bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Periodic occurrence of complete intersection monomial curves
Authors: Jayanthan A. , Srinivasan Hema
Published: August 2013

We study the complete intersection property of monomial curves in the family
<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" alttext="normal upper Gamma Subscript a underbar plus j underbar Baseline equals left-brace left-parenthesis t Superscript a 0 plus j Baseline comma t Superscript a 1 plus j Baseline comma ellipsis comma t Superscript a Super Subscript n Superscript plus j Baseline right-parenthesis vertical-bar j greater-than-or-equal-to 0 comma a 0 greater-than a 1 greater-than midline-horizontal-ellipsis greater-than a Subscript n Baseline right-brace">

Γ

a
_

+

j
_

=
{
(

t

a
0

+
j

,

t

a
1

+
j

,
…
,

t

a
n

+
j

)
 

|

 
j
≥
0
,
 

a
0

>

a
1

>
⋯
>

a
n

}

\Gamma _{\underline {a} + \underline {j}} = \{(t^{a_0 + j}, t^{a_1+j}, \ldots , t^{a_n + j}) ~ | ~ j \geq 0, ~ a_0 > a_1 > \cdots > a_n \}

. We prove that if

Γ

a
_

+

j
_

\Gamma _{\underline {a}+\underline {j}}

is a complete intersection for

j
≫
0

j \gg 0

, then

Γ

a
_

+

j
_

+

a
_

n

\Gamma _{\underline {a}+\underline {j}+{\underline {a}_n}}

is a complete intersection for

j
≫
0

j \gg 0

. This proves a conjecture of Herzog and Srinivasan on eventual periodicity of Betti numbers of semigroup rings under translations for complete intersections. We also show that if

Γ

a
_

+

j
_

\Gamma _{\underline {a}+\underline {j}}

is a complete intersection for

j
≫
0

j \gg 0

, then

Γ

a
_

\Gamma _{\underline {a}}

is a complete intersection. We also characterize the complete intersection property of this family when

n
=
3

n = 3

.
Bayesian Network Webserver: a comprehensive tool for biological network modeling
Authors: Ziebarth Jesse D. , Bhattacharya Anindya , Cui Yan
Published: August 2013

Summary: The Bayesian Network Webserver (BNW) is a platform for comprehensive network modeling of systems genetics and other biological datasets. It allows users to quickly and seamlessly upload a dataset, learn the structure of the network model that best explains the data and use the model to understand relationships between network variables. Many datasets, including those used to create genetic network models, contain both discrete (e.g. genotype) and continuous (e.g. gene expression traits) variables, and BNW allows for modeling hybrid datasets. Users of BNW can incorporate prior knowledge during structure learning through an easy-to-use structural constraint interface. After structure learning, users are immediately presented with an interactive network model, which can be used to make testable hypotheses about network relationships.

Availability and implementation: BNW, including a downloadable structure learning package, is available at http://compbio.uthsc.edu/BNW. (The BNW interface for adding structural constraints uses HTML5 features that are not supported by current version of Internet Explorer. We suggest using other browsers (e.g. Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox) when accessing BNW).

Contact:  ycui2@uthsc.edu

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Artefacts of excavation
Authors: Stevenson Alice
Published: August 2013

This paper explores the collection of artefacts from British excavations in Egypt and their dispersal to institutions across the world between 1880 and 1915. The scope, scale and complexity of these distributions is reviewed with a view to highlighting the complex, symbiotic relationship between British organizations that mounted such excavations on the one hand and museums on the other, and also to providing a basis from which to argue that both field and museum collecting practices were enmeshed within the same processes of ‘artefaction’. These shared processes together created a new form of museum object, here referred to as the ‘excavated artefact’. It is further suggested that the collection of artefacts for museums was one of the primary motivating factors in the establishment of a scientific archaeology in Egypt. Case-studies of the activities of the Egypt Exploration Fund and Flinders Petrie’s work are presented in order to throw these arguments into relief. An online Appendix tabulates the original distribution of objects from eef excavations to other institutions.
Lighting up cells with lanthanide self-assembled helicates
Authors: Bünzli Jean-Claude G.
Published: August 2013

Lanthanide bioprobes and bioconjugates are ideal luminescent stains in view of their low propensity to photobleaching, sharp emission lines and long excited state lifetimes permitting time-resolved detection for enhanced sensitivity. We show here how the interplay between physical, chemical and biochemical properties allied to microfluidics engineering leads to self-assembled dinuclear lanthanide luminescent probes illuminating live cells and selectively detecting biomarkers expressed by cancerous human breast cells.
Aging of the labor force and technical efficiency in crop production
Authors: Li Min , Sicular Terry
Published: August 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the extent of aging in the agricultural labor force and its effect on farm production in a province of China.

Design/methodology/approach

The analysis uses panel data for the years 2004 through 2008 from a representative sample of farm households in Liaoning province. Descriptive statistics reveal the age structure of the agricultural labor force and correlations between labor force age and production characteristics. A translog stochastic frontier production function and technical inefficiency model is employed to analyze the effect of aging of the labor force on the technical efficiency of crop production.

