bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Food consumption impacts of adherence to dietary norms in the United States: a quantitative assessment
Authors: Srinivasan C. S. 
Published: August 2010

AbstractPromotion of adherence to healthy‐eating norms has become an important element of nutrition policy in the United States and other developed countries. We assess the potential consumption impacts of adherence to a set of recommended dietary norms in the United States using a mathematical programming approach. We find that adherence to recommended dietary norms would involve significant changes in diets, with large reductions in the consumption of fats and oils along with large increases in the consumption of fruits, vegetables, and cereals. Compliance with norms recommended by the World Health Organization for energy derived from sugar would involve sharp reductions in sugar intakes. We also analyze how dietary adjustments required vary across demographic groups. Most socio‐demographic characteristics appear to have relatively little influence on the pattern of adjustment required to comply with norms. Income levels have little effect on required dietary adjustments. Education is the only characteristic to have a significant influence on the magnitude of adjustments required. The least educated rather than the poorest have to bear the highest burden of adjustment. Our analysis suggests that fiscal measures like nutrient‐based taxes may not be as regressive as commonly believed. Dissemination of healthy‐eating norms to the less educated will be a key challenge for nutrition policy.
Consumer willingness to pay for genetically modified food in Kenya
Authors: Kimenju Simon Chege , De Groote Hugo 
Published: August 2010

AbstractGenetically modified (GM) crops are popular in many regions of the world, but their deployment in Africa is hindered by safety concerns and regulatory issues, although the continent is in dire need of boosting its food production. Although consumers' acceptance of GM food has been analyzed in many continents, no such studies have been conducted in Africa. Therefore, a survey of 604 consumers was conducted in Nairobi, Kenya, in 2003, to gauge consumers' awareness of GM crops, their willingness to pay (WTP) for GM food, and the factors that influence their WTP. Consumers' knowledge of GM crops was limited and only 38% of the 604 respondents were aware of GM crops. People in higher education and income groups were more aware than others. Regardless, people were generally appreciative of the technology, and a large majority (68%) would be willing to buy GM maize meal at the same price as their favorite brand. Consumers were, however, concerned about possible side effects, especially on the environment and biodiversity.WTP was estimated using a double‐bounded dichotomous choice model, and the mean WTP was found to be 13.8% higher than the average price of non‐GM maize meal. Perceptions of health risk, and ethical and equity concerns had a negative influence on the likelihood of purchasing GM maize meal, whereas trust in government to ensure food quality had a positive influence on WTP. People with at least some secondary education and those in the high‐income category were more likely to purchase GM maize meal at the same price. The study concludes that, because awareness is still low, appropriate communications are needed to involve the consumer in the debate. Consumers' acceptance in this study was high, but the research needs to be expanded to rural areas, where most consumers live, and other survey methods need to be explored.
Yield quality and irrigation with saline water under environmental limitations: the case of processing tomatoes in California
Authors: Kan Iddo 
Published: August 2010

AbstractIrrigation with saline water has a positive impact on some quality indices of processing tomatoes, but with concomitant reductions in output quantity. This article studies the impact of the trade‐off between these two factors on optimal water management under waterlogging and costly drainage‐disposal conditions. The focus is on the content of total soluble solids as a quality measure affecting prices paid by California processors to tomato growers. A function relating quality to water and salinity applications and a quality hedonic‐price function are estimated and introduced into a static, field‐level mathematical programming model. The model calculates optimal water management under environmental regulations associated with drainage disposal in California. Findings indicate that only when the quality effect is taken into account does blending fresh surface‐water with saline drain‐water become an optimal strategy. Management and policy implications on the regional scale are discussed.
Technical efficiency and environmental‐technological gaps in wheat production in Kerman province of Iran
Authors: Boshrabadi Hossein Mehrabi , Villano Renato , Fleming Euan 
Published: August 2010

