bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the strength and radiopacity of Portland cement with varying additions of bismuth oxide
Authors: Saliba E. , Abbassi‐Ghadi S. , Vowles R. , Camilleri J. , Hooper S. , Camilleri J. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractAim  To study the effect of addition of various proportions of bismuth oxide on compressive strength and radiopacity of Portland cement.Methodology  The compressive strength of white Portland cement and cement replaced with 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30% bismuth oxide was evaluated by testing cylinders 6 mm in diameter and 12 mm high. Twelve cylinders were tested for each material under study. The radiopacity of the cements tested was evaluated using an aluminium step‐wedge and densitometer. The optical density was compared with the relevant thickness of aluminium (Al). Statistical analysis was performed using Analysis of Variance (anova) with P = 0.05 and Tukey test to perform multiple comparison tests.Results  Various additions of bismuth oxide had no significant effect on the strength of the material when compared with the unmodified Portland cement (P > 0.05). The radiopacity of the cements tested ranged from 2.02 mm Al for Portland cement to 9.79 mm Al for the highest bismuth replacement.Conclusions  Addition of bismuth oxide did not affect the compressive strength of Portland cement. All the bismuth oxide cement mixtures had radio‐opacities higher than 3 mm thickness of aluminium.
Topographical evaluation of the major apical foramen in permanent human teeth
Authors: Martos J. , Ferrer‐Luque C. M. , González‐Rodríguez M. P. , Castro L. A. S. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractAim  To determine the distance from the anatomical root apex to the major apical foramen and the position of the major foramen on the root apex.Methodology  Crowns of 926 human teeth were sectioned at the cementum‐enamel junction. Specimens were mounted on microscope slides for measurement parallel to the long axis of the teeth. The major foramen was identified as the largest‐diameter opening at the root apex. A total of 1331 root specimens were evaluated using an optical stereomicroscope to an accuracy of 0.01 mm at 40 × (±10) magnification. The distance from the anatomical apex to the most apical point of the major foramen was measured, and its location (central, buccal, lingual, mesial and distal) was recorded.Results  The mean distance between the major foramen and the anatomical root apex was 0.69 mm; the mean distance was larger in posterior teeth (0.82 mm) and smaller in anterior teeth (0.39 mm). A wide range of anatomical apex to major foramen distances were observed in all tooth groups: the greatest distance was in maxillary molars (0.95 mm) followed by mandibular pre‐molars (0.87 mm) and mandibular molars (0.80 mm). The major foramen was at the tip of the root in 40% of teeth. The most frequent deviations of the foramen were to the buccal (20%) and distal (14%).Conclusion  In this sample of teeth without apical resorption the distance between the major foramen and the anatomical root apex was always <1 mm. Deviation of the major foramen from the anatomic apex varied widely amongst tooth groups.
Continuous dense‐phase CO2 processing of a coconut water beverage
Authors: Damar Sibel , Balaban Murat O. , Sims Charles A. 
Published: February 2009

SummaryEffects of dense‐phase CO2 (DPCD) on microbial, physical, chemical and sensorial quality of coconut water (CW) beverage were evaluated. Pressure during DPCD treatment was not significant in microbial reduction whereas temperature and % CO2 levels were significant. DPCD‐treated (34.5 MPa, 25 °C, 13% CO2, 6 min), heat‐pasteurised (74 °C, 15 s) and untreated CW beverages were evaluated during 9 weeks of refrigerated storage (4 °C). Total aerobic bacteria of DPCD and heat‐treated samples decreased whereas that of untreated samples increased to >105 CFU mL−1 after 9 weeks. DPCD increased titratable acidity but did not change pH (4.20) and °Brix (6.0). Likeability of DPCD‐treated CW was similar to untreated. Heat‐treated samples were less liked (α = 0.05) at the beginning of storage. Off flavour and taste‐difference‐from‐control scores of heated samples were higher than DPCD during the first two weeks. DPCD extended shelf life of acidified, sweetened and carbonated CW over 9 weeks at 4 °C.
Biogenic and volatile amines in Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis) stored at different temperatures
Authors: Xu Yanshun , Xia Wenshui , Kim Jin M. 
Published: February 2009

