bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hospital epidemiologists’ and infection preventionists’ opinions regarding hospital-onset bacteremia and fungemia as a potential healthcare-associated infection metric
Authors: Dantes Raymund B. , Abbo Lilian M. , Anderson Deverick , Hall Lisa , Han Jennifer H. , Harris Anthony D. , Leekha Surbhi , Milstone Aaron M. , Morgan Daniel J. , Safdar Nasia , Schweizer Marin L. , Sengupta Sharmila , Seo Susan K. , Rock Clare
Published: April 2019

Objective:

To ascertain opinions regarding etiology and preventability of hospital-onset bacteremia and fungemia (HOB) and perspectives on HOB as a potential outcome measure reflecting quality of infection prevention and hospital care.

Design:

Cross-sectional survey.

Participants:

Hospital epidemiologists and infection preventionist members of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) Research Network.

Methods:

A web-based, multiple-choice survey was administered via the SHEA Research Network to 133 hospitals.

Results:

A total of 89 surveys were completed (67% response rate). Overall, 60% of respondents defined HOB as a positive blood culture on or after hospital day 3. Central line-associated bloodstream infections and intra-abdominal infections were perceived as the most frequent etiologies. Moreover, 61% thought that most HOB events are preventable, and 54% viewed HOB as a measure reflecting a hospital’s quality of care. Also, 29% of respondents’ hospitals already collect HOB data for internal purposes. Given a choice to publicly report central-line–associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) and/or HOB, 57% favored reporting either HOB alone (22%) or in addition to CLABSI (35%) and 34% favored CLABSI alone.

Conclusions:

Among the majority of SHEA Research Network respondents, HOB is perceived as preventable, reflective of quality of care, and potentially acceptable as a publicly reported quality metric. Further studies on HOB are needed, including validation as a quality measure, assessment of risk adjustment, and formation of evidence-based bundles and toolkits to facilitate measurement and improvement of HOB rates.
In the Name of the Law: Legal Frames and the Ending of the Occupy Movement in Hong Kong
Authors: Yang Shen
Published: April 2019

The Hong Kong government made tactical use of legal instruments to end the Occupy Movement in 2014, yet there were divergent responses to the injunctions at the two main protest sites. Through a within-case comparison, this study argues that diverging legal frames explain the different reactions at the two sites. Law, as a constitutive symbol of certain collective action frames, constructs the boundaries of a movement and creates expectations among protesters regarding how to address legal instruments. The protesters in Admiralty tended to adhere to a law-abiding frame that required them to respect and obey the law when confronted with legal tactics. In contrast, the framing contest and self-selection of participants made activists in Mongkok susceptible to a law-defying frame that disposed them to resist the actions of law enforcement authorities. This study sheds light on the conditions under which protesters will obey the law.
Local existence of strong solutions and weak–strong uniqueness for the compressible Navier–Stokes system on moving domains
Authors: Kreml Ondřej , Nečasová Šárka , Piasecki Tomasz
Published: April 2019

We consider the compressible Navier–Stokes system on time-dependent domains with prescribed motion of the boundary. For both the no-slip boundary conditions as well as slip boundary conditions we prove local-in-time existence of strong solutions. These results are obtained using a transformation of the problem to a fixed domain and an existence theorem for Navier–Stokes like systems with lower order terms and perturbed boundary conditions. We also show the weak–strong uniqueness principle for slip boundary conditions which remained so far open question.
Malnutrition and anaemia among adult women in India
Authors: Bharati Susmita , Pal Manoranjan , Sen Soumendu , Bharati Premananda
Published: April 2019

The latest National Family Health Survey conducted in 2015–16 (NFHS-4) showed that malnutrition and anaemia still pose huge health challenges in India. Data on 651,642 adult non-pregnant women aged 15–49 years were taken from the survey to study the nutritional and anaemia statuses of adult women by Indian zone and state. The relationships of these two variables with the women’s urban/rural place of residence, education level, religion and eating habits, and wealth index of the family, were assessed. Body Mass Index (BMI) and haemoglobin level were used to assess nutritional status and level of anaemia, respectively. The results show that in 2015–16 in India the percentages of underweight and obese/overweight people were 22.4% and 18.4%, respectively. The percentages of undernutrition and overnutrition were more or less same. The percentage of underweight people was higher in the middle belt region of India. Zones with high levels of overweight or obesity were concentrated in the West, North and South zones. A comparison of the two national-level data sets, i.e. NFHS-4 and NFHS-3, showed that the prevalences of undernutrition and anaemia reduced by 13 and 5 percentage points, respectively, from NFHS-3 to NFHS 4, i.e. over the 10-year period from 2004–05 to 2015–16, whereas overnutrition increased by 4 percentage points during this period. Analysis of possible socio-demographic factors and eating habits thought to influence underweight, obesity and anaemia revealed substantive causal relations. More specifically, education and eating habit were found to influence underweight, overweight or obesity and anaemia significantly. The nutritional status of a woman was also found to depend on household income.
Using Stocks or Portfolios in Tests of Factor Models
Authors: Ang Andrew , Liu Jun , Schwarz Krista
Published: April 2019

We examine the efficiency of using individual stocks or portfolios as base assets to test asset pricing models using cross-sectional data. The literature has argued that creating portfolios reduces idiosyncratic volatility and allows more precise estimates of factor loadings, and consequently risk premia. We show analytically and empirically that smaller standard errors of portfolio beta estimates do not lead to smaller standard errors of cross-sectional coefficient estimates. Factor risk premia standard errors are determined by the cross-sectional distributions of factor loadings and residual risk. Portfolios destroy information by shrinking the dispersion of betas, leading to larger standard errors.
The Bonebridge active bone conduction system: a fast and safe technique for a middle fossa approach
Authors: Carnevale C , Tomás-Barberán M , Til-Pérez G , Sarría-Echegaray P
Published: April 2019

Background

The transmastoid pre-sigmoid approach is always the preferred choice for implantation of the Bonebridge active bone conduction system in patients with a normal anatomy. When an anatomical variant exists or a previous surgery has been performed, a retrosigmoid approach or middle fossa approach can be performed.

