bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of β‐Glucan on Technological, Sensory, and Structural Properties of Durum Wheat Pasta
Authors: Aravind Nisha , Sissons Mike , Egan Narelle , Fellows Christopher M. , Blazek Jaroslav , Gilbert Elliot P. 
Published: March 2012

ABSTRACTβ‐Glucan is known to have valuable properties for preventative health and is finding widespread use in foods. This study investigated the benefit of adding a commercial source of β‐glucan, Barley Balance (BB) flour, as a functional ingredient in spaghetti. Durum wheat semolina was substituted with BB at levels of 7.5, 15, and 20%, from which spaghetti was prepared on a laboratory scale. The substitution of BB increased the β‐glucan content of semolina from 0.3 to 6% in uncooked and 8% in cooked pasta. Antioxidant activity (measured by 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl) increased with BB and did not decline significantly on processing and cooking. Compared with the control, 7.5% BB had no or minimal effect on pasta cooking loss, stickiness, water absorption, aroma, and sensory texture. However, at higher doses, pasta became less yellow and more brown, firmer, of inferior aroma, more rubbery, and chewy, but less floury to the mouth. The extent of starch digestion decreased with increasing quantities of BB, suggesting that BB may lower glycemic index, with microscopy data suggesting that this decrease was mediated through the development of a more intensive fiber or fiber/protein matrix retarding enzymatic access to starch granules.
Prostaglandin E2 maintains mouse ESC undifferentiated state through regulation of connexin31, connexin43 and connexin45 expression: Involvement of glycogen synthase kinase 3β/β‐catenin
Authors: Yun Seung Pil , Ryu Jung Min , Park Jae Hong , Kim Mi Ok , Lee Jang‐Hern , Han Ho Jae 
Published: March 2012

AbstractBackground informationAlthough previous reports have examined the function of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) on gap junctions and undifferentiated stem cells, its effects on the reciprocal action of connexin (Cx) isoforms and undifferentiation in embryonic stem cells (ESCs) are unclear. Therefore, we investigated the role of PGE2 on Cx isoforms and maintenance of mouse ESC undifferentiated state.ResultsWe have analysed 10 Cx genes, but found nine of them. PGE2 (50 μM) stimulated Cx31, Cx32, Cx40, Cx43 and Cx45 mRNA expression. Amongst them, PGE2 maximally stimulated the Cx43 mRNA expression and gap junction inter‐cellular coupling. Therefore, we investigated the effect of PGE2 on Cx43 expression. PGE2 activated cAMP/protein kinase A (PKA) and phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase (PI3K)/Akt phosphorylation. In addition, treatments of adenylate cyclase activators increased Cx43 expression, but not PI3K/Akt phosphorylation. PGE2 also inactivated GSK‐3β and stimulated active‐β‐catenin. Furthermore, a ChiP assay demonstrated the association of β‐catenin with the Cx26 (as control) and Cx43 promoter. Finally, down‐regulation of PGE2‐induced Cx isoforms by AH 6809, Cx31‐, Cx43‐, Cx45 small interfering (si)RNA and 18α‐glycyrrhetinic acid decreased levels of undifferentiated markers of ESCs, including Oct4, FoxD3, Sox2 and SSEA‐1, but Nanog did not be down‐regulated by Cx43 siRNA.ConclusionsPGE2 stimulates Cx isoforms via GSK‐3β/β‐catenin via EP2‐receptor‐dependent cAMP/PKA and PI3K/Akt in mouse ESCs, thereby partially contributing to the maintenance of their undifferentiated state.
The impact of CpG island methylator phenotype and microsatellite instability on tumour budding in colorectal cancer
Authors: Zlobec Inti , Bihl Michel P , Foerster Anja , Rufle Alex , Lugli Alessandro 
Published: March 2012

