bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of Grinding Time on Rheological, Textural and Physical Properties of Natural Peanut Butter Stored at Different Temperatures
Authors: Norazatul Hanim M.R. , Chin N.L. , Yusof Y.A. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractThe effects of ultrahigh speed grinding process duration of 2–4 min and its storage temperature on rheological, textural and physical properties of natural peanut butter produced from peanuts of Virginia and Spanish varieties were investigated. Both types of peanut butter samples exhibited food suspension with multimodal particle size distribution, fitted adequately to the Casson model and demonstrated nonNewtonian shear‐thinning behavior with apparent yield stress. The storage (G′) and loss (G′′) modulus decreased as a function of grinding time and temperature. Grinding time and storage temperature gave significant effects on all the responses (P < 0.05) while peanut variety only has impact on the particle size distribution. Identical trends were observed for the natural peanut butter from both Virginia and Spanish peanut varieties.Practical ApplicationsProcessing and storage temperature are among factors influencing texture of food suspension such as butter and spreads. Our research investigated the effect of grinding time and storage temperature on rheological, textural and physical properties of natural peanut butter in the effort of producing optimum quality in terms of finest texture. The relationship between particle size distribution and textural properties is useful in the development of natural peanut butter with this study focusing on grinding effects as its processing and stability in terms of storage temperature.
Discordant patterns of genetic and phenotypic differentiation in five grasshopper species codistributed across a microreserve network
Authors: Ortego Joaquín , García‐Navas Vicente , Noguerales Víctor , Cordero Pedro J. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractConservation plans can be greatly improved when information on the evolutionary and demographic consequences of habitat fragmentation is available for several codistributed species. Here, we study spatial patterns of phenotypic and genetic variation among five grasshopper species that are codistributed across a network of microreserves but show remarkable differences in dispersal‐related morphology (body size and wing length), degree of habitat specialization and extent of fragmentation of their respective habitats in the study region. In particular, we tested the hypothesis that species with preferences for highly fragmented microhabitats show stronger genetic and phenotypic structure than codistributed generalist taxa inhabiting a continuous matrix of suitable habitat. We also hypothesized a higher resemblance of spatial patterns of genetic and phenotypic variability among species that have experienced a higher degree of habitat fragmentation due to their more similar responses to the parallel large‐scale destruction of their natural habitats. In partial agreement with our first hypothesis, we found that genetic structure, but not phenotypic differentiation, was higher in species linked to highly fragmented habitats. We did not find support for congruent patterns of phenotypic and genetic variability among any studied species, indicating that they show idiosyncratic evolutionary trajectories and distinctive demographic responses to habitat fragmentation across a common landscape. This suggests that conservation practices in networks of protected areas require detailed ecological and evolutionary information on target species to focus management efforts on those taxa that are more sensitive to the effects of habitat fragmentation.
Detection of active human papilloma virus‐16 in head and neck cancers of Asian North Indian patients
Authors: Sannigrahi MK , Singh V , Sharma R , Panda NK , Radotra BD , Khullar M 
Published: October 2015

BackgroundHead and neck cancers (HNC) are one of the most common cancers in India. Human papillomavirus (HPV) has been identified as an emerging risk factor for HNC.MethodsThe present study was carried out to determine the active form of HPV‐16 using a combination of PCR, viral load determination, HPV‐16 E7 mRNA expression, p16, p53, and pRB immuno‐histochemistry (IHC).ResultsA total of 226 HNC patients were enrolled in the present study. Sixty‐seven (29.7%) of HNC cases were found to be HPV DNA positive. Thirty‐two (14%) cases were HPV‐16 DNA positive and 20 (9%) cases expressed HPV‐16 E7 mRNA. HPV‐16 mRNA/p16 positive cases had significantly increased viral load and integrated HPV‐16 DNA. In summary, of total HNC patients, 6% cases were positive for both HPV‐16 DNA and p16, and 5% were positive for both E7 mRNA and p16 IHC. We observed similar HPV‐16 DNA/E7mRNA prevalence in oropharynx and oral cavity sites, however, oropharynx SCC had significantly higher viral load.ConclusionOur results show low prevalence of active HPV‐16 in North Indian HNC patients. HPV‐16 E7 mRNA expression correlated with p16 nuclear positivity and increased viral load. Therefore, E7 mRNA expression may be used as a good surrogate indicator for active form of HPV‐16 infection.
The chloroplast NADPH thioredoxin reductase C, NTRC, controls non‐photochemical quenching of light energy and photosynthetic electron transport in Arabidopsis
Authors: Naranjo Belén , Mignée Clara , Krieger‐Liszkay Anja , Hornero‐Méndez Dámaso , Gallardo‐Guerrero Lourdes , Cejudo Francisco Javier , Lindahl Marika 
Published: October 2015

