bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Detection of Warfare Agents in Liquid Foods Using the Brine Shrimp Lethality Assay
Authors: Lumor Stephen E. , Diez‐Gonzalez Francisco , Labuza Theodore P. 
Published: January 2011

Abstract:  The brine shrimp lethality assay (BSLA) was used for rapid and non‐specific detection of biological and chemical warfare agents at concentrations considerably below that which will cause harm to humans. Warfare agents detected include T‐2 toxin, trimethylsilyl cyanide, and commercially available pesticides such as dichlorvos, diazinon, dursban, malathion, and parathion. The assay was performed by introducing 50 μL of milk or orange juice contaminated with each analyte into vials containing 10 freshly hatched brine shrimp nauplii in seawater. This was incubated at 28 °C for 24 h, after which mortality was determined. Mortality was converted to probits and the LC50 was determined for each analyte by plotting probits of mortality against analyte concentration (log10). Our findings were the following: (1) the lethal effects of toxins dissolved in milk were observed, with T‐2 toxin being the most lethal and malathion being the least, (2) except for parathion, the dosage (based on LC50) of analyte in a cup of milk (200 mL) consumed by a 6‐y‐old (20 kg) was less than the respective published rat LD50 values, and (3) the BSLA was only suitable for detecting toxins dissolved in orange juice if incubation time was reduced to 6 h. Our results support the application of the BSLA for routine, rapid, and non‐specific prescreening of liquid foods for possible sabotage by an employee or an intentional bioterrorist act.Practical Application:  The findings of this study strongly indicate that the brine shrimp lethality assay can be adapted for nonspecific detection of warfare agents or toxins in food at any point during food production and distribution.
Use of Ramping and Equilibrium Water Vapor Sorption Methods to Determine the Critical Relative Humidity at which the Glassy to Rubbery Transition Occurs in Polydextrose
Authors: Li Qingruisi E. , Schmidt Shelly J. 
Published: January 2011

Abstract:  Recent research has demonstrated that the critical relative humidity (RHc) values, obtained using automatic water vapor sorption instruments, can be used to detect the glassy to rubbery transition. However, reported time dependency of these RHc values suggests that additional research be carried out using equilibrium water vapor sorption methods. Thus, the objectives of this study were to: (1) determine the RHc for amorphous polydextrose at various temperatures using both instrumental (Dynamic Vapor Sorption [DVS] ramping and equilibrium) and saturated salt slurry methods, and (2) compare the RHc values obtained via sorption methods to the glass transition temperature (Tg) values obtained via differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). When plotted as a “glass curve” on a state diagram, the RHc values (plotted as a function of temperature) were found to be similar to the Tg values (plotted as a function of relative humidity). Of the 3 sorption methods employed, at 25 °C, the saturated salt slurry exhibited the lowest RHc value (34.3%), followed by the DVS equilibrium method (41.7%), and the DVS ramping method (49.9%). The RHc DVS equilibrium method was closest to the calculated DSC Tg onset RHc value (41.6% at 25 °C). These water sorption methods show promise as practical tools for predicting the quality and stability attributes of amorphous materials by being able to routinely determine the location of the glassy to rubbery transition. Future research applying these sorption methods to more complex amorphous food systems is suggested.Practical Application:  Despite its extreme usefulness, the Tg, a key element of the Food Polymer Science approach, remains a challenging parameter to routinely measure in amorphous food materials. Recent research has demonstrated that the RHc values can be used to detect the glassy to rubbery transition. However, reported time dependency of these RHc values suggests that additional research be carried out using equilibrium water vapor sorption methods. Therefore, in this research 2 instrumental (DVS ramping and equilibrium) methods and the traditional saturated salt slurry method were used to obtain RHc values, comparing them to DSC obtained Tg values. The water sorption methods show promise as practical tools for predicting the quality and stability attributes of amorphous materials by being able to routinely determine the location of the glassy to rubbery transition. Future research applying these sorption methods to more complex amorphous food systems is suggested.
Impact of Storage on Dark Chocolate: Texture and Polymorphic Changes
Authors: Nightingale Lia M. , Lee Soo‐Yeun , Engeseth Nicki J. 
Published: January 2011

