Home About us Contact
|
Home About us Contact | ||
|
|
||
Excellent Source (excellent + source)
Selected AbstractsDiversity of human colonic butyrate-producing bacteria revealed by analysis of the butyryl-CoA:acetate CoA-transferase geneENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 2 2010Petra Louis Summary Butyrate-producing bacteria play an important role in the human colon, supplying energy to the gut epithelium and regulating host cell responses. In order to explore the diversity and culturability of this functional group, we designed degenerate primers to amplify butyryl-CoA:acetate CoA-transferase sequences from faecal samples provided by 10 healthy volunteers. Eighty-eight per cent of amplified sequences showed > 98% DNA sequence identity to CoA-transferases from cultured butyrate-producing bacteria, and these fell into 12 operational taxonomic units (OTUs). The four most prevalent OTUs corresponded to Eubacterium rectale, Roseburia faecis, Eubacterium hallii and an unnamed cultured species SS2/1. The remaining 12% of sequences, however, belonged to 20 OTUs that are assumed to come from uncultured butyrate-producing strains. Samples taken after ingestion of inulin showed significant (P = 0.019) increases in Faecalibacterium prausnitzii. Because several of the dominant butyrate producers differ in their DNA % G+C content, analysis of thermal melt curves obtained for PCR amplicons of the butyryl-CoA:acetate CoA-transferase gene provides a convenient and rapid qualitative assessment of the major butyrate producing groups present in a given sample. This type of analysis therefore provides an excellent source of information on functionally important groups within the colonic microbial community. [source] Hepatic differentiation of human bone marrow-derived UE7T-13 cells: Effects of cytokines and CCN family gene expressionHEPATOLOGY RESEARCH, Issue 12 2007Takashi Shimomura Aim:, Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) are expected to be an excellent source of cells for transplantation. We aimed to study the culture conditions and involved genes to differentiate MSC into hepatocytes. Methods:, The culture conditions to induce the efficient differentiation of human bone marrow-derived UE7T-13 cells were examined using cytokines, hormones, 5-azacytidine and type IV collagen. Results:, We found that combination of acidic fibroblast growth factor (aFGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) with type IV collagen coating induced hepatic differentiation of UE7T-13 cells at over 30% frequency, where expression of albumin mRNA was increased over 20-fold. The differentiated cells had functions of albumin production, glycogen synthesis and urea secretion as well as expressing hepatocyte-specific genes. In addition, these cellshave binuclear and cuboidal morphology, which is a characteristic feature of hepatocytes. During hepatic differentiation, UE7T-13 cells showed depressed expression of WISP1 and WISP2 genes, members of the CCN family. Conversely, knockdown of WISP1 or WISP2 gene by siRNA stimulated hepatic differentiation. The effect of aFGF/bFGF/HGF/type IV collagen coating and WISP1-siRNA on hepatic differentiation was additive. Conclusion:, The present study suggests that aFGF/bFGF/HGF/type IV collagen coating is the efficient condition for hepatic differentiation of UE7T-13 cells, and that WISP1 and WISP2 play an important role in hepatic transdifferentiation of these cells. [source] Follow-up of serious offender patients in the community: multiple methods of tracingINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF METHODS IN PSYCHIATRIC RESEARCH, Issue 3 2002Elizabeth Jamieson Lecturer Abstract Longitudinal studies of people with mental disorder are important in understanding outcome and intervention effects but attrition rates can be high. This study aimed to evaluate use of multiple record sources to trace, over 12 years, a one-year discharge cohort of high-security hospital patients. Everyone leaving such a hospital in 1984 was traced until a census date of 31 December 1995. Data were collected from several national databases (Office for National Statistics (ONS), Home Office (HO) Offenders' Index, Police National Computer Records, the Electoral Roll) and by hand-searching responsible agency records (HO, National Health Service). Using all methods, only three of the 204 patients had no follow-up information. Home Office Mental Health Unit data were an excellent source, but only for people still under discharge restrictions (<50% after eight years). Sequential tracing of hospital placements for people never or no longer under such restrictions was laborious and also produced only group-specific yield. The best indicator of community residence was ONS information on general practitioner (GP/primary care) registration. The electoral roll was useful when other sources were exhausted. Follow-up of offenders/offender-patients has generally focused on event data, such as re-offending. People untraced by that method alone, however, are unlikely to be lost to follow-up on casting a wider records net. Using multiple records, attrition at the census was 38%, but, after certain assumptions, reduced further to 5%. Copyright © 2002 Whurr Publishers Ltd. [source] Molted feathers from clay licks in Peru provide DNA for three large macaws (Ara ararauna, A. chloropterus, and A. macao)JOURNAL OF FIELD ORNITHOLOGY, Issue 2 2009Kara J. Gebhardt ABSTRACT Conservation genetic analyses of wildlife have increased greatly in the past 10 yr, yet genetic studies of parrots are rare because of difficulties associated with capturing them and obtaining samples. Recent studies have