bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Potential sources of food hazards in emerging commercial aquaculture industry in sub‐Saharan Africa: a case study for Uganda
Authors: Bagumire Ananias , Todd Ewen C. D. , Nasinyama George W. , Muyanja Charles , Rumbeiha Wilson K. , Harris Craig , Bourquin Leslie D. 
Published: July 2009

SummaryA study was conducted to assess sources of food hazards in Uganda’s emerging commercial aquaculture industry based on Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP), focusing on inputs, their sources and farm‐practices on ten representative commercial farms. Critical control points (CCPs) were identified to reveal potential hazards that would jeopardise any export trade. Site selection, water quality, fertiliser, fish seed, fish rearing facilities, feeds, and post‐harvest practices were the main CCPs identified. Animal manure was used to generate plankton as pond fertiliser in nine of the ten surveyed farms and veterinary drugs were not found in any of the ten farms, which is starkly different from aquaculture in indutrialised countries. Potential sources of hazards from water were mainly: municipal waste flow which was more likely on five of the ten farms, domestic waste (four farms), agricultural run‐off (three farms), and low water pH (three farms). Fish fry and fingerlings from other farms, feeds formulated on‐farm from unapproved sources, chemical products, uncontrolled fish predators, and domestic animal and human activities were the other potential sources of hazards. A complete application of HACCP is recommended for producing safe products that meet the strict market standards of developed countries.
Rheological and high gelling properties of mango (Mangifera indica) and ambarella (Spondias cytherea) peel pectins
Authors: Koubala Benoît Bargui , Kansci Germain , Garnier Catherine , Mbome Israël Lape , Durand Sylvie , Thibault Jean‐François , Ralet Marie‐Christine 
Published: July 2009

SummaryAmbarella and mango peels are good sources of pectins (15–20%), with high degree of methylation (60–78%) and high molar masses. Ambarella and mango (Améliorée and Mango varieties) peel pectins were extracted using HCl or oxalic acid/ammonium oxalate (OAAO). Purified pectins were analysed for their flow behaviour and phase diagrams were established at pH 3 as sucrose vs. pectin concentration. The gelation kinetics and mechanical spectra of these pectin gels were studied and compared to those of commercial citrus (lime) pectins. At a concentration of 1% (w/v), all pectic solutions had a shear thinning behaviour but at 0.6% (w/v), only OAAO‐extracted pectins exhibited such behaviour. Phase diagrams showed that at pH 3, gelation of OAAO mango extracted pectins was possible at low polymer concentration (0.2%; w/w) for a sucrose concentration of 60% (w/w). OAAO‐extracted pectins exhibited a higher gelling ability than HCl‐extracted ones. Sucrose (45–50%) and pectin (0.2–0.6%) concentration had a deep impact on the gel strength. Our results enable to conclude that the OAAO extraction from mango and ambarella peels allowed the recovery of pectins that exhibit high gelling properties.
The invasion of Argentina by the European wild rabbitOryctolagus cuniculus
Authors: BONINO NEVER , SORIGUER RAMÓN 
Published: July 2009

ABSTRACTWe provide an updated distribution and dispersal rate of the introduced European rabbitOryctolagus cuniculusin Argentina.According to our results this invasive species is currently colonizing parts of Mendoza and Neuquén Provinces, where rivers are very important in the spread of the rabbits, especially in unfavourable areas. The maximun rate of dispersal registered in this study was 9 km/year.Some information was obtained to indicate that the presence of this exotic species threatens agriculture, livestock, forestry, and natural ecosystems of the Patagonia region.
Is the northwestern Betic Cordillera mountain front active in the context of the convergent Eurasia–Africa plate boundary?
Authors: Ruiz‐Constán A. , Stich D. , Galindo‐Zaldívar J. , Morales J. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractThe present relief of the Betic‐Rif Cordillera has been mainly developed since the Late Miocene in the context of the Eurasia–Africa NW–SE oblique convergence and other interacting processes like slab roll‐back or delamination. However, seismicity distribution and field observations reveal that most of the external mountain front of the Betics is not clearly active at Present and tectonic activity is generally concentrated towards the innermost zones (Alborán Domain). New seismological data and recent faulting evidence from the northwesternmost front – the one best oriented with respect to the plate convergence – allow to discuss the present behaviour. Surface observations mainly indicate a N–S extensional tectonic regime, contrasting with the shallow reverse NW–SE compressive and the strike‐slip earthquake focal mechanisms. Altogether, these data suggest the activity of a tectonic wedge with top‐to‐the‐NW tectonic transport, bounded by a NW–SE transfer fault that separates the active western from the inactive eastern segments of the mountain front.
Phytochrome interacting factors 4 and 5 redundantly limit seedling de‐etiolation in continuous far‐red light
Authors: Lorrain Séverine , Trevisan Martine , Pradervand Sylvain , Fankhauser Christian 
Published: July 2009