Methods

The preferred surgical technique for a middle fossa approach is described. A 14 mm drill head (Neuro Drill) was used to create the bed at the squamous portion of the temporal bone. Surgical time and complication rate were analysed.

Results

The surgical time was shorter than 30 minutes in all cases, and only 14 seconds were needed to create a 14 mm bone bed. No complications were observed during the follow-up period (6–45 months).

Conclusion

Use of the Neuro Drill for the middle fossa approach is an easy technique. It significantly decreases the surgical time, without increasing the complication rate.
Investigation of self-reported dizziness in the elderly when lying down or turning over in bed, and possible benign paroxysmal positional vertigo
Authors: Lindell E , Karlsson T , Johansson M , Magnusson M , Finizia C
Published: April 2019

Objectives

This study aimed to investigate the rate of dizziness and occurrence of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo in the elderly by physical examination in those reporting dizziness symptoms when lying down or turning over in bed.

Methods

A total of 498 people, aged 70–85 years, were asked to complete a questionnaire regarding dizziness symptoms. Subjects answering that they became dizzy in bed were asked to participate in a physical examination and diagnostic manoeuvres investigating benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.

Results

A total of 324 participants (65 per cent) completed the questionnaire. More than one-quarter (29 per cent) reported dizziness and 32 (10 per cent) reported dizziness when turning in bed. Of these 32 persons, 22 (69 per cent) underwent a physical examination. Six participants tested positive for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.

Conclusion

Ten per cent of the elderly participants reported positional symptoms, and 6 out of 22 fulfilled diagnostic criteria for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. Furthermore, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo was established despite a delay between questionnaire completion and investigation, emphasising that this type of dizziness may not be a self-limiting disorder.
Complex Symptomatology Simulated By Unstructured Neural Nets
Authors: Cyrulnik R.A. , Anninos P.A. , Marsh R.
Published: April 2019

A neural net model with random interconnections is shown capable of exhibiting the features of Parkinson’s disease, including cogwheel rigidity, resting tremor, and dysdiadochokinesis. These properties are simulated uniquely for extrapyramidal disease, with spasticity and hypereflexia predicted for other upper motoneuron lesions.
Scanning and Transmission Electron Microscopy of the Ependymal Lining of the Third Ventricle
Authors: Bruni J.E.
Published: April 2019

In its simplest form, the ependyma of the third ventricle consists of a single layer of cuboidal cells. Although these typical mural cells constitute the greater part of the lining of the ventricle, a specialized variety of ependymal cell (the tanycyte) can also be distinguished within circumscribed areas of the ventricular wall. Although such cells are found scattered throughout the dorsoventral extent of the third ventricle, they are particularly numerous along the ventrolateral walls and floor. The regional variation in the surface morphology of the ventricle walls as evident with the scanning electron microscope is consistent with this pattern of tanycyte distribution. Ultrastructural studies have established that the tanycyte is a fundamentally distinct cell with a long basal process extending into the subjacent neuropil and frequently directed toward a capillary wall. This unique morphology conforms closely to its three-dimensional appearance as demonstrated with the scanning electron microscope. The significance of ependymal tanycytes particularly of the third ventricle derives largely from the connections they establish between the ventricular lumen and vasculature of the median eminence. This intriguing structural relationship has led to the suggestion that ependymal cells and cerebrospinal fluid of the third ventricle may be involved in the regulation of adenohypophysial activity. Evidence indicating the functional involvement of specialized ependymal cells in the neuroendocrine control of pituitary activity is reviewed.
Synaptic inputs from identified bipolar and amacrine cells to a sparsely branched ganglion cell in rabbit retina
Authors: Bordt Andrea S. , Perez Diego , Tseng Luke , Liu Weiley Sunny , Neitz Jay , Patterson Sara S. , Famiglietti Edward V. , Marshak David W.
Published: April 2019

There are more than 30 distinct types of mammalian retinal ganglion cells, each sensitive to different features of the visual environment. In rabbit retina, they can be grouped into four classes according to their morphology and stratification of their dendrites in the inner plexiform layer (IPL). The goal of this study was to describe the synaptic inputs to one type of Class IV ganglion cell, the third member of the sparsely branched Class IV cells (SB3). One cell of this type was partially reconstructed in a retinal connectome developed using automated transmission electron microscopy (ATEM). It had slender, relatively straight dendrites that ramify in the sublamina a of the IPL. The dendrites of the SB3 cell were always postsynaptic in the IPL, supporting its identity as a ganglion cell. It received 29% of its input from bipolar cells, a value in the middle of the range for rabbit retinal ganglion cells studied previously. The SB3 cell typically received only one synapse per bipolar cell from multiple types of presumed OFF bipolar cells; reciprocal synapses from amacrine cells at the dyad synapses were infrequent. In a few instances, the bipolar cells presynaptic to the SB3 ganglion cell also provided input to an amacrine cell presynaptic to the ganglion cell. There was apparently no crossover inhibition from narrow-field ON amacrine cells. Most of the amacrine cell inputs were from axons and dendrites of GABAergic amacrine cells, likely providing inhibitory input from outside the classical receptive field.
Urban disruption, suburbanization and retail innovation: establishing shopping centres in Australia
Authors: Bailey Matthew
Published: April 2019

