bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Respiratory syncytial virus replication is prolonged by a concomitant allergic response
Authors: Hassantoufighi A , Oglesbee M , Richter B W M , Prince G A , Hemming V , Niewiesk S , Eichelberger M C 
Published: October 2008

Summary
Epidemiological studies show an association between early exposure to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and the development or exacerbation of asthma. This idea is supported by studies in mice that demonstrate worsened airway hyper-reactivity (AHR) when RSV-infected animals are exposed to allergen. The effect of allergen on RSV disease, however, has not been reported. Cotton rats (Sigmodon hispidus) that have been used as a model to study RSV pathogenesis were sensitized to extracts of Aspergillus fumigatus (Af), a common household mould. The allergic response to Af included eosinophilia, formation of granulomas and induction of Th2 type cytokines. RSV infection prior to allergen challenge resulted in exacerbation of the inflammatory response as well as increased airway responsiveness to methacholine. The exacerbated response was indeed dependent on virus replication. Virus replication in turn was influenced by the allergic response, with persistence in the noses for 2 days longer in animals challenged with allergen. This diminished clearance corresponded to decreased induction of mRNA for IFN-γ, a Th1-type cytokine that is characteristic of viral infection. Treatment of RSV-infected Af-challenged animals with recombinant IFN-γ reduced the allergic inflammatory response as well as the relative levels of Th1 and Th2 cytokine mRNA. However, this treatment did not reduce airway reactivity, showing that these pathologic and physiologic measures of exacerbated disease are independent. We speculate that the reciprocal effect of the allergic response on viral immunity may benefit the host by limiting exacerbation of physiologic responses that are IFN-γ-dependent.
Differential activation of NF-κB and gene expression in oral epithelial cells by periodontal pathogens
Authors: Milward M R , Chapple I L C , Wright H J , Millard J L , Matthews J B , Cooper P R 
Published: October 2008

Summary
To investigate the molecular effects of the periodontopathogens Fusobacterium nucleatum (FN) and Porphyromonas gingivalis (PG) on the oral epithelium, the H400 oral epithelial cell line was cultured in the presence of non-viable bacteria. Following confirmation of the presence of transcripts for the bacterial pattern recognition receptors in H400 cells, Toll-like receptors -2, -4 and -9, and components of the NF-κB signalling pathway, immunocytochemical analyses were performed showing that NF-κB was activated within 1 h of exposure to both periodontopathogens. A significantly greater number of NF-κB nuclear translocations were apparent following H400 cell exposure to FN as compared with PG. Gene expression analyses indicated that transcripts known to be regulated by the NF-κB pathway, including cytokines/chemokines TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-8, MCP-1/CCL2 and GM-CSF, were up-regulated following 4 and 24 h of exposure to both periodontopathogens. In addition, H400 periodontopathogen exposure resulted in differential regulation of transcripts for several cytokeratin gene family members. Consistent with the immunocytochemical data, microarray results indicated that FN induced a greater number of gene expression changes than PG following 24 h of exposure, 609 and 409 genes, respectively. Ninety-one genes were commonly differentially expressed by both periodontopathogens and represented biological processes commonly associated with periodontitis. Gene expression analyses by reserve transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) of molecules identified from the microarray data sets, including Heme oxygenase-1, lysyl oxidase, SOD2, CCL20 and calprotectin components, confirmed their differential expression profiles induced by the two periodontopathogens. FN and PG have clearly different molecular effects on oral epithelial cells, potentially highlighting the importance of the composition of the plaque biofilm in periodontitis pathogenesis.
Protective role of mannan-binding lectin in a murine model of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis
Authors: Kaur S , Gupta V K , Thiel S , Sarma P U , Madan T 
Published: October 2008

