bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Description of the mutations in 15 subjects with variant forms of maple syrup urine disease
Authors: Flaschker N. , Feyen O. , Fend S. , Simon E. , Schadewaldt P. , Wendel U. 
Published: October 2007

SummaryBackground:In maple syrup urine disease (MSUD), disease‐causing mutations can affect the BCKDHA, BCKDHB or DBT genes encoding for the E1α, E1β and E2 subunits of the multienzyme branched‐chain 2‐keto acid dehydrogenase (BCKD) complex.Aim:The aim of this study was to screen DNA samples of 15 subjects with distinct well‐characterized variant MSUD phenotypes for mutations in the three genes in order to demonstrate a potential correlation between specific nucleotide changes and particular variant phenotypes.Methods:The exonic coding sequences of all three genes were studied using genomic DNA and cellular RNA derived from peripheral blood leukocytes.Results:In 37% of the cases (total 30 alleles), disease‐causing mutations were located in the BCKDHA, in 46% in the BCKDHB, and in 13% in the DBT gene. Novel mutations occurring homozygously were p.Ala328Thr in the BCKDHA gene and p.Gly249_Lys257del in the DBT gene. Both are associated with a mild MSUD variant. The same holds true for the novel mutations p.Pro200Ala in BCKDHB and p.Phe307Ser in DBT which were identified in heterozygous fashion. Among the known mutant alleles, p.Gly278Ser in the BCKDHB gene was relatively frequent and also associated with a mild MSUD variant.Conclusion:The results of this study indicate that genotyping may be predictive of clinical severity of variant MSUD phenotypes and might be of prognostic value particularly in subjects with variant MSUD identified in newborn screening in whom early treatment fortunately slows the natural course of the disease.
Aroma Release from Solid Droplet Emulsions: Effect of Lipid Type
Authors: Ghosh Supratim , Peterson Devin G. , Coupland John N. 
Published: October 2007

AbstractAroma compounds partition between the different phases of a food emulsion and the headspace but only those in the headspace are perceived. Phase transitions in the lipid droplets profoundly affect the position of the partitioning equilibria and hence headspace aroma concentration. The release of four volatile aroma compounds (ethyl butanoate, pentanoate, heptanoate and octanoate) from eicosane, hydrogenated palm fat or Salatrim® emulsions stabilized with sodium caseinate were investigated as a function of fat crystallization, particle size and droplet concentration. For all compounds, the headspace aroma concentration in equilibrium with solid droplet emulsions was significantly higher than that in equilibrium with liquid droplet emulsions. The partitioning of volatile aroma compounds from emulsion does not depend on the type of liquid lipid, however, the interactions between solid lipid droplets and aroma compounds are significantly influenced by the nature of the crystalline fat. Notably, partitioning into the headspace was much lower for solid triglyceride droplet emulsions than for solid alkane emulsions. It was proposed that both residual liquid lipid in solid triglycerides and aroma co‐crystallization with solid lipid could be responsible for higher aroma absorption by solid triglycerides.
Obesity indices in relation to cardiovascular disease risk factors among young adult female students
Authors: Farajian Paul , Renti Efthimia , Manios Yannis 
Published: October 2007

The objective of the present study was to compare the percentage of body fat (%BF), BMI, and central fat distribution anthropometric measures as indices of obesity and to assess the respective associations with cardiovascular risk factors in young female students. Subjects were 220 healthy Greek female students. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was used to estimate %BF, anthropometric measurements were obtained and blood samples were analysed for CVD risk factors. Results showed that 48·6 % of students had increased adiposity, while a considerable proportion was characterised by central fat distribution irrespective of the anthropometric index used. The proportion of subjects with at least one metabolic risk factor present was 60·4 %. Although %BF was not associated with any of the CVD risk factors, waist circumference, waist:hip ratio and waist:height ratio were all associated with CVD risk factors. Higher levels of these anthropometric variables demonstrated higher prevalence of CVD risk factors. The lack of association between %BF and CVD risk factors could be attributed to the fact that females with undesirable adiposity had a tendency for the gynaecoid type of obesity. In contrast, the present results suggest that central body fat distribution in young women may reflect increased risk due to high visceral and particularly intra-abdominal fat levels. Recent epidemiological data from Greece show a high prevalence of overweight and obesity in young adults. Therefore, assessing the risk for the presence of CVD risk factors is of particular importance. Central obesity anthropometric indices seem to be valuable screening tools for young women.
Walnut extract (Juglans regia L.) and its component ellagic acid exhibit anti-inflammatory activity in human aorta endothelial cells and osteoblastic activity in the cell line KS483
Authors: Papoutsi Z. , Kassi E. , Chinou I. , Halabalaki M. , Skaltsounis L. A. , Moutsatsou P. 
Published: October 2007

