bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Emerging challenges in academic librarianship and role of library associations in professional updating
Authors: Thomas V.K. , Satpathi Chitra , Satpathi J.N.
Published: November 2010

Purpose

This paper aims to discuss the challenges posed by the contemporary library environment, which are the results of ICT and the digital revolution, and call for developing new competencies and skills as well as a new set of proficiencies. It also seeks to analyse the role of professional bodies, especially in India, in preparing librarians to meet these challenges.

Design/methodology/approach

Part I of this paper on emerging trends in academic librarianship at the global level has been consolidated from the literature that has discussed this problem in various forums, and from personal experience. Part II principally assesses the role played by library associations in preparing professionals to face the challenges offered by trends that emerge from time to time. This is done with the aid of a case study of the Indian Association of Special Libraries & Information Centres (IASLIC), Kolkata (India). A questionnaire and personal interviews were utilised to gather information and opinions.

Findings

It is found that the modern academic librarian, besides the common attributes, should be technology‐savvy and eager to learn and adopt any technology development for the benefit of users. Regular updating of professionals is sine qua non. In the Indian context, it is found that professional bodies like IASLIC did play a yeoman's role in bringing India to the forefront of global librarianship. It is concluded that India does need a well‐laid out policy and programmes of updating and equipping its librarians continuously and can benefit from the experiences of ALA and CILIP.

Originality/value

This is the first time a study of IASLIC has been conducted from the angle of its role in meeting the new challenges posed by ICT. This study should benefit all professional bodies in India in their education programme.
Understanding demand for innovation in the food industry
Authors: Muscio Alessandro , Nardone Gianluca , Dottore Antonio
Published: November 2010

Purpose

This paper aims to focus on understanding how demand for innovation is articulated in low‐tech industries, dominated by SMEs, where innovation is often based on informal processes and uncodified knowledge, relying on intangible assets.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors hypothesize that the problems found in the innovation area are exacerbated in a traditional industry. SMEs might have difficulty understanding what their requirements might be, let alone finding the optimal provider of technologies. The authors therefore expect to find three main forms of demand: real, latent, and potential. The specific case is the food industry in Apulia, Italy. First, focus groups identified general business and technology needs. Then in‐depth interviews were conducted with 87 firms, stratified in order to be representative of food firms in Apulia.

Findings

The authors detected 285 different needs requiring an innovative solution. In most cases, firms understand the areas to be improved, but do not have a technological solution in mind. Demand for innovation is mostly latent.

Research limitations/implications

The study is narrow in geographic and industry scope. This limits generalizability, but the methodology is transferable and the results comparable. The authors studied the demand side, whereas interaction between supply and demand needs to be understood. Future studies into regional public research organizations (PROs) and intermediaries can therefore be useful.

Practical implications

The findings can be used to understand how PROs can engage with SMEs and what policymakers can do to facilitate the interaction.

Originality/value

This study applies thinking typically used in high‐tech sectors to a traditional sector, hence testing and extending the theoretical boundaries.
The boundary‐less classroom: extending social innovation and impact learning to the field
Authors: Kickul Jill , Griffiths Mark , Bacq Sophie
Published: November 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate how extending social innovation and impact learning to the field was accomplished.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper discusses how experiential learning can be adapted to social entrepreneurship education and how to structure the course and deliverables. It highlights the importance of students' selection and preparation.

Findings

The paper shares some students' reflections on their fieldwork and how they dealt with new ideas. It also provides three central lessons – “go real”, “go deep”, “get feedback” – that were learned through the experience.

Research limitations/implications

Since information from only one course offering has been reported, a simple generalization should be made cautiously. For this reason, the transferability of this experiential learning course to other regions of the world is discussed and recommendations are offered for educators who want to engage in a successful “boundary‐less classroom.”

Originality/value

Initial evidence is provided that the success of experiential learning in social innovation and impact can be guaranteed by a number of elements, including students' preparation to assist them as they confront challenges found in the field experience. Experiential learning would not be transferable without deep intercultural understanding and a well‐chosen selection of social enterprises and social entrepreneurs with whom to collaborate.
Intellectual property valuation: how to approach the selection of an appropriate valuation method
Authors: Lagrost Céline , Martin Donald , Dubois Cyrille , Quazzotti Serge
Published: November 2010

Purpose

This paper aims to assess how to select an appropriate intellectual property valuation method according to the valuation situation and context.

Design/methodology/approach

The article describes the difference between the quantitative and qualitative methods and principles. It reviews the principal approaches and methods used to evaluate an intellectual property asset and proposes a framework to help the evaluators to select an appropriate valuation method. The paper initiates a discussion on the parameters and requirements that influence the choice of an IP valuation method in order to reach the expected valuation result.

Findings

This paper provides useful guidelines for any evaluator who would be responsible for executing an IP valuation and who would be faced with the difficult task of choosing an appropriate IP valuation method. It is the intention of this paper to develop a synthesised and integrated procedure for the selection of an IP valuation method.

Research limitations/implications

The limitation of this paper is that not all of the existing methods were described and taken into account in the final proposed procedure. The authors made a series of assumptions and a selection of the methods that may not be entirely shared by other researchers and practitioners. The authors are conscious that this constitutes a first proposal in the selection process of the most relevant IP valuation method. Further discussions and developments would be carried on in the future to enhance the proposed procedure.