Findings

The paper finds an accelerating trend towards aging of the agricultural labor force in the data. Results from the stochastic frontier production function and efficiency analysis reveal that household‐level technical efficiency increases until maximum efficiency is reached when the average age of the household labor force is 45, after which efficiency declines.

Practical implications

Aging of China's rural labor force may affect efficiency and productivity in crop production. Agricultural policies may need to pay more attention to the aging of the agricultural labor force. Some measures should be taken to address the pattern of migration, and policies to improve the social and economic environment in rural areas for younger workers should be developed. Also, extension programs could help older farmers to maintain efficient farming methods.

Originality/value

This is one of very few analyses of the effects of aging on production efficiency for a developing country, as well as for China. The analysis uses a unique panel dataset that covers 24 counties, 1,890 rural households, and more than 6,000 individuals, with each household tracked for five years. Most of the literature estimating technical efficiency carries out the analysis at the individual level; in China and other developing countries, farming is carried out at the household level. We have adapted the methodology to apply to situations where the unit of analysis is the household.
Impact of the economic crisis on income inequality among farm households
Authors: Chang Hung‐Hao
Published: August 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assess the impacts of the 2008 economic crisis on the change in income inequality among farm households using the micro‐level data. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a national household survey data in Taiwan in 2007 and 2009, the paper applies the Gini decomposition method for income inequality.

Findings

Results of a decomposition method indicate that the Gini coefficients decrease for farm households, and that the effects are more pronounced among the full‐time farms. The reduction in the overall income inequality is due to the decreased farm income and off‐farm wage salaries, as well as the increased government payments.

Research limitations/implications

Although these findings are interesting and useful, some caveats still remain. First, the analysis can only reveal the short‐term effect of the economic crisis. The long‐term effect could be different. In addition, the paper does not further address whether the impacts may differ for households with different socio‐demographic characteristics of the household members and household characteristics. More detailed information on each household member is required to address this issue. This issue is beyond the scope of the current study and is left for further investigation.

Originality/value

Numerous studies have examined the impact of 2008 economic crisis on the general economy, however, little is known about the effect among farmers. This study is among the first to assess the impacts of financial crisis on income inequality between farm and nonfarm households.
A review of internet marketing research over the past 20 years and future research direction
Authors: Pomirleanu Nadia , Schibrowsky John A. , Peltier James , Nill Alexander
Published: August 2013

Purpose

The 20‐year review of marketing and selected business journals examines the internet marketing literature to determine how the literature has evolved in terms of quantity, content, and publication outlets. This article aims to provide a comprehensive review of the internet marketing literature. It offers a big picture view of the current state of the internet marketing literature and gives readers a sense of the quantity of internet marketing articles published, the scope of this research, and how this research has evolved in terms of content.

Design/methodology/approach

Consistent with Schibrowsky et al., a content analysis was performed on 1,957 internet‐related marketing articles identified by searching the business source premier database. The paper reviews the internet marketing literature that has been published in the time period 2005‐2012 in marketing journals.

Findings

The study revealed that 68.5 percent of the internet marketing research had been published in the last eight years. The findings suggest the number of internet marketing articles finding their way into the top marketing journals has increased, and that there is a wider array of journals publishing internet marketing articles. Areas of research that maintained high interest included consumer behavior, internet strategy, and internet communications; new areas included social media and networks. Three major research areas are likely to grow in the next few years: mobile internet, social media and networks, as well as internet analytics.

Practical implications

The paper reviews the internet marketing literature that has been published in the time period 2005‐2012 in marketing journals.

Originality/value

The study provides both academics and practitioners with an updated review of the internet marketing literature along with a sense of how internet marketing research is evolving. This review provides marketing academics and practitioners a macro overview of the topics and placement of articles that compose the internet marketing literature. It is an extension of Schibrowsky et al.
Evaluation of environmental impacts using backpropagation neural network
Authors: Jovanovic Jelena , Krivokapic Zdravko , Vujovic Aleksandar
Published: August 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this present study is to find a scientific method for the evaluation of environmental impacts according to the requirement 4.3.1.

Design/methodology/approach

To realize the objectives, the authors worked with a representative sample from certified ISO 14001 organizations. The data aim to identify and evaluate (according to the organization's methodology) significant environmental impacts. In this study, the authors created two models for the evaluation of environmental impacts based on an artificial neural network applied in the pilot organization and compared the results obtained from these models with those obtained by applying an analytic hierarchy process (AHP) method. AHP is part of an multi‐criteria decision making method and provides good multi‐criteria support for decision making for problems that can be structured hierarchically.

Findings

This paper presents a new approach that uses a backpropagation neural network to evaluate environmental impacts regardless of the organization type.

Originality/value

This paper presents a unique approach for the reliable and objective evaluation of environmental impacts.
Forgotten effects of corporate social and environmental responsibility
Authors: Vizuete Luciano Emili , Gil‐Lafuente Anna Maria , García González Ana , Boria‐Reverter Sefa
Published: August 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to develop a model that illustrated how influences are interpreted and then shaped by an economy into its commitment towards corporate social and environmental responsibility (CSER).

