bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Functional Properties and Postharvest Utilization of Commercial and Noncommercial Banana Cultivars
Authors: Anyasi Tonna A. , Jideani Afam I. O. , Mchau Godwin R. A. 
Published: September 2013

AbstractBanana (Musa spp.) is one of the world's most important crops cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Banana is a major source of macro‐elements, especially potassium, and contains health‐beneficial ingredients such as resistant starch, total dietary fibers, rapidly digestible starch, and slowly digestible starch. Oligosaccharides (fructooligosaccharides and inulin) and polyphenols ((+)‐catechin, (−)‐epicatechin, (−)‐epigallocatechin, and gallic acid) are other ingredients present in bananas that have found application in the prevention of muscular contractions, regulation of blood pressure, prevention of colon cancer and diabetes, and in the cure of intestinal disorders when unripe. This review identifies the different commercial and noncommercial banana cultivars and their utilization. Commercial cultivars include Williams (M. acuminata cv. Williams), Dwarf Cavendish (M. acuminata cv. Petite Nain), Chinese Cavendish (M. acuminata cv. Chinese Cavendish), Grand Nain (M. acuminata cv. Grand Nain), and Goldfinger (M. acuminata cv. Goldfinger), with Mabounde and Luvhele identified as noncommercial varieties. Banana postharvest utilization includes its use as functional foods, prebiotics, probiotics, nutraceuticals, and processing into value‐added products.
Oxidative Processes in Muscle Systems and Fresh Meat: Sources, Markers, and Remedies
Authors: Bekhit Alaa El‐Din A. , Hopkins David L. , Fahri Fahri T. , Ponnampalam Eric N. 
Published: September 2013

AbstractOxidation of meat occurs under postmortem conditions and is inevitable. This oxidation includes the biochemical changes in meat leading to changes in color pigments and lipids. As a consequence, color deteriorates, and undesirable flavors and rancidity develop in meat thereby impacting on consumer appeal and satisfaction. Across carcasses, there is variation in the rate at which muscle undergoes chemical reactions under postmortem conditions that reflect inherent variation at the biochemical level. It is expected that this underlying biochemical variation will be reflected in living muscle through oxidative processes. The oxidative process of muscle tissues will vary according to an animal's immunity status, temperament, and ability to cope with stress, with all these affected by nutrition, genetics, management practices, and environmental conditions (hot and cold seasons). Identification of biomarkers that indicate the oxidative status levels of animals or muscle tissues in vivo could provide insight as to how the muscle will respond to the anoxic conditions that produce undesirable results in meat. This review outlines the potential use of 1 group of biomarkers, the isoprostanes, in the context of complex biochemical reactions relating to oxidative processes that take place in the biological systems of live animals (in vivo) and subsequently in meat (in vitro).
Migration of Chemical Compounds from Packaging Polymers during Microwave, Conventional Heat Treatment, and Storage
Authors: Bhunia Kanishka , Sablani Shyam S. , Tang Juming , Rasco Barbara 
Published: September 2013

AbstractPolymeric packaging protects food during storage and transportation, and withstands mechanical and thermal stresses from high‐temperature conventional retort or microwave‐assisted food processing treatments. Chemical compounds that are incorporated within polymeric packaging materials to improve functionality, may interact with food components during processing or storage and migrate into the food. Once these compounds reach a specified limit, food quality and safety may be jeopardized. Possible chemical migrants include plasticizers, antioxidants, thermal stabilizers, slip compounds, and monomers. Chemical migration from food packaging is affected by a number of parameters including the nature and complexity of food, the contact time and temperature of the system, the type of packaging contact layer, and the properties of the migrants. Researchers study the migration of food‐packaging compounds by exposing food or food‐simulating liquids to conventional and microwave heating and storage conditions, primarily through chromatographic or spectroscopic methods; from these data, they develop kinetic and risk assessment models. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the migration of chemical compounds into food or food simulants exposed to various heat treatments and storage conditions, as well as a discussion of regulatory issues.
Genotypic Polymorphisms of Hepatitis B Virus Provide Useful Information for Estimating Geographical Origin or Place of Long‐term Residence of Unidentified Cadavers
Authors: Inoue Hiroyuki , Motani‐Saitoh Hisako , Sakurada Koichi , Ikegaya Hiroshi , Yajima Daisuke , Nagasawa Sayaka , Iwase Hirotaro 
Published: September 2013

