bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rendering
Authors: Bimbo Anthony P.
Published: July 2005

The conversion of animal byproducts into useful edible and nonedible products has existed for a very long time. The rendering process recycles animal and poultry byproducts such as fat, bones, hide, offal, feathers, hoofs, horns, hair, and blood. In fact, byproducts represent from 37% to 50% of the live weight of the various meat animals and as much as 57% of the live weight of many fish species. The average annual production of red meat and poultry is 250 million tons, so the potential availability of raw material to produce byproducts could be 92.5–125 million tons per year. The major rendered animal byproducts, including fish, fall into two categories: proteins and fats. These products compete on the world commodity market, so their prices tend to rise and fall with supply and demand. Prices and availability also are affected by other situations, for example, the mad cow disease problem for rendered animal byproducts and the weather phenomenon, El Niño, for fish byproducts. The protein products are primarily used in the feeds of various livestock, including poultry, pigs, ruminants, pets, and fish. The fat and oil products find use in a variety of markets including the feeding industry, the technical or industrial market, and human foods. Fish oil has a unique set of fatty acids called omega 3's, which obtained US FDA GRAS (generally recognized as safe) acceptance in 1995 and in 2004 received approval to make a qualified health claim related to cardiovascular disease. Animal fats are beginning to find new technical uses in the oleoochemical area and use in bio‐fuels (as is) and in bio‐diesel products (conversion to methyl esters). As a result of ever changing environmental, social, health, and sustainability issues, the future of the industry will depend on the ability of the participants to adapt to these changes.
Fats and Oils in Bakery Products
Authors: Stauffer Clyde E.
Published: July 2005

Fats and oils have been important bakery ingredients for centuries. Indeed, “shortening” is a baker's term; fat in a bakery item “shortens” (tenderizes) the texture of the finished product. In bakery foods, shortenings impart tenderness, give a moister mouthfeel, contribute structure, lubricate, incorporate air, and transfer heat.

Properties of a fat or oil that determine its ability to carry out these functions are:

The ratio of solid to liquid phase.

The plasticity of a solid shortening.

The oxidative stability of the fat or oil.

Oil (or the oil fraction of a plastic shortening) in a baked food gives a tender bite, moist mouthfeel, and lubricity (the product clears more readily from the surfaces in the mouth). The solid portion of a shortening contributes to the structure of the dough and the final product, and entraps air bubbles during mixing.
Fish Oils
Authors: Ackman R. G.
Published: July 2005

At one time “fish oils” were low‐cost industrial materials for the paint and linoleum industries. After World War II (WWII), these industries switched to chemicals and plastics, and therefore, much information in older books became obsolete by 1960.

Because of one of the earliest media‐stimulated public health panics in the late 1970s, that of the erucic acid (22:1) of rapeseed and mustard oils, alleged to damage hearts, food use of partially hydrogenated fish oils in that form petered out.

In a positive turn of fate, by 1980, the excellent cardiac health of the Eskimo population of Greenland, who had a high intake of dietary omega‐3 (n‐3) fatty acids from seal and fish fats, were also noted in the media. In 1985, another positive media bombshell exploded when a long‐term study in Zutphen in the Netherlands showed that a large male population group had reduced their cardiovascular mortality rate by eating fish regularly.

By 1994, the United Kingdom had followed up on such reports and released an official government medical report recommending that people eat fish at least twice a week, one meal being of fatty fish. Belatedly the American Heart Association released a “Scientific Statement” in 2002, with a similar recommendation.

In this review, only fish “oils” can be considered. The fat in edible parts of fish ranges from about 16% down to 0.7%, the latter being almost exclusively the basic muscle phospholipids. These lipids are an excellent source of the highly unsaturated C20 and C22 omega‐3 fatty acids of medical interest, and the content of omega‐3 fatty acids is stable at roughly 0.5‐g/100‐g muscle. However, it is the muscle triacylglycerols that are variable for quantity and quality.
Predicting the composition of acidic, ionic liquids in contact with HCl gas
Authors: Angueira Ernesto J. , White Mark G.
Published: July 2005

The acidic, chloroaluminate ionic liquid (IL) derived from the combination of 1‐ethyl‐3‐methyl‐1H‐imidazolium chloride (EMIM‐Cl) and aluminum chloride complex (AlCl3) in contact with HCl gas was modeled using the principles of equilibrium thermodynamics of chemically reacting systems as a means to understand better the reactivity of arene formylations in these IL's. The concentration of an HCl‐chloroaluminate species, ClHAl2Cl that has been characterized as a super acidic Brønsted species, increases with increasing HCl partial pressure. Another chloroaluminate species Al2Cl, which has been characterized as a strong Lewis acid, showed concentrations that decreased with increasing HCl gas phase partial pressures. The ultimate conversion of toluene to tolualdehyde could be correlated with the sum of the predicted molar amounts of ClHAl2Cl and Al2Cl, by assuming that each ClHAl2Cl combined with 1 tolualdehyde and each Al2Cl sequestered a single tolualdehyde molecule. © 2005 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2005
Cytologic, hormonal, and ultrasonographic correlates of the menstrual cycle of the New World monkey Cebus apella
Authors: Ortiz R.E. , Ortiz A.C. , Gajardo G. , Zepeda A.J. , Parraguez V.H. , Ortiz M.E. , Croxatto H.B.
Published: July 2005

