bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Microbiological analysis of chronic dacryocystitis
Authors: Sun Xuguang , Liang Qingfeng , Luo Shiyun , Wang Zhiqun , Li Ran , Jin Xiuying 
Published: April 2005

AbstractAims:  To investigate the microbiology of specimens from patients with chronic dacryocystitis.Methods:  A total of 100 samples were obtained from the contents of the lacrimal duct in 91 consecutive patients with chronic dacryocystitis, including nine bilateral cases. These samples were cultured for aerobic and anaerobic bacteria and fungi with a routine microbiological technique. Positive cultured isolates were identified.Results:  A total of 180 strains were isolated from the 85 bacterial samples, including 150 strains of aerobic bacteria and 30 strains of anaerobic bacteria. Fungi were found in eight samples and actinomyces in three samples. The bacterial species that were most frequently found were Staphylococcus species, representing 34.5% of all strains, followed by Corynebacterium diphtheroides (15.5%). The sensitivity tests revealed that levo‐ofloxacin and amikacin were the most effective antibiotics.Conclusions:  Gram positive cocci was the predominant pathogen of chronic dacryocystitis. Levo‐ofloxacin and amikacin had the best effect in vitro.
TURBIDIMETRIC LIPID ASSAY IN SEED FLOURS
Authors: DROCHIOIU GABI 
Published: April 2005

ABSTRACT A simple, fast, sensitive and accurate turbidimetric assay of lipids in the milled seeds was developed. The procedure is based on the extraction of lipids into acetone followed by their turbidimetric reaction with a 1.5% solution of sulfosalicylic acid and turbidimetric measurements. The spectral measurement was made at 440 nm against a blank of the reagents. A standard curve was constructed using raw fat extracted from the species being analyzed. For analysis of a large number of solvents, the standardization of the turbidimetric method may be accomplished using Soxhlet values for a few representative samples. A negative relationship between the hardness of maize particles and their content of raw fat was observed.
COMPARISON OF SELECTED ADSORBENTS FOR ADSORPTION AND DESORPTION OF VITAMIN E FROM PALM FATTY ACID DISTILLATE
Authors: CHU B.S. , BAHARIN B.S. , CHE MAN Y.B. , QUEK S.Y. 
Published: April 2005

ABSTRACT Performance of four selected adsorbents, namely silica gel (SG), aluminum oxide (AO), synthetic brominated polyaromatic SP 207(SP) and functionalized polyaromatic Dowex Optipore L‐285 (DO), for adsorption/desorption of vitamin E from palm fatty acid distillate (PFAD) was compared. Vitamin E from PFAD was preconcentrated and dissolved in hexane. Batch mode adsorption experiments were carried out by reacting the vitamin E solution with the adsorbents separately in an orbital shaker under controlled conditions. It appeared that increasing initial vitamin E concentration favored adsorption process as indicated by an increase in adsorption capacity and percentage of vitamin E uptake. Results showed that the adsorption process was exothermic for all adsorbents. Isopropanol was used to recover vitamin E from the adsorbents. It was found that increasing reaction temperature resulted in a higher vitamin E recovery. SG was the most suitable adsorbent for separation of vitamin E as it possessed the highest adsorption capacity and recovery among adsorbents under experimental conditions employed.
ANTIOXIDANT POTENTIAL OF EEL (ANGUILLA JAPONICA AND CONGER MYRIASTER) FLESH AND SKIN
Authors: EKANAYAKE PRASHANI MUDIKA , PARK GEUN TAE , LEE YOUNG DON , KIM SE JAE , JEONG SANG CHUL , LEE JEHEE 
Published: April 2005

