bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Vitamin D – a new treatment for airway remodelling in asthma?
Authors: Clifford Rachel L , Knox Alan J 
Published: October 2009

Increased airway smooth muscle (ASM) mass plays a critical role in chronic asthmatic airway remodelling. ASM cell hypertrophy and hyperplasia are likely to contribute to increased ASM mass and a variety of mitogens induce ASM proliferation in cell culture. Recent recognition of widespread vitamin D deficiency and identification of the vitamin D receptor on many cells has implicated vitamin D as a potential therapeutic target for many disorders including cancer, infection and asthma. In this issue of British Journal of Pharmacology, Damera et al. show that calcitriol, a secosteroidal modulator of vitamin D receptors, inhibited thrombin and platelet‐derived growth factor‐induced ASM cell proliferation. They also, perhaps surprisingly, show the glucocorticoid dexamethasone to potentiate mitogen‐induced ASM proliferation. Their results begin to elucidate the molecular mechanism(s) utilized by calcitriol to inhibit cell proliferation and suggest hyperphosphorylation of retinoblastoma protein and activation of checkpoint kinase 1 (Chk1) as critical to this process. This study identifies inhibition of ASM proliferation as a cellular effect of vitamin D and supports the hypothesis that vitamin D is a potential treatment for airway remodelling in asthma.This is a Commentary on the Research Paper in this issue by Damera et al. (pp. 1429–1441). To view this article visit http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/121548564/issueyear?year=2009
Preservation of Endothelium Nitric Oxide Release by Pulsatile Flow Cardiopulmonary Bypass When Compared With Continuous Flow
Authors: Lanzarone Ettore , Gelmini Fabrizio , Tessari Maddalena , Menon Tiziano , Suzuki Hisanori , Carini Marina , Costantino Maria Laura , Fumero Roberto , Luciani Giovanni Battista , Faggian Giuseppe 
Published: October 2009

AbstractThe aim of this work is to analyze endothelium nitric oxide (NO) release in patients undergoing continuous or pulsatile flow cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Nine patients operated under continuous flow CPB, and nine patients on pulsatile flow CPB were enrolled. Plasma samples were withdrawn for the chemiluminescence detection of nitrite and nitrate. Moreover the cellular component was withdrawn for the detection of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity in the erythrocytes, and an estimation of systemic inflammatory response was carried out. Significant reduction in the intraoperative concentration with respect to the preoperative was observed only under continuous flow CPB for both nitrite and NOx (nitrite + nitrate) concentration (P = 0.010 and P = 0.016, respectively). Significant difference in intraoperative nitrite concentration was also observed between the groups (P = 0.012). Finally, erythrocytes showed a certain endothelial NOS activity, which did not differ between the groups, and no differences in the inflammatory response were pointed out. The significant reduction of NO2‐ concentration under continuous perfusion revealed the strong connection among perfusion modality, endothelial NO release, and plasmatic nitrite concentration. The similar erythrocyte eNOS activity between the groups revealed that the differences in blood NO metabolites are mainly ascribable to the endothelium release.
Dedifferentiation of human articular chondrocytes is associated with alterations in expression patterns of GDF‐5 and its receptors
Authors: Schlegel Werner , Albrecht Christian , Eckl Peter , Freudenthaler Harald , Berger Angelika , Vécsei Vilmos , Marlovits Stefan 
Published: October 2009

AbstractHuman articular chondrocytes are expanded in monolayer culture in order to obtain sufficient cells for matrix‐associated cartilage transplantation. During this proliferation process, the cells change their shape as well as their expression profile. These changes resemble those that occur during embryogenesis, when the limb anlagen form the interzone that later develops the joint cleft. We analysed the expression profile of genes that are reportedly important for these changes during embryogenesis within the dedifferentiation process of adult articular chondrocytes. We found GDF‐5, BMPR‐Ib and connexin 43 up‐regulated, as well as a down‐regulation of BMPR‐Ia and noggin. Connexin 32 could not be detected in either native cartilage or in dedifferentiated cells. The newly synthesized proteins were detected by immunofluorescence. There is evidence from our results that dedifferentiated chondrocytes resemble the cells from the interzone in developing synovial joints.
Inhibitory effect of baicalein on IL‐6‐mediated signaling cascades in human myeloma cells
Authors: Liu Shangqin , Ma Zi , Cai Huili , Li Qian , Rong Wenyu , Kawano Michio 
Published: October 2009

