bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact of source waters, disinfectants, seasons and treatment approaches on trihalomethanes in drinking water: a comparison based on the size of municipal systems
Authors: Chowdhury Shakhawat 
Published: August 2012

AbstractThis study compares concentrations of trihalomethanes (THMs) in municipal water for 2001–2007 from the small and large systems in two provinces in Canada (Newfoundland and Quebec) based on source waters, disinfectants, seasons and treatment approaches. Approximately 71 and 94%, respectively, of the municipal systems in Quebec and Newfoundland are small systems (serving fewer than 3000 people). The small systems serve approximately 8.6% (0.57 million) and 44.1% (0.18 million) of the populations in Quebec and Newfoundland, respectively. Concentrations of THMs and its variability are much higher in the small systems (Quebec: 0–941 μg/L; Newfoundland: 0–875 μg/L) than in the systems with populations 10 000 or more (Quebec: 0–364 μg/L; Newfoundland: 2.3–205 μg/L). The study reveals that the differences in THMs between the small and medium/large systems are because of different types of source waters, treatments, disinfection strategies and seasons. The results emphasize that regulatory agencies must focus more on the occurrence of DBPs in small systems and identify strategies to reduce their levels in drinking water.
Investigation of the relation between meteorological parameters, North Atlantic Oscillation and groundwater levels in Torbali Region, Turkey
Authors: Dogan Mustafa , Ozgenc Aksoy Aysegul 
Published: August 2012

AbstractGroundwater, the most reliable fresh water source, is used for drinking, domestic and agricultural purposes. Thereby, understanding its behaviour is important for the sustainability of groundwater sources. In this study, relations between the trends of climate parameters [recharge depending on precipitation, temperature and North Atlantic Oscillation Index (NAOI)] and groundwater levels trend were investigated for Torbali Region in Turkey. The human impact that is one of the deterministic components on the groundwater level has been removed from the groundwater level data sets. An increasing trend was observed in the early 1990s, and turning points were determined by using paired t‐test. The trends of the groundwater levels indicate that climate parameters affect groundwater levels in the similar manner. According to the results of the analyses, it is revealed that there is a similar linear variation that is strong and inverse between the trends of NAOI and meteorological indicator (temperature and recharge) and groundwater level.
Sensory Attribute Preservation in Extra Virgin Olive Oil with Addition of Oregano Essential Oil as Natural Antioxidant
Authors: Asensio Claudia M. , Nepote Valeria , Grosso Nelson R. 
Published: August 2012

Abstract:  Four commercial varieties of oregano are farmed in Argentina: “Compacto,”“Cordobes,”“Criollo,” y “Mendocino.” Oregano essential oil is known for antioxidant properties. The objective of this study was to evaluate changes in the intensities of positive and negative attributes in extra virgin olive oil with addition of essential oil obtained from the 4 Argentinean oregano types. Oregano essential oil was added into olive oil at 0.05% w/w. The samples were stored in darkness and light exposure during 126 d at room temperature. The intensity ratings of fruity, pungency, bitterness, oregano flavor, and rancid flavor were evaluated every 21 d by a trained sensory panel. In general, samples with addition of oregano essential oil in olive oil exhibited higher and lower intensity ratings of positive and negative attributes, respectively, during storage compared with the control samples. The first 2 principal components explained 72.3% of the variability in the olive oil samples. In general, positive attributes of olive oil were highly associated with the addition of oregano essential oil in darkness, whereas rancid flavor was negatively associated with them. Olive oil with oregano “Cordobes” essential oil was oppositely associated with light exposure treatments and negative attribute (rancid flavor) suggesting better performance as natural antioxidant of this essential oil in olive oil. The result of this study showed that the presence of oregano essential oil, specially “Cordobes” type, preserve sensory quality of extra virgin olive oil prolonging the shelf life of this product.Practical Application:  Extra virgin olive oil is highly appreciated for its health benefits, taste, and aroma. These properties are an important aspect in this product quality and need to be preserved. The addition of natural additives instead of synthetic ones covers the present trend in food technology. This research showed that the addition of oregano essential oil preserved the intensity ratings of positive attributes in extra virgin olive oil during storage. The essential oil of the oregano variety called “Cordobes” exhibited better protecting effect on sensory properties of olive oil than the other oregano varieties. The addition of oregano essential oil should be considered for the food industry as a natural source of antioxidant additives for preserving sensory properties in extra virgin olive oil and other similar food products.
Concentrations and Bioconcentration Factors of Minerals in Yellow‐Cracking Bolete (Xerocomus Subtomentosus) Mushroom Collected in Noteć Forest, Poland
Authors: Jarzyńska Grażyna , Chojnacka Aleksandra , Dryżałowska Anna , Nnorom Innocent C. , Falandysz Jerzy 
Published: August 2012

