bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Microbiological quality of sous‐vide cook chill fish cakes during chilled storage (3 °C)
Authors: Jeya Shakila Robinson , Jeyasekaran Geevaretnam , Vijayakumar Arumugam , Sukumar Durairaj 
Published: October 2009

SummaryFish cakes prepared from emperorbream (Lethrinus lethrinus) were vacuum packed (VP), conventionally cook‐chilled (CCC) and sous‐vide cook‐chilled (SVCC) and examined for their microbiological quality and safety during chilled storage (3 °C) for a period of 3, 5 and 16 weeks, respectively, in comparison with conventional pack(CP). The shelf life of CP, VP, CCC and SVCC packs of fish cakes were 2, 2, 4 and 16 weeks, respectively, based on the acceptable break point of the overall sensory scores. The total bacterial counts were 5 log cfu g−1, in CP, VP and CCC packs; and 3 log cfug−1 in SVCC pack on sixteenth week. Total lactic acid bacteria were 2 log cfu g−1 on 2 and 3 weeks in CP and VP, respectively. Staphylococci were detected in all packs on sixteenth week at 2 log cfu g−1. Total bacilli were detected in CP and VP at 3 log cfu g−1 level after 2 weeks. Aeromonads were detected after 1, 2 and 4 weeks in CP, VP and CCC packs at 3 log cfu g−1. Total anaerobic sulphite‐reducing clostridia were detected only in CP and CCC packs at 3 MPN counts g−1 level on the final day.
Comparison of SDS gel capillary electrophoresis with microfluidic lab‐on‐a‐chip technology to quantify relative amounts of 7S and 11S proteins from 20 soybean cultivars
Authors: Blazek Vladimir , Caldwell Robert A. 
Published: October 2009

SummarySDS gel capillary electrophoresis (Beckman–Coulter ProteomeLab) and the lab‐on‐a‐chip technology (Agilent 2100 Bioanalyzer) were used to quantify the relative amount of 7S and 11S fractions in twenty different soybean cultivars. The better repeatability of the migration times and peak areas was achieved for the Bioanalyzer. Both lab‐on‐a‐chip instrument and a traditional capillary gel electrophoresis were shown to be adequate for analysis of soy‐based products. Integrating the area of peaks within a certain range of molecular weights was used to calculate the relative content of each protein subunit. Poor agreement in the classification in the protein subunit groups between the two instruments was observed. Therefore, the approach of visual identification taking into account both the variability in the position of the peaks and the detection of different number of peaks between the profiles was applied. This resulted in statistically significant correlation being observed between 11S/7S ratios determined by Bioanalyzer and ProteomeLab (R = 0.82). The reported differences in 11S and 7S content between the studies are likely to be affected by the differences in the techniques used to analyse soy protein subunits. A brief presentation of the chemometric analysis of electrophoretic profiles as a common method for transforming electrophoretograms to multivariate data sets is shown.
Hot air drying of yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius) and its effect on sugar concentrations
Authors: Scher Caroline Fenner , De Oliveira Rios Alessandro , Noreña Caciano Pelayo Zapata 
Published: October 2009

SummaryThis work aimed to experimentally study the drying behaviour of yacon tubers with and without steam blanching. Drying was carried out for 5 h and 30 min in a forced air dryer at 50 °C, 60 °C and 70 °C. The results indicated that the shortest drying time was obtained at 70 °C for blanched samples, and that the equilibrium water activity values were significantly lower for the blanched samples at all temperatures. The yacon dried without prior blanching showed lowest concentrations of reducing sugars when dried at 70 °C, significantly lower than those dried at 50 °C and 60 °C. This indicates hydrolysis of the fructo‐oligosaccharides at 70 °C, a fact verified by the significant increase in reducing sugars content from 36.65 ± 0.54–44.10 ± 0.96% and reduction in the non‐reducing sugars from 31.62 ± 0.55–26.18 ± 0.29%.
Influence of osmodehydrofreezing with different sugars on the quality of frozen rambutan
Authors: Lowithun Ngamjit , Charoenrein Sanguansri 
Published: October 2009