Originality/value

This paper proposes a framework to orientate the choice of an appropriate IP valuation method according to the context and situation in which the valuation is to be implemented.
Does extinction of responses to cigarette cues occur during smoking cessation?
Authors: O'Connell Kathleen A. , Shiffman Saul , DeCarlo Lawrence T.
Published: November 2010

Aims  This study investigated whether Pavlovian extinction occurs during smoking cessation by determining whether experience abstaining from smoking in the presence of cigarette cues leads to decreased probability of lapsing and whether this effect is mediated by craving.

Design  Secondary analyses were carried out with data sets from two studies with correlational/observational designs.

Setting  Data were collected in smokers' natural environments using ecological momentary assessment techniques.

Participants  Sixty‐one and 207 smokers who were attempting cessation participated.

Measurements  Multi‐level path models were used to examine effects of prior experience abstaining in the presence of available cigarettes and while others were smoking on subsequent craving intensity and the probability of lapsing. Control variables included current cigarette availability, current exposure to others smoking, number of prior lapses and time in the study.

Findings  Both currently available cigarettes [odds ratios (OR) = 36.60, 11.59] and the current presence of other smoking (OR = 5.00, 1.52) were powerful predictors of smoking lapse. Repeated exposure to available cigarettes without smoking was associated with a significantly lower probability of lapse in subsequent episodes (OR = 0.44, 0.52). However, exposure to others smoking was not a reliable predictor, being significant only in the smaller study (OR = 0.30). Craving functioned as a mediator between extinction of available cigarettes and lapsing only in the smaller study and was not a mediator for extinction of others smoking in either study.

Conclusions  This study showed that exposure to available cigarettes is a large risk factor for lapsing, but that this risk can also be reduced over time by repeated exposures without smoking. Smoking cessation interventions should attempt to reduce cigarette exposure (by training cigarette avoidance) but recognize the potential advantage of unreinforced exposure to available cigarettes.
Functional biomarkers for the acute effects of alcohol on the central nervous system in healthy volunteers
Authors: Zoethout Remco W. M. , Delgado Wilson L. , Ippel Annelies E. , Dahan Albert , van Gerven Joop M. A.
Published: November 2010

The central nervous system (CNS) effects of acute alcohol administration have been frequently assessed. Such studies often use a wide range of methods to study each of these effects. Unfortunately, the sensitivity of these tests has not completely been ascertained. A literature search was performed to recognize the most useful tests (or biomarkers) for identifying the acute CNS effects of alcohol in healthy volunteers. All tests were grouped in clusters and functional domains. Afterwards, the effect of alcohol administration on these tests was scored as improvement, impairment or as no effect. Furthermore, dose–response relationships were established. A total number of 218 studies, describing 342 different tests (or test variants) were evaluated. Alcohol affected a wide range of CNS domains. Divided attention, focused attention, visuo‐motor control and scales of feeling high and of subjective drug effects were identified as the most sensitive functional biomarkers for the acute CNS effects of alcohol. The large number of CNS tests that are used to determine the effects of alcohol interferes with the identification of the most sensitive ones and of drug–response relationships. Our results may be helpful in selecting rational biomarkers for studies investigating the acute CNS effects of alcohol or for future alcohol‐ interaction studies.
Clinical pharmacology of analgesic medicines in older people: impact of frailty and cognitive impairment
Authors: McLachlan Andrew J. , Bath Sally , Naganathan Vasi , Hilmer Sarah N. , Le Couteur David G. , Gibson Stephen J. , Blyth Fiona M.
Published: November 2010

Pain is highly prevalent in frail older people who often have multiple co‐morbidities and multiple medicines. Rational prescribing of analgesics in frail older people is complex due to heterogeneity in drug disposition, comorbid medical conditions, polypharmacy and variability in analgesic response in this population. A critical issue in managing older people with pain is the need for judicious choice of analgesics based on a comprehensive medical and medication history. Care is needed in the selection of analgesic medicine to avoid drug–drug or drug–disease interactions. People living with dementia and cognitive impairment have suboptimal pain relief which in part may be related to altered pharmacodynamics of analgesics and challenges in the systematic assessment of pain intensity in this patient group. In the absence of rigorously controlled trials in frail older people and those with cognitive impairment a pharmacologically‐guided approach can be used to optimize pain management which requires a systematic understanding of the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of analgesics in frail older people with or without changes in cognition.
Corticosteroid‐binding globulin regulates cortisol pharmacokinetics
Authors: Perogamvros I. , Aarons L. , Miller A. G. , Trainer P. J. , Ray D. W.
Published: November 2010

Objective  Corticosteroid‐binding globulin (CBG) is the principal carrier for cortisol in the circulation. Variations in CBG‐binding capacity are predicted to alter total serum cortisol disposition, but free serum cortisol is believed to be unaffected. Unbound cortisol pharmacokinetics (PK) have not been studied in the context of CBG changes. We aimed to assess the regulation of cortisol PK by CBG.

