bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Influence of colony size on pup fitness and survival in South American sea lions
Authors: Drago Massimiliano , Cardona Luís , García Néstor , Ameghino Santiago , Aguilar Alex 
Published: July 2010

AbstractIncreased terrestrial pup mortality in small colonies due to harassment by subadult males has been proposed as a mechanism to explain the stagnation of South American sea lion populations after sealing ended. To test this hypothesis, pup survival rate was assessed in five northern Patagonia colonies with different sizes. Female diet quality as well as pup growth rate and immune status from the largest and smallest of these colonies were also assessed. Results indicated that the pup survival rate increased with colony size and pup‐to‐subadult male ratio. Furthermore, pups grew faster in the smallest colony, although female diet composition and pup immune status did not differ between the two colonies. Inverse relationship between pup growth rate and survival rate indicated that mortality was independent of food supply. In absence of terrestrial predators, infanticide by subadult males is the only mortality source other than starvation and illness and the relationship between pup survival rate and pup‐to‐subadult male ratio approached a type II functional response curve. Thus, infanticide stands as the most likely reason for the observed positive relationship between colony size and pup survival rate, supporting the hypothesis that post‐sealing population stasis was caused by inverse density dependence.
South American sea lions in Peru have a lek‐like mating system
Authors: Soto Karim H. , Trites Andrew W. 
Published: July 2010

AbstractFive years of behavioral observations revealed significant effects of high air temperatures and breeding site topography on the mating system of South American sea lions in Peru. Unlike most polygynous mammals that defend females or fixed territories, male sea lions in Peru maintained positions along the shoreline where females passed each day to thermoregulate, and where most copulations occurred. Sex ratios (1 male per 17 females) and male mating success were extremely skewed (14% of males achieved 50% of the copulations, and 25% of them did not copulate at all). The mass daily movements of females toward the water and cool substrate of the shoreline, along with a highly skewed sex ratio, accentuated the difficulty for males to monopolize and restrict female movements. Females moved freely and chose their mates, unlike in temperate regions of their range where male South American sea lions control groups of females or access to tide pools. Our observations indicate that the South American sea lion in Peru has a lek‐like breeding system. This is a rare alternative to the common male strategies of defending females and resources, and is likely an evolutionary product of their highly skewed sex ratio, protracted breeding season, and the extreme subtropical climate where they breed.
Development of Soybean Protein‐Isolate Edible Films Incorporated with Beeswax, Span 20, and Glycerol
Authors: Chao Zhang , Yue Ma , Xiaoyan Zhao , Dan Ma 
Published: July 2010

Abstract:  The effect of the beeswax, Span 20, and glycerol content on qualities of soybean‐protein‐isolate edible films was evaluated. Beeswax and Span 20 were selected to improve qualities of soybean‐protein‐isolate films from 11 emulsifiers. The content of beeswax, Span 20, and glycerol was further optimized by response surface analysis. The optimal composite emulsifier was beeswax (1.87% of soybean protein‐isolate), Span 20 (10.25% of soybean protein‐isolate), and glycerol (29.12% of soybean protein‐isolate) with tensile strength of 908 MPa, percentage elongation at break of 25.8%, water vapor permeability of 19.2 g/m·d·MPa, and oxygen permeability of 0 cm3/m·d·MPa. The quality of soybean‐protein‐isolate films incorporated with the optimal composite emulsifier was 2.34 times higher than that of the control. Furthermore, the disulfide bond content of soybean‐protein‐isolate films showed a positive correlation with their quality, which provided a simple and rapid way to rank quality of soybean‐protein‐isolate films. Therefore, our result will not only give an instruction to soybean‐protein‐isolate‐film production, but also give a simple and rapid way to rank film qualities.Practical Application:  Our results give the optimal composite emulsifiers for the soybean‐protein‐isolate‐film production. The soybean‐protein‐isolate films based on the optimal composite emulsifiers show their tensile strength of 908 MPa, percentage elongation at break of 25.8%, water vapor permeability of 19.2 g/m·d·MPa, and oxygen permeability of 0 cm3/m·d·MPa, being stronger than the control. Moreover, our results give a simple and rapid way to rank film qualities, because the disulfide bond content of soybean‐protein‐isolate films showed a positive correlation with their quality. Hence, the disulfide bond content was an indicator to rank qualities of soybean‐protein‐isolate films.
Direct Spectroscopic Observation of Singlet Oxygen Quenching and Kinetic Studies of Physical and Chemical Singlet Oxygen Quenching Rate Constants of Synthetic Antioxidants (BHA, BHT, and TBHQ) in Methanol
Authors: Lee Jun Hyun , Jung Mun Yhung 
Published: July 2010