Summary
Innate immune molecules such as lung collectins and serum pentraxins have evolved as important host defence proteins against Aspergillus fumigatus, a medically important opportunistic fungal pathogen. Mannan-binding lectin (MBL), an opsonin and lectin complement pathway activator, constitutes another vital player of innate immunity against several pathogenic organisms in the serum. Studies have reported significant binding of MBL to A. fumigatus; however, the protective role of MBL against A. fumigatus-mediated invasive disease remains elusive. Henceforth, we investigated the contribution of externally administered recombinant human (rh) MBL towards anti-fungal defence in invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) by in vivo and in vitro studies. In murine models of IPA with corticosteroid-induced immunosuppression, rhMBL-treated mice showed 80% survival compared to untreated IPA mice with no survivors. Treated IPA mice also showed a marked increase in tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-1α and a significant decrease in pulmonary fungal hyphae and IL-10. In vitro, rhMBL-bound A. fumigatus conidia showed a dose-dependent increase in the deposition of C4b, the first product of the lectin pathway. There was an enhanced uptake of A. fumigatus conidia by the polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs) in the presence of rhMBL that increased further in the presence of MBL supplemented with MBL-deficient serum. However, an increase in the oxidative burst of PMNs and A. fumigatus killing were observed only when MBL was supplemented with MBL-deficient serum. The study suggests a therapeutic role of ex vivo-administered MBL in host defence against aspergillosis, possibly through MBL-mediated complement activation and other protective mechanisms aimed both directly at the pathogen, and indirectly through modulation of the host inflammatory responses.
Administration of anti-type II collagen antibody sustains footpad swelling of mice caused by a delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction and induces severe arthritis
Authors: Tanaka D , Kagari T , Doi H , Shimozato T 
Published: October 2008

SummaryDelayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) is an immune reaction induced by antigen. In the mice footpads at which DTH is elicited, transient swellings which usually peaks at 24–48 h after the antigen challenge are observed. We found that the footpad swellings of mice are sustained for at least 7 days after the antigen challenge if the mice were injected with anti-type II collagen monoclonal antibody (anti-CII MoAb) before the antigen challenge. A histological section of the swelled hindpaw revealed that severe joint inflammation and bone destruction was induced. These features were not observed in the footpads of the DTH-induced mice. Analysis of the inflammatory reaction induced by both the DTH and the anti-CII MoAb injection, here named as DTH arthritis, revealed the following: (1) DTH arthritis is elicited in an antigen-specific manner; and (2) the development of DTH arthritis is mediated by antigen-specific T cells, especially CD4+ T cells.
Evidence for involvement of TNFR1 and TIMPs in pathogenesis of post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis
Authors: Ansari N A , Katara G K , Ramesh V , Salotra P 
Published: October 2008

SummarySemi-quantitative RT–PCR was exploited to analyse the intralesional cytokine gene expression in 14 post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) and 10 kala-azar (KA) patients. The data provided evidence for both inflammatory and non-inflammatory responses, as reflected by elevated tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-10 in PKDL lesions compared with normal skin tissue (n = 6). The ratio of TNF-α : IL-10 message was 2·66 in PKDL cases, substantially higher than in KA (1·18). Investigation of TNF-α receptors (TNFR1 and TNFR2) revealed a significant down-regulation of TNFR1 transcript in both PKDL and KA compared with control. In the presence of elevated levels of TNF-α transcript, interference with type 1 effector activity in PKDL may be due to minimal expression of the TNFR1 gene. Investigation of matrix metalloproteinases, known to be induced by TNF-α, and the tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases (TIMPs), provided evidence for the roles of TIMP-1 and TIMP-3 in the pathogenesis of PKDL.
Effects of freeze–thaw on C and N release from soils below different vegetation in a montane system: a laboratory experiment
Authors: VESTGARDEN LIVE SEMB , AUSTNES KARI 
Published: October 2008

AbstractUnstable snow cover and more frequent freeze–thaw events have been predicted for montane areas in southern Norway, where stable winters are common today. These systems are important contributors to the flux of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) to air and water. Here we quantify and compare the effects of freeze–thaw on C and N release from soils collected below Calluna, Molinia or Sphagnum. Intact organic soil cores were subjected to four different freeze–thaw regimes for four consecutive 2‐week periods: (1) slow cycling (SC) with one long freezing event during each 2‐week period, (2) fast cycling (FC) with four short freezing events during each 2‐week period, (3) permanent frost (PF) and (4) permanent thaw (PT). The freezing temperature was −5 °C and the thawing temperature was 5 °C. Before start of treatment, at the end of each 2‐week period, and during postincubation periods, carbon dioxide (CO2) emission as well as leachable dissolved organic C (DOC), dissolved organic N (DON), ammonium (NH4), nitrate (NO3) and absorbance at 254 nm were measured. In soils from all three vegetations, PF increased the release of CO2, DOC, DON and NH4 compared with PT. SC caused some scattered effects whereas FC only resulted in some increase in NO3 release below Molinia. Generally, the emission of CO2 and leaching of DOC, DON and NH4 increased in the following order: Sphagnum < Calluna < Molinia. The release of NO3 was greatest below Calluna. Our data suggest that vegetation cover and composition seem at least as important as increased soil frost for future winter fluxes of CO2, DOC, DON and dissolved inorganic N (DIN) from the soil to air and water. The freezing period needs to be sufficiently long to give significant effects.
Interactive effects of water table and precipitation on net CO2assimilation of three co‐occurringSphagnummosses differing in distribution above the water table
Authors: ROBROEK BJORN J. M. , SCHOUTEN MATTHIJS G. C. , LIMPENS JUUL , BERENDSE FRANK , POORTER HENDRIK 
Published: October 2008

