products
Authors: Dall'Asta C. , Galaverna G. , Aureli G. , Dossena A. , Marchelli R.
Published: September 2008

An LC-ESI-MS/MS method for the simultaneous detection of the main fumonisins and their hydrolysed derivatives is described, allowing for a simplified sample preparation without previous clean up. The method has a very low quantification limit (10 µg/kg for FB1, 12 µg/kg for FB2 and FB3, 70 µg/kg for HFB1, HFB2 and HFB3 in maize flour) and a very good recovery for all the analytes. The method has been applied to check several maize-based foods for the presence of free and bound forms of fumonisins, the latter being determined after alkaline hydrolysis as hydrolysed derivatives. Bound fumonisins were found to be present not only in thermally treated maize-based products but also in mild processed or even raw products (pasta, bread, cakes, crisps, flour) and they were always present in almost similar or even higher amounts than the free forms. Osborne fractions of maize proteins showed that fumonisins were particularly bound to prolamins and glutelins. Model systems and extracts of these protein fractions gave positive response to ELISA tests, thus confirming the cross reactivity of these masked forms.
Cyclic neutropenia in mammals
Authors: Pacheco Jorge M. , Traulsen Arne , Antal Tibor , Dingli David
Published: September 2008

Cyclic neutropenia (CN) has been well documented in humans and the gray collie. A recent model of the architecture and dynamics of hematopoiesis has been used to provide insights into the mechanism of cycling of this disorder. It provides a link between the cycling period and the cells where the mutated ELA2 is expressed. Assuming that the biologic defect in CN is the same in dogs, and the observation that the structure of hematopoiesis is invariant across mammals, we use allometric scaling techniques to correctly predict the period of cycling in the gray collie and extend it to other mammals from mice to elephants. This work provides additional support for the relevance of animal models to understand disease but cautions that disease dynamics in model animals are different and this has to be taken into consideration when planning experiments. Am. J. Hematol., 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Infant mortality following male takeovers in wild geladas
Authors: Beehner Jacinta C. , Bergman Thore J.
Published: September 2008

Since Sugiyama's [1965] first observations of infanticide, empirical evidence from a multitude of primate species has supported the sexual selection hypothesis—the idea that males enhance their reproductive success by killing nonrelated, unweaned infants to hasten the mothers' return to fertility. Like other primates that live in social groups where paternity certainty is high, the social structure of geladas [Theropithecus gelada] suggests that infanticide by males could enhance their reproductive success. Nevertheless, empirical evidence for infanticide in this species is limited to anecdotal accounts. Using the timing of infant mortality and female reproductive and behavioral data collected across 26 months from a population of geladas living in the Simien Mountains National Park, Ethiopia, we test whether sexually selected infanticide occurs in this species. We also examine two additional hypotheses [noninfanticide hypothesis and generalized aggression hypothesis] for this population. Results suggest that sexually selected infanticide in geladas may, indeed, be a threat to females with dependent infants. First, male takeovers—the most likely time for infanticide—were associated with subsequently elevated rates of infant death [a 32‐fold increase] comprising nearly 60% of all infant mortality. Second, females who lost infants during this period returned to fertility more quickly than if infants had lived [IBIs were 50% shorter], and third, all of these females were observed to mate with the new male. We found little to no support for other hypotheses. Finally, these results raise the possibility that anecdotal reports [from previous studies and this study] of pregnancy termination, accelerated weaning, and deceptive sexual swellings may represent female counterstrategies to male infanticide in geladas. Am. J. Primatol. 70:1152–1159, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Ground substrate affects activity budgets and hair loss in outdoor captive groups of rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta)
Authors: Beisner Brianne A. , Isbell Lynne A.
Published: September 2008

How the captive environment influences the behavior of animals is relevant to the well‐being of captive animals. Captivity diverges from the natural environment in many ways, and one goal of enrichment practices is to encourage species‐typical behavior in these unnatural environments. This study investigated the influence of grass vs. gravel substrate on activity budgets and degree of hair loss in seven groups of captive rhesus macaques housed in outdoor enclosures at the California National Primate Research Center. Groups having grass substrate spent a greater proportion of their time foraging and a smaller proportion of time grooming compared with groups having gravel substrate. Increased time spent grooming in gravel enclosures may have contributed to significantly greater hair loss in those enclosures. A causal relationship between ground substrate on foraging and grooming, and therefore hair loss, is strengthened by similar changes in activity budgets and hair loss in a single group that was moved from gravel to grass substrate halfway through the study. These results add to growing evidence that substrate type in captivity is important to consider because it affects animal well‐being. In particular, these results reveal that grass substrate is more effective than gravel in stimulating foraging and reducing allo‐grooming to levels that are comparable to wild populations, and enable animals to maintain healthier coats. Am. J. Primatol. 70:1160–1168, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.