AbstractHigh irradiances may lead to photooxidative stress in plants, and non‐photochemical quenching (NPQ) contributes to protection against excess excitation. One of the NPQ mechanisms, qE, involves thermal dissipation of the light energy captured. Importantly, plants need to tune down qE under light‐limiting conditions for efficient utilization of the available quanta. Considering the possible redox control of responses to excess light implying enzymes, such as thioredoxins, we have studied the role of the NADPH thioredoxin reductase C (NTRC). Whereas Arabidopsis thaliana plants lacking NTRC tolerate high light intensities, these plants display drastically elevated qE, have larger trans‐thylakoid ΔpH and have 10‐fold higher zeaxanthin levels under low and medium light intensities, leading to extremely low linear electron transport rates. To test the impact of the high qE on plant growth, we generated an ntrc–psbs double‐knockout mutant, which is devoid of qE. This double mutant grows faster than the ntrc mutant and has a higher chlorophyll content. The photosystem II activity is partially restored in the ntrc–psbs mutant, and linear electron transport rates under low and medium light intensities are twice as high as compared with plants lacking ntrc alone. These data uncover a new role for NTRC in the control of photosynthetic yield.
Photosynthetic response to globally increasing CO2 of co‐occurring temperate seagrass species
Authors: Borum Jens , Pedersen Ole , Kotula Lukasz , Fraser Matthew W. , Statton John , Colmer Timothy D. , Kendrick Gary A. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractPhotosynthesis of most seagrass species seems to be limited by present concentrations of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC). Therefore, the ongoing increase in atmospheric CO2 could enhance seagrass photosynthesis and internal O2 supply, and potentially change species competition through differential responses to increasing CO2 availability among species. We used short‐term photosynthetic responses of nine seagrass species from the south‐west of Australia to test species‐specific responses to enhanced CO2 and changes in HCO3−. Net photosynthesis of all species except Zostera polychlamys were limited at pre‐industrial compared to saturating CO2 levels at light saturation, suggesting that enhanced CO2 availability will enhance seagrass performance. Seven out of the nine species were efficient HCO3− users through acidification of diffusive boundary layers, production of extracellular carbonic anhydrase, or uptake and internal conversion of HCO3−. Species responded differently to near saturating CO2 implying that increasing atmospheric CO2 may change competition among seagrass species if co‐occurring in mixed beds. Increasing CO2 availability also enhanced internal aeration in the one species assessed. We expect that future increases in atmospheric CO2 will have the strongest impact on seagrass recruits and sparsely vegetated beds, because densely vegetated seagrass beds are most often limited by light and not by inorganic carbon.
The phosphate transporters LjPT4 and MtPT4 mediate early root responses to phosphate status in non mycorrhizal roots
Authors: Volpe Veronica , Giovannetti Marco , Sun Xue‐Guang , Fiorilli Valentina , Bonfante Paola 
Published: October 2015

AbstractArbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) symbiosis improves host plant phosphorous (P) status and elicits the expression of AM‐inducible phosphate transporters (PTs) in arbuscule‐containing cells, where they control arbuscule morphogenesis and P release. We confirmed such functions for LjPT4 in mycorrhizal Lotus japonicus. Promoter‐GUS experiments showed LjPT4 transcription not only in arbusculated cells but also in root tips, in the absence of the fungus: here LjPT4 transcription profile depended on the phosphate level. In addition, quantitative RT‐PCR confirmed the expression of Lotus and Medicago truncatula PT4 in the tips of non‐mycorrhizal roots. Starting from these observations, we hypothesized that AM‐inducible PTs may have a regulatory role in plant development, irrespective of the fungal presence. Firstly, we focused on root development responses to different phosphate treatments in both plants demonstrating that phosphate starvation induced a higher number of lateral roots. By contrast, Lotus PT4i plants and Medicago mtpt4 mutants did not show any differential response to phosphate levels, suggesting that PT4 genes affect early root branching. Phosphate starvation‐induced genes and a key auxin receptor, MtTIR1, showed an impaired expression in mtpt4 plants. We suggest PT4 genes as novel components of the P‐sensing machinery at the root tip level, independently of AM fungi.
Error‐related electromyographic activity over the corrugator supercilii is associated with neural performance monitoring
Authors: Elkins‐Brown Nathaniel , Saunders Blair , Inzlicht Michael 
Published: October 2015