Design and subjects  Women on oestrogens [oral contraceptive pill, (OCP)], patients homozygous for a nonfunctioning CBG variant (CBG null) and healthy controls (HV) were studied before and after IV and oral administration of hydrocortisone 20 mg.

Measurements  PK parameters were studied for total serum cortisol (SerF), free serum cortisol (FreeF) and cortisone (FreeE), and salivary cortisol (SalF) and cortisone (SalE): area under the curve (AUC), clearance (CL), half‐life and volume of distribution (Vd).

Results  Following IV hydrocortisone, AUC and half‐life of SerF were significantly higher in the OCP group and lower in the CBG null. SerF CL and Vd were significantly lower in the OCP group and increased in the CBG null, compared to HV. PK parameters for FreeF and the salivary biomarkers were not different between the CBG null and HV, although OCP patients still had higher AUC compared to HV and prolonged half‐life. These findings were confirmed following oral hydrocortisone, but concentration–time profiles were highly heterogeneous and SalF interpretation was problematic because of oral contamination.

Conclusions  We have demonstrated that CBG has a distinct effect on cortisol PK. When CBG binding is disrupted, FreeF retains normal PK characteristics, although CBG null patients lack a CBG‐bound pool of readily releasable cortisol. Women on oestrogens may have altered free serum cortisol kinetics and thus may be potentially overexposed to glucocorticoids.
Does an undetectable rhTSH‐stimulated Tg level 12 months after initial treatment of thyroid cancer indicate remission?
Authors: Klubo‐Gwiezdzinska Joanna , Burman Kenneth D. , Van Nostrand Douglas , Wartofsky Leonard
Published: November 2010

Objectives  Routine monitoring after the initial treatment of differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) includes periodic cervical ultrasonography (US) and measurement of serum thyroglobulin (Tg) during thyrotrophin (TSH) suppression and after recombinant human TSH (rhTSH) stimulation. The aim of our study was to evaluate the utility of repeated rhTSH‐stimulated Tg measurements in patients with DTC who have had no evidence of disease at their initial rhTSH stimulation test performed 1 year after the treatment.

Material and methods  A retrospective chart review of 278 patients with DTC who had repeated rhTSH stimulation testing after an initial undetectable rhTSH‐stimulated serum Tg level.

Results  The number of rhTSH stimulation tests performed on individual patients during the follow‐up period (3–12 years, mean 6·3) varied from two to seven. Biochemical and/or cytological evidence of potential persistent/recurrent disease based on detectable second or third rhTSH‐stimulated Tg values and US findings was observed in 11 (4%) patients. Subsequent follow‐up data revealed that in five cases, the results of the second stimulation were false positive, in one case – false negative. Combined with the negative neck US, the negative predictive value for disease‐free survival was 98% after the first undetectable rhTSH‐stimulated Tg and 100% after the second one.

Conclusions  In patients with DTC, the intensity of follow‐up should be adjusted to new risk estimates evolving with time. The first rhTSH‐stimulated Tg is an excellent predictor for remission, independent of clinical stage at presentation. Second negative rhTSH‐Tg stimulation is additionally reassuring and can guide less aggressive follow‐up by the measurement of nonstimulated Tg and neck US every few years.
Indirect calorimetry during treadmill walking — a study of two methods
Authors: Öhrström M. , Holmer C. , Larsson M. , Lindoff B. , Ekelund M.
Published: November 2010

Walking is a complex process and the physiotherapist must focus on physical signs as well as functional and practical tests to evaluate treatment. Measurement of energy expenditure during level walking is a useful objective parameter for assessing walking as being a valuable supplement to evaluate the outcome of physiotherapy. This study had two purposes. The first purpose was to investigate whether sampling and measurement of oxygen consumption were reproducible when using two different devices during walking on a treadmill. A second purpose was to find out whether the measurements were sensitive enough to reveal differences in energy expenditure and respiratory quotient (RQ) during different walking speeds. Ten healthy students (mean age 22 years; range 20–25 years) volunteered in the test‐retest of a slightly adjusted Deltatrac metabolic monitor. Thirteen volunteers (mean age 45 years; range 31–57 years) participated in the test‐retest of Sensormedics 2900. In the first test, the subjects walked for 10 min in order to get a steady state both at an individual comfortable speed and at a preset speed. The retest was done with the same design and within 2 weeks. Nobody experienced any discomfort during the tests. The repeatability of measuring energy expenditure and RQ was acceptable for both methods and the methods were sensitive in revealing differences in energy expenditure during different walking speeds. The RQ were, however, too low when using the Deltatrac monitor, probably as a result of low air flow. We therefore conclude that only the method using Sensormedics 2900 may be used for the evaluation of energy expenditure during walking on a treadmill.
Human constant regions influence the antibody binding characteristics of mouse‐human chimeric IgG subclasses
Authors: MCCLOSKEY N. , TURNER M. W. , STEFFNER P. , OWENS R. , GOLDBLATT D.
Published: November 2010

