bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Neither Biased Sex Ratio nor Spatial Segregation of the Sexes in the Subtropical Dioecious Tree Eurycorymbus cavaleriei (Sapindaceae)
Authors: Gao Puxin , Kang Ming , Wang Jing , Ye Qigang , Huang Hongwen 
Published: June 2009

Abstract Knowledge of sex ratio and spatial distribution of males and females of dioecious species is both of evolutionary interest and of crucial importance for biological conservation. Eurycorymbus cavaleriei, the only species in the genus Eurycorymbus (Sapindaceae), is a dioecious tree endemic to subtropical montane forest in South China. Sex ratios were investigated in 15 natural populations for the two defined ages (young and old). Spatial distribution of males and females was further studied in six large populations occurring in different habitats (fragmented and continuous). The study revealed a slight trend of male‐biased sex ratio in both ages of E. cavaleriei, but sex ratio of most populations (13 out of 15) did not display statistically significant deviation from equality. All of the four significantly male‐biased populations in the young class shifted to equality or even female‐biased. The Ripley's K analysis of the distribution of males with respect to females suggested that individuals of the opposite sexes were more randomly distributed rather than spatially structured. These results suggest that the male‐biased sex ratio in E. cavaleriei may result from the precocity of males and habitat heterogeneity. The sex ratio and the sex spatial distribution pattern are unlikely to constitute a serious threat to the survival of the species.
A New Acylated Anthocyanin from the Red Flowers of Camellia hongkongensis and Characterization of Anthocyanins in the Section Camellia Species
Authors: Li Jian‐Bin , Hashimoto Fumio , Shimizu Keiichi , Sakata Yusuke 
Published: June 2009

Abstract Twelve anthocyanins (1–12) were isolated from the red flowers of Camellia hongkongensis Seem. by chromatography using open columns. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analyses, that is, proton‐nuclear magnetic resonance, carbon 13‐nuclear magnetic resonance, heteronuclear multiple quantum correlation, heteronuclear multiple bond correlation, high resolution electrospray ionization mass and ultraviolet visible spectroscopies. Out of these anthocyanins, a novel acylated anthocyanin, cyanidin 3‐O‐(6‐O‐(Z)‐p‐coumaroyl)‐β‐galactopyranoside (6), two known acylated anthocyanins, cyanidin 3‐O‐(6‐O‐(E)‐p‐coumaroyl)‐β‐galactopyranoside (7) and cyanidin 3‐O‐(6‐O‐(E)‐caffeoyl)‐β‐galactopyranoside (8), and three known delphinidin glycosides (10–12) were for the first time isolated from the genus Camellia. Furthermore, pigment components in C. japonica L., C. chekiangoleosa Hu and C. semiserrata Chi were studied. The results indicated that the distribution of anthocyanins was differed among these species. Delphinidin glycoside was only detected in the flowers of C. hongkongensis, which is a special and important species in the section Camellia. Based on the characterization of anthocyanins in the section Camellia species, there is a close relationship among these species, and C. hongkongensis might be an important parent for creating new cultivars with bluish flower color.
RESPONSE SURFACE METHODOLOGY FOR STUDYING THE QUALITY CHARACTERISTICS OF COWPEA (VIGNA UNGUICULATA)‐BASED TEMPEH
Authors: ANNOR GEORGE AMPONSAH , SAKYI‐DAWSON ESTHER , SAALIA FIRIBU K. , SEFA‐DEDEH SAMUEL , AFOAKWA EMMANUEL OHENE , TANO‐DEBRAH KWAKU , BUDU AGNES SIMPSON 
Published: June 2009

ABSTRACT Response surface methodology was used to optimize the processing conditions in the preparation of cowpea tempeh. The independent factors studied were boiling time (varying from 5 to 30 min), incubation time (varying from 12 to 48 h) and incubation temperatures (varying from 25 to 50C), whereas the dependent factors were protein content, protein solubility, pH, titratable acidity and total color difference (using L, a* and b*). Regression models were generated and adequacy was tested with regression coefficients (R2) and the lack‐of‐fit tests. Optimum processing conditions were determined by method of superimposition. There was a strong and significant influence (P < 0.01) of the quadratic effect of the incubation time on the protein content of the cowpea tempeh, with similar significance (P < 0.01) noted in protein solubility with increasing boiling time. The optimum processing conditions observed for the preparation of cowpea tempeh were boiling time of about 20 min, incubation time of about 28 h and incubation temperature of about 37C.PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSResponse surface methodology (RSM), as a statistical tool, has been effectively used in food process applications. This study embraced the use of RSM in the optimization of the processing conditions involved in the preparation of cowpea tempeh. Superimposition of the contour plots developed from the regression models indicated that cowpea with optimum quality characteristics should be processed at a boiling time of 20 min, incubation time of 28 h and incubation temperature of 37C. These conditions could be adopted for the industrial production of cowpea tempeh.
OHMIC BLANCHING EFFECTS ON DRYING OF VEGETABLE BYPRODUCT
Authors: ICIER FILIZ 
Published: June 2009

