bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
CONSUMER ACCEPTANCE OF COW'S MILK VERSUS SOY BEVERAGES: IMPACT OF ETHNICITY, LACTOSE TOLERANCE AND SENSORY PREFERENCE SEGMENTATION
Authors: PALACIOS O.M. , BADRAN J. , DRAKE M. ANNE , REISNER M. , MOSKOWITZ H.R. 
Published: August 2009

ABSTRACT In a large‐scale study of milk and milk‐substitute beverages appropriate for individuals with lactose intolerance, a total of 893 consumers rated reduced‐fat (2%) cow's milk the highest, followed by fat‐free cow's milk, and in turn, followed by soy‐based milk‐substitute beverages. No interactive effect on overall liking was found for ethnicity, age or gender, or lactose tolerance/intolerance, with the pattern of liking following that established for the total panel of 893 participants. Two sensory preference segments emerged – sweet seekers (37%) and cream seekers (63%), respectively. These segments transcended conventional geo‐demographics and lactose tolerance. Both segments assigned higher liking ratings to white milk products than to white soy products. However, the sweet seekers liked the reduced‐fat and fat‐free cow's milk products about equally, while the cream seekers preferred the reduced‐fat cow's milk product. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSCow's milk is recommended in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans because of its unique nutrient package. Because of beliefs about lactose intolerance, nondairy beverages are being recommended for those with lactose intolerance, including dairy substitutes in federal feeding programs. As there have been limited studies regarding the acceptance of substitute beverages, we conducted a study to determine “white” milk and milk‐substitute beverage product liking among consumers. Findings indicated that lactose‐free cow's milk is significantly better accepted than all tested soy‐based beverages. Furthermore, the lactose‐free, reduced‐fat cow's milk is better accepted than the lactose‐free, fat‐free cow's milk. Thus, the practical application of this research is to provide new information to health professionals and other stakeholders about taste preferences for milk, and substitute beverages to aid in making recommendations for obtaining dairy nutrients for those with lactose intolerance.
Study of the Impact of Urban Development on Surface Temperature Using Remote Sensing in Ho Chi Minh City, Southern Vietnam
Authors: THI VAN TRAN , DUONG XUAN BAO HA 
Published: August 2009

AbstractRapid urbanisation and industrialisation have resulted in sharp land cover changes. Urban change not only impacts on land cover but also on urban climate. Land surface and atmospheric modifications due to urbanisation generally lead to a modified thermal climate that is warmer than the surrounding, non‐urbanised areas. In this research remote sensing technology was used to evaluate urban growth patterns and its thermal characteristics through mapping impervious surfaces and evaluating thermal infrared images. The case study was carried out in the northern part of Ho Chi Minh City, which has experienced accelerated urban development since the late 1980s. Landsat and Aster images were used to calculate variations in urban impervious surfaces from 1989 to 2006. Thermal bands were processed to obtain radiant surface temperatures for investigating the urban heat island effect associated with increasing impervious surfaces, both spatially and temporally. Impacts of urban development on surface temperature were shown by investigating the surface urban heat island effect intensity. The results show that the built‐up area in the northern part of Ho Chi Minh City expanded by 6.5 times between 1989 and 2006. Urban development has altered the magnitude and pattern of the surface urban heat island, with the highest land surface temperature cores found in the industrial (greater than 45oC) and urban areas (within 36oC and 40oC). In suburban and rural areas, where agricultural land still remains with full vegetation cover, the land surface temperature is usually lower. Using remote sensing, the impervious surface was extracted with overall accuracy and a Kappa coefficient for all three years greater than 96%, and the retrieved land surface temperatures with variations from in‐situ measurements of less than 2oC. The results presented here indicate that remote sensing can help to spatially monitor urban development and land surface temperature changes over the whole area and over a long period of time.
Quality of Sour Cream Packaged in Cups with Different Light Barrier Properties Measured by Fluorescence Spectroscopy and Sensory Analysis
Authors: Larsen Hanne , Tellefsen Siri Birgitte Geiner , Dahl Annette Veberg 
Published: August 2009

