bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Fish Oil‐Fortified Extruded Snacks: Evaluation of Physical Properties and Oxidative Stability by Response Surface Methodology
Authors: Pankyamma Viji , Basu Subrata , Bhadran Sofji Suryaprabha , Chouksey Mithlesh Kumar , Gudipati Venkateswharlu 
Published: April 2014

AbstractResponse surface methodology was employed to study the physical characteristics and oxidative stability of fish oil‐fortified extruded snack. Process temperature (80–140C), feed moisture (12–20%), screw speed (300–400 rpm) and fish oil content (0.5–2.5%) were selected as the independent variables at five levels. A central composite design was developed to study the linear, quadratic and interactive effect of the selected independent variables on responses studied viz. expansion ratio, porosity, hardness, crispness and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance values. The physical properties of extruded samples such as expansion ratio, porosity and crispness were mostly influenced by feed moisture followed by fish oil content. Fish oil showed significant interactive effect with temperature on expansion ratio and porosity. The product with fish oil content up to 0.8% was found significantly oxidatively stable and fish oil can therefore be added to improve the nutritive and functional value of extruded snacks.Practical ApplicationsThe more frequently consumed products like rice‐based extruded snack can be fortified with fish oil, a source of cardioprotective omega‐3 fatty acids without causing undesirable changes in the physical properties. Any change in the feed formulation can influence the physical properties of the extrudate and it is essential to optimize the processing conditions for achieving the acceptable product characteristics. The present study gives an account on the effect of fish oil fortification on the physical properties of an extruded snack. The results of the study will be useful for the food processors to decide on the optimum parameters for developing fish oil‐fortified extruded snack with acceptable product quality characteristics.
Imbalances of CD4+T‐cell subgroups in Crohn's disease and their relationship with disease activity and prognosis
Authors: Chao Kang , Zhang Shenghong , Yao Jiayan , He Yao , Chen Baili , Zeng Zhirong , Zhong Bihui , Chen Minhu 
Published: April 2014

AbstractBackground and AimThe CD4+ T‐cell subgroups play central pathophysiological roles in Crohn's disease (CD); however, their clinical relevance requires additional clarification and remains controversial. We investigated their balance in Chinese CD patients and explored their clinical significance.MethodsPeripheral blood mononuclear cells and serum were collected from 46 Chinese CD patients and 23 healthy donors. Circulating Treg, Th1, Th2, and Th17 cells were flow cytometrically analyzed. Subgroup‐restricted transcription factor expression was determined by real‐time polymerase chain reaction. Serum concentrations of the main cytokines produced by each subgroup were measured by cytometric bead arrays or enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay.ResultsLower Treg proportion (6.0 ± 1.2% vs 7.8 ± 1.5%, P = 0.030), FOXP3 mRNA expression (0.58‐fold, P = 0.030), and circulating soluble TGFβ‐1 (19.1 ± 9.9 vs 32.7 ± 16.8 ng/mL, P = 0.038) were observed in CD patients versus controls. The Th1 and Th17 proportions were higher in CD patients (17.8 ± 6.6% vs 7.8 ± 1.5%, P < 0.001; and 3.7 ± 1.8% vs 1.8 ± 0.7%, P = 0.022, respectively), as were transcription factors T‐bet (4.6‐fold, P = 0.043) and RORγt (14‐fold, P < 0.001) and related cytokines (P < 0.05). Th2 proportion, GATA3 mRNA expression, and serum interleukin‐4 concentration in CD patients were similar to controls (P > 0.05). Treg/Th1 and Treg/Th17 ratios were higher in inactive versus active CD patients (0.6 ± 0.4 vs 0.3 ± 0.1, P = 0.022; and 3.7 ± 2.0 vs 1.7 ± 1.4, P = 0.013, respectively). During follow‐up, patients with lower Treg/Th1 and Treg/Th17 ratios were at higher recurrence risk.ConclusionsImbalances among Treg, Th1, and Th17 subgroups were found in Chinese CD patients. Treg/Th1 and Treg/Th17 ratios are associated with disease activity and are potential prognostic indicators for predicting CD recurrence.
Effectiveness of local injection of lentivirus‐delivered stathmin1 and stathmin1 shRNA in human gastric cancer xenograft mouse
Authors: Akhtar Javed , Wang Zhou , Yu Che , Zhang Zhi Ping 
Published: April 2014