Few reports on the reproductive physiology of Cebus apella have been published. In this study we characterized menstrual cycle events by means of vaginal cytology, ultrasonography (US), and hormonal measurements in serum during three consecutive cycles in 10 females, and assessed the probability that ovulation would occur in the same ovary in consecutive cycles in 18 females. The lengths and phases of the cycles were determined according to vaginal cytology. Taking the first day of endometrial bleeding as the first day of the cycle, the mean cycle length ± SEM was 19.5±0.4 days, with follicular and luteal phases lasting 8.2±0.2 and 11.3±0.4 days, respectively. The follicular phase included menstruation and the periovulatory period, which was characterized by the presence of a large number of superficial eosinophilic cells in the vaginal smear. The myometrium, endometrium, and ovaries were clearly distinguished on US examination. During each menstrual cycle a single follicle was recruited at random from either ovary. The follicle grew from 3 mm to a maximum diameter of 8–9 mm over the course of 8 days, in association with increasing estradiol (E2) serum levels (from 489±41 to 1600±92 pmol/L). At ovulation, the mean diameter of the dominant follicle usually decreased by >20%, 1 day after the maximum E2 level was reached. Ovulation was associated with an abrupt fall in E2, a decreased number of eosinophilic cells, the presence of leukocytes and intermediate cells in the vaginal smear, and a progressive increase in progesterone (P) levels that reached a maximum of 892±65 nmol/L on days 3–6 of the luteal phase. The menstrual cycle of Cebus apella differs in several temporal and quantitative aspects from that in humans and Old World primates, but it exhibits the same correlations between ovarian endocrine and morphologic parameters. Am. J. Primatol. 66:233–244, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Comparisons of food availability and group density of Japanese macaques in primary, naturally regenerated, and plantation forests
Authors: Hanya Goro , Zamma Koichiro , Hayaishi Shuhei , Yoshihiro Shinichi , Tsuriya Yosuke , Sugaya Shuji , Kanaoka Masahiro M. , Hayakawa Sachiko , Takahata Yukio
Published: July 2005

We compared food availability and group density of Japanese macaques in Yakushima, southern Japan, among primary forest and two habitats that had been disturbed by logging and had different regeneration histories. The study was conducted in an undisturbed national park, forest that was logged 7–18 years ago and later naturally regenerated, and forest that was logged 19–27 years ago and later planted with Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) trees. The plantation forest was primarily composed of largeCryptomeria japonicatrees at low stand density, while the naturally regenerated forest was composed of many small trees. The total basal area and number of trees in the primary forest were comparable to those in the plantation forest. Annual fruit production was greatest in the naturally regenerated forest, intermediate in the primary forest, and negligible in the plantation forest. Herb availability was high in the naturally regenerated forest, but low in the primary and plantation forests. The group density of Japanese macaques was high in the naturally regenerated forest, intermediate in the primary forest, and low in the plantation forest. Since group size in the naturally regenerated forest was small, individual density was almost the same as in the primary forest. These results suggest that the effects of regeneration on macaques vary between the two habitats. The plantation forest consisted mostly ofCryptomeria japonica, which supplies only flowers as food in a limited season, and had a lower density of macaques. On the other hand, in the naturally regenerated forest, fruit production and herb availability were high (probably because of the enhanced light conditions after logging), and the density of macaques was as high as in the primary forest. Am. J. Primatol. 66:245–262, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Delineation of the minimal commonly deleted segment and identification of candidate tumor‐suppressor genes in del(9q) acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Sweetser David A. , Peniket Andrew J. , Haaland Christina , Blomberg Adam A. , Zhang Yuntian , Zaidi Syed Tanweer , Dayyani Farshid , Zhao Zheng , Heerema Nyla A. , Boultwood Jacqueline , Dewald Gordon W. , Paietta Elisabeth , Slovak Marilyn L. , Willman Cheryl L. , Wainscoat James S. , Bernstein Irwin D. , Daly Sarah B.
Published: July 2005

Deletion of the long arm of chromosome 9, del(9q), is a recurring chromosomal aberration in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) that is frequently associated with t(8;21). The critical gene products affected by del(9q) are unknown but likely cooperate with the AML1/ETO fusion gene created by t(8;21) in leukemogenesis. In 43 AML samples with del(9q), we used high‐density microsatellite markers to define the commonly deleted region (CDR) to less than 2.4 Mb. We found no homozygous loss at any locus tested. The CDR contains 7 known genes, FRMD3, UBQLN1, GKAP42, KIF27, HNRPK, SLC28A3, and NTRK2, and 4 novel genes, RASEF, C9orf103, C9orf64, and C9orf76. In addition, TLE1 and TLE4 are adjacent to the CDR. We performed a comprehensive mutational analysis of the coding regions of all these genes. No sequence variations absent in normal controls were seen in more than a single del(9q) AML sample. Expression of 7 of the 10 genes examined was significantly down‐regulated in del(19q)AML as compared with the CD34‐purified progenitors from normal individuals, a pattern distinct from that seen in AML samples with a normal karyotype. The results of our studies are consistent with a model of tumor suppression mediated by haploinsufficiency of critical genes in del(9q) AML. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Making an impact with alumni surveys
Authors: Cabrera Alberto F. , Weerts David J. , Zulick Bradford J.
Published: July 2005