Abstract:  Chocolate storage is critical to final product quality. Inadequate storage, especially with temperature fluctuations, may lead to rearrangement of triglycerides that make up the bulk of the chocolate matrix; this rearrangement may lead to fat bloom. Bloom is the main cause of quality loss in the chocolate industry. The effect of storage conditions leading to bloom formation on texture and flavor attributes by human and instrumental measures has yet to be reported. Therefore, the impact of storage conditions on the quality of dark chocolate by sensory and instrumental measurements was determined. Dark chocolate was kept under various conditions and analyzed at 0, 4, and 8 wk of storage. Ten members of a descriptive panel analyzed texture and flavor. Instrumental methods included texture analysis, color measurement, lipid polymorphism by X‐ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry, triglyceride concentration by gas chromatography, and surface properties by atomic force microscopy. Results were treated by analysis of variance, cluster analysis, principal component analysis, and linear partial least squares regression analysis. Chocolate stored 8 wk at high temperature without fluctuations and 4 wk with fluctuations transitioned from form V to VI. Chocolates stored at high temperature with and without fluctuations were harder, more fracturable, more toothpacking, had longer melt time, were less sweet, and had less cream flavor. These samples had rougher surfaces, fewer but larger grains, and a heterogeneous surface. Overall, all stored dark chocolate experienced instrumental or perceptual changes attributed to storage condition. Chocolates stored at high temperature with and without fluctuations were most visually and texturally compromised.Practical Application:  Many large chocolate companies do their own “in‐house” unpublished research and smaller confectionery facilities do not have the means to conduct their own research. Therefore, this study relating sensory and instrumental data provides published evidence available for application throughout the confectionery industry.
Distribution of Campylobacter jejuni isolates from Turkey Farms and Different Stages at Slaughter Using Pulsed‐Field Gel Electrophoresis and flaA‐Short Variable Region Sequencing
Authors: Perko‐Mäkelä P. , Alter T. , Isohanni P. , Zimmermann S. , Lyhs U. 
Published: January 2011

SummaryThe aim of this study was to assess the diversity of thermotolerant Campylobacter spp. isolated from turkey flocks at six rearing farms 1–2 weeks prior to slaughter (360 faecal swab samples) and from 11 different stages at the slaughterhouse (636 caecal, environmental, neck skin and meat samples). A total of 121 Campylobacter isolates were identified to species level using a multiplex PCR assay and were typed by pulsed‐field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and flaA‐short variable region (SVR) sequencing. All Campylobacter isolates were identified as Campylobacter jejuni. PFGE analysis with KpnI restriction enzyme resulted in 11 PFGE types (I–XI) and flaA SVR typing yielded in nine flaA‐SVR alleles. The Campylobacter‐positive turkey flocks A, C and E were colonized by a limited number of Campylobacter clones at the farm and slaughter. The present study confirms the traceability of flock‐specific strains (PFGE types I, V and IX; flaA types 21, 36 and 161) from the farm along the entire processing line to meat cuts. It seems that stress factors such as high temperature of the defeathering water (54–56°C), drying of the carcass skin during air chilling (24 h at 2°C), and oxygen in the air could not eliminate Campylobacter completely. Campylobacter‐negative flocks became contaminated during processing by the same subtypes of Campylobacter introduced into the slaughter house by preceeding positive flocks even if they were slaughtered on subsequent days. Proper and efficient cleaning and disinfection of slaughter and processing premises are needed to avoid cross‐contamination, especially in countries with a low prevalence of Campylobacter spp. The majority of flaA SVR alleles displayed a distinct association with a specific PFGE type. However, a linear relationship for all strains among both typing methods could not be established. To specify genetic relatedness of strains, a combination of different genotyping methods, is needed.
Attachment style and symptom reporting: Examining the mediating effects of anger and social support
Authors: Kidd Tara , Sheffield David 
Published: January 2011

Objective. Attachment style has been related to symptom reporting. The aim of this research was to examine whether social support and anger expression or experience mediate this relationship.Design and methods. 141 women and 50 men from a Midlands university completed questionnaires examining attachment style, anger expression and experience, perceived social support, and symptom reporting.Results. Significant differences were found between attachment groups on somatic, anxiety, social dysfunction, and depressive symptoms. Post hoc analysis showed differences were present between secure and preoccupied attachment styles on social dysfunction and depressed symptoms, and secure and fearful attachment styles on somatic, social dysfunction, and depressed symptoms (p <.05). ANCOVA revealed that there were no differences between attachment styles and any of the symptom scales when perceived social support, anger‐in, and trait anger were entered as covariates.Conclusion. Results indicate that insecure attachment styles of preoccupied and fearful were associated with increased symptom reporting. Social support and anger mediated the relationship between attachment style and symptom reporting.
The age of reason: An examination of psychosocial factors involved in delinquent behaviour
Authors: Newton Nicola C. , Bussey Kay 
Published: January 2011

