bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Urinary excretion of phthalates and paraben after repeated whole‐body topical application in humans
Authors: Janjua Nadeem Rezaq , Frederiksen Hanne , Skakkebæk Niels E. , Wulf Hans Christian , Andersson Anna‐Maria 
Published: January 2008

SummaryDiethyl phthalate (DEP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP) and butyl paraben (BP) are man‐made chemicals used in personal care products, such as lotions and creams. Exposure to these chemicals causes a variety of adverse reproductive outcomes in animal studies. Humans can be exposed to these chemicals through dermal absorption, but there are no published data on absorption, metabolism, and excretion after dermal application. This study investigates urinary concentrations of BP and metabolites of DEP and DBP after topical application. In a 2‐week single‐blinded study, 26 healthy Caucasian male subjects were given a whole body topical application of basic cream 2 mg/cm2 (control week) and then a cream containing 2% (w/w) of DEP, DBP and BP each (treatment week) daily. Twenty‐four‐hour urine samples were collected. Urinary total, and unconjugated BP, monoethyl phthalate (MEP) and monobutyl phthalate (MBP) metabolites were analysed by Liquid Chromatography–Tandem Mass Spectroscopy (LC‐MS/MS). All 26 subjects showed increased excretion of MEP, MBP and BP following topical application. Total MEP, MBP and BP (mean ± SEM) excreted in urine in the treatment week were, respectively, 41 ± 1.9, 11.8 ± 0.6 and 2.6 ± 0.1 mg/24 h. On average 5.79, 1.82 and 0.32%, respectively, of the applied DEP, DBP and BP could be recovered in urine as MEP, MBP and BP. The concentration of the compounds peaked in urine 8–12 h after application. The fractions of unconjugated MEP, MBP, and BP were 78, 8.0 and 2.1%, respectively. Absorption of DEP, DBP and BP through skin could potentially contribute to adverse health effects. The three chemicals are systemically absorbed, metabolized and excreted in urine following application on the skin in a cream preparation. More DEP than DBP was absorbed, presumably because of a faster absorption rate for DEP.
Adverse trends in male reproductive health: we may have reached a crucial ‘tipping point’
Authors: Andersson A.‐M. , Jørgensen N. , Main K. M. , Toppari J. , Meyts E. Rajpert‐De , Leffers H. , Juul A. , Jensen T. K. , Skakkebæk N. E. 
Published: January 2008

SummaryHealthy men produce an enormous number of sperms, far more than necessary for conception. However, several studies suggest that semen samples where the concentration of sperms is below 40 mill/mL may be associated with longer time to pregnancy or even subfertility, and specimens where the concentration of sperms is below 15 mill/mL may carry a high risk of infertility. Historic data from the 1940s show that the bulk of young men at that time had sperm counts far above 40 mill/mL with averages higher than 100 mill/mL. However, recent surveillance studies of young men from the general populations of young men in Northern Europe show that semen quality is much poorer. In Denmark approximately 40 percent of the men have now sperm counts below 40 mill/mL. A simulation assuming that average sperm count had declined from 100 mill/mL in ‘old times’ to a current level close to 40 mill/mL indicated that the first decline in average sperm number of 20–40 mill/mL might not have had much effect on pregnancy rates, as the majority of men would still have had counts far above the threshold value. However, due to the assumed decline in semen quality, the sperm counts of the majority of 20 year old European men are now so low that we may be close to the crucial tipping point of 40 mill/mL spermatozoa. Consequently, we must face the possibility of more infertile couples and lower fertility rates in the future.
Low dose mixture effects of endocrine disrupters: implications for risk assessment and epidemiology
Authors: Kortenkamp Andreas 
Published: January 2008