AbstractBackground and AimWe have reported previously that RNA interference targeting stathmin1 (STMN1) gene in human gastric cancer cells inhibits proliferation in vitro and tumor growth in vivo. Based on these observations, in the present study, the possibility that local injection of lentivirus‐delivered stathmin shRNA would induce regression of the established human gastric cancer xenograft in animal model was investigated.MethodsBALB/c nude mice were inoculated subcutaneously into the right armpit with human gastric cancer cells SGC‐7901(2 × 106 cells in 200 μL phosphate‐buffered saline) to develop a xenograft model of human gastric cancer. When tumor reached suitable size, mice were randomly divided into two groups. STMN1 shRNA group (n = 6) were given local injection of lentivirus‐delivered STMN1 shRNA, and the non‐silencing shRNA group (n = 6) were administered with local injection of lentivirus‐delivered non‐silencing shRNA. Quantitative reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction and Western blot were used to verify the knockdown of the gene expression in dissected tumor at mRNA and protein level, respectively.ResultsExperimental therapy on the nude mice model bearing subcutaneous tumor of SGC‐7901 cells showed that local administration of STMN1 shRNA effectively regressed the pre‐established tumors. Stathmin shRNA‐treated tumors were significantly regressed as compared with that of the tumor injected with non‐silencing shRNA (P < 0.05). Tumor weight was significantly decreased in STMN1‐treated group as compared with non‐silencing shRNA group (P < 0.05). Quantitative reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction and Western blot showed downregulation of STMN1 gene expression in STMN1 shRNA group as compared with non‐silencing shRNA group (P < 0.05).ConclusionThese findings highlight the potential use of local injection of lentivirus‐delivered shRNA for the treatment of early localized human gastric carcinoma.
The association of SLC6A4 5‐HTTLPR and TRPV1 945G>C with functional dyspepsia in Korea
Authors: Hwang Sung Wook , Kim Nayoung , Jung Hye‐Kyung , Park Ji Hyun , Choi Yoon Jin , Kim Heebal , Kim Jaemin , Kim Joo Sung , Jung Hyun Chae 
Published: April 2014

AbstractBackground and AimThe association of various genetic polymorphisms with functional dyspepsia (FD) has been suggested, but the results were still controversial. The aim of the present study was to assess the association of GNB3 825C>T, SLC6A4 5‐HTTLPR, ADRA2A‐1291C>G, CCK‐1R intron 779T>C, and TRPV1 945G>C polymorphisms with FD based on Rome III criteria in Korea.MethodsStudy subjects were prospectively recruited from visitors to Seoul National University Bundang Hospital between 2009 and 2012. One hundred and twelve FD patients and 269 controls were enrolled.ResultsIn SLC6A4 5‐HTTLPR polymorphism, the frequency of S/S genotype was significantly lower than that of L/L + L/S genotype in FD compared to controls (P < 0.05). After stratification according to Helicobacter pylori infection, the S/S genotype was significantly associated with H. pylori‐positive epigastric pain syndrome (EPS) patients (adjusted odds ratio (OR) 0.46; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.22–0.99; P = 0.048). In TRPV1 945G>C polymorphism, the frequency of C/C genotype was lower in FD compared to controls (P = 0.057). The C carrier and C/C genotype was significantly associated with postprandial distress syndrome (PDS) and EPS, respectively (adjusted OR 0.47 and 0.43; 95% CI 0.25–0.90 and 0.20–0.93; P = 0.021 and 0.033). After stratification, the significant associations remained in H. pylori‐positive PDS and EPS patients (adjusted OR 0.37 and 0.28; 95% CI 0.16–0.88 and 0.09–0.85; P = 0.024 and 0.025).ConclusionsThe genetic polymorphism of SLC6A4 5‐HTTLPR and TRPV1 945G>C could be one of the pathophysiological factors of FD, especially in the case of H. pylori‐positive patients in Korea.
Accounting for the Material Stock of Nations
Authors: Fishman Tomer , Schandl Heinz , Tanikawa Hiroki , Walker Paul , Krausmann Fridolin 
Published: April 2014

