Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Interventions for treating obesity in children.

BACKGROUND The prevalence of overweight and obesity is increasing in child populations throughout the world. Obesity in children has significant short and long term health consequences. OBJECTIVES To assess the effects of a range of lifestyle interventions designed to treat obesity in childhood. SEARCH STRATEGY We searched CCTR, MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsychLIT, Science Citation Index, Social Science Citation Index. Each database was searched from 1985 to July 2001. We also contacted experts in child obesity treatment. SELECTION CRITERIA We selected randomised controlled trials of lifestyle interventions for treating obesity in children with a minimum of six months duration. Examples of lifestyle interventions include dietary, physical activity and/or behavioural therapy interventions, with or without the support of associated family members. Interventions from any setting and delivered by any professional were considered. However, interventions that specifically dealt with the treatment of eating disorders were excluded. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Two of our research team independently assessed trial quality and extracted data. Authors of the included studies were contacted for additional information where this was appropriate. MAIN RESULTS We included 18 randomised controlled trials with 975 participants. Many studies were run from a specialist obesity clinic within a hospital setting. Five studies (n=245 participants) investigated changes in physical activity and sedentary behaviour. Two studies (n=107 participants) compared problem-solving with usual care or behavioural therapy. Nine studies (n=399 participants) compared behavioural therapy at varying degrees of family involvement with no treatment or usual care or mastery criteria and contingent reinforcement. Two studies (n=224 participants) compared cognitive behavioural therapy with relaxation.Most of the studies included in this review were too small to have the power to detect the effects of the treatment. We did not conduct a meta-analysis since so few of the trials included the same comparisons and outcomes. Therefore, we synthesised the results in a narrative format. REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS Although 18 research studies were found, most of these were very small studies drawn from homogenous, motivated groups in hospital settings and so generalisable evidence from them is limited. In conclusion, there is a limited amount of quality data on the components of programs to treat childhood obesity that favour one program over another. Further research that considers psychosocial determinants for behaviour change, strategies to improve clinician-family interaction, and cost-effective programs for primary and community care is required. We conclude that no direct conclusions can be drawn from this review with confidence.
Retinoic acid receptor γ 2 gene expression is up-regulated by retinoic acid in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes

Retinoids, especially all-trans retinoic acid (RA), have been shown to inhibit the differentiation of preadipose cells. In the present study, the expression of retinoic acid receptors (RAR alpha, beta and gamma) and retinoid X receptors (RXR alpha, beta and gamma) was examined by Northern blot analysis in rat adipose tissue and mouse 3T3-L1 adipose cells. The adipose tissue and/or 3T3-L1 cells expressed mRNAs for a number of nuclear retinoid receptors, including RAR alpha, beta and gamma, and RXR alpha, beta and gamma. RAR alpha, RAR gamma, RXR alpha and RXR beta mRNAs were abundant in adipose tissue and 3T3-L1 cells. RXR gamma mRNA was detected in adipose tissue but not in 3T3-L1 cells. Treatment of 3T3-L1 cells with 1 microM RA led to a 4-5-fold increase in the RAR gamma mRNA level, but only a trace amount of RAR beta mRNA was detected. RAR gamma mRNA expression was rapidly (within 2 h) induced by physiological concentrations of RA in a dose-dependent manner. The response of RAR gamma mRNA expression to RA was reversible; rapid disappearance of RAR gamma mRNA occurred on RA removal. In addition, the induction of RAR gamma expression did not require de novo protein synthesis, but was completely abolished by an inhibitor of RNA synthesis. Using RAR gamma 1 and gamma 2 isoform-specific probes, the patterns of RAR gamma 1 and gamma 2 mRNA expression in 3T3-L1 cells in the presence and absence of RA were examined. RAR gamma 1 mRNA was detected in 3T3-L1 cells but was not affected by RA treatment; however, RAR gamma 2 mRNA was strongly induced by RA.
Control of Breast Cancer through the Resolution of Inflammation

Current breast cancer therapies, including chemotherapy and targeted therapy, reduce tumor burden by killing tumor cells. However, they result in apoptotic and necrotic cell bodies, or “tumor cell debris,” which may act as a source of tumor stimulation by promoting inflammation. Thus, chemotherapy and targeted therapy may be a double‐edged sword. Enhancing clearance of tumor debris by specialized pro‐resolving mediators (SPMs) may target the endogenous mechanisms driving tumor growth, resistance, and dormancy escape. Maresin 1 (MaR1), a key mediator of resolution, is biosynthesized by human macrophages from endogenous docosahexaenoic acid. We hypothesize that maresins represent a novel modality in breast cancer treatment by resolving inflammation and enhancing endogenous clearance of tumor cell debris by macrophage phagocytosis.
Academics: how do they spend their time?