ABSTRACT:  In this study, photooxidation of sour cream packaged in cups with different light barrier properties was investigated. The sour cream was light exposed for 36 h with a standard fluorescent light tube, simulating storage conditions in many Norwegian grocery stores. Three different cups were evaluated: a white cup, a cup with medium light barrier (LB), and a cup with high LB. The quality of the sour cream was evaluated by sensory analysis and front face fluorescence spectroscopy. The sour cream stored in white cups became very rancid during the light exposure, with a rancid flavor score of 7.8 on a scale from 1 to 9, where 9 is the highest intensity. Cups with high LB gave best protection against the light. The sensory assessors could not distinguish between sour cream stored in cups with high LB and sour cream stored in the dark. The rancid flavor intensity for the cups with medium LB was significantly different (P < 0.05) from both the white cup and the cup with high LB. The sensory flavor intensities indicated that with 36 h of light exposure, only a cup with high LB will protect the sour cream sufficiently. The fluorescence measurements corresponded well with the sensory analysis as the photosensitizers were somewhat degraded for sour cream stored in cups with medium LB and most degraded in the white cups. For the cups with high LB, the fluorescence peaks that originated from the photosensitizers were all intact.PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Dairy products such as sour cream will develop off‐odor and taste faults (“sunlight taste”) in a few hours if exposed to sufficient fluorescent lightning in the grocery stores. A light barrier can be incorporated in the packaging material to protect the dairy products from the light. Our experiment showed that the incorporation of a black pigment into 1 of the 3 plastic layers in the cup for packaging of sour cream protected the sour cream from degradation when exposed to light.
Inhibition of Siah2 ubiquitin ligase by vitamin K3 (menadione) attenuates hypoxia and MAPK signaling and blocks melanoma tumorigenesis
Authors: Shah Meera , Stebbins John L. , Dewing Antimone , Qi Jianfei , Pellecchia Maurizio , Ronai Ze’ev A. 
Published: August 2009

SummaryThe E3 ubiquitin ligase Siah2 has been implicated in the regulation of the hypoxia response, as well as in the control of Ras, JNK/p38/NF‐κB signaling pathways. Both Ras/mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) and hypoxia pathways are important for melanoma development and progression, pointing to the possible use of Siah2 as target for treatment of this tumor type. In the present study, we have established a high‐throughput electro‐chemiluninescent‐based assay in order to screen and identify inhibitors of Siah2 ubiquitin ligase activity. Of 1840 compounds screened, we identified and characterized menadione (MEN) as a specific inhibitor of Siah2 ligase activity. MEN attenuated Siah2 self‐ubiquitination, and increased expression of its substrates PHD3 and Sprouty2, with concomitant decrease in levels of HIF‐1α and pERK, the respective downstream effectors. MEN treatment no longer affected PHD3 or Sprouty2 in Siah‐KO cells, pointing to its Siah‐dependent effects. Further, MEN inhibition of Siah2 was not attenuated by free radical scavenger, suggesting it is ROS‐independent. Significantly, growth of xenograft melanoma tumors was inhibited following the administration of MEN or its derivative. These findings reveal an efficient platform for the identification of Siah inhibitors while identifying and characterizing MEN as Siah inhibitor that attenuates hypoxia and MAPK signaling, and inhibits melanoma tumorigenesis.
Automated quality evaluation of digital fundus photographs
Authors: Bartling Herman , Wanger Peter , Martin Lene 
Published: August 2009

Abstract.Purpose:  Retinal images acquired by means of digital photography are often used for evaluation and documentation of the ocular fundus, especially in patients with diabetes, glaucoma or age‐related macular degeneration. The clinical usefulness of an image is highly dependent on its quality. We set out to develop and evaluate an automatic method of evaluating the quality of digital fundus photographs.Methods:  A method for making a numerical quantification of image sharpness and illumination was developed using Matlab™ image analysis functions. Based on their sharpness and illumination measures, 1000 fundus photographs, randomly selected from a clinical database, were assigned to four predefined quality groups (not acceptable, acceptable, good, very good). Six independent observers, comprising three experienced ophthalmologists and three ophthalmic nurses with extensive experience in fundus image acquisition, classified a selection of 100 of these images into the corresponding quality groups.Results:  Automatic quality evaluation was more sensitive than evaluation by human observers in terms of ability to discriminate between good and very good images. The median concordance between the six human observers and the automatic evaluation was substantial (kappa = 0.64).Conclusions:  The proposed method provides an objective quality assessment of digital fundus photographs which agrees well with evaluations made by qualified human observers and which may be useful in clinical practice.
Fine‐needle aspiration biopsy and other biopsies in suspected intraocular malignant disease: a review
Authors: Eide Nils , Walaas Lisa 
Published: August 2009

