bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pleistocene Paleoclimate of the Arid Region of Israel as Recorded in Calcite Deposits Along Regional Transverse Faults and in Veins
Authors: Avigour A. , Magaritz M. , Issar A. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractThe δ18O and δ13C values of the calcites associated with E-W and NE-SW transverse faults in the Negev, Israel, indicate that calcite was deposited from meteoric water. A regional change in the δ18O and δ13C values was observed. The 18O content in the calcite increases, from the southwestern (δ18O = −17.8‰) to the northeastern (δ18O = −2.9‰) part of the region. The δ13C values show the opposite trend of the 13C content decrease: from +2‰ in the south to −10‰ in the northeast. These trends had to reflect changes in regional paleoclimate, suggesting a change in the isotopic composition of the solution from which the calcite was deposited in different periods. The variations in the δ18O values reflect shifts in the δ18O values of precipitation and are associated with a change in the source of moist air masses which came from the equatorial Atlantic in the early Pleistocene and from the Mediterranean during a later period. Variations in δ13C values reflect changes from humid to arid conditions. Two modes of calcite deposition are suggested: (1) precipitation of calcite minerals in the unsaturated zone following the dissolution in the soil or (2) calcite deposition that occurred as CO2 was lost during emergence of paleogroundwater from Lower Cretaceous and Jurassic aquifers.
Sea Level, Surface Salinity of the Japan Sea, and the Younger Dryas Event in the Northwestern Pacific Ocean
Authors: Keigwin L.D. , Gorbarenko S.A. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractThe Japan Sea was profoundly different during glacial times than today. Available δ18O evidence indicates that sea surface salinity was lower by several per mil. This probably increased the stability of the water column and caused anoxic sedimentary conditions in the deep sea, as shown by the absence of benthic microfossils and the presence of laminated sediment. These changes are likely related to the effects of late Quaternary sea-level change on the shallow sills (ca. 130 m) across which the Japan Sea exchanges with the open ocean. The Hwang He (Yellow River) has previously been implicated as the source of fresh water to the Japan Sea during glaciation, but the possible roles of the Amur River and excess precipitation over evaporation must also be considered. Ambiguous radiocarbon chronologies for the latest Quaternary of Japan Sea cores do not adequately constrain the timing of salinity lowering. Previous studies have suggested that lowest sea surface salinity was achieved 27,000 to 20,000 14C yr B.P. However, if global sea-level fall restricted exchange with the open ocean circulation, then lowest salinity in the Japan Sea may have occurred as recently as 15,000 to 20,000 yr ago when sea level was lowest. If this alternative is correct, then as sea level abruptly rose about 12,000 yr ago, relatively fresh water must have been discharged to the open Pacific. This might have affected the dynamics of outflow, local faunal and floral expression of the polar front, and stable isotope ratios in foraminifera. These environmental changes could be misinterpreted as evidence for the cooling of Younger Dryas age, which has not been identified in nearby terrestrial records.
Patterns of Holocene Environmental Change in the Midwestern United States
Authors: Baker Richard G. , Maher Louis J. , Chumbley Craig A. , Van Zant Kent L. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractFour pollen sequences along a transect from north-central Iowa to southeast Wisconsin reveal the distribution of prairie and forest during the Holocene and test the use of pollen isopolls in locating the Holocene prairie-forest border. Prairie was dominant in central Iowa and climate was drier than present from about 8000 to 3000 yr B.P. During the driest part of this period in central Iowa (6500-5500 yr B.P.), mesic forest prevailed in eastern Iowa and Wisconsin, suggesting conditions wetter than at present. Prairie replaced the mesic forest about 5400 yr B.P. in eastern Iowa but did not extend much farther east; mesic forests were replaced in southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois about 5400 yr B.P. by xeric oak forests. This change from mesic to xeric conditions at 5400 yr B.P. was widespread and suggests that the intrusion of drier Pacific air was blocked by maritime tropical air from the Gulf of Mexico until the late Holocene in this area.
HIV/AIDS KNOWLEDGE, WOMEN’S EDUCATION, EPIDEMIC SEVERITY AND PROTECTIVE SEXUAL BEHAVIOUR IN LOW- AND MIDDLE-INCOME COUNTRIES
Authors: SNELLING DANA , RASUGU OMARIBA D. WALTER , HONG SUNGJIN , GEORGIADES KATHOLIKI , RACINE YVONNE , BOYLE MICHAEL H. 
Published: July 2006