Design/methodology/approach

The paper considers this question: is this possible to find some first and second effects about CSER in 24 sectors of Catalonian economy?

Findings

The analytical model is used in order to develop a conceptual model to explain the forgotten effects or CSER in Catalonia, Spain.

Originality/value

This paper applies the theory of the forgotten effects with the analysis of the causes or external elements to the Catalonian economy and of the effects or reflections that it produces in the sustainability.
A theoretical study on terrestrial gravimetric data refinement by Earth gravity models
Authors: Eshagh Mehdi
Published: August 2013

The idea of this paper is to present estimators for combining terrestrial gravity data with Earth gravity models and produce a high‐quality source of the Earth's gravity field data through all wavelengths. To do so, integral and point‐wise estimators are mathematically developed, based on the spectral combination theory, in such a way that they combine terrestrial data with one and/or two Earth gravity models. The integral estimators are developed so that they become biased or unbiased to a priori information. For testing the quality of the estimators, their global mean square errors are generated using an Earth gravity model08 model and one of the recent products of the gravity field and steady‐state ocean circulation explorer mission. Numerical results show that the integral estimators have smaller global root mean square errors than the point‐wise ones but they are not efficient practically. The integral estimator of the biased type is the most suited due to its smallest global root mean square error comparing to the rest of the estimators. Due largely to the omission errors of Earth gravity models the point‐wise estimators are not sensitive to the Earth gravity model commission error; therefore, the use of high‐degree Earth gravity models is very influential for reduction of their root mean square errors. Also it is shown that the use of the ocean circulation explorer Earth gravity model does not significantly reduce the root mean square errors of the presented estimators in the presence of Earth gravity model08. All estimators are applied in the region of Fennoscandia and a cap size of 2° for numerical integration and a maximum degree of 2500 for generation of band‐limited kernels are found suitable for the integral estimators.
High‐accuracy two‐interval approximation for normal‐moveout function in a multi‐layered anisotropic model
Authors: Blias Emil
Published: August 2013

This paper discusses reducing computation costs for traveltime calculations in multi‐layered anisotropic models. Fomel and Stovas () suggested a two‐ray five‐parameter approximation that they named ‘generalized’ because it reduces to several known three‐parameter forms. Model tests, demonstrated by the authors, showed that this generalized approximation provided very high accuracy, implying it can be used in place of the exact moveout function in modelling, migration and traveltime inversion. However, detailed model studies show that for some models, with a high‐velocity layer, this approximation leads to significant errors. I develop a new three‐ray eight‐parameter approximation that provides higher accuracy and can replace the exact traveltime function that requires numerical ray calculations for each receiver. I call it a ‘two‐interval approximation’ because it uses two different equations for two offset intervals. Model tests show that this two‐interval approximation can bring much higher accuracy compared to the generalized approximation due to the use of an additional reference ray. The two‐interval new approximation can be used instead of exact traveltimes for many practical purposes.
A role for below‐ground biota in plant–plant facilitation
Authors: Rodríguez‐Echeverría Susana , Armas Cristina , Pistón Nuria , Hortal Sara , Pugnaire Francisco I.
Published: August 2013

Plant–plant facilitation is an important driver of plant diversity, which in turn maintains ecosystem multifunctionality and can buffer some negative effects of climate change. Facilitation is classically attributed to the amelioration of environmental extremes and resource availability. Integrating below‐ground biota into the positive plant interactions framework should provide a more realistic understanding of this process, enabling us to gain insights into the dynamics of below–above‐ground communities.

We tested the effect of below‐ground biota on the performance of a plant community and of individual species using soil extracts from the understorey of a benefactor plant species and adjacent open spaces. Soil bacteria from extracts and experimental microcosms were analysed using pyrosequencing.

Soil biota had a significant effect on the abundance, growth, functional traits and reproductive output of beneficiary plant species through processes that are independent of the direct influence of the benefactor species. Different soil bacterial communities were associated with the benefactor species, the individual beneficiary plant species and the plant community, revealing complex below–above‐ground links between plants and soil microbiota.

Synthesis. The below‐ground biota cultivated by benefactor plant species play a fundamental role in positive interactions between plant species contributing to the preservation of diversity and the evolution of plant communities.
Vertical mother–neonate transfer of maternal gut bacteria via breastfeeding
Authors: Jost Ted , Lacroix Christophe , Braegger Christian P. , Rochat Florence , Chassard Christophe
Published: August 2013