Academics are reported to be working longer hours and have less time for research because of increasing administrative and teaching demands. The traditional pattern of the academic enterprise appears to have changed. To explore whether this is indeed the case, the Experience Sampling Method [ESM], a research technique devised by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, was used in a pilot study to monitor the working lives of 22 university academics from two “Gumtree” multi campus universities in Australia. Participants were asked to complete a specifically devised Experience Sampling Form [ESF] on receipt of a SMS message sent to their mobile phones six times a day for one week. Information was gathered about the activities being undertaken and the respondents’ feelings about these activities. Work related tasks reported were sorted into the 17 different categories of academic work devised by Kreber. The findings were examined by gender, university of employment, working hours, and by level of academic appointment.
Effect of heat treatment on functional characteristics of peanut (Arachis hypogeae) meal

Changes in functional properties were studied in peanut subjected to blanching and roasting (combined and individually). Roasting without blanching of peanut caused reductions in nitrogen solubility, emulsifying acitivity/stability, gelation capacity, fat absorption capacity (FAC) and water adsorption but increased water absorption capacity (WAC) and did not alter foamability. A combination of blanching and roasting improved foam stability and increased FAC by 6.41-64.8%. The WAC of peanut meal was significantly increased (7.81- 175%) on roasting without pre-treatment and the increase was much higher (154-270%) for samples blanched prior to roasting.
Isolation, Expression Characteristics and Chromosomal Locations of Three cDNA Fragments Under Salt Stress in Rice

cDNA libraries were constructed from the leaves of a rice (Oryza sativa L.) salt tolerancevariety Tesan抋i 2 growing in solutions with 150 mmol/L NaCl for 3 h or without salt stress. Three salt-responsive cDNA clones, Ts1, Ts2 and Ts3 were isolated by differential screening. Northern blottinganalysis showed that the transcription levels of Ts1 and Ts2 increased within 3 h salt stress and kept onincreasing within 24 h, while the transcription level of Ts3 reached its peak within 3 h. Sequence analysisindicated that there were no homologies between the three cDNA clones and any known gene. The threecDNA clones were mapped using a doubled haploid (DH) population derived from an indica variety ZYQ8,which was a salt tolerance parent of Tesan抋i 2, with a japonica variety JX17. Ts1, Ts2 and Ts3 werelocated on chromosomes 1, 3 and 7, respectively. It was noted that Ts1, Ts2, and Ts3 were in or near theregions of major or minor salt tolerance quantitative trait loci (QTLs), which were mapped in the same DHpopulation in a parallel study.
1.3 A Contribution of Antarctic Ecology to Yeast Systematics

