bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Solubilization Effects on Molecular Weights of Amylose and Amylopectins of Normal Maize and Barley Starches
Authors: Bello‐Pérez Luis Arturo , Rodríguez‐Ambriz Sandra L. , Agama‐Acevedo Edith , Sanchez‐Rivera Mirna M. 
Published: November 2009

ABSTRACTStructural characteristics of starches have been important to determine their physicochemical and functional properties. Solubilization procedures were tested to find a higher solubilization percentage and thereafter to study the structural characteristics of amylose and amylopectin. Size‐exclusion chromatography with refractive index (SEC‐RI) system using a pullulan standard curve was tested to study the amylose molar mass. Also, a microbatch system using a MALLS detector was used to determine the molar mass and gyration radius of starch and amylopectin. Microwave heating produced higher solubility percentages than autoclaving, and there was a difference between both starches. The sample solubilized with microwave heating presented higher molar mass and gyration radius values than autoclave samples, showing that this process for structural studies provided information representative of the initial starch sample. When starch components were separated, amylose showed lower purity than amylopectin. Lower purity was obtained for amylose separated from barley starch, but no difference was obtained for purity of amylopectin separated from both starches. Barley amylopectin had a higher solubility percentage than maize amylopectin. Molar mass of barley amylose was 1.03 × 105 g/mol and for maize of 2.25 × 105 g/mol. Molar mass values of amylopectin separated from both starches were lower than the starch counterparts, although the same solubilization procedure (microwave heating) was used. The difference might be due to depolymerization during separation of starch components.
Bulk Functionality Diversification by Unsupervised Single‐Kernel Near‐Infrared (SKNIR) Sorting of Wheat
Authors: T⊘nning E. , Thybo A. K. , Pedersen L. , Munck L. , Hansen Å. , T⊘gersen F. A. , Engelsen S. B. , N⊘rgaard L. 
Published: November 2009

ABSTRACTWe explored the effects of fractioning heterogeneous bulk wheat by fast unsupervised single‐kernel near‐infrared (SKNIR) sorting according to an internal complex NIR functionality trait using a fast prototype kernel sorter designed for postharvest bulk sorting. Sorting into three functionality fractions was performed on low quality lots from an organic field experiment from two growth years and two locations. Sorted lots were mixtures originally diversified by three different preceding catch crops. The resulting 12 fractions, as well as the 12 original wheat lots were characterized by 20 standard quality variables of grains and flours. The data was analyzed by principal component analysis (PCA) and analysis of variance (ANOVA). Within each year and location/cultivar, the SKNIR fractionation had significant positive effect on bulk grain density, protein, wet gluten content, Zeleny sedimentation volume, farinograph water absorption, farinograph softening, falling number, gelatinization temperature, and hardness index. Using the NIR fingerprint directly for sorting without calibration to a univariate reference showed that the resulting fractions were based on the major variance in the entire physicochemical quality trait within each lot as expressed by NIR. This novel unsupervised approach may become a powerful tool for sorting according to complex functionality traits, thus increasing overall quality, applicability, and value of the sorted crop.
On the global stability of two-dimensional, incompressible, elastic bars in uniaxial extension
Authors: Sivaloganathan Jeyabal , Spector Scott J. 
Published: November 2009

When a rectangular bar is subjected to uniaxial tension, the bar usually deforms (approximately) homogeneously and isoaxially until a critical load is reached. A bifurcation, such as the formation of shear bands or a neck, may then be observed. One approach is to model such an experiment as the in-plane extension of a two-dimensional, homogeneous, isotropic, incompressible, hyperelastic material in which the length of the bar is prescribed, the ends of the bar are assumed to be free of shear and the sides are left completely free. It is shown that standard constitutive hypotheses on the stored-energy function imply that no such bifurcation is possible in this model due to the fact that the homogeneous isoaxial deformation is the unique absolute minimizer of the elastic energy. Thus, in order for a bifurcation to occur either the material must cease to be elastic or the stored-energy function must violate the standard hypotheses. The fact that no local bifurcations can occur under the assumptions used herein was known previously, since these assumptions prohibit the load on the bar from reaching a maximum value. However, the fact that the homogeneous deformation is the absolute minimizer of the energy appears to be a new result.
Biochemical and Molecular Analysis of Pink Tomatoes: Deregulated Expression of the Gene Encoding Transcription Factor SlMYB12 Leads to Pink Tomato Fruit Color
Authors: Ballester Ana-Rosa , Molthoff Jos , de Vos Ric , Hekkert Bas te Lintel , Orzaez Diego , Fernaݩndez-Moreno Josefina-Patricia , Tripodi Pasquale , Grandillo Silvana , Martin Cathie , Heldens Jos , Ykema Marieke , Granell Antonio , Bovy Arnaud 
Published: November 2009

