bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Phospho‐ and sphingolipid distribution during processing of milk, butter and whey
Authors: Rombaut Roeland , Camp John Van , Dewettinck Koen 
Published: February 2006

SummaryPhospho‐ and sphingolipids (SPHs) were monitored upon processing of raw milk into skimmed milk, cream, butter, buttermilk, fresh cheese, acid whey, anhydrous milk fat and butterserum (=the aqueous phase of butter). These products were analysed on polar lipids, fat and dry matter and corresponding balances were calculated. It was found that polar lipids were preferentially enriched in aqueous phases like skimmed milk, buttermilk and butterserum. Significant differences in relative SPH content were observed. Tangential filtration and thermocalcic aggregation of the acid whey successfully recovered the polar lipids. With 11.5% of polar lipids on a dry matter base, representing 28.4% of the milk polar lipids and only 0.9% of the milk mass, butterserum was found to be most suitable for further purification. This could result in a food (ingredient) with enhanced technological and nutritional properties, as recent studies reveal health‐improving capacities of phospho‐ and SPHs.
Influence of the glass transition and storage temperature of frozen peas on the loss of quality attributes
Authors: Lim Miang , Wu Hongbing , Breckell Michael , Birch John 
Published: February 2006

SummaryGreen peas of two different maturities were used to evaluate the influence of the glass transition temperature (Tg′) and storage temperatures on quality loss during frozen storage. Young peas which have a lower tenderness rating (TR) value, possibly with less starch and higher sugar content than old peas, gave a lower Tg′ value. Quality attributes, including green colour and vitamin C, were measured over time when the peas were stored at −5, −12, −20, −25 and −30 °C, respectively. The results indicated that these qualities were maintained during frozen storage as long as the peas remained below or close to their Tg′. The loss of quality at different storage temperatures is relative to the difference between the storage temperature and the Tg′, where the bigger the difference, the greater the loss.
Effect of drying and storage time on the physico‐chemical properties of mango leathers
Authors: Azeredo Henriette M.C. , Brito Edy S. , Moreira Germano E.G. , Farias Virna L. , Bruno Laura M. 
Published: February 2006

SummaryFruit leathers are made by drying a very thin layer of fruit puree to obtain a chewy product. The objective of this work was to minimise the drying time required to produce mango leathers with no preservatives and no sugar added, and to evaluate their acceptance and storage stability. Mango puree was spread on Petri dishes and oven‐dried according to a central composite design with two independent variables: drying temperature (60–80 °C) and puree load (0.4–0.6 g cm−2). The minimum drying time (120 min) resulted from drying a puree load of 0.5 g cm−2 at 80 °C. The product was well accepted, especially in terms of flavour. The mango leathers were packed in polypropylene buckets and stored at 25 °C. The combination between low water activity (0.62) and low pH (3.8) allowed the product to be microbiologically stable for at least 6 months, without the need for chemical preservatives.
Arabidopsis Bax inhibitor‐1 functions as an attenuator of biotic and abiotic types of cell death
Authors: Watanabe Naohide , Lam Eric 
Published: February 2006

SummaryProgrammed cell death (PCD) is a common process in eukaryotes during development and in response to pathogens and stress signals. Bax inihibitor‐1 (BI‐1) is proposed to be a cell death suppressor that is conserved in both animals and plants, but the physiological importance of BI‐1 and the impact of its loss of function in plants are still unclear. In this study, we identified and characterized two independent Arabidopsis mutants with a T‐DNA insertion in the AtBI1 gene. The phenotype of atbi1‐1 and atbi1‐2, with a C‐terminal missense mutation and a gene knockout, respectively, was indistinguishable from wild‐type plants under normal growth conditions. However, these two mutants exhibit accelerated progression of cell death upon infiltration of leaf tissues with a PCD‐inducing fungal toxin fumonisin B1 (FB1) and increased sensitivity to heat shock‐induced cell death. Under these conditions, expression of AtBI1 mRNA was up‐regulated in wild‐type leaves prior to the activation of cell death, suggesting that increase of AtBI1 expression is important for basal suppression of cell death progression. Over‐expression of AtBI1 transgene in the two homozygous mutant backgrounds rescued the accelerated cell death phenotypes. Together, our results provide direct genetic evidence for a role of BI‐1 as an attenuator for cell death progression triggered by both biotic and abiotic types of cell death signals in Arabidopsis.
Metabolic engineering of proanthocyanidins through co‐expression of anthocyanidin reductase and the PAP1 MYB transcription factor
Authors: Xie De‐Yu , Sharma Shashi B. , Wright Elane , Wang Zeng‐Yu , Dixon Richard A. 
Published: February 2006

