bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Protective vaccination with hepatitis C virus NS3 but not core antigen in a novel mouse challenge model
Authors: El‐Gogo Susanne , Staib Caroline , Lasarte Juan José , Sutter Gerd , Adler Heiko 
Published: December 2007

AbstractBackgroundEfficient vaccines against hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection are urgently needed. Vaccine development has been hampered by the lack of suitable small animal models to reliably test the protective capacity of immmunization.MethodsWe used recombinant murine gammaherpesvirus 68 (MHV‐68) as a novel challenge virus in mice and tested the efficacy of heterologous candidate human vaccines based on modified vaccinia virus Ankara or adenovirus, both delivering HCV non‐structural NS3 or core proteins.ResultsRecombinant MHV‐68 expressing NS3 (MHV‐68‐NS3) or core (MHV‐68‐core) were constructed and characterized in vitro and in vivo. Mice immunized with NS3‐specific vector vaccines and challenged with MHV‐68‐NS3 were infected but showed significantly reduced viral loads in the acute and latent phase of infection. NS3‐specific CD8+ T cells were amplified in immunized mice after challenge with MHV‐68‐NS3. By contrast, we did neither detect a reduction of viral load nor an induction of core‐specific CD8+ T cells after core‐specific immunization.ConclusionsOur data suggest that the challenge system using recombinant MHV‐68 is a highly suitable model to test the immunogenicity and protective capacity of HCV candidate vaccine antigens. Using this system, we demonstrated the usefulness of NS3‐specific immunization. By contrast, our analysis rather discarded core as a vaccine antigen. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Suppression of immune responses to β‐lactoglobulin in mice by the oral administration of peptides representing dominant T cell epitopes
Authors: Mizumachi Koko , Tsuji Noriko M , Kurisaki Jun‐ichi 
Published: December 2007

AbstractBACKGROUND: The significance of oral tolerance in the treatment of adverse immune reactions such as allergic and autoimmune diseases has been noted. In the present study, peptides that could effectively induce oral tolerance to bovine β‐lactoglobulin (BLG), a milk allergen, were investigated in a murine model.RESULTS: The oral administration of peptides corresponding to the T cell epitope regions of BLG, i.e. p42–56, p62–76 and p139–154, apparently down‐regulated T cell proliferation to BLG. The in vitro cytokine production by the lymph node cells from the peptide‐fed mice cultured in the presence of the antigen was also analysed. It was found that p62–76 and p139–154 feeding suppressed the production of both Th1 and Th2 types. Interestingly, p139–154 feeding suppressed both T cell and antibody responses to BLG. Additionally, p139–154 feeding diminished BLG‐specific IgE and IgG1 antibody responses.CONCLUSION: The unique tolerogen peptide p139–154 that could suppress both T and B cell responses to BLG in a murine model was identified. These findings can be useful for the selection of an optimum tolerogenic peptide to prevent and treat milk and other food allergies. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry
Comparison of in vitro starch digestibility methods for predicting the glycaemic index of grain foods
Authors: Germaine Kirsty A , Samman Samir , Fryirs Catherine G , Griffiths Patricia J , Johnson Stuart K , Quail Kenneth J 
Published: December 2007

AbstractBACKGROUND: In vitro starch digestibility tests are useful for the prediction of glycaemic index (GI). However, there are no internationally recognised methods and no one method has been found to be suitable for all food types. This study compared six in vitro methods, using four grain foods, including those with a varied particle size and soluble fibre content. Method variations included using chewing or mincing, mincing with or without amylase and incubation in a restricted versus non‐restricted system. Hydrolysis index (HI) values, calculated from the starch digestibility curves and GI prediction equations were used to compare the in vitro results to GI.RESULTS: HI values for five of the six methods ranked all foods in the same order as the GI values. Using a GI prediction equation (predicted GIHI) the mincing (without amylase) non‐restricted method had the smallest standard error of prediction between the predicted GIHI and GI values. This method was then validated using 14 grain foods and demonstrated a significant correlation (r = 0.93, P < 0.01) between the in vitro starch digestibility and reported GI responses.CONCLUSIONS: The non‐restricted mincing method showed good potential as a new in vitro starch digestibility method for predicting GI in grain foods. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry
Characterisation of musk lime (Citrusmicrocarpa) seed oil
Authors: Manaf Yanty NA , Osman Azizah , Lai Oi M , Long Kamariah , Ghazali Hasanah M 
Published: December 2007