Although antibody affinity is primarily determined by immunoglobulin variable region structure human IgG antibodies of the four subclasses specific for the same antigen have been shown to differ in their affinity. To explore the influence of the immunoglobulin constant region on functional antibody affinity, a set of V region identical mouse–human chimeric IgG subclasses specific for TAG72 (tumour‐associated glycoprotein) were studied. Biomolecular interaction analysis (BIA) was used to determine the binding kinetics of whole IgG subclasses and F(ab')2 fragments. Despite identical V regions, binding kinetics differed for the four subclasses. The apparent dissociation rate constants of the intact immunoglobulins ranked IgG4 < IgG3 < IgG2 < IgG1. In contrast, analysis of the binding characteriztics of the F(ab')2 fragments derived from IgG1, IgG2 and IgG4 revealed identical binding kinetics. The structure of the constant regions of the humanized IgG subclass antibodies clearly influenced functional antibody affinity, as has been described for the murine IgG subclasses. The exact mechanism for this phenomenon remains obscure but such differences should be taken into account when designing or choosing antibodies for therapeutic use.
Chimaeric monoclonal antibodies encoded by the human VH26 gene from naïve transgenic mice display a wide range of antigen‐binding specificities
Authors: HARMER I. J. , MAGEED R. A. , KAMINSKI A. , CHARLES P. , BRÜGGEMANN M. , MACKWORTH‐YOUNG C. G.
Published: November 2010

To elucidate the molecular basis for the ability of antibodies encoded by the human VH26 heavy‐chain variable region gene to react with diverse antigens, we have generated 34 hybridomas secreting chimaeric monoclonal antibodies (human μ heavy chain/mouse light chains) from transgenic mice. The transgenic mice carry an immunoglobulin minilocus containing the human VH26 gene, human DH and JH gene segments, and genes encoding the human Cμ region. The minilocus in these animals undergoes functional rearrangement resulting in the production of chimaeric antibodies in which human μ heavy chains utilizing the VH26 gene are paired with mouse k or Λ light chains. The hybridomas described in this study were generated from naïve animals and were selected solely on the basis of human μ‐chain expression. The antibodies described have covalently attached mouse light chains and are multimeric in structure. The binding properties of the antibodies were examined using a panel of both self‐ and foreign antigens using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays, agglutination or radio‐immunoprecipitation assays and immunofluorescence. Chimaeric immunoglobulins from 21 of the 34 hybridoma clones (61·7%) reacted with one or more antigens, of which 13 (38·2%) reacted with more than two antigens. These studies demonstrate that the VH26 gene, in combination with human DH and JH gene segments, and mouse light‐chain genes, is able to encode antibodies with a wide range of ligand‐binding specificities. These findings have important implications in the context of the possible origins of autoantibodies encoded by VH26 which may play a role in the pathogenesis of a number of autoimmune conditions.
Recognition of CD52 allelic gene products by CAMPATH‐1H antibodies
Authors: HALE C. , BARTHOLOMEW M. , TAYLOR V. , STABLES J. , TOPLEY P. , TITE J.
Published: November 2010

Cloning of the CD52 from a B‐lymphocyte tumour cDNA library revealed two closely related sequences differing only at two amino acids C‐terminal to the proposed point of glycosyl‐phosphatidylinositol (GPI)‐linkage. When transfected into CHO cells only one of these sequences gave high‐level expression of the antigen recognized by the prototypic anti‐CD52 antibody CAMPATH‐1 whereas in JURKAT cells good expression levels were obtained with both sequences. Fusion of the sequence from the second sequence to DNA encoding the extracellular domain of CD4 indicated that this sequence was capable of directing GPI linkage. The possible implications for the function of CD52 and serotherapy with anti‐CD52 antibodies are discussed.
Immunogenicity of peptides coupled with multiple T‐cell epitopes of a surface protein antigen of Streptococcus mutans
Authors: SENPUKU H. , IIZIMA T. , YAMAGUCHI Y. , NAGATA S. , UENO Y. , SAITO M. , HANADA N. , NISIZAWA T.
Published: November 2010

A surface protein antigen (PAc) of Streptococcus mutans, in particular the A‐region of the molecule, has been noted as a possible target of effective dental caries vaccine. We have previously shown that two peptides of 19 amino acids (residues 361–379, NAKATYEAALKQYEADLAA, and residues 301–319, ANAANEADYQAKLTAYQTE), which correspond to parts of the A‐region, contain both T‐ and B‐cell epitopes for the induction of cross‐reacting antibodies to the PAc. In this study, for development of an appropriate antigen as a peptide vaccine for use in prophylactic dentistry, we analysed in detail the localization of the T‐ and B‐cell epitopes of PAc(361–379) peptide and the T‐cell epitope of PAc(301–319) peptide in B10 congenic mice. In four murine major histocompatibility complex (MHC) haplotypes (H‐2f, d, a and k), PAc(361–377) peptide showed T‐ and B‐cell epitopes forming a cluster. It was found that the antibody which was induced by the immunization with the peptide was strongly cross‐reactive with recombinant (r)PAc. Meanwhile, PAc(305–318) peptide, recognised by five strains of mice of different MHC haplotypes (H‐2f, d, a, k and s), also bore multiple T‐cell epitopes. PAc(361–377) peptide coupled to PAc(305–318) significantly elevated cross‐reacting antibody levels compared to immunization with PAc(361–377) only in four H‐2 haplotypes. Moreover, a peptide with PAc(305–318) coupled to the N‐terminal region of PAc(361–377) produced significant cross‐reacting antibody against rPAc, even in B10.S mice which had not responded to immunization with PAc(361–379) peptide. Therefore, it was suggested that coupling among the peptides forming a cluster might be effective in increasing immunogenicity. These results may provide us with a useful strategy for the design of peptide‐based vaccines for S. mutans in the future.
Properties of mouse CD40: differential expression of CD40 epitopes on dendritic cells and epithelial cells
Authors: VAN DEN BERG T. K. , HASBOLD J. , DE LAVALETTE C. RENARDEL , DÖPP E. A. , DIJKSTRA C. D. , KLAUS G. G. B.
Published: November 2010

