bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Drying characteristics of textured soy protein
Authors: Cassini Aline S. , Marczak Ligia D. F. , Noreña Caciano P. Z. 
Published: August 2006

SummaryTextured soy proteins (TSPs) are commonly used as a functional ingredient in several food applications; its process involves a drying step which is one of the most relevant and challenging processes in the food industry. The drying curves of two commercial types of TSPs were determined in a pilot air‐dryer operated at three different drying air temperatures and velocities, with two different heights of product layer. The results showed that drying air temperature significantly influenced all the experimental curves. The height of the product layer influenced only the drying curves of TSP Type I. The effect of drying air velocity was found to be lower. A two‐constant exponential model and a ten‐constant mathematical model were used in the development of a unified model capable of predicting the drying curves of these types of TSP. The experimental curves were successfully predicted in the range of humidity of industrial interest.
Evaluation of electrolysed water as an agent for reducing methamidophos and dimethoate concentrations in vegetables
Authors: Lin Chyi‐Shen , Tsai Pi‐Jen , Wu Christ , Yeh Jui‐Yueh , Saalia Firibu K. 
Published: August 2006

SummaryIn a model system, mixing strong acidic electrolysed oxidising (AC) water with either methamidophos or dimethoate reduced the initial concentrations by more than 99%. Using NaOH solution (pH 11.24) or strong alkaline electrolysed (AK) water resulted in a 98% of methamidophos in 10 min. In contrast, the alkaline solutions only reduced dimethoate concentrations by 35–40%. In food systems, vegetables were soaked in tested pesticide solutions and air‐dried. They were then shaken or ultrasonicated in deionised water, AC water and/or AK water for specified time periods. AK water reduced methamidophos and dimethoate concentrations in leafy cabbage by 33.8% and 31.6%, respectively, and in green pepper by 17.0% and 28.7%, respectively. Continuously changing electrolysed water further decreased the methamidophos and dimethoate concentrations in leafy cabbage by 79.3% and 89.3%, respectively. Electrolysed water was more effective in leafy vegetables than in fruit vegetables because of the pH and the oxidation effect as well as the continuous changing of test solutions.
Nickel homeostasis in Escherichia coli	– the rcnR‐rcnA efflux pathway and its linkage to NikR function
Authors: Iwig Jeffrey S. , Rowe Jessica L. , Chivers Peter T. 
Published: August 2006

SummaryThe nickel physiology of Escherichia coli is dominated by its Ni‐Fe hydrogenase isozymes, which are expressed under anaerobic growth conditions. Hydrogenase activity in E. coli requires the NikABCDE nickel transporter, which is transcriptionally repressed by NikR in the presence of excess nickel. Recently, a nickel and cobalt‐efflux protein, RcnA, was identified in E. coli. This study examines the effect of RcnA on nickel homeostasis in E. coli. Under nickel‐limiting conditions, deletion of rcnA increased NikR activity in vivo. Nickel and cobalt‐dependent regulation of rcnA expression required the newly identified transcriptional repressor RcnR (formerly YohL). Deletion of rcnR results in constitutive rcnA expression and a corresponding decrease in NikR activity. Purified RcnR binds directly to the rcnA promoter DNA fragment and this interaction is inhibited by nickel and cobalt. Nickel accumulation is affected differently among deletion strains with impaired nickel homeostasis. Surprisingly, in low nickel growth conditions rcnA expression is required for nickel import via NikABCDE. The data support a model with two distinct pools of nickel ions in E. coli. NikR bridges these two pools by controlling the levels of the hydrogenase‐associated pool based on the nickel levels in the second pool.
Role of protein phosphatases 2C on tolerance to lithium toxicity in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Ruiz Amparo , González Asier , García‐Salcedo Raúl , Ramos José , Ariño Joaquín 
Published: August 2006