This chapter discusses how alumni research can be used to inform key audiences about the impact of college on alumni, including the preparation of alumni for the workforce, alumni experiences as students, and whether alumni may be inclined to support their alma mater.
Increasing potentials of alumni research for curriculum reforms: Some experiences from a German research institute
Authors: Schomburg Harald , Teichler Ulrich
Published: July 2005

This chapter discusses applications of alumni research at the University of Kassel and key results from the CHEERS study: Careers After Higher Education—
a European Research Study.
The emerging uses of alumni research in Spain
Authors: Mora José‐Ginés , Vidal Javier
Published: July 2005

This chapter addresses the opportunities and challenges of using alumni research in Spain.
Preparation and evaluation of ammonia‐treated collagen/chitosan matrices for liver tissue engineering
Authors: Wang Xiaohong , Yan Yongnian , Xiong Zhuo , Lin Feng , Wu Rendong , Zhang Renji , Lu Qingping
Published: July 2005

To further enhance the properties of existing collagen/chitosan scaffolds for liver tissue engineering, a very simple method was developed to form noncovalently linked mimic of the liver extracellular matrices. Collagen/chitosan mixtures in various proportions (i.e., 1:0, 3:2, 1:1, 2:3, and 0:1 v/v) were lyophilized or evaporated to form sponges or flat films before they were gelled using an aqueous 25% ammonia solution. The porosities of the obtained sponges were above 90% with various pore sizes. The highest mechanical strength (1.9 ± 0.7 MPa) and the lowest degradation time (65 ± 1.7 days) were achieved by the collagen/chitosan (1:1) matrices. Hepatocytes cultured on the collagen/chitosan (1:1) matrices exhibited relatively high glutamate‐oxaloacetate transaminase and glucose secretion functions 25 days postseeding. Nuclues of the hepatocytes were more elongated and arranged in certain directions on the 1:1 matrices. The cytocompatibility and enhanced biostability of our new ammonia‐treated collagen/chitosan matrices suggest that they could be used as scaffolds for liver tissue engineering. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2005
Low‐intensity‐ultrasound–accelerated nerve regeneration using cell‐seeded poly(D,L‐lactic acid‐co‐glycolic acid) conduits: An in vivo and in vitro study
Authors: Chang Chen‐Jung , Hsu Shan‐hui , Lin Fang‐tsun , Chang Han , Chang Chao‐Sheng
Published: July 2005

This study investigated the effects of low intensity ultrasound on seeded Schwann cells within poly(DL‐lactic acid‐co‐glycolic acid) (PLGA) conduits by in vitro and in vivo trials for peripheral nerve regeneration. The possible differences in the ultrasonic effects when using biodegradable and nonbiodegradable materials as the conduits were also studied, using silicone rubber tubes as comparisons. In the in vitro study, seeded Schwann cells were cultured in serum deprivation culture medium that simulated the environment of mechanical trauma on injury nerve site. After 12, 24, and 48 h, only the PLGA conduit groups exposed to 0.05 W/cm2, 3 min/treatment of ultrasound exhibited decreased LDH release and increased MTT values compared to the sham groups. Based on the results of the in vitro experiment in LDH and MTT testing, the silicone conduits with seeded Schwann cells group was ignored in the in vivo study. The PLGA nerve conduits seeded with Schwann cells (9 × 103 cells) were implanted to 15‐mm right sciatic nerve defects in rats. Each conduit received 12 ultrasonic treatment sessions over 2 weeks after 1 day of rest. Ultrasound was applied as follows: frequency, 1MHz; intensity, 0.3 W/cm2 (SATP); treatment, 5 min/day. Implanted graft specimens were harvested for histological analysis at 8 weeks following surgery. PLGA groups (with and without Schwann cells) treated with pulsed ultrasonic stimulation were found to have significantly greater number and area of regenerated axons at the midconduit of implanted grafts, as compared to the sham groups. Ultrasonic stimulation on silicone groups was found to induce a mass of fibrous tissues that covered the nerve conduits and retarded axon regeneration. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2005
Biocompatibility and functionality of the degradable polymer alkylene bis(dilactoyl)‐methacrylate for screw augmentation in vivo
Authors: Ignatius Anita A. , Augat Peter , Hollstein Elke , Schorlemmer Sandra , Peraus Manfred , Pokinskyj Peter , Claes Lutz
Published: July 2005

Recently, a new degradable polymer has been developed on the basis of alkylene bis(dilactoyl)‐methacrylate as an alternative material for screw augmentation. The polymer has been investigated in vitro and in a short‐term experiment in rabbits exhibiting promising results. The aim of the present study was to investigate its long‐term biocompatibility and mechanical functionality in a large animal model. The polymer was used for screw augmentation in the cancellous bone of the femoral condyle and tibia epiphysis of 12 sheep and was compared to polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) augmented and nonaugmented screws. After an implantation period of 6 months, bone, regional lymph nodes, and several organs were histologically evaluated. The mechanical efficacy was investigated by a biomechanical pullout test. A lot of mononuclear macrophages and multinuclear foreign body giant cells with incorporated polymer particles indicate strong inflammatory reactions. Large osteolysis zones with osteoclasts were found in the surrounding polymer. The polymer was fragmented but not substantially degraded. Polymer particles were also found in the regional lymph nodes. Lung, liver, kidney, and spleen did not show any pathological signs. The pullout force of screws augmented with the new polymer was significantly reduced in comparison to PMMA augmented and nonaugmented screws, respectively. It was concluded that the material has poor biocompatibility and cannot be recommended for clinical application as screw augmentation material. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2005
Bonding performance of different adhesive systems to deproteinized dentin: Microtensile bond strength and scanning electron microscopy
Authors: Barbosa de Souza Fábio , Silva Cláudio Heliomar Vicente , Guenka Palma Dibb Regina , Sincler Delfino Carina , Carneiro de Souza Beatrice Lúcia
Published: July 2005