AbstractThis article reports on an analysis of technical efficiency and environment‐technology gaps in wheat farming in Iran. A random sample of 676 farmers was selected from the province of Kerman in 2004. In this study, Kerman is divided into five regions based on climatic and geographical conditions. The province is situated in the south‐eastern part of Iran and contains substantial variations in climate.The technical efficiency indices are computed using three approaches. First, a standard stochastic production frontier was employed using pooled cross‐sectional data. Secondly, regional stochastic frontier production functions were estimated. Lastly, the metafrontier approach was used because production environments and technologies are expected to differ between the five regions. Use of this method enabled technical efficiency scores to be corrected by the coefficient of the environment‐technology gap ratio (ETGR). Estimates of the frontier were obtained assuming a translog functional form.Results indicate that farms differ in technical efficiencies, ETGRs and the use they make of inputs. Mean ETGRs vary substantially between farms and across regions whereas mean technical efficiencies are reasonably similar across regions but differ in the extent of variation among farms within each region. A low ETGR for the north‐western region is attributable to a lack of water resources, restricting the ability of farmers to benefit from improved varieties, and small‐sized farms, which militate against mechanization embodying labor‐saving technologies.The results do not lead to definitive policy prescriptions. But they do provide indicators of where farm‐level research is likely to be most effective in closing the environment‐technology gap, for example by enabling farmers to take greater advantage of the productivity‐enhancing effects of improved technologies embodied in cropping machinery and irrigation facilities. The ability of farmers to alleviate the environmental constraints on wheat production is likely to vary across regions, and will depend on the nature of these constraints and the ability of researchers to design technologies suited to each region that will overcome them.
Valuing animal genetic resources: a choice modeling application to indigenous cattle in Kenya
Authors: Ruto Eric , Garrod Guy , Scarpa Riccardo 
Published: August 2010

AbstractIn an effort to improve productivity and profits, many farmers have replaced traditional livestock breeds with higher yielding alternatives. While such changes may bring about short‐term economic gains, the loss of traditional livestock breeds could result in the loss of an important genetic resource as a variety of important genetic traits adapted to local conditions gradually become less common in the population. This is a particular problem in Africa, where livestock make a substantial contribution to human livelihoods. Using the example of cattle in Kenya's pastoral livestock markets this study uses a choice experiment approach to investigate buyers' preferences for indigenous breeds such as the Maasai Zebu. The analysis employs a latent class approach to characterize heterogeneity in valuations both within and across respondents buying cattle for breeding, slaughter, or resale. The results show that there are at least three classes of buyers with distinct preferences for cattle traits and that most buyers favor exotic rather than indigenous breeds. Such preferences have implications for the conservation of indigenous cattle in Kenya and in other developing countries and suggest that some form of intervention may be required to ensure the preservation of this important animal genetic resource.
Valuing the influence of underlying attitudes and the demand for organic milk in Japan
Authors: Managi Shunsuke , Yamamoto Yasutaka , Iwamoto Hiroyuki , Masuda Kiyotaka 
Published: August 2010

AbstractSubjective perceptions about a product affect consumer choice. Accordingly, acquiring the underlying demand characteristics that consumers find desirable is vital for firms planning future marketing strategies. However, the extent to which product‐specific perceptions affect consumer choice is poorly understood. New agricultural standards for organic livestock were introduced in Japan in November 2005 and are expected to influence the market significantly. Choice modeling (CM) is used to explore how consumers evaluate the latent demands and conventional attributes (or tangible values) of organic milk. The results suggest that latent demands, along with socioeconomic characteristics and conventional attributes, provide strong incentives for consumers to move from the purchase of conventional milk to organic milk. The analysis indicates that latent demands reflecting the safeness of organic milk, the better taste of organic milk, the image of environmental friendliness in the production process, and the image of the health and comfort of the cows are important factors that influence consumers' purchasing decisions. However, each specific factor has a corresponding conventional tangible attribute that needs to be targeted in marketing strategy.
Estimating market demand for fresh yam characteristics using contingent valuation: implications for crop breeding and production choices
Authors: Amegbeto N. Koffi , Manyong Victor M. , Coulibaly Ousmane , Asiedu Robert 
Published: August 2010

AbstractThis study uses the Box–Cox (BC) transformations to examine nonlinearity in price modeling and compare results from several functional specifications in hedonic price analysis of yam in Togo. Based on a sample of 6,402 observations on price and produce characteristics generated through a market experiment, it is found that the BC quadratic asymmetric specification is the most suitable function. Several characteristics are valued more than others, and prices vary across species, time, and market sites. Some residual symptoms of pest and disease damages on yam tubers reduce their market values. Tuber weight exhibits a diminishing marginal value and price per kilogram decreases above an optimum size; therefore, producers do not derive additional reward from extra‐large tubers. We conclude that, to effectively access and benefit from urban markets, producers should focus on small size, low weight, and conical shaped‐tubers, which are easy to process and meet the esthetic qualities preferred by urban consumers. The implications for research on improved variety development to reduce poverty and for crop and resource management practices are drawn.
An analysis of the impact of swine CAFOs on the value of nearby houses
Authors: Isakson Hans R. , Ecker Mark D. 
Published: August 2010

