bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Integration of molecular functions at the ecosystemic level: breakthroughs and future goals of environmental genomics and post‐genomics
Authors: Vandenkoornhuyse Philippe , Dufresne Alexis , Quaiser Achim , Gouesbet Gwenola , Binet Françoise , Francez André‐Jean , Mahé Stéphane , Bormans Myriam , Lagadeuc Yvan , Couée Ivan 
Published: April 2010

Ecology Letters(2010) 13: 776–791AbstractEnvironmental genomics and genome‐wide expression approaches deal with large‐scale sequence‐based information obtained from environmental samples, at organismal, population or community levels. To date, environmental genomics, transcriptomics and proteomics are arguably the most powerful approaches to discover completely novel ecological functions and to link organismal capabilities, organism–environment interactions, functional diversity, ecosystem processes, evolution and Earth history. Thus, environmental genomics is not merely a toolbox of new technologies but also a source of novel ecological concepts and hypotheses. By removing previous dichotomies between ecophysiology, population ecology, community ecology and ecosystem functioning, environmental genomics enables the integration of sequence‐based information into higher ecological and evolutionary levels. However, environmental genomics, along with transcriptomics and proteomics, must involve pluridisciplinary research, such as new developments in bioinformatics, in order to integrate high‐throughput molecular biology techniques into ecology. In this review, the validity of environmental genomics and post‐genomics for studying ecosystem functioning is discussed in terms of major advances and expectations, as well as in terms of potential hurdles and limitations. Novel avenues for improving the use of these approaches to test theory‐driven ecological hypotheses are also explored.
Effect of systemic arterial pressure on erectile dysfunction in the initial stages of chronic arterial insufficiency
Authors: Spessoto Luis Cesar F. , Cordeiro José Antonio , De Godoy José Maria Pereira 
Published: April 2010

Study Type – Prognosis (case series) Level of Evidence 4OBJECTIVETo report the effect of systemic arterial pressure on erectile dysfunction (ED) in patients in the initial stages of peripheral arterial disease.PATIENTS AND METHODSAll patients with a diagnosis of ED in the urology outpatient clinic of the Medicine School in São José do Rio Preto, Brazil were evaluated in a cross‐sectional, quantitative study. The patients were assessed using the International Index of Erectile Function, the ankle‐brachial index, and measurement of arterial blood pressure. Binary logistic regression, log‐likelihood, Pearson chi‐square and likelihood ratio chi‐square and Kruskal–Wallis Test were used for statistical analysis with P < 0.05 being considered acceptable. Fifty‐two patients (mean age 56.63 years) were enrolled in the study.RESULTSDifferences were detected between the median grades of ED of patients with differing degrees of chronic arterial insufficiency. Hypertensive patients in the initial stages of peripheral arterial disease had less severe grades of ED than normotensive patients.CONCLUSIONSThe progression of ED parallels the development of chronic arterial insufficiency. Systemic arterial hypertension in the initial stages of peripheral arterial disease might protect against ED, but peripheral arterial disease constitutes an aggravating factor for ED, and thus hypertension might exert a paradoxical effect in this stage of the disease.
Relationship between chronic kidney disease and silent cerebral infarction in patients with Type 2 diabetes
Authors: Bouchi R. , Babazono T. , Yoshida N. , Nyumura I. , Toya K. , Hayashi T. , Hanai K. , Tanaka N. , Ishii A. , Iwamoto Y. 
Published: April 2010