Breast milk has recently been recognized as source of commensal and potential probiotic bacteria. The present study investigated whether viable strains of gut‐associated obligate anaerobes are shared between the maternal and neonatal gut ecosystem via breastfeeding. Maternal faeces, breast milk and corresponding neonatal faeces collected from seven mothers‐neonate pairs at three neonatal sampling points were analyzed by culture‐independent (pyrosequencing) and culture‐dependent methods (16S rRNAgene sequencing, pulsed field gel electrophoresis, random amplified polymorphicDNAand repetitive extragenic palindromic polymerase chain reaction. Pyrosequencing allowed identifying gut‐associated obligate anaerobic genera, likeBifidobacterium,Bacteroides,Parabacteroidesand members of theClostridia (Blautia,Clostridium,CollinsellaandVeillonella) shared between maternal faeces, breast milk and neonatal faeces. Using culture, a viable strain ofBifidobacterium brevewas shown to be shared between all three ecosystems within one mother–neonate pair. Furthermore, pyrosequencing revealed that several butyrate‐producing members of theClostridia (Coprococcus,Faecalibacterium,RoseburiaandSubdoligranulum) were shared between maternal faeces and breast milk. This study shows that (viable) obligate gut‐associated anaerobes may be vertically transferred from mother to neonate via breastfeeding. Thus, our data support the recently suggested hypothesis of a novel way of mother–neonate communication, in which maternal gut bacteria reach breast milk via an entero‐mammary pathway to influence neonatal gut colonization and maturation of the immune system.
Systematic gene deletions evidences that laccases are involved in several stages of wood degradation in the filamentous fungus Podospora anserina
Authors: Xie Ning , Chapeland‐Leclerc Florence , Silar Philippe , Ruprich‐Robert Gwenaël
Published: August 2013

Transformation of plant biomass into biofuels may supply environmentally friendly alternative biological sources of energy. Laccases are supposed to be involved in the lysis of lignin, a prerequisite step for efficient breakdown of cellulose into fermentable sugars. The role in development and plant biomass degradation of the nine canonical laccases belonging to three different subfamilies and one related multicopper oxidase of the Ascomycota fungus Podospora anserina was investigated by targeted gene deletion. The 10 genes were inactivated singly, and multiple mutants were constructed by genetic crosses. lac6Δ, lac8Δ and mcoΔ mutants were significantly reduced in their ability to grow on lignin‐containing materials, but also on cellulose and plastic. Furthermore, lac8Δ, lac7Δ, mcoΔ and lac6Δ mutants were defective towards resistance to phenolic substrates and H2O2, which may also impact lignocellulose breakdown. Double and multiple mutants were generally more affected than single mutants, evidencing redundancy of function among laccases. Our study provides the first genetic evidences that laccases are major actors of wood utilization in a fungus and that they have multiple roles during this process apart from participation in lignin lysis.
Inactivation of the SecA2 protein export pathway in Listeria monocytogenes promotes cell aggregation, impacts biofilm architecture and induces biofilm formation in environmental condition
Authors: Renier Sandra , Chagnot Caroline , Deschamps Julien , Caccia Nelly , Szlavik Julie , Joyce Susan A. , Popowska Magdalena , Hill Colin , Knøchel Susanne , Briandet Romain , Hébraud Michel , Desvaux Mickaël
Published: August 2013

Listeria monocytogenes has a dichotomous lifestyle, existing as an ubiquitous saprophytic species and as an opportunistic intracellular pathogen. Besides its capacity to grow in a wide range of environmental and stressful conditions, L. monocytogenes has the ability to adhere to and colonize surfaces. Morphotype variation to elongated cells forming rough colonies has been reported for different clinical and environmental isolates, including biofilms. This cell differentiation is mainly attributed to the reduced secretion of two SecA2‐dependent cell‐wall hydrolases, CwhA and MurA. SecA2 is a non‐essential SecA paralogue forming an alternative translocase with the primary Sec translocon. Following investigation at temperatures relevant to its ecological niches, i.e. infection (37°C) and environmental (20°C) conditions, inactivation of this SecA2‐only protein export pathway led, despite reduced adhesion, to the formation of filamentous biofilm with aerial structures. Compared to the wild type strain, inactivation of the SecA2 pathway promoted extensive cell aggregation and sedimentation. At ambient temperature, this effect was combined with the abrogation of cell motility resulting in elongated sedimented cells, which got knotted and entangled together in the course of filamentous‐biofilm development. Such a cell differentiation provides a decisive advantage for listerial surface colonization under environmental condition. As further discussed, this morphotypic conversion has strong implication on listerial physiology and is also of potential significance for asymptomatic human/animal carriage.
Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy in a Jeweler Following a Hold‐up: Forensic Considerations
Authors: Savall Frederic , Dedouit Fabrice , Telmon Norbert , Rougé Daniel
Published: August 2013

The authors present a case of takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TTC) following physical assault. In France, public prosecutor orders a medicolegal assessment after an assault for all living victims. Medicolegal assessment aims to establish a causal relation between an aggression and the injury sustained. An 80‐year‐old jeweler was the victim of assault, restraint and confinement during the hold‐up of his jewelry store. After the event, he experienced constrictive chest pain with a sensation of oppression. Transthoracic echography showed apical and middle wall akinesis with apical ballooning pattern. In this case, the experts reasonably accepted that there was a direct, certain, and exclusive causal relation between the aggression and the cardiomyopathy. Forensic specialists should be aware of TTC because it is a frequent complication of stress situations and its incidence in forensic cases is probably underestimated.
Fatal Wounds Sustained from “Falling Bullets”: Maintaining a High Index of Suspicion in a Forensic Setting
Authors: Rapkiewicz Amy V. , Shuman Mark J. , Hutchins Kenneth D.
Published: August 2013