SummaryThe objective of this research was to study the effect of osmotic pretreatment with different sugars on the quality of frozen rambutan. Rambutan pieces were osmotically dehydrated in 50% sucrose, trehalose and maltitol solutions. The amount of water loss and solid gain during osmotic dehydration were determined. The increase of water loss and solid gain were not significantly different among the syrups (P > 0.05). For osmodehydrofreezing, the fruit pieces were immersed for 1 h before freezing at −40 °C with an untreated sample used for comparison. The physical and chemical properties of samples stored at −18 °C for 3, 60 and 120 days were studied. Pretreatment with sucrose received the highest scores in terms of taste, texture and acceptability. The glass transition temperature values of treated samples, especially those treated with trehalose, increased significantly compared to the untreated sample, but they were all much lower than the storage temperature of −18 °C. All of the experimental samples were in a rubbery state, and therefore the glass transition concept could not be used to predict quality.
Technological and spoiling characteristics of the yeast microflora isolated from Bella Di Cerignola table olives
Authors: Bevilacqua Antonio , Perricone Marianne , Cannarsi Marianna , Corbo Maria Rosaria , Sinigaglia Milena 
Published: October 2009

SummaryThis study focused to investigate the technological significance and the spoiling impact of diverse yeast strains, isolated from ‘Bella di Cerignola’ Italian table olives. Sixty‐four isolates (belonging mainly to the species Candida famata and C. guilliermondii) were studied to assess their growth at different temperatures (15, 25 and 37 °C), pHs (4.0, 5.0 and 9.5) and NaCl concentrations (0–10.0%) in lab medium. Their pectolytic, xylanolytic, lipolytic and catalase activities were also evaluated. Most of the yeasts showed a moderate pectolytic activity and were able to grow at pH 9.5 after 120 h of incubation. Salt and temperature were the most important environmental variables affecting yeast growth, which could exert a strong selective pressure on yeast population. Candida guilliermondii appeared more resistant to high salt concentrations, whereas C. famata was able to grow at 15 °C.
Osmotic dehydration of pomegranate seeds: mass transfer kinetics and differential scanning calorimetry characterization
Authors: Bchir Brahim , Besbes Souhail , Attia Hamadi , Blecker Christophe 
Published: October 2009

SummaryOsmotic dehydration of pomegranate seeds was carried out at different temperatures (30, 40, 50 °C) in a 55°Brix solution of sucrose, glucose, and mixture sucrose & glucose (50:50, w/w). The most significant changes of water loss and solids gain took place during the first 20 min of dewatering. During this period, seeds water loss was estimated to 46% in sucrose, 37% in glucose and 41% in mix glucose/sucrose solution. The increase of temperature favoured the increase of water loss, weight reduction, solids gain and effective diffusivity. Differential scanning calorimetry data provided complementary information on the mobility changes of water and solute in osmodehydrated pomegranate seeds. The ratio between % frozen water and % unfreezable water decreased from 5 to 0.5 during the process. That involving the presence of very tightly bound water to the sample, which is very difficult to eliminate with this process. It also appeared that glass transition temperature depends on the types of sugar.
Effects of bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea) variety and processing on the quality and consumer appeal for its products
Authors: Nti Christina Antwiwaa 
Published: October 2009

SummaryFive landraces of bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea) from northern Ghana were assessed for their physical characteristics, chemical composition and the effects of variety and processing on quality and consumer appeal for use in food products. The cultivars had distinct colour differences ranging from cream through brown, maroon to black, with variations in the seed sizes and seed coat thicknesses. Significant (P < 0.05) differences were observed in some of the chemical components of the different varieties of bambara. Protein and fat contents ranged from 19.3% to 27.1% and 4.8% to 7.0%, respectively, while ash content was not significantly (P > 0.05) different among the cultivars. Tannin content ranged between 4.5 mg CE g−1 sample for the cream‐coloured and 14.9 mg CE g−1 sample for the black variety. Dehulling increased the protein content, reduced tannin content by up to 92% and improved the colour of bambara products, while heat treatment enhanced their taste, aroma and overall acceptability.
Microbiological, chemical and sensory assessment of (I) whole ungutted, (II) whole gutted and (III) filleted tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) during refrigerated storage
Authors: Rong Cao , Chang‐hu Xue , Qi Liu , Bang‐zhong Yin 
Published: October 2009