SummaryProanthocyanidins (PAs) and their monomeric building blocks, the (epi)‐flavan‐3‐ols, are plant antioxidants that confer multiple human health benefits. The presence of PAs in forage crops is an important agronomic trait, preventing pasture bloat in ruminant animals. However, many consumed plant materials lack PAs, and there has been little success to date in introducing monomeric or polymeric flavan‐3‐ols de novo into plant tissues for disease prevention by dietary means or development of ‘bloat‐safe’ forages. We report the introduction of PAs into plants by combined expression of a MYB family transcription factor and anthocyanidin reductase for conversion of anthocyanidin into (epi)‐flavan‐3‐ol. Tobacco leaves expressing both transgenes accumulated epicatechin and gallocatechin monomers, and a series of dimers and oligomers consisting primarily of epicatechin units. The levels of PAs reached values that would confer bloat reduction in forage species. Expression of anthocyanidin reductase in anthocyanin‐containing leaves of the forage legume Medicago truncatula resulted in production of a specific subset of PA oligomers.
Seed dormancy and ABA metabolism in Arabidopsis and barley: the role of ABA 8′‐hydroxylase
Authors: Millar Anthony A. , Jacobsen John V. , Ross John J. , Helliwell Chris A. , Poole Andrew T. , Scofield Graham , Reid James B , Gubler Frank 
Published: February 2006

SummaryWe have investigated the relationship between seed dormancy and abscisic acid (ABA) metabolism in the monocot barley and the dicot Arabidopsis. Whether dormant (D) or non‐dormant (ND), dry seed of Arabidopsis and embryos of dry barley grains all had similarly high levels of ABA. ABA levels decreased rapidly upon imbibition, although they fell further in ND than in D. Gene expression profiles were determined in Arabidopsis for key ABA biosynthetic [the 9‐cis epoxycarotenoid dioxygenasegene family] and ABA catabolic [the ABA 8′‐hydroxylase gene family (CYP707A)] genes. Of these, only the AtCYP707A2 gene was differentially expressed between D and ND seeds, being expressed to a much higher level in ND seeds. Similarly, a barley CYP707 homologue, (HvABA8′OH‐1) was expressed to a much higher level in embryos from ND grains than from D grains. Consistent with this, in situ hybridization studies showed HvABA8′OH‐1 mRNA expression was stronger in embryos from ND grains. Surprisingly, the signal was confined in the coleorhiza, suggesting that this tissue plays a key role in dormancy release. Constitutive expression of a CYP707A gene in transgenic Arabidopsis resulted in decreased ABA content in mature dry seeds and a much shorter after‐ripening period to overcome dormancy. Conversely, mutating the CYP707A2 gene resulted in seeds that required longer after‐ripening to break dormancy. Our results point to a pivotal role for the ABA 8′‐hydroxylase gene in controlling dormancy and that the action of this enzyme may be confined to a particular organ as in the coleorhiza of cereals.
Spontaneous short‐range silencing of a GFP transgene in Nicotiana benthamiana is possibly mediated by small quantities of siRNA that do not trigger systemic silencing
Authors: Kalantidis Kriton , Tsagris Mina , Tabler Martin 
Published: February 2006

SummaryA green fluorescent protein (GFP) transgene under the control of the 35S cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) promoter was introduced by Agrobacterium‐mediated transformation into Nicotiana benthamiana to generate fourteen transgenic lines. Homozygous lines that contained one or two copies of the transgene showed great variation of GFP expression under ultraviolet (UV) light, which allowed classification into three types of transgenic plants. Plants from more than half of the transgenic lines underwent systemic RNA silencing and produced short interfering RNA (siRNA) as young seedlings, while plants of the remaining lines developed, in a spontaneous manner, defined GFP‐silenced zones on their leaves, mostly in the form of circular spots that expanded to about 4–7 mm in size. In some of the latter lines, the GFP‐silenced spots remained stable, but no systemic silencing occurred. Here we characterize this phenomenon, which we term spontaneous short‐range silencing (SSRS). Biochemical analysis of silenced spot tissue did not reveal detectable levels of siRNA. However, agro‐infiltration with the suppressor proteins P19 of cymbidium ring spot virus (CymRSV), HC‐Pro of tobacco etch virus (TEV), and crosses to a P19 transgenic line, nevertheless suggests that low concentrations of siRNA may have a functional role in the locally silenced zone. We propose that small alterations in the steady‐state concentration of siRNAs and their cognate mRNA are decisive with regard to whether silencing remains local or spreads in a systemic manner.
Colonization of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG in the oral cavity
Authors: Yli‐Knuuttila H. , Snäll J. , Kari K. , Meurman J. H. 
Published: February 2006