SummaryProtein phosphatases 2C are a family of conserved enzymes involved in many aspects of the cell biology. We reported that, in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, overexpression of the Ptc3p isoform resulted in increased lithium tolerance in the hypersensitive hal3 background. We have found that the tolerance induced by PTC3 overexpression is also observed in wild‐type cells and that this is most probably the result of increased expression of the ENA1 Na+‐ATPase mediated by the Hog1 MAP kinase pathway. This effect does not require a catalytically active protein. Surprisingly, deletion of PTC3 (similarly to that of PTC2, PTC4 or PTC5) does not confer a lithium‐sensitive phenotype, but mutation of PTC1 does. Lack of PTC1 in an ena1–4 background did not result in additive lithium sensitivity and the ptc1 mutant showed a decreased expression of the ENA1 gene in cells stressed with LiCl. In agreement, under these conditions, the ptc1 mutant was less effective in extruding Li+ and accumulated higher concentrations of this cation. Deletion of PTC1 in a hal3 background did not exacerbate the halosensitive phenotype of the hal3 strain. In addition, induction from the ENA1 promoter under LiCl stress decreased similarly (50%) in hal3, ptc1 and ptc1 hal3 mutants. Finally, mutation of PTC1 virtually abolishes the increased tolerance to toxic cations provided by overexpression of Hal3p. These results indicate that Ptc1p modulates the function of Ena1p by regulating the Hal3/Ppz1,2 pathway. In conclusion, overexpression of PTC3 and lack of PTC1 affect lithium tolerance in yeast, although through different mechanisms.
The Campylobacter jejuni PhosS/PhosR operon represents a non‐classical phosphate‐sensitive two‐component system
Authors: Wösten Marc M. S. M. , Parker Craig T. , Van Mourik Andries , Guilhabert Magalie R. , Van Dijk Linda , Van Putten Jos P. M. 
Published: August 2006

SummaryThe bacterial pathogen Campylobacter jejuni carries several putative two‐component signal transduction systems of unknown function. Here we report that the PhosS (Cj0889) and PhosR (Cj0890) proteins constitute a two‐component system that is activated by phosphate limitation. Microarray analysis, real‐time RT‐PCR, and primer extension experiments indicated that this system regulates 12 genes (including the pstSCAB genes) present in three transcriptional units. Gel shift assays confirmed that recombinant PhosR protein bound DNA fragments containing the promoter regions upstream of these three transcriptional units. Although functionally similar, the PhosS/PhosR does not exhibit sequence homology with the classical PhoBR systems, has a different pho box (5′‐GTTTCNAAAANGTTTC‐3′) recognized by the C. jejuni response regulator, and is not autoregulated. Because of these atypical properties, we designated the Cj0889‐Cj0890 operon as the C. jejuni PhosS/PhosR system (phosphate sensor/phosphate response regulator) and the phosphate‐regulated genes as the pho regulon of C. jejuni.
AtEXO70A1, a member of a family of putative exocyst subunits specifically expanded in land plants, is important for polar growth and plant development
Authors: Synek Lukáš , Schlager Nicole , Eliáš Marek , Quentin Michaël , Hauser Marie‐Theres , Žárský Viktor 
Published: August 2006

SummaryThe exocyst is a hetero‐oligomeric protein complex involved in exocytosis and has been extensively studied in yeast and animal cells. Evidence is now accumulating that the exocyst is also present in plants. Bioinformatic analysis of genes encoding plant homologs of the exocyst subunit, Exo70, revealed that three Exo70 subgroups are evolutionarily conserved among angiosperms, lycophytes and mosses. Arabidopsis and rice contain 22 and approximately 39 EXO70 genes, respectively, which can be classified into nine clusters considered to be ancient in angiosperms (one has been lost in Arabidopsis). We characterized two independent T‐DNA insertional mutants of the AtEXO70A1 gene (exo70A1‐1 and exo70A1‐2). Heterozygous EXO70A1/exo70A1 plants appear to be normal and segregate in a 1:2:1 ratio, suggesting that neither male nor female gametophytes are affected by the EXO70A1 disruption. However, both exo70A1‐1 and exo70A1‐2 homozygotes exhibit an array of phenotypic defects. The polar growth of root hairs and stigmatic papillae is disturbed. Organs are generally smaller, plants show a loss of apical dominance and indeterminate growth where instead of floral meristems new lateral inflorescences are initiated in a reiterative manner. Both exo70A1 mutants have dramatically reduced fertility. These results suggest that the putative exocyst subunit EXO70A1 is involved in cell and organ morphogenesis.
Treatment of lichen sclerosus with antibiotics
Authors: Shelley Walter B. , Shelley E. Dorinda , Amurao Cristine V. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractCurrent therapy for lichen sclerosus centers on topical steroids, particularly clobetasol propionate. As some evidence suggests an infectious etiology owing to Borrelia, we studied the effect of penicillin and cephalosporin therapy on patients with lichen sclerosus who had responded poorly to treatment with potent topical corticosteroids.Fifteen patients with lichen sclerosus were treated for 3–21 months with either penicillin or cephalosporins in an observational study. Thirteen patients (nine women, four men) received penicillin, including intramuscular penicillin G benzathine suspension and/or oral penicillin V potassium, amoxicillin, or amoxicillin/clavulanate potassium. Two additional men received cephalosporins, either intramuscular ceftriaxone sodium or oral cefadroxil monohydrate.All patients showed a significant response, evident within a few weeks. Most striking was the rapid relief of pain, pruritus and burning. Four patients cleared completely, four experienced marked improvement, and the remaining seven had a favorable improvement of symptoms with incomplete clearing of lesions.We recommend treatment of lichen sclerosus with either intramuscular ceftriaxone every 3 weeks or intramuscular penicillin every 2–3 weeks. The addition of oral penicillin or cephalosporin presumably helps maintain antibiotic blood levels and may be a sufficient treatment in some cases.
The importance of IgE antibody levels in anti‐IgE treatment
Authors: Johansson S. G. O. , Öman H. , Nopp A. , Pettersson S. 
Published: August 2006