In this study we describe the tissue distribution of mouse CD40 using two monoclonal antibodies (mAb) against different epitopes of the molecule. In lymphoid tissues CD40 was expressed by B lymphocytes. Most B cells in typical B‐cell compartments were CD40‐positive, including germinal centre B cells. Interestingly, the two CD40 epitopes were differentially distributed on subpopulations of dendritic cells and epithelial cells. The 3/23 mAb, but not 3/3, recognized interdigitating dendritic cells (IDC) in lymph nodes, spleen and thymus. Langerhans cells were CD40 negative. In contrast, epithelial cells in the thymus and some other tissues (e.g. skin) were stained with the 3/3 mAb, but not with the 3/23 mAb. The expression of CD40 on dendritic cells and epithelial cells is in agreement with earlier findings in humans. Our data also demonstrate that different epitopes of CD40 are differentially expressed on dendritic cells and epithelial cells. This suggests the existence of different forms of CD40, that are expressed in a cell‐type‐specific fashion.
Transfer of type II collagen‐induced arthritis from DBA/1 to severe combined immunodeficiency mice can be prevented by blockade of Mac‐1
Authors: TAYLOR P. C. , CHU C. Q. , PLATER‐ZYBERK C. , MAINI R. N.
Published: November 2010

Collagen‐induced arthritis in susceptible mice is widely accepted as an experimental model for human rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We have investigated the role of the Mac‐1 integrin β2 in the development and maintenance of arthritis by means of in vivo administration of 5C6 monoclonal antibody (mAb) to block this receptor. Injection of a single dose of 5C6 mAb (0·5 mg, intraperitoneally) prior to the expected onset of collagen‐induced arthritis in DBA/1 mice diminished the severity of subsequent disease in these animals, as assessed both clinically and histologically (P < 0·01, X2). In the DBA/1 to severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) transfer model of arthritis, the incidence of clinical arthritis was significantly reduced in SCID mice receiving maintained 5C6 treatment commencing the day prior to administration of donor splenocytes. Histological evaluation of joints from animals without clinically evident arthritis confirmed the absence of an inflammatory infiltrate in 22/27 joints examined. In a minority of these joints, however, synovial hyperplasia was apparent. In contrast, delaying antibody administration until 10 days after donor spleen cell transfer failed to protect three of five SCID recipients. These results confirm a functional role for Mac‐1 in the generation of collagen‐induced arthritis in mice. Since mAb 5C6 is non‐cytotoxic, its action must be by blockade of the interactions between Mac‐1 and its natural ligand(s). Our findings support the hypothesis that cells expressing Mac‐1 play an important role in the induction and maintenance of joint damage in collagen‐induced arthritis.
Drying kinetics and effective moisture diffusivity of bamboo shoot slices undergoing microwave drying
Authors: Bal Lalit M. , Kar Abhijit , Satya Santosh , Naik Satya N.
Published: November 2010

Effect of microwave power on moisture content, moisture ratio, drying rate, drying time and effective moisture diffusivity (Deff) of bamboo shoot was investigated using microwave drying. To study the effect of microwave power on drying, bamboo shoot samples (250 g) were dried at different power levels ranging from 140 to 350 W. To determine the kinetic parameters, drying data were fitted to various models based on the ratios of differences between initial and final moisture contents and equilibrium moisture content. Among the models proposed, Wang and Singh model gave a better fit for all drying conditions used. By increasing microwave output power, the Deff values increased from 4.153 × 10−10 to 22.835 × 10−10 m2 s−1. A third‐order polynomial relationship was found to correlate the Deff with moisture content. Further scope of this research work would include the effect of certain factors (shrinkage, case hardening, distortion of product and shape of bamboo shoot samples as an infinite slab) of practical significance to improve the model.
A comparative study of inactivation of peach polyphenol oxidase and carrot polyphenol oxidase induced by high‐pressure carbon dioxide
Authors: Zhang Yan , Wang Yuanyuan , Zhou Linyan , Liao Xiaojun
Published: November 2010