ABSTRACT The flesh and skin of Anguilla japonica and Conger myriaster were investigated for their antioxidant activity. Ethyl acetate and diethyl ether extracts (4 mg/mL) after extracting with methanol were tested for 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhidrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging (FRS) activity for flesh and skin of each eel species. The values were compared with α‐tocopherol and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT). Extracts showing positive results, when tested for DPPH FRS, were examined for dose effect, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), hydroxyl radical and superoxide scavenging assays and heat stability. All extracts of A. japonica showed a dose‐dependent DPPH FRS and significant hydroxyl radical scavenging activities (>65%). The diethyl ether extract of the flesh of A. japonica showed the highest superoxide scavenging activity. Diethyl ether extracts of A. japonica were heat stable, and ethyl acetate extracts were stable up to 75C. Thus, it can be concluded that A. japonica is rich with heat stable and nonpolar antioxidants.
PALM OIL AND SUNFLOWER OIL: EFFECT OF BLEND COMPOSITION AND STIRRER TYPES DURING FRACTIONATION ON THE YIELD AND PHYSICOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF THE OLEINS
Authors: NOR AINI I. , HASMADI M. , MAMOT S. , RADZUAN J. 
Published: April 2005

ABSTRACT The effect of blend composition of refined, bleached and deodorized (RBD) palm oil and sunflower oil and that of different types of stirrers during fractionation on the yield and physicochemical characteristics of the oleins was investigated. Blends of 80% palm oil with 20% sunflower oil, and 60% palm oil with 40% sunflower oil were fractionated at 21C, and the oil samples were agitated with stirrers 1, 2, 3 and 4. The results showed that the highest yield was obtained with 60% palm oil and 40% sunflower oil blend when stirrer 2 was used to agitate the sample. There was a significant difference in iodine value (IV) of samples agitated with stirrers 3 and 4. The difference was not significant when stirrers 1 and 2 were used. Blending palm oil with sunflower oil followed by fractionation produced oleins of much higher IV than either commercially available regular palm olein or superolein. The major fatty acids in the oleins obtained after fractionating blend of 80% palm oil and 20% sunflower oil were palmitic (31.8–33.2%), oleic (38.1–39.3%) and linoleic (21.6–24.1%) acids. With higher amount of sunflower oil of 40% in the oil blend, the amount of palmitic acid significantly decreased (25.1–26.3%). After fractionation, the blend containing 60% palm oil and 40% sunflower oil produced liquid fractions which were lower in dipalmitoyl‐oleoyl‐glycerol (POP), palmitoyl‐oleoyl‐stearoyl‐glycerol (POS), palmitoyl‐dioleoyl‐glycerol (POO) and dipalmitoyl‐linoleoyl‐glycerol (PLP) compared to the blend containing 80% palm oil and 20% sunflower oil. The blend with a higher level of sunflower oil at 40% produced oleins of much lower cloud point (3.5–3.7C) than the blend containing only 20% sunflower oil. The type of stirrer did not have any significant effect on the cloud point.
STRUCTURED TRIACYLGLYCEROLS CONTAINING BEHENIC ACID: PREPARATION AND PROPERTIES
Authors: TYNEK MARIA , LEDÓCHOWSKA ELEONORA 
Published: April 2005

ABSTRACT Low‐calorie structured lipids (SL) containing behenic and oleic acids were prepared using interesterification of olive oil with hydrogenated high erucic acid rapeseed oil and acidolysis of olive oil with behenic acid. The reactions were catalyzed by the Lipozyme RM IM enzyme. Triacylglycerols (TAGs), obtained by interesterification (TAG

SLHE

), contained 20.9 and 45.3% of behenic and oleic acids, respectively, whereas those obtained by acidolysis (TAG

SLB

) contained 34.6 and 49.6% of these acids, respectively. In both cases, behenic acid was mainly incorporated in the sn‐1,3 positions of the TAG molecules (∼93%). The distribution of oleic acid in the individual positions was different for each product. The content of oleic acid in the sn‐2 position of TAG was 50.2 and 80.3% for TAGSLHEand TAGSLB, respectively. The melting temperature of TAGSLHE(45.5%) was higher than that of TAGSLB(37.5%). Because of the suitable solid fat content characteristics of TAGSLBas a function of temperature, it is possible to use TAGSLBin bakery and in confectionery industries for production of margarines and blends, among others.
REDUCTION IN MICROBIAL GROWTH AND IMPROVEMENT OF STORAGE QUALITY IN FRESH‐CUT PINEAPPLE AFTER METHYL JASMONATE TREATMENT
Authors: MARTÍNEZ‐FERRER MAGALY , HARPER CAROL 
Published: April 2005