Background/aims:  Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) is one of the most widely studied probiotic bacterial strain. The benefits of LGG treatment in gastrointestinal disorders are well documented. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether LGG can be detected in the oral cavity after discontinuation of administration of a product prepared with this bacterium.Material and methods:  56 volunteers consumed Gefilus® juice (Valio Ltd, Helsinki, Finland) containing LGG during a 14‐day trial period. Saliva samples were collected and cultured onto MRS agar after a clearance period and then daily after a 2‐week intervention period for as long as LGG was found. LGG‐like colonies were analyzed in saliva samples, identified by characteristic colony morphology, a lactose fermentation test, and PCR with specific primers.Results:  LGG was not able to colonize the oral cavity. It could only be temporarily detected. In one female subject, however, whose medical history revealed use of LGG in childhood, the bacterium was detected in all saliva samples taken up to 5 months. (She was excluded from the intervention trial).Conclusion:  Permanent colonization of LGG in the oral cavity is improbable but seems possible in individual cases.
Use of polymerase chain reaction techniques and sodium dodecyl sulfate‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis for differentiation of oral Lactobacillus species
Authors: Teanpaisan R. , Dahlén G. 
Published: February 2006

Background/aims:  The genus Lactobacillus has been associated with dental caries in humans, although it is seldom speciated due to lack of simple and nonlaborious identification methods. A considerable heterogeneity among Lactobacillus species has been demonstrated. The purpose of this study was to develop simple methods combining restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of polymerase chain reaction (PCR)‐amplified 16S rRNA (16S rRNA gene PCR‐RFLP) and sodium dodecyl sulfate‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS‐PAGE) for the identification of 13 reference strains of Lactobacillus.Methods:  The 16S rRNA gene sequences were amplified by PCR using universal primers and digestion of PCR products with the restriction endonucleases, HpaII and HaeIII. The 16S rRNA gene PCR‐RFLP is reproducible and has been proved to be useful for differentiating Lactobacillus strains to species level. Seventy‐seven Lactobacillus isolates from a Thai population were used to show the applicability of the identification test.Results:  PCR‐RFLP alone had limitations, because the RFLP patterns of Lactobacillus casei and Lactobacillus rhamnosus and of Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lactobacillus crispatus showed similar patterns; however, these could be differentiated by SDS‐PAGE. Of the 77 isolates, 38 were identified as Lactobacillus fermentum, 25 as L. rhamnosus, 5 as Lactobacillus salivarius, 5 as L. casei, 3 as L. acidophilus and 1 as Lactobacillus plantarum.Conclusion:  16S rRNA gene PCR‐RFLP, using HpaII and HaeIII, together with SDS‐PAGE protein profiles could be an alternative method for the identification of oral Lactobacillus strains to species level, and may be applicable for large‐scale studies on the association of Lactobacillus to dental caries.
Porphyromonas gingivalis lipids and diseased dental tissues
Authors: Nichols F. C. , Rojanasomsith K. 
Published: February 2006