Diabet. Med. 27, 538–543 (2010)AbstractAims  Silent cerebral infarction (SCI) is an independent risk factor for future symptomatic stroke. Although the prevalence of SCI is closely related to kidney function in non‐diabetic individuals, evidence is lacking whether albuminuria and/or reduced estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) independently increase the risk of SCI in diabetic patients. We therefore examined the relationships between albuminuria, eGFR and SCI in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).Methods  We studied 786 T2DM patients with an eGFR ≥ 15 ml/min 1.73/m2, including 337 women and 449 men [mean (± sd), age 65 ± 11 years]. All patients underwent cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to detect SCI. GFR was estimated using the modified three‐variable equation for Japanese subjects. Albuminuria was defined as a first morning urinary albumin‐to‐creatinine ratio (ACR) ≥ 30 mg/g.Results  SCI was detected in 415 (52.8%) of the subjects. The prevalence of SCI was significantly associated with both elevated ACR and decreased eGFR in univariate analysis. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, urinary ACR remained independently associated with SCI after adjusting for conventional cardiovascular risk factors [odds ratio (OR) of urinary ACR per logarithmical value: 1.89, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.41–2.51, P < 0.001]; however, eGFR was no longer significantly associated with SCI (OR per ml/min 1.73/m2 = 0.99, 95% CI = 0.98–1.00, P = 0.095).Conclusion  In conclusion, albuminuria but not decreased eGFR may be an independent predictor of prevalent SCI in patients with T2DM.
Political Self‐control and European Constitution: The Assumption of National Political Loyalty to European Obligations as the Solution to the Lex Posterior Problem of EC Law in the National Legal Orders
Authors: Phelan William 
Published: April 2010

AbstractCurrent understandings of the constitutional effectiveness of EC law emphasise the European Court of Justice's (ECJ's) claims of supremacy and direct effect, and the acceptance of those claims by the national courts. However, the lex posterior problem of EC law in the national legal order—the problem whereby the application of European obligations in the national legal order could be legislated away by subsequent contrary national legislation—has been addressed not by national courts' acceptance of Costa but by national courts' assumption that national legislatures do not intend to legislate contrary to prior European obligations, often developed from separately established national doctrines which assume legislative fidelity to treaty obligations. As such, the solution to the lex posterior problem of EC law in the national legal orders rests on these national legal doctrines combined with pervasive national legislative self‐restraint. Political self‐control in the Member States supports the European legal order.
Young UK adults and the 5 A DAY campaign: perceived benefits and barriers of eating more fruits and vegetables
Authors: Herbert Georgia , Butler Laurie , Kennedy Orla , Lobb Alexandra 
Published: April 2010

AbstractAlthough consuming adequate amounts of fruits and vegetables reduces the risk of developing chronic diseases, it is widely recognized that young adults' intakes are currently well below the Department of Health's recommended five portions a day, with men consuming even less than women. One approach in the UK has been to introduce health campaigns such as the 5 A DAY programme; however, little is currently known about how well their messages are understood amongst young adults. This study examined current knowledge of the 5 A DAY message in young adults, as well as the perceived benefits and remaining barriers towards consuming more fruits and vegetables. In total, four focus groups were conducted using male (n = 22) and female (n = 18) students at the University of Reading. Content analysis revealed that while participants were aware of the 5 A DAY recommendation, there was widespread confusion regarding the detail. In addition, men were less accepting of the message than women, reporting greater disbelief and a lack of motivation to increase intake. Finally, a range of barriers was reported by participants of both genders, despite the perceived beneficial effects for health and appearance. The results illustrate a considerable gap between awareness and knowledge of the 5 A DAY message, and underscore the challenge that changing behaviour in young adults represents. As well as stepping up education‐ and skill‐based health campaigns, more targeted gender specific interventions will be needed to achieve sustained increases in fruit and vegetable intake.
Validity of self‐reported nickel allergy
Authors: Josefson Anna , Färm Gunilla , Meding Birgitta 
Published: April 2010