AbstractThe impact of 39 swine confined or concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) in Black Hawk County, Iowa on 5,822 house sales is explored by introducing a new variable that more accurately captures the effects of prevailing winds, exploring potential adverse effects within concentric circles around each CAFO, managing selection bias, and incorporating spatial correlation into the error term of the empirical model. Large adverse impacts suffered by houses that are within 3 miles and directly downwind from a CAFO are found. Beyond 3 miles, CAFOs have a generally decreasing adverse impact on house prices as distance to the CAFO increases.
Fibronectin enhances viability and alters cytoskeletal functions (with effects on the phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase pathway) in small cell lung cancer
Authors: Kijima T. , Maulin G. , Ma P. C. , Madhiwala Priya , Schaefer E. , Salgia R. 
Published: August 2010

AbstractSmall cell lung cancer (SCLC) is a rapidly progressive disease with ultimate poor outcome. SCLC has been shown to interact closely with the stromal and extracellular matrix (ECM) components of the diseased host. ECM consists of type I/IV collagen, laminin, vitronectin, and fibronectin (FN) among others. Herein, we investigated the behavior of a SCLC cell line (NCI‐H446) on FN‐coated surface. Over a course of 72 h, FN (10 ?g/ml) caused both increased survival and proliferation of NCI‐H446 cells. Survival under serum‐starved conditions increased 1.44‐fold and proliferation in the presence of fetal calf serum increased by 1.30‐fold. The phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase (PI3‐K) inhibitor LY294002 reduced both survival and proliferation of NCI‐H446 cells (0.48‐ and 0.27‐fold, respectively), even on FN‐coated surface. We next determined the effects of FN on cytoskeletal function such as cell motility/morphology and adhesion. Over a course of 24 h, FN reduced aggregation of NCI‐H446 cells and induced flattened cellular morphology with neurite‐like projections after 1 h, however, in the presence of LY294002, the cells rounded up. Adhesion of NCI‐H446 cells also increased with FN (4.47‐ fold) which was abrogated with LY294002 treatment. This correlated with phosphorylation of the cytoskeletal protein p125FAK, on Tyr397, Tyr861 and Ser843 residues with FN. Even in the presence of LY294002, these serine/tyrosine residues were still phosphorylated on FN‐coated surface. In contrast, the focal adhesion protein paxillin was not phosphorylated at Tyr31 with FN. In summary, FN stimulation of SCLC cells leads to enhancement of viability and change in cytoskeletal function that are partially mediated through the PI3‐K pathway.
Effect of homocysteine on calcium mobilization and platelet function in type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Alexandru N. , Jardín I. , Popov D. , Simionescu M. , García‐Estañ J. , Salido G. M. , Rosado J. A. 
Published: August 2010

AbstractType 2 diabetes mellitus induces a characteristic platelet hyperactivity that might be due to several factors including oxidativ stress and abnormal intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis. Hyperhomocysteinaemia is considered a risk factor in the development of thrombosis although its effect on platelet function and the mechanisms involved are still poorly understood. Here we show tha homocysteine induce a concentration‐dependent increase in endogenous production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which was significantly greater in platelets from diabetic patients than in controls. Platelet treatment with homocysteine resulted in Ca2+ release from the dense tubular system and the acidic stores. Ca2+ mobilization‐induced by homocysteine consisted in two components, an initial slow increase in intracellular free Ca + concentration ([Ca +]i) and a rapid and marked increase in [Ca2+]i, th second leading to the activation of platelet aggregation. As well as ROS generation, Ca2+ mobilization and platelet aggregation were significantly greater in platelets from diabetic donors than in controls, which indicate that platelets from diabetic donors are more sensitive to homocysteine. These findings, together with the hyperhomocysteinaemia reported in diabetic patients, strongly suggest that homocysteine might be considered a risk factor in the development of cardiovascular complications associated to type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Proteins of the secretory pathway govern virus productivity during lytic gammaherpesvirus infection
Authors: Mages J. , Freimüller K. , Lang R. , Hatzopoulos A. K. , Guggemoos S. , Koszinowski U. H. , Adler H. 
Published: August 2010

AbstractBackground: Diseases caused by gammaherpesviruses continue to be a challenge for human health and antiviral treatment. Most of the commonly used antiviral drugs are directed against viral gene products. However, the emergence of drug‐resistant mutations ma limit the effectiveness of these drugs. Since viruses require a host cell to propagate, the search for host cell targets is an interestin alternative. Methods: In this study, we infected three different cell types (fibroblasts, endothelial precursor cells and macrophages with a murine gammaherpesvirus and analysed the host cell response for changes either common to all or unique to a particular cell type using oligonucleotide microarrays. Results: The analysis revealed a number of genes whose transcription was significantly up‐ or down‐regulated in either one or two of the cell types tested. After infection, only two genes, Lman1 (also known as ERGIC53) an synaptobrevin‐like 1 (sybl1) were significantly up‐regulated in all three cell types, suggestive for a general role for the virus life cycl independent of the cell type. Both proteins have been implicated in cellular exocytosis and transport of glycoproteins through the secre tory pathway. To test the significance of the observed up‐regulation, the functionality of these proteins was modulated, and the effect on virus replication was monitored. Inhibition of either Lman1 or sybl1 resulted in a significant reduction in virus production. Conclusions: This suggests that proteins of the secretory pathway which appear to be rate limiting for virus production may represent new targets for intervention.
Transgenic mice overexpressing human G972R IRS‐1 show impaired insulin action and insulin secretion.
Authors: Hribal Marta L. , Tornei F. , Pujol A. , Menghini R. , Barcaroli D. , Lauro D. , Amoruso R. , Lauro R. , Bosch F. , Sesti G. , Federici M. 
Published: August 2010