AbstractThe color of tomato fruit is mainly determined by carotenoids and flavonoids. Phenotypic analysis of an introgression line (IL) population derived from a cross between Solanum lycopersicum ‘Moneyberg’ and the wild species Solanum chmielewskii revealed three ILs with a pink fruit color. These lines had a homozygous S. chmielewskii introgression on the short arm of chromosome 1, consistent with the position of the y (yellow) mutation known to result in colorless epidermis, and hence pink-colored fruit, when combined with a red flesh. Metabolic analysis showed that pink fruit lack the ripening-dependent accumulation of the yellow-colored flavonoid naringenin chalcone in the fruit peel, while carotenoid levels are not affected. The expression of all genes encoding biosynthetic enzymes involved in the production of the flavonol rutin from naringenin chalcone was down-regulated in pink fruit, suggesting that the candidate gene underlying the pink phenotype encodes a regulatory protein such as a transcription factor rather than a biosynthetic enzyme. Of 26 MYB and basic helix-loop-helix transcription factors putatively involved in regulating transcription of genes in the phenylpropanoid and/or flavonoid pathway, only the expression level of the MYB12 gene correlated well with the decrease in the expression of structural flavonoid genes in peel samples of pink- and red-fruited genotypes during ripening. Genetic mapping and segregation analysis showed that MYB12 is located on chromosome 1 and segregates perfectly with the characteristic pink fruit color. Virus-induced gene silencing of SlMYB12 resulted in a decrease in the accumulation of naringenin chalcone, a phenotype consistent with the pink-colored tomato fruit of IL1b. In conclusion, biochemical and molecular data, gene mapping, segregation analysis, and virus-induced gene silencing experiments demonstrate that the MYB12 transcription factor plays an important role in regulating the flavonoid pathway in tomato fruit and suggest strongly that SlMYB12 is a likely candidate for the y mutation.
Large-Scale Reverse Genetics in Arabidopsis: Case Studies from the Chloroplast 2010 Project
Authors: Ajjawi Imad , Lu Yan , Savage Linda J. , Bell Shannon M. , Last Robert L. 
Published: November 2009

AbstractTraditionally, phenotype-driven forward genetic plant mutant studies have been among the most successful approaches to revealing the roles of genes and their products and elucidating biochemical, developmental, and signaling pathways. A limitation is that it is time consuming, and sometimes technically challenging, to discover the gene responsible for a phenotype by map-based cloning or discovery of the insertion element. Reverse genetics is also an excellent way to associate genes with phenotypes, although an absence of detectable phenotypes often results when screening a small number of mutants with a limited range of phenotypic assays. The Arabidopsis Chloroplast 2010 Project (www.plastid.msu.edu) seeks synergy between forward and reverse genetics by screening thousands of sequence-indexed Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) T-DNA insertion mutants for a diverse set of phenotypes. Results from this project are discussed that highlight the strengths and limitations of the approach. We describe the discovery of altered fatty acid desaturation phenotypes associated with mutants of At1g10310, previously described as a pterin aldehyde reductase in folate metabolism. Data are presented to show that growth, fatty acid, and chlorophyll fluorescence defects previously associated with antisense inhibition of synthesis of the family of acyl carrier proteins can be attributed to a single gene insertion in Acyl Carrier Protein4 (At4g25050). A variety of cautionary examples associated with the use of sequence-indexed T-DNA mutants are described, including the need to genotype all lines chosen for analysis (even when they number in the thousands) and the presence of tagged and untagged secondary mutations that can lead to the observed phenotypes.
Developmental Stage Specificity and the Role of Mitochondrial Metabolism in the Response of Arabidopsis Leaves to Prolonged Mild Osmotic Stress
Authors: Skirycz Aleksandra , De Bodt Stefanie , Obata Toshihiro , De Clercq Inge , Claeys Hannes , De Rycke Riet , Andriankaja Megan , Van Aken Olivier , Van Breusegem Frank , Fernie Alisdair R. , Inzeݩ Dirk 
Published: November 2009