Background/aim:  Porphyromonas gingivalis synthesizes several classes of dihydroceramides and at least one of these lipid classes promotes proinflammatory secretory reactions in gingival fibroblasts as well as alters fibroblast morphology in culture. The purpose of this investigation was to determine whether the dihydroceramide lipids of P. gingivalis are recovered in lipid extracts of subgingival plaque, diseased teeth, and diseased gingival tissue samples.Methods:  Lipids were extracted from P. gingivalis, subgingival plaque, subgingival calculus, teeth laden with gross accumulations of subgingival calculus, and gingival tissue samples obtained from chronic severe periodontitis sites. Lipid samples were analyzed by gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry as trimethylsilyl derivatives or by electrospray‐mass spectrometry as underivatized products. High‐performance liquid chromatography fractions of P. gingivalis lipids and gingival tissue lipids were also analyzed by electrospray‐mass spectrometry analysis.Results:  P. gingivalis phosphorylated dihydroceramides were recovered in lipid extracts of subgingival plaque, subgingival calculus, calculus contaminated teeth, and diseased gingival tissue samples. However, the distribution of phosphorylated dihydroceramides varied between these samples.Conclusion:  Subgingival plaque, subgingival calculus, diseased teeth, and gingival tissue are contaminated with phosphorylated dihydroceramides produced by P. gingivalis. The previously reported biological activity of these substances together with the recovery of these lipids at periodontal disease sites argues strongly for their classification as virulence factors in promoting chronic inflammatory periodontal disease.
Lethal outcome caused by Porphyromonas gingivalis A7436 in a mouse chamber model is associated with elevated titers of host serum interferon‐γ
Authors: Huang J.‐H. , Lin Y.‐Y. , Lai Y.‐Y. , Hu S.‐W. 
Published: February 2006

Background/aims:  Septic shock caused by gram‐negative bacteria has been associated with cytokines produced by hosts. Porphyromonas gingivalis A7436, a disseminating strain, caused septic shock‐like symptoms and even animal death in a mouse chamber model. However, P. gingivalis exhibits lower endotoxin activities in its lipopolysaccharide than other typical gram‐negative bacteria. In this study, we examined the effects of P. gingivalis lethal infection on host pro‐inflammatory cytokines production.Methods:  Nude and normal BALB/c mice were infected with a lethal dose of P. gingivalis A7436 using a mouse chamber model. Serum levels of tumor necrosis factor, interleukin (IL)‐1β, IL‐12 and interferon‐γ were evaluated. The effects of tumor necrosis factor inhibitor (thalidomide) and anti‐interferon‐γ antibody on infection outcomes were examined.Results:  All nude mice survived infectious challenge, whereas 100% of normal mice died with abdominal lesions. Bacterial cultures indicated P. gingivalis dissemination to the circulation. Serum levels of tumor necrosis factor, IL‐1β and IL‐12 showed no significant differences between nude and normal mice. Thalidomide treatment did not protect normal mice from death but decreased remote lesion occurrence, with concurrent reduced bacterial counts recoverable from blood. There was a 3.5‐fold elevation in normal mice serum interferon‐γ titers compared to those of nude mice and anti‐interferon‐γ antibody treatment resulted in 100% protection from lethal outcome.Conclusion:  Lethal outcome following P. gingivalis A7436 infection is T‐lymphocyte dependent and involves an increase in systemic interferon‐γ levels. The data further indicate that P. gingivalis transvascular dissemination (bacteremia) alone is not sufficient for lethal outcome.
Human cytomegalovirus, Epstein‐Barr virus and bone resorption‐inducing cytokines in periapical lesions of deciduous teeth
Authors: Yildirim S. , Yapar M. , Kubar A. , Slots J. 
Published: February 2006