ABSTRACT Maintaining the quality of a fresh‐cut fruit or vegetable product is a major concern and a priority in the development and in the production of fresh‐cut produce products of the industry. The industry has been searching for alternative methods to protect fresh‐cut produce from decay and to prolong shelf life. The objective of this research is to enhance the quality and the shelf life of fresh‐cut pineapple by exposure to methyl jasmonate (MJ). The exposure of the diced pineapple to a MJ emulsion at a concentration of 10

−4
M for 5 min in a sealed container decreased microbiological growth by 3 logs after 12 days of storage at 7C, compared with the control pineapple. Methyl jasmonate as vapor or as dip did not affect the firmness or the color of the fruit. Methyl jasmonate may be a practical treatment to ensure the safety and the quality of fresh‐cut pineapple and other fruits and vegetables.
PHYSICAL AND SENSORY CHARACTERISTICS OF LOW‐FAT ITALIAN SAUSAGE PREPARED WITH HYDRATED OAT
Authors: KERR W.L. , WANG X. , CHOI S.G. 
Published: April 2005

ABSTRACT Low‐fat Italian sausage was prepared with hydrated oat flakes at 10, 20 and 30% (w/w), and precook times of 0, 2 and 4 min. Cook loss and expressible moisture, cutting force and texture profile analysis, color and consumer sensory analysis were analyzed by response‐surface methodology. Minimum cook loss occurred at 16.3% of the hydrated oat and 0.76 min precook time, while expressible moisture decreased with increasing oat levels and decreasing precook time. In general, both cutting force and hardness decreased with hydrated oat level. Measurements of L*, a* and b* showed a slightly lighter product and a shift to more red and yellow cooked product at intermediate oat levels and precook times. For sensory attributes, both oat level and precook time were significant. Greatest flavor and texture likeability were attained with hydrated oat levels of 3–12%, and precook times of 1.5–3 min. Greatest overall likeability occurred over a region of 0–14% hydrated oat, and 1.1–3.3 min precook time.
INFLUENCE OF CELL SIZE AND CELL WALL VOLUME FRACTION ON FAILURE PROPERTIES OF POTATO AND CARROT TISSUE
Authors: ZDUNEK ARTUR , UMEDA MIKIO 
Published: April 2005

ABSTRACT This article presents the influence of cell size and cell wall volume fraction on the failure parameters of potato tuber and carrot tissue. Confocal scanning laser microscope was used for obtaining images of the cell structure of the tissues. The mean cell face area and the cell wall volume fraction obtained from the images was compared with work to failure, failure stress, failure strain and secant modulus obtained in a compression test of potato and carrot tissue at two strain rates. Bigger cells and less amount of cell wall material weakened the tissue, which was visible as a linear decrease in the parameters: work to failure, failure stress and failure strain. There were differences between potato and carrot in the secant modulus. For carrot, the secant modulus changed with microstructural parameters, whereas for potato, the secant modulus did not depend on these values. The strain rate decreases all the failure properties for potato. For carrot, only the work to failure was affected by the strain rate.
DEVELOPMENT OF DYNAMIC MODULUS AND CELL OPENING OF DOUGH DURING BAKING
Authors: SINGH AJAY PAL , BHATTACHARYA MRINAL 
Published: April 2005