AbstractEmerging research in social and affective neuroscience has implicated a role for affect and motivation in performance monitoring and cognitive control. No study, however, has investigated whether facial electromyography (EMG) over the corrugator supercilii—a measure associated with negative affect and the exertion of effort—is related to neural performance monitoring. Here, we explored these potential relationships by simultaneously measuring the error‐related negativity, error positivity (Pe), and facial EMG over the corrugator supercilii muscle during a punished, inhibitory control task. We found evidence for increased facial EMG activity over the corrugator immediately following error responses, and this activity was related to the Pe for both between‐ and within‐subject analyses. These results are consistent with the idea that early, avoidance‐motivated processes are associated with performance monitoring, and that such processes may also be related to orienting toward errors, the emergence of error awareness, or both.
Conserved S-Layer-Associated Proteins Revealed by Exoproteomic Survey of S-Layer-Forming Lactobacilli
Authors: Johnson Brant R. , Hymes Jeffrey , Sanozky-Dawes Rosemary , Henriksen Emily DeCrescenzo , Barrangou Rodolphe , Klaenhammer Todd R. 
Published: October 2015

ABSTRACT

The
Lactobacillus acidophilus
homology group comprises Gram-positive species that include
L. acidophilus
,
L. helveticus
,
L. crispatus
,
L. amylovorus
,
L. gallinarum
,
L. delbrueckii
subsp.
bulgaricus
,
L. gasseri
, and
L. johnsonii
. While these bacteria are closely related, they have varied ecological lifestyles as dairy and food fermenters, allochthonous probiotics, or autochthonous commensals of the host gastrointestinal tract. Bacterial cell surface components play a critical role in the molecular dialogue between bacteria and interaction signaling with the intestinal mucosa. Notably, the
L. acidophilus
complex is distinguished in two clades by the presence or absence of S-layers, which are semiporous crystalline arrays of self-assembling proteinaceous subunits found as the outermost layer of the bacterial cell wall. In this study, S-layer-associated proteins (SLAPs) in the exoproteomes of various S-layer-forming
Lactobacillus
species were proteomically identified, genomically compared, and transcriptionally analyzed. Four gene regions encoding six putative SLAPs were conserved in the S-layer-forming
Lactobacillus
species but not identified in the extracts of the closely related progenitor,
L. delbrueckii
subsp.
bulgaricus
, which does not produce an S-layer. Therefore, the presence or absence of an S-layer has a clear impact on the exoproteomic composition of
Lactobacillus
species. This proteomic complexity and differences in the cell surface properties between S-layer- and non-S-layer-forming lactobacilli reveal the potential for SLAPs to mediate intimate probiotic interactions and signaling with the host intestinal mucosa.
Metabolic Impact of Redox Cofactor Perturbations on the Formation of Aroma Compounds in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Bloem Audrey , Sanchez Isabelle , Dequin Sylvie , Camarasa Carole 
Published: October 2015

ABSTRACT

Redox homeostasis is a fundamental requirement for the maintenance of metabolism, energy generation, and growth in
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
. The redox cofactors NADH and NADPH are among the most highly connected metabolites in metabolic networks. Changes in their concentrations may induce widespread changes in metabolism. Redox imbalances were achieved with a dedicated biological tool overexpressing native NADH-dependent or engineered NADPH-dependent 2,3-butanediol dehydrogenase, in the presence of acetoin. We report that targeted perturbation of the balance of cofactors (NAD
+
/NADH or, to a lesser extent, NADP
+
/NADPH) significantly affected the production of volatile compounds. In most cases, variations in the redox state of yeasts modified the formation of all compounds from the same biochemical pathway (isobutanol, isoamyl alcohol, and their derivatives) or chemical class (ethyl esters), irrespective of the cofactors. These coordinated responses were found to be closely linked to the impact of redox status on the availability of intermediates of central carbon metabolism. This was the case for α-keto acids and acetyl coenzyme A (acetyl-CoA), which are precursors for the synthesis of many volatile compounds. We also demonstrated that changes in the availability of NADH selectively affected the synthesis of some volatile molecules (e.g., methionol, phenylethanol, and propanoic acid), reflecting the specific cofactor requirements of the dehydrogenases involved in their formation. Our findings indicate that both the availability of precursors from central carbon metabolism and the accessibility of reduced cofactors contribute to cell redox status modulation of volatile compound formation.
Effects of Temperature and Moisture on Development of Fusarium graminearum Perithecia in Maize Stalk Residues
Authors: Manstretta Valentina , Rossi Vittorio 
Published: October 2015