The inactivation of polyphenol oxidase (PPO) in peach juice and PPO in carrot juice was investigated by high‐pressure carbon dioxide (HPCD), and their inactivation kinetics was analysed and compared. The temperature was 35–55 °C, the pressure was 5–15 MPa under HPCD condition. Results showed that HPCD enhanced the inactivation effect of the temperature on the two PPOs. The inactivation kinetics of peach PPO was well fitted to a first‐order kinetic model, of carrot PPO to a fraction‐conversion model as a function of temperatures or pressures. Susceptibility of the rate constant k of peach PPO was not altered and of carrot PPO was lessened to the temperature, but the susceptibility of the rate constant k of peach PPO and carrot PPO to the pressure was not changed when the pressure was >8 or 12 MPa, indicating the presence of a threshold pressure.
Effect of papain‐hydrolysed casein peptides on the fermentation kinetics, microbiological survival and physicochemical properties of yoghurt
Authors: Zhang Qingli , Zhao Mouming , Qu Dujuan , Zhao Haifeng , Zhao Qiangzhong
Published: November 2010

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of different molecular mass papain‐hydrolysed casein peptides (PCP) on the growth of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) (Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus in 1:1 ratio) and on the fermentation kinetics, microbiological survival and physicochemical properties in yoghurt. The fraction of PCP4 (<3 kDa) exhibited the highest growth‐promoting activity on the strains. The value of TpH4.5 (time necessary to reach pH 4.5) of yoghurt fortified with PCP4 reduced from 5.21 to 4.29 h, and the total counts of LAB present in the final products increased from 8.29 to 8.42 log CFU mL−1 with the addition of PCP4 at nitrogen replaced ratio of 3% (w/w). Moreover, the yoghurt exhibited lower postacidification power, higher viscosity and sensory evaluation scores than did the control product during storage period.
The land fauna of Ascension Island: new data from caves and lava flows, and a reconstruction of the prehistoric ecosystem
Authors: Ashmole N. Philip , Ashmole Myrtle J.
Published: November 2010

Abstract. Terrestrial arthropods were investigated in 1990 and 1995 on Ascension, a young and extremely isolated volcanic island in the equatorial Atlantic. Three new genera (of Araneae, Oribatida and Psocoptera) were discovered and the number of apparently endemic species was increased from fourteen to about twenty‐nine. Some 311 species of land animals (a few now extinct) are known to have established themselves on the island; in a few groups there may be significant numbers of unrecorded species. About ninety‐five endemic and non‐endemic species are considered to be native (including two marine turtles, twelve seabirds and two extinct landbirds); seventy‐eight are of doubtful status; and at least 138 were probably introduced by humans. Natural colonists arrived mainly by air (drifting with the wind during migratory movements) but some evidently travelled on floating objects or attached to birds or other animals. Natural colonization was almost entirely from Africa.

Before the arrival of humans, Ascension had an early successional ecosystem. The fauna in the lava and cinder deserts of the lowlands—both on the surface and in subterranean cracks and caves—was dominated by taxonomically varied scavengers and mainly arachnid predators. The scattered angiosperms here and in the foothills supported some host‐specific herbivores with associated predators; they were also exploited (especially after exceptional rains) by a number of Orthoptera, Hemiptera and Lepidoptera derived from migratory African populations and perhaps reinforced at intervals by additional groups of colonists. The more extensive and largely cryptogamic vegetation on the central peak had a poor fauna probably composed mainly of micro‐arthropods. Along coasts, on islets and in the extensive seabird colonies there were additional arthropod species and also a flightless rail and a night heron (both now extinct).

Invertebrate stocks that colonized Ascension underwent a variety of evolutionary changes including phyletic evolution leading to endemic status, adaptation to subterranean life (Araneae, Pseudoscorpiones, Collembola and Psocoptera), character release (phorid Diptera), and probably splitting of lineages (speciation) within the island (Isopoda, Collembola and gryllid Orthoptera). The relatively high diversity of Pseudoscorpiones (five species in five genera) and their 100% apparent endemicity is notable.

The indigenous fauna of Ascension provides a view of an early stage in the processes of colonization, adaptive evolution and radiation which—over much longer periods—give rise to the richer and more distinctive faunas of older oceanic islands such as Ascension's nearest neighbour, St Helena, where a few invertebrate clades have undergone repetitive speciation and some adaptive radiation.
Ecological and biogeographical studies on the tropical rain forest of south Yunnan, SW China with a special reference to its relation with rain forests of tropical Asia
Authors: Zhu H.
Published: November 2010

Abstract. Ecological and biogeographic analyses of the tropical rain forest in south Yunnan were made using data from seventeen sample plots and floristic inventories of about 1000 species of seed plants. The rain forest is shown to be a type of true tropical rain forest because it has almost the same profile, physiognomic characteristics, species richness per unit area, numbers of individuals in each tree species and diameter classes of trees as classic lowland tropical rain forests. As the area is at the northern margin of monsoonal tropics, the rain forest differs from equatorial lowland rain forests in having some deciduous trees in the canopy layer, fewer megaphanaerophytes and epiphytes but more species of lianas as well as more species of microphylls. In its floristic composition, about 80% of total families. 94% of total genera and more than 90% of total species are tropical, of which about 38% of genera and 74% of species are tropical Asian. Furthermore, the rain forest has not only almost the same families and genera, but also the same families rank in the top ten both in species richness and in dominance of stems, as lowland forests in southeast Asia. It is indisputable that the flora of the rain forest is part of the tropical Asian flora. However, most of the tropical families and genera have their northern limits in south Yunnan and most have their centre of species diversity in Malesia. More strictly tropical families and genera have relatively lower species richness and importance compared with lowland rain forests in tropical southeast Asia. Thus, the flora also shows characteristics of being at the margin of the tropics.