AbstractSphagnum cuspidatum,S. magellanicumandS. rubellumare three co‐occurring peat mosses, which naturally have a different distribution along the microtopographical gradient of the surface of peatlands. We set out an experiment to assess the interactive effects of water table (low: −10 cm and high: −1 cm) and precipitation (present or absent) on the CO2assimilation and evaporation of these species over a 23‐day period. Additionally, we measured which sections of the moss layer were responsible for light absorption and bulk carbon uptake. Thereafter, we investigated how water content affected carbon uptake by the mosses. Our results show that at high water table, CO2assimilation of all species gradually increased over time, irrespective of the precipitation. At low water table, net CO2assimilation of all species declined over time, with the earliest onset and highest rate of decline forS. cuspidatum. Precipitation compensated for reduced water tables and positively affected the carbon uptake of all species. Almost all light absorption occurred in the first centimeter of theSphagnumvegetation and so did net CO2assimilation. CO2assimilation rate showed species‐specific relationships with capitulum water content, with narrow but contrasting optima forS. cuspidatumandS. rubellum. Assimilation byS. magellanicumwas constant at a relatively low rate over a broad range of capitulum water contents. Our study indicates that prolonged drought may alter the competitive balance between species, favoring hummock species over hollow species. Moreover, this study shows that precipitation is at least equally important as water table drawdown and should be taken into account in predictions about the fate of peatlands with respect to climate change.
N2O emission rates in a California meadow soil are influenced by fertilizer level, soil moisture and the community structure of ammonia‐oxidizing bacteria
Authors: AVRAHAMI SHARON , BOHANNAN BRENDAN J. M. 
Published: October 2008

AbstractThe response of nitrous oxide (N2O) emission rates and β‐proteobacterial ammonia‐oxidizing (AOB) communities to manipulations of temperature, soil moisture and nitrogenous fertilizer concentration were studied for 16–20 weeks in a multifactorial laboratory experiment using a California meadow soil. Interactions among these three environmental factors influenced the N2O emission rates, and two patterns of N2O emission rates due to nitrification (NitN2O) were observed. First, in soils receiving low or moderate amounts of fertilizer, the rates decreased sharply in response to increasing soil moisture and temperature. Second, in soils receiving high amounts of fertilizer, the rates were influenced by an interaction between soil moisture and temperature, such that at 20 °C increasing soil moisture resulted in an increase in the rates, and at 30 °C the highest rate was observed at moderate soil moisture. We used path analysis to identify the interrelationships that best explain these two patterns. Path analysis revealed that in the high fertilizer (HF) treatment, the major path by which ammonia influenced NitN2O rates was indirect through an influence on the abundance of one particular phylogenetic group (AOB ‘cluster 10’). In contrast, in the low and moderate fertilizer treatments soil moisture influenced the rates both directly (the major path) and indirectly through AOB community structure. Although terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T‐RFLP) analysis revealed shifts in the community structure of AOB in all treatments, the shifts at HF concentrations were particularly striking, with dominance by three different phylogenetic groups under different combinations of the three environmental factors. The high emission rates observed at the lowest soil moistures suggest that bacterial nitrifiers may use denitrification as a stress response.
Elevated methylmercury in High ArcticDaphniaand the role of productivity in controlling their distribution
Authors: CHÉTELAT JOHN , AMYOT MARC 
Published: October 2008