AbstractBACKGROUND: The seeds of musk lime (Citrus microcarpa) represent a substantial waste product of small‐scale citrus‐processing factories, as they constitute about 100.0 ± 3.2 g kg−1 of the whole fruit and contain a considerable amount of crude fat (338.0 ± 11.3 g kg−1). Thus the aim of the present study was to determine the physicochemical properties of this fat with a view to potential applications.RESULTS: The iodine and saponification values and unsaponifiable matter and free fatty acid contents of the freshly extracted oil were 118.0 g I2 per 100 g oil, 192.6 mg KOH g−1 oil, 22 mg g−1 oil and 18 mg oleic acid g−1 oil respectively. The oil had a Lovibond colour index of 33.1 Y + 1.1 B. Its fatty acid profile indicated that 73.6% of the fatty acids present were unsaturated. Linoleic (L, 31.8%), oleic (O, 29.6%) and palmitic (P, 21.4%) acids were the predominant fatty acids, existing mainly as the triacylglycerols POL (18.9%), PLL (13.7%) and OLL (11.9%). The melting and cooling points of the oil were 10.7 and − 45.2 °C respectively. Electronic nose qualitative analysis of the oil showed the presence of volatile (aroma) compounds, although the concentrations of the more volatile compounds were lower than those present in the seeds.CONCLUSION: Musk lime seeds are a rich source of oil, which is unusual in having linoleic, oleic and palmitic acids dominating the fatty acid composition. This property should make the oil both relatively stable to thermal oxidation owing to the combined presence of oleic and palmitic acids (61.0%) and highly nutritive owing to its high concentration of unsaturated fatty acids (73.6%). Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry
Understanding consumer preferences for rice wines using sensory data
Authors: Lee Seung‐Joo , Lee Kwang‐Geun 
Published: December 2007

AbstractBACKGROUND: To understand which sensory attributes drive consumers' preference for certain products, sensory attributes and consumer's preference scoring were related using preference mapping techniques. The objectives of this study were to understand the sensory attributes that drive consumer preference for rice wine products and to investigate the presence of the sub‐groups with different preference patterns according to sensory properties of rice wines.RESULTS: Descriptive analysis and consumer preference testing were conducted with ten commercial rice wines. The rice wines were primarily separated between the ones with high intensities of ‘ripe‐fruit’, ‘sweet‐grain’, and ‘fruit taste’, and those high in ‘yeasty’, ‘bitter’, and ‘astringent’ from the principal component analysis (PCA) of the descriptive data. Based on consumer preferences, three consumer groups were identified by cluster analysis. The rice wines with higher sweetness, and medicinal herb or fruit aromas were preferred by 43% of consumers (cluster 1). Cluster 2 (28%) preferred rice wine with intense fruit‐related attributes such as ‘ripe‐fruit’, ‘sweet‐grain’, and ‘fruit‐taste’, whereas cluster 3 (29%) favoured wine with an intense medicinal herb aroma, but lower astringency and bitter taste.CONCLUSION: Differing needs of consumers based on sensory properties can be applied in the production of rice wine by adjusting their ingredients and brewing practices. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry
Effect of nitrogen fertilisation levels on melon fruit quality at the harvest time and during storage
Authors: Ferrante Antonio , Spinardi Anna , Maggiore Tommaso , Testoni Armando , Gallina Pietro M 
Published: December 2007