AbstractInterleukin‐6 (IL‐6) is an important growth factor for myeloma cells. IL‐6 promotes the survival and proliferation of multiple myeloma (MM) cells through the phosphorylated proteins, including STAT3, MAPK, and Akt. Chemical components that suppress the signaling proteins’ phosphorylation have a potential role for MM therapy. We recently identified that baicalein, a component of Scutellaria radix, suppressed proliferation and induced apoptosis of myeloma cells by blocking IκB‐α degradation followed by down‐regulating IL‐6 and XIAP gene expression. In the present study of four myeloma cell lines, namely U266, NOP2, AMO1, and ILKM2, we demonstrated that baicalein not only inhibited IL‐6‐mediated phosphorylation of signaling proteins, such as Jak, STAT3, MAPK, and Akt, but also inhibited the expression of their target genes, such as bcl‐xl. Finally, baicalein facilitated myeloma cell proliferation inhibited by dexamethasone. In contrast, baicalin, another major flavonoid derived from Scutellaria radix, had no significant effect on IL‐6‐mediated protein phosphorylation. Baicalein had no effect on Akt phosphorylation induced by the insulin‐like growth factor‐1 (IGF‐1) in NOP2 cells. Compared with PD98059, an MAPK inhibitor, baicalein exhibited a stronger inhibitory effect on Erk1/2 phosphorylation. Our results demonstrate that baicalein is a potent inhibitor of protein phosphorylation induced by IL‐6, and thus may be a useful agent for the treatment of MM.
Relations between fish abundances, summer temperatures, and forest harvest in a northern Minnesota stream system from 1997 to 2007
Authors: Merten E. C. , Hemstad N. A. , Eggert S. L. , Johnson L. B. , Kolka R. K. , Newman R. M. , Vondracek B. 
Published: October 2009

Merten EC, Hemstad NA, Eggert SL, Johnson LB, Kolka RK, Newman RM, Vondracek B. Relations between fish abundances, summer temperatures, and forest harvest in a northern Minnesota stream system from 1997 to 2007. Ecology of Freshwater Fish 2010: 19: 63–73. 2009 John Wiley & Sons A/SAbstract –  Short‐term effects of forest harvest on fish habitat have been well documented, including sediment inputs, leaf litter reductions, and stream warming. However, few studies have considered changes in local climate when examining postlogging changes in fish communities. To address this need, we examined fish abundances between 1997 and 2007 in a basin in a northern hardwood forest. Streams in the basin were subjected to experimental riparian forest harvest in fall 1997. We noted a significant decrease for fish index of biotic integrity and abundance of Salvelinus fontinalis and Phoxinus eos over the study period. However, for P. eos and Culaea inconstans, the temporal patterns in abundances were related more to summer air temperatures than to fine sediment or spring precipitation when examined using multiple regressions. Univariate regressions suggested that summer air temperatures influenced temporal patterns in fish communities more than fine sediment or spring precipitation.
Clinical, histological and immunpathological findings in 32 patients with dermatitis herpetiformis Duhring
Authors: Rose Christian , Bröcker Eva‐Bettina , Zillikens Detlef 
Published: October 2009

Summary Background: Dermatitis herpetiformis is a chronic severely pruritic dermatosis. It is a cutaneous manifestation of celiac disease. The aim of our study was to collect clinical, histological and immunopathological data on patients who were treated in the University Departments of Dermatology in Würzburg and Lübeck from 1996 to 2008. Patients and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 32 patients. Only patients with positive findings on direct immunofluorescence microscopy were included in this study. Results: All patients demonstrated skin lesions in the predilection areas of knees, elbows, gluteal region and scalp. The male to female ratio was 1.5 : 1 and the average age was 43 years. The interval between the first symptoms and diagnosis ranged from 6 weeks to 20 years. Direct immunofluorescence microscopy showed that granular IgA deposits were more often found continuously along the dermal‐epidermal junction rather than focally in the tips of the dermal papillae. Results of small intestinal biopsies were available from 29 patients and confirmed the presence of celiac disease in all cases. None of the patients reported gastrointestinal symptoms. IgA antibodies against tissue transglutaminase and epidermal transglutaminase were found in 88% and 94% of patient sera, respectively. Conclusions: The detection of IgA autoantibodies against epidermal transglut‐aminase is the most sensitive serological test in the diagnosis of dermatitis herpetiformis. Our observations confirm that patients with dermatitis herpetiformis usually do not demonstrate apparent gastrointestinal symptoms.
IMPROVEMENT OF THE ISOLATION AND PURIFICATION OF LUTEIN FROM MARIGOLD FLOWER (TAGETES ERECTA L.) AND ITS ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY
Authors: KUMAR RAJESH , YU WENLI , JIANG CUILAN , SHI CONGLEI , ZHAO YAPING 
Published: October 2009