Abstract:  Singlet oxygen quenching by synthetic antioxidants (BHA, BHT, and TBHQ) was directly observed by spectroscopic monitoring of luminescence at 1268 nm. The luminescence data showed unambiguous evidence of singlet oxygen quenching by synthetic phenolic antioxidants with the highest activity for TBHQ, followed by BHA and BHT. The protective activities of these synthetic antioxidants on α‐terpinene oxidation with chemically‐induced singlet oxygen under dark further confirmed their singlet oxygen quenching abilities. Total singlet oxygen quenching rate constants (kr + kq) of BHA, BHT, and TBHQ were determined in a system containing α‐terpinene (as a singlet oxygen trap) and methylene blue (as a sensitizer) during light irradiation, and the values were 5.14 × 107, 3.41 × 106, and 1.99 × 108 M−1s−1, respectively. After the kr value of α‐terpinene was first determined, the kr values of the synthetic antioxidants were calculated by measuring their relative reaction rates with singlet oxygen to that of α‐terpinene under the identical conditions. The kr values of the BHA, BHT, and TBHQ were 3.90 × 105, 1.23 × 105, and 2.93 × 106, M−1s−1. The percent partition of chemical quenching over total singlet oxygen quenching (kr × 100)/(kr + kq) for BHA, BHT, and TBHQ were 0.76%, 3.61%, and 1.47%, respectively. The results showed that the synthetic antioxidants quench singlet oxygen almost exclusively through the mechanism of physical quenching. This represents the first report on the singlet oxygen quenching mechanism of these synthetic antioxidants.Practical Application:  The synthetic antioxidants, especially TBHQ, have been found to have a strong singlet oxygen quenching ability. This article also clearly showed that singlet oxygen quenching by synthetic antioxidants was mainly by the physical quenching mechanism. The results suggested that these synthetic antioxidants, especially TBHQ, could be used practically for the protection of the food components such as edible oils and vitamins against singlet oxygen induced oxidations without significant losses of antioxidant activity during storage under light.
Stabilization of a Nutraceutical Omega‐3 Fatty Acid by Encapsulation in Ultrathin Electrosprayed Zein Prolamine
Authors: Torres‐Giner Sergio , Martinez‐Abad Antonio , Ocio Maria J. , Lagaron Jose M. 
Published: July 2010

Abstract:  Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is a long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid of the omega‐3 series (ω‐3), which exerts strong positive influences on human health. The target of this study was the stabilization by encapsulation of this bioactive ingredient in zein ultrathin capsules produced by electrospraying. The zein ultrathin DHA encapsulation was observed by ATR‐FTIR spectroscopy to be more efficient against degradation under both ambient conditions and in a confined space (so‐called headspace experiment). In the latter case, that more closely simulates a sealed food packaging situation, the bioactive DHA was considerably more stable. By fitting the degradation data to a specific auto‐decomposition food lipids kinetic model, it was seen that the encapsulated ω‐3 fatty acid showed a 2.5‐fold reduction in the degradation rate constant and also had much higher degradation induction time. Moreover, the ultrathin zein‐DHA capsules resulted to be more stable across relative humidity and temperature. Finally, headspace analysis by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry showed that the presence of 3 main flavor‐influencing aldehydes in the headspace was much lower in the zein encapsulated DHA, suggesting that the encapsulated bioactive also releases much less off‐flavors. Electrosprayed ultrathin capsules of zein are shown to exhibit potential in the design of novel functional foods or bioactive packaging strategies to enhance the stability of functional ingredients. Practical Application: This article presents a novel methodology for the stabilization by encapsulation of omega 3 nutraceuticals via electrospraying and has potential application in the development of functional foods.
Poly(Anhydride) Nanoparticles Act as Active Th1 Adjuvants through Toll-Like Receptor Exploitation
Authors: Tamayo I. , Irache J. M. , Mansilla C. , Ochoa-Repáraz J. , Lasarte J. J. , Gamazo C. 
Published: July 2010

