bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of seaweed and cholesterol-enriched diets on postprandial lipoproteinaemia in rats
Authors: Bocanegra Aránzazu , Bastida Sara , Benedí Juana , Nus Meritxell , Sánchez-Montero Jose M. , Sánchez-Muniz Francisco J. 
Published: September 2009

High postprandial lipaemia increases cardiovascular risk. Algae consumption may affect postprandial lipoproteinaemia. The effects of dietary alga and cholesterol supplementation on postprandial lipaemia and lipoproteinaemia and arylesterase (AE) activity in growing male Wistar rats were tested in the present study. Six groups of ten rats were fed a casein-based diet for 3 weeks. Three of the diets contained 2·4 % cholesterol-raising agent (Chol), while the other three did not (NChol). Seven percentage of the control diets (NChol-C and Chol-C) consisted of a cellulose–wheat starch mix (35:65), while the Nori alga diets (NChol-N and Chol-N) and Konbu diets (NChol-K and Chol-K) contained 7 % of each respective freeze-dried alga. Postprandial plasma was obtained after a 3 h diet withdrawal. Supplementary cholesterol and alga type significantly affected (at leastP < 0·05) the cholesterol, TAG, phospholipid and protein contents of the various lipoprotein fractions. AE enzyme activity increased (P < 0·05) in NChol rats given Nori and Konbu diets. NChol-K, but not NChol-N, rats displayed higher (P < 0·05) plasma cholesterol, TAG and phospholipid levels than NChol-C animals. NChol-K rats presented higher TAG, phospholipid, protein and lipoprotein mass values than their NChol-C counterparts. Inclusion of algae in Chol diets decreased (P < 0·001) the postprandial hypertriacylglycerolaemia. The Chol-N diet affected most lipoprotein fraction contents. Chol-N rats had lower postprandial cholesterolaemia and a better lipoprotein profile (fewer LDL and a tendency toward more HDL and fewer cholesterol-enriched VLDL) than Chol-K rats, suggesting that Nori is the alga of choice in dietary treatment of hypercholesterolaemia.
Vasodilating dipeptide Trp-His can prevent atherosclerosis in apo E-deficient mice
Authors: Matsui Toshiro , Sato Masao , Tanaka Mitsuru , Yamada Yasuna , Watanabe Shimpei , Fujimoto Yumiko , Imaizumi Katsumi , Matsumoto Kiyoshi 
Published: September 2009

Most of the investigations for an alternative medicinal treatment on atherosclerosis have been focused on natural or dietary compounds including phytochemicals. So far, few studies regarding anti-atherosclerotic small peptides except for tetrapeptide of Lys-Arg-Glu-Ser have been reported. The present study was, thus, to investigate whether dipeptide Trp-His, which is one of vasodilating small peptides, could reduce atherosclerotic lesions in apo E-deficient mice fed a high-fat diet. The animal study involved a 9-week-successive administration of Trp-His at a dose of 0, 10 or 100 mg/kg per d. After 9-week administration,en faceanalyses provided the first direct evidence that the atherosclerotic lesion area was significantly reduced by 27 and 38 % for Trp-His dosed at 10 and 100 mg/kg per d, respectively, compared with the control group. Administration of Trp-His did not affect growth parameters such as body weight and feeding efficiency (P>0·1). Total serum cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol as well as lipid profiles in the liver did not differ between the tested groups. Taken together, the anti-atherosclerotic effect of dipeptide Trp-His should be addressed into physiological functions of bioactive peptides, in which the dipeptide may elicit the power by alternative mechanism(s), not by the regulation of lipid metabolism.
In vitro nematicidal activity of extracts of Canthium mannii (Rubiaceae), on different life-cycle stages of Heligmosomoides polygyrus (Nematoda, Heligmosomatidae)
Authors: Wabo Poné J. , Bilong Bilong C.F. , Mpoame M. 
Published: September 2009