Zlobec I, Bihl M P, Foerster A, Rufle A & Lugli A  (2012) Histopathology 61, 777–787The impact of CpG island methylator phenotype and microsatellite instability on tumour budding in colorectal cancerAims:  In colorectal cancer, tumour budding, a process likened to epithelial mesenchymal transition, is an adverse prognostic factor which is rarely found in tumours with high‐level microsatellite instability (MSI‐H). Cases with MSI‐H or high‐level CpG island methylator phenotype (CIMP‐H) have similar histomorphological features, yet seemingly opposite prognosis. We hypothesized that tumour budding is related to CIMP, thus partially explaining this prognostic difference.Methods and results:  MSI, KRAS, BRAF, CIMP and 06‐methylguanine‐DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) were investigated in tissues from 127 colorectal cancer patients. Tumour budding was scored using pan‐cytokeratin‐stained whole tissue sections within the densest area of buds (×40). Tumour budding was not associated with KRAS, BRAF, MGMT or CIMP, but was correlated inversely with MSI‐H (P = 0.0049). Multivariate survival time analysis revealed that tumour budding was independent of all five molecular features and was predicted by MSI status [odds ratio (OR): 4.29, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.5–12.1; P = 0.006)], but not CIMP (OR: 0.81, 95% CI 0.3–2.5; P = 0.714).Conclusions:  These findings underline that MSI, rather than CIMP, plays a role in conferring a tumour budding phenotype. Budding retains its unfavourable prognostic effect independently of these five molecular features. Continued efforts to standardize the assessment of tumour budding are necessary to integrate this feature into daily diagnostic routine.
How does organisational absorptive capacity matter in the assimilation of enterprise information systems?
Authors: Saraf Nilesh , Liang Huigang , Xue Yajiong , Hu Qing 
Published: March 2012

AbstractExtant literature offers two mostly distinct perspectives on enterprise systems assimilation – driven either by internal expertise and learning capability or by external institutional pressures. This study combines the two perspectives and subscribes to the view that organisations’ learning capability moderates their acquiescence to institutional pressures. The study then anchors organisational learning capability to the concept of absorptive capacity and proposes that its two dimensions – potential absorptive capacity (PACAP) and realised absorptive capacity (RACAP) – affect enterprise systems assimilation through different pathways. Our survey‐based empirical study of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems in the post‐implementation stage reveals that while both PACAP and RACAP have a positive direct impact on assimilation, PACAP positively moderates the impact of mimetic (institutional) pressures, but not normative (institutional) pressures, on assimilation; whereas RACAP positively moderates the impact of normative pressures, but not mimetic pressures, on assimilation. Thus, our theoretical contribution lies in understanding the distinct ways in which PACAP and RACAP moderate the influence of external institutional pressures on enterprise systems assimilation.
Working with interpreters in cross‐cultural qualitative research in the context of a developing country: systematic literature review
Authors: Shimpuku Yoko , Norr Kathleen F. 
Published: March 2012

shimpuku y. & norr k.f. (2012) Working with interpreters in cross‐cultural qualitative research in the context of a developing country: systematic literature review. Journal of Advanced Nursing68(6), 1692–1706.AbstractAims.  This article is a report of a systematic literature review describing how cross‐cultural researchers conducted qualitative studies with interpreters in Tanzania. The purpose was to draw methodological implications for working with interpreters within the context of developing countries.Background.  In a growing number of cross‐cultural nursing studies in developing countries, interpreters play a crucial role for imparting verbal and cultural understanding. In many studies, however, the interpreters’ role and their influences on the findings are not adequately described, and therefore the study credibility is weakened.Data Sources.  Cross‐cultural qualitative studies conducted with interpreters in Tanzania were searched in four databases. Meeting our inclusion criteria were 20 studies published from 1994–2009.Review Methods.  We used Garrard’s Matrix Method following Wallin and Ahlström’s framework to analyse how cross‐cultural researchers described the role of interpreters.Results.  We identified three major patterns of how researchers worked with interpreters: (i) invisible assistance, (ii) independent fieldwork and (iii) integrated collaboration. In many studies, interpreters’ information was limited. They were often asked to collect data in the field without the presence of the researcher. They were integrated into the research process beyond data collection, such as subject recruitment, review of interviews, transcription and translation and analysis.Conclusion.  From planning of research to dissemination of the findings, nurse researchers should carefully consider interpreters’ influences on the findings. They may use a set of questions we developed for working with interpreters in developing countries to systematically describe the interpreter’s role and maximize their research credibility.
The nature of adolescent learner interaction in a virtual high school setting
Authors: Borup J. , Graham C.R. , Davies R.S. 
Published: March 2012