ABSTRACT

Fusarium graminearum
is the predominant component of the Fusarium head blight complex of wheat.
F. graminearum
ascospores, which initiate head infection, mature in perithecia on crop residues and become airborne. The effects of temperature (
T
) and moisture on perithecium production and maturation and on ascospore production on maize stalk residues were determined. In the laboratory, perithecia were produced at temperatures between 5 and 30°C (the optimum was 21.7°C) but matured only at 20 and 25°C. Perithecia were produced when relative humidity (RH) was ≥75% but matured only when RH was ≥85%; perithecium production and maturation increased with RH. Equations describing perithecium production and maturation over time as a function of
T
and RH (
R
2
> 0.96) were developed. Maize stalks were also placed outdoors on three substrates: a grass lawn exposed to rain; a constantly wet, spongelike foam exposed to rain; and a grass lawn protected from rain. No perithecia were produced on stalks protected from rain. Perithecium production and maturation were significantly higher on the constantly wet foam than on the intermittently wet lawn (both exposed to rain). Ascospore numbers but not their dispersal patterns were also affected by the substrate.
Inactivation Kinetics and Mechanism of a Human Norovirus Surrogate on Stainless Steel Coupons via Chlorine Dioxide Gas
Authors: Yeap Jia Wei , Kaur Simran , Lou Fangfei , DiCaprio Erin , Morgan Mark , Linton Richard , Li Jianrong 
Published: October 2015

ABSTRACT

Acute gastroenteritis caused by human norovirus is a significant public health issue. Fresh produce and seafood are examples of high-risk foods associated with norovirus outbreaks. Food contact surfaces also have the potential to harbor noroviruses if exposed to fecal contamination, aerosolized vomitus, or infected food handlers. Currently, there is no effective measure to decontaminate norovirus on food contact surfaces. Chlorine dioxide (ClO
2
) gas is a strong oxidizer and is used as a decontaminating agent in food processing plants. The objective of this study was to determine the kinetics and mechanism of ClO
2
gas inactivation of a norovirus surrogate, murine norovirus 1 (MNV-1), on stainless steel (SS) coupons. MNV-1 was inoculated on SS coupons at the concentration of 10
7
PFU/coupon. The samples were treated with ClO
2
gas at 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, and 4 mg/liter for up to 5 min at 25°C and a relative humidity of 85%, and virus survival was determined by plaque assay. Treatment of the SS coupons with ClO
2
gas at 2 mg/liter for 5 min and 2.5 mg/liter for 2 min resulted in at least a 3-log reduction in MNV-1, while no infectious virus was recovered at a concentration of 4 mg/liter even within 1 min of treatment. Furthermore, it was found that the mechanism of ClO
2
gas inactivation included degradation of viral protein, disruption of viral structure, and degradation of viral genomic RNA. In conclusion, treatment with ClO
2
gas can serve as an effective method to inactivate a human norovirus surrogate on SS contact surfaces.
Flavor Profile of Chinese Liquor Is Altered by Interactions of Intrinsic and Extrinsic Microbes
Authors: Wu Qun , Kong Yu , Xu Yan 
Published: October 2015

