bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Physiological and biochemical changes of different fresh‐cut mango cultivars stored at 5 °C
Authors: Gonzalez‐Aguilar Gustavo A. , Celis Jorge , Sotelo‐Mundo Rogelio R. , De La Rosa Laura A. , Rodrigo‐Garcia Joaquin , Alvarez‐Parrilla Emilio 
Published: September 2009

SummaryTreatments to inhibit browning, decay and to extend shelf life of ‘Keitt’, ‘Kent’ and ‘Ataulfo’ mango cultivars as a fresh‐cut produce were investigated. Combinations of calcium chloride (CaCl2), antioxidants [ascorbic acid (AA), citric acid (CA)] and two commercial film coatings resulted in a reduction of browning and deterioration of fresh‐cut mangoes stored at 5 °C, especially for the Ataulfo cultivar. The use of CaCl2 + AA + CA significantly reduced colour deterioration, loss of firmness and did not affect sensory characteristics of fresh‐cut mango, with a larger effect in the Ataulfo cultivar. In general, these treatments prevented loss of sugar and vitamin C of cubes during storage at 5 °C. Shelf life of this cultivar was 21 days, while that of Keitt and Kent was only 9 and 12 days, respectively. There is a correlation between carotene and vitamin C content of Ataulfo mango and its longer shelf life compared with the other cultivars.
Determination of the veterinary drug maduramicin in food by fluorescence polarisation immunoassay
Authors: Wang Zhanhui , Zhang Suxia , Murtazina Nailya R. , Eremin Sergei A. , Shen Jianzhong 
Published: September 2009

SummaryA fluorescence polarisation immunoassay (FPIA) using a specific polyclonal antiserum for the detection of maduramicin (MD) was developed and optimised. The polyclonal antiserum was produced against MD linked to bovine serum albumin. Fluorescein‐labelled MD (tracer) was synthesised by N‐hydroxysuccinimide active ester method and purified using thin layer chromatography. The developed FPIA for MD had a dynamic range from 0.01 to 5.6 μg mL−1 with an IC50 value of 0.16 μg mL−1 and a limit of detection of 0.002 μg mL−1. Recoveries from chicken muscle, fat and egg samples spiked at 0.25, 5 and 10 μg g−1 levels were 82–130%. The FPIA results from analysis of incurred residues in chicken muscle samples showed that the simple procedure is viable.
Effect of tumbling and multi‐needle injection of curing agents on quality characteristics of pastirma
Authors: Guner Ahmet , Gonulalan Zafer , Dogruer Yusuf 
Published: September 2009

SummaryThe influence of tumbling and injection of curing solution instead of dry curing on some chemical, microbiological and sensory properties of pastirma was investigated. Effect of the curing techniques on the pH value, moisture and salt contents was significant. On the other hand, tumbling increased the moisture content of dry‐cured pastirma and decreased the brine‐injected pastirma significantly. Brine injection and tumbling caused significant increase in Staphylococcus aureus, halophilic and lactic acid bacteria. The dry‐cured pastirma had higher colour and appearance score than the brine‐injected pastirma. Insignificant increases in the colour and appearance score of tumbled brine‐injected pastirma and flavour, texture and appearance score of tumbled dry‐cured pastirma were seen.
Antioxidative activities of grape (Vitis vinifera) seed extracts obtained from different varieties grown in Turkey
Authors: Yemis Oktay , Bakkalbasi Emre , Artik Nevzat 
Published: September 2009

SummaryIn this study, total phenolic contents and antioxidant activities of grape seed extracts obtained from twelve different grape seeds from common varieties grown in Turkey were determined. Grape seeds were extracted with 70% acetone and extraction yield of grape seed were calculated. The total phenolic content of grape seed extracts were determined by the Folin‐Ciocalteu procedure and ranged from 33 945 to 58 730 mg per 100 g extract as gallic acid equivalent. Antioxidant activities of grape seed extracts with two different free radical scavenging methods, ABTS [2,2/‐azinobis (3‐ethylbenzothiazoneline‐6‐sulfonic acid)] and DPPH (2,2‐diphenyl‐picrylhydrazyl) assays, using Trolox equivalent as standards, were investigated. Grape seed extracts exhibited antioxidant activities 2.46–4.14 and 3.55–5.76 [Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacities (TEAC) mg−1 extracts] in ABTS and DPPH assays, respectively. Compared with varieties, Muskule extracts exhibited the lowest total phenolic content, TEACABTS and TEACDPPH value while Narince extracts had the highest total phenolic content and TEACDPPH value, and Alphonse Lavalleé had the highest TEACABTS value. Total phenolic content showed that there is a significant correlation with TEACDPPH (r = 0.7974, P ≤ 0.001) and TEACABTS values (r = 0.4860, P ≤ 0.05).
The suitability of muscle of Cirrhinus mrigala in the formation of gel: a comparative electrophoretic study of six tropical carp meats
Authors: Chakrabarti Rupsankar , Madhusudana Rao Badiveddy 
Published: September 2009