AbstractThis study used survey data to measure the effect of learners' reported interactions with content, peers, and instructors on several course outcomes in two virtual high school courses that emphasized interactive learning. Surveys found that the large majority of students viewed all investigated types of interaction as educational and motivational. Students perceived learner–instructor and learner–content interactions to have significantly higher educational value (α < 0.01) than learner–learner interactions, and viewed learner–instructor interaction to be significantly more motivational (α < 0.01) than learner–content interaction. Furthermore, nine significant correlations were found involving the time students reported spending on human interaction and course outcomes. Seven of the significant correlations were related to the time students reported spending in human interaction and the more affective outcomes, such as course satisfaction and disposition towards the subject area. Outcomes also indicate that learner–learner interaction had higher correlations with course outcomes than learners' interactions with the content or their instructor. Students' perceived learning was not significantly correlated with any type of interaction, and only students' total reported time spent on learner–learner interaction and students' social learner–learner interaction were significantly correlated with their grade.
Biomonitoring 2.0: a new paradigm in ecosystem assessment made possible by next‐generation DNA sequencing
Authors: BAIRD DONALD J. , HAJIBABAEI MEHRDAD 
Published: March 2012

AbstractBiological monitoring has failed to develop from simple binary assessment outcomes of the impacted/unimpacted type, towards more diagnostic frameworks, despite significant scientific effort over the past fifty years. It is our assertion that this is largely because of the limited information content of biological samples processed by traditional morphology‐based taxonomy, which is a slow, imprecise process, focused on restricted groups of organisms. We envision a new paradigm in ecosystem assessment, which we refer to as ‘Biomonitoring 2.0’. This new schema employs DNA‐based identification of taxa, coupled with high‐throughput DNA sequencing on next‐generation sequencing platforms. We discuss the transformational nature of DNA‐based approaches in biodiversity discovery and ecosystem assessment and outline a path forward for their future widespread application.
Kinetics of regulatory dendritic cells in inflammatory responses during Trypanosoma evansi infection
Authors: MEKATA H. , KONNAI S. , MINGALA C. N. , ABES N. S. , GUTIERREZ C. A. , DARGANTES A. P. , WITOLA W. H. , INOUE N. , ONUMA M. , MURATA S. , OHASHI K. 
Published: March 2012

SummaryTrypanosoma evansi (T. evansi) causes a wasting disease in almost all mammals. Trypanosoma evansi infection gives rise to the inflammatory responses that contribute to the development of inflammation‐associated tissue injury. To determine what kinds of inflammatory molecules play roles in the pathogenicity of T. evansi infection, polymerase chain reaction array analysis was performed on samples from the infected and uninfected mice. The inflammatory cytokine and chemokine storm, caused mainly by macrophages, was observed. On the other hand, the expression levels of Ccl8 and Il10 in splenocytes were also markedly increased. These results suggested an augmentation in the number and activity of regulatory dendritic cells (DCs). Therefore, the kinetics of regulatory DCs in T. evansi‐infected mice were investigated. During T. evansi infection, the regulatory DCs became prevalent, with reducing the amount of inflammatory DCs. Interestingly, when the regulatory DCs were implanted into T. evansi‐infected mice, the survival was prolonged, and the expression levels of inflammatory molecules were suppressed. Taken together, these results showed that a subset of regulatory DCs acted as a potential regulator of the inflammatory responses.
The natural compound trans‐chalcone induces programmed cell death in Arabidopsis thaliana roots
Authors: DÍAZ‐TIELAS CARLA , GRAÑA ELISA , SOTELO TAMARA , REIGOSA MANUEL J , SÁNCHEZ‐MOREIRAS ADELA M 
Published: March 2012