Purpose. Delinquent behaviour among children and adolescents is escalating at a considerable rate. This has led to calls to lower the Age of Criminal Responsibility (ACR); however there is limited research on which to base such a decision. The present study addressed this omission by (1) assessing whether or not children can accurately distinguish right from wrong in relation to ‘real‐life’ transgressions and (2) investigating psychosocial factors that may constrain children from acting in accordance with their knowledge of what is right and wrong.Methods. A total of 452 students were recruited from five schools in Sydney, Australia. Forty percent of participants were younger children recruited from Year 5 classes in primary school (mean age of 10.49), and 60% were older children from Year 8 classes in high school (mean age of 14.29). All students completed a questionnaire measuring their understanding of right and wrong, their level of moral disengagement and delinquent behaviour, and their perceived self‐efficacy relating to academic achievement, empathy, and resistance to peer pressure.Results. The majority of children in both age groups demonstrated knowing the difference between right and wrong in relation to ‘real‐life’ transgressions. Further analyses using structural equation modelling (analysis of moment structures, AMOS) revealed that children who engaged in delinquent behaviour were unable to exercise this knowledge appropriately to regulate their behaviour. They were less able to resist peer pressure for transgressive conduct, had low levels of empathic and academic self‐efficacies, and disengaged from moral standards.Conclusions. Implications for policy change and future research directions are proposed.
Development of Two Types of Rapid Diagnostic Test Kits To Detect the Hemagglutinin or Nucleoprotein of the Swine-Origin Pandemic Influenza A Virus H1N1
Authors: Mizuike Rika , Sasaki Tadahiro , Baba Koichi , Iwamoto Hisahiko , Shibai Yusuke , Kosaka Mieko , Kubota-Koketsu Ritsuko , Yang Cheng-Song , Du Anariwa , Sakudo Akikazu , Tsujikawa Muneo , Yunoki Mikihiro , Ikuta Kazuyoshi 
Published: January 2011

ABSTRACTSince its emergence in April 2009, pandemic influenza A virus H1N1 (H1N1 pdm), a new type of influenza A virus with a triple-reassortant genome, has spread throughout the world. Initial attempts to diagnose the infection in patients using immunochromatography (IC) relied on test kits developed for seasonal influenza A and B viruses, many of which proved significantly less sensitive to H1N1 pdm. Here, we prepared monoclonal antibodies that react with H1N1 pdm but not seasonal influenza A (H1N1 and H3N2) or B viruses. Using two of these antibodies, one recognizing viral hemagglutinin (HA) and the other recognizing nucleoprotein (NP), we developed kits for the specific detection of H1N1 pdm and tested them using clinical specimens of nasal wash fluid or nasopharyngeal fluid from patients with influenza-like illnesses. The specificities of both IC test kits were very high (93% for the HA kit, 100% for the NP kit). The test sensitivities for detection of H1N1 pdm were 85.5% with the anti-NP antibody, 49.4% with the anti-HA antibody, and 79.5% with a commercially available influenza A virus detection assay. Use of the anti-NP antibody could allow the rapid and accurate diagnosis of H1N1 pdm infections.
A Novel Monoclonal Antibody against FbaA Can Inhibit the Binding of the Complement Regulatory Protein Factor H to Group A Streptococcus
Authors: Ma Cuiqing , Guo Yiyang , Gu Haiyan , Zhang Ling , Liu Hainan , Feng Huidong , Wei Lin 
Published: January 2011