ABSTRACT Ohmic blanching could be used as an alternative fast blanching method in vegetable processing. Artichoke is a vegetable that is a good source of natural antioxidants. In this study, artichoke byproduct was pretreated with ohmic blanching (25 and 40 V/cm at 85C) and water blanching (at 85 and 100C). The ohmic blanching (40 V/cm) at 85C was able to show similar peroxidase inactivation times (310 ± 2 s) with the water blanching at 100C (300 ± 2 s). The retention of vitamin C and the total phenolic content was found to be highest in the byproduct blanched ohmically by 40 V/cm voltage gradient at 85C. Blanched artichoke byproducts were then dried in the fluid‐bed drier. The drying process was optimized by using response surface methodology. Optimum drying parameters were obtained as 80C, 0.8 m/s and the pretreatment of ohmic blanching at 40 V/cm voltage gradient.PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSResidues can form up to 60–65% of the harvested vegetable material in the industries. These residues are very perishable products that are difficult to manage because of environmental problems. Vegetable byproducts have valuable components and should be used in the preparation of functional foods. One of these is artichoke byproducts having high amounts of phenolic substances. The use of artichoke byproduct extracts have been reported in the application of functionalization of soups and bakery products.Main processes in the treatment of artichoke and its byproduct are blanching and drying. There is no study ever done that explains theoptimization of drying of artichoke products in open literature, according to the author's knowledge. Ohmic heating is a fast and homogeneous electrical heating method inactivating enzymes faster than conventional methods in addition to preserving valuable compounds. It could also enhance the drying performance of vegetable products. The results of this study give information about the drying conditions of artichoke byproducts and the use of ohmic blanching in industrial vegetable processing.
EFFECT OF AIRFLOW REVERSAL ON PACKED‐BED DRYING OF CARROTS
Authors: HERMAN‐LARA E. , MARTÍNEZ‐SÁNCHEZ C.E. , AMADOR‐MENDOZA A. , RUIZ‐LÓPEZ I.I. 
Published: June 2009

ABSTRACT The effect of the periodical application of airflow reversals on drying rate has been investigated during the packed‐bed drying of carrots. Drying experiments were obtained from a complete 34 factorial design with air temperature (50, 70 and 90C), air velocity (2, 4 and 6 m/s), combined product thickness/bed height (0.001/0.05, 0.01/0.1 and 0.02/0.15 m/m) and frequency of application of the flow reversal (every 900 and 1800 s, and without reversals) as independent variables. Experimental data were fitted to the first‐order exponential model (FOEM) and the Page's model in order to estimate the drying rate constant. A normal quantile–quantile plot for the residuals demonstrated the inadequacy of the FOEM to describe satisfactorily the moisture evolution data. As expected, increasing air temperature and air velocity causes an increase on the drying rate, while a higher product and bed thickness causes the drying rate to decrease (P > 0.95). The effect of application of the airflow reversals was significant on the drying rate with resulting shorter drying times (P > 0.95). Furthermore, the drying rate was found to increase significantly with increase in the frequency of application of the airflow reversal (P > 0.995).PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSConsiderable moisture and temperature gradients may develop during batch drying of deep beds due to air saturation, causing the quality loss of the product due to drying stresses and degradation of heat‐sensitive materials. The periodical reversion of airflow direction is a practical and economical way to avoid these phenomena. In this work, the influence of airflow reversal and several drying parameters on the overall drying rate is statistically determined during packed‐bed drying of carrots. Furthermore, the periodical reversion of airflow was demonstrated to reduce (up to 18%) the required time to achieve a given degree of drying, which may lead to decreases in energy consumption.
FLOW PROPERTIES AND TUBE FRICTION FACTOR OF MILK CREAM: INFLUENCE OF TEMPERATURE AND FAT CONTENT
Authors: FLAUZINO RODRIGO DIAZ , GUT JORGE ANDREY WILHELMS , TADINI CARMEN CECILIA , TELIS‐ROMERO JAVIER 
Published: June 2009