SummaryThe effects of gutting and filleting on microbiological, chemical, and sensory properties of tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) stored under refrigeration were studied. All the tilapia samples were analysed periodically for microbiological (APC), chemical (pH, total volatile basic nitrogen, 2‐thiobarbituricacid, K‐value), and sensory characteristics. Results indicated that sensory data were in good agreement with microbiological data (APC rejection limit of 107 CFU g−1) and K‐value (rejection limit of 60%). Storage life of (I) whole ungutted, (II) whole gutted and (III) filleted tilapia stored under refrigeration (5 ± 1 °C) can be expected to be 12, 10, and 6 days, respectively.
Habitat‐specific demography and source–sink dynamics in a population of Siberian jays
Authors: Nystrand Magdalena , Griesser Michael , Eggers Sönke , Ekman Jan 
Published: October 2009

Summary1. There are a number of models describing population structure, many of which have the capacity to incorporate spatial habitat effects. One such model is the source–sink model, that describes a system where some habitats have a natality that is higher than mortality (source) and others have a mortality that exceeds natality (sink). A source can be maintained in the absence of migration, whereas a sink will go extinct.2. However, the interaction between population dynamics and habitat quality is complex, and concerns have been raised about the validity of published empirical studies addressing source–sink dynamics. In particular, some of these studies fail to provide data on survival, a significant component in disentangling a sink from a low quality source. Moreover, failing to account for a density‐dependent increase in mortality, or decrease in fecundity, can result in a territory being falsely assigned as a sink, when in fact, this density‐dependent suppression only decreases the population size to a lower level, hence indicating a ‘pseudo‐sink’.3. In this study, we investigate a long‐term data set for key components of territory‐specific demography (mortality and reproduction) and their relationship to habitat characteristics in the territorial, group‐living Siberian jay (Perisoreus infaustus). We also assess territory‐specific population growth rates (r), to test whether spatial population dynamics are consistent with the ideas of source–sink dynamics.4. Although average mortality did not differ between sexes, habitat‐specific mortality did. Female mortality was higher in older forests, a pattern not observed in males. Male mortality only increased with an increasing amount of open areas. Moreover, reproductive success was higher further away from human settlement, indicating a strong effect of human‐associated nest predators.5. Averaged over all years, 76% of the territories were sources. These territories generally consisted of less open areas, and were located further away from human settlement.6. The source–sink model provides a tool for modelling demography in distinct habitat patches of different quality, which can aid in identifying key habitats within the landscape, and thus, reduce the risk of implementing unsound management decisions.
No improvement in cardiovascular risk factors in overweight and obese subjects after supplementation with vitamin D3 for 1 year
Authors: Jorde R. , Sneve M. , Torjesen P. , Figenschau Y. 
Published: October 2009

Abstract.  Jorde R, Sneve M, Torjesen P, Figenschau Y (University of Tromsø, Tromsø; Medical Clinic University Hospital of North Norway, Tromsø; University Hospital of North Norway, Tromsø; Aker University Hospital, Oslo; University Hospital of North Norway, Tromsø; and University of Tromsø, Tromsø; Norway). No improvement in cardiovascular risk factors in overweight and obese subjects after supplementation with vitamin D3 for 1 year. J Intern Med 2010; 267:462–472.Background and Aim.  Cross‐sectional studies indicate vitamin D to be of importance for glucose tolerance, blood pressure and serum lipids, but whether supplementation with vitamin D would improve cardio‐vascular risk factors is not known.Design and Setting.  The study was a 1 year, double blind placebo‐controlled intervention trial performed at the University Hospital of North Norway from November 2005 to October 2007.Subjects.  A total of 438 overweight or obese subjects, 21–70 years old, were included and 330 completed the study.Interventions.  The subjects were randomized to vitamin D (cholecalciferol, vitamin D3) 40 000 IU per week (DD group), vitamin D 20 000 IU per week (DP group), or placebo (PP group). All subjects were given 500 mg calcium daily.Main Outcome Measures.  Fasting serum lipids and blood pressure were measured and an oral glucose tolerance test performed at start and end of the study.Results.  At baseline the mean serum 25(OH)D levels were 58 nmol L−1 (all subjects) and increased to 140 and 101 nmol L−1 in the DD and DP groups, respectively. No significant differences were found between the three groups regarding change in measures of glucose metabolism or serum lipids. In the DP group, there was a slight but significant increase in systolic blood pressure compared with the placebo group.Conclusions.  Our results do not support a positive effect of vitamin D on glucose tolerance, blood pressure or serum lipids. Further studies in subjects with low serum 25(OH)D levels combined with impaired glucose tolerance, hypertension or dyslipidaemia are needed.
Foresight in medicine: current challenges with Haemophilus influenzae type b conjugate vaccines
Authors: Eskola J. 
Published: October 2009