Abstract:  Yellow‐cracking Bolete (Xerocomus subtomentosus) mushrooms and soil were collected from Noteć Forest–a large forested enclave in western part of Poland. Mercury was determined by cold vapour atomic absorption spectroscopy and the other elements by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy. K, P, and Mg were particularly abundant, with mean values of 46000, 8400, and 1100 mg/kg dry weight (dw) in caps followed by Na, Rb, Zn, and Ca with mean concentrations of 580, 350, 200, and 170 mg/kg dw, respectively. In descending order, the mean concentrations of Fe, Al, Cu, and Mn were 52, 49, 46, and 14 mg/kg dw, while the mean for the remaining elements was around 1.0 mg/kg dw or less. The elements such as Ca, Cu, Hg, K, Mg, Na, P, Rb, Zn, Ag, Cd, and Ni were accumulated (with bioconcentration factor (BCF) > 1), while Al, Ba, Fe, Mn, Sr, Co, Cr, and Pb were excluded (BCF < 1) in the fruiting bodies. The Pb and Cd content did not exceed the maximum levels set by the EU for cultivated mushrooms. Mercury in a conventional meal (300 g) portion of Yellow‐cracking Bolete was far below the provisionally tolerable weekly intake of 0.004 mg/kg body weight (bw) as reevaluated recently by WHO.Practical Application:  The method presented in this study allows one to determine the content of 20 elements (Ag, Al, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, P, Pb, Rb, Sr, and Zn) in caps and stipes of Yellow‐cracking Bolete (Xerocomus subtomentosus) mushrooms and soil samples collected from Poland. This study has revealed that the total Cd, Hg, and Pb dose provided to human body due to consumption of Yellow‐cracking Bolete does not pose threat to a consumer's health.
Comparison of Decontamination Efficacy of Antimicrobial Treatments for Beef Trimmings against Escherichia coli O157:H7 and 6 Non‐O157 Shiga Toxin‐Producing E. coli Serogroups
Authors: Geornaras Ifigenia , Yang Hua , Manios Stavros , Andritsos Nikolaos , Belk Keith E. , Nightingale Kendra K. , Woerner Dale R. , Smith Gary C. , Sofos John N. 
Published: August 2012

Abstract:  The decontamination efficacy of 6 chemical treatments for beef trimmings were evaluated against Escherichia coli O157:H7 and 6 non‐O157 Shiga toxin‐producing E. coli (nSTEC) serogroups. Rifampicin‐resistant 4‐strain mixtures of E. coli O157:H7 and nSTEC serogroups O26, O45, O103, O111, O121, and O145 were separately inoculated (3 to 4 log CFU/cm2) onto trimmings (10 × 5 × 1 cm; approximately 100 g) fabricated from beef chuck rolls, and were immersed for 30 s in solutions of acidified sodium chlorite (0.1%, pH 2.5), peroxyacetic acid (0.02%, pH 3.8), sodium metasilicate (4%, pH 12.5), Bromitize® Plus (0.0225% active bromine, pH 6.6), or AFTEC 3000 (pH 1.2), or for 5 s in SYNTRx 3300 (pH 1.0). Each antimicrobial was tested independently together with an untreated control. Results showed that all tested decontamination treatments were similarly effective against the 6 nSTEC serogroups as they were against E. coli O157:H7. Irrespective of pathogen inoculum, treatment of beef trimmings with acidified sodium chlorite, peroxyacetic acid, or sodium metasilicate effectively (P < 0.05) reduced initial pathogen counts (3.4 to 3.9 log CFU/cm2) by 0.7 to 1.0, 0.6 to 1.0, and 1.3 to 1.5 log CFU/cm2, respectively. Reductions of pathogen counts (3.1 to 3.2 log CFU/cm2) by Bromitize Plus, AFTEC 3000, and SYNTRx 3300 were 0.1 to 0.4 log CFU/cm2, depending on treatment. Findings of this study should be useful to regulatory authorities and the meat industry as they consider nSTEC contamination in beef trimmings.Practical Applications:  Findings of this study should be useful to: (i) meat processors as they design and conduct studies to validate the efficacy of antimicrobial treatments to control pathogen contamination on fresh beef products; and (ii) regulatory agencies as they consider approaches for better control of the studied pathogens.
Comparison of Variable‐Blade to Allo‐Kramer Shear Method in Assessing Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) Fillet Firmness
Authors: Aussanasuwannakul Aunchalee , Slider Susan D. , Salem Mohamed , Yao Jianbo , Brett Kenney Patrick 
Published: August 2012