SummaryPhytochromes are red/far‐red photosensors that regulate numerous developmental programs in plants. Among them, phytochrome A (phyA) is essential to enable seedling de‐etiolation under continuous far‐red (FR) light, a condition that mimics the environment under a dense canopy. The ecological relevance of this response is demonstrated by the high mortality rate of phyA mutant plants that germinate in deep vegetational shade. phyA signaling involves direct interaction of the photoreceptor with phytochrome‐interacting factors PIF1 and PIF3, members of the bHLH transcription factor family. Here we investigated the involvement of PIF4 and PIF5 in phyA signaling, and found that they redundantly control de‐etiolation in FR light. The pif4 pif5 double mutant is hypersensitive to low fluence rates of FR light. This phenotype is dependent on FR light perception by phyA, but does not rely on alterations in the phyA level. Our microarray analysis shows that PIF4 and PIF5 are part of an inhibitory mechanism that represses the expression of some light‐responsive genes in the dark, and that they are also needed for full expression of several growth‐related genes in the light. Unlike PIF1 and PIF3, PIF4 and PIF5 are not degraded in response to FR light, indicating that they are light‐regulated by a different mechanism. Our genetic analysis suggests that this is achieved through sequestration of these PIFs by the closely related bHLH transcription factor HFR1 (long hypocotyl in FR light).
A UVB‐hypersensitive mutant in Arabidopsis thaliana is defective in the DNA damage response
Authors: Sakamoto Ayako N. , Lan Vo Thi Thuong , Puripunyavanich Vichai , Hase Yoshihiro , Yokota Yuichiro , Shikazono Naoya , Nakagawa Mayu , Narumi Issay , Tanaka Atsushi 
Published: July 2009

SummaryTo investigate UVB DNA damage response in higher plants, we used a genetic screen to isolate Arabidopsis thaliana mutants that are hypersensitive to UVB irradiation, and isolated a UVB‐sensitive mutant, termed suv2 (for sensitive to UV 2) that also displayed hypersensitivity to γ‐radiation and hydroxyurea. This phenotype is reminiscent of the Arabidopsis DNA damage‐response mutant atr. The suv2 mutation was mapped to the bottom of chromosome 5, and contains an insertion in an unknown gene annotated as MRA19.1. RT‐PCR analysis with specific primers to MRA19.1 detected a transcript consisting of 12 exons. The transcript is predicted to encode a 646 amino acid protein that contains a coiled‐coil domain and two instances of predicted PIKK target sequences within the N‐terminal region. Fusion proteins consisting of the predicted MRA19.1 and DNA‐binding or activation domain of yeast transcription factor GAL4 interacted with each other in a yeast two‐hybrid system, suggesting that the proteins form a homodimer. Expression of CYCB1;1:GUS gene, which encodes a labile cyclin:GUS fusion protein to monitor mitotic activity by GUS activity, was weaker in the suv2 plant after γ‐irradiation than in the wild‐type plants and was similar to that in the atr plants, suggesting that the suv2 mutant is defective in cell‐cycle arrest in response to DNA damage. Overall, these results suggest that the gene disrupted in the suv2 mutant encodes an Arabidopsis homologue of the ATR‐interacting protein ATRIP.
Coffee and cigarette use: association with suicidal acts in 352 Sardinian bipolar disorder patients
Authors: Baethge Christopher , Tondo Leonardo , Lepri Beatrice , Baldessarini Ross J 
Published: July 2009