SummaryNational material stock (MS) accounts have been a neglected field of analysis in industrial ecology, possibly because of the difficulty in establishing such accounts. In this research, we propose a novel method to model national MS based on historical material flow data. This enables us to avoid the laborious data work involved with bottom‐up accounts for stocks and to arrive at plausible levels of stock accumulation for nations. We apply the method for the United States and Japan to establish a proof of concept for two very different cases of industrial development. Looking at a period of 75 years (1930–2005), we find that per capita MS has been much higher in the United States for the entire period, but that Japan has experienced much higher growth rates throughout, in line with Japan's late industrial development. By 2005, however, both Japan and the United States arrive at a very similar level of national MS of 310 to 375 tonnes per capita, respectively. This research provides new insight into the relationship between MS and flows in national economies and enables us to extend the debate about material efficiency from a narrow perspective of throughput to a broader perspective of stocks.
Exploring Green Consumers’ Mind‐Set toward Green Product Design and Life Cycle Assessment
Authors: Lemke Fred , Luzio João Pedro Pereira 
Published: April 2014

SummaryBusinesses are increasingly interested in exploring the key concepts of industrial ecology (IE), particularly within the context of market‐oriented sustainability. However, few studies have researched how green consumers perceive production as having relevant product design and life cycle assessment (LCA) dimensions. In this article, we explore green consumers’ mind‐set toward such system tools of IE by conducting 18 in‐depth interviews with Brazilian and Portuguese green consumers. We propose a simplified theoretical framework for achieving market‐oriented sustainability based on the multidisciplinary potential between IE and marketing. Our analysis suggests that there are still important gaps between what green consumers demand and what businesses are currently able (or willing) to supply. Our findings support the idea that businesses interested in following IE within the context of market‐oriented sustainability should spend greater effort in understanding the green consumer's production‐related mind‐set. In particular, we propose (1) avoiding consumer skepticism and dissatisfaction with greenwashing and (2) establishing credibility and information transparency. Both seem to act as preconditions to better align the product design and LCA processes with green consumer needs within the emerging paradigm of market‐oriented sustainability.
Estimates of Lost Material Stock of Buildings and Roads Due to the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami
Authors: Tanikawa Hiroki , Managi Shunsuke , Lwin Cherry Myo 
Published: April 2014

SummaryThis article describes research conducted for the Japanese government in the wake of the magnitude 9.0 earthquake and tsunami that struck eastern Japan on March 11, 2011. In this study, material stock analysis (MSA) is used to examine the losses of building and infrastructure materials after this disaster. Estimates of the magnitude of material stock that has lost its social function as a result of a disaster can indicate the quantities required for reconstruction, help garner a better understanding of the volumes of waste flows generated by that disaster, and also help in the course of policy deliberations in the recovery of disaster‐stricken areas. Calculations of the lost building and road materials in the five prefectures most affected were undertaken. Analysis in this study is based on the use of geographical information systems (GIS) databases and statistics; it aims to (1) describe in spatial terms what construction materials were lost, (2) estimate the amount of infrastructure material needed to rehabilitate disaster areas, and (3) indicate the amount of lost material stock that should be taken into consideration during government policy deliberations. Our analysis concludes that the material stock losses of buildings and road infrastructure are 31.8 and 2.1 million tonnes, respectively. This research approach and the use of spatial MSA can be useful for urban planners and may also convey more appropriate information about disposal based on the work of municipalities in disaster‐afflicted areas.
Government Regulation, Corporate Board, and Firm Value: Evidence from China
Authors: Yu Wei , Zheng Ying 
Published: April 2014

AbstractThis paper investigates the determinants of board composition and its consequences on firm value in China by focusing on the impact of ultimate owner type and financial needs under the institution environment with government intervention and weak investor protection. We find that State‐Owned Enterprises (SOEs) are more likely to choose politically connected directors without professional backgrounds, but non‐SOEs are more likely to have independent directors, or politically connected directors with professional business backgrounds. Appointment of independent directors has no effect on firm value. Due to weak legal investor protection in China, a dominant shareholder can easily remove independent directors, as there is no mature market for directors. Politically connected directors without professional business backgrounds are negatively associated with a firm's value. Although such directors can help a company establish relationships with the government, their firms may suffer due to inferior professionalism.
Do Multiple Directorships Increase Firm Value? Evidence from Independent Directors in Hong Kong
Authors: Lei Adrian C. H. , Deng Jie 
Published: April 2014