SummaryThe annual inland fish production in India is 3.2 million tonnes and above. Aquaculture is around 80% of total inland fish production. The enhanced aquaculture production demands alternate processing methods for better utilisation of the farmed fish. Cirrhinus mrigala is one of the dominated species among cultured Indian major carps, but rated with lowest price. Fish meat with good gel‐forming capacity is a prerequisite in the production of fast‐moving fabricated analogue product. Cirrhinus mrigala had the highest gel strength, i.e. 435 gcm of its fresh meat in comparison with other carps. Apart from the highest protein and salt‐soluble protein nitrogen content in fresh C. mrigala meat, this article also reports that the presence of the darkest thick band of myosin heavy chain and actin in the polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis pattern of salt‐soluble extract of C. mrigala might be another possible reason for the highest gel strength in comparison with other carps. Cirrhinus mrigala contained white meat around 90%. This carp could be suitably used in the preparation of high‐valued fabricated analogue product.
The unique role of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin 9 in cholesterol homeostasis
Authors: Mousavi S. A. , Berge K. E. , Leren T. P. 
Published: September 2009

Abstract.The LDL receptor (LDLR) plays an essential role in the regulation of plasma (LDL) cholesterol concentrations by virtue of its ability to clear plasma LDL. Down‐regulation of the LDLR by proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin 9 (PCSK9) has recently emerged as a regulatory mechanism that controls plasma LDL cholesterol concentrations. Studies in which PCSK9 is over‐expressed in mice, have demonstrated that PCSK9, by enhancing hepatic LDLR degradation, decreases the availability of the LDLR for LDL uptake, resulting in increased plasma LDL cholesterol levels. However, PCSK9 has also recently been shown to mediate down‐regulation of surface receptors other than the LDLR, suggesting that it may have much broader roles than initially thought.
Phylogenetic endemism: a new approach for identifying geographical concentrations of evolutionary history
Authors: ROSAUER DAN , LAFFAN SHAWN W. , CRISP MICHAEL D. , DONNELLAN STEPHEN C. , COOK LYN G. 
Published: September 2009

AbstractWe present a new, broadly applicable measure of the spatial restriction of phylogenetic diversity, termedphylogenetic endemism(PE). PE combines the widely used phylogenetic diversity and weighted endemism measures to identify areas where substantial components of phylogenetic diversity are restricted. Such areas are likely to be of considerable importance for conservation. PE has a number of desirable properties not combined in previous approaches. It assesses endemism consistently, independent of taxonomic status or level, and independent of previously defined political or biological regions. The results can be directly compared between areas because they are based on equivalent spatial units. PE builds on previous phylogenetic analyses of endemism, but provides a more general solution for mapping endemism of lineages. We illustrate the broad applicability of PE using examples of Australian organisms having contrasting life histories: pea‐flowered shrubs of the genusDaviesia(Fabaceae) and the Australian species of the Australo‐Papuan tree frog radiation within the family Hylidae.
The resuscitation‐promoting factors of Mycobacterium tuberculosis are required for virulence and resuscitation from dormancy but are collectively dispensable for growth in vitro
Authors: Kana Bavesh D. , Gordhan Bhavna G. , Downing Katrina J. , Sung Nackmoon , Vostroktunova Galina , Machowski Edith E. , Tsenova Liana , Young Michael , Kaprelyants Arseny , Kaplan Gilla , Mizrahi Valerie 
Published: September 2009