Based mainly on physiognomy and floristic composition the tropical rain forest of Yunnan is classified into two types, i.e. seasonal rain forest and wet seasonal rain forest, the latter is further divided into two subtypes, i.e. mixed rain forest and dipterocarp rain forest.

From analysis of geographic elements it is also shown that the tropical rain forest of Yunnan occurs at a geographical nexus with its flora coming mainly from four sources, i.e. Malesia, south Himalayas, Indochina and China.
The effects of various interventions to newborns on pain and duration of crying
Authors: Yilmaz Fatma , Arikan Duygu
Published: November 2010

Aim and objective.  This study aimed to compare the effects of mother’s milk, sucrose and pacifier use to overcome pain during painful interventions to the newborns on the crying time and pain.

Background.  Various non‐pharmacological methods are used to overcome the pain associated with painful interventions with newborns.

Design.  A prospective, randomised, controlled study involved 120 newborns in Turkey.

Methods.  The population consisted of healthy newborns hospitalised in the gynaecology clinics of Trabzon Delivery and Children’s Diseases hospital between February 2007–January 2008. The newborns who had blood sampling by heel stick were divided into four groups: mother’s milk, sucrose, pacifier and control groups with 30 newborns in each. Data collection was performed using an information form on the newborn characteristics, which was developed by the researchers in the light of literature, clinical IR ear thermometer ET1 for temperature measurement, OXIMAX N‐65 Pulse oxymeter for oxygen saturation and heart rate and neonatal infant pain scale for the measurement of the behavioural responses of newborns.

Results.  No differences were determined between the groups for heart rate and oxygen saturation in the newborns during painful interventions (p > 0·05). Sucrose followed by pacifier was the most effective method of reducing the crying time in the newborns.

Conclusion.  The results indicate that all three practices reduce the behavioural responses to pain at a higher rate than in the control group.

Relevance to clinical practice.  Health care personnel should perform painful interventions to the newborns while the babies are held by their mothers and during the procedure use of sucrose should be the primary choice.
MyD88‐dependent pathway is essential for the innate immunity to Enterocytozoon bieneusi
Authors: ZHANG Q. , FENG X. , NIE W. , GOLENBOCK D. T. , MAYANJA‐KIZZA H. , TZIPORI S. , FENG H.
Published: November 2010

Enterocytozoon bieneusi is clinically the most significant microsporidian parasite associated with persistent diarrhoea, wasting and cholangitis in 30–50% of individuals with HIV/AIDS, as well as in malnutritional children and in the recipients of immunosuppressive therapy. However, the host immune responses to E. bieneusi have not been investigated until recently because of lack of sources of spores, cell culture system and animal models. In this study, we purified spores from heavily infected human or monkey faeces by serial salt‐Percoll‐sucrose‐iodixanol centrifugation, and the purity of spores was confirmed by FACS and scanning electron microscopy. Exposure of dendritic cells to E. bieneusi spores induced the upregulation of the surface markers and production of pro‐inflammatory cytokines. The cytokine production was independent of toll‐like receptor 4, but MyD88 dependent, because dendritic cells from MyD88 knockout mice failed to secrete these pro‐inflammatory cytokines, whereas dendritic cells from C3H/HeJ (a toll‐like receptor 4 mutant) were activated by E. bieneusi and secreted these cytokines. Furthermore, MyD88‐deficient mice were susceptible to E. bieneusi infection, in contrast to wild‐type mice that resisted the infection. Collectively, the data demonstrate innate recognition of E. bieneusi by dendritic cells and the importance of MyD88‐dependent signalling in resisting infection in a murine challenge model.
Acclimation to high CO2 in maize is related to water status and dependent on leaf rank
Authors: PRINS ANNEKE , MUKUBI JOSEPHINE MUCHWESI , PELLNY TILL K. , VERRIER PAUL J. , BEYENE GETU , LOPES MARTA SILVA , EMAMI KAVEH , TREUMANN ACHIM , LELARGE‐TROUVERIE CAROLINE , NOCTOR GRAHAM , KUNERT KARL J. , KERCHEV PAVEL , FOYER CHRISTINE H.
Published: November 2010

