bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparison of visual and automated colorimeters—An international collaborative study
Authors: Wan P. J. , Hurley T. W. , Guy J. D. , Berner D. L. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractColor as a fundamental quality of edible oils has been determined primarily by visual comparison methods for many decades. The automatic colorimeters introduced recently made it possible to replace the manually operated visual color instrument, which requires experience to master and is often subject to operator variabilities. A previous study with an automatic colorimeter, Colourscan, to measure the colors of refined and refined bleached cottonseed oils showed good agreement (r2=0.99) with visual color measurements by means of the Lovibond‐AOCS Color Scale. The current work is to establish a broad‐scale correlation between the automated colorimeter and visual color measurements. In this international effort, factory‐processed refined and refined, bleached, deodorized (RBD) canola, corn, cottonseed, peanut, sunflower and soybean oils, as well as refined palm olein, RBD palm oil, and washed, dried, filtered and deodorized tallow were used. A total of 14 laboratories from the United States and Canada, and 16 laboratories from 12 countries outside of North America, participated in this collaborative study. The results of this study, with statistical analyses, are reported.
Reassessment of the antioxidant activity of conjugated linoleic acids
Authors: Chen Z. Y. , Chan P. T. , Kwan K. Y. , Zhang A. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractThe anticarcinogenic effect of conjugated linoleic acids (CLA) has been attributed to their antioxidant activity. Strong evidence is lacking, however, to substantiate that CLA is an antioxidant. The objective of this study was, therefore, to test whether CLA is an antioxidant or a prooxidant in canola oil. The oxidation was conducted at 90°C by monitoring oxygen uptake and changes in linoleic acid and α‐linolenic acid. Free CLA and CLA methyl ester (CLAME) accelerated lipid oxidation in canola oil. The prooxidant activity of CLA and CLAME was dose‐dependent at concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 1.0% in canola oil heated at 90°C. CLA‐containing triacylglycerol, however, was neither an antioxidant nor a prooxidant. Under the present experimental conditions, CLA was not an antioxidant in fats and oil.
Soy lecithin‐monoester interchange reaction by microbial lipase
Authors: Ghosh M. , Bhattacharyya D. K. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractModification of the fatty acid composition of soy lecithin, principally at its 1‐position, was investigated by interchange reaction with the methyl ester of individual fatty acids and a lipase as the catalyst. The consequent effect on the surface activity of soy lecithin was also examined. The interchange reaction was carried out by heating a mixture of soy lecithin and methyl ester of a fatty acid at 60°C for 48 h with 10% (by weight of the reactants) Mucor miehei lipase. The lipase was filtered from the reaction mixture, and the product was isolated by combination of acetone extraction, which removed the methyl ester fraction, and by preparative thin‐layer chromatography separation. The soy lecithin showed distinct change in its fatty acid composition in the sn‐1 position. Capric acid was incorporated by 8.4%, while lauric acid and myristic acid were introduced at 14.1 and 15.7%, respectively. The linolenic acid percentage was increased by about 10 units. The interfacial tension of soy lecithin changed significantly after incorporation of various saturated fatty acids.
Phase transitions and polymorphism of cocoa butter
Authors: Loisel C. , Keller G. , Lecq G. , Bourgaux C. , Ollivon M. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractThe polymorphism and phase transitions of cocoa butter (CB) have been reexamined separately by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X‐ray diffraction as a function of temperature (XRDT) at scanning rates between 0.1 to 5°C/min and 0.1 to 2°C/min, respectively. A new instrument, which allowed simultaneous DSC and XRDT recordings from the same sample by taking advantage of the high‐energy flux of a synchrotron, was employed for characterization of the intermediate phase transitions. These techniques allowed us to confirm the existence of the six polymorphic forms of CB (called I to VI) by in situ characterization of their formation in the DSC + XRDT sample holder. A detailed study of Form I structure led us to propose a liquid‐crystal organization in which some of the chains displayed sharp long‐spacing lines (d001=52.6±0.5 Å) and a β′ organization (4.19 and 3.77 Å), while the others remained unordered with broad scattering (maxima at about 112 and 36.5 Å). The organization of this liquid crystalline phase is compared to that of fat and oil liquids. This liquid crystalline phase progressively transformed on heating into a more stable phase (Form II, α type, d001=48.5±0.5 Å and short‐spacing at 4.22 Å). Form III was only observed in a sharp temperature domain through its specific short‐spacings. The existence of the six species has been essentially related to the crystallization of monounsaturated triacylglycerols (TAG), while trisaturated species were found partly solid‐soluble in these six polymorphic forms. An insoluble fraction crystallized independently of the polymorphism of the monounsaturated TAG in a separate phase with long‐spacings that were either of the α (49.6±0.5 Å) or β (44.2±0.5 Å) form. In mixture with Form V, this fraction melts and solubilizes in the liquid phase at 37.5°C. Isolation of these high‐melting crystals shows a melting point of about 50°C. High‐performance liquid chromatography analysis of this fraction confirmed an increase from 3.0 to 11.3% of saturated TAG and their association with part of the 1,3‐stearoyl‐2‐oleoylglycerol preferentially to 1‐palmitoyl‐2‐oleoyl‐3‐stearoylglycerol and (1,3‐palmitoyl‐2‐oleoylglycerol).