Objective:  Abuse of illicit drugs and alcohol is prevalent in bipolar disorder (BPD) patients, and is an adverse prognostic factor. Much less is known about correlates of nicotine and caffeine consumption, but tobacco smoking is tentatively associated with suicidal behavior.Methods:  Retrospective analysis of demographic and clinical factors among 352 longitudinally assessed DSM‐IV types I and II BPD patients contrasted patients with versus without consumption of nicotine or caffeine, based on univariate comparisons and multiple regression modeling.Results:  Current smoking (46%) and coffee drinking (74% of cases) were common, and significantly and independently associated with suicidal acts [coffee: odds ratio (OR) = 2.42, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.15–5.09; smoking: OR = 1.79, CI: 1.02–3.15; both p < 0.001]. Risk increased with more smoking (cigarettes/day; rs = 0.383; p < 0.0001) and greater coffee consumption (cups/day; rs = 0.312; p = 0.008). Neither intake was related to yearly rates of all episodes, depressions, or manias.Conclusions:  This is the first report to associate suicidal acts with coffee consumption in BPD patients, and it confirmed an association with smoking. Pending further evidence, the findings underscore the importance of monitoring use of even legal and mildly psychotropic substances by BPD patients.
A double‐blind, placebo‐controlled pilot study of quetiapine for depressed adolescents with bipolar disorder
Authors: DelBello Melissa P , Chang Kiki , Welge Jeffrey A , Adler Caleb M , Rana Manasi , Howe Meghan , Bryan Holly , Vogel Daniel , Sampang Suzanne , Delgado Sergio V , Sorter Michael , Strakowski Stephen M 
Published: July 2009

Objective:  To conduct a pilot study comparing the effects of quetiapine and placebo for the treatment of depressive episodes in adolescents with bipolar I disorder.Method:  Thirty‐two adolescents (ages 12–18 years) with a depressive episode associated with bipolar I disorder were randomized to eight weeks of double‐blind treatment with quetiapine, 300–600 mg/day, or placebo. This two‐site study was conducted from March 2006 through August 2007. The primary efficacy measure was change in Children’s Depression Rating Scale–Revised Version (CDRS‐R) scores from baseline to endpoint. Secondary efficacy measures included change in CDRS‐R scores over the eight‐week study period (PROC MIXED), changes from baseline to endpoint in Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM‐A), Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS), and Clinical Global Impression–Bipolar Version Severity (CGI‐BP‐S) scores, as well as response and remission rates. Safety and tolerability were assessed weekly.Results:  There was no statistically significant treatment group difference in change in CDRS‐R scores from baseline to endpoint (p = 0.89, effect size =−0.05, 95% confidence interval: −0.77–0.68), nor in the average rate of change over the eight weeks of the study (p = 0.95). Additionally, there were no statistically significant differences in response (placebo =67% versus quetiapine = 71%) or remission (placebo = 40% versus quetiapine = 35%) rates, or change in HAM‐A, YMRS, or CGI‐BP‐S scores (all p > 0.7) between treatment groups. Dizziness was more commonly reported in the quetiapine (41%) than in the placebo (7%) group (Fisher’s exact test, p = 0.04).Conclusions:  The results suggest that quetiapine monotherapy is no more effective than placebo for the treatment of depression in adolescents with bipolar disorder. However, limitations of the study, including the high placebo response rate, may have contributed to our findings and should be considered in the design of future investigations of pharmacological interventions for this population.
Effect of Mechanical Stretching on Expressions of Muscle Specific Transcription Factors MyoD, Myf‐5, Myogenin and MRF4 in Proliferated Myoblasts
Authors: Abe S. , Rhee S. , Iwanuma O. , Hiroki E. , Yanagisawa N. , Sakiyama K. , Ide Y. 
Published: July 2009

SummaryWe examined expression of four important members of myogenic regulatory factors (MRFs) in the myoblasts both at mRNA and protein levels, which were subjected to mechanical stretching in in vitro condition. Our results showed that MyoD expression existed both in the stretch and in the control group at all time periods of the mechanical stimulus. Myf‐5 expressed only at early stage of the stretch group. Although mRNA and protein expressions of myogenin and MRF4 were detected both in the stretch and in the control group at 12 h after the stretching, their expressions were only shown in the stretch group at 24 h after the mechanical stimulus. However, at 36 and 48 h, none of the MRFs examined except MyoD appeared in both groups. Our results suggest that the MRFs are up‐regulated upon mechanical stimulus and each member plays a different major role for either proliferation or differentiation of the myoblasts.
Effect of Cyclin‐dependent Kinase (CDK) Inhibition on Expression, Localization and Activity of Maturation Promoting Factor (MPF) and Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase (MAPK) in Bovine Oocytes
Authors: Quetglas MD , Adona PR , De Bem THC , Pires PRL , Leal CLV 
Published: July 2009