Summary.A fundamental public health strategy to reduce the risk of HIV/AIDS is to increase levels of awareness and knowledge about the disease. Although knowledge about HIV/AIDS and protective sexual behaviour are linked theoretically, relatively little is known about their empirical relationship. Using Demographic and Health Survey data from 23 low- and middle-income countries, this study used multilevel logistic regression models: to examine cross-national variability in the relationship between HIV/AIDS knowledge and protective behaviour (condom use and restricted sex); to investigate the moderating influences of women’s educational attainment on this relationship; and to test the extent to which severity of the HIV/AIDS epidemic accounts for cross-national variability in the association between HIV/AIDS knowledge and protective behaviour. There was an association between increased knowledge of HIV/AIDS and condom use that varied in strength and form cross-nationally. This cross-national variation was accounted for partially by the socioeconomic characteristics of women resident in the study countries and between-country differences in the severity of the HIV epidemic. While education modified the association between HIV/AIDS knowledge and protective behaviour – stronger associations at lower levels of education – epidemic severity exerted a stronger influence on behaviour than any other characteristic. Finally, this study indicates that protective sexual practices are disturbingly low. In eight of 23 countries, overall levels of condom use to prevent STDs and HIV/AIDS were less than 5·0%. Waiting for the spread of HIV/AIDS infection to change sexual practices in low- and middle-income countries will result in dramatic unnecessary suffering.
Coping with depression in later life: a qualitative study of help-seeking in three ethnic groups
Authors: LAWRENCE VANESSA , BANERJEE SUBE , BHUGRA DINESH , SANGHA KULJEET , TURNER SARA , MURRAY JOANNA 
Published: July 2006

Background. Research suggests high levels of depression and low levels of service use among older adults from UK minority ethnic groups. This study aimed to explore older adults' attitudes and beliefs regarding what would help someone with depression, and to consider how these may facilitate or deter older people from accessing treatment.Method. In-depth individual qualitative interviews were conducted with older adults with depression (treated and untreated) and the non-depressed older population. A multi-cultural approach was used that incorporated the perspectives of 32 black Caribbean, 33 South Asian and 45 white British older adults.Results. Participants felt that the responsibility for combating depression was an internal and individual task with support considered secondary. However, the majority expressed a willingness and desire to discuss psychosocial problems. Within the black Caribbean group, conversing with God through prayer was seen as an effective means of overcoming depression, while a large proportion of South Asian and white British participants identified families as an important source of help. There was wide variation in how older adults construed the role of the general practitioner (GP) and many expressed acute awareness of the demands on GPs' time.Conclusions. Efforts to socialize and remain active may provide a useful and acceptable adjunct to clinical interventions. However, there is a need to communicate that depression often necessitates formal help, and that it is acceptable to voice concerns regarding emotional states in a GP consultation. The findings suggest that older adults would welcome the opportunity to discuss their feelings with health-care professionals.
Cannabis use disorders in the USA: prevalence, correlates and co-morbidity
Authors: STINSON FREDERICK S. , RUAN W. JUNE , PICKERING ROGER , GRANT BRIDGET F. 
Published: July 2006

Background. The purpose of this study was to present 12-month and lifetime estimates of the prevalence, sociodemographic and clinical correlates, and psychiatric co-morbidity of DSM-IV cannabis abuse and dependence.Method. Data were derived from a large nationally representative survey (n=43093) of US adults.Results. The prevalence of 12-month and lifetime DSM-IV cannabis abuse (1·1% and 7·2%) exceeded the corresponding rates of cannabis dependence (0·3% and 1·3%). Being male, Native American, widowed/separated/divorced, and residing in the West increased the odds whereas being Black, Asian or Hispanic decreased the odds of cannabis abuse and dependence. Cannabis dependence was significantly associated with low income. Ages of onset for both cannabis use disorders occurred in adolescence and the majority of individuals with these disorders remained untreated. Co-morbidity was high between cannabis use disorders and other Axis I and II disorders.Conclusions. Cannabis use disorders continue to present a widespread and serious personal and public health problem. Native Americans were found to have high rates of cannabis use disorders, warranting closer attention to the mental health needs of this subgroup. Associations between cannabis abuse and dependence and Axis I and II disorders were strong, signaling the need for more comprehensive assessment of individuals with cannabis use disorders. Further controlled treatment studies are needed, especially among co-morbid individuals, in view of growing evidence of the adverse personal, medical and societal impacts of cannabis use disorders in the USA.
Compartmentalization of intracellular proinflammatory cytokines in bronchial intraepithelial T cells of stable lung transplant patients
Authors: Hodge G , Hodge S , Reynolds P N , Holmes M 
Published: July 2006