Celebratory gunfire injuries from “falling bullets” occur when guns are fired into the air during celebrations without realizing that this can cause serious injuries or even fatalities. Fatal celebratory gunfire injury is an uncommonly reported event in the continental United States. Our electronic database was queried for homicides occurring within days of July 4th and December 31st over a 14‐year period. We describe two cases of fatal gunfire injury due to celebratory gunfire occurring during New Year's Eve in Southern Florida. The relevant literature is reviewed. These case reports illustrate that fatal gunfire injuries sustained from “falling bullets” may pose as an unexpected mimic to sudden natural deaths especially in patients with prior medical history. A high index of suspicion to recognize such injury is required particularly during holidays.
Classification Systems for Stalking Behavior
Authors: Racine Christopher , Billick Stephen
Published: August 2013

Stalking is a complex behavioral phenomenon that is unique in that it necessarily involves a prolonged dyadic relationship between both a perpetrator and a victim. Since criminalization of stalking behavior in the 1990s, different conceptual typologies have attempted to classify this behavior to assess risk and aid in management decisions. The authors reviewed the current literature regarding the most recent and accepted stalking classification systems. The three predominant stalker typologies currently in use include Zona's stalker–victim types, Mullen's stalker typology, and the RECON stalker typology. Of these, the RECON classification system alone was developed in an attempt to separate stalkers into groups based on previously known risk factors for behaviorally based phenomenon such as propensity for violence. Understanding and simplifying these classification systems may enhance the potential that new research will lead to evidence‐based management and treatment strategies in the stalking situation.
Postmortem Distribution of 3‐Beta‐Hydroxybutyrate
Authors: Palmiere Cristian , Mangin Patrice , Werner Dominique
Published: August 2013

The concentrations of 3‐beta‐hydroxybutyrate (3HB) in femoral blood, urine, vitreous humor as well as pericardial and cerebrospinal fluids were retrospectively examined in a series of medico‐legal autopsies, which included cases of diabetic ketoacidosis, hypothermia fatalities without ethanol in blood, bodies presenting mild decompositional changes, and sudden deaths in chronic alcoholics. Similar increases in 3HB concentrations were observed in blood, vitreous, and pericardial fluid, irrespective of the cause of death, suggesting that pericardial fluid and vitreous can both be used as alternatives to blood for postmortem 3HB determination. Urine 3HB levels were higher than blood values in most cases. Cerebrospinal fluid 3HB levels were generally lower than concentrations in blood and proved to be diagnostic of underlying metabolic disturbances only when significant increases occurred.
Efficacy of Plant‐Derived Antimicrobials as Antimicrobial Wash Treatments for Reducing Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia Coli O157:H7 on Apples
Authors: Baskaran Sangeetha Ananda , Upadhyay Abhinav , Kollanoor‐Johny Anup , Upadhyaya Indu , Mooyottu Shankumar , Roshni Amalaradjou Mary Anne , Schreiber David , Venkitanarayanan Kumar
Published: August 2013

This study investigated the efficacy of 3 GRAS‐status, plant‐derived antimicrobials (PDAs), trans‐cinnamaldehyde (TC), carvacrol (CR), and β‐resorcylic acid (BR) applied as an antimicrobial wash for killing Escherichia coli O157:H7 on apples. “Red delicious” apples inoculated with a 5 strain mixture of E. coli O157:H7 were subjected to washing in sterile deionized water containing 0% PDA (control), 0.15% TC, 0.35% TC, 0.15% CR, 0.30% CR, 0.5% BR, or 1% BR for 1, 3, and 5 min at 23 °C in the presence and absence of 1% soil, and surviving pathogen populations on apples were enumerated at each specified time. All PDAs were more effective in reducing E. coli O157:H7 compared to the water wash treatment (P < 0.05) and reduced the pathogen by 4‐ to 5‐log CFU/apple in 5 min. Chlorine (1%) was the most effective treatment reducing the pathogen on apples to undetectable levels in 1 min (P < 0.05). Moreover, the antimicrobial effect of CR and BR was not affected by the presence of soil, whereas the efficacy of TC and BR was decreased in the presence of soil. Further, no bacteria were detected in the wash solution containing CR and BR; however, E. coli O157:H7 was recovered in the control wash water and treatment solutions containing TC and chlorine, in the presence of 1% soil (P < 0.05). Results suggest that the aforementioned PDAs, especially CR and BR could be used effectively to kill E. coli O157:H7 on apples when used as a wash treatment. Studies on the sensory and quality characteristics of apples treated with PDAs are needed before recommending their usage.
Stabilization of Fish Oil‐in‐Water Emulsions with Oleosin Extracted from Canola Meal
Authors: Wijesundera Chakra , Boiteau Thomas , Xu Xinqing , Shen Zhiping , Watkins Peter , Logan Amy
Published: August 2013