ContentsThis study aimed to assess the effects of cyclin‐dependent kinase (CDK) inhibition on factors involved in the control of meiosis in bovine oocytes: maturation promoting factor (MPF) (p34cdc2 and cyclin B1) and mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK). Oocytes were maintained at germinal vesicle (GV) stage in vitro with 10 μm of the CDK inhibitor butyrolactone I (BLI) for 24 h (inhibited). After this period, some of the oocytes were transferred to in vitro maturation (IVM) culture for 24 h (inhibited and matured). Control oocytes were assessed immediately after follicle aspiration (immature) or after in vitro maturation for 24 h (matured). Real‐time PCR analyses showed that transcripts for p34cdc2 and MAPK were detected in immature and inhibited oocytes and decreased after maturation, irrespective of CDK inhibition with BLI. Cyclin B1 was detected at similar levels in all oocyte groups. The p34cdc2 and MAPK proteins were detected by Western blotting at similar levels in all oocyte groups, and cyclin B1 protein was detected only after maturation. Immunofluorescence detection showed that p34cdc2 was localized in the cytoplasm and GV of immature oocytes, and then throughout the cytoplasm after maturation. Cyclin B1 and MAPK were detected in the cytoplasm in all oocyte groups. Maturation promoting factor and MAPK activities were similar throughout most of maturation for oocytes treated with or without BLI. In conclusion, CDK inhibition did not affect the expression (mRNA and protein levels) and localization of MPF and MAPK, and had nearly no effect on kinase activities during maturation.
Effect of Roscovitine‐Treated Donor Cells on Development of Porcine Cloned Embryos
Authors: Park HJ , Koo OJ , Kwon DK , Kang JT , Jang G , Lee BC 
Published: July 2009

ContentsSynchronization of the donor cell cycle is an important factor for successful animal cloning by nuclear transfer. To improve the efficiency of porcine cloning, in the present report, we evaluated effects of contact inhibition, serum starvation and roscovitine treatment of donor cells on in vitro and in vivo developmental potency of cloned porcine embryos. Fibroblasts derived from a porcine foetus at day 30 of gestation were isolated and cultured to 70% confluency. Then, cells were either cultured to 100% confluency for contact inhibition, or cultured in 0.5% serum for 72 h for serum starvation or with 15 μm roscovitine for 24 h. Cells were most effectively synchronized at G0/G1 in the serum starvation group (87.5%) compared with the contact inhibition and roscovitine treatment groups (76.3% and 79.9% respectively p < 0.05). However, after somatic cell nuclear transfer followed by in vitro culture, the serum starvation group showed a significantly lower blastocyst formation rate (5.6%) compared with the contact inhibition and roscovitine treatment groups (11.6% and 20.0% respectively). Differential expression of apoptosis‐related genes and the level of apoptosis in each treatment group explain the variation in developmental competence among the groups. Significantly higher level of apoptosis was observed in the serum starvation group. On the other hand, the roscovitine treatment group shows the lowest level of apoptosis and the best in vitro development among the groups. Cloned embryos derived from roscovitine‐treated donor cells were transferred to surrogate pigs. Three healthy live piglets were produced. In conclusion, we suggest that roscovitine treatment of donor cells improves development of cloned porcine embryos and can raise the efficiency of cloned piglet production.
Maintenance costs of serotiny do not explain weak serotiny
Authors: CRAMER M. D. , MIDGLEY J. J. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractConsiderable variation in the duration of serotiny exists among species of both Australian and South African Proteaceae. ‘Weak’ serotiny (pre‐fire loss after <3 years) could be dictated by the costs (water or carbon) of cone/fruit retention or by benefits accruing from pre‐fire seed establishment. We determined that cones/fruits of a range of Australian and south western Cape Proteaceae species (Leucadendron xanthoconus, Aulax umbellata, L. linifolium, L. gandogeri, Hakea drupacea, H. sericea) are not sealed dead wood, but that they continuously lose H2O and CO2. Water loss from cones/fruits was poorly controlled, occurring in both light and dark. The rates of both H2O and CO2 loss from mature cones/fruits were negatively correlated with the degree of serotiny (r2 = 0.59 and 0.18, respectively, P < 0.001 both). However, the amounts of H2O and CO2 lost per weight were small relative to the fluxes from leaves (13–29% for H2O and 3–10% for CO2). The [N] and [P] in the cones/fruits and seeds was substantial. Despite 25% of N and 38% of P being recovered from the cones/fruits following maturation, the loss of the cones/fruits and seeds would still incur a substantial nutrient cost. The seed [P] was positively correlated with the degree of serotiny (r2 = 0.24, P = 0.001). We suggest that maintenance costs (water and carbon) of serotiny, although exceeding those of soil stored seeds, are relatively low. The correlation between the degree of serotiny and seed [P] indicates that stronger serotiny is required, much like sclerophylly, for survival under low nutrient availability in frequently burnt vegetation.
Inactivation of astroglial NF‐κB promotes survival of retinal neurons following ischemic injury
Authors: Dvoriantchikova Galina , Barakat David , Brambilla Roberta , Agudelo Christian , Hernandez Eleut , Bethea John R. , Shestopalov Valery I. , Ivanov Dmitry 
Published: July 2009