ABSTRACTThe mechanisms that underlie the potent Th1-adjuvant capacity of poly(methyl vinyl ether-co-maleic anhydride) nanoparticles (NPs) were investigated. Traditionally, polymer NPs have been considered delivery systems that promote a closer interaction between antigen and antigen-presenting cells (APCs). Our results revealed that poly(anhydride) NPs also act as agonists of various Toll-like receptors (TLRs) (TLR2, -4, and -5), triggering a Th1-profile cytokine release (gamma interferon [IFN-γ], 478 pg/ml versus 39.6 pg/ml from negative control; interleukin-12 [IL-12], 40 pg/ml versus 7.2 pg/ml from negative control) and, after incubation with dendritic cells, inducing a 2.5- to 3.5-fold increase of CD54 and CD86 costimulatory molecule expression. Furthermore,in vivostudies suggest that NPs actively elicit a CD8+T-cell response. Immunization with empty NPs resulted in a significant delay in the mean survival date (from day 7 until day 23 postchallenge) and a protection level of 30% after challenge against a lethal dose ofSalmonellaentericaserovar Enteritidis. Taken together, our results provide a better understanding of how NPs act as active Th1 adjuvants in immunoprophylaxis and immunotherapy through TLR exploitation.
Recombinant Allergens Combined with Biological Markers in the Diagnosis of Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis in Cystic Fibrosis Patients
Authors: Fricker-Hidalgo Hélène , Coltey Bérangère , Llerena Catherine , Renversez Jean-Charles , Grillot Renée , Pin Isabelle , Pelloux Hervé , Pinel Claudine 
Published: July 2010

ABSTRACT

Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) is a frequent complication in cystic fibrosis patients. The diagnosis remains difficult and requires a combination of clinical, radiological, biological, and mycological criteria. The aim of this study was to analyze the added value of two recombinant antigens, rAspf4 and rAspf6, associated with the detection of specific IgG; precipitins; total IgE; and
Aspergillus fumigatus
in sputum for the diagnosis of ABPA. In a retrospective study, we determined the specific IgE responses to these recombinants in 133 sera of 65 cystic fibrosis patients. We selected an average of five serum samples from each of the 17 patients with ABPA (13 proven and 4 probable ABPA) and from 3 patients with
Aspergillus
bronchitis and rhinosinusitis. One serum sample for the 45 patients without ABPA was tested. The sensitivity of specific IgE detection against rAspf4 calculated per patient (92.3%) was significantly higher (
P
< 0.05) than that of rAspf6 (53.8%). When rAspf4 IgE detection was associated with anti-
Aspergillus
IgG enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and precipitin detection, the sensitivity rose to 100%. The specificities of rAspf4 and rAspf6 IgE detection were 93.7% and 91.6%, respectively. Other diagnostic criteria had slightly lower specificities (87.5% for anti-
Aspergillus
IgG ELISA, 89.6% for precipitins, 84.4% for total IgE, and 85.0% for positive
A. fumigatus
culture in sputum). In conclusion, this retrospective study showed the relevance of rAspf4 IgE detection, in combination with other biological markers (
Aspergillus
IgG ELISA, precipitins, and total IgE), for improving the biological diagnosis of ABPA.
Utility of Pandemic H1N1 2009 Influenza Virus Recombinant Hemagglutinin Protein-Based Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay for Serosurveillance
Authors: Arankalle V. A. , Virkar R. G. , Tandale B. V. , Ingle N. B. 
Published: July 2010

ABSTRACT
An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the detection of IgG antibodies against the pandemic H1N1 2009 influenza A virus, employing a recombinant hemagglutinin protein of the virus, was compared to the hemagglutination inhibition (HI) test using 783 serum samples. The results showed a concordance of 98.4%, suggesting the utility of the ELISA in serosurveillance. Two hundred sixty-nine (100%) serum samples with an HI titer of ≥20 were ELISA reactive.
Dynamic Changes in Inflammatory Cytokines in Pigs Infected with Highly Pathogenic Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus
Authors: Liu Yonggang , Shi Wenda , Zhou Enmin , Wang Shujie , Hu Shouping , Cai Xuehui , Rong Fulong , Wu Jiabin , Xu Min , Xu Mingming , Li Liqin 
Published: July 2010