ABSTRACTThe flavor profile of Chinese liquor is the result of the metabolic activity of its microbial community. Given the importance of the microbial interaction, a novel way to control the liquor's flavor is by regulating the composition of the community. In this study, we efficiently improved the liquor's flavor by perturbing the intrinsic microbial metabolism with extrinsic microbes. We first constructed a basic microbial group (intrinsic) containingSaccharomyces cerevisiae,Wickerhamomyces anomalus, andIssatchenkia orientalisand added special flavor producers (extrinsic),Saccharomyces uvarumandSaccharomyces servazzii, to this intrinsic group. Upon the addition of the extrinsic microbes, the maximum specific growth rates ofS. cerevisiaeandI. orientalisincreased from 6.19 to 43.28/day and from 1.15 to 14.32/day, respectively, but that ofW. anomaluschanged from 1.00 to 0.96/day. In addition, most volatile compounds known to be produced by the extrinsic strains were not produced. However, more esters, alcohols, and acids were produced byS. cerevisiaeandI. orientalis. Six compounds were significantly different by random forest analysis after perturbation. Among them, increases in ethyl hexanoate, isobutanol, and 3-methylbutyric acid were correlated withS. cerevisiaeandI. orientalis, and a decrease in geranyl acetone was correlated withW. anomalus. Variations in ethyl acetate and 2-phenylethanol might be due to the varied activity ofW. anomalusandS. cerevisiae. This work showed the effect of the interaction between the intrinsic and extrinsic microbes on liquor flavor, which would be beneficial for improving the quality of Chinese liquor.
Sucrose- and Fructose-Specific Effects on the Transcriptome of Streptococcus mutans, as Determined by RNA Sequencing
Authors: Zeng Lin , Burne Robert A. 
Published: October 2015

ABSTRACT

Recent genome-scale studies have begun to establish the scope and magnitude of the impacts of carbohydrate source and availability on the regulation of gene expression in bacteria. The effects of sugars on gene expression are particularly profound in a group of lactic acid bacteria that rely almost entirely on their saccharolytic activities for energy production and growth. For
Streptococcus mutans
, the major etiologic agent of human dental caries, sucrose is the carbohydrate that contributes in the most significant manner to establishment, persistence, and virulence of the organism. However, because this organism produces multiple extracellular sucrolytic enzymes that can release hexoses from sucrose, it has not been possible to study the specific effects of sucrose transport and metabolism on gene expression in the absence of carbohydrates that by themselves can elicit catabolite repression and induce expression of multiple genes. By employing RNA deep-sequencing (RNA-Seq) technology and mutants that lacked particular sucrose-metabolizing enzymes, we compared the transcriptomes of
S. mutans
bacteria growing on glucose, fructose, or sucrose as the sole carbohydrate source. The results provide a variety of new insights into the impact of sucrose transport and metabolism by
S. mutans
, including the likely expulsion of fructose after sucrose internalization and hydrolysis, and identify a set of genes that are differentially regulated by sucrose versus fructose. The findings significantly enhance our understanding of the genetics and physiology of this cariogenic pathogen.
Dynamics of Mycobacteriophage-Mycobacterial Host Interaction: Evidence for Secondary Mechanisms for Host Lethality
Authors: Samaddar Sourabh , Grewal Rajdeep Kaur , Sinha Saptarshi , Ghosh Shrestha , Roy Soumen , Das Gupta Sujoy K. 
Published: October 2015

ABSTRACT

Mycobacteriophages infect mycobacteria, resulting in their death. Therefore, the possibility of using them as therapeutic agents against the deadly mycobacterial disease tuberculosis (TB) is of great interest. To obtain better insight into the dynamics of mycobacterial inactivation by mycobacteriophages, this study was initiated using mycobacteriophage D29 and
Mycobacterium smegmatis
as the phage-host system. Here, we implemented a goal-oriented iterative cycle of experiments on one hand and mathematical modeling combined with Monte Carlo simulations on the other. This integrative approach lends valuable insight into the detailed kinetics of bacterium-phage interactions. We measured time-dependent changes in host viability during the growth of phage D29 in
M. smegmatis
at different multiplicities of infection (MOI). The predictions emerging out of theoretical analyses were further examined using biochemical and cell biological assays. In a phage-host interaction system where multiple rounds of infection are allowed to take place, cell counts drop more rapidly than expected if cell lysis is considered the only mechanism for cell death. The phenomenon could be explained by considering a secondary factor for cell death in addition to lysis. Further investigations reveal that phage infection leads to the increased production of superoxide radicals, which appears to be the secondary factor. Therefore, mycobacteriophage D29 can function as an effective antimycobacterial agent, the killing potential of which may be amplified through secondary mechanisms.