bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Stability of isoflavone phytoestrogens in fermented soymilk with Bifidobacterium animalis Bb12 during storage at different temperatures
Authors: Otieno Daniel O. , Ashton John F. , Shah Nagendra P. 
Published: October 2006

SummarySoy isoflavones in fermented soymilk with Bifidobacterium animalis Bb12 were stored at various temperatures (−80, 4, 24.8 and 37 °C) for 8 weeks and the concentration of isoflavones determined weekly using reverse‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography (RP‐HPLC). The first‐order kinetic model was used to assess the degradation of each isomer at each storage temperature. Soymilk predominantly possesses high concentrations of isoflavone glucosides and very low concentration of bioactive aglycone component. During storage at various temperatures, concentrations of individual isoflavone isomers appeared to be significantly stable (P < 0.01). Interestingly, aglycones showed much smaller degradation constants compared with glucosides at all the storage temperatures studied. Genistein and daidzein were much more stable than glycitein and had almost similar degradation patterns, despite differences in their concentrations in the fermented soymilk. It was, however, observed that 4 °C was the most suitable storage temperature for the product in order to guarantee minimal degradation of bioactive isoflavone aglycones.
Pre‐exposure to infectious hypodermal and haematopoietic necrosis virus or to inactivated white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) confers protection against WSSV in Penaeus vannamei (Boone) post‐larvae
Authors: Melena J , Bayot B , Betancourt I , Amano Y , Panchana F , Alday V , Calderón J , Stern S , Roch Ph , Bonami J‐R 
Published: October 2006

AbstractLarvae and post‐larvae of Penaeus vannamei (Boone) were submitted to primary challenge with infectious hypodermal and haematopoietic necrosis virus (IHHNV) or formalin‐inactivated white spot syndrome virus (WSSV). Survival rate and viral load were evaluated after secondary per os challenge with WSSV at post‐larval stage 45 (PL45). Only shrimp treated with inactivated WSSV at PL35 or with IHHNV infection at nauplius 5, zoea 1 and PL22 were alive (4.7% and 4%, respectively) at 10 days post‐infection (p.i.). Moreover, at 9 days p.i. there was 100% mortality in all remaining treatments, while there was 94% mortality in shrimp treated with inactivated WSSV at PL35 and 95% mortality in shrimp previously treated with IHHNV at N5, Z1 and PL22. Based on viral genome copy quantification by real‐time PCR, surviving shrimp previously challenged with IHHNV at PL22 contained the lowest load of WSSV (0–1 × 103 copies μg−1 of DNA). In addition, surviving shrimp previously exposed to inactivated WSSV at PL35 also contained few WSSV (0–2 × 103 copies μg−1 of DNA). Consequently, pre‐exposure to either IHHNV or inactivated WSSV resulted in slower WSSV replication and delayed mortality. This evidence suggests a protective role of IHHNV as an interfering virus, while protection obtained by inactivated WSSV might result from non‐specific antiviral immune response.
Epitheliocystis in fish
Authors: Nowak B F , LaPatra S E 
Published: October 2006

AbstractEpitheliocystis is a condition affecting the gills and skin of fish, which has been reported from more than 50 freshwater and marine species. It is caused by intracellular Gram‐negative bacteria. Mortalities have been associated with epitheliocystis infections in cultured fish. This review provides an update of our current understanding of this condition, including characterization of the pathogen using immunohistochemical and molecular studies. In most fish species the epitheliocystis agent was negative to an antibody specific for chlamydial genus‐specific lipopolysaccharide antigen. Recently, four epitheliocystis agents from four different fish species have been characterized using molecular analysis. While they all belong to the order Chlamydiales, in a lineage separate from the Chlamydiaceae, they are distinct organisms and similarity analysis showed that they had highest similarity values with other chlamydia‐like bacteria isolated from various sources, including humans or pig. This confirms the high diversity and host specificity of the pathogen. Further molecular analysis should result in an increased understanding of this condition. To date the pathogen has not been cultured, making experimental studies difficult. High stocking densities, presence of nutrients, season, temperature and fish age have been identified as potential risk factors for the manifestation of this condition.
Isolation of viral haemorrhagic septicaemia virus from muskellunge, Esox masquinongy (Mitchill), in Lake St Clair, Michigan, USA reveals a new sublineage of the North American genotype
Authors: Elsayed E , Faisal M , Thomas M , Whelan G , Batts W , Winton J 
Published: October 2006