ABSTRACTChalcone (1,3‐diphenyl‐2‐propen‐1‐one) is an aromatic ketone precursor of important molecules in plants such as flavonoids or anthocyanins. Its phytotoxicity has been demonstrated on different plant species, but to date little is known about the mechanisms of action of this secondary metabolite at plant cellular level. Detailed analysis by light and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was conducted to examine the root meristems' ultrastructure of control and chalcone‐treated Arabidopsis seedlings. Mitochondrial dysfunction was analysed by measuring mitochondrial membrane potential with JC‐1 fluorochrome. Finally, acridine orange/ethidium bromide staining was used for the detection of programmed cell death. Microscopy revealed tissue alterations, inhibition of root hair formation and important changes after 7 and 14 d at the chalcone IC50 value. Chalcone‐treated cells showed signs of programmed cell death such as mitochondrial condensation, disruption of organelles and chromatin fragmentation. Acridine orange/ethidium bromide staining confirmed the programmed cell death, which could be induced by the reduction of mitochondrial transmembrane potential (ΔΨm) that was detected after chalcone treatment. These results confirm the phytotoxic activity of chalcone on Arabidopsis seedlings, the alteration of mitochondrial membrane potential and the induction of programmed cell death.
IgE Sensitization to the Fish Parasite Anisakis simplex in a Norwegian Population: A Pilot Study
Authors: Lin A. H. , Florvaag E. , Van Do T. , Johansson S. G. O. , Levsen A. , Vaali K. 
Published: March 2012

AbstractThe reports on fish parasite Anisakis simplex allergy have increased in countries with high fish consumption in the last decade. In Norway, a high consumption country, the prevalence of immunoglobulin E (IgE) sensitization to A. simplex was still unknown. Thus, our objective was to investigate the sensitization prevalence in this country. At the Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway, two main groups of surplus serum samples were collected: one from newly recruited blood donors (BDO) and the other from the Allergy laboratory (ALL) after analysing IgE and IgE antibodies. The latter was divided into three series: one containing unsorted sera and two sorted by either Phadiatop®≥0.35 kUA/l or total IgE ≥1000 kU/l. The sera were analysed for total IgE and IgE antibodies against A. simplex, shrimp, house dust mite (HDM), cod and cross‐reactive carbohydrates (CCDs). The prevalence of IgE sensitization to A. simplex was 2.0%, 2.2% and 6.6% in BDO, the unsorted and Phadiatop® positive serum groups, respectively. A considerable degree of cross‐sensitization to shrimp and HDM is further suggested. Unspecific binding because of high total IgE or by binding to CCDs seemed to play a minor role. The prevalence of IgE sensitization to A. simplex appears to be lower in a Norwegian population than in other high fish‐consuming countries, but might still be overestimated owing to cross‐sensitization.
Paediatric Reference Values for the Peripheral T cell Compartment
Authors: Schatorjé E. J. H. , Gemen E. F. A. , Driessen G. J. A. , Leuvenink J. , van Hout R. W. N. M. , de Vries E. 
Published: March 2012

AbstractImmunophenotyping of blood lymphocyte subpopulations is an important tool in the diagnosis of immunological and haematological diseases. Paediatric age‐matched reference values have been determined for the major lymphocyte populations, but reliable reference values for the more recently described T lymphocyte subpopulations, like different types of memory T lymphocytes, recent thymic emigrants, regulatory T cells and CXCR5+ helper T lymphocytes, are not sufficiently available yet. We determined reference values for the absolute and relative sizes of T lymphocyte subpopulations in healthy children using the lysed whole blood method, which is most often used in diagnostic procedures. When the absolute numbers of some or all T lymphocyte subpopulations fall outside these reference ranges, this may indicate disease. The reference values show the course of T lymphocyte development in healthy children. Absolute T lymphocyte numbers increase 1.4‐fold during the first months of life, and after 9–15 months, they decrease threefold to adult values; this is mainly caused by the expansion of recent thymic emigrants and naive cells. Helper and cytotoxic T lymphocytes show the same pattern. Regulatory T cells increase in the first 5 months of life and then gradually decrease to adult values, although the absolute numbers remain small. The relative number of CXCR5+ cells within the CD4+CD45RO+ T lymphocytes increases during the first 6 months of life and then remains more or less stable around 20%.
Disease control and health systems in low‐ and middle‐income countries: enhancing positive interrelation
Authors: Collins Charles , Gonzalez Block Miguel Angel , Tang Shenglan 
Published: March 2012