ABSTRACT The rheological behavior of milk cream was studied for different fat contents (0.10 to 0.31) and for a wide temperature range (2 and 87C) using a rotational rheometer. Newtonian behavior was observed, except for fat content between 0.20 and 0.31 and temperature between 2 and 33C, where viscoplastic behavior was remarkable. The rheological parameters (Newtonian viscosity, plastic viscosity and yield stress) and density were well correlated to temperature and fat content. Tube friction factor during flow of cream was experimentally obtained at various flow rates, temperatures and tube diameters (86 ≤ Re ≤ 2.3 × 104, 38 ≤ ReB ≤ 8.8 × 103, 1.1 × 103 ≤ He ≤ 6.7 × 103). The proposed correlations for density and rheological parameters were applied for the prediction of friction factor for laminar and turbulent flow of cream using well‐known equations for Newtonian and viscoplastic flow. The good agreement between experimental and predicted values confirms the reliability of the proposed correlations for describing the flow behavior of cream.PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSThis paper presents correlations for the calculation of density and rheological parameters (Newtonian viscosity, Bingham plastic viscosity and yield stress) of milk cream as functions of temperature (2–87C) and fat content (0.10–0.31). Because of the large temperature range, the proposed correlations are useful for process design and optimization in dairy processing. An example of practical application is presented in the text, where the correlations were applied for the prediction of friction factor for laminar and turbulent tube flow of cream using well‐known equations for Newtonian and viscoplastic flow, which are summarized in the text. The comparison with experimental data obtained at various flow rates, temperatures and tube diameters showed a good agreement, which confirms the reliability of the proposed correlations.
Lipopeptide vaccines illustrate the potential role of subtype‐crossreactive T cells in the control of highly virulent influenza
Authors: Ng Wy Ching , Gilbertson Brad , Lim Bock , Zeng Weiguang , Jackson David C. , Brown Lorena E. 
Published: June 2009

Background  The best form of protection against influenza is high‐titred virus‐neutralizing antibody specific for the challenge strain. However, this is not always possible to achieve by vaccination due to the need for predicting the emerging virus, whether it be a drift variant of existing human endemic influenza type A subtypes or the next pandemic virus, for incorporation into the vaccine. By activating additional arms of the immune system to provide heterosubtypic immunity, that is immunity active against all viruses of type A influenza regardless of subtype or strain, it should be possible to provide significant benefit in situations where appropriate antibody responses are not achieved. Although current inactivated vaccines are unable to induce heterosubtypic CD8+ T cell immunity, we have shown that lipopeptides are particularly efficient in this regard.Objectives  To examine the role of vaccine‐induced CD8+ T cells in altering the course of disease due to highly virulent H1N1 influenza virus in the mouse model.Methods  The induction of influenza‐specific CD8+ T cells following intranasal inoculation with lipopeptide vaccine was assessed by intracellular cytokine staining (ICS) and the capacity of these cells to reduce viral loads in the lungs and to protect against death after viral challenge was determined.Results and conclusions  We show that CD8+ T cells are induced by a single intranasal vaccination with lipopeptide, they remain at substantial levels in the lungs and are efficiently boosted upon challenge with virulent virus to provide late control of pulmonary viral loads. Vaccinated mice are not only protected from death but remain active, indicative of less severe disease despite significant weight loss.
Protein Kinase G Is Required for Intrinsic Antibiotic Resistance in Mycobacteria
Authors: Wolff Kerstin A. , Nguyen Hoa T. , Cartabuke Richard H. , Singh Ajay , Ogwang Sam , Nguyen Liem 
Published: June 2009

ABSTRACT
Antibiotic resistance and virulence of pathogenic mycobacteria are phenotypically associated, but the underlying genetic linkage has not been known. Here we show that PknG, a eukaryotic-type protein kinase previously found to support survival of mycobacteria in host cells, is required for the intrinsic resistance of mycobacterial species to multiple antibiotics.
Target Analysis of the Experimental Measles Therapeutic AS-136A
Authors: Yoon Jeong-Joong , Krumm Stefanie A. , Ndungu J. Maina , Hoffman Vanessa , Bankamp Bettina , Rota Paul A. , Sun Aiming , Snyder James P. , Plemper Richard K. 
Published: June 2009