Summary Mycobacterium tuberculosis contains five resuscitation‐promoting factor (Rpf)‐like proteins, RpfA‐E, that are implicated in resuscitation of this organism from dormancy via a mechanism involving hydrolysis of the peptidoglycan by Rpfs and partnering proteins. In this study, the rpfA‐E genes were shown to be collectively dispensable for growth of M. tuberculosis in broth culture. The defect in resuscitation of multiple mutants from a ‘non‐culturable’ state induced by starvation under anoxia was reversed by genetic complementation or addition of culture filtrate from wild‐type organisms confirming that the phenotype was associated with rpf‐like gene loss and that the ‘non‐culturable’ cells of the mutant strains were viable. Other phenotypes uncovered by sequential deletion mutagenesis revealed a functional differentiation within this protein family. The quintuple mutant and its parent that retained only rpfD displayed delayed colony formation and hypersensitivity to detergent, effects not observed for mutants retaining only rpfE or rpfB. Furthermore, mutants retaining rpfD or rpfE were highly attenuated for growth in mice with the latter persisting better than the former in late‐stage infection. In conjunction, these results are indicative of a hierarchy in terms of function and/or potency with the Rpf family, with RpfB and RpfE ranking above RpfD.
Rice cellulose synthase‐like D4 is essential for normal cell‐wall biosynthesis and plant growth
Authors: Li Ming , Xiong Guangyan , Li Rui , Cui Jiajun , Tang Ding , Zhang Baocai , Pauly Markus , Cheng Zhukuan , Zhou Yihua 
Published: September 2009

SummaryCellulose synthase‐like (CSL) proteins of glycosyltransferase family 2 (GT2) are believed to be involved in the biosynthesis of cell‐wall polymers. The CSL D sub‐family (CSLD) is common to all plants, but the functions of CSLDs remain to be elucidated. We report here an in‐depth characterization of a narrow leaf and dwarf1 (nd1) rice mutant that shows significant reduction in plant growth due to retarded cell division. Map‐based cloning revealed that ND1 encodes OsCSLD4, one of five members of the CSLD sub‐family in rice. OsCSLD4 is mainly expressed in tissues undergoing rapid growth. Expression of OsCSLD4 fluorescently tagged at the C‐ or N‐terminus in rice protoplast cells or Nicotiana benthamiana leaves showed that the protein is located in the endoplasmic reticulum or Golgi vesicles. Golgi localization was verified using phenotype‐rescued transgenic plants expressing OsCSLD4–GUS under the control of its own promoter. Two phenotype‐altered tissues, culms and root tips, were used to investigate the specific wall defects. Immunological studies and monosaccharide compositional and glycosyl linkage analyses explored several wall compositional effects caused by disruption of OsCSLD4, including alterations in the structure of arabinoxylan and the content of cellulose and homogalacturonan, which are distinct in the monocot grass species Oryza sativa (rice). The inconsistent alterations in the two tissues and the observable structural defects in primary walls indicate that OsCSLD4 plays important roles in cell‐wall formation and plant growth.
Cutaneous manifestations of chikungunya fever: observations made during a recent outbreak in south India
Authors: Inamadar Arun C. , Palit Aparna , Sampagavi V. V. , Raghunath S. , Deshmukh N. S. 
Published: September 2009

AbstractBackground  Chikungunya fever is an Aedes mosquito‐borne Arbo viral illness with significant morbidity.Methods  In a recent outbreak of the disease in south India, the dermatologic manifestations of 145 patients attending a tertiary care hospital were recorded.Results  All age groups were affected, including newborns. Some of the cutaneous features were observed during the acute stage of the illness, and others during convalescence or thereafter. Pigmentary changes were found to be the most common cutaneous finding (42%), followed by maculopapular eruption (33%) and intertriginous aphthous‐like ulcers (21.37%). Lesions with significant morbidity were generalized vesiculobullous eruptions (2.75%), found only in infants, lymphedema, and intertriginous aphthous‐like ulcers. Exacerbation of existing dermatoses, such as psoriasis, and unmasking of undiagnosed Hansen's disease were observed. A perivascular lymphocytic infiltrate was a consistent histopathologic finding in all types of skin lesions. All patients responded well to symptomatic, conservative treatment.Conclusions  The cutaneous findings hitherto not reported may be the result of the African genotype of the virus detected during this outbreak in India.
United airways: the impact of chronic rhinosinusitis and nasal polyps in bronchiectasic patient’s quality of life
Authors: Guilemany J. M. , Angrill J. , Alobid I. , Centellas S. , Prades E. , Roca J. , Pujols L. , Bernal‐Sprekelsen M. , Picado C. , Mullol J. 
Published: September 2009