ABSTRACTSome microbial pathogens utilize human complement regulatory proteins, such as factor H (FH) and factor H-like protein 1 (FHL-1), for immune evasion. FbaA is an FHL-1 and FH binding protein expressed on the surface of group A streptococcus (GAS), a common agent of pharyngeal, skin, and soft tissue infections. In this study, we prepared monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against FbaA, assayed them for specificity, and located their binding domains in FbaA. We found an MAb called FbaA MAb2, which demonstrated the highest affinity to GAS among all of the MAbs. Based on the binding with component peptides, the detected epitope, which was specific for FbaA MAb2, was the amino acid residues 95 to 118 of FbaA; on the other hand, it did not bind with the truncated protein of the internally deleted residues of the segment from 95 to 118 of FbaA. Furthermore, the predominant amino acids specific for FbaA MAb2 screened by phage display epitope library were I, T, P, D, and L, corresponding to the amino acid residues 101, 103, 105, 106, and 110 of FbaA, respectively. The binding location of FbaA with FH and FHL-1 was a 16-amino-acid region corresponding to amino acid residues 97 to 112 of FbaA, which overlapped the FbaA MAb2 binding domain, as confirmed by competitive inhibition enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immunofluorescence microscopy. Based on the results of the invasion assay, FbaA MAb2 can inhibit the binding of FH to GAS.
Evaluation of Four Rapid Immunochromatographic Tests for the Detection of Cardiac Troponin I
Authors: Ramparany Lovasoa , Ramirez José , Nizou Jacques-Yves , Le Saux David , Richard Vincent , Talarmin Antoine 
Published: January 2011

ABSTRACT
Cardiac troponin I (cTnI) is a sensitive and specific marker of acute coronary syndromes and myocardial damage. During the past few years, it has become the preferred biochemical marker of myocardial infarction. However, due to the sensitivity required for its detection, only automated systems can be used in developed countries. However, these are rather expensive and unaffordable for most laboratories in developing countries. Many manufacturers have therefore proposed rapid immunochromatographic tests to detect cTnI. The aim of this study was to assess the limit of detection (LOD) and performance of four rapid immunochromatographic tests available in Madagascar. The four tests evaluated were Hexagon Troponin, Nadal troponin I cassette, Troponitest+, and Amicheck-Trop. Amicheck-Trop had a sensitivity and negative predictive value of about 80%, whereas for the three others, they were about 20%. The specificity of Amicheck-Trop of 87.3% was lower than the specificities of the other tests (98% to 100%). These differences were explained by the limits of detection of the tests: 0.3 to 0.4 ng/ml for Amicheck-Trop but only 1.8 to 2 ng/ml for the three other tests. It was concluded that Amicheck-Trop could be useful in the management of acute myocardial infarction or myocarditis in sparsely equipped laboratories in developing countries.
Redundancy and Specificity of
Escherichia coli
Iron Acquisition Systems during Urinary Tract Infection
Authors: Garcia Erin C. , Brumbaugh Ariel R. , Mobley Harry L. T. 
Published: January 2011

ABSTRACT

Uropathogenic
Escherichia coli
(UPEC), the predominant cause of uncomplicated urinary tract infection (UTI), utilizes an array of outer membrane iron receptors to facilitate siderophore and heme import from within the iron-limited urinary tract. While these systems are required for UPEC
in vivo
fitness and are assumed to be functionally redundant, the relative contributions of specific receptors to pathogenesis are unknown. To delineate the relative roles of distinct UPEC iron acquisition systems in UTI, isogenic mutants in UPEC strain CFT073 or 536 lacking individual receptors were competed against one another
in vivo
in a series of mixed infections. When combinations of up to four mutants were coinoculated using a CBA/J mouse model of ascending UTI, catecholate receptor mutants (Δ
fepA
, Δ
iha
, and Δ
iroN
mutants) were equally fit, suggesting redundant function. However, noncatecholate siderophore receptor mutants, including the Δ
iutA
aerobactin receptor mutant and the Δ
fyuA
yersiniabactin receptor mutant, were frequently outcompeted by coinoculated mutants, indicating that these systems contribute more significantly to UPEC iron acquisition
in vivo
. A tissue-specific preference for heme acquisition was also observed, as a heme uptake-deficient Δ
hma
Δ
chuA
double mutant was outcompeted by siderophore receptor mutants specifically during kidney colonization. The relative contribution of each receptor to UTI only partially correlated with
in vivo
levels of receptor gene expression, indicating that other factors likely contributed to the observed fitness differences. Overall, our results suggest that UPEC iron receptors provide both functional redundancy and niche specificity for this pathogen as it colonizes distinct sites within the urinary tract.
Genetic Characterization Indicates that a Specific Subpopulation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Is Associated with Keratitis Infections
Authors: Stewart Rosalind M. K. , Wiehlmann Lutz , Ashelford Kevin E. , Preston Stephanie J. , Frimmersdorf Eliane , Campbell Barry J. , Neal Timothy J. , Hall Neil , Tuft Stephen , Kaye Stephen B. , Winstanley Craig 
Published: January 2011

