bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A better widget? Three lessons for improving addiction treatment from a meta‐analytical study
Authors: Berglund Mats 
Published: May 2005

ABSTRACTObjective  To discuss how to develop more effective treatment programmes than those currently available for addictive disorders.Data sources  The Swedish SBU report, published in English in 2003, was used as a database. It includes 641 randomized controlled trials and seven longitudinal prospective studies.Methods  Meta‐analytical calculations were performed in several areas using standardized mean differences (d) effect‐size estimate and homogeneity testing. Three critical issues have been the focus of the present analysis: the early intervention phase, treatment procedures and their additive properties and the transitional period between early and late effects of treatment.Results  The main findings while integrating the results in a new way were that intervention studies with one single session showed a small but robust homogeneous effect size, whereas studies of interventions with several sessions were heterogeneous with large and small effect sizes among the included studies. Similar effect sizes were found in alcohol, opioid and cocaine treatment studies. Agonist treatment yielded the highest effect sizes. Some evidence was found for a possible additive effect for cognitive behaviour therapy and naltrexone as well as for aversive treatment (disulfiram) and psychosocial treatment in alcohol dependence. So far studies on the transition period between short‐ and long‐term outcome are few and inconclusive.Conclusions  There is a prospect of improving addiction treatment, and the following areas are suggested by meta‐analysis for future research: (a) to examine in more detail the process between the first and second session of intervention; (b) to randomize simultaneously for independent categories of psychosocial and psychopharmacological treatment; and (c) to intensify studies on the transitional period between short‐ and long‐term outcome.
Cyanobacterial soil crusts and woody shrub canopies in Kalahari rangelands
Authors: Berkeley A. , Thomas A. D. , Dougill A. J. 
Published: May 2005

AbstractIntensive grazing of Kalahari rangelands has led to woody plant encroachment, notably of Acacia mellifera and Grewia flava. The mechanisms causing this process, and the ecological stability of woody plant encroached ecosystems, remain uncertain. Past studies suggest that canopy–soil relations may enhance woody plant competitive dominance. This study aims to investigate one element of this ecological change by examining the spatial distribution of cyanobacterial soil crusts in two vegetation sub‐habitats at sites of different disturbance. Crust burial by litter was also assessed to analyse the dynamics of canopy–crust relations. Our results show there is enhanced cyanobacterial crust cover under A. mellifera canopies and that unlike G. flava canopies, the crust cover remains under A. mellifera even at highly disturbed sites. This canopy–crust association suggests A. mellifera encroachment exhibits intrinsic resilience because of the crusts ability to stabilize the soil surface and increase nutrient retention. Crust burial by litter that accumulates under larger woody plants restricts crust development under canopies. Disturbance restricts crust development in plant interspaces and under G. flava. These two mechanisms combine to restrict crust development to an observed 40% threshold, with nonlinear models required to explain spatial patterns of crust dynamics.
Bacterial extraction from grapevine and detection of Xylophilus ampelinus by a PCR and Microwell plate detection system*
Authors: Manceau C. , Grall S. , Brin C. , Guillaumes J. 
Published: May 2005

Xylophilus ampelinus is listed as a quarantine pest in Annex II/A2 of EU Directive 2000/29. Grapevine cuttings used either as rooting or grafting material represent a primary source of inoculum because of the systemic nature of bacterial colonization. We describe a PCR‐based method for the specific detection of X. ampelinus from various plant materials (trunks, woody branches, growing shoots, leaves and bleeding sap), making the detection of X. ampelinus reliable throughout the year. Bacterial cells were extracted by crushing the plant tissues and soaking them in sterile distilled water for 30–120 min at 4 °C. Bacterial cells were harvested by centrifugation at 13 000 g for 10 min through sterile paper discs, and lysed in SDS buffer. DNA was extracted by a silica‐based procedure. Specific DNA amplifications were performed with a pair of primers, of which one was labelled with biotin. A digoxygenin‐labelled oligonucleotide with a sequence specific for the amplicon was used as the probe. Finally, amplicons were immobilized in microplate wells coated with streptavidine, and hybridization of the digoxygenin‐labelled probe was detected with alkaline phosphatase‐conjugated antibiodies in a colorimetric assay. This method was sensitive, specific and allowed experiments with high throughput.
Connecting seas: western Palaearctic continental flyway for water birds in the perspective of changing land use and climate
Authors: Van Eerden Mennobart R. , Drent Rudolf H. , Stahl Julia , Bakker Jan P. 
Published: May 2005