AbstractMercury is a contaminant of concern in polar regions due to long‐range atmospheric transport of this metal from southern latitudes followed by intense deposition on snow. We surveyed zooplankton in 16 lakes and ponds in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago (74–76°N) to determine methylmercury (MeHg) content and the role of environmental characteristics and taxonomic composition on accumulation processes. Zooplankton communities containingDaphnia(mainlyD. middendorffiana) had on average five times the MeHg content of copepod‐dominated communities. The percent biomass ofDaphniabest explained MeHg variation in bulk zooplankton compared with water chemistry and morphometric variables. Water‐column concentrations of MeHg were low at most study sites (mainly ≤0.07 ng L−1), andDaphniastrongly bioaccumulated mercury through species‐specific processes. As we observedDaphniain more productive water bodies (i.e., ponds, a eutrophied lake), we then tested the role of productivity in determining the distribution of this keystone herbivore using a broad‐scale literature dataset of 47 High Arctic lakes (65–77°N).Daphniadensity was positively related to the amount of organic carbon in the water column in both dissolved and particulate fractions [dissolved organic carbon (DOC) partial,P< 0.001; particulate organic carbon (POC) partial,P=0.032]. The strong influence of DOC suggests that bacterial production is an important energy source for ArcticDaphnia. Our findings indicate that productivity influences the MeHg content of zooplankton communities through its control of species composition; specifically, low productivity limits the presence of mercury‐richDaphniain many copepod‐dominated lakes of the High Arctic. Aquatic productivity is expected to increase with climate warming, and we present a conceptual model that predicts how environmental drivers could extend the distribution ofDaphniain lakes and alter the movement of mercury in food webs of the Canadian High Arctic.
Optical techniques to determine thermal effects on proteins
Authors: Kongraksawech Teepakorn , Vázquez‐Landaverde Pedro , Rodrigo‐Garcia Joaquín , Torres José A. , Huerta‐Ruelas Jorge 
Published: October 2008

SummaryOptical rotation (OR) and transmitted light (TL) measurements were conducted on 1%, 2.5% and 5% (w/v) bovine serum albumin (BSA) in 0.01 m phosphate buffer at pH 7 and ionic strength 0.08. Denaturation temperatures (Td) obtained from OR measurements were consistent with reported differential scanning calorimetry values. Protein concentration did not affect Td in agreement with most reports. Changes in TL reflecting gel formation and protein aggregation were influenced by BSA concentration. Sugar concentration in the range used in this study (0–5%) did not affect the thermal stability of BSA. The lack of difference in sucrose, trehalose and sorbitol effects on the thermal stability of BSA was consistent with some but not all reports. The optical system used to study protein denaturation had acceptable accuracy (consistency with published Td values) and precision (coefficient of variation under 3.5%) levels.
Antioxidant activity and dietary fibre of Prensal Blanc white grape (Vitis vinifera) by‐products
Authors: Llobera Antonia , Cañellas Jaime 
Published: October 2008

SummaryStem and pomace of a white grape (Vitis vinifera) variety, Prensal Blanc, were studied for the first time: general composition and dietary fibre components together with the total soluble polyphenol content and antioxidant activity. Both by‐products present high contents of total dietary fibre (TDF), 790 g kg−1 d.m. (stem) and 716 g kg−1 d.m. (pomace). Values of the soluble dietary fibres in relation to TDF differed: 5% (stem) and 14.4% (pomace). Similar values of Klason lignin were found: 229 g kg−1 (stem) and 278 g kg−1 (pomace), however, the pomace exhibited more than twice the content of the condensed tannins (168 g kg−1) with regard to the stem (79 g kg−1). Notable were the high resistant protein contents of both by‐products. Stem and pomace showed appreciable amounts of total soluble polyphenols (87 g kg−1 against 35 g kg−1 respectively). The free radical scavenging capacity of the former by‐products was determined using the 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) method, obtaining EC50 values of 0.79 g d.m. g−1 DPPH (stem) and 1.32 g d.m. g−1 DPPH (pomace). These data shows that both vinification by‐products from the Prensal Blanc variety are a good source of dietary fibre and have antioxidant properties.
Physico‐chemical and sensory attributes in conjunction with multivariate analysis of two potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) cultivars after 90 days of storage: an exploratory authentication study
Authors: Arvanitoyannis Ioannis S. , Vaitsi Olga , Mavromatis Athanasios 
Published: October 2008