Australian cities were transformed in the 1950s and 1960s by the spread of the automobile and suburbanization. This article examines the patterns of retail diffusion that followed and the resultant adoption of the shopping centre form. Further, it considers the broader implications of retail innovation during a period of urban disruption, revealing intersections between urban geographies, business innovation and retail hierarchies. In the Australian case, dominant firms were able to leverage their market power to adapt to shifting retail geographies and new technologies, while some small entrepreneurial developers catering to the needs of these established retailers laid foundations for national and international expansion. A by-product of these processes was the creation of a unique Australian shopping centre form.
Weighted finite-state transducers for normalization of historical texts
Authors: Etxeberria Izaskun , Alegria Iñaki , Uria Larraitz
Published: April 2019

This paper presents a study about methods for normalization of historical texts. The aim of these methods is learning relations between historical and contemporary word forms. We have compiled training and test corpora for different languages and scenarios, and we have tried to read the results related to the features of the corpora and languages. Our proposed method, based on weighted finite-state transducers, is compared to previously published ones. Our method learns to map phonological changes using a noisy channel model; it is a simple solution that can use a limited amount of supervision in order to achieve adequate performance. The compiled corpora are ready to be used for other researchers in order to compare results. Concerning the amount of supervision for the task, we investigate how the size of training corpus affects the results and identify some interesting factors to anticipate the difficulty of the task.
Effectiveness of data-driven induction of semantic spaces and traditional classifiers for sarcasm detection
Authors: Di Gangi Mattia Antonino , Lo Bosco Giosué , Pilato Giovanni
Published: April 2019

Irony and sarcasm are two complex linguistic phenomena that are widely used in everyday language and especially over the social media, but they represent two serious issues for automated text understanding. Many labeled corpora have been extracted from several sources to accomplish this task, and it seems that sarcasm is conveyed in different ways for different domains. Nonetheless, very little work has been done for comparing different methods among the available corpora. Furthermore, usually, each author collects and uses their own datasets to evaluate his own method. In this paper, we show that sarcasm detection can be tackled by applying classical machine-learning algorithms to input texts sub-symbolically represented in a Latent Semantic space. The main consequence is that our studies establish both reference datasets and baselines for the sarcasm detection problem that could serve the scientific community to test newly proposed methods.
GANs vs. good enough
Authors: Church Kenneth Ward
Published: April 2019

General Adversarial Networks are hot. Given Murphy’s Law, it is prudent to be paranoid. Best not to design for the average case. There is a long tradition of designing for the hundred-year flood (and five 9s reliability). What is good enough? Historically, the market hasn’t been willing to pay for five 9s. Hard to justify upfront costs for future benefits that will only payoff under unlikely scenarios, and might not work when needed. If the market isn’t willing to pay for five 9s, can we afford to design for the worst case?
Collection ofJaltomata darcyana(Solanaceae), previously unrecorded in cultivation, from a home garden in Chicago, IL
Authors: Taylor John , Mione Thomas
Published: April 2019

Evidence has been slowly accumulating that the urban home gardens of immigrants or transnational migrants in the USA conserve food plant diversity with roots in the developing world. Published species lists for home gardens indicate that, at least at the species level, this diversity is not novel but consists of widely grown, culturally important plant species that are also available through the horticultural trade. In 2018, we returned to the home garden of a Mexican-origin household in Chicago and confirmed the identity of a plant provisionally identified asJaltomata darcyanaduring an earlier inventory of the garden. A recently named species of Central America,J. darcyanahas not been previously recorded in cultivation. Collection of this species from a Chicago garden suggests that urban gardens may harbor other novel species awaiting documentation by urban ecologists and botanists.
Germany’s difficulties in becoming a member of the International Astronomical Union
Authors: Wielen Roland
Published: April 2019

After the foundation of the International Astronomical Union (IAU), it took nearly 32 years until Germany became a national member of the IAU. This unfortunate delay was due to both international politics and discussions within Germany (e.g. about the future role of the Astronomische Gesellschaft). The first Statutes of the IAU of 1919 excluded Germany, Austria and other countries from membership for political reasons. When the IAU Statutes were revised in 1931, Germany’s membership was possible, but could not be realized because of financial problems. In the mean time, German astronomers (as individuals) were often able to attend General Assemblies of the IAU as invited participants and to work in IAU Commissions as members. After World War II, Germany became a member of the IAU in 1951, Austria in 1955. In 1962, East Germany was accepted as an additional member. The reunification of Germany in 1990 clarified this situation. Member of the IAU is now one unified Germany.
Before OAD
Authors: Batten Alan H.
Published: April 2019