AbstractWhen subjected to stress, plants reprogram their growth by largely unknown mechanisms. To provide insights into this process, the growth of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) leaves that develop under mild osmotic stress was studied. Early during leaf development, cell number and size were reduced by stress, but growth was remarkably adaptable, as division and expansion rates were identical to controls within a few days of leaf initiation. To investigate the molecular basis of the observed adaptability, leaves with only proliferating, exclusively expanding, and mature cells were analyzed by transcriptomics and targeted metabolomics. The stress response measured in growing and mature leaves was largely distinct; several hundred transcripts and multiple metabolites responded exclusively in the proliferating and/or expanding leaves. Only a few genes were differentially expressed across the three stages. Data analysis showed that proliferation and expansion were regulated by common regulatory circuits, involving ethylene and gibberellins but not abscisic acid. The role of ethylene was supported by the analysis of ethylene-insensitive mutants. Exclusively in proliferating cells, stress induced genes of the so-called “mitochondrial dysfunction regulon,” comprising alternative oxidase. Up-regulation for eight of these genes was confirmed with promoter:β-glucuronidase reporter lines. Furthermore, mitochondria of stress-treated dividing cells were morphologically distinct from control ones, and growth of plants overexpressing the alternative oxidase gene was more tolerant to osmotic and drought stresses. Taken together, our data underline the value of analyzing stress responses in development and demonstrate the importance of mitochondrial respiration for sustaining cell proliferation under osmotic stress conditions.
Epidural analgesia and breastfeeding: a randomised controlled trial of epidural techniques with and without fentanyl and a non‐epidural comparison group
Authors: Wilson M. J. A. , MacArthur C. , Cooper G. M. , Bick D. , Moore P. A. S. , Shennan A. ,   on behalf of the COMET Study Group UK
Published: November 2009

SummaryWe compared breastfeeding initiation and duration in 1054 nulliaparae randomised to bupivacaine Control epidural, Combined Spinal Epidural or Low Dose Infusion and 351 matched non‐epidural comparisons. Women were interviewed after delivery and completed a postal questionnaire at 12 months. Regression analysis determined factors which independently predicted breastfeeding initiation. Breastfeeding duration was subjected to Kaplan–Meier analysis. A similar proportion of women in each epidural group initiated breastfeeding. Women with no epidural did not report a higher initiation rate relative to epidural groups and those who received pethidine reported a lower initiation rate than control epidural (p = 0.002). Older age groups (p < 0.001) and non‐white ethnicity (p < 0.026) were predictive of breastfeeding. Epidural fentanyl dose, delivery mode and trial group were not predictive. Mean duration for breastfeeding was similar across epidural groups (Control 13.3, Combined Spinal Epidural 15.5, Low Dose Infusion 15.0 weeks). Our data do not support an effect of epidural fentanyl on breastfeeding initiation.
15‐Lipoxygenase‐2 is expressed in macrophages in human carotid plaques and regulated by hypoxia‐inducible factor‐1α
Authors: Hultén L. M. , Olson F. J. , Åberg H. , Carlsson J. , Karlström L. , Borén J. , Fagerberg B. , Wiklund O. 
Published: November 2009

Eur J Clin Invest 2010; 40 (1): 11–17AbstractBackground  Macrophages are prominent in hypoxic areas of atherosclerotic lesions and their secreted cytokines, growth factors and activity of enzymes are involved in atherogenesis. Previously, we showed that 15‐lipoxygenase (LOX)‐2 is expressed in human monocyte‐derived macrophages and that hypoxia increases 15‐LOX‐2 expression and secretion of pro‐inflammatory molecules. Here we investigated whether human carotid plaque macrophages express 15‐LOX‐2 and whether its expression in macrophages is regulated by hypoxia through hypoxia‐inducible factor 1α (HIF‐1α).Materials and methods  Carotid plaques from 47 patients with high‐grade symptomatic carotid artery stenosis were analysed using immunohistochemistry, and stained areas were quantified by digital image analysis. Carotid plaque macrophages were isolated with anti‐CD14 immunobeads using an immunomagnetic bead technique. Primary macrophages were transfected with HIF‐1α siRNA or control siRNA before extraction of RNA and medium analysis.Results  In paired tissue sections, the extent of staining for CD68 correlated with staining for 15‐LOX‐2 but not for 15‐LOX‐1. In carotid plaque macrophages isolated with anti‐CD14 immunobeads, 15‐LOX‐2 mRNA was expressed at high levels. In primary macrophages, 15‐LOX‐2 expression was significantly increased by incubation with the HIF‐1α stabilizer dimethyloxalylglycine. Knockdown of HIF‐1α significantly decreased production of the 15‐LOX‐2 enzyme products 12‐ and 15‐hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid. In carotid plaques, HIF‐1α staining correlated with staining for 15‐LOX‐2.Conclusions  These results demonstrate that 15‐LOX‐2 is highly expressed in human plaques and is correlated with the presence of macrophages and HIF‐1α. 15‐LOX‐2 enzyme activity can be modulated by HIF‐1α. Thus, increased expression of 15‐LOX‐2 in macrophages in hypoxic atherosclerotic plaque may enhance inflammation and the recruitment of inflammatory cells.
Home orthostatic training in chronic fatigue syndrome – a randomized, placebo‐controlled feasibility study
Authors: Sutcliffe K. , Gray J. , Tan M. P. , Pairman J. , Wilton K. , Parry S. W. , Newton J. L. 
Published: November 2009