AbstractThe increasing prevalence of anthelmintic-resistant strains of helminths, drug residues in animal products and high cost of conventional anthelmintics has created an interest in studying medicinal plants as an alternative source of anthelmintic. The potential nematicidal activities of four extracts from the bark of Canthium mannii (Rubiaceae) stem were investigated in vitro. Extracts were diluted in distilled water (DW) to obtain five different concentrations (1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0 and 3.5 mg/ml) and put in contact with eggs and larvae of Heligmosomoides polygyrus. The different stages of the life cycle were also put in contact with the same concentration of mebendazole (MBZ, positive control). One millilitre of each extract at different concentrations and control were added to 1 ml solution containing 30–40 eggs or 10–15 larvae (L1, L2 and L3) and distributed in different Petri dishes. The eggs and larvae were incubated at 24°C and exposure times were: 48 h for un-embryonated eggs, 6 h for embryonated eggs; 2, 4, 6 and 24 h for L1 and L2 larvae, 24–48 h for infective larvae (L3), and 5 days for the larval development test (from L1 to L3). DW and 1% dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) were used as placebo and DMSO control, respectively. Significant effects were obtained with three of the four extracts, and differences were observed depending on the parasite stage. Cold water extract (CWE), hot water extract (HWE) and ethanol extract (ETE) inhibited embryonic development (40, 45 and 10%) and hatching of embryonated eggs (40, 85 and 80%), respectively, at 3.5 mg/ml. Only ETE killed L1 (97.18%) and L2 (92.68%) larvae of H. polygyrus after 24 h at 3.5 mg/ml and drastically reduced the production rate (6% at 3.0 and 3.5 mg/ml) of infective larvae (L3) after 5 days of incubation compared to other extracts (P < 0.05). However, the infective larvae of H. polygyrus were resistant to the effect of each of the tested products (extracts and mebendazole). These in vitro results suggested that extracts of C. mannii, used by traditional healers in Dschang, Western Region of Cameroon (Central Africa) to cure intestinal helminthiasis and abdominal pains of their patients, possess nematicidal properties. The active principles responsible for the activity could be secondary metabolites such as alkaloids and saponins present in the extracts. It is suggested that further experiments incorporating in vivo purification of extracts and toxicological investigations should be carried out.
Dirofilaria infections in working dogs in Slovakia
Authors: Miterpáková M. , Antolová D. , Hurníková Z. , Dubinský P. , Pavlačka A. , Németh J. 
Published: September 2009

AbstractA monitoring programme aimed at the diagnosis of subcutaneous dirofilariasis and heartworm disease in working (police and military) dogs in Slovakia has been performed during the period of September 2007 to February 2008. In co-operation with the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Defence, in total, 710 dogs (591 police dogs and 119 military dogs) were investigated for the presence of microfilariae in blood. All police and military dogs in active service held on the territory of Slovakia were included. Microfilariae were detected in 118 (20.0%) police dogs and 10 (8.4%) military dogs. The most infected individuals originated from southern parts of Slovakia (Trnava region 53.6% and Nitra region 39.6%); the prevalence was low in northern regions (Žilina 3.1% and Prešov 6.6%). In several districts of southern Slovakia, the prevalence of subcutaneous dirofilariasis in working dogs exceeded 40%. In all infected animals, the autochthonous origin of the disease was confirmed; however, due to the frequent movement of working dogs, it was not possible to identify the exact locality of infection. At present, a dog living in Nemšová village in Trenčín district (north-western part of the country) is regarded as the northernmost localized autochthonous case of subcutaneous dirofilariasis in Slovakia. In three dogs, co-infection of Dirofilaria repens and Dirofilaria immitis was detected. High prevalence rates in working dogs and the zoonotic characteristic of the disease represent an undoubtedly important veterinary and medical problem that requires the urgent introduction of prophylactic and control measures.
Norway and the ‘winning’ of Australian Antarctica
Authors: Barrett Noel D. 
Published: September 2009