SummaryDuring the last years, a series of studies on combinations of oestrogenic, thyroid‐disrupting and anti‐androgenic chemicals at low doses have been published. The available experimental evidence shows that combination effects may result from endocrine disrupters that each produces very small effects, if they are present in sufficiently large numbers. This review examines the implications of these findings for chemicals risk assessment and epidemiology. It is concluded that a lack of knowledge about relevant exposure scenarios presents serious obstacles for better human risk assessment. Epidemiology needs to abandon its focus on single endocrine disrupters and has to embrace the reality of endocrine disrupter mixture effects by developing biomarkers that capture cumulative exposure to endocrine disrupters.
Use of nisin, lysozyme and EDTA for inhibiting microbial growth in chilled buffalo meat
Authors: Cannarsi Marianna , Baiano Antonietta , Sinigaglia Milena , Ferrara Lino , Baculo Rodolfo , Del Nobile Matteo A. 
Published: January 2008

SummaryThe effect of nisin, lysozyme and lysozyme combined with disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate salt (EDTA) for inhibiting the growth of spoilage micro‐organisms in buffalo meat was investigated. Prior to packaging, the samples were alternatively dipped in solutions containing different concentrations of nisin, lysozyme and combinations of a pre‐fixed amount of lysozyme and different concentrations of EDTA. The packed meat samples were stored at 4 °C, and the microbial changes were monitored for a period of 8 days. The best results, in terms of microbial shelf‐life extension, were obtained by dipping the meat steaks in a solution containing a combination of 0.5% of lysozyme and 2% of EDTA. This treatment was able to reduce the growth of all the investigated bacteria and showed a bactericidal effect on Brochotrix thermosphacta during the entire period of storage.
Effects of operating conditions on oil loss and structure of almond snacks
Authors: Pilli Teresa De , Carbone Barbara F. , Derossi Antonio , Fiore Anna G. , Severini Carla 
Published: January 2008

SummaryAn almond‐and‐wheat blend (about 1:2.5, dry basis) was extruded through a co‐rotating twin‐screw extruder with a barrel diameter of 25 mm. The effects of barrel temperature (69.77–120.23 °C), dough moisture (26.64–33.36%) and screw speed (13.85–38.50 rad s−1) on specific mechanical energy, oil loss that occurs during extrusion process, pressure at the die and on complexing index, break strength, porosity and expansion ratio of extrudates were investigated using response surface methodology. The only variable that had a significant influence on oil loss was barrel temperature (the lowest oil loss, i.e. 0.06%, was obtained with the minimum barrel temperature). The worst product structure was obtained at barrel temperature less than 100 °C. Yet, the highest values of porosity (18.47%) and expansion ratio (158.76%) were obtained at a barrel temperature of 120 °C. Regression results showed a positive correlation (r2 = 0.94) between oil loss, porosity and expansion degree values.
In vitro application of selected essential oils and their major components in controlling fungal pathogens of crown rot in Embul banana (Musa acuminata– AAB)
Authors: Herath Harshini , Abeywickrama Krishanthi 
Published: January 2008

SummaryThe necessity for pesticide‐free fresh produce have prompted investigating the effect of selected essential oils and their major components on inhibition of conidial germination, appressoria formation and membrane permeability changes of the pathogens responsible for crown rot of banana. Eugenol, which is the major component of the essential oil of Ocimum basilicum, was the most effective chemical component in inhibiting conidial germination of Colletotrichum musae and Fusarium proliferatumin vitro while Cymbopogon citratus oil was the least effective. Both O. basilicum and C. citratus oils and their major components (Eugenol, citral a + b) inhibited appressoria formation by C. musae and changed the selective permeability of conidial membranes. Ocimum basilicum oil, eugenol and citral a + b could be satisfactorily used for inhibition of conidial germination and disruption of conidial activity of banana pathogens.
Effect of some additives on the inhibition of lizardfish trimethylamine‐N‐oxide demethylase and frozen storage stability of minced flesh
Authors: Leelapongwattana Kittima , Benjakul Soottawat , Visessanguan Wonnop , Howell Nazlin K. 
Published: January 2008