AbstractViral haemorrhagic septicaemia virus (VHSV) was isolated from muskellunge, Esox masquinongy (Mitchill), caught from the NW portion of Lake St Clair, Michigan, USA in 2003. Affected fish exhibited congestion of internal organs; the inner wall of the swim bladder was thickened and contained numerous budding, fluid‐filled vesicles. A virus was isolated using fish cell lines inoculated with a homogenate of kidney and spleen tissues from affected fish. Focal areas of cell rounding and granulation appeared as early as 24 h post‐inoculation and expanded rapidly to destroy the entire cell sheet by 96 h. Electron microscopy revealed virions that were 170–180 nm in length by 60–70 nm in width having a bullet‐shaped morphology typical of rhabdoviruses. The virus was confirmed as VHSV by reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction. Sequence analysis of the entire nucleoprotein and glycoprotein genes revealed the virus was a member of the North American genotype of VHSV; however, the isolate was sufficiently distinct to be considered a separate sublineage, suggesting its origin may have been from marine species inhabiting the eastern coastal areas of the USA or Canada.
Surfactant Protein D of the Innate Immune Defence is Inversely Associated with Human Obesity and SP‐D Deficiency Infers Increased Body Weight in Mice
Authors: Sorensen G. L. , Hjelmborg J. v. B. , Leth‐Larsen R. , Schmidt V. , Fenger M. , Poulain F. , Hawgood S. , Sørensen T. I. A. , Kyvik K. O. , Holmskov U. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractSurfactant protein D (SP‐D) is a key regulator of pathogen‐induced inflammation. SP‐D is further involved in lipid homeostasis in mouse lung and circulation and recent data have demonstrated that the body mass index (BMI; in kg/m2) is influenced by genes in common with SP‐D. The objective of the present study was to describe the association between serum SP‐D and weight, waist circumference or BMI, and furthermore to observe body weight development in SP‐D‐deficient (Spd−/−) mice. As a part of the Danish population‐based twin study (GEMINAKAR) on the metabolic syndrome, we analysed 1476 Danish twins for serum SP‐D and investigated associations with weight, waist circumference and BMI by multiple regression analysis. Serum SP‐D was significantly and inversely associated with weight (P = 0.001) and waist circumference in men (P < 0.001) and to BMI in both genders (P = 0.039 women, P < 0.001 men). The age‐dependent increase in serum SP‐D was most prominent in lean persons (BMI < 20). Spd−/− mice and wild‐type mice were subjected to a feeding study and body weights were recorded in a time course over 24 weeks. Spd−/− mouse weight gain was significantly increased, with 90 mg/week (P < 0.0001) in males on normal chow. Fat percentage was significantly increased by 17% in the Spd−/− male mice (P = 0.003). We conclude, that there is an association between low levels or absent SP‐D and obesity.
Eosinophilic esophagitis in adults – no clinical relevance of wheat and rye sensitizations
Authors: Simon D. , Straumann A. , Wenk A. , Spichtin H. , Simon H.‐U. , Braathen L. R. 
Published: October 2006