Background:  Dosages of anti‐immunoglobulin (Ig)E in treatment of allergic asthma is based on total IgE body pool assuming that IgE antibodies responsible for the disease are evenly distributed among patients. This assumption was evaluated.Methods:  Median and quartile concentrations of IgE and IgE antibodies to cat and mite in 6461 sera submitted to an allergy laboratory during 2003–2005 were calculated and expressed in groups of different IgE levels.Results:  Of 3872 (60%) samples from adults with a serum IgE level of 30–700 kU/l, 22.2% had IgE antibodies (≥0.35 kUA/l) to mite, 36.0% to cat and 8.1% to both. The relative concentration of IgE antibody of IgE decreased with increasing IgE, indicating a more specific response in patients with slightly elevated serum IgE. At a hypothetical serum IgE level of 10 kU/l, the threshold recommended for anti‐IgE treatment, 25% of the originally mite‐ and/or cat‐positive population in the <75 kU/l IgE group still would have detectable IgE antibodies.Conclusions:  Sera from patients sensitized to mite and cat with moderate serum IgE levels have a high proportion of IgE antibodies; in the 30–74 kU/l group, as much as 10% of the IgE could be specific to one allergen. An increase of the anti‐IgE dosage given to such patients should be considered, especially because IgE antibodies with different, relevant specificities have an additive effect in triggering inflammatory cells.
Bronchial responsiveness to bakery‐derived allergens is strongly dependent on specific skin sensitivity
Authors: Quirce S. , Fernández‐Nieto M. , Escudero C. , Cuesta J. , De Las Heras M. , Sastre J. 
Published: August 2006

Background:  Quantitative relationships between immunological reactivity, non‐specific bronchial responsiveness and bronchial responsiveness to allergens have scarcely been investigated in occupational asthma.Methods:  We assessed the above relationships in 24 subjects with baker's asthma. The skin endpoint titration to bakery allergens as a measure of immunological reactivity, together with the methacholine PC20 and allergen PC20 during early asthmatic reaction were determined.Results:  All patients had positive skin tests to some bakery allergens (wheat and rye flour, soybean flour, fungal enzymes and egg white proteins) and bronchial hyperresponsiveness to methacholine. Specific inhalation challenge (SIC) tests were performed with aqueous allergen extracts of cereal flour (n = 14), soybean (n = 8), baking enzymes (n = 12), and egg white proteins (n = 8) in sensitized workers. A positive asthmatic reaction was observed in 84% of the inhalation challenges. SIC elicited isolated early asthmatic reactions in 62%, dual reactions in 32% and isolated late reactions in 5%. Multiple linear regression analysis showed allergen PC20 as a function of skin sensitivity to allergen and methacholine PC20, yielding the following highly significant regression formula: log‐allergen PC20 = 0.18 + 0.99 log(skin sensitivity) + 0.343 log(methacholine PC20) (r = 0.89, P < 0.001). This formula predicted allergen PC20 to within one double concentration in 67%, to within two double concentrations in 85% and within three double concentrations in 97%.Conclusion:  The main determinant of bronchial responsiveness to allergen in patients with baker's asthma is the degree of sensitization to occupational allergens as determined by skin reactivity, modulated to a lesser extent by non‐specific bronchial hyperresponsiveness.
Detection of clinical unilateral T3a prostate cancer – by digital rectal examination or transrectal ultrasonography?
Authors: Hsu Chao‐Yu , Joniau Steven , Oyen Raymond , Roskams Tania , Van Poppel Hein 
Published: August 2006