Background:  The nose and the bronchi belong, in anatomical and physiopathological terms, to the concept of united airways. Associations between upper and lower airways diseases have been demonstrated in allergic rhinitis and asthma, nasal polyposis (NP) and asthma, chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and more recently CRS/NP and bronchiectasis (BQ).Objective:  To evaluate the impact of CRS on quality of life (QoL) of patients with BQ, and to correlate these findings with the pulmonary status, nasal symptoms, and general health status.Methods:  In a prospective study, patients with BQ (n = 80) were evaluated for CRS and NP using EP3OS criteria, and severity of BQ using chest high resolution computed tomography (HRCT)‐scan. Quality of life was assessed in all patients by using specific [Sinonasal Outcome Test‐20 (SNOT‐20), St George Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ)], and generic (Short Form‐36; SF‐36) questionnaires.Results:  Using SNOT‐20, patients with CRS had worse QoL (2.1 ± 0.1; P < 0.001) than patients without CRS (0.4 ± 0.06). Using SGRQ total score, patients with CRS had worse QoL (43.7 ± 2.2; P < 0.001) than patients without CRS (24.7 ± 2.5). Using SF‐36, patients with CRS had worse QoL, both in the physical summary (64 ± 3.4; P < 0.05) and the mental summary (65.5 ± 4.7; P < 0.05), than patients without CRS (physical summary [PS]: 76.2 ± 3.3; mental summary [MS]: 78.3 ± 5.3, respectively). Sinonasal Outcome Test‐20 was correlated with SGRQ total score (r = 0.72; P < 0.01), and SF‐36 physical summary (r = −0.63; P < 0.01). St George Respiratory Questionnaire was correlated with SF‐36 on physical summary (r = −0.58; P < 0.05) and with forced expiratory volume in 1 s (r = −0.41; P < 0.05).Conclusion:  These results suggested that CRS, measured by both specific and generic questionnaires, has a considerable impact on the QoL of patients with BQ.
Distribution of killer‐cell immunoglobulin‐like receptor genes in Eastern mainland Chinese Han and Taiwanese Han populations
Authors: Wu G.‐Q. , Zhao Y.‐M. , Lai X.‐Y. , Yang K.‐L. , Zhu F.‐M. , Zhang W. , Wang W. , Luo Y. , Tan Y.‐M. , Wang Y.‐J , Cao W.‐J. , Huang H. 
Published: September 2009

AbstractThe interaction between killer‐cell immunoglobulin‐like receptors (KIRs) and human leukocyte antigen (HLA) molecules expressed on target cells is known to modulate the cytolytic activity of natural killer (NK) cells. To date, a wide range of KIR genotypes has been observed, which varies among different ethnic populations. We report here comparison of the KIR gene content and genotypic structure of KIRs in 106 individuals from Eastern mainland Chinese Han and 97 from Taiwanese Han. All 17 KIR genes were observed in the two populations. Framework genes 2DL4, 3DL2, 3DL3 and 3DP1 were present in all individuals. The two populations had very similar frequencies in most loci, however, significant differences were noted in the frequencies of KIR3DS1 and KIR2DS4D (KIR2DS4 deletant variant). A total of 35 and 29 genotypes were identified in the individuals from the Eastern mainland Chinese and the Taiwanese Hans, respectively. Some pairs of KIRs showed significant positive and negative linkage disequilibrium (LD). Our data showed that there were minor distinctions in KIR gene frequencies, genotypes and LD between the two populations, which shed light on a possible geographic genetic demarcation among different Chinese communities.
Propofol has anti‐inflammatory effects on alveolar type II epithelial cells
Authors: MA L. , WU X. , CHEN W. , FUJINO Y. 
Published: September 2009