Background:  Eosinophilic esophagitis (EE) is often associated with concomitant atopic diseases. In children with EE in whom food allergens have been identified as causative factors, elemental and elimination diets result in an improvement or resolution of symptoms. Most adult EE patients are sensitized to aeroallergens, which cross‐react with plant‐derived food allergens, most commonly to grass pollen and cereals.Aims of the study:  To investigate the clinical relevance of the sensitization to wheat and rye, and the efficacy of an allergen‐specific elimination diet in adult EE patients.Methods:  Six patients (five men, one women) with permanently active EE sensitized to grass pollen and the cereals wheat and rye underwent a double‐blind placebo‐controlled food challenge and were kept on an elimination diet avoiding wheat and rye for 6 weeks.Results:  The challenge tests with wheat and rye did not provoke any EE symptoms in all patients. The elimination diet failed in reducing disease activity. Although one patient noticed an improvement of symptoms, endoscopic and histopathologic findings remained unchanged.Conclusions:  In adult EE patients, sensitization to wheat and rye does not seem causative for EE. Elimination diet is not a reliable and efficient therapeutic measure in EE patients sensitized to wheat and rye. Low specific immunoglobulin‐E levels to wheat and rye may be a consequence of the underlying grass pollen allergy.
Mechanisms of Cache Retrieval in the Group Nesting Southern Flying Squirrel (Glaucomys volans)
Authors: Winterrowd Michael F. , Weigl Peter D. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractWe examined the proximate mechanisms of cache retrieval in the group‐living, southern flying squirrel,Glaucomys volans, through a series of behavioral experiments conducted in a large indoor arena. The effectiveness of several retrieval mechanisms was determined including spatial memory, olfaction, random searching and a heuristic under different environmental conditions. Our goal was to elucidate the hoarding strategy of individuals in a nest group and to address whether food storing individuals possess a retrieval advantage over pilfering nestmates. A storer's retrieval advantage is necessary for scatter hoarding to be an evolutionarily stable strategy (ESS) within aggregations of unrelated individuals. Our previous work has shown that,G. volanslives in such groups, and consequently it was important to address the storer's retrieval advantage under a range of environmental conditions. Initially in our baseline experiment, we developed methods to eliminate olfactory‐based retrieval and to control for random searching. Subsequently, we experimentally determined the effectiveness of cache retrieval via spatial memory, a heuristic and olfaction. We examined the mechanisms of cache retrieval in three additional experiments using two independent subject populations and found that under dry, odorless conditions spatial memory was the most effective retrieval mechanism in support of a storer's retrieval advantage. In a fifth experiment we examined cache retrieval under wet environmental conditions and showed that olfactory‐based retrieval was effective and the storer's advantage was reduced. We interpret these laboratory results based on considerations of natural environmental conditions and game theory. We propose a conditional ESS strategy where animals store and retrieve their own caches as the primary food hoarding tactic and opportunistically pilfer caches as a secondary tactic.
Fatigue crack propagation in the wing to fuselage connection of the new trainer aircraft M346
Authors: LANCIOTTI A. , NIGRO F. , POLESE C. 
Published: October 2006