Abstract.Ocular oncologists require a strong indication for intraocular biopsy before the procedure can be performed because it carries a risk for serious eye complications and the dissemination of malignant cells. The purpose of this review is to evaluate the extent to which this restricted practice is supported by evidence from previous reports and to outline our main indications and contraindications. The different intraocular biopsy techniques in the anterior and posterior segment are discussed with a focus on our preferred method, fine‐needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB). In the literature, complications are typically under‐reported, which reduces the possibilities of evaluating the risks correctly and of making fair comparisons with other biopsy methods. In FNAB, the exact placement of the needle is critical, as is an accurate assessment of the size of the lesion. Fine‐needle aspiration biopsy is usually not a reliable diagnostic tool in lesions < 2 mm in thickness. It is very advantageous to have a cytopathologist present in the operating theatre or close by. This ensures adequate sampling and encourages repeated biopsy attempts if necessary. This approach reduces false negative results to < 3%. Adjunct immunocytochemistry is documented to increase specificity and is essential for diagnosis and management in about 10% of cases. In some rare pathological processes the diagnosis depends ultimately on the identification of specific cell markers. An accurate diagnosis may have a decisive influence on prognosis. The cytogenetic prognostications made possible after FNAB are reliable. Biopsy by FNA has a low complication rate. The calculated risk for retinal detachment is < 4%. Intraocular haemorrhage is frequently observed, but clears spontaneously in nearly all cases. Only a single case of epibulbar seeding of malignant cells at the scleral pars plana puncture site of transvitreal FNAB has been documented. Endophthalmitis has been reported and adequate standard preoperative preparation is obligatory. An open biopsy is still an option in the anterior segment, but has been abandoned in the posterior segment. Although vitrectomy‐based procedures are becoming increasingly popular, we recommend using FNAB as part of a stepwise approach. A vitrectomy‐assisted biopsy should be considered in cases where FNAB fails. In any adult patient with suspected intraocular malignancy in which enucleation is not the obvious treatment, the clinician should strive for a diagnosis based on biopsy. When the lesion is too small for biopsy or the risks related to the procedure are too great, it is reasonable to be reluctant to biopsy. The standards applied in the treatment of intraocular malignant diseases should be equivalent to those in other fields of oncology. Our view is controversial and contrary to opinion that supports current standards of care for this group of patients.
Sensitivity and specificity of fasting ammonia and serum bile acids in the diagnosis of portosystemic shunts in dogs and cats
Authors: Ruland Kristina , Fischer Andrea , Hartmann Katrin 
Published: August 2009

Background:Portosystemic shunt (PSS) is the most common cause of hepatic encephalopathy in dogs and cats. Fasting ammonia and serum bile acids (SBA) are used to diagnose PSS, but their true sensitivity and specificity have not been fully evaluated, especially in cats.Objectives:The purpose of this study was to determine the diagnostic accuracy of fasting ammonia and SBA concentrations in the diagnosis of PSS in dogs and cats and to compare diagnostic accuracy between species.Methods:A retrospective analysis of data from 373 dogs and 85 cats presented to the clinic from 1996 to 2006 was carried out. Based on clinical, laboratory, and imaging findings, animals were grouped as having PSS, parenchymal hepatic disease, or extrahepatic disease. The sensitivity and specificity of ammonia and SBA concentrations for the diagnosis of PSS were calculated and receiver‐operating characteristic analysis was used to optimize cut‐offs.Results:Using the upper limit of laboratory reference intervals (ammonia, 59 μmol/L; SBA, 20  μmol/L), the sensitivity and specificity of ammonia was 85% and 86% in dogs, and 83% and 76% in cats, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of SBA was 93% and 67% in dogs, and 100% and 71% in cats, respectively. Using optimal cut‐off points for ammonia (dogs, 57 μmol/L; cats, 94 μmol/L) the sensitivity and specificity was 91% and 84% in dogs and 83% and 86% in cats, respectively. Using optimal cut‐off points for SBA (dogs, 58 μmol/L; cats, 34  μmol/L) the sensitivity and specificity was 78% and 87% in dogs and 100% and 84% in cats.Conclusion:Increased fasting ammonia and SBA concentrations are accurate indicators of PSS. An improvement in diagnostic accuracy can be achieved by using defined optimal cut‐off points for the selective diagnosis of PSS.
emm1/Sequence Type 28 Strains of Group A Streptococci That ExpresscovRat Early Stationary Phase Are Associated with Increased Growth and Earlier SpeB Secretion
Authors: Chiang-Ni Chuan , Zheng Po-Xing , Ho Yueh-Ren , Wu Hsiu-Mei , Chuang Woei-Jer , Lin Yee-Shin , Lin Ming-T. , Liu Ching-Chuan , Wu Jiunn-Jong 
Published: August 2009