ABSTRACT The dynamic shear modulus (elastic and viscous modulus) development of dough during baking was studied. Flooded parallel plate geometry was used to monitor the rheological changes of commercially available canned doughs (bread dough, bun dough and biscuit dough). The normal force exerted on the upper plate by the expanding dough was measured to study the cell‐opening event. The dough‐baking process was simulated in a rheometer oven. The morphology of baked dough was studied using a scanning electron microscope to elucidate the effect of ingredients and process parameters on the properties of the final baked product. Three stages of modulus development were observed during the baking process: bubble growth and packing, rapid expansion/starch gelatinization and final curing. The cell opening coincided with the sudden rise in modulus caused by starch gelatinization. The rate at which starch gelatinization takes place controls the temperature of the cell opening. The type and concentration of various ingredients have a greater effect on the modulus and on the cell opening than the heating rates. Frequency dependence was observed during baking, but the effect on modulus development diminished at higher frequencies.
Should We Use
N
-Acetyltransferase Type 2 Genotyping To Personalize Isoniazid Doses?
Authors: Kinzig-Schippers Martina , Tomalik-Scharte Dorota , Jetter Alexander , Scheidel Bernhard , Jakob Verena , Rodamer Michael , Cascorbi Ingolf , Doroshyenko Oxana , Sörgel Fritz , Fuhr Uwe 
Published: April 2005

ABSTRACT

Isoniazid is metabolized by the genetically polymorphic arylamine
N
-acetyltransferase type 2 (NAT2). A greater number of high-activity alleles are related to increased acetylation capacity and in some reports to low efficacy and toxicity of isoniazid. The objective of this study was to assess individual isoniazid exposure based on NAT2 genotype to predict a personalized therapeutic dose. Isoniazid was administered to 18 healthy Caucasians (age 30 ± 6 years, body weight 74 ± 10 kg, five women) in random order as a 200-mg infusion, a 100-mg oral, and a 300-mg oral single dose. For the assessment of NAT2 genotype, common single nucleotide polymorphisms identifying 99.9% of variant alleles were characterized. Noncompartmental pharmacokinetics and compartmental population pharmacokinetics were estimated from isoniazid plasma concentrations until 24 h postdose by high-pressure liquid chromatography. The influence of NAT2 genotype, drug formulation, body weight, and sex on dose-normalized isoniazid pharmacokinetics was assessed by analysis of variance from noncompartmental data and confirmed by population pharmacokinetics. Eight high-activity NAT2*4 alleles were identified. Sex had no effect; the other factors explained 93% of the variability in apparent isoniazid clearance (analysis of variance). NAT2 genotype alone accounted for 88% of variability. Individual isoniazid clearance could be predicted as clearance (liters/hour) = 10 + 9 × (number of NAT2*4 alleles). To achieve similar isoniazid exposure, current standard doses presumably appropriate for patients with one high-activity NAT2 allele may be decreased or increased by approximately 50% for patients with no or two such alleles, respectively. Prospective clinical trials are required to assess the merits of this approach.
Inhibitory Effect of Aureobasidin A on
Toxoplasma gondii
Authors: Sonda Sabrina , Sala Giusy , Ghidoni Riccardo , Hemphill Andrew , Pieters Jean 
Published: April 2005

ABSTRACT

The apicomplexan parasite
Toxoplasma gondii
is a leading opportunistic pathogen associated with AIDS and congenital birth defects. Due to the need for identifying new parasite-specific treatments, the possibility of targeting sphingolipid biosynthesis in the parasite was investigated. Aureobasidin A, an inhibitor of the enzyme synthesizing the sphingolipid inositol phosphorylceramide, which is present in fungi, plants, and some protozoa but absent in mammalian cells, was found to block in vitro
T. gondii
replication without affecting host cell metabolism. Aureobasidin A treatment did not induce tachyzoite to bradyzoite stage conversion in
T. gondii
but resulted in a loss of intracellular structures and vacuolization within the parasite. In addition, aureobasidin A inhibited sphingolipid synthesis in
T. gondii
. Sphingolipid biosynthetic pathways may therefore be considered targets for the development of anti-
T. gondii
agents.
Incidence of Class 1 Integrons in a Quaternary Ammonium Compound-Polluted Environment
Authors: Gaze W. H. , Abdouslam N. , Hawkey P. M. , Wellington E. M. H. 
Published: April 2005