OAD, theOffice of Astronomy for Development, one of the most significant innovations within the IAU, was created at the XXVII General Assembly in Rio de Janeiro in 2009 and opened in 2011. The new office brought together and strengthened several activities of the IAU aimed at helping astronomers in developing or isolated countries to keep in touch with their colleagues elsewhere and up-to-date with the developments in our science. Those activities were mediated through the old commission structure by Commission 38 (Exchange of Astronomers) and Commission 46 (Astronomy Education and Development) which oversaw theInternational Schools of Young Astronomers(ISYA), theVisiting Lecturer Programme(VLP) andTeaching for Astronomy Development(TAD). In addition, Jorge Sahade, during his term as IAU President (1985–1988), formed theWorking Group for the Promotion and Development of Astronomy, as a sub-committee of the Executive Committee, and asked the present writer, then a Vice-President, to act as chair. That Working Group (later renamed theWorking Group for the Worldwide Development of Astronomy, WGWWDA) operated within the context of the already existing services of the IAU and in cooperation with the United NationsCommittee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space(COPUOS). In this paper, the writer gives an account of the activities of the WGWWDA both during and between General Assemblies, until the year 2000, shortly after which he relinquished responsibility for them.
Working with gender and sexual minorities in the context of Islamic culture: a queer Muslim behavioural approach
Authors: Farhadi Langroudi Khashayar , Skinta Matthew D.
Published: April 2019

There has been a large increase in the migration of Muslim populations towards the western world and the USA in the past decade. Many have migrated in the hope of finding a safe home away from war, persecution, or a better economic situation, with many coming from Afghanistan and Syria. Gender and sexual minorities (GSM), or individuals who are not heterosexual and do not identify with their sex assigned at birth, are disproportionately over-represented within migrating groups. While most of these individuals will not have received psychotherapy in their home countries, it is likely they would receive or be required to obtain psychological services as part of the asylum process or through psychoeducational services as a requirement to receive assistance. In exploring the specific needs of Muslim GSM individuals, we highlight the diverse impacts of minority stress, shame, and how these might be mitigated through the integration of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and compassion-focused therapy (CFT). ACT and CFT may provide a helpful framework for a culturally adapted therapy that targets the needs of those experiencing intersectional Muslim and GSM identities, and can foster the cultivation of a meaningful life that can include all aspects of their identities.

Key learning aims

(1)

To understand the context within which Muslim GSM individuals experience shame.

(2)

To learn to adapt an acceptance and compassion-based approach in working with GSM Muslim clients.

(3)

To describe how culturally competent hypotheses might inform case conceptualization with GSM Muslim clients.
The State of the Netherlandsv.Urgenda Foundation:Ruling of the Court of Appeal of The Hague (9 October 2018)
Authors: Mayer Benoit
Published: April 2019

On 9 October 2018, the Court of Appeal of The Hague (the Netherlands) upheld the District Court’s decision in the case ofUrgenda, thus confirming the obligation of the Netherlands to reduce its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by at least 25% by 2020 compared with levels in 1990. This case raised some of the thorniest issues in climate law. As the Netherlands is responsible for only a tiny fraction of global GHG emissions, is it right for a court to hold that a national emissions reduction mitigation target is necessary to prevent dangerous climate change and its impact on human rights? If so, how can this target be determined? The District Court and the Court of Appeal of The Hague have provided inspiring responses, although they are perhaps not entirely convincing.
Strong association between serum Vitamin D and Vaspin Levels, AIP, VAI and liver enzymes in NAFLD patients
Authors: Izadi Azimeh , Aliasghari Fereshteh , Gargari Bahram Pourghassem , Ebrahimi Sara
Published: April 2019

Abstract. Some studies indicated poor vitamin D level in NAFLD which is independently correlated with severity of steatosis. Low 25(OH) D3 levels are associated with an impaired lipid profile. Impaired levels and function of vaspin and omentin, which are adipokines, have been demonstrated in NAFLD patients. This study determined the relationship between vitamin D and serum liver enzymes, ultrasound findings, some adipokines, atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) and visceral adiposity index (VAI) in patients with NAFLD in a cross-sectional study. This study was a cross-sectional study in eighty-three NAFLD patients (57 males and 26 females). Plasma levels of omentin-1e-1, vaspin were measured. Anthropometric indices metabolic status was assessed. Visceral adiposity index and atherogenic index of plasma were calculated according to suggested formula. Anthropometric indices, lipid profiles, liver enzymes as well as abdominal ultrasonography and the status of vitamin D were assessed. The results showed that aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (44.22 ± 8.5 IU/L vs. 40.19 ± 8.75 IU/L, p-value = 0.039) AIP (0.767 ± 0.142 vs. 0.6417 ± 0.139, p < 0.001) and VAI (9.28 ± 3.25 vs. 7.048 ± 2.415, p = 0.001) were significantly higher in patients with vitamin D deficiency compared to those with vitamin D sufficiency. The positive correlations between Vaspin levels and vitamin D were found to be remarkably significant in both males and females (r = 0.437; P = 0.004; P < 0.001, r = −0.709, respectively. In both males and females serum vitamin D concentrations were negatively associated with AIP. Partial correlations controlling for age and sex showed that vitamin D is significantly and inversely associated with AIP, VAI, AST, and ALT. Additionally, vitamin D levels correlated directly with vaspin.
Dietary intake of pearl millet based weaning food supplemented with iron and vitamin A enhances bioavailability of vitamin A in anemic rats
Authors: Sihag Manvesh Kumar , Sharma Vivek , Goyal Ankit , Arora Sumit , Kapila Rajeev
Published: April 2019