SummaryBiogenic amines, total volatile base nitrogen (TVB‐N) and trimethylamine nitrogen (TMA‐N) concentrations in the muscle of postmortem Chinese mitten crab stored at 4 and 20 °C were studied. Among five biogenic amines, histamine, tyramine, tryptamine, putrescine and cadaverine, histamine was the main biogenic amine formed during the storage time and reached highest levels of 91.22 mg kg−1 after 72 h at 4 °C and 181.23 mg kg−1 after 24 h at 20 °C. Histamine could be used a safety index for crab. The levels of other biogenic amines were less than 10 mg kg−1 and fluctuated with storage time. TVB‐N and TMA‐N levels did not change greatly throughout 72 h storage at refrigerated temperature. TVB‐N and TMA‐N were not considered to be reliable indicators of the freshness of crab.
Effects of sulphurisation on vitamins (A, C and E) and malondialdehyde in apricots
Authors: Kamışlı Fethi , Karatas Fikret 
Published: February 2009

SummaryIn this study, the 1.0 m H2SO4 solution was used as a sulphur source to sulphurise apricots. Apricot samples were immersed into 1.0 m H2SO4 solution at room temperature for time of 30, 60, 120, 180 and 240 min. Amounts of vitamins (A, C and E) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were determined as function of sulphurisation time and thus, sulphur content. It was determined that the optimum immersion time for sufficient sulphur content is 120 min. It is concluded that while amounts of vitamins decrease, the level of MDA increases with increasing immersion time and thus, sulphur contents.
Thymol and modified atmosphere packaging to control microbiological spoilage in packed fresh cod hamburgers
Authors: Corbo Maria Rosaria , Di Giulio Stefania , Conte Amalia , Speranza Barbara , Sinigaglia Milena , Del Nobile Matteo Alessandro 
Published: February 2009

SummaryA study on the use of mild technologies to produce packaged fish hamburgers was presented. In particular, the antimicrobial effect of some natural compounds (carvacrol, eugenol, thymol, green tea extract, rosemary extract, grapefruit seed extract and lemon extract), at various concentrations (500–10 000 ppm), was screened in vitro against the main fish spoilage micro‐organisms (Shewanella putrefaciens and Photobacterium phosphoreum). Lemon extract and thymol, in combination with modified atmosphere packaging, showed the greatest inhibition activity, therefore, thymol was subsequently used as an ingredient for producing fish hamburgers. Results pointed out that this combination is effective in controlling the growth of microbial species mainly involved in fresh fish spoilage; in particular, it significantly (P < 0.05) reduced the growth rate of bacterial population, performing about 4.8 log CFU g−1 and 6.5 log CFU g−1 reduction of the hydrogen sulphide producing bacteria and psychrotrophic aerobic specific spoilage organisms cell load, respectively, if compared with the control.
Quality of minimally processed red chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) evaluated by anthocyanin content, radical scavenging activity, sensory descriptors and microbial indices
Authors: Lavelli Vera , Pagliarini Ella , Ambrosoli Roberto , Zanoni Bruno 
Published: February 2009

SummaryChanges in the quality of minimally processed red chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) were studied during storage in a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) film and in a mono‐oriented polypropylene (OPP) film at 4 °C. The maximum limit of 5 × 107 CFU g−1 for mesophilic aerobic bacterial count was attained after 4 days using the PVC film and after 4.5 days using the OPP film. The loss of fruity aroma occurred after 3 days in the products stored in PVC but not in those stored in OPP. In spite of microbial growth, no off‐odour was perceived by trained panellists. Storage in PVC slightly decreased the contents of cyanidin 3‐O‐malonyl glucoside, total phenolics and antioxidant activity, whereas these parameters increased upon storage in OPP. When red chicory heads subjected to mild stress in the field were minimally processed, OPP packaging decreased the microbial growth with respect to PVC, but antioxidants were degraded in both conditions.
Quality changes of farmed blackspot seabream (Pagellus bogaraveo) subjected to slaughtering and storage under flow ice and ozonised flow ice
Authors: Álvarez Victoria , Feás Xesús , Barros‐Velázquez Jorge , Aubourg Santiago P. 
Published: February 2009

