bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Antioxidant activities of red pepper (Capsicum annuum) pericarp and seed extracts
Authors: Sim Ki Hyeon , Sil Han Young 
Published: September 2008

SummaryIn this study, we examined the antioxidant activities of red pepper (Capsicum annuum, L.) pericarp and red pepper seed extracts. The extracts were evaluated by various antioxidant assays, including 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging, superoxide anion radical scavenging, hydroxyl radical scavenging, [2,2′‐azino‐bis(3‐ethylbenzthiazoline‐6‐sulphonic acid)] (ABTS) radical scavenging, ferrous chelating activity, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and reducing power, along with the determination of total phenolic and flavonoid contents. All the extracts showed strong antioxidant activity by the testing methods. The red pepper pericarp extract exhibited strong ferrous chelating activity and high scavenging activity against free radicals, including both the hydroxyl and DPPH radicals, but it exhibited weaker scavenging activity for the superoxide anion radical and for SOD. In contrast, the red pepper seed extract exhibited strong SOD activity and high scavenging activity against the superoxide anion radical, but showed weaker ferrous chelating activity, hydroxyl radical scavenging, and DPPH radical scavenging. We observed that the reducing power level and ABTS radical scavenging activity of the red pepper seed were higher than those of the red pepper pericarp at the highest tested concentration. Most of the test results for the red pepper seed and red pepper pericarp extracts increased markedly with increasing concentration; however, the metal chelating, SOD and ABTS radical scavenging activities did not increase with the concentration. Highest total phenolic and flavonoid contents were obtained from the red pepper pericarp extracts. Overall, the red pepper seed and red pepper pericarp extracts were highly effective for the antioxidant properties assayed, with the exceptions of ferrous chelating activity, hydroxyl radical scavenging and SOD activity.
Synthesis and in vitro digestion of resistant starch type III from enzymatically hydrolysed cassava starch
Authors: Onyango Calvin , Mutungi Christopher 
Published: September 2008

SummaryResistant starch type III (RS III) was synthesised from cassava starch by autoclaving followed by debranching with pullulanase, at varied concentrations (0.4–12 U g−1) and times (2–8 h), and recrystallisation (−18 to 90 °C for 1–16 h). The highest RS III yield (22 g/100 g) was obtained at an enzyme concentration of 4 U g−1 after 8 h incubation, followed by recrystallisation at 25 °C for 16 h. Varying the recrystallisation conditions indicated that higher RS III yields (30–35 g/100 g) could be obtained at 90 °C within 2 h. Thinning cassava starch using α‐amylase prior to debranching using pullulanase did not further increase the RS III content. In vitro digestion data showed that whereas 44% RS III was digested after 6 h, the corresponding value for cassava starch was 89%.
A comparison of antioxidant properties between artisan‐made and factory‐produced chocolate
Authors: Cervellati Rinaldo , Greco Emanuela , Costa Stefano , Guerra Maria Clelia , Speroni Ester 
Published: September 2008

SummaryThe antioxidant capacities and the total phenolic content in cocoa liquor directly manufactured chocolate from an artisan manufacturer were measured using different in vitro methods (BR, TEAC, and Folin–Ciocalteu Reagent). These parameters were then compared with those of a chocolate made by a leading manufacturing company producing chocolate and cocoa‐containing products. A statistical analysis of the collected data showed that the antioxidant properties of the artisan‐made chocolate are significantly better than those of the factory‐produced one. These results were ascribed to the fact that all the bioactive components in the cocoa beans are better preserved in the artisan‐made chocolate.
Banana: cultivars, biotechnological approaches and genetic transformation
Authors: Arvanitoyannis Ioannis S. , Mavromatis Athanassios G. , Grammatikaki‐Avgeli Garyfalia , Sakellariou Michaela 
Published: September 2008