ABSTRACTThe series version of the M346 military trainer aircraft is currently under construction at Aermacchi (Venegono Superiore, Italy). The design target life of the aircraft, which will be certified for Damage Tolerance, is 12 000 flight hours (FH), with the possible extension to 16 000 FH after specific inspections. Fatigue tests were performed on critical elements at the Department of Aerospace Engineering at University of Pisa in order to verify crack propagation calculations.The wing to fuselage connection is one of the most interesting elements from the fatigue point of view. Spars and frames, both integrally machined, are connected by two lug‐fork joints; the base material is aluminium alloy 7050‐T7451 for both the elements. High interference bushings, ForceMate®, produced by FTI (Fatigue Technology Inc., Seattle, WA) were used in the lug/fork connections.Experimental activity was carried out on two different specimens. The first, a Compact Tension specimen, was tested under constant amplitude loading to verify the fatigue crack growth rate data contained in NASGRO 4, the software used for Damage Tolerance evaluations. Experimental results were fully comparable with the NASGRO 4 material database. Additional variable amplitude loading tests were carried out in order to calibrate crack growth prediction models used in the analyses.The second specimen was a lug‐fork joint designed as the actual joints present on the aircraft. Both constant and variable amplitude loading fatigue tests were carried out in this case too. Results obtained clearly indicated the beneficial effect of ForceMate bushings, compared to shrink fit bushings.
Transanal endoscopic microsurgery: risk factors for local recurrence of benign rectal adenomas
Authors: Whitehouse P. A. , Tilney H. S. , Armitage J. N. , Simson J. N. L. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractObjective  Transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM) is a minimally invasive technique for excision of selected benign and malignant rectal neoplasms. It is considered a safe and effective treatment but recurrence rates of 1–13% are reported for benign lesions. The aim of this study was to assess risk factors for local recurrence of benign rectal lesions and to evaluate mortality and morbidity following TEM.Method  Data were prospectively collected from all patients undergoing TEM for benign adenomas from January 1998 to March 2005. The procedure was performed by a single surgeon and patients were regularly followed up.Results  One hundred and forty‐six procedures were included, with a median patient age of 74 years (range 22–92 years). The mean lesion area was 16 cm2 (range 0.3–150 cm2) and the median distance from the dentate line was 9 cm (range 0–17 cm). Immediate complications included bleeding (six) and acute urinary retention (six). There has been one (0.68%) procedure‐related death. After a median follow up of 39 months (range 4–89 months) there have been seven recurrences (4.8%), recurring at a mean time of 23.3 months (range 5–48 months). Only microscopic involvement of the circumferential resection margin was found to be significantly associated with recurrence (P = 0.0059). Recurrence was not associated with age, size of lesion, previous treatment, severity of dysplasia or use of the harmonic scalpel.Conclusion  TEM is a safe and effective treatment for benign rectal adenomas. Circumferential resection margin involvement is associated with recurrence, which tends to occur late. Therefore extended follow up is recommended.
Do supervised colorectal trainees differ from consultants in terms of quality of TME surgery?
Authors: Maslekar S. , Sharma A. , MacDonald A. , Gunn J. , Monson J. R. T. , Hartley J. E. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractObjective The quality of surgical excision is held to be a major determinant of outcome following surgery for rectal cancer. Macroscopic examination of the excised mesorectum allows for reproducible assessment of the quality of surgery. We aimed to determine whether quality of excision undertaken by colorectal trainees under supervision was comparable with that performed by consultants, as measured using mesorectal grades.Method A total of 130 consecutive patients undergoing potentially curative resection for primary adenocarcinoma of the rectum in our centre from 2001 to 2003 were included in the study. The pathologists graded the excised mesorectum according to staged classification proposed by Quirke. The outcome (quality of mesorectal excision and secondary outcomes including local recurrence and overall recurrence) of operations performed by consultants was compared with that of trainees. Statistical significance was tested using Pearsonχ2test.Results Eighty‐nine operations were performed by consultants and 41 by senior colorectal trainees with consultant supervision. Forty‐four patients (49%) had good mesorectum when operated by consultants in comparison with 17 (41.5%) by the trainees. There was no statistically significant difference (P = 0.717) between the two groups in terms of quality of mesorectum excised after potentially curative resection. Furthermore, there were seven local recurrences in patients operated by consultants (7.8%) when compared with four in the trainee group (9.5%) and once again there was no statistical significance between the two groups (P = 0.719).Conclusion We conclude that the quality of rectal cancer excision, as defined by mesorectal grades, achieved by supervised colorectal trainees is comparable with that achieved by consultants.
Local recurrence after curative resection for rectal cancer – role of the multi‐disciplinary team
Authors: Khera G. , Walsh I C. J. , Anderson J. A. , El‐Sayed T. Y. , Haylock B. J. , Myint A. S. , Smith D. B. , Makin C. A. 
Published: October 2006

Objective:  We believe optimal management of rectal cancer should be tailored to the individual patient. This is achieved by close liaison within a well‐established multidisciplinary team (MDT). Patients also benefit from the unusual alliance between our district general hospital and regional oncology center with expertise in radiotherapy for rectal cancer. To test our beliefs, we reviewed the incidence of local recurrence following curative resection for rectal cancer.Method:  A total of 201 consecutive patients with rectal cancer treated from 1 April 1999 to 31 March 2002 were reviewed by one author (GK). 100 per cent case note retrieval was achieved of which 122 curative resections were identified (122/201 = 60.7%). Mean follow‐up 4½ years.Conclusion:  The incidence of local recurrence was 2.5% (3/122). All occurred in patients having Hartmann's operation. There were no local recurrences following anterior resection or abdomino‐perineal resection.Discussion:  Data support our belief that, combining modern surgical techniques with radiotherapy ± chemotherapy, high quality outcomes are achievable when care is tailored to individuals by a functional MDT.