Eskola J (National Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki). Foresight in medicine: current challenges with Haemophilus influenzae type b conjugate vaccines (Foresight). J Intern Med 2010; 267: 241–250.Abstract.  An effective vaccine to prevent invasive infections caused by Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) bacteria has been available for more than 20 years. Hib conjugate vaccine is safe, efficacious and easy to use, and its cost‐benefit ratio is high both in industrialized as well as in developing countries. In spite of this, WHO estimates that every year approximately 8 million children contract life‐threatening Haemophilus infections, especially meningitis or severe pneumonia. If we want to take seriously the Millenium Development Goal of reducing the mortality of under 5‐year‐old children by two‐thirds before the year 2015, an effective means to contribute to this would be more efficient use of Hib vaccines [1].
Near‐field microscopy and fluorescence spectroscopy: application to chromosomes labelled with different fluorophores
Authors: MAHIEU‐WILLIAME L. , FALGAYRETTES P. , NATIVEL L. , GALL‐BORRUT P. , COSTA L. , SALEHZADA T. , BISBAL C. 
Published: October 2009

SummaryWe have coupled a spectrophotometer with a scanning near‐field optical microscope to obtain, with a single scan, simultaneously scanning near‐field optical microscope fluorescence images at different wavelengths as well as topography and transmission images. Extraction of the fluorescence spectra enabled us to decompose the different wavelengths of the fluorescence signals which normally overlap. We thus obtained images of the different fluorescence emissions of acridine orange bound to single or double stranded nucleic acids in human metaphase chromosomes before and after DNAse I or RNAse A treatment. The analysis of these images allowed us to visualize some specific chromatin areas where RNA is associated with DNA showing that such a technique could be used to identify multiple components within a cell.
Genetic variability is unrelated to growth and parasite infestation in natural populations of the European eel (Anguilla anguilla)
Authors: PUJOLAR J. M. , BEVACQUA D. , CAPOCCIONI F. , CICCOTTI E. , DE LEO G. A. , ZANE L. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractPositive correlations between individual genetic heterozygosity and fitness‐related traits (HFCs) have been observed in organisms as diverse as plants, marine bivalves, fish or mammals. HFCs are not universal and the strength and stability of HFCs seem to be variable across species, populations and ages. We analysed the relationship between individual genetic variability and two different estimators of fitness in natural samples of European eel, growth rate (using back‐calculated length‐at‐age 1, 2 and 3) and parasite infestation by the swimbladder nematode Anguillicola crassus. Despite using a large data set of 22 expressed sequence tags‐derived microsatellite loci and a large sample size of 346 individuals, no heterozygote advantage was observed in terms of growth rate or parasite load. The lack of association was evidenced by (i) nonsignificant global HFCs, (ii) a Multivariate General Linear Model showing no effect of heterozygosity on fitness components, (iii) single‐locus analysis showing a lower number of significant tests than the expected false discovery rate, (iv) sign tests showing only a significant departure from expectations at one component, and, (v) a random distribution of significant single‐locus HFCs that was not consistent across fitness components or sampling sites. This contrasts with the positive association observed in farmed eels in a previous study using allozymes, which can be explained by the nature of the markers used, with the allozyme study including many loci involved in metabolic energy pathways, while the expressed sequence tags‐linked microsatellites might be located in genes or in the proximity of genes uncoupled with metabolism/growth.
Polyphosphate kinase 2: a modulator of nucleoside diphosphate kinase activity in mycobacteria
Authors: Sureka Kamakshi , Sanyal Sourav , Basu Joyoti , Kundu Manikuntala 
Published: October 2009

