bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Vestigial structures in the appendicular skeletons of eight African skink species (Squamata, Scincidae)
Authors: Moch J. G. , Senter P. 
Published: July 2011

AbstractLimb reduction and loss, with reduction of limb and girdle skeletons to a vestigial state, has occurred several times independently within the skink family (Scincidae). The vestigial appendicular skeletons of most limbless skinks have not been described before now. Here we describe those of eight African skink species, all with a burrowing lifestyle: Acontias percivali, Acontias meleagris, Typhlosaurus cregoi, Typhlosaurus lineatus, Typhlacontias gracilis, Sepsina bayonii, Scelotes anguina and Scelotes arenicola. For all but two (A. meleagris and Sc. arenicola) the appendicular skeletons were previously undescribed. Limbs are absent in all specimens except for vestigial hindlimbs in Se. bayonii and vestigial femurs in one specimen of Sc. arenicola. In our sample, the pectoral girdle is reduced to a pair of tiny slivers in A. percivali, Ty. gracilis, Se. bayonii and Sc. anguina. It is absent in the other specimens. The pelvic girdle is absent in Ty. cregoi. In all the rest but Se. bayonii it is vestigial, retaining only the ilium in A. meleagris, Ty. lineatus and one specimen of Sc. arenicola. This study adds to the number of skink species with vestigial appendicular skeletons that have been described. It also adds to the range of documented intraspecific variation in the vestigial appendicular skeletons of A. meleagris, Sc. arenicola and the Australian skinks Lerista stylis and Lerista carpentariae. We observed asymmetry between the left and right sides in the vestigial appendicular skeletons of four of the African skink species: A. meleagris, Sc. anguina, Sc. arenicola and Se. bayonii.
A cell‐permeable phosphine‐borane complex delays retinal ganglion cell death after axonal injury through activation of the pro‐survival extracellular signal‐regulated kinases 1/2 pathway
Authors: Almasieh Mohammadali , Lieven Christopher J. , Levin Leonard A. , Di Polo Adriana 
Published: July 2011

J. Neurochem. (2011) 118, 1075–1086.AbstractThe reactive oxygen species (ROS) superoxide has been recognized as a critical signal triggering retinal ganglion cell (RGC) death after axonal injury. Although the downstream targets of superoxide are unknown, chemical reduction of oxidized sulfhydryls has been shown to be neuroprotective for injured RGCs. On the basis of this, we developed novel phosphine‐borane complex compounds that are cell permeable and highly stable. Here, we report that our lead compound, bis (3‐propionic acid methyl ester) phenylphosphine borane complex 1 (PB1) promotes RGC survival in rat models of optic nerve axotomy and in experimental glaucoma. PB1‐mediated RGC neuroprotection did not correlate with inhibition of stress‐activated protein kinase signaling, including apoptosis stimulating kinase 1 (ASK1), c‐jun NH2‐terminal kinase (JNK) or p38. Instead, PB1 led to a striking increase in retinal BDNF levels and downstream activation of the extracellular signal‐regulated kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2) pathway. Pharmacological inhibition of ERK1/2 entirely blocked RGC neuroprotection induced by PB1. We conclude that PB1 protects damaged RGCs through activation of pro‐survival signals. These data support a potential cross‐talk between redox homeostasis and neurotrophin‐related pathways leading to RGC survival after axonal injury.
Preparation of Ce:YAG Glass‐Ceramics with Low SiO2
Authors: Wang Lili , Mei Lin , He Gang , Li Jiangtao , Xu Lihua 
Published: July 2011

The Ce3+‐doped Y2O3–Al2O3–SiO2 (YAS) bulk glasses with low SiO2 (≤40 mol%) were prepared by flame spray‐quench method and hot press sintering. YAG nanoglass‐ceramics were derived from YAS bulk glass by a controlled crystallization. The differential thermal analysis (DTA) results showed that the glass‐forming ability of YAS system was strongly dependent on SiO2 content and the supercooling degree required for forming YAS glass increased with the decrease of SiO2 content. The YAS glass compositions had been extended to low SiO2 phase region (10–40 mol%) by flame spray‐quench method. The study of crystallization process showed that glass matrixes experienced initially a phase‐separation followed by crystallization during the heat treatment. The phase‐separated grains (100–300 nm) that were composed of YAG nanocrystallites precipitated in the glass matrix. And the intensity of emission spectra increased with the decreasing SiO2 content.
A novel mechanism of V‐type zinc inhibition of glutamate dehydrogenase results from disruption of subunit interactions necessary for efficient catalysis
Authors: Bailey Jaclyn , Powell Lakeila , Sinanan Leander , Neal Jacob , Li Ming , Smith Thomas , Bell Ellis 
Published: July 2011