International dietary guidelines advocate replacement of saturated and trans fat in food with unsaturated oils. Also, there is growing interest in incorporating highly unsaturated omega‐3 oils in to food products due to beneficial health effects. A major obstacle to incorporating highly unsaturated oils in to food products is the extreme susceptibility to oxidative deterioration. Oil bodies were prepared from tuna oil, oleosin, and phospholipid mimicking natural oil bodies within oilseed. Oleosin was extracted from canola (Brassica napus) meal by solubilization in aqueous sodium hydroxide (pH 12) and subsequent precipitation at its isoelectric point of pH 6.5. The tuna oil artificial oil bodies (AOBs) readily dispersed in water to produce oil‐in‐water (o/w) emulsions, which did not coalesce on storage and were amenable to pasteurization using standard conditions. Accelerated oxidation studies showed that these AOB emulsions were substantially more resistant to lipid oxidation than o/w emulsions prepared from tuna oil using Tween40, sodium caseinate, and commercial canola protein isolate, respectively. There is potential to use commercial canola meal, which is cheap and abundant, as a natural source of oleosin for the preparation of physically and oxidatively stable food emulsions containing highly unsaturated oils.
Distinguishing Nonpareil Marketing Group Almond Cultivars through Multivariate Analyses
Authors: Ledbetter Craig A. , Sisterson Mark S.
Published: August 2013

More than 80% of the world's almonds are grown in California with several dozen almond cultivars available commercially. To facilitate promotion and sale, almond cultivars are categorized into marketing groups based on kernel shape and appearance. Several marketing groups are recognized, with the Nonpareil Marketing Group (NMG) demanding the highest prices. Placement of cultivars into the NMG is historical and no objective standards exist for deciding whether newly developed cultivars belong in the NMG. Principal component analyses (PCA) were used to identify nut and kernel characteristics best separating the 4 NMG cultivars (Nonpareil, Jeffries, Kapareil, and Milow) from a representative of the California Marketing Group (cultivar Carmel) and the Mission Marketing Group (cultivar Padre). In addition, discriminant analyses were used to determine cultivar misclassification rates between and within the marketing groups. All 19 evaluated carpological characters differed significantly among the 6 cultivars and during 2 harvest seasons. A clear distinction of NMG cultivars from representatives of the California and Mission Marketing Groups was evident from a PCA involving the 6 cultivars. Further, NMG kernels were successfully discriminated from kernels representing the California and Mission Marketing Groups with overall kernel misclassification of only 2% using 16 of the 19 evaluated characters. Pellicle luminosity was the most discriminating character, regardless of the character set used in analyses. Results provide an objective classification of NMG almond kernels, clearly distinguishing them from kernels of cultivars representing the California and Mission Marketing Groups.
Identification of Bioactive Candidate Compounds Responsible for Oxidative Challenge from Hydro‐Ethanolic Extract of Moringa oleifera Leaves
Authors: Karthivashan Govindarajan , Tangestani Fard Masoumeh , Arulselvan Palanisamy , Abas Faridah , Fakurazi Sharida
Published: August 2013

Free radicals trigger chain reaction and inflict damage to the cells and its components, which in turn ultimately interrupts their biological activities. To prevent free radical damage, together with an endogenous antioxidant system, an exogenous supply of antioxidant components to the body in the form of functional food or nutritional diet helps undeniably. Research conducted by the Natl. Inst. of Health claimed that Moringa oleifera Lam possess the highest antioxidant content among various natural food sources based on an oxygen radical absorbent capacity assay. In this study, a 90% (ethanol:distilled water—90:10) gradient solvent was identified as one of the best gradient solvents for the effectual extraction of bioactive components from M. oleifera leaves. This finding was confirmed by various antioxidant assays, including radical scavenging activity (that is, 1, 1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl, H2O2, and NO radical scavenging assay) and total antioxidant capacity (that is, ferric reducing antioxidant power and molybdenum assay). High‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) fingerprints of the 90% gradient extract visually showed few specific peaks, which on further analysis, using HPLC–DAD–ESI–MS, were identified as flavonoids and their derivatives. Despite commonly reported flavonoids, that is, kaempferol and quercetin, we report here for the 1st time the presence of multiflorin‐B and apigenin in M. oleifera leaves. These findings might help researchers to further scrutinize this high activity exhibiting gradient extract and its bio‐active candidates for fruitful clinical/translational investigations.
Utilization of Barley or Wheat Bran to Bioconvert Glutamate to γ‐Aminobutyric Acid (GABA)
Authors: Jin Wen‐Jie , Kim Min‐Ju , Kim Keun‐Sung
Published: August 2013