Background: To estimate the prevalence of nickel allergy, self‐reports are sometimes used in epidemiological studies. Self‐reports are practical and may facilitate estimation of prevalence provided that the questions are validated. Objectives: To investigate the validity of self‐reported nickel allergy. Methods: Three hundred and sixty‐nine women, aged 30–40 years, from the general population participated in the study. The participants answered a questionnaire before a clinical examination and patch testing. The two questions being validated were ‘Are you sensitive/hypersensitive/allergic to nickel?’ and ‘Do you get a rash from metal buttons, jewellery or other metal items that come in direct contact with your skin?’ Results: Patch test showed nickel‐positive reaction in 30% of the subjects. Self‐reported prevalence of nickel allergy as indicated by the two respective questions was 40% and 35%. Positive predictive values for the two questions were 59% (95% CI 50–67) and 60% (95% CI 51–69). History of childhood eczema was over‐represented among women with ‘false‐positive’ self‐reported nickel allergy (P = 0.008). Self‐reported hand eczema or ‘high wet exposure’ did not influence the validity. Conclusions: The validity of self‐reported nickel allergy is low. The questions regarding nickel allergy overestimate the true prevalence of nickel allergy.
Habitat Complexity and Invasive Species: The Impacts of Gamba Grass (Andropogon gayanus) on Invertebrates in an Australian Tropical Savanna
Authors: Parr Catherine L. , Ryan Ben J. , Setterfield Samantha A. 
Published: April 2010

ABSTRACTHabitat complexity is an important factor structuring local faunal assemblages. Many invasive plant species alter vegetation complexity because they are both functionally and structurally different from native flora. This study investigated the effects of an invasive grass (Andropogon gayanus Kunth.), which is invading undisturbed savannas in northern Australia. Although A. gayanus is a similar lifeform to that dominant in the native understory (i.e., a C4 grass), it is structurally different and significantly alters habitat complexity. We, therefore, hypothesized that there would be a substantial effect of the invasive grass on ant, spider, and other invertebrate assemblages. Contrary to our hypothesis, there was no effect of A. gayanus on ant species richness, abundance, or composition, nor were spiders or other invertebrates affected. Instead the change in weather conditions with season was more important in structuring the local invertebrate assemblages. Change in habitat complexity was most pronounced vertically, rather than horizontally at ground level, thus although there was a clear difference in the vertical structure between invaded and noninvaded habitats, the limited invertebrate response to different A. gayanus densities suggests some invertebrates are less sensitive to vertical changes in vegetation structure.
The nuclear stellar disc in Andromeda: a fossil from the era of black hole growth
Authors: Hopkins Philip F. , Quataert Eliot 
Published: April 2010

Abstract
The physics of angular momentum transport from galactic scales (∼10–100 pc) to much smaller radii is one of the outstanding problems in our understanding of the formation and evolution of supermassive black holes (BHs). Seemingly unrelated observations have discovered that there is a lopsided stellar disc of unknown origin orbiting the BH in M31, and possibly many other systems. We show that these nominally independent puzzles are in fact closely related. Multiscale simulations of gas inflow from galactic to BH scales show that when sufficient gas is driven towards a BH, gravitational instabilities form a lopsided, eccentric disc that propagates inwards from larger radii. The lopsided stellar disc exerts a strong torque on the remaining gas, driving inflows that fuel the growth of the BH and produce quasar-level luminosities. The same disc can produce significant obscuration along many sightlines and thus may be the putative ‘torus’ invoked to explain obscured active galactic nuclei and the cosmic X-ray background. The stellar relic of this disc is long lived and retains the eccentric pattern. Simulations that yield quasar-level accretion rates produce relic stellar discs with kinematics, eccentric patterns, precession rates and surface density profiles in reasonable agreement with observations of M31. The observed properties of nuclear stellar discs can thus be used to constrain the formation history of supermassive BHs.
NUTRITIONAL AND TEXTURAL STUDIES ON DIETARY FIBER‐ENRICHED MUFFINS AND BISCUITS FROM CASSAVA‐BASED COMPOSITE FLOURS
Authors: JISHA S. , PADMAJA G. , SAJEEV M.S. 
Published: April 2010