SummaryGenetic modification of banana has been considered as a path towards increasing the value of this crop according to health and nutrition in developing countries. Banana as a crop is one of the most important and widely consumed fruits as a weaning food by children and as a starchy staple for all other consumers. As well as providing a low cost and easily produced source of energy, bananas are also rich in certain minerals and in vitamins A, C and B6. Growing urbanisation in many developing countries upgraded the crop importance as a source of revenue, occasionally providing the main source of income for rural communities. Genetically modified organism bananas have been advocated as carrier for vaccines and as a source of carotenoids that can counteract debilitating vitamin A deficiency. The rather high vulnerability of banana to pests and diseases triggered biotechnological applications in an attempt to produce new, more resistant banana cultivars. However, the potential biosafety of genetically modified banana and its applications should be taken into account prior to its extensive usage. The current survey summarises the most important biotechnological techniques (in vitro culture, DNA fingerprinting, somatic emrbyogenesis, DNA flow cytometry, etc.) and applications (micropropagation, in vitro selection, somaclonal variation, protoplast fusion, haploid production, etc.) in banana and emphasises on genetic transformation in conjunction with the expressed gene and modified trait aiming at a further improvement of this crop.
Conscious surgery: influence of the environment on patient anxiety
Authors: Mitchell Mark 
Published: September 2008

AbstractTitle.  Conscious surgery: influence of the environment on patient anxiety. Aims.  This paper is a report of a study: (i) to investigate anxiety arising from the experience of the clinical environment during surgery under local/regional anaesthesia and (ii) to uncover the specific aspects patients find anxiety provoking and possibly dissuade them from opting for such anaesthesia.Background.  Operating theatre staff have focused historically on conducting safe, efficient surgery with unconscious patients and not primarily on the care of ‘awake’ patients. However, with the rise in day surgery, the volume of surgery performed under local or regional anaesthesia is increasing.Method.  As part of a larger study investigating anxiety in elective day surgery, a questionnaire was given to 523 patients on the day of surgery to adult patients undergoing surgery with local or regional anaesthesia between 2005 and 2007. They were asked to return this by mail 24–48 hours following surgery and 214 completed questionnaires were returned (response rate 41%).Findings.  The experience of being awake, possibly feeling the surgeon's touch, seeing their body cut open or surgery being more painful than expected were anxiety‐provoking aspects. Using factor analysis, ‘intra‐operative apprehension’, ‘anaesthetic information provision’ and ‘health control’ were identified as central features. Multiple regression showed that apprehension associated with the intra‐operative experience and anaesthetic information provision were statistically significantly associated with an increase in overall level of anxiety.Conclusion.  Focusing care on managing the intra‐operative experience and providing anaesthetic information in advance might help limit anxiety and expel the apparent misapprehensions associated with conscious surgery.
Time, area and isolation: factors driving the diversification of Azorean arthropods
Authors: Borges Paulo A. V. , Hortal Joaquín 
Published: September 2008

AbstractAim R. J. Whittakeret al.recently proposed a ‘general dynamic model of oceanic island biogeography’ (GDM), providing a general explanation of island biodiversity patterns by relating fundamental biogeographical processes – speciation, immigration, extinction – to area (A) and time (T; maximum island geological age). We adapt their model, which predicts a positive relationship with area combined with a humped relationship to time (designated the ATT2model), to study the factors promoting diversification on the Azores for several arthropod groups.Location The Azorean archipelago (North Atlantic; 37–40° N, 25–31° W).Methods We use the number of single‐island endemics (SIEs) as a measure of diversification, to evaluate four different predictions for the variation in SIEs between different islands, derived from the GDM theory and our knowledge of the fauna and history of the Azores. We calculated the number of SIEs for seven out of the nine Azorean islands and six groups of species (all arthropods, beetles, cavernicolous and non‐cavernicolous species, and taxa with high and low dispersal abilities). Several variables accounting for island characteristics (area, geological age, habitat diversity and isolation) and generalized linear models were used to evaluate the reliability of each prediction.Results A linear and positive relationship between SIEs and an AT (area + time) model was the most parsimonious explanation for overall arthropod diversification. However, cavernicolous species showed the opposite pattern (more SIEs inhabiting the youngest islands). Also, isolation was an important predictor of diversification for all groups except for the species with high dispersal ability; while the former were negatively related to the distance from the main source of colonizing lineages (Santa Maria island in most cases), the latter were related to area. Dispersal ability was also a key factor affecting the diversification of most groups of species.Main conclusions In general, the diversification of Azorean arthropods is affected by age, area and isolation. However, different groups are affected by these factors in different ways, showing radically different patterns. Although the ATT2model fails to predict the diversification pattern of several groups, it provides a framework for integrating these deviations into a general theory. Further improvements of the GDM theory need to take into account the particular traits of each group and the role of isolation in shaping island diversity.
Actin‐depolymerizing factor, ADF/cofilin, is essentially required in assembly of Leishmania flagellum
Authors: Tammana T. V. Satish , Sahasrabuddhe Amogh A. , Mitra Kalyan , Bajpai Virendra K. , Gupta Chhitar M. 
Published: September 2008