AbstractBACKGROUND: The quality of melon fruit depends upon many factors that can be affected by growing conditions and post‐harvest management. The aim of this work was to investigate the effect of nitrogen fertilisation levels on the fruit quality at harvest time and during storage. Experiments were performed in an open field using melon plants (Cucumis melo L. Var. Reticulatus cv. Prodigio). The nitrogen (N) was applied through fertigation using four fertilisation levels: 0, 55, 110 and 165 kg ha−1. After harvest the fruits were stored at 10 °C for 8 days. At harvest time the yield, flesh firmness, skin and pulp colours, content of carotenoids, total phenols, ascorbic acid (AsA) and ethylene production were measured on fruits differently fertilised.RESULTS: The total marketable fruit yield and fruit nitrogen content linearly increased with N levels. Antioxidant compounds decreased after storage but were not affected by N fertilisation levels. However, total carotenoids, total phenols, and AsA declined during storage.CONCLUSION: All the quality parameters did not appear to be affected by N level at either harvest time or after storage. Therefore it is advisable to reduce nitrogen input for cultivation without compromising quality and yields. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry
Antibiotic use and the prevalence of antibiotic resistant bacteria on turkey farms
Authors: Chander Yogesh , Gupta Satish C , Kumar Kuldip , Goyal Sagar M , Murray Helene 
Published: December 2007

AbstractBACKGROUND: A preliminary study was undertaken to compare the prevalence of antibiotic resistance bacteria (ARB) on turkey farms using either antibiotics sub‐therapeutically (AU) or no antibiotics (NAU). Samples of manure, soil, and dog feces were collected from seven AU and six NAU farms.RESULTS: The prevalence of tetracycline resistant (TCr) bacteria was significantly higher (P≤0.05) in manure samples from AU farms while the prevalence of monensin resistant bacteria (MONr) was higher on the NAU farms. There was no difference in the prevalence of tylosin resistant bacteria (TYLr) between the two types of farm. The prevalence of TCr, TYLr and Monr bacteria in soil or the prevalence of TYLr and Monr bacteria in dog fecal samples from either type of farm was not significantly different. However, the prevalence of TCr in dog fecal samples was significantly higher (P≤0.05) from NAU farms than AU farms. Escherichia coli and Pasteurella isolated from manure samples on AU farms showed higher resistance to multiple antibiotics than those isolated from NAU farms. However, there was no difference in the antibiotic susceptibility of Pseudomonas isolates in soil samples or E. coli isolates in dog fecal samples from the two types of farms.CONCLUSION: These results indicate that although the prevalence of ARB is higher in turkey manure from AU farms, its application on land does not appear to be spreading ARB to the terrestrial environment or to pets on the farm. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry
Isolation and characterization of process related impurities of olanzapine using HPLC and ESI‐MS/MS
Authors: Rao Ramisetti Nageswara , Raju Ale Narasa , Narsimha Ramaram , Babu Ganduri Raveendra 
Published: December 2007

AbstractAn RP‐HPLC method for the simultaneous separation and determination of olanzapine (OLZ) and its process impurities in bulk drugs and pharmaceutical formulations was developed. The separation was accomplished on Inertsil ODS 3V (4.6 mm×250 mm; particle size 5 μm) column using 0.2 M ammonium acetate (pH = 4.50) and ACN as mobile phase in gradient elution mode. The analytes were monitored by a photo diode array (PDA) detector set at 254 nm and the flow rate was kept at 1.0 mL/min. The chromatographic behavior of all the compounds was examined under variable compositions of different solvents, buffer concentrations, and pH. The method was validated in terms of accuracy, precision, and linearity. Four unknown process impurities observed consistently during the analysis of different batches of OLZ were isolated and characterized by ESI‐MS/MS, 1H NMR, and FT‐IR. The proposed RP‐HPLC method was successfully applied to the analysis of commercial formulations. The method could be of use not only for rapid and routine evaluation of the quality of OLZ in bulk drug manufacturing units but also for the detection of its impurities in pharmaceutical formulations.
Temperature sensitivity and fluorescence detection
Authors: Agarwal Rajiv 
Published: December 2007