ABSTRACTThe demand for designer food products having specific nutritional/functional attributes is on the increase worldwide. Composite flours prepared from malted and pregelatinized cassava through appropriate blending with cereal and/or legume and bran sources were used for making muffins and biscuits with high fiber content. Muffins made from Termamyl‐malted and pregelatinized cassava flour had lower starch content (38.84–41.82%) than those from germinated gram amylase malted flour. The products had protein contents of 4.50–5.60% (<1.0% in cassava flour). High dietary fiber content of 2.77–3.44% and 3.20–3.40%, respectively, was obtained in muffins and biscuits made from cassava–bran blends. The spread ratio of the test biscuits was fewer by five to eight units than the control biscuits made from refined wheat flour. The lowin vitrostarch digestibility of muffins/biscuits from cassava–bran blends (24–29 units and 31–34 units, respectively) was a specific advantage, suggesting their therapeutic use for obese and diabetic people. Muffins made from Termamyl‐malted mixes had lower hardness and toughness than those from gram amylase malted flour. The high dietary fiber content of the two baked goods indicates their use for cardiovascular patients and also for conditions such as constipation and its related problems.PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSThe study focuses on the use of cassava flour for making two baked goods viz., muffins and biscuits. The nutritional and functional properties of cassava flour were modified through malting and pregelatinization and further by blending with cereal and/or legume flours and bran sources. The composite flours that have high protein content and dietary fiber (DF) content were further enriched through the addition of wheat bran at levels of 10.0 g per formula. The products developed had high DF content of 2.77–3.44% and protein content of 4.50–5.60% (dwb). The lowin vitrostarch digestibility of muffins and biscuits from cassava–bran blends was an additional advantage, suggesting their use in medical nutrition therapy for treating obese and diabetic people as well as for management of cardiovascular and intestinal problems.
ADEQUATE HANDLING CONDITIONS TO PRESERVE VITAMIN C AND CAROTENOIDS IN TOMATOES
Authors: CAMPOS FLÁVIA M. , CHAVES JOSÉ BENÍCIO P. , DE AZEREDO RAQUEL M.C. , MATA GARDÊNIA M.S.C. , PINHEIRO‐SANT'ANA HELENA M. 
Published: April 2010

ABSTRACT Safe handling practices must be followed to minimize nutrient loss in fruits and vegetables. To evaluate such loss in tomatoes, storage and preparation practices were tested under storage at 10C and 24C (24 and 72 h), sanitization times (15, 45 and 75 min), type of cut (slices and cubes) and exposure time until consumption (0, 30 and 60 min). Ascorbic acid (AA), dehydroascorbic acid (DHA), lycopene andβ‐carotene were determined by high‐performance liquid chromatography. Under refrigeration, AA retention was 8% higher during 24 h storage. DHA increased at room temperature and lycopene retention was lower under refrigeration temperature. No differences were verified between cutting methods and the exposure times used. Retention after the selected storage and processing conditions ranged from 78 to 86% for vitamin C, from 53 to 81% for lycopene and from 74 to 83% forβ‐carotene.PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSVitamin C and carotenoids are recognized as important components of healthy diet. However, the processes to which vegetables are submitted from harvest to consumption can alter vitamin content. The adoption of safe handling practices can minimize vitamin C and carotenoids losses during preparation. When the extent of the losses is known and controlled, menus can be complemented to reach the recommended vitamin daily intake. This study investigated the influence of post harvesting handling practices (storage, sanitization, slicing and the period between cooking and consumption) to select the practices that would result in greatest vitamin C and carotenoid retention.
THE EFFECT OF MODIFIED ATMOSPHERE PACKAGING ON THE QUALITY AND SHELF LIFE OF FRANKFURTER TYPE‐SAUSAGES
Authors: GOKOGLU NALAN , YERLIKAYA PINAR , URAN HARUN , TOPUZ OSMAN KADIR 
Published: April 2010