SummaryEffects of some additives on the inhibition of trimethylamine‐N‐oxide demethylase (TMAOase) from lizardfish (Saurida tumbil) muscle were investigated. Sodium citrate and pyrophosphate could inhibit TMAOase activity in a concentration‐dependent manner, most likely because of their chelating property. Sodium alginate was the hydrocolloid possessing the inhibitory activity towards TMAOase (P < 0.05). During the storage of lizardfish mince at −20 °C for 24 weeks, the addition of 0.5% sodium alginate and 0.3% pyrophosphate in combination with 4% sucrose and 4% sorbitol as the cryoprotectants resulted in the retarded increase in TMAOase activities with the coincidental lowered formation of dimethylamine and formaldehyde (FA), compared with the control (without additives) (P < 0.05). The loss in solubility of muscle proteins was also impeded with the addition of those compounds, suggesting their role in the inhibition of TMAOase as well as the retardation of protein denaturation induced by FA.
Short‐term toxicity studies of Ficus thonningii Blume (Moraceae) leaf extract in rats
Authors: Aniagu Stanley O. , Nwinyi Florence C. , Akumka David D. , Agbani Ejaife O. , Dzarma Sunday , Ajoku Gloria A. , Izebe Kazeem S. , Agala Paschaline , Adelusola Kayode A. , Ibe Joseph , Inyang Uford S. , Gamaniel Karynius S. 
Published: January 2008

SummaryThe short‐term toxicity of Ficus thonningii Blume (FT) was studied in Wistar rats following daily oral administration of the leaf extract (250–500 mg kg−1) for 15 days. Acute toxicity, body weight changes, organ weight, food intake, clinical signs, haematology, gross and tissue histology were monitored. The body weights of treated rats increased progressively, but the changes were not significantly different from control. The relative weights of the essential organs of treated rats were unaffected in both male and female rats. Of the sixteen haematological parameters studied, only the total leukocyte counts and plateletcrit values in male rats fed 500 mg kg−1 of FT were significantly greater than similar parameters in controls. Histological findings indicated possible testicular, lung and hepatic toxicities. The LD50 of FT was estimated to be >3000 mg kg−1. The results suggest that short‐term oral application of F. thonningii may not exert severe toxic effects in rats at doses lower than 500 mg kg−1.
Volatile profile and differentiation between Albariño wines from different origins
Authors: Falqué Elena , Darriet Philippe , Fernández Esperanza , Dubourdieu Denis 
Published: January 2008

SummaryCommercial Albariño wines from different subzones of Certified Brand of Origin ‘Rías Baixas’ (NW Spain) were analysed over four consecutive harvests. The contents of monoterpenes, volatile phenols, alcohols, sulphur compounds, acetates, fatty acids and ethyl esters were determined by gas chromatography (flame ionisation detector and flame photometric detector) and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. These white wines presented high concentrations of free monoterpenes, volatile phenols, acetates, and ethyl esters, while the levels of sulphur compounds, known as default compounds, were very low. All the wines were elaborated from Albariño grapes, but they were produced by different enological practices, such as skin contact and by carrying out malolactic fermentation or not. No significant differences were found between wines from the same subzone and from different vintages. The results obtained, and confirmed by Principal component and linear discriminant analysis, showed a differentiation among these wines as a function of the Galician subzone of origin.
The effects of Maillard reaction products on apple and potato polyphenoloxidase and their antioxidant activity
Authors: Atrooz Omar M. 
Published: January 2008

SummaryThe effects of Maillard reaction products (MRPs) on apple and potato polyphenol oxidase (PPO) were estimated spectrophotometrically. Model systems of glucose and amino acids [lysine (lys), tyrosine (tyr), proline (pro), cysteine (cys), glumatic acid (glu), aspartic acid (asp), and histidine (his)] were heated at 90 °C for 3 h. The MRPs showed inhibitory effects on PPO extracted from apple and potato. These effects depend on the type of MRP and origin of PPO. The antioxidant activity of MRPs was evaluated. It was found that MRPs exhibit different free radical scavenging activity and these effects were significant. The colour intensity of MRPs was estimated. Browning was not directly related to the antioxidant activity.
Effect of trehalose on the glass transition and ice crystal growth in ice cream
Authors: Whelan Anthony P. , Regand Alejandra , Vega Cesar , Kerry Joseph P. , Goff H. Douglas. 
Published: January 2008