AbstractReactive astrocytes have been implicated in neuronal loss following ischemic stroke. However, the molecular mechanisms associated with this process are yet to be fully elucidated. In this work, we tested the hypothesis that astroglial NF‐κB, a key regulator of inflammatory responses, is a contributor to neuronal death following ischemic injury. We compared neuronal survival in the ganglion cell layer (GCL) after retinal ischemia‐reperfusion in wild‐type (WT) and in GFAP‐IκBα‐dn transgenic mice, where the NF‐κB classical pathway is suppressed specifically in astrocytes. The GFAP‐IκBα‐dn mice showed significantly increased survival of neurons in the GCL following ischemic injury as compared with WT littermates. Neuroprotection was associated with significantly reduced expression of pro‐inflammatory genes, encodingTnf‐α,Ccl2 (Mcp1),Cxcl10 (IP10),Icam1,Vcam1,several subunits of NADPH oxidase and NO‐synthase in the retinas of GFAP‐IκBα‐dn mice. These data suggest that certain NF‐κB‐regulated pro‐inflammatory and redox‐active pathways are central to glial neurotoxicity induced by ischemic injury. The inhibition of these pathways in astrocytes may represent a feasible neuroprotective strategy for retinal ischemia and stroke.
The use of NSAIDs in pediatric scoliosis surgery – a survey of physicians’ prescribing practice
Authors: HAYES JASON , PEHORA CAROLYNE , BISSONNETTE BRUNO 
Published: July 2009

SummaryBackground:  Pediatric scoliosis surgery is associated with considerable postoperative pain requiring opioids for analgesia. Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can be used as adjuvants for analgesia; however, the potential of these agents to affect bone healing raises concerns. No large‐scale prospective studies have been performed to evaluate the benefit‐to‐risk ratio of NSAID use after pediatric scoliosis surgery. Given the lack of evidence in the literature, a survey of practice patterns of anesthesiologists from around the world was conducted with respect to the use of NSAIDs after pediatric spinal fusion surgery for scoliosis.Methods:  One hundred and fourteen anesthesiologists from international academic pediatric hospitals were asked to complete an online survey. After 1 month, nonresponders were sent a second e‐mail asking for their participation. All questions were developed specifically for this study.Results:  Out of 80 anesthesiologists who responded 61 were included in the final analysis. Fifty‐nine percent routinely use NSAIDs, the most common agents being intravenous ketorolac and oral ibuprofen. The majority of respondents begin to administer NSAIDs within the first three postoperative days for a duration of four or more days. The primary reason for not routinely prescribing NSAIDs was the risk of bone nonunion.Conclusions:  This survey demonstrates that the practice patterns of pediatric anesthesiologists from around the world with respect to the administration of NSAIDs for the management of postoperative pain after pediatric spinal fusion reflects the conflicting evidence in the literature and the lack of high‐quality studies in humans.