Eur J Clin Invest 2010; 40 (1): 18–24AbstractBackground  Orthostatic (Tilt)‐training is an effective treatment for neurally mediated hypotension (NMH). NMH is a frequent finding in chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). We evaluated home orthostatic training (HOT) in CFS in a randomized placebo‐controlled feasibility study.Methods  Thirty‐eight patients with CFS (Fukuda Criteria) were randomly allocated to daily tilt training (n = 19) or sham training (n = 19) for 6 months. Haemodynamic responses to standing were performed in all subjects using continuous technology (Taskforce) at enrolment, week 1, 4 and 24. Symptom response and compliance were assessed using diaries.Results  Two patients (one from each arm) withdrew from the study. Fourteen patients in each group complied completely or partially, and patients found the training manageable and achievable. Compared to the sham group, blood pressure while standing dropped to 8·0 mmHg less in the HOT group at 4 weeks (95% CI: 1·0 to 15·0, P = 0·03). At 4 weeks, the HOT group had higher total peripheral resistance compared to the sham group; mean difference 70·2, 95% CI: −371·4 to 511·8. Changes were maintained at 6 months. There was no significant difference in fatigue between groups at 4 weeks (mean difference 1·4, 95% CI: −13·5 to 16·2), but there was a trend towards improvement in fatigue at 6 months. Compliers had lower fatigue compared to non‐compliers.Conclusions  A placebo‐controlled study of HOT in CFS is feasible. HOT is well tolerated and generally complied with. A likely physiological rationale for HOT in CFS is related to reductions in orthostatic intolerance. An adequately powered study including strategies to enhance compliance is warranted.
Host response to the chondracanthid copepod Chondracanthus goldsmidi, a gill parasite of the striped trumpeter, Latris lineata (Forster), in Tasmania
Authors: Andrews M , Battaglene S , Cobcroft J , Adams M , Noga E , Nowak B 
Published: November 2009

AbstractThe chondracanthid copepod, Chondracanthus goldsmidi is an ectoparasite of gills, inner opercula and nasal cavities of cultured striped trumpeter, Latris lineata (Forster). Whilst often present in high numbers (up to 60 parasites per host), little is known about its effect on striped trumpeter. In this study C. goldsmidi was associated with extensive epithelial hyperplasia and necrosis. Pathological changes were most pronounced near the parasite’s attachment site, with papilloma‐like growths surrounding the entire parasite resulting in deformation of the filament. The number of mucous cells increased near the parasite attachment sites on both the opercula and gills. Mast cells were absent in healthy gills; in contrast numerous mast cells were identified in the papilloma‐like growths. Immunostaining identified piscidin‐positive mast cells in the papilloma‐like growths, presenting the first evidence of piscidin in the family Latridae.
Is the prevalence of asthma declining? Systematic review of epidemiological studies
Authors: Anandan C. , Nurmatov U. , Van Schayck O. C. P. , Sheikh A. 
Published: November 2009