SummaryThe effects of trehalose and sucrose on the rate of ice crystal growth in ice cream during accelerated shelf‐life were compared. Experimental and theoretical freezing curves were shown to be in good agreement. Glass transition temperatures (Tg) of maximally freeze concentrated trehalose and sucrose solutions (40% w/w) were found to be −39.5 °C and −47 °C respectively. For ice cream mixes, the Tg value increased from −46.4 °C for the 100% sucrose‐based mix to −42.0 °C for the 100% trehalose sweetened ice cream. However, no differences in viscosity, nucleation rate or inhibition of ice crystal growth were observed with increasing trehalose concentration in ice cream.
Antibacterial activity of different essential oils obtained from spices widely used in Mediterranean diet
Authors: Viuda‐Martos Manuel , Ruiz‐Navajas Yolanda , Fernández‐López Juana , Pérez‐Álvarez José Angel 
Published: January 2008

SummaryRaw and processed foods are open to contamination during their production, sale and distribution. At present, therefore, a wide variety of chemical preservatives are used throughout the food industry to prevent the growth of food spoiling bacteria. However health and economic considerations have led to a search for alternatives, such as essentials oils that can safely be used as substitutes for fungicides and bactericides to partially or completely inhibit the growth of fungi and bacteria. The aim of this work was to determine the effectiveness of the essentials oils from oregano (Origanum vulgare), thyme (Thymus vulgaris), rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), sage (Salvia officinalis), cumin (Cuminum cyminum) and clove (Syzygium aromaticum) on the growth of some bacteria commonly used in the food industry, Lactobacillus curvatus, Lactobacillus sakei, Staphylococcus carnosus and Staphylococcus xylosus or related to food spoilage Enterobacter gergoviae, Enterobacter amnigenus. The agar disc diffusion method was used to determine the antibacterial activities of the oils. All six essential oils analysed had an inhibitory effect on the six tested bacteria. Oregano essential oil showed the highest inhibition effect followed by cumin and clove.
Effect of different cooking methods on the antioxidant activity of some vegetables from Pakistan
Authors: Sultana Bushra , Anwar Farooq , Iqbal Shahid 
Published: January 2008

SummaryThe effects of different cooking methods (boiling, frying and microwave cooking) on the antioxidant activity of some selected vegetables (peas, carrot, spinach, cabbage, cauliflower, yellow turnip and white turnip) were assessed by measuring the total phenolic contents (TPC), reducing power and percentage inhibition in linoleic acid system. TPC (gallic acid equivalents g/100 g of dry weight) and reducing power of the methanolic extracts of raw‐, microwaved‐, boiled‐ and fried vegetables ranged 0.333–2.97, 0.52–2.68, 0.48–2.08, 1.00–2.02 and 0.391–2.24, 0.822–1.10, 0.547–1.16, 0.910–4.07, respectively. The level of inhibition of peroxidation ranged 71.4–89.0, 66.4–87.3, 73.2–89.2 and 77.4–91.3%, respectively. Antioxidant activity of the vegetables examined was appreciably affected because of varying cooking treatments. TPC of vegetables, generally, decreased by boiling, frying and microwave cooking. There was a significant (P < 0.05) increase in reducing power as a result of frying. However, boiling and microwave cooking did not affect reducing power. Inhibition of peroxidation increased by boiling and frying, whereas, in contrast it was decreased by microwave cooking. The results of the present investigation showed that all the cooking methods affected the antioxidant properties of the vegetables; however, microwave treatment exhibited more deleterious effects when compared with those of other treatments. Thus an appropriate method might be sought for the processing of such vegetables to retain their antioxidant components at maximum level.
Antioxidant efficacy of phytochemical extracts from defatted rice bran in in‐vitro model emulsions
Authors: Devi Radha Renuka , Jayalekshmy Ananthasankaran , Arumughan Chaml 
Published: January 2008