Antioxidant activity of burdock (Arctium lappa Linné): Its scavenging effect on free‐radical and active oxygen
Authors: Duh Pin‐Der 
Published: May 2007

AbstractThe antioxidant activity and free‐radical and active oxygen‐scavenging activity of burdock extracts were investigated. Of the solvents used for extraction, water yielded the greatest amount of extract that exhibited the strongest antioxidant activity. Water extracts of burdock (WEB) and hot water extracts of burdock (HWEB) exhibited comparable and marked activity on inhibition of linoleic acid peroxidation, indicating that heat treatment did not alter the antioxidant activity of WEB. WEB and HWEB produced significantly lower (P<0.05) malondialdehyde (MDA) in both linoleic acid and liposome model systems than did the control. Moreover, mixtures of tocopherol (Toc), WEB, and HWEB exhibited a remarkable synergistic antioxidant effect in a liposome system; WEB and HWEB thus potentiated the action of Toc. Furthermore, WEB and HWEB displayed a marked inhibitory effect on lipid peroxidation of rat liver homogenate in vitro. WEB and HWEB exhibited an 80% scavenging effect on α,α‐diphenyl‐β‐picrylhydrazyl radical and marked reducing power, indicating that WEB and HWEB act as primary antioxidants. Both extracts at a dose of 1.0 mg exhibited a 60.4–65.0% scavenging effect on superoxide and an 80.5% scavenging effect on hydrogen peroxide. They also showed a marked scavenging effect on the hydroxyl radical. These results revealed that WEB and HWEB are also active as oxygen scavengers and as secondary antioxidants. Based on these results, termination of free‐radical reactions and quenching of reactive oxygen species in burdock extracts are suggested to be, in part, responsible for the antioxidant activity of burdock extracts.
Precision of low trans fatty acid level determination in refined oils. Results of a collaborative capillary gas‐liquid chromatography study
Authors: van Bruggen P. C. , Duchateau G. S. M. J. E. , Mooren M. M. W. , van Oosten H. J. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractThe results of a collaborative study by 38 laboratories were analyzed statistically to calculate the precision of a novel capillary gas‐liquid chromatography (GLC) method for the determination of low levels of trans fatty acids (TFA) in edible oils. The participants came from 17 countries, mainly European, and were spread evenly between Unilever companies and external laboratories. All participants used the same GLC method, including a temperature optimization step, which is suitable for the determination of a large range of TFA levels in refined oils and fats and for the determination of total saturated fatty acid, cis mono‐ and cis‐cis methylene‐interrupted polyunsaturated fatty acid isomers. For TFA levels down to 0.5%, the collaborative study yielded values for Rwithin that ranged from 0.08 to 0.13% (absolute values) and for Rbetween from 0.2 to 0.4%, depending on the isomer distribution in a particular edible oil. The proposed GLC method allows reliable TFA analysis at low levels that is suitable for monitoring oil processing practices and intake control.