SummaryFlow ice (FI) combined with ozone (OFI condition) was evaluated for slaughter and storage of farmed blackspot seabream (Pagellus bogaraveo) when compared with FI alone (FI condition). When processed in either OFI or FI conditions, this species exhibited slow biochemical and microbiological spoilage mechanisms when compared with other commercial fish species. The presence of ozone slowed down microbial development (1.00–3.53 and 1.60–4.04 log CFU g−1 for fish mesophile counts from OFI and FI conditions, respectively) and trimethylamine formation, so that fish kept under OFI condition was still acceptable at the end of the experiment (day 16), while its counterpart fish treated with FI was rejectable. In contrast, a small pro‐oxidant effect could be assessed by means of the ozone presence; however, oxidation values (peroxide value and thiobarbituric acid index) reached at day 16 by individuals treated under OFI conditions (8.34 and 0.19, respectively) cannot be considered specially high.
Effect of apple cultivar and enzyme treatment on phenolic compounds content during clear apple juice production
Authors: Markowski Jarosław , Mieszczakowska Monika , Płocharski Witold 
Published: February 2009

SummaryThe aim of the investigation was evaluation of phenolic compounds content, measured by HPLC method at selected stages of clear apple juice production with pectolytic mash enzymation from ‘Shampion’ and ‘Idared’ apples. Sum of phenolic compounds in ‘Shampion’ mash was significantly higher than in ‘Idared’ mash, 520 and 352 mg kg−1, respectively. Enzymation of ‘Idared’ mash resulted in a higher phenolic compounds decrease compared to ‘Shampion’, 23% and 14% respectively. Sum of phenolics in juices from ‘Shampion’ for Panzym at 50 °C (366 mg kg−1) was significantly higher than in juices from ‘Shampion’ for Rohapect at 20 °C and ‘Idared’ for Panzym at 50 °C (256 and 234 mg kg−1, respectively). The lowest phenolics (95 mg kg−1) was in juices from ‘Idared’ for Rohapect at 20 °C. There was a positive correlation (R2 = 0.933) between phenolics content and antioxidant activity of juices (ABTS?+). In general, enzymation at 50 °C with Panzym lead to a higher content of the phenolic compounds in juices compared to Rohapect at 20 °C.
Anthocyanin profiles of major red grape (Vitis vinifera L.) varieties cultivated in Greece and their relationship with in vitro antioxidant characteristics
Authors: Kallithraka Stamatina , Aliaj Laura , Makris Dimitris P. , Kefalas Panagiotis 
Published: February 2009

SummaryA range of fourty‐six red grape (Vitis vinifera spp.) samples, originating from six widely cultivated varieties and covering major parts of the Hellenic vineyard, were assayed for their content in six principal anthocyanin pigments. Representative in vitro antioxidant parameters were also determined, including antiradical activity (AAR), reducing power (PR) and hydroxyl free radical scavenging activity (SAHFR). Quantitative determination using high performance liquid chromatography showed that the prevalent pigment was malvidin 3‐O‐glucoside (average content 82.53 mg per 100 g fresh berry weight), followed by its coumarate derivative (29.26 mg per 100 g), paeonidin 3‐O‐glucoside (10.84 mg per 100 g), petunidin 3‐O‐glucoside (7.80 mg per 100 g) cyanidin 3‐O‐glucoside (5.67 mg per 100 g) and delphinidin 3‐O‐glucoside (1.28 mg per 100 g). The richest variety was Syrah, with total average anthocyanin content of 186.02 mg per 100 g, whereas the Hellenic native variety Xinomavro had the lowest average anthocyanin level (38.70 mg per 100 g). The establishment of correlations of individual and total anthocyanin contents with the values from the antioxidant test was accomplished with linear regression. The links of total anthocyanins were significant with all antioxidant parameters (P < 0.001), but more importantly with SAHFR (R2 = 0.740). Malvidin 3‐O‐glucoside content had the higher correlation with SAHFR compared with all other anthocyanins (R2 = 0.698, P < 0.001).
Determination of proximate composition, fatty acid content and amino acid profile of five lesser‐common sea organisms from the Mediterranean Sea
Authors: Zlatanos Spiros , Laskaridis Kostas , Sagredos Angelos 
Published: February 2009

SummaryProximate composition, fatty acid and amino acid analysis of an echinoderm (Paracentrotus lividus), a crustacean (Penaeus kerathurus), a tunicate (Microcosmus sulcatus), and two gastropod molluscs (Littorina littorea and Patella coerulea) were determined. All organisms except M. sulcatus, were found to be good protein sources. P. lividus contained on average 15.1 g/100 g, P. kerathurus 15.6 g/100 g, L. littorea 8.3 g/100 g and P. coerulea 9.2 g/100 g protein. The crustacean contained high percentages of n‐3 fatty acids (28.3 g/100 g fatty acids), the tunicate high percentages of saturated fatty acids (62.2 g/100 g fatty acids) while the gastropod molluscs and the echinoderm had a balanced content of all fatty acid families. The most abundant amino acid in P. kerathurus, M. sulcatus, L. littorea and P. coerulea was glutamic acid (11.13 ± 0.9, 1.05 ± 0.3, 5.39 ± 0.3, 5.55 ± 0.8 g/100 g freeze‐dried sample respectively), while glycine was the most abundant amino acid in P. lividus (10.34 ± 1.0 g/100g freeze‐dried sample).
Supporting structures for team situation awareness and decision making: insights from four delivery suites
Authors: Mackintosh Nicola , Berridge Emma‐Jane , Freeth Della 
Published: February 2009

