bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of free radical‐scavenging activities of sweet potato protein and its hydrolysates as affected by single and combination of enzyme systems
Authors: Zhang Miao , Mu Tai‐Hua , Wang Yan‐Bo , Sun Min‐Jie 
Published: January 2012

SummaryTo evaluate the free radical‐scavenging activities of sweet potato protein (SPP) and its hydrolysates, single enzymes alone (alcalase, neutrase, protamex) or in combination with flavourzyme were employed. Compared with SPP, free radical‐scavenging activities of the resulting hydrolysates were all significantly increased (P < 0.05). Alcalase (ALC) hydrolysates exhibited the highest superoxide, hydroxyl and 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical‐scavenging activities (P < 0.05), which was 18.71 ± 0.22, 27.13 ± 0.24 and 90.10 ± 0.15% respectively. Compared with SPP hydrolysates by single enzymes, the hydrolysates obtained by combination of enzyme systems exhibited higher degree of hydrolysis, but lower free radicals scavenging activities. In addition, the content of several antioxidant amino acid residues, such as His, Met, Tyr and Phe, in ALC hydrolysates was much higher compared with SPP and other hydrolysates using amino acids composition assay. The results suggested that peptides with free radical‐scavenging activity could be released from entire SPP chain via moderate enzymatic hydrolysis.
Interaction of aqueous extracts of two varieties of Yam tubers (Dioscorea spp) on some key enzymes linked to type 2 Diabetes in vitro
Authors: Adedayo Bukola C. , Ademiluyi Adedayo O. , Oboh Ganiyu , Akindahunsi Afolabi A. 
Published: January 2012

SummaryThis study sought to assess the effect of processing of yam flour [from white yam (Dioscorea rotundata) and water yam (Dioscorea alata)] to paste, on the antioxidant properties and inhibition of key enzymes linked to type‐2 diabetes (α‐amylase and α‐glucosidase). The phenolic content (phenol and flavonoid), antioxidant properties, α‐amylase and α‐glucosidase inhibitory properties of the aqueous extracts of the yam products were determined. Processing into paste caused significant (P < 0.05) percentage decrease in their total phenol and flavonoid content of the yam varieties. However, significant increase (P < 0.05) in the antioxidant properties of the yam varieties was observed after processing. Furthermore, the yam extracts inhibited α‐amylase and α‐glucosidase activities in vitro in a dose‐dependent parttern (1–4 mg mL−1), however, the pasting process caused significant (P < 0.05) decrease in the α‐amylase inhibitory and α‐glucosidase inhibitory activities. Therefore, processing the yam varieties into paste (browned) could potentially increase their antioxidant capacity as well as decreasing their α‐amylase and α‐glucosidase inhibitory properties.
Sorption isotherms of tapioca flour
Authors: Chisté Renan C. , Silva Priscila A. , Lopes Alessandra S. , da Silva Pena Rosinelson 
Published: January 2012

SummaryThe adsorption and desorption isotherms of tapioca flour was performed in the range of water activity (aw) from 0.22 to 0.92 at 25 °C, and the applicability of six mathematical models in data prediction was evaluated. The tapioca flour presented Type II isotherm (sigmoid), and the hysteresis effect was not observed. For the microbiological stability, the moisture of tapioca flour should not exceed 10.1%. The monolayer moisture content value indicates that the drying process of tapioca flour should not be conducted to obtain moisture levels lower than 4.92% to avoid unnecessary power consumption. The data fit showed that all mathematical models are able to predict the adsorption isotherm of tapioca flour, and the models of Handerson, Smith, GAB and BET are able to predict the desorption isotherm.
Informal care‐giving in advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: lay knowledge and experience
Authors: Hynes Geralyn , Stokes Ann , McCarron Mary 
Published: January 2012