ABSTRACT

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) infection induces both humoral and cellular immune responses. In this study, we investigated the changes in cytokine levels in peripheral blood between the highly pathogenic PRRSV HuN4 strain and its derivative strain HuN4-F112 obtained by serial propagation in MARC145 cells to 112 passages. The results demonstrated that pigs infected with HuN4 showed a loss of appetite, decrease in body weight, raised body temperature, and respiratory symptoms, along with interstitial pneumonia lesions. The PRRSV amounts in the pigs infected with HuN4 were 10
5
to 10
9
copies/ml in the blood and 10
10
to 10
11
copies/g in the lung tissues, whereas the virus amounts with HuN4-F112 were 10
2.15
to 10
3.13
copies/ml in the blood and 10
3.0
to 10
3.6
copies/g in the lungs. Moreover, the levels of interleukin 1 (IL-1), IL-6, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and alpha interferon (IFN-α) in peripheral blood were upregulated 7 days postinoculation with HuN4, which was earlier than in the HuN4-F112 group. Furthermore, cytokine levels in the pigs infected with HuN4 returned to normal on the 21st day postinoculation, while the levels in those infected with HuN4-F112 continued to increase. These results demonstrated that the pigs infected with the highly pathogenic PRRSV HuN4 strain generated earlier and higher levels of inflammatory cytokines, and the results also indicated that HuN4 may aggravate inflammation and damage tissues and organs. The low-pathogenic PRRSV HuN4-F112 strain induced lower levels of inflammatory cytokines, which may enhance the immune responses against the infection.
Impact of Free-Living Amoebae on Presence of
Parachlamydia acanthamoebae
in the Hospital Environment and Its Survival
In Vitro
without Requirement for Amoebae
Authors: Fukumoto Tatsuya , Matsuo Junji , Hayashi Masahiro , Oguri Satoshi , Nakamura Shinji , Mizutani Yoshihiko , Yao Takashi , Akizawa Kouzi , Suzuki Haruki , Shimizu Chikara , Matsuno Kazuhiko , Yamaguchi Hiroyuki 
Published: July 2010

ABSTRACT

Parachlamydia acanthamoebae
is an obligately intracellular bacterium that infects free-living amoebae and is a potential human pathogen in hospital-acquired pneumonia. We examined whether the presence of
P. acanthamoebae
is related to the presence of
Acanthamoeba
in an actual hospital environment and assessed the
in vitro
survival of
P. acanthamoebae
. Ninety smear samples were collected between November 2007 and March 2008 (trial 1,
n
= 52) and between October 2008 and February 2009 (trial 2,
n
= 38) from the floor (dry conditions,
n
= 56) and sink outlets (moist conditions,
n
= 34) of a hospital. The prevalences of
P. acanthamoebae
DNA in the first and second trials were 64.3% and 76%, respectively. The prevalences of
Acanthamoeba
DNA in the first and second trials were 48% and 63.1%, respectively. A statistical correlation between the prevalence of
P. acanthamoebae
and that of
Acanthamoeba
was found (trial 1,
P
= 0.011; trial 2,
P
= 0.022), and that correlation increased when samples from just the dry area (floor smear samples,
P
= 0.002) were analyzed but decreased when samples from a moist area were analyzed (
P
= 0.273). The
in vitro
experiment showed that, without
Acanthamoeba
,
P. acanthamoebae
could not survive in dry conditions for 3 days at 30°C or 15 days at 15°C. Thus, both organisms were coincidentally found in an actual hospital environment, with the presence of
Acanthamoeba
having a significant effect on the long-term survival of
P. acanthamoebae
, suggesting that this potential human pathogen could spread through a hospital environment via
Acanthamoeba
.
Genotypic and Phenotypic Characterization of Enterotoxigenic
Escherichia coli
Strains Isolated from Peruvian Children
Authors: Rivera F. P. , Ochoa T. J. , Maves R. C. , Bernal M. , Medina A. M. , Meza R. , Barletta F. , Mercado E. , Ecker L. , Gil A. I. , Hall E. R. , Huicho L. , Lanata C. F. 
Published: July 2010