Characterization of enzymatically synthesized structured lipids containing eicosapentaenoic, docosahexaenoic, and caprylic acids
Authors: Lee Ki‐Teak , Akoh Casimir C. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractStructured lipids (SL) containing n‐3 polyunsaturated (eicosapentaenoic or docosahexaenoic) and mediumchain (caprylic) fatty acids were synthesized in gram quantities and characterized. Tricaprylin was mixed with n‐3‐rich polyunsaturated fatty acids in a 1:2 molar ratio and transesterified by incubating at 55°C in hexane with SP 435 lipase (10% by wt of total substrates) in a 125‐mL Erlenmeyer flask as the bioreactor. After several batches of reaction, the products were pooled and hexane was evaporated. Short‐path distillation was used for purification of synthesized SL. The distillation conditions were 1.1 Torr and 170°C at a feed flow rate of 3 mL/min. Up to 240 g of SL was isolated and deacidified by alkaline extraction or ethanol‐water solvents. The fatty acid profile, free fatty acid value, saponification number, iodine value, peroxide value, thiobarbituric acid, and conjugated diene contents were determined. Oxidation stability, with α‐tocopherol as antioxidant, and the oxidative stability index were also determined.
Enzymatic transesterification of triolein and stearic acid and solid fat content of their products
Authors: Seriburi Vimon , Akoh Casimir C. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractTwo systems were investigated and compared as models for making margarine‐type fats. Two immobilized lipases, IM60 from Rhizomucor miehei and SP435 from Candida antarctica, were used to catalyze the transesterification of triolein with stearic acid and stearic acid methyl ester, respectively, in n‐hexane. The optimal reaction temperature for both enzymes was 55°C at a mole ratio of triolein to acyl donor of 1:2. Equilibria were reached at 18 h for IM60 and 24 h for SP435. Analysis of the overall yield and incorporation of fatty acid at the sn‐2 position indicated that the triacylglycerol products contained 38.4 and 16.2% 18:0 for acidolysis and 34.2 and 11.3% for interesterification reactions, respectively, at the 2‐position. With SP435, the softest fat was produced after 18 h of incubation, and the hardest after 30 h. For IM60 system, 18 h of incubation gave the most plastic fat.
Oestrogen receptor α is required for biochanin A-induced apolipoprotein A-1 mRNA expression in HepG2 cells
Authors: Chan Ming Yan , Wai Man Gho , Chen Zhen-yu , Wang Jun , Leung Lai K. 
Published: May 2007

Epidemiological studies have indicated that soya consumption may produce a better plasma lipid profile. The effect may be attributed to the phyto-oestrogens in soya. The red clover (Trifolium pratense) isoflavone biochanin A has a chemical structure similar to those phyto-oestrogens found in soya beans, and is marketed as a nutraceutical for alleviating postmenopausal symptoms. In the present study we investigated the effect of biochanin A on the mRNA expression of ApoA-1 in the hepatic cell line HepG2. Real-time PCR revealed that biochanin A increased ApoA-1 mRNA abundance in cells expressing oestrogen receptor (ER) α. Without ERα transfection, biochanin A had no effect on mRNA abundance. In order to study the transcriptional control, a fragment of the 5′-flanking region of theApoA-1gene was amplified and inserted in a firefly luciferase reporter plasmid. The reporter assay indicated that the transactivation of theApoA-1promoter was induced by biochanin A in HepG2 cells transfected with the ERα expression plasmid. This induction was reduced by the anti-oestrogen ICI 182,780, whereas the inhibitors of protein kinase (PK) C, PKA, or mitogen-activated kinase (ERK) had no suppressive effect. The present study illustrated that biochanin A might up regulate hepatic apoA-1 mRNA expression through an ER-dependent pathway.
Energy, macronutrient and fatty acid intake of French elderly community dwellers and association with socio-demographic characteristics: data from the Bordeaux sample of the Three-City Study
Authors: Féart Catherine , Jutand Marthe A. , Larrieu Sophie , Letenneur Luc , Delcourt Cécile , Combe Nicole , Barberger-Gateau Pascale 
Published: May 2007

Few data are available regarding dietary habits of the elderly, in particular about fatty acid consumption, whereas these are major risk or protective factors of several age-related diseases. The aim of the present study was to characterise the dietary intake of a French elderly population in terms of energy, macronutrients and fatty acids based on their socio-demographic characteristics. The study population (age range 67·7–94·9 years) consisted of 1786 subjects from Bordeaux (France), included in the Three-City cohort. Dietary assessment was performed by a 24 h recall, allowing the estimation of energy, protein, carbohydrate, total fat, SFA, MUFA and PUFA intakes. Socio-demographic characteristics (age, sex, marital status, educational level and income), practice of sports and BMI were registered. Total energy intake (EI) was lower in women and in older participants ( ≥ 85 years) but higher in single subjects. Higher EI was associated with higher income, but not with educational level. Mean contribution of macronutrients to EI (protein 18 %, carbohydrate 46 % and total fat 31 %) was higher in women than men, except for alcohol. The oldest individuals consumed less protein and more mono- and disaccharides. Excess saturated fat intake (43 % of total fat), associated with a relative deficit in MUFA consumption (36 % of total fat), was observed. The mean 18 : 2n-6 : 18 : 3n-3 ratio was 9.9 and decreased with higher educational level. The present results suggest that being female, older age, being widowed and low income level could be considered as risk factors of inadequate dietary intake.