Aim. The aim of this research was to explore the experiences of informal caregivers providing care in the home to a family member with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.Background. Advances in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease treatment, increasing emphasis on early discharge and home‐based care programmes enable those with advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease to remain at home. However, little is known about the consequences of these initiatives for informal caregivers.Design. A qualitative exploratory approach.Methods. Semi‐structured interviews with 11 family caregivers of people with advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.Results. Six core themes emerged including ‘then and now’ reflecting caregivers’ sense of loss and enmeshment with the illness experience and burden. The caregivers’ experience of illness burden included symptom, cultural and lifeworld meanings. Relationships between formal health care and healthcare professionals were rendered difficult by their perceived failure to look beyond acute exacerbations as discrete events rather than integral to the illness trajectory as a whole.Conclusion. In failing to actively engage with caregivers, our current approaches to supporting persons with advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease may compound the care and illness burden experienced by family caregivers.Relevance to practice. This study illustrates the potential for nursing to increase or lessen the caregiver burden through understanding the illness experience as one that is shared by both caregiver and care recipient.
First case of rabbit haemorrhagic disease in Canada: contaminated flying insect, vs. long‐term infection hypothesis
Authors: GOULD E.A. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractFollowing the announcement of the first case of rabbit haemorrhagic disease (RHD) in a pet rabbit, housed indoors in Canada for more than 1 year, I submitted an evidence‐based explanation to ProMed explaining how RHD might have caused the death of ‘one’ of the three pet rabbits. I suggested with supporting evidence, that it may have been persistently infected with rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) which may have reactivated to cause the fatal disease. However, in this issue, Peacock et al. have proposed an alternative ‘hypothesis’ for the appearance of RHD in the pet rabbit. They hypothesise that a non‐identified insect or fomite might have become contaminated by a Chinese strain of RHDV somewhere in the US. This insect/fomite then flew or was windborne, from the US to Canada where it entered the house containing three pet rabbits and infected one of them. RHD is non‐endemic and is rarely reported in the US, where it has only been observed in domestic European rabbits, held in rabbitries. My proposal was based on the details provided by ProMed, the veterinary report from Canada, where RHDV has never previously been identified and the epidemiological, ecological and evolutionary history of RHDV which includes serological and phylogenetic evidence that ancestral RHDV lineages circulated before 1984. The flying insect hypothesis of Peacock et al. is based on circumstantial evidence and, I believe, has a lower probability of being correct than my evidence‐based long‐term infection proposal.
Multifocal haemorrhagic brain damage following hypoxia and blood pressure lability: case report and rat model
Authors: Pahlavan P. S. , Sutton W. , Buist R. J. , Del Bigio M. R. 
Published: January 2012

P. S. Pahlavan, W. Sutton, R. J. Buist and M. R. Del Bigio (2012) Neuropathology and Applied Neurobiology38, 723–733Multifocal haemorrhagic brain damage following hypoxia and blood pressure lability: case report and rat modelAims: Haemorrhagic brain damage is frequently encountered as a complication of premature birth. Much less frequently, multifocal petechial haemorrhage is identified in asphyxiated term newborns. Our goal was to develop an experimental rat model to reproduce this pattern of brain damage. Methods: Neonatal rat pups were exposed to a 24‐h period of 10% or 8% hypoxia followed by a single dose of phenylephrine. Acute and subacute changes, as well as long‐term outcomes, were investigated by histology, brain magnetic resonance imaging and behavioural assessment. Immunostaining for vascular endothelial growth factor and caveolin‐1 was performed in the rat brains as well as in a 17‐day human case. Results: Small foci of haemorrhage were identified in almost all regions of the rat brain subjected to hypoxia plus phenylephrine, but not hypoxia alone. Exposure to 8% hypoxia was associated with more haemorrhagic foci than 10% hypoxia. With rare exceptions, the blood deposits were too small to be detected by magnetic resonance imaging. Altered immunohistochemical detection of vascular endothelial growth factor and caveolin‐1 in the child and the rat model suggests a role for blood–brain barrier compromise. There were no clear behavioural changes and no residual morphological abnormalities in the 78‐day follow‐up of the rats. Conclusions: We conclude that transient hypoxia, in a dose‐dependent manner, can weaken the vasculature and predispose to brain haemorrhage in the situation of labile blood pressure. Persistent hypoxia is likely to be important in the genesis of permanent severe brain damage.
Ternary effects on the gas exchange of isotopologues of carbon dioxide
Authors: FARQUHAR GRAHAM D. , CERNUSAK LUCAS A. 
Published: January 2012