Summary: The McMurdo Dry Vallcys (infonnaHy known as the Ross Dcscrt) of Antarctica has providcd a uniquc opportunity 10 observe thc selctive cffects of aridity on yeast evolution and, conscquently. to assess the systcmatic value of phenotypic characters. 111C yeasts of the arid highlands differ from sornc yeasts of melt streams and lakes in failure 10 produce mycelium and/or pscudomyccliurn. a characteristic formerly given gcneric importance. Although thc presence of liquid water has complex conscquences and the causal relationship of aridity with negative selection for this trait is incomplctcly understood, thesc findings indicare that filamentous growth habits are negativcly selectcd in cold dcserts and therefore may be considered to be prescntly undervalued in yeast taxonomy. Zusammenfassung: Die McMurdo Dry Valleys (auch Ross Desert genannt) bieten eine einzigartige Gelegenheit. die selektiven Effekte von Ariditat auf die Evolution der Hefen zu beobachten und daraus folgend den systematischen Wert von Phanotypen festzustellen. Die Hefen der trockenen und hochgelegenen Gebiete unterscheiden sich von einigen Hefen der Schmelzwasserstrome und Seen dadurch, das sie kein Myccl und/oder Pseudomycel bilden, was bisher als entwicklungsgeschichtlich bedeutend galt Obwohl die Verfugbarkeit von Wasser komplexe Wirkungen hat und der kausale Zusammenhang zwischen Ariditat und negativer Selektrion sich in diesem Fall noch nicht vollstandig nachvollziehen last, zeigen die Untersuchungen, das FilamentoseWuchs formen in Kaltewusten eine negative Auslese bilden und deshalb in Kaltewusten eine negative Auslese bilden und deshalb noch in der Taxonomie der Hefen unterschatzt werden. The Antarctic has provided a unique opportunity to correlate controversial generic characters in yeast systematics with selective forces in a natural habitat. Yeast species are now considered to be most reliably delimited by DNA homology, while rRNA-DNAhomology holds promise for the definition of genera (KREGER-VAN RU 1984a). Since the nucleic acid homologies of yeasts are at present incompletely known, many yeasts are now both identified and classified on the basis of empirically chosen phenotypic characters whose selctive advantages are incompletely understood. The most obvious ecologic variable within the McMurdo Dry Valleys (informally known as the Ross Desert, southern Victoria Land, Antarctica) is the presence or absence of water. It has been claimed that water is the limiting factor in microbial growth in the dry valleys (HOROWITZet al 1972). We have compared the characteristics of yeasts isolated from sites in 01' near liquid with those of yeasts isolated from arid upland soils. In contrast with other soils, no yeasts isolated from arid upland soils produced mycelium 01' pseudomycelium, suggesting that this characteristic has greater systematic value than it is presently accorded.
Food and Chemical Toxicology

A natural extract obtained from the seeds of Fraxinus excelsior L. (FraxiPure™) has been previously reported to reduce glycemia in animal models and in humans. The objective of this work was to evaluate the safety of FraxiPure™ at in vitro, in vivo and human levels. In addition, nutritional analyses revealed an extract high in carbohydrates, with minor levels of protein, dietary fiber, glucose and sucrose. IC50 and IC90 values of 1.447 and 2.530 mg/mL, respectively, after 72 h incubation were calculated using the MTT assay. FraxiPure™ conferred a magnitude of protection of 69.2% against the formation of micronuclei in irradiated human lymphocytes as determined by the micronucleus assay. An LD50 of greater than 2500 mg/kg was concluded following an acute oral toxicity study in Sprague–Dawley rats. A human safety evaluation in a double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel study of 100 healthy volunteers revealed no significant differences between daily consumption of 1000 mg of FraxiPure™ for 90 days and placebo (maltodextrin) for any of the biochemical or hematological parameters studied. Numbers of adverse events were similar in both groups, and were deemed mild to moderate. These results demonstrate, for the first time, the safety and tolerability of FraxiPure™ for consumption in healthy subjects.
Sex change anf life history patterns of the Labrid, Semicossyphus pulcher, across and environmental gradient

eastern Missouri, U.S.A. Milwaukee Pub. Mus. Contrib. Biol. Geol. 67:1-19. , AND S. R. HUNT. 1980. Temperature relationships and movements of snakes (Elaphe obsoleta, Coluber constrictor) in a cave hibernaculum. Herpetologica 36:20-26. , AND K. R. MARION. 1981. Experimental analysis of movements by prairie rattlesnakes, Crotalus viridis, during hibernation. Oecologia 51:37-41. SOKAL, R. R. , AND F. J. ROHLF. 1981. Biometry. 2nd ed. W. H. Freeman & Co., San Francisco, California.
A life-history approach to the early ontogeny of the Mozambique tilapia Oreochromis mossambicus (Pisces, Cichlidae)

The early ontogeny of Oreochromis mossambicus (Peters) was followed from the time of egg activation until the juvenile period. Development is direct and consists of an embryonic period of approximately 15 days. The embryonic period can be divided into a cleavage, an embryonic and a free-embryonic phase. A detailed developmental description is given and the relationship between the early ontogeny and the early life-history pattern is examined. The terminology used for the last step of the free-embryonic phase and a possible truncated larval period is discussed.
Do elephants need to sweat