demonstrated that molted feathers can provide a useful source of DNA, but success rates have varied considerably among studies. Our objective was to determine if molted macaw feathers from Blue-and-yellow Macaws (Ara ararauna), Scarlet Macaws (A. macao), and Red-and-green Macaws (A. chloropterus) collected from rainforest geophagy sites called clay licks could provide a good source of DNA for population genetic studies. Specific objectives were to determine (1) how nuclear DNA microsatellite amplification success and genotyping error rates for plucked macaw feathers compared to those for molted feathers collected from clay licks in the Amazon rainforest, and (2) if feather size, feather condition, species, or extraction method affected microsatellite amplification success or genotyping error rates from molted feathers. Amplification success and error rates were calculated using duplicate analyses of four microsatellite loci. We found that plucked feathers were an excellent source of DNA, with significantly higher success rates (P < 0.0001) and lower error rates (P= 0.0002) than for molted feathers. However, relatively high success rates (75.6%) were obtained for molted feathers, with a genotyping error rate of 11.7%. For molted feathers, we had higher success rates and lower error rates for large feathers than small feathers and for feathers in good condition than feathers that were moldy and broken when collected. We also found that longer incubation times and lower elution volumes yielded the highest quality DNA when extracting with the Qiagen DNeasy tissue kit. Our study demonstrates that molted feathers can be a valuable source of genetic material even in the challenging conditions of tropical rainforests, and our results provide valuable information for maximizing DNA amplification success rates when working with shed feathers of parrots. SINOPSIS Los análisis genéticos para la conservación de la vida silvestre han crecido en gran escala durante los últimos 10 años, pero el análisis genético de los loros son raros por las dificultades asociados con su captura y obtención de muestras. Estudios recientes han demostrado que plumas mudadas podrían proveer una fuente útil de ADN, pero las tasas de éxito varían considerablemente entre estudios. Nuestro objetivo fue determinar si las plumas mudadas de Ara ararauna, A. macao y A. chloropterus colectadas en sitios de bosque húmedo donde estas aves consumen el suelo, llamados colpas, podrían proveer una fuente útil de ADN para estudios de la genética de las poblaciones. Los objetivos específicos fueron determinar (1) como comparan las tasas de éxito de la amplificación de los microsatélites del ADN nuclear y las tasas de error en el análisis del genotipo de plumas, entre plumas colectadas directamente de los guacamayos y plumas colectadas en colpas en el bosque Amazónico, y (2) si el tamaño de la pluma, su condición, la especie o el método de extracción afecta el éxito de la amplificación de los microsatélites o las tasas de error en el análisis del genotipo de las plumas mudadas. Las tasas de éxito de amplificación y error fueron calculados usando análisis duplicados de cuatro loci de microsatélites. Encontramos que plumas colectadas directamente de las aves son una fuente excelente de ADN, con tasas de éxito significativamente más altas (P < 0.0001), y con menores tasas de error (P= 0.0002) que las plumas mudadas. Sin embargo, tasas de éxito relativamente altas (75.6%) fueron obtenidos de plumas mudadas, con una tasa de error en el análisis del genotipo de 11.7%. Para plumas mudadas, tuvimos tasas de éxito más altas y tasas de error menores para plumas grandes que para plumas pequeñas y para plumas en buena condición que para plumas que estaban cubiertos con hongos y quebradas cuando fueron colectadas. También encontramos que mayores periodos de incubación y menores volúmenes de elución proveían el ADN de mayor calidad cuando se extraía el ADN usando el kit de tejido Quiagen DNeasy. Nuestro estudio demuestra que las plumas mudadas pueden ser una fuente valiosa de materia genética, hasta en las condiciones de los bosques húmedos tropicales. Nuestros resultados proveen información valiosa para maximizar las tasas de éxito de la amplificación del ADN cuando se analizan las plumas mudadas de los loros. [source] GLUTEN EXTRACTED FROM FRESH PASTA BY-PRODUCT: PHYSICOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES AND POTENTIAL USE IN BREAD MAKINGJOURNAL OF TEXTURE STUDIES, Issue 3 2010RAOUDHA ELLOUZE GHORBEL ABSTRACT The chemical, functional, rheological and structural properties of gluten extracted from fresh durum wheat pasta by-product (PG) were studied and compared with those of the commercial soft wheat gluten (CG). PG had lower starch and fat contents, lower adhesiveness and higher emulsifying and foaming stabilities than CG, whereas CG had higher foaming capacity, cohesiveness and chewiness. CG gave also a more open matrix surface morphology than PG. The glutens did not show a significant difference of their protein content, water absorption, hardness and springiness. They showed also similar dynamic rheological behaviors (G,, G, and tan ,) at low frequencies (<4 Hz). In addition, PG and CG can be used in the bread-baking process since addition (2%, flour basis) to dough characterized by a low bread-making quality improved significantly its strength (W) and its elasticity-to-extensibility ratio (P/L). PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS The pasta by-product could be considered as an excellent source of gluten and may be used as an improver in bread making. This hypothesis is supported by determining the functional and rheological