Abstract. The study was aimed to assess vitamin A bioavailability and allergenicity of pearl millet ( Pennisetum glaucum) based weaning food (PMWF) fortified with iron and retinyl acetate in male Wistar albino rats. Animals (n = 64) were divided into Normal (NG) and Anemic (AG) groups; further sub-divided into 4 sub-groups having 8 animals each receiving synthetic diet, commercial diet, iron fortified PMWF diet and iron (150.00 ± 0.73 ppm) plus retinyl acetate (393.00 ± 3.07 μg/100 g) fortified PMWF diet (Final diet). Results revealed that anemic sub-groups showed apparent digestibility coefficient (ADC) in the range of 69.5 ± 0.40–93.2 ± 0.79%, which was significantly (P < 0.01) higher than normal sub-groups (65.5 ± 0.62–84.6 ± 0.33%). In both groups, rats fed final diet presented significantly (P < 0.01) higher ADC (84.6 ± 0.33–93.2 ± 0.79%) than that of animals received iron fortified diet (69.0 ± 0.59–76.1 ± 1.02%), indicating higher bioavailability of vitamin A in final diet. Moreover, hepatic vitamin A replenished rapidly in anemic groups (1.79–27.8) when compared to normal rats (1.11–19.4 μg/g liver). Immunoglobulins IgG, IgE in blood serum and IgA in intestinal fluid ranged from 574 ± 6.48 to 603 ± 9.76 μg/ml, 287 ± 4.46 to 309 ± 5.70 ng/ml and 204 ± 10.33 to 255 ± 13.22 μg/ml, respectively. However, no significant (P > 0.05) difference was observed between the groups and/or subgroups, suggesting no allergic response of final diet. Stimulation index triggered by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) ranged from 1.22 ± 0.06 to 1.45 ± 0.09 μg ml−1in normal sub-groups and 1.16 ± 0.02 to 1.33 ± 0.03 μg ml−1in anemic sub-groups with no significant (P > 0.05) difference among them. Overall, it can be concluded that retinyl acetate could be an effective fortificant to improve the status of vitamin A in anemic models.
Low-Dose Omega-3 Fatty Acid and Vitamin D for Anthropometric, Biochemical Blood Indices and Respiratory Function. Does it work?
Authors: Sujeta Arturas , Capkauskiene Sandrija , Vizbaraite Daiva , Stasiule Loreta , Balciunas Mindaugas , Stasiulis Arvydas , Kadusevicius Edmundas
Published: April 2019

Abstract. Omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D3 have beneficial effects on different blood, cardiovascular parameters and physical performance. However, the effect of low-dose omega-3 fatty acid supplementation remains unclear. 84 office workers aged 40–60 years, participated in a 16-week open, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study. The experimental group received 330 mg of omega-3 fatty acid and 0.005 mg (200 IU) of vitamin D3 per day and the control group received placebo. Anthropometric, biochemical blood and respiratory indices were measured at 12 and 16 weeks. Body mass (BM) and body mass index (BMI) significantly reduced in both the experimental (BM from 74.4 ± 13.04 to 73.2 ± 13.02 kg, p < 0.001; BMI from 25.8 ± 4.1 to 25.4 ± 4.3 kg/m2, p < 0.001) and the placebo groups (BM from 69.5 ± 11. to 68.7 ± 11.4 kg, p < 0.05; BMI from 24.1 ± 4.0 to 23.8 ± 4.2 kg/m2, p < 0.05). Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation significantly improved glucose (from 5.12 ± 0.55 to 4.97 ± 0.62 mmol/l; p = 0.05), total cholesterol (from 5.86 ± 1.0 to 5.32 ± 1.55 mmol/l; p = 0.003), and vitamin D levels (from 35.07 ± 21.65 to 68.63 ± 25.94 nmol/l; p = 0.000). Maximal oxygen consumption (from 33.7 ± 2.4 to 36.6 ± 3.2 ml/kg/min, p = 0.035), forced vital capacity (from 3.5 ± 0.6 to 3.9 ± 0.9 l, p = 0.044), forced expiratory volume (from 3.2 ± 0.6 to 3.5 ± 0.7 l, p = 0.014), and peak expiratory flow (from 6.7 ± 1.4 to 7.5 ± 1.6 l/s, p = 0.019) also slightly improved in the omega-3 fatty acid group. Daily supplementation of 330 mg of omega-3 fatty acids had a slight positive impact on total cholesterol and glucose level, while there was no effect on low and high density lipoproteins, and triglycerides levels. Therefore, dose of 330 mg per day seems as insufficient.
Impact of Crude Palm Oil Fortified Cookies Supplementation on Anthropometry, Vitamin A and Hematological Status of School Children in India
Authors: Ranjan Sobhana , Passi Santosh J. , Singh Som N.
Published: April 2019

Abstract. Objectives: Food-based strategies remain the most sustainable solutions for combating micronutrient deficiencies. Crude palm oil being the richest natural source of β-carotene, the study aimed to assess the impact of crude palm oil fortified cookies supplementation on anthropometry, vitamin A and hematological status of school children.

Methods: 444 children (boys-226, girls-218), aged 5-13 years from two Municipal Corporation of Delhi primary schools were enrolled. By draw of lot, children from one of the schools formed the experimental (n = 224; boys-119, girls-105) while other formed the placebo group (n = 220; boys-107; girls-113). Children from the experimental group received six crude palm oil fortified cookies providing 2152 μg of β-carotene while the placebo group received similar but non-fortified cookies each day for 50 school days. Anthropometry, vitamin A, and hematological status were assessed at baseline and post supplementation.