An adequate rate of evaporative water loss is considered essential for the maintenance of thermal balance in the elephant in warm climatic conditions. Histological studies have failed to reveal the existence of sweat glands in elephant skin. Transepidermal water-loss rate has been measured and shown to be sufficiently high for possible thermal needs. The structure of elephant skin and the behaviour of elephants are seen to contribute towards maintaining skin permeability and the necessary level of transepidermal water loss,
Effects of Early Dietary Energy and Protein Dilution on Growth Performance, Nutrient Utilization and Internal Organs of Broilers

This experiment aimed to investigate the effects of early dietary energy and protein dilution on growth performance, nutrient utilization and internal organs of broilers. Of Arbor Acres, 1200 day-old male chicks were selected and randomly distributed to 16 experimental groups with factorial arrangement (4×4) including 4 levels of energy dilution and 4 of protein dilution (8 to 14 d of age). Birds were fed the same diets during the other period. Experiment of nutrient utilization was carried out 11 to 14 d of age. At 14 d, 1 bird/pen was slaughtered to determine internal organs. From 8 to 14 d, average daily feed intake (ADFI) of treatments protein diluted 10% was significantly less than of treatments protein diluted 20% (P<0.05). Feed conversion ratio (FCR) of treatments protein diluted 30% and energy diluted 15% was significantly less than other treatments (P<0.05). From 15 to 42 d, ADFI of treatments protein diluted 20% was significantly less than of treatments protein diluted 0 and 10% (P<0.05). At 42 d, body weight (BW) of treatments energy diluted 10% was more than of treatments energy diluted 0 and 15% (P<0.05). The FCR of treatments protein diluted 20% was significantly less than of treatments protein diluted 0 and 10%, and that of treatments energy diluted 15% was significantly more than other treatments (P<0.05). Data indicated that early dietary energy and protein dilution affected BW, ADFI and FCR, and the optimum treatment was 10% of dietary energy and protein dilution from 8 to 14 d.
La microscopía eLectrónica como herramienta en La evaLuación de semen canino

Canine semen evaluation can give important information related to the fresh or frozen-thawed semen fertilizing ability. However routine test can not predict accurately semen fertilizing ability. Assessment of sperm morphology at the light microscopy level can provide only limited information on the structure of the spermatozoa. Transmission electron microscope and scanning electron microscope can reveal more details of sperm structure. Many sperma- tozoa considered morphologically normal at light microscopic level could have many defects when observed with an electron microscope. The aims this study was described morphologi- cal defects in canine fresh semen and damage observed in frozen-thawed semen. The sperm fraction was collected from 8 dogs, each was diluted in a two step dilution to a final sperm concentration of 100x10 6 /ml and were packed in 0.5 ml straws. The straws were frozen in a Styrofoam box 4 cm above liquid nitrogen. One sample was prepared immediately after collection and the other samples were taken after freezing-thawing. Samples were observed with a transmission electron microscope and scanning electron microscope. Morphological defects and sperm damage were described in fresh and frozen-thawed semen.
Growth and survival of budded Kinnow plants as influenced by different types of black polybags and soil media

The experiment was carried out to standardize the black polybags with different soil media for production of budded Kinnow plants with treatments comprising four different sizes of black polybags and different soil media containing soil, sand, vermicompost and farm yard manure (FYM) in different proportions. The interaction effect of different potting material and propagation media showed that potting material viz. black polybags of size 22x10x8 cm with holes filled with propagation media soil: sand: vermicompost in the ratio of 1:1:1 reported maximum diameter of scion (0.89 cm), diameter of stock (2.76 cm), scion stock ratio (0.32), length of shoot (20.00 cm), number of shoot (11.81), number of leaves per scion (12.50) and height of plant (44.96 cm); whereas, soil temperature, electrical conductivity and soil texture were also observed highest. The cost of raising 10000 kinnow buddlings in black polybags of size 22x10x8 cm with holes filled with propagation media soil: sand: vermicompost in ratio of 1: 1: 1 was estimated as Rs 54321.00. Key words: Kinnow, black polybags, soil media, growth and economics.
Die nordkoreanischen Sonderwirtschaftszonen - eine Wiederholung des chinesischen Erfolgsmodells?