Abstract:  A variable‐blade (VB) attachment was compared to the Allo‐Kramer (AK) shear attachment for texture analysis of rainbow trout fillets from 2 experiments; effects of attachment configuration, storage regimen, and cooking temperature are evaluated. In the 1st experiment, AK detected differences in force measurement, and VB showed that the perpendicular orientation yielded the highest response (P < 0.05). Fillets refrigerated (4 °C) for 0 d were firmer than fillets stored for 14 d (337.36 compared with 275.90 g/g). Raw fillets were firmer than cooked fillet (333.79 compared with 279.46 g/g). In the 2nd experiment, frozen storage at –25 °C for 30 d after refrigerated storage (R3F30 and R7F30) decreased VB shear force (P= 0.0019) and AK energy of shear (P= 0.0001) by 1.5‐ and 2‐fold compared to those evaluated after refrigerated storage for 3 and 7 d (R3 and R7), respectively. Cooking increased VB and AK texture for all storage regimens (P < 0.05). In both studies, instrumental texture did not correlate with alkaline‐insoluble hydroxyproline (P > 0.05). Shear direction affected force generated by the VB attachment, and this attachment could discriminate shear force differences due to cooking and frozen‐storage.Practical Application:  Fillet texture was determined by a recently developed device and compared to texture determined by the Allo‐Kramer shear attachment; both responses were related to collagen content. The VB attachment defined fillet texture as affected by cooking and storage condition.
Regulation of vascular endothelial growth factor by melatonin in human breast cancer cells
Authors: Alvarez‐García Virginia , González Alicia , Alonso‐González Carolina , Martínez‐Campa Carlos , Cos Samuel 
Published: August 2012

AbstractMelatonin exerts oncostatic effects on breast cancer by interfering with the estrogen‐signaling pathways. Melatonin reduces estrogen biosynthesis in human breast cancer cells, surrounding fibroblasts and peritumoral endothelial cells by regulating cytokines that influence tumor microenvironment. This hormone also exerts antiangiogenic activity in tumoral tissue. In this work, our objective was to study the role of melatonin on the regulation of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in breast cancer cells. To accomplish this, we cocultured human breast cancer cells (MCF‐7) with human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). VEGF added to the cultures stimulated the proliferation of HUVECs and melatonin (1 mm) counteracted this effect. Melatonin reduced VEGF production and VEGF mRNA expression in MCF‐7 cells. MCF‐7 cells cocultured with HUVECs stimulated the endothelial cells proliferation and increased VEGF levels in the culture media. Melatonin counteracted both stimulatory effects on HUVECs proliferation and on VEGF protein levels in the coculture media. Conditioned media from MCF‐7 cells increased HUVECs proliferation, and this effect was significantly counteracted by anti‐VEGF and 1 mm melatonin. All these findings suggest that melatonin may play a role in the paracrine interactions between malignant epithelial cells and proximal endothelial cells through a downregulatory action on VEGF expression in human breast cancer cells, which decrease the levels of VEGF around endothelial cells. Lower levels of VEGF could be important in reducing the number of estrogen‐producing cells proximal to malignant cells as well as decreasing tumoral angiogenesis.
Therapeutic efficacy of melatonin in reducing retinal damage in an experimental model of early type 2 diabetes in rats
Authors: Salido Ezequiel M. , Bordone Melina , De Laurentiis Andrea , Chianelli Mónica , Keller Sarmiento María Inés , Dorfman Damián , Rosenstein Ruth E. 
Published: August 2012

AbstractDiabetic retinopathy (DR) is a leading cause of acquired blindness in adults, mostly affected by type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). We have developed an experimental model of early T2DM in adult rats which mimics some features of human T2DM at its initial stages and provokes significant retinal alterations. The aim of this work was to analyze the effect of melatonin on retinal changes induced by the moderate metabolic derangement. For this purpose, adult male Wistar rats received a control diet or 30% sucrose in the drinking water. Three weeks after this treatment, animals were injected with vehicle or streptozotocin (STZ, 25 mg/kg). One day or 3 wk after vehicle or STZ injection, animals were subcutaneously implanted with a pellet of melatonin. Fasting and postprandial glycemia, and glucose, and insulin tolerance tests were analyzed. At 12 wk of treatment, animals which received a sucrose‐enriched diet and STZ showed significant differences in metabolic tests, as compared with control groups. Melatonin, which did not affect glucose metabolism in control or diabetic rats, prevented the decrease in the electroretinogram a‐wave, b‐wave, and oscillatory potential amplitude, and the increase in retinal lipid peroxidation, NOS activity, TNFα, Müller cells glial fibrillary acidic protein, and vascular endothelial growth factor levels. In addition, melatonin prevented the decrease in retinal catalase activity. These results indicate that melatonin protected the retina from the alterations observed in an experimental model of DR associated with type 2 diabetes.
Incorporation of treatment plan spatial and temporal dose patterns into a prostate intrafractional motion management strategy
Authors: Zhang Pengpeng , Hunt Margie , Happersett Laura , Cox Brett , Mageras Gig 
Published: August 2012