Socio-economic perspectives on the conservation of Critically Endangered vultures in South Asia: an empirical study from Nepal
Authors: Baral Nabin , Gautam Ramji 
Published: May 2007

AbstractFollowing the catastrophic decline in populations of three species of South Asian Gyps vultures, we conducted a study to explore socio-economic variables that could facilitate conservation efforts. A questionnaire survey was carried out in 103 randomly selected households in the Rampur valley, one of the Important Bird Areas of Nepal, during 2004. Among respondents, 38% were female, 62% male, 28% illiterate and 72% literate. Households belonged to three ethno-religious groups (Hindu castes, ethnic groups and Muslim) and 96% of households had some parcels of registered land to farm. About 90% of households reared one or more types of livestock while the mean Livestock Size Unit was 3.32 per household. Livestock diseases and ailments were common and usually treated with diclofenac. Livestock carcass disposal practices were favourable to vultures because 60% of households dumped carcasses in open fields. Diclofenac is lethal to vultures; 3% of diclofenac-contaminated carcasses were available annually. The majority (78%) of respondents had favourable attitudes towards the concept of vulture conservation. Diclofenac contamination and the destruction of nesting habitat were two major threats to vultures. Ensuring healthy food through economic incentives, inculcating new values through environmental education and soliciting popular participation for habitat conservation are recommended.
Junk ingestion and nestling mortality in a reintroduced population of California Condors Gymnogyps californianus
Authors: Mee Allan , Rideout Bruce A. , Hamber Janet A. , Todd J. Nick , Austin Greg , Clark Mike , Wallace Michael P. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractIngestion of foreign anthropogenic material, here called junk, has been documented in many avian taxa but has become especially problematic in some Old World Gyps vulture populations within the last 30 years. Here, we document the effects of ingested junk on a reintroduced population of the Critically Endangered California Condor Gymnogyps californianus in southern California, U.S.A. Of 13 breeding attempts to date (2001–2005), only one has resulted in successful fledging. Of nests where either the nest substrate was sifted (n = 10) or nestlings (n = 8) were examined, all but one held junk. Nine nestlings hatched in the wild between 2002 and 2005; of these six died at or near nests and two were removed from the wild for health reasons. Four dead nestlings and two removed from the wild held substantial quantities of junk. In two cases, junk ingestion was determined to be the cause of death. Five of six dead nestlings had elevated hepatic copper levels (150–531 ppm dry weight) although the significance of this, if any, remains undetermined. In comparison with historic condor nests (n = 69), junk was more prevalent and of greater size and quantity in reintroduced condor nests. To date, junk ingestion has been the primary cause of nest failure in the reintroduced condor population and threatens the reestablishment of a viable breeding population in southern California.
Genetic structure among wild populations of Elliot's Pheasant Syrmaticus ellioti in China from mitochondrial DNA analyses
Authors: Jiang Ping Ping , Ge Yun Fa , Lang Qiu Lei , Ding Ping 
Published: May 2007

AbstractGenetic structure among five populations of Elliot's Pheasant sampled from five different provinces – Anhui (AH), Zhejiang (ZJ), Fujian (FJ), Hunan (HN) and Guizhou (GZ) – was assayed using mitochondrial control region sequences from 33 individuals. Using AMOVA, we found a high level of haplotype variation within populations, and a degree of genetic structure among groups (GZ population relative to all others pooled). However, this difference was not statistically significant and little geographical structure was indicated among the remaining populations. Furthermore, using a rooted maximum parsimony tree, we found the sequences of the GZ population were largely grouped in their own branch, while sequences of the other four populations were interspersed among branches. We identified a lower level of gene flow between the GZ population and all others, a finding supported by significant FST values. Conversely, we identified a larger amount of gene flow between the remaining four populations, particularly among the three easternmost populations (AH, ZJ and FJ). Given our results, further study should be focused on the GZ population and on management units for the purpose of maintaining the genetic structure of the species in the west of China.