AbstractIncreasing numbers of unidentified cadavers are a major problem. We have developed a new method for providing identification information that can determine the geographical origin or place of long‐term residence of unidentified cadavers based on genotypic polymorphisms of hepatitis B virus (HBV) known to correlate with their geographical distribution. PCR of serum samples detected HBV DNA from 4 (3.9%) of 102 randomly selected Japanese forensic cadavers.Multiplex PCR did not detect multiple HBV genotypes from any single cadaver, confirming the absence of coinfection. Phylogenetic tree analysis based on a 485‐bp mutant region of the HBV S gene successfully classified the HBV genotypes into A to J. Among 10 HBV‐infected cadavers, 8 had genotype Ce/C2, a genotype prevalent in East Asia, and 2 had genotype Bj/B1, a Japanese‐specific genotype. HBV genotypic polymorphisms correlate with the geographical distribution of the virus and thus provide important information for identifying unidentified cadavers infected with HBV.
The Potential Application of Rice Bran Wax Oleogel to Replace Solid Fat and Enhance Unsaturated Fat Content in Ice Cream
Authors: Zulim Botega Daniele C. , Marangoni Alejandro G. , Smith Alexandra K. , Goff H. Douglas 
Published: September 2013

AbstractThe development of structure in ice cream, characterized by its smooth texture and resistance to collapse during melting, depends, in part, on the presence of solid fat during the whipping and freezing steps. The objective of this study was to investigate the potential application of 10% rice bran wax (RBW) oleogel, comprised 90% high‐oleic sunflower oil and 10% RBW, to replace solid fat in ice cream. A commercial blend of 80% saturated mono‐ and diglycerides and 20% polysorbate 80 was used as the emulsifier. Standard ice cream measurements, cryo‐scanning electron microscopy (cryo‐SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to evaluate the formation of structure in ice cream. RBW oleogel produced higher levels of overrun when compared to a liquid oil ice cream sample, creating a lighter sample with good texture and appearance. However, those results were not associated with higher meltdown resistance. Microscopy revealed larger aggregation of RBW oleogel fat droplets at the air cell interface and distortion of the shape of air cells and fat droplets. Although the RBW oleogel did not develop sufficient structure in ice cream to maintain shape during meltdown when a mono‐ and diglycerides and polysorbate 80 blend was used as the emulsifier, micro‐ and ultrastructure investigations suggested that RBW oleogel did induce formation of a fat globule network in ice cream, suggesting that further optimization could lead to an alternative to saturated fat sources for ice cream applications.
Acute and Subacute Toxicity Assessment of Lutein in Lutein‐Deficient Mice
Authors: Nidhi Bhatiwada , Baskaran Vallikannan 
Published: September 2013

AbstractDietary lutein consumption is lower than the actual recommended allowances to prevent macular degeneration; thus dietary lutein supplements have been recommended. This study aimed to investigate potential adverse effect of lutein from Tagetes erecta in lutein‐deficient (LD) male mice. Preliminary acute toxicity study revealed that the LD50 exceeded the highest dose of 10000 mg/kg BW. In a subacute study, male mice were gavaged with 0, 100, 1000 mg/kg BW/day for a period of 4 wk. Plasma lutein levels increased dose dependently (P < 0.01) after acute and subacute feeding of lutein in LD mice. Compared to the control (peanut oil without lutein) group, no treatment‐related toxicologically significant effects of lutein were prominent in clinical observation, ophthalmic examinations, body, and organ weights. Further, no toxicologically significant findings were eminent in hematological, histopathological, and other clinical chemistry parameters. In the oral subacute toxicity study, the no‐observed‐adverse‐effect level (NOAEL) for lutein in LD mice was determined as 1000 mg/kg/day, the highest dose tested.
Dietary Trans Fats Enhance Doxorubicin‐Induced Cardiotoxicity in Mice
Authors: Mong Mei‐chin , Hsia Te‐chun , Yin Mei‐chin 
Published: September 2013