Epidemiological studies suggest that the incidence of CVD and postmenopausal osteoporosis is low in the Mediterranean area, where herbs and nuts, among others, play an important role in nutrition. In the present study, we sought a role of walnuts (Juglans regia L.) in endothelial and bone-cell function. As the endothelial cell expression of adhesion molecules has been recognised as an early step in inflammation and atherogenesis, we examined the effect of walnut methanolic extract and ellagic acid, one of its major polyphenolic components (as shown by HPLC analysis), on the expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1 and intracellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 in human aortic endothelial cells. After incubating the cells with TNF-α (1 ng/ml) in the absence and in the presence of walnut extract (10–200 μg/ml) or ellagic acid (10− 7–10− 5m), the VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 expression was quantified by cell-ELISA. We further evaluated the effect of walnut extract (10–50 μg/ml), in comparison with ellagic acid (10− 9–10− 6m), on nodule formation in the osteoblastic cell line KS483.Walnut extract and ellagic acid decreased significantly the TNF-α-induced endothelial expression of both VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 (P < 0·01; P < 0·001). Both walnut extract (at 10–25 μg/ml) and ellagic acid (at 10− 9–10− 8m) induced nodule formation in KS483 osteoblasts. The present results suggest that the walnut extract has a high anti-atherogenic potential and a remarkable osteoblastic activity, an effect mediated, at least in part, by its major component ellagic acid. Such findings implicate the beneficial effect of a walnut-enriched diet on cardioprotection and bone loss.
The efficacy of black tea in ameliorating endothelial function is equivalent to that of green tea
Authors: Jochmann Nicoline , Lorenz Mario , Krosigk Amélie von , Martus Peter , Böhm Volker , Baumann Gert , Stangl Karl , Stangl Verena 
Published: October 2007

Consumption of tea has been shown to improve endothelial function. It is assumed that catechins are the tea components responsible for these beneficial effects. In black tea, catechin concentrations are significantly lower than in green tea. The present study was designed to compare green and black tea with regard to amelioration of endothelial function. Endothelial function in response to both teas was assessed in bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAEC) and rat aortic rings. To elucidate whether these findings are also applicable to humans, flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and nitro-mediated dilation (NMD) were assessed by ultrasound in twenty-one healthy women before and 2 h after consumption of green and black tea (2 h of FMD and NMD), in comparison with water (control). In BAEC, green and black tea significantly increased endothelial NO synthase activity to the same extent. Similarly, both teas induced comparable endothelial-dependent vasodilation in rat aortic rings. In human subjects, ingestion of green and black tea led to significant increases in FMD: from 5·4 (sd 2·3) to 10·2 (sd 3) % (baseline-adjusted difference (BAD) for 2 h of FMD, green tea v. water: 5·0 (95 % CI 3·0, 7·0) %; P < 0·001) and from 5 (sd 2·6) to 9·1 (sd 3·6) % (BAD for 2 h of FMD, black tea v. water: 4·4 (95 % CI 2·3, 6·5) %; P < 0·001), respectively. The increase in FMD was not significantly different between the two tea preparations (BAD for 2 h of FMD, green tea v. black tea: 0·66 (95 % CI − 0·76, 2·09) %; P = 0·36). NMD did not vary between any of the groups. In conclusion, green and black tea are equally effective in improving endothelial function.
Oxidised cholesterol is more hypercholesterolaemic and atherogenic than non-oxidised cholesterol in hamsters
Authors: Ng Chi Ho , Qiang Yao Xiao , Huang Yu , Chen Zhen-Yu 
Published: October 2007