SummaryADF/cofilins are ubiquitous actin dynamics‐regulating proteins that have been mainly implicated in actin‐based cell motility. Trypanosomatids, e.g. Leishmania and Trypanosoma, which mediate their motility through flagellum, also contain a putative ADF/cofilin homologue, but its role in flagellar motility remains largely unexplored. We have investigated the role of this protein in assembly and motility of the Leishmania flagellum after knocking out the ADF/cofilin gene by targeted gene replacement. The resultant mutants were completely immotile, short and stumpy, and had reduced flagellar length and severely impaired beat. In addition, the assembly of the paraflagellar rod was lost, vesicle‐like structures were seen throughout the length of the flagellum and the state and distribution of actin were altered. However, episomal complementation of the gene restored normal morphology and flagellar function. These results for the first time indicate that the actin dynamics‐regulating protein ADF/cofilin plays a critical role in assembly and motility of the eukaryotic flagellum.
Comparison of gestational age at birth based on last menstrual period and ultrasound during the first trimester
Authors: Hoffman Caroline S. , Messer Lynne C. , Mendola Pauline , Savitz David A. , Herring Amy H. , Hartmann Katherine E. 
Published: September 2008

SummaryReported last menstrual period (LMP) is commonly used to estimate gestational age (GA) but may be unreliable. Ultrasound in the first trimester is generally considered a highly accurate method of pregnancy dating. The authors compared first trimester report of LMP and first trimester ultrasound for estimating GA at birth and examined whether disagreement between estimates varied by maternal and infant characteristics. Analyses included 1867 singleton livebirths to women enrolled in a prospective pregnancy cohort. The authors computed the difference between LMP and ultrasound GA estimates (GA difference) and examined the proportion of births within categories of GA difference stratified by maternal and infant characteristics. The proportion of births classified as preterm, term and post‐term by pregnancy dating methods was also examined.LMP‐based estimates were 0.8 days (standard deviation = 8.0, median = 0) longer on average than ultrasound estimates. LMP classified more births as post‐term than ultrasound (4.0% vs. 0.7%). GA difference was greater among young women, non‐Hispanic Black and Hispanic women, women of non‐optimal body weight and mothers of low‐birthweight infants. Results indicate first trimester report of LMP reasonably approximates gestational age obtained from first trimester ultrasound, but the degree of discrepancy between estimates varies by important maternal characteristics.
Suspended sediment dynamics and morphodynamics in the Yellow River, China
Authors: VAN MAREN D. S. , WINTERWERP J. C. , WANG Z. Y. , PU Q. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractThe Yellow River in China carries large amounts of sediments in suspension at concentrations up to several hundreds of kilograms per cubic metre; the sediment is composed mainly of silt. These high sediment concentrations influence the hydrodynamics (flow velocity and turbulence) which, in turn, determine the sediment concentration profile, whereas both the high sediment concentrations and pseudo‐cohesive properties of silt determine the morphodynamics of the Yellow River. The effect of sediment on the hydrodynamics is analysed using the Richardson number and the Reynolds number to provide a framework to differentiate between various flow regimes in the Yellow River, which is calibrated and validated with Yellow River data. The flow may be sub‐saturated (stable flow), super‐saturated (unstable flow characterized by high deposition rates, caused by collapse of turbulence), or hyperconcentrated sub‐saturated (stable flow because of hindered settling effects), depending on the Richardson number. Independent of this, the flow may be turbulent, transitional or laminar, depending on the Reynolds number. Analysis of these flow types improves understanding of the flow regimes and morphodynamics of the Yellow River. The morphodynamics of the Yellow River are also affected by pseudo‐cohesive behaviour caused by shear dilatance, which results in increasing critical shear stress for erosion at decreasing grain‐size. This pseudo‐cohesive behaviour may be partly responsible not only for the high deposition rates which characterize the lower Yellow River, but also for mass erosion during river floods.
The DAISY gene from Arabidopsis encodes a fatty acid elongase condensing enzyme involved in the biosynthesis of aliphatic suberin in roots and the chalaza‐micropyle region of seeds
Authors: Franke Rochus , Höfer Rene , Briesen Isabel , Emsermann Mitja , Efremova Nadia , Yephremov Alexander , Schreiber Lukas 
Published: September 2008