AbstractThis paper studies the effect of independent directors’ multiple directorships (MDs) on firm value and examines the countervailing effects of quality and “busyness.” Using a unique panel data set covering all Hong Kong‐listed firms, we find that despite independent directors’ busyness, there is a strong and positive relation between the number of MDs of independent directors and firm value. We also find, however, that the positive effect of MDs declines at higher levels of busyness. We find that the effects of MDs on firm value are stronger under better corporate governance standards. We show that independent non‐executive directors (INEDs) with a CEO position underperform because of busyness. After the requirement of increasing the minimum number of INEDs in Hong Kong from 2004, the quality effect of MDs seems to be reduced, implying the policy may have increased the busyness of some INEDs. Our results are robust to a range of estimation procedures, including alternative MD and firm‐performance measurements, and 2SLS. Our empirical evidence suggests that highly engaged independent directors still improve firm value and supports increasing the minimum requirement for the fraction of independent directors, even under a supply constraint of qualified directors.
Catalpol provides protective effects against cerebral ischaemia/reperfusion injury in gerbils
Authors: Liu Yan-ru , Li Peng-wei , Suo Jian-jun , Sun Yan , Zhang Bo-ai , Lu Hong , Zhu Hong-can , Zhang Guo-bin 
Published: April 2014

Abstract

Objectives
To investigate the protective effect of catalpol on cerebral ischaemia/reperfusion (CI/R) injury in gerbils and further explore the underlying mechanism.

Methods
A gerbil model of CI/R was prepared by bilateral common carotid occlusion for 10 min followed by 6 h reperfusion. Catalpol (5, 10 or 20 mg/kg per day) was injected intraperitoneally for 3 days before the carotid occlusion. Stroke index was measured during the reperfusion. The contents of endogenous neuropeptides, endothelin-1 (ET-1) and calcitonin gene-related peptide in plasma were evaluated by radioimmunoassay. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in brain tissue homogenate were also examined.

Key findings
The results showed that catalpol significantly improved the stroke index compared with CI/R control group (P &lt; 0.05 or P &lt; 0.01). Catalpol significantly increased the activity of SOD at the doses of 10 and 20 mg/kg (P ≤ 0.05), decreased the brain MDA content and the plasma level of ET-1 at the doses of 10 and 20 mg/kg (P ≤ 0.01).

Conclusions
These data suggested that the efficacy of catalpol pretreatment on CI/R injury may be attributed to reduction of free radicals and inhibition of lipid peroxidation and ET-1 production.
On the Performance of Monetary Policy Committees
Authors: Farvaque Etienne , Stanek Piotr , Vigeant Stéphane 
Published: April 2014

SummaryThis paper examines the influence of the biographical experience of monetary policy committee members on their performance in managing inflation and output volatility. Our sample covers major OECD countries in the 1999 to 2010 period. Using data envelopment analysis, we study the efficiency of monetary policy committees. Then, we look at the determinants of these performances. The results in particular show that (i) in crisis times, a smaller committee is more efficient, (ii) policymakers' background influence the performance, with a positive role for committee members coming from academia, central banks and the financial sector, although the latter lost their edge during the Great Recession. It is also shown that some committees have reduced the inefficiency created by the crisis more rapidly than others.
The Effect of Political Connections on Credit Access: Does the Level of Financial Development Matter?
Authors: Lashitew Addisu A. 
Published: April 2014

SummaryAlthough growing evidence indicates that political connections affect firm performance, little is known how institutional factors moderate the process. This paper investigates the effect of political connections on credit access, and the role of financial development in moderating the relationship between the two. The analysis is based on a unique dataset of manufacturing firms that covers dozens of developing and transition countries. The results show that the strength of political connections, measured by the amount of time the firm's senior managers spend with government officials, has a significant positive effect on credit access. Exploiting the cross‐country dimension of the dataset, I then show that the effect of political connections is higher in countries where the banking sector is more concentrated and has higher net interest margin. Furthermore, the effect of political connections is lower in countries that have credit information sharing mechanisms. These results suggest that a competitive banking sector improves efficiency of credit allocation by reducing politically motivated lending.
Do Natural Disasters Enhance Societal Trust?
Authors: Toya Hideki , Skidmore Mark 
Published: April 2014