AbstractRationale, aims and objectives  ‘Human factors’ (non‐technical skills such as communication and teamwork) have been strongly implicated in adverse events during labour and delivery. The importance of shared ‘situation awareness’ between team members is highlighted as a key factor in patient safety. Arising from an ethnographic study of safety culture in the delivery suites of four UK hospitals, the aim of this study is to describe the main mechanisms supporting team situation awareness (TSA) and examine contrasting configurations of supports.Methods  Stage I: 177 hours of lightly structured non‐participant observation (sensitizing concepts: safety culture, non‐technical skills, teamwork and decision making) analysed to identify a core organizing concept, main supporting categories and preliminary conceptual models. Stage II: (approximately 11 months after first observations) 104 hours of observation to test and elaborate stage I analyses.Results  Handover, whiteboard use and a coordinator role emerged as the key processes facilitating work and team coordination. The interplay between these supporting processes and the contextual features of each site promoted or inhibited TSA. Three configurations of supports for TSA were evident. These are described.Conclusions  Context configurations of supporting mechanisms and artefacts influence TSA, with implications for the maintenance of patient safety on delivery suites. A balanced model of supports for TSA is commended. Examining contrasting configurations helps reveal how local mechanisms or organizational, environmental and temporal factors might be manipulated to improve TSA.
Development and psychometric testing of the Clinician Readiness for Measuring Outcomes Scale
Authors: Bowman Julia , Lannin Natasha , Cook Catherine , McCluskey Annie 
Published: February 2009

AbstractBackground  If allied health professionals are to begin measuring outcomes routinely, a change in attitudes and behaviour is necessary. However, individuals need to be ready to change and often move through several stages before practice change is observed.Aim  To develop and test the psychometric properties of a questionnaire that determines clinicians' readiness to measure outcomes.Methods  A study of instrument development, validation and reliability. Ten expert allied health professionals were involved in content validity testing. A further 396 allied health professionals completed the questionnaire to establish content and construct validity, internal consistency and temporal reliability (or stability). Of these 396 allied health professionals, 70 participated in the temporal reliability assessment. Content validity was established using the Content Validity Index (CVI). Construct validity was determined using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and internal consistency was ascertained using Cronbach's alpha. Temporal reliability was confirmed using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC 3,1).Results  A 30‐item questionnaire was developed, reflecting the five stages of change from the Transtheoretical Model of Change, and commonly cited barriers to outcome measurement. Content validity was excellent (CVI = 0.96). Using CFA, a two‐factor model provided best fit. Based on CFA results, four items were dropped resulting in a 26‐item questionnaire (range 26–156). Internal consistency reliability was excellent (α = 0.94). Temporal (stability) reliability ICC (3,1) was very good (r = 0.86, P = 0.0001).Conclusions  The final 26‐item questionnaire takes 10 minutes to complete and 5 minutes to score. The Clinician Readiness for Measuring Outcomes Scale provides educators with useful information about clinician readiness and helps identify strategies for affecting behaviour change.
External feedback in general practice: a focus group study of trained peer reviewers of significant event analyses
Authors: McKay John , Pope Lindsey , Bowie Paul , Lough Murray 
Published: February 2009