AbstractThere is a growing interest in improving the relationship between disease control programmes and the rest of the health system in low‐ and middle‐income countries. This short study seeks to contribute to this movement by providing a multi‐dimensional approach for policy‐makers and researchers. It recognizes the different and often conflicting perspectives in health systems held by stakeholders. Two such perspectives are those of disease control programmes and health systems. Both are based on perceived health needs and put forward requirements on each other through resource demands and organizational needs. Failure to reconcile these perspectives can lead to health system fragmentation. This study proposes a framework to address the importance of mutual support across stakeholder perspectives, striving to understand and analyse the consequences of their reciprocal views. In doing this, the study stresses the importance of common understanding around health system values, the political interplay between stakeholders, the contextual setting and the need to integrate research and capacity development in this area.
Animal livestock and the risk of hospitalized diarrhoea in children under 5 years in Vietnam
Authors: Thiem Vu Dinh , Schmidt Wolf‐Peter , Suzuki Motoi , Tho Le Huu , Yanai Hideki , Ariyoshi Koya , Anh Dang Duc , Yoshida Lay‐Myint 
Published: March 2012

AbstractObjective  To investigate the association between environmental exposure to livestock and incidence of diarrhoea among Vietnamese children.Methods  A population‐based cohort of 353 525 individuals, living in 75 828 households in Khanh Hoa Province, Vietnam, with baseline data covering geo‐referenced information on demography, socio‐economic status and household animals was investigated. Geographic information system was applied to calculate the density of livestock. The data were linked to hospitalized diarrhoea cases of children under 5 years recorded at two hospitals treating patients from the area as inpatients in the study area.Results  Overall, 3116 children with diarrhoea were hospitalized during the study period. The incidence of diarrhoea hospitalization was 60.8/1000 child‐years. Male gender, age <2 years, higher number of household members and lack of tap water were significantly associated with an increased risk of diarrhoea. There was no evidence that ownership of livestock increased the risk of diarrhoea. In spatial analysis, we found no evidence that a high density of any animals was associated with an increased risk of diarrhoea.Conclusions Exposure to animals near or in households does not seem to constitute a major risk for diarrhoea in children under the age of 5 in Vietnam. Public health interventions to reduce childhood diarrhoea burden should focus on well‐recognized causes such as sanitation, personal hygiene, access to adequate clean water supply and vaccination.
The Gates Malaria Partnership: a consortium approach to malaria research and capacity development
Authors: Greenwood Brian , Bhasin Amit , Targett Geoffrey 
Published: March 2012

AbstractRecently, there has been a major increase in financial support for malaria control. Most of these funds have, appropriately, been spent on the tools needed for effective prevention and treatment of malaria such as insecticide‐treated bed nets, indoor residual spraying and artemisinin combination therapy. There has been less investment in the training of the scientists from malaria‐endemic countries needed to support these large and increasingly complex malaria control programmes, especially in Africa. In 2000, with support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Gates Malaria Partnership was established to support postgraduate training of African scientists wishing to pursue a career in malaria research. The programme had three research capacity development components: a PhD fellowship programme, a postdoctoral fellowship programme and a laboratory infrastructure programme. During an 8‐year period, 36 African PhD students and six postdoctoral fellows were supported, and two research laboratories were built in Tanzania. Some of the lessons learnt during this project – such as the need to improve PhD supervision in African universities and to provide better support for postdoctoral fellows – are now being applied to a successor malaria research capacity development programme, the Malaria Capacity Development Consortium, and may be of interest to other groups involved in improving postgraduate training in health sciences in African universities.
New Aspects of Boar Sperm Encapsulation
Authors: Faustini M 
Published: March 2012

ContentsThe study takes into account the main steps and techniques for boar semen encapsulation, to optimize the instrumental insemination interventions. The use of cheap, biocompatible polymers as alginate can assure a regular, constant release of spermatozoa in the sow reproductive system, avoiding the double/triple intervention of insemination and reducing the employ of disposable materials. The encapsulation/microencapsulation of semen can therefore be the starting point of new, innovative systems of pig reproduction management.