SummaryDefatted rice bran (DRB) is the byproduct of rice bran oil extraction. On HPLC analysis, methanolic extracts prepared from DRB was found to contain oryzanols (OYL), tocols and ferulic acid (FA). Solvent fractionation was employed to prepare extracts enriched with beneficial phytochemicals from crude methanolic extract (CME). The antioxidant potential of DRB extracts and their phytochemical constituents in emulsified media were evaluated by linoleic acid emulsion system and β‐carotene bleaching test. In linoleic acid model, the activity indexed as percent inhibition values followed the order TBHQ (83.9) > BHT (60.1) > AE‐PP = AE‐LP = OYL = tricin (51.7) > Tmix (48.0) > FA (44.1) > AE (36.0) > CME (29.9) > sterol (22.8) with inhibition percentages at 200 ppm levels given in parentheses. The order for the β‐carotene model was TBHQ (75.2) > BHT (54.1) > OYL = tricin = AE‐LP = AE‐PP (47.2) > Tmix (43.9) > FA (41.0) > AE (29.9) > CME (25.1) > sterol (20.1), with inhibition percentages at 200 ppm levels given in parentheses. The results demonstrated that DRB extracts could be used as antioxidant substitutes in heterogeneous food matrix and could also be used in protecting both linoleic acid and β‐carotene against oxidation. The increase in activity with purification might be due to enhanced levels of antioxidants in purified extracts as compared to CME.
Inhibition kinetic and mechanism of polyphenol oxidase from various sources by diethyldithiocarbamic acid
Authors: Doğan Serap , Turan Pınar , Doğan Mehmet , Alkan Mahir , Arslan Oktay 
Published: January 2008

SummaryInhibition kinetics and mechanism of polyphenol oxidases (PPO) partially purified from various sources such as Thymbra spicata L. var. spicata and Ocimum basilicum L., and of mushroom PPO bought from Sigma by diethyldithiocarbamic acid have been described using catechol, 4‐methylcatechol and pyrogallol as substrates. The inhibition type was competitive for O. basilicum L. PPO using catechol and 4‐methylcatechol as substrates, for mushroom PPO using catechol, 4‐methylcatechol and pyrogallol as substrates, and for T. spicata L. var. spicata PPO using 4‐methylcatechol as a substrate; uncompetitive inhibition for T. spicata L. var. spicata PPO using pyrogallol as a substrate; and non‐competitive inhibition for O. basilicum L. and T. spicata L. var. spicata PPO using pyrogallol and catechol as substrates, respectively. The inhibition effect of diethyldithiocarbamic acid on enzymatic browning varied greatly from one phenol to another and from one enzyme to another. Hence, no general rule can easily be established with regard to the type of inhibition observed.
CCD photometry of the globular cluster NGC 5466. RR Lyrae light-curve decomposition and the distance scale
Authors: Arellano Ferro A. , Rojas López V. , Giridhar Sunetra , Bramich D. M. 
Published: January 2008

Abstract
We report the results of CCD V and r photometry of the globular cluster NGC 5466. The difference image analysis technique adopted in this work has resulted in accurate time-series photometry even in crowded regions of the cluster enabling us to discover five probably semiregular variables. We present new photometry of three previously known eclipsing binaries and six SX Phe stars. The light curves of the RR Lyrae stars have been decomposed in their Fourier harmonics and their fundamental physical parameters have been estimated using semi-empirical calibrations. The zero-points of the metallicity, luminosity and temperature scales are discussed and our Fourier results are transformed accordingly. The average iron abundance and distance to the Sun derived from individual RR Lyrae stars, indicate values of [Fe/H]=−1.91 ± 0.19 and D= 16.0 ± 0.6 kpc, or a true distance modulus of 16.02 ± 0.09 mag, for the parent cluster. These values are, respectively, in the Zinn & West metallicity scale and in agreement with recent luminosity determinations for the RR Lyrae stars in the Large Magellanic Cloud.
The MV–[Fe/H] relation has been recalibrated as MV=+(0.18 ± 0.03)[Fe/H]+ (0.85 ± 0.05) using the mean values derived by the Fourier technique on RR Lyrae stars in a family of clusters. This equation predicts MV= 0.58 mag for [Fe/H]=−1.5, in agreement with the average absolute magnitude of RR Lyrae stars calculated from several independent methods. The MV–[Fe/H] relationship and the value of [Fe/H] have implications on the age of the globular clusters when determined from the magnitude difference between the horizontal branch and the turn-off point (HB-TO method). The above results however would not imply a change in the age of NGC 5466, of 12.5 ± 0.9 Gyr, estimated from recent isochrone fitting.