To cite this article: Anandan C, Nurmatov U, van Schayck OCP, Sheikh A. Is the prevalence of asthma declining? Systematic review of epidemiological studies. Allergy 2010; 65: 152–167.AbstractAsthma prevalence has increased very considerably in recent decades such that it is now one of the commonest chronic disorders in the world. Recent evidence from epidemiological studies, however, suggests that the prevalence of asthma may now be declining in many parts of the world, which, if true is important for health service planning and also because this offers the possibility of generating and testing new aetiological hypotheses. Our objective was to determine whether the prevalence of asthma is declining worldwide. We undertook a systematic search of EMBASE, Medline, Web of Science and Google Scholar, for high quality reports of cohort studies, repeat cross‐sectional studies and analyses of routine healthcare datasets to examine international trends in asthma prevalence in children and adults for the period 1990–2008. There were 48 full reports of studies that satisfied our inclusion criteria. The large volume of data identified clearly indicate that there are, at present, no overall signs of a declining trend in asthma prevalence; on the contrary, asthma prevalence is in many parts of the world still increasing. The reductions in emergency healthcare utilization being reported in some economically developed countries most probably reflect improvements in quality of care. There remain major gaps in the literature on asthma trends in relation to Africa and parts of Asia. There is no overall global downward trend in the prevalence of asthma. Healthcare planners will for the foreseeable future, therefore, need to continue with high levels of anticipated expenditure in relation to provision of asthma care.
Histological Structure of the Adrenal Gland of the Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) and the Striped Dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba) from the Adriatic Sea
Authors: Vuković S. , Lucić H. , Živković A. , Đuras Gomerčić M. , Gomerčić T. , Galov A. 
Published: November 2009

SummaryThe structure of the adrenal gland was studied in 11 bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus), and five striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba). These species are legally protected in Croatia. All examined animals died of natural causes and were found stranded along eastern Adriatic coast. In both species the adrenal gland consists of a cortex and a medulla; the cortex is divided into three zones. Whereas in the bottlenose dolphin, there is a zona arcuata which contains columnar cells arranged in the form of arches; in the striped dolphin this zone is replaced by zona glomerulosa containing rounded clusters of polygonal cells. In both species, the zona fasciculata consists of radially oriented cords of polygonal cells, whereas in zona reticularis cells are arranged in branching and anastomosing cords. The adrenal medulla in both species contains dark, epinephrine‐secreting cells and light norepinephrine‐secreting cells. Epinephrine‐secreting cells are localized in the outer part of the medulla, whereas norepinephrine‐secreting cells are found in the inner part, arranged in clusters and surrounded by septa of thin connective tissue. The gland is surrounded by a thick connective‐tissue capsule, from where thick trabeculae extend towards the interior. In the bottlenose dolphin, group of cells resembling both medullar and cortical cells can be seen within the capsule; whereas only groups of cells resembling cortical cells are found within the capsule of the striped dolphin. In the bottlenose dolphin invagination of the adrenal cortex into the medulla is obvious as well as medullary protrusions extending through cortex to the connective tissue capsule.
Optimal duration of preoperative anti‐helminthic therapy for pulmonary hydatid surgery
Authors: Koul Parvaiz A. , Singh Anurag Ambroze , Ahanger Abdul G. , Wahid Abdul , Sofi Bashir A. 
Published: November 2009

AbstractBackground:  The optimal duration of preoperative anti‐helminths for prevention of recurrences in pulmonary hydatidosis is unclear, although 1–3 weeks of therapy is routinely used.Methods:  Forty‐five patients of pulmonary hydatid disease were randomly assigned into four groups to receive either 0, 2, 4 or 8 weeks of preoperative albendazole (ABZ) and praziquantel (PZQ). Viability of the scolices in the fluid harvested at surgery (methylene blue staining) and ability to produce peritoneal hydatids in mice (intra‐peritoneal inoculation) were compared in different groups.Results:  The percentage viability of the scolices as a whole was significantly (P < 0.001) lower in the treated cysts (n= 36, mean 43.5 ± 35.69) compared with the untreated cysts (n= 8, mean 94.75 ± 7.21). The viability progressively decreased with increasing durations of chemotherapy (P < 0.001). Mean percentage viability of scolices was 88.72 ± 4.91% in patients treated for 2 weeks (n= 12), 38.09 ± 9.10% after 4 weeks (n= 11) and 8.1 ± 9.23% after 8 weeks (n= 14). Intra‐peritoneal mice inoculation was positive in 90% of the cysts that received therapy for 2 weeks or less and none of the patients who received therapy for 8 weeks had a positive inoculation.Conclusions:  Preoperative combination therapy with ABZ and PZQ effects a scolicidal response which increases with the increasing duration of the preoperative chemotherapy, and a 4‐week course of the combination chemotherapeutic agents seems to be the minimum required duration for ensuring scolicidal activity enough to prevent spillage‐induced recurrences following pulmonary hydatidosis.