Purpose:Periodic MV/KV radiographs taken during volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) for hypofractionated treatment provide guidance in intrafractional motion management. The choice of imaging frequency and timing are key components in delivering the desired dose while reducing associated overhead such as imaging dose, preparation, and processing time. In this project the authors propose a paradigm with imaging timing and frequency based on the spatial and temporal dose patterns of the treatment plan.Methods:A number of control points are used in treatment planning to model VMAT delivery. For each control point, the sensitivity of individual target or organ‐at‐risk dose to motion can be calculated as the summation of dose degradations given the organ displacements along a number of possible motion directions. Instead of acquiring radiographs at uniform time intervals, MV/KV image pairs are acquired indexed to motion sensitivity. Five prostate patients treated via hypofractionated VMAT are included in this study. Intrafractional prostate motion traces from the database of an electromagnetic tracking system are used to retrospectively simulate the VMAT delivery and motion management. During VMAT delivery simulation patient position is corrected based on the radiographic findings via couch movement if target deviation violates a patient‐specific 3D threshold. The violation rate calculated as the percentage of traces failing the clinical dose objectives after motion correction is used to evaluate the efficacy of this approach.Results:Imaging indexed to a 10 s equitime interval and correcting patient position accordingly reduces the violation rate to 19.5% with intervention from 44.5% without intervention. Imaging indexed to the motion sensitivity further reduces the violation rate to 12.1% with the same number of images. To achieve the same 5% violation rate, the imaging incidence can be reduced by 40% by imaging indexed to motion sensitivity instead of time.Conclusions:The simulation results suggest that image scheduling according to the characteristics of the treatment plan can improve the efficiency of intrafractional motion management. Using such a technique, the accuracy of delivered dose during image‐guided hypofractionated VMAT treatment can be improved.
A Recombinant Clumping Factor A-Containing Vaccine Induces Functional Antibodies to Staphylococcus aureus That Are Not Observed after Natural Exposure
Authors: Hawkins Julio , Kodali Srinivas , Matsuka Yury V. , McNeil Lisa K. , Mininni Terri , Scully Ingrid L. , Vernachio John H. , Severina Elena , Girgenti Douglas , Jansen Kathrin U. , Anderson Annaliesa S. , Donald Robert G. K. 
Published: August 2012

ABSTRACTStaphylococcus aureusis a Gram-positive pathogen that causes devastating disease and whose pathogenesis is dependent on interactions with host cell factors. Staphylococcal clumping factor A (ClfA) is a highly conserved fibrinogen (Fg)-binding protein and virulence factor that contributes to host tissue adhesion and initiation of infection. ClfA is being investigated as a possible component of a staphylococcal vaccine. We report the development of an Fg-binding assay that is specific for ClfA-mediated binding. Using the assay, we show that despite the presence of anti-ClfA antibodies, human sera from unvaccinated subjects are unable to prevent the binding ofS. aureusto an Fg-coated surface. In contrast, antibodies elicited by a recombinant ClfA-containing vaccine were capable of blocking the ClfA-dependent binding of a diverse and clinically relevant collection of staphylococcal strains to Fg. These functional antibodies were also able to displaceS. aureusalready bound to Fg, suggesting that the ligand-binding activity of ClfA can be effectively neutralized through vaccination.
Gene Sequencing for Routine Verification of Pyrazinamide Resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis: a Role for
pncA
but Not
rpsA
Authors: Alexander David C. , Ma Jennifer H. , Guthrie Jennifer L. , Blair Joanne , Chedore Pam , Jamieson Frances B. 
Published: August 2012