SummarySuberin is a hydrophobic polyester found in the cell walls of various plant–environment interfaces, including shoot and root peridermal tissue, and the root hypodermis and endodermis. Suberin deposits form apoplastic barriers that control water and nutrient transport, protect against pathogens and seal wounded tissue. Despite this physiological importance, and the detailed information on the suberin composition of many plants, there is a great gap in our knowledge of the molecular mechanism of suberin biosynthesis, caused in part by a lack of mutants in suberin formation. Here, we report the characterization of daisy, an Arabidopsis mutant that is defective in a fatty acid elongase condensing enzyme. The daisy mutant roots exhibit disturbed growth, and the suberin level is reduced in C22 and C24 very long chain fatty acid derivatives, whereas C16, C18 and C20 derivatives accumulate, compared with wild‐type suberin, indicating that DAISY functions as a docosanoic acid synthase. Consistent with a significantly increased level of suberin in the roots of NaCl‐stressed plants, DAISY is transcriptionally activated by NaCl application, and also by polyethylene glycol‐induced drought stress and wounding. Expression analysis using RT‐PCR and promoter‐GUS fusions demonstrated a distinct DAISY expression pattern in the root stele, senescing sepals, siliques abscission zones and the chalaza‐micropyle region of seeds. Together, these results indicate that DAISY is involved in suberin biosynthesis and in the formation of protective layers in these tissues, and in the response to unfavourable environmental conditions.
Quantifying leaf venation patterns: two‐dimensional maps
Authors: Rolland‐Lagan Anne‐Gaëlle , Amin Mira , Pakulska Malgosia 
Published: September 2008

SummaryThe leaf vasculature plays crucial roles in transport and mechanical support. Understanding how vein patterns develop and what underlies pattern variation between species has many implications from both physiological and evolutionary perspectives. We developed a method for extracting spatial vein pattern data from leaf images, such as vein densities and also the sizes and shapes of the vein reticulations. We used this method to quantify leaf venation patterns of the first rosette leaf of Arabidopsis thaliana throughout a series of developmental stages. In particular, we characterized the size and shape of vein network areoles (loops), which enlarge and are split by new veins as a leaf develops. Pattern parameters varied in time and space. In particular, we observed a distal to proximal gradient in loop shape (length/width ratio) which varied over time, and a margin‐to‐center gradient in loop sizes. Quantitative analyses of vein patterns at the tissue level provide a two‐way link between theoretical models of patterning and molecular experimental work to further explore patterning mechanisms during development. Such analyses could also be used to investigate the effect of environmental factors on vein patterns, or to compare venation patterns from different species for evolutionary studies. The method also provides a framework for gathering and overlaying two‐dimensional maps of point, line and surface morphological data.
Stigmatisation in onychomycosis patients: a population‐based study
Authors: Szepietowski Jacek C. , Reich Adam ,   for the National Quality of Life in Dermatology Group
Published: September 2008