The present study was to test the relative hypercholesterolaemic and atherogenic potency of oxidised cholesterol (OxC) and non-oxidised cholesterol in hamsters. An OxC mixture, prepared by heating pure cholesterol (100 g) at 160°C in air for 72 h, contained 78 % cholesterol and 22 % OxC. Fifty Golden Syrian hamsters were randomly divided into five groups of ten animals and fed the control diet, a 0·05 % cholesterol diet (C-0·05), a 0·10 % cholesterol diet (C-0·1), a 0·05 % OxC mixture diet (OxC-0·05) or a 0·10 % OxC mixture diet (OxC-0·1), respectively. The OxC-0·05 and OxC-0·1 groups were more hypercholesterolaemic and had serum total cholesterol 22 and 12 % higher than the corresponding C-0·05 and C-0·1 hamsters (P < 0·05). The OxC-0·1 group demonstrated greater deposition of cholesterol and had a larger area of atherosclerotic plaque in the aorta than the corresponding C-0·1 hamsters (P < 0·05). Similarly, the aorta in the OxC-0·1 group showed greater inhibition on acetylcholine-induced relaxation compared with that in the C-0·1 hamsters. It was concluded that OxC was much more hypercholesterolaemic and atherogenic than cholesterol.
Shang ritual animals: colour and meaning (part 2)
Authors: Tao Wang 
Published: October 2007

AbstractFollowing on from Part 1 of this article (BSOAS 70/2, 305–372), Part 2 continues to examine the use of colour in different diviner groups, but focuses on the groups belonging to the non-kings' school. It also includes the newly discovered inscriptions from the eastern section of Huayuanzhuang in Yinxu. The exercise of colour preference in the non-kings' school is similar to that seen in the kings' school, but reveals an even broader interest. By looking at the context in which each colour was used, we can detect the process of a colour system working in Shang rituals. The final section of the paper provides a cross-cultural comparison of Shang colour symbolism which had a profound influence on the late wuxing theory.
Three islands and an archipelago: reciprocal interactions between humans and island ecosystems in Polynesia
Authors: Kirch Patrick V. 
Published: October 2007

ABSTRACTOceanic islands offer outstanding ‘model systems' for investigating long-term dynamics between human populations and their ecosystems. Whilst the state factors involved in human-environment dynamics on islands are often simpler than on continents, the same essential processes are involved. This paper applies a comparative approach to understanding the reciprocal interactions between a set of four Polynesian island cases (Tikopia, Mangaia, Mangareva, Hawaiian Islands), over time scales of between one and three thousand years (kyr). In all cases, the island ecosystems were colonised by Polynesian populations derived from the same ancestral culture, with similar socioeconomic patterns. However, the ecosystems vary significantly in scale, geologic age, and other characteristics. Comparing the historical trajectories of these human–environment dynamics, as revealed by archaeological and palaeoecological study, provides insights into the relative impact of humans on pristine island ecosystems, the influence of environment on ecosystem vulnerability, and the ways in which societies have modified their economies, sociopolitical structures, and other aspects of culture in response to long-term environmental changes.
Genetics, prehistory and the colonisation of the Aleutian Islands
Authors: West Dixie , Crawford Michael , Savinetsky Arkady B. 
Published: October 2007

ABSTRACTThe 1800 km-long Aleutian archipelago represents a model ecosystem to track human–environmental interactions across space and through time. Defining the southern margin of Beringia across which much of the early peopling of the Americas occurred, the Aleutians present a 9000 year record of human occupation in the eastern part of the island chain, and more than 3000 years in the west. Molecular evidence demonstrates: (1) that Aleuts shared common ancestry with Chukchi and Siberian Eskimos of Chukotka; (2) the original patterns of migration into the Aleutian islands were from the Alaskan peninsula in a westward direction with no evidence for island-hopping from Kamchatka; and (3) a highly significant statistical relationship between geography and genetics, based on mtDNA sequences, was observed despite previous population disruption. Historically, the Aleutian region is a rich ecotone, with ocean fisheries, abundant populations of large marine mammals, thick kelp forests, complex near-shore ecosystems and intertidal zones, spawning streams, and a highly diverse avian fauna. Each of these environments and resources has been pivotal in shaping the adaptive strategies of human occupants of the island chain since the initial colonisation of the Aleutians from the Alaskan Peninsula. In turn, Holocene human immigration, prehistoric cultural adaptations and subsequent historic events have had reciprocal impacts on the natural systems of the Aleutians.
Peat initiation in the Faroe Islands: climate change, pedogenesis or human impact?
Authors: Lawson Ian T. , Church Mike J. , Edwards Kevin J. , Cook Gordon T. , Dugmore Andrew J. 
Published: October 2007