ABSTRACT
No effective therapeutic is currently in place for improved case management of severe measles or the rapid control of outbreaks. Through high-throughput screening, we recently identified a novel small-molecule class that potently blocks activity of the measles virus (MeV) RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) complex in transient replicon assays. However, the nature of the block in RdRp activity and the physical target of the compound remained elusive. Through real-time reverse transcription-PCR analysis, we demonstrate that the lead compound AS-136A blocks viral RNA synthesis in the context of an infection. Adaptation of different MeV strains to growth in the presence of the compound identified three candidate hot spots for resistance that are located in conserved domains of the viral polymerase (L protein) subunit of the RdRp complex. Rebuilding of individual mutations in RdRp-driven reporter assays and recombinant MeV traced the molecular basis for resistance to specific mutations in L. Mutations responsible for resistance cluster in the immediate vicinity of the proposed catalytic center for phosphodiester bond formation and neighboring conserved domains of L, providing support for effective inhibition of a paramyxovirus RdRp complex through interaction of a nonnucleoside small-molecule inhibitor with the L protein. Resistance mutations are located in regions of L that are fully conserved among viral isolates, and recombinant MeV harboring individual resistance mutations show some delay in the onset of viral growth in vitro. Taken together, these data support the hypothesis that acquiring mutations in these L domains may reduce virus fitness.
Multiresistance in
Pasteurella multocida
Is Mediated by Coexistence of Small Plasmids
Authors: San Millan Alvaro , Escudero Jose Antonio , Gutierrez Belen , Hidalgo Laura , Garcia Nerea , Llagostera Montserrat , Dominguez Lucas , Gonzalez-Zorn Bruno 
Published: June 2009

ABSTRACT

In most gram-negative bacteria, acquired multiresistance is conferred by large plasmids compiling numerous antimicrobial resistance genes. Here, we show an evolutionary alternative strategy used by
Pasteurella multocida
to become resistant to multiple clinically relevant antibiotics. Thirteen β-lactam-resistant clinical isolates, concomitantly resistant to tetracyclines and/or streptomycin as well as to sulfonamides, were studied. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis analysis revealed different profiles among the isolates, showing that clonal dissemination was not the sole event responsible for the spread of multiresistance. Each
P. multocida
strain carried two or three small plasmids between 4 and 6 kb in size. A direct association between resistance profile and plasmid content was found. Complete nucleotide sequencing of all plasmids revealed seven different replicons, six of them belonging to the ColE1 superfamily. All plasmids carried one, or a maximum of two, antimicrobial resistance determinants. Plasmids pB1000 and pB1002 bore
bla
ROB-1
, pB1001 carried
tet
(B), pB1003 and pB1005 carried
sul2
and
strA
, pB1006 harbored
tet
(O), and p9956 bore the
tet
(H) gene. All plasmids except pB1002 and pB1006 were successfully transformed into
Escherichia coli
. pB1000, also involved in β-lactam resistance in
Haemophilus parasuis
(A. San Millan et al., Antimicrob. Agents Chemother. 51:2260-2264, 2007), was mobilized in
E. coli
using the conjugation machinery of an IncP plasmid. Stability experiments proved that pB1000 was stable in
P. multocida
but highly unstable in
E. coli
. In conclusion,
bla
ROB-1
is responsible for β-lactam resistance in
P. multocida
in Spain. Coexistence and the spread of small plasmids are used by
P. multocida
to become multiresistant.
Proteomic Investigation of the Time Course Responses of RAW 264.7 Macrophages to Infection with
Salmonella enterica
Authors: Shi Liang , Chowdhury Saiful M. , Smallwood Heather S. , Yoon Hyunjin , Mottaz-Brewer Heather M. , Norbeck Angela D. , McDermott Jason E. , Clauss Therese R. W. , Heffron Fred , Smith Richard D. , Adkins Joshua N. 
Published: June 2009