AbstractThe western Palaearctic continental flyway that connects the tundra and taiga belts of Russia with north‐west Europe is the major migratory avenue for an estimated 9.3 million herbivorous water birds (swans, geese and ducks). Agricultural practices together with protection measures subsidize the carrying capacity of winter habitats of the birds. Densities of these birds are highest in the Netherlands, where nitrogen (N) inputs to farmland have increased during the last 70 years and became the highest in Europe (>250 kg manure and fertilizer ha−1 yr−1). A comparison of population trends of 13 species of avian herbivores reveals generally expanding populations in the past 50 years, with the greatest increases from 1970 to 1990. Populations of the smallest avian herbivores, such as ducks, are either stable or have peaked and are now in decline, whereas numbers of larger herbivores (geese and swans) continue to increase and barnacle and greylag geese now breed in the Netherlands, in addition to northern sites.During the northerly spring migration, stop‐over sites, mostly in the agricultural regions of eastern Europe and Scandinavia, lie between the 3 and 6°C mean daily temperature isotherms in April, temperatures at which grasses start to grow, where flooding of riparian wetlands frequently occurs and fertilizers are applied to farmland. However, the restructuring of agricultural practices in an enlarged EU is likely to affect water bird populations and their migration routes. The reduced use of N in the Netherlands is predicted to constrain population growth, especially of the smallest avian herbivores with their high basal metabolic rates, because of the declining food quality of grass leaves. The introduction of large‐scale farming of oilseed rape, winter cereals, sugar beet and potatoes at the expense of grassland also will adversely affect these birds, whereas larger species are likely to continue exploiting these crops.
Interactions between land use, habitat use, and population increase in greater snow geese: what are the consequences for natural wetlands?
Authors: Gauthier Gilles , Giroux Jean‐François , Reed Austin , Béchet Arnaud , Bélanger Luc 
Published: May 2005

AbstractThe North American greater snow goose population has increased dramatically during the last 40 years. We evaluated whether refuge creation, changes in land use on the wintering and staging grounds, and climate warming have contributed to this expansion by affecting the distribution, habitat use, body condition, and migration phenology of birds. We also reviewed the effects of the increasing population on marshes on the wintering grounds, along the migratory routes and on the tundra in summer. Refuges established before 1970 may have contributed to the initial demographic increase. The most important change, however, was the switch from a diet entirely based on marsh plants in spring and winter (rhizomes ofScirpus/Spartina) to one dominated by crops (corn/young grass shoots) during the 1970s and 1980s. Geese now winter further north along the US Atlantic coast, leading to reduced hunting mortality. Their migratory routes now include portions of southwestern Québec where corn production has increased exponentially. Since the mid‐1960s, average temperatures have increased by 1–2.4°C throughout the geographic range of geese, which may have contributed to the northward shift in wintering range and an earlier migration in spring. Access to spilled corn in spring improved fat reserves upon departure for the Arctic and may have contributed to a high fecundity. The population increase has led to intense grazing of natural wetlands used by geese although these habitats are still largely undamaged. The foraging in fields allowed the population to exceed limits imposed by natural marshes in winter and spring, but also prevented permanent damage because of their overgrazing.
TCP10L is expressed specifically in spermatogenic cells and binds to death associated protein kinase‐3
Authors: YU HONGXIU , JIANG DAOJUN , GUO ZEKUN , SAIYIN HEXIGE , GUO JINHU , WANG XIANG , YU LONG 
Published: May 2005

SummaryThe human transcriptional factor T‐complex protein 10 like (TCP10L) gene is expressed exclusively in the liver and testis. However, the function of TCP10L in the testis remains unknown. We examined the expression of TCP10L in human testis and found that TCP10L was expressed specifically in the nucleus of spermatogenic cells during spermatogenesis. In addition, we identified death associated protein kinase 3 (DAPK‐3/ZIP kinase) as a binding partner for TCP10L by yeast two‐hybrid screening, followed with immunoprecipitation and subcellular localization experiments. Mutagenesis study revealed that this interaction was dependant on the leucine zipper motif‐containing region. The specific expression pattern of TCP10L and interaction with DAPK‐3 implies that TCP10L might play crucially important roles in spermatogenesis through its interaction with DAPK‐3.
A two‐stage convective air and vacuum freeze‐drying technique for bamboo shoots
Authors: Xu Yanyang , Zhang Min , Tu Dingyu , Sun Jincai , Zhou Lequn , Mujumdar Arun S. 
Published: May 2005