ABSTRACT The effects of modified atmosphere packaging on the quality and shelf life of frankfurter‐type sausages, prepared exclusively from beef meat, were investigated. Sausages were packed under varying modified atmosphere conditions (30% CO2/70% N2; 70% CO2/30% N2; 100% CO2; 80% CO2/20% O2) and vacuum, and stored at 4C for 28 days. Lower pH values were observed in the samples packed under modified atmospheres compared to vacuum. Inhibition effect of carbon dioxide concentration on the oxidation was seen. Carbon dioxide caused microbial inhibition. The lowest total viable count was found in the samples packed under 100% CO2. It was concluded that modified atmosphere packaging had significant effect on the quality and shelf life of frankfurter‐type sausages compared to vacuum packaging. The most suitable atmosphere among the tested atmospheres was that with 70% CO2, 30% N2 atmosphere. The shelf life of sausages under this atmosphere was 28 days. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSMeat and meat products are susceptible to spoilage. Several preservation techniques are used to extend their shelf life. Packaging of fresh meat is a common application to protect its quality. Modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) means to replace the air in a package of food with some different mixture of gases. The success in MAP is to choose the suitable gas combination, packaging system, package application and the package material. Proper gas combination to keep meat quality should be provided. Several studies have been performed to extent shelf life of pork sausages and local‐type sausages using modified atmosphere packaging technique. However there is no data on beef sausages. The results of this research will form the basis for further studies and also will be beneficial for industry.
What factors are related to delayed treatment in individuals at high risk for psychosis?
Authors: Chung Young‐Chul , Jung Hee‐Yeon , Kim Sung‐Wan , Lee Seung‐Hwan , Shin Sang‐Eun , Shin Yun‐Mi , Park Jong‐Ik , An Suk K. , Kim Young‐Hoon 
Published: April 2010

AbstractBackground: Previous studies have shown that the individuals at high risk for psychosis suffer from depression, anxiety, and deficits in social functioning. The present report describes help‐seeking behaviours, baseline psychopathology, and duration of attenuated psychotic symptoms (DUAPS) and their associations with other variables.Methods: Using the Comprehensive Assessment of At‐Risk Mental States (CAARMS), we conducted systematic evaluations of individuals at high risk for psychosis. Help‐seeking behaviours, current Axis I diagnoses, DUAPS, and baseline psychopathology were investigated. Demographic and clinical characteristics of short and long DUAPS groups were compared.Results: Thirty‐eight subjects were recruited from nine centres. Participants seldom sought psychiatric services at their first help‐seeking contact, and the mean DUAPS was 22.00 ± 28.59 months. Most participants had current Axis I diagnoses, and depressive disorder NOS was the most common of these. Higher levels of depression, anxiety, obsessive‐compulsive symptoms, and functional impairment were also identified. We found no significant differences between short and long DUAPS groups in baseline psychopathology. However, we observed significantly lesser distressing intensity of thought contents and significantly greater social impairment in the long‐DUAPS group.Conclusion: These findings suggest that high‐risk subjects frequently received delayed treatment despite symptomatic distress and functional impairment. No direct evidence supporting the delayed effect of the DUAPS on baseline psychopathology was found.
Determinants of subjective quality of life in first‐episode schizophrenia: perspective from Malaysia
Authors: Chee K. Y. 
Published: April 2010

AbstractAim: This study sought to examine the determinants of subjective quality of life among patients with first‐episode schizophrenia in a developing country.Method: One‐hundred and twenty patients registered with National Mental Health Registry for Schizophrenia from 1 January 2003 to 31 August 2005 were included. They were diagnosed with first‐episode schizophrenia, schizoaffective and schizophreniform disorders and had been compliant to treatment. Sociodemographic data were obtained and the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale‐Anchored Version, Health of The Nation Outcome Scales, Simpson–Angus Extrapyramidal Side Effects Scale, Barnes Akathisia Scale and the World Health Organization Quality of Life were used to assess psychopathology, side effects from antipsychotics and subjective quality of life.Results: Gender, positive and disorganized symptoms of schizophrenia, and cognitive and physical impairments appeared to be the most important predictors of subjective quality of life among the patients from this centre in Malaysia.Conclusion: Different domains of self‐rated quality of life correlated with different sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. Some of the characteristics were malleable and a better understanding of these could lead to improvements in the management of patients with schizophrenia.