ABSTRACTAs an isolated island group lying off the NW European mainland which was uninhabited until the mid-first millennium AD, the Faroes offer a unique opportunity to study natural processes of Holocene ecosystem development in a region where anthropogenic activity is usually a complicating factor. In this paper new radiocarbon dates and pollen-analytical data from the island of Sandoy, in the centre of the Faroes archipelago, are presented. Together with existing pollen and plant macrofossil records, these data allow a reconstruction of patterns of Holocene vegetational and edaphic change. Basal peat dates indicate that large areas of blanket mire were established long before the first human settlement, demonstrating conclusively that human impact is not necessary for the development of such ecosystems. The timing of the initiation of the blanket peats varies markedly, both across the Faroes as a whole and at a landscape scale, with dates distributed evenly over 9000 years. This suggests that, in the Faroes at least, pedogenesis was more important than climatic change in determining the timing of the spread of blanket peat systems.
Holocene slope processes and landforms in the northern Faroe Islands
Authors: Christiansen Hanne H. , Blikra Lars H. , Mortensen Lis E. 
Published: October 2007

ABSTRACTThe exposed nature of the northern Faroe Islands high relief landscape enabled widespread Holocene slope process activity and deposition of related landforms, which seem largely controlled by extreme meteorological conditions. Three different slope landforms – the large colluvial Glyvurs fan, the lower Marknastiggjur mountainside debris-flow deposits in the town of Klaksvik, and the mountain top aeolian sediment cover on Eidiskollur – were investigated by a combination of geomorphological, stratigraphic, sedimentological, chronological and modern process studies.Sporadic Holocene snow-avalanche and debris-flow activity were documented, with sedimentation starting significantly before 8000 cal yr BP in the Glyvurs fan, which still sporadically experiences activity. The largest amounts of Holocene slope sedimentation seem to occur in colluvial fans, such as the Glyvurs fan, which are located below large dyke canyons, called gjogvs. The lower Marknastiggjur mountainside consists of mainly debris-flow deposits, which started before 7800 cal yr BP. A relatively small amount of precipitation, but with high precipitation intensity after a dry summer, triggered modern small-scale debris-flows in the northern islands, also at the Marknastiggjur mountainside, early in Autumn 2000. Extensive continuous mountaintop aeolian sedimentation from cliff weathering started around 6900 cal yr BP on the Eidiskollur peninsula.No direct influence of settlement on slope process activity was found at the different investigated slope landforms in the northern Faroe Islands.
A long record of environmental change from bat guano deposits in Makangit Cave, Palawan, Philippines
Authors: Bird Michael I. , Boobyer Ella M. , Bryant Charlotte , Lewis Helen A. , Paz Victor , Stephens W. Edryd 
Published: October 2007

ABSTRACTWe present the first record of Holocene and Pleistocene environmental change derived from the chemical and stable-isotope composition of a tropical cave guano sequence from Makangit Cave in northern Palawan (Philippines). The 180 cm sequence of guano, derived predominantly from insectivorous bats and birds, consists of two distinct units. An upper section of reddish-brown oxidised guano to 110 cm was deposited since the mid-Holocene while a lower section of black, reduced guano was deposited through the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) to >30 000 BP. Carbon-isotope (δ13C) values in guano deposited during the LGM are as high as −13·5‰ indicating that a C4-dominated grassland existed in the area around the cave at this time. Guano δ13C values of − 25‰ to − 28‰ suggest that this open vegetation was replaced by C3-dominated closed tropical forest, similar to that of the present, by the mid-Holocene. The results suggest that the climate of northern Palawan was substantially drier at the LGM than is currently the case.
Holocene sea-level change and human response in Pacific Islands
Authors: Nunn Patrick D. 
Published: October 2007