ABSTRACT Lutein is associated with the prevention of many chronic diseases, like age‐related macular degeneration, cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Lutein is found in many plants, but the purest and richest source is the petals of marigold flowers (Tagetes erecta L.). Commercially prepared T. erecta extract (oleoresin) was used during the experiment. Saponification reaction was carried out using alcoholic potassium hydroxide solution and tetrahydrofuran at room temperature for 4 h to saponify the xanthophyll esters. The purity and recovery of lutein after saponification were 89 and 63.05%, respectively. Different solvents were used for recrystallization to get a high purity of lutein. Among them, purity and recovery of lutein reached >98 and 72% in ethyl alcohol, which were higher than reported earlier. The scavenging efficacy of lutein against peroxide, superoxide anion, hydroxyl radical and lipid free radicals was measured by chemiluminescence. Peroxide, superoxide anions and hydroxyl and lipid free radicals were generated by hydrogen peroxide, pyrogallol, Fenton reaction system and 2,2′‐azobis (2‐amidino‐propane) dihydrochloride‐induced γ‐linolenic acid peroxidation system, respectively. Lutein exhibited strong antioxidant activity against superoxide anion, peroxide and hydroxyl and lipid free radicals. Among all tested reactive oxygen species, lipid free radicals showed the lowest effective concentration. A reaction time of 6 s was enough to scavenge superoxide and hydroxyl radicals, while it was 60 and 120 s for peroxide and lipid free radicals, respectively. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSThis work was performed to demonstrate that high purity of lutein can be recovered using tertrahydrofuran and alcoholic potassium hydroxide at room temperature. Ethyl alcohol can be used as a recrystallizing solvent for lutein. Dissolved impurities from the lutein can be removed by washing during filtration. The scavenging activity of lutein against peroxide, superoxide anions and hydroxyl and lipid free radicals in the chemiluminescence meter enhanced the nutraceutical value of lutein.
LINE‐SCAN SPECTRAL IMAGING SYSTEM FOR ONLINE POULTRY CARCASS INSPECTION*
Authors: CHAO KUANGLIN , YANG CHUN‐CHIEH , KIM MOON S. 
Published: October 2009

ABSTRACT A line‐scan spectral imaging system was developed for online identification of wholesome and unwholesome freshly slaughtered chicken carcasses on commercial processing lines. Hyperspectral images acquired by the imaging system for 5,549 wholesome and 93 unwholesome chicken carcasses on a 140 bird per minute (bpm) processing line were analyzed to optimize region of interest size and location and determine key wavebands by which to implement online multispectral inspection based on single‐waveband intensity and a two‐waveband ratio. Multispectral inspection algorithms were developed for real‐time online chicken inspection. The imaging system inspected over 100,000 chickens on the processing line during continuous operation and accurately identified over 99% of wholesome and over 96% of unwholesome chickens. A system of this type can perform food safety inspection tasks accurately and consistently on high‐speed processing lines (e.g., at least 140 bpm), to help poultry processors improve production efficiency and satisfy increasing consumer demand for poultry products. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSThe line‐scan spectral imaging system was designed as a tool to assist poultry processors in meeting the requirements of the HACCP‐Based Inspection Models Project as implemented by Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). The system is particularly well suited for presorting poultry carcasses on high‐speed processing lines by removing systemically diseased birds prior to the inspection stations. This can increase efficiency and reduce cross‐contamination risks by minimizing the presence and unnecessary processing of unwholesome birds on the processing line. Real‐time data collection and prompt removal of unwholesome poultry carcasses can enhance the ability of FSIS to certify U.S. poultry products for both domestic and export markets. In addition, the spectral imaging methodology of this system has the potential for easy adaptation to other high‐speed food processing tasks, particularly those involving automated inspection for quality indicators.
PREDICTING THERMAL RESPONSE OF CONDUCTIVE FOODS DURING START‐UP OF PROCESS EQUIPMENT USING TRANSFER FUNCTIONS
Authors: ANSORENA M.R. , DI SCALA K.C. 
Published: October 2009