OBJECTIVETo assess, in a retrospective study, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of digital rectal examination (DRE), transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS) and the combination of both in unilateral clinical T3a (cT3a) prostate cancer.PATIENTS AND METHODSThe long‐term outcome of surgical treatment for locally advanced prostate cancer is very good and surpasses that for radiotherapy outcomes, so it is anticipated that surgical management for cT3a disease will become more important, but staging methods for cT3a disease are not well studied. Between 1990 and 2004, 2240 patients had a radical prostatectomy at our institution; 267 were diagnosed as having clinical cT3a prostate cancer either by DRE or TRUS. The final histopathology was compared with the findings of DRE and TRUS. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV for DRE, TRUS and the combination of both were calculated.RESULTSThe sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV by DRE only was 90.9%, 15.8%, 47.2% and 67.7%, by TRUS only was 80.2%, 25.3%, 47.1% and 60.7%, and by both DRE and TRUS was 71.1%, 41.1%, 50.0% and 63.2%. Although the sensitivity was lower in the combined group, it had the highest specificity (41.1%) and PPV (50.0%). The combination of DRE and TRUS can detect T3a prostate cancer more accurately than either method alone.CONCLUSIONUntil data on staging methods like magnetic resonance imaging become available, the combination of DRE and TRUS is advisable in selecting cT3a patients for primary radical prostatectomy.
Do the Concepts of Grammar and Use in Wittgenstein Articulate a Theory of Language or Meaning?
Authors: Kuusela Oskari 
Published: August 2006

AbstractThe paper elucidates Wittgenstein's later conception of philosophy as devoid of theories or theses, comprehending this as an articulation of a strategy for avoiding dogmatism in philosophy. More specifically, it clarifies Wittgenstein's conception by using what he says about the concepts of meaning and language as an example and by developing an interpretation that purports to make plain that what Wittgenstein says about these issues does not constitute a philosophical thesis. Adopting Wittgenstein's approach, we can, arguably, have a richer view of meaning and language than a commitment to philosophical theses allows for. I conclude with remarks on the method of analysis in terms of necessary conditions.
The Origin of Intentions
Authors: Scheer Richard 
Published: August 2006

AbstractIn contemporary discussions of the concept of intention, the assumption is made that an intention results from a person's decision, or resolution, or plan, or the like. And the intention persists, generally, until the appropriate action is carried out.However, intentions cannot be said to have temporal duration, or beginnings, or endings. And it is not necessary for a person who is intending to do something to have made a decision to do it, or a resolution, or anything else. It may be that a person acquires an intention because of the circumstances that he finds himself in. If one sees that a tricycle is in front of his car, he will move it. No decision is necessary, obviously, because running over it would be contrary to common sense. Or one may gradually come to realise that he is obliged to do something and thereupon acquires the intention to do it.By focusing on one kind of intention, the “desire‐belief” theories have failed to realise that intentions originate in various ways, and for various reasons.
Investor Protection and International Investment Positions: An Empirical Analysis*
Authors: Cyrus Teresa L. , İşcan Talan B. , Starky Sheena 
Published: August 2006

AbstractGiven the recent revival of interest in the institutional determinants of global capital flows, we investigate the relationship between investor protection and international investment positions, using data on 40 countries for the period 1970–98. We find that strong shareholder protection is an important predictor of gross foreign direct investment liabilities, while countries with strong creditor protection tend to have positive stocks of net foreign assets. We conclude that the global pattern of investor protection is a significant determinant of international investment positions.
The microenvironment of vulvar skin in women with symptomatic and asymptomatic herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV‐2) infection
Authors: Löwhagen G‐B , Bonde E , Forsgren‐Brusk U , Runeman B , Tunbäck P 
Published: August 2006