Results: Post supplementation, the number of stunted subjects reduced significantly (p < 0.05) in the experimental group. There was a significant increase in plasma retinol (170.9%; mean change: 1.55 ± 1.30 μmol/L - experimental group vs. 0.45 ± 0.99 μmol/L - placebo group) and β-carotene (p < 0.01; median change from 0.55 to 0.76 μmol/L - experimental group vs. 0.59 to 0.55 μmol/L -placebo group) concentrations of the experimental group. The increase in hematological parameters (mean change in Hemoglobin: 1.64 g/dL in experimental group vs. 2.10 g/dL in placebo group) of both the groups were however, comparable.

Conclusion: To address micronutrient deficiencies particularly in developing nations, the use of crude palm oil should be encouraged through supplementary feeding programs by way of ready-to-eat snacks.
Polyphenols, Vitamin C, in Vitro Antioxidant Capacity, α-Amylase and COX-2 Inhibitory Activities of Citrus Samples from Aceh, Indonesia
Authors: Ernawita  , Thieme Constanze , Westphal Anna , Malarski Angelika , Böhm Volker
Published: April 2019

Abstract. This study was conducted to analyse antioxidant potencies, vitamin C contents, polyphenol profiles, antidiabetic and anti-inflammatory potencies of citrus fruits from Indonesia. Total phenolics contents (TPC) of seven citrus fruits from northern Aceh, Indonesia, were measured using Folin-Ciocalteu (FC) and Fast Blue BB (FBBB) methods. Total flavonoid content (TFC) test showed for peel and pulp extracts of calung and jeruk takengon (local mandarin) the highest values. H-TEAC (hydrophilic trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity) and H-ORAC (hydrophilic oxygen reactive absorbance capacity) antioxidant capacity were highest for peel and pulp of jeruk takengon, calung and kruet mameh. Interestingly, peel extracts showed no α-amylase inhibition activity whilst pulp showed weak inhibitory activity. Polyphenol composition was dominated by flavanones, with hesperidin and neohesperidin as main flavanones (hesperidin: 131–5433 mg/100 g DW, neohesperidin: 431–4131 mg/100 g DW). Vitamin C contents were highly correlated with antioxidant capacities in pulp (R2 = 0.95 and R2 = 0.94 at p < 0.01 for H-TEAC and H-ORAC, respectively), and TPC and TFC were highly correlated with antioxidant capacities (R2 = 0.99 and R2 = 0.98 for TPC FC in pulp and R2 = 0.93 and R2 = 0.84 in peel for H-TEAC and H-ORAC, respectively; R2 = 0.88 and R2 = 0.80 in pulp, and R2 = 0.68 and R2 = 0.75 for TFC in peel for H-TEAC and H-ORAC at p < 0.01). In-vitro COX-2 inhibitory activity tests resulted in higher activity for pulp compared to the corresponding peel extracts except for calung. Pulp extract of jeruk takengon showed the highest activity. In general, local citrus fruits from Aceh, Indonesia, are potential sources of polyphenols and vitamin C.
Associations between higher egg consumption during pregnancy with lowered risks of high blood pressure and gestational diabetes mellitus
Authors: Milajerdi Alireza , Tehrani Hatav , Haghighatdoost Fahimeh , Larijani Bagher , Surkan Pamela J. , Azadbakht Leila
Published: April 2019

Abstract. Introduction: The prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is increasing worldwide. High cholesterol intake may increase the risk of hyperglycemia, yet little research has evaluated the relation between cholesterol or egg as a main source of dietary cholesterol and GDM. We aimed to study this association among pregnant Iranian women. Methods and Participants: Four hundred sixty-two pregnant women participated in this case-control study. Participants’ dietary intake, weight, height, and blood pressure were obtained and BMI was calculated. Fasting plasma glucose and liver enzymes were also measured. Logistic regression was used to obtain odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for GDM across tertiles of cholesterol and egg consumption. Results: Among study participants, 115 consumed less than one, 194 consumed one and the remaining participants consumed more than one egg per week (mean cholesterol intake 121.31±61.69 mg/d). Participants within the highest tertile of egg consumption had 41% lower risk of GDM (OR: 0.59; 95% CI: 0.35-0.99) compared with those in the lowest tertile (P=0.01). Higher egg consumption was associated with lower risk of having high blood pressure (P=0.01). The difference in odds of GDM and high blood pressure between the highest and the lowest tertile of cholesterol consumption was not significant, even after controlling for age, energy intake, number of children and socio-economic status. Conclusion: Higher dietary intake of egg during pregnancy was associated with lower odds of GDM. We found no significant association between cholesterol intake and odds of GDM. Further research are needed to confirm these results and determine causality.
Montmorency cherry supplement does not affect aerobic exercise performance in healthy men
Authors: Davis Greggory R. , Bellar David
Published: April 2019