ABSTRACTSamples of effluent and soil were collected from a reed bed system used to remediate liquid waste from a wool finishing mill with a high use of quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) and were compared with samples of agricultural soils. Resistance quotients of aerobic gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria to ditallowdimethylammomium chloride (DTDMAC) and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) were established by plating onto nutrient agar containing 5 μg/ml or 50 μg/ml DTDMAC or CTAB. Approximately 500 isolates were obtained and screened for the presence of theintI1(class 1 integrase),qacE(multidrug efflux), andqacEΔ1(attenuatedqacE) genes. QAC resistance was higher in isolates from reed bed samples, and class 1 integron incidence was significantly higher for populations that were preexposed to QACs. This is the first study to demonstrate that QAC selection in the natural environment has the potential to coselect for antibiotic resistance, as class 1 integrons are well-established vectors for cassette genes encoding antibiotic resistance.
Phase 1 Safety and Pharmacokinetic Study of Chimeric Murine-Human Monoclonal Antibody cαStx2 Administered Intravenously to Healthy Adult Volunteers
Authors: Dowling Thomas C. , Chavaillaz Pierre A. , Young David G. , Melton-Celsa Angela , O'Brien Alison , Thuning-Roberson Claire , Edelman Robert , Tacket Carol O. 
Published: April 2005

ABSTRACT

Hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS) is a serious complication of infection by Shiga toxin-producing
Escherichia coli
. Shiga toxin type 2 (Stx2) is responsible for the renal toxicity that can follow intestinal infection and hemorrhagic colitis due to
E. coli
. A chimeric mouse-human antibody, designated cαStx2, that has neutralizing activity in a mouse model was produced and tested in healthy adult volunteers. In this phase I dose escalation study, cαStx2 was generally well tolerated. Pharmacokinetic studies indicated that clearance was stable over the dose range of 1.0 to 10 mg/kg of body weight (0.249 ± 0.023 ml/kg/h) but was higher for the 0.1-mg/kg dose (0.540 ± 0.078 ml/kg/h), suggesting saturable elimination. A similar nonlinear trend was observed for the volume of distribution, where average values ranged from 0.064 ± 0.015 liter/kg for the 1.0- to 10-mg/kg doses and 0.043 ± 0.005 for the 0.01-mg/kg dose. The relatively small volume of distribution suggests that the antibody is limited to the vascular (plasma) compartment. The mean half-life was 165 ± 66 h, with lowest values observed for the 0.1-mg/kg dose (56.2 ± 9.7 h) and the highest values reported for the 10.0-mg/kg dose (206.4 ± 12.4 h). Future studies are needed to confirm the safety of this cαStx2, and innovative clinical trials will be required to measure its efficacy in preventing or treating HUS.
Clinical Pharmacokinetics of Alamifovir and Its Metabolites
Authors: Chan Clark , Abu-Raddad Eyas , Golor Georg , Watanabe Hikari , Sasaki Akira , Yeo Kwee Poo , Soon Danny , Sinha Vikram P. , Flanagan Shawn D. , He Minxia M. , Wise Stephen D. 
Published: April 2005