Deproteinization has been shown to optimize dentin bonding, but differences in adhesive composition should be considered. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of dentin deproteinization on microtensile bond strength (μTBS) of four total‐etch adhesive systems (Single Bond™/SB, Prime & Bond® NT™/PB, One Coat Bond/OC, and PQ1™/PQ). The ultrastructure of the resin–dentin interfaces was also examined using scanning electron microscopy. Tukey's multiple‐comparison tests indicated that PB and PQ produced significantly higher μTBS (p < 0.05) after dentin deproteinization (PB = 61.53 MPa, PQ = 58.18 MPa). This treatment provided statistically lower results for SB (39.08 MPa), but the μTBS of OC to dentin was unaffected by dentin deproteinization. The bonding performance on deproteinized dentin surfaces depended on the characteristics of each adhesive system, as well as the adhesive dentin specificity to the oxidant effect of sodium hypochlorite. Incorporation of fillers in the adhesive, a possible self‐etching action, and the presence of a volatile solvent (acetone) were the main factors for a better union between the adhesive system and deproteinized substrate. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2005
Yam affects the antioxidative and gel‐forming properties of surimi gels
Authors: Chiang Been‐Huang , Chou Su‐Tze , Hsu Cheng‐Kuang
Published: July 2005

The antioxidative activities and textural properties of pollock surimi gels containing four different yams were determined to evaluate the potential of using yam as a health ingredient and an alternative source for starch in surimi‐based seafoods. Surimi gels containing 20% fresh yam showed higher α,α‐diphenyl‐β‐pricryl‐hydrazyl (DPPH) radicals scavenging activities and total phenolic contents than the gels without yam. Two tested cultivars, 70W34 and 70W35, did not show significant reductions in antioxidative activities when used in surimi gel while three other cultivars revealed species‐dependant declines in both the DPPH scavenging activities and total phenolic contents. The surimi gel containing the cultivar 70R20 showed the highest breaking forces and deformations. In general, 20% fresh yam could be used to form a yam‐containing surimi gel having similar textural properties with a potato starch containing pollock surimi gel. The dried yam powders might be used at the amount of 30% fresh yam equivalent without causing significant losses of the textural properties of pollock surimi gels. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry
Role of AMP‐activated protein kinase in the glycolysis of postmortem muscle
Authors: Shen Qingwu W , Du Min
Published: July 2005

AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a newly identified kinase controlling energy metabolism in vivo. The objective of this study was to show the role of AMPK in postmortem glycolysis. Rapid and excessive postmortem glycolysis is directly related to the incidence of PSE (pale, soft and exudative) meat in pork, chicken and turkey, while insufficient glycolysis leads to dark cutters in beef and lamb, which causes significant loss to the meat industry. A total of 24 two‐month‐old C57BL/6J mice were assigned to three treatments: (1) wild‐type mice without pre‐slaughter treatment; (2) wild‐type mice with a 2 min swim before slaughter; and (3) wild‐type mice intraperitoneally injected with AICAr (50 mg kg−1), a specific activator of AMPK, to stimulate the activity of AMPK. In addition, 16 two‐month‐old C57BL/6J mice with AMPK knockout were assigned to two treatments: (4) AMPK knockout mice without pre‐slaughter treatment; and (5) AMPK knockout mice with a 2 min swim before slaughter. The longissimus dorsi muscle was sampled at 0, 1 and 24 h postmortem for pH and enzyme activity measurements. Results showed that AMPK activity had a major role in determining the ultimate muscle pH. Pre‐slaughter stress induced by swimming significantly accelerated the glycogenolysis in postmortem muscle through activating glycogen phosphorylase. AMPK is important for maintaining the activity of glycogen phosphorylase and pyruvate kinase, and glycogenolysis/glycolysis in postmortem muscle. Thus, AMPK has an important role in the control of postmortem glycolysis and is crucial for a lower ultimate pH in postmortem muscle. However, the activation of AMPK cannot fully account for the initial rapid glycogenolysis/glycolysis induced by stress and another mechanism must exist for the accelerated glycolysis induced by pre‐slaughter stress. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry
Influence of enrofloxacin administration on the proteolytic and antioxidant enzyme activities of raw and cooked turkey products
Authors: Carreras Irene , Castellari Massimo , Valero Angel , García Regueiro José Antonio , Sárraga Carmen
Published: July 2005

The objective of this study was to assess the effect of enrofloxacin administration with and without withdrawal period on the quality of fresh meat and cooked products from turkey breasts. Cathepsin B and L activities were inactivated by the thermal process but were not affected by the presence of enrofloxacin. The level of enrofloxacin in samples without withdrawal time was higher than the regulatory maximum residue limit (MRL). The antioxidant enzymes glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx) and catalase (CAT) were affected by both the thermal process and the antibiotic residues in cooked meat. In no cases were differences found in superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, supporting the theory that this enzyme could play a major role in preventing lipid oxidation of cooked meat. Enrofloxacin residues could contribute to an increase in the oxidative stress produced by thermal processing, as can be deduced by the reduction in GSHPx and CAT activities. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry
Oxidation process of oils with high content of linoleic acyl groups and formation of toxic hydroperoxy‐ and hydroxyalkenals. A study by 1H nuclear magnetic resonance
Authors: Guillén María D , Ruiz Ainhoa
Published: July 2005