The responses of C3 plants to rising atmospheric CO2 levels are considered to be largely dependent on effects exerted through altered photosynthesis. In contrast, the nature of the responses of C4 plants to high CO2 remains controversial because of the absence of CO2‐dependent effects on photosynthesis. In this study, the effects of atmospheric CO2 availability on the transcriptome, proteome and metabolome profiles of two ranks of source leaves in maize (Zea mays L.) were studied in plants grown under ambient CO2 conditions (350 +/− 20 µL L−1 CO2) or with CO2 enrichment (700 +/− 20 µL L−1 CO2). Growth at high CO2 had no effect on photosynthesis, photorespiration, leaf C/N ratios or anthocyanin contents. However, leaf transpiration rates, carbohydrate metabolism and protein carbonyl accumulation were altered at high CO2 in a leaf‐rank specific manner. Although no significant CO2‐dependent changes in the leaf transcriptome were observed, qPCR analysis revealed that the abundance of transcripts encoding a Bowman–Birk protease inhibitor and a serpin were changed by the growth CO2 level in a leaf rank specific manner. Moreover, CO2‐dependent changes in the leaf proteome were most evident in the oldest source leaves. Small changes in water status may be responsible for the observed responses to high CO2, particularly in the older leaf ranks.
The Arabidopsis tt19‐4 mutant differentially accumulates proanthocyanidin and anthocyanin through a 3′ amino acid substitution in glutathione S‐transferase
Authors: LI XIANG , GAO PENG , CUI DEJUN , WU LIMIN , PARKIN ISOBEL , SABERIANFAR REZA , MENASSA RIMA , PAN HONGYU , WESTCOTT NEIL , GRUBER MARGARET Y.
Published: November 2010

The Arabidopsis transparent testa (tt) mutant tt19‐4 shows reduced seed coat colour, but stains darkly with DMACA and accumulates anthocyanins in aerial tissues. Positional cloning showed that tt19‐4 was allelic to tt19‐1 and has a G‐to‐T mutation in a conserved 3′‐domain in the TT19‐4 gene. Soluble and unextractable seed proanthocyanidins and hydrolysis of unextractable proanthocyanidin differ between wild‐type Col‐4 and both mutants. However, seed quercetins, unextractable proanthocyanidin hydrolysis, and seedling anthocyanin content, and flavonoid gene expression differ between tt19‐1 and tt19‐4. Transformation of tt19‐1 with a TT19‐4 cDNA results in vegetative anthocyanins, whereas TT19‐4 cDNA cannot complement the proanthocyanidin and pale seed coat phenotype of tt19‐1. Both recombinant TT19 and TT19‐4 enzymes are functional GSTs and are localized in the cytosol, but TT19 did not function with wide range of flavonoids and natural products to produce conjugation products. We suggest that the dark seed coat of Arabidopsis is related to soluble proanthocyanidin content and that quercetin holds the key to the function of TT19. In addition, TT19 appears to have a 5′ GSH‐binding domain influencing both anthocyanin and proanthocyanidin accumulation and a 3′ domain affecting proanthocyanidin accumulation by a single amino acid substitution.
Fire blight. Why do views on host invasion by Erwinia amylovora differ?
Authors: Billing E.
Published: November 2010

The fire blight pathogen, Erwinia amylovora, commonly infects flowers and shoots of certain rosaceous hosts and systemic (whole‐tree) invasion sometimes follows. The bacterium may be found in the parenchyma of bark tissue and/or in mature xylem vessels of stem tissue. Views differ on initial sites of multiplication and the optimal route for systemic migration. This article presents the evidence on which the different views are based. There are limited observations on orchard pear and apple trees; in most experimental studies, young apple shoots on potted plants were used. Tissue maturity at the site of shoot inoculation is of prime importance. If xylem vessels are damaged, inoculum may be sucked into the vessels and the bacteria will multiply there. In younger tissue, there is less suction pressure. The critical stem entry site for the invasion of cortical parenchyma seems to be near or above the most recently unfolded leaf. No one has suggested that migration in bark tissue cannot be a major route. If the xylem route is followed, the pathogen needs a means of escape into bark tissue, where typical symptoms develop; means of escape from mature xylem vessels have not been demonstrated and remain a matter for speculation. Published evidence does not seem to support the idea that fire blight is a vascular wilt disease, nor that the extracellular polysaccharide produced by E. amylovora is a toxin and responsible for the wilting symptom seen in the early stages of the disease.
Renal thrombotic microangiopathy associated with chronic humoral graft versus host disease after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Mii Akiko , Shimizu Akira , Masuda Yukinari , Fujino Teppei , Kaneko Tomohiro , Utsumi Kouichi , Arai Takashi , Ishikawa Arimi , Wakamatsu Kyoko , Tajika Kenji , Iino Yasuhiko , Katayama Yasuo , Fukuda Yuh
Published: November 2010

Thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) is a known complication of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). The pathogenesis of TMA is controversial but considered to involve various factors such as total body irradiation, use of calcineurin inhibitors for prophylaxis against graft versus host disease (GVHD), viral infection, and GVHD. Herein we describe a case with renal TMA after HSCT, which was probably associated with antibody‐mediated endothelial cell injury from chronic GVHD (termed here ‘chronic humoral GVHD’). A 49‐year‐old man presented two years after HSCT with renal dysfunction and proteinuria but without the clinical features of TMA. Histopathological examination of renal biopsy showed chronic glomerular endothelial cell injury with double contour of the glomerular basement membrane, microthrombi and the deposition of complement split product C4d along the glomerular capillaries. Renal tubulitis and peritubular capillaritis were also noted with a multilayered basement membrane and patchy C4d deposition on peritubular capillaries. These findings resemble those of chronic antibody‐mediated rejection after kidney transplantation. Furthermore, C4d deposition suggests complement activation. Although circulating anti‐blood type and anti‐human leukocyte antigen antibodies were not detected, the renal TMA in this case was probably associated with chronic humoral GVHD.