ABSTRACTEnquiries by Norwegian whalers precipitated the British annexation of the Falkland Island Dependencies and the Ross Dependency. Seeking territory free of British control, Lars Christensen's Norwegian whalers claimed Bouvet Island, which the British believed was theirs. Realisation of the economic value of whaling led Leopold Amery, of the British colonial office to develop Britain's Antarctic domination policy. In pursuit of this policy, the 1926 Imperial Conference formulated a process to claim a sector of Antarctica for Australia. A.G. Price'sThe Winning of Australian Antarcticadescribes the role of the Mawson led BANZARE in this process. To gain title to Bouvet Island, the Norwegian Government, dependant on friendly relations with Britain, agreed not to claim territory listed by the Imperial Conference as of ‘special interest’ to Britain. Claims made by whalers who had mapped and named territory in the unlisted area between Kemp and Queen Mary Lands were rejected by the Norwegian prime minister. Following the 1933 Order in Council establishing the Australian Antarctic Territory, Norway raised concerns that the territory included Haakon VII Vidde (polar plateau) and the parts of Dronning (Queen) Maud Land that had been mapped and discovered by Norwegians. Price's contention that Australian Antarctica was ‘won’ is questionable.
Johan Dahl Land, south Greenland: the end of a 20th century glacier expansion
Authors: Weidick Anker 
Published: September 2009

ABSTRACTThe Qajuuttap Sermia glacier system north of Johan Dahl Land, on the southern slope of the Greenland ice sheet (the inland ice), has shown continuous advancing behaviour from approximately 1940 until approximately 2000. This contrasts with neighbouring sectors of the inland ice to the west and southeast, where the ice sheet has shown a more ‘normal’ trend of recession and thinning of the margin since about 1850–1890, and that has continued throughout the last half of the 20th century. The Qajuuttap Sermia glacier system has also attracted interest for its hydropower potential, and detailed investigations were carried out in 1977–1983. This article summarises the fluctuations of the Qajuuttap Sermia glacier system, and documents the demonstrable advance of the individual glaciers of the system from the early 1940s until the early years of the present millennium. The cause of the advance seems likely to be related to variations in precipitation over the southernmost parts of the inland ice, with the highlands north of Johan Dahl Land directly influencing the passage of low pressure systems moving both northwards along the west coast and northeastwards along the east coast of Greenland.
Mercury in lichens and reindeer hair from Alaska: 2005–2007 pilot survey
Authors: Lokken James A. , Finstad Gregory L. , Dunlap Kriya L. , Duffy Lawrence K. 
Published: September 2009

ABSTRACTReindeer and caribou are terrestrial herbivores, that feed on lichens and are used for commercial and subsistence food products. Caribou are a key component of the arctic food web and the bioaccumulation of toxic contaminants, such as mercury (Hg), needs to be monitored to establish a baseline as the arctic environment is impacted by both climate change and future industrial development. A changing climate in Alaska is influencing plant species composition, fire regime, melting and flooding events, and thus, impacting Hg bioavailability in the food chain. Industrial development in Asia is also projected to increase the atmospheric global pool of Hg from increased coal combustion. Reindeer, a domesticated representative of caribou, can be used as a terrestrial biomonitor for metal exposure. In this study total mercury concentrations were measured in lichens and in hair of grazing reindeer on defined ranges across Alaska to establish a baseline for future hypothesis development and testing regarding Hg deposition. The Hg mean level for Seward Peninsula lichens on the Davis Range was 37.4 ng g−1, on the Gray Range 47.1 ng g−1, on the Kakaruk Range 42.2 ng g−1, and 41.7 ng g−1on the Noyakuk Range. Lichen Hg levels on St. Lawrence Island was 46.6 ng g−1. Methyl mercury levels in lichens were found to be below detection levels. Reindeer grazing on these ranges had mean Hg hair levels of 14.6 ng g−1(Davis herd), 83.4 ng g−1(Gray herd), and 40.3 ng g−1(Noyakuk herd). Two reindeer on St. Lawrence Island had an average of Hg of 43.0 ng g−1. Sample sizes ranged from n = 2 to n = 11. Hg mean levels in lichen on Seward Peninsula were higher than Hg means of two ranges in northern Mongolia. The Hg levels observed in this study indicate that Hg levels in Alaska are low at this time and pose no risk to the health of reindeer or human subsistence harvesters. A significant relationship between Hg in lichens on the ranges and the Hg in reindeer on those ranges has not been established. There are insufficient data on Hg levels in many areas of the north and more information is needed on location specific and time trends in Hg concentrations. Lichens and reindeer hair provide a good, non-invasive method of monitoring metal exposure changes in Alaskan ecosystems.
Coherent structures and isolated spectrum for Perron–Frobenius cocycles
Authors: FROYLAND GARY , LLOYD SIMON , QUAS ANTHONY 
Published: September 2009