The oxidation process of sunflower and corn oils at 70 °C with circulating air has been studied by means of 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The changes produced in the two oils are compared not only in relation to the rate of degradation of acyl groups but also with reference to both the rate of formation and degradation of primary oxidation products as well as the rate of formation of secondary oxidation products such as aldehydes. Special attention is paid to the evolution of the different kinds of aldehydes formed throughout the process. The great ability of these oils to produce geno‐ and cytotoxic aldehydes under the above conditions is proved. Moreover, peroxide and anisidine values of corn oil throughout its oxidation process have also been determined and the results obtained have been compared with those provided by the 1H NMR spectra, showing good agreement. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry
A model of lysosomal metabolism of dextran coated superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) nanoparticles: implications for cellular magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Arbab Ali S. , Wilson Lindsey B. , Ashari Parwana , Jordan Elaine K. , Lewis Bobbi K. , Frank Joseph A.
Published: July 2005

Ferumoxides, dextran‐coated superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) particles, form ferumoxide–transfection agent (FE–TA) complexes that are internalized into endosomes/lysosomes and have been used to label cells for in vivo MRI tracking and localization studies. A better understanding of the physical state of the FE–TA complexes during endocytosis could improve their use. The purpose of this study was to measure the rate of the degradation of iron particles under varying physiological conditions. FE–TA complexes were incubated in seven different buffers containing different chelates with different pH. Reducible iron concentrations, T2 relaxation rates and gradient echo (GRE) magnetic resonance images (MRI) were obtained from each condition immediately after incubation and at 6, 24, 48, 72 and 96 h and days 7, 14 and 21. The dynamics of FE–TA in the endosome/lysomes within the cells were visualized with electron microscopy. Sodium citrate buffer at pH 4.5 rapidly dissolved FE–TA complexes. However, FE–TA complexes were less soluble in the same buffer at pH 5.5. Similarly, FE–TA complexes were not readily soluble in any of the other buffers with or without chelates, regardless of pH. Electron microscopic images showed degraded FE–TA in some intracellular endosome/lysosomes between days 3 and 5. In the cellular environment, some of the FE–TA‐containing endosomes were found to fuse with lysosomes, causing rapid dissociation at low pH and exposing the iron core to chelates that resulted in soluble Fe(III) within the lysosomes. The studies presented represent a first step in identifying the important cellular environmental parameters affecting the integrity of FE–TA complexes. Published in 2005 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Simazine biodegradation in soil: analysis of bacterial community structure by in situ hybridization
Authors: Caracciolo Anna Barra , Grenni Paola , Ciccoli Roberto , Di Landa Giuseppe , Cremisini Carlo
Published: July 2005

Pesticide and nitrate contamination of soil and groundwater from agriculture is an environmental and public health concern worldwide. Simazine, 6‐chloro‐N2,N4‐diethyl‐1,3,5‐triazine‐2,4‐diamine, is a triazine herbicide used in agriculture for selective weed control with several types of crops and it is frequently applied to soils receiving N‐fertilizers. Degradation experiments were performed in the laboratory to assess whether the biodegradation of simazine in soil may be influenced by the presence of urea. Simazine degradation rates under different experimental conditions (presence/absence of urea, microbiologically active/sterilized soil) were assessed together with the formation, degradation and transformation of its main metabolites in soil. Simazine degradation was affected by the presence of urea, in terms both of a smaller half‐life (t1/2) and of a higher amount of desethyl‐simazine formed. The soil bacterial community was also studied. Microbial abundances were determined by epifluorescence direct counting. Moreover in situ hybridization with rRNA‐targeted fluorescent oligonucleotide probes was used to analyze the bacterial community structure. Fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) was used to detect specific groups of bacteria such as the α,β,γ‐subdivisions of Proteobacteria, Gram‐positive bacteria with a high G + C DNA content, Planctomycetes, Betaproteobacterial ammonia‐oxidizing bacteria and nitrifying bacteria. The presence of the herbicide and/or urea affected the bacterial community structure, showing that FISH is a valuable tool for determining the response of bacterial populations to different environmental conditions. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry
Insight from multiple disciplinary angles: A case study of an interdisciplinary research team
Authors: Creamer Elizabeth G.
Published: July 2005

A commitment to pursue problems from multiple angles, methods, and theoretical positions means that research teams require strategies to navigate the tensions and conflict that inevitably emerge, particularly when the intent is to find ways to integrate different disciplinary perspectives.
Gender moderates the association between depression and disability in chronic pain patients
Authors: Keogh Edmund , McCracken Lance M. , Eccleston Christopher
Published: July 2005