Bovine glutamate dehydrogenase is potently inhibited by zinc and the major impact is on Vmax suggesting a V‐type effect on catalysis or product release. Zinc inhibition decreases as glutamate concentrations decrease suggesting a role for subunit interactions. With the monocarboxylic amino acid norvaline, which gives no evidence of subunit interactions, zinc does not inhibit. Zinc significantly decreases the size of the pre‐steady state burst in the reaction but does not affect NADPH binding in the enzyme–NADPH–glutamate complex that governs the steady state turnover, again suggesting that zinc disrupts subunit interactions required for catalytic competence. While differential scanning calorimetry suggests zinc binds and induces a slightly conformationally more rigid state of the protein, limited proteolysis indicates that regions in the vicinity of the antennae regions and the trimer–trimer interface become more flexible. The structures of glutamate dehydrogenase bound with zinc and europium show that zinc binds between the three dimers of subunits in the hexamer, a region shown to bind novel inhibitors that block catalytic turnover, which is consistent with the above findings. In contrast, europium binds to the base of the antenna region and appears to abrogate the inhibitory effect of zinc. Structures of various states of the enzyme have shown that both regions are heavily involved in the conformational changes associated with catalytic turnover. These results suggest that the V‐type inhibition produced with glutamate as the substrate results from disruption of subunit interactions necessary for efficient catalysis rather than by a direct effect on the active site conformation.Structured digital abstract
GHD binds to GHD by x‐ray crystallography (View interaction)
VALIDATION OF A SIMPLIFIED NUMERICAL MODEL FOR HOT‐AIR TREATMENT OF EGG SHELL SURFACE
Authors: FABBRI A. , CEVOLI C. , GIUNCHI A. 
Published: July 2011

ABSTRACTThe aim of the study was to simulate a hot‐air‐based treatment of the egg shell by a simplified finite element model.The calculated temperatures were compared with experimental data observed on an egg shell instrumented with thermocouples. A simple plant was used to make eggs roll while hot and cold air jets impinged the shell on opposite sides.The results have shown good agreement between calculated and observed temperatures on the inner part of the shell, despite the simplicity of the 2D numerical model. The observed temperature profiles, compatible both with albumen coagulation condition and shell pasteurization, support the hot air treatment as a possible and innovative surface decontamination technique for table eggs.PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSAs hot‐air decontamination is an innovative one, several tests will be necessary to assess the technique and to engineer the process. Unfortunately, each trial needs a number of microbial and quality tests requiring a remarkable amount of time and money. The numerical model made possible the testing of several thermal cycles, optimizing the value of the process parameters involved, reducing experimental effort. Moreover, the 2D model enhanced the advantages, with respect to the full 3D model, balancing an acceptable feasibility loss with much shorter calculus time.
PREPARATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF RESVERATROL/HYDROXYPROPYL‐β‐CYCLODEXTRIN INCLUSION COMPLEX USING SUPERCRITICAL ANTISOLVENT TECHNOLOGY
Authors: ZHOU R. , WANG F. , GUO Z. , ZHAO Y.L. 
Published: July 2011