ABSTRACTStreptococcus pyogenes(group A streptococcus [GAS]) is a versatile human pathogen, andemm1/sequence type 28 (ST28) is the most frequently isolated type from GAS infections. Theemm1/ST28 strain is associated with necrotizing fasciitis and streptococcal toxic shock syndrome. Growth-phase regulation is one of the important regulatory mechanisms in GAS, which controls gene expression at restricted phases of growth. CovRS, a two-component regulatory system, is considered the regulator of streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxin B (SpeB) and is thought to be activated in the exponential phase of growth. In the present study, Northern hybridization analysis showed that 52% of the analyzed GAS strains expressedcovRat the exponential phase, but 48% of the strains expressedcovRat the early stationary phase of growth. Strains transcribingcovRat the early stationary phase showed better growth and earlier SpeB expression than the other group of strains. Multilocus sequence typing and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis analysis showed onlyemm1/ST28 strains (which comprise a clonal cluster) were expressingcovRat the early stationary phase of growth, indicating thatemm1/ST28 strains have special characteristics which may be related to their worldwide distribution.
International Clones ofKlebsiella pneumoniaeandEscherichia coliwith Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamases in a Czech Hospital
Authors: Hrabák Jaroslav , Empel Joanna , Bergerová Tamara , Fajfrlík Karel , Urbášková Pavla , Kern-Zdanowicz Izabela , Hryniewicz Waleria , Gniadkowski Marek 
Published: August 2009

ABSTRACTA 2-month survey of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) producers was performed in a Czech hospital.Klebsiella pneumoniaeproduced SHV-2, -5, or -12,Escherichia coliproduced CTX-M-9 or -15, and other species produced TEM-92 or -132. AllK. pneumoniaeandE. coliisolates belonged to sequence types (STs) or clonal complexes (CCs) spread across the world (K. pneumoniaeclonal complex 11 [CC11], CC14, and sequence type 101 [ST101] andE. coliCC31, CC73, CC131, and CC405) and carried various plasmids (mainly with A/C- and FII-type replicons).
In Vitro Activity of Seven Systemically Active Antifungal Agents against a Large Global Collection of RareCandidaSpecies as Determined by CLSI Broth Microdilution Methods
Authors: Diekema D. J. , Messer S. A. , Boyken L. B. , Hollis R. J. , Kroeger J. , Tendolkar S. , Pfaller M. A. 
Published: August 2009

ABSTRACTFiveCandidaspecies (C. albicans,C. glabrata,C. tropicalis,C. parapsilosis, andC. krusei) account for over 95% of invasive candidiasis cases. Some less commonCandidaspecies have emerged as causes of nosocomial candidiasis, but there is little information about their in vitro susceptibilities to antifungals. We determined the in vitro activities of fluconazole, voriconazole, posaconazole, amphotericin B, anidulafungin, caspofungin, and micafungin against invasive, unique patient isolates ofCandidacollected from 100 centers worldwide between January 2001 and December 2007. Antifungal susceptibility testing was performed by the CLSI M27-A3 method. CLSI breakpoints for susceptibility were used for fluconazole, voriconazole, anidulafungin, caspofungin, and micafungin, while a provisional susceptibility breakpoint of ≤1 μg/ml was used for amphotericin and posaconazole. Of 14,007Candidaisolates tested, 658 (4.7%) were among the less common species. Against all 658 isolates combined, the activity of each agent, expressed as the MIC50/MIC90ratio (and the percentage of susceptible isolates) was as follows: fluconazole, 1/4 (94.8%); voriconazole, 0.03/0.12 (98.6%); posaconazole, 0.12/0.5 (95.9%); amphotericin, 0.5/2 (88.3%); anidulafungin, 0.5/2 (97.4%); caspofungin, 0.12/0.5 (98.0%); and micafungin, 0.25/1 (99.2%). Among the isolates not susceptible to one or more of the echinocandins, most (68%) wereC. guilliermondii. All isolates of the less common species within theC. parapsilosiscomplex (C. orthopsilosisandC. metapsilosis) were susceptible to voriconazole, posaconazole, anidulafungin, caspofungin, and micafungin. Over 95% of clinical isolates of the rareCandidaspecies were susceptible to the available antifungals. However, activity did vary by drug-species combination, with some species (e.g.,C. rugosaandC. guilliermondii) demonstrating reduced susceptibilities to commonly used agents such as fluconazole and echinocandins.
Identification of Amino Acid Residues Critical for the Anti-Interferon Activity of the Nucleoprotein of the Prototypic Arenavirus Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus
Authors: Martínez-Sobrido Luis , Emonet Sébastien , Giannakas Panagiotis , Cubitt Beatrice , García-Sastre Adolfo , de la Torre Juan C. 
Published: August 2009

ABSTRACTLymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCVM) nucleoprotein (NP) counteracts the host type I interferon (IFN) response by inhibiting activation of the IFN regulatory factor 3 (IRF3). In this study, we have mapped the regions and specific amino acid residues within NP involved in its anti-IFN activity. We identified a region spanning residues 382 to 386 as playing a critical role in the IFN-counteracting activity of NP. Alanine substitutions at several positions within this region resulted in NP mutants that lacked the IFN-counteracting activity but retained their functions in virus RNA synthesis and assembly of infectious particles. We used reverse genetics to rescue a recombinant LCMV strain carrying mutation D382A in its NP [rLCMV/NP*(D382A)]. Compared to wild-type (WT) LCMV, rLCMV/NP*(D382A) exhibited a higher level of attenuation in IFN-competent than IFN-deficient cells. In addition, A549 cells infected with rLCMV/NP*(D382A), but not with WT LCMV, produced IFN and failed to rescue replication of the IFN-sensitive Newcastle disease virus.
Random Mutagenesis Defines a Domain of Theiler's Virus Leader Protein That Is Essential for Antagonism of Nucleocytoplasmic Trafficking and Cytokine Gene Expression
Authors: Ricour Céline , Borghese Fabian , Sorgeloos Frédéric , Hato Stanleyson V. , van Kuppeveld Frank J. M. , Michiels Thomas 
Published: August 2009

ABSTRACT
The leader protein of cardioviruses, Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV) and encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV), is a multifunctional protein known to antagonize type I interferon expression and to interfere with nucleocytoplasmic trafficking of host proteins and mRNA. This protein plays an important role in the capacity of TMEV to establish persistent infection of the central nervous system. Mutant forms of the TMEV leader protein were generated by random mutagenesis and selected after retroviral transduction on the basis of the loss of the highly toxic nature of this protein. Selected mutations define a short C-terminal domain of the leader conserved in TMEV and Saffold virus but lacking in the EMCV leader and thus called the Theilo domain. Mutations in this domain had a dramatic impact on TMEV L protein activity. Like the zinc finger mutation, Theilo domain mutations affected all of the activities of the L protein tested: interferon gene transcription and IRF-3 dimerization antagonism, alteration of nucleocytoplasmic trafficking, nucleoporin 98 hyperphosphorylation, and viral persistence in vivo. This suggests that the Zn finger and the Theilo domain of the protein cooperate for function. Moreover, the fact that all of the activities tested were affected by these mutations suggests that the various leader protein functions are somehow coupled.
Functional Surfaces of the Hepatitis B Virus Capsid
Authors: Pairan Alexander , Bruss Volker 
Published: August 2009

ABSTRACT
The hepatitis B virus (HBV) core protein (CP) forms the shell of an icosahedral nucleocapsid. In a former work, we identified 11 amino acid residues of CP exposed on the capsid surface by an alanine mutation scan as being important for capsid envelopment. We now introduced several other amino acids at six of these positions and found that almost all 27 tested point mutations at S17, K96, and I126 reproduced the phenotype of the alanine mutation (with only two exceptions): the formation of nucleocapsids and of the viral DNA genome was wild type, but capsid envelopment and virion release were strongly inhibited. This indicates that these side chains have a very specific function during nucleocapsid envelopment. We also identified several CP point mutations (e.g., F122V/S/Y and R127D/G) allowing the formation of capsids but preventing the packaging of pregenomic RNA. The envelopment of such mutant capsids was blocked. Apparently, these CP mutations hampered the recognition/packaging of the pregenome-P-protein complex by CP, a process which is still barely understood, and the mutant capsids devoid of HBV-specific nucleic acid did not express the capsid maturation signal required for envelopment.