ABSTRACT

To investigate the extent to which macrophages respond to
Salmonella
infection, we infected RAW 264.7 macrophages with
Salmonella enterica
serotype Typhimurium and analyzed macrophage proteins at various time points following infection by using a global proteomic approach. A total of 1,006 macrophage and 115
Salmonella
proteins were identified with high confidence. Most of the
Salmonella
proteins were observed in the late stage of the infection time course, which is consistent with the fact that the bacterial cells proliferate inside RAW 264.7 macrophages. The peptide abundances of most of the identified macrophage proteins remained relatively constant over the time course of infection. Compared to those of the control, the peptide abundances of 244 macrophage proteins (i.e., 24% of the total identified macrophage proteins) changed significantly after infection. The functions of these
Salmonella
-affected macrophage proteins were diverse, including production of antibacterial nitric oxide (i.e., inducible nitric oxide synthase), production of prostaglandin H
2
(i.e., cyclooxygenase 2), and regulation of intracellular traffic (e.g., sorting nexin 5 [SNX5], SNX6, and SNX9). Diverse functions of the
Salmonella
-affected macrophage proteins demonstrate a global macrophage response to
Salmonella
infection. Western blot analysis not only confirmed the proteomic results for a selected set of proteins but also revealed that (i) the protein abundance of mitochondrial superoxide dismutase increased following macrophage infection, indicating an infection-induced oxidative stress in mitochondria, and (ii) in contrast to infection of macrophages by wild-type
Salmonella
, infection by the
sopB
deletion mutant had no negative impact on the abundance of SNX6, suggesting a role for SopB in regulating the abundance of SNX6.
Suppression of a Novel Hematopoietic Mediator in Children with Severe Malarial Anemia
Authors: Keller Christopher C. , Ouma Collins , Ouma Yamo , Awandare Gordon A. , Davenport Gregory C. , Were Tom , Hittner James B. , Vulule John M. , Ong'echa John M. , Perkins Douglas J. 
Published: June 2009

ABSTRACTIn areas of holoendemicPlasmodium falciparumtransmission, severe malarial anemia (SMA) is a leading cause of pediatric morbidity and mortality. Although many soluble mediators regulate erythropoiesis, it is unclear how these factors contribute to development of SMA. Investigation of novel genes dysregulated in response to malarial pigment (hemozoin [PfHz]) revealed that stem cell growth factor (SCGF; also called C-type lectin domain family member 11A [CLEC11A]), a hematopoietic growth factor important for development of erythroid and myeloid progenitors, was one of the most differentially expressed genes. Additional experiments with cultured peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) demonstrated that PfHz decreased SCGF/CLEC11A transcriptional expression in a time-dependent manner. Circulating SCGF levels were then determined for Kenyan children (n= 90; aged 3 to 36 months) presenting at a rural hospital with various severities of malarial anemia. SCGF levels in circulation (P= 0.001) and in cultured PBMCs (P= 0.004) were suppressed in children with SMA. Circulating SCGF also correlated positively with hemoglobin levels (r= 0.241;P= 0.022) and the reticulocyte production index (RPI) (r= 0.280;P= 0.029). In addition, SCGF was decreased in children with reduced erythropoiesis (RPI of <2) (P< 0.001) and in children with elevated levels of naturally acquired monocytic PfHz (P= 0.019). Thus, phagocytosis of PfHz promotes a decrease in SCGF gene products, which may contribute to reduced erythropoiesis in children with SMA.
Vaginal Microbiota of Women with Frequent Vulvovaginal Candidiasis
Authors: Zhou Xia , Westman Rachel , Hickey Roxana , Hansmann Melanie A. , Kennedy Colleen , Osborn Thomas W. , Forney Larry J. 
Published: June 2009

ABSTRACT

Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is an insidious infection that afflicts a large proportion of women of all ages, and 5 to 8% of affected women experience recurrent VVC (RVVC). The aim of this study was to explore the possible importance of vaginal bacterial communities in reducing the risk of RVVC. The species composition and diversity of microbial communities were evaluated for 42 women with and without frequent VVC based on profiles of terminal restriction fragment polymorphisms of 16S rRNA genes and phylogenetic analysis of cloned 16S rRNA gene sequences from the numerically dominant microbial populations. The data showed that there were no significant differences between the vaginal microbial communities of women in the two groups (likelihood score, 5.948; bootstrap
P
value, 0.26). Moreover, no novel bacteria were found in the communities of women with frequent VVC. The vaginal communities of most women in both groups (38/42; 90%) were dominated by species of
Lactobacillus
. The results of this study failed to provide evidence for the existence of altered or unusual vaginal bacterial communities in women who have frequent VVC compared to women who do not have frequent VVC. The findings suggest that commensal vaginal bacterial species may not be able to prevent VVC.