SummaryMycobacteria encode putative class II polyphosphate kinases (PPKs). We report that recombinant PPK2 of Mycobacterium tuberculosis catalyses the synthesis of GTP from GDP using polyphosphate rather than ATP as phosphate donor. Unlike that of PPK1, this is the favoured reaction of PPK2. The sites of autophosphorylation, H115 and H247, as well as G74 were critical for GTP‐synthesizing activity. Compromised survival of a ppk2 knockout (PPK2‐KO) of Mycobacterium smegmatis under heat or acid stress or hypoxia, and the ability of ppk2 of M. tuberculosis to complement this, confirmed that PPK2 plays a role in mycobacterial survival under stress. Intracellular ATP : GTP ratio was higher in PPK2‐KO compared with the wild‐type M. smegmatis, bringing to light a role of PPK2 in regulating the intracellular nucleotide pool. We present evidence that PPK2 does so by interacting with nucleoside diphosphate kinase (Ndk). Pull‐down assays and analysis by surface plasmon resonance demonstrated that the interaction requires G74 of PPK2MTB and 109LET111 of NdkMTB. In summary, we unravel a novel mechanism of regulation of nucleotide pools in mycobacteria. Downregulation of ppk2 impairs survival of M. tuberculosis in macrophages, suggesting that PPK2 plays an important role in the physiology of the bacteria residing within macrophages.
The H‐NS‐like protein StpA represses the RpoS (σ38) regulon during exponential growth of Salmonella Typhimurium
Authors: Lucchini Sacha , McDermott Paul , Thompson Arthur , Hinton Jay C.D. 
Published: October 2009

SummaryStpA is a paralogue of the nucleoid‐associated protein H‐NS that is conserved in a range of enteric bacteria and had no known function in Salmonella Typhimurium. We show that 5% of the Salmonella genome is regulated by StpA, which contrasts with the situation in Escherichia coli where deletion of stpA only had minor effects on gene expression. The StpA‐dependent genes of S. Typhimurium are a specific subset of the H‐NS regulon that are predominantly under the positive control of σ38 (RpoS), CRP‐cAMP and PhoP. Regulation by StpA varied with growth phase; StpA controlled σ38 levels at mid‐exponential phase by preventing inappropriate activation of σ38 during rapid bacterial growth. In contrast, StpA only activated the CRP‐cAMP regulon during late exponential phase. ChIP‐chip analysis revealed that StpA binds to PhoP‐dependent genes but not to most genes of the CRP‐cAMP and σ38 regulons. In fact, StpA indirectly regulates σ38‐dependent genes by enhancing σ38 turnover by repressing the anti‐adaptor protein rssC. We discovered that StpA is essential for the dynamic regulation of σ38 in response to increased glucose levels. Our findings identify StpA as a novel growth phase‐specific regulator that plays an important physiological role by linking σ38 levels to nutrient availability.
Reproducibility of reported nutrient intake and supplement use during a past pregnancy: a report from the Children's Oncology Group
Authors: Bosco Jaclyn L. F. , Tseng Marilyn , Spector Logan G. , Olshan Andrew F. , Bunin Greta R. 
Published: October 2009

SummaryBosco JLF, Tseng M, Spector LG, Olshan AF, Bunin GR. Reproducibility of reported nutrient intake and supplement use during a past pregnancy: a report from the Children's Oncology Group. Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology 2010; 24: 93–101.Maternal diet and nutrition have been thought to play a role in many childhood conditions. Studies using food frequency questionnaires (FFQ) have reported associations with maternal diet, but these findings are difficult to interpret because the reliability and validity of the FFQs for diet during a past pregnancy are not known. We determined the reproducibility of reported diet and supplement use during a past pregnancy in a subset of mothers interviewed for a case–control study of maternal diet in relation to the risk of childhood brain tumours. Cases were Children's Oncology Group patients, diagnosed at age <6 with medulloblastoma or primitive neuroectodermal tumour from 1991 to 1997. Area code, race/ethnicity, and birth date matched controls were selected by random‐digit‐dialling.Case and control mothers completed a modified Willett FFQ a mean of 5 years after the index child's birth. A mean of 3.6 months later, a subset of mothers consisting of 52 case and 51 control mothers repeated the interview; these comprise the reproducibility study population. The mean intra‐class correlation was 0.59 (range 0.41, 0.69) for energy‐adjusted nutrients from dietary sources only; it was 0.41 (range 0.06, 0.70) when supplements were included. Agreement for reporting multivitamin use during pregnancy by time period and pattern was good to very good (kappa = 0.66–0.85). Overall, the reproducibility of nutrient estimates and supplement use in pregnancy was good and similar to that reported for adult diet.