properties of the gluten extracted from fresh pasta by-product. Furthermore, addition of 2% of this gluten to low bread-making quality wheat flour leads to an improvement of the dough alveographic characteristics (W and P/L) and an increase in bread volume by 46%. [source] Composition, nutritional aspects and effect on serum parameters of marine algae Ulva rigidaJOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE, Issue 3 2010Cristina Taboada Abstract BACKGROUND: Algae are commonly consumed in Asia and have also gained popularity in Europe. However, data on the bioavailability of their components are limited. The present study was designed to determine the composition of Ulva rigida and the effects of inclusion of 10% of the algae in a standard diet for 4 weeks on nutritive value and serum parameters in order to consider the usefulness of Ulva as a dietary supplement. RESULTS:Ulva rigida is rich in protein, carbohydrates, fibre, vitamins and minerals and has a low lipid content. Analysis of the amino acid composition revealed good-quality protein. The algae were well accepted by experimental animals and did not significantly change nutritional parameters but reduced LDL cholesterol. CONCLUSIONS:Ulva rigida is an excellent source of nutrients and could improve a balanced diet. Further studies are required to research the potential of the seaweed as a natural source of bioactive compounds. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry [source] A nutrition and health perspective on almondsJOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE, Issue 14 2006Chung-Yen Chen Almonds provide a nutrient-dense source of vitamin E, manganese, magnesium, copper, phosphorus, fibre, riboflavin, monounsaturated fatty acids and protein. Although almost 50% of almond weight is fat, incremental intakes of 7 g day,1 of this tree nut reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol concentration by 1%, especially within the context of diets recommended by the National Cholesterol Education Program. Habitual almond consumption does not lead to weight gain, and their inclusion in low-calorie diets appears to promote more weight loss than a comparable carbohydrate-based low-calorie diet. Also, almonds have a low glycemic index and do not adversely impact insulin sensitivity. Almonds are an excellent source of bioavailable ,-tocopherol, and increasing their intake enhances the resistance of LDL against oxidation. In addition, the polyphenolic constituents of almonds have been characterised recently and found to possess antioxidant actions. While benefits of almonds for cardiovascular health and obesity-related diseases appear promising, the potential allergenic reaction among susceptible individuals can present a risk. Further research is required to achieve a better understanding of the role that the bioavailability and bioaccessibility of almond constituents and the synergy between them play in their associated health outcomes. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry [source] Vascular grafts in the rat model: An anatomic studyMICROSURGERY, Issue 3 2001Brantley Blain B.S. Vascular grafts in animal models have been used extensively in the microsurgical laboratory, and the rat offers an excellent source of graft to meet these needs. In this study, we compiled a list of vessels that were previously identified in experimental literature for use as vascular grafts in the rat model. We then dissected and measured both arterial and venous grafts taken from these sites in 12 adult rats. The surgical procedure for approaching each vascular graft was recorded. The diameter and harvestable length, the start and end points, and the number of branches of the graft were tabulated. We believe that these data will provide valuable insight applicable to the use of the rat vascular graft in microsurgical research and training. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc. Microsurgery 21:80,83 2001 [source] A microsatellite marker linked to leaf rust resistance transferred from Aegilops triuncialis into hexaploid wheatPLANT BREEDING, Issue 3 2001M. Aghaee-Sarbarzeh Abstract Aegilops triuncialis (UUCC) is an excellent source of resistance to various wheat diseases, including leaf rust. Leaf rust-resistant derivatives from a cross of a highly susceptible Triticum aestivum cv.,WL711' as the recurrent parent and Ae. triuncialis Ace.3549 as the donor and with and without a pair of acrocentric chromosomes were used for molecular tagging. The use of a set of sequence tagged microsatellite (STMS) markers already mapped to different wheat chromosomes unequivocally indicated that STMS marker gwm368 of chromosome 4BS was tightly linked to the Ae. triuncialis leaf rust resistance gene transferred to wheat. The presence of the Ae. Triuncialis -specific STMS gwm368 homoeoallele along with the non-polymorphic 4BS allele in the rust-resistant derivatives with and without the acrocentric chromosome indicates that the resistance has been transferred from the acrocentric chromosome to either the A or the D genome of wheat. This alien leaf rust resistance gene has been temporarily named as LrTr. [source] Implementing the lead user method in a high technology firm: A longitudinal study of intentions versus actionsTHE JOURNAL OF PRODUCT INNOVATION MANAGEMENT, Issue 6 2001Erik L. Olson The customer or user's role in the new product development process is limited or nonexistent in many high technology firms, despite evidence that suggests customers are frequently an excellent source for new product ideas with great market potential. This article examines the implementation of the Lead User method for gathering