AbstractBackground  It is not known why some individuals infected with herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV‐2), experience frequent recurrences, while most of those infected have a completely silent infection.Objective  We wanted to study if local factors in the skin could explain this difference.Design  21 HSV‐2 seropositive patients, 10 with history of >8 clinical recurrences a year (symptomatics) and 11 without symptoms of genital herpes (asymptomatics) were included. All had to answer a questionnaire. With standardised methods, the skin temperature, pH, and the skin barrier function, expressed as transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and skin capacitance, were measured on labium majus and perineum. Culture for bacteria was performed from the same regions.Results and Conclusion   No significant differences in terms of pH and skin barrier function were registered between symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. Asymptomatic patients had a tendency (0.06) to a higher colonisation with lactobacilli on labium majus than symptomatic patients.
The inflammatory response in drug‐induced acute urticaria: ultrastructural study of the dermal microvascular unit
Authors: Criado PR , Criado RFJ , Valente NYS , Queiroz LB , Martins JEC , Vasconcellos C 
Published: August 2006

AbstractBackground  Drug exposure is one of the main aetiologies of urticaria and represents the second most common cause in acute urticarias. Studies involving the ultrastructural aspects of urticaria are relatively rare in the literature. Most of the articles published report on skin biopsies of experimentally induced urticaria, and acute urticaria has been studied even less from a morphological point of view.Objectives  The aims of this study were to observe ultrastructural cell characteristics in five patients with drug‐induced acute urticaria and possible aspects of the inflammatory skin response.Methods  Clinical manifestations, light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy were evaluated.Results  With light microscopy, a mild perivascular lymphocyte‐monocyte infiltrate was observed with few neutrophils and dermal oedema in skin biopsies of five patients. With electron microscopy, a mild vascular dilatation was observed, with platelets in the lumen and several lymphocytes and dendritic cells close to the superficial dermal vessels. Some mast cells appeared normal, whereas others were granule‐depleted. In some areas, mast cells, lymphocytes and satellite dendritic cells were closely associated, as well as some macrophages. A significant number of plasma cells, eosinophils and polymorphonuclear neutrophils were not observed; however, the presence of lymphocytes and macrophages was significant. The epidermis and the dermal‐epidermal junction were preserved, except for a discrete oedema in keratinocytes.Conclusions  The ultrastructural aspect of drug‐induced acute urticaria is similar to that observed in urticaria caused by Urtica dioica, intradermal histamine and cold urticaria. The presence of the cellular triad with mast cells, dendritic (or satellite) cells and lymphocytes suggests a functional interaction of these cells. These findings support the possible existence of mechanisms in the dermis that may participate in protective and/or injurious vasocentric immune reactions.
A new movement in an old bureaucracy: the development of self‐advocacy in the Czech Republic
Authors: Šiška Jan 
Published: August 2006

Accessible Summary

In this paper I describe how self‐advocacy has grown in the Czech Republic.
First, I talk about how services for people with learning disabilities have begun to change in the last few years. This is because voluntary groups have lobbied and campaigned for change.
I learned about self‐advocacy during a visit to the UK in the 1990s. I went back to the Czech Republic and asked some service users I knew whether they would like to start the country's first self‐advocacy group. They agreed and since then the group has grown and developed new networks.
The group has also received some financial and practical support from the biggest parents’ organization for people with learning disabilities in the Czech Republic.
A number of conferences have been organized by self‐advocates, including one at the Czech Republic Parliament. Other people are now starting to take notice of what self‐advocates are saying.
Support for self‐advocacy is an important issue for its future in the Czech Republic.
Japanese culture and the philosophy of self‐advocacy: the importance of interdependence in community living
Authors: Tsuda Eiji 
Published: August 2006

Accessible Summary

In Japan, there is a growing network of self‐advocacy groups. Some groups are involved in campaigning. Other groups are involved in social events and education.
The age of de‐institutionalization is gradually arriving and community living for people with learning difficulties is becoming an urgent political issue.
Self‐advocacy groups can help people to settle and be accepted in the community.
It is important to think about how self‐advocacy ideas will fit with traditional parts of Japanese culture.