AbstractFluorescence detectors are about three orders of magnitude more sensitive and specific making them ideal for trace analysis and complex sample matrices. However, temperature dependence of the signal is a disadvantage to fluorescence detectors. We have previously reported degradation of malondialdehyde (MDA)–thiobarbituric acid (TBA) adduct at room temperature. The present experiments tested the notion that the detector response may be blunted due to increase in temperature over time. Repeated injections of the same standard curve over 4 h found a significant effect of time on the slopes of peak area–concentration curves. When the samples were iced and injected alternating with ambient temperature standard curve samples, no differences in slopes were seen between iced and ambient temperature samples. Cooling the housing of the fluorescence lamp significantly increased the fluorescence in the samples. Fluorescence increased 2.5% (95% confidence interval, 1.5–3.6%) for each 1°C fall in temperature. MDA–TBA adduct remained stable at room temperature. Since the fluorescence signal is temperature sensitive, letting the detector warm up for 2 h to obtain a steady temperature is more likely to give reproducible results compared to a detector that has not warmed up. These results have implications for other applications utilizing fluorescence detectors.
Benzo[f]‐ and Benzo[h]Coumarin‐Containing Poly(methyl methacrylate)s and Poly(methyl methacrylate)s with Pendant Coumarin‐Containing Azo Dyes
Authors: Abd‐El‐Aziz Alaa S. , Shipman Patrick O. , Neeland Edward G. , Corkery T. Christopher , Mohammed Shawkat , Harvey Pierre D. , Mohamed Hany M. , Bedair Ahmed H. , El‐Agrody Ahmed M. , Aguiar Pedro M. , Kroeker Scott 
Published: December 2007

AbstractA series of coumarins were reacted with methacrylate or styrene derivatives to form new olefinic coumarin monomers that were polymerized using 2,2′‐azoisobutyronitrile (AIBN). These polymers were highly insoluble in organic solvents and displayed good thermal stability with glass‐transition temperatures between 70 °C and 130 °C. Luminescence studies on some of the coumarin‐containing polymers (CCPs) showed some fluorescence (ΦF around 0.1). Some of the newly‐prepared coumarins and benzocoumarins were reacted with azo dyes to form mixed coumarin‐azo dye complexes. These mixed complexes were further reacted to prepare acrylic monomers and polymerized using AIBN. These polymers were thermally stable and poorly soluble in organic solvents.magnified image
Metallopolyyne Polymers as New Functional Materials for Photovoltaic and Solar Cell Applications
Authors: Wong Wai‐Yeung 
Published: December 2007

AbstractThe need to develop inexpensive renewable energy sources has stimulated intensive scientific research for efficient, low‐cost, lightweight, photovoltaic devices. Organic polymer‐based photovoltaic elements have offered the potential to obtain cheap and fabrication‐easy methods to harvest energy from sunlight as compared to inorganic semiconductors. Encouraging progress has been made over the past few years in the field of photovoltaic solar cells using organic polymers. One attractive alternative discussed in this Talent Article is the development of photovoltaic and solar cells that are based on the exploitation of strongly absorbing metallopolyynes of platinum as the electron donors in bulk heterojunction devices. Power conversion efficiencies of over 4% have been achieved by blending polyplatinynes with electron‐accepting methanofullerene. We predict that these conjugated organometallic congeners will make important contributions to identify environmentally friendly hi‐tech solutions to the energy problem. This review includes a short summary of the recent achievements of the author in this field and relevant work by others. The ongoing challenges and future prospects of this research area are also discussed.magnified image
Optimum route of the south transcontinental gas pipeline in SE Europe using AHP
Authors: Thomaidis Fotios , Mavrakis Dimitrios 
Published: December 2007

AbstractThe development of a south energy corridor connecting Europe with the natural gas reserves of the broader Caspian Region and Middle East aims at increasing the EU security and diversification of energy supply.In this paper, the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) method with geopolitical, economic and technical criteria is applied to define the most preferred route of the transcontinental gas pipeline that branches in SE Europe to transport Caspian gas further into the targeted markets of Europe.The paper is divided into five sections. The first introduces the purpose of the paper. The second describes the used AHP method in detail (criteria, sub‐criteria, weights, consistency indexes). The third briefly addresses the need of EU to diversify its supply sources and the planned gas projects in SE Europe. In the fourth section, the method is applied to the four alternative pipeline routes and the robustness of the results is examined with sensitivity analysis. The fifth section comments on the results of the method. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
NAD+‐Dependent DNA Ligase: A novel target waiting for the right inhibitor
Authors: Dwivedi Namrata , Dube Divya , Pandey Jyoti , Singh Biswajit , Kukshal Vandna , Ramachandran Ravishankar , Tripathi Rama Pati 
Published: December 2007