SummaryTo obtain dehydrated bamboo shoot slices of high quality, a two‐stage hybrid method of drying was tested to see if it could be cost‐effective. While freeze‐drying provides the best quality bamboo shoot it is a very expensive process. In this study, the drying techniques (a) hot airflow drying followed by vacuum freeze drying and (b) the reverse of the process (a) were examined. The quality of bamboo shoots dried by process (b) was found to be approximately equal to that of freeze‐dried bamboo shoots but at a significantly lower cost. This paper reports results comparing the two processes in terms of energy consumption and the physico‐chemical properties of the dried bamboo.
The impact of roasting on the ochratoxin A content of coffee
Authors: Suárez‐Quiroz Mirna , Louise Béatrice De , Gonzalez‐Rios Oscar , Barel Michel , Guyot Bernard , Schorr‐Galindo Sabine , Guiraud Joseph‐Pierre 
Published: May 2005

SummaryRoasting coffee led to a drop in the ochratoxin A (OTA) concentration, as measured by the reference method, especially for dark type roasts. The way the beverage was prepared also affected the OTA content, which could paradoxically be higher than that of the initial roasted coffee. Assays on the thermal stability of pure OTA showed that it ought to be found in larger quantities in roasted coffee. This suggested that OTA was masked by reactions with the substrate during roasting. The absence of OTA in green coffee is therefore the best guarantee of safety.
Stress and crack prediction during drying of Japanese noodle (udon)
Authors: Inazu Tadao , Iwasaki Ken‐ichi , Furuta Takeshi 
Published: May 2005

SummaryThe distribution of stress during drying of fresh Japanese noodle (udon) was investigated by mathematically modelling the changes in shrinkage and other mechanical properties, this allowed crack formation to be predicted. It was observed that the shrinkage coefficients were nearly the same in all three directions with changing moisture content, and the degree of shrinkage was independent of the temperature. The Young's modulus, yield stress and fracture stress could be expressed as exponential functions of moisture content. Changes in stress distribution during drying were calculated by coupling the moisture transfer equation with the constitutive equation using a finite element method. The calculated stress distribution indicated that a rapid drying rate causes extensive internal tensile stress in udon. The scheme used in the present study was found to effectively represent the potential for crack formation along the central axis, this was shown to be consistent with the actual cracking pattern.
Correlating instrumental measurements of texture and flavour release with human perception
Authors: Cook David J. , Hollowood Tracey A. , Linforth Robert S. T. , Taylor Andrew J. 
Published: May 2005

SummaryAttempts to correlate sensory perception with analytical measurement of the physical or chemical properties of a food are widespread in both industry and academia. Reasons for this are discussed, along with some of the techniques employed. The inter‐relationship between instrumental analysis and sensory evaluation in the development and quality control of food products is emphasized. Three examples are drawn from the field of flavour research, where a combination of instrumental and sensory techniques was used for different purposes. Instrumental measures may be used to predict sensory quality within a known design space, provided this has first been validated with appropriate sensory methodology. It is true, however, that a significant correlation between analytical and sensory data does not necessarily imply that a causal relationship exists between the two.
The physico‐chemical properties of commercial canola protein isolate‐guar gum gels
Authors: Uruakpa Florence O. , Arntfield Susan D. 
Published: May 2005