AbstractThis study investigated the combined effects of trans fat diet (TFD) and doxorubicin upon cardiac oxidative, inflammatory, and coagulatory stress. TFD increased trans fatty acid deposit in heart (P < 0.05), and decreased protein C and antithrombin‐III activities in circulation (P < 0.05). TFD plus doxorubicin treatment elevated activities of plasminogen activator inhibitor‐1, lactate dehydrogenase, and creatine phosphokinase (P < 0.05). This combination also raised xanthine oxidase activity, and enhanced cardiac levels of reactive oxygen species, interleukin (IL)‐6, IL‐10, tumor necrosis factor‐alpha, and monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 than TFD or doxorubicin treatment alone (P < 0.05). TFD alone increased cardiac nuclear factor kappa B (NF‐κB) activity (P < 0.05), but failed to affect expression of NF‐κB and mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) (P > 0.05). Doxorubicin treatment alone augmented cardiac activity, mRNA expression, and protein production of NF‐κB and MAPK (P < 0.05). TFD plus doxorubicin treatment further upregulated cardiac expression of NF‐κB p65, p‐p38, and p‐ERK1/2 (P < 0.05). These findings suggest that TFD exacerbates doxorubicin‐induced cardiotoxicity.
Quality of life in patients with endometriosis and the effect of pertubation with lidocaine – a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Wickström Karin , Bruse Christine , Sjösten Anette , Spira Jack , Edelstam Greta 
Published: September 2013

AbstractObjectivePertubation with lidocaine has been shown to reduce pain (on a VAS‐scale) in women with endometriosis. A clinical study was performed to evaluate the effect of lidocaine pertubations on quality of life.DesignDouble‐blind, randomized and controlled trial.SettingThree outpatient units in Stockholm, Sweden.PopulationEligible patients had endometriosis with dysmenorrhoic pain >VAS 50 mm.MethodsThe patients were randomized to pre‐ovulatory pertubations with lidocaine (n = 24) or placebo (n = 18) during three consecutive menstrual cycles. The procedure comprised passing the solution through the uterus and the Fallopian tubes via an intracervical balloon catheter. The effect was evaluated with the validated Endometriosis Health Profile‐30 questionnaire before and after treatments.Main outcome measuresChanges in scores at six and 12 months from baseline were compared between the groups with the Mann–Whitney U‐test.ResultsAfter 6 months there was a significant difference between the lidocaine (n = 19) and the placebo (n = 16) groups for the dimension social support (median −18.8 vs. −6.3, p = 0.034), whereas there were no significant differences for the other dimensions after 6 or 12 months. The mean changes in the lidocaine group were above the minimal important difference levels in eight of 12 measurements of quality of life dimensions compared with two of 12 in the placebo group.ConclusionsThis clinical trial indicates that pertubations with lidocaine might improve the social support dimension of quality of life in patients with endometriosis.
Comparison of Continuous‐Flow and Pulsatile‐Flow Blood Pumps on Reducing Pulmonary Artery Pressure in Patients With Fixed Pulmonary Hypertension
Authors: Ozturk Pelin , Engin Aysen Yaprak , Nalbantgil Sanem , Oguz Emrah , Ayik Fatih , Engin Cagatay , Yagdi Tahir , Erkul Sinan , Balcioglu Ozlem , Ozbaran Mustafa 
Published: September 2013