AbstractDNA ligases (EC.6.5.1.1) are key enzymes that catalyze the formation of phosphodiester bonds at single stranded or double stranded breaks between adjacent 5′ phosphoryl and 3′ hydroxyl groups of DNA. These enzymes are important for survival because they are involved in major cellular processes like DNA replication/repair and recombination. DNA ligases can be classified into two groups on the basis of their cofactor specificities. NAD+‐dependent DNA ligases are present in bacteria, some entomopox viruses and mimi virus while ATP‐dependent DNA ligases are ubiquitous. The former have recently been drawing a lot of attention as novel targets for antibiotics to overcome current drug resistance issues. Currently a diverse range of inhibitors have been identified. There are several issues to be addressed in the quest for optimized inhibitors of the enzyme. In the first part of the review we summarize current structural work on these enzymes. Subsequently we describe the currently available classes of inhibitors. We also address modalities to improve the specificity and potencies of new inhibitors identified using protein structure based rational approaches. In conclusion, NAD+‐dependent ligases show great promise and represent a novel drug target whose time has come. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Med Res Rev, 28, No. 4, 545–568, 2008
Nutrition and hemostasis: A focus on urbanization in South Africa
Authors: Pieters Marlien , Vorster Hester H. 
Published: December 2007

AbstractSouth Africa is experiencing a rapid urbanization of its African population characterized by a demographic, nutrition, lifestyle, and health transition. The resultant high prevalence of high cardiovascular disease, in particular of stroke, is of concern. In this narrative review it is suggested that, together with hypertension, changes in the hemostatic system may be one of the major contributors to stroke in this population. It is further suggested that these changes are related to increased fat and animal protein intakes, decreased intakes of total carbohydrate and dietary fiber, as well as persistent suboptimal micronutrient intakes of Africans in transition. The effects of this nutrition transition on plasma fibrinogen, fibrin network structures, plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 activity levels and some other clotting and fibrinolytic factors are discussed. It is concluded that despite indications of present protective mechanisms against the development of coronary heart disease (CHD) in this population the observed changes in diet and hemostatic profiles may eventually lead to a high prevalence of both stroke and CHD in urban black South Africans. It is further suggested that timely nutritional interventions and research of effects thereof on the hemostatic system are urgently needed.
Food bioactives, apoptosis, and cancer
Authors: Pan Min‐Hsiung , Ghai Geetha , Ho Chi‐Tang 
Published: December 2007

AbstractApoptosis interchangeably referred to as programed cell death is a key pathway for regulating homeostasis and morphogenesis of mammalian cells and is connected with several diseases, in particular, cancer. It is widely believed that misregulation of this pathway leads to the development of cancer. Reflecting this knowledge, the mechanism of action for many currently used anticancer agents were specifically targeted to regulate the apoptotic pathway further stressing the role of programed cell death in maintaining normal homeostasis. Another widely accepted concept is the consumption of a variety of colorful foods with strong antioxidant properties. These dietary components also referred to as bioactives would help maintain a healthy body. Although for many of these bioactives exact nutritional benefits are not yet well defined, there is demonstrated scientific evidence suggesting a role for them in cancer prevention. This review summarizes the current knowledge of food bioactives that act through the signaling pathway inducing programed cell death, thus providing the evidence for these substances in cancer prevention.
Application of electron spin resonance (ESR) spectrometry in nutraceutical and food research
Authors: Yu Liangli (Lucy) , Cheng Zhihong 
Published: December 2007

AbstractElectron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy is able to directly measure the chemical species with unpaired electrons and has been widely used in a number of research fields. This review focused on its application in nutraceutical and food research. Current status of ESR in free radical scavenging capacity estimation, food oxidative stability evaluation, Cu2+ chelating capacity determination were summarized. Also discussed was the potential of ESR spin‐label oximetry technique in examination of lipid peroxidation and oxygen diffusion–concentration products in liposomes, oxygen transport and depletion, and membrane structure and dynamic properties. In addition, ESR application in identifying and estimating irradiated foods including meat, fruits, vegetables, spices, cereal grains, and oil seeds was reviewed. Finally, the potential use of ESR technique in investigating microstructure change, phase transition and viscosity related properties during food formulation, processing, and storage was briefly mentioned, along with its potential in determination of radio‐stability of food components. This review may provide some fundamental knowledge of ESR and its application in nutraceutical and food research.