This study deals with the utilization of agro‐industrial wastes created by barley and wheat bran in the production of a value‐added product, γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA). The simple and eco‐friendly reaction requires no pretreatment or microbial fermentation steps but uses barley or wheat bran as an enzyme source, glutamate as a substrate, and pyridoxal 5’‐phosphate (PLP) as a cofactor. The optimal reaction conditions were determined on the basis of the temperatures and times used for the decarboxylation reactions and the initial concentrations of barley or wheat bran, glutamate, and PLP. The optimal reactions produced 9.2 mM of GABA from 10 mM glutamate, yielding a 92% GABA conversion rate, when barley bran was used and 6.0 mM of GABA from 10 mM glutamate, yielding a 60% GABA conversion rate, when wheat bran was used. The results imply that barley bran is more efficient than wheat bran in the production of GABA.
Expert recommendations on the application of interferon for chronic hepatitis B
Authors: Wan Mo Bin , Weng Xin Hua
Published: August 2013

To help the clinicians correctly and scientifically apply interferon for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B, more than 40 experts majored in infectious and liver diseases updated the ‘Expert recommendations on the treatment of chronic hepatitis B with interferon (2007)’ following a systematic literature review, summary of clinical experiences and thorough consultation and discussion. The updated expert recommendations primarily included fundamental new knowledge of the use of interferon and individualized interferon therapy. Specifically, we provided recommendations for implementing optimized therapeutic regimens based on quantitative changes in hepatitis B surface antigen and hepatitis B virus DNA levels 24 weeks after interferon therapy. The updated expert recommendations provided itemized details and supplement for the Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis B and they also offer a basis for individualized therapy of chronic hepatitis B with interferon.
A new model for the pathozone of the take‐all pathogen, Gaeumannomyces graminis var. tritici
Authors: Gosme M. , Lebreton L. , Sarniguet A. , Lucas P. , Gilligan C.A. , Bailey D.J.
Published: August 2013

The pathozone (volume of soil surrounding subterranean plant organs within which a propagule must occur if it is to have any chance of infecting the organ) is usually described by statistical models lacking biological meaning. For this reason, pathozone results might be difficult to interpret and the estimated parameters cannot be re‐used in other studies. We developed a model with parameters reflecting life‐history traits concerning primary infections of soilborne pathogens. The model was then fitted to experimental data obtained from eight isolates of Gaeumannomyces graminis var. tritici, causal agent of take‐all disease of wheat. Our model provided not only a mechanistic description for the pathozone dynamics, but also a better fit to the data than four other models published in the literature. Although the isolates displayed phenotypic variability in terms of pathozone dynamics, these differences did not map onto the G1 and G2 genetic subgroups known to occur in Ggt populations.
Expression studies of six human obesity‐related genes in seven tissues from divergent pig breeds
Authors: Cirera S. , Jensen M. S. , Elbrønd V. S. , Moesgaard S. G. , Christoffersen B. Ø. , Kadarmideen H. N. , Skovgaard K. , Bruun C. V. , Karlskov‐Mortensen P. , Jørgensen C. B. , Fredholm M.
Published: August 2013

Obesity has reached epidemic proportions globally and has become the cause of several major health risks worldwide. Presently, more than 100 loci have been related to obesity and metabolic traits in humans by genome‐wide association studies. The complex genetic architecture behind obesity has triggered a need for the development of better animal models than rodents. The pig has emerged as a very promising biomedical model to study human obesity traits. In this study, we have characterized the expression patterns of six obesity‐related genes, leptin (LEP), leptin receptor (LEPR), melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R), fat mass and obesity associated (FTO), neuronal growth regulator 1 (NEGR)1 and adiponectin (ADIPOQ), in seven obesity‐relevant tissues (liver; muscle; pancreas; hypothalamus; and retroperitoneal, subcutaneous and mesenteric adipose tissues) in two pig breeds (production pigs and Göttingen minipigs) that deviate phenotypically and genetically from each other with respect to obesity traits. We observe significant differential expression for LEP, LEPR and ADIPOQ in muscle and in all three adipose tissues. Interestingly, in pancreas, LEP expression is only detected in the fat minipigs. FTO shows significant differential expression in all tissues analyzed, and NEGR1 shows significant differential expression in muscle, pancreas, hypothalamus and subcutaneous adipose tissue. The MC4R transcript can be detected only in hypothalamus. In general, the expression profiles of the investigated genes are in accordance with those observed in human studies. Our study shows that both the differences between the investigated breeds and the phenotypic state with respect to obesity/leanness play a large role for differential expression of the obesity‐related genes.
Port‐site metastases following robot‐assisted laparoscopic surgery for gynecological malignancies
Authors: Lönnerfors Celine , Bossmar Thomas , Persson Jan
Published: August 2013

Objective

To evaluate the incidence and possible predictors associated with port‐site metastases following robotic surgery.

Design

Prospective study.

Setting

University Hospital.

Population

Women with gynecological cancer.

Methods

The occurrence of port‐site metastases in the first 475 women undergoing robotic surgery for gynecological cancer was reviewed.

Main outcome measures

Rate of port‐site metastases.

Results

A port‐site metastasis was detected in nine of 475 women (1.9%). Eight women had either an unexpected locally advanced disease or lymph‐node metastases at the time of surgery. All nine women received postoperative adjuvant therapy. Women with ≥  stage III endometrial cancer and women with node positive cervical cancer had a significantly higher risk of developing a port‐site metastasis, as did women with high‐risk histology endometrial cancer. Port‐site metastases were four times more likely to occur in a specimen‐retrieval port. One (0.2%) isolated port‐site metastasis was detected. The median time to occurrence of a port‐site metastasis was 6 months (range 2–19 months). Six of the nine women (67%) have died and their median time of survival from recurrence was 4 months (range 2–16 months).