SummaryBiopolymer mixtures impart desirable texture to foods. Dynamic rheology was used to characterize canola protein isolate (CPI)‐guar gum gels. The effects of pH, salt, guar gum and protein concentrations on the gelling ability of CPI were evaluated. Factorial and response surface optimization models were used to identify the optimum conditions (20%, w/v CPI; pH 10; 1.5%, w/v guar gum; 0.05 m NaCl) that would simultaneously maximize G′ (≥28 000 Pa) and minimize tan δ (<0.17) values of CPI‐guar gum gels. Although pH > 8 is unconventional in food systems, strong and elastic CPI‐guar gum gels (G′ =56 440 Pa; tan δ = 0.18) were produced at pH 10, whereas gels prepared at pH 6 were less elastic (G′ = 2726 Pa; tan δ = 0.2). Under the optimum conditions, CPI alone formed a stronger gel (G′ = 64 575 Pa; tan δ = 0.15) than CPI‐guar gum mixture, suggesting that guar gum interfered with protein gelation.
The effects of 1‐methylcyclopropene treatment on the shelf life and quality of cherry tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum var. cerasiforme) fruit
Authors: Opiyo Arnold M. , Ying Tie‐Jin 
Published: May 2005

SummaryThe use of 1‐methylcyclopropene (1‐MCP) to extend the shelf life of cherry tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum var. cerasiforme) was investigated. Higher concentrations of 1‐MCP delayed the ethylene induced climacteric peaks in mature green (MG) and breaker (BR) fruits. Thirteen days after treatment, control fruits were 55% as firm as fruit treated with 0.11 μL L−1 1‐MCP. The initiation of fruit softening, chlorophyll degradation and accumulation of lycopene and carotenoids was delayed in treated fruits. Higher 1‐MCP concentrations inhibited the accumulation of lycopene and carotene such that the colour of the fruit did not reach that of control fruit. Treatment of MG cherry tomatoes with 1‐MCP enhanced shelf life optimally, while treatment of BR fruits was beneficial where full colour and high content of lycopene and carotenoids is important. Differentiation of the different stages of ripening before application of 1‐MCP is needed in order to succeed in accomplishing different postharvest objectives.
A computer based system for matching colours during the monitoring of tea fermentation
Authors: Borah Surajit , Bhuyan Manabendra 
Published: May 2005

SummaryThe design and development of a personal computer (PC) based system for monitoring changes in colour during the fermentation process that is used to produce tea is described. The technique is based on imaging the fermenting tea at different intervals of time and processing the colour images. A digital camera, together with a special lighting arrangement, was used to capture colour images during the fermentation process. The RGB colour model was used so that histogram dissimilarity measurements matched the colour of test images to a standard image colour. This dissimilarity measurement was represented by difference from the Manhattan norm (L1). The technique was compared with the visual methods used by expert tea tasters.
The quality and sensory attributes of cookies supplemented with fluted pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis Hook) seed flour
Authors: Giami Sunday Y. , Achinewhu Simeon C. , Ibaakee Christiana 
Published: May 2005

SummaryReplacing wheatflour (WHF) with defatted fluted pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis Hook) seed flour (FPF) at levels of 0–25% was investigated for its effect on chemical, physical, sensory and nutritional properties of cookies (biscuits). Protein quality was evaluated by using weanling albino rats fed a diet of cookies, which were formulated to supply 10% protein, with a casein diet as a control. Up to 15% substitution of WHF with FPF produced acceptable cookies with spread ratio, hardness, colour and flavour similar to the control (100% WHF) cookies. Use of higher levels (20–25%), however, resulted in reduction in these quality attributes. When WHF was replaced with 15% FPF, there was an increase of 84.6% in crude protein, 62.9% in calcium, 131.0% in potassium and 61.6% in phosphorus contents of composite cookies. There were no significant (P > 0.05) differences between the values obtained for protein efficiency ratio, net protein ratio and true digestibility of cookie diets containing 15–20% FPF, and casein when fed to rats.
Possible mechanisms underlying age‐related resistance to bovine babesiosis
Authors: Zintl Annetta , Gray Jeremy S. , Skerrett Helen E. , Mulcahy Grace 
Published: May 2005

SUMMARY Calves infected with the tick‐borne parasites Babesia spp. do not develop severe clinical babesiosis. Instead they display persistent low parasitaemias without any apparent ill‐effects. This age‐related resistance not only benefits the host, but also furthers parasite transmission. Both calves and adult animals respond with a Th I immune response to primary infection. Here we hypothesize that the difference in the outcome of infection may at least partly be explained by the localization and timing of the inflammatory response: in calves NO production occurs early and appears to be concentrated in the spleen. On the other hand, there is evidence that a delayed and systemic inflammatory response occurs in adult animals that is ineffectual and probably contributes to the pathogenesis. An improved understanding of the possible mechanisms that underlie this phenomenon may lead to new approaches for the treatment and immune prophylaxis of the disease.
Galectins as immunoregulators during infectious processes: from microbial invasion to the resolution of the disease
Authors: Rabinovich G. A. , Gruppi A. 
Published: May 2005