Abstract. Aim: To determine the effects of short-term Montmorency cherry (MC) supplementation upon exercise performance, total blood nitrate levels, muscle oxygenation, and slow-component [Formula: see text]O2 kinetics. Methods: Twelve healthy male participants ingested a MC or placebo (PL) supplement in a randomized cross-over fashion over a six day period then cycled at a power output achieved at 70% of [Formula: see text]O2 peak for a maximum of 30 minutes or until exhaustion. Near-Infrared Spectroscopy sensors were used to determine muscle oxygenation. Blood was collected one hour post-supplement consumption on day one, day six, and one hour post-exercise. Results: All results are presented as mean ± SEM. Blood nitrate (μM/L) levels were not different one hour post-ingestion (MC = 8.30 ± 2.15, PL = 8.18 ± 1.86), following six days of supplementation (MC = 9.14 ± 1.89, PL = 7.24 ± 1.75) or one hour post-exercise (MC = 9.63 ± 1.61, PL = 7.97 ± 1.92) for treatment F = 0.26, p = 0.62; for time F = 0.45, p = 0.64; or treatment by time interaction F = 2.28, p = 0.13. Muscle oxygenation was not different between treatments for the right or left vastus lateralis, F = 0.68, p = 0.81 nor was time to respiratory compensation point (minutes) (MC = 18.40 ± 1.48, PL = 17.16 ± 1.78) F = 0.52, p = 0.60. MC supplement ingestion does not alter blood nitrate levels. Conclusion: Short-term MC ingestion does not increase muscle oxygenation during cycling exercise nor does it change slow-component [Formula: see text]O2 kinetics.
Lutein Complex Supplementation Increases Ocular Blood Flow Biomarkers in Healthy Subjects
Authors: Harris Alon , Siesky Brent , Huang Amelia , Do Thai , Mathew Sunu , Frantz Rachel , Gross Josh , Januleviciene Ingrida , Verticchio Vercellin Alice C.
Published: April 2019

Abstract. Introduction: To investigate the effects of a lutein complex supplementation on ocular blood flow in healthy subjects. Materials and Methods: Sixteen healthy female patients (mean age 36.8 ± 12.1 years) were enrolled in this randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded, two-period crossover study. Subjects received daily an oral dose of the lutein with synergistic phytochemicals complex (lutein (10 mg), ascorbic acid (500 mg), tocopherols (364 mg), carnosic acid (2.5 mg), zeaxanthin (2 mg), copper (2 mg), with synergistic effects in reducing pro-inflammatory mediators and cytokines when administered together in combination) and placebo during administration periods. Measurements were taken before and after three-week supplementation periods, with crossover visits separated by a three-week washout period. Data analysis included blood pressure, heart rate, intraocular pressure, visual acuity, contrast sensitivity detection, ocular perfusion pressure, confocal scanning laser Doppler imaging of retinal capillary blood flow, and Doppler imaging of the retrobulbar blood vessels. Results: Lutein complex supplementation produced a statistically significant increase in mean superior retinal capillary blood flow, measured in arbitrary units (60, p = 0.0466) and a decrease in the percentage of avascular area in the superior (−0.029, p = 0.0491) and inferior (−0.023, p = 0.0477) retina, as well as reduced systolic (−4.06, p = 0.0295) and diastolic (−3.69, p = 0.0441) blood pressure measured in mmHg from baseline. Data comparison between the two supplement groups revealed a significant decrease in systemic diastolic blood pressure (change from pre- to post-treatment with lutein supplement (mean (SE)): −3.69 (1.68); change from pre- to post-treatment with placebo: 0.31 (2.57); p = 0.0357) and a significant increase in the peak systolic velocity (measured in cm/sec) in the central retinal artery (change from pre- to post-treatment with lutein supplement: 0.36 (0.19); change from pre- to post-treatment with placebo: −0.33 (0.21); p = 0.0384) with lutein complex supplement; data analyses from the placebo group were all non-significant. Discussion: In healthy participants, oral administration of a lutein phytochemicals complex for three weeks produced increased ocular blood flow biomarkers within retinal vascular beds and reduced diastolic blood pressure compared to placebo.
Hepatoprotective Activity of Linalool in Rats Against Liver Injury Induced by Carbon Tetrachloride
Authors: Altınok-Yipel Fulya , Ozan Tekeli İbrahim , Özsoy Şule Yurdagül , Güvenç Mehmet , Kaya Alpaslan , Yipel Mustafa
Published: April 2019

Abstract. This study aimed to investigate and compare hepatoprotective activity of Coriandrum sativum (Cs) and it is major component linalool (Ln) against experimentally induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Essential oil of Cs was isolated by hydrodistillation method and chemical composition was determined by GS-MS analysis. 42 male Wistar Albino rats were divited into 7 groups each containing 6. The experimental groups were designed as: Normal control group, 1 ml/kg CCl4 administirated group, 25 mg/kg Silymarin and CCl4 administirated group, 100 and 200 mg/kg Cs and CCl4 administirated groups, 100 and 200 mg/kg Ln and CCl4 administered groups. The protective activities were determined according to the results of liver biomarkers (AST, ALT, ALP), antioxidant parameters (GSH, GPx, CAT), lipid peroxidation (MDA) and histopathological examination. Linalool percentage of Cs was 81.6%. The groups treated with linalool (100 and 200 mg/kg) (p < 0.01) and coriander (200 mg/kg) (p < 0.05) had significantly reduced AST (262–375) and ALT (101–290) levels (U/L) compared to the CCl4 (600–622) group. The levels (nmol/g protein) of MDA (11–12) were significantly lower (p < 0.01), the levels of GSH (11–12) and the activities of CAT (23–24) were significantly higher (p < 0.01) in linalool groups (100 and 200 mg/kg) compared to the CCl4 (18-5-10 respectively) group. These results were also supported by histopathological findings and indicate that Cs and Ln shows hepatoprotective activity against liver damage. In this regard, evaluation of activities of major components are needed to compare to medicinal plants in experimental diseases models.
Strong parent-child correlation in circulating vitamin B12 levels and its association with inflammatory markers in Saudi families
Authors: M Al-Daghri Nasser , Abd-Alrahman Sherif , Wani Kaiser , Krishnaswamy Soundararajan , Alenad Amal , Hassan Mohammed A. , S Al-Attas Omar , Alokail Majed S.
Published: April 2019