Summary
Allograft rejection remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality following lung transplantation and is associated with an increased expression of T cell proinflammatory cytokines. We have shown that CD4+ T cell proinflammatory cytokine production was significantly reduced in peripheral blood and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) of stable lung transplant patients, consistent with immunosuppression therapy. However, analysis of inflammatory cytokine profiles of intraepithelial T cells in bronchial brushing (BB) may be more relevant than peripheral blood or BAL T cells for assessing immune graft status. To investigate the immunomodulatory effects of currently used immunosuppressive regimens on bronchial intraepithelial T cell cytokine production, whole blood, BAL and BB from stable lung transplant patients and control volunteers were stimulated in vitro and cytokine production by CD8+ and CD4+ T cell subsets determined using multi-parameter flow cytometry. In bronchial intraepithelial T cell subsets in control subjects and transplant patients there was compartmentalization of interferon (IFN)-γ and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α production, a decrease in interleukin (IL)-2 production by CD4+ T cells and CD4 : CD8 inversion compared with blood and BAL. Although there was a decrease in T cell proinflammatory cytokine production in blood of transplant patients, this was not found in BAL or bronchial intraepithelial CD8 T cell subsets, suggesting that the same level of immunosuppression may not occur in the lung of transplant recipients. Drugs that effectively reduce CD8 T cell proinflammatory cytokine production in the lung compartment may improve current protocols for reducing graft rejection in these patients.
Mannan-binding lectin plasma levels in leprosy: deficiency confers protection against the lepromatous but not the tuberculoid forms
Authors: Dornelles L N , Pereira-Ferrari L , Messias-Reason I 
Published: July 2006

SummaryMannan-binding lectin (MBL) is an important component of the first-line defence against infections. Evidence has shown that MBL deficiency, reducing phagocytosis and internalization of intracellular pathogens may protect the host against intracellular infections such as leprosy. In this study, we speculated whether genetically determined low MBL serum levels confer protection against Mycobacterium leprae infection. One hundred and ninety-one patients with leprosy, presenting lepromatous (n = 118), tuberculoid (n = 31), dimorph (n = 30) and indeterminate (n = 12) clinical forms and 110 healthy controls matched with the patients according to sex, age and ethnic background were investigated. MBL concentrations were measured in a double-antibody enzyme immune assay and C-reactive protein (CRP) serum levels by nephelometry. A significant negative association of MBL low values (&lt; 100 ng/ml) was observed with lepromatous patients when comparing with controls and tuberculoid patients [10/118, 8.47%versus 21/110, 19.09%P = 0.03 χ2 with Yates’ correction, odds ratio (OR) 0.39, confidence interval (CI) 0.18–0.88 and 8/31, 25.81%, P = 0.02, OR 0.27, CI 0.09–0.75, respectively]. There was no significant difference in the distribution of MBL levels between patients and controls or among the clinical forms. The concentration of CRP was significantly increased in the patients (P = 0.0002) and in the lepromatous form (P = 0.0001) when compared to controls. A weak positive correlation between MBL and CRP levels was observed in the patients (P = 0.010, R = 0.255). These data suggest a protective role for MBL deficiency against the development of the most severe and multi-bacillary form of leprosy.
Prolonged exposure of naïve CD8+ T cells to interleukin‐7 or interleukin‐15 stimulates proliferation without differentiation or loss of telomere length
Authors: Wallace Diana L. , Bérard Marion , Soares Maria V. D. , Oldham Janine , Cook Joanne E. , Akbar Arne N. , Tough David F. , Beverley Peter C. L. 
Published: July 2006