ABSTRACTThe ternary effects of transpiration rate on the rate of assimilation of carbon dioxide through stomata, and on the calculation of the intercellular concentration of carbon dioxide, are now included in standard gas exchange studies. However, the equations for carbon isotope discrimination and for the exchange of oxygen isotopologues of carbon dioxide ignore ternary effects. Here we introduce equations to take them into account. The ternary effect is greatest when the leaf‐to‐air vapour mole fraction difference is greatest, and its impact is greatest on parameters derived by difference, such as the mesophyll resistance to CO2 assimilation, rm. We show that the mesophyll resistance to CO2 assimilation has been underestimated in the past. The impact is also large when there is a large difference in isotopic composition between the CO2 inside the leaf and that in the air. We show that this partially reconciles estimates of the oxygen isotopic composition of CO2 in the chloroplast and mitochondria in the light and in the dark, with values close to equilibrium with the estimated oxygen isotopic composition of water at the sites of evaporation within the leaf.
Comparison of leaf gas exchange and stable isotope signature of water‐soluble compounds along canopy gradients of co‐occurring Douglas‐fir and European beech
Authors: BÖGELEIN REBEKKA , HASSDENTEUFEL MARTIN , THOMAS FRANK M. , WERNER WILLY 
Published: January 2012

ABSTRACTCombined δ13C and δ18O analyses of water‐soluble leaf and twig phloem material were used to determine intrinsic water‐use efficiency (iWUE) and variability of stomatal conductance at different crown positions in adult European beech (Fagus sylvatica) and Douglas‐fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) trees. Simultaneous gas exchange measurements allowed evaluation of the differences in calculating iWUE from leaf or phloem water‐soluble compounds, and comparison with a semi‐quantitative dual isotope model to infer variability of net photosynthesis (An) between the investigated crown positions. Estimates of iWUE from δ13C of leaf water‐soluble organic matter (WSOM) outperformed the estimates from phloem compounds. In the beech crown, δ13C of leaf WSOM coincided clearly with gas exchange measurements. The relationship was not as reliable in the Douglas‐fir. The differences in δ18O between leaf and phloem material were found to correlate with stomatal conductance. The semi‐quantitative model approach was applicable for comparisons of daily average An between different crown positions and trees. Intracanopy gradients were more pronounced in the beech than in the Douglas‐fir, which reached higher values of iWUE at the respective positions, particularly under dry air conditions.
Tandemly arranged chalcone synthase A genes contribute to the spatially regulated expression of siRNA and the natural bicolor floral phenotype in Petunia hybrida
Authors: Morita Yasumasa , Saito Ryoko , Ban Yusuke , Tanikawa Natsu , Kuchitsu Kazuyuki , Ando Toshio , Yoshikawa Manabu , Habu Yoshiki , Ozeki Yoshihiro , Nakayama Masayoshi 
Published: January 2012

SummaryThe natural bicolor floral traits of the horticultural petunia (Petunia hybrida) cultivars Picotee and Star are caused by the spatial repression of the chalcone synthase A (CHS‐A) gene, which encodes an anthocyanin biosynthetic enzyme. Here we show that Picotee and Star petunias carry the same short interfering RNA (siRNA)‐producing locus, consisting of two intact CHS‐A copies, PhCHS‐A1 and PhCHS‐A2, in a tandem head‐to‐tail orientation. The precursor CHS mRNAs are transcribed from the two CHS‐A copies throughout the bicolored petals, but the mature CHS mRNAs are not found in the white tissues. An analysis of small RNAs revealed the accumulation of siRNAs of 21 nucleotides that originated from the exon 2 region of both CHS‐A copies. This accumulation is closely correlated with the disappearance of the CHS mRNAs, indicating that the bicolor floral phenotype is caused by the spatially regulated post‐transcriptional silencing of both CHS‐A genes. Linkage between the tandemly arranged CHS‐A allele and the bicolor floral trait indicates that the CHS‐A allele is a necessary factor to confer the trait. We suppose that the spatially regulated production of siRNAs in Picotee and Star flowers is triggered by another putative regulatory locus, and that the silencing mechanism in this case may be different from other known mechanisms of post‐transcriptional gene silencing in plants. A sequence analysis of wild Petunia species indicated that these tandem CHS‐A genes originated from Petunia integrifolia and/or Petunia inflata, the parental species of P. hybrida, as a result of a chromosomal rearrangement rather than a gene duplication event.
Incidence, kinetics, and risk factors of Epstein–Barr virus viremia in pediatric patients after allogeneic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Bordon Victoria , Padalko Elizaveta , Benoit Yves , Dhooge Catharina , Laureys Genevieve 
Published: January 2012