Background: We investigated whether lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced inflammation in alveolar epithelial type II (ATII) cells is through cluster of differentiation 14 (CD14) and Toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR4) and the effect of different dosages of propofol on the inflammation in primary cultured rat ATII cells.Methods: Cultured ATII cells were randomly assigned to one of the following five groups: Group C: untreated group (control) cultured in the absence of propofol and LPS; Group LPS: treated with 1 μg/ml LPS; Group P1: treated with 1 μg/ml LPS and 25 μM propofol; Group P2: treated with 1 μg/ml LPS and 50 μM propofol; Group P3: treated with 1 μg/ml LPS and 100 μM propofol. ATII cells in all groups were cultured at 37 °C for 3 h. CD14 and TLR4 mRNA was detected using real‐time polymerase chain reaction. Western blot was used to detect CD14 and TLR4 protein expression. CD14 and TLR4 expression on the ATII cells was imaged using immunofluorescence. Tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) production was determined using an ELISA kit.Results: LPS stimulation resulted in an increased CD14 and TLR4 expression and increased TNF‐α production in ATII cells. Propofol, at concentrations ≥50 μM, significantly (P<0.05) and dose‐dependently decreased CD14 and TLR4 mRNA expression and protein expression in ATII cells. This was accompanied by a decrease in TNF‐α production (P<0.05).Conclusion: These results suggest that propofol, at clinically relevant concentrations, can reduce inflammatory responses in LPS‐induced ATII cells injury through downregulation of CD14 and TLR4 expression.
The Lingual Dorsal Surface of the Blue‐Tongue Skink (Tiliqua scincoides)
Authors: Abbate F. , Latella G. , Montalbano G. , Guerrera M. C. , Germanà G. P. , Levanti M. B. 
Published: September 2009

SummaryThe blue‐tongue lizard (Tiliqua scincoides) is a variety of large skink common throughout Australia. There are seven species of Tiliqua and all of them have long bodies, short limbs and short and robust tails. T. scincoides occurs in a wide range of habitats; its diet is omnivorous. When threatened, it opens the mouth and protrudes its characteristic large fleshy cobalt blue tongue. It is currently found as a popular species and also as a pet animal in the European countries. No data are available in literature about the morphology of the tongue of T. scincoides; therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate by means of scanning electron microscopy and light microscopy, the anatomy of the dorsal lingual surface. Our results demonstrate the presence of a tongue tip with a smooth surface without papillae. The foretongue was characterized by a stratified epithelium with foliate‐like papillae and deep inter‐papillar spaces in the middle part and cylindrical papillae with a flat surface in the lateral parts. All the posterior area of the tongue was characterized by more compacted papillae and the inter‐papillar spaces were very narrow. Light microscopy showed the presence of melanin throughout the tongue. No taste buds were recognized on the lingual dorsal surface. Therefore, the papillae probably have a mechanical function showing an important role in the swallowing phase. The morphology of the tongue surface can be correlated to the diet and, different roles, as in other examined species, can be hypothesized for different areas.
Is Tryptophan ‘more’ Essential than Other Essential Aminoacids in Development? A Morphologic Study
Authors: Imbesi R. , Mazzone V. , Castrogiovanni P. 
Published: September 2009

SummaryAn ontogenetic study was designed on developing rats in uterus of mothers tryptophan deprived at day 1 (exp. 1) and day 14.5 (exp. 2) of conception to verify the supposed determining role of the serotoninergic system (SS) in sexual differentiation in mammals. Tryptophan‐free feeding was pursued uninterruptedly in the litter after birth, during lactation and post‐natal development. Tryptophan‐free pregnant rats were obtained by exclusion of tryptophan sources from chow. In both exp. 1 and exp. 2, the litter showed at birth a significant physical under evolution that worsened, during post‐natal development, to a much more marked dwarfism in exp. 1 pups. Growth hormone concentrations in both sexes of dwarf rats were lower than that in the control rats. At 30 days post‐natal age, whereas exp. 1 female rats showed a right‐timed onset of puberty, no descensus of testes could be observed in male rats of same experiment. Dwarf male rats showed an evident hypotrophy of the whole reproductive apparatus. In histological examination of testes, neither spermatogenesis nor Leydig cells have been observed. Moreover, dwarf female rats showed a pronounced hypotrophy of reproductive organs, but a normal puberal status pattern was evident. In exp. 2, litters showed a less pronounced dwarfism, but a normal right‐timed onset of puberty in both male and female rats. Data indicate that role of tryptophan in physical and sexual maturation in both male and female rats is essential.