SummaryInterleukin (IL)‐7 and IL‐15 are cytokines implicated in homeostatic control of the peripheral CD8 T‐cell pool. We compared the effects of IL‐7 and IL‐15 on survival and proliferation of purified human CD8+ T‐cell subsets. Low concentrations of either cytokine reduced the spontaneous apoptosis of all subsets, and enhancement of survival corresponded to the extent of Bcl‐2 up‐regulation. Surprisingly, although minimal proliferation of naïve CD8+ T cells was observed during the first week of culture with cytokines, a marked expansion of these cells occurred at later time points, particularly in response to IL‐15. This occurred largely without phenotypic change or acquisition of effector function, indicating a dissociation of differentiation from proliferation. Notably, progression of naïve CD8+ T cells through several cell divisions resulted in up‐regulation of telomerase and the maintenance of telomere length. These data show that IL‐7 and IL‐15 induce cell proliferation and rescue from apoptosis in a concentration, time and subset‐dependent manner, and have implications for the homeostatic expansion of the naïve CD8+ T‐cell pool.
No evidence for the use of DIR, D–D fusions, chromosome 15 open reading frames or VHreplacement in the peripheral repertoire was found on application of an improved algorithm, JointML, to 6329 human immunoglobulin H rearrangements
Authors: Ohm‐Laursen Line , Nielsen Morten , Larsen Stine R. , Barington Torben 
Published: July 2006

SummaryAntibody diversity is created by imprecise joining of the variability (V), diversity (D) and joining (J) gene segments of the heavy and light chain loci. Analysis of rearrangements is complicated by somatic hypermutations and uncertainty concerning the sources of gene segments and the precise way in which they recombine. It has been suggested that D genes with irregular recombination signal sequences (DIR) and chromosome 15 open reading frames (OR15) can replace conventional D genes, that two D genes or inverted D genes may be used and that the repertoire can be further diversified by heavy chain V gene (VH) replacement. Safe conclusions require large, well‐defined sequence samples and algorithms minimizing stochastic assignment of segments. Two computer programs were developed for analysis of heavy chain joints. JointHMM is a profile hidden Markow model, while JointML is a maximum‐likelihood‐based method taking the lengths of the joint and the mutational status of the VH gene into account. The programs were applied to a set of 6329 clonally unrelated rearrangements. A conventional D gene was found in 80% of unmutated sequences and 64% of mutated sequences, while D‐gene assignment was kept below 5% in artificial (randomly permutated) rearrangements. No evidence for the use of DIR, OR15, multiple D genes or VH replacements was found, while inverted D genes were used in less than 1‰ of the sequences. JointML was shown to have a higher predictive performance for D‐gene assignment in mutated and unmutated sequences than four other publicly available programs. An online version 1·0 of JointML is available at http://www.cbs.dtu.dk/services/VDJsolver.
The kinetics and phenotype of the human B‐cell response following immunization with a heptavalent pneumococcal‐CRM197 conjugate vaccine
Authors: Clutterbuck Elizabeth A. , Salt Penny , Oh Sarah , Marchant Arnaud , Beverley Peter , Pollard Andrew John 
Published: July 2006

SummaryPrimary immunization of infants with protein–polysaccharide conjugate vaccines induces antipolysaccharide antibody and is highly effective in preventing invasive disease caused by encapsulated bacteria. However, recent experience from the UK indicates that this immunity is not sustained in the absence of booster doses of vaccine. This study aimed to establish the kinetics and phenotype of B‐cell subpopulations responding to booster immunization with a heptavalent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (Pnc7), which is to be introduced into the primary immunization schedule in the UK during 2006. Six adult volunteers received a booster dose of Pnc7 12–18 months after primary immunization. CD27hi CD38hi CD20+/– IgG antibody‐forming cells were detected in peripheral blood with maximum frequency at days 6–7 after immunization. This was accompanied by a more prolonged rise in memory B cells that required in vitro stimulation with Staphylococcus aureus Cowan strain and interleukin‐2 to induce antibody secretion. These data provide evidence for at least two subsets of antibody‐forming cells involved in the secondary humoral response to a glycoconjugate vaccine in primed individuals. A briefly circulating subset of B cells that spontaneously secrete immunoglobulin G may be responsible for early defence against re‐encountered encapsulated bacteria. However, the kinetics of the appearance of these cells may indicate that the humoral immune response is too slow in defence against an organism that invades within days of acquisition. The more sustained presence of a memory population may provide persistence of antipolysaccharide antibody after a booster dose of vaccine and may also include re‐circulatory populations responsible for further anamnestic responses.
Mackerel Cathepsins B and L Effects on Thermal Degradation of Surimi
Authors: JIANG SHANN‐TZONG , LEE BAI‐LIN , TSAO CHING‐YU , LEE JAI‐JAAN 
Published: July 2006