ABSTRACTHolocene sea-level changes affected people living in the Pacific Islands and their ancestors along the western Pacific Rim. Sea-level changes, particularly those that were rapid, may have led to profound and enduring societal/lifestyle changes. Examples are given of (1) how a rapid sea-level rise (CRE-3) about 7600 BP could ultimately have led to the earliest significant cross-ocean movements of people from the western Pacific Rim into the islands; (2) how mid to late Holocene sea-level changes gradually created coastal environments on Pacific Islands that were highly attractive to human settlers; (3) a hypothesis that rapid sea-level fall during the ‘AD 1300 Event' brought about widespread disruption to trajectories of cultural evolution throughout the Pacific Islands; and (4) the effects of recent and likely future sea-level rise on Pacific Island peoples.
Human impacts and adaptations in the Caribbean Islands: an historical ecology approach
Authors: Fitzpatrick Scott M. , Keegan William F. 
Published: October 2007

ABSTRACTArchaeological investigations demonstrate that peoples first settled the Caribbean islands approximately 6000–7000 years ago. At least four major, and multiple minor, migrations took place over the next millennia by peoples from Mesoamerica and South America who practised various subsistence strategies and had different levels of technology. For decades, researchers have been interested in investigating how these groups adapted to and impacted insular environments through time. This paper combines archaeological, palaeoecological, historical, and modern biological data to examine the effects of humans on Caribbean island ecosystems using a historical ecology approach. By synthesising a wide range of data sources, we take a human/nature dialectical perspective to understanding how peoples adapted to and modified their environments. The data suggest that earlier foraging/fishing Archaic groups (ca. 6000–3000 BP), who used a stone tool and shell technology and transported few, if any non-indigenous plants or animals, still impacted island landscapes as evidenced by bird and sloth extinctions. As more advanced ceramic making horticulturalists entered the Antillean chain around 2500 BP, there is an observable change to island environments as a result of forest clearance, overexploitation of both terrestrial and marine resources, and growing populations. Palaeoecological and palaeoenvironmental records also suggest, however, that an increased moisture regime during the late Holocene probably led to a decrease in near-shore salinity and heavier sediment and nutrient loads in rivers. These conditions would have been exacerbated by land clearance for agriculture, leading to coastline progradation, increased turbidity, and mangrove development resulting in changes to the availability of resources for humans on some islands. Although prehistoric peoples in the Caribbean were certainly impacting their environments, it was not until Europeans arrived and population centres grew that intensive and widespread degradation of island landscapes and resources occurred. Modern ecological studies, along with historical and archaeological data, indicate that hundreds of species have been driven to extinction or extirpation – many others have significantly diminished in number, especially within the last two millennia.
Bystander B cells rapidly acquire antigen receptors from activated B cells by membrane transfer: a novel mechanism for enhancing specific antigen presentation
Authors: Quah Ben , Barlow Vaughan , McPhun Virginia , Matthaei Klaus , Hulett Mark , Parish Christopher 
Published: October 2007

AbstractThe B cell antigen receptor (BCR) efficiently facilitates the capture and processing of a specific antigen for presentation on MHC class II molecules to antigen specific CD4+ T cells (1). Despite this, the majority of B cells are only thought to play a limited role in CD4+ T cell activation since BCRs are clonotypically expressed. Here we show, however, that activated B cells can, both in vitro and in vivo, rapidly donate their BCR to bystander B cells, a process that is mediated by direct membrane transfer between adjacent B cells and is amplified by the interaction of the BCR with specific antigen. This results in a dramatic expansion in the number of antigen-binding B cells in vivo, with the transferred BCR endowing recipient B cells with the ability to present specific antigen to antigen-specific CD4+ T cells.
Ethical Decisions and Gender Differences of European Hospitality Students
Authors: Wilborn LaChelle R. , Brymer Robert A. , Schmidgall Ray 
Published: October 2007

The purpose of this paper is to assess the sources influencing an ethical decision-making process of European hospitality students. Ten scenarios were used (1) to indicate whether the action posed was ‘ethical’, ‘unethical’, or ‘not a question of ethics’ and (2) to indicate what they would do if they were in this situation. We found that of the nearly 400 European hospitality students, 54 per cent females and 46 per cent males, both genders indicated that parents, close friends, and business management courses influenced their ethical beliefs the most. Additionally, we found that responses were significantly different for only one of the ten scenarios with regards to gender. The action responses to the proposed scenarios were, however, statistically significant for five scenarios; four of these five were business scenarios. Female European hospitality students were more likely to engage in ethical behaviour and are generally less tolerant of questionable practices than their male peers.