ABSTRACT

Alamifovir, a purine nucleotide analogue prodrug, and its hydrolyzed derivatives have shown preclincal efficacy activity against wild-type and lamivudine-resistant hepatitis B virus. Two studies were conducted to examine the single- and multiple-dose alamifovir pharmacokinetics after oral administration in healthy males. In study 1, subjects were given single doses (0.2 to 80 mg), with a subset receiving 20 mg in a fed state. Study 2 subjects were dosed with 2.5 to 15 mg twice daily for 15 days. Plasma samples were collected over 72 h in study 1 and over 24 h on days 1 and 15 in study 2. Concentrations of alamifovir and its major metabolites were determined using liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry methods. The data were analyzed using a noncompartmental technique. Although alamifovir was rapidly absorbed, there was limited systemic exposure due to its rapid hydrolysis and formation of at least three metabolites, suggesting that alamifovir acts as a prodrug. The major metabolites detected were 602074 and 602076, with 602075 detectable only in higher-dose groups. Maximum 602074 plasma concentration was achieved at approximately 0.5 h (
T
max
) and declined with a 1- to 2-h terminal half-life (
t
1/2
). Maximum concentrations of 602076 (
C
max
) averaged 10% of the 602074
C
max
and reached
T
max
in 2.5 h with a 4-h
t
1/2
. Food appeared to decrease the extent of absorption of the compound. Multiple dosing resulted in minimal accumulation, and the concentrations following multiple doses could be predicted using the single-dose data. Alamifovir was well tolerated and the pharmacokinetics were characterized in these studies.
Imidazole Antibiotics Inhibit the Nitric Oxide Dioxygenase Function of Microbial Flavohemoglobin
Authors: Helmick Ryan A. , Fletcher Arin E. , Gardner Anne M. , Gessner Christopher R. , Hvitved Angela N. , Gustin Michael C. , Gardner Paul R. 
Published: April 2005

ABSTRACT

Flavohemoglobins metabolize nitric oxide (NO) to nitrate and protect bacteria and fungi from NO-mediated damage, growth inhibition, and killing by NO-releasing immune cells. Antimicrobial imidazoles were tested for their ability to coordinate flavohemoglobin and inhibit its NO dioxygenase (NOD) function. Miconazole, econazole, clotrimazole, and ketoconazole inhibited the NOD activity of
Escherichia coli
flavohemoglobin with apparent

K
i

values of 80, 550, 1,300, and 5,000 nM, respectively.
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
,
Candida albicans
, and
Alcaligenes eutrophus
enzymes exhibited similar sensitivities to imidazoles. Imidazoles coordinated the heme iron atom, impaired ferric heme reduction, produced uncompetitive inhibition with respect to O
2
and NO, and inhibited NO metabolism by yeasts and bacteria. Nevertheless, these imidazoles were not sufficiently selective to fully mimic the NO-dependent growth stasis seen with NOD-deficient mutants. The results demonstrate a mechanism for NOD inhibition by imidazoles and suggest a target for imidazole engineering.
Multidrug Resistance in
Staphylococcus aureus
Due to Overexpression of a Novel Multidrug and Toxin Extrusion (MATE) Transport Protein
Authors: Kaatz Glenn W. , McAleese Fionnuala , Seo Susan M. 
Published: April 2005

ABSTRACT

Efflux is an important mechanism of multidrug resistance (MDR) in bacteria. The multidrug and toxin extrusion (MATE) family is the most recently described group of MDR efflux proteins, none of which have previously been identified in
Staphylococcus aureus
. Two independently derived
S. aureus
mutants having efflux-related MDR phenotypes were studied using microarray technology and a marked overexpression of an open reading frame (ORF;
mepA
) encoding a protein homologous with MATE family proteins was observed in both. There was concomitant overexpression of ORFs in close proximity to
mepA
(∼100 bp) encoding a MarR-type regulator (
mepR
, upstream of
mepA
) and a protein of unknown function (
mepB
, downstream). Experiments in which
mepA
was overexpressed or disrupted revealed that the encoded protein has a broad substrate profile that includes several monovalent and divalent biocides and the fluoroquinolone antimicrobial agents norfloxacin and ciprofloxacin. The function of MepB is obscure, it does not contribute to the MDR phenotype conferred by MepA. MepR overexpression reversed the MDR phenotypes of both mutants by repressing
mepA
transcription. All three ORFs are preferentially transcribed as a single
mepRAB
unit, suggesting that the three genes form an operon.