AbstractBackground and aims Peer feedback is well placed to play a key role in satisfying educational and governance standards in general practice. Although the participation of general practitioners (GPs) as reviewers of evidence will be crucial to the process, the professional, practical and emotional issues associated with peer review are largely unknown. This study explored the experiences of GP reviewers who make educational judgements on colleagues' significant event analyses (SEAs) in an established peer feedback system.Methods Focus groups of trained GP peer reviewers in the west of Scotland. Interviews were taped, transcribed and analysed for content.Results Consensus on the value of feedback in improving SEA attempts by colleagues was apparent, but there was disagreement and discomfort about making a dichotomous ‘satisfactory’ or ‘unsatisfactory’ judgement. Differing views on how peer feedback should be used to compliment the appraisal process were described. Some concern was expressed about professional and legal obligations to colleagues and to patients seriously harmed as a result of significant events. Regular training of peer reviewers using several different educational methods was thought essential in enhancing or maintaining their skills. Involvement of the participants in the development of the feedback instrument and the peer review system was highly valued and motivating.Conclusions Acting as a peer reviewer is perceived by this group of GPs to be an important professional duty. However, the difficulties, emotions and tensions they experience when making professional judgements on aspects of colleagues' work need to be considered when developing a feasible and rigorous system of educational feedback. This is especially important if peer review is to facilitate the ‘external verification’ of evidence for appraisal and governance.
A before and after study of the impact of Specialist Workers for Older People
Authors: Fletcher K. , Mant J. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractBackground  Case management of vulnerable older people by Community Matrons has been introduced into the UK. A locally designed case management approach, the Specialist Workers for Older People (SWOP) Service, was implemented by a Central England Primary Care Trust. Here, we report an evaluation of this service.Methods  Before and after study of 418 people (207 before; 211 after) aged ≥75 at high risk of emergency hospital admission. SWOPs carry out assessments of social and medical needs, produce individual care plans, co‐ordinate care and refer to appropriate agencies. Univariable analysis was used to determine the association of SWOPs on changes in hospital admission rates and primary care workload.Results  There was a non‐significant reduction in hospital admissions from 0.91 to 0.67 per patient. There was a significant increase in routine general practitioner surgery visits, from an average 1.3 to 2.6 per patient. The number of emergency home visits decreased from an average 2.8 to 1.1 per patient (P < 0.001).Conclusions  Case management might reduce hospital admissions and is potentially a cost‐effective service. However, not all case management schemes are successful. With the introduction of Community Matrons, it is important to understand what elements of the SWOP service contributed to its success.
Immune and genetic aspects of asthma, allergy and parasitic worm infections: evolutionary links
Authors: HOPKIN J. 
Published: February 2009

SUMMARY There are important parallels in the immunobiology of allergy and asthma, and of the human host's response to parasitic worms. Th‐2 immune actions with ‘weep and sweep’ mucosal biology are common to both – pathological in the first and protective in the second. Common up‐regulating genetic variants of Th‐2 immunity, notably in IL13 and STAT6, predict increased risk of asthma and allergy, but diminished intensity of infection by Ascaris and Schistosoma. Endemic exposures of humans to parasitic worms may have been one evolutionary force selecting for genetic variants that promote asthma and allergy.
The lack of floral synthesis and emission of isoeugenol in Petunia axillaris subsp. parodii is due to a mutation in the isoeugenol synthase gene
Authors: Koeduka Takao , Orlova Irina , Baiga Thomas J. , Noel Joseph P. , Dudareva Natalia , Pichersky Eran 
Published: February 2009

SummaryFloral scent has been extensively investigated in plants of the South American genus Petunia. Flowers of Petunia integrifolia emit mostly benzaldehyde, while flowers of Petunia axillaris subsp. axillaris emit a mixture of volatile benzenoid and phenylpropanoid compounds that include isoeugenol and eugenol. Flowers of the artificial hybrid Petunia hybrida, a cross between P. integrifolia and P. axillaris, emit a similar spectrum of volatiles as P. axillaris subsp. axillaris. However, the flowers of P. axillaris subsp. parodii emit neither isoeugenol nor eugenol but contain high levels of dihydroconiferyl acetate in the petals, the main scent‐synthesizing and scent‐emitting organs. We recently showed that both isoeugenol and eugenol in P. hybrida are biosynthesized from coniferyl acetate in reactions catalyzed by isoeugenol synthase (PhIGS1) and eugenol synthase (PhEGS1), respectively, via a quinone methide‐like intermediate. Here we show that P. axillaris subsp. parodii has a functional EGS gene that is expressed in flowers, but its IGS gene contains a frame‐shift mutation that renders it inactive. Despite the presence of active EGS enzyme in P. axillaris subsp. parodii, in the absence of IGS activity the coniferyl acetate substrate is converted by an as yet unknown enzyme to dihydroconiferyl acetate. By contrast, suppressing the expression of PhIGS1 in P. hybrida by RNA interference also leads to a decrease in isoeugenol biosynthesis, but instead of the accumulation of dihydroconiferyl acetate, the flowers synthesize higher levels of eugenol.