ABSTRACT

Enterotoxigenic
Escherichia coli
(ETEC) is a major cause of childhood diarrhea. The present study sought to determine the prevalence and distribution of toxin types, colonization factors (CFs), and antimicrobial susceptibility of ETEC strains isolated from Peruvian children. We analyzed ETEC strains isolated from Peruvian children between 2 and 24 months of age in a passive surveillance study. Five
E. coli
colonies per patient were studied by multiplex real-time PCR to identify ETEC virulence factors. ETEC-associated toxins were confirmed using a GM1-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Confirmed strains were tested for CFs by dot blot assay using 21 monoclonal antibodies. We analyzed 1,129 samples from children with diarrhea and 744 control children and found ETEC in 5.3% and 4.3%, respectively. ETEC was more frequently isolated from children >12 months of age than from children <12 months of age (
P
< 0.001). Fifty-two percent of ETEC isolates from children with diarrhea and 72% of isolates from controls were heat-labile enterotoxin (LT) positive and heat-stable enterotoxin (ST) negative; 25% and 19%, respectively, were LT negative and ST positive; and 23% and 9%, respectively, were LT positive and ST positive. CFs were identified in 64% of diarrheal samples and 37% of control samples (
P
< 0.05). The most common CFs were CS6 (14% and 7%, respectively), CS12 (12% and 4%, respectively), and CS1 (9% and 4%, respectively). ST-producing ETEC strains caused more severe diarrhea than non-ST-producing ETEC strains. The strains were most frequently resistant to ampicillin (71%) and co-trimoxazole (61%). ETEC was thus found to be more prevalent in older infants. LT was the most common toxin type; 64% of strains had an identified CF. These data are relevant in estimating the burden of disease due to ETEC and the potential coverage of children in Peru by investigational vaccines.
Evaluation of a Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification Method Using Fecal Specimens for Differential Detection of
Taenia
Species from Humans
Authors: Nkouawa Agathe , Sako Yasuhito , Li Tiaoying , Chen Xingwang , Wandra Toni , Swastika I. Kadek , Nakao Minoru , Yanagida Tetsuya , Nakaya Kazuhiro , Qiu Dongchuan , Ito Akira 
Published: July 2010

ABSTRACT

We compared the performance of loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) with that of a multiplex PCR method for differential detection of human
Taenia
parasites in fecal specimens from taeniasis patients. The LAMP method, with no false positives, showed a higher sensitivity (88.4%) than the multiplex PCR (37.2%). Thus, it is expected that the LAMP method has a high value for molecular diagnosis of taeniasis.
Emergence and Localized Circulation of a Vaccine-Derived Poliovirus in an Isolated Mountain Community in Guangxi, China
Authors: Yan Dongmei , Li Li , Zhu Shuangli , Zhang Yong , An Junjing , Wang Dongyan , Wen Ning , Jorba Jaume , Liu Wei , Zhong Ge , Huang Lin , Kew Olen , Liang Xiaofeng , Xu Wenbo 
Published: July 2010

ABSTRACTFrom March to May 2006, type 1 circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus (cVDPV) was isolated from one case patient with acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) and six unimmunized healthy contacts in isolated mountain villages in Guangxi, China. We conducted epidemiological investigations in the affected communities and nucleotide sequence analyses of the cVDPV isolates. The results of the investigations showed that the AFP patient, an unimmunized 10-year-old boy, and five laboratory-confirmed contacts lived in the same village; one contact lived in a neighboring village. Only ∼27% of children 5 to 10 years of age in the affected villages had received three or more doses of the trivalent oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV). Nucleotide sequence analyses revealed that the cVDPV isolates differed from the Sabin 1 (S1) isolate at 1.4 to 2.2% of VP1 nucleotide positions and shared 12 nucleotide substitutions within VP1. All isolates were S1/S2/S1/S3 recombinants sharing common recombination junctions. Key determinants of attenuation were replaced. Phylogenetic analysis suggested that the cVDPV circulated locally for ∼12 months following the initiating OPV dose. No VDPVs were found after mass OPV immunizations, conducted from May to June 2006, that targeted all children <12 years of age. Our findings reinforce the point that VDPVs can emerge and spread in isolated communities with immunity gaps. Maintenance of sensitive AFP and poliovirus surveillance is essential to permit early detection and a rapid response to VDPV circulation.
Clinical Utility of Genotypic Resistance Tests for HIV-1-Infected Patients with Low-Level Virological Failure
Authors: Elgalib A. , Perry M. , Aboud M. , Mullen J. , O'Shea S. , Chrystie I. L. , Kulasegaram R. , Tong C. Y. W. 
Published: July 2010

ABSTRACT
The usefulness of genotypic resistance tests (GRT) among HIV-1 patients with low-level virological failure (LLVF) was evaluated. Up to 78% of samples with <1,000 copies/ml were sequenced successfully. For samples with 50 to 200 copies/ml, the success rate was as high as 69%. LLVF should not deter clinicians from requesting GRT.