ABSTRACTDuring surimi processing, cathepsins B and L activities in minced, leached and NaCl‐ground meats were 6.02, 5.23, and 4.07 units/g, respectively. About 80% activity remained in surimi after 8 wk storage at −40°C suggesting that these proteinases were stable and difficult to remove. At 40°∼ 55°C, pH 6.5 ∼ 7.5, cathepsins B and L and purified cathepsin B had high hydrolytic activity on myosin heavy chain (MHC). The strength of surimi gel with cathepsins B and L or with purified B decreased (p < 0.05) after 2 hr incubation at 55°C. This suggested that the residual cathepsins B and L had MHC‐degrading activity and consequently caused gel softening.
Physical Properties of Whey Protein Stabilized Emulsions as Related to pH and NaCl
Authors: DEMETRIADES K. , COUPLAND J.N. , McCLEMENTS D. J. 
Published: July 2006

ABSTRACTCorn oil‐in‐water emulsions (20 wt%, d32∼ 0.6 μm) stabilized by 2 wt% whey protein isolate were prepared with a range of pH (3–7) and salt concentrations (0–100 mM NaCl), and particle size, rheology and creaming were measured at 30°C. Appreciable droplet flocculation occurred near the isoelectric point of whey protein (pH 4–6), especially at higher NaCl concentrations. Droplet flocculation increased emulsion viscosity and decreased stability to creaming. Results are related to the influence of environmental conditions on electrostatic and other interactions between droplets.
Concentration and Interactive Effects on the Sorption of Aroma Liquids and Vapors into Polypropylene
Authors: JOHANSSON F. , LEUFVÉN A. 
Published: July 2006

ABSTRACTThe sorption of hexyl acetate and ethyl butyrate into polypropylene from vapors and 40% ethanol solution was studied. The effect of concentration and interactions with co‐sorbants was investigated. The vapors were sorbed in amounts that were related to feed concentrations, without any interactive effects of co‐sorbants, in the concentration range (i.e. 0.12–3.4 μg/mL) and the mixtures investigated. Compounds from a dissolved mixture, on the other hand, were generally sorbed in smaller amounts than from a single compound solution. Hexyl acetate was sorbed in larger amounts from a mixture of five compounds at high concentration (i.e. 1000 μg/mL each) than when it was the sole solute.
Hygroscopic Coatings Control Surface White Discoloration of Peeled (Minimally Processed) Carrots During Storage
Authors: CISNEROS‐ZEVALLOS LUIS , SALTVEIT MIKAL E. , KROCHTA JOHN M. 
Published: July 2006

ABSTRACTWhite discoloration on peeled carrots is partially due to surface dehydration which can be controlled with hygroscopic coatings: e.g., polyhydric alcohols and salt solutions. This study was performed at 2.5, 7.5, 10, and 15°C, using a model system controlling relative humidity at 33, 75 or 98% or a commercial system with low‐density polyethylene (LDPE) plastic film bags. The moisture sorption properties of propylene glycol, sorbitol, glycerol and calcium chloride enabled them to keep the carrot surface moist and maintain a transparent surface layer through which the underlying orange color was visible. This effect was only observed at high relative humidities (e.g., 98% RH). Similar effects were observed on treated peeled carrots stored in LDPE bags. The moisturized appearance provided by the hygroscopic coatings during storage was effective at several different temperatures.
Foaming Properties of Egg Albumen with a Bubbling Apparatus Compared with Whipping
Authors: BANIEL A. , FAINS A. , POPINEAU Y. 
Published: July 2006

ABSTRACTNeither standard method nor instrument exists to accurately measure foaming properties in food. Usually, whipping methods are used but they are only moderately reproducible. We used an original apparatus in which foam was generated by bubbling and then analyzed by conductimetry (liquid in the foam) and a uniline camera (foam volume). The foaming properties of a series of egg‐white powders were studied. Among parameters describing foam formation and destabilization, three were repeatable and discriminating. They were correlated with those obtained with whipping methods. Easy to use and rapid, the bubbling method is an alternative for controlling and measuring the foaming properties of egg‐white.