AbstractMolecular scanning of human insulin receptor substrate (Irs) genes revealed a single lrs1 prevalent variant, a glycine to arginine change at codon 972 (G972R); previous in vitro studies had demonstrated that the presence of this variant results in an impaired activation of the insulin signalling pathway, while human studies gave controversial results regarding its role in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance and related diseases. To address in vivo impact of this IRS‐1 variant on whole body glucose homeostasis and insulin signalling, we have generated transgenic mice overexpressing it (Tg972) and evaluated insulin action in the liver, skeletal muscle and adipose tissue and assessed glucose homeostasis both under a normal diet and a high‐fat diet. We found that Tg972 mice developed age‐related glucose and insulin intolerance and hyperglycaemia, with insulin levels comparatively low. Glucose utilization and insulin signalling were impaired in all key insulin target tissues in Tg972 mice. There were no differences in pancreatic morphology between Tg972 and wild‐type mice, however when insulin secretion was evaluated in isolated islets, it was significantly reduced in Tg972 mice islets at any glucose concentration tested. Under a high‐fat diet, Tg972 mice had increased body and adipose tissue weight, and were more prone to develop diet‐induced glucose and insulin intolerance. So, we believe that Tg972 mice may represent a useful model to elucidate the interaction between genetic and environmental factors in insulin resistance pathogenesis. Furthermore, they may become an important tool to test novel tailored therapies.
Interactions between epidermal growth factor and the Tabby mutation in skin
Authors: Isaacs K. , Brown G. , Moore G. P. M. 
Published: August 2010

AbstractMutations of the X‐linked genes Tabby (Ta) in mice and EDA in humans result in developmental and functional abnormalities, primarily in the skin and hair follicles. Although both genes are believed to encode membrane‐associated proteins, it has been suggested that, in the mouse, the mutation is linked to a deficiency of epidermal growth factor (EGF). This study investigated relationships between the skin abnormalities of Ta mice and the EGF signal pathway. The distribution of endogenous EGF in tissues of Ta/Y and +/Y animals was examined and, because of its reported morphogenetic actions and ability to overcome receptor signalling defects in vivo, the effects of exogenous EGF on the hair follicle population were determined. EGF levels were similar in a number of tissues of Ta/Y and +/Y mice, but amounts in Ta/Y submaxillary glands were reduced, probably due to a smaller gland size. Exogenous EGF inhibited hair follicle development and decreased follicle density in both genotypes. It was concluded from comparisons of the distributions of EGF and its effects in skin with those in mice bearing mutations in the EGF signal pathway that the normal phenotype results from interactions between EGF and the Ta peptide in skin.
Molecular basis of a novel rhino (hrrhChr) phenotype: a nonsense mutation in the mouse hairless gene
Authors: Ahmad W. , Panteleyev A. A. , Henson‐Apollonio V. , Sundberg J. P. , Christiano A. M. 
Published: August 2010

AbstractThe hairless and rhino mutations are autosomal recessive allelic mutations that map to mouse Chromosome 14. In general, the rhino phenotype is a more severe manifestation of the hairless phenotype. In both hairless and rhino mice, the hair begins shedding in a cephalocaudal pattern within 7 days after birth, and never regrows due to a series of irreversible cellular events. The hairless mutation closely resembles the human disease known as papular atrichia (MIM 209500). Recently, this disease was linked to Chromosome 8p12, the human homolog of hairless was cloned and mapped to the same locus, and mutations have been identified in several different families. In order to gain insight into the pathophysiology of disease in papular atrichia, we sought to utilize mouse mutations as in vivo model systems. In this study, we report the identification of a homozygous nonsense mutation in the coding region of the hr gene in a hairless mouse captured on a chicken farm in the Midwestern United States. To reflect the place of identification of this new mutation at the hr locus, we have designated this allele hrrhChr using the laboratory code Chr (Christiano).