Philippine bird taxonomy and conservation: a commentary on Peterson (2006)
Authors: Collar N. J. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractA review by Peterson (2006) claims that a new species-level taxonomy leads to improved conservation insights for Philippine birds. However, it does not report how borderline taxonomic cases were dealt with, how many taxa and specimens were examined, how closely the evaluations were made, why four key museums were omitted from the survey, and why certain taxa were omitted despite their presence in museums visited. It provides no conclusive or accurate diagnoses in more than 40% of taxa on the first two pages of the Appendix, and overlooks another 16% that have already achieved species-level recognition. It unjustifiably asserts that work was hampered by lack of material, and inappropriately calls for the collection of a highly threatened taxon. It employs one unstable diagnostic method but preaches the virtue of another, entirely different but equally unstable. All these shortcomings undermine confidence in the paper's rigour; and reference to the recent conservation literature shows that in any case no new conservation insights have resulted.
Philippine bird taxonomy and conservation, a response to Collar
Authors: Peterson A. Townsend 
Published: May 2007

AbstractCollar (2007) attacked a recent paper of mine (Peterson 2006) on a number of grounds; he raised some valid points, and detected some errors in detail. Here, I respond to his criticisms, clarify misunderstandings, and urge the field to move beyond the status quo to consider the need for new taxonomic viewpoints to benefit bird conservation globally.
Different profiles of Ca2+ responses to endothelin‐1 and PDGF in liver myofibroblasts during the process of cell differentiation
Authors: Kojima N , Hori M , Murata T , Morizane Y , Ozaki H 
Published: May 2007

Background and purpose:Hepatic stellate cells play an important role in liver fibrosis but little is known about liver myofibroblasts located around the central vein and in the portal area. In this study, intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) was measured to assess the response to endothelin‐1 (ET‐1), platelet derived growth factor (PDGF) and ATP in rat liver myofibroblasts.Experimental approach:Rat liver myofibroblasts were compared in ‘quiescent’ (cultured on Matrigel‐coated dishes) and ‘activated’ (cultured on non‐coated plastic dishes) conditions. [Ca2+]i was measured with the fluorescent dye fura‐2 and mRNA for ET‐1, PDGF and their receptors by RT‐PCR.Key results:ET‐1 increased [Ca2+]i in quiescent cells but not in activated cells, whereas PDGF‐BB increased [Ca2+]i in activated cells but not in quiescent cells. However, there was no difference between responses to ATP in quiescent or activated cells. ET‐1 (in quiescent cells), PDGF‐BB (in activated cells) and ATP (in both cells) all induced transient increases in [Ca2+]i in the absence of extracellular Ca2+ (with EGTA), indicating the involvement of Ca2+ release from intracellular Ca2+ stores. The sustained increase in [Ca2+]i in the presence of external Ca2+ in activated cells (ATP and PDGF) was significantly reduced by nicardipine, a L‐type Ca2+ channel blocker, but not in quiescent cells (ATP and ET‐1).Conclusions and implications:The different pharmacological profiles of [Ca2+]i‐response in quiescent and activated myofibroblasts suggest that ET‐1 and PDGF contribute differently to myofibroblast activation during the process of liver fibrosis.British Journal of Pharmacology (2007) 151, 816–827; doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0707269
Neuroprotection with or without erythropoiesis; sometimes less is more
Authors: Torup L 
Published: May 2007

Erythropoietin (EPO) is a pleiotropic cytokine with a therapeutic potential that goes well beyond the treatment of anaemia. The study by Wang et al (2007b) examined the protective effects of EPO in a rat model of embolic stroke. The efficacy and haematological side effects of EPO were compared to those of a carbamylated EPO variant (CEPO). Treatment with EPO dose‐dependently reduced infarct volume and improved long‐term functional outcome. However, an increase in hematocrit was seen even for doses of EPO that did not offer neuroprotection. These data do not suggest the existence of a therapeutic window between effect and side effect for treatment with EPO. Treatment with CEPO was without haematological side effects.British Journal of Pharmacology (2007) 151, 1141–1142; doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0707287