ABSTRACTThe inclusion complex of resveratrol (RV) and hydroxypropyl‐β‐cyclodextrin (HP‐β‐CD) prepared by supercritical antisolvent (SAS) process was investigated to improve its aqueous solubility. The phase solubility diagram with HP‐β‐CD was classified as AL type, and the calculated apparent complexation constant (KC) was 5,988 M−1 at 298K. Inclusion complexes were analyzed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), powder X‐ray diffractometry (PXRD), Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). No endothermic and characteristic diffraction peaks corresponding to RV were observed for the inclusion complex in DSC and PXRD. FT‐IR study demonstrated the presence of intermolecular hydrogen bonds between RV and HP‐β‐CD in inclusion complex, resulting in the formation of amorphous form. Furthermore, the SAS‐processed RV/ HP‐β‐CD powders showed a significant enhancement in the solubility of RV (up to 25.13 mg/mL) in an aqueous medium. The percent dissolution of RV increased considerably and about 100% of RV was dissolved within 5–10 min.PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSIn this study, the supercritical antisolvent (SAS) process was effectively utilized to prepare solid‐state inclusion complexes of resveratrol (RV) and hydroxypropyl‐β‐cyclodextrin (HP‐β‐CD). The SAS‐processed RV/HP‐β‐CD powders showed a significant enhancement in the solubility of RV (up to 25.13 mg/mL) in an aqueous medium. The percent dissolution of RV increased considerably and about 100% of RV was dissolved within 5–10 min. This work thoroughly overcomes the high hydrophobicity and sensitivity of resveratrol to air and light, so that obviously enlarges the application in pharmaceutical, chemical, food and cosmetic industries.
RHEOLOGICAL AND MACROMOLECULAR QUALITY OF PECTIN EXTRACTED WITH NITRIC ACID FROM PASSION FRUIT RIND
Authors: CANTERI M.H.G. , SCHEER A.P. , GINIES C. , REICH M. , RENARD C.M.C.G. , WOSIACKI G. 
Published: July 2011

ABSTRACTYellow passion fruit processing in Brazil releases large amounts of waste (300,000 metric tons per year) that could be used as an alternative raw material for extracting potentially 2,000 metric tons of pectin. Valorization of pectin extracted from passion fruit rind demands the establishment of a proper protocol to maintain a high standard of product quality. In this work, a central composite experimental design of 23 was used to verify the influence of different conditions on the molecular characteristics and rheological behavior of extracted pectin. The extraction conditions were time (5–45 min), temperature (63–97C) and nitric acid concentration (8–92 mM). The responses significantly influenced (P < 0.05) in the trials were yield extraction, the apparent viscosity and reduced viscosity. The ideal conditions for extracting pectin with the highest apparent viscosity and with a high molecular weight were obtained with short time (5 min), medium temperature (80C) and 50 mM nitric acid.PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSExtensive efforts have been directed toward minimizing the large amounts of waste that result from the processing of passion fruit juice in Brazil. There has also been recent interest, in Brazil and in other tropical countries, in the production of pectin from passion fruit. This article shows that controlling extraction conditions can produce high molecular weight pectin and, consequently, can improve its rheological quality for use. Furthermore, it shows that it is possible to obtain pectin from passion rinds similarly to that of the citrus and apple pectin found in markets.
AUTOMATIC IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM FOR RAW POULTRY PORTIONS
Authors: KHASHMAN ADNAN 
Published: July 2011

ABSTRACTIn poultry processing plants, the sorting of raw poultry portions into separate containers prior to packaging is performed mostly by human laborers. This sorting method has two problems: labor cost and health hazard due to possible contamination between raw meat and humans. Therefore, an automated sorting system is required to avoid these problems. In this article, we present an automatic portion identification system that uses image processing and a neural network to identify six different chicken portions that are usually preferred by consumers. The proposed rotational invariant system can identify the cut portions regardless of their orientation with an overall correct identification rate of 97.57%. Potentially, the output of the proposed identification system can be used to move robotic arms to physically separate the identified chicken portions into separate containers.PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSThis work contributes to the development of an automated sorting system for practical use in poultry processing plants. The presented intelligent identification system is the main part of such an automated system. We train the system in this work to recognize the main chicken portions; however, other portions and other poultry birds can also be identified upon including their portion images in the training phase. This work differs from existing systems, in that it relies totally on the shape and coarse texture of a portion, using images as input data, and discards information like weight or size of the portion. Another advantage is the elimination of the need for using many birds during the development of the system; in fact, training the system can be achieved using only one bird and its portions.
INFLUENCE OF DIFFERENT FREEZING REGIMES ON BIOELECTRICAL PROPERTIES OF ATLANTIC CHUB MACKEREL (SCOMBER COLIAS)
Authors: VIDAČEK S. , MEDIĆ H. , MARUŠIĆ N. , TONKOVIĆ S. , PETRAK T. 
Published: July 2011