SUMMARY Recent evidence has implicated galectins, a family of evolutionarily conserved carbohydrate‐binding proteins, as regulators of immune cell homeostasis and host–pathogen interactions. Galectins operate at different levels of innate and adaptive immune responses, by modulating cell survival and cell activation or by influencing the Th1/Th2 cytokine balance. Furthermore, galectins may contribute to host–pathogen recognition and may serve as receptors for specific interactions of pathogens with their insect vectors. Here we will explore the influence of galectins in immunological processes relevant to microbial infection and will summarize exciting recent work related to the specific interactions between galectins and their glycoconjugate ligands as critical determinants of pathogen recognition. Understanding the role of galectin–sugar interactions during the course of microbial infections might contribute to defining novel targets for disease prevention and immune intervention.
Protection induced by vaccinating sheep with a thiol‐binding extract ofHaemonchus contortusmembranes is associated with its protease components
Authors: Knox D. P. , Smith S. K. , Redmond D. L. , Smith W. D. 
Published: May 2005

SUMMARYPrevious work has shown that a protein extract enriched for cysteine protease activity (TSBP) prepared from adultHaemonchus contortususing thiol sepharose affinity chromatography confers substantial protection against a single challenge infection. TSBP comprised proteases and other proteins. Here, TSBP were further fractionated using anion‐exchange chromatography and fractions pooled on the basis of containing (1) protease activity, (2) a prominent non‐protease peptide and (3) material which did not bind to the column. A protection trial showed that only the protease‐enriched material conferred protective immunity and this was comparable to that observed in a TSBP‐immunized positive control group. Immunization stimulated a marked IgG response with the IgG2 isotype predominating.
The innate immune response to Entamoeba histolytica lipopeptidophosphoglycan is mediated by toll‐like receptors 2 and 4
Authors: Maldonado‐Bernal C. , Kirschning C. J. , Rosenstein Y. , Rocha L. M. , Rios‐Sarabia N. , Espinosa‐Cantellano M. , Becker I. , Estrada I. , Salazar‐González R. M. , López‐Macías C. , Wagner H. , Sánchez J. , Isibasi A. 
Published: May 2005

SUMMARYEntamoeba histolytica is a human pathogen that may invade the intestinal mucosa, causing amoebic colitis or hepatic abscesses when the trophozoites travel through the portal circulation to the liver. Lipopeptidophosphoglycan (LPPG) is a molecular pattern of E. histolytica recognized by the human immune system. Here we report that LPPG is exposed on the cell surface of E. histolytica trophozoites, and is recognized by the host through toll‐like receptor (TLR) 2 and TLR4. Correspondingly, human embryonic kidney (HEK)‐293 cells were rendered LPPG responsive through overexpression of TLR2 or TLR4/MD2. Moreover, co‐expression of CD14 enhanced LPPG signal transmission through TLR2 and TLR4. The interaction of LPPG with TLR2 and TLR4 resulted in activation of NF‐κB and release of interleukin (IL)‐10, IL‐12p40, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐α, and IL‐8 from human monocytes. Consistent with these findings, responsiveness of mouse macrophages lacking TLR2 expression (TLR2–/–) or functional TLR4 (TLR4d/d) to E. histolytica LPPG challenge was impaired while double deficient macrophages were unresponsive. In contrast to wild‐type control and TLR2–/–animals succumbing to lethal shock syndrome, TLR4d/dmice were resistant to systemic LPPG challenge‐induced pathology.
ES‐62 is unable to modulate Toxoplasma gondii‐driven Th1 responses and pathology
Authors: Couper K. N. , Chen W. , Houston K. M. , Harnett W. , Johnson L. L. 
Published: May 2005

SUMMARY ES‐62, a filarial nematode‐derived anti‐inflammatory immunomodulator, was administered to mice in an attempt to prevent pathology associated with Toxoplasma gondii infection. The nematode product was shown to elevate mitogen and T. gondii‐specific IL‐10 production but was unable to inhibit Th1 responses. Consequently ES‐62 could not prevent Th1 generated immunopathology.