AbstractWe present an analysis of one-dimensional models of dynamical systems that possess ‘coherent structures’: global structures that disperse more slowly than local trajectory separation. We study cocycles generated by expanding interval maps and the rates of decay for functions of bounded variation under the action of the associated Perron–Frobenius cocycles. We prove that when the generators are piecewise affine and share a common Markov partition, the Lyapunov spectrum of the Perron–Frobenius cocycle has at most finitely many isolated points. Moreover, we develop a strengthened version of the Multiplicative Ergodic Theorem for non-invertible matrices and construct an invariant splitting into Oseledets subspaces. We detail examples of cocycles of expanding maps with isolated Lyapunov spectrum and calculate the Oseledets subspaces, which lead to an identification of the underlying coherent structures. Our constructions generalize the notions of almost-invariant and almost-cyclic sets to non-autonomous dynamical systems and provide a new ensemble-based formalism for coherent structures in one-dimensional non-autonomous dynamics.
Analyzing biological network parameters with CentiScaPe
Authors: Scardoni Giovanni , Petterlini Michele , Laudanna Carlo 
Published: September 2009

Abstract
Summary: The increasing availability of large network datasets along with the progresses in experimental high-throughput technologies have prompted the need for tools allowing easy integration of experimental data with data derived form network computational analysis. In order to enrich experimental data with network topological parameters, we have developed the Cytoscape plug-in CentiScaPe. The plug-in computes several network centrality parameters and allows the user to analyze existing relationships between experimental data provided by the users and node centrality values computed by the plug-in. CentiScaPe allows identifying network nodes that are relevant from both experimental and topological viewpoints. CentiScaPe also provides a Boolean logic-based tool that allows easy characterization of nodes whose topological relevance depends on more than one centrality. Finally, different graphic outputs and the included description of biological significance for each computed centrality facilitate the analysis by the end users not expert in graph theory, thus allowing easy node categorization and experimental prioritization.
Availability: CentiScaPe can be downloaded via the Cytoscape web site: http://chianti.ucsd.edu/cyto_web/plugins/index.php. Tutorial, centrality descriptions and example data are available at: http://profs.sci.univr.it/∼scardoni/centiscape/centiscapepage.php
Contact: giovanni.scardoni@gmail.com
Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
CellClassifier: supervised learning of cellular phenotypes
Authors: Rämö Pauli , Sacher Raphael , Snijder Berend , Begemann Boris , Pelkmans Lucas 
Published: September 2009

Abstract
Summary:CellClassifier is a tool for classifying single-cell phenotypes in microscope images. It includes several unique and user-friendly features for classification using multiclass support vector machines
Availability: Source code, user manual and SaveObjectSegmentation CellProfiler module available for download at www.cellclassifier.ethz.ch under the GPL license (implemented in Matlab).
Contact: pelkmans@imsb.biol.ethz.ch
Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Potential Utilization of Mixolab for Quality Evaluation of Bread Wheat Genotypes
Authors: Koksel Hamit , Kahraman Kevser , Sanal Turgay , Ozay Dilek Sivri , Dubat Arnaud 
Published: September 2009