Pain‐related anxiety and depression are important correlates of disability amongst chronic pain patients. Furthermore, women may differ in their experience of pain, anxiety and depression when compared to men. The aim of the current study was to determine the relative contribution of anxiety and depression on disability in male and female chronic pain patients. The sample consisted of 260 patients (101 males, 159 females) referred to the Pain Management Unit at the Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases in Bath, UK. As part of an initial assessment, all patients completed measures of depression, pain‐related anxiety and disability. As predicted, both anxiety and depression were found to be significant positive predictors of pain, number of medications used and disability. Although gender did not significantly predict disability, it did moderate the relationship between depression and disability, in that when depression was high, women report greater disability than men. Gender was also found to moderate the relationship between depression and number of medications used, in that a positive association was found for men, but not women. However, gender did not significantly moderate the relationship between anxiety and disability. Together these results not only suggest that gender is an important moderator of the relationship between emotional responses and disability, but that such associations may be related more to depression than anxiety.
A novel two‐component system found in Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Morth J. Preben , Gosmann Sylvi , Nowak Elzbieta , Tucker Paul A.
Published: July 2005

We report the identification of a novel two‐component system in Mycobacterium tuberculosis. We show that the putative histidine kinase with the genomic locus tag Rv3220c is able to self‐phosphorylate in the presence of Mg2+/ATP and subsequently transfer the phosphoryl group to a novel response regulator PdtaR. This creates a biochemical link between the two proteins and establishes a newly identified two component system, which acts at the level of transcriptional antitermination. We also suggest that this system has potential for the development of lead compounds for inhibition of phosphotransfer.
The behaviour of spawning herring in relation to a survey vessel
Authors: Skaret Georg , Axelsen Bjørn Erik , Nøttestad Leif , Fernö Anders , Johannessen Arne
Published: July 2005

Vessel avoidance of spawning herring (Clupea harengus L.) was studied off the coast of southwestern Norway in April 2000. In eight repeated night-time passages a demersal layer of herring was recorded acoustically by a small stationary reference vessel (96 GRT), while a survey vessel (710 GRT) passed at short ranges (8–40 m). No avoidance attributable to the survey vessel was observed. We interpret vessel avoidance as a response to a perceived threat and herring are known to exhibit strong avoidance reactions to survey vessels during wintering and the spawning migration. At the spawning site, the high priority given to reproductive activities seems to overrule the avoidance responses to a passing survey vessel.
Heat stress induced histopathology and pathophysiology of the central nervous system
Authors: Ahmed R.G.
Published: July 2005

The number of reports on the effects of heat stress is still increasing on account of the temperature is one of the most encountered stressful factors on the different biological systems. Because the heat stress (HS) considered a model of thermal injury to the central nervous system (CNS), the purpose of this review was to assess the histopathological changes of HS on CNS. Also, this review emphasized that the heat stress may retard partially the degree of the postnatal neurogenesis and growth of CNS. Taken together, owing to one of the most important functions of heat shock protein is to protect the organisms from the deleterious effects of temperature, thus, it can be hypothesized that the formation of heat shock proteins may be related to the deleterious effect of HS. On the other hands, the alterations of neurotransmitters in the central nervous system might be involved in the physiological and biochemical responses that occur during heat stress. The hypothalamic monoaminergic systems play an important role in the thermoregulation through regulate the heat production and heat dissipation. In addition, the disturbance in the biochemical variables due to the high temperature may be the cause of the histopathological changes and the partial retardation in CNS and the reverse is true. Thus, further studies need to be done to emphasize this concept.
SCL, GATA‐2 and Lmo2 expression in neurogenesis
Authors: Herberth B. , Minkó K. , Csillag A. , Jaffredo T. , Madarász E.
Published: July 2005

SCL, Lmo2 and GATA factors form common transcription complexes during hematopoietic differentiation. The overlapping expression of SCL with GATA‐2 and GATA‐3 in the developing brain indicated that these factors might collaborate also in the course of neural tissue differentiation. The expression pattern of Lmo2 in the developing CNS, however, is not well understood. Here, we show that neural cells in the early embryonic chick mid‐ and hindbrain express SCL and GATA‐2, while Lmo2 is expressed only in vascular elements. The lack of Lmo2 transcripts in neural cells demonstrated that SCL and GATA‐2 cannot form common complexes with Lmo2 in the developing brain. In the course of neural tissue genesis, GATA‐2 mRNA appeared prior to the SCL transcript. While GATA‐2 expression decreased with maturation, SCL expression persisted at a high level also in post‐neurogenic periods. The temporal pattern of SCL and GATA‐2/3 expression was investigated also in vitro, in the course of induced neurogenesis by NE‐4C neural stem cells. While GATA‐2 expression increased from the very beginning of differentiation, SCL expression appeared only in more differentiated cells expressing proneural genes. GATA‐3 expression, on the other hand, was detected only in advanced stages of the neuronal maturation, which were characterised by the activation of the Math2 neuronal gene. Similarly to the hematopoietic differentiation, GATA‐2 expression precedes the activation of both SCL and GATA‐3, and may play roles in the activation of the SCL gene in neuronal development. In contrast to hematopoietic differentiation, however, our results failed to demonstrate co‐assembling of GATA factors or SCL with Lmo2. While overlapping expression of GATA‐2/3 and SCL was detected, Lmo2 activation could not be demonstrated in neural cells in the investigated period of neuronal development.
Hypocobalaminaemia is uncommon in cats in the United Kingdom
Authors: Ibarrola Patricia , Blackwood Laura , Graham Peter A. , Evans Helen , German Alexander J.
Published: July 2005