ABSTRACTResistance and reactance of chilled, frozen‐thawed and double frozen‐thawed fillets of Atlantic chub mackerel (Scomber colias) were measured in a frequency range from 0.1 to 1,000 kHz. After the measurements in the fresh state, one group of samples was slow frozen in a freezer set at temperature −20 ± 2C, while the second group was fast frozen by immersion in liquid nitrogen. After 14 days of frozen storage, the samples were thawed and electrical parameters were measured. The measurements were repeated on double frozen‐thawed samples. Results showed that the reactance measured at frequencies higher than 150 kHz can distinguish fast frozen from slow frozen fillets. Obtained difference between freezing cycles measured with the reactance at low frequencies could have been influenced by electrode polarization and the consequence of the measuring setup. Overall findings are in accordance with the ones obtained on the farmed fish indicating that the reactance may point to the differences in a fish muscle structure caused by different freezing history.PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSThis preliminary work is addressing the problem of varying quality of frozen fish fillets on the market today. Therefore, bioelectrical impedance measurements were used to monitor fish tissue properties after freezing under different conditions. Impedance measurements and especially reactance show the potential of detecting the differences among fillets with different freezing history. With further adjustments of the measuring setup and proving the advantage of this method over other spectroscopic techniques, this method may be used in a quality control of frozen fish.
MICROWAVE PRETREATMENT‐ASSISTED ETHANOL EXTRACTION OF CHLOROPHYLLS FROM SPIRULINA PLATENSIS
Authors: TONG YANG , GAO LIJING , XIAO GUOMIN , PAN XIAOMEI 
Published: July 2011

ABSTRACTMicrowave pretreatment‐assisted ethanol extraction (MPAEE) was used to extract chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b from Spirulina platensis. The effects of microwave‐pretreated process and ethanol extraction process were investigated by single‐factor experiments and response surface analysis experiments. The results showed that the optimum process parameters for MPAEE were: acetone/water (1:1, V/V) as the ruptured walls co‐solvent (RWC), the volume of the RWC of 10 mL, microwave irradiation time of 60 s, microwave irradiation power of 560 W, extraction time of 52.8 min, extraction temperature of 55.1C, and ratio of solvent to material of 10.8 mL/g. The optimized chlorophylls extraction yield was 1.27%, matching the theoretical extraction yield. The comparison experimental results indicated that the yield of chlorophylls by MPAEE was higher than that obtained from conventional solvent extraction.PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSChlorophylls and their derivatives were natural, safe, green pigments, which met the requirement of people for safe food additives. In the present study, microwave was first used to assist the extraction of chlorophylls from Spirulina platensis (SP), and the response surface methodology was applied to optimize the extraction process. The experimental results showed that the extraction efficiency was accelerated by Microwave pretreatment‐assisted ethanol extraction of chlorophylls from SP. The process described here would raise the additional value of SP, and supplied guidance of industrial applications of extraction of chlorophylls.
Low‐level Laser Therapy Improves Skeletal Muscle Performance, Decreases Skeletal Muscle Damage and Modulates mRNA Expression of COX‐1 and COX‐2 in a Dose‐dependent Manner
Authors: de Almeida Patrícia , Lopes‐Martins Rodrigo Álvaro Brandão , Tomazoni Shaiane Silva , Silva Jr José Antônio , Carvalho Paulo de Tarso Camillo de , Bjordal Jan Magnus , Leal Junior Ernesto Cesar Pinto 
Published: July 2011