new product ideas from leading edge customers by an IT firm that had not previously done much customer research during their new product development efforts. This case study follows the decision-makers of the firm through the process, where the end result is the generation of a number of useful product concepts. Besides the ideas generated, management at the firm is also impressed with the way the method makes their new product development process more cross-functional and they plan to make it a part of their future new product development practices. Approximately one year later the firm is revisited to find out if the Lead User method has become a permanent part of their new product development process. The authors find, however, that the firm has abandoned research on the customer despite the fact that several of the lead-user derived product concepts had been successfully implemented. Management explanations for their return to a technology push process for developing new products include personnel turnover and lack of time. Using organizational learning theory to examine the case, the authors suggest that the nontechnology specific product concepts generated by the lead users were seen as ambiguous and hence overly simplistic and less valuable by the new product development personnel. The technical language spoken by the new product personnel also increased the inertia of old technology push development process by making it more prestigious and comfortable to plan new products with their technology suppliers. The fact that the firm was doing well throughout this process also decreased the pressure to change from their established new product development routine. The implications for these finding are that: 1) it is necessary to pressure or reward personnel in order to make permanent changes to established routines, and 2) researchers should be careful at taking managers at their word when asking them about their future intentions. [source] 2131: Human pluripotent stem cells provide excellent source of functional pigment epithelial cellsACTA OPHTHALMOLOGICA, Issue 2010H SKOTTMAN Purpose Defined differentiation of functional RPE cells from human embryonic (hESC) or induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) is a prerequisite for their use in individualised disease modelling, drug discovery and transplantation for retinal diseases. In this study we report differentiation of RPE cells from hESC and iPSC in condition enabling easy translation to clinical quality cell production. Methods Pluripotent stem cells were produced on human fibroblast feeder cells in serum-free medium. The differentiation of the cells was induced using bFGF and feeder cell removal approach under serum-free conditions. The pigmentation and RPE morphology of the cells were analysed and the expression of genes and proteins characteristics for RPE cells were studied. The in vitro functionality of the cells was analysed using ELISA measurements and phagocytosis of photoreceptor outer segments. The integrity of the generated RPE layer was analysed using transepithelial electric resistance (TEER) measurements. Results With our differentiation method, we were able to generate RPE cells with satisfying efficiency. The typical pigmented cobblestone-like morphology and expression of RPE specific markers were confirmed at gene and protein level. The differentiated cells were able to phagocytose and secreted growth factors typical for RPE cells. In addition, cells formed a well polarized epithelium with high integrity, exhibiting good TEER values. Conclusion We have developed progressive differentiation protocol for production of functional RPE cells from hESC and iPSC. The developed production method is currently translated to defined and animal component free conditions enabling clinical grade cell production. [source] Functional and Edible Uses of Soy Protein ProductsCOMPREHENSIVE REVIEWS IN FOOD SCIENCE AND FOOD SAFETY, Issue 1 2008Preeti Singh ABSTRACT:, Consumers are becoming increasingly interested in healthful foods and are open to soy protein ingredients. Soybeans as food are very versatile and a rich source of essential nutrients. They are also an excellent source of good-quality protein, comparable to other protein foods, and suitable for all ages. Adverse nutritional and other undesirable effects followed by the consumption of raw soybean meal have been attributed to the presence of endogenous inhibitors of digestive enzymes and lectins, as well as poor digestibility. To improve the nutritional quality of soy foods, inhibitors and lectins are generally inactivated by heat or eliminated by fractionation during food processing. Soybeans provide an alternative source of protein for people who are allergic to milk protein. Soy protein is highly digestible (92% to 100%) and contains all essential amino acids. Although relatively low in methionine, it is a good source of lysine. Soy-protein products contain a high concentration of isoflavones, up to 1 g/kg. Increased acceptance of soy proteins is due to unmatched qualities like good functional properties in food applications, high nutritional quality, abundance, availability, and low cost. At present the various forms of soy proteins are primarily utilized for their functional effects rather than their nutritional properties. This article summarizes the integrated overview of the widely available, scattered information about the nutritional and functional uses of the soy proteins when applied in food systems and intends to present the most current knowledge with an interest to stimulate further research to optimize their beneficial effects. [source] | ||||||||||||||||