Recent work has highlighted the importance of cobalamin deficiency in cats with a range of alimentary tract diseases. The primary aim of our study was to determine the incidence of subnormal cobalamin concentrations in sick cats with and without alimentary system disorders. Firstly, serum cobalamin concentrations were measured in a population of cats, with and without gastrointestinal (GI) disease, evaluated at a referral hospital. In the second part of the study, the incidence of cobalamin deficiency was assessed in samples submitted to a commercial laboratory specifically for cobalamin measurement. For both studies, a validated radioimmunoassay was used to measure serum cobalamin concentrations (reference range: >150 pg/ml). In the first part of the study, 132 cats were included and none of these cats had subnormal cobalamin concentrations (median=1172; range: 278 to >2000). There were no differences in cobalamin concentrations between cats with alimentary system disorders, and those with diseases of other organs. In the second part, 682 samples were submitted for cobalamin assay over a period of 3 years, and only one cat had a result below the reference range (median=794; range: 147 to >2000). Cobalamin deficiency was rare in the population tested and this may suggest that the incidence of this biochemical abnormality is less common than reported in the USA.
Efficacy of a combination of febantel, pyrantel, and praziquantel for the treatment of kittens experimentally infected with Giardia species
Authors: Scorza Andrea V. , Radecki Steven V. , Lappin Michael R.
Published: July 2005

This study evaluated the effect of two combination products containing febantel, pyrantel, and praziquantel (FPP) for the treatment of Giardia species in experimentally infected kittens. In experiment 1, five kittens were administered the United States (US) formulation of FPP at doses of 37.8 mg/kg, 7.56 mg/kg, and 7.56 mg/kg, respectively, PO, q24h, for 5 days and four kittens remained as controls. In experiment 2, five kittens were administered the European formulation of FPP at the doses of 12.5 mg/kg, 12 mg/kg, and 4.16 mg/kg, respectively, PO, q24h, for 5 days and four kittens remained as controls. In experiment 3, six kittens were administered the US formulation of FPP at 56.5 mg/kg, 11.3 mg/kg, 11.3 mg/kg, respectively, PO, q24h, for 5 days and five kittens remained as controls. Thirteen days after treatment, kittens testing negative for Giardia species cysts were administered 20 mg/kg methylprednisolone acetate, IM, weekly for a maximum of two injections. Feces were analyzed for Giardia species cysts using a direct immunofluorescence test. After experiment 3, four of the six treated kittens, but no control kittens, remained negative for Giardia species after the administration of methylprednisolone acetate.
The Prevalence of Absence of the Palmaris Longus – A Study in a Chinese Population and a Review of the Literature
Authors: SEBASTIN S. J. , PUHAINDRAN M. E. , LIM A. Y. T. , LIM I. J. , BEE W. H.
Published: July 2005

Most standard textbooks of hand surgery quote the prevalence of absence of palmaris longus at around 15%. However, this figure varies considerably in reports from different ethnic groups. We studied 329 Chinese men and women and found palmaris longus to be absent unilaterally in 3.3%, and bilaterally in 1.2%, with an overall prevalence of absence of 4.6%. There was no significant difference in its absence with regard to the body side or the sex. Our literature review revealed a low prevalence of absence in Asian, Black and Native American populations and a much higher prevalence of absence in Caucasian populations. It is clear that a standard prevalence of absence of the palmaris longus cannot be applied to all populations.
Outcome of the construction of a Blalock–Taussig shunt in adolescents and adults
Authors: Peries Aubrey , Al-Hay Amira A. A. , Shinebourne Elliot A.
Published: July 2005

Aims:The purpose of our study was to ascertain the outcome of the construction of a Blalock–Taussig shunt in patients aged 12 years and over.Patients and methods:We identified 21 patients in whom a Blalock–Taussig shunt had been constructed subsequent to the age of 12 years. Of the patients, 9 were female, and their median age was 18.5 years, with a range from 12 to 46 years. All had usual atrial arrangement, and the atrioventricular connections were concordant in 11, with univentricular atrioventricular connection in 10. Pulmonary atresia was present in 8 (38 per cent), and pulmonary stenosis, either valvar or subvalvar, in 13. An interposition graft had been placed between the subclavian and pulmonary arteries in 16 patients, and an end-to-side anastomosis between the arteries in 5.Results:One patient had died in hospital, while 4 patients had died during the period of follow-up after initial construction of the shunt. Long-term follow-up was available in 86 per cent of patients. In the 3 patients lost to follow-up, the shunt had been known to be functioning at periods of 4, 8, and 10 years, respectively. Actuarial freedom from death after a period of 17 years was 76 per cent. In 8 patients, a period of 10 years had elapsed with the shunt patent, and a further 10 had a patent shunt after 5 years follow-up. Symptomatic improvement was reported in 16 (76 per cent) patients, although adverse cardiac events had occurred during follow-up in 17, including congestive heart failure in 3, atrial fibrillation in 3, and endocarditis in 2. In 2 patients, it had been possible to proceed to biventricular repair, one with tetralogy of Fallot, and the other having a Rastelli procedure. Further in 3 patients, it had been possible to construct the Fontan circulation, or one of its variants. One patient has undergone cardiac transplantation, while 2 are awaiting transplantation.Conclusions:Symptomatic improvement can be achieved by construction of a Blalock–Taussig shunt in older subjects, and the risks of surgery are low. Later repair may be feasible in some patients, but adverse cardiac events may follow the increased volume load on the systemic ventricle.
Successful extensive enlargement of a non-committed ventricular septal defect in double outlet right ventricle
Authors: Ishibashi Nobuyuki , Aoki Mitsuru , Fujiwara Tadashi
Published: July 2005