SummaryTwo cultivars of potato (Spunta and Agria), were studied in terms of their physico‐chemical and sensory characteristics. These cultivars were cultivated in three geographical regions of Greece (Macedonia, North Greece; Thessaly, Central Greece; Peloponnese, South Greece) and were stored for 90 days after harvesting. The physico‐chemical characteristics of the tubers determined, were pH, total acidity, firmness, dry matter and content in Ν, in Κ, P, Cu, Mn, Zn and Fe. The sensory characteristics measured for raw tubers of potato after storage, were skin colour, skin brightness, internal colour, surface roughness, odour intensity, moistness, surface wrinkling and stains while the sensory characteristics measured for the boiled tubers of potato were odour intensity, moistness, special taste, sweet taste, aftertaste persistence, metal taste, pastiness, mastication, flavour intensity, elasticity and overall acceptability. The application of multivariate analysis (principal component analysis, cluster analysis and discriminant analysis), revealed a variety of relations between the various parameters and resulted in satisfactory grouping either per geographical region or per cultivar.
Effects of operating practices on performance of a fixed‐bed convection dryer and quality of dried longan
Authors: Nagle Marcus , González‐Azcárraga Juan Carlos , Phupaichitkun Sarawut , Mahayothee Busarakorn , Haewsungcharern Methinee , Janjai Serm , Leis Hermann , Müller Joachim 
Published: October 2008

SummaryBulk layer shifting during industrial drying of whole longan was evaluated. Analysis of drying conditions and product quality of samples from different areas of the dryer was conducted. The study found that both temperature and air velocity were non‐uniformly distributed during drying, which affected drying kinetics and product quality. High humidity and convective cooling of the drying air passing through the bulk caused condensation on fruits surfaces in the upper layer during the initial hours of drying. Those samples towards the sides of dryer, those initially in the upper layers, and especially those near the air inlet showed consistently lower quality. Four shifting schemes were tested, one of which was found to be exceptional in terms of end‐product uniformity. Issues concerning the improvement of industrial longan drying are addressed and an optimal shifting procedure is proposed.
The effect of thermal treatment on β‐glucosidase inactivation in vanilla bean (Vanilla planifolia Andrews)
Authors: Márquez Ofelia , Waliszewski Krzysztof N. 
Published: October 2008

SummaryThe conditions for enzyme activity (pH and temperature) and kinetic parameters for the thermal inactivation of β‐glucosidase enzyme in vanilla beans have been investigated. The maximum enzyme activity was detected at pH 6.5 and 38 °C. The values obtained for Vmax and Km were 62.05 units and 2.07 mm, respectively. When hot water treatment (the most practical method of vanilla bean killing) was applied, β‐glucosidase treated at pH 6.0 and 60 °C for 3 min lost 51% of activity, while at 70 °C for 90 s the enzyme lost 60% of activity and at 80 °C for 30 s the enzyme lost 48% of its activity. When vanilla beans were cured in an oven at 60 °C for 36 to 48 h all β‐glucosidase activity was lost.
Effect of different chemical compounds as coadjutants of 4‐hexylresorcinol on the appearance of deepwater pink shrimp (Parapenaeus longirostris) during chilled storage
Authors: Martínez‐Alvarez Oscar , Gómez‐Guillén Carmen , Montero Pilar 
Published: October 2008

SummaryDifferent chemical compounds (kojic acid, cumic acid, phytic acid, sodium metabisulphite, magnesium carbonate, sorbic acid and different protease inhibitors) were used as coadjutants in 4‐hexylresorcinol (4‐HR)‐based melanosis‐inhibiting formulas tested for inhibiting melanosis in pink shrimp (Parapenaeus longirostris). The experiment was performed on board ship. Increasing concentrations of 4‐HR delayed the occurrence of melanosis during storage. However, 4‐HR could not prevent the appearance of a yellow‐greenish colouration in the cephalothorax that diminishes the consumer acceptability of shrimps. The incorporation of protease inhibitors (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, disodium dihydrogen pyrophosphate, iodoacetic acid, egg white and phenylmethylsulphonyl fluoride) into the 4‐HR‐based mixtures improved the acceptability after storage, suggesting that protease activity post‐mortem contributes to the reduction in the final acceptability of crustaceans.