AbstractPulmonary hypertension (PH) is considered as a risk factor for morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing heart transplantation. Recently, left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation has been increasingly used in reducing pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) in patients with PH unresponsive to medical therapy. Herein, we aimed to compare the efficacy of continuous‐flow and pulsatile‐flow blood pumps on the improvement of PH in mechanical circulatory support patients. Twenty‐seven patients with end‐stage heart failure who underwent LVAD implantation surgery were enrolled. Fifteen of them (55.6%) had continuous‐flow pump (HeartWare Ventricular Assist System, HeartWare, Inc., Miramar, FL, USA), and 12 of them (44.4%) had pulsatile pump (Berlin Heart EXCOR ventricular assist device, Berlin Heart AG, Berlin, Germany). The efficacy of LVADs on the improvement of PH was compared between continuous‐flow and pulsatile pumps by the evaluation of systolic PAP, tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), right ventricular systolic motion (RVSM), right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF), and grade of tricuspid insufficiency (TI) for each of the study participants. All of the 15 patients who underwent continuous‐flow blood pump implantation surgery (Group 1) were male with a mean age of 46.9 ± 11.7 years, and in pulsatile‐flow blood pump implanted participants (Group 2), the mean age was 40.6 ± 16.8 years, all of whom were also male (P = 0.259). Mean follow‐up was 313.7 ± 241.3 days in Group 1 and 448.7 ± 120.7 days in Group 2 (P = 0.139). In Group 1, mean preoperative and postoperative systolic PAP were measured as 51.7 ± 12.2 mm Hg and 22.2 ± 3.4 mm Hg, respectively, while those in Group 2 were 54.5 ± 7.5 mm Hg and 33.9 ± 6.4 mm Hg, respectively. A significantly greater decrease in systolic PAP was noticed in patients with continuous‐flow blood pumps (P = 0.023); however, no statistically significant difference was found when we considered the change in TAPSE between study groups (P = 0.112). A statistical significance in the alteration of RVEF, RVSM, and the grade of TI during study visits was not found between the study groups (P = 0.472, P = 0.887, and P = 0.237, respectively). Although the two studied types of LVADs were found to be effective in reducing PAP in heart transplantation candidates with PH, lesser postoperative systolic PAP values were achieved in patients who underwent continuous‐flow pump implantation surgery.
New method for evaluation of early phase tear clearance by anterior segment optical coherence tomography
Authors: Zheng Xiaodong , Kamao Tomoyuki , Yamaguchi Masahiko , Sakane Yuri , Goto Tomoko , Inoue Yasushi , Shiraishi Atsushi , Ohashi Yuichi 
Published: September 2013

AbstractPurposeTo describe a new method of measuring early phase tear clearance by anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS‐OCT).MethodsSixty normal subjects were divided into a young group (30 subjects; 29.6 ± 7.2 years) and an elder group (30 subjects; 71.4 ± 10.8 years). AS‐OCT (CASIA SS‐1000, Tomey, Japan) with customized software was used to record the tear meniscus at the centre of the lower eyelid. Five microlitres of lukewarm saline solution was dropped into the lower conjunctival sac, and an image of the tear meniscus was obtained immediately and again 30 seconds after natural blinking. The tear meniscus height (TMH) and tear meniscus area (TMA) were measured in the AS‐OCT images, and the percentage decrease in the TMH and TMA was used as a measure of the tear clearance. Correlations between tear clearance and clinical features including degree of conjunctivochalasis, degree of protrusion of inferior lacrimal punctum, distance of lacrimal punctum from the Marx line and fluorescein clearance rates were also determined in another healthy population consisting of 30 subjects.ResultsThe OCT tear clearance rate was 35.2 ± 11% for TMH and 28.1 ± 12.4% for TMA in the young group, and 12.4 ± 7.3% and 6.2 ± 9.1%, respectively in the elder group. The differences were significant for both the TMH (p = 0.017) and the TMA (p = 0.024). The OCT‐determined tear clearance was positively correlated with the fluorescein clearance rate, and negatively correlated with the distance between the lacrimal punctum and Marx line, degree of conjunctivochalasis and degree of lacrimal punctum protrusion.ConclusionAS‐OCT can be used as a rapid, non‐invasive and quantitative method of determining the early phase tear clearance rate in a normal healthy population.
The surgical spectacle: a survey of urologists viewing live case demonstrations
Authors: Elsamra Sammy E. , Fakhoury Mathew , Motato Hector , Friedlander Justin I. , Moreira Daniel M. , Hillelsohn Joel , Duty Brian , Okeke Zeph , Smith Arthur D. 
Published: September 2013

Objective
To evaluate perspectives of urologists viewing live case demonstrations (LCD) and taped case demonstrations (TCD).
Method
A 15‐question anonymous survey was distributed to attendees of the live surgery session at the American Urological Association 2012 national meeting (Atlanta) and the second International Challenges in Endourology meeting (Paris).
Results
Of 1000 surveys distributed, 253 were returned completed (response rate 25%). Nearly half of respondents were in the academic practice setting and nearly 75% were beyond training.
Just over 30% had performed a LCD previously. The perceived benefit of an LCD was greater than unedited and edited videos (chi‐squared P = 0.014 and P < 0.001, respectively). Nearly no one selected ‘not helpful’ and a few selected ‘minimally helpful’ for any of the three forms of demonstration.
Most respondents identified that opportunity to ask questions (61%) and having access to the full unedited version (72%), two features inherent to LCD, improved upon the educational benefit of edited videos.
Most (78%) identified LCD as ethical. However, those that did not perceived lower educational benefit from LCD (P = 0.019).
A slim majority (58%) would allow themselves or a family member to be a patient of a LCD and the vast majority (86%) plan to transfer knowledge gained at the LCD session into their practice.
Conclusions
Urologists who attended these LCD sessions identified LCDs as beneficial and applicable to their practice.
LCDs are preferred over videos. The large majority considers LCD ethical, although not as many would volunteer themselves for LCD.
Further studies are necessary to determine if there is actual benefit from LCD over TCD to patient care.
Comparison of contemporary methods for estimating prostate tumour volume in pathological specimens
Authors: Perera Marlon , Lawrentschuk Nathan , Bolton Damien , Clouston David 
Published: September 2013