ABSTRACT Transfer function approach to predict thermal histories of conductive foodstuffs when surroundings present different forcing functions during start‐up of processes is reported. Food is assimilated to a delayed first‐order system with unit gain and characterized by two parameters, the dead time (L) and the time constant (τ). The comparison of experimental data with the proposed models for cooking as well as for retorting processes presented very satisfactory results when the equipment evolved as first‐order, second‐order and bounded integrating systems.PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSTransfer functions appear as relevant mathematical tools because they are relatively simple models that need only dynamics input–output data to represent more complex systems related to food process engineering, generally nonlinear ones. Besides, their potential application allows the performance of optimal process control in real‐time modality. In particular, this paper deals with the problem of processes start‐up, which represents a transient operation to be overcome, and also with the ability of the transfer function methodology to estimate both food and equipment temperature evolution during different food operations when changes in the surrounding temperature take place.
DIMENSIONLESS CORRELATIONS FOR CONVECTIVE HEAT TRANSFER IN CANNED PARTICULATE FLUIDS UNDER AXIAL ROTATION PROCESSING
Authors: DWIVEDI MRITUNJAY , RAMASWAMY HOSAHALLI S. 
Published: October 2009

ABSTRACT Dimensionless correlations for estimating heat transfer coefficients (U and hfp) in canned high viscosity Newtonian liquids (with and without particles) were developed using stepwise multiple nonlinear regressions of statistically significant dimensionless groups using tangent as an estimate and Newton as search method. Data on overall heat transfer coefficient U and fluid‐to‐particle heat transfer coefficients hfpwere obtained for several processing conditions and were analyzed separately for particle and particle‐free conditions. In free axial mode, a newly developed form, combining natural and forced convection, provided higher R2 = 0.93. In the absence of particles in end‐over‐end mode, introducing natural convection term (Gr × Pr), improved R2 from 0.81 to 0.97. Combination of the reel radius, radius of the can and radius of the particles was chosen as characteristics length.PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSMost earlier dimensionless correlations for a canned liquid particulate mixture subjected to free axial mode of agitation are present for either U or hfp individually due to the difficulties in obtaining time–temperature profiles of the liquid and particles simultaneously; however, the time–temperature prediction at the particle center requires appropriate correlations for both U and hfp and cannot be made with only one of these coefficients.Additionally, importance of natural convection in forced convection heat transfer correlations has been demonstrated by developing the U and hfp correlations using the mixed convection approach as the combination of natural and forced convection heat transfer.These developed correlations would help in modeling the time–temperature profiles of a canned particulate mixture and will be helpful in determining the contribution of natural and forced convection heat transfer. These dimensional numbers would give a better understanding of the physical phenomenon and can also be easily used for scale‐up purposes.
A NEW CLEANER PRODUCTION TECHNIQUE OF PICKLE MUSTARD TUBER AT LOW SALINITY BY LACTIC ACID BACTERIA
Authors: WENG P.F. , WU Z.F. , SHEN X.Q. , LIU P. 
Published: October 2009

ABSTRACT A strain of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) Lact.8 was applied in low‐salinity pickled processing of mustard tuber, using this LAB as fermentation starter in order to control harmful microbes. Meanwhile, a cleaner production technique with no saline wastewater was set up in pickled processing by using LAB technology. In this study, two kinds of production technique were compared, which was low‐salinity concentration pickling inoculated with Lact.8 and a traditional high‐salinity pickling method. The strain Lact.8 was identified as Lactobacillus plantarum by using 16S rRNA gene sequence assay. The end product quality of pickle mustard tuber by new technique was better than that of traditional product in flavor, texture and safety by sample evaluation method. The leaching liquor presented rich in nutrition compositions by quality analysis, and developed as condiment juice. The essential free amino acids reached 112 mg/L in the juice, accounting for 39.7% in total free amino acids. This pickled processing technique is compatible to a cleaner production technique.PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSThe traditional pickled vegetables processing was well known that it causes a series of problems including the product quality and environmental damage of waste water with high salinity concentration. The experimental achievements and a new type of processing technology in this article are benefit to overcome these disadvantages via using lactic acid bacteria technology, which result in the improving of product quality, including nutrient value and sensory quality and economic efficiency at a condition of low salinity pickling. It is also called a cleaner production technology. Therefore, this processing mode was fully considered to further practical application in present vegetables prickle processing industry.
OPTIMIZATION OF SUPERCRITICAL FLUID EXTRACTION/HEADSPACE SOLID‐PHASE MICROEXTRACTION AND GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY–MASS SPECTROMETRY METHOD FOR DETERMINATING ORGANOTIN COMPOUNDS IN CLAM SAMPLES
Authors: LIU TONGJU , LI SHUFEN , LIU SHAOCONG , LV GANG 
Published: October 2009