ABSTRACT

Pyrazinamide (PZA) is an important component of first-line therapy for the treatment of tuberculosis. Here, we evaluate targeted gene sequencing as a supplement to phenotypic PZA susceptibility testing of
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
. Routine sequencing of
pncA
, but not
rpsA
, is effective for verification of PZA susceptibility results.
Specific Detection of Enteroaggregative Hemorrhagic Escherichia coli O104:H4 Strains by Use of the CRISPR Locus as a Target for a Diagnostic Real-Time PCR
Authors: Delannoy Sabine , Beutin Lothar , Burgos Ylanna , Fach Patrick 
Published: August 2012

ABSTRACT

In 2011, a large outbreak of an unusual bacterial strain occurred in Europe. This strain was characterized as a hybrid of an enteroaggregative
Escherichia coli
(EAEC) and a Shiga toxin-producing
E. coli
(STEC) strain of the serotype O104:H4. Here, we present a single PCR targeting the
c
lustered
r
egularly
i
nterspaced
s
hort
p
alindromic
r
epeats locus of
E. coli
O104:H4 (CRISPR
O104:H4
) for specific detection of EAEC STEC O104:H4 strains from different geographical locations and time periods. The specificity of the CRISPR
O104:H4
PCR was investigated using 1,321
E. coli
strains, including reference strains for
E. coli
O serogroups O1 to O186 and flagellar (H) types H1 to H56. The assay was compared for specificity using PCR assays targeting different O104 antigen-encoding genes (
wbwC
O104
,
wzx
O104
, and
wzy
O104
). The PCR assays reacted with all types of
E. coli
O104 strains (O104:H2, O104:H4, O104:H7, and O104:H21) and with
E. coli
O8 and O9 strains carrying the K9 capsular antigen and were therefore not specific for detection of the EAEC STEC O104:H4 type. A single PCR developed for the CRISPR
O104:H4
target was sufficient for specific identification and detection of the 48 tested EAEC STEC O104:H4 strains. The 35
E. coli
O104 strains expressing H types other than H4 as well as 8
E. coli
strains carrying a K9 capsular antigen tested all negative for the CRISPR
O104:H4
locus. Only 12 (0.94%) of the 1,273 non-O104:H4
E. coli
strains (serotypes Ont:H2, O43:H2, O141:H2, and O174:H2) reacted positive in the CRISPR
O104:H4
PCR (99.06% specificity).
Development of a TaqMan Multiplex PCR Assay for Detection of Plasmid-Mediated AmpC β-Lactamase Genes
Authors: Geyer Chelsie N. , Reisbig Mark D. , Hanson Nancy D. 
Published: August 2012

ABSTRACTA multiplex, real-time TaqMan assay was designed to identify clinical isolates carrying plasmid-mediatedampCgenes. The specificity and sensitivity of this assay were 100% when testing characterized AmpC/non-AmpC-producing isolates and randomly selected clinical isolates. This is a rapid assay that can be performed in a clinical microbiology laboratory.
Evaluation of the Sensititre MycoTB Plate for Susceptibility Testing of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis Complex against First- and Second-Line Agents
Authors: Hall Leslie , Jude Kurt P. , Clark Shirley L. , Dionne Kim , Merson Ryan , Boyer Ana , Parrish Nicole M. , Wengenack Nancy L. 
Published: August 2012

ABSTRACT

The Sensititre MycoTB plate (TREK Diagnostic Systems, Cleveland, OH) uses a microtiter plate MIC format for susceptibility testing of
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
complex isolates against first- and second-line antituberculosis agents. Categorical agreement versus the agar proportion method for 122
M. tuberculosis
complex isolates was 94% to 100%.
Clonality and Antimicrobial Susceptibility of Staphylococcus aureus and Methicillin-Resistant S. aureus Isolates from Food Animals and Other Animals
Authors: Ho Pak-Leung , Chow Kin-Hung , Lai Eileen L. , Law Pierra Y. T. , Chan Pui-Ying , Ho Alex Y. M. , Ng Tak-Keung , Yam Wing-Cheong 
Published: August 2012

ABSTRACT

Out of 3,081 animals studied, 24.9% of pigs, 4.7% of chickens, 6.3% of dogs, 10.5% of cats, and 7.1% of rodents were
Staphylococcus aureus
positive. Prevalence of methicillin-resistant
S. aureus
(MRSA) was high in pigs (animals, 21.3%; batches, 46.5%), with all MRSA isolates and most methicillin-sensitive
S. aureus
isolates belonging to clonal complex 9 (CC9) and being multidrug resistant. The predominant
S. aureus
CCs among dog and cat isolates were similar. Among rodent isolates, CC398 predominated, with
spa
t034 the most frequent
spa
type detected.