Conclusion

In women with gynecological cancer, the incidence of port‐site metastases following robotic surgery was 1.9%. High‐risk histology and/or advanced stage of disease at surgery seem to be contributing factors.
Perturbations to the IGF1 growth pathway and adult energy homeostasis following disruption of mouse chromosome 12 imprinting
Authors: Charalambous M. , da Rocha S. T. , Hernandez A. , Ferguson‐Smith A. C.
Published: August 2013

Aim

Disruption to insulin‐like growth factor (IGF) signalling pathways during early life causes growth retardation and defects of developing metabolic organs that can alter set points of energy homeostasis for a lifetime. Inheritance of two maternal copies of human chromosome 14q32.2 (Temple syndrome) causes severe foetal growth retardation and post‐natal failure to thrive. Disruption of imprinted gene dosage in the orthologous region on mouse chromosome 12 also affects growth. Here, we investigated whether altering chromosome 12‐imprinted gene dosage can affect IGF signalling.

Methods

We investigated mice with a transgene insertion at the imprinted domain of chromosome 12. This lesion causes misexpression of neighbouring genes such that the expression of non‐coding RNAs is elevated, and levels of delta‐like homologue 1 (Dlk1), retrotransposon‐like 1 (Rtl1) and deiodinase 3 (Dio3) transcripts are reduced.

Results

We observed three key phenotypes in these mice: (i) embryonic growth retardation associated with altered expression of IGF1 binding proteins, (ii) peri‐natal failure to thrive accompanied by hypothyroidism and low serum IGF1. Unexpectedly this phenotype was growth hormone independent. (iii) Adult animals had reduced glucose tolerance as a result of endocrine pancreatic insufficiency.

Conclusions

We propose that all of these phenotypes are attributable to impaired IGF action and show for the first time that the chromosome 12 cluster in the mouse is an imprinted locus that modulates the IGF signalling pathway. We propose that growth retardation observed in human Temple syndrome might have a similar cause.
Percutaneous endoscopic discectomy and thermal annuloplasty for professional athletes
Authors: Sairyo Koichi , Kitagawa Yasuhiro , Dezawa Akira
Published: August 2013

Introduction

Percutaneous endoscopic discectomy (PED) for herniated nucleus pulposus has become increasingly popular since first reported by Yeung and Tsou. Additionally, radiofrequency thermal annuloplasty (TA) with PED (PED/TA) has been reported to be effective for discogenic low back pain. We used the PED/TA procedure to successfully treat four professional athletes with discogenic low back pain.

Methods

All patients were men; their age at operation was 35, 35, 34, and 28 years. Daily low back pain was provoked by discography in all four patients, who had been receiving conservative but ineffective treatment for over 1 year. Surgery was conducted with the patients under local anesthesia. A cannula was placed posterior to the disc and ventral to the posterior annulus fibrosus through a 7‐mm skin incision. Degenerated nucleus pulposus at the site was removed percutaneously and the posterior annulus was modulated by bipolar radiofrequency TA.

Results

After surgery, low back pain was resolved in all cases. After effective post‐surgical rehabilitation with a physical trainer or physical therapist, all patients returned to their original competitive level.

Conclusion

PED/TA is a minimally invasive and effective procedure for discogenic low back pain, especially in athletes.
Concurrent and separate inside‐out transition of platelet apoptosis and activation markers to the platelet surface
Authors: Mutlu Asuman , Gyulkhandanyan Armen V. , Freedman John , Leytin Valery
Published: August 2013

The cell plasma membrane is tightly coupled with the vital processes of apoptosis and activation. In the current study, we investigated exposure of the apoptosis marker phosphatidylserine (PS) and activation marker P‐selectin (CD62) on the plasma membrane of anucleate platelets. We found that, depending on triggering stimuli, the plasma membrane of human platelets may exist in four states with predominant exposure of (i) PS but not CD62 (75·9 ± 2·8% of total cells), (ii) CD62 but not PS (86·2 ± 1·3%), (iii) both PS and CD62 (89·6 ± 1·0%) or (iv) neither PS nor CD62 (87·9–97·5%), when platelets were treated at optimal conditions with pro‐apoptotic BH3 mimetic ABT‐737, thrombin, calcium ionophore A23187 or control diluents, respectively. The dynamics of PS exposure induced by ABT‐737 is a slow temperature‐dependent process requiring 90 min treatment at 37°C rather than at room temperature for obtaining high levels of PS exposure. In contrast, thrombin‐induced CD62 exposure and A23187‐induced PS and CD62 exposure showed fast temperature‐independent dynamics. This model of selective and concurrent stimulation of PS and/or CD62 transition to the platelet surface provides an experimental horizon for elucidating the roles of plasma membrane markers of platelet apoptosis and activation in platelet clearance.