Bordon V, Padalko E, Benoit Y, Dhooge C, Laureys G. Incidence, kinetics, and risk factors of Epstein–Barr virus viremia in pediatric patients after allogeneic stem cell transplantation.  Pediatr Transplantation 2012: 16: 144–150. © 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/S.Abstract:  After allogeneic hematopoietic stem‐cell transplantation (allo‐HSCT), EBV infections can be potentially dangerous and even life threatening. We evaluated the EBV viremia in 80 consecutive allo‐HSCT with quantitative EBV‐PCR every 2 weeks during the first 3 months and monthly thereafter until 1 yr after allo‐HSCT or until death. We found a significantly more frequent viremia in patients who had in vivo T‐cell depletion in which 23 out of 51 (45%) had EBV‐PCR positivity. The EBV virus load was also significantly higher in the in vivo T‐cell depleted group. Three patients developed clinical symptoms of EBV‐PTLD and were treated with monoclonal anti‐CD20 antibodies. No EBV‐ driven mortality was seen in this cohort. In our opinion EBV‐PCR monitoring is mandatory after allo‐HSCT. Most of the patients with EBV viremia had a good evolution after tapering the immune suppression, so this should be the first‐line management of pediatric patients with EBV viremia. Monoclonal anti‐CD20 antibodies should be reserved for those patients with early symptoms of EBV‐PTLD.
Effect of supplementation of vitamin E, copper and zinc on thein vitrophagocytic activity and lymphocyte proliferation index of peripartum Sahiwal (Bos indicus) cows
Authors: Dang A. K. , Prasad S. , De K. , Pal S. , Mukherjee J. , Sandeep I. V. R. , Mutoni G. , Pathan M. M. , Jamwal M. , Kapila S. , Kapila R. , Kaur H. , Dixit S. , Mohanty A. K. , Prakash B. S. 
Published: January 2012

SummaryTo study the effect of vitamin E (VE), copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) supplementation on thein vitrophagocytic activity (PA) and lymphocyte proliferation response (LPR) of blood neutrophils and lymphocytes, thirty Sahiwal pregnant cows (six in each group) in their late gestation at 30 days before the expected date of calving were selected from the NDRI experimental herd and supplemented with various micronutrients from 30 days before calving to 45 days after calving. Cows were supplemented individually with VE (1000 IU/cow/day), Cu (20 ppm/cow/day) and Zn (80 ppm/cow/day) and also with a combination of VE, Cu and Zn to study cumulative effect of all micronutrients. One group without any supplementation acted as a control. Blood neutrophils and lymphocytes were isolated and studied for their PA and LPR. Supplementation of micronutrients like VE, Cu, Zn and a combination of all these nutrients significantly (p < 0.01) increased the PA of experimental cows as compared to control (unsupplemented) cows during the pre‐partum period. During post‐partum, all the micronutrients (VE, Cu, Zn and their combination) showed a significant (p < 0.01) increase in the PA of experimental cows as compared to control cows. Of all the groups, significant (p < 0.01) and maximum PA was observed in the combination group followed by Zn‐supplemented group during both the pre‐ and post‐partum period. A significant (p < 0.01) increase in LPR of B lymphocytes was observed in combination‐supplemented group during the pre‐partum period and during both the pre‐ and post‐partum period in the Cu‐supplemented group.
Comprehensive analysis of the association of SCN1A gene polymorphisms with the retention rate of carbamazepine following monotherapy for new‐onset focal seizures in the Chinese Han population
Authors: Zhou Bo‐Ting , Zhou Qiu‐Hong , Yin Ji‐Ye , Li Guo‐Liang , Xu Xiao‐Jing , Qu Jian , Liu Ding , Zhou Hong‐Hao , Liu Zhao‐Qian 
Published: January 2012