Abstract. Vitamin B12 deficiency leads to adverse effects on human health, but limited information is available as to whether abnormal vitamin B12 levels are associated between parents and offspring. The present study aimed to assess the association between circulating levels of vitamin B12 in Saudi parents and their children as well as its association with pro-inflammatory markers. A total of 104 Saudi families: 49 fathers, 63 mothers, 94 sons and 79 daughters were selected for the study. Fasting blood samples and anthropometrics were collected. Biochemical parameters, various pro-inflammatory markers and vitamin B12 were measured. Results showed a significant positive correlation between B12 levels in most parent-offspring pairs: mother-daughter (N = 46 pairs, r = 0.72, p < 0.0001); father-daughter (N = 39, r = 0.62, p < 0.0001) and mother-son (N = 51, r = 0.42, p < 0.01). This association was absent in father-son pairs (N = 48, r = 0.26, p = 0.09). Also, B12 was inversely associated with tumor necrosis factor-α and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 in parents (r = −0.32; p < 0.01 and r = −0.31; p < 0.01 respectively) and children (r = −0.14; p < 0.01 and r = −0.19; p < 0.01 respectively). A significant inverse correlation was found between vitamin B12 and leptin in mothers (r = −0.31, p < 0.05). Our study suggests a strong familial component between B12 levels indicating a possible genetic influence on individual B12 status. Our study also suggests an inverse correlation between circulating levels of vitamin B12 and pro-inflammatory markers. The present study highlights the importance of extending screening in families of patients with abnormal B12 levels and expanding treatment, if necessary, to maximize clinical benefits.
Säuglinge präferieren geschlechtsunabhängig eine Gruppe gegenüber einem Einzelindividuum
Authors: Erdmann Kathrin , Heil Martin
Published: April 2019

Zusammenfassung. Während Jungen und Männer bevorzugt in der Gruppe interagieren, präferieren Mädchen und Frauen die Dyade. Obwohl sich der Geschlechterunterschied meist erst ab einem Alter von 6 Jahren über die Interaktion mit anderen Kindern zeigte, konnte er über die Blickpräferenz auf soziale Gruppen- versus Einzelstimuli bereits bei 6 bis 9 Monate alten Säuglingen beobachtet werden. Die präsentierten Studien sind Replikationen bisheriger Säuglingsforschung mit einer deutlich größeren Stichprobe. Es wurden Säuglinge im Alter von 6 und 9 Monaten bezüglich ihrer Präferenz für einen sozialen Gruppenreiz oder einen Einzelreiz untersucht ( N = 352). Es wurden weder Geschlechterunterschiede für die Gesamtstichprobe noch für 6 oder 9 Monate alte Säuglinge gefunden. Sowohl Jungen als auch Mädchen bevorzugten die Gruppenreize. Die Ergebnisse werden vor dem aktuellen Stand der Forschung diskutiert.
The Role of Inherited Lithospheric Heterogeneities in Defining the Crustal Architecture of Rifted Margins and the Magmatic Budget During Continental Breakup
Authors: Gouiza Mohamed , Paton Douglas A.
Published: April 2019

During the final stage of continental rifting, stretching localizes in the future distal domain where lithospheric necking occurs resulting in continental breakup. In magma‐poor margins, the lithospheric necking is accompanied by crustal hyperextension, serpentinization, and exhumation of mantle lithosphere in the continent‐ocean transition domain. In magma‐rich margins, the necking is accomplished by the emplacement of large amounts of volcanics in the continental‐ocean transition, in the form of seaward dipping wedges of flood basalts (seaward dipping reflections). This study examines the factors controlling the final crustal architecture observed in rifted margins and the magmatic budget during continental breakup, using observations from the Labrador Sea. The latter shows magma‐rich breakup with seaward dipping reflections documented in the north and magma‐poor breakup with a wide domain of exhumed serpentinized mantle recorded in the south. The pre‐rift strength of the lithosphere, defined by the inherited thermal structure, composition, and thickness of the lithospheric layers, controls the structural evolution during rifting. While variations in the magmatic budget associated with breakup are controlled primarily by the interaction between the pre‐rift inheritance, the timing and the degree of mantle melting, in relation to lithospheric thinning and mantle hydration.
Application of Clumped Isotope Thermometry to Benthic Foraminifera
Authors: Piasecki Alison , Bernasconi Stefano M. , Grauel Anna‐Lena , Hannisdal Bjarte , Ho Sze Ling , Leutert Thomas J. , Marchitto Thomas M. , Meinicke Niklas , Tisserand Amandine , Meckler Nele
Published: April 2019

Obtaining absolute temperatures of the ocean in deep time is complicated by the lack of constraints on seawater chemistry. Seawater salinity, carbonate ion concentration, δ18O, and elemental abundance changes may obscure widely applied paleoproxies. In addition, with foraminifera‐based proxies applied over long time scales or through major transitions, taxonomic turnover can impair the robustness of a record. While requiring larger sample sizes than most other proxies, the clumped isotope method is independent of seawater chemistry. Here we test if small benthic foraminifera precipitate their carbonate in equilibrium with respect to the clumped isotope thermometer and if there are any species‐specific vital effects. We find that benthic foraminifera fall on the same calibration line as the majority of carbonate minerals including inorganic calcite. In addition, we find no offsets that can be attributed to a species‐specific for any of the samples. This finding implies that a necessary amount of sample material can be obtained by aggregating over multiple taxa of benthic foraminifera and allows for the application of this proxy over major climatic transitions that coincide with seawater chemistry changes and foraminifera extinctions.