ABSTRACT

Pseudomonas aeruginosa
is a common opportunistic bacterial pathogen that causes a variety of infections in humans. Populations of
P. aeruginosa
are dominated by common clones that can be isolated from diverse clinical and environmental sources. To determine whether specific clones are associated with corneal infection, we used a portable genotyping microarray system to analyze a set of 63
P. aeruginosa
isolates from patients with corneal ulcers (keratitis). We then used population analysis to compare the keratitis isolates to a wider collection of
P. aeruginosa
from various nonocular sources. We identified various markers in a subpopulation of
P. aeruginosa
associated with keratitis that were in strong disequilibrium with the wider
P. aeruginosa
population, including
oriC
,
exoU
,
katN
, unmodified flagellin, and the carriage of common genomic islands. The genome sequencing of a keratitis isolate (39016; representing the dominant serotype O11), which was associated with a prolonged clinical healing time, revealed several genomic islands and prophages within the accessory genome. The PCR amplification screening of all 63 keratitis isolates, however, provided little evidence for the shared carriage of specific prophages or genomic islands between serotypes.
P. aeruginosa
twitching motility, due to type IV pili, is implicated in corneal virulence. We demonstrated that 46% of the O11 keratitis isolates, including 39016, carry a distinctive
pilA
, encoding the pilin of type IV pili. Thus, the keratitis isolates were associated with specific characteristics, indicating that a subpopulation of
P. aeruginosa
is adapted to cause corneal infection.
Comparison of the Broth Microdilution (BMD) Method of the European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing with the 24-Hour CLSI BMD Method for Testing Susceptibility of Candida Species to Fluconazole, Posaconazole, and Voriconazole by Use of Epidemiological Cutoff Values
Authors: Pfaller M. A. , Espinel-Ingroff A. , Boyken L. , Hollis R. J. , Kroeger J. , Messer S. A. , Tendolkar S. , Diekema D. J. 
Published: January 2011

ABSTRACT

The antifungal broth microdilution (BMD) method of the European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST) was compared with CLSI BMD method M27-A3 for fluconazole, posaconazole, and voriconazole susceptibility testing of 1,056 isolates of
Candida
. The isolates were obtained in 2009 from more than 60 centers worldwide and included 560 isolates of
C. albicans
, 175 of
C. glabrata
, 162 of
C. parapsilosis
, 124 of
C. tropicalis
, and 35 of
C. krusei
. The overall essential agreement (EA) between EUCAST and CLSI results ranged from 96.9% (voriconazole) to 98.6% (fluconazole). The categorical agreement (CA) between methods and species of
Candida
was assessed using previously determined epidemiological cutoff values (ECVs). The ECVs (expressed as μg/ml) for fluconazole, posaconazole, and voriconazole, respectively, were as follows: 0.12, 0.06, and 0.03 for
C. albicans
; 32, 2, and 0.5 for
C. glabrata
; 2, 0.25, and 0.12 for
C. parapsilosis
; 2, 0.12, and 0.06 for
C. tropicalis
; 64, 0.5, and 0.5 for
C. krusei
. Excellent CA was observed for all comparisons between the EUCAST and CLSI results for fluconazole, posaconazole, and voriconazole, respectively, for each species: 98.9%, 93.6%, and 98.6% for
C. albicans
; 96.0%, 98.9%, and 93.7% for
C. glabrata
; 90.8%, 98.1%, and 98.1% for
C. parapsilosis
; 99.2%, 99.2%, and 96.8% for
C. tropicalis
; 97.1%, 97.1%, and 97.1% for
C. krusei
. We demonstrate high levels of EA and CA between the CLSI and EUCAST BMD methods for testing of triazoles against
Candida
when the MICs were determined after 24 h and ECVs were used to differentiate wild-type (WT) from non-WT strains. These results provide additional data in favor of the harmonization of these two methods.