ABSTRACT For the food safety of sea products, the variables of headspace solid‐phase microextraction (HS‐SPME) and supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) were optimized for the determination of organotin compounds in clam samples by method of off‐line SFE/HS‐SPME and gas chromatographic analysis with mass spectrometry (GC‐MS). The best result was obtained while the spiked clam sample was extracted at 45C and 30 MPa with carbon dioxide modified with 5% (mol) methanol at 1.2 L/min (as carbon dioxide in ambient pressure) for 15 min, and SFE extract was ethylated with 2% (w/v) sodium tetraethylborate (NaBEt4) in pH 4 buffer solution and simultaneously adsorbed by HS‐SPME with polydimethylsiloxane‐divinylbenzene (PDMS/DVB) fiber at 50C for 30 min, followed by GC‐MS. The whole sampling and analyzing process was within 1 h, and only less than 10 mL of solvent were used. The results were comparable with those obtained by traditional method which use of methanol (contain 0.03% tropolone), and the procedure also seems to be less time‐ and labor‐consuming. The pollution of OTCs in seafood indicated a potential danger for the health of the local people who cared for these foods.PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSThe present investigation was carried out to optimize the method for the determination of organotin compounds in sea products. Organotin compounds (OTCs) was widely used in antifouling painting, which has been the most important pollution in marine environment. The sea products contaminated by the OTCs became a great problem on the food safety. Using this method for the determination of organotin compounds in sea products, the whole sampling and analyzing process was within 1 h, and only less than 10 mL of solvent were used. This method was a rapid and green method for monitoring the organotin pollution of sea products.
Ectopic expression of guanylyl cyclase C in gastric cancer as a potential biomarker and therapeutic target
Authors: MAO Zhen Biao , ZHANG Jian Feng , XU Zhong , ZHU Hui Jun , ZHANG Jian Guo , PAN Zheng Ping , XIAO Feng , YANG Jun Ling 
Published: October 2009

OBJECTIVE:  To investigate the expression of guanylyl cyclase C (GCC) in human gastric cancer (GC) tissues and assess the effect of GCC small interfering RNA (siRNA) on the proliferation and apoptosis of SGC‐7901.METHODS:  The expression of GCC in 30 specimens and three human GC cell lines (SGC‐7901, AGS, NCI‐N87) were detected by RT‐PCR for messenger RNA (mRNA) by Western blot and immunofluorescence for proteins. Recombinant plasmids containing GCC siRNA and scrambled siRNA were constructed and transfected into SGC‐7901 cells, respectively. A cell counting kit‐8, flow cytometry (FCM) and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TDT)‐mediated dUTP‐biotin nick end‐labeling were used to evaluate cell viability, cell cycle distribution and apoptosis, followed by wound healing assay and cell adherent assay for cell motility and adherent, respectively.RESULTS:  The expression of GCC was absent in paracancerous tissues, whereas the GCC mRNA and protein expressions were detected in 20/30 and 19/30 of GC specimens, respectively. Moreover, intestinal GC was statistically different from diffuse GC (P < 0.05). The proliferation of SGC‐7901 cells was markedly inhibited by GCC siRNA‐3 (P < 0.05) and cell morphological changes including volumetric reduction, karyopyknosis and karyorrhexis were observed. FCM showed that the cell count in the sub‐G0/G1 peak increased from 5.47% (48 h after transfection) to 5.63% (72 h after transfection). The wound healing assay and cell adherent assay revealed that GCC gene silencing decreased cell motility and adherent.CONCLUSION:  The over‐expression of GCC has been detected in intestinal type GC. GCC siRNA can effectively inhibit the proliferation and invasion of SGC‐7901 cells and induce cell apoptosis. GCC might be a novel biomarker and therapeutic target for GC.