AbstractWe tested if modulation in mRNA expression of cyclooxygenase isoforms (COX‐1 and COX‐2) can be related to protective effects of phototherapy in skeletal muscle. Thirty male Wistar rats were divided into five groups receiving either one of four laser doses (0.1, 0.3, 1.0 and 3.0 J) or a no‐treatment control group. Laser irradiation (904 nm, 15 mW average power) was performed immediately before the first contraction for treated groups. Electrical stimulation was used to induce six tetanic tibial anterior muscle contractions. Immediately after sixth contraction, blood samples were collected to evaluate creatine kinase activity and muscles were dissected and frozen in liquid nitrogen to evaluate mRNA expression of COX‐1 and COX‐2. The 1.0 and 3.0 J groups showed significant enhancement (P < 0.01) in total work performed in six tetanic contractions compared with control group. All laser groups, except the 3.0 J group, presented significantly lower post‐exercise CK activity than control group. Additionally, 1.0 J group showed increased COX‐1 and decreased COX‐2 mRNA expression compared with control group and 0.1, 0.3 and 3.0 J laser groups (P < 0.01). We conclude that pre‐exercise infrared laser irradiation with dose of 1.0 J enhances skeletal muscle performance and decreases post‐exercise skeletal muscle damage and inflammation.
Melanocortin 1 Receptor Variants: Functional Role and Pigmentary Associations
Authors: Dessinioti Clio , Antoniou Christina , Katsambas Andreas , Stratigos Alexander J. 
Published: July 2011

AbstractThe significance of human cutaneous pigmentation lies in its protective role against sun‐induced DNA damage and photocarcinogenesis. Fair skin and red hair are characterized by a low eumelanin to pheomelanin ratio, and have been associated with increased risk of skin cancer. Cutaneous pigmentation is a complex genetic trait, with more than 120 genes involved in its regulation, among which the melanocortin 1 receptor gene (MC1R) plays a key role. Although a large number of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been identified in pigmentation genes, very few SNPs have been examined in relation to human pigmentary phenotypes and skin cancer risk. Recent GWAS have identified new candidate determinants of pigmentation traits, but MC1R remains the best characterized genetic determinant of human skin and hair pigmentation as well as the more firmly validated low‐penetrance skin cancer susceptibility gene. In this review, we will address how the melanocortin system regulates pigmentation, the effect of MC1R variants on the physiologic function of the MC1 receptor, and how specific MC1R variants are associated with distinct human pigmentation phenotypes.
The Nature of Intellectual Deficit in Schizophrenia
Authors: FOULDS G. A. , DIXON PENELOPE 
Published: July 2011

Scores on Progressive Matrices (1938) and the Mill Hill Vocabulary Scale of 270 schizophrenics, both acute and chronic, were analysed in relation to a control group of 280 neurotics.On the Vocabulary Scale only the female schizophrenics were inferior to the neurotics. This, together with a much larger Matrices discrepancy between the two groups for both sexes, suggested a considerable degree of intellectual deficit in schizophrenics. Schizophrenics showed no faster decline with age on Matrices scores than normals or neurotics. It was concluded that the intellectual deficit produced by schizophrenia is confined largely to the initial impact of the illness and is not of a progressive type.
The Nature of Intellectual Deficit in Schizophrenia
Authors: FOULDS G. A. , DIXON PENELOPE , McCLELLAND MARILYN , McCLELLAND W. J. 
Published: July 2011

Progressive Matrices (1938) and Mill Hill Vocabulary scores of 270 schizophrenics were analysed in relation to sex, length of hospitalization, age and diagnostic subgroup.Men were significantly superior to women in all subgroups on both tests.Hospitalization period contributed little to the results over and above its inevitable relationship with age.The negative relationship between PM scores and age was similar in schizophrenics and neurotics. This and other evidence led to the conclusion that impairment was non‐progressive and largely confined to the period between the onset of the illness and first admission.Consistent differences were found between the subgroups independent of the sex difference, catatonics showing the most differential impairment of intellectual ability.
Two Personality Variables and their Distribution in a Criminal Population: an empirical study
Authors: FITCH J. H. 
Published: July 2011

Data relation to the distribution of MPI scores in a criminal population is presented. Performance on the MPI is not affected by intellectual ability or literacy attainments but performance on the E scale appears to be related to age and on the N scale to the felt anxiety of the remand situation.The association between neuroticism and recidivism previously reported by others was confirmed but no direct association was found between extraversion‐introversion and recidivism. Evidence was found that sexual offences were more likely to be committed by introverted than extraverted personalities.The relationship between E and N scale scores and variables relating to upbringing and early environment was examined. Significant associations were found between high E scale scores and variables suggestive of an early failure in socialization. High N scale scores were significantly associated with reported childhood unhappiness and with a family history of mental disorder.