We performed an arterial switch operation in a patient with double outlet right ventricle with non-committed ventricular septal defect, and abnormal insertion of the tension apparatus of the tricuspid valve which produced moderate tricuspid regurgitation. This required extensive enlargement of the ventricular septal defect between the attachments of the cords of the tricuspid valve so as to create the interventricular rerouting that made possible the arterial switch operation. Postoperatively, we produced a straight, unobstructed, left ventricular outflow tract, improved the extent of tricuspid regurgitation, and achieved low right atrial pressures. Enlargement of the interventricular communication can set the scene for biventricular repair in this particular subset of patients with both arterial trunks arising from the morphologically right ventricle.
Right ventricular noncompaction in a neonate with complex congenital heart disease
Authors: Alehan Dursun , Dogan Omer Faruk
Published: July 2005

Ventricular noncompaction is a rare unclassified cardiomyopathy occurring because of arrest of the normal intrauterine compaction of the loose luminal component of the ventricular myocardium. There is limited data regarding its diagnosis and outcome in children. It is recognised, however, that right ventricular involvement is extremely rare. We report a case in which only the right ventricular myocardium was noncompacted, a situation which led to heart failure soon after birth.
Congenital arteriovenous fistula between an intercostal artery and the left brachiocephalic vein
Authors: Hamilton Mark C. K. , Occleshaw Christopher J. , Calder A. Louise
Published: July 2005

Congenital arteriovenous fistulas between the thoracic arteries and the systemic veins are rare, and in clinical terms may mimic patency of the arterial duct. We present a neonate with a large arteriovenous fistula between the left sixth intercostal artery and the left brachiocephalic vein, to the best of our knowledge a unique site of drainage. To our knowledge, ours is also the earliest presentation and treatment of a thoracic arteriovenous fistula.
Entwicklungsdiagnostik
Authors: Petermann Franz , Macha Thorsten
Published: July 2005

Zusammenfassung. Der Beitrag fasst historische und aktuelle Überlegungen zur Entwicklungsdiagnostik zusammen und berücksichtigt theoretische Annahmen und empirische Befunde zu normaler und abweichender Entwicklung. Es werden aktuelle deutschsprachige Entwicklungstests bezüglich ihrer Konstruktionsmerkmale und Aussagemöglichkeiten global bewertet sowie mögliche Anwendungsbereiche diskutiert. Abschließend werden Empfehlungen für die Testkonstruktion sowie den Einsatz von Entwicklungstests formuliert.
Dortmunder Entwicklungsscreening für den Kindergarten (DESK 3-6)
Authors: Tröster Heinrich , Flender Judith , Reineke Dirk
Published: July 2005

Zusammenfassung. Zur Früherkennung entwicklungsgefährdeter Kinder im Alter von 3 bis 6 Jahren wurde das Dortmunder Entwicklungsscreening für den Kindergarten (DESK 3-6) entwickelt. Bei der Konstruktion des DESK 3-6 standen die Praktikabilität des Verfahrens im Kindergarten und die Sicherstellung einer zuverlässigen Beurteilung der Entwicklungsaufgaben durch die Erzieherin im Vordergrund. Das DESK 3-6 besteht aus Beobachtungsbögen für 3-, 4- und 5- und 6-jährige Kinder mit Entwicklungsaufgaben zur Feinmotorik, Grobmotorik, Sprache und Kognition und zur Sozialen Entwicklung. Die Entwicklungsaufgaben werden entweder als Beobachtungsaufgaben, die die Erzieherin aufgrund ihrer Alltagsbeobachtungen des Kindes zuverlässig beurteilen kann, oder als Durchführungsaufgaben, die von der Erzieherin gezielt zu überprüfen sind, vorgegeben. Im Rahmen der Normierungsstudie an 1639 Kindergartenkindern zeigte sich, dass das DESK 3-6 bei Erzieherinnen und Eltern auf eine hohe Akzeptanz trifft und gut in den Kindergartenalltag integriert werden kann. Erste Hinweise auf die Validität des DESK 3-6 sind darin zu sehen, dass das Verfahren zwischen Kindern, die nach Beurteilung ihrer Erzieherin in ihrer Entwicklung auffällig sind, und Kindern, die eine zusätzliche Förderung erhalten, differenziert.
Validität von Entwicklungstests
Authors: Macha Thorsten , Proske Annette , Petermann Franz
Published: July 2005

Zusammenfassung. Entwicklungsscreenings und Allgemeine Entwicklungstests müssen abhängig von ihren Zielen und Konstruktionsmerkmalen jeweils nach einer punktuellen Strategie validiert werden. Es bedarf dabei des Nachweises ihrer Differenzierungsfähigkeit für verschiedene Altersbereiche und klinische Gruppen sowie der differenzierten Überprüfung der kriterienbezogenen Validität und Konstruktvalidität. Der Beitrag nimmt eine Bewertung und Diskussion etablierter und aktueller deutschsprachiger Entwicklungstests vor und unterstützt die Einschätzung der Aussagebereiche der Verfahren.