Summary

The aim of the present study was to investigate whether single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the sodium channel a subunit type 1 (SCN1A) gene affect the retention rate of carbamazepine (CBZ) used to treat seizures in Chinese Han patients with epilepsy.
In total, 448 patients were genotyped for SNPs selected in the SCN1A gene. The tag SNPs were selected using Haploview version 4.2 software (http://www.broad.mit.edu/haploview/haploview, accessed 18 Sept 2009). Monotherapy with CBZ was administered to patients with new‐onset focal seizures. In the present study, the retention rate of CBZ was defined as the percentage of patients with epilepsy who had continued with CBZ treatment in the preceding 3 months. Potential confounding variables were analysed to evaluate the risk factors for non‐retention.
When adjusted for potential confounding factors (e.g. age, sex, body mass index, seizure type etc.), the presence of the A allele of SNP rs3812718 predicted non‐retention (P = 0.015; odds ratio (OR) = 3.122; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.823–4.893). Beyond 12 months of treatment in those that continued with CBZ (retention cohort), analysis of covariance indicated that the maintenance dose (P = 0.025) and serum CBZ levels (P = 0.021) were significantly higher in carriers of the rs3812718 AA genotype than in those with the GG genotype.
The results of the present study indicate that the rs3812718 SNP in the SCN1A gene is significantly associated with the retention rate of CBZ monotherapy in Chinese Han patients with focal epilepsy.
Risk stratification for metastasis from cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck
Authors: Peat Bruce , Insull Phillip , Ayers Rebecca 
Published: January 2012

AbstractBackground:  The purpose of the study was to develop a system of risk stratification, based on clinical and histological factors that would aid prediction of metastasis from cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the head and neck.Method:  The method used was a retrospective case control study comparing clinical and histological parameters of 78 patients who developed metastasis with 92 patients who did not develop metastasis over a 5‐year period.Results:  The two ‘absolute’ (highest) risk factors for development of metastatic disease are poor histological differentiation and perineural/lymphovascular infiltration. The three ‘relative’ risk factors are moderate histological differentiation, diameter ≥20 mm and Clark level 5.Risk stratification:  High‐risk lesions have either one of the absolute risk factors or all three of the relative risk factors with a predicted incidence of metastasis of 37%. Intermediate risk lesions have two of three relative risk factors and a predicted incidence of metastasis of 5%. Low‐risk lesions have one or none of the relative risk factors and a predicted incidence of meatstasis of 0.3%.Conclusion:  Ongoing management of patients with histo‐pathologically proven invasive SCC of the head and neck should be based upon risk stratification for metastasis.
Evaluation of iron deficiency anaemia in tertiary hospital settings: room for improvement?
Authors: Khadem G. , Scott I. A. , Klein K. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractBackground:  Iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) is a marker of occult blood loss from gastrointestinal (GI) lesions and requires thorough GI evaluation.Aim:  This study aimed to determine frequency and findings of GI endoscopy in patients with IDA attending a tertiary hospital, and associations of endoscopy with patient and clinician‐related factors and results of faecal occult blood tests (FOBT).Methods:  Retrospective audit of 621 subjects identified with definite and probable IDA (serum ferritin ≤15 ug/L and 16–50 µg/L respectively) between 1 January 2006 and 31 December 31 2008. Subjects were analysed as males >18 years and females ≥45 years of age with definite (group A, n= 180) or probable (group B, n= 353) IDA, and females <45 years of age with definite or probable IDA (group C, n= 88).Results:  Endoscopy of any type was documented in 310 (50%) of patients with oesophagogastroduodenal endoscopy, and colonoscopy rates being significantly higher in group A patients (61% and 56% respectively) than in group B (39%, 37%) and group C (30%, 31%; P≤ 0.01 for all comparisons). Endoscopy rates ranged from 96% of patients seeing gastroenterologists to 31% of those seeing nephrologists. In patients undergoing colonoscopy, cancer and high‐risk adenomas were detected in 51 patients (20%), ranging from 27/100 (27%) of group A, 23/130 (18%) of group B and 1/27 (4%) of group C. Lesion prevalence was similar (19–24%) regardless of whether FOBT yielded positive or negative results or had not been performed.Conclusions:  Almost one in two patients with IDA were not documented as undergoing GI endoscopy. More intense guideline promulgation, improved endoscopy access and ongoing practice audits are required to improve endoscopy rates.