In den vergangenen Jahren hat Nordkorea eine Reihe vorsichtiger Offnungsversuche der Wirtschaft begonnen, die es schon angebracht erscheinen lassen, von einer eigenen nordkoreanischen „Politik der offenen Tur“ zu sprechen, auch wenn dies in der Offentlichkeit durch die kriegerische Propaganda Nordkoreas und insbesondere die Nuklearkrise kaum wahrgenommen wurde. Neben anderen Wirtschaftsreformen, wie einer Preis- und Lohnreform, einer Reform des Anreizsystems fur die Landwirtschaft und einer Geldreform, war die Einrichtung von Sonderwirtschaftszonen (SWZ) der Kernpunkt des Reformprogramms. Dies ist insofern erstaunlich, als bereits Anfang der neunziger Jahre in Rajin-Sonbong am so genannten „goldenen Dreieck“ zwischen China, Russland und Nordkorea eine SWZ eingerichtet worden war, die aber nie den erwarteten Wirtschaftsaufschwung in die Region brachte. Welche Grunde stehen hinter der erneuten Entscheidung, drei Sonderwirtschaftszonen in Gaeseong, Sinuiju und Geumgangsan einzurichten?
Primary productivity and system transfer functions in an alpine grassland of Western Garhwal Himalaya.

Alpine and sub-alpine grasslands have developed relatively on steep slopes at an elevation where the climate is too cold and severe for tree growth (Yadava & Singh 1977). Tropical alpine grasslands have not been explored extensively for their diversity, productivity and system transfer functions. Unplanned grazing in these grasslands has caused erosion and threat to the survival of species and their habitats. In Indian Himalaya, a few workers have attempted to analyse various phytosociological characteristics and productivity of the alpine grasslands (Joshi et al. 1988; Ram et al. 1989). Present study was undertaken with an objective to analyse upper and lower altitude sites of an alpine grassland of the Garhwal Himalaya to provide information on species composition, biomass, productivity and system transfer functions. The study area lies between 300 23’-25’ N latitude and 780 25’-30’ E lon gitu de. T h e ran ge of altitude for lower study site was 3550 3580 m, and for upper site 3600 3780 m). The study area is an alpine tract between Bhojbasa and Gaumukh on right side of the river Bhagirathi in Uttarkashi district of the Garhwal Himalaya. The total rainfall during the study period (1995) from May to October at Gangotri was 1606 mm with minimum (26 mm) in October and maximum (525 mm) in August. The temperature ranged from 6.5 0C (May) to 22.4 0C (June) during the growing season. Snowfall was frequent from December to April. Quadrat sampling (50 x 50 cm) was done for phytosociological analysis. The importance value index was calculated following Curtis & McIntosh (1950). Diversity calculation was based on Shannon & Wiener (1963). Biomass production was recorded for six months (growing period) from May to October 1995 at monthly intervals by harvest method. Sampling size for estimation of aboveground biomass was 50 x 50 cm (quadrat), and 25 x 25 x 30 cm (monolith) for belowground biomass estimation. Aboveground net primary production (ANP) and belowground net primary production (BNP) were determined by the method described by Singh & Yadava (1974). The net accumulation and disappearance rates were calculated on the basis of the methods given by Singh & Yadava (1974) and Sims & Singh (1978a,b). Both the alpine sites had more than 60 % sedges followed by grasses and forbs. On the basis of IVI the community on the upper site may be called Bothriochloa-Stellaria-Nepeta community, and Arundinella-Potentilla community on the lower site (Table 1). The index of diversity was higher for the upper site (2.39) than that for the lower site (1.91), which falls within the range of diversity values reported for other alpine sites (Ram et al. 1989; Rikhari & Negi 1994). On both the sites, aboveground biomass increased from May to August and decreased thereafter (Table 2). The live shoot biomass was Tropical Ecology 41(1): 99-101, 2000 ISSN 0564-3295 © International Society for Tropical Ecology