SummaryPatients with onychomycosis may experience significant psychosocial problems, similarly to other skin diseases. The objectives of this study were to analyse the level of stigmatisation among subjects with onychomycosis and the effect of anti‐mycotic therapy on this feeling. This prospective study was carried out among 1684 patients (1050 women and 634 men, mean age 52.2 ± 15.5 years) with onychomycosis. All subjects were asked to fulfil the stigmatisation questionnaire at the baseline visit and after the completion of the anti‐mycotic therapy. Stigmatisation level was assessed with reference to gender, age, education, type and duration of onychomycosis and the number of involved nails. Patients with onychomycosis reported markedly increased feeling of stigmatisation. Fingernail involvement was the major variable negatively influencing the stigmatisation level. Female patients and younger ones appeared to be more stigmatised. No significant relationships were found between stigmatisation level and education, number of involved fingernails or toenails, as well as the duration of onychomycosis. The anti‐mycotic therapy resulted in significant reduction of all analysed aspects of stigmatisation to about 40% of the baseline level. Onychomycosis should be considered as an important problem for patients, significantly reducing their physical, mental and social well‐being, also leading to marked stigmatisation of patients.
Association of Vibrio cholerae with plankton in coastal areas of Mexico
Authors: Lizárraga‐Partida M. L. , Mendez‐Gómez E. , Rivas‐Montaño A. M. , Vargas‐Hernández E. , Portillo‐López A. , González‐Ramírez A. R. , Huq A. , Colwell R. R. 
Published: September 2008

SummaryThe El Niño event of 1997/1998 provided an opportunity to carry out a field experiment in which the relationship of sea surface temperature and the association of Vibrio cholerae with marine plankton could be assessed in Mexican coastal and estuarine areas. Plankton samples were collected from May 1997 through June 1999. Sites included the Mexican ports of Veracruz, Coatzacoalcos and Frontera in the Gulf of Mexico and Ensenada, Guaymas, Mazatlán, Manzanillo, Acapulco and Oaxaca in the Pacific Ocean. Sampling was also accomplished during two oceanographic cruises in the Yucatan channel of the Caribbean Sea. Bacteriological analyses for V. cholerae serogroups O1 and O139 were carried out. Also, the taxonomic structure of the plankton populations was determined. Vibrio cholerae O1 was detected only in Veracruz samples collected during April, May and June 1999, when La Niña climatic conditions prevailed. It is concluded that V. cholerae O1 in Mexico derives from its marine and estuarine origin and not from sewage contamination. The significant number of Acartia tonsa copepodites and V. cholerae copepodite‐positive samples suggests a significant role of this copepod in the occurrence and distribution of V. cholerae in coastal areas of Mexico.
13C‐isotope analyses reveal that chemolithoautotrophicGamma‐ andEpsilonproteobacteriafeed a microbial food web in a pelagic redoxcline of the central Baltic Sea
Authors: Glaubitz Sabine , Lueders Tillmann , Abraham Wolf‐Rainer , Jost Günter , Jürgens Klaus , Labrenz Matthias 
Published: September 2008

SummaryMarine pelagic redoxclines are zones of high dark CO2fixation rates, which can correspond up to 30% of the surface primary production. However, despite this significant contribution to the pelagic carbon cycle, the identity of most chemolithoautotrophic organisms is still unknown. Therefore, the aim of this study was to directly link the dark CO2fixation capacity of a pelagic redoxcline in the central Baltic Sea (Landsort Deep) with the identity of the main chemolithoautotrophs involved. Our approach was based on the analysis of natural carbon isotope signatures in fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) and on measurements of CO2incorporation in13C‐bicarbonate pulse experiments. The incorporation of13C into chemolithoautotrophic cells was investigated by rRNA‐based stable isotope probing (RNA‐SIP) and FAME analysis after incubation for 24 and 72 h underin situconditions. Our results demonstrated that fatty acids indicative ofProteobacteriawere significantly enriched in13C slightly below the chemocline. RNA‐SIP analyses revealed that two differentGammaproteobacteriaand three closely relatedEpsilonproteobacteriaof theSulfurimonascluster were active dark CO2‐fixing microorganisms, with a time‐dependent community shift between these groups. Labelling ofArchaeawas not detectable, but after 72 h of incubation the13C‐label had been transferred to a potentially bacterivorous ciliate related toEuplotessp. Thus, RNA‐SIP provided direct evidence for the contribution of chemolithoautotrophic production to the microbial food web in this marine pelagic redoxcline, emphasizing the importance of dark CO2‐fixingProteobacteriawithin this habitat.