ObjectiveTo evaluate the accuracy of various prostate tumour volume (TV) estimation methods.To determine the most appropriate estimation method for current clinical practice.Patients and MethodsRadical prostatectomy (RP) specimens from multiple institutions were analysed by a single uro‐pathologist between September 2009 and May 2011.Tumour properties including thickness, width and length were collected and TV was established using computer‐assisted image analysis (CAIA).TV estimation methods including; square, cuboidal and ellipsoidal estimations were calculated using previously reported formulae.The estimation methods were compared against the ‘gold‐standard’ and the accuracy of identifying clinically significant tumours of TV ≥0.5 cc was determined.ResultsIn all, 299 consecutive specimens were analysed by a single uropathologist.The median index TV on CAIA was 1.42 cc.Of the four estimation methods, the ellipsoid methods produced the closest correlation with the gold‐standard (r2 0.91, P = 0.71). This correlation lost accuracy when larger tumours (TV >4 cc) were excluded from the analysis (r2 = 0.73, P = 0.003).Sensitivity and specificity for identifying clinically significant tumours was 94% and 92% respectively, when using the ellipsoid estimation.ConclusionsIn current uro‐pathology, the ellipsoidal estimation method appears to be the most suitable for estimating TV in prostate cancers.This method is cheap, reproducible and sensitive and can be safely used as a surrogate for CAIA volumes when such technology is not available.
The dilemma of distance: patients with kidney cancer from regional Australia present at a more advanced stage
Authors: Satasivam Prassannah , O'Neill Sarah , Sivarajah Gausihi , Sliwinski Ania , Kaiser Celina , Niall Owen , Goad Jeremy , Brennan Janelle 
Published: September 2013

ObjectiveTo determine whether patients from regional areas undergoing surgery for kidney cancer present with more advanced disease as a result of geographic isolation.Patients and MethodsRetrospective analysis of 221 patients undergoing surgery for renal cell carcinoma (RCC) from January 2004 to June 2012, from both a metropolitan centre and a large inner regional hospital.Data was collected on age, gender, presentation (incidental or symptomatic), clinical stage and pathological features.The Australian Standard Geographical Classification‐Remoteness Area (ASGC‐RA) is a system developed to allow quantitative comparisons between metropolitan and rural Australia. A score was assigned to each patient based on their location of residence at the time of surgery: metropolitan, RA1; inner regional, RA2; outer regional, RA3.Statistical significance was specified as P < 0.05 on Pearson's chi‐square tests.ResultsPatients in each ASGC‐RA group did not differ significantly in age, sex or mode of presentation.Pathological T stage on presentation increased with increasing ASGC‐RA and thus distance from tertiary centres (P = 0.004).The proportion of patients with ≥T3 disease rose from 30% of RA1 to 73% of RA3 patients (P = 0.016) treated at our tertiary centre. Similarly, our regional centre had a larger proportion of patients presenting with ≥T3 disease from RA3 (31% vs 5%, P = 0.003).When the 221 patients with RCC were analysed as a group, clinical T stage was significantly associated with ASGC‐RA (P < 0.001), symptomatic presentation (P < 0.001), N stage (P < 0.001), M stage (P < 0.001) and Fuhrman grade (P < 0.001).ConclusionsOur data quantifies the detrimental effect of physical distance on the health outcomes of regional Australians with kidney cancer.Australia's unique geography and rural culture may preclude any attempts to centralise cancer care to specialised metropolitan units, as has occurred in other countries.