SummaryIn this article we investigate the relationship between disasters and societal trust. A growing body research suggests that factors such as income inequality, ethnic fractionalization and religious heritage are important determinants of social capital in general and trust in particular. We present new panel data evidence of another important determinant of trust – the frequency of natural disasters. Frequent naturally occurring events such as storms require (and provide opportunity for) societies to work closely together to meet their challenges. While natural disasters can have devastating human and economic impacts, a potential spillover benefit of greater disaster exposure may be a more tightly knit society.
Phosphorylation signalling through the Legionella quorum sensing histidine kinases LqsS and LqsT converges on the response regulator LqsR
Authors: Schell Ursula , Kessler Aline , Hilbi Hubert 
Published: April 2014

SummaryThe environmental bacterium Legionella pneumophila is the causative agent of Legionnaires' disease, a life‐threatening pneumonia. For cell–cell communication the bacteria employ the autoinducer LAI‐1 (3‐hydroxypentadecane‐4‐one), which is produced and detected by the Lqs (Legionella quorum sensing) system. The system comprises the autoinducer synthase LqsA, the putative sensor kinases LqsS and LqsT, and the prototypic response regulator LqsR. Lqs‐regulated processes include L. pneumophila‐phagocyte interactions, production of extracellular filaments, and natural competence. Using biochemical approaches we show here that LqsS and LqsT are autophosphorylated by [γ‐32P]‐ATP at a conserved histidine residue (H200 or H204) located in their cytoplasmic histidine kinase domain. Pull‐down assays revealed that LqsS and LqsT are bound by LqsR or phospho‐LqsR. Dependent on the conserved receiver domain aspartate (D108), the response regulator prevented autophosphorylation of both sensor kinases by catalysing the dephosphorylation of phospho‐LqsS or phospho‐LqsT. Moreover, LqsR formed dimers upon phosphorylation at D108 by either acetyl‐phosphate or phospho‐LqsT. Finally, upon heterologous production in Escherichia coli, LqsT (but not LqsS) was autophosphorylated by ATP, and LqsR prevented the autophosphorylation by catalysing the dephosphorylation of phospho‐LqsT. In summary, these results indicate that phosphorylation signalling through the Legionella quorum sensing histidine kinases LqsS and LqsT converges on the response regulator LqsR.
The Tomato spotted wilt virus cell‐to‐cell movement protein (NSM) triggers a hypersensitive response in Sw‐5‐containing resistant tomato lines and in Nicotiana benthamiana transformed with the functional Sw‐5b resistance gene copy
Authors: Hallwass Mariana , de Oliveira Athos Silva , de Campos Dianese Erico , Lohuis Dick , Boiteux Leonardo Silva , Inoue‐Nagata Alice Kazuko , Resende Renato O. , Kormelink Richard 
Published: April 2014

SummaryAlthough the Sw‐5 gene cluster has been cloned, and Sw‐5b has been identified as the functional gene copy that confers resistance to Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV), its avirulence (Avr) determinant has not been identified to date. Nicotiana tabacum ‘SR1‘ plants transformed with a copy of the Sw‐5b gene are immune without producing a clear visual response on challenge with TSWV, whereas it is shown here that N. benthamiana transformed with Sw‐5b gives a rapid and conspicuous hypersensitive response (HR). Using these plants, from all structural and non‐structural TSWV proteins tested, the TSWV cell‐to‐cell movement protein (NSM) was confirmed as the Avr determinant using a Potato virus X (PVX) replicon or a non‐replicative pEAQ‐HT expression vector system. HR was induced in Sw‐5b‐transgenic N. benthamiana as well as in resistant near‐isogenic tomato lines after agroinfiltration with a functional cell‐to‐cell movement protein (NSM) from a resistance‐inducing (RI) TSWV strain (BR‐01), but not with NSM from a Sw‐5 resistance‐breaking (RB) strain (GRAU). This is the first biological demonstration that Sw‐5‐mediated resistance is triggered by the TSWV NSM cell‐to‐cell movement protein.