Number (%)
Average distance from anal verge (cm)
Number (%) receiving preoperative radiotherapy

Anterior resection
76/122 (62.3)
11.2
13/76 (17.3)

Hartmanns
9/122 (7.4)
8
4/9 (44.4)

Abdomino‐perineal resection
27/122 (22.1)
4.7
11/27 (40.7)
Analysis of national database for TEM resected rectal cancer
Authors: Bach S. , Mortensen N. ,   the TEM Users Group
Published: October 2006

Objective:  Transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM) is a minimally invasive alternative to rectal resection for cancer. Patients benefit from rapid recovery, excellent function and stoma avoidance.Method:  The national TEM database has prospectively collated data from 21 centres since 1993. Details of preoperative evaluation, neoadjuvant therapy, technical aspects of surgery, postoperative complications, pathological staging, salvage, recurrence and survival have been recorded for 454 patients with rectal cancer, median follow‐up 35 months.Results:  Intention was curative in 69%, for compromise in 22% and palliative in 5%. The morbidity and mortality of TEM was 17.2% and 1.5%. Neoadjuvant radiotherapy was administered in 8% of cases. Pathological staging: pT0 (1.8%), pT1 (52.9%), pT2 (32.8%), pT3 (9.9%) and pTx (3.1%). Margin positivity (< 1 mm) occurred in 20%; this was markedly stage dependent. 18 per cent received adjuvant radiotherapy while 13% progressed to major surgery. 5‐year disease free survival was 77% pT1, 74% pT2 and 35% pT3 with local recurrence rates of 20%, 25% and 59% respectively. Age (P = 0.01), tumour area (P = 0.02) and pT stage (P = 0.07) predicted for relapse (Cox regression model).Conclusion:  TEM offers a safe alternative to major surgery curing three quarters of patients with pT1 disease. Although classical surgery must remain the standard of care we envisage future studies of TEM combined with adjuvant therapy.
Waist circumference cut‐off points for identification of abdominal obesity among the tunisian adult population
Authors: Bouguerra R. , Alberti H. , Smida H. , Salem L. B. , Rayana C. B. , El Atti J. , Achour A. , Gaigi S. , Slama C. B. , Zouari B. , Alberti K. G. M. M. 
Published: October 2006

Aims:  Waist circumference (WC) is a convenient measure of abdominal adipose tissue. It itself is a cardiovascular disease (CVD) and diabetes‐risk factor and is strongly linked to other CVD risk factors. There are, however, ethnic differences in the relationship of WC to the other risk factors.The aim of this study was to determine the optimal cut‐off points of WC and body mass index (BMI) at which cardiovascular risk factors can be identified with maximum sensitivity and specificity in a representative sample of the Tunisian adult population and to investigate any correlation between WC and BMI.Methods:  We used a sample of the Tunisian National Nutrition Survey, a cross‐sectional population‐based survey, conducted in 1996 on a large nationally representative sample, which included 3435 adults (1244 men and 2191 women) of 20 years or older. WC, BMI, blood pressure and fasting blood measurements (plasma glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides) were recorded. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to identify optimal cut‐off values of WC and BMI to identify with maximum sensitivity and specificity the detection of high blood pressure, hyperglycaemia, high blood cholesterol and hypertriglyceridaemia.Results:  ROC curve analysis suggested WC cut‐off points of 85 cm in men and 85 cm in women for the optimum detection of high blood pressure, diabetes and dyslipidaemia. The optimum BMI cut‐off points for predicting cardiovascular risk factors were 24 kg/m2 in men and 27 kg/m2 in women. The cut‐off points recommended for the Caucasian population differ from those appropriate for the Tunisian population. The data show a continuous increase in odds ratios of each cardiovascular risk factor, with increasing level of WC and BMI. WC exceeding 85 cm in men and 79 cm in women correctly identified subjects with a BMI of ≥25 kg/m2, sensitivity of >90% and specificity of >83%.Conclusions:  Based on the ROC analysis, we suggest a WC of 85 cm for both men and women as appropriate cut‐off points to identify central obesity for the purposes of CVD and diabetes‐risk detection among Tunisians. WCs of 85 cm in men and 79 cm in women were the most sensitive and specific to identify most subjects with a BMI ≥25 kg/m2.