ABSTRACTThe aim of this study was to determine the possibility of using Mixolab to assess the quality of different wheat genotypes. Mixolab data were compared with various flour quality characteristics and bread volume. The samples were chosen to represent a wide range in terms of grain and rheological properties and baking quality. There are eight paramaters used to evaluate a Mixolab curve. C1 and C2 are related to protein quality, whereas C3, C4 and C5 are related to the starch characteristics. Slopes α, β, γ are the indicators of protein weakening, starching speed, and enzymatic degradation. There were significant correlations between two Mixolab parameters (Stability and C2) and Zeleny sedimentation and Alveograph W values (P < 0.01). Some of the Mixolab parameters (C3, C4, C5) were correlated with Alveograph G and P/L value (P < 0.01). Mixolab values are generally in agreement with Farinograph values. There were significant negative correlations between most of the Mixolab parameters (Stability, C2, C3, C4) and Farinograph softening degree. Stability and C2 parameters of Mixolab were also significantly correlated with Farinograph stability values (P < 0.01). The correlation between Mixolab stability and Farinograph stability was considerably high (r = 0.907, P < 0.001). The Mixolab parameters C3, C4, and C5 were significantly correlated with bread volume. Significant correlations were observed between slope α and Zeleny sedimentation (P < 0.05), Alveograph W (P < 0.01), Farinograph softening degree (P < 0.001), and stability (P < 0.001) values.
Cooking and Textural Properties of Some Traditional and Aromatic Rice Cultivars
Authors: Lucisano M. , Mariotti M. , Pagani M. A. , Bottega G. , Fongaro L. 
Published: September 2009

ABSTRACTThe cooking quality of rice is the most important characteristic that affects consumer acceptance and different methodologies have been proposed for its evaluation. In this work, the quality of 11 rice cultivars, six traditional and five aromatic, was investigated. Image analysis was used as a tool for measuring the morphological characteristics of the kernel. To predict cooking quality, samples were analyzed for protein, starch, amylose, and pasting behavior; the hardness and the stickiness of cooked rice were measured by extrusion and compression tests. Results were statistically processed. The textural parameters were significantly correlated to each other and to the amylose content and the rheological characteristics of the cooked samples were statistically correlated with the amylographic indices, confirming the importance of the latter parameters as descriptors of the cooking quality of rice. Interesting differences were evidenced between traditional and aromatic rice cultivars.
Function follows form: how fibronectin matrix architecture controls cell behaviour
Authors: Schwarzbauer Jean E. 
Published: September 2009

Introduction  Fibronectin (FN) matrix assembly is a tightly regulated stepwise process that is initiated by interactions between FN and cell‐surface integrin receptors. Assembly is affected by extracellular factors including availability of FN and the presence of other matrix molecules. In turn, FN matrix activates intracellular signalling pathways via integrin receptors, and these signals regulate cell adhesion, migration and survival. Two kinases immediately downstream of integrins are focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and pp60‐Src. Our results show that activation of these kinases regulates accumulation of FN matrix fibrils and that this process is affected by tenascin‐C, an ECM protein that modulates cell interactions with FN.Methods  FN assembly was monitored by indirect immunofluorescence and by immunoblotting of deoxycholate (DOC)‐insoluble matrix material with anti‐FN antibodies. Wild‐type mouse fibroblasts and cells lacking FAKs or Src family kinases (SYF cells) were used. Kinase and phosphatase inhibitors were used to regulate enzyme activities.Results  Mouse fibroblasts lacking FAK assemble significantly reduced amounts of FN fibrils and DOC‐insoluble matrix. FAK is phosphorylated by Src family kinases and fibroblasts lacking Src family kinases (SYF cells) or cells treated with PP1, an inhibitor of SYF kinases, also lack FN matrix. The effects of Src activity are most dramatic during the early stages of de novo assembly by fibroblasts implicating this kinase in the initiation process. While FN stimulates FAK, tenascin‐C, an ECM protein that is expressed at sites of cell movement, has the opposite effect on FAK activity. In fibroblasts on a 3D FN matrix, FAK is constitutively phosphorylated. In contrast, FAK is only transiently activated in the presence of tenascin‐C. Concomitant with the absence of FAK phosphorylation is an inability to assemble FN matrix fibrils.Conclusion  Our results show that FAKs and Src kinases, which lie downstream of integrins, are essential for efficient initiation of FN matrix assembly. The effects of tenascin‐C on FN matrix and FAK phosphorylation suggest that this protein limits the extent of matrix deposition by regulating FAK activity. Thus, extracellular and intracellular events co‐operate to control FN matrix assembly.