Background:  A connection of herpesvirus periapical infection with symptomatic and large‐size periapical lesions has been recognized in adult patients, but no data exist about a possible involvement of herpesviruses in severe periapical pathosis in children. Herpesviruses have the potential to elicit potent bone resorption‐inducing cytokines in mammalian cells.Aim:  This study aimed to determine the occurrence of human cytomegalovirus and Epstein‐Barr virus DNA, and mRNA transcripts of receptor activator of nuclear kappa B ligand (RANKL), osteoprotegerin, core binding factor alpha‐1, colony stimulating factor‐1, transforming growth factor‐β, and monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 in periapical symptomatic pathosis of deciduous teeth.Material and methods:  Twelve deciduous molar teeth from patients aged 2–8 years were extracted due to severe periapical infection, and granulomatous tissue adherent to the root tip of the extracted teeth was collected using a surgical knife. Non‐diseased pulpal tissue, obtained from 12 teeth extracted for orthodontic reasons, served as negative control. Polymerase chain reaction assays were employed to identify herpesvirus DNA and cytokine gene expression, using established polymerase chain reaction primers and procedures.Results:  Seven (58%) of the periapical lesions yielded human cytomegalovirus and eight (67%) Epstein‐Barr virus. Only one (8%) periapical lesion showed neither human cytomegalovirus nor Epstein‐Barr virus. In healthy pulpal tissue, one (8%) specimen demonstrated human cytomegalovirus and another (8%) specimen revealed Epstein‐Barr virus. Of the cytokines examined, RANKL expression showed significantly higher occurrence in periapical pathosis than in healthy pulpal tissue (P < 0.040). No relationship was identified between the type of herpesvirus and cytokine expression in the periapical lesions studied.Conclusions:  The present findings provide evidence of a putative role of human cytomegalovirus and Epstein‐Barr virus in the pathogenesis of symptomatic periapical pathosis in deciduous teeth. Increased RANKL expression in periapical lesions may be of pathogenetic significance.
The diabetes educator: trying hard, but must concentrate more on behaviour
Authors: Knight K. M. , Dornan T. , Bundy C. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractCurrent guidelines state that education is fundamental to help people with diabetes modify their lifestyle and prevent ill health and early death. However, many people with diabetes are not receiving adequate education. There is a widespread assumption that transferring knowledge will improve health outcomes but there is little empirical support for this assertion. Indeed, knowledge and behaviour are poorly correlated. Knowledge may be a necessary condition but is rarely a sufficient condition for behaviour change. Single interventions, cognitive or behavioural, have had disappointing results, unsurprisingly given the complexity of human behaviour. The most effective interventions are multifaceted and include education, behavioural and psychosocial elements, and target lifestyle change and factors such as self‐efficacy and empowerment. We advocate that educational interventions should have multiple components. They should aim to improve patients’ sense of self‐efficacy and empowerment, and build attitudes towards diabetes that will support the lifestyle changes needed for successful self‐management. These conclusions have implications for future research and clinical practice.
A low‐fat diet improves peripheral insulin sensitivity in patients with Type 1 diabetes
Authors: Rosenfalck A. M. , Almdal T. , Viggers L. , Madsbad S. , Hilsted J. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractAims  To compare the effects on insulin sensitivity, body composition and glycaemic control of the recommended standard weight‐maintaining diabetes diet and an isocaloric low‐fat diabetes diet during two, 3‐month periods in patients with Type 1 diabetes.Methods  Thirteen Type 1 patients were included, of whom 10 completed the cross‐over study. Ten non‐diabetic, matched control subjects were also examined. Body composition was estimated by dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DXA) whole‐body scanning, diet intake was monitored by 7‐day dietary record and insulin sensitivity was measured by the insulin clamp technique at baseline and after each of the diet intervention periods.Results  On an isocaloric low‐fat diet, Type 1 diabetic patients significantly reduced the proportion of fat in the total daily energy intake by 12.1% (or −3.6% of total energy) as compared with a conventional diabetes diet (P = 0.039). The daily protein and carbohydrate intake increased (+4.4% of total energy intake, P = 0.0049 and +2.5%, P = 0.34, respectively), while alcohol intake decreased (−3.2% of total energy intake, P = 0.02). There was a significant improvement in insulin sensitivity on the isocaloric, low‐fat diet compared with the standard diabetes diet [7.06 ± 2.16 mg/kg/min (mean ± sd) vs. 5.52 ± 2.35 mg/kg/min (P = 0.03)]. However, insulin sensitivity remained 33% lower than in the control subjects (P = 0.021). No significant changes occurred in body weight or body composition. Glycated haemoglobin rose during both diet intervention periods (P = 0.18), with no difference between the two diets.Conclusions  Change to an isocaloric, low‐fat diet in Type 1 diabetic patients during a 3‐month period resulted in significant improvement in insulin sensitivity without improvement in glycaemic control. However, insulin sensitivity remained 33% lower than in control subjects.Diabet. Med. (2006)
The molecular biology of chronic wounds and delayed healing in diabetes
Authors: Blakytny R. , Jude E. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractWound healing is a complicated and integrated process. Although there is some tolerance in terms of redundancy and interrelated control mechanisms, pushing beyond such limits may contribute to delayed wound healing, and in extreme cases lead to chronic wounds/ulcers and thus potentially to lower extremity amputation. Diabetes is associated with such disruption in wound healing. Research in humans and in animal models has identified a large number of changes associated with diabetes at the molecular level in delayed wound healing and to a lesser extent in chronic diabetic ulcers. Better overall understanding of these changes and how they are interrelated would allow for specifically targeted treatment, thus ensuring improved quality of life for patients and providing savings to the high costs that are associated with all aspects of chronic diabetic ulcers. This review examines the work done at the molecular level on chronic diabetic ulcers, as well as